Elastic Foil Membrane Valve for Consistent Liquid Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dosing devices are inconsistent in dispensing doses due to reliance on gravity, leading to issues with quick successive dispensing and varying dosing characteristics caused by irregularities in valve seats, especially when containers are not in an upright position.
Innovation Solution
A dosing device utilizing a membrane made of elastic foil that maintains a closed valve assembly independent of orientation, allowing for quick and consistent dosing by using pressure differences to overcome elastic resistance, ensuring the plunger returns to the backward position quickly and adapting to irregularities in valve seats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a moveable plate valve assembly relying on gravity is used, then the device structure is simple, but the dosing consistency deteriorates when the container is not in an upright position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gravity-dependent moveable plate with an elastic foil membrane that functions independently of gravitational orientation. The elastic membrane's restoring force counteracts the need for gravity, allowing consistent valve operation whether the container is upright, inverted, or at any intermediate angle, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable dosing consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental operating parameter of the valve from gravity-based (moveable plate) to elasticity-based (foil membrane). This parameter change enables the valve to maintain consistent sealing and opening characteristics regardless of container orientation, eliminating the dosing inconsistency problem while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple.
2Ease of manufacture
If a moveable plate valve assembly is used, then manufacturing is easier, but quick successive dispensing becomes impossible without returning to upright position
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the gravity-dependent moveable plate with an elastic foil membrane, the valve can respond immediately to pressure changes regardless of container orientation. This enables quick successive dispensing operations without requiring the container to be returned to an upright position between doses, thereby improving productivity while maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic foil membrane provides dynamic response to pressure changes, allowing the valve to open and close rapidly in succession. Unlike the static gravity-dependent moveable plate, the elastic membrane can quickly adapt to changing pressure conditions, enabling fast repeated dispensing cycles without repositioning the container.
3Device complexity
If a valve assembly dependent on container orientation is used, then the structure is simpler, but dosing accuracy deteriorates at varying orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic foil membrane replaces the orientation-dependent moveable plate, providing consistent valve operation across all container orientations. The elastic restoring force ensures uniform sealing pressure and opening characteristics whether the container is upright, inverted, or at any angle, thereby maintaining dosing accuracy without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic foil membrane valve assembly provides universal functionality across all container orientations, unlike the moveable plate design that only works reliably in upright position. This multi-orientation capability ensures consistent dosing accuracy regardless of how the container is held or positioned during use.
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
The solution provides consistent dosing regardless of container orientation and compensates for production variations in valve seats, ensuring accurate and reliable liquid dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
The valve assembly comprises an elastic foil membrane (12) having a moveable flap (13) which in a closed state bears against the valve seat (11)
Implementation Method 2
allowing for quick and consistent dosing by using pressure differences to overcome elastic resistance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A liquid dosing device for a container comprises a dosing chamber having a front end and a back end. An outlet passage is located at the front end. A plunger is located in the dosing chamber, divides it in a front and a back space, and is moveable between a forward position in which the plunger closes off the outlet passage, and a backward position, in which the front space has a maximal volume. An inlet passage provides fluid communication between the front space and the container. A timer passage provides fluid communication between the container and the back space. A release passage, being greater than the timer passage, provides fluid communication between the back space and the container. A valve assembly at the release passage comprises a valve seat located at the back end of the dosing chamber and a membrane on a side of the valve seat facing away from the back space. The membrane is made of an elastic foil having a uniform thickness. It has a stationary portion that is fixed and at least one moveable flap which is connected to the stationary portion by a hinge portion. The flap is moved away from the valve seat in the open state and bears against the valve seat in the closed state of the valve assembly. The hinge portion is elastically flexed when the flap is moved away from the valve seat and is in a rest state when the flap bears against the seat.