Touch-Free Fluid Dispenser Cam Adjustment for Consistent Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand cleaning fluid dispensers require disassembly for dosage adjustment, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and can disrupt lock-out mechanisms and cause priming and dosage consistency issues.
Innovation Solution
A fluid dispenser with a pump engagement body and an adjustable cam surface that allows dosage adjustment without changing the interface between the pump and the pump actuator, using a driver engagement mechanism with a Scottish yoke-type arrangement and a dose adjustment mechanism accessible from outside, ensuring proper lock-out mechanism functionality and consistent dosing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the interface between the pump and pump actuator is changed to adjust dosage, then the dosage can be adjusted, but the dispenser requires disassembly which is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the dosage adjustment function from the pump-pump actuator interface and relocates it to a separate dose adjustment mechanism with an adjustable cam surface. This allows dosage adjustment to be performed independently without disassembling the pump interface, thereby reducing adjustment time while maintaining dosage adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an adjustable cam surface as an intermediary element between the driver and the pump actuator. This cam surface can be selectively positioned to change the retraction stroke distance, providing dosage adjustment functionality without requiring changes to the pump interface or disassembly of the dispenser
2Adaptability or versatility
If the interface between the pump and pump actuator is changed to adjust dosage, then the dosage can be adjusted, but lock-out mechanisms may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the dosage adjustment function from the pump interface where lock-out mechanisms are located and places it in a separate dose adjustment mechanism. This separation allows dosage adjustment without interfering with the lock-out mechanism's operation, maintaining both adaptability and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable cam surface serves as an intermediary that enables dosage adjustment through a different mechanical pathway, one that does not involve the pump interface where lock-out mechanisms operate. This preserves the integrity and functionality of the lock-out mechanisms while providing the desired dosage adjustability
3Adaptability or versatility
If the piston position at the end of retraction stroke is changed to adjust dosage, then the dosage can be adjusted, but priming and dosage consistency issues may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable cam surface acts as an intermediary that controls the driver's retraction stroke distance without directly altering the piston's position in the pump chamber. By adjusting the cam surface location, the retraction distance is modified while the piston still returns to the same endpoint position, ensuring consistent priming and dosage delivery while maintaining dosage adjustability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the dosage control function into two independent aspects: the retraction stroke distance (controlled by the adjustable cam surface) and the piston endpoint position (maintained at a fixed position for consistency). This segmentation allows dosage adjustment through cam position changes while preserving dosing precision through consistent piston positioning
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 dosage adjustment without disassembly, maintaining lock-out mechanism functionality and ensuring consistent fluid dispensing by allowing the adjustable cam surface to control fluid volume without affecting the piston's return position, thus preventing priming and dosage inconsistencies.
Implementation Method 1
a driver having a camming body that moves between an extension position and a retraction position when the driver is activated, the camming body engaging with the first cam surface and the second cam surface to effect movement of the pump engagement body
Implementation Method 2
The camming body of the driver is preferably positioned between the first cam surface and the second cam surface in a Scottish yoke-type arrangement, with the camming body traveling in a circular path to thereby effect movement of the pump engagement body in an extension direction and in a retraction direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid dispenser having a pump mechanism that dispenses a dose of fluid when a movable pump member of the pump mechanism is moved between an extended position and a retracted position. A pump engagement body engages with the movable pump member for effecting movement of the movable pump member. A first cam surface and a second cam surface are connected to the pump engagement body, at least one of the first cam surface and the second cam surface comprising an adjustable cam surface whose location relative to the pump engagement body is selectively adjustable. A camming body engages with the first cam surface and the second cam surface to effect movement of the pump engagement body, and a dose adjustment mechanism allows the location of the adjustable cam surface relative to the pump engagement body to be selected.