Injection Valve Flow Rate Adjustment with Volume Compensation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for adjusting the flow rate of injection valves, particularly for small injection quantities, are inaccurate and time-consuming due to the disturbance caused by the volume change in the fluid reservoir during the adjustment process, which affects the measurement precision and requires multiple iterations to achieve the desired target flow rate.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that incorporate a compensating body coupled to the adjusting device, which compensates for the volume change in the fluid reservoir, ensuring a constant volume and allowing for immediate subsequent tests, thereby enhancing precision and speed in adjusting the flow rate of injection valves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the adjusting device moves to adjust the flow rate, then the flow rate adjustment is achieved, but the volume of the fluid reservoir changes causing measurement inaccuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate adjustment precisionVSAvoidflow rate measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The compensating body is pre-configured to counteract the volume change caused by the adjusting device. When the adjusting device moves to change flow rate, the compensating body simultaneously moves in the opposite direction to maintain constant fluid reservoir volume, thereby preventing measurement inaccuracy before it occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The compensating body acts as an intermediary element between the adjusting device and the fluid reservoir. It mediates the volume change by absorbing or compensating for the displacement, allowing the adjusting device to function while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple iterations are performed to achieve target flow rate, then the desired precision is reached, but the adjustment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate precisionVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses pressure sensors to continuously monitor fluid reservoir pressure and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback and automatically adjusts the compensating body to maintain constant volume, enabling precise flow rate adjustment in a single iteration without repeated cycles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The manual iterative adjustment process is replaced by an automated control system that uses electronic sensors and actuators. The control unit automatically coordinates the adjusting device and compensating body based on real-time pressure feedback, eliminating the need for multiple manual iterations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If the volume of the fluid reservoir is kept constant, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate measurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compensating body is integrated into the existing fluid reservoir structure, merging the volume compensation function with the reservoir itself. This combines multiple functions (fluid storage and volume compensation) into a single integrated component, minimizing additional complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables precise and rapid adjustment of injection valves to very low flow rates, reducing measurement inaccuracies and shortening the adjustment process, allowing for more efficient calibration and increased productivity in setting the flow rate within specified tolerances.

Implementation Method 1

a pump for generating or changing a pressure of the test fluid in the fluid reservoir

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure generation: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a measuring device for determining the pressure in the fluid reservoir

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure measurement: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

a compensating body with which the volume of the fluid reservoir can be changed. The compensating body is coupled to the adjusting device in such a way that when the adjusting device moves, which causes a change in volume of the fluid reservoir, the compensating body can be moved in such a way that the change in volume is at least partially, preferably completely, compensated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVolume compensation:

Data Source

PatentEP2884092B1Device and method for adjusting a flow rate of an injection valve
Publication Date: 2016.04.27 SONPLAS
  • EP2884092B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for adjusting the flow rate of an injection valve (1) comprising a receptacle (10) for receiving and holding the injection valve (1) to be adjusted, an actuating element (4) for adjusting an adjustment mechanism of the injection valve to adjust the flow rate, a fluid reservoir for a test fluid, a pump (8) for generating pressure of the test fluid in the fluid reservoir, and a measuring device (11) for determining the pressure in the fluid reservoir. A compensating piston (5) coupled to the actuating element (4) is provided, by which a change in the volume of the fluid reservoir caused by a movement of the actuating element (4) can be compensated. The invention further relates to a method for adjusting the flow rate of an injection valve.