Control Valve Pressure Differential Regulation in Vacuum Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum packaging machines are complex to operate and often damage sensitive products due to inadequate pressure control, leading to bubble release or structural bursting.
Innovation Solution
A packaging machine with a control valve that adjusts air supply based on pressure differences between chambers, maintaining an optimal pressure difference through a proportional supply air valve and adjustable target pressure range, along with a partition for efficient evacuation and a bypass valve for pressure compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional vacuum packaging machine with multiple chambers is used to create different vacuums in two chambers, then the external pressure stabilizes sensitive products and prevents damage, but the machine becomes comparatively complicated to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve automatically adjusts the air supply to the first chamber based on the pressure difference signal from the pressure gauges, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system self-regulates the pressure difference to maintain optimal packaging conditions without requiring complex operator input or monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure gauges in both chambers provide continuous feedback on the pressure difference to the control valve. This feedback loop enables the control valve to dynamically adjust the air supply, maintaining the optimal pressure difference automatically and simplifying operation while ensuring product stability.
2Device complexity
If a shift valve is used that can only be adjusted between fully open and fully closed positions, then the device is simpler, but the pressure control is inadequate and may damage sensitive products
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve is designed with continuous adjustability, allowing it to assume any opening position between fully closed and fully open. This dynamic capability enables precise control of the air supply to the first chamber, maintaining the optimal pressure difference to protect sensitive products while keeping the valve structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The control valve changes its opening parameter continuously based on the pressure difference signal, rather than being limited to discrete positions. This parameter change approach allows precise pressure control to prevent product damage while maintaining structural simplicity compared to complex multi-position valves.
3Device complexity
If air is supplied at a constant rate to the first chamber, then the air supply system is simpler, but the pressure difference may become excessively large and damage products
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve dynamically adjusts the air supply rate to the first chamber based on the pressure difference between chambers. When the pressure difference is small, more air is supplied; when the pressure difference is large, air supply is reduced or stopped. This dynamic control prevents excessive pressure difference that could damage products while keeping the air supply system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure gauges provide continuous feedback on the pressure difference to the control valve, which adjusts the air supply rate accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the pressure difference remains within safe limits to protect products while maintaining a simple air supply system without requiring complex flow control equipment.
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 enhances operational stability and packaging quality by maintaining optimal pressure, preventing damage to sensitive products and reducing processing time, while allowing for adaptation to different products and materials.
Implementation Method 1
the difference of the pressures measured by means of the two pressure gauges in the two chambers is determined
Implementation Method 2
the supply air valve is a control valve, which is adapted to be controlled in dependence upon the difference between the pressures in the first and second chambers
Implementation Method 3
a first and a second evacuable chamber (i.e. a chamber in which a vacuum can be created) are provided
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a packaging machine and to a method of forming a vacuum package. A first evacuable chamber is used for accommodating therein a product-accommodating section of a package, whereas a second evacuable chamber is used for accommodating therein an opening section of the package. Pressure gauges measure the pressure in both chambers, and a supply air valve serves to supply air into the first chamber. The disclosure is characterized in that the supply air valve is a control valve and is adapted to be controlled in dependence upon the difference between the pressures which prevail in the first and second chambers and which are measured by means of the two pressure gauges. The disclosure also relates to the fact that a gap is provided in a partition between the two chambers and that an adjuster is provided for varying and adjusting the cross-sectional area of said gap.