Foam Pump Valve Design for Universal Usability and Easy Disposal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foam pumps are complex, not universally usable, and have issues with foam quality, making them unsuitable for different types of foamable liquids, and they complicate disposal due to multiple components.
Innovation Solution
A foam pump design featuring a combination valve with a duckbill valve and reed valve that allows liquid to flow into the mixing chamber while preventing reverse flow, ensuring good sealing and easy disposal, using plastic components for a compact and simple structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a foam pump uses metal springs or glass balls as tensioning elements and non-return valves to achieve reliable valve operation, then the valve function is improved, but the device complexity increases and disposal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces permanent metal springs and glass balls with disposable plastic components including a plastic spring element and a plastic ball. These components are designed to be replaced together with the diaphragm during routine maintenance, eliminating the need for complex disassembly and specialized tools while maintaining reliable valve operation throughout the service life of the pump
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters from metal and glass to plastic, specifically using a plastic spring element with appropriate elastic properties and a plastic ball with suitable density and surface characteristics. This material substitution maintains the functional performance of the valve system while dramatically simplifying the overall structure and enabling easy disposal with the diaphragm assembly
2Adaptability or versatility
If a foam pump is designed with a complex structure containing multiple individual parts to achieve universal usability, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universal usability through a standardized diaphragm assembly design that can be configured for different pump types (foam pumps, evacuation foam pumps) by simply changing the diaphragm and associated seals. The base pump structure remains the same, allowing a single platform to serve multiple applications without requiring complex multi-component designs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the diaphragm, seals, spring element, and ball into an integrated assembly that functions as a complete valve and piston unit. This merging of components simplifies manufacturing and assembly, as the entire assembly can be installed or replaced as one unit while still providing the complex functions of valve operation and piston movement
3Reliability
If a foam pump uses multiple individual parts and complex components to achieve reliable operation, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pump into distinct functional modules: a reusable pump body and a disposable diaphragm assembly containing the valve components (spring element, ball, seals). This segmentation allows the complex valve mechanism to be easily replaced by simply removing and installing the entire diaphragm assembly, eliminating the need for complex dismantling and making disposal straightforward
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designates the diaphragm assembly containing the spring element and ball as a disposable component that is replaced during routine maintenance. This approach prioritizes ease of repair and disposal over permanent durability of individual components, allowing reliable operation to be maintained through simple periodic replacement rather than complex repairs
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 design allows for efficient evacuation and foaming of various liquids, prevents contamination, and simplifies disposal by using the same plastic materials for components, ensuring effective sealing and long-term performance.
Implementation Method 1
between the pump chamber and the mixing chamber there is a bill valve through which liquid can flow from the pump chamber into the mixing chamber when the valve tube is lifted relative to the valve carrier
Implementation Method 2
between the air chamber and the mixing chamber a reed valve is arranged, through which air can flow from the air chamber in the pump bellows into the mixing chamber during a lifting movement of the valve tube relative to the valve carrier
Implementation Method 3
pump bellows with an air chamber, from which air can flow into a mixing chamber when the valve tube is lifted
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a foam pump (1) for attachment to a container filled with liquid. The foam pump (1) comprises a valve carrier (10), an inlet valve (11), and a valve tube (12) which is movably arranged on or at least partially within the valve carrier (10) by changing the volume in a pump chamber (13), thereby allowing liquid to flow from the container into the pump chamber (13) via the inlet valve (11). The foam pump (1) further comprises a pump bellows (15) with an air chamber (14) and a mixing chamber (16) which is fluidically connected to the air chamber (14) and the pump chamber (13). A poppet valve (21) is formed between the pump chamber (13) and the mixing chamber (16), through which liquid can flow from the pump chamber (13) into the mixing chamber (16) when the valve tube (12) moves relative to the valve carrier (10).Furthermore, a reed valve (24) is formed between the air chamber (14) in the pump bellows (15) and the mixing chamber (16), through which air from the air chamber (14) in the pump bellows (15) can flow into the mixing chamber (16) when the valve tube (12) is moved relative to the valve carrier (10).