Spray gun conversion adapter, spray gun and conversion method

Abstract

And the adapter (2) is used for converting a manually triggered paint spray gun into a paint spray gun capable of being automatically triggered. The manually triggered spray gun includes a gun body (180) having a nozzle through which liquid paint can be sprayed, a sealable air conduit for directing pressurized air toward the nozzle to atomize the paint, and a mating surface for sealing the air conduit. The adapter (2) comprises: connection means (200) for attaching the adapter (2) to the gun body (180); -an energy supply connector (210, 220) through which the adapter can receive mechanical or electrical energy; -a spool actuator (230) which can be automatically actuated with mechanical or electrical energy received through the energy supply connector (210, 220); -a spool (301) connected to the spool actuator (230) such that actuation of the spool actuator (230) moves the spool between a sealing position and an open position. After the adapter (2) is attached to the gun body (180), in the sealed position the spool (301) mates with the mating surface to prevent compressed air from entering the air conduit, and in the open position the spool mates with the mating surface to allow compressed air to enter the air conduit. The spool (301) comprises a sealing surface for sealingly contacting the mating surface of the air conduit when the spool is in the sealing position to prevent compressed air from entering the air conduit.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to paint spray guns and adapters and methods for converting a manually triggered paint spray gun into an automatically triggered paint spray gun.

[0002] Paint spray guns can generally be divided into two distinct categories: manual paint spray guns and automatic paint spray guns. Manually operated paint spray guns are typically used by trained human painters, while automatically operated paint spray guns are used in conjunction with some form of automation or robot. European patent application EP 1 243 341 A1 relates to an automatic spray gun for mounting on a robot, such as is used, for example, in the automotive industry to paint the chassis of motor vehicles.

[0003] These two types of spray guns sometimes share the same nozzle and air cap components, but differ in most other respects. For example, most manually operated paint spray guns have a trigger that allows a person to manually control the amount of paint sprayed. When the operator pulls the trigger, overcoming the force of a spring, a needle in the gun body retracts from the nozzle, allowing more paint to flow through the nozzle. In contrast, in automatically operated paint spray guns, such as those mounted on a robotic arm, the needle retracts pneumatically using pressurized air, for example, under computer control; no trigger is required.

[0004] As more and more auto repair shops switch from manual spray painting to automatic spray painting, some repair shops may wish to convert a manual spray gun (i.e., a manually triggered paint spray gun) into an automatic spray gun (i.e., a paint spray gun that can be automatically triggered) with a small amount of modification, for example, by mounting the manual spray gun on a robotic arm and by providing a device that retracts and advances the spray gun needle in some automated manner. Chinese utility model CN 215278017U relates to a multi-control device for a manual spray gun, specifically a multi-control device that can convert a manual spray gun into an automatic spray gun and can be synchronized. The utility model mentions a device that can convert a manual spray gun into an automatic spray gun and can synchronize multiple spray guns. A bidirectional cylinder is connected to the side of the back of the multi-gun bracket near the needle, and the piston rod of the bidirectional cylinder is fixedly connected to the needle toggle rod.

[0005] Precise control over the start and end of a spraying operation is desirable to save time, minimize paint waste (e.g., "overspray"), minimize pressurized air usage, reduce the risk of hazards, minimize noise, and / or minimize environmental contamination (e.g., contamination of the robot that positions and triggers the spray gun, contamination of the spray booth, etc.). To precisely control a spray gun converted from a manually triggered spray gun capable of automatic triggering, it is important to control not only the start and end of paint flow through the nozzle, but also the air flow used to atomize the paint as it leaves the nozzle. Advantageously, this "atomizing air" begins flowing as the first paint leaves the nozzle, or even slightly before. At least for cost reasons and to avoid noise and workpiece contamination, it is also desirable to stop the atomizing air flow when no paint leaves the nozzle. It may also be desirable to have a dedicated mechanism for controlling the atomizing air flow in a spray gun converted from a manually triggered spray gun capable of automatic triggering. In certain scenarios, it may be desirable to have an atomizing air control mechanism independent of the mechanism used to control needle position, and therefore independent of the paint flow, in a spray gun converted from a manually triggered spray gun capable of automatic triggering.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to provide an automatic atomizing air control mechanism for converting a manually triggered paint spray gun into a paint spray gun capable of automatic triggering.

[0007] The present disclosure seeks to meet some of these needs by providing, in a first aspect, an adapter for converting a manually triggered paint spray gun into an automatically triggered paint spray gun, wherein the manually triggered spray gun comprises a gun body including a nozzle through which liquid paint can be sprayed, a sealable air duct for directing pressurized air to the nozzle to atomize the paint, and a mating surface for sealing the air duct; the adapter comprising

[0008] - a connecting device for attaching the adapter to the gun body;

[0009] an energy supply connector, via which the adapter can receive mechanical or electrical energy;

[0010] a spool actuator capable of being automatically actuated by mechanical or electrical energy received via the energy supply connector;

[0011] a valve spool connected to a spool actuator such that actuating the spool actuator moves the spool between a sealing position and an open position,

[0012] wherein, after the adapter is attached to the gun body, the valve core engages the mating surface in the sealing position to prevent compressed air from entering the air conduit, and wherein the valve core engages the mating surface in the open position to allow compressed air to enter the air conduit,

[0013] The valve core includes a sealing surface, which is used to sealingly contact the matching surface of the air pipe when the valve core is in the sealing position to prevent compressed air from entering the air pipe.

[0014] When the automatically activated valve core actuator moves the valve core into its sealing position, the valve core is adapted to seal the atomizing air duct via its sealing surface. After the adapter is attached to the gun body, the sealing surface sealingly contacts a mating surface in the gun body to block the atomizing air flow. The adapter can thus control the atomizing air flow in an automatically triggerable spray gun. The automatically activated valve core actuator allows the valve core to be automatically moved into its sealing and open positions, enabling precise control of the start and end of the spraying operation.

[0015] To increase the degree of automation, it is desirable to avoid the manual step of a human operator pulling the trigger of the spray gun and thereby opening the atomizing air line to begin spraying. By using an adapter according to the present disclosure, this manual step can be automated by replacing the trigger with a valve core actuator mechanism that can be actuated under the control of a digital processor (e.g., a computer processor). In a spray gun system capable of automatic triggering, for example, the processor sends a digital signal that causes the solenoid valve to open, supplying mechanical energy (such as pressurized air) to the adapter and then to the valve core actuator. The valve core actuator then moves the valve core to its open position, thereby starting the flow of atomizing air, and the spray gun starts spraying synchronously or after activating the paint flow separately. When spraying should be stopped, the processor sends another digital signal that causes the solenoid valve to close and interrupt the flow of energy to the adapter and then to the valve core actuator, causing a spring to push the valve core into its sealed position and thereby stop the atomizing air flow. The paint flow can be stopped by the same signal or via a separate mechanism.

[0016] Under processor control, the atomizing air flow can be controlled with greater precision and at a greater speed than a human operator. This can help speed up the paint spraying process, for example when the spray gun is mounted on a robot that can position the spray gun faster than a human operator.

[0017] The adapter of the present patent application is advantageous in that it allows the gun body and other components of a compatible manually triggered spray gun to be used for both manual and automatic operation. This makes the spray gun more versatile. Furthermore, a vehicle paint shop would no longer need to own and operate two types of spray guns (a manual spray gun and an automatic spray gun), but would only need a manual type spray gun that can be converted to an automatic spray gun by removing specific components and inserting the adapter, and the automatic spray gun can be converted back to a manual spray gun by removing the adapter and reinstalling the specific components.

[0018] Generally speaking, each spray gun requires the user to adjust a series of valves to set the appropriate air pressure, shaping air balance, and paint flow rate for a specific spray job. These settings are often referred to as "gun settings." Each spray gun model typically has different optimal settings for the spray job. When an operator changes from a manual spray gun to an automatic spray gun, which are often of different types and models, it is necessary to find the optimal settings for the automatic spray gun that produce similar spray results for similar jobs. An inherent benefit of using the same spray gun model for both manual and automatic use is that the optimal gun settings determined in manual use can continue to be used in automatic use.

[0019] As used herein, "paint" refers to a coating material that can be applied to a surface using a spray gun system. Such coating materials include, but are not limited to, conventional paints, primers, lacquers, varnishes, varnishes, and similar paint-like materials, as well as other materials that can be applied in an atomized form, such as adhesives, sealants, fillers, putties, powder coatings, blasting powders, abrasive suspensions, release agents, and foundry dressings.

[0020] As used herein, the terms "liquid" and "liquid paint" include a liquid or liquid paint as defined above in which solid particles such as pigments or powders or granules are suspended.

[0021] As used herein, the axial direction of a spray gun is the direction along the spray axis of the spray gun. Typically, the axial direction also refers to the length of the spray gun's needle. Most needles are generally cylindrical in shape between their respective tips and feet and are therefore axially symmetrical about the needle axis. In cases where the needle is axially symmetrical, the axial direction also refers to the direction of the needle axis.

[0022] The axial direction of the gun body of a manually triggered spray gun or a spray gun capable of automatic triggering is the direction along the spray axis of the gun body and the direction parallel to the spray axis. The spray axis of the gun body is defined by the center of the nozzle and the direction of the atomized paint jet leaving the nozzle when the spray gun is used.

