Deformable Pusher Wall for Fluid Dispenser Priming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pusher pumps face challenges in priming, as they are often mounted on small capacity reservoirs where expelling air is not possible without causing malfunctions due to pressurization, and existing solutions do not address this issue effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an elastically deformable wall in the pusher that allows the piston to move relative to the pusher, enabling the opening of the outlet valve even when there is no fluid in the chamber, by deforming under user pressure to create an escape passage for trapped air during initial filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the pump uses a small capacity reservoir, then the device is more compact and portable, but air cannot be expelled from the chamber during priming without causing pressurization malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is divided into two functional parts: a main piston lip that moves in the body barrel, and an outlet valve lip that moves in the pusher tappet. This segmentation allows the outlet valve to be opened independently by pusher deformation even when the main piston cannot move due to air compression in a small reservoir.
Solution Approach 2:
The pusher incorporates an elastically deformable wall that can dynamically change shape under user pressure. This deformation directly moves the outlet valve lip to open the outlet valve, creating a dynamic priming mechanism that works specifically during initial filling when the reservoir is full.
2Strength
If the pusher wall is made rigid, then the structure is stronger and more durable, but the piston cannot move relative to the pusher to open the outlet valve during priming
Solution Approach 1:
Only a specific local region of the pusher wall is made elastically deformable, while the rest of the pusher structure remains rigid. This localized flexibility allows the outlet valve to open during priming without compromising the overall structural strength and durability of the pusher.
Solution Approach 2:
The pusher wall incorporates an elastically deformable membrane or thin wall section that can flex under user pressure to move the outlet valve lip. This flexible element enables the priming function while the surrounding rigid structure maintains pusher strength.
3Reliability
If additional priming steps or components are added, then the priming function can be achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet valve mechanism is merged with the pusher structure itself. The deformable wall of the pusher directly forms part of the outlet valve actuation mechanism, eliminating the need for separate priming pumps, valves, or complex control systems. The pusher serves dual functions: normal dispensing and priming.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump performs its own priming operation using the existing pusher mechanism. The elastically deformable wall allows the pusher to self-actuate the outlet valve during priming without requiring external priming devices or additional user steps beyond normal pushing motion.
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 simple and cost-effective priming of the fluid dispenser without additional steps, ensuring the pump operates correctly by allowing air to escape from the small capacity reservoirs, preventing malfunctions and ensuring the chamber fills with fluid efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
the pusher comprises a wall elastically deformable and therefore movable relative to the rest of the pusher, the piston being at least momentarily in contact with this deformable wall to be urged to move relative to the rest of the pusher when the wall is deformed
Implementation Method 2
the piston is in contact with the pusher when the pressure in the chamber is below a predetermined threshold by a return spring which urges the piston towards the pusher
Implementation Method 3
the piston moves in the tappet in response to an increase in pressure of the fluid product in the chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for dispensing a fluid product that is to be associated with a tank of fluid product (R), said device comprising: a chamber (10) with an inlet valve (5, 15), an outlet valve (32, 232) and a piston (3) capable of modifying the volume of the chamber; a fluid product dispensing port (25); and a pusher (2) capable of axial reciprocating displacement between a rest position and a depressed position, characterised in that the pusher (2) includes an elastically deformable wall (212) that can thus be displaced relative to the rest of the pusher, the piston (3) being at least momentarily in contract with the deformable wall (212) so as to be displaced relative to the rest of the pusher when the wall is deformed in order to open the outlet valve.