Rocker Valve Actuation for Hands-Free Dispensing Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices lack versatility and user-friendliness in actuating valves, as they often require manual action and do not efficiently utilize the profile of the container for actuation.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a rocker that can be actuated at either end or between ends, allowing fluid flow from a valve inlet to an outlet, with a valve pin biased by a spring, enabling convenient and flexible actuation by manual or container-based action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a manual lever actuation mechanism is used, then the valve can be actuated by user action, but it lacks versatility and cannot be actuated by container action
Solution Approach 1:
The rocker is designed with a multi-functional actuation capability, allowing it to be actuated by either manual lever action or by the profile of a container being pushed against it. This universal design enables the same component to serve multiple actuation purposes without requiring separate mechanisms for each method.
Solution Approach 2:
The rocker mechanism is designed to be dynamically responsive to different actuation forces and directions. It can pivot and respond to forces applied at various locations along its length, allowing adaptive response to both manual operation and container-based actuation without requiring a fixed, rigid actuation path.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed actuation point on the valve is used, then the valve mechanism is simple, but it requires precise manual action and is not user-friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The rocker is segmented into multiple functional zones along its length, with different sections capable of receiving actuation forces. This segmentation allows users to actuate the valve by applying force at various convenient locations rather than requiring precise action at a single fixed point, thereby improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rocker serves as an intermediary element between the user/container and the valve pin. It translates and transmits actuation forces from various locations and directions into the appropriate motion to actuate the valve pin, thereby decoupling the complexity of force transmission from the user interface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single-direction actuation switch is used, then the actuation mechanism is simple, but it cannot accommodate both manual and container-based actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The rocker is designed as a universal actuation interface that can accommodate multiple actuation methods (manual lever action and container profile pushing) through its ability to respond to forces applied at various locations along its length, eliminating the need for separate actuation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation capability is extended from a single-point, single-direction interface to a multi-point, multi-directional interface. The rocker's elongated structure allows actuation forces to be applied along its length, adding a spatial dimension to the actuation interface and enabling versatile operation methods.
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 valve provides a simple, efficient, and user-friendly operation, allowing actuation without the need for manual action, enabling hands-free operation and adaptable to various applications such as water distributors and dispensers.
Implementation Method 1
The valve pin is adapted to actuate the valve element to allow flow of the fluid from the valve inlet towards the valve outlet
Data Source
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AI summary
A valve (100) includes a valve housing (110) which defines a valve inlet (112) and a valve outlet (114). The valve (100) includes a valve element (202) coupled to the valve housing (110). The valve (100) includes a valve pin (204) coupled to the valve element (202). The valve pin (204) is adapted to actuate the valve element (202) to allow flow of a fluid from the valve inlet (112) towards the valve outlet (114). Further, the valve (100) includes a rocker (118) adapted to push the valve pin (204) to actuate the valve element (202). The valve (100) is characterized in that the rocker (118) is adapted to push the valve pin (204) when pressed at either one of a first end (120), a second end (122), or at a location between the first end (120) and the second end (122).