Rolling Element Dispensing Device for Orientation-Independent Liquid Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices for pharmaceutical and cosmetic media often fail to ensure reliable medium discharge across various orientations, limiting their usability, especially for older people and those with physical disabilities.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with a rotatably mounted rolling element coupled to a pump mechanism, allowing for medium delivery through rotational movement, enabling reliable discharge on any skin area without alignment restrictions, and featuring a variable-volume reservoir to prevent air suction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional pump device is used with manual actuation, then the device structure is simple, but reliable medium discharge cannot be ensured across various orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The pump element is designed to move dynamically in response to rolling element rotation, adapting to different orientations automatically. The coupling mechanism translates rotational motion into pumping action regardless of device orientation, ensuring reliable medium discharge in any position.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the rolling element and pump device. This coupling mechanism includes a lever arm and pivot point that translate the rolling motion into effective pumping action, mediating between the simple rolling input and the complex pumping requirement across various orientations.
2Reliability
If the outlet opening is positioned at the maximum radius of the rolling element, then the device structure is compact, but medium cannot reach the surface in overhead position
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet opening is positioned setback from the maximum radius in a direction that accounts for overhead positioning. This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions ensures medium can reach the surface regardless of device orientation, solving the overhead position problem without excessive footprint increase.
3Reliability
If a fixed-volume medium reservoir is used, then the reservoir structure is simple, but air is sucked in during medium discharge causing unreliable pumping
Solution Approach 1:
The medium reservoir is designed with variable volume capability, allowing it to expand and contract during operation. This dynamic volume adjustment prevents air suction by maintaining positive pressure on the medium, ensuring continuous and reliable medium supply to the pump device.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the rolling element axis is parallel to the main extension direction, then the device is compact, but medium discharge is restricted to specific orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed asymmetrically with a lever arm extending perpendicular to the rolling element axis. This asymmetric configuration allows the pump element to be actuated effectively regardless of the rolling direction, providing discharge orientation flexibility without significantly increasing device volume.
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 device ensures convenient and reliable medium discharge on any skin area, independent of device orientation, with a wide outlet opening for defined application and continuous medium delivery, enhancing usability for diverse user groups.
Implementation Method 1
the discharge device is moved transversely to the extension of the rolling element axis of rotation on the surface or skin part while maintaining a sufficient pressing force, whereby the rolling element rolls on the surface
Implementation Method 2
a pump device for conveying the medium from the medium reservoir to the outlet opening, the pump device having at least one movable first pump element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Discharge device. The invention relates to a discharge device for a medium comprising a housing, an outlet opening (23) for the medium, and a pumping device for conveying the medium from a medium reservoir (10) to the outlet opening (23). The pumping device has at least one movable first pump element, which, by means of a relative movement relative to the housing, causes conveyance from the medium reservoir (10) to the outlet opening (23). According to the invention, at least one roller element (30) is rotatably mounted on the housing about a roller element pivot axis (1). The roller element is arranged at least partially freely accessible on an outer surface of the housing and is coupled to the pumping device via a coupling mechanism such that a rotational movement of the roller element (30) causes a movement of the first pump element and thereby conveyance of the medium by means of the pumping device.Use especially for applying cosmetic or pharmaceutical liquids to the skin.