Protective-Cap Fluid Dispenser with Preloaded Actuation Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid dispensing devices, particularly pre-loaded or pre-biased devices, are susceptible to uncontrolled, premature, or inadvertent dispensing of fluid due to inadequate actuation mechanisms, leading to inefficiencies and potential misuse.
Innovation Solution
A fluid dispensing device with a protective cap that covers the orifice and includes a mechanical biasing member and interlock mechanism, preventing energy release until the cap is removed, ensuring controlled dispensing by engaging the trigger only when the cap is open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a mechanical biasing member is used to pre-load the dispensing mechanism, then dispensing efficiency is improved, but the risk of uncontrolled or premature dispensing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap is designed to be removed before use, and its removal triggers the pre-loading of the biasing member through a cam mechanism. This preliminary action ensures that the device is only armed when intentionally prepared by the user, eliminating accidental activation while maintaining ready-to-dispense capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cap serves as an intermediary element that mechanically links to both the biasing member pre-loading mechanism and the trigger assembly. It acts as a safety mediator that must be intentionally removed to enable the dispensing sequence, preventing direct or accidental activation of the biasing member.
2Reliability
If a protective cap is added to prevent premature dispensing, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap is designed to perform multiple functions: it protects the orifice during storage, serves as a user interface element whose removal triggers pre-loading, and mechanically engages with the trigger assembly to enable controlled dispensing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate safety mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety function, protection function, and user interaction function are merged into a single protective cap component. The cap's removal action simultaneously triggers the pre-loading mechanism and prepares the trigger for activation, combining multiple safety and operational features into one simple element.
3Measurement precision
If the trigger is made manually actuatable with interlock, then control precision is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing mechanism is designed to operate in distinct periodic phases: the protective cap is removed, the biasing member pre-loads automatically, the user pulls the trigger for dispensing, and the system resets. This periodic structure with clear sequential steps provides precise control while maintaining operational simplicity through intuitive user actions.
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
Prevents uncontrolled or inadvertent dispensing, providing a reliable and intuitive mechanism for fluid dispensing that maintains device functionality throughout its lifetime.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid dispensing device further comprises a mechanical biasing member that is reversibly transferrable between a pre-loaded state and an unloaded state. The biasing member is configured to store mechanical energy in the preloaded state. The mechanical energy storable in the mechanical biasing member is effective to produce a spray discharge of the spray delivery device.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a fluid dispensing device comprising: a housing comprising an orifice and configured to accommodate a portion of a spray delivery device comprising an outlet, a protective cap configured to accommodate the outlet of the spray delivery device and comprising a cap portion, wherein the protective cap is configured for fitting to the housing so that the cap portion covers the orifice, a biasing member transferable between a pre-loaded state and an unloaded state and configured to store energy in the pre-loaded state to produce a discharge of the spray delivery device, a releasable interlock configured to retain the biasing member in the pre-loaded state, a trigger engaged with the interlock and configured to release the interlock when actuated, wherein release of the energy stored in the pre-loaded biasing member is prevented as long as the cap portion covers the orifice.