Dispensing Pump Needle Valve Segmentation for Tightness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pumps for dispensing air-sensitive and mechanically stressed liquids, such as those containing solvents that evaporate quickly or photosensitive substances, face challenges in maintaining tightness and preventing degradation, while also being suitable for viscous liquids and compact bottle sizes.

Innovation Solution

A pump design featuring a band secured to the bottle with a push button and metering sleeve, a reversible valve, and a separate needle for ejection orifice closure, optimized for minimal pressurization and air-tight operation, using elastic return means and a compact, modular structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional pump design is used to dispense air-sensitive liquids, then the liquid can be distributed, but the tightness of the closure is insufficient allowing air contact and liquid degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetightness of closureVSAvoidpump structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump is divided into distinct functional segments: a closure element that seals the ejection orifice, a metering piston with integrated valve, and a needle mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system tightness without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The metering piston incorporates both the metering function and the valve function in a single integrated component. The piston itself acts as the valve when in the closed position, merging two functions into one element to reduce overall device complexity while maintaining reliable closure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If high pressurization is applied during liquid distribution, then viscous liquids can be dispensed, but mechanically sensitive liquids undergo physicochemical transformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing capabilityVSAvoidmechanical stress on liquid
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pump employs a dynamic metering chamber volume that changes during operation. The chamber expands during the suction phase and contracts during the ejection phase, allowing liquid to be drawn in and expelled without requiring high continuous pressurization. This dynamic volume change enables dispensing of viscous and mechanically sensitive liquids with minimal stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pump operates through periodic cycles of suction and ejection driven by the reciprocating metering piston. During the suction stroke, the chamber expands to draw liquid in; during the ejection stroke, the chamber contracts to expel the liquid. This periodic action allows efficient dispensing without sustained high pressure that would damage sensitive liquids.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of manufacture

If the pump structure is simplified for easier production, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the tightness of closure deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidclosure tightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The metering piston serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a plunger to move liquid, a valve to seal the communication orifice, and a metering element to control dose volume. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying production while maintaining reliable closure through the piston's integrated valve function.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The needle is automatically positioned and actuated by the interaction between the metering piston and the pump housing during the metering piston's movement. The piston's motion directly drives the needle to open or close the ejection orifice, eliminating the need for separate actuation mechanisms and simplifying the overall structure while ensuring reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Volume of moving object

If a compact pump design is used for small bottles, then the pump fits reduced diameter bottles, but the mechanism for needle displacement becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump sizeVSAvoidneedle displacement mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The needle displacement mechanism is merged with the metering piston assembly. The needle is mounted on the metering piston and is directly actuated by the piston's movement and its interaction with the pump housing. This integration eliminates the need for separate displacement mechanisms, achieving compact dimensions without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The needle is automatically positioned and actuated by the interaction between the metering piston and the pump housing during the metering piston's movement. The piston's motion directly drives the needle to open or close the ejection orifice, eliminating the need for separate actuation mechanisms and simplifying the overall structure while ensuring reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 ensures effective dispensing of air-sensitive and viscous liquids with improved tightness, reduced pressurization, and simplified production, making it suitable for small bottles and liquids prone to mechanical stress.

Implementation Method 1

a push button (8) comprising an orifice (9) for ejection of the liquid, said push button being mounted on said hoop (2) in translation constrained by an elastic return means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2052786B1Pump for dispensing a liquid contained in a bottle
Publication Date: 2012.06.06 REXAM DISPENSING SMT
  • EP2052786B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2052786B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2052786B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The pump has a frame (2) connected to a bottle and comprising an orifice (3) that communicates with a liquid product contained in the bottle. A needle valve (25) closes a liquid ejecting orifice (9) of an actuator (8), and is separated from a dosing sleeve (11) by a reversible displacement device. A dosing piston (16) having a liquid dispensing channel (17) is mounted in the frame. The displacement device displaces the valve between closing and ejecting positions, and is actuated by interference between the sleeve and the piston during displacement of the actuator on the frame.