Fluid Dispensing System With Segmented Conduit And Retractable Grip

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid dispensing systems face issues with leakage due to numerous sealing surfaces, operator exposure to the dispensed material, cumbersome storage, and increased manufacturing costs, as well as operator fatigue from high trigger cycle requirements.

Innovation Solution

A fluid dispensing system with a blow molded container, a manually actuated pressure pump, and a flexible discharge conduit that allows for reduced operator exposure and reconfiguration without pressurization, incorporating components with different manufacturing tolerances, and featuring a bleed valve for controlled pressure relief.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If telescoping conduits are used to allow operator spacing from discharge, then operator exposure is reduced, but the system requires extensive sealing surfaces that lead to leakage and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator exposureVSAvoidsealing surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge conduit is divided into a fixed portion connected to the container and a movable grip body portion that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the operator to hold the grip body at a distance from the discharge nozzle, reducing exposure without requiring complex telescoping mechanisms with multiple seals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger mechanism is extracted from the grip body and relocated to the fixed portion of the discharge conduit near the container. This allows the grip body to be a simpler, movable component without integrated sealing requirements, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining operator protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Volume of stationary object

If trigger sprayer handle is stored within container recess during non-use, then storage space is reduced, but special molding processes with high tolerances increase manufacturing costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidmolding cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The grip body is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be retracted into the container during storage and extended during use. This dynamic configuration enables compact storage without requiring expensive precision molding for permanent integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The grip body nests within the container body during storage, with the movable portion fitting inside the fixed container structure. This nesting arrangement reduces overall storage volume without requiring complex precision-molded integrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Volume of moving object

If pump mechanism is disposed within handheld trigger, then trigger size is reduced, but pump capacity is substantially limited requiring high trigger cycle frequency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrigger sizeVSAvoidtrigger cycle frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump mechanism is separated from the grip body and relocated to the fixed portion of the discharge conduit. This allows the pump to have adequate capacity for efficient liquid dispensing while the grip body remains a lightweight, manageable component that does not require housing a large pump.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixed portion of the discharge conduit acts as an intermediary housing for the pump mechanism, connecting the container to the movable grip body. This intermediary structure provides space for the pump while maintaining the ergonomic advantages of a separate grip body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Length of moving object

If discharge conduit length is changed, then operator spacing is adjusted, but available volume changes causing increased liquid pressure that can lead to system failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconduit lengthVSAvoidsystem pressure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge conduit is segmented into a fixed portion with constant volume and a movable grip body portion. This segmentation isolates the volume-critical section from the length-adjustable section, allowing operator spacing adjustment without changing the pressurized volume and maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 system effectively reduces operator exposure, enhances storage efficiency, and maintains operating pressure while minimizing manufacturing costs, reducing the risk of container failure and operator fatigue.

Implementation Method 1

a manually actuated pressure pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectManual actuation:

Implementation Method 2

a flexible discharge conduit connecting the outlet port to a terminal end

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlexibility: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

featuring a bleed valve for controlled pressure relief

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure relief: Depressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP2520517B1Fluid dispensing system
Publication Date: 2016.05.25 FOUNTAINHEAD GROUP INC
  • EP2520517B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2520517B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2520517B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A fluid dispensing system (10) includes a pump assembly (40) for pressurizing a low cost container (20), the container (20) non reversibly connected to a coupler module (100). A wand assembly (80) is releasably connected to the coupler module (100). A discharge conduit (60) fluidly connects the wand assembly (100) to the container (20). The wand assembly (100) includes a grip body (82) slidable relative to the discharge conduit (60) between a retracted storage position and an extended operable position. The coupler module (100) is connected to a skirt (120), the coupler module (100) including a mating surface (102) for releasably retaining the grip body (82). The coupler module (100) is injection molded and The container (20) is a blow molded pressure vessel. As a blow molded component, the container (20) is relatively inexpensive compared to an injection molded container of a comparable size.