Refillable Fluid Dispenser With Inverted Pressing Gesture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refillable fluid product dispensers have complex and non-intuitive refilling gestures, requiring users to pull the dispenser away from the source bottle, which is not ergonomic and can lead to inefficient filling processes.
Innovation Solution
A refillable dispenser design where the reservoir volume increases when the sliding member is depressed into the barrel, allowing for intuitive refilling by pressing the dispenser against the source bottle, with a fixed piston and axial tube configuration that defines separate filling and air evacuation passages, and a return spring mechanism for automatic sliding member operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the dispenser is pulled away from the source bottle to refill, then the reservoir can be filled with fluid product, but the refilling gesture becomes complex and non-intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional refilling gesture by pressing the dispenser against the source bottle instead of pulling it away. This inversion simplifies the user gesture to an intuitive pushing motion while achieving the same filling result through reversed mechanical action on the piston system
2Ease of operation
If the dispenser is pressed against the source bottle to refill, then the refilling gesture becomes intuitive and simple, but the reservoir volume must be designed to increase in the pressed position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic piston system where the reservoir volume changes based on the position of the piston. When pressed against the source bottle, the piston moves to increase reservoir volume for filling; when released, the spring returns the piston to its original position, automatically adjusting the volume configuration to match the operational state
3Volume of stationary object
If the sliding member is moved manually to extend the reservoir, then the refilling capacity increases, but the handling becomes less ergonomic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the spring automatically returns the piston to its extended position after the pressing action. The user only needs to perform the simple pressing gesture, and the system autonomously completes the piston movement and volume adjustment, eliminating the need for manual piston manipulation
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
Simplifies the refilling process by using a natural pressing gesture, ensures efficient fluid transfer and air evacuation, and provides ergonomic handling with automatic sliding member operation, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring mechanism for automatic sliding member operation
Data Source
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AI summary
A refillable fluid product dispenser comprising a dispensing pump (P), a variable volume reservoir (R) and a filling valve (7) connected to the reservoir (R), the reservoir (R) comprising a fixed barrel (1) on which the pump (P) is mounted and a sliding member (2) comprising a movable piston (31) which slides in the fixed barrel (1) so as to vary the volume of the reservoir (R), the sliding member (2) being movable between a retracted position in which the sliding member (2) is located near the pump (P) and an extended position in which the sliding member (2) is away from the pump (P), the reservoir (R) defining a maximum volume in the retracted position and a minimum volume in the extended position, so that the volume of the reservoir (R) increases when the sliding member (2) is retracted into the fixed barrel (1) towards its retracted position.