Liquid Dispenser Lever Mechanism for Lower Actuation Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing mechanisms for liquids often require users to apply an increasing force to achieve complete actuation of a flexible dispensing part, making it difficult to dispense a desired volume of liquid.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing mechanism with a fixed dolly and two levers, where the first lever pivots about a first axis and the second lever is user-operated, featuring a convex sliding surface and a sliding abutment point that maintains leverage over a substantial part of the dispensing stroke, reducing the user force required as the dispensing stroke progresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional dispensing mechanism with fixed leverage is used, then the device structure is simple, but the user must apply increasing force as the dispensing stroke progresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the leverage ratio variable rather than fixed. The first lever's abutment point moves along a convex arc during the dispensing stroke, causing the perpendicular distance from the pivot axis to the force application point to change. This dynamic adjustment of the moment arm length automatically increases the leverage ratio as the stroke progresses, reducing the force the user must apply while maintaining a relatively simple two-lever structure.
2Productivity
If the upper arm moves along the shim of the movable lever, then the dispensing stroke is achieved, but the leverage of the movable lever decreases from maximum value
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the spheroidality principle by designing the first sliding surface with a convex curvature. This convex shape causes the abutment point to follow a curved path during the dispensing stroke, which in turn causes the perpendicular distance from the pivot axis to the force application point to increase. This geometric curvature solution maintains and even increases the leverage ratio throughout the stroke, enabling complete dispensing without requiring the user to apply increasing force.
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 design allows for easier dispensing of liquids by maintaining an increasing leverage ratio over a significant part of the dispensing stroke, reducing the user force needed and ensuring a consistent force application results in an increased force applied to the flexible dispensing portion, facilitating complete actuation with less effort.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second sliding surfaces bear in sliding abutment against each other at an abutment point
Implementation Method 2
a first lever (18) arranged to pivot about a first pivot axis (28) and a second lever (20) arranged to pivot about a second pivot axis (30)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A dispensing mechanism (4) for a liquid container (10) comprising a hollow flexible dispensing portion (12) and a dispenser (2) are provided. The dispensing mechanism (4) comprises a first lever (18) arranged to pivot about a first pivot axis (28) and a second lever (20) arranged to pivot about a second pivot axis (30) and comprising a user operated portion (22). The first lever (18) comprises a first sliding surface (24) and the second lever (20) comprises a second sliding surface (26). The first and second sliding surfaces (24, 26) bear in sliding abutment against each other at an abutment point. The first and second pivot axes (28, 30) are substantially parallel to each other, and a first plane extends through the first and second pivot axes. In a non-actuated position of the dispensing mechanism (4), the user operated portion of the second lever (20) and the abutment point are arranged on a first side of the first plane. The first sliding surface (24) at least at the abutment point, is convex and the abutment point remains on the first side of the first plane over at least a first 2/3 of a dispensing stroke of the first lever (18).