Dual-Pump Actuator With Semi-Spiral Mixing for Viscous Products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dual pump dispensing systems for personal care products often fail to thoroughly mix two reactive or non-reactive products until they are deposited on the application surface, leading to potential premature reaction or inefficient mixing.
Innovation Solution
An actuating mechanism comprising an actuator housing, semi-spiral insert, and optionally a mesh screen that thoroughly mixes viscous products by inducing turbulent flow through differential friction and viscosity changes, ensuring thorough mixing before dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two mechanical pump dispensers are used without a mixing mechanism, then the products can be dispensed separately without premature reaction, but the products are not thoroughly mixed until deposited on the application surface
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator housing is divided into separate flow paths for first and second products, with a partition wall separating the paths. This segmentation allows products to be dispensed separately through dedicated inlet channels while preventing premature reaction, yet still enables thorough mixing within each path before deposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The semi-spiral insert introduces a spiral dimension to the linear flow path, creating turbulent flow patterns through differential friction and viscosity changes. This dimensional transformation enhances mixing thoroughness while maintaining the separate product pathways that prevent premature reaction.
2Manufacturing precision
If the actuating mechanism is designed to mix products thoroughly, then mixing efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The semi-spiral insert and mesh screen are designed to create turbulent flow and enhance mixing through the natural forces of differential friction and viscosity changes in the viscous products. The system uses the products' own flow characteristics to achieve thorough mixing without requiring additional power sources, motors, or complex mechanical mixing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator housing utilizes hydraulic principles by designing flow paths that exploit the viscous properties of the products being dispensed. The semi-spiral geometry and mesh screen create controlled turbulence and differential flow patterns that enhance mixing through hydraulic forces generated during normal dispensing operation.
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 mechanism ensures efficient and thorough mixing of two products as they pass through the actuating mechanism, enhancing product performance and preventing premature reaction.
Implementation Method 1
thoroughly mixes viscous products by inducing turbulent flow through differential friction and viscosity changes
Implementation Method 2
inducing turbulent flow through differential friction and viscosity changes
Implementation Method 3
inducing turbulent flow through differential friction and viscosity changes
Data Source
AI summary
An actuating mechanism for a dual pump dispensing system comprises an actuator housing, a semi-spiral insert and optionally, a mesh screen (3). The actuating mechanism is intended to mix viscous products that flow under the forces achieved in mechanical pump dispensers of the types used in the cosmetic and personal care fields.