Lotion pump

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lotion pumps with plastic springs face issues of spring force deterioration and failure due to prolonged compression, and the locking at upper position design is not suitable for E-business packaging and transportation requirements.

Innovation Solution

A lotion pump design featuring a shifting mechanism that allows the elastic restoring mechanism to be loaded or unloaded, preventing excessive compression and enabling locking at a lower position, thus extending the spring's lifespan and meeting E-business transportation needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lotion pump uses locking at upper position design, then the plastic spring is in relaxed state during non-use, but the height of the product box and shelf requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespring force stabilityVSAvoidheight of product box

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional locking position from upper position to lower position. The elastic restoring mechanism is designed to lock at the lower position during non-use, allowing the press head to be positioned lower and the spring to remain in a relaxed state, thereby reducing the overall height requirement while maintaining spring force stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dynamic shifting mechanism that can switch the elastic restoring mechanism between a locked state (at lower position during non-use) and an unlocked state (during use). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize both height reduction and spring force maintenance at different operational phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the plastic spring is compressed for a long time, then the spring force deteriorates and the spring may fail, but the locking at upper position requires the spring to be in relaxed state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespring lifespanVSAvoidpackaging and transportation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the elastic restoring mechanism to lock at the lower position before use. This preliminary locking action prevents the spring from being compressed during storage and transportation, extending its lifespan while maintaining readiness for quick deployment when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the elastic restoring mechanism to automatically lock and unlock without external intervention. The mechanism self-locks at the lower position during non-use and self-unlocks during operation, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and ensuring consistent spring force maintenance throughout the product lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Force

If the elastic restoring mechanism is always loaded, then the spring force is maintained, but the plastic spring yields and fails due to prolonged compression

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespring forceVSAvoidspring durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by cycling the elastic restoring mechanism between loaded and unlocked states. During non-use, the mechanism locks at the lower position, releasing the spring from continuous compression. During use, the mechanism unlocks, allowing the spring to be compressed and perform its restoring function. This periodic cycling maintains spring force while preventing yield and failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 effectively prevents plastic spring deterioration, ensures longer lifespan, and allows for efficient packaging and transportation by maintaining the spring in a non-compressed state during non-use, meeting the requirements for E-business packaging and transportation.

Implementation Method 1

one end of a spring 50 is connected to the piston rod 40, and the other end thereof is connected to the cylinder 30. When the press head 10 is pressed, the piston rod 40 moves down accordingly, so that the spring 50 is compressed, and when the pressure on the press head 10 is removed, the press head 10 restores by means of the elastic force of the spring 50.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11638925B2Lotion pump

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 DING YAOWU

AI summary

A lotion pump includes a movable portion and a stationary portion. A shifting mechanism is formed on the movable portion and the stationary portion, which shifts the elastic restoring mechanism of the lotion pump between a standby state and a non-standby state as the movable portion rotates or moves up and down. The structure of the lotion pump can prevent the spring from yielding due to compressed for a long time, while can also realize a form of locking at lower position.