Fluid Dispensing Device With Protective Cap Release Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid dispensing devices, particularly nasal inhalers, suffer from inefficient dispensing due to low user actuation force and potential for uncontrolled, premature, or inadvertent fluid release, especially in pre-loaded devices.
Innovation Solution
A fluid dispensing device with a protective cap that covers the orifice and includes a mechanical biasing member, an interlock, and a trigger mechanism, where the cap prevents energy release until it is removed, ensuring controlled dispensing by blocking actuation until the cap is open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a mechanical biasing member is used to pre-load the device for efficient dispensing, then the dispensing power is improved, but the risk of uncontrolled or premature dispensing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is pre-loaded with mechanical energy through a biasing member (spring) during manufacturing or initial setup, storing energy in advance to enable efficient dispensing when needed. The protective cap is also pre-positioned to block the orifice, preventing premature release of the stored energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cap serves as an intermediary element between the user and the pre-loaded mechanical energy. It physically blocks the orifice and prevents unintended actuation of the trigger mechanism, mediating the release of stored energy only when intentionally removed by the user.
2Ease of operation
If the device is made simple and intuitive to operate, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of preventing uncontrolled dispensing may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: a protective cap that can be easily removed, a trigger mechanism for actuation, and a biasing member for energy storage. This segmentation allows the protective cap to serve as a simple, intuitive safety feature while maintaining reliable prevention of uncontrolled dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cap functions as a disposable or single-use safety element that is removed once to enable device operation. Its temporary nature provides reliable prevention during storage and transport, while its easy removal maintains operational simplicity when needed.
3Reliability
If the protective cap blocks the orifice to prevent premature dispensing, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap performs multiple functions: it blocks the orifice to prevent premature dispensing, protects the internal components during storage and transport, and serves as a user interface element indicating when the device is ready for use. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cap is combined with the trigger mechanism and biasing member into an integrated assembly. The cap's removal automatically positions the trigger to release the stored energy, merging the safety function with the actuation mechanism to minimize additional complexity.
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
Prevents uncontrolled or inadvertent dispensing by maintaining the device in a pre-loaded state until the cap is opened, providing a reliable and intuitive mechanism for fluid delivery.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid dispensing device with a protective cap that covers the orifice and includes a mechanical biasing member, an interlock, and a trigger mechanism, where the cap prevents energy release until it is removed
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a fluid dispensing device including: a housing including an orifice and configured to accommodate a portion of a spray delivery device including an outlet, a protective cap configured to accommodate the outlet of the spray delivery device and including a cap portion, wherein the protective cap is configured for fitting to the housing so that the cap portion covers the orifice, a biasing member transferable between a pre-loaded state and an unloaded state and configured to store energy in the pre-loaded state to produce a discharge of the spray delivery device, a releasable interlock configured to retain the biasing member in the pre-loaded state, a trigger engaged with the interlock and configured to release the interlock when actuated, wherein release of the energy stored in the pre-loaded biasing member is prevented as long as the cap portion covers the orifice.