Split Micro-Valve Structure for Adjustable Flow and Backflow Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-valve structures face challenges such as complex manufacturing requirements, inability to adjust flow rates, corrosion issues, and inefficiencies in preventing liquid backflow, leading to high costs and reduced service life, especially in applications requiring precise control of small fluid volumes.
Innovation Solution
A split micro-valve design featuring a first and second valve body with a valve chamber and seat, a movable valve plug, and an elastic member that adjusts positions to control fluid flow, allowing for easy assembly, adjustment, and replacement of parts, while preventing backflow through a compressed sealing mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a metallic micro-valve is used for precise fluid control, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but corrosion and oxidation reduce service lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into a first valve body portion and a second valve body portion that can be detachably connected. This segmentation allows the valve to be disassembled for cleaning and maintenance, extending service lifetime while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized connection interfaces between the portions.
2Volume of moving object
If a small size valve body is used to reduce device dimensions, then compactness is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases due to injection molding constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into multiple portions that can be manufactured separately using suitable processes and then assembled. This approach avoids the manufacturing difficulties of small-size injection molding while achieving compact overall dimensions through precise fitting of the segmented components.
3Ease of repair
If a detachable valve structure is used to enable part replacement, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve employs a segmented structure with a first valve body portion, second valve body portion, and replaceable valve plug that can be easily detached and reassembled. This segmentation enables straightforward part replacement for repair while the complexity is managed through simple connection mechanisms between the segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve incorporates a movable valve plug that can dynamically transition between open and closed positions, and a detachable connection system that allows dynamic assembly and disassembly. These dynamic features enable repair capability without significantly increasing structural complexity.
4Reliability
If a spring mechanism is used to prevent liquid backflow, then reliability is improved, but the spring may deform under high pressure affecting precision
Solution Approach 1:
The valve employs a dynamically adjustable valve plug that can be precisely positioned to control fluid flow. This dynamic control mechanism maintains flow control precision even under varying pressure conditions, complementing the spring-based backflow prevention without compromising precision.
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 split micro-valve design simplifies manufacturing, allows for adjustable flow rates, reduces material costs, and extends product life by enabling easy cleaning and replacement of parts, while effectively preventing liquid backflow, thus enhancing the precision and reliability of fluid control.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member disposed within the valve chamber and positioned closer to the liquid inlet than the valve plug. The elastic member has a liquid-inflow position and a liquid-outflow position, and in the liquid-inflow position, the elastic member enables liquid to flow from the liquid inlet through the elastic member to the liquid outlet, in the liquid-outflow position, the valve plug compresses the elastic member
Implementation Method 2
in the liquid-outflow position, the valve plug compresses the elastic member, such that the compressed elastic member seals the valve seat, or the compressed elastic member together with the valve plug seals the valve seat, so as to prevent liquid from flowing back from the liquid outlet to the liquid inlet through the valve seat
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a micro-valve comprising: a first valve body and a second valve body, at least one of the first and second valve bodies defining a valve chamber and a valve seat, the first valve body having a liquid outlet and the second valve body having a liquid inlet; a valve plug disposed and movable within the valve chamber; and an elastic member disposed within the valve chamber and positioned closer to the liquid inlet than the valve plug. The elastic member has a liquid-inflow position and a liquid-outflow position, and in the liquid-inflow position, the elastic member enables liquid to flow from the liquid inlet through the elastic member to the liquid outlet, in the liquid-outflow position, the valve plug compresses the elastic member, such that the compressed elastic member seals the valve seat, or the compressed elastic member together with the valve plug seals the valve seat, so as to prevent liquid from flowing back from the liquid outlet to the liquid inlet through the valve seat.