Powder Dispensing Pump for Reproducible Air-Driven Dosing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powder dispensing devices for small animals like rodents face issues with non-reusable reservoirs requiring frequent replacement, non-reproducible dosing due to user-dependent air expulsion, and high manufacturing and assembly complexity.
Innovation Solution
A powder dispensing device with a reusable reservoir, a pump-based air expulsion system, and a one-directional valve to ensure reproducible dosing, featuring a pump with a piston mechanism and adjustable spring force for consistent airflow, and a split membrane valve for controlled powder release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-use reservoir is used, then the device is simple to manufacture, but the reservoir must be replaced after each actuation which is not practical and not economical
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is divided into two separable parts: a reusable outer reservoir body and a disposable inner cartridge containing the powder dose. After use, only the inner cartridge needs to be replaced while the outer body remains, combining the simplicity of single-use containers with the convenience of reusable equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows discarding only the consumed inner cartridge while recovering and reusing the outer reservoir body. This selective discarding approach maintains operational convenience without the full cost and complexity of a completely reusable system.
2Device complexity
If a syringe-based air expulsion system is used, then the device structure is simple, but the pressurised airflow is dependent on user actuation force which prevents reproducible dosing
Solution Approach 1:
The manual syringe-based air expulsion system is replaced with an automated peristaltic pump mechanism. This substitution eliminates dependence on user actuation force, providing consistent and reproducible pressurized airflow for accurate dosing while maintaining reasonable system complexity through the use of a standardized pump component.
3Ease of operation
If a reusable reservoir is provided, then the reservoir can be refilled and reused, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir system is segmented into a reusable outer body and a refillable inner cartridge. This segmentation allows the reservoir to be refilled by simply replacing the inner cartridge, providing refillability without the complexity of designing and implementing a complex sealing and cleaning system for a completely reusable single-piece reservoir.
4Manufacturing precision
If a pump-based air expulsion system is used, then reproducible dosing is achieved, but the manufacturing and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A peristaltic pump is used to provide automated, reproducible air expulsion. This pump mechanism is designed to be integrated into the existing device architecture, using standard components and assembly methods to minimize manufacturing complexity while achieving the goal of reproducible dosing.
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
Enables multiple dose dispensing, easy reservoir refilling, reliable and reproducible dosing, and cost-effective manufacturing, while minimizing material complexity and static electricity risks.
Implementation Method 1
said distal hollow body containing at least one spring collaborating on the one hand with said distal rod part and on the other hand with said distal hollow body
Implementation Method 2
said rod comprising a proximal rod part with respect to said dispensing orifice, a central rod part and a distal rod part with respect to said dispensing orifice, the outside diameter of said central rod part being greater than the diameters of said proximal and distal rod parts, said central rod part supporting a first seal and a second seal
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid dispensing device having an air expulsion system (200) with a pump (200) with an external body (210) containing a pump body (220; 270) with a pumping chamber (225) and a piston rod (230). The pump body has a proximal hollow body and a distal hollow body fixed to one another. The rod has a proximal rod part (231), a central rod part (232) and a distal rod part (233), the outside diameter of the central rod part (232) greater than the diameters of the other two. The central rod part supports a first seal (237) and a second seal (236), and the distal rod part supports a third seal (235). The proximal rod part has a central passage (234) extending beyond the first seal and opens laterally to the outside between the first and second seals. The distal hollow body contains a spring.