Pivoting Needle Hand Pump for Storage Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld pumps with needle-type connectors face damage during storage and transportation due to the lack of protection for the slender needles, which can bend or get lost when not removed before storage, making them inconvenient to use with different inflatables.
Innovation Solution
A hand pump design featuring a pivoting needle that can be stored within a sleeve on the pump head, allowing it to be protected during transport and easily rotated to the use position, eliminating the need to remove and reattach the needle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the needle extends straight away from the pump head for use, then the needle is accessible and functional, but the needle is vulnerable to damage during storage and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is nested within a protective sleeve that extends from the pump head. During storage, the needle is positioned inside the sleeve, which protects it from damage. During use, the needle can be extended from the sleeve to perform its function. This nesting arrangement allows the needle to be both protected when not in use and accessible when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle is made movable relative to the pump head, allowing it to transition between a retracted position (where it is protected by the sleeve) and an extended position (where it is accessible for use). This dynamic configuration enables the needle to adapt its state based on whether the pump is being stored or used.
2Reliability
If the needle is removed from the pump before storage, then the needle is protected from damage, but the pump becomes inconvenient to use as the needle must be reattached
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring complete removal of the needle, the design nests the needle within an integrated protective sleeve that is part of the pump head. This allows the needle to remain attached to the pump while still being protected during storage, eliminating the need for removal and reattachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sleeve is merged with the pump head structure, creating an integrated protective mechanism. This combination ensures that the needle is always housed within the sleeve when not in use, providing continuous protection without requiring separate storage steps.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the needle is left attached to the pump during storage, then the pump structure remains complete, but the needle may bend or deform due to lack of protection
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is nested within the protective sleeve that is integrated into the pump head structure. This nesting arrangement maintains the structural completeness of the pump while simultaneously protecting the needle from bending or deformation during storage and transportation.
Data Source
AI summary
A hand pump with a rotatable portion of the pump head. The needle or adapter for attaching the pump to an inflatable is associated with the rotatable portion of the pump head so that the needle may be positioned in a first position for use and a second position for storage. The needle is protected by a sleeve when in the second position.