Flexible-Membrane Valve Mechanism for Stable Liquid Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve mechanisms in liquid ejection devices, such as printers, suffer from variability in the pressure at which the open and close valve opens, leading to inconsistent fluid flow and pressure stability.
Innovation Solution
A valve mechanism comprising an upstream and downstream chamber with flexible membranes and a biasing section, along with a shaft and valve section, that adjusts to pressure fluctuations to stabilize fluid flow and minimize pressure variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If pressure is applied directly to the open and close valve in the valve chamber, then the valve can respond to pressure changes, but the opening pressure varies and fluid flow becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber that receives pressure from the fluid source and a second chamber that directly actuates the open and close valve. This segmentation allows pressure to be transmitted through an intermediate medium (the pressure-transmitting fluid in the second chamber) rather than applying variable pressure directly to the valve, thereby maintaining consistent opening pressure while preserving rapid response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A pressure-transmitting fluid is introduced as an intermediary between the pressure source and the open and close valve. The fluid transmits pressure changes from the first chamber through the second chamber to the valve, acting as a mediator that smooths out pressure variations and ensures stable, consistent valve operation while maintaining responsive behavior.
2Ease of manufacture
If a rigid structure is used for the valve mechanism, then manufacturing is easier, but sealing properties deteriorate under pressure variations
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible membrane is used to form part of the valve structure, specifically as a boundary between the first and second chambers and as part of the valve seating surface. This flexible element can deform to accommodate pressure variations and maintain consistent sealing contact, ensuring reliable sealing properties while the overall valve body can be manufactured using conventional rigid manufacturing processes.
3Volume of moving object
If the valve chamber volume is reduced for compactness, then device size decreases, but pressure stability worsens due to greater pressure variations
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is segmented into two chambers with distinct functions: the first chamber can be compact while the second chamber is designed with sufficient volume to provide pressure stability. This segmentation allows the pressure-stabilizing second chamber to be optimized independently from the compact first chamber, enabling the overall device to maintain both compactness and pressure stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure-transmitting fluid in the second chamber acts as a buffer that absorbs pressure variations. Even when the overall device is compact, this intermediary fluid layer provides a stabilizing effect that dampens pressure fluctuations and maintains consistent valve operation, decoupling the size constraint from the pressure stability requirement.
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 mechanism stabilizes fluid pressure and flow by equalizing pressure forces across flexible membranes and valve sections, reducing variations and enhancing sealing properties, thus ensuring consistent operation.
Implementation Method 1
When the pressure in the pressure chamber drops, the elastic partition wall deforms and opens an open and close valve
Implementation Method 2
the elastic partition wall deforms
Implementation Method 3
a biasing section that biases the first flexible membrane in a direction of increasing volume of the downstream chamber
Data Source
AI summary
It includes a first upstream chamber, a first downstream chamber that includes a first flexible membrane and that is in communication with the first upstream chamber via a first communication port downstream from the first upstream chamber, a second flexible membrane that partitions the first upstream chamber and the first downstream chamber from each other, a first open and close section configured to open and close the first communication port, a first biasing section that biases the first flexible membrane, wherein the first open and close section includes a first shaft section that is provided across the first upstream chamber and the first downstream chamber and that is configured to move following displacement of the first flexible membrane and the second flexible membrane and a first valve section that opens and closes the first communication port.