Toy fluid pumping gun
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toy fluid pumping devices often require excessive strength to produce a strong fluid stream, pose safety hazards due to air chamber fatigue, and are cumbersome or require power sources, which increase costs and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A fluid pumping device with a housing, pump assembly, crank assembly, and fluid storage reservoir, featuring a gear system with adjustable crank arm and removable nozzles, allowing for efficient manual operation without a power source, enabling a continuous fluid stream up to 45 feet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If manual pumping is used to provide fluid stream, then the device remains simple and lightweight, but children may not have sufficient strength to pump faster and with more force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct manual pumping with a crank and gear mechanism that converts rotational motion into reciprocating pump motion. This mechanical substitution allows users to generate pumping action through simpler rotational motion rather than requiring direct linear pumping force, resolving the contradiction between force requirements and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear ratio in the mechanism can be adjusted to change the mechanical advantage, allowing optimization between pumping force and pumping speed. By changing the gear parameters, the system can adapt to different user strength levels while maintaining ease of operation.
2Duration of action of moving object
If electric motors are used to provide continuous fluid stream, then continuous operation is achieved, but the device becomes heavier and bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves continuous operation through a large fluid storage reservoir that continuously feeds the pump mechanism. The manual crank can be rotated continuously or intermittently, and the reservoir ensures uninterrupted fluid supply, providing continuous useful action without requiring heavy electric motors or batteries.
3Extent of automation
If electric motors are used to drive the pump, then automated pumping is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The crank mechanism is designed to be self-contained and manually operated without requiring external power sources or complex control systems. The user directly operates the pump through the crank, eliminating the need for motors, batteries, and electronic controls, thus reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining functional automation of the pumping action.
4Productivity
If air chambers are used to enhance fluid stream, then pumping efficiency is improved, but safety hazards arise if chambers become fatigued and explode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the air chamber component from the system entirely, replacing it with a direct mechanical pump driven by the crank mechanism. This extraction of the problematic air chamber eliminates the safety hazard of chamber fatigue and explosion while maintaining pumping efficiency through the direct mechanical action of the gear pump.
5Productivity
If electric pumps are used to provide strong fluid stream, then fluid delivery performance is improved, but the device becomes bulkier and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electric pump mechanisms with a manual crank-driven gear pump system. This mechanical substitution achieves strong fluid delivery through direct mechanical action while maintaining a compact design, as the crank and gear mechanism can be integrated into a small housing without requiring the bulk of motor assemblies and power supply components.
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 device allows for easy operation by users of various ages, eliminating safety hazards and power source requirements, while providing a strong and adjustable fluid stream without the bulkiness or complexity of motorized pumps.
Implementation Method 1
a pump assembly, a crank assembly rotatably connected to the pump assembly wherein the crank assembly operates the pump assembly
Implementation Method 2
The fluid pumping device may further include wherein the pump assembly includes a first gear and a second gear where the first gear is larger in diameter than the second gear and wherein the gear ratio between the first gear and the second gear is 15:1
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid pumping device is disclosed. The fluid pumping device includes a housing having a front end and a rear end, a fluid discharge opening in the front end of the housing, a pump assembly, a crank assembly rotatably connected to the pump assembly wherein the crank assembly operates the pump assembly, and a fluid storage reservoir connected to the gear housing from which fluid is drawn into the gear housing to be pumped through the fluid discharge opening.