Metered Valve Spring-Loaded Piston Precision Dispensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metering devices for pressurized containers are complex and costly, lacking precision and economy in dispensing a predetermined amount of product, and often require multiple components.
Innovation Solution
A metered valve system with a spring-loaded piston and dosing chamber that ensures consistent, sequential dispensing of fixed dosages, featuring a one-way filling mechanism to prevent backflow and bypass the dosing chamber during filling, suitable for Bag-on-Valve systems, allowing for up to 100% product emptying and controlled spray patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a metered valve system is implemented to dispense predetermined amounts of product, then dispensing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring multiple separate components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dosing chamber, metering mechanism, and valve components into a single integrated valve body structure. The dosing chamber is formed within the valve body itself, and the piston mechanism is incorporated directly into the valve assembly, eliminating the need for separate dosing devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise metered dispensing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both the dispensing valve and the dosing mechanism, the valve body houses both the flow control elements and the dosing chamber, and the piston mechanism simultaneously meters the product and controls valve operation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed
2Measurement precision
If a complex metering device with multiple components is used, then predetermined dosage accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the dosing chamber and metering mechanism into the valve body as a single molded component, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked separately. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces assembly steps while maintaining precise dosing accuracy through the integrated piston and chamber design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a spring-loaded piston mechanism with controlled displacement to meter precise dosages. By changing the spring force parameters and piston travel distance, precise dosage control is achieved through simple parameter adjustments rather than complex mechanical mechanisms, facilitating easier manufacturing
3Ease of manufacture
If product flows through the dosing chamber during filling, then filling process is simplified, but product backflow and bypass metering occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a one-way filling valve that automatically directs fill flow to bypass the dosing chamber during the filling operation. This preliminary routing action prevents product from entering the dosing chamber before the filling operation is complete, eliminating backflow issues and ensuring metering reliability from the start of dispensing
Solution Approach 2:
The one-way filling valve acts as an intermediary element that controls the flow path during filling. It mediates between the fill inlet and the dosing chamber, allowing fill flow to pass through the valve body without entering the dosing chamber, thereby protecting the metering system while maintaining filling efficiency
4Productivity
If a traditional valve system is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but sequential rapid dispensing of metered dosages cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring-loaded piston that automatically resets after each dispensing cycle. The spring stores energy during the dispensing stroke and automatically reverses the piston to its initial position, creating a periodic cycling action that enables rapid sequential dispensing without manual intervention between doses, thereby increasing productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides self-service by automatically resetting the piston to its starting position after each dispensing action. This self-resetting capability eliminates the need for external actuation or complex control systems between doses, enabling rapid sequential dispensing while keeping the overall mechanism relatively simple
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 system achieves precise, efficient dispensing of metered and unmetered amounts, suitable for high viscosity products, with extended shelf life and adaptable configuration for various applications, including Bag-on-Valve systems, enabling dispensing at any angle and variable metered amounts.
Implementation Method 1
senses a pressure differential between the product in the container and the product in the dosing chamber in response to actuation of the valve mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a spring loaded piston and a dispensing dose chamber
Implementation Method 3
the valve mechanism is actuated and the propellant provides force to expel the product from the container
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
The present device dispenses (10) product from a pressurized container (12). The device has a metered valve (100) that dispenses a predetermined fixed quantity of product upon actuation. The metered valve (100) can be configured by the customer with a spacer to affect the amount of product continually metered.