Manual Pump Rotor Valves for Precise Fluid Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dispensing systems face challenges such as the need for pressure-resistant containers, environmental hazards from volatile propellants, limited recipient options, inconsistent and inaccurate fluid delivery, and bulkiness, particularly in cosmetics applications where fine control and compactness are desired.
Innovation Solution
A manually actuated dispensing system with a pump mechanism comprising a rotor and stator with axial extensions and seals, coupled to a manual actuation mechanism, which allows for controlled fluid delivery without pressurization, enabling consistent droplet size and rate, and integration within various container designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If pressurized systems are used to dispense fluid, then the fluid can be delivered with sufficient pressure, but the container must be pressure-resistant and volatile propellants are hazardous to the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the propellant from the system entirely, using only compressed air as the driving force. The dispenser head and pump mechanism are extracted from traditional pressurized systems, creating a standalone manual pumping system that eliminates environmental hazards while maintaining fluid delivery capability
Solution Approach 2:
Compressed air serves as an intermediary substance to drive the pump mechanism. Instead of using volatile propellants directly in contact with the product, compressed air acts as a clean intermediary that powers the diaphragm pump without contaminating the fluid or environment
2Stress or pressure
If mechanically pressurized systems pump ambient air into the container, then the container is pressurized for dispensing, but the oxidizing effect and bacteria introduction occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-compresses air externally before introducing it to the product container. The manual pump mechanism prepares the compressed air in advance, allowing controlled introduction that minimizes oxidation and contamination risks compared to continuous ambient air pumping
Solution Approach 2:
A one-way valve acts as an intermediary control mechanism that regulates air introduction. This valve ensures compressed air enters the container in a controlled manner, preventing excessive oxidation and bacterial contamination while achieving the necessary pressure for dispensing
3Productivity
If conventional dispensing heads are used, then fluid can be dispensed, but the delivery rate is highly dependent on user force and fine control is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The manual pump mechanism provides tactile feedback to the user through the pumping action, allowing precise control of fluid delivery. Each pump cycle delivers a consistent amount of fluid, and the user can feel the pumping rhythm, enabling fine control without relying solely on applied force
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic manual pumping actions to deliver fluid in controlled cycles. This periodic operation allows the user to regulate delivery rate by controlling the pump frequency, achieving fine control that is independent of variations in applied force
4Productivity
If direct pump action dispensers are used, then liquid can be pumped out, but the system is cumbersome and not compact
Solution Approach 1:
The pump mechanism is nested within the dispenser housing, with the diaphragm pump and valve assembly integrated into the existing container structure. This nesting approach allows the pumping functionality to be incorporated without significantly increasing the overall dispenser volume
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing head and pump mechanism are merged into a single integrated unit. The outlet valve and pump components are combined, eliminating the need for separate pump housing and reducing overall system size while maintaining full pumping 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 system provides a compact, cost-effective, and user-friendly method for precise fluid dispensing, independent of actuation force, without introducing air into the container, suitable for a wide range of fluid products, including cosmetics, and allows for aerosol or non-aerosol delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a pump mounted in the housing and comprising a rotor rotatably and axially displaceable with respect to a stator... the rotor extensions comprising liquid supply channels that, in conjunction with the sealing rings, operate as valves that open and close communication between an inlet of the pump connected to the inside of the container and the pump chambers
Implementation Method 2
the rotor extensions comprising liquid supply channels that, in conjunction with the sealing rings, operate as valves that open and close communication between an inlet of the pump connected to the inside of the container and the pump chambers, respectively the pump chambers and an outlet of the pump
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A manually energized dispensing system for dispensing a fluid (8) contained in a non-pressurized container (7). The dispensing system comprises a dispensing head (1) comprising a housing (2), a nozzle through which fluid to be dispensed exits, a pump (4) mounted in the housing, and a pump actuation mechanism (3), the pump comprising a rotor (13) rotatably and axially displacible with respect to a stator (12). The pump rotor comprises first and second axial extensions (17, 18) of different diameters, mounted in corresponding chambers (15, 16) of the stator, first and second seals (19, 20) mounted in the stator housing and sealingly surrounding the first and second axial rotor extensions, the rotor extensions comprising liquid supply channels (22, 24) that, in conjunction with the sealing rings, operate as valves that open and close communication between an inlet of the pump connected to the inside of the container (7) and the pump chambers, respectively the pump chambers and an outlet of the pump connected to the dispensing head nozzle, as a function of the angular displacement of the pump rotor. The rotor is coupled mechanically to the actuation mechanism (3) and the actuation mechanism is configured to be manually operated to release or to drive the pump rotor to dispense fluid, respectively to block the pump rotor to stop dispensing fluid.