Fluid Dispenser Cam-Based Dose Adjustment for Full Pump Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable hand cleaning fluid dispensers suffer from issues such as loose manual presser feel, reduced range of motion, and air entrainment due to incomplete pump retraction, leading to priming and dosage consistency problems.
Innovation Solution
A fluid dispenser with a pump mechanism that moves between a selected extended and retracted position, utilizing a cam-based dose adjustment mechanism to ensure full retraction regardless of dosage setting, preventing air entrainment and maintaining consistent dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the distance that the manual presser can be moved is limited to adjust dosage, then the volume of fluid dispensed is reduced, but the manual presser feels loose and has reduced range of motion
Solution Approach 1:
The pump mechanism is segmented into distinct extended and retracted positions, with the dose adjustment mechanism selecting among discrete extended positions. This allows the presser to maintain a consistent full range of motion while the pump element's effective stroke is segmented into different dosage levels.
Solution Approach 2:
A dose adjustment mechanism acts as an intermediary between the manual presser and the pump element. This intermediary selectively positions the pump element at different extended positions before actuation, allowing the presser to always travel its full range while achieving different dosage outcomes through the intermediary's pre-positioning function.
2Quantity of substance
If a lost link is introduced in the connection between the manual presser and the fluid pump to adjust dosage, then the volume of fluid dispensed is reduced, but the pump may be prevented from returning to a fully retracted position, causing air entrainment
Solution Approach 1:
The pump mechanism is segmented into distinct extended and retracted positions, with the dose adjustment mechanism selecting among discrete extended positions. This allows the presser to maintain a consistent full range of motion while the pump element's effective stroke is segmented into different dosage levels.
Solution Approach 2:
A dose adjustment mechanism acts as an intermediary between the manual presser and the pump element. This intermediary selectively positions the pump element at different extended positions before actuation, allowing the presser to always travel its full range while achieving different dosage outcomes through the intermediary's pre-positioning function.
3Quantity of substance
If the pump is prevented from returning to a fully retracted position at lower dosage settings, then air becomes entrapped within the pump, but the mechanism required to prevent full retraction adds complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of preventing the pump from retracting fully at lower dosages, the invention inverts the approach by pre-extending the pump element to different positions before actuation. The pump always returns to the same full retraction position, and the dosage variation is achieved by inverting the normal sequence: the pump element is first positioned at different extended locations, then actuated through its full stroke to the same retraction point.
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 solution ensures the pump returns to a fully retracted position after each stroke, preventing air entrainment and maintaining consistent dispensing, while maintaining a full range of motion for the actuator, thus improving user experience and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
The movable pump member is located at the selected extended position when the camming surface engages with an extended engagement portion of the cam surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
A fluid dispenser having a pump mechanism that dispenses a dose of fluid when a movable pump member of the pump mechanism is moved between a selected extended position and a retracted position. The fluid dispenser includes a dose adjustment mechanism for selecting the selected extended position from at least a high dose extended position and a low dose extended position. An actuator of the fluid dispenser, when activated, effects movement of the movable pump member between the selected extended position and the retracted position to dispense the dose of fluid. A volume of the dose of fluid that is dispensed upon activation of the actuator is higher when the high dose extended position is the selected extended position than when the low dose extended position is the selected extended position.