Laterally-Actuated Fluid Dispenser with Guide Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laterally actuated fluid dispenser devices, particularly nasal-spray devices, face issues such as radial stresses, reliability problems, potential blockages, noise generation, and complex assembly, which can lead to user injury and improper dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A laterally actuated fluid dispenser device with a movable actuator element and guide surface system that requires a specific actuation force, featuring a multi-directional ball joint and resilient elements for reliable operation, and a pre-assembled actuator system for secure assembly, minimizing radial stresses and ensuring proper actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a lateral actuator system is used to avoid axial force on the dispenser head, then user safety is improved, but radial stresses are generated during actuation which can negatively influence spraying
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator element features a rounded end edge that cooperates with a guide surface, allowing smooth lateral movement while maintaining controlled stress distribution. The curvature enables the actuator to follow the guide surface profile without creating concentrated radial stresses that would affect spraying performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide surface includes resistance means that modify the cooperation between the actuator element and guide surface, requiring the user to act with a specific actuation force. This controlled force parameter ensures adequate spraying while preventing excessive radial stresses.
2Ease of operation
If a lateral actuator system with movable parts is used, then actuation control is improved, but reliability decreases due to potential blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element is extracted as a separate functional component that provides continuous contact force between the actuator element and guide surface. This ensures the actuator element remains engaged with the guide surface throughout actuation, preventing blockages while maintaining control.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element provides beforehand cushioning by maintaining pre-compression between the actuator element and guide surface. This ensures continuous engagement and prevents loss of contact that could lead to blockages during actuation.
3Measurement precision
If a lateral actuator system with defined actuation direction is used, then actuation precision is improved, but adaptability decreases when actuation direction is offset
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator element is designed with lateral movability along the guide surface, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position while maintaining contact. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to accommodate variations in actuation direction without losing precision or reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide surface acts as an intermediary between the user's actuation force and the dispenser member actuation. It provides a controlled path that translates varied input directions into precise lateral movement of the actuator element, ensuring reliable operation regardless of actuation angle variations.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a lateral actuator system is used, then user safety is improved, but noise generation occurs during actuation or shaking
Solution Approach 1:
The rounded end edge of the actuator element cooperates smoothly with the guide surface, eliminating sharp contacts and impacts that generate noise. The curved geometry ensures continuous, quiet engagement during both actuation and device shaking.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element, which could be seen as adding complexity, actually reduces noise by providing continuous contact and damping vibrations. It converts potential impact noise into controlled elastic deformation, reducing audible noise during actuation and shaking.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If a lateral actuator system is used, then user safety is improved, but assembly complexity increases and assembly must occur after filling
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral actuator system is segmented into independent components: the actuator element with rounded end edge, the guide surface with resistance means, and the resilient element. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately and assembled in a simplified sequence, potentially before filling, reducing overall assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide surface serves multiple functions: it guides the actuator element's lateral movement, provides resistance means for force control, and ensures proper positioning throughout actuation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying both manufacturing and assembly processes.
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 solution provides safe, reliable, and efficient actuation without user injury, reduces noise, and simplifies the manufacturing and assembly process, ensuring consistent and complete dispensing of the fluid.
Implementation Method 1
said actuator element including at least one resilient element for co-operating with said presser element so as to urge said actuator element away from said presser element and into contact with said guide surface
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid dispenser device having a body (10), a reservoir (20), a dispenser head (100) and a dispenser member (30) mounted on the reservoir by a fastener ring (60). Also provided is a lateral actuator system (40) including an actuator element (41) movable between a rest position and an actuated position. The body (10) includes a guide surface (50) that is stationary relative to the head and substantially parallel to the central axis of the dispenser member (30). The actuator element (41) co-operates with the guide surface (50). The guide surface (50) includes a resistance element (55) that modifies the co-operation between the actuator element (41) and the guide surface (50). In order to be passed over, the resistance element (55) require the user to act on the lateral actuator system (40) with an actuation force that is different.