Piston Pump Locking Mechanism With Tactile Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piston pumps face issues such as unintended piston movement during shipping, lack of tactile feedback when switching between locked and unlocked positions, and a complex locking mechanism requiring numerous components.
Innovation Solution
A piston pump assembly with a collar member and actuator member that utilize a lug member and motion control features to securely lock and unlock the piston, providing tactile feedback through rotational forces and minimizing the number of components needed for the locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent unintended piston movement, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is integrated into the piston assembly itself, combining the locking function with the existing piston structure. The collar member with lug member merges with the piston-forming element, eliminating the need for separate locking components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The piston assembly performs its own locking function through the interaction between the lug member and motion control features. The design allows the piston to lock and unlock itself during normal operation without requiring external locking mechanisms or additional actuating components
2Ease of operation
If a locking mechanism with tactile feedback is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motion control features are designed to provide tactile feedback to the user during piston movement. As the piston transitions between locked and unlocked positions, the user can feel distinct mechanical cues through the actuator, confirming the state change without requiring additional feedback components or complex mechanisms
3Device complexity
If fewer components are used in the locking mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented into distinct geometric features: the collar member with lug member, the motion control features on the piston chamber-forming body, and the actuator component. Each feature performs a specific function within the locking sequence, allowing the system to achieve reliable locking with minimal components through carefully designed functional segmentation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A piston pump with an improved arrangement by which a piston-forming element (16) is movable relative to a piston chamber-forming element (14) between locked and unlocked positions. The piston chamber-forming body (14) has a collar member (38) having an inner guide tube (40) coaxially about an axis with a lug member (46) extending radially inwardly therefrom and the piston-forming element has a slide tube (48) coaxially radially inwardly of the collar member (38) with the slide tube carrying motion control features for interaction and engagement with the lug member (46) whereby relative axial and rotational movement of the piston-forming element (16) relative to the piston chamber-forming body (14) provides for the adoption of positions in which the pump is operable to dispense fluid and positions in which the pump is inoperative.