Dual Check Valve Pump Inlet for Faster Foam Dispenser Priming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispenser systems face challenges in efficiently dispensing liquids in the form of foam, as they often fail to prevent air compression between the container and the pump, leading to inefficient priming and operation, especially when using small pump chambers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual check valve system, where a first check valve with a higher cracking pressure prevents liquid backflow and a second check valve with a lower cracking pressure allows fast and efficient liquid flow into the pump chamber, while preventing air compression, ensuring proper filling and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single check valve is used between the container and pump, then liquid backflow is prevented, but air compression occurs between the container and pump chamber during priming
Solution Approach 1:
The single check valve is segmented into two check valves with different cracking pressures. The first check valve (higher cracking pressure) prevents liquid backflow to the container, while the second check valve (lower cracking pressure) allows air to escape during priming but prevents air compression. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by dividing the backflow prevention function into two specialized valves.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cracking pressures are assigned to different locations in the fluid path. The first check valve has a higher cracking pressure (e.g., 2-5 psi) positioned closer to the pump chamber to prevent backflow, while the second check valve has a lower cracking pressure (e.g., 0.5-2 psi) positioned closer to the container to allow air escape. This local differentiation of valve properties enables simultaneous backflow prevention and air compression avoidance.
2Volume of moving object
If a small pump chamber is used to improve dispenser compactness, then device size is reduced, but air compression between container and pump becomes more significant
Solution Approach 1:
The air compression problem is extracted and addressed separately from the pump chamber design. Instead of enlarging the pump chamber to avoid air compression, the invention extracts the air management function into a dedicated second check valve with lower cracking pressure that allows air to escape through a separate path, enabling small pump chambers to prime efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The second check valve acts as an intermediary component between the container and pump chamber. It mediates the air compression issue by providing a controlled escape path for air during priming while maintaining the integrity of the small pump chamber design. This intermediary valve enables compact pump chambers to overcome the air compression limitation.
3Reliability
If check valve cracking pressure is increased to prevent liquid leakage, then sealing is improved, but liquid flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented across two check valves with different cracking pressures. The first check valve uses higher cracking pressure (e.g., 2-5 psi) for reliable sealing against liquid backflow, while the second check valve uses lower cracking pressure (e.g., 0.5-2 psi) for air management. This segmentation allows each valve to be optimized for its specific function, maintaining simple individual valve designs while achieving comprehensive sealing through the combination.
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 priming and operation, preventing air compression and ensuring consistent liquid flow, thereby improving the dispensing of foamy mixtures.
Implementation Method 1
The first check valve has a cracking pressure that is greater than a hydrostatic pressure of the liquid in the container
Implementation Method 2
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 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.