All-Plastic Self-Locking Pump With Spring-Free Sanitary Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emulsion pumps have complex structures, high production costs, and use metal springs that can contaminate liquids and are prone to accidental activation, leading to sanitation issues and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An all-plastic self-locking pump design uses a plastic annular part for elasticity, replacing metal springs, with a self-locking mechanism that locks the button when not in use, featuring a plastic annular part that expands and contracts to control liquid flow, and includes a check valve and locking mechanism for sanitary and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal spring is used in the suction assembly, then elastic force for resetting the pump rod is provided, but the metal spring may directly contact with emulsion and cause pollution when rusted
Solution Approach 1:
The metal spring is completely removed from the pump chamber and suction assembly area. The elastic function previously performed by the metal spring is transferred to a rubber band that is positioned outside the pump chamber, eliminating the source of potential pollution while maintaining the resetting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump rod acts as an intermediary transmission element. The rubber band applies force to the pump rod from outside the chamber, and the pump rod transmits this force to the suction assembly through the liquid inlet, enabling indirect actuation that prevents direct contact between external elastic elements and the emulsion.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional emulsion pump structure is used, then liquid pumping function is achieved, but the structure is complex and production cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The bottle cap and the pump housing are merged into a single integrated component. The bottle cap serves dual functions as both a closure for the bottle and as the housing that contains the suction assembly and check valve, eliminating the need for separate pump housing parts and reducing assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottle cap is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as a closure for the bottle, a housing for the pump mechanism, a mounting structure for the suction assembly, and includes integrated threading for both bottle attachment and pump rod connection. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components required.
3Ease of operation
If button is made easily pressable, then liquid can be dispensed conveniently, but the button is easy to be mistakenly pressed resulting in waste
Solution Approach 1:
The button mechanism incorporates a dynamic locking system where the pump rod can be positioned in different states (locked and unlocked). The button only becomes pressable when the pump rod is in the unlocked position, and pressing the button simultaneously unlocks and activates the pump. This dynamic state dependency prevents accidental activation while maintaining convenient operation when intended.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides mechanical feedback through the locking mechanism that indicates whether the pump is ready to dispense. The button's pressability is feedback-controlled based on the pump rod position, giving the user clear information about the system state and preventing unintended operation while enabling convenient dispensing when desired.
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 all-plastic design is environmentally friendly, reduces production costs, prevents accidental activation, and ensures sanitary operation by using recyclable plastic parts, enhancing usability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plastic annular part capable of resetting the suction assembly after the suction assembly is pressed down is arranged in the pump chamber
Implementation Method 2
a check valve only allowing the liquid in the bottle to be upwardly discharged when the suction assembly moves is arranged at a lower end of the pump chamber
Implementation Method 3
based on atmospheric balance principle, pumps out liquid in a bottle by pressing, and refills the outside atmosphere into the bottle
Data Source
AI summary
An all-plastic self-locking pump includes a pump body extending into a bottle, provided with a pump chamber and connected with a bottle locking cover, a suction assembly is arranged in the pump chamber, a check valve is arranged at a lower end of the pump chamber. A button is connected to an upper end of the suction assembly, a self-locking cover is arranged on the pump chamber, a plastic annular part is arranged in the pump chamber above the check valve, and an opening is formed in a side face of the plastic annular part. Positions where the button stays include a locking position and an unlocking position, a locking mechanism is arranged between the button and the self-locking cover, and after the button is rotated to the unlocking position from the locking position, the button can be pressed to enable liquid in the bottle to be sprayed out of an outlet of the button. According to invention, the plastic annular part is arranged in the pump chamber and located above the check valve, the plastic elastic part replaces a metal spring to achieve elastic expansion and contraction, all parts are made of all-plastic materials, and energy conservation and environment friendliness are achieved; and when the button is not used, the button can be locked by rotating the button, so that liquid leakage caused by mistakenly pressing the button is prevented.