[0023] In certain embodiments, the valve core is connected to a valve core actuator such that actuating the valve core actuator causes the valve core to move linearly along an actuation direction between a sealing position and an open position. Linear movement facilitates more precise control of the position of the valve core because the position only needs to be controlled in one spatial dimension.

[0024] Therefore, the linear movement direction of the valve core is also referred to herein as the "actuation direction." The adapter can be attached to the gun body such that the actuation direction is the axial direction of the gun body. The valve core can have an elongated shape, with its length defining the valve core length direction. When the valve core moves along its length, the actuation direction is also the valve core length direction. After attaching the adapter to the gun body, the valve core length direction and the actuation direction can be the axial direction of the gun body.

[0025] As commonly understood in the art, a valve core (including the valve core of this adapter) is a valve component that moves into and out of the valve seat. This type of valve is often called a poppet valve or mushroom valve. The valve core of this adapter is used to open or close (seal) the atomizing air line of the gun body. The valve core mates with a mating surface in the gun body. This mating surface forms the valve seat of the valve or a portion of the valve seat.

[0026] In certain embodiments of the present adapter, the sealing surface has a frustoconical exterior shape. Thus, the sealing surface can be frustoconical or include a frustoconical portion. In valves, a frustoconical sealing surface is advantageous because it provides a well-defined abutment for the valve plug and is easier to manufacture. Furthermore, in certain arrangements, the pressure differential pushes the valve plug deeper into its sealing position, thereby improving the sealing effect.

[0027] In other embodiments, the sealing surface is hemispherical or includes a hemispherical portion. The hemispherical portion can advantageously mate with a frustoconical mating surface because only a small portion of the sealing surface contacts the mating surface. This can help concentrate the sealing force in a small area, thereby increasing the sealing pressure. This can also help reduce the likelihood of debris (dirt, dried paint, congealed oil, etc.) becoming lodged between the sealing surface and the mating surface and creating a leak path for atomized air.

[0028] The sealing surface of the frustoconical shape or the sealing surface of the non-frustoconical shape can be the circumferential surface of the valve core. In the case where the valve core is axially symmetrical about the valve core axis, the sealing surface can be a circumferential surface extending a full 360 degrees around the valve core axis, or the sealing surface can be a circumferential surface extending a portion of the 360 degrees around the valve core axis.

[0029] However, the shape of the sealing surface is not particularly limited. The sealing surface may be, for example, a radial surface of the valve core.

[0030] In certain embodiments, the valve core includes a portion comprising an elastomeric material, also referred to herein as the "elastomeric portion." The sealing surface can be the surface of the elastomeric portion. When the sealing surface sealingly contacts the mating surface, the mechanical properties of the elastomeric portion facilitate deformation of the portion and the sealing surface. Thus, the sealing surface can conform to any irregularities on the mating surface, helping to prevent air leakage.

[0031] Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "manually triggered spray gun," "manual spray gun," and "manually operated spray gun" are used interchangeably in this disclosure. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "automatically triggerable spray gun," "automatic spray gun," and "automatically operated spray gun" are used interchangeably in this disclosure.

[0032] The present disclosure relates to automatic and manual spray guns for spraying liquid paint.Thus, the term "spray gun" refers only to liquid paint spray guns, and unless otherwise indicated, these terms are used as synonyms in this article.

[0033] A manual trigger paint spray gun as referred to herein is a paint spray gun that includes a trigger configured to be mechanically actuated by a human hand, such as by pulling and releasing the trigger. The manual trigger spray gun includes a needle disposed in the gun body that is movable along its length so that the needle tip moves in a direction toward or away from a nozzle at the front of the spray gun.

[0034] Pulling the trigger also opens the atomizing air valve in the gun body, thereby causing pressurized air to flow through the atomizing air opening into the air duct and toward the nozzle to atomize the liquid paint exiting the nozzle. Manually actuating the trigger in one direction (e.g., manually pulling the trigger) causes the atomizing air valve to open the atomizing air opening air duct and causes the needle tip to move away from or retract the nozzle, thereby expanding the opening portion of the nozzle opening cross-section. As the trigger is further actuated, more atomizing air flows, and more paint is ejected through the expanded nozzle opening. Similarly, manually actuating the trigger in the opposite direction (e.g., manually releasing the trigger) causes the atomizing air valve to close the atomizing air opening and air duct and causes the needle tip to move or advance toward the nozzle, thereby reducing the opening portion of the nozzle opening cross-section, causing less atomizing air to flow and less paint to be ejected through the expanded nozzle.

[0035] For example, a manually triggered spray gun is known from the international patent application published as WO 2018 / 104870 A1.

[0036] In contrast to manually triggered spray guns, automatically triggered spray guns can be triggered by a technical system. In other words, the process of spraying liquid paint through the nozzle of the automatically triggered spray gun and the flow of atomizing air to the nozzle can be started and stopped by the technical system. After converting the manually triggered spray gun into an automatically triggered spray gun by attaching the adapter according to the present disclosure, the valve core actuator is automatically actuated to achieve the sealing position and the open position of the valve core (the valve core position determines the flow of atomizing air to the nozzle).

[0037] Automatic actuation of a spool actuator refers to actuation under the control of an automated technical system rather than under direct human control (i.e., direct manual or physical human control). The automated technical system used to control actuation can be, for example, a computer, a digital processor, or an electrical or electronic circuit. A trigger for manually triggering a spray gun, such as that found on manually triggered spray guns, is not considered an automated technical system.

[0038] Due to automatic actuation, the valve core can be moved to its sealed position or its open position, thereby sealing or opening the air duct under the control of the automated technical system, thereby enabling or stopping the flow of atomizing air without the need for human intervention. A previously manually triggered spray gun, after being connected to the adapter, becomes an automatically triggered spray gun. This spray gun can now be used in automated spraying systems, such as spray robots, in which a computer constantly coordinates the movement, posture, and / or position of the support member (e.g., a robotic arm) supporting the spray gun with the position of the valve core in the spray gun and the amount of atomizing air flow. The needle position of an automatically triggered spray gun (and the paint spray rate affected by this position) can also be automatically controlled and coordinated with the movement, posture, and / or position of the robotic arm supporting the spray gun.

[0039] As used herein, the term "robot" refers to all kinds of industrial machines that can automatically perform a series of complex actions, especially those that can be programmed by a computer. Existing paint spraying robots, such as those provided by Germany's Dürr (durr.com), can rarely be converted to, for example, operate a previous manually triggered spray gun. However, many multi-purpose industrial robots, such as those from Kuka (kuka.com), Fanuc (fanuc.eu), Yaskawa (yaskawa.com), ABB Robotics (ABB Robotics) (new.abb.com) or Mitsubishi Electric (Mitsubishielectric.com), can generally be used to support the paint spray guns described herein that can be automatically triggered.

[0040] A manually triggered spray gun includes at least one gun body, which includes at least one nozzle, a sealable air duct for directing atomizing air, and a mating surface for sealing the air duct. The nozzle may be included in a nozzle assembly, which may also include a paint inlet portion through which liquid paint can be supplied to the nozzle via the nozzle assembly. The paint inlet portion may include a liquid connector for connecting the nozzle assembly to an external paint reservoir, such as, for example, a remote paint can via a paint hose, or to a paint cup mounted directly on the nozzle assembly. The paint inlet portion may include a liquid connector for directly connecting the nozzle assembly to a paint cup, which is directly connected to the liquid inlet portion of the nozzle assembly. A direct connection refers to a connection without an intermediate pipe or hose. If the mechanical connection between the paint cup nozzle and the liquid connector allows paint to flow from the paint cup through the nozzle pipe into the paint inlet portion and then further through the rest of the nozzle assembly to the nozzle, such a mechanical connection is considered a direct connection because it does not involve an intermediate pipe or hose. A connection in which a portion of the paint cup contacts a portion of the liquid connector is generally considered a direct connection.

[0041] Therefore, in certain embodiments of a paint spray gun capable of automatic triggering that is converted from a manually triggered spray gun by attaching an adapter according to the present disclosure, the gun body further includes a nozzle assembly including a nozzle, wherein the nozzle assembly further includes a liquid inlet portion through which liquid paint can be supplied to the nozzle, wherein the liquid inlet portion includes an inlet connector for directly connecting a paint cup to the liquid inlet portion, and optionally, wherein the paint spray gun capable of automatic triggering further includes a paint cup for containing liquid paint, the paint cup being directly connected to the liquid inlet portion via the inlet connector.

[0042] In scenarios where a variety of different paint types are being sprayed, and only small quantities of each paint are being applied, it can be advantageous to equip a spray gun with an automatic trigger that connects directly to a paint cup. This makes switching from one paint cup to another much quicker than disconnecting the spray gun from one remote paint cup and connecting it to another. Furthermore, changing paint cups can be less labor-intensive and require less cleaning solvent than cleaning a connector or hose to a remote paint reservoir. Automatically triggering a spray gun with a paint inlet for direct connection to a paint cup can thus reduce costs and minimize waste.

[0043] The gun body may further comprise a gun handle portion. Before conversion, the gun handle portion may facilitate a human operator to manipulate the spray gun by hand, for example, through its ergonomic shape.

[0044] Like most spray guns, the gun body includes compressed air passages for directing external pressurized air into the gun body. Some of this compressed air is directed into an air duct that directs atomizing air to the nozzle to atomize the liquid paint leaving the nozzle.

