Pinch Valve Insert Design for Tool-Free Cleaning and Tube Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispenser pinch valves require disassembly for cleaning, leading to downtime, and lack easy tube replacement and volume control capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A pinch valve design featuring a holder and insert that allow for easy removal and installation of dispensing tubes, along with a plunger assembly that can be moved between pinch and flow positions to control liquid flow, enabling quick cleaning and accurate volume dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire pinch valve assembly is taken apart for cleaning, then cleaning is thorough, but downtime increases and tools are required
Solution Approach 1:
The pinch valve is divided into a holder and a removable insert component. The insert contains the flow path and can be separated from the holder, allowing cleaning to be performed on just the insert rather than disassembling the entire valve assembly. This segmentation enables quick removal and cleaning of the critical cleaning area without affecting other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path components (insert) are extracted as a separate removable element from the holder. This extraction allows the flow path to be removed, cleaned, and reinstalled independently, eliminating the need to disassemble fasteners and other non-flow-path components during cleaning operations.
2Ease of operation
If the entire pinch valve assembly is taken apart, then cleaning is thorough, but tools and training are required
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into holder and insert components with a simple interface. The insert can be removed by hand without requiring tools to loosen fasteners or complex disassembly procedures. This simple segmentation reduces the skill level and training needed for cleaning operations.
3Device complexity
If existing pinch valves are used, then structure is simple, but tube replacement is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The insert containing the tube reception area is segmented as a removable component. When tube replacement is needed, the insert can be quickly removed from the holder and the tube accessed or replaced, significantly reducing tube replacement time compared to disassembling the entire valve assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is extracted as a separate serviceable component that can be removed for tube replacement operations. This extraction allows maintenance personnel to access and replace tubes without affecting the holder or other valve components, streamlining the tube replacement process.
4Device complexity
If existing pinch valves are used, then structure is simple, but volume control is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The insert incorporates a throttle region with specific local geometric features that control liquid flow characteristics. This localized flow control structure within the insert provides precise volume dispensing capability without requiring complex external control mechanisms, maintaining overall valve simplicity while improving measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A pinch valve that includes a holder and an insert that fits in the holder. The pinch valve receives a dispensing tube for liquids and controls the flow of liquid in the dispensing valve. The insert defines an inner wall portion against which a plunger assembly pushes the dispensing tube to stop liquid from flowing through the dispensing tube. The insert and the holder define a throttle portion that throttles the flow of liquid when the plunger assembly is moved from the pinch position, where is pushed the dispensing tube against the inner wall portion of the insert, to a flow position.