Lateral Actuation Fluid Dispenser with Pivoting Guide Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nasal spray devices face issues with manual actuation, where axial force can displace the dispensing head into the nostril, causing injury and inadequate distribution, and lateral actuation induces radial stresses affecting spraying accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A fluid dispenser device with a lateral actuation system featuring a pivoting actuating element and a guide surface that reduces radial stresses, ensuring safe and reliable actuation, where the actuating element has a rounded contact zone cooperating with the guide surface over the entire actuation stroke, and an axial guide sleeve for guiding the reservoir.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual axial actuation is used, then the device is simple to operate, but the dispensing head may be displaced into the nostril causing injury and inadequate distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the actuation direction from axial (pushing along the device axis) to lateral (pushing perpendicular to the device axis). The lateral actuation element pivots about an axis perpendicular to the device axis, causing the dispensing head to move axially without the user's finger being positioned in a harmful location. This inversion resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation while eliminating the injury risk associated with axial actuation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lateral actuation is used to avoid axial force, then injury risk is reduced, but radial stresses are induced affecting spraying accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pivot axis as an intermediary element that mediates between the lateral actuation force and the axial movement of the dispensing head. The lateral actuation element pivots about an axis perpendicular to the device axis, converting the lateral force into axial movement without directly transmitting radial stresses to the dispensing head. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining injury risk reduction while preserving spraying accuracy.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the actuating element pivots perpendicular to the device axis, then radial stresses are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuation element with the dispensing head by making it integral to the same component. The actuation element is formed as a single piece with the dispensing head, eliminating the need for separate pivoting joints and reducing the number of parts. This merging resolves the contradiction by maintaining radial stress reduction while minimizing device complexity through integration.
Data Source
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AI summary
Fluid product dispensing device comprising a body (10), a reservoir (20), a dispensing head (100) incorporating a dispensing hole (5), and a dispensing member (30), such as a pump or valve, mounted on said reservoir (20), said dispensing member (30) comprising a dispensing member body (31) and a movable member (35) which is moved axially inside said dispensing member body when said dispensing member (30) is operated, said device further comprising a lateral operating system (40) connected to said body (10) and comprising at least one operating element (41) engaging with said reservoir (20), with said dispensing member (30) or with an element connected to said reservoir (20) and/or to said dispensing member (30), said operating element or elements (41) being movable between a rest position, in which said dispensing member (30) is not operated, and an operating position in which said dispensing member (30) is operated, said body (10) comprising at least one guide surface (50) for said operating element or elements (41), and said guide surface (50) being fixed with respect to said dispensing head (100) and essentially parallel to the axis of movement of the movable member (35) inside the dispensing member body (31) when said dispensing member (30) is operated.