Integrated Spring Valve for Silent, Wear-Resistant Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol container valves face issues with wear, operation convenience, and reliable functioning, particularly in terms of noise and recyclability.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a spring device integrated with the valve element, with a contact area that forms an elevation on the outer surface for optimized contact, made from materials like polyketone, ensuring low-friction and noiseless operation, and using polyethylene or thermoplastic elastomers for the seal and other parts to facilitate recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional valve design with separate spring components is used, then the valve structure is simple to manufacture, but the valve exhibits higher wear and less reliable functioning
Solution Approach 1:
The spring device is integrated in one piece with the valve element, forming a unified component that eliminates gaps and misalignments between separate parts. This merging of components directly improves reliability by ensuring consistent contact and operation, while the integrated design is achieved through injection molding technology that manages the manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring device is segmented into multiple legs or arms that extend from the valve element, allowing flexible contact with the counterface at different positions. This segmentation enables the spring to adapt to variations in the counterface geometry while maintaining reliable spring function, and the segmented structure is molded as a single integrated piece with the valve element.
2Reliability
If a large contact area between the spring device and counterface is used, then the valve operation is more stable, but the wear increases and noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The contact area on the spring device is designed with specific local properties - it forms an elevation on the outer surface that creates a defined contact point or line with the counterface. This localized contact geometry provides stable operation through consistent contact while minimizing the overall contact area to reduce wear and noise. The local quality of the contact surface is optimized independently from the rest of the spring structure.
3Ease of operation
If materials with high friction are used for the contact area, then the valve provides better grip and control, but the operation becomes less convenient and generates more noise
Solution Approach 1:
The materials of the spring device/contact area and counterface are specifically selected and matched to achieve low friction coefficients. This parameter change in material properties enables smooth, quiet operation with minimal wear. The low-friction material combination maintains sufficient control through the spring's elastic properties rather than relying on high friction, thus improving ease of operation while reducing harmful effects.
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 design achieves low wear, convenient operation, and reliable functioning with minimized noise and improved recyclability by optimizing the contact surface and material selection, ensuring efficient and silent movement and easy recycling.
Implementation Method 1
the arms each form an elastic and/or resilient element, so that a spring effect is achieved which forces the valve element into a closed position
Implementation Method 2
the materials of the spring device and/or the contact area and the counterface are matched to each other in such a way that the contact area slides at least essentially noiselessly along the counterface when the valve element moves
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for dispensing a fluid from a container and a dispensing apparatus with such a valve are proposed. The valve has a spring device for returning a valve element to a closed position, the spring device being integral with the valve element. The spring device has a contact area for contact with a counterface of a valve body, the contact area forming an elevation of an outer surface of the spring device. The spring device and the counterface are in point contact with each other in any position of the valve element. The materials of the contact area and the counterface are matched to each other in such a way that they slide silently on each other. A seal of the valve is made of polyethylene or a thermoplastic elastomer. The valve is preferably designed as a full plastic valve and is easily recyclable.