Spray Head Safety Mechanism with Removable Intermediary Body

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spray devices for defensive sprays, commonly used by law enforcement, can be inadvertently used against their users if taken away, posing safety risks due to the lack of a secure mechanism to prevent unauthorized activation.

Innovation Solution

A spray head design featuring a pivotable lever and a central body that must be in place to activate the nozzle, with a removable central body housed in a seat of the handle, and a securing element allowing it to be withdrawn or reinserted, effectively blocking the spray mechanism when removed from the user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the spray device is made portable and可穿戴 for law enforcement officers, then it improves operational convenience and response capability, but it creates safety risks when the device is taken away from the user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveportability and operational convenienceVSAvoidsafety control when device is removed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spray device is divided into separable components: the handle with nozzle assembly and the central body with locking mechanism. The central body can be removed from the handle, and when removed, it automatically engages the blocking elements to prevent nozzle actuation. This segmentation allows the device to maintain portability while incorporating a safety feature that activates when components are separated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The central body acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the handle and the nozzle actuation system. When the central body is present in the handle, it allows normal operation. When removed, it engages blocking elements that prevent the trigger mechanism from actuating the nozzle, thus mediating the safety control function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a simple suspension device is used for transporting the spray device, then it improves mobility and space efficiency, but it reduces the ability to secure the device against unauthorized use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobility and space efficiencyVSAvoidunauthorized activation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The safety mechanism is built into the device structure itself, performing the security function in advance. The blocking elements are pre-positioned within the handle, and the central body is designed to automatically engage them when removed. This preliminary arrangement ensures that security is automatically activated without requiring additional securing actions or devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the trigger mechanism is directly connected to the nozzle for simple operation, then it improves ease of use, but it allows unauthorized activation when the device is taken away

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrigger mechanism simplicityVSAvoidspray discharge against user
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The central body is extracted as a separate removable component from the handle. When removed, it takes with it the blocking function, leaving the handle in a state where the blocking elements are engaged and prevent nozzle actuation. This extraction allows the safety function to be physically separated and activated when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking elements are pre-positioned to oppose and prevent the actuation of the nozzle. When the central body is removed, these blocking elements automatically engage to counteract any attempt to activate the trigger mechanism, providing preliminary anti-action against unauthorized spray discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP3018443B1Spray head and spraying device comprising a spray head
Publication Date: 2017.04.19 KKS GESUNDHEITSPROD KOSMETISCH MEDIZINISCHE GERATE PRAPAR GES MBH
  • EP3018443B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3018443B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A spray head (10) for mounting on a container (1) containing a defense spray has a handle (4) that can be fixedly connected to the container (1), a nozzle (2) for dispensing the medium, which is mounted on a pressure-operated trigger mechanism, and a lever (3) for controlling the pressure-operated trigger mechanism, which is arranged at least partially above the nozzle (2) and pivotably attached to a fixed part of the handle (4).As a safety system for blocking the output of the defense spray, the lever (3) is pivotable between a first and a second extreme position, wherein the first extreme position represents a maximum distance from the nozzle (2) and the second extreme position represents a maximum proximity to the nozzle (2), wherein the lever (3) cannot come into contact with the nozzle (2) in the second extreme position; and a central body (5) is provided which is arranged between the nozzle (2) and the lever (3), wherein the central body (5) has dimensions such that it interacts with the nozzle (2) in such a way that the nozzle (2) is only actuated when the lever (3) is pushed away from the first extreme position towards the second extreme position.The central body (5) is housed in a seat (6) of the fixed part of the handle (4), from which it can be removed, and means are provided which are designed to allow the central body (5) to be pulled out of the seat (6).