Plastic Valve Spring for Dispensing Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices with metal valve springs face challenges such as corrosion, increased production complexity, and difficulties in recycling, which affect the reliability and efficiency of the dispensing process.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device featuring a valve spring made of plastic, designed with multiple spring elements arranged axially, and a one-piece valve spring and shaft configuration, which simplifies production and recycling while maintaining effective pretensioning of the valve stem.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal valve spring is used in the dispensing device, then the spring provides effective pretensioning force, but the metal spring is prone to corrosion and rusting which impairs product quality and creates flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the valve spring from metal to plastic, specifically using a plastic material that is resistant to corrosion and rusting. This material substitution eliminates the harmful chemical reactions between the spring and the liquid product, thereby solving the corrosion issue while maintaining the spring's functional integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs plastic material for the valve spring, which can be considered a composite material solution that combines corrosion resistance with the necessary mechanical properties. The plastic material provides both chemical inertness to prevent corrosion and the elastic properties needed for spring functionality.
2Strength
If a metal valve spring is used, then the spring provides sufficient mechanical strength, but the production process becomes more complex and recycling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material from metal to plastic, which simplifies the production process. Plastic components can be manufactured using injection molding or similar processes that are generally simpler and more flexible than metal forming processes, thereby reducing production complexity while maintaining adequate mechanical strength through proper material selection and design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent facilitates recycling by using plastic material for the valve spring. Plastic components are generally easier to recycle than metal components, as they can be melted and reformed without the need for complex metalworking processes. This material choice enables more straightforward recovery and recycling of the spring after its service life.
3Force
If a separate elastic means is used to pretension the valve stem, then the pretensioning function is achieved, but the device complexity increases with multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the valve stem and the elastic means into a single integrated component. The valve stem is designed with an integrated elastic element that provides the necessary pretensioning force, eliminating the need for separate elastic means. This integration reduces the number of parts while maintaining the pretensioning function.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated valve stem design performs multiple functions: it serves as both the valve stem and the elastic means for pretensioning. This multi-functional design reduces device complexity by combining what were previously separate components into a single element that fulfills both structural and elastic functions.
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 plastic valve spring solution reduces corrosion risks, simplifies production and recycling, and ensures reliable sealing and efficient dispensing of liquid products, even when the return mechanism is worn or aged.
Implementation Method 1
a valve spring (13A) made of plastic and designed for pretensioning a valve stem (13C) against a valve seat (13B)
Implementation Method 2
a pump (6) for conveying the product, in particular a manually operable positive displacement pump, in particular metering pump, particularly preferably reciprocating piston pump
Implementation Method 3
The compression spring consists of plastic and surrounds the piston, so that it does not come into contact with the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A valve spring made of plastic, in particular for pretensioning a valve stem against a valve seat of a dispensing unit for dispensing a preferably liquid product, is proposed, wherein the valve spring has a plurality of spring elements arranged axially one behind the other, in particular along an axis or longitudinal axis. According to a first aspect, each spring element has two curved portions which are formed mirror-symmetrically with respect to one another and are connected to one another at their ends. According to a further aspect, the valve spring has a leaf-spring-like or cup-spring-like construction.