Spigot With Angled Valve Body And Elastomeric Diaphragm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spigots for containers suffer from high manufacturing costs, lack of ergonomic comfort, inadequate shut-off, and issues with liquid spraying or splattering during dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A spigot design featuring a conduit with a valve body that includes a spring-biased valve element, angled to facilitate ergonomic operation, and a secondary conduit to capture and smooth the liquid flow, reducing external splatter and ensuring quick shut-off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-biased valve element is used to ensure quick shut-off, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an elastomeric diaphragm as a flexible membrane to replace complex mechanical valve components. The diaphragm is biased by a spring and moves to open/close the valve, providing reliable shut-off through the elastic recovery of the diaphragm material while simplifying the overall valve mechanism structure.
2Ease of operation
If the valve body is angled to improve ergonomics, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed with an asymmetric angular orientation relative to the container wall, positioning the valve actuator at an ergonomically favorable angle for user operation. This asymmetric configuration improves ease of operation while the patent addresses manufacturing precision through appropriate tolerance specifications for the angular features.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a secondary conduit is added to reduce splatter, then object-affected harmful factors are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A secondary conduit is introduced as an intermediary flow path between the valve outlet and the external environment. This intermediate conduit allows the liquid flow to be contained and directed smoothly, preventing splatter and spray while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure by integrating the secondary conduit with the existing valve body.
4Productivity
If multiple conduits and valve elements are integrated to improve liquid flow control, then productivity is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functional components including the first conduit, second conduit, valve body, spring, and elastomeric diaphragm into a unified spigot assembly. This merging of components improves liquid flow control and dispensing efficiency while the design facilitates manufacturing through integrated construction methods and standardized assembly procedures.
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 spigot achieves low manufacturing costs, ergonomic comfort, quick and certain shut-off, and a smooth liquid flow with minimal spraying, enhancing usability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The elastomeric diaphragm may seal the chamber and be exposed such that depressing the diaphragm moves the valve element from the normally closed position to an open position
Implementation Method 2
The valve element may be biased to the closed position by a spring such as an elastomeric diaphragm
Implementation Method 3
Such spigots dispense the liquid by allowing gravity to drain the liquid from the container when the spigot is opened
Data Source
AI summary
The spigot comprises a conduit that communicates with the interior of the container to which the spigot is attached. The conduit communicates with a valve body that comprises a chamber that includes an opening that is selectably opened and closed by a valve element. The valve element may be movable into and out of engagement with a valve seat formed around the opening. The valve element may be biased to the closed position by a spring such as an elastomeric diaphragm. The elastmeric diaphragm may seal the chamber and be exposed such that depressing the diaphragm moves the valve element from the normally closed position to an open position. The valve body may be disposed such that it extends from the first conduit at an angle. The opening in the valve body communicates with a second conduit that extends from the valve body to receive the flow of fluid.