[0045] Whether or not the handle portion is present, the gun body may also include an air cap. The air cap is operable to direct atomizing air toward the liquid paint stream exiting the nozzle. If a nozzle assembly is present, the air cap may be attached to the nozzle assembly. The air cap may include one or more shaped air outlets for directing pressurized air toward the liquid paint stream as the liquid paint is discharged from the nozzle to assist in atomizing the liquid paint and shaping the liquid paint jet into a desired spray pattern suitable for a given application. The air cap may include one or more air horns, each of which includes one or more shaped air outlets.

[0046] In some embodiments, the gun body of the manual trigger spray gun is formed by a nozzle assembly, which includes a liquid paint inlet portion and a nozzle. In other embodiments, the gun body of the manual trigger spray gun includes a nozzle assembly, which includes a liquid paint inlet portion, a nozzle, and a handle portion having a gun handle portion.

[0047] Before being converted into an automatically triggered paint spray gun, a manually triggered paint spray gun may include a needle for controlling the amount of liquid paint sprayed. The needle may be at least partially disposed within the body of the manually triggered paint spray gun. The needle may be retractable from the nozzle of the spray gun to allow more liquid paint to be sprayed through the nozzle. The needle may also be advanceable toward the nozzle to allow less liquid paint to be sprayed through the nozzle.

[0048] As used herein, the term "needle" refers to a long, thin, straight, rigid element comprising a needle tip at one end and a needle foot at the other end. During use, the needle tip is positioned adjacent to the nozzle and is appropriately shaped to block the nozzle when the needle is fully advanced toward the nozzle and to gradually open the nozzle further as the needle is gradually retracted from the nozzle. The elongated shape of the needle defines a needle axis, or a needle axis synonymous therewith. As used herein, the needle axis is a line passing through the needle tip and extending along the length of the needle. The needle may be axially symmetrical about its needle axis.

[0049] The pin is included in the needle at the end portion of the needle opposite the needle tip. In certain embodiments, the pin has a cylindrical shape. The axis of the cylinder is the axis of the needle. The cylindrical pin includes an end face, i.e., a surface of the pin, whose surface normal is oriented parallel to the needle axis. The pin may have other shapes, such as, for example, a hemispherical shape or a concave shape.

[0050] In certain embodiments, the pin may have a nail head shape. When the pin is in the shape of a nail head, its radial extension is greater than the radial extension of the needle. When the needle is in the shape of a cylinder, the diameter of the pin is greater than the diameter of the needle.

[0051] Before being converted into a paint spray gun capable of automatic triggering, the manually triggered paint spray gun includes a nozzle similar to the nozzle described in WO 2018 / 104870 A1. As used herein, the term "nozzle" refers to an opening in the front surface of the paint spray gun through which liquid paint is discharged.

[0052] The nozzle of an automatic or manually triggered paint spray gun can be gradually opened and closed by positioning a needle relative to the nozzle. When the needle is advanced toward the nozzle, the needle tip partially or completely blocks the nozzle, thereby causing less or no paint to be ejected. When the needle is retracted from the nozzle, the needle tip less or not blocks the nozzle, thereby allowing more paint to be ejected through the nozzle.

[0053] In order to attach the adapter to the spray gun body, the adapter comprises connecting means.

[0054] The connection means may be or include, for example, threads. The threads may, for example, interact with compatible threads or a compatible bolt on the spray gun body, or with a separate bolt or threaded pin used to attach the adapter to the gun body. This may facilitate a particularly secure attachment of the adapter and the spray gun body, thereby helping to maintain a fixed spatial relationship between them.

[0055] The connection means may be or include, for example, a press fit or an interference fit. Such a press fit or interference fit may be provided on an insertion portion of the adapter, where the insertion portion may be a portion of the adapter designed to be inserted into the gun body, for example, in an axial direction. The press fit or interference fit may interact with a compatible receiving counterpart on the gun body to securely attach the adapter to the gun body.

[0056] The connecting means may be or may include other suitable means for attaching the adapter to the gun body, such as a clamp, latch, screw, pin, bayonet, a cap nut, coupling ring, or any other suitable element.

[0057] The energy supply connector of the adapter according to the present invention facilitates the supply of external energy to the adapter and the spray gun body. Specifically, the energy supply connector facilitates the supply of external energy, by which the valve core actuator can move the valve core between the sealing position and the open position.

[0058] In certain embodiments, the energy supply connector is a pressurized air connector. The supply of pressurized air or another pressurized gas is a supply of mechanical energy. Pressurized air can, for example, be used in combination with a piston to move a valve core. Pressurized air can automatically actuate a valve core actuator to move the valve core. Automatic actuation can, for example, be achieved by regulating the pressure of the pressurized air under the control of a computer. Automatic actuation can also be achieved by opening or closing the pressure of the pressurized air under the control of a computer, for example, via a computer-controlled solenoid valve.

[0059] Thus, in certain embodiments of the adapter, the valve core actuator includes a piston connected to the valve core and movable relative to the energy supply connector using mechanical or electrical energy received through the energy supply connector, such that movement of the piston moves the valve core between a sealed position and an open position. Mechanisms including the piston are readily available and of moderate cost.

[0060] As used herein, the term "piston" is not limited to an element that can slide back and forth within a cylindrical chamber. Rather, it refers to any element that moves linearly using energy received through an energy supply connector. An element that moves linearly in a solenoid, thereby moving a valve spool, or an element that moves linearly using mechanical gears driven by an electric motor are just two examples of pistons.

[0061] In certain other embodiments, the energy supply connector is an electrical connector. It facilitates the external supply of electrical energy to the adapter described herein. The supply of electricity, voltage, or current is the supply of electrical energy to the adapter. Electric energy can, for example, be used in conjunction with a motor, pump, or solenoid included in the adapter to move the valve core to a sealed position or an open position. Electricity can automatically actuate the valve core actuator to move the valve core. Automatic actuation can, for example, be achieved by running an electric motor for a specific time under the control of a computer, wherein the motor is connected to the valve core. Automatic actuation can also be achieved, for example, by turning power on or off under the control of a computer, such as via a computer-controlled relay or a computer-controlled switch to move the relay into different positions. Automatic actuation can also be achieved, for example, by increasing or decreasing the voltage or current used to drive a pump under the control of a computer or under the control of an analog electronic or electrical circuit, wherein the pump generates a pressure difference that causes the valve core to move. Automatic actuation can also be achieved, for example, by increasing or decreasing the voltage or current used to drive an electromagnet or solenoid under the control of a computer or under the control of an analog electronic or electrical circuit, wherein the solenoid moves the valve core.

[0062] Actuation under the control of a technical system may, for example, refer to the supply of mechanical or electrical energy under the control of a technical system. In certain embodiments, the technical system may connect or disconnect the external power supplied via the energy supply connector, and the presence or absence of this power causes the valve core to move to a sealed position or an open position. In other embodiments, the technical system may increase or decrease the voltage or current of the external power supplied via the energy supply connector, and the increase or decrease in the voltage or current of this power causes the valve core to move. In other embodiments, the technical system may increase or decrease the pressure of the externally supplied pressurized air supplied via the energy supply connector, and the increase or decrease in the pressure of the pressurized air causes the valve core to move. In other embodiments, the technical system may open or close the pressure of the externally supplied pressurized air supplied via the energy supply connector, and the presence or absence of the pressure of the pressurized air causes the valve core to move.

[0063] Alternatively, actuation under the control of a technical system may, for example, refer to a continuous supply of mechanical or electrical energy, wherein the use of energy to move the valve core in the adapter is under the control of the technical system. In certain embodiments, the technical system may cause a switch in the adapter to connect the motor or pump or solenoid to electricity that is continuously supplied from the outside via an energy supply connector, and this electricity causes the valve core to move. The technical system is capable of adjusting the connection of the motor, pump or solenoid to the electricity in a suitable manner so that, for example, the entire external supply voltage or current is provided to the motor, pump or solenoid, which causes the valve core to move to an open position or a sealed position. Alternatively, the technical system is capable of adjusting the connection of the motor, pump or solenoid to the electricity in a suitable manner so that, for example, only a portion of the external supply voltage or current is provided to the motor, pump or solenoid, which causes the valve core to advance or retract only to a certain extent, corresponding to an incomplete partial sealing of the air duct. Alternatively, the technical system can, for example, adjust the connection of the motor, pump or solenoid to the electricity in a suitable manner so that, for example, the external supply voltage or current is only provided to the motor, pump or solenoid at intervals of a certain length and frequency, which can gradually move the valve core.

[0064] The technical system may be included in a control system for a robot or automated spray painting system. The technical system may be controlled by a robotic control system used to control the robot or automated spray painting system. The technical system may be disposed within an adapter according to the present disclosure. Alternatively, the technical system may be disposed externally and / or remotely from the adapter.

[0065] The valve core actuator of the adapter according to the present disclosure utilizes energy supplied via an energy supply connector to move a valve core attached to the valve core actuator. The valve core actuator is automatically actuated, and its actuation causes the valve core to move between its sealing position and its open position. Thus, the valve core actuator is operable to move the valve core to the sealing position and / or to move the valve core to the open position. The valve core actuator is operable to move the valve core between the sealing position and the open position.

