Stationary Stem Pump With Annular Piston for Viscous Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump assemblies face difficulties in dispensing high viscosity flowable materials, such as toothpaste and viscous skin creams, especially those containing particulate solid matter, due to inefficiencies in fluid flow and pressure management.
Innovation Solution
A pump assembly with a piston chamber-forming member and an annular piston-forming element that utilizes two stages of pressurization and one-way valves to effectively dispense high viscosity flowable materials, allowing for efficient outward flow while preventing inward flow, and is designed for easy recycling with a plastic construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pump assemblies are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but they cannot effectively dispense high viscosity flowable materials containing particulate solid matter
Solution Approach 1:
The pump chamber is divided into multiple compartments separated by pistons, creating a segmented structure that allows different zones to handle different aspects of the dispensing process. This segmentation enables the pump to effectively manage high viscosity materials by creating controlled pressure zones throughout the chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple pistons are nested within the pump chamber, with each piston operating in its own compartment. The pistons are arranged concentrically and can move independently, allowing complex multi-stage pressurization within a compact structure that doesn't significantly increase overall device footprint.
2Stress or pressure
If conventional single-stage pressurization is used, then the device is simpler, but it cannot effectively pressurize high viscosity flowable materials for proper dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The pump employs periodic reciprocating motion of multiple pistons to create alternating pressurization cycles. Each piston moves in and out in a coordinated sequence, creating periodic pressure waves that progressively build and maintain high pressure throughout the fluid path, enabling effective dispensing of viscous materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The coordinated movement of multiple pistons ensures continuous pressurization of the flowable material. As one piston completes its stroke, another begins, maintaining uninterrupted pressure application to the material throughout the dispensing cycle, eliminating dead zones where pressure might be lost.
3Reliability
If standard pump designs are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but they fail to prevent fluid backflow and maintain proper flow direction in high viscosity materials
Solution Approach 1:
The valve functions are extracted from traditional complex valve bodies and integrated directly into the piston and chamber wall structures. One-way valve elements are positioned at strategic locations where they can be简单地 manufactured as part of the molded plastic components, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliable flow control.
4Ease of manufacture
If non-recyclable materials are used in pump construction, then manufacturing may be simpler or more cost-effective, but environmental waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The entire pump assembly is constructed from homogeneous plastic materials that can be easily separated and recycled. By using consistent material types throughout the pump components (chamber, pistons, valves), the design simplifies the recycling process, as all parts can be processed together through standard plastic recycling streams without requiring complex material separation.
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 pump assembly efficiently dispenses fluids with viscosities exceeding 1000 cP, ensuring effective dispensing of high viscosity materials like toothpaste and hand creams by managing pressure and flow through its novel design, and is recyclable, reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
an inlet one-way valve is provided to permit fluid flow outwardly into the inner end of the chamber but to prevent fluid flow inwardly out of the chamber
Implementation Method 2
Fluid is then pressurized in the chamber and is forced to pass outwardly through the outlet one-way valve
Data Source
AI summary
A pump assembly for dispensing flowable materials including a piston chamber-forming member providing an annular chamber about a center post and an annular piston-forming member reciprocally slidable in the annular chamber to dispense flowable material outwardly annularly about the center post.