Child-Resistant Actuator for Liquid Dispensing Spout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid fuel dispensers for portable containers face challenges in meeting environmental and safety regulations, including pulsation issues and child safety, while also requiring cost-effective manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A liquid dispensing spout with linked poppet valves and a child-resistant actuator that controls fluid flow by sequencing the opening of liquid and air control poppets, preventing pulsation and ensuring safe operation, featuring a vent tube design to manage air flow and prevent liquid trapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional liquid fuel dispenser is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing cost is low, but it causes pulsation during dispensing and does not meet child safety regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid fuel dispenser is segmented into two independent poppet valves: a first poppet valve for liquid flow control and a second poppet valve for air venting. This segmentation allows each valve to be optimized for its specific function, eliminating pulsation while maintaining manageable complexity through functional decomposition
Solution Approach 2:
The second poppet valve (air vent) opens before the first poppet valve (liquid flow) during the dispensing cycle. This preliminary action of venting air before liquid flow begins prevents vacuum formation and eliminates pulsation, ensuring smooth liquid dispensing from the outset
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional spout design is used, then manufacturing cost is low, but it does not prevent child access and meets safety regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator mechanism uses a dynamic cam-follower system where a cam surface rotates to selectively engage and disengage the poppet valves. This dynamic interaction provides child-resistant operation through mechanical complexity that is intuitive to operate, preventing accidental activation while allowing deliberate dispensing
Solution Approach 2:
A cam mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user's rotational input and the poppet valve actuation. The cam surface translates rotational motion into precise linear displacement of the poppet valves, providing controlled sequencing of valve opening while maintaining a simple user interface
3Reliability
If air venting is not properly managed, then the device structure is simpler, but liquid flows back into the air vent tube and air flow is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The second poppet valve (air vent) opens in advance before liquid flow begins, creating a positive pressure path for air to escape through the vent tube. This preliminary air venting prevents liquid from being drawn back into the vent tube during dispensing, ensuring continuous air flow without liquid contamination
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to prevent liquid from entering the vent tube through complex barriers, the design inverts the approach by ensuring air flow pressure is maintained positive throughout the vent tube. This pressure inversion prevents liquid backflow by creating a pressure gradient that opposes liquid intrusion
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 solution provides a reliable, pulsation-free, and child-resistant liquid dispensing system that meets regulatory requirements, ensuring safe and efficient fuel dispensing without the need for complex components, thus reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
encircled by a coil spring
Implementation Method 2
linked poppet valves and a child-resistant actuator that controls fluid flow by sequencing the opening of liquid and air control poppets
Data Source
AI summary
Displacement of a valve stem used in a liquid dispensing spout is prohibited by a lever mounted on a fulcrum. When a user-operated end of the lever is in a first position, the opposite end of the lever abuts a travel limiter. When the user-operated lever is in a second position, the opposite end of the lever points away from the travel limiter allowing the valve stem to be displaced.