Pharmaceutical Dispenser Electric Valve Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers for pharmaceutical media face inaccuracies in discharge volume due to manufacturing tolerances, particularly affecting smaller volumes, where inaccuracies have a greater impact, and lack precise control over discharge characteristics.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an electric valve actuation device to control the outlet valve, allowing for precise metering of the discharge volume by controlling the valve body's movement independently of the pressure-generating device, and using a flow limiter to regulate the flow resistance, enabling targeted discharge characteristics and volume control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the discharge volume is determined by the pressure generating device, then the discharge process is simple, but manufacturing tolerances lead to varying discharge volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent functional parts: the pressure generating device and the outlet valve control. The pressure device pressurizes the medium while the outlet valve with electric actuation separately controls the discharge timing and duration. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the outlet valve providing precise discharge control不受pressure device tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The electric valve actuation device enables precise control of the outlet valve opening and closing timing based on feedback from pressure sensors and control circuits. This feedback mechanism allows the system to compensate for manufacturing tolerances by dynamically adjusting the valve operation to achieve consistent discharge volumes
2Quantity of substance
If the discharge volume is small, then the precision requirement is high, but manufacturing inaccuracies have a greater impact
Solution Approach 1:
The manual or mechanical valve control is replaced with an electric valve actuation device that uses electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuators. This substitution enables precise control of the outlet valve for small discharge volumes, as electric actuators can open and close the valve with high precision and repeatability, significantly reducing the impact of manufacturing tolerances on small volume accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static valve control to dynamic electric actuation. The electric valve actuation device can rapidly adjust the valve opening duration and timing based on real-time pressure feedback, enabling precise metering of small volumes by dynamically controlling the discharge process rather than relying on fixed mechanical settings
3Ease of operation
If the outlet valve opens above a certain liquid pressure, then the discharge characteristic is controlled, but the discharged volume cannot be precisely influenced
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure sensors monitor the liquid pressure in real-time and provide feedback to the control circuit. The control circuit uses this feedback to precisely control the electric valve actuation device, opening the outlet valve at the exact moment when the desired pressure threshold is reached and closing it after a precisely controlled duration. This feedback loop enables both proper discharge characteristics and precise volume control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for precise control over the discharge volume and characteristics, reducing inaccuracies and enabling dispensers to be adapted for various applications with consistent performance, even for small volumes, by decoupling the discharge process from the pressurization and using sensors to monitor and adjust pressures and flow.
Implementation Method 1
outlet valve with a valve seat and a valve body movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the valve seat... electric valve actuating device, by means of which the valve body can be subjected to a force indirectly by an electric valve control current
Implementation Method 2
pressure generating device for pressurizing the medium, which acts as a positive displacement pump with a variable-volume pressure chamber and a pump actuating device, by means of which the pressure chamber volume is influenced
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~3a
AI summary
The invention relates to a dispensing device for a liquid pharmaceutical medium, comprising a reservoir for storing the medium, a pressure generating device (10) for pressurizing the medium, an outlet opening (44) for discharging the medium, and an outlet valve (40) with a valve seat and a valve body (46) movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the valve seat. According to the invention, an electrical valve actuation device (52, 54) is provided, by means of which the valve body (46) can be actuated by an electrical valve control current. This is used to achieve particularly precise dosing.