Lateral Actuation Nasal Spray Device Radial Stress Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nasal spray devices with lateral actuation face issues such as radial stresses, reliability problems, potential for blockages, noise generation, and complex assembly, which can lead to incomplete distribution and user injury.

Innovation Solution

A fluid dispenser device with a lateral actuation system featuring a movable actuation element that cooperates with a fixing ring, utilizing a multidirectional ball joint and elastic elements to ensure safe, reliable, and noise-reduced operation, with a guide surface to minimize radial stresses and facilitate easy assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lateral actuation devices with moving parts are used, then actuation is achieved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuation reliabilityVSAvoidactuation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating element is integrally formed with the body as a single piece, eliminating the need for separate mounting components and reducing assembly steps. This merging of components simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining reliable actuation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuating element serves multiple functions: it acts as both the actuating mechanism and an integral part of the body structure. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while ensuring reliable actuation of the dispensing member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If lateral actuation devices with well-defined actuation direction are used, then actuation control is improved, but adaptability decreases and malfunctioning risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuation controlVSAvoidactuation direction tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating element is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to flexibly respond to actuation forces from various directions. This dynamic design enables the element to adapt to slight variations in actuation direction while maintaining reliable operation, combining control with adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If complex assembly lines are used, then assembly precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly precisionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating element and body are designed as a single integral component, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps for mounting the actuating element. This reduces assembly complexity and allows for simpler manufacturing processes while maintaining precise positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuating element is integrally formed with the body during manufacturing, so the positioning and alignment are built-in from the start. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for complex assembly operations and precision adjustment during final assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The device provides safe, reliable, and efficient nasal spraying without user injury, reduces noise, and simplifies manufacturing and assembly, ensuring consistent product distribution and user safety.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic element, such as an elastic blade, cooperating with said support element to urge said actuating element away from said support element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2688681B1Laterally-actuated fluid product dispensing device
Publication Date: 2015.02.11 APTAR FRANCE SAS
  • EP2688681B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2688681B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2688681B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for dispensing a fluid material, comprising: a body (10); a tank (20); a dispensing head (100) including a dispensing opening (5); and a dispensing member (30), such as a pump or valve, mounted onto said tank (20) via an attachment ring (60), said dispensing member (30) comprising a dispensing-member body (31) and a movable member (35) that is axially moved in said dispensing-member body during the actuation of said dispensing member (30). Said device also comprises a lateral actuation system (40) secured to said body (10), said system comprising an actuation element (41) engaging with said attachment ring (60), said actuation element (41) being movable, in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of movement of said movable member (35), between a rest position, in which said dispensing member (30) is not actuated, and an actuation position, in which said dispensing member (30) is actuated. Said attachment ring (60) comprises a top radial flange (60) that extends radially outward, and said actuation element (41) comprises at least one radial projection (412), a top edge (413) of which contacts a bottom edge of said radial flange (61) during the actuation.