Compact Aerosol Dispenser with Leaf-Spring Safety Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol canisters for personal defense devices are limited by their size, often requiring axial pin and torsion spring mechanisms that hinder size reduction and increase the risk of accidental discharge.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing apparatus with a leaf spring system, a sleeve with movable members, and a quick-release attachment that includes a key ring, allowing for a compact design while preventing accidental discharge through a hinged cover mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If axial pin and torsion spring mechanisms are used for the lid, then the lid can reliably prevent accidental discharge, but the overall size of the canister increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spring mechanism from the traditional axial pin location and relocates it to the rim of the canister body. This allows the lid to be held closed by friction engagement with the rim rather than requiring a bulky axial spring assembly, thereby reducing overall canister size while maintaining reliable prevention of accidental discharge
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from an axial arrangement (pin along the central axis) to a radial arrangement (engagement at the rim). This dimensional change allows the lid to pivot on a radial pin and engage with friction surfaces on the rim, achieving compact design without sacrificing reliability
2Reliability
If a hinged cover mechanism is used to prevent accidental discharge, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented into a head portion and a rim portion connected by a hinge. The head portion contains the dispensing aperture and engages with the actuator, while the rim portion engages with the canister body. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function with simple geometry, reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex locking mechanism to secure the lid, the invention uses friction engagement where the rim portion of the lid frictionally engages the rim of the canister body. The lid is held closed by friction rather than by positive mechanical locking, simplifying the mechanism while maintaining safety
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 apparatus achieves a reduced overall size and enhanced safety by preventing accidental discharge, ensuring easy and controlled dispensing of aerosol contents.
Implementation Method 1
a leaf spring extending from the top and arranged to substantially abut a top surface of the movable section, thereby applying a downward force thereon
Implementation Method 2
a fixed section frictionally secured within the first attachment aperture
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing apparatus having a hollow body with a top opening and a bottom opening, the body including a discharge aperture therein, an actuator slidably arranged within the body and having a conduit therein, the conduit having a first opening and a second opening proximate a bottom thereof, a top cover secured to the body proximate the top, the cover having a movable section hingedly attached to the body, a leaf spring extending proximate the top opening and arranged to substantially abut a top surface of the movable section, thereby applying a downward force thereon, and a bottom cover removably secured to the bottom of the body, wherein the actuator is arranged to actuate an aerosol container within the body when downward force is 10 applied thereto, thereby applying force on a nozzle of the aerosol container and discharging therefrom through the conduit and out of the discharge aperture.