Self-Cleaning Foam Dispenser with Segmented Pump Stroke
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foam dispensing devices leave residual foam in the dispensing passage, which can dry and clog sieves, and may drip when the device is not used vertically, causing operational issues and reduced performance over time.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with a pump assembly that combines liquid and air pumps, where the stroke is divided into two parts: the first part forms foam by delivering both liquid and air, and the second part delivers only air to push remaining foam towards the dispensing opening, reducing residual foam and preventing drying and clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the foam dispensing device uses a common operating button to actuate both liquid pump and air pump simultaneously, then the foam formation and dispensing process is simplified and efficient, but residual foam remains in the dispensing passage and dries up to clog the sieves
Solution Approach 1:
The stroke of the common operating button is segmented into two distinct parts: a first part where both liquid pump and air pump are actuated to form and dispense foam, and a second part where only the air pump is actuated to blow residual foam through the dispensing passage. This temporal segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the foam formation function from the residue clearance function, preventing sieve blockage while maintaining dispensing efficiency.
2Ease of repair
If the foam dispensing device allows air to flow through the dispensing passage during the return stroke to suck foam back out, then self-cleaning is attempted, but the sucked-back foam turns into liquid and flows out of the dispensing opening or dries up to encrust components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by actuating the air pump during the second part of the forward stroke (before the return stroke) to blow residual foam through the dispensing passage and out of the dispensing opening. This preliminary cleaning action prevents the foam from remaining in the passage to later turn into liquid and drip, or to dry up and encrust components during the return stroke or storage period.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the dispensing device is positioned with the dispensing opening pointing downwards for wall mounting, then installation flexibility is improved, but foam residue drips from the dispensing opening when the device is not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining the air pump actuation throughout the second part of the stroke and utilizing the air flow to continuously clear residual foam from the dispensing passage. This continuous cleaning action ensures that even when the device is mounted vertically with the opening downward, no residual foam remains to drip during storage or non-use periods.
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 significantly reduces foam residue in the dispensing passage, preventing drying and clogging, and minimizes dripping by ensuring that any remaining foam is cleared, thus maintaining the device's functionality and performance.
Implementation Method 1
an air pump for pumping air to a mixing chamber provided in the dispensing passage, the pumped liquid and air being mixed in the mixing chamber to form a foam
Implementation Method 2
to deliver, during a second part of the stroke, only air from the air pump to the dispensing passage
Data Source
AI summary
A foam dispensing device uses a single actuator to actuate two concentric pistons, one for an air chamber and one for a telescopically oriented liquid chamber. In all of the various embodiments the liquid chamber stops its actuation first and can continue to move along with the single actuator and the air chamber continues to dispense air. The air and liquids are dispensed into foaming chamber and then dispensed. The liquid chamber can continue to move because the liquid chamber is attached to the pump system by a deformable connector or some form. This arrangement allows for a foaming device that uses just one actuator that has the ability to dispense foam in the first phase and just air to clear out the nozzle effectively in the second phase.