Sequentially activated multi-diaphragm foam pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispenser systems fail to effectively create and dispense a consistent foam product by mixing liquid with air, as they lack a sequential activation mechanism for diaphragms to control the air-liquid ratio and foam enrichment.
Innovation Solution
A sequentially activated multi-diaphragm foam pump system with a housing containing a liquid pump portion and an air pump portion, where the liquid and air pump diaphragms operate in sequential order to mix liquid and air in a mixing chamber, creating a foamy mixture with adjustable air-to-liquid ratios, and a wobble plate drive mechanism ensures efficient compression and expansion of diaphragms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single diaphragm pump is used to mix liquid and air, then the device complexity is low, but the foam consistency and air-to-liquid ratio control are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is divided into multiple independent diaphragm chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) each with its own diaphragm (first diaphragm, second diaphragm, third diaphragm). These chambers operate sequentially to perform different functions: liquid pumping, air pumping, and foam mixing. This segmentation allows precise control over the air-to-liquid ratio and foam consistency while maintaining a manageable device structure through modular organization.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple diaphragms are used to control air-to-liquid ratio, then the foam consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple diaphragms are activated in a sequential, periodic manner through the wobble plate mechanism. The first diaphragm operates during one phase of the wobble plate rotation to pump liquid, the second diaphragm operates during the next phase to pump air, and the third diaphragm operates during the subsequent phase to mix and dispense foam. This periodic activation pattern ensures stable air-to-liquid ratio control while using a single rotating wobble plate to coordinate all diaphragms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If sequential activation of diaphragms is implemented, then the foam enrichment is enhanced, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wobble plate mechanism automatically coordinates the sequential activation of all diaphragms through its rotational motion. When the wobble plate rotates, its eccentric geometry naturally causes the first, second, and third diaphragms to activate in sequence without requiring external control mechanisms for each individual diaphragm. The system self-regulates the timing and sequence of diaphragm operation, enhancing foam enrichment while maintaining ease of operation through automatic coordination.
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 consistently produces a rich foam product with adjustable air-to-liquid ratios, enhancing the dispensing efficiency and user experience by ensuring a uniform foam output.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid pump diaphragm, the first air pump diaphragm, and the second air pump diaphragm operate in sequential order. The liquid pump diaphragm pumps liquid into the mixing chamber, the first air pump diaphragm pumps air into the mixing chamber to mix with the liquid to form a liquid air mixture, and the second air pump diaphragm pumps air into the mixing chamber to mix with the liquid air mixture to form a foamy mixture
Implementation Method 2
a wobble plate drive mechanism ensures efficient compression and expansion of diaphragms
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
A sequentially activated multi-diaphragm foam pump (206) for a foam dispenser includes a housing (204) with a liquid pump portion and air pump portion secured to the housing. The liquid pump portion has a liquid inlet (319), a liquid inlet valve, a liquid pump diaphragm (310A), a liquid outlet valve (323A), and a liquid outlet. The air pump portion has a first and second air inlet, a first and second air inlet valve (323B, 323C), a first and second air pump diaphragm (310B, 310C), and a first and second air outlet. The sequentially activated multi-diaphragm foam pump also includes a mixing chamber (325) that is in fluid communication with the liquid outlet, the first air outlet, and the second air outlet. The liquid pump diaphragm, the first air pump diaphragm, and the second air pump diaphragm operate in sequential order. The liquid pump diaphragm pumps liquid into the mixing chamber (325), the first air pump diaphragm pumps air into the mixing chamber to mix with the liquid to form a liquid air mixture, and the second air pump diaphragm pumps air into the mixing chamber to mix with the liquid air mixture to form a foamy mixture. The foamy mixture is dispensed through an outlet (350) that is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber.