Volatile Dispenser Button with Cam Guide for Activation Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing volatile composition dispensers lack a clear indication of activation, leading to user confusion and potential tampering issues, resulting in reduced consumer satisfaction and defective products being sold.

Innovation Solution

A volatile composition dispenser with a housing, rupturable cartridge, and a push button mechanism that includes a cam guide and protrusion, allowing axial and rotational movement, providing a visible signal of activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a push button actuator is used to rupture the cartridge, then the activation function is achieved, but there is no visible indication of activation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivation status indicationVSAvoidbutton mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The button changes its visual appearance (color or position) to indicate activation status. When the button is pressed and rotated, it moves to a different position or changes color, providing a clear visual signal to the user that the cartridge has been ruptured and the air freshener is activated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The button mechanism provides immediate feedback to the user through tactile and visual means. The rotation movement and position change of the button give real-time feedback about the activation state, eliminating uncertainty about whether the cartridge has been properly ruptured.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If the button only moves axially, then the structure is simple, but there is no visible signal of activation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivation status indicationVSAvoidbutton operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The button movement is extended from one dimension (axial) to two dimensions by incorporating rotational movement. This additional rotational dimension provides a visible indication of activation while maintaining a straightforward operating motion that users can easily perform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If no indication mechanism is added, then the device complexity remains low, but users cannot detect tampering or activation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetampering detection capabilityVSAvoidindication mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The button's visual appearance changes to indicate tampering or activation. This simple visual change mechanism provides reliable detection capability without adding complex sensors, electronics, or multiple moving parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

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 dispenser offers a clear tactile and visual indication of activation, ensuring user satisfaction and preventing tampering detection, thereby reducing defective products.

Implementation Method 1

a cam guide disposed on the inner wall or the button body; wherein the cam guide is a helical guide rail on the inner wall or the button body; and a protrusion disposed on the other of the inner wall or the button body wherein the protrusion is engaged with the cam guide in response to the axial movement of the push button

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentEP3452116B1Volatile composition dispenser with guiding mechanism and method for its activation
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO
  • EP3452116B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3452116B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3452116B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

There is a volatile composition dispenser (1) comprising a housing having a rear frame (200), a rupturable cartridge disposed within the housing and a button (20) for rupturing the cartridge. The volatile composition dispenser (1) further comprises a guiding mechanism for guiding movement of the button (20) from a first position to a second position when the button (20) is pressed.