Fluid Flow Detection Valve Guide Member Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid flow detection devices in lubrication systems face reliability issues when detecting low fluid flow rates, as the valve member may not completely separate from the supply aperture, leading to incomplete disconnection and reduced detection accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a guide member with a conical depression part and a guide member with notches and communication paths to ensure the valve member securely separates from the supply aperture, even at low flow rates, improving detection reliability by enhancing the floating mechanism and reducing fluid resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve member is designed to close the supply aperture by contact with the aperture edge, then the device can detect fluid flow through electrical connection/disconnection, but at low flow rates the valve member may not completely separate from the aperture edge leading to incomplete disconnection and reduced detection reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture edge is divided into two functional zones: a first aperture edge portion that contacts the valve member for electrical connection, and a second aperture edge portion that prevents complete separation at low flow rates. This segmentation allows the valve to maintain both electrical connectivity for detection and physical separation for flow indication, resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If the valve member completely separates from the supply aperture at low flow rates, then flow detection accuracy improves, but the returning operation integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the aperture edge into contact and non-contact portions, the valve member can achieve partial separation sufficient for flow detection while maintaining contact at the first aperture edge portion to preserve returning operation integrity. This allows the valve to indicate flow status without compromising its mechanical stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the valve member maintains contact with the supply aperture, then the returning operation integrity is maintained, but incomplete disconnection occurs at low flow rates reducing detection reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture edge is segmented such that the first portion maintains contact for returning operation integrity while the second portion allows separation for reliable flow detection. This dual-zone design enables the valve to simultaneously preserve mechanical stability and provide accurate flow indication across all flow rates.
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
This configuration ensures reliable detection of fluid flow across a wide range of flow rates, preventing incomplete disconnection and maintaining the valve's returning operation integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a coil spring 111 which is made up of a conductor, whose one end is connected to the valve member 110, whose other end is connected to the exposure part 106 of the other electrode 107, and which always urges the valve member 110 in a direction of closing the supply aperture 101
Implementation Method 2
the valve member 110 being moved along the central axis P of the fluid space E to come into contact with an aperture edge 108 of the supply aperture 101 and close the supply aperture 101 and to be apart from the supply aperture 101 and open the supply aperture 101
Implementation Method 3
This detector always applies a voltage to an electric circuit that includes the one electrode 105, the valve member 110, the coil spring 111 and the other electrode 107, and electrically senses connection when the valve member 110 of the electric circuit is closed and disconnection when this member is opened, thereby sensing the flow of the fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
A valve member is allowed to come apart securely from an electrode even with a low fluid flow rate without affecting the returning operation of the valve member, thereby facilitating improvement in the reliability of fluid detection. A supply aperture 12 and a discharge aperture 15 of fluid are formed at a body 10 that has a fluid space E allowing the fluid to pass therethrough. A one electrode Da that includes a contact T is provided at an aperture edge 12a of the supply aperture 12 and/or a peripheral part 12b of an aperture edge 12 of the body 10. The body 10 is provided with another electrode Db, and stores a valve member 40 that is made up of a conductor and opens and closes the supply aperture 12, and a coil spring 41 that is made up of a conductor and urges the valve member 40. A guide member 50 made up of a conductor is attached onto the valve member 40. The guide member 50 is formed to secure a flow path of the fluid from the supply aperture 12 to the discharge aperture 15 while being slidable in the fluid space E, has a reception surface 51 facing one end face of the fluid space E while receiving the fluid from the supply aperture 12, and has a top surface 52 facing another end face of the fluid space.