Dual-Orifice Spray Actuator for Selective Mass Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dispensers with aerosol valve assemblies cannot selectively generate different sprays with varying mass flow rates, limiting user flexibility for diverse applications.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser system featuring an actuator with a stem having first and second orifices, a gasket, and a biased member, allowing for different actuator presses to uncover either the first orifice for a lower mass flow rate or both orifices for a higher mass flow rate, with distinct areas and rib configurations to control the stem's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional aerosol valve assembly is used, then the dispenser can release product with a single mass flow rate, but the user cannot selectively generate different sprays as desired
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented into multiple orifices (first orifice and second orifice) with different flow characteristics. The stem divides the single flow path into separate channels, allowing selective activation of different spray modes through partial or full depression of the actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The stem is designed to move dynamically between different positions (first position, second position, third position) based on actuator depression depth. The biased member provides dynamic restoring force, enabling the system to transition between closed state, first spray mode, and second spray mode through varying levels of actuator compression.
2Ease of operation
If the actuator is designed with multiple areas for different spray rates, then the user can selectively control mass flow rate, but the actuator structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is divided into distinct areas (first area and second area) with different functional properties. The first area corresponds to a shallower depression that activates only the second orifice for low-flow mode, while the second area corresponds to deeper depression that activates both orifices for high-flow mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The stem acts as an intermediary element that translates actuator depression depth into selective orifice activation. The gasket serves as another intermediary that seals against specific orifices based on stem position, mediating between user input and spray output control.
3Quantity of substance
If the stem moves different distances to uncover different orifices, then different mass flow rates are achieved, but the precision of flow rate control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The biased member provides automatic restoring force that returns the stem to its neutral position, ensuring consistent sealing against the gasket. The mechanical design of the actuator and stem creates natural stop positions that limit excessive travel, reducing the need for high-precision manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls mass flow rate by changing the activation state of different orifices rather than precisely controlling stem position. The first orifice and second orifice have inherently different flow characteristics, so activating one versus both creates distinct spray modes without requiring exact positional control.
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
Enables the user to switch between a lower and higher mass flow rate by pressing different areas of the actuator, providing greater control over the spray output without requiring settings, with the spray-more position delivering a noticeably larger amount of fluid than the spray-less position.
Implementation Method 1
a biased member that biases the stem to the non-actuated position
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(c)
AI summary
A system releases spray fluid in different mass flow rates. The system includes an actuator (105) having a first area (155) and a second area (160), a stem (230) connected to the actuator (105) and having a first orifice (610) and a second orifice (615), a gasket (265) covering the first orifice (610) and the second orifice (615) in a non-actuated position, and a biased member (270) biasing the stem (230) to the non-actuated position. When the first area (155) of the actuator (105) is pressed, the stem (230) moves a first distance relative to the gasket (265) to uncover the second orifice (615) and compressing the biased member (270) to spray fluid with a first mass flow rate. When the second area of the actuator (105) is pressed, the stem (230) moves a second distance relative to the gasket (265) to uncover the first orifice (610) and the second orifice (615) to spray fluid with a second mass flow rate greater than the first mass flow rate.