Pump obtainable by 3D printing

Abstract

The invention relates to a pump comprising a pump body (1) and a pusher part (3; 3') mounted on the pump body (1) so as to define a pump chamber (C) between them, the pusher part (3; 3') forming a pusher (31) that is movable along a longitudinal axis X, the pump further comprising a valve element (2) trapped in the pump body (1) and connected to the pusher (31), characterised in that the pump body (1) forms a valve chamber (14) comprising an inlet (141) and an outlet (143), the valve chamber (14) defining an inlet seat (142) downstream of the inlet (141) and an outlet seat (144) upstream of the outlet (143), the valve element (2) being axially movable along the axis X in the valve chamber (14) between these two seats (142, 144) in order to selectively close the inlet (141) or the outlet (143).

Description

Pump achievable through 3D printing

[0001] The present invention relates to a pump comprising a pump body and a pusher mounted on the pump body to define a pump chamber between them. The pusher acts as a movable plunger along a longitudinal axis to reduce the volume of the pump chamber, thereby pressurizing the fluid contained within it. This fluid is then discharged through an outlet valve.

[0002] Typically, a conventional pump consists of a pump chamber extending between an inlet valve and an outlet valve. This chamber is formed between the pump body and the plunger. The inlet valve usually operates with the pump body, and the outlet valve operates with the plunger. Removing the plunger from the pump body provides access to the inlet and outlet valves. The arrangement of the various components in a conventional pump is dictated by molding and assembly requirements. Because the components of a conventional pump are manufactured by injection molding of plastic, certain designs are not possible, particularly those involving nested or captive elements.

[0003] The present invention seeks to define a different pump design, one not dictated by the injection / molding technique. The invention aims to create novel interactions between pump components. Another objective is to minimize the number of pump parts; the ultimate goal is to create a two-piece pump.

[0004] To achieve these goals, the present invention proposes a pump comprising a pump body and a plunger mounted on the pump body so as to define a pump chamber between them. The plunger forms a plunger that can be moved along a longitudinal axis. The pump is characterized in that it further comprises a valve element captive within the pump body and connected to the plunger. A pump element is understood to be a part, preferably a single piece, that performs the function of a movable inlet and outlet valve, and preferably a dual function of movable inlet and outlet valves. Captive means that the valve element cannot be removed from the pump body without damaging the valve element and / or the pump body. Connected means a connection between two initially separate parts. The connection is play-free, so that the valve element remains fixed to the plunger during movement.The pump of the invention implies that the valve element is controlled by the pusher and not by the pressure of the fluid product.

[0005] According to the invention, the pump body forms a valve chamber comprising an inlet and an outlet. The valve chamber defines an inlet seat downstream of the inlet and an outlet seat upstream of the outlet. The valve element is axially movable along the X-axis within the valve chamber between these two seats to selectively close either the inlet or the outlet. The valve chamber is formed solely by the pump body, without any interference from the pusher. The valve element functions as a movable inlet valve in cooperation with the inlet seat and as a movable outlet valve in cooperation with the outlet seat. The inlet and outlet cannot be closed simultaneously.

[0006] According to another aspect of the invention, the pump chamber can communicate with the valve chamber through at least one passage, the valve element forming at least one connecting member that passes through the passage and connects to the plunger. In other words, the pump chamber and the valve chamber are separate and connected only by one or more passages. The volume of the pump chamber varies, while that of the valve chamber remains constant.

[0007] According to a practical embodiment, the valve element may comprise two connecting members and the pump body may form two passages, the free ends of the connecting members forming hook profiles in contact with the pusher piece.

[0008] Advantageously, the valve element can form a core that defines an inlet contact surface suitable for making a tight contact with the inlet seat and an outlet contact surface suitable for making a tight contact with the outlet seat, the contact surfaces and seats preferably having a frustoconical or conical shape. The cones or frustocones of the seats and contact surfaces are symmetrical about the X-axis.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, the valve element and the pump body can be manufactured as a single unit, advantageously using an additive manufacturing process. The valve element and the pump body can initially be connected by brittle material bridges, which are broken during the first actuation of the pump. These broken bridges then advantageously serve as axial guides for the valve element during its axial movement within the valve chamber. Alternatively, the valve element can be supported during its manufacture using an additive manufacturing process, such as 3D printing.

