Pump assembly and liquid dispensing device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid dispensing devices have complex structures with multiple components, making assembly and maintenance time-consuming, and are prone to leakage and corrosion, which reduces their durability and reliability.

Innovation Solution

An integrated pump assembly with a flow path board, gas-liquid mixing pump, and main control board, where the flow path board comprises an upper and lower board with a pre-mixing and mixed region, and a foam booster made of plastic to reduce corrosion risks, eliminating the need for separate fixing means and silicone hoses, resulting in a simpler, more durable design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a complicated structure with many separate components (motor, gas-liquid transferring assembly, control board, sensor) is adopted, then the device can achieve liquid dispensing function, but the assembly and maintenance become complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly and maintenanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the motor, gas-liquid transferring assembly, control board, and sensor into a single integrated pump assembly. The motor is directly mounted on the pump body, eliminating the need for separate fixing means. The control board is integrated with the pump assembly, and the sensor is built-in, creating a unified module that simplifies both assembly and maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If silicone hoses are used to transfer liquid and gas separately, then the gas-liquid transferring function is achieved, but accidental leakage may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage preventionVSAvoidhose connection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates silicone hoses from the gas-liquid transferring system. Instead of using separate hoses for liquid and gas transfer, the invention integrates the transferring function directly into the pump assembly through built-in channels and passages, removing the leakage-prone hose connections entirely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If stainless steel foam boosters are used, then the foaming function is achieved, but high risk of corrosion may result in product failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidmaterial selection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional stainless steel foam boosters with a composite structure consisting of a plastic housing containing a foam generating element. This composite material approach provides superior corrosion resistance while maintaining the foaming function, as the plastic material is inherently resistant to chemical corrosion from dispensing liquids.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Productivity

If the motor cannot be mounted quickly and firmly onto the gas-liquid transferring assembly, then the device can be assembled, but assembling and maintenance become quite complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The motor is integrated directly with the pump body in a unified structure that eliminates separate mounting steps. The motor housing and pump housing form a single assembly unit, allowing the entire motor-pump assembly to be installed as one component, thereby dramatically increasing assembly speed and ease of maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 integrated design simplifies assembly and maintenance, reduces leakage risks, and enhances the device's durability and reliability by eliminating the need for complex hose connections and stainless steel components, leading to a more stable and efficient liquid dispensing process.

Implementation Method 1

a gas-liquid mixing pump connected with the flow path board to receive the liquid therefrom and return the gas-liquid mixture thereto

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas-liquid mixing:

Implementation Method 2

an integrated pump assembly with a flow path board, gas-liquid mixing pump, and main control board, where the flow path board comprises an upper and lower board with a pre-mixing and mixed region, and a foam booster made of plastic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFoam generation: Foam

Data Source

PatentEP4195987B1Pump assembly and liquid dispensing device
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 UNILEVER IP HLDG BV
  • EP4195987B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4195987B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4195987B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

Disclosed is an integrated pump assembly for a liquid dispensing device and a liquid dispensing device thereof. The pump assembly for the liquid dispensing device comprises a flow path board formed with a flow path therein to receive liquid from a liquid source and dispense a gas-liquid mixture, a gas-liquid mixing pump connected with the flow path board to receive the liquid therefrom and return the gas-liquid mixture thereto, and a main control board for controlling the operation of the gas-liquid mixing pump, wherein the flow path board comprises an upper board and a lower board fitted to each other with the flow path formed therebetween. The liquid dispensing device comprises a housing, said pump assembly configured to be accommodated in said housing and a power supply to supply power to said pump assembly.