Flow Control Device With Expansion Chamber And Slitted Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow control devices for pressurized fluid substances often result in undesirable discharge characteristics such as spray, low flow rate, and residual dripping, leading to messy and aesthetically undesirable product dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A flow control device comprising a housing with an inlet and outlet, featuring a flexible, resilient valve head with self-sealing slits that opens under pressure differential, creating an expansion chamber to reduce pressure and control the flow rate, minimizing spray and residual dripping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional dispensing valve is used to discharge pressurized fluid substance, then the discharge flow rate may be insufficient, but using higher pressure to increase flow rate results in undesirable spray and messy discharge characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The valve head is segmented with multiple radial slits that divide the discharge flow into controlled streams. This segmentation allows the fluid to be discharged in a organized manner rather than as uncontrolled spray, resolving the contradiction between achieving sufficient flow rate and avoiding messy discharge characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion chamber acts as an intermediary between the pressurized supply and the discharge outlet. It provides a transition zone where the fluid can expand and equalize pressure before exiting through the slitted valve head, enabling controlled discharge at higher flow rates without spray
2Productivity
If the valve remains closed to maintain pressure, then flow rate is limited, but opening the valve allows higher flow rate while causing residual dripping after discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The valve head utilizes its own elasticity to achieve self-sealing. After discharge, the elastic material naturally returns to its closed configuration, automatically sealing the slits and preventing residual dripping without requiring additional components or control mechanisms. This enables sustained high flow rate operation while eliminating waste from dripping
Solution Approach 2:
The valve head's physical state changes dynamically - remaining rigid/closed during pressure maintenance and becoming flexible/open during discharge. The elastic material's ability to change configuration in response to pressure differential enables controlled high-flow discharge followed by automatic sealing to prevent residual dripping
3Ease of manufacture
If the valve head is made rigid for structural stability, then manufacturing is simpler, but it cannot provide self-sealing functionality to prevent residual dripping
Solution Approach 1:
The valve head is constructed from elastic material that forms a flexible sealing structure. This flexible configuration enables the valve to deform and seal automatically around the slits, providing reliable self-sealing functionality while remaining manufacturable through conventional molding processes for elastic components
4Volume of moving object
If the valve is positioned close to the orifice for compact design, then device size is reduced, but expansion chamber volume is insufficient to control pressure and eliminate spray
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion chamber utilizes the radial dimension by positioning the valve head laterally offset from the central orifice axis. This dimensional arrangement creates an effective expansion volume without increasing the axial length of the device, allowing spray elimination through proper pressure equalization while maintaining compact overall device size
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 device achieves a higher flow rate while eliminating undesirable spray and residual dripping, ensuring a consistent and aesthetically pleasing product discharge.
Implementation Method 1
the openable portions are movable from the initially closed configuration to an open configuration when the valve head is subjected to a pressure differential acting across the valve head
Implementation Method 2
the valve and the housing together define an expansion chamber between the orifice and the valve for receiving the fluid substance at a pressure reduced from the pressure within the supply system
Data Source
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AI summary
A flow control device (20) and process are provided for controlling the flow of a pressurized fluid substance from a supply system (22). The device (20) includes a housing (30/40) that defines an orifice (84) for communicating between the supply system (22) that has an outlet end defining a discharge opening (57). The device 20 further includes a valve (140) having a flexible, resilient valve head (160) that has confronting, openable portions (186) movable from a closed configuration to an open configuration when the valve head (160) is subjected to a pressure differential acting across the valve head (160). The valve (140) is located across the housing outlet end discharge' opening (57) so that the valve (140) and the housing (30/40) together define an expansion chamber (198) between the orifice (84) and the valve (140).