Split Engagement Flange for Self-Coupling Soap Pump Pistons

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid dispensers require precise alignment and adjustment of the pump assembly to secure the reservoir, making replacement time-consuming and prone to operational errors, and the resilient members used often lose resiliency over time, increasing costs.

Innovation Solution

A dispenser design featuring a replaceable reservoir with a catch assembly and resilient finger members that allow for uncoupled initial insertion, automatically coupling during the first cycling of the actuator assembly, eliminating the need for precise alignment and reducing the need for resilient members that must maintain their shape over extended periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If precise alignment and adjustment of the pump assembly is required to secure the reservoir, then the dispenser operates reliably, but the replacement of the reservoir becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidreservoir replacement time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient finger members are pre-positioned on the actuator assembly in a ready state, and the pump assembly is pre-configured with its engagement flange. When the reservoir is installed, the coupling happens automatically through the resilient fingers deflecting and engaging the flange, eliminating the need for post-installation alignment adjustments and making replacement quick and simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If resilient metal fingers are used for engagement, then the coupling is reliable, but the manufacturing cost increases due to separate parts assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient finger members are integrated directly into the actuator assembly as a single unit rather than being separate parts. This merging of components maintains the reliable resilient coupling function while eliminating the need for separate parts assembly, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If resilient plastic fingers are used for engagement, then the manufacturing cost decreases, but the plastic must withstand a large number of cycles maintaining resiliency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidresiliency retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator assembly is constructed as a composite structure combining rigid plastic components with integrated resilient finger members. This composite approach allows the use of cost-effective plastic materials while the resilient fingers provide the necessary durability to withstand repeated cycling, achieving both low manufacturing cost and high reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Duration of action of stationary object

If the resilient members must last the lifetime of the housing, then the coupling remains reliable, but the cost increases due to requiring long-lasting resilient materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresilient member lifespanVSAvoidmaterial cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pump assembly with its resilient finger members is designed as a disposable component that is replaced together with the reservoir when the fluid is exhausted. This eliminates the need for the resilient members to last the entire lifetime of the housing, allowing the use of less expensive resilient materials that don't need to maintain their properties over extended periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Enables easy and efficient replacement of the reservoir without precise alignment, ensuring proper operation and extending the lifespan of the dispenser by reducing the reliance on long-lasting resilient materials.

Implementation Method 1

resilient finger members circumferentially spaced about the piston element and extending from a radially inner end to a distal end for deflection by relative axial movement of the piston element and the actuator mechanism to assume a coupled orientation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2005871B1Split engagement flange for soap dispenser pump piston

Publication Date: 2016.03.16 OP HYGIENE IP GMBH

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AI summary

A liquid soap dispenser is disclosed having a permanent housing which permits simplified insertion and replacement of disposable fluid reservoirs. The housing includes an actuator assembly which is cycled by a lever between first and second positions. The actuator assembly is configured to couple to a piston element of a piston pump carried on the reservoir so that when cycled, the piston element is actuated in sliding movement to dispense a quantity of fluid. The piston element includes resiliently deformable fingers which act to secure the piston element to the actuator assembly for sliding movement therewith. If, on insertion of a replacement reservoir, the reservoir is positioned uncoupled from the actuator assembly, on first cycling of the actuator assembly the fingers deform to permit movement of the actuator assembly relative to the piston element and move towards a coupled orientation. In the coupled orientation, the fingers return to an undeformed configuration securing the piston element to the actuator assembly.