Hand Pump Selector Valve for Dual Pressure Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air pumps are unable to generate both negative and positive air pressure during the power stroke of operation, with positive pressure being limited by the force of a spring, requiring manual assistance to achieve higher pressures.
Innovation Solution
A hand-operated pump design featuring a selector valve that can be moved between negative and positive pressure positions, allowing the piston to generate air pressure during both strokes through a coordinated actuator and spring mechanism, enabling both negative and positive pressure generation without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a spring mechanism is used to move the piston through a return stroke, then the pump can generate positive pressure during the return stroke, but the maximum positive pressure is limited to about 15 psi by the spring force
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system dynamically switches between two operational modes using a selector valve: during the power stroke, it generates negative pressure by exhausting air from the front chamber; during the return stroke, it generates positive pressure by exhausting air from the rear chamber. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same mechanical system to achieve both negative and positive pressure generation, overcoming the limitation of spring-force-only positive pressure generation.
2Stress or pressure
If the selector valve is in the positive-pressure position, then positive pressure is generated during the return stroke, but manual intervention is required to achieve pressures greater than 15 psi
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is designed with multi-functionality to generate both negative and positive air pressure using the same actuator mechanism. The selector valve enables the system to switch between exhausting from the front chamber (negative pressure during power stroke) and exhausting from the rear chamber (positive pressure during return stroke), eliminating the need for manual intervention and making the device universally applicable for both pressure types.
3Productivity
If the pump generates positive pressure only during the return stroke, then the power stroke can be used for negative pressure generation, but the productivity is reduced since positive pressure generation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pump achieves continuous useful action by utilizing both strokes of the piston for productive pressure generation. During the power stroke, negative pressure is generated by exhausting air from the front chamber; during the return stroke, positive pressure is generated by exhausting air from the rear chamber. This continuous utilization of both strokes eliminates idle time and maximizes productivity while maintaining dual-pressure capability.
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 pump effectively generates both negative and positive air pressures during the power stroke, eliminating the need for manual assistance to achieve higher positive pressures and reducing side loads on the piston and seal components.
Implementation Method 1
A spring 13 is provided for moving the piston 7 through a return stroke following a power stroke
Data Source
AI summary
A hand operated pump for generating negative and positive air pressure. The pump includes a pump body having a pump cylinder and a piston mounted for reciprocation in the cylinder. A selector valve communicates with the cylinder and is moveable between a positive-pressure position and a negative-pressure position. The arrangement is such that operation of an actuator to move the piston through a power stroke when the selector valve is in its negative-pressure position causes the pump to generate negative pressure at an outlet of the pump, and operation of the actuator to move the piston through a power stroke when the selector valve is in its positive-pressure position causes the pump to generate positive pressure at the outlet of the pump. A method of operating such a pump is also disclosed.