Elongate Button Actuator for Ergonomic Aerosol Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-held dispensing systems are not universally easy to operate due to factors such as bulkiness and ergonomic challenges, requiring significant force and being unsuitable for various user types, and lack ergonomic design for comfortable gripping and actuation.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing system with an ergonomic design featuring a tapered container and overcap shape, an elongate button for actuation, and a manifold mechanism that allows for comfortable gripping and uniform force application along the actuation length, facilitating easy operation for different users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional elongated cylindrical containers with uniform diameter are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but gripping and manipulation become difficult and unwieldy
Solution Approach 1:
The container features a non-uniform diameter design where the middle portion has a smaller diameter than the top and bottom portions. This local variation in geometry creates ergonomic gripping zones at the top and bottom while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard molding techniques. The tapered sides transition smoothly between these zones, providing comfortable hand engagement areas without complicating the manufacturing process.
2Reliability
If significant force is required to actuate the trigger, then reliable product dispensing is achieved, but operation becomes difficult for various user types
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger mechanism incorporates a cam surface that converts the user's actuation motion into rotational movement of the valve stem. This dynamic mechanism allows for progressive force application where the cam geometry provides mechanical advantage, reducing the peak force required while maintaining reliable product dispensing through the rotational valve actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam surface acts as an intermediary between the trigger and the valve stem. It transforms the linear actuation force applied by the user into rotational motion of the valve, providing mechanical advantage and reducing the direct force requirement on the valve stem while ensuring reliable product flow control.
3Reliability
If the button actuation location is fixed at a specific position, then the valve stem depression is effective, but universal ease of operation for different users is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated button is designed to be actuable at multiple locations along its length, making the dispensing system universally operable by users with different hand sizes and strengths. Any portion of the button's length can serve as the actuation point, allowing the mechanism to adapt to various user capabilities while maintaining effective valve stem depression through the cam mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
An overcap for a container includes a body having a sidewall. An opening is provided in the sidewall. An actuation mechanism includes an actuator with an elongate button and a manifold. The elongate button extends through the opening in the sidewall. The actuation mechanism is actuable to open a valve of a container by movement of the elongate button in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the overcap.