Electric Pump Hydration Bladder with Bite Valve Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydration systems require significant user effort to dispense liquid, especially during physical exertion, and often have inconsistent pressure due to air pressure bladders, which are wasteful and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A small, lightweight in-line pump assembly with an electrically driven fluid delivery pump that connects to the hydration bladder and drinking tube, activated by a bite valve mechanism, ensuring liquid is pumped automatically without user effort and maintaining consistent pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a pump powered by user exertion is attached to the hydration system, then liquid can be delivered under pressure, but the pump interferes with physical activities and requires significant user effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical pumping with an electric pump powered by a rechargeable battery. The electric pump delivers liquid under pressure without requiring user physical effort, eliminating the interference with athletic performance while maintaining the desired liquid delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically pumps liquid on demand without requiring user intervention to operate the pump mechanism. The bite-activated switch enables automatic启动 of the electric pump when the user bites the valve, eliminating the need for manual pumping actions during exercise.
2Power
If an air pressure bladder is used to force liquid through the output tube, then liquid can be delivered under pressure, but the pressure curve goes downward as liquid is used requiring periodic repressurization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive air pressure bladder system with an active electric pump that can maintain consistent pressure output throughout the entire liquid delivery process. The electric pump compensates for decreasing pressure as the bladder empties, ensuring stable liquid delivery pressure from start to finish without periodic repressurization.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric pump system with battery power provides sustained pressure support throughout the entire duration of liquid delivery, eliminating the downward pressure curve characteristic of air pressure bladders. The system maintains consistent pressure output regardless of the remaining liquid volume in the bladder.
3Quantity of substance
If a rigid or semi-rigid water bottle is carried, then liquid can be dispensed, but it is inconvenient during exercise and does not provide sufficient volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible liquid bladder instead of rigid or semi-rigid bottles. The flexible bladder can be compressed to deliver liquid and conforms to the backpack shape, providing both large volume capacity and convenience during exercise. The flexibility allows the bladder to be easily stored and transported.
4Ease of operation
If the liquid must be suctioned out or forced out by pushing on the bladder, then liquid can be dispensed, but significant effort is required especially during high respiration rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual suction or bladder compression methods with an electric pump system. The electric pump actively delivers liquid through the tube without requiring the user to suck or push, significantly reducing energy expenditure during exercise even during high respiration rates.
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
Enables effortless hydration during exercise, stable liquid pressure, and efficient use of space, allowing for easy sharing and cleaning without the need for frequent recharging or repressurization, providing a competitive advantage and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
A casing in the in-line pump assembly contains an electrically driven fluid delivery pump that is configured to pump liquid from the hydration bladder and through the in-line pump assembly and the drinking tube to the user
Implementation Method 2
An expandable switch bulb affixed to the end of the switch line extends into the casing. The switch bulb abuts a pressure switch, so that when liquid is forced into the switch bulb, the switch bulb expands and the switch is closed, thereby activating the pump
Data Source
AI summary
An in-line pump assembly attachable to a hydration bladder includes an electrically driven pump held in a casing and placed in the flow of hydrating liquid. The pump connects to the outlet of the hydration system. Bulbs at the respective ends of a switch line hold an essentially incompressible liquid. Pinching a bite valve bulb on the output end of the drinking tube cause a switch line bulb on the other end of the switch line to expand, closing a pressure switch and causing the pump to pump liquid from the hydration bladder through the drinking tube. Releasing the bite valve bulb reduces the pressure in the switch bulb, disengaging the switch and stopping the flow of liquid. The in-line pump assembly may be connected to a preexisting hydration system through an adapter.