[0066] In certain embodiments, the valve core actuator can be automatically actuated using mechanical or electrical energy received through the energy supply connector to move the valve core to the sealing position and tension the elastic element (e.g., a spring). For example, when no energy is supplied through the energy supply connector, the tensioned elastic element can be operated to move the valve core from the sealing position to the open position.

[0067] In certain embodiments, the valve core actuator can be automatically actuated using mechanical or electrical energy received through the energy supply connector to move the valve core to the open position and tension the elastic element (e.g., a spring). For example, when no energy is supplied through the energy supply connector, the tensioned elastic element can be operated to move the valve core from the open position to the sealed position.

[0068] In certain embodiments, the valve core actuator is operable to be automatically actuated using mechanical or electrical energy received through the energy supply connector to linearly move the valve core along an actuation direction between the sealing position and the open position.

[0069] In certain embodiments, the valve core actuator is a pneumatic valve core actuator in which mechanical energy in the form of pressurized air supplied to the valve core actuator via an energy supply connector is used to move the valve core. Movement of the valve core actuator causes the valve core to move, thereby closing (sealing) or opening an air conduit through which pressurized air is directed to the nozzle to atomize the paint.

[0070] In certain embodiments, the valve core actuator is an electric valve core actuator, wherein electrical energy in the form of voltage and / or current supplied to the valve core actuator via an energy supply connector is used to move the valve core between the sealed position and the open position. The valve core actuator may, for example, include an electromagnet that moves to a specific position when energized and, when de-energized, typically moves back to its original position, typically against a spring load. Movement of the electromagnet is converted into actuation of the valve core actuator, which in turn causes the valve core to move.

[0071] The valve core actuator may, for example, comprise an electric pump. The electric pump generates a specific pressure differential in a gas or liquid. When the pump is powered, the pressure differential moves a piston or another movable element to a specific position. When the pump is powered off, the element returns to its original position, for example, against a spring load. The pressure differential generated by the pump is thus converted into movement of the movable element, which in turn is converted into movement of the valve core actuator, and thus into movement of the valve core.

[0072] In addition to these examples, any other known mechanism may be used to convert movement of a piston or another movable element driven by mechanical or electrical energy supplied through the energy supply connector into actuation of the spool actuator and movement of the spool.

[0073] In both the manual and automatic trigger spray guns described herein, a stream of pressurized air exits the nozzle assembly near the nozzle and atomizes the liquid paint exiting the nozzle. This "atomizing air" stream produces a stream of small paint droplets. To achieve a well-defined start to the spraying operation, it is desirable to begin the flow of atomizing air before the paint begins to flow. This sequence is often referred to as "first air." In a manual trigger spray gun, first air can be achieved by pulling the trigger a short distance, which causes the atomizing air to flow without any paint flowing. Further trigger pulls retract the needle from the nozzle, thereby also causing paint to flow. Further trigger pulls open the nozzle, thereby increasing the paint flow rate.

[0074] In a spray gun capable of automatic triggering that has been upgraded from a manually triggered spray gun by attaching an adapter according to the present disclosure, the first air flow can be achieved by coordinating the movement of the valve core out of its sealing position and toward its open position with the retraction of the needle from the nozzle and the associated start of paint flow. This coordination is advantageously performed so that the valve core moves out of its sealing position before the needle begins to retract from the nozzle, thereby allowing some atomizing air to flow through the air duct to the nozzle.

[0075] The needle may have its own independent needle actuator. Alternatively, the needle may be mechanically connected to the valve core so that movement of the valve core moves the needle relative to the nozzle. The connection between the valve core and the needle can help avoid the need for a separate mechanism for advancing or retracting the needle independently of the valve core.

[0076] Thus, in certain embodiments, an adapter according to the present disclosure further comprises a needle adapted to be disposed in the gun body such that the tip of the needle is disposed adjacent the nozzle such that, in use, retracting the needle from the nozzle causes more paint to be ejected through the nozzle, and advancing the needle toward the nozzle causes less paint to be ejected through the nozzle, wherein the needle is mechanically coupled to the valve core such that movement of the valve core between an open position and a sealed position causes movement of the needle.

[0077] Once the adapter is properly connected to the gun body, movement of the valve core from its sealed position to its open position causes the needle to move away from the nozzle. This opens the nozzle, and paint can flow through the nozzle. Similarly, movement of the valve core from its open position to its sealed position causes the needle to move toward the nozzle, causing the tip of the needle to block the nozzle opening. This closes the nozzle and prevents paint from flowing through the nozzle.

[0078] The needle-to-spool connection can be designed so that the pin is attached to the valve plug, either directly or via an intermediate component. The sealing surface can be arranged concentrically around the contact pin or a portion of the intermediate component. The needle diameter is then selected so that a sufficient amount of air can flow between the sealing surface and the mating surface into the air duct.

[0079] It is often desirable that the initial, small retraction of the valve core, caused by the valve core actuator, only allow the flow of atomizing air, but not (yet) the flow of paint. Only further retraction of the valve core allows both atomizing air and paint to flow. This mechanism is known as "first air." The presence of a spring in the valve core facilitates a simple and reliable "first air" mechanism: if the adapter includes a needle connected to the valve core as described above, the valve core can include a spring that applies an axial force to the needle, maintaining its forward position relative to the valve core (i.e., once the adapter is connected to the gun body, the needle rests against the nozzle). The needle tip thereby blocks the nozzle, while the valve core retracts a short distance from its sealed position. This slight retraction of the valve core partially opens the atomizing air duct in the gun body, allowing atomizing air to flow while paint remains blocked. Further retraction of the valve core then causes the needle to retract from the nozzle, opening the nozzle and allowing paint to flow through it.

[0080] Therefore, in certain embodiments, the adapter further comprises a resilient spring, wherein the needle is elongated to define a needle length direction, wherein the spring is disposed between a support portion of the valve core and a portion of the needle to facilitate spring-loaded movement of the needle relative to the valve core along the needle length direction.

[0081] In certain embodiments, an adapter according to the present disclosure includes an elongated insert portion configured to be inserted along its length into the body of a manually triggered paint spray gun. In certain embodiments, the adapter includes a cylindrical insert portion configured to be inserted into the body of a manually triggered paint spray gun along an axis of symmetry of the cylindrical insert portion. In other embodiments, the adapter includes a non-circular cross-sectional insert portion configured to be inserted into the body of a manually triggered paint spray gun along an axis of symmetry of the cylindrical insert portion.

[0082] Generally speaking, the gun body can include an adapter receptacle having a cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the insert portion. The corresponding cross-sections can facilitate a tight fit between the insert portion and the adapter receptacle, thereby improving spatial adjustment between the adapter and the gun body. If the adapter includes an insert portion with a non-circular cross-section, and if the gun body includes an adapter receptacle with a corresponding non-circular cross-section, the non-circular cross-section can help prevent the adapter from rotating relative to the gun body, thereby facilitating a more secure attachment of the adapter to the gun body.

[0083] The presence of an insert portion in the adapter is generally advantageous because a portion of the adapter inserted into the gun body can facilitate a more secure attachment of the adapter to the gun body. The insert portion can also facilitate a more direct or shorter connection of the valve core actuator to the valve core, which is advantageously located inside the gun body.

[0084] Generally speaking, the insertion direction of the adapter can be the length direction of the elongated insertion portion, or the symmetry axis of the cylindrical insertion portion of the adapter.

[0085] The gun body of a manually triggered paint spray gun may include an adapter receptacle for receiving an insert portion of an adapter. To form the adapter receptacle, certain components of the manually triggered spray gun may have been removed, such as, for example, a needle adjustment spring, a needle adjustment mechanism, a needle, or a trigger. The adapter receptacle may have an elongated shape. The length of the elongated adapter receptacle may define a receptacle length direction. The adapter receptacle may have a cylindrical shape. The axis of symmetry of the cylindrical adapter receptacle may define a receptacle length direction. The receptacle length direction may be parallel to or collinear with the axial direction of the spray gun body.

[0086] The adapter according to the present disclosure can be used to convert a manually triggered spray gun into a spray gun capable of automatic triggering. Therefore, the present disclosure also provides a paint spray gun capable of automatic triggering, the paint spray gun capable of automatic triggering comprising

[0087] a gun body comprising a nozzle through which liquid paint can be ejected, a sealable air duct for directing pressurized air to the nozzle to atomize the paint, and a mating surface for sealing the air duct,

[0088] - An adapter as described herein, which is attached to the gun body using a connecting device so that the sealing surface of the valve core cooperates with the mating surface in the sealing position to prevent compressed air from entering the air line, and so that the sealing surface cooperates with the mating surface in the open position to allow compressed air to enter the air line.

[0089] As previously described, such automatically triggered spray guns can provide more precise control over the start and end of the spraying operation and can thereby save time, minimize waste of paint, minimize the use of pressurized air, reduce the risk of hazards, minimize noise and / or minimize environmental contamination (e.g., contamination of the robot that positions and triggers the spray gun, contamination of the spray booth, etc.).

[0090] Where the valve plug's sealing surface is frustoconical or has a frustoconical portion, the seal will be improved if the gun body's mating surface has a corresponding shape. A corresponding shape, where the mating surface shape is the inverse of the sealing surface shape, generally improves the quality of the seal and may help distribute the forces on the seal more evenly.

