Switchable Throttle Device for Liquid Dispenser Drop Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispensers face challenges in ensuring precise control over liquid pressure and flow, leading to unwanted discharge jets instead of drops, and fail to efficiently empty or partially empty the outlet channel after the discharge process, due to throttling devices that prevent liquid from being sucked back into the store.
Innovation Solution
A discharge head with a switchable throttle device that varies its free cross-section between a throttling state and a release state, using an elastically deformable or rigid throttle body that automatically adjusts positions based on gravitational force and liquid flow direction to manage flow resistance, allowing for efficient discharge and retraction of liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a throttle device is provided to reduce liquid pressure and flow for drop formation, then discharge control is improved, but liquid cannot be sucked back into the liquid store after discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle device is designed as a switchable throttle device with a throttle body that can move between a throttling position and a release position. During discharge, the throttle body is in the throttling position to create high flow resistance for drop formation. After discharge, the throttle body moves to the release position to reduce flow resistance and allow liquid to be sucked back into the store, resolving the contradiction between precise drop control and liquid return capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow resistance parameter dynamically by moving the throttle body between positions. The switchable throttle device adjusts the degree of throttling based on operational phase: high throttling during discharge for precise drop control, and low throttling after discharge to enable liquid return, thus resolving the contradiction through parameter variation
2Manufacturing precision
If a fixed throttle device is used to ensure drop discharge, then discharge precision is improved, but the outlet channel cannot be emptied efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed throttle device is replaced with a switchable throttle device whose throttle body can dynamically change position. During discharge, the throttle body maintains precise throttling for accurate drop formation. After discharge, the throttle body moves to a release position that opens the throttle channel, enabling efficient emptying of the outlet channel by allowing liquid to flow back into the store without restriction
3Manufacturing precision
If high throttling is applied during discharge, then drop formation is improved, but liquid flow resistance prevents channel emptying
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle device operates in periodic cycles: during the discharge phase, high throttling is applied to ensure proper drop formation quality; after discharge, the throttle body moves to the release position to reduce throttling and allow liquid to flow back into the store, eliminating energy loss from excessive throttling during the return phase
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 enables precise drop formation during discharge and reliable emptying of the outlet channel after use, preventing liquid from being stuck due to excessive throttling, ensuring efficient liquid return to the store without user intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a throttle device with a throttle channel for the reduction in the liquid pressure and/or the liquid flow of the liquid flowing through the throttle device
Implementation Method 2
an elastically deformable wall section in the throttle device, said wall section being displaced by way of a pressure difference or associated operating parameters
Implementation Method 3
a throttle body which is able to be displaced between a release position and throttling position in the throttle channel... under the action of gravitational force
Implementation Method 4
it can undesirably prevent liquid from the outlet channel from being sucked back into the liquid store by way of the negative pressure, which has arisen in the liquid store
Data Source
AI summary
A discharge head having a housing, a coupling device for attachment to a liquid store, a discharge opening and an outlet channel extending from an inlet region up to the discharge opening and by which the discharge opening is supplied with liquid. For throttling the liquid to be discharged, the discharge head has a throttle device with a throttle channel for reduction in the liquid pressure and/or the liquid flow through the throttle device. The throttle device is switchable between throttling and release states, and a minimum free cross section of the throttle channel is varied to subject liquid flowing in the direction of the discharge opening to a high throttling effect in the throttling state and liquid flowing in the direction of the inlet region is subjected to a low throttling effect in the release state.