Trigger Pump Dispenser Precompression Valve and Child-Resistant Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trigger pumps lack a mechanism to ensure that liquid is dispensed only at a predetermined pressure, and they often fail to provide a child-resistant safety feature to prevent accidental discharge.
Innovation Solution
The trigger pump dispenser incorporates a precompression system with a spring-operated valve that allows liquid to be dispensed only when a certain pressure is reached, and a child-resistant locking mechanism that requires intentional action to unlock the nozzle for dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a precompression valve system is added to ensure liquid is dispensed only at predetermined pressure, then the spraying pattern is improved and pressure consistency is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The precompression valve system combines multiple functions into a single integrated valve assembly that includes the spring member, valve member, and precompression chamber working together as one unit to control pressure and flow, resolving the contradiction by achieving pressure consistency through a unified mechanism rather than separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The precompression valve performs preliminary compression of liquid in the pump chamber before dispensing through the nozzle. The spring member compresses liquid to a predetermined pressure level before the valve opens, ensuring that liquid is always dispensed at consistent pressure regardless of variations in trigger pull force or liquid viscosity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a child-resistant locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental discharge, then safety is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The child-resistant locking mechanism uses a dynamic resilient member that can be moved between locked and unlocked positions. The locking member engages with a cam surface that requires deliberate manipulation to disengage, providing child-resistant protection while still allowing authorized users to operate the device by applying sufficient force in the correct direction
3Reliability
If the spring valve member is made flexible to allow pressure-induced opening, then the precompression function is achieved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member's flexibility and force characteristics are controlled by changing its physical parameters such as wire diameter, coil spacing, number of coils, and material selection. These parameter changes allow the spring to provide the precise force needed to maintain liquid at a predetermined pressure level while opening the valve when the pressure threshold is reached, achieving reliable pressure control through adjustable physical parameters rather than complex geometry
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
This solution ensures that liquid is dispensed at a consistent high pressure, improving the spraying pattern and adds a safety feature that prevents accidental discharge, enhancing both performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the spring member which flexes in response to the elevated pressure in the chamber acting on the valve member to move the valve member to an open position
Implementation Method 2
a precompression valve operable to allow liquid through the outlet port only after a predetermined elevated pressure is established in the pump chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A trigger pump dispenser (10) comprises a body, an outlet nozzle (215), a pump chamber (41), a piston (35) for defining a variable volume in the pump chamber (41) and thereby pumping liquid into and out of the pump chamber (41) for dispensing through the outlet nozzle (215), a trigger (30) coupled with the piston (35) and movable to cause the piston (35) to pump liquid and biasing means for biasing the trigger (30) to a retracted position. The piston (35) is interchangeably associatable with the trigger (30) and pump chamber (41) so that different length pistons (35, 135) are usable to determine different maximum fill volumes of the pump chamber (41).