[0091] Thus, in certain embodiments of an automatically triggerable spray gun according to the present disclosure, the sealing surface is frustoconical or includes a frustoconical portion, and the mating surface has a corresponding frustoconical portion for sealingly contacting the sealing surface to prevent compressed air from entering the air line when the valve core is in the sealing position.

[0092] In other embodiments, the sealing surface is hemispherical or includes a hemispherical portion, and the mating surface has a corresponding hemispherical portion for sealingly contacting the sealing surface to prevent compressed air from entering the air duct when the valve plug is in the sealing position.

[0093] Improved sealing of the atomizing air duct can be achieved if the sealing surface and the mating surface are not of corresponding shapes, but rather have different shapes. In certain preferred embodiments, the sealing surface is hemispherical or includes a hemispherical portion, and the mating surface includes a frustoconical portion for sealingly contacting the sealing surface to prevent compressed air from entering the air duct when the valve core is in the sealing position. This can help reduce the likelihood of debris (dirt, dried paint, condensed oil, etc.) becoming lodged between the sealing surface and the mating surface and creating a leak path for atomizing air.

[0094] If the valve core moves parallel to the spray axis (ie, in the front-to-back direction of the spray gun), the automatically triggerable spray gun can achieve better lateral balance, smaller size, and have a slimmer lateral profile after conversion by attaching the adapter of the present disclosure.

[0095] Thus, in certain embodiments of a spray gun capable of automatic triggering, the spray gun is capable of ejecting an atomized paint jet along a spray axis, the valve core is connected to the valve core actuator such that actuating the valve core actuator causes the valve core to move linearly along an actuation direction between a sealing position and an open position, and wherein the adapter is arranged such that the actuation direction is parallel to the spray axis.

[0096] Preferably, after the conversion, the valve core is arranged in the gun body with the longitudinal axis of the valve core being colinear with the spray axis. This provides a more axially symmetrical spray gun design and thereby makes it possible to shorten the path of the compressed air.

[0097] In certain embodiments of the converted automatically triggerable spray gun, the spool is rotationally symmetric about a spool axis, wherein the spool axis is parallel to the actuation direction, and wherein the spool axis is co-linear with the spray axis.

[0098] When the present disclosure refers to an arrangement "behind the needle," the arrangement is considered to be below the needle foot, considering that the needle tip is above the needle foot. When the present disclosure refers to an arrangement "backward from the needle foot," the arrangement is considered to be in front of the needle foot, and backward is the direction opposite to the forward direction.

[0099] Positioning the spool actuator behind the needle can be advantageous, as this arrangement can help save lateral space and minimize the lateral profile of an automatically triggered spray gun. In cases where the spool actuator moves both the spool and the needle, this arrangement also allows for coaxial movement of the spool and needle. This coaxial force transmission allows for a simpler mechanical design.

[0100] Thus, in certain embodiments, an automatically triggered paint spray gun that is upgraded from a manually triggered spray gun by attaching an adapter according to the present disclosure further includes a needle, wherein the needle is elongated to define a needle length direction, wherein the needle extends rearwardly along the needle length direction from a tip to a pin foot, wherein the needle is arranged in the gun body such that the needle tip is arranged beside the nozzle, such that, in use, retracting the needle from the nozzle causes more paint to be ejected through the nozzle, and advancing the needle toward the nozzle causes less paint to be ejected through the nozzle, and wherein the valve core actuator is arranged rearwardly from the pin foot along the needle length direction.

[0101] A manually triggered paint spray gun can be converted to an automatically triggered paint spray gun by a method that may involve, among other steps, removing an existing atomizing air valve that was previously moved by manually actuating a trigger, replacing it with the automatically triggered valve cartridge of the adapter of the present disclosure, and attaching the adapter to the gun body such that the valve cartridge allows compressed air to enter the air line when in its open position and blocks compressed air from entering the air line when in its sealed position.

[0102] The method may further include removing the discarded manual trigger.

[0103] Therefore, the present disclosure also provides a method for converting a manually triggered paint spray gun into a paint spray gun capable of automatic triggering, the method comprising

[0104] -Provide a manual trigger paint spray gun, which includes

[0105] a) a gun body including a nozzle through which liquid paint can be ejected, a sealable air conduit for directing pressurized air to the nozzle to atomize the paint, a mating surface for sealing the air conduit, and an atomizing air valve for cooperating with the mating surface to open or seal the air conduit;

[0106] b) a trigger mechanically connected to the atomizing air valve such that when the trigger is manually pulled, the atomizing air valve opens the air duct,

[0107] - providing an adapter as described herein;

[0108] -Remove the atomizing air valve;

[0109] - Attaching the adapter to the gun body using the connecting device so that the sealing surface of the valve core mates with the mating surface in the sealing position to prevent compressed air from entering the air line, and so that the sealing surface mates with the mating surface in the open position to allow compressed air to enter the air line.

[0110] The method forms a paint spray gun capable of automatic triggering, wherein the atomizing air flow is automatically triggered by the movement of the valve core between its sealing position and its open position. This movement is automatically triggered by automatically actuating the valve core actuator using energy provided by the energy supply connector of the adapter.

[0111] In the paint spray gun that can be automatically triggered that is converted by the above method, the trigger is no longer functional. Therefore, removing the trigger may be advantageous because it makes the space that the trigger occupied available, for example, for attaching the spray gun to a robotic arm.

[0112] In certain embodiments of the above method, the method further comprises removing the trigger from the manually triggered spray gun. For example, the trigger can be removed before attaching the adapter to the gun body. For example, the trigger can be removed before or after removing the atomizing air valve.

[0113] After conversion, the atomizing air triggering in the auto-trigger capable spray gun is controlled solely by the adapter and its spool actuator, eliminating the need for a needle adjustment control knob. Removing the needle adjustment control knob is advantageous because it frees up the passage to the gun body previously occupied by the needle adjustment control knob into which the insert portion of the adapter can be inserted.

[0114] Thus, in certain embodiments of the above method, providing a manual trigger paint spray gun includes providing a manual trigger paint spray gun further comprising c) a needle adjustment control knob, and the method further includes removing the needle adjustment control knob from the manual trigger spray gun.

[0115] Inserting the adapter into the gun body can be advantageous because an adapter inserted into the gun body is generally easier to reliably attach to the gun body, and also because inserting the adapter into the gun body with the mating surface facing the air conduit can help reduce the distance between the valve core and the valve core actuator so that the connection between these two elements can be shorter and therefore more reliable and less expensive.

[0116] Thus, in certain embodiments of the above methods, attaching the adapter to the gun body includes inserting a portion of the adapter, such as an insertion portion of the adapter, into the gun body.

[0117] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements:

[0118] Figure 1 Perspective view of the manual trigger paint spray gun before conversion;

[0119] Figure 2 Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of certain components of the spray gun;

[0120] Figure 3 Figure 1A perspective view of a gun body of a spray gun;

[0121] Figure 4 Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a gun body;

[0122] Figure 5 Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a gun body and a valve core of an adapter according to the present disclosure in its open position;

[0123] Figure 6 Figure 3 The gun body and Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the valve core in its sealing position;

[0124] Figure 7 A perspective view of a first adapter according to the present disclosure;

[0125] Figure 8 a perspective view of a second adapter according to the present disclosure;

[0126] Figure 9 Figure 8 a sectional view of a valve core of a second adapter;

[0127] Figure 10 Figure 3 The gun body and Figure 8 a perspective view of the second adapter before attaching the second adapter to the gun body;

[0128] Figure 11 Will Figure 8 The second adapter is attached to Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a paint spray gun that can be automatically triggered by forming a gun body.

[0129] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary manually triggered paint spray gun 10 before being converted into an automatically triggered spray gun by an adapter according to the present disclosure. The paint spray gun 10 includes a handle portion 50, a trigger 30, an air connection 40 for an external source of pressurized air, a needle 20 (in the Figure 1 ), needle adjustment control knob 60, shaping air control knob 70, spray gun nozzle assembly 80, and air cap 90. Nozzle assembly 80 includes a nozzle 130 through which liquid paint exits the spray gun 10, and a liquid paint connector 100 located at a distal portion of a liquid inlet portion 110 through which liquid paint is supplied to the spray gun 10 from an external paint reservoir 120 (i.e., a paint cup 120 mounted directly on the nozzle assembly 80 via the liquid connector 100).

[0130] A human operator may grip the spray gun 10 at the grip portion 50 , manually pull the trigger 30 , and thereby retract the needle 20 within the spray gun 10 from the nozzle 130 , allowing pressurized air and paint to exit the spray gun 10 at the nozzle 130 generally in a direction along the spray axis 140 .

[0131] As in Figure 2 As explained in the context of FIG, the injection axis 140 is oriented along the length of the needle 20. The length of the needle 20 is also the direction of movement of the needle when the trigger 30 is used to advance or retract the needle 20. The injection axis 140 defines an axial direction 142 and a radial direction 144 orthogonal to the axial direction 142.

[0132] When the trigger 30 is pulled, the needle 20 is withdrawn from the nozzle 130, thereby allowing liquid paint to pass through the nozzle 130. At the same time, pulling the trigger 30 activates pressurized air supplied through the air connection 40 to assist in the passage of the liquid paint through the nozzle 130. Some of this air is used to atomize the liquid paint ("atomizing air"), and some of this air ("shaping air") is used to shape the jet of paint droplets (e.g., via the air cap 90). The maximum travel of the needle 20 and the total airflow through the spray gun 10 are adjusted by the needle adjustment control knob 60.

