Solenoid Valve Dispensing System with Interchangeable Flow Adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol containers with different volatile materials require customized dispensing systems, which can be cost-prohibitive due to the need for distinct solenoid activated valves for optimal dispensing, given varying fluid properties.
Innovation Solution
A standardized solenoid activated valve system with a variable geometry flow adapter and interchangeable spray inserts, allowing for customizable dispensing geometry without the high costs associated with custom valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If customized solenoid activated valves are used for each volatile material, then dispensing optimization is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing system is segmented into a standardized solenoid valve body and interchangeable flow adapters with spray inserts. This allows the expensive standardized valve to be reused while only the cheaper adapters and inserts are customized for different materials, resolving the contradiction between optimization and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized solenoid valve is designed with universal compatibility through the flow adapter interface, allowing one valve design to serve multiple volatile materials. The valve body remains unchanged while adapters are swapped, achieving both cost reduction and material-specific optimization.
2Ease of manufacture
If standardized solenoid activated valves are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but dispensing optimization for specific materials deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic reconfiguration by swapping flow adapters and spray inserts based on the volatile material being dispensed. This maintains cost efficiency through a standardized valve while achieving material-specific optimization through interchangeable components.
Solution Approach 2:
Different flow adapters and spray inserts change the geometric parameters of the dispensing system to match the specific properties of each volatile material, allowing a single standardized valve to achieve optimized dispensing for multiple materials through parameter variation in the adapters.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple customized valves are produced, then each material gets optimal dispensing, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into a fixed valve body and interchangeable adapters/inserts, the complexity is isolated to the standardized interface while allowing easy swapping of material-specific components, reducing overall system complexity compared to fully customized valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized solenoid valve serves as a universal base for multiple volatile materials, reducing the number of unique valve designs needed. This universality simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining material-specific optimization through adapters.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing system comprises a solenoid valve that includes an inlet end adapted to be attached to a container such that a valve stem thereof is held in an open state. A flow adapter includes a cylindrical wall and a post mounted within the cylindrical wall to define an annular passage therebetween. An inlet end of the flow adapter is sealingly attached to an outlet end of the solenoid valve, and the flow adapter is adapted to receive a spray insert within the annular passage.