Fluid Dispenser Limited Thrust Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerosol dispensers of the 'Bag on Valve' type provide continuous dispensing, but lack the capability for discrete or metered dispensing, where a conventional press on the pusher results in a prolonged spray or jet that is not reproducibly brief.
Innovation Solution
The dispensing head incorporates a limited thrust member and a thrust release mechanism, including an axial support profile and cam means, to decouple the pusher's axial thrust from the dispensing nozzle's movement, allowing for a short, reproducible dispensing event independent of the pusher's depression duration, with the valve closing after a limited axial stroke.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional aerosol button is pressed for a prolonged duration, then the valve remains open and fluid continues to dispense, but the dispensing duration becomes uncontrolled and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The limited thrust member is pre-configured with a maximum stroke limit that automatically prevents the dispensing nozzle from moving beyond a predetermined distance, thereby limiting the dispensing duration regardless of how long the button is held pressed
Solution Approach 2:
The limited thrust member acts as an intermediary between the pusher and the dispensing nozzle, transmitting the axial thrust force only over a limited stroke before disengaging from the axial support flange, thus decoupling the button press duration from the actual dispensing duration
2Reliability
If the pusher stroke is made longer to ensure complete valve opening, then the valve opens fully, but the dispensing nozzle cannot return to rest position and continuous dispensing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher stroke is segmented into two distinct phases: a first portion where the limited thrust member engages the axial support flange to move the dispensing nozzle and open the valve, and a second portion where the limited thrust member disengages and the pusher continues its stroke without affecting the dispensing nozzle, allowing the valve to remain reliably open while enabling controlled return to rest position
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement between the limited thrust member and axial support flange is made dynamic rather than continuous - the limited thrust member selectively engages during the critical dispensing phase and automatically disengages when the axial support profile moves radially outward, allowing the system to transition from an engaged state to a disengaged state based on the stroke position
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 transforms a continuous dispensing aerosol into a pseudo-pump-like dispenser, enabling controlled, brief fluid dispensing that is independent of the pusher's pressure duration, ensuring consistent dosing even when the pusher is fully pressed.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one axial support profile may be formed on an elastically deformable tab. Furthermore, the cam means may include a conical surface on which the elastically deformable tab slides while deforming radially outward
Implementation Method 2
The dispensing nozzle is returned to its rest position by an internal valve return spring
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
Dispenser for fluid product comprising: a fluid product reservoir (1), a valve (2) comprising a return spring (24), a dispensing head (3) comprising: a dispensing fitting (4) connected to the valve (2), a pushbutton (5) for moving the dispensing fitting (4), the dispensing head (3) further comprising: a limited thrust member (61) that transmits the axial force of the pushbutton (5) to the dispensing fitting (4) in order to move it axially over a limited travel, a thrust release member (75) which acts on the limited thrust member (6), releasing the dispensing fitting (4) from the axial force of the pushbutton (5) at the end of the limited axial travel, such that the dispensing fitting (4) returns to its rest position and the valve (2) closes.