Foam Dispenser Vent Structure to Block Water Entry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional foam dispensers allow water to enter the air cylinder and drip onto the partition wall, potentially entering the air cylinder through the ambient air introducing hole, leading to inefficiencies and usability issues.

Innovation Solution

A foam dispenser design featuring a water entering prevention side wall portion around the ambient air introducing hole and a vent hole on its inner side, preventing water from entering the air cylinder by redirecting it away from the hole, even when the dispenser is tilted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If water enters the standing tubular portion in conventional foam dispensers, then water can drip on the partition wall and enter the air cylinder through the ambient air introducing hole, but this causes reliability issues and functional deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of water entry into air cylinderVSAvoidstructure of partition wall with water prevention features

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The water entering prevention side wall portion is provided in advance around the ambient air introducing hole to prevent water from entering the air cylinder before it can cause damage. This preliminary protective structure blocks water paths at the partition wall level, preventing water from reaching the air cylinder through the ambient air introducing hole.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The water entering prevention side wall portion acts as an intermediary barrier between the standing tubular portion (where water may enter) and the air cylinder (which must be protected). This intermediate structure redirects water away from the ambient air introducing hole, preventing direct water entry into the air cylinder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the foam dispenser is tilted during usage, then water can more easily enter the air cylinder through gravity-driven flow, but this worsens the reliability problem

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandy usage in various orientationsVSAvoidprevention of water entry when tilted

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The water entering prevention side wall portion is pre-configured around the ambient air introducing hole to block water paths before gravity can drive water into the air cylinder during tilting. This preliminary barrier ensures that even when the dispenser is tilted, water cannot easily follow gravity-driven paths into the air cylinder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The structure converts the potential harmful effect of tilting (which would normally facilitate water entry via gravity) into a non-problematic condition by providing a water prevention barrier that redirects water away from the air cylinder entrance, allowing the dispenser to be used hands-free in various orientations without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS8950633B2Foam dispenser

Publication Date: 2015.02.10 YOSHINO KOGYOSHO CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a foam dispenser that is capable of preventing water or the like from entering an air cylinder. In the foam dispenser, a liquid piston is fitted in a liquid cylinder portion, and an air piston is fitted in an air cylinder portion, and upward and downward displacement of the actuator causes a content liquid within the liquid cylinder portion and air within the air cylinder portion to be mixed and foamed and then dispensed from a nozzle, and a partition wall is provided with an ambient air introducing hole, and from at least a portion of a hole periphery of the ambient air introducing hole, a water entering prevention side wall portion stands for preventing water from entering the ambient air introducing hole.