Rotatable Collar Sprayhead with Audible Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sprayheads for fluid containers lack a robust and ergonomic mechanism to convert between operable and inoperable states, providing insufficient sensory feedback to the user, particularly for applications like cosmetic products on the human body.
Innovation Solution
A sprayhead design featuring a rotatable circular collar that interacts with holding features on the chassis and an over-cap, producing tactile and audible signals when rotated, allowing easy conversion between operable and inoperable states, ensuring robust operation and clear user feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotatable collar mechanism is added to enable conversion between operable and inoperable states, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the rotatable collar: it serves as both the operational interface for converting between states and as a structural element with holding features that interact with the chassis. This integration reduces the need for separate locking mechanisms while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar transitions between fixed rotational positions (locked and unlocked states), providing dynamic state conversion through simple rotational movement. This allows the device to switch between operable and inoperable states without complex control systems.
2Reliability
If multiple sensory indications (audible and tactile signals) are provided to indicate operational state, then the reliability of state detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the interaction between collar holding features and chassis holding features generates both tactile resistance and audible clicks during rotation. This provides immediate sensory confirmation to the user about the current operational state without requiring separate indication systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical interaction between the collar and chassis components automatically generates the sensory signals (tactile resistance and audible clicks) during the state conversion process itself. The system uses its own operational movement to provide the indication, eliminating the need for separate signaling mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the circular collar interacts with the over-cap to produce audible signals, then the ease of operation is improved through sensory feedback, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mechanical 'click' sounds as auditory feedback during collar rotation, similar to how color changes provide visual feedback. The audible signals indicate when the collar reaches specific rotational positions, providing intuitive operational guidance without requiring high-precision manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The interaction between the projection and non-rotating feature creates discrete audible signals at specific rotational positions. By designing the geometry of these interacting features, the system produces reliable auditory feedback through controlled mechanical contact, balancing manufacturability with user feedback quality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sprayhead (1) for use with an aerosol container (2), comprising a chassis (3) capable of firm attachment to said container (2); a rotatable circular collar (4) located largely around and in close proximity to the chassis (3); and a spray channel (8) and associated actuator button (39), said spray channel (8) being designed to pass through a central aperture (13) in the chassis and being connectable to the central valve stem of an aerosol container (2) with which the sprayhead (1) is designed to be used; the circular collar (4) being rotatable between a first position in which a holding feature (33D) of the collar (4) interacts with a holding feature (15D) of the chassis (3) and a second position; the sprayhead (1) being inoperable when the circular collar (4) is in its first position and operable when the circular collar (4) is in its second position; the holding features (33D) providing rotational resistance to movement between the first and second positions; the circular collar (4) further comprising a projection (33D) which interacts with a non-rotating feature (15D) to produce an audible signal when the circular collar (4) is rotated to and from its first position and to and from its second position.