Variable Foam Pump with Split Air-Liquid Ratio Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing systems for liquid or foam soap and sanitizers lack flexibility in output control, as they typically dispense a fixed amount of liquid or foam without adjustable ratios of air to liquid, limiting user customization and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A variable output pump system with a split pump configuration, where the liquid pump and air pump operate at different rotational speeds to adjust the air-to-liquid ratio, allowing for customizable foam dispensing through a refillable container with a separable liquid pump and air pump assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed pump system is used for foam dispensing, then the structure is simple, but the output control flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is divided into separate liquid pump and air pump components that can operate independently at different rotational speeds. This segmentation allows each pump to be optimized for its specific function while enabling flexible control of the air-to-liquid ratio, thereby improving output control flexibility without requiring a completely complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs variable speed control for both the liquid pump and air pump, allowing dynamic adjustment of rotational speeds to achieve different air-to-liquid ratios. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to various dispensing requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through electronic control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the liquid pump and air pump are integrated, then the device structure is compact, but the air-to-liquid ratio adjustment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the liquid pump and air pump into distinct components with independent drive mechanisms, the system enables independent speed control of each pump. This segmentation allows precise adjustment of the air-to-liquid ratio according to different foam dispensing requirements, while the modular design keeps the overall assembly manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts the operational parameters (rotational speeds) of the liquid pump and air pump independently to achieve different air-to-liquid ratios. This parameter control approach allows flexible adaptation to various dispensing needs without changing the physical structure of the pump assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single pump operates at fixed speed, then the system is simple to operate, but the foam output cannot be customized
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates variable speed control for both pumps, allowing dynamic adjustment of the air-to-liquid ratio to customize foam output. Despite this dynamic capability, the system maintains ease of operation through automated control mechanisms that manage the complexity internally while providing user-friendly operation.
Solution Approach 2:
By controlling the rotational speed parameters of the liquid pump and air pump independently, the system can customize foam output characteristics. The complexity of parameter management is handled through control systems that automate the adjustment process, keeping the user interface simple while achieving customized foam dispensing.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary refill unit for a foam dispenser includes a container for holding foamable liquid and a liquid pump. The liquid pump includes a pump housing and an outlet nozzle with an elongated central axis. The pump housing has an arcuate shaped liquid pump chamber formed by a backing plate. The backing plate includes a liquid inlet and a flexible membrane. At least a portion of the elongated central axis of the nozzle extends through a central area defined, at least in part, by the arcuate shaped pump chamber.