Bellow-Actuated Pump Design to Reduce Part Count and Production Cost
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump devices for personal and beauty care products often have complex designs with many parts, which increases production costs and reduces aesthetic appeal, while also failing to efficiently evacuate fluids from containers.
Innovation Solution
A pump design featuring a deformable bellow mechanism that applies force to alter the volume of a pump chamber, causing a valve disc to flex and disengage from the discharge passage, allowing efficient product delivery and retraction, with optional materials like silicon or TPU for the bellow and valve components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional pump designs with multiple parts are used, then the pump can deliver products effectively, but the production cost increases and aesthetic value decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple traditional pump components into an integrated assembly where the bellow mechanism serves both as the actuating element and the valve actuator. The valve disc is integrated with the bellow structure, eliminating the need for separate valve stems, springs, and actuating mechanisms, thereby reducing part count while maintaining pumping functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The bellow component performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the pump actuator, the valve actuator, and provides the sealing mechanism. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated separate components for each function, reducing overall device complexity and production costs
2Device complexity
If traditional pump designs with multiple parts are used, then the pump can deliver products effectively, but the aesthetic value decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of components creates a sleek, streamlined appearance with fewer visible seams and connection points. The unified bellow-valve structure eliminates the need for multiple fasteners and joints that would compromise aesthetic appeal
3Device complexity
If a deformable bellow mechanism is used to reduce parts, then production cost decreases and aesthetics improve, but the mechanism requires flexible materials like silicon or TPU which may have limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies using elastomeric materials (silicon or TPU) for the bellow and valve components, which provide the necessary flexibility for deformation while maintaining durability through their elastic recovery properties. These materials can withstand repeated flexing cycles while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The use of elastomeric materials combines flexibility with durability, allowing the bellow to deform repeatedly while maintaining structural integrity. These materials offer both the compliance needed for the deformation mechanism and the strength required for reliable operation
4Productivity
If the bellow is deformable to apply force and alter volume, then product evacuation is efficient, but the valve operation becomes dependent on material flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric materials are selected to provide consistent elastic properties that ensure reliable valve operation. The material formulation and thickness are optimized to provide sufficient force for valve actuation while maintaining consistent performance across multiple cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The bellow mechanism uses its own elastic deformation to actuate the valve, eliminating the need for separate actuating mechanisms. The elastic recovery force automatically resets the valve position, providing consistent operation through the material's inherent properties
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 pump design reduces the number of parts, lowers production costs, enhances aesthetic value, and effectively delivers products from containers by utilizing a deformable bellow to manage the valve operation, ensuring efficient product evacuation and retraction.
Implementation Method 1
a bellow in communication with the base, wherein the bellow and the interior chamber define a pump chamber, characterised in that the bellow is deformable for applying a force to a product or altering the volume of the pump chamber so as to cause the valve disc to flex
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~5B
AI summary
Bellow actuated pump devices for dispensing a product from a container includes a bellow (350) and a base (310) and a valve (330) wherein actuation of the bellow (350) dispenses a product and the de-actuation of the bellow (350)refills the pump for the next actuation.