[0133] The shaping air control knob 70 adjusts the amount of shaping air discharged through the air cap 90 attached to the front of the nozzle assembly 80. The air cap 90 can advantageously direct pressurized air to the atomized liquid paint jet, for example, via shaping air outlets 150 located on two opposing air horns 160. As the paint is discharged from the nozzle 130, the atomizing air discharged from the air cap 90 helps to atomize the liquid paint and shape the liquid paint jet into a desired spray pattern suitable for a given application. Within or near the air cap 90, a central air outlet (at Figure 1 The nozzle 130 (not visible) directs atomizing air around the nozzle 130 to draw the liquid paint from the nozzle 130 and atomize it to form a fine mist of droplets.

[0134] In order to attach the adapter according to the present disclosure to the gun body Figure 1 To convert a manually triggered spray gun 10 into a spray gun capable of automatic triggering, it is necessary to remove certain elements of the manually triggered spray gun 10, such as the trigger 30 and the needle adjustment control knob 60, from the manually triggered spray gun 10. After removing these elements, the remaining portion of the manually triggered spray gun 10 is referred to as the "gun body," which is located in the Figure 3 Shown in.

[0135] Figure 2 Shown in more detail in exploded perspective Figure 1The manual trigger paint spray gun 10 includes a needle 20, a nozzle assembly 80, and an air cap 90. The air cap 90 is attached to the nozzle assembly 80. In the assembled state, the nozzle 130 is surrounded by a central air outlet 170 of the air cap 90. Atomizing air discharged from the central air outlet 170 atomizes the liquid paint exiting through the nozzle 130.

[0136] The liquid paint connector 100 is designed to be connected to a liquid paint reservoir 120 such as Figure 1 The paint cup 120 of the gravity feed spray gun is shown engaged with a corresponding connector. Liquid paint from the reservoir 120 flows through the liquid inlet portion 110 to the nozzle 130 where the paint is atomized and sprayed.

[0137] The needle 20 extends along a needle length direction 430 and includes a needle tip 22 at its front end and a pin 25 at an opposite end. In this embodiment, the pin 25 has a larger diameter than the rest of the needle 20. In other embodiments, the pin may have the same diameter as the rest of the needle. Typically, the needle 20 is arranged with its length direction 430 parallel to the spray axis 140 and extends through the handle portion 50 and the nozzle assembly 80 to the nozzle 130. When the needle 20 is retracted, that is, moved rearwardly away from the nozzle 130, the nozzle 130 opens, liquid paint exits through the nozzle 130, and pressurized air is discharged through the central air outlet 170 (for atomizing the liquid paint) and through the shaping air outlet 150 (for shaping the spray pattern), thereby forming a shaped jet of paint droplets. When the trigger 30 (such as Figure 1 When the trigger is not depressed and fully advanced, that is, when it moves forward toward the nozzle 130, the air duct (in the center of the nozzle 130) for directing pressurized air to the nozzle 130 (specifically, the central air outlet 170) is opened. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The nozzle 130 is blocked (not visible in FIG) so that no atomizing air flows through the central air outlet 170. In this position of the trigger 30, the tip 22 of the needle 20 closes the nozzle 130, thereby stopping the flow of paint.

[0138] Figure 3 Shown in side view Figure 1 The gun body 180 of the manually triggered spray gun 10 is shown. The needle 20, trigger 30, needle adjustment control knob 60, atomizing air valve (not shown) and other components have been removed from the gun body 180. Figure 1 The manual trigger spray gun 10 is shown with these components removed. After these components are removed, the remaining portion of the manual trigger spray gun 10 forms the gun body 180.

[0139] exist Figure 3 In the preferred embodiment shown, the gun body 180 includes a nozzle 130 ( Figure 31 and 2. The nozzle assembly 80 (not visible in the drawing), the air cap 90, the gun handle portion 50, the shaping air control knob 70, the liquid inlet portion 110 and the liquid paint connector 100, and the external paint reservoir 120. The needle 20 has been removed and is therefore not included in the gun body 180.

[0140] exist Figure 3 In the preferred embodiment, the gun body 180 includes the nozzle assembly 80 and the gas cap 90, but does not have the trigger 30. In an alternative embodiment, the gun body may include Figure 3 The gun body 180 has fewer components. The gun body may include a liquid inlet portion 110 but lack a gun handle portion 50. In a minimum configuration, the gun body includes a nozzle assembly 80, which includes a nozzle 130 for spraying liquid paint supplied into the nozzle assembly. In a minimum configuration, the nozzle assembly 80 may include a liquid inlet portion 110 having a liquid paint connector 100 for connecting to an external paint reservoir 120, from which liquid paint may be supplied to the nozzle assembly 80. In a minimum configuration, the nozzle assembly 80 may include a liquid inlet portion 110 having a liquid paint connector 100 for connecting directly to an external paint cup 120, from which liquid paint may be supplied to the nozzle assembly 80 without the use of hoses or tubing.

[0141] The screw hole 190 in the gun body 180 is used to receive a screw by which the adapter according to the present disclosure can be attached to the gun body 180. The screw hole 190 may be pre-existing in the gun body 180 before being converted into a spray gun capable of automatic triggering, or the screw hole may have been formed in preparation for the conversion.

[0142] Figure 4 is after removing the needle 20, trigger 30, needle adjustment control knob 60, air valve and other components and before attaching the adapter according to the present disclosure Figure 3 The compressed air enters through the air passage 45 and is divided into atomizing air and shaping air. The shaping air passes through the valve 75 which can be blocked by the shaping air control knob 70 and further passes through the shaping air conduit 77 to the shaping air outlet 150 of the air cap 90. Figure 4 In the embodiment, not all parts of the shaped air duct are visible.

[0143] The atomizing air flows through the atomizing air opening 85 (which can be blocked or sealed by the valve core 300 of the adapter according to the present disclosure (explained below)), enters the atomizing air duct 87 (which directs the atomizing air to the nozzle 130), enters the atomizing air path 169 in the air cap 90, and further reaches the central air outlet 170 near the nozzle 130, at which the atomizing air exits the air cap 90 and atomizes the liquid paint.

[0144] The elongated space 410 in the gun body 180 is occupied by the needle 20 of the manually triggered spray gun 10 before the needle 20 is removed in preparation for conversion to an automatically triggered spray gun 15 .

[0145] At the rear of the atomizing air opening 85 (ie, in a direction away from the nozzle 130), the gun body 180 forms an adapter receptacle 400 that can receive a portion of an adapter, such as Figure 7 The first adapter 1 or Figure 8 Some of this space was previously occupied by the needle control knob 60, the spring, and a portion of the original needle of the manually triggered spray gun 10. These components are removed in preparation for converting the manually triggered spray gun 10 into a spray gun 15 capable of automatic triggering.

[0146] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 FIG2 is a cross-sectional view of the atomizing air opening 85 of the gun body 180 and the valve core 300 of the adapter 1 according to the present disclosure. The valve core 300 is rotationally symmetrical and has a frustoconical sealing surface 370 around its front face 380. The valve core 300 is shown in its open position, in which atomizing air from the air passage 45 can flow into the atomizing air conduit 87 of the gun body 180 between the sealing surface 370 and a corresponding mating surface 390 of the atomizing air conduit 87.

[0147] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 and Figure 5 FIG2 is another cross-sectional view of the atomizing air opening 85 and the valve core 300 of the gun body 180, wherein the valve core 300 is shown in its sealed position. The sealing surface 370 of the valve core 300 is in sealing contact with the mating surface 390. In this position, atomizing air from the air passage 45 is prevented from flowing between the sealing surface 370 and the mating surface 390 into the atomizing air conduit 87.

[0148] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a first adapter 1 according to the present disclosure. The adapter 1 has an elongated shape and comprises radial threads 200 by which the adapter 1 can be attached to a Figure 3 and Figure 4 The screw can be pushed through the screw hole 190 in the gun body 180 (see Figure 3 ) and engages with the thread 200 to attach the adapter 1 to the gun body 180. The thread 200 is a connecting device 200 for attaching the adapter 1 to the gun body 180.

[0149] The adapter 1 further comprises a first energy supply connector 210 and a second energy supply connector 220 for connecting the adapter 1 to a mechanical energy supply source. Figure 7In the embodiment of the invention, the energy supply connectors 210, 220 are pressurized air connectors 210, 220 for connecting the adapter 1 to a pressurized air supply source. The supply of pressurized air is a supply of mechanical energy.

[0150] The adapter 1 further includes a valve core actuator 230 that is automatically actuated to move the valve core 300 relative to the energy supply connectors 210, 220 along an actuation direction 420 between a sealing position and an open position. The valve core actuator 230 uses mechanical energy received through the energy supply connectors 210, 220 to move the valve core 300. The actuation direction 420 is oriented parallel to the length of the elongated adapter 1. In the sealing position, once the adapter 1 is opened as shown in FIG. Figure 11 Attached to the gun body 180 as shown, the frustoconical sealing surface 370 cooperates with the mating surface 390 of the air duct 87 to seal the air duct 87 and prevent compressed air from entering the air duct 87, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 shown.

[0151] The sealing position of the valve spool 300 is an advanced position of the valve spool 300, wherein the valve spool actuator 230 has pushed the valve spool 300 away from the energy supply connectors 210, 220 in the actuation direction 420. The open position of the valve spool 300 is a rear position of the valve spool 300, wherein the valve spool actuator 230 has retracted the valve spool 300 in the actuation direction 420 toward the energy supply connectors 210, 220.

