Retractable Fluid Dispenser Head With Sliding Plate Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile fluid product dispensers, such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, require two-handed operation to switch between dispensing and storage positions, complicating handling and increasing the risk of product contamination within bags.
Innovation Solution
A fluid product dispenser with a retractable head featuring a sliding plate that locks into two positions within a tubular body, allowing the head to pivot and be actuated with one hand, using a combination of elastic interlocking mechanisms and angled slits to facilitate easy transition between dispensing and storage modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a retractable head mechanism is implemented to protect the dispensing member, then protection against contamination is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The head is nested within the tubular body, allowing it to be stored inside and projected outward when needed. This nesting mechanism provides protection while maintaining a compact structure suitable for mobile dispensers.
Solution Approach 2:
The head transitions between static protected position inside the tubular body and dynamic dispensing position projected outward. This dynamic positioning allows the head to be retracted for protection and extended for use.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional cap is used to protect the dispensing member, then protection against contamination is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complicated handling
Solution Approach 1:
The head is integrated into a dynamic retractable mechanism that transitions smoothly between retracted and extended positions, eliminating the need for separate cap attachment and detachment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The head automatically remains protected within the tubular body when not in use, requiring no additional protective covering. The structure itself provides the protection function.
3Ease of operation
If a spring-ejection mechanism is used to eject the variable element, then ease of operation is improved for single-handed use, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate utilizes elastic deformation to create a dynamic locking mechanism that can be actuated with a simple pressing motion, enabling single-handed operation while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate's elastic properties allow it to change its structural state between locked and unlocked positions through simple compression, providing easy actuation without complex mechanisms.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the head is made retractable into the tubular body, then protection against contamination is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to two-handed requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The plate's elastic locking mechanism allows for simple one-handed actuation by pressing, which automatically transitions the head between retracted and extended positions without requiring two hands.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic plate mechanism automatically locks and unlocks the head position through its inherent elastic properties, requiring minimal user input and enabling convenient single-handed operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid product dispenser includes: a tubular body extending along a main axis; a male element, able to slide inside the tubular body; a volume for receiving the product, located inside the male element; a plate molding an external side surface of the tubular body, the plate being provided with at least one projection able to slide in a slit in the tubular body, substantially parallel to the main axis, the projection being able to move the male element in the tubular body, the dispenser including an element for locking the plate on the tubular body in at least two locking positions along the main axis. Thus, a dispensing head, firmly fixed to the male element, can be extracted or retracted by making the plate slide along the tubular body.