Modular Washable Pump With Snap-Fit Valves for Easy Sanitization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing pumps in the food service industry face challenges in easy disassembly, cleaning, and sanitization due to complex valve structures and sealing interfaces that can lead to leakage and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A modular pump design with improved piston and outlet valves, featuring a ball cage insert and ergonomic dispenser head that allows for easy disassembly and cleaning, minimizing leakage and contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex valve structures and multiple sealing interfaces are used to achieve reliable fluid control, then pumping reliability is improved, but ease of cleaning and disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into separable components including a removable dispenser head, piston assembly, and valve components. This segmentation allows each part to be independently cleaned and sanitized without disassembling the entire pump, resolving the contradiction by maintaining reliability through modular design while dramatically improving ease of cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet valve and dispenser head are designed as extractable components that can be easily removed from the pump body. The outlet valve can be taken out through a large opening for thorough cleaning, and the dispenser head can be completely separated for sanitation, eliminating the cleaning difficulties associated with embedded valve structures.
2Reliability
If multiple sealing interfaces are provided to prevent leakage, then pumping reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sealing functions are combined into integrated components such as the piston seal that simultaneously seals the pump chamber and guides the piston movement. The dispenser head integration merges the outlet valve seating and dispensing functions into a single removable unit, reducing the number of separate sealing interfaces while maintaining leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston assembly serves multiple functions including fluid sealing, mechanical drive transmission, and chamber volume control. The dispenser head provides both outlet valve functionality and dispensing control in a single component, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable sealing through multi-functional design.
3Measurement precision
If small apertures and tortuous openings are used in valve structures, then fluid control precision is improved, but ease of cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A cleaning access tool or finger can be inserted through the large opening in the piston to reach and clean the outlet valve seat and surrounding areas. This intermediary access method allows thorough cleaning of previously inaccessible tortuous openings without compromising the precision fluid control features of the valve structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet valve and surrounding sealing surfaces are designed with preliminary consideration for cleaning access, featuring large openings and smooth contours that facilitate easy removal of residue before reassembly. This preliminary design approach maintains precise fluid control while enabling straightforward cleaning operations.
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 enables easy disassembly and cleaning of pump components without tools, reducing leakage and contamination risks, making it suitable for food service applications with improved sanitation and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
Spring 29 cooperates with piston 28 and plunger stem 54 to reciprocate and selectively create suction force within the hollow chamber of the housing 26
Implementation Method 2
piston 28 is temporarily displaced to create suction to draw the fluid into the housing 26
Implementation Method 3
outlet ball valve 49 positioned within dispenser head 47
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2E
AI summary
An easy-to-disassemble pump with a replaceable, ergonomic shroud is contemplated. The pump components snap-fit and allow the user to easy access and clean its interior. Further, the internal components ensure sufficient suction is provided to minimize or avoid entrapment of fluid on exposed portions of the pump.