Flow Path Switching Valve for Precise Grease Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional discharge apparatuses for fluid materials like grease are heavy, complex, and lack precision in controlling small discharge amounts, often resulting in dripping or the need for back-suction, making it difficult to apply precise amounts to electronic or machine parts.
Innovation Solution
A flow path switching valve with a cylindrical injection chamber, partition member, and valve element that performs filling, balance, and discharge operations using a discharge rod to control fluid flow with high precision, ensuring accurate and drip-free discharge without the need for back-suction, featuring a small and lightweight design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a solenoid valve is used for switching flow path in discharge apparatus, then flow path switching capability is achieved, but the apparatus becomes heavy and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the solenoid valve from the discharge apparatus and replaces it with a manual operation mechanism. The flow path switching function is retained through a simple manual valve structure, eliminating the complex electromagnetic components while maintaining the essential flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive manual valve structure instead of an expensive solenoid valve. The manual valve can be easily replaced if needed, providing a cost-effective solution that maintains flow path switching functionality without the complexity and cost of electromagnetic actuation.
2Productivity
If a pump member with elastic deformation is used, then pumping operation is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and discharge amount control precision deteriorates for small amounts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the elastic deformation pump member (diaphragm) from the discharge apparatus. Instead, it uses a direct manual injection mechanism where the operator directly controls fluid discharge, eliminating the intermediate pumping mechanism that caused both structural complexity and imprecision in small discharge amounts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pumping system with a direct manual injection system. The operator directly manipulates the discharge mechanism without intermediate mechanical components, achieving both structural simplification and precise control over small discharge amounts through direct mechanical operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a three-way valve with spherical valve element is used, then flow path switching is achieved, but response lag occurs causing liquid dripping and requiring back-suction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional three-way valve design by using a two-way valve structure with separate inlet and outlet ports. This inversion simplifies the sealing mechanism and eliminates the long travel distance of the valve element, achieving rapid response and reliable sealing without the need for back-suction to prevent dripping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a spherical valve element that moves along a guide groove, but redesigns the sealing surfaces and valve geometry to achieve rapid sealing. The spherical shape combined with optimized sealing surfaces allows the valve to close quickly and seal reliably, preventing liquid dripping without requiring back-suction operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the valve element moves along a guide groove for opening/closing operation, then flow path switching is achieved, but the valve element moves over a long distance causing response lag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using a two-way valve instead of a three-way valve, which significantly reduces the valve element's travel distance. The simplified valve structure allows the element to move a short distance between fully open and fully closed positions, achieving rapid response speed while maintaining effective flow path 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
Enables precise control of fluid discharge with reduced apparatus size and weight, allowing manual operation for applying small amounts of fluid materials accurately without automatic movement, enhancing sealing and responsibility.
Implementation Method 1
an annular flange portion which is integrally formed with the base portion, and opens and closes an outer flow path formed between the annular flange portion and the outer valve seating surface with elastic deformation
Implementation Method 2
an injection chamber to which the fluid material pressurized by a compressed air is supplied
Data Source
AI summary
A flow path switching valve has an injection side portion formed with an injection chamber and an outer valve seating surface, and a discharge side portion provided with a partition member formed with an inner valve seating surface. A discharge control block communicating with a discharge chamber is formed with a control flow path which is increased and decreased in volume by a discharge rod. To fill the control flow path with grease, a valve element closes an inner flow path and opens an outer flow path. On the other hand, to discharge the grease in the control flow path to the discharge chamber, the valve element closes the outer flow path and opens the inner flow path. After being supplied to the control flow path, the grease is supplied to the discharge chamber.