Actuator Cap for Spray Device with Transverse Valve Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerosol container discharge devices are unwieldy, power-intensive, and not easily adaptable for standalone or hand-held use, with existing actuator mechanisms often requiring significant power to operate.
Innovation Solution
The overcap for a dispenser features a housing with a tilt-activated valve stem and a drive unit that includes a bi-metallic actuator, piezo-linear motor, or electro-responsive wire, which imparts transverse motion to the valve stem to open the container valve, allowing for efficient fluid discharge with reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional motor driven linkages are used to actuate the valve, then the valve can be opened to discharge fluid, but the device becomes unwieldy and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional motor driven linkages with a magnet actuator system that uses magnetic fields to directly actuate the valve stem. The magnet actuator includes a magnetically attractable member coupled to the valve stem, eliminating the need for complex mechanical transmission components like gears, linkages, and motors, thereby reducing both power consumption and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate mechanical components from the actuation system. By using direct magnetic attraction to move the valve stem, the design removes motors, gear trains, and complex linkages, keeping only the essential magnet actuator and valve stem components
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional actuator mechanisms are used, then fluid discharge can be achieved, but the device is not readily adaptable for standalone or hand-held use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spray device into modular components: a container, a valve assembly, and a magnet actuator. This segmentation allows the valve and actuator to be designed as a compact integrated unit that can function standalone or be easily attached to various container types, enhancing adaptability for different applications including hand-held use
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a motor to drive a linkage that moves the valve, the patent inverts the approach by using a magnet to directly attract and move the valve stem. This inverted mechanism is inherently more compact and adaptable, as it eliminates the need for complex mechanical arrangements that would be required for motor-driven systems
3Use of energy by moving object
If bi-metallic actuators or electro-responsive wires are used, then power consumption is reduced, but the mechanism requires transverse motion conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes electro-responsive materials (such as shape memory alloys or piezoelectric materials) that change their physical parameters (shape, length) in response to electrical stimuli. This allows direct actuation of the valve stem with minimal power consumption, as the material transformation occurs at the molecular level without requiring mechanical motion conversion mechanisms
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
This solution enables a compact, energy-efficient fluid discharge mechanism that can be used in both standalone and hand-held applications, with reduced power requirements and longer battery life, suitable for various fluid formulations.
Implementation Method 1
a bi-metallic actuator, which is adapted to impart transverse motion to the valve stem to open a valve of the container
Implementation Method 2
a piezo-linear motor, which is adapted to impart transverse motion to the valve stem to open a valve of the container
Implementation Method 3
an electro-responsive wire, which is adapted to impart transverse motion to the valve stem to open a valve of the container
Data Source
AI summary
An overcap for a dispenser includes a housing mountable on a container. The container includes a tilt-activated valve stem with a discharge end. The discharge end of the valve stem is adapted to be in fluid communication with a discharge orifice of the housing. A drive unit is disposed within the housing, wherein the drive unit includes a solenoid, a bi-metallic actuator, a piezo-linear motor, or an electro-responsive wire, which is adapted to impart transverse motion to the valve stem to open a valve of the container.