Dispensing Head Blocking Member Prevents Tip Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing heads for aerosol containers face issues with the push button's rigidity, as it can deform under pressure, causing the tip to inadvertently contact the valve stem when in the locked position, leading to unintended actuation.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a pivotable blocking member with a bearing surface and guiding means, allowing the blocking member to interpose between the tip and valve stem, ensuring the tip cannot contact the valve stem even if the push button deforms, and facilitating smooth transition between locked and unlocked positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the push button structure is made sufficiently rigid to prevent deformation, then accidental actuation is prevented, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a blocking member as an intermediary element between the push button tip and the valve stem. This blocking member can be positioned to physically prevent the tip from reaching the valve stem, eliminating the need for the push button itself to be highly rigid. The blocking member acts as a mediator that ensures reliable operation without requiring complex reinforcement of the push button structure.
2Reliability
If radial ribs and notches are used as blocking means, then the push button is retained in the upper position, but the push button periphery must bear the full pressure which may cause deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member serves as an intermediary that bears the pressure of preventing actuation, rather than relying on the push button periphery to withstand all forces. When the blocking member is in the blocking position, it intercepts the tip before it can contact the valve stem, distributing the mechanical stress away from the push button top wall and reducing the risk of deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The function of retaining the push button in the upper position is segmented between the blocking member and the push button structure. The blocking member handles the primary function of preventing downward movement through the bearing surface interaction, while the push button structure can be simpler and less reinforced, as it no longer needs to independently withstand all actuation-preventing forces.
3Reliability
If a pivotable blocking member with bearing surface is introduced, then the tip abuts against the bearing surface instead of the valve stem, preventing accidental actuation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is designed to perform multiple functions: it blocks the tip from reaching the valve stem when in the blocking position, provides a bearing surface for the tip to abut against, and can be pivoted to an unblocking position when needed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity despite the added reliability features.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing head for an aerosol container includes a base ring, a transfer conduit with a tip (231) intended to cooperate with the stem of a valve when the dispensing head is mounted on an aerosol container, a push button rotatable relative to the base ring, a blocking member pivotable between a blocking position and an unblocking position, and provided with a bearing surface (312), which is placed in the movement path of the tip (231) towards the valve stem is in the blocking position, and which is outside the movement path of the tip (231) towards the valve stem in the unblocking position, and guiding means (33, 313) for placing the blocking member in the blocking position when the push button is in the locked position and for placing the blocking member in the unblocking position when the push button is in the unlocked position.