Foam Dispenser Pump Structure Without a Buffer Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foam dispensers rely on integrated buffer chambers that experience alternating overpressure and underpressure, making them complex and costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
The dispenser design eliminates the need for a separate buffer chamber by using the container itself as a pressure chamber, with a piston mechanism that increases pressure on the downstroke to dispense the substance and equalizes pressure on the upstroke by allowing air in, thereby simplifying the mechanism and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an integrated buffer chamber is used in the pump mechanism, then the dispensing function is reliable, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the buffer chamber from the pump mechanism, using the container itself as the pressure chamber. This removes the need for a separate buffer chamber component, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the pressure differential needed for dispensing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the function of the buffer chamber with the container by using the container's interior space as the pressure chamber. This consolidation eliminates redundant components and simplifies the device structure while preserving the necessary pressure management functionality.
2Reliability
If an integrated buffer chamber is used in the pump mechanism, then the dispensing function is reliable, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the buffer chamber from the pump mechanism, using the container itself as the pressure chamber. This removes the need for a separate buffer chamber component, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the pressure differential needed for dispensing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the function of the buffer chamber with the container by using the container's interior space as the pressure chamber. This consolidation eliminates redundant components and simplifies the device structure while preserving the necessary pressure management functionality.
3Device complexity
If the container is used as a pressure chamber instead of a separate buffer chamber, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pressure management becomes more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs dynamic pressure management through the piston's reciprocating motion. The piston creates alternating pressure zones within the container, dynamically controlling fluid flow during suction and dispensing phases without requiring a separate buffer chamber to stabilize pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston acts as an intermediary element that manages pressure within the container. By introducing this moving component, the system achieves controlled pressure differential and fluid directionality, enabling reliable operation despite using the container itself as the pressure chamber.
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 design simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces costs by eliminating the need for a separate buffer chamber, while maintaining effective foam dispensing through overpressure, ensuring efficient operation and preventing leaks.
Implementation Method 1
the piston is moved down to increase the pressure in the container, and substance is pressed from the container towards the mouth piece
Implementation Method 2
the piston is moved up and air is allowed to flow into the container to equalize the pressure in the container and to stop the flow of substance
Data Source
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AI summary
A foam dispensing mechanism (100; 600) comprises: a top (113); a cylindrical wall (112; 612) extending from a peripheral edge of the top; a piston member (170) arranged within the cylindrical wall; a dispense head (120) axially displaceable with respect to the top; a resilient bias member (130) for biasing the dispense head. The piston member has a first opening (176) and a coupling cylinder (178) arranged coaxially around said first opening. The dispense head has a cylindrical seal member (150) positionally fixed with respect to the dispense head (120), the seal member (150) having a first passage opening (156) with a valve seat (151 ), wherein the seal member's lower portion (157) is sealingly and axially slidably coupled to the coupling cylinder. An axially displaceable valve member (190) for blocking or releasing said first passage opening has a valve stem (192) having its end (193) coupled to the piston member.