Manually operated dispensing pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manually operated dispensing pumps with spring mechanisms are complex to design and manufacture, and the recycling of these pumps is complicated due to the use of metal or plastic coil springs, which are often chemically incompatible with the dispensed liquids and difficult to recycle.
Innovation Solution
A manually operated pump design utilizing a block thermoplastic elastomeric spring mechanism, which is simpler to manufacture and recycle, replaces traditional coil springs, using a coiless spring made from thermoplastic elastomer material that is chemically compatible with the dispensed liquids and can be easily separated in recycling processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional metal or plastic coil springs are used in manually operated dispensing pumps, then the spring mechanism can provide the necessary mechanical function, but the design and manufacturing become complicated and recycling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spring mechanism from the main pump body into a separate, removable component. This allows the spring to be independently replaced or recycled without disassembling the entire pump, thereby reducing design and manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliable spring function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the spring from traditional metal or plastic coil spring to elastomeric material. This material substitution simplifies manufacturing (elastomeric springs can be molded as single pieces) and enhances recyclability, while the elastomeric properties maintain the necessary mechanical spring function.
2Reliability
If traditional metal or plastic coil springs are used in manually operated dispensing pumps, then the spring mechanism can provide the necessary mechanical function, but recycling becomes complicated due to chemical incompatibility and separation difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal or rigid plastic to elastomeric material. Elastomeric springs can be molded as single-piece components without metal parts, eliminating chemical incompatibility issues and making the entire pump easier to recycle as a unified plastic component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the spring function directly into the elastomeric actuator material itself, rather than using a separate metal spring component. This integration eliminates the need to separate different materials during recycling, as the spring function is achieved through the elastomeric material's inherent properties.
3Ease of manufacture
If all plastic materials are used to simplify recycling, then recycling becomes easier, but the spring mechanism becomes complicated to design and manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spring function with the elastomeric actuator material in a single integrated component. The elastomeric material inherently provides spring-like mechanical properties, eliminating the need for a separate complex spring mechanism design while maintaining all-plastic construction for easy recycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter to elastomeric plastic, which inherently provides elastic spring properties. This allows the spring mechanism to be designed as a simple molded elastomeric component rather than a complex assembly of metal parts, simplifying both manufacturing and recycling.
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 block thermoplastic elastomeric spring mechanism simplifies the design and manufacturing of manually operated dispensing pumps, enhances recyclability, and ensures chemical compatibility with the dispensed liquids, making the recycling process more efficient and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
a block thermoplastic elastomeric spring engaged with said actuator to move said actuator as said block thermoplastic elastomeric spring relaxes
Data Source
AI summary
A manually operated pump including: an inlet one-way valve; a pump chamber downstream of and in fluid communication with the inlet one-way valve; a piston interior to the pump chamber and slideably engaged with the pump chamber; an actuator engaged with the piston or the pump chamber; a block thermoplastic elastomeric spring engaged with the actuator to move the actuator as the block thermoplastic elastomeric spring relaxes; and an optional outlet one-way valve downstream of and in fluid communication with the pump chamber.