Refill Unit Relief Valve Layout for Inverted Liquid Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure relief valves in liquid dispensers, such as those for soap or similar products, face challenges when the container is inverted, as the weight of the liquid can compromise the valve's functionality and robustness, leading to air interference with the outlet flow when pressure drops.
Innovation Solution
A refill unit with a pressure relief valve system that includes a resilient component attached to the cap, sandwiched between the cap and a fixing plate, and surrounded by a shroud, allowing for flexible positioning closer to the outlet valve, ensuring reliable operation and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the relief valve is positioned in the cap of an inverted container, then the valve structure can be simple and suited to mass production, but the weight of the liquid bears on the relief valve compromising its functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into functional zones using a shroud that separates the relief valve area from the liquid outlet area. This segmentation allows the relief valve to be positioned in the cap while preventing liquid from directly bearing on it, maintaining both manufacturing simplicity and operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The shroud acts as an intermediary structure between the relief valve and the liquid outlet. It creates a protective barrier that prevents the liquid's weight from directly affecting the relief valve, allowing the valve to function reliably in an inverted container configuration
2Strength
If a robust slit elastomeric valve is used to withstand liquid weight, then the valve can maintain structural integrity, but it may not open reliably when pressure drops below certain level
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible membrane replaces the robust slit elastomeric valve. This thin film structure is lightweight enough to be reliably opened by pressure differential when pressure drops, while the shroud prevents excessive liquid weight from bearing on it, maintaining both structural integrity and opening reliability
3Adaptability or versatility
If the relief valve is positioned away from the outlet valve, then the valve can operate independently, but the cap size increases and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is segmented into distinct functional zones using the shroud, allowing the relief valve and liquid outlet to be positioned close together without interference. This segmentation enables compact cap design while maintaining independent operation of both valves
Solution Approach 2:
The shroud creates a three-dimensional spatial separation between the relief valve and liquid outlet pathways. By utilizing vertical and radial dimensions rather than just horizontal distance, the valves can be positioned closer together while maintaining operational independence
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 solution prevents air from entering the liquid stream, maintaining flow integrity and allowing for a more compact cap design, suitable for mass production and inverted configurations.
Implementation Method 1
deformable when the internal pressure drops below the certain level
Implementation Method 2
resilient component which is deformable
Implementation Method 3
The shroud prevents there being a direct path for the incoming air to the liquid outlet
Implementation Method 4
outlet valve may be biased by biasing elements
Data Source
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AI summary
A relief valve (60) for a liquid container (1), the valve comprising a substantially conical body (50) extending into the container, and tapering inwardly away from an external wall of the container, at least one air inlet passage (60) through the substantially conical body; and a flexible diaphragm (53) extending over the conical body, being attached at its outer periphery around the substantially conical body and having a central opening surrounding the substantially conical body above the air inlet passage so as to seal the air inlet passage until the pressure within the container falls below a predetermined level.