[0010] According to another feature of the invention, the pusher part may include a mounting ring engaging with the pump body, a connecting sleeve engaging with the valve element, the mounting ring being connected to the connecting sleeve by an elastically deformable area, the pusher capping the connecting sleeve and advantageously having the form of an elastically deformable dome.

[0011] Advantageously, the pusher part incorporates a pusher spring which acts between the pusher and the valve element.

[0012] Advantageously, the pusher part incorporates a valve spring which acts between the connecting sleeve and the pump body.

[0013] The pusher part can be made as a single piece, advantageously with an additive manufacturing process, such as 3D printing.

[0014] The essence of the invention lies in the fact that the pump body itself defines an integrated valve chamber containing the valve element, which is connected to the plunger via passages (in the pump body) that link the valve chamber to the pump chamber. Additive manufacturing enables the production of this integrated valve chamber, with the valve element inside.

[0015] The invention will now be described in greater detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example, one embodiment of the invention and two variants.

[0016] In the figures:

[0017] Laest is a perspective view cut along a vertical plane through a pump according to the invention, which is in a rest position,

[0018] This is a perspective view of the pump cut along a vertical plane perpendicular to that of the [unclear], in its resting position.

[0019] This is a top perspective view of the pump body of the pump shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0020] This is a perspective view from below of the pump pusher part shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0021] Figures 5a and 5b are views similar to Figures 1 and 2 for the pump body of the pump in Figures 1 and 2, in the actuated position, and

[0022] cf

[0023] This is a schematic perspective view cut along a vertical plane through a variant of the pusher part.

[0024] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the pump of the invention comprises three parts: a pump body 1, a pusher 3, and a valve element 2. The pump body 1 and the valve element 2 can be manufactured as a single unit, particularly using an additive manufacturing process such as 3D printing. The same applies to the pusher 3, which can also be manufactured as a single unit, particularly using an additive manufacturing process such as 3D printing. Consequently, the pump can be formed by assembling two single-piece components: a base component B (forming the pump body 1 and the valve element 2) and the pusher 3. The pump defines a longitudinal axis X, which is also the pump's actuation axis. All of this will be described in detail below.

[0025] The pump body 1 is preferably made in one piece. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pump body 1 includes a retaining ring 11, designed to engage with the neck of a reservoir containing a fluid product to be dispensed. This retaining ring 11 may, for example, be internally threaded to allow it to be screwed onto a threaded neck. The pump body 1 forms a mounting shaft 12, which extends upwards in line with the mounting ring 11. This mounting shaft 12 is designed to cooperate with the pusher piece 3, as will be seen below. At the junction between the ring 11 and the shaft 12, the pump body 1 internally forms a plate 13 defining a dispensing channel 131, which opens outwards at a dispensing orifice 132. The plate 13 also forms two passages 133, which pass through its thickness.The distribution channel 131 extends horizontally between the two vertical or axial passages 133, as can be seen on the.

[0026] To ensure proper venting of the reservoir on which the pump of the invention is mounted, the pump body 1 forms a vent groove 134 at its plate 13, visible in Figures 1 and 5a, which allows outside air to enter the reservoir as fluid is extracted. A non-return valve may be provided to prevent any leakage of fluid through this vent.

[0027] According to the invention, the pump body 1 also forms a valve chamber 14 below the plate 13. This valve chamber 14 includes an inlet 141, intended to communicate with a fluid product reservoir, for example through a dip tube connected to the inlet 141. The valve chamber 14 also includes an outlet 143, which connects directly to the distribution channel 131. Furthermore, the two passages 133 also open into the valve chamber 14. The valve chamber 14 internally defines an inlet seat 142, downstream of the inlet 141, and an outlet seat 144, upstream of the outlet 143.

[0028] The valve element 2 forms a core 21, which is axially movable along the X-axis within the valve chamber 14, between the two seats 142 and 144, to selectively close either the inlet 141 or the outlet 143. When the valve element 2 is in its lowered position, it closes the inlet 141, and when it is in its upper position, it closes the outlet 143. In an intermediate position, it closes neither the inlet nor the outlet. The passages 133 are never closed. As can be seen in the figures, the inlet 142 and outlet 144 seats have a frustoconical configuration, as does the core 21, which forms two frustoconical contact surfaces 211 and 212. Other shapes are possible, such as flat or domed seats.

