Piezo Valve Nozzle Positioning for Precise Flow Hole Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valve devices struggle with effectively opening and closing the flow hole of a nozzle, necessitating improved mechanisms for precise positioning and control.

Innovation Solution

A valve device comprising a nozzle with a flow hole, a support member, a valve element with a piezoelectric element, and a position adjustment mechanism to accurately adjust the nozzle's position relative to the valve element, utilizing a biasing member and stopper mechanism for precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a valve element with piezoelectric element is used to open and close the flow hole, then the response speed is improved, but the positioning precision of the nozzle relative to the valve element deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The valve device is divided into separate functional modules: the nozzle assembly with flow hole, the valve element with piezoelectric element, and the position adjustment mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the piezoelectric element provides fast response while the position adjustment mechanism ensures precise positioning of the nozzle relative to the valve element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The position adjustment mechanism acts as an intermediary between the nozzle and valve element, providing precise positional control. This intermediary mechanism compensates for positioning errors and ensures accurate alignment, enabling the fast-responding piezoelectric valve to achieve both speed and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the nozzle position is fixed relative to the valve element, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to achieve favorable opening and closing of the flow hole deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidopening and closing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The position adjustment mechanism transforms the static, fixed nozzle position into a dynamic, adjustable position. This allows the nozzle to be precisely positioned relative to the valve element during assembly or operation, ensuring optimal alignment for reliable flow hole opening and closing while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the piezoelectric element is directly driven without position adjustment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision of the flow hole opening control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidflow hole opening precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The position adjustment mechanism performs preliminary positioning of the nozzle relative to the valve element before the piezoelectric element is activated. This preliminary action ensures that the flow hole is correctly aligned with the valve element opening, so that when the piezoelectric element is driven, the flow control is precise without requiring complex real-time adjustments during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables favorable opening and closing of the flow hole by ensuring accurate positioning and control, enhancing the operational efficiency of the valve device.

Implementation Method 1

a valve element including a piezoelectric element and configured to open and close an opening of the flow hole by driving the piezoelectric element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4696912A1Valve device
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 SMC CORP
  • EP4696912A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4696912A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4696912A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A valve device (10) is provided with: a nozzle (66) that has a flow hole (100) through which a fluid flows; a support member (62) that supports the nozzle; a valve body (68) that has a piezoelectric element (116) and opens and closes an opening (102) of the flow hole by driving of the piezoelectric element; and a position adjustment mechanism (76) for adjusting the position of the nozzle with respect to the valve body. The position adjustment mechanism has: an urging member (106) for urging the nozzle toward the valve body; and a stopper member (132) for preventing movement of the nozzle due to the urging member by coming into contact with the nozzle.