Material-amount regulating device for limiting the material-needle stroke of a spray gun, spray gun having a material-amount regulating device, and method for applying coating material

Abstract

The invention relates to a material-amount regulating device (1) for limiting the material-needle stroke of a hand-held spray gun (3), comprising: a front end (4) having a holding means (5), in particular in the form of a thread (14), by means of which the material-amount regulating device (1) can be fastened to a spray gun (3); a rear end (6), which is opposite the front end (4); a stop surface (7) for limiting the material-needle stroke (2); an adjustment means (8), in particular formed by part of the holding means (5) in the form of a thread (14), via which adjustment means, in reciprocation with a corresponding counter element (9) of the spray gun (3), an axial position of the stop surface (7) can be axially shifted for limiting the material-needle stroke; a rapid adjustment mechanism (10), by means of which the stop surface (7) can be shifted, relative to the adjustment means (8), back and forth in the axial direction (13), between a stroke-limiting position and a stroke-opening position different from the stroke-limiting position, without changing the axial position of the stop surface (7) adjusted by the adjustment means (8) and without removing the material-amount regulating device (1) from the spray gun (3); wherein the stop surface (7) is arranged, at least in the stroke-limiting position in the axial direction (13), at the height of the holding means (5) or is arranged in the axial direction (13) so as to be offset from the holding means (5) in the direction of the rear end (6) of the material-amount limiting device (1).

Description

[0001] Material quantity regulating device for limiting the material needle stroke of a paint spray gun, paint spray gun with a material quantity regulating device and method for applying coating material

[0002] The invention relates to a material quantity regulating device for limiting the material needle stroke of a paint spray gun, comprising a front end with a holding means by means of which the material quantity regulating device can be fastened to a paint spray gun, a rear end which is opposite the front end, a stop surface for limiting the material needle stroke, an adjustment means by which, in interaction with a corresponding counter-element of the paint spray gun, an axial position of the stop surface for limiting the material needle stroke relative to the paint spray gun can be adjusted, and a quick-adjustment mechanism by means of which the stop surface can be adjusted back and forth in the axial direction relative to the adjustment means between a stroke limiting position and a stroke opening position different from the stroke limiting position.without changing the setting of the adjusting device (8) and without removing the material quantity control device from the spray gun.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a paint spray gun for dispensing a coating material with a material needle and a material quantity regulating device for limiting the material needle stroke, as well as a method for applying coating material by means of a paint spray gun.

[0004] Material flow control devices are used, for example, in the field of painting technology, where they serve to provide a stop for the end of a material needle that controls the material discharge direction, using a stop surface. Material flow control devices are generally attached to the end of the paint spray gun that is opposite the material discharge direction of a material nozzle of the paint gun. They are usually attached via a hole in the body of the paint gun that has an internal thread. The material flow control device has a corresponding external thread and is screwed into the hole. By changing the screw-in depth of the material flow control device, the stop of the material flow control device can be moved back and forth in the axial direction, which can more or less limit the maximum material needle stroke.

[0005] For some applications or certain coating materials, it is desirable to limit the material dispensing rate, for example, to achieve a special surface effect. For other applications, however, the maximum material quantity must be dispensed. For this purpose, it is advantageous to be able to quickly switch back and forth between the two positions. Such a switchable material flow control device is known from JPH4126562.

[0006] JPH4126562 describes a material flow control device that can be switched back and forth between a fully open and a half-open position. In particular, it is intended to enable unskilled workers to achieve a high surface quality. This is achieved by applying multiple layers of the same thickness in the half-open position, rather than the usual single layer in the fully open position. Skilled workers are intended to apply multiple layers of the same thickness in the half-open position when dealing with small or rough surfaces. To switch, the rear end of the material flow control device is pushed forward in the material discharge direction, then rotated 90°, and pushed back again.

[0007] Such solutions meet the requirement of quickly switching between a first position of the stop surface and a second position of the stop surface. However, due to its design, the material flow control device is particularly bulky and cannot be mounted on a conventional spray gun without modification. Furthermore, when the material flow control device is removed, the end of the material needle remains concealed in the spray gun body, making it difficult to remove.

[0008] Based on this prior art, the invention aims to create a material needle regulating device with a compact design. Furthermore, the invention aims to provide a paint spray gun with a corresponding material needle regulating device and a corresponding method for applying coating material with a quickly adjustable material flow regulating device. A material flow regulating device can be used in paint spray guns that essentially consist of a base body with a pistol grip, a nozzle head, a trigger guard, and a material guide system with a material needle and a material flow regulating device for setting the maximum material needle stroke, by means of which the material quantity to be dispensed can be determined.It can also be an automatic paint spray gun that has no gun grip or trigger and is operated automatically by means of a trigger mechanism.

[0009] These paint guns can be pressure atomizing or air atomizing. In the case of pressure atomizing paint guns, the material to be atomized is pressurized, and the material is atomized through interaction with the ambient air as the material emerges from the nozzle at high pressure. Air atomizing paint guns also feature an air supply connection to connect a compressed air supply, compressed air ducts for conveying the compressