Soap Dispenser Pump Piston Coupling for Self-Aligning Reservoir Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid dispensers require precise alignment and adjustment of the pump assembly to secure the reservoir, making replacement time-consuming and prone to operational errors, and the resilient members used for coupling often lose resiliency over time, increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A fluid dispenser design featuring a movable actuator assembly that automatically secures the piston element upon first activation, allowing for easy reservoir replacement without precise alignment and using resilient finger members that maintain coupling through deflection, eliminating the need for precise positioning and reducing material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If precise alignment and adjustment of the pump assembly is required to secure the reservoir, then the reservoir can be properly coupled to the actuator assembly, but the replacement process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pump assembly is designed to self-align and self-couple with the actuator assembly through the interaction of the piston element's outer periphery and the catch mechanism's opening. The resilient finger members automatically deflect and engage with the actuator plate during insertion, eliminating the need for manual alignment or adjustment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the reservoir to be precisely aligned with the actuator assembly during insertion, the invention reverses the approach by having the actuator assembly's catch mechanism actively engage with the piston element during normal operation cycles. The catch mechanism moves relative to the piston element to establish coupling, rather than requiring precise initial positioning.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If resilient metal fingers are used for coupling, then the housing can retain resiliency over extended periods, but the cost increases due to separate parts assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient finger members are integrated directly into the piston element as a unitary structure, eliminating the need for separate resilient parts assembly. The piston element is formed with multiple resilient fingers that are inherently part of the single molded component, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the necessary mechanical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston element is constructed from plastic material that inherently possesses resilient properties, eliminating the need for metal resilient fingers. This composite approach uses engineered plastics with appropriate elasticity to achieve the required resiliency without the complexity of assembling separate metal spring components.
3Ease of manufacture
If plastic resilient fingers are used instead of metal, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the plastic must withstand resiliency over a large number of cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The pump assembly with resilient finger members is designed as a disposable component that is replaced with each reservoir replacement. The resilient fingers only need to maintain resiliency for a single coupling operation during reservoir installation, not for repeated use cycles. This eliminates the requirement for long-term resiliency while allowing the use of cost-effective plastic materials.
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 quick and error-free reservoir replacement, ensuring consistent fluid dispensing and reducing the need for expensive materials by utilizing resilient finger members that only require minimal resiliency for a single coupling.
Implementation Method 1
resilient finger members circumferentially spaced about the piston element and extending radially outwardly from radially inner ends coupled to the piston element to distal ends, each to be deflected radially inwardly
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid soap dispenser having a permanent housing permits simplified insertion and replacement of disposable fluid reservoirs. The housing includes an actuator assembly which is cycled by a lever between first and second positions. The actuator assembly couples to a piston element of a piston pump carried on the reservoir. The piston element includes resiliently deformable fingers which act to secure the piston element to the actuator assembly for sliding movement therewith. If, on insertion of a replacement reservoir, the reservoir is positioned uncoupled from the actuator assembly, on first cycling of the actuator assembly the fingers deform to permit movement of the actuator assembly relative to the piston element and move towards a coupled orientation. In the coupled orientation, the fingers return to an undeformed configuration securing the piston element to the actuator assembly.