Pump for under counter dispensing system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing under counter dispensing systems face difficulties in coupling replacement reservoirs to the dispensing systems, making the process cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A piston pump assembly with a piston chamber-forming body and a piston-forming element that allows for simultaneous dispensing of liquid and air, featuring a replaceable reservoir cartridge and a delivery tube for easy coupling to a housing arrangement underneath the countertop, ensuring a secure and efficient connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If replacement reservoirs are installed underneath the countertop for engagement with the dispensing system, then the dispensing system can provide liquid and air simultaneously, but the coupling of replacement reservoirs to the dispensing system becomes difficult and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAbility to replace reservoirsVSAvoidEase of coupling reservoirs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pump assembly is divided into a stationary pump body and a replaceable cartridge that contains the piston-forming element and seals. This segmentation allows the cartridge to be easily removed and replaced without dealing with complex coupling mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The piston-forming element and seals are extracted from the main pump body and placed in a separate replaceable cartridge. This extraction simplifies the replacement process by allowing users to simply swap cartridges rather than manually repositioning multiple components, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a piston pump assembly is used to simultaneously dispense liquid and air, then dispensing functionality is improved, but the complexity of the dispensing system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSimultaneous dispensing of liquid and airVSAvoidComplexity of pump assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid pump and air pump functions are merged into a single piston pump assembly where one piston-forming element simultaneously performs both liquid pumping and air pumping actions. This merging maintains adaptability for simultaneous dispensing while reducing overall system complexity compared to using two separate pump mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The piston-forming element is designed with multi-functionality to serve both as a liquid pump component and an air pump component. This universal design allows a single component to perform multiple functions, thereby maintaining dispensing versatility while minimizing the number of parts and reducing system complexity.

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

3Device complexity

If the discharge outlet is fixed relative to the piston chamber-forming body, then the pump structure is simplified, but the ability to adapt to different mounting configurations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSimplicity of pump structureVSAvoidAdaptability to mounting configurations
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

While the discharge outlet is fixed relative to the piston chamber-forming body for structural simplicity, the entire pump assembly is designed to be dynamically positionable within the dispensing system. The cartridge can be oriented and mounted in different configurations, providing adaptability without requiring a complex adjustable discharge outlet mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Facilitates easy replacement and secure coupling of reservoirs, improving the efficiency and usability of under counter dispensing systems by allowing for straightforward installation and operation.

Implementation Method 1

a piston pump with a piston chamber-forming body and a piston-forming element relatively coaxially reciprocally movable to dispense liquid and air from a discharge outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiston pump mechanism: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP3298939B1Pump for under counter dispensing system
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 OP HYGIENE IP GMBH
  • EP3298939B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3298939B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3298939B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A piston pump with a piston chamber-forming body and a piston-forming element relatively coaxially reciprocally movable to dispense liquid and air from a discharge outlet, which the discharge outlet is fixed relative to the piston chamber-forming body.