Bellows Spring Foam Pump for Low-Soap Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispensers for soaps and similar fluids often require large quantities of liquid and can run off surfaces, as they are typically dispensed in liquid form rather than foam, which is less efficient and less effective for cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A pump mechanism utilizing a resilient flexible bellows member and a spring, formed by injection molding, that displaces both liquid and air to create a foam dispensing system, where a piston moves between inner and outer chambers to mix and dispense the liquid and air, allowing for efficient foam production through a mixing member or nozzle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If liquid dispensers dispense soap in liquid form, then the dispensing mechanism is simple, but large quantities of liquid are required and it runs off surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the dispensed soap from liquid to foam. By introducing air into the liquid soap through a pump mechanism and mixing it with a foaming agent, the soap is transformed into a foam structure that adheres better to surfaces and requires less quantity for effective cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a pump mechanism that utilizes pneumatic principles to draw liquid soap from the reservoir and mix it with air. The pump creates a foam by combining the liquid soap with air bubbles, which are then dispensed onto surfaces. This pneumatic approach allows for controlled foam generation and reduces the amount of liquid soap needed.
2Productivity
If a pump mechanism uses a resilient flexible bellows member and spring, then foam production efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient flexible bellows member and spring assembly serves multiple functions within the pump mechanism. It acts as both a sealing element and a return spring, eliminating the need for separate components. The bellows member expands and contracts to draw liquid soap and air into the mixing chamber, while the spring provides the restoring force to return the piston to its initial position, thereby improving foam production efficiency while minimizing device complexity.
3Reliability
If liquid soap is dispensed in liquid form, then the dispensing system is simple, but cleaning effectiveness is reduced due to runoff
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the dispensed soap from liquid to foam. By introducing air into the liquid soap through a pump mechanism and mixing it with a foaming agent, the soap is transformed into a foam structure that adheres better to surfaces and requires less quantity for effective cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary substance that mixes with liquid soap to create foam. This foam acts as a mediator between the liquid soap and the surface to be cleaned, providing better adhesion and coverage. The foam structure allows the soap to remain on vertical surfaces longer, improving cleaning effectiveness by preventing runoff.
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 system effectively reduces the amount of liquid needed by converting it into a foam, preventing runoff and improving cleaning efficiency by using a combination of a bellows member and spring to displace air and liquid, creating a more effective dispensing mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient flexible bellows member to function as a displacement pump and/or a spring
Implementation Method 2
moving the second member in a first direction relative the first member pressurizes the air compartment thereby forcing liquid and air through the mixing member
Implementation Method 3
simultaneously drawing fluid from the reservoir through the fluid inlet into the fluid compartment, and whereby moving the second member in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative the first member pressurizes the fluid compartment thereby discharging fluid from the fluid compartment out the fluid outlet and simultaneously drawing air into the air compartment
Data Source
AI summary
A spring member extending from a first end to a second end about a longitudinal axis, the spring having an inherent bias to assume an extended position with a first end spaced from the second end along the axis, the spring assuming compressed positions when compressed by forces applied parallel to the axis, in the compressed positions the spring resiliently urges its first and second ends axially away from each other toward the extended position, the spring member having a wall in the shape of a solid of revolution rotated about the axis and defining a central cavity therein open at the first end of the spring and substantially closed at the second end of the spring, the wall when in the unbiased extended position having a greatest diameter at the first end and a least diameter at the second end, a plurality of openings through the wall, the openings disposed symmetrically both circumferentially and axially relative to each other.