Metering Valve Axially Offset Holes Gravity Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
ACT-type metering valves suffer from incomplete and non-uniform dose dispensing due to open metering chamber design, leading to variations in active substance concentration over successive uses, and require double actuation for assurance of complete dose.
Innovation Solution
A metering valve design with axially offset first and second holes in the valve body, allowing for gravity-based filling and emptying, featuring at least one side hole and one axial hole to stabilize active substance concentration by filtering and optimizing fluid passage between the reservoir and metering chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the metering chamber is kept open in the rest position (ACT valve design), then the valve can be filled rapidly and avoids priming problems, but the active substance concentration becomes non-uniform and varies between first and last doses
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into multiple functional zones with separate communication paths: a first communication path for filling the metering chamber and a second communication path for emptying it. This segmentation allows independent optimization of filling speed and emptying control, resolving the contradiction between rapid filling and uniform dosing.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication orifice acts as an intermediary element between the reservoir and metering chamber, controlling the emptying flow rate. This intermediary component regulates the refilling process during emptying, ensuring uniform active substance concentration while maintaining the open-chamber design benefits.
2Manufacturing precision
If the metering chamber is closed in leaktight manner (retention valve design), then the dose remains uniform and complete, but the valve requires priming and may dispense incomplete doses
Solution Approach 1:
The valve transitions from a static closed-chamber design to a dynamic open-chamber design that adapts its state based on operation phase. During rest, the chamber remains open for rapid refilling; during actuation, the valve member dynamically closes the chamber to ensure complete dose dispensing, eliminating priming requirements while maintaining dosing precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If the valve member closes the metering chamber during rest, then dosing precision is maintained, but the filling process becomes slower and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The communication paths are segmented into distinct filling and emptying channels. The first communication path enables rapid filling when the valve is in rest position, while the second path controls emptying through the communication orifice. This segmentation allows high-speed filling without compromising dose accuracy.
4Ease of operation
If the metering chamber empties into the reservoir in upright position, then gravity-assisted emptying occurs, but the active substance concentration varies substantially between doses
Solution Approach 1:
The communication orifice serves as a mediator that controls the refilling process during gravity-assisted emptying. By regulating the flow rate through this intermediary component, the system maintains uniform active substance concentration even while utilizing gravity for emptying and refilling operations.
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 significantly reduces dosage variations between initial and final doses, ensuring consistent dispensing of active substance with improved reliability and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
make it possible to fill the metering chamber by gravity when the valve is in an upsidedown position with the metering chamber arranged below the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
make it possible to empty said metering chamber by gravity when the valve is in an upright position with the metering chamber arranged above the reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid dispenser valve including a valve body extending along a longitudinal axis between a first axial end and a second axial end, the valve body containing a metering chamber; and a valve member that slides axially in the valve body between a rest position and a dispensing position, for selectively dispensing the contents of the metering chamber. The metering chamber is connected, in the valve member rest position, to a fluid reservoir, to fill the metering chamber by gravity when the valve is upsidedown with the metering chamber below the reservoir while the valve member is in the rest position, and to empty the metering chamber by gravity when the valve is upright. The valve body includes a first hole and a second hole, to fill and to empty the metering chamber, the first hole being axially offset along the longitudinal axis relative to the at second hole.