Valve for Flowable Material with Integrated Diaphragm Seal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid taps require intricate assembly, are costly due to fine moulding features and expensive materials, and offer limited sealing and gas resistance, making them inefficient and expensive to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A valve design using only three parts: a body, a diaphragm seal, and an actuable member with a button, where the diaphragm seal serves both as a seal and biasing mechanism, reducing part count and manufacturing complexity, and featuring a ribbed structure for improved sealing and gas barrier efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an intricate actuation mechanism with spring loading and resilient membrane is used, then the valve can control fluid flow, but the assembly becomes costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuation mechanism, sealing elements, and biasing spring into a single integrated valve member that moves linearly within the bore. This eliminates the need for separate control members, resilient membranes, and complex actuation mechanisms, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable sealing through the integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the sealing element against the outlet, the control member that opens/closes the flow, and the actuated component that responds to button pressure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate control and sealing components, simplifying the overall valve structure
2Ease of manufacture
If fine moulding features are used for the actuation mechanism, then the valve can be manufactured, but the tooling cost increases and tool lifetime decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into two main segments: the body (housing) and the integrated valve member. This segmentation allows each component to be molded with simpler, more robust features rather than requiring fine details throughout the entire assembly, reducing tooling complexity and extending tool lifetime while maintaining manufacturability
3Ease of manufacture
If a resilient membrane is used to seal the hollow body, then the valve can be constructed, but the gas barrier resistance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the resilient membrane from the design by using a solid, non-porous valve member with integrated sealing surfaces. This removes the gas permeability issue inherent in membrane-based seals while maintaining construction simplicity through the integrated valve member design
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member is constructed from materials that provide both structural integrity and excellent gas barrier properties, combining the functions of sealing and gas resistance in a single component without requiring permeable membranes
4Reliability
If multiple parts (4-5 parts) are used in the valve, then the valve can be assembled, but the assembly cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components (sealing element, control member, actuator, and spring mechanism) into a single integrated valve member, reducing the total part count from 4-5 separate components to just two main parts: the body and the valve member. This significantly simplifies assembly while maintaining all necessary valve functions
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated valve member performs multiple functions that would traditionally require separate parts: sealing against the outlet, controlling flow by moving to open/close positions, and responding to actuation forces. This multi-functionality reduces part count while ensuring reliable valve operation
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 simplified design reduces manufacturing costs, enhances sealing reliability, and minimizes gas transfer, providing a cost-effective and reliable fluid dispensing solution with fewer parts and easier assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a diaphragm seal for said button opening, wherein said diaphragm seal provides biasing of said button
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a valve for a flowable material. The valve has a body defining a bore defined therein. An opening is defined in the side of the bore for material to flow from the bore. The valve also has an actuatable member which is movable along the bore to control the extent of an uncovered area of the opening defined in the bore to control the flow of material through the opening.