Flow Path Switching Valve Stator Position Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary switching valves face issues with rotor wear, liquid leakage, and cross-contamination due to uneven surface contact, and lack the ability to adjust the pressing force against the stator without disassembly, especially under high-pressure conditions in liquid chromatography.
Innovation Solution
A flow path switching valve design featuring a stator position adjustment member with threads allows for adjustable stator height relative to the base, altering the rotor's pressing force through a rotatable ring-shaped member, enabling easy adjustment of the rotor's contact pressure without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rotor is pressed strongly against the stator to improve liquid tightness, then liquid leakage is prevented, but the rotor surface becomes worn quickly causing increased torque and cross-contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adjustable pressing force mechanism that allows the pressing force between rotor and stator to be optimized based on operating conditions. This resolves the contradiction by enabling sufficient pressing force for liquid tightness while avoiding excessive force that causes rapid wear, thereby extending rotor service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the pressing force dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. By providing an adjustment mechanism, the system can adapt the pressing force to actual operating needs, preventing both leakage and excessive wear simultaneously.
2Reliability
If the rotor is pressed strongly against the stator to prevent liquid leakage, then sealing is improved, but adjustment of pressing force requires disassembly of the valve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the adjustment mechanism to be accessible from the exterior of the valve housing, allowing operators to adjust the pressing force without disassembling the valve. This self-service feature enables easy maintenance and optimization of liquid tightness while keeping the valve installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism serves multiple functions: it controls pressing force, allows adjustment during operation, and maintains liquid tightness. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by integrating adjustment capability into the existing valve structure without requiring disassembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If a soft material like resin is used for the rotor, then ease of manufacture is improved, but wear produces scrapings that contaminate the analytical column
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by optimizing the pressing force to prevent excessive wear before scrapings are generated. By controlling the pressing force within an appropriate range, the system prevents rotor material from wearing off and contaminating the analytical column, thus addressing the issue before it occurs.
4Reliability
If the flat surfaces of stator and rotor are made highly flat to improve sealing, then liquid tightness is enhanced, but rotation operation becomes impaired due to mirror-surface adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the surface flatness parameter to an appropriate level rather than maximizing it. By controlling the flatness within a specific range and combining it with optimized pressing force, the system achieves sufficient liquid tightness while preventing mirror-surface adhesion that would impair rotation.
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
This design enhances the adjustability of the rotor's pressing force against the stator, reducing wear, leakage, and cross-contamination, while maintaining liquid tightness and facilitating operation under varying pressure conditions without requiring removal from the analytical device.
Implementation Method 1
A spring 18 is inserted between the rotor holding unit 8 and the bearing 20 in a compressed manner. The rotor holding unit 8 is biased toward the stator 40 by the elastic force of the spring 18, and the rotor 10 is thereby pressed against the lower surface of the stator 40.
Implementation Method 2
a stator position adjustment member that is a ring-shaped member provided with a thread, at a lower portion of an inner circumferential surface, that is to be screwed with the thread provided at the outer circumferential surface of the base, the stator position adjustment member being for joining the base and the stator by being attached to the outer circumferential surface of the base and for relatively raising or lowering the stator with respect to the base by rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A base and a stator forming a housing are joined by a stator position adjustment member. The adjustment member is a ring-shaped member having an inner diameter that is equal to the outer forms of the base and the stator, and threads opposite to each other are provided to an upper portion and a lower portion of the inner circumferential surface, along the circumferential direction. A thread for being screwed with the thread is provided, in the circumferential direction, to each of an upper portion of an outer circumferential surface of the base and a lower portion of an outer circumferential surface of an outer wall member of the stator. When the adjustment member is rotated, the base and the stator move in the direction of separating from each other or in the direction of coming close to each other.