Nasal Liquid Dispenser With Spring-Driven Multi-Nozzle Atomization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispensers for nasal applications require a vortex chamber for atomization and have insufficient nozzle openings, leading to lengthy dispensing times and user discomfort due to the need for prolonged actuation.
Innovation Solution
A liquid dispenser with a nozzle plate featuring numerous small nozzle openings and a spring accumulator mechanism that indirectly drives the pressure element, allowing for fine atomization without a vortex chamber and enabling rapid dispensing through a locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a vortex chamber is used for atomization, then liquid can be dispersed into droplets, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the vortex chamber from the atomization system entirely. Instead of using a vortex chamber to generate rotational flow for droplet formation, the invention uses a simple nozzle plate with multiple small openings (0.1-1.0 mm² each) to directly produce fine spray droplets through pressure-driven flow, thereby eliminating the complex vortex chamber structure while maintaining atomization functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the single atomization function into multiple independent nozzle openings on a nozzle plate. By using 2-100 separate nozzles instead of one vortex chamber, the system achieves better atomization through distributed spray patterns while reducing overall device complexity and eliminating the need for vortex-generating structures
2Productivity
If the number of nozzle openings is increased to reduce dispensing time, then dispensing speed improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liquid flow into multiple parallel streams through 2-100 nozzle openings, each with a cross-sectional area of 0.1-1.0 mm². This segmentation allows the system to achieve high dispensing speeds (50-150 µl in 1.5 seconds) by distributing flow across multiple nozzles, while the relatively large individual nozzle sizes (compared to micro-nozzles) reduce manufacturing precision requirements and prevent clogging
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the nozzle opening parameters by selecting a specific cross-sectional area range (0.1-1.0 mm²) that balances dispensing speed with manufacturability. This parameter selection ensures sufficient total flow capacity across multiple nozzles while maintaining ease of manufacturing and resistance to blockage, avoiding the need for extremely precise micromachining
3Device complexity
If the actuating handle is directly connected to the pressure element, then the structure is simpler, but the dispensing time becomes too long for user comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-compressing a spring accumulator during the actuation stroke before liquid dispensing begins. The spring is compressed in advance and then releases its stored energy to rapidly drive the pressure element, enabling fast liquid ejection through the nozzle plate without requiring the user to maintain prolonged actuation pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spring accumulator as an intermediary between the actuating handle and the pressure element. This spring mechanism mediates the force transmission, converting the user's actuation motion into stored elastic energy that then rapidly drives the pressure element to expel liquid, thereby decoupling the actuation duration from the dispensing duration and achieving fast dispensing without complex direct-connect mechanisms
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 dispenser achieves rapid and reliable dispensing of pharmaceutical liquids, reducing the time required to 1.5 seconds or less for 50-150 µl volumes, enhancing user convenience and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the actuating handle and the pressure element are connected via a spring accumulator, which is charged by moving the actuating handle to its end position and then moves the pressure element after the actuating handle has already reached its end position
Implementation Method 2
The liquid is released through the nozzle openings in the form of a multitude of fine jets, which break up beyond the nozzle openings ("Rayleigh breakup")
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5A~5B
Figure 5C~5D
AI summary
A liquid dispenser (10) for nasal applications is proposed. This dispenser has a liquid reservoir (20) in which liquid is stored prior to dispensing, and an elongated nasal applicator (30). At the distal end of the nasal applicator (30), a nozzle plate (100) with a plurality of nozzle openings (102) is provided, through which the liquid is dispensed. Preferably, the liquid dispenser (10) has a conveying device (50) for conveying the liquid from the liquid reservoir (20) to the nozzle openings (102). This conveying device (50) has a movable pressure element (52) which serves to pressurize the liquid for the purpose of dispensing. Furthermore, the conveying device (50) has an actuating handle (54) for manual movement, which is moved from a starting position to an actuated end position for actuation.The actuating handle (54) and the pressure element (52) are connected via a spring accumulator (60), which is charged by moving the actuating handle (54) into its end position and which then moves the pressure element (52). This ensures that the actuating force is temporarily stored in the spring element (60) and then, even after the actuation has already been completed, the pressure element continues to move, thus causing a continuous discharge.