Convertible Pump Dispenser for Piston and Peristaltic Reservoirs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensing units are not capable of dispensing fluid from both piston and peristaltic pump reservoirs, limiting their versatility in handling different types of flowable materials.

Innovation Solution

A dispenser housing that accommodates both piston and peristaltic pump reservoirs, featuring a socket arrangement for each type, with an actuator mechanism to move the piston carriage for piston pumps and block members to compress deformable tubes for peristaltic pumps, allowing for the dispensing of materials from either type.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a dispensing unit is designed for a specific pump type (piston or peristaltic), then it can reliably dispense that specific type of fluid, but it cannot dispense fluids from the other pump type

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to dispense from both piston and peristaltic pumpsVSAvoidhousing structure with dual socket arrangements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing unit housing incorporates both a piston pump socket arrangement and a peristaltic pump socket arrangement, allowing the same housing to accommodate and dispense fluids from either pump type. The actuator member is designed to interface with both pump mechanisms through different coupling arrangements, enabling universal functionality within a single device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is divided into distinct socket arrangements - a piston pump socket and a peristaltic pump socket - each optimized for its specific pump type. The actuator member is segmented into different coupling mechanisms that can selectively engage with either socket type, allowing modular adaptation without requiring complete redesign of the housing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate dispensing units are used for piston and peristaltic pumps, then each unit can be optimized for its specific pump type, but the overall system requires multiple devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle dispenser handling multiple pump typesVSAvoidreplacement and configuration of different reservoir units

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator member incorporates both a piston pump coupling arrangement and a peristaltic pump coupling arrangement, allowing it to interface with either pump type through the appropriate socket. This universal coupling design enables a single actuator to operate both piston and peristaltic reservoir units without requiring separate actuators for each pump type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The socket arrangements serve as intermediary interfaces between the actuator member and the different pump types. These sockets translate the actuator's movement into pump-specific actions - driving the piston in one case and compressing the tube in the other - thereby mediating between the universal actuator and the specialized pump mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the housing accommodates both pump types, then versatility is improved, but the socket arrangement complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual socket arrangement for different pumpsVSAvoidactuator coupling mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanisms are segmented into distinct piston pump coupling and peristaltic pump coupling components, each housed in their respective socket arrangements. This segmentation allows each coupling mechanism to be independently designed and optimized for its specific pump type while maintaining overall system integration through the common actuator member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator member merges both the piston pump coupling arrangement and the peristaltic pump coupling arrangement into a single component. This merging allows one actuator to control both pump types through different coupling interfaces, reducing the total number of actuators needed while maintaining the complexity of the coupling mechanisms within a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables the dispensing of various flowable materials using either piston or peristaltic pumps, enhancing the versatility and adaptability of the dispenser for different products, such as pastes, liquids, and foams.

Implementation Method 1

a piston element reciprocally slidably received in piston chamber-forming member for movement between a retracted position and an extended position to dispense material from the reservoir out a piston pump outlet on the piston element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiston pump mechanism: Pump

Implementation Method 2

a deformable tube member in communication with material in the reservoir providing a peristaltic pump outlet to dispense material from the reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeristaltic pump mechanism: Peristalsis

Data Source

PatentUS8342368B2Convertible peristaltic and piston pump dispenser

Publication Date: 2013.01.01 GOTOHTI COM INC

AI summary

A dispenser for flowable material adapted for engagement and for dispensing fluid from either a replaceable piston pump reservoir unit comprising a reservoir bottle and a piston pump or a replaceable peristaltic pump reservoir unit comprising a reservoir bottle and a deformable tube member.