Valve Carrier Ring Radial Stiffness Injection Molded Protrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve carrier rings face issues with radial stiffness and permanent deformation due to design features like undercut steel fixtures and additional assembly steps, which affect the seal integrity and ease of assembly in automated processes.
Innovation Solution
A valve carrier ring design featuring a circumferential wall with a flexible, inwardly inclined extremity that provides an undercut for retention without the need for beads on the inner side, allowing for a stiffer radial structure and eliminating the need for additional assembly steps, such as crimping, by using a thermoplastic material with an injection-molded flexible lip or fingers for secure snap connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If retaining beads are formed on the inner side of the circumferential wall to provide preliminary retention of the valve, then the valve retention is improved, but the radial stiffness of the carrier ring is reduced and permanent deformation occurs during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the retaining beads from the inner side of the circumferential wall, eliminating the openings required for their formation. This extraction of the problematic feature restores the radial stiffness of the carrier ring while maintaining valve retention through the alternative mechanism of the preformed radial protrusion extending beyond the snap means.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of forming retaining beads inwardly on the circumferential wall, the invention inverts the approach by forming a radial protrusion outwardly on the circumferential wall. This protrusion extends beyond the snap means to provide retention, reversing the conventional location and direction of the retention feature.
2Reliability
If openings are created in the seat portion to accommodate steel fixtures for retaining beads, then valve retention is achieved, but the local stiffness is reduced leading to permanent deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the openings in the seat portion by removing the steel fixtures and retaining beads. This extraction restores the continuous, unbroken structure of the carrier ring, maintaining shape stability and preventing permanent deformation during assembly while achieving valve retention through the radial protrusion.
3Reliability
If a crimping flange is designed to retain the valve through bending, then valve retention is achieved, but an additional crimping assembly step is required
Solution Approach 1:
The radial protrusion is preformed during the injection molding process, creating the retention feature before final assembly. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent crimping operations, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable valve retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical crimping system with an injection-molded radial protrusion. This substitution eliminates the need for separate crimping tools and assembly steps, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while achieving the same retention function.
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 design enhances radial stiffness, ensuring a reliable seal and simplifies the assembly process, allowing for automated handling and reduced risk of deformation, thus improving the overall performance and efficiency of the valve assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The radial protrusion is constituted by a flexible inwardly inclined extremity of the circumferential wall
Data Source
AI summary
A valve carrier ring for carrying a self-closing dispensing valve is adapted to be assembled with a closure body of a container. The valve carrier ring includes an annular seat portion including a support surface for supporting a retaining portion of the valve and a circumferential wall located radially outwards of the support surface and extending coaxially with the support surface. The circumferential wall has a preformed radial protrusion adapted to extend over the retaining portion of the valve for providing a preliminary retention of the retaining portion in the seat portion. A snap bead is formed at a radial outer side of the valve carrier ring adapted to cooperate with a means of the closure body to provide a snap connection between the valve carrier ring and the closure body. The radial protrusion is constituted by a flexible inwardly inclined extremity of the circumferential wall.