Rotating Piston Pump Actuator for Compact Dispenser Footprint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reciprocating piston liquid pumps in wall-mounted dispensers require long push bars and significant rotational arcs, resulting in a larger footprint due to the need for mechanical advantage to facilitate easy product dispensing, which is not ideal for space-efficient designs.
Innovation Solution
A piston driver mechanism with first and second driver members featuring sloped circumferential surfaces that align and interact to enable piston movement and product advancement, allowing for a smaller push bar and reduced arc length, thereby minimizing the dispenser's footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If long push bars with significant rotational arc are used to provide mechanical advantage, then ease of operation is improved, but the footprint area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from horizontal linear motion (push bar movement) to vertical linear motion (piston actuation) by introducing a rotating actuator mechanism. The actuator converts rotational motion into vertical reciprocating motion through its cam profile, eliminating the need for long horizontal lever arms while maintaining mechanical advantage. This dimensional transformation allows compact footprint while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional mechanical lever system (push bar with long arms) with a rotating actuator mechanism that uses a cam profile to directly actuate the piston vertically. This substitution eliminates the need for extensive mechanical advantage through lever arms, achieving compact dimensions while maintaining operational ease through the cam's inherent mechanical advantage properties.
2Length of moving object
If long lever arms are used to engage the pump at significant distance, then stroke length is achieved with smaller arc, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating actuator serves multiple functions: it converts rotational motion to vertical linear motion, provides mechanical advantage through its cam profile, and directly actuates the piston without requiring separate lever arms or linkages. This multi-functionality achieves the desired stroke length while minimizing device complexity by consolidating multiple mechanical functions into a single compact component.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention achieves the required stroke length by moving in the vertical dimension through the rotating actuator's cam profile, rather than relying on horizontal lever arm extensions. This dimensional change allows compact horizontal footprint while maintaining adequate vertical stroke length, reducing overall device complexity.
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 solution enables a compact wall-mounted dispenser design by reducing the push bar dimensions and arc length while maintaining effective product dispensing, ensuring the dispenser occupies a smaller footprint without compromising usability.
Implementation Method 1
rotation of one of the driver members about its axis relative to the other of the driver members causes the second driver member to advance away from the first driver member toward and actuated position along its axis through the interaction of the sloped circumferential surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A reciprocating piston liquid pump and piston driver mechanism includes a reciprocating piston liquid pump having a piston chamber and a piston reciprocating in the piston chamber from an unactuated position to an actuated position, with movement of the piston from the unactuated position to the actuated position causing the advancement of product. The piston driver mechanism includes a first driver member having an axis and a sloped circumferential surface extending along its axis, and a second driver member having an axis and a sloped circumferential surface extending along its axis. The first and second driver members are aligned along their axes and mate at an unactuated position along at least a portion of their sloped circumferential surfaces. Rotation of one of the driver members about its axis relative to the other of the driver members causes the second driver member to advance away from the first driver member toward an actuated position. This movement also causes movement of the piston to its actuated position, thus advancing product.