Modular Pump Inlet with Coaxial Segments for Small Dose Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-operated pump dispensers with dip tubes face challenges in manufacturing and assembly, especially for small dosage amounts, due to the need for very narrow and difficult-to-manufacture dip tubes.
Innovation Solution
A modular pump inlet design featuring a coaxially disposed outer and inner tubular component forming a space, allowing for easier manufacturing and assembly, using rigid thermoplastic materials to create a fluid passageway suitable for small doses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a narrow dip tube is used for small dosage amounts, then the pump can deliver small doses, but the dip tube becomes difficult to manufacture and assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The dip tube is divided into multiple segments that can be separately manufactured and then assembled together. This allows each segment to be produced using standard manufacturing processes without requiring extremely narrow extrusion tools, while the final assembled structure achieves the needed small internal diameter for precise dosage delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The dip tube is constructed with nested components where an inner tube is positioned within an outer tube or housing structure. This nested configuration enables the overall assembly to achieve a compact, narrow effective diameter for small dosage delivery while the individual components can be manufactured at larger, more manageable dimensions.
2Quantity of substance
If a narrow dip tube is used for small dosage amounts, then the pump can deliver small doses, but the dip tube becomes difficult to handle and mount
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the dip tube into larger, more manageable sections, each segment becomes easier to handle during assembly operations. The segments can be manipulated with standard tools and handled by operators without the difficulty associated with manipulating a single, continuous, extremely narrow tube.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection elements or intermediary components are provided that facilitate the joining of dip tube segments. These intermediaries make the mounting process easier by providing standardized connection interfaces, reducing the skill and effort required to assemble the narrow-bore dip tube structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If a modular inlet design is used, then manufacturing and assembly are simplified, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet is divided into modular segments that can be manufactured separately using standard processes and then assembled. While this creates multiple components, each segment has a simple, straightforward structure that is easy to manufacture, and the overall complexity is managed through standardized connection interfaces between segments.
Data Source
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AI summary
An inlet for a pump is provided herein including a first elongated component and a tubular second elongated component disposed coaxially about the first elongated component so as to define a space therebetween. Advantageously, with the subject invention, an inlet for a pump can be provided which can be modularly formed from components. In this manner, the components can be manufactured, e.g., by molding, and assembled with a pump, thereby avoiding the difficulties associated with the manufacture and assembly of dip tubes.