Integrated Valve Manifold Assembly for Leak-Resistant Modular Fluid Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manifolds with integrated valves suffer from increased assembly time, higher production costs, and a higher likelihood of leaks and degradation due to mechanical fastening and multiple parts.
Innovation Solution
The integration of valves within modular manifolds, which are constructed integrally with a common fluid channel, air channel, and mounting structure, reducing the number of components and enhancing durability by minimizing leaks and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If valves are mechanically fastened to the manifold using screws or mechanical fasteners, then the manifold can be constructed with separate components allowing modular assembly, but this increases assembly time, production costs, and the likelihood of leaks and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body and manifold are merged into a single integrally constructed component, eliminating the mechanical fastening interface between these two parts. This integration removes the potential leak path at the fastener interface while maintaining the ability to modularly assemble complete manifold assemblies with multiple integrated valve units.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used to construct the manifold with valves, then the design allows for modular construction and expansion, but this increases the number of parts, assembly time, and production costs
Solution Approach 1:
The valve and manifold body are combined into a single integrally constructed component, reducing the total number of parts. The modular capability is maintained at the assembly level, where complete integrated valve-manifold units can be connected together, rather than assembling individual valve and manifold components.
3Ease of repair
If valves are attached to the manifold via mechanical fasteners, then the manifold can be disassembled and reassembled, but this increases assembly time and the potential for degradation at fastener interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The valve and manifold are integrated into a single component, eliminating mechanical fasteners and their associated assembly time. The integrated design maintains repairability by allowing the replacement of the entire integrated valve-manifold assembly or by providing access to internal valve components within the integrated structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A manifold assembly for use with a fluid delivery system includes a first and second manifold, each with a fluid inlet defining a portion of a common fluid channel; a fluid outlet; and a plunger housing of an integrated valve. The fluid inlet and outlet, and the plunger housing are formed of a single piece of material, and the first and second manifolds are coupled. Each plunger housing includes an air passageway and a plunger arm receiving portion divided into first and second plunger arm receiving portions. The first configured to receive a plunger head, and the second defining a portion of the common fluid channel and configured to receive an elongated stem of a plunger within the common fluid channel. The air passageways of the at least first manifold and the second manifold and the common fluid channel are non-fluidly coupled relative to each other.