Aerosol Sprayer Sliding Nozzle Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol spray devices with trigger actuation suffer from accidental and inadvertent actuation during shipment and use, leading to issues with aerosol fluid dripping on users' fingers and unwanted spray.
Innovation Solution
A sliding nozzle assembly with a locking mechanism that prevents actuation when retracted, featuring a pivotably attached trigger, a sliding nozzle body with flexible accordion-like structures, and interfitting latch arms for secure operation, ensuring the nozzle is locked during shipping and unlocked for use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a trigger mechanism is used for aerosol spray devices, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to accidental and inadvertent actuation during shipment and use
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle body is extended from the cap before the trigger can be actuated. This preliminary action of extending the nozzle body prevents the trigger mechanism from being accidentally activated during shipment and storage, as the extended position engages the latch arms with the latch receivers to lock the trigger in its inoperable state
Solution Approach 2:
The latch arms and latch receivers act as intermediary locking mechanisms between the trigger and the nozzle body. These intermediaries prevent direct actuation of the trigger when the nozzle body is retracted, providing an additional layer of protection against accidental activation while maintaining ease of operation when properly extended
2Device complexity
If the nozzle is retracted during shipping, then device complexity is reduced, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to aerosol fluid dripping on user's fingers
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle body is extended from the cap before the trigger can be actuated. This preliminary action of extending the nozzle body prevents the trigger mechanism from being accidentally activated during shipment and storage, as the extended position engages the latch arms with the latch receivers to lock the trigger in its inoperable state
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding nozzle body mechanism adds a longitudinal dimension to the device structure. By extending the nozzle body forward from the cap in the longitudinal direction, the spray outlet is positioned farther from the user's fingers, reducing the harmful effect of potential aerosol fluid contact while maintaining a compact form when retracted
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol sprayer may be connected to an aerosol container to form an aerosol delivery system. The aerosol sprayer includes a base secured to the container, a cap secured to the base, a pivoting trigger and a sliding nozzle body with an integrated nozzle/manifold which is slidably movable relative to the trigger between an extended operable position and a retracted, locked position. The nozzle includes flexible articulating wall structures adjacent to the manifold to accommodate movement of the nozzle body. The nozzle and trigger have interfitting locking structures to prevent actuation of the trigger when the nozzle is in the retracted locked position.