Cantilever Pump Subassembly for Oral Irrigator Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oral irrigators experience undesired noise and vibration due to firmly secured pumps that resonate with the product frame, creating discomfort for users.
Innovation Solution
A cantilever-type pump subassembly secured only to a gearbox housing within the oral irrigator, using a resilient element to suspend the gearbox and dampen vibrations, combined with a valve design and layout to minimize noise and vibration transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the pump is firmly secured to the product base via several attachment points, then the pump stability and structural integrity are improved, but the vibration transmission to the product frame increases causing undesired noise
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient element is introduced as an intermediary between the pump and the product base. This resilient element decouples the rigid connection, allowing the pump to remain stable while preventing vibration transmission to the product frame, thereby resolving the contradiction between stability and vibration reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical connection parameters are changed from rigid (firmly secured) to compliant (resilient element). This parameter change allows the system to maintain structural integrity while altering the vibration transmission characteristics, reducing noise without compromising pump stability.
2Strength
If the pump is firmly secured to the product base, then the structural integrity is improved, but the noise and vibration resonance with the product frame increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element serves as a mediator that preserves structural integrity by maintaining the mechanical connection between pump and base, while simultaneously preventing resonance by isolating vibrational frequencies from the product frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-installed between the pump and base, preparing the system to absorb and dampen vibrations before they can resonate with the product frame, thus preventing noise amplification.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple attachment points are used to secure the pump, then the pump positioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element acts as a single intermediary component that replaces multiple rigid attachment points. It provides adequate positioning accuracy while simplifying the assembly process, as it requires only one attachment location rather than multiple precision-matched attachment points.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element functions as a flexible component that can deform to accommodate positioning tolerances, providing adequate positioning accuracy without requiring high-precision manufacturing. This flexibility reduces assembly complexity compared to rigid multi-point attachments.
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
Reduces noise and vibration, enhancing user comfort by minimizing noise generation and vibration transmission during operation while maintaining sufficient fluid pressure and flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient element, such as a spring, connects the gearbox housing to the oral irrigator housing so that the gearbox is suspended within the oral irrigator housing
Implementation Method 2
A resilient element, such as a spring, connects the gearbox housing to the oral irrigator housing so that the gearbox is suspended within the oral irrigator housing
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a cantilever-type pump subassembly for an oral irrigator which provides noise and vibration reduction and simpler assembly. The pump subassembly comprises: an inlet portion arranged to receive fluid from a reservoir; an outlet portion integrally secured to the inlet portion, the outlet portion arranged to receive a pressurized flow of the fluid; and, a pressurizing portion integrally secured to the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The pressurizing portion comprises: a first end having a mounting flange, wherein the pump subassembly is fixedly secured only to a gearbox housing arranged within the housing by the mounting flange.