Resilient Cartridge Flange for Keyed Dispenser Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid and paper dispensers face challenges with complex coupling mechanisms that do not provide keying or lockout arrangements, leading to improper alignment and usability issues with replaceable cartridges, and resilient mechanisms in housings losing resiliency over time.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a resilient member on the removable cartridge or piston pump element that requires deformation for coupling and uncoupling, with a catch member that limits the shape and size of replaceable elements, ensuring proper alignment and secure engagement through radial movement and deflection mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex coupling mechanism is used for removable cartridges, then the cartridges can be securely retained, but the coupling mechanism becomes difficult to operate and lacks keying arrangements for proper alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure retention of cartridgeVSAvoiddifficulty of coupling and alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is divided into separate functional elements: a resilient member on the cartridge and a catch member on the dispenser housing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall operation while maintaining secure retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient member automatically engages with the catch member when the cartridge is inserted, and the actuator assembly's reciprocal movement automatically maintains engagement. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual alignment procedures while ensuring reliable coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If resilient mechanisms are provided in the housing for coupling, then the cartridges can be easily inserted and removed, but the resilient mechanisms lose their resiliency over time rendering the dispenser unusable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cartridge replacementVSAvoidloss of resiliency over time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient member is integrated into the disposable cartridge rather than being part of the permanent housing. This allows the cartridge to be replaced as a complete unit when the resilient member loses its properties, eliminating the need to replace the entire dispenser housing and maintaining long-term reliability of the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing the resilient mechanism in the permanent housing as conventional designs do, the resilient member is inverted and placed on the removable cartridge. This inversion transfers the wear and resiliency loss to the disposable component rather than the permanent dispenser housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the coupling mechanism permits wide variety of physical shapes and sizes, then different cartridges can be used, but it does not provide keying or lock out arrangement for limiting replacement cartridges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different cartridge sizesVSAvoidimproper alignment and usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient member and catch member are designed with asymmetric geometries that provide inherent keying. The resilient member has a specific shape that only engages properly with the corresponding catch member when the cartridge is correctly oriented and sized, preventing improper alignment while still allowing for variations in cartridge dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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

This solution simplifies the replacement process, ensures proper alignment and secure coupling of cartridges, and maintains usability by preventing radial movement unless the resilient member is deflected, thus addressing alignment and usability issues in dispensers.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient member on the piston pump element which requires deformation for coupling and uncoupling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8113388B2Engagement flange for removable dispenser cartridge

Publication Date: 2012.02.14 OP HYGIENE IP GMBH

AI summary

An improved arrangement for removably coupling a replaceable cartridge to a housing of a dispenser with the cartridge including a resilient member which prevents radial movement relative a catch member of the housing from a coupled orientation unless the resilient member is deflected from an unbiased inherent configuration.