Pivoting Nasal Discharge Head for Single-Axis Injection Moulding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of discharge heads for nasal application of liquids is complicated due to the need for complex moulds with undercuts caused by the inclined design of the nasal applicator, which complicates the injection moulding process.
Innovation Solution
The discharge head is designed with a base unit and actuating unit as separate sub-units, allowing for a snap-fit connection and a pivotable actuating unit with a hinge device, enabling easier production through the use of single-axis injection moulding and avoiding non-forcibly demouldable undercuts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the nasal applicator is inclined with respect to the central axis of the base unit to ensure comfortable handling, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for complex moulds with cores or slides to produce undercuts
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge head is divided into two separate sub-units: a base unit and an actuating unit. The base unit is formed by a single-component plastic injection moulding process without undercuts, while the actuating unit (including the inclined nasal applicator) is formed separately. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimised independently - the base unit for simple single-axis demoulding and the actuating unit for comfortable inclined handling.
Solution Approach 2:
A hinge device connects the base unit and actuating unit, allowing the actuating unit to be pivotally mounted on the base unit. This hinge mechanism enables the inclined nasal applicator to be attached to the otherwise simple base unit, mediating between the simplicity of single-axis moulding and the comfort of inclined design.
2Ease of operation
If the nasal applicator is inclined to improve ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to the need for complex moulds with undercuts
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the discharge head into base unit and actuating unit, the complex inclined geometry is isolated to the actuating unit which is formed separately. The base unit maintains simple geometry suitable for precision single-axis injection moulding, while the actuating unit's inclined nasal applicator is produced independently, avoiding the need for complex precision moulds with moving cores or slides.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit is pre-formed by simple single-axis injection moulding before the actuating unit is attached. This preliminary formation of the base unit without undercuts ensures high manufacturing precision and ease of production, while the inclined actuating unit is subsequently attached via the hinge device.
3Ease of manufacture
If the discharge head is produced as a single component to simplify assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for complex moulds with undercuts
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge head is segmented into a base unit and an actuating unit that are manufactured separately and then assembled. The base unit is produced by simple single-axis injection moulding without undercuts, while the actuating unit (with the inclined nasal applicator) is formed separately. This segmentation simplifies the moulding process for each component while maintaining the overall functionality of the assembled discharge head.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge device provides a dynamic connection between the base unit and actuating unit, allowing relative movement. This dynamic assembly approach replaces the need for a complex static single-component mould, as the two simpler components are joined after formation, with the hinge enabling the necessary relative positioning and movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A discharge head having a base unit with a coupling device by which the discharge head can be fastened to a pressure accumulator. The discharge head has an actuating unit with an elongate nasal applicator, extending along an applicator axis, and an actuating surface mounted on the base unit to be pivotable about a pivot axis by a hinge device, so that the actuating unit, for the purpose of opening an outlet valve of the pressure accumulator, can be pressed down in a pivoting actuating direction. Components of the discharge head are produced by injection moulds that are separable along one axis.