Compact Progressive Cavity Pump with Rigid Shaft Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Progressive cavity pumps are prone to failure due to their large size and reliance on flexible shafts or universal joints.

Innovation Solution

A compact progressive cavity pump design that eliminates the need for flexible shafts or universal joints by using a rigid shaft and a locking assembly that allows the pump to be securely attached to bottles of varying sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible shaft or universal joint is used in the progressive cavity pump, then the pump can accommodate varying bottle sizes and orientations, but the pump becomes prone to failure and less reliable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to varying bottle sizes and orientationsVSAvoidreliability of pump operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pump is divided into modular components including a pump housing, nozzle assembly, and locking mechanism that can independently adjust to different bottle configurations. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without requiring flexible shafts or universal joints, thereby maintaining reliability while achieving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pump incorporates a dynamic locking assembly with movable lock bolts and adjustable nozzle positioning that adapts to different bottle sizes and orientations. This dynamic adjustment mechanism eliminates the need for flexible transmission elements, providing both adaptability and reliability through rigid, failure-resistant connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the pump is designed to be compact, then the reliability is improved by eliminating flexible shafts, but the adaptability to different bottle sizes may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability through elimination of flexible shaftsVSAvoidadaptability to different bottle sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pump housing incorporates a universal locking assembly with adjustable lock bolts that can secure the pump to bottles of various sizes and orientations. This multi-functional locking mechanism maintains a compact, rigid design without flexible shafts while providing universal adaptability across different bottle configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle assembly includes multi-position positioning capability that allows adjustment in multiple dimensions (angular and radial positions). This dimensional flexibility enables a compact pump design to adapt to various bottle sizes and dispensing requirements without requiring flexible transmission elements, maintaining both reliability and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the nozzle is made easily operable with one hand, then the ease of operation is improved, but the precision of liquid dosing may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of one-handed nozzle operationVSAvoidprecision of liquid dosing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle assembly incorporates self-latching positioning mechanisms that automatically maintain precise dosing positions once selected. This allows easy one-handed operation for position selection while the self-latching feature ensures precise, repeatable dosing without requiring continuous manual adjustment, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and dosing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3873678B1Progressive cavity pump
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 HENKEL KGAA
  • EP3873678B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3873678B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3873678B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This disclosure relates to pumps and, more particularly, to progressive cavity pumps.