Fluid Dispenser Actuating Wall Decoupled From Orifice

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fluid dispensers face design constraints where the actuating wall must be located near the dispensing orifice, limiting flexibility and requiring direct action on the fluid product rather than the follower piston, which restricts the placement of the actuating wall.

Innovation Solution

The dispenser decouples the actuating wall from the dispensing orifice by using a follower piston that connects the reservoir to the dispensing orifice, allowing the actuating wall to be positioned on the bottom and the dispensing orifice to be on the top, enabling independent operation and preventing air intake.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the actuating wall is located near the dispensing orifice, then the depression of the actuating wall has direct effect on the fluid product, but the actuating wall cannot be positioned on the bottom of the reservoir

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirect action on fluid productVSAvoidplacement flexibility of actuating wall
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The follower piston acts as an intermediary element between the actuating wall and the dispensing orifice. When the actuating wall is depressed, it compresses the follower piston, which then transmits the force to the fluid product through the connecting duct, enabling indirect but effective transmission of actuation force from the bottom of the reservoir to the dispensing orifice at the top

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is divided into functionally independent segments: the actuating wall for receiving user input, the follower piston for force transmission, and the connecting duct for fluid pathway. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned for its specific function, with the actuating wall at the bottom and dispensing orifice at the top, connected through the follower piston mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the actuating wall is decoupled from the dispensing orifice, then spatial flexibility is improved, but the follower piston must connect the reservoir to the dispensing orifice

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial configuration flexibilityVSAvoidconnecting duct requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The follower piston serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a force transmission element from the actuating wall, forms part of the sealing mechanism, and creates the connecting duct pathway for fluid flow. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and justifies the added structural integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the follower piston moves by suction towards the dispensing orifice, then the piston can be located at the bottom, but direct communication with the dispensing orifice is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiston positioning flexibilityVSAvoidfluid dispensing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting duct formed by the follower piston serves as an intermediary fluid pathway, enabling direct communication between the reservoir and dispensing orifice while maintaining the piston's bottom positioning. The duct allows rapid fluid flow during actuation without requiring the piston to be in direct contact with the dispensing orifice

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 allows for a metered dispensing of fluid products without air intake, providing a spatially decoupled actuation system where the actuating wall is at the bottom and the dispensing orifice is at the top, enhancing usability and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The displacement of the wall causes the pressure inside the tank to vary between depression phases and overpressure phases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure variation: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

The orifice is provided with a non-return outlet valve which prevents air from being sucked inside the tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNon-return valve mechanism: Valve

Implementation Method 3

the vacuum inside the tank will move the follower piston by suction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2043927B1Fluid product dispenser
Publication Date: 2010.09.15 AIRLESSYST
  • EP2043927B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2043927B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP2043927B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Fluid product dispenser comprising: a fluid product container (10) of variable usable volume, in which the fluid product is stored out of contact with the air, the container having an actuating wall (25) that is movable axially backwards and forwards between a rest position and a depressed position, movement of the wall causing the pressure in the container to vary, the wall being situated on one side of the dispenser; and a dispensing hole (150) through which the fluid product is dispensed, the hole being provided with an outlet valve (4); said dispenser being characterized in that the hole (150) is situated on a side of the dispenser other than that on which the actuating wall (25) is situated.