Jet Dosing Valve Pneumatics for Fast Closing and Clean Opening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metering valves face challenges in achieving precise and efficient non-contact jet metering of small quantities of highly viscous liquids due to limitations in closing speed and the complexity of equipment required, especially when dealing with nanoliter ranges and highly viscous materials.
Innovation Solution
A metering valve design featuring a directional control valve with two switching positions and at least five connections, where the working space is connected to either two vented or pressurized fluid ports in one position for quick closing and to a single ventilated or vented port in another for gentle opening, utilizing a 5/2-way valve for compact and dynamic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the valve closure element is lifted quickly to improve opening speed, then productivity increases, but air bubbles may be drawn into the liquid reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a controlled fluid communication path before the valve closure element is fully lifted. The fluid communication means (such as a bypass channel or pre-established flow path) allows liquid to flow into the liquid reservoir in advance, ensuring the reservoir is filled and primed before the main dosing action occurs. This prevents air bubbles from being drawn in during rapid opening, as the liquid level is already maintained by the preliminary flow path.
2Manufacturing precision
If a complex valve system is used to achieve precise metering of highly viscous liquids, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single valve system that performs multiple functions: metering precise quantities of liquid, handling highly viscous materials, preventing air bubble ingestion, and controlling fluid flow to the liquid reservoir. The fluid communication means is integrated into the valve structure itself, allowing one component to simultaneously manage dosing precision and reservoir priming, thereby reducing the need for separate complex subsystems while maintaining manufacturing precision.
3Speed
If the valve closure element is accelerated strongly towards the nozzle seal to improve closing speed, then productivity increases, but the liquid column may not detach properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by optimizing the closing motion of the valve closure element to balance speed and precision. The valve is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow strong acceleration towards the nozzle seal for rapid closing, while incorporating features (such as controlled deceleration zones or optimized sealing geometry) that ensure the liquid column detaches properly at the moment of closure. This dynamic design enables high closing speed without compromising droplet formation quality or dosing precision.
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 enables a rapid and powerful closing process for precise dosing of highly viscous liquids while avoiding air bubble ingestion during opening, simplifying the equipment and reducing overall process complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a switching valve (10) for pneumatic control of the metering valve (1), with which a working chamber (11) can be selectively vented or pressurized with a fluid
Implementation Method 2
The actual metering process occurs by ejecting a droplet of liquid from an open end of the nozzle outlet channel by accelerating the valve closure element, which has been previously lifted from its closed to the open position, together with the liquid located between the valve closure element and the nozzle outlet channel, strongly towards the nozzle seat
Implementation Method 3
the previously accelerated liquid column continues in its given direction of movement. Since, with the valve closure element in the closed position, no more material can flow from the liquid reservoir or the part of the metering chamber located above the nozzle sealing seat into the nozzle outlet channel, the liquid jet exiting the metering valve through the nozzle outlet channel constricts laterally and ultimately breaks off, a process known as droplet detachment
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a dosing valve (1) for ejecting a liquid from a nozzle outlet channel (9) of the dosing valve (1). The dosing valve (1) has a main body (2), a valve actuating element which is movable within the main body (2), and a valve closure element which is connected to or actuatable by the valve actuating element, wherein the valve closure element is movable within a dosing chamber (6) between an open position, in which it is lifted off from a nozzle sealing seat (8), and a closed position, in which it lies against the nozzle sealing seat (8). For the pneumatic activation of the dosing valve (1), a switching valve (10) is provided by means of which a working chamber (11) of the dosing valve (1) can be selectively ventilated or charged with a pressurized fluid. The switching valve (10) is designed as a directional valve with two switching positions and at least five ports (A,B,C,D,E;Α',B',C',D',E'), and is connected such that, in a first switching position of the switching valve (10), the working chamber (11) of the dosing valve (1) is connected simultaneously either to at least two ventilated ports, or to at least two ports charged with pressurized fluid, of the switching valve (10), whereas, in a second switching position of the switching valve (10), the working chamber (11) of the dosing valve (1) is connected either to a port charged with pressurized fluid, or to a ventilated port, of the switching valve (10).