[0152] In order to Figure 1 The manual trigger spray gun 10 is converted into Figure 11 The automatically triggered spray gun 15 is inserted into the insertion portion 245 of the adapter 1 Figure 4 Insert the adapter into the socket 400 of the gun body 180 until it contacts the shoulder 240 .

[0153] Once the first adapter 1 is attached to the gun body 180, it facilitates automatic management of the atomizing air within the automatically triggerable spray gun 15. A separate mechanism is required to automatically manage the position of the needle 20 relative to the nozzle 130 of the automatically triggerable spray gun 15 and thereby regulate the amount of paint sprayed through the nozzle 130. However, in certain embodiments, the adapter includes a needle that is suitably coupled to the valve core 300 so that the valve core actuator 230 advances and retracts the needle as the valve core 300 moves the valve core between its sealing and open positions.

[0154] Figure 8 This embodiment of an adapter according to the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 . The second adapter 2 is shown in perspective view. The second adapter 2 is similar to the second adapter 2 except for the additional needle 21 attached to the second slightly different valve core 301. Figure 7 The first adapter 1 is the same.

[0155] The second valve core 301 of the second adapter 2 includes a frustoconical sealing surface 370, which is similar to the first valve core 300 of the first adapter 1. The valve core 301 is a two-part valve core 301 and includes a recess and a spring (not visible) for spring-loading the needle 21. The second valve core 301 is Figure 9 Shown in cross section.

[0156] To improve the seal, the sealing surface 370 is a surface constructed of an elastomeric material that can deform slightly when pressed against the mating surface 390. The surface thereby helps prevent leakage by conforming to any irregularities in the mating surface 390.

[0157] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 FIG2 is a cross-sectional view of a second valve core 301 and a needle 21 of a second adapter 2. The needle 21 is in contact with and connected to the substantially rotationally symmetrical valve core 301 via the nail-head-shaped foot 25 of the needle 21 and via a spring 330 arranged in a recess 320. The nail-head-shaped foot is received by the cylindrical recess 320 of the valve core 301. In addition to the frustoconical sealing surface 370, the valve core 301 has an elongated, rotationally symmetrical tubular front extension 315 that forms a tubular channel 310 for receiving the portion of the needle 21 adjacent to the needle foot 25. The needle 21 is longitudinally movable in the valve core 301.

[0158] When the spool 301 is in the retracted position, the outer surface of the tubular front extension 315 can sealingly engage a corresponding surface of the gun body 180. In some embodiments, there can be an actual seal installed in the gun body 180.

[0159] The second valve core 301 includes fixing threads 340 at its rear end to engage with corresponding threads at the front end of the elongated rear extension member 290. The stainless steel rear extension member 290 connects the valve core 301 to the valve core actuator 230, which is not in the Figure 9 . A fixing thread 340 is disposed in the cylindrical recess 320 of the valve core 301. The rear extension member 290 and the valve core 301 are securely connected to each other via the fixing thread 340, so that the spring 330 is slightly compressed between the support portion 295 of the rear extension member 290 and the pin 25, thereby pushing the pin 25 away from the support portion 295. With the pin 25 disposed between the rear extension member 290 and the valve core 301, the pin 25 is securely connected to the valve core actuator 230.

[0160] In the absence Figure 9 In an alternative embodiment shown in , the connection between the valve core 301 and the rear extension member 290 includes a sealing surface that prevents pressurized air from entering the recess 320 and escaping through the passage 310 .

[0161] The second valve core 301 includes a shoulder 350 between the channel 310 and the recess 320 , which can abut against the nailhead pin 25 to retract the pin 25 and thereby retract the needle 21 rearward.

[0162] The sealing position of the second valve spool 301 is an advanced position of the valve spool 301, in which the valve spool actuator 230 has pushed the valve spool 301 away from the energy supply connectors 210, 220 via the rear extension element 290. The open position of the valve spool 301 is a rear position of the valve spool 301, in which the valve spool actuator 230 has pulled the valve spool 301 back toward the energy supply connectors 210, 220 via the rear extension element 290.

[0163] refer to Figures 4 to 6 After the second adapter 2 is attached to the gun body 180, when the valve core 301 is in the sealing position and the needle 21 is thereby fully advanced toward the nozzle 130 and the nozzle 130 is blocked, the sealing surface 370 of the valve core 301 sealingly contacts the mating surface 390 in the gun body 180 and seals the atomizing air conduit 87. When the needle 21 is fully advanced, the sealing surface 370 thereby blocks the compressed air from flowing to and through the air cap 90.

[0164] Also in the second valve plug 301, the sealing surface 370 is a surface composed of an elastomeric material that can deform slightly when pressed against the mating surface 390. This surface thus helps prevent leakage by conforming to any irregularities in the mating surface 390 when the valve plug 301 is in its sealing position.

[0165] Similarly, when the valve core 301 is in the fully open position and the needle 21 is thereby fully retracted away from the nozzle 130 and the nozzle 130 is open, the sealing surface 370 of the valve core 301 does not contact the mating surface 390 in the gun body 180, allowing atomizing air to flow between the sealing surface 370 and the mating surface 390 into the atomizing air passage 87 and to the central air outlet 170 in the air cap 90. The valve core 301 thereby engages the mating surface 390 to allow compressed air to enter the air passage 87. Thus, moving the valve core 301 into its open position has the dual effect of initiating atomizing air flow through the air passage 87 and initiating paint flow through the nozzle 130 by retracting the needle 21.

[0166] The valve core 301 is a separate, separate element. The valve core is shaped so that it can be pushed onto a compatible needle 21 so that the pin 25 of the needle 21 is received by the recess 320.

[0167] The spring 330 allows the pin 25 to move axially in the recess 320 against the spring force. Before the second adapter 2 is attached to the gun body 180, the spring 330 pushes the pin 21 forward, away from the rear extension element 290, until the pin 25 contacts the shoulder 350 of the valve core 301. Figure 9 Shown in.

[0168] Once the second adapter 2 is inserted into and attached to the gun body 180, the nozzle 130 contacts the needle tip 22 and pushes the needle tip 22 backward against the force of the spring 330, so that the pin 25 no longer abuts the shoulder 350 of the valve core 301. The needle tip 22 still blocks the nozzle 130, and the sealing surface 370 of the valve core 301 still contacts the mating surface 390 in the gun body 180 and closes the air duct 87, so that the atomizing air stops flowing and the paint stops spraying.

[0169] When the valve core actuator 230 initially automatically retracts the valve core 301 a short distance from this sealed position, the sealing surface 370 opens the air duct 87 in the gun body 180, allowing compressed air entering the automatically triggerable paint spray gun 15 through the air connector 40 to begin flowing through the air opening 85, the atomizing air duct 87, and the nozzle assembly 80, into the air cap 90, and out through the central air outlet 170. However, the slightly extended spring 330 continues to press the tip 22 of the needle 21 against the nozzle 130, thereby preventing the flow of paint. Therefore, with the initial small retraction of the valve core 301, the atomizing air flow begins to flow, but no paint is sprayed yet. This keeps the atomizing air path of the automatically triggerable paint spray gun 15 unobstructed, ensuring a sufficient amount of atomizing air to atomize the paint and preventing large droplets of unatomized paint from dripping onto the workpiece.

[0170] As the valve core 301 is further retracted toward its fully open position, the shoulder 350 of the valve core 301 again abuts the pin 25. Consequently, the needle 21 is now retracted from the nozzle 130 by approximately the same distance as the valve core 301 was further retracted. The needle tip 22 is thereby retracted from the nozzle 130, allowing a quantity of liquid paint to flow from the paint reservoir 120 into the nozzle assembly 80 and be ejected through the nozzle 130. Both the atomizing air and the paint are flowing.

[0171] Figure 10 The front portion of the adapter 2 is shown in perspective view before being inserted into the gun body 180. Figure 3 The gun body 180 and Figure 9 The second adapter 2 is inserted into the axial direction 142 , which is parallel to the actuation direction 420 , to the length direction 430 of the needle 21 , and to the injection axis 140 .

[0172] Figure 11 The insertion is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view. Figure 3The gun body 180 Figure 8 Adapter 2 is attached to gun body 180 at a position where shoulder 240 abuts a boundary of adapter receptacle 400 and tip 22 of needle 21 blocks nozzle 130. Insertion of adapter 2 into adapter receptacle 400 and subsequent attachment to gun body 180 substantially completes the conversion of the previous manually triggered spray gun 10 to a spray gun 15 capable of automatic triggering.

[0173] from Figure 11 As can be seen, in this embodiment, the valve core actuator 230 includes a piston 260 that can be moved back and forth in a cylinder 270 along an actuation direction 420 of the valve core 301 (which is a direction parallel to the injection axis 140) via pressurized air supplied on either side of the piston 260 by the energy supply connectors 210, 220. When the air pressure in the pressurized air supply source connected to the first supply connector 210 is higher than the air pressure in the pressurized air supply source connected to the second supply connector 220, the piston 260 moves rearward, i.e., away from the nozzle 130, into a retracted position. This causes the valve core 301 to enter its open position. Similarly, when the air pressure in the pressurized air supply source connected to the second supply connector 220 is higher than the air pressure in the pressurized air supply source connected to the first supply connector 210, the piston 260 moves forward, i.e., toward the nozzle 130, into an advanced position. This causes the valve core 301 to enter its sealed position. Through precise control of the pressurized air, the intermediate position of the piston 260 can be achieved by moving the piston 260 by a pressure differential and maintaining the piston in the desired intermediate position by equal air pressure on both sides of the piston 260 . Figure 11 The piston 260 is shown in its fully advanced position.