[0029] According to the invention, the valve element 2 also comprises two connecting members 22, connected to the core 21 and extending through the passages 133 to protrude above the plate 13. The connecting members 22 define connection profiles 221 at their free ends. The connecting members 22 extend into the passages 133 without obstructing them, so that the fluid can flow freely and continuously through the passages 133. As can be seen in Figures 2 and 5b, the passages 133 have a crescent or semi-cylindrical cross-section, and the two connecting members 22 are in the form of tabs describing an arc in cross-section. The valve element 2 also forms a pin 23 below the core 21, which is engaged in the inlet 141.

[0030] Since the core 21 of the valve element 3 is confined within the valve chamber 14 and cannot be introduced through the inlet 141, outlet 143, or passages 133, it is advantageous, even necessary, to manufacture the pump body 1 and the valve element 2 as a single, monolithic basic part B, particularly using an additive manufacturing process such as 3D printing. The valve element 2 is formed within the valve chamber 14 with its contact surfaces 211 and 212 positioned away from the inlet 142 and outlet 144 seats.

[0031] According to a practical embodiment, the valve element 2 is connected to the pump body 1 by brittle material bridges 223, 231, which will subsequently break during the first actuation of the pump. These brittle material bridges 223, 231 are advantageously located in the lower part between the inlet 141 and the pin 23, and in the upper part in the passages 133 between the plate 13 and the connecting members 22, as can be seen in Figures 1 and 2. There are no bridges at the core 21. Once broken, the bridges 223, 231 can advantageously serve as axial guides for the valve element 2. The bridge breaks preferably at one of its ends. Alternatively, it is possible to do without the brittle material bridges by supporting, for example, the valve element 2 during its manufacture at the pin 23.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the pusher assembly 3, preferably a single piece, comprises a pusher 31, a mounting ring 32 engaged, for example, by snapping and / or bonding, with the mounting shaft 12 of the pump body 1, and a connecting sleeve 33 engaged, for example, by snapping, with the connecting members 22 of the valve element 2. The mounting ring 32 is connected to the connecting sleeve 33 by an elastically deformable area 34. The pusher 31 sits atop the connecting sleeve 33 and is advantageously shaped as an elastically deformable dome. A pusher in the form of a piston is also possible, but would not allow for a single-piece construction.

[0033] Once the pusher piece 3 is mounted on the pump body 1, a pump chamber C is formed: it extends above the plate 13, into the mounting barrel 12 and inside the pusher piece 3. This pump chamber C, visible in figures 1 and 2, communicates only with the valve chamber 14 through the passages 133.

[0034] Advantageously, in the embodiment with brittle material bridges 223, 321, the sealed and final mounting of the mounting ring 32 on the mounting barrel 12 and the connection between the connecting sleeve 33 and the connecting members 22 must be done without breaking the material bridges 223, 321, which will serve as proof of first use for the user who will operate the pump.

[0035] The operation of this pump is as follows. In the rest position of figures 1 and 2, because the pusher 31 is fixedly connected to the valve element 2 by its connecting sleeve 33 in contact with the connecting members 22, the core 21 is forced against the outlet seat 144 by the elasticity of the pusher piece 3. The inlet 141 of the valve chamber 14 is open.

[0036] When a user presses axially on the push button 31, the core 21 is moved axially downwards until it makes a tight seal against the inlet seat 143. This actuated position is shown in Figures 5a and 5b. The outlet 142 of the valve chamber 14 is then opened, and a portion of the fluid contained in the pump chamber C is then discharged through the passages 133, the valve chamber 14, the outlet 142, and the distribution channel 131 to be distributed through the distribution orifice 132.

[0037] When the user releases pressure on the push button 31, it elastically returns to its rest position. As it does so, the core 21 moves axially upwards to make a tight seal against the outlet seat 144. The inlet 141 of the valve chamber 14 is reopened, and fluid from the reservoir is drawn into the pump chamber C through the inlet 141, the valve chamber 14, and the passages 133. The system is then returned to the rest position shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0038] In this embodiment, there are two passages 133, but other embodiments can be envisaged with a single passage or, on the contrary, more than two passages.

[0039] Referring to the, we see a variant of the realization for the pusher part 3', which is obtained by an additive manufacturing process, such as 3D printing.

[0040] In this variant, the pusher part 3' incorporates a pusher spring 331 in the form of a lattice structure integrated into the connecting sleeve 33'. This pusher spring 331 serves to increase the elasticity of the pusher 31, which will be useful with viscous fluid products.

