Dispenser Pump Retainer Ring Spring Bellow Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a persistent need to reduce manufacturing costs of dispensers used for applying cosmetic products like hair care products while maintaining a high lifetime and ensuring efficient operation.

Innovation Solution

The dispenser pump employs retainer rings to nondetachably connect a spring bellow to the bottom and top parts, allowing for a fast, secure, and cost-effective connection without additional fixing means, enabling a simplified design and flexible use with different dispenser heads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional connection methods (adhesives, additional fixing means) are used to connect the spring bellow to the bottom and top parts, then the connection security is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the need for additional connection means (adhesives, fixing elements) by integrating the connection function directly into the retainer ring structure. The retainer ring's undercut geometry provides inherent retention of the spring bellow through elastic deformation, removing the need for separate securing mechanisms and thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining secure connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer ring structure performs self-service by using its own elastic deformation capability to create the connection. The undercut geometry allows the spring bellow's elastic material to deform and lock onto the retainer ring surface, creating a self-retaining connection without requiring external adhesives or additional fixing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If traditional connection methods are used, then the connection security is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional connection means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidnumber of connection components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the connection function with the retainer ring structure itself. The retainer ring is designed with an undercut that directly engages with the spring bellow through elastic deformation, combining the retention and connection functions into a single integrated component rather than requiring separate adhesives or fixing elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and removes additional connection means from the device structure. By using the retainer ring's inherent elastic deformation capability, the design eliminates adhesives, separate fasteners, or other connection components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining secure connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the spring bellow is tightly fixed to prevent movement, then connection security is improved, but friction increases and operation becomes less smooth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidoperation smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating a differentiated connection: the undercut provides strong local retention at the connection point to prevent detachment, while the rest of the spring bellow maintains its elastic flexibility and ability to deform smoothly during compression and expansion cycles, ensuring secure connection without excessive friction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution results in a cost-efficient manufacturing process with reduced friction and increased usability, as the spring bellow's elastic deformation ensures smooth operation and minimal friction, allowing for efficient fluid pumping without the need for additional connection methods.

Implementation Method 1

the spring bellow's elastic deformation ensures smooth operation and minimal friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3175927B1Dispenser pump and method for operating a dispenser pump
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 KAO GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3175927B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3175927B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3175927B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is provided a dispenser pump (10) for pumping a fluid from a reservoir to a dispenser head, comprising a dip tube (12) for being inserted into the fluid located inside the reservoir, a cylinder housing (14) connected with the dip tube (12), a piston pipe (18) guided in longitudinal direction by the cylinder housing (14) for pumping the fluid from the dip tube (12) via the cylinder housing (14) to the dispenser head, wherein the piston pipe (18) comprises a connecting area (20) for connecting the dispenser head to the piston pipe (18), a top part (24) connected with the piston pipe (18), a bottom part (26) connected with the cylinder housing (14) and a spring bellow (28) for pushing the piston pipe (18) in a direction outwards the cylinder housing (14), wherein a lower axial end of the spring bellow (28) is connected with the bottom part (26) via a lower retainer ring (30) located inside the spring bellow (28) and/or a higher axial end of the spring bellow (28) is connected with the top part (24) via a higher retainer ring located inside the spring bellow (28). The retainer ring (30) enables a fast, easy and secure connection of the spring bellow (28) at low mounting costs and without the need of further connection means so that a cost efficient manufacturing of a dispenser with a high life time is enabled which may be particularly used for applying cosmetic products like hair care products.