[0174] The respective desired air pressures on the first air supply connector 210 and the second air supply connector 220 can be automatically achieved, for example, by partially or fully opening and closing one or more automatic digitally controlled valves in the respective pressurized air supply hoses connected to the first air supply connector 210 and the second air supply connector 220, or alternatively, for example, by operating an automatic digitally controlled air pump to supply pressurized air at the desired pressure levels into the first air supply connector 210 and the second air supply connector 220. As a result, the piston 260 can be moved forward and backward in an automatically digitally controlled manner.

[0175] The piston 260 of the valve core actuator 230 is mechanically connected to the pin 25 of the needle 21 via a rear extension member 290 extending along the spray axis 140. When the piston 260 moves to its fully retracted position, the piston pulls the valve core 301 and the pin 25 together via the rear extension member 290, thereby retracting the needle 21 from the nozzle 130, thereby causing a maximum amount of paint to be sprayed through the nozzle 130 during use. Similarly, when the piston 260 moves to its fully advanced position, the piston causes the valve core 301 and the pin 25 to move together with the piston via the rear extension member 290, thereby advancing the needle 21 toward the nozzle 130, causing the needle tip 22 to block the nozzle 130, thereby causing no paint to be sprayed through the nozzle 130. Intermediate positions of the piston 260 correspond to partial blockage of the nozzle 130 by the needle tip 22, and to corresponding intermediate amounts of paint to be sprayed through the nozzle 130. By automatically actuating the piston 260 of the spool actuator 230 , the needle 21 is automatically retracted or advanced, thereby automatically adjusting the amount of paint sprayed.

Claims

1. An adapter (1, 2) for converting a manually triggered paint spray gun (10) into an automatically triggered paint spray gun (15), wherein the manually triggered paint spray gun (10) comprises a gun body (180), the gun body including a nozzle (130) through which liquid paint can be sprayed, a sealable air duct (87) for directing pressurized air to the nozzle (130) to atomize the paint, and a mating surface (390) for sealing the air duct (87); The adapter (1) comprises - a connecting device (200) for attaching the adapter (1, 2) to the gun body (180); - an energy supply connector (210, 220), through which the adapter can receive mechanical or electrical energy; a spool actuator (230) capable of being automatically actuated using mechanical or electrical energy received via the energy supply connectors (210, 220), - a valve spool (300, 301) connected to the valve spool actuator (230) such that actuating the valve spool actuator (230) moves the valve spool (300, 301) between a sealing position and an open position, wherein, after the adapter (1, 2) is attached to the gun body (180), in the sealed position, the valve core (300, 301) engages with the mating surface (390) to prevent compressed air from entering the air pipe (87), and wherein in the open position, the valve core (300, 301) engages with the mating surface (390) to allow compressed air to enter the air pipe (87), The valve core (300, 301) includes a sealing surface (370) for sealingly contacting the mating surface (390) of the air duct (87) when the valve core (300, 301) is in the sealing position to prevent compressed air from entering the air duct (87).

2. The adapter (1, 2) according to claim 1, wherein the valve core (300, 301) is connected to the valve core actuator (230) so that actuating the valve core actuator (230) causes the valve core (300, 301) to move linearly along an actuation direction (420) between the sealing position and the open position.

3. The adapter (1, 2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing surface (370) is frustoconical or comprises a frustoconical portion, or wherein the sealing surface (370) is hemispherical or comprises a hemispherical portion.

4. The adapter (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a needle (21) adapted to be arranged in the gun body (180) such that a needle tip (22) of the needle (21) is arranged beside the nozzle (130) such that, in use, retracting the needle (21) from the nozzle (130) causes more paint to be ejected through the nozzle (130) and advancing the needle (21) towards the nozzle (130) causes less paint to be ejected through the nozzle (130), The needle (21) is mechanically connected to the valve core (301) so that movement of the valve core (301) between the open position and the sealing position causes movement of the needle (21).

5. The adapter (2) according to claim 4 further comprises an elastic spring (330), wherein the needle (21) is elongated to define a needle length direction (430), wherein the spring (330) is arranged between a support portion (295) of the valve core (301) and a portion (25) of the needle (21) to facilitate spring-loaded movement of the needle (21) relative to the valve core (301) along the needle length direction (430).

6. An adapter (1, 2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve core actuator (230) includes a piston (260), which is connected to the valve core (300, 301) and can be moved relative to the energy supply connector (210, 220) using mechanical energy or electrical energy received through the energy supply connector (210, 220), so that the movement of the piston (260) causes the valve core (300, 301) to move between the sealing position and the open position.

7. A paint spray gun (15) capable of automatic triggering, comprising: a gun body (180) comprising a nozzle (130) through which liquid paint can be ejected, a sealable air duct (87) for directing pressurized air to the nozzle (130) to atomize the paint, and a mating surface (390) for sealing the air duct (87), - An adapter (1, 2) according to any of the preceding claims, the adapter being attached to the gun body (180) using a connecting device (200) so that the sealing surface (370) of the valve core (300, 301) cooperates with the mating surface (390) in the sealing position to prevent compressed air from entering the air duct (87), and so that in the open position the sealing surface (370) cooperates with the mating surface (390) to allow compressed air to enter the air duct (87).

8. The automatically triggerable paint spray gun (15) according to claim 7, wherein the sealing surface (370) is hemispherical or includes a hemispherical portion, and wherein the mating surface (390) has a frustoconical portion for sealingly contacting the sealing surface (370) to prevent compressed air from entering the air duct (87) when the valve core (300, 301) is in the sealing position.

9. The automatically triggerable paint spray gun (15) according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the spray gun (15) is capable of ejecting an atomized paint jet along a spray axis (140), The valve core (300, 301) is connected to the valve core actuator (230) so that actuating the valve core actuator (230) causes the valve core (300, 301) to move linearly along an actuation direction (420) between the sealing position and the open position, and the adapter (1, 2) is arranged so that the actuation direction (420) is parallel to the injection axis (140).

10. The automatically triggerable paint spray gun (15) according to claim 9, wherein the valve core (300, 301) is rotationally symmetric about a valve core axis, wherein the valve core axis is parallel to the actuation direction (420), and wherein the valve core axis is colinear with the spray axis (140).

11. The automatically triggerable paint spray gun (15) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, The gun body (180) further comprises a nozzle assembly (80), wherein the nozzle assembly comprises the nozzle (130), wherein the nozzle assembly (80) further comprises a liquid inlet portion (110) through which liquid paint can be supplied to the nozzle (130), wherein the liquid inlet portion (110) comprises an inlet connector (100) for directly connecting a paint cup (120) to the liquid inlet portion (110), Optionally, the automatically triggerable paint spray gun (15) further comprises a paint cup (120) for containing liquid paint, and the paint cup is directly connected to the liquid inlet portion (100) via the inlet connector (100).

12. The automatically triggerable paint spray gun (15) according to any one of claims 7 to 11, The paint spray gun capable of automatic triggering further comprises a needle (21), wherein the needle (21) is elongated to define a needle length direction (430), wherein the needle (21) extends rearwardly from a needle tip (22) to a needle foot (25) along the needle length direction (430), wherein the needle (21) is arranged in the gun body (180) so that the needle tip (22) is arranged beside the nozzle (130) so that, in use, retracting the needle (21) from the nozzle (130) causes more paint to be ejected through the nozzle (130) and advancing the needle (21) towards the nozzle (130) causes less paint to be ejected through the nozzle (130), And wherein the valve core actuator (230) is arranged backward from the needle foot (25) along the needle length direction (430).

13. A method for converting a manually triggered paint spray gun (10) into a paint spray gun (15) capable of automatic triggering, the method comprising - providing a manually triggered paint spray gun (10), said manually triggered paint spray gun comprising a) a gun body (180), the gun body including a nozzle (130) through which liquid paint can be sprayed, a sealable air duct (87) for directing pressurized air to the nozzle (130) to atomize the paint, a mating surface (390) for sealing the air duct (87), and an atomizing air valve for cooperating with the mating surface (390) to open or seal the air duct (87); b) a trigger (30) mechanically connected to the atomizing air valve such that when the trigger (30) is manually pulled, the atomizing air valve opens the air duct (87), - providing an adapter (1, 2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6; - Remove the atomizing air valve; - attaching the adapter (1, 2) to the gun body (180) using the connecting device (200) so that the sealing surface (370) of the valve core (300, 301) cooperates with the mating surface (390) in the sealing position to prevent compressed air from entering the air pipe (87), and so that the sealing surface (370) cooperates with the mating surface (390) in the open position to allow compressed air to enter the air pipe (87).

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising removing the trigger (30) from the manually triggered paint spray gun (10).

15. The method of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein attaching the adapter (1, 2) to the gun body (180) comprises inserting a portion of the adapter (1, 2), such as an insert portion (245) of the adapter (1, 2), into the gun body (180).

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