Aerosol Dispensing Head with Pivoting Locking Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing heads for aerosol containers with valves lack a secure mechanism to prevent accidental actuation, particularly in designs with male and female valves, where the push-button can be inadvertently activated, leading to unintended product discharge.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a blocking element that pivots between an unlocked and locked position, interacting with the push-button and outlet duct to prevent movement into the actuation position, ensuring the push-button remains in the rest position unless intentionally depressed, utilizing a rib or notch mechanism to restrict movement and prevent valve actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a push-button mechanism is used for valve actuation, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of accidental actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is positioned to preemptively block the push-button's movement path, preventing accidental actuation before it can occur. The blocking portion intercepts the outlet conduit's movement, applying a counter-force that opposes unintended activation while allowing intentional activation when the locking element is deliberately moved.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental actuation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is integrated with the actuating member assembly, combining the locking function with the existing push-button mechanism. The control element on the locking element allows it to be manipulated as part of the same user interaction sequence, merging two functions (actuation and locking) into a unified structure rather than adding a completely separate locking device.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed as a separate, modular locking element that can pivot independently within the actuating member. This segmentation allows the locking function to be added as a distinct component with its own control element, making the system easier to manufacture, assemble, and maintain while providing reliable accidental actuation prevention.
3Reliability
If the locking element blocks the push button completely, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to difficulty in intentional actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, transitioning between a locked position that blocks the push-button and an unlocked position that allows actuation. The pivotable design enables the blocking portion to move out of the outlet conduit's path when the control element is actuated, dynamically adjusting the level of restriction based on user intent.
Solution Approach 2:
The control element serves as an intermediary mechanism between the user's intentional action and the state change of the locking element. By providing a dedicated control element that the user can manipulate, the system mediates the transition from locked to unlocked state, ensuring that intentional actuation is clear and deliberate while maintaining strong blocking during normal storage.
Data Source
Figure 1a~12
Figure 3a~5b
Figure 6~10b
AI summary
The invention relates to a dispensing head for an aerosol container provided with a valve. The dispensing head is made up of a cover (2) to which an actuating member (1) is secured, provided with a push button (11) which can be moved between a non-depressed rest position and a depressed actuating position. According to the invention, the actuating member (1) is provided with a blocking element (12) which can pivot between an unlocked position in which said element does not block the movement of the push button (11) relative to the cover (2) and a locked position in which said element blocks the push button in the rest position by preventing said push button from entering the actuating position.