Bistable Pump Foot Mechanism for Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump designs face difficulties in conveniently and trouble-free adjustment of heights, often requiring complex additional structures and cumbersome access to pivotable foot parts, leading to operational inefficiencies and downtime.
Innovation Solution
A pump with a bistable foot mechanism featuring a coupling structure that includes a front panel accessible during operation, allowing the foot to move between two stable positions via a cooperative mechanism of arms and flexible hinges, enabling easy height adjustment without external power or complex assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pivotable foot parts are used to adjust pump height, then height adjustment capability is improved, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate because the feet become hidden and require lifting the pump to access
Solution Approach 1:
The foot mechanism is designed to be dynamically accessible - the front panel can be moved between positions to expose or hide the coupling structure, allowing the foot to be adjusted while the pump remains stationary on the surface
Solution Approach 2:
The foot assembly is segmented into distinct components (base body, coupling structure with front panel, arms, hinges) that can move independently, allowing the coupling structure to be exposed for adjustment without moving the entire pump
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional structures are coupled to the pump for height adjustment, then height variability is improved, but device complexity increases and assembly becomes troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The foot assembly integrates multiple functions into a single unit - the base body provides support, the coupling structure enables height adjustment, and the arms with hinges provide the mechanical linkage, eliminating the need for separate additional structures
Solution Approach 2:
The foot assembly serves multiple purposes: it supports the pump on the surface, enables height adjustment through the coupling structure, and provides stable positioning through the bistable mechanism, reducing the need for multiple separate components
3Adaptability or versatility
If pivotable foot parts are used, then height adjustment is enabled, but reliability decreases due to complex linking of movable parts and potential assembly issues
Solution Approach 1:
The bistable mechanism automatically maintains the foot in stable positions without requiring external control or complex assembly procedures, improving reliability through self-regulating behavior
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism transitions between two distinct stable states (positions), providing reliable and repeatable height positions through discrete parameter changes rather than continuous adjustment that could introduce instability
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 solution provides a simple, efficient, and user-friendly method to adjust pump heights, reducing operational complexity and downtime by allowing the foot to switch between stable positions without power input, ensuring effective liquid suction or pumping across varying liquid levels.
Implementation Method 1
a first arm and a second arm which are coupled by flexible hinges
Implementation Method 2
The first arm and the second arm are coupled by flexible hinges
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A foot (106) for a pump (150) having a pump housing (105). The foot (106) comprises a base body (110) and a coupling structure (112, 134) coupled to the base body (110). The coupling structure (112, 134) comprises a front panel (114), wherein the front panel (114) is movable between a first stable position and a second stable position in respect to the base body (110). Thereby the front panel (114) is accessible during the operational position of the pump (150) from the side of its pump housing (105). The base body (110) rests on the foot (106) in the first stable position and the second stable position, and pushing and pulling of the foot (106) moves it between its first stable position and the second stable position.