Dispensing Pump Axial Alignment and Stroke Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid product pumps experience leaks and premature wear due to angular offset of the compression member, leading to inefficiencies and design complexities in producing pumps for varying fluid volumes.

Innovation Solution

The pump design incorporates a shoulder on the inner surface of the end member with a flange that abuts against it, ensuring the nozzle remains aligned with the central axis, providing distributed support and preventing leaks, while allowing for adjustable end stops to accommodate different fluid volumes without modifying the end member's design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a groove is used to limit the stroke of the compression member, then the stroke can be controlled, but the compression member becomes angularly offset causing leaks and premature wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestroke of compression memberVSAvoidsealing and wear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a collar as an intermediary component between the compression member and the end member. This collar includes a flange that abuts against a shoulder on the end member, providing guidance and preventing angular offset of the compression member during stroke limitation. The intermediary collar ensures that the compression member remains axially aligned while still limiting the stroke, thereby preventing leaks and premature wear without compromising the stroke control function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the end member into multiple functional components: a body portion, a collar with flange, and a shoulder structure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the body provides structural support, the collar provides guidance and stroke limitation, and the shoulder provides the abutment surface. By segmenting the design, the patent achieves reliable stroke control while maintaining proper alignment and preventing the angular offset that causes leaks and wear

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the end member design is modified to accommodate different fluid volumes, then different pump models can be produced, but the manufacturing complexity and adaptation needs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of fluid volumesVSAvoidmanufacturing and design adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the end member with a universal collar and shoulder structure that can accommodate different compression member strokes while maintaining the same basic design. The collar with flange and shoulder configuration serves multiple functions: guiding the compression member, limiting stroke, and providing abutment surfaces. This universal design allows the same end member to be used across different pump models dispensing various fluid volumes, reducing manufacturing complexity and eliminating the need for design adaptations while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 ensures reliable sealing, reduces wear, and simplifies the production of pumps for various fluid volumes by maintaining the same end member design across different models, reducing manufacturing complexity and adaptation needs.

Implementation Method 1

said compression member being elastically returned to the rest position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP1949973B1Pump for dispensing a dose of a liquid product and range including such pumps
Publication Date: 2015.02.11 ALBEA LE TREPORT
  • EP1949973B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1949973B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Pump for distributing a dose of fluid product, comprising: - a tubular body (1) having an inlet orifice (6), - an end member (14) associated with the body (1) and having a rest stop (37) and an end stop (39), - a compression member mounted movable inside the body (1) between a rest position, in which said compression member is against the rest stop, and an end position, in which said compression member is against the end stop, said compression member being elastically returned to the rest position and having an exhaust orifice, - a metering chamber (2), - an inlet valve and an exhaust valve (33) adapted to selectively close the inlet orifice (6) and the exhaust orifice respectively.