Tubular Valve Diaphragm Anchor Preventing Substrate Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing valve with a three-layer structure body experiences deterioration in response due to the resin sheet separating from the substrate, leading to weakened joining strength and eventual separation of the substrates when repeatedly operated.

Innovation Solution

A fluid device with a tubular structure comprising an outer and inner tube, where a diaphragm member with a thin film covers one end of the inner tube and an anchor part encircles the peripheral edge, ensuring firm contact with both tubes to maintain durability and prevent separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a resin sheet is used as a diaphragm member in a three-layer structure valve, then the valve can control fluid flow through pressure-induced swelling, but the resin sheet gradually separates from the substrate during repeated operation, deteriorating valve response and weakening joining strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid control capabilityVSAvoidjoining strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The valve is divided into three distinct layers: a first substrate, a diaphragm member with swelling capability, and a second substrate. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function while maintaining structural integrity through controlled bonding interfaces, preventing the separation issues encountered in the three-layer structure where the resin sheet directly contacted both substrates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The diaphragm member is designed with non-uniform thickness, being thinner at the center portion and thicker at the peripheral edge. This local quality variation optimizes the swelling response at the center for effective fluid control while providing enhanced bonding strength at the periphery to prevent separation from the substrates during repeated operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If the resin sheet is made thinner to improve responsiveness, then the valve responds faster to pressure changes, but the joining strength between layers weakens and substrates separate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoidjoining strength
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The diaphragm member employs varying thickness across different regions: a thinner center portion for rapid response to pressure-induced swelling, and a thicker peripheral edge for maintaining strong bonding with the substrates. This local quality differentiation simultaneously achieves fast response speed and sufficient joining strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from a uniform two-dimensional thickness to a three-dimensional variable thickness profile. By introducing the thickness dimension as a gradient from center to periphery, the design optimizes both responsiveness (center) and structural strength (periphery) within a single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If a conventional three-layer structure is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the diaphragm member separates from the substrate centering on the through hole during repeated operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The diaphragm member is designed with non-uniform thickness, being thinner at the center portion and thicker at the peripheral edge. This local quality variation optimizes the swelling response at the center for effective fluid control while providing enhanced bonding strength at the periphery to prevent separation from the substrates during repeated operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The valve is divided into three distinct layers: a first substrate, a diaphragm member with swelling capability, and a second substrate. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function while maintaining structural integrity through controlled bonding interfaces, preventing the separation issues encountered in the three-layer structure where the resin sheet directly contacted both substrates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 provides a valve with excellent durability, maintaining the integrity of the fluid device and ensuring reliable fluid control by preventing substrate separation and maintaining the diaphragm's firm fixation to the tubular structure.

Implementation Method 1

when a pressure is applied to the resin sheet 111 from an inside of the through hole by feeding air, the resin sheet 111 swells upward, the fluid path is blocked, and thus a flow of the fluid is disturbed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3168512B1Fluid device and method for manufacturing valve
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 NIKON CORP
  • EP3168512B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3168512B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3168512B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A valve is provided with a tubular structure having an outer tube and an inner tube, and a diaphragm member having a thin film disposed to cover one end of the inner tube and an anchor part which encircles a peripheral edge of the thin film and comes into close contact with an inner wall of the outer tube and an outer wall of the inner tube.