Elastomeric Molded Part for Hermetic Fluid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Directional control valves used in medical and analytical technology face challenges with aggressive or highly aggressive media, requiring high-purity separation and maintenance, which leads to increased cleaning, maintenance, and repair efforts due to potential corrosion and contamination risks, especially in compact designs.
Innovation Solution
A directional control valve design utilizing a molded part made of elastomeric material, such as silicone, for complete hermetic separation of media from other components, allowing for easy replacement and reduced material costs, with a compact and cost-effective structure that minimizes cleaning and sterilization efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separating membrane is used to separate media from actuator components, then hermetic separation is achieved, but cleaning and maintenance effort increases due to deposits and corrosion on the membrane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by making the molded part (which contains the separating membrane) replaceable rather than permanent. When the molded part becomes contaminated or damaged, it can be easily replaced without disassembling or cleaning the expensive actuator components, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving hermetic separation and minimizing cleaning effort
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the valve into distinct replaceable components: the molded part containing the flow paths and separating membrane, and the actuator components. This segmentation allows the molded part to be independently replaced, preventing contamination of the actuator and reducing overall maintenance effort
2Volume of stationary object
If compact valve design is implemented, then installation space is reduced, but accessibility for cleaning and maintenance work deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The compact valve is segmented into a replaceable molded part and a permanent actuator housing. This segmentation allows the small molded part to be quickly removed and replaced through a access opening in the housing, maintaining compactness while improving accessibility for maintenance by allowing component replacement without disassembling the entire valve
3Reliability
If high-quality materials like stainless steel are used for flow-guiding parts, then media resistance is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter by using elastomeric material (such as silicone rubber or fluorosilicone rubber) instead of traditional metals like stainless steel for the flow-guiding molded part. This material parameter change provides adequate media resistance for aggressive fluids while significantly reducing production costs and allowing for easier manufacturing through molding processes
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 a compact, cost-effective, and easily maintainable directional control valve that ensures hermetic separation of media, reducing maintenance and production costs while ensuring operational reliability and accuracy in handling aggressive or sensitive fluids.
Implementation Method 1
A directional control valve design utilizing a molded part made of elastomeric material, such as silicone, for complete hermetic separation of media from other components
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for controlling fluidic media, in particular a directional control valve, with a molded part (18) made of an elastomeric material in which at least one conduit section (36, 38) is formed, which connects at least two ports (40, 42, 44) between which at least one flow path (46, 48) extends, and with a control unit (16) comprising an actuator (76) which can be coupled to at least one locking element (56, 58), wherein the at least one locking element (56, 58) can be moved by the actuator (76) between a closed position and a released position, and wherein the at least one locking element (56, 58) in the closed position deforms the at least one conduit section (36, 38) in order to block the at least one flow path (46, 48). The invention further relates to the use of a molded part (18) as an interchangeable insert (Fig. 1).