Segmented Bellows Liquid Barrier for Bottle Pump Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pumps with bellows are not equipped with a liquid barrier and are not suitable for use on bottles, limiting their application to dispensing specific amounts of foam, liquid, or gas.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a bellows with a flexible wall of predetermined shape and thickness, co-acting with a stiff outer wall, featuring two independently deformable parts that interact with protrusions on a co-acting part, providing a liquid barrier and enabling efficient dispensing by varying the force through thickness and shape variations, and a valve mechanism for suck-back functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional pump with bellows is used, then the pump can dispense foam, liquid or gas, but the pump lacks a liquid barrier and is not suitable for use on bottles
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows is divided into multiple separately deformable flexible wall parts (first bellows part, second bellows part) that can independently co-act with different parts of the stiff outer wall, enabling segmented control of the pumping action and liquid barrier function
Solution Approach 2:
Different wall parts of the bellows are given different thicknesses to create varying force characteristics in different regions, with thicker walls providing structural support and thinner walls allowing greater flexibility for sealing and barrier functions
2Strength
If the bellows wall thickness is increased to improve structural strength, then the bellows becomes less flexible and requires more force to deform
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows employs varying wall thicknesses in different regions, with thicker walls in areas requiring strength and support, and thinner walls in areas requiring flexibility and ease of deformation, optimizing both strength and operational force requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows is segmented into multiple independently deformable parts with different thickness characteristics, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific functional requirements while working together as a unified system
3Device complexity
If the bellows is designed with a single deformable part, then the structure is simpler, but the pump cannot provide reliable liquid barrier and suck-back functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows is divided into multiple separately deformable flexible wall parts that can independently co-act with different parts of the stiff outer wall, enabling the system to achieve reliable liquid barrier and suck-back functionality through coordinated action of segmented components
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple bellows parts are arranged in a nested configuration where the first bellows part and second bellows part occupy overlapping spatial regions, allowing them to sequentially engage with the stiff outer wall during compression and expansion cycles
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 system effectively prevents liquid leakage, allows for precise dispensing of liquids, foams, or gases, and is adaptable for use on bottles by creating a liquid barrier and utilizing a suck-back mechanism to ensure efficient fluid management.
Implementation Method 1
a bellows part co-acting therewith which comprises a flexible wall of a predetermined shape and thickness, wherein the flexible wall of the bellows is movable along the stiff outer wall of the co-acting part
Implementation Method 2
Such a bellows has a spring force which, after a determined compression has been passed, is different from the initial value, whereby the further compression is assisted
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system of bellows and co-acting part, including a co-acting part which comprises a stiff outer wall, and a bellows co-acting therewith which comprises a flexible wall of a predetermined shape and thickness, wherein the flexible wall of the bellows is movable along the stiff outer wall of the co-acting part, wherein the bellows includes at least two separately deformable flexible wall parts' which each co-act with a different part of the stiff outer wall of the co-acting part.