Rotary ON/OFF Diffuser With Visible Lock Status Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ON/OFF type actuators for pressurized containers lack clear and easily visible indication of locked and unlocked positions, making it difficult for users to identify and understand the actuator's status.
Innovation Solution
The actuator incorporates a notch and an information wall with contrasting marks that align with the notch to indicate locked and unlocked positions, enhancing visibility and recognition, and can provide additional product information through color coding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional index and mark systems are used to indicate locked and unlocked positions, then the indication mechanism is simple in structure, but the visibility and recognizability of the indication are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using an information wall with contrasting colors (e.g., green information wall with white inner wall, or color gradients indicating product concentration) that are visible through the notch. This allows the indication system to provide clear visual feedback to users while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional mark system to a three-dimensional visual indication system where the information wall extends behind the notch, creating depth and allowing multiple layers of information (position indication plus additional product information) to be conveyed simultaneously through the same notch opening.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the information wall is placed behind the notch with contrasting colors, then the visibility and recognizability of the indication are significantly improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The information wall serves multiple functions: it indicates the locked/unlocked position, provides additional product information through color coding, and can indicate product concentration levels. This multi-functionality justifies the added structural element while maximizing its utility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the position indication function with additional information delivery by combining the information wall with the existing notch structure. The information wall integrates into the dispensing device's existing components rather than adding a separate indication mechanism.
3Loss of information
If the information wall provides additional product information through color coding, then the information provided to the consumer is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by varying the color or tone of the information wall to encode different product information such as concentration levels (light pink for weakest dosage, darker pink for intermediate, red for strongest) or recyclability status. This allows multiple information states to be communicated through a single manufacturing process.
Data Source
AI summary
The dispensing device (1) fora pressurized container has a base (10) and a cap (20). The cap (20) is mounted on the base (10) so that it is rotatable between an unlocked position and a locked position. An indicator indicate the relative position of the cap (20) with respect to the base (10). The indicator is constituted by a notch (113) made in the base (10) and by an information wall (24) placed in the cap (20), the information wall (24) being located behind the notch regardless of the relative position of the cap. The information wall has an unlocked position mark (241) and a locked position mark (242), the first mark facing the notch when the cap is in the unlocked position and the second mark facing the notch when the cap is in the locked position.