Bellows Chamber Foam Pump for Low-Liquid Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispensers for soaps and similar fluids often require large quantities and can run off surfaces, as they are typically designed for liquid form rather than foam, which is more efficient and less likely to run off.
Innovation Solution
A pump design featuring a piston-chamber system with a bellows member that allows for controlled dispensing of liquid in foam form by varying the volume of the bellows chamber, incorporating a spring for bias and discs to manage fluid flow, enabling efficient foam production with less liquid usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If liquid dispensers are designed for liquid form, then dispensing capability is provided, but large quantities of liquid are required and run-off occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the dispensed substance from liquid to foam. The pump system incorporates a foam generation mechanism that transforms liquid soap into foam form, utilizing air incorporation and mechanical agitation. This parameter change allows the same cleaning function to be achieved with reduced liquid quantity and minimized run-off, as foam adheres better to surfaces.
2Productivity
If a bellows member is added to function as displacement pump and spring, then foam generation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a displacement pump to move liquid through the system, serves as a spring element to provide restoring force and enable reciprocating motion, and facilitates foam generation through its expansion and contraction cycles. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing device complexity while improving foam production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the pump mechanism and spring element into a single integrated bellows structure. The bellows chamber combines the functions of fluid displacement and elastic energy storage, eliminating the need for separate pumps and springs. This consolidation simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining the required foam generation capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If piston forming element is made axially slidable, then controlled liquid movement is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The piston forming element incorporates flexible sealing elements and thin film structures that allow for axial sliding motion while maintaining effective sealing. These flexible components compensate for minor dimensional variations and manufacturing tolerances, enabling smooth reciprocating motion without requiring extremely tight fits. The flexibility allows the piston to seal effectively against the chamber wall across a range of positions, facilitating ease of operation while reducing manufacturing precision requirements.
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 effectively dispenses liquid in a foamed state using less liquid, reducing run-off and improving efficiency, while the spring mechanism ensures consistent operation.
Implementation Method 1
the bellows member being collapsible to increase and decrease volume of the bellows chamber with reciprocal sliding of the piston forming element between the retracted position and the extended position to draw fluid through the outlet via the passageway into the bellows chamber and to expel fluid in the bellows chamber via the passageway out the outlet
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a spring for bias
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A pump (10) for dispensing liquid from a reservoir (60) comprising: a piston-forming element (14) axially received in a piston chamber-forming member (12) and having a central axially extending hollow stem (38) with a central passageway (46) having an outlet (48) from which liquid is dispensed, at least one annular chamber (64,66) formed annularly about the stem (38) between the piston forming element (14) and the piston chamber-forming member (12) wherein said piston-forming element (14) has a bellows member (200) with a bellows chamber (186) open to the passageway (46), the bellows member (200) being collapsible to increase and decrease the volume of the bellows chamber (186) with reciprocal sliding of the piston-forming element (14) between a retracted position and an extended position to draw fluid through the outlet (48) and to expel fluid in the bellows chamber (186) out the outlet (48).