Bellow Actuated Pump Reducing Component Count

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pump devices in personal and beauty care markets often have complex designs with many parts, which increase production and assembly costs while offering limited aesthetic value and functionality, necessitating the development of simpler, more efficient pump mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A pump design featuring a base with a bellow mechanism that creates a pump chamber, where the bellow's actuation dispenses product and de-actuation draws it into the chamber, utilizing a valve to control fluid flow through inlet and discharge passages, reducing the number of components and enhancing operational efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional pump mechanisms with multiple parts are used, then reliability and product delivery function are improved, but device complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct delivery functionVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple traditional pump components into an integrated bellow mechanism. The bellow structure integrates the pumping action, sealing function, and product delivery mechanism into a single component that works with the base and valve assembly, thereby reducing the total number of parts while maintaining reliable product delivery function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bellow mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it creates the pumping chamber, provides sealing against the base, controls product flow, and enables the pumping action through compression and expansion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If simplified pump design with fewer parts is used, then production costs and device complexity are reduced, but functionality and aesthetic value may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of partsVSAvoidfunctionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the pumping chamber, sealing mechanism, and flow control into an integrated bellow assembly, the patent achieves simplified design without sacrificing functionality. The single bellow component performs multiple operations that traditionally required separate parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bellow mechanism utilizes changes in volume and shape through compression and expansion to achieve pumping action. This parameter-based approach allows a simple component to perform complex functions related to fluid displacement and flow control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If traditional valve mechanisms are used, then product flow control is improved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct flow controlVSAvoidassembly difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The valve is integrated with the bellow mechanism rather than being a separate assembly. The valve works in conjunction with the bellow's compression and expansion movements to control flow, eliminating the need for separate valve assembly steps and reducing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve mechanism is designed to be actuated automatically by the bellow's movement. As the bellow compresses and expands, it naturally opens and closes the valve passages without requiring external control mechanisms or complex assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 pump design reduces production costs, improves functionality, and enhances aesthetic appeal by using fewer parts to effectively deliver products from containers to users, while maintaining efficient product flow and priming.

Implementation Method 1

A bellow having a bellow dome, bellow walls, a bellow rim, and a bellow chamber defined by the shape of the bellow dome and bellow walls may rest on the base rim in a portion of the interior space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Actuation of the bellow dome may disperse product from the pump and de-actuation of the bellow dome may draw product into the pump chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

valve walls may contact a base spacer to seal a pump chamber defined by the bellow and an interior portion of the base

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS10226783B2Pump device and methods for making the same

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 SILGAN DISPENSING SYST NETHERLANDS BV

AI summary

Bellow actuated pump devices for dispensing a product from a container may include a bellow and a base or a bellow, a base, and a valve having two or more valves wherein actuation of the bellow opens a discharge portion of the valve and dispenses a product and the de-actuation of the bellow opens an intake portion of the valve and refills the pump for the next actuation.