Coaxial Multi-Air-Chamber Foam Pump for Small-Opening Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foam piston pumps struggle to be inserted through small openings while maintaining a reasonable stroke length and adequate air displacement for producing a desired unit dosage volume of foamed liquid, as the diameter of the opening reduces, requiring longer strokes to dispense sufficient air.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates multiple air pumps disposed coaxially about a piston member and spaced axially along the piston member, allowing for efficient air displacement and foamed liquid production through modular components that can be configured with one, two, or three upper air pumps, optimizing the volume and pressure dynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the diameter of the opening through which the pump is inserted is reduced to provide a pleasing appearance, then the aesthetic appeal is improved, but the stroke length required to dispense a desired volume of air increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air displacement function is segmented into multiple air pumps (first air pump, second air pump, third air pump) disposed coaxially about the piston member. Each air pump contributes to the total air displacement, allowing the system to achieve adequate air volume with a shorter individual stroke length, thus resolving the contradiction between small opening diameter and required stroke length.
2Shape
If the diameter of the opening through which the pump is inserted is reduced, then the aesthetic appeal is improved, but the volume of air that can be displaced in a single stroke decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The air displacement task is divided among multiple air pumps operating in parallel. The first air pump, second air pump, and third air pump each contribute to the total air volume displaced during a single stroke, enabling the system to maintain adequate air quantity even when the opening diameter is reduced for aesthetic purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple air pumps are merged into a single integrated system that operates through one opening. The combined air displacement capability of all air pumps compensates for the reduced opening size, allowing sufficient air volume to be delivered through the smaller aesthetic opening in a single stroke.
3Productivity
If multiple air pumps are disposed coaxially about the piston member, then the air displacement efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple air pumps share common structural elements including the piston member, actuator, and housing. This multi-functional design allows the same basic components to serve multiple air displacement functions simultaneously, improving air displacement efficiency while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
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
This configuration enables the pump to effectively dispense a desired unit dosage volume of foamed liquid through a small opening, improving the balance between stroke length and air displacement, and allowing for modular adjustments to suit different applications.
Implementation Method 1
a spring disposed within the piston chamber-forming member and operative to bias the piston-forming element upwardly
Implementation Method 2
first and second annular seal discs spaced axially along the piston member with the first annular seal disc extending radially outwardly from the lower air piston and engaging the wall of the lower air chamber to prevent fluid flow axially upwardly therepast
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
An improved foam piston pump in which a multiple of air pumps (170, 270, 370) are disposed coaxially about a piston member (22) and spaced axially along the piston member (22), preferably coaxially with a liquid pump (70) for discharging air and liquid as foam. Each air pump is preferably provided by a modular piston (150, 250, 350) within a modular casing assembly (20) such that arrangements with one, two or more identical air pumps can be assembled from a plurality of the same modular components.