Deformable Annular Plate Fluid Dispenser Torque Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fluid product dispensers face challenges in achieving both the required screwing torque and contact with the shoulder of the collar, leading to risks of leakage or neck breakage, due to a limited axial range for the screwing position of the fixing member.

Innovation Solution

A fluid product dispenser with a deformable annular plate that allows the fixing member's skirt to move axially, enabling contact with the shoulder while maintaining the required screwing torque, and featuring triangular bosses that reduce unscrewing torque and screwing force, along with a continuous skirt design for stable engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a rigid skirt mounting element is used to engage with the threaded neck, then the tightening torque can be controlled, but the axial position cannot be adjusted to ensure both seal compression and shoulder contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetightening torque controlVSAvoidaxial position adjustment range
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the annular plate deformable rather than rigid. The plate can elastically deform during the screwing process, allowing the skirt to move axially relative to the mounting element. This dynamic behavior enables the system to achieve both the required tightening torque and the necessary axial contact between the skirt lower edge and the collar shoulder, resolving the contradiction between torque control and axial position adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical state of the annular plate from rigid to deformable. This change in material property allows the plate to undergo elastic deformation under tightening torque, which in turn allows the skirt to achieve the correct axial position. The deformability parameter enables the system to simultaneously satisfy both the torque requirement and the axial contact requirement that were previously mutually exclusive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the screwing rotation value is increased to compress the neck seal adequately, then leakage risk is reduced, but the risk of neck breakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal compression adequacyVSAvoidneck breakage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable annular plate acts as a mechanical buffer that dynamically absorbs excess tightening force. When the screwing rotation value is increased to ensure adequate seal compression, the plate deforms elastically instead of transmitting all the force to the neck. This dynamic energy absorption mechanism allows for higher screwing values without proportionally increasing the risk of neck breakage, as the plate deformation serves as a safety valve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating the deformable annular plate as a pre-designed cushioning element between the mounting element and the neck. This plate is specifically designed to deform under excessive tightening torque, thereby cushioning the neck from potential damage. The cushioning effect is built into the structure beforehand, allowing the system to tolerate higher screwing values while protecting the neck from breakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the skirt is designed to contact the collar shoulder, then mechanical stability is improved, but the tightening torque cannot be sufficiently applied to compress the neck seal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidneck seal compression
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable annular plate enables a dynamic sequence of events during tightening: first, the plate deforms to allow the skirt to contact the collar shoulder and achieve mechanical stability; second, continued tightening compresses the neck seal through the same mounting element. The dynamic deformability of the plate resolves the contradiction by allowing both stability and seal compression to be achieved in sequence rather than requiring simultaneous achievement, which was impossible with rigid structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design extends the axial range for sufficient screwing torque, ensuring secure and stable attachment without risking neck damage, while allowing for precise control of the neck seal compression and improved assembly and disassembly processes.

Implementation Method 1

the annular plate being deformable, so that the skirt can move axially relative to the neck, while the annular plate is already bearing against the annular upper edge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The final position of the mounting element is determined by the compression of the neck seal, which ensures the distributor is leak-proof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3953056B1Fluid product dispenser
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 APTAR FRANCE SAS
  • EP3953056B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3953056B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d
  • EP3953056B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Dispenser comprising: - a reservoir (R) provided with a neck (C) forming at least one helical thread (T) and an upper edge (C1), a dispensing head (D) comprising a dispensing member (P), a pushbutton (B) and an attachment member (R1) in engagement with the threaded neck (C) and the dispensing member (P), the attachment member (R1) comprising a skirt (11) forming an inner thread (12) which comes into engagement with the thread (T) of the neck (C), the skirt (11) extending downward from the outer periphery of an annular plate (15) which comes to bear against the annular upper edge (C1), characterized in that the annular plate (15) is deformable such that the skirt (11) can move axially with respect to the neck (C) while the annular plate (15) is already in contact with the annular upper edge (C1).