Molded Diaphragm Pump for Quick Liquid Color Changeover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing diaphragm pumps for liquid color in plastic manufacturing are costly, lack reliability, and do not efficiently regulate flow, with a need for quick removal and reattachment to containers to prevent scavenging and ensure accurate color application during molding and extrusion processes.

Innovation Solution

A molded diaphragm pump with a single-piece plastic body integrated into the container lid, featuring a flexing diaphragm powered by air through a quick disconnect fitting and a potentiometer for precise control, allowing easy container changes and maintaining flow regulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the pump is made disposable and removable from the container, then the pump can be quickly replaced when the container is empty or color change is needed, but the pump may be scavenged (stolen or misappropriated) from the container

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer changeover speedVSAvoidpump scavenging

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pump is divided into two functional segments: a disposable pump body that remains with the empty container to prevent scavenging, and a removable valve assembly that can be quickly exchanged for color changeover. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both quick replacement capability and anti-scavenging protection simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pump body is designed as a low-cost disposable component that remains permanently attached to the container after use. This disposable approach eliminates the risk of scavenging while allowing rapid replacement of only the higher-value valve assembly, thus maintaining productivity without creating security concerns about pump theft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Productivity

If the pump components are made easily removable for quick replacement, then container changeover is rapid, but the integration with the container is compromised leaving an open hole

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer changeover speedVSAvoidcontainer integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly is extracted as a separate removable component from the pump body, allowing it to be quickly removed and replaced without affecting the permanent integration of the pump body with the container. This extraction enables rapid color changeover while maintaining container integrity through the permanently attached pump body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump body acts as an intermediary component that remains permanently integrated with the container, providing a stable mounting structure. This intermediary element allows the valve assembly to be easily removable for quick changeover while the pump body itself maintains the container's structural integrity and prevents open holes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If existing pumps are used for liquid color delivery, then liquid color can be pumped from containers, but the pumps are costly and lack reliability with poor flow regulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump reliabilityVSAvoidpump structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump body is designed as a simple, low-cost disposable component made from a single piece of plastic. This simplicity reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while improving reliability by eliminating complex assembly points that could fail. The disposable nature ensures consistent performance throughout the container's usage life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump body is merged as an integral part of the container system, molded directly into the container structure. This merging eliminates separate mounting components and complex assemblies, reducing device complexity while improving reliability through a unified, leak-proof integration that ensures consistent liquid color delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution provides a cost-effective, reliable, and accurately controlled liquid color delivery system that minimizes waste and facilitates efficient container changes, enhancing the integration with molding and extrusion machines while preventing pump scavenging.

Implementation Method 1

The diaphragm portion of the pump, when in operation moves from an unflexed 'rest' or 'up' position to a flexed 'down' position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiaphragm flexing: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The diaphragm is moveable away from the lid responsively to preferable pneumatic pressure applied to a side of the diaphragm facing the lid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS9188118B2Injection molded diaphragm pump for liquid color with quick release

Publication Date: 2015.11.17 MAGUIRE STEPHEN B

AI summary

A pneumatically powered pump for liquid color adapted to fit partially within a liquid color container having a body portion of the pump within the liquid color container adapted to be mounted on the underside of the container lid and being a single piece of molded plastic overlying an aperture in the container lid.