[0041] In this same variant, the pusher part 3' incorporates, in addition to the pusher spring 331 of the first variant, a sleeve spring 332 in the form of a lattice structure extending under the connecting sleeve 33' and bearing against the plate 13 of the pump body 1. This sleeve spring 332 also serves to increase the elasticity of the pusher, which is useful with viscous fluids. This spring 332 also enables the faster movement of the valve 2 to close the passages 133. This allows the pusher to draw in more fluid while continuing its return to its initial position.

[0042] Of course, this variant shows two springs 331 and 332, but it is possible to implement only one of these springs.

[0043] Thanks to the invention, a pump with an original architecture is obtained, one that is virtually impossible to achieve with traditional injection / molding technology. The valve chamber 14, which is embedded within the pump body and communicates with the pump chamber via passages 133, also illustrates the spirit of the invention. This valve chamber 14 can be compared to a three-way valve, with a controllable inlet 141, a controllable outlet 143, and two permanently open passages 133. The use of the passage(s) 133 (connecting the two chambers C and 14) to accommodate the connecting element(s) 22 is another defining characteristic of the invention. The passage(s) 133 fulfill a dual function: communication of fluid product between the two chambers C and 14 and sheath for the connecting element(s) 22, allowing the transmission of the force exerted by the pusher on the core 21 captive in the valve chamber.This dual function of the passage(s) could be subject to separate protection.

[0044] The following features can be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention: - The pusher can have any other geometric shape, provided that it always fulfills the functions of spring and fluid pressurization. - There can be several inlets and several outlets on the body 1. - There can be one or more hooks between 221 and 33. - There can be one or more fluid passages 133. - The pump can be screwed, snapped, glued, or welded onto a tank. - A non-return valve can be mounted on the body 1 for atmospheric pressure relief of the tank. - The volume of fluid dispensed can be fixed or variable. - A nozzle can be mounted at the dispensing orifice 132 to create a spray.

Claims

Pump comprising a pump body (1) and a pusher piece (3; 3') mounted on the pump body (1) so as to define between them a pump chamber (C), the pusher piece (3; 3') forming a pusher (31) movable about a longitudinal axis X, the pump further comprising a valve element (2) captive in the pump body (1) and connected to the pusher (31), characterized in that the pump body (1) forms a valve chamber (14) comprising an inlet (141) and an outlet (143), the valve chamber (14) defining an inlet seat (142) downstream of the inlet (141) and an outlet seat (144) upstream of the outlet (143), the valve element (2) being axially movable about the axis X in the valve chamber (14) between these two seats (142, 144) to selectively close the inlet (141) or the outlet (143). Pump according to claim 1, wherein the pump chamber (C) communicates with the valve chamber (14) through at least one passage (133), the valve element (2) forming at least one connecting member (22) which passes through the passage (133) and connects to the pusher (31). Pump according to claim 2, wherein the valve element (2) comprises two connecting members (22) and the pump body (1) forms two passages (133), the free ends of the connecting members (22) forming hooking profiles (221) engaging with the pusher piece (3). Pump according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve element (2) forms a core (21) which defines an inlet contact surface (211) suitable for making tight contact with the inlet seat (142) and an outlet contact surface (212) suitable for making tight contact with the outlet seat (144), the contact surfaces (211, 212) and the seats (142, 144) preferably having a frustoconical shape. Pump according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve element (2) and the pump body (1) are made in a single piece, advantageously with an additive manufacturing process, the valve element (2) and the pump body (1) being initially connected by brittle material bridges (223, 231), which are broken during the first actuation of the pump, the broken bridges then advantageously serving as axial guiding means for the valve element (2). Pump according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pusher piece (3; 3') comprises a mounting ring (32) engaged with the pump body (1), a connecting sleeve (33; 33') engaged with the valve element (2), the mounting ring (32) being connected to the connecting sleeve (33; 33') by an elastically deformable area (34), the pusher (31) capping the connecting sleeve (33; 33') and advantageously having the form of an elastically deformable dome. Pump according to claim 6, wherein the pusher piece (3') incorporates a pusher spring (331) which acts between the pusher (31) and the valve element (2). Pump according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the pusher piece (3') incorporates a valve spring (332) which acts between the connecting sleeve (33') and the pump body (1). A pump according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pusher part (3; 3'; 3'') is manufactured as a single unit, advantageously using an additive manufacturing process.

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