Double inlet valve for enhanced pump efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispenser systems face inefficiencies in pumping liquids and creating foamy mixtures due to issues with priming and air compression, which can prevent the pump chamber from being sufficiently filled with liquid, leading to reduced performance or failure.
Innovation Solution
The use of a double inlet valve system with a first check valve and a second check valve, where the second check valve has a lower cracking pressure than the first, ensures that liquid can flow into the pump chamber while preventing air compression, facilitating efficient priming and operation by allowing liquid to enter during expansion and preventing backflow during compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single check valve is used in the pump inlet, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pump chamber cannot be sufficiently filled with liquid due to air compression issues
Solution Approach 1:
The single check valve is segmented into two separate check valves (first check valve and second check valve) with different cracking pressures. This segmentation allows the system to handle both air and liquid phases effectively, ensuring reliable pump chamber filling while maintaining manageable complexity through modular valve design.
2Productivity
If the pump chamber is compressed too quickly, then the productivity is improved, but air compression occurs preventing proper liquid filling
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the pressure parameter threshold by using two check valves with different cracking pressures. The second check valve (lower cracking pressure) opens first to release air, while the first check valve (higher cracking pressure) opens subsequently to allow liquid filling. This parameter differentiation enables high-speed pumping while preventing air compression issues.
3Quantity of substance
If a higher cracking pressure valve is used, then the liquid flow control is improved, but air cannot be properly vented during priming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary air venting through the second check valve (lower cracking pressure) before liquid filling occurs. This preliminary action removes air from the pump chamber, creating favorable conditions for subsequent liquid filling through the first check valve, thereby simplifying the overall priming process.
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 configuration enhances the efficiency of the dispenser by ensuring proper filling of the pump chamber with liquid, preventing air compression issues, and maintaining pump operation, thereby improving the dispensing of both liquid and foamy mixtures.
Implementation Method 1
The first check valve has a first cracking pressure and the second check valve has a second cracking pressure, where the first cracking pressure is greater than the second cracking pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An dispenser includes a housing, a container disposed in the housing for holding a liquid, a nozzle, and a pump. The pump is disposed between the container and the nozzle. The pump includes a pump inlet, a pump outlet, a pump chamber, a first check valve, and a second check valve. The pump inlet is in fluid communication with the container and the pump chamber, and the pump outlet is in fluid communication with the pump chamber and the nozzle. The pump chamber is movable between an expanded position and a compressed position. The first check valve is disposed between the container and the pump, and the first check valve has a first cracking pressure. The second check valve is disposed between the first check valve and the pump, and the second check valve has a second cracking pressure. The first cracking pressure of the first check valve is greater than the second cracking pressure of the second check valve.