Dual-Piston Pump Shutter Radial Edge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid dispenser pumps face challenges with priming, spray quality, and the risk of blocking due to air entrapment and excessive vacuum, particularly with shutters that can lead to inconsistent dosing and potential pump failure.
Innovation Solution
A fluid dispenser pump design featuring a dual-piston system with a shutter that moves between closed and open positions using a radial edge mechanism, a spring for automatic return, and a snap-fastening ring for secure attachment, ensuring reliable priming, consistent spray quality, and preventing vacuum buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shutter is used to control the dispensing orifice, then product contamination between actuations is prevented, but spray quality becomes inconsistent due to shutter displacement by product pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter control mechanism is segmented into two distinct radial edges: a first radial edge that engages with the distal radial shoulder to open the shutter, and a second radial edge that engages with the proximal radial shoulder to close the shutter. This segmentation allows independent control of opening and closing actions, preventing pressure-induced displacement from affecting both functions equally.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow piece is designed to move axially in advance during the actuation stroke before the shutter needs to open. This preliminary movement of the hollow piece creates the necessary pressure differential and positioning that ensures the shutter opens reliably at the correct moment, preventing inconsistent spray quality.
2Device complexity
If a single spring returns both pistons and the shutter to rest position, then device complexity is reduced, but reliable priming becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of returning the first piston, second piston, and shutter to their rest positions into a single spring system. This single spring simultaneously provides the restoring force for all three components, simplifying the device while maintaining reliable priming through the coordinated action of the radial edges on the hollow piece.
3Reliability
If the pump chamber vacuum exceeds reservoir vacuum, then pump blockage occurs due to stuck inlet valve, but maintaining equal vacuum levels requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow piece acts as an intermediary element that mediates the vacuum pressure balance between the pump chamber and reservoir. By moving axially during actuation, it equalizes the vacuum levels, preventing the pump chamber vacuum from exceeding the reservoir vacuum and causing inlet valve sticking.
4Productivity
If the shutter is displaced by product pressure during actuation, then the shutter opens to allow dispensing, but excessive displacement leads to loss of spray quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the shutter control mechanism by providing two distinct radial edges at different axial positions on the hollow piece. This allows precise control of the shutter's angular position during actuation, ensuring it opens sufficiently for dispensing flow while preventing excessive displacement that would degrade spray quality.
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 design facilitates easy priming, maintains consistent spray quality regardless of actuation force, and prevents pump blocking by balancing pressures between the pump chamber and reservoir, ensuring complete dose delivery and extended pump functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a single spring forces said pistons towards their rest positions and said obturator towards its obturating position
Implementation Method 2
said hollow piece having an axial opening defined by a radial edge through which passes a portion of the rod of the shutter, said portion of the rod being defined between a proximal radial shoulder and a distal radial shoulder of the shutter, said obturator being moved from its obturating position to its opening position by said radial edge of said hollow piece which cooperates with said distal radial shoulder
Implementation Method 3
being moved from its opening position to its obturating position by said radial edge which cooperates with said proximal radial shoulder
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a pump for dispensing a fluid material, comprising a first piston (10), a second piston (20), and a dispensing head (40) provided with a dispensing opening (45) for actuating said pump, a stopper (50) being arranged upstream from said dispensing opening (45), said stopper (50) being movable between a position for closing said dispensing opening (45) and a position for opening the latter, said second piston (20) being formed outside a hollow part (25) sliding into said dispensing head (40), said first piston (10) sliding inside said hollow part (25), said hollow part (25) comprising an axial opening defined by a radial edge (26) through which a rod portion (52) of the stopper (50) passes, said rod portion (52) being defined between a proximal radial shoulder (56) and a distal radial shoulder (57) of the stopper (50). Said stopper (50) is moved from the closed position thereof to the open position thereof by means of said radial edge (26) of said hollow part (25), which engages with said distal radial shoulder (57), and is moved from the open position thereof to the closed position thereof by means of said radial edge (26), which engages with said proximal radial shoulder (56).