Electrically actuated pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid dispensers require manual operation and often rely on springs, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, and lack effective mechanisms for automatic liquid dispensing and battery life monitoring.
Innovation Solution
An electrically actuated pump system using electromagnetic actuators, such as solenoids, voice coils, or stepper motors, to drive a hollow tube up and down within a pump stem, eliminating the need for springs and incorporating a trap to control the check ball for liquid flow, while also incorporating sensors for battery life and fluid level monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used in conventional liquid dispensers, then the device structure can be simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates and automatic dispensing cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical spring-based actuation system with an electromagnetic actuator that uses magnetic fields to drive the pump mechanism. This substitution enables automatic operation through electrical control while maintaining a relatively compact structure, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system incorporates sensors that automatically detect fluid levels and battery status, eliminating the need for manual monitoring. The system self-regulates operation based on sensor feedback, achieving automatic dispensing without requiring complex user intervention or oversight
2Productivity
If spring components are used in conventional pumps, then the pumping action can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and operational efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring component entirely from the pump system and replaces it with an electromagnetic actuator. This extraction of the problematic spring element eliminates the associated complexity and inefficiency while maintaining the essential pumping function through direct electromagnetic actuation of the plunger
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical spring-based return and actuation mechanism is replaced with an electromagnetic field-based system. The electromagnetic actuator provides both the downward pumping force and the upward return motion through controlled electrical pulses, achieving superior operational efficiency without mechanical springs
3Loss of information
If conventional pumps without monitoring are used, then the device structure can be simple, but the loss of information regarding battery life and fluid level occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that continuously monitor fluid levels and battery status, providing feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables automatic operation and alerts users to low fluid or low battery conditions without requiring complex user intervention, resolving the contradiction between information availability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system operates autonomously, with sensors automatically detecting fluid levels and battery status without user input. The system self-manages operation based on sensor data, providing continuous information about system state while maintaining relatively simple overall structure through integrated sensor-controller-pump architecture
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 automatic, efficient liquid dispensing with reduced operational force and size, along with real-time monitoring of battery life and fluid levels, enhancing user convenience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
An electrically actuated pump system using electromagnetic actuators, such as solenoids, voice coils, or stepper motors, to drive a hollow tube up and down within a pump stem
Implementation Method 2
A solenoid coil may be disposed at a lower end of the pump stem and the armature may be disposed within the solenoid coil. The solenoid coil may be actuated to thereby actuate the armature
Data Source
AI summary
Automatic electric actuation of the pump of a liquid dispenser apparatus is provided by a stepper motor having a threaded hollow liquid-conducting tube positioned therein and configured such that motor drives the hollow tube up and down in response to supply of a plurality of electrical pulses thereto. A lower end of the hollow tube is constructed to inter-fit with a stem of the pump such that driving the hollow tube up and down creates a pumping action.