Spray Device Actuator Arm Position Indication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spraying devices for fragrances, deodorizing agents, and sanitizing fluids lack directional control, leading to inefficient material distribution and difficulties in replacing aerosol canisters due to unclear actuator arm positions, which can result in material wastage and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A spray device with an actuator arm incorporating position indication means, such as a projection that moves between activation and retracted positions, and position adjustment means, allowing users to clearly visualize the arm's position and adjust it, ensuring proper canister insertion and reducing contact pressure with the spray head.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the spray head is allowed to move freely during actuation, then the device structure is simple, but the spray direction is not well constrained causing material wastage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidspray material wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional components: a fixed positioning mechanism (location block and slot) that constrains the spray head, and a separate actuation mechanism (actuator arm) that applies force. This segmentation allows the positioning function to ensure precise spray direction while the actuation function remains simple, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and spray direction control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the actuator arm position is not indicated, then the device structure is simpler, but users cannot see if the canister can be inserted or may cause damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator mechanism complexityVSAvoidcanister insertion safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A position indication projection is added to the actuator arm that visually indicates the arm's position state. This simple visual indicator allows users to immediately understand whether the actuator arm is in a position that permits safe canister insertion or requires retraction, significantly improving reliability without adding complex mechanical or electronic indication systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Productivity

If the actuator arm contacts the spray head with high force, then the spray material is effectively ejected, but the spray head may twist sideways causing misdirection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespray ejection effectivenessVSAvoidspray direction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The location block and slot provide preliminary positioning and constraint of the spray head before the actuator arm applies ejection force. This preliminary action ensures the spray head is properly aligned and constrained in the correct position, so that when the actuator arm applies force to eject the spray material, the spray head cannot twist sideways, thus maintaining both effective ejection and precise directional control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8695849B2Spray device

Publication Date: 2014.04.15 RECKITT BENCKISER (UK) LTD

AI summary

A spray device comprises spray container receiving means and spray container actuation means (102, 126), wherein the spray container actuation means are adapted to periodically cause ejection of spray material from a spray container (116) by means of an actuator arm (102), wherein the actuator arm (102) incorporates position indication means (144).