Dispensing Pump Venting Valve Prevents Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing pumps with venting holes are prone to liquid leakage and corrosion during transportation and use, leading to contamination and clogging issues due to liquid accumulation in the venting path.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing pump design featuring a venting valve that prevents liquid from escaping during the upstroke and allows air to enter the bottle, ensuring a watertight seal and preventing liquid from contacting metal components, while maintaining the pump's structural simplicity and ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a venting hole is provided in the housing to permit air admission during pump actuation, then air can enter the bottle to replace pumped liquid, but liquid can accumulate in the venting path and leak through venting passages between the retaining ring and hollow stem
Solution Approach 1:
A venting valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the venting hole and the venting passages. This valve selectively controls fluid passage: it remains open during pump actuation to allow air admission, but closes during transportation to prevent liquid leakage through the venting path.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting valve transitions from a static open state to a dynamic state that responds to pump actuation. During actuation, the valve opens to permit air flow; during transportation, it closes to seal the venting path, adapting its state based on operational requirements.
2Productivity
If the dispensing pump is opened, then the piston can push liquid through the venting passages, but liquid contacts metal spring causing corrosion and creates contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The venting valve serves as a protective intermediary that isolates the metal spring and internal components from liquid exposure. By controlling the venting path, it prevents liquid from reaching metal surfaces during transportation while maintaining liquid flow capability during dispensing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting valve closes in advance during transportation to prevent liquid from entering the internal passages and contacting metal components. This preliminary protective action eliminates corrosion and contamination risks before they can occur.
3Adaptability or versatility
If liquid flows through venting passages during transportation, then venting hole functions for air admission, but liquid dries and clogs the venting passages
Solution Approach 1:
The venting valve acts as a gatekeeper that separates the venting hole function from the internal venting passages during transportation. It allows the venting hole to remain functional for air admission while blocking liquid from entering and clogging the internal passages.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting valve dynamically adjusts its state based on operational phase: open during pump actuation to maintain venting function, closed during transportation to prevent liquid accumulation and clogging in the venting passages.
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
The solution effectively prevents liquid leakage and corrosion, ensuring the pump operates without contamination or clogging issues, maintaining the pump's functionality and aesthetic integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The dispensing pump comprises elastic means, preferably a spring, to contrast the free sliding of the hollow stem (and hence of the piston) within the housing
Implementation Method 2
A venting valve inserted on the retaining ring and with the hollow stem, which slides into it during functioning, is arranged at least partially inside the retaining ring and outside the hollow stem, surrounding it
Data Source
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AI summary
A dispensing pump (1) comprises a housing (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and configured to be inserted in a bottle, wherein the housing (2) defines a dosing chamber (8) and comprises a venting hole (31). A retaining ring (9) is fastened to the housing (2) and inserted therein. A hollow stem (19) is associated to a piston (27) and inserted in a hole (10) of the retaining ring (9) leaving a passage (P). The hollow stem (19) and the piston (27) are movable between a lowered position and a raised position corresponding to different volumes of the dosing chamber (8). A venting path (30) comprises at least the passage (P) between the hollow stem (19) and the retaining ring (9) and the venting hole (31). Through the venting path (30) a volume of air enters the bottle through the venting hole (31) during the pump actuation to replace the liquid pumped out from the bottle by the dispensing pump. A venting valve (32) is interposed between the hollow stem (19) and the retaining ring (9), along the venting path (30). The venting valve (32) is configured to allow only the flow from the external ambient to the bottle, so permitting the air return into the bottle, and to avoid leakage of the liquid.