Liquid Soap Valve Structure Using Negative Pressure to Prevent Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid soap dispensers face issues with leakage when the soap discharge direction is inverted, due to gravitational pressure on the plastic valve, leading to inefficiencies in manual and automatic systems, and wear-out problems in motor-driven devices.
Innovation Solution
A power-saving liquid soap valve structure featuring an elastic washer made of rubber, with a deformation region and a check valve at the entrance, and an air supply valve that uses negative pressure to prevent leakage and restore the valve to its initial position, ensuring effective liquid soap control and tidiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the strength of the elastic member is reinforced to prevent liquid soap leakage, then the tightness between the plastic valve and the inner wall is improved, but the force required to operate the pressure applying section increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid plastic to elastic rubber for the valve body. This elasticity allows the valve to deform under gravitational pressure to maintain tightness, while simultaneously allowing it to be easily displaced by small operating forces during normal operation, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining tightness and requiring low operating force.
2Reliability
If the plastic valve maintains constant contact with the soap discharge opening to prevent leakage, then the tightness is improved, but the contact planes become worn out and gaps are formed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic behavior to the valve system. The elastic valve dynamically adjusts its position based on operating conditions: it maintains contact during idle periods to prevent leakage, and easily separates during operation to avoid wear. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining tightness and extending service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve exhibits periodic contact and separation cycles. During non-operational periods, the valve maintains contact with the discharge opening to ensure tightness. During operational periods, it separates to allow flow. This periodic action pattern prevents continuous friction wear while maintaining reliability when needed.
3Extent of automation
If a motor-driven automatic press device is used to apply pressure, then the soap supply is automated, but the motor may not function properly due to insufficient power from the battery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameter of the valve from requiring high force to requiring minimal force through the elastic material selection. This parameter change enables automatic press devices with limited battery power to successfully operate the valve, resolving the contradiction between achieving automation and maintaining sufficient power.
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 effectively prevents liquid soap leakage with minimal operational force and maintains a clean environment by using the elastic washer's deformation and air supply valve's negative pressure to manage the soap exit and residual liquid, enhancing the reliability of both manual and automatic dispensers.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic washer (255) disposed at the liquid soap exit (244), and a pressing member (254) pressing against an inner junction plane of the elastic washer (255)... through the deformation between the elastic washer and the pressing member of the soap discharging valve, the liquid soap exit can be controlled to open or close
Implementation Method 2
through the negative pressure in the air chamber, the residual liquid soap at the foam exit and the gas-liquid mixing chamber is sucked back to the air chamber via the air supply channel, thereby preventing the residual liquid soap from dripping to the ground
Implementation Method 3
the liquid soap conduit includes an elastic member (29) encircling the soap entering tube (212) and the soap discharging tube (24)... the air supply valve and the soap discharging tube (24) restore to their initial positions
Implementation Method 4
the liquid soap in an inverted-style liquid soap container applies a pressure to push the plastic valve due to gravitational force
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
An anti-leakage liquid soap valve structure includes a liquid soap conduit, an air conduit and a foam discharging tube (30). The liquid soap conduit includes a soap entering tube (212) for receiving liquid soap (42), a soap discharging tube (24) communicating with the soap entering tube (212) and having a liquid soap chamber (243), a liquid soap exit (244), and a soap discharging valve (25). The soap discharging valve (25) includes an elastic washer (255) disposed at the liquid soap exit (244), and a pressing member to press against the elastic washer (255). The air conduit includes an outer housing (20) forming an air chamber (28) with the liquid soap conduit, an air exit (245) located at one side of the air chamber (28), and an air supply valve linking with the soap discharging tube (24). The foam discharging tube (30) includes a gas-liquid mixing chamber (311) located at the liquid soap exit (244) and the air exit (254), and a foam exit (35) communicating with the gas-liquid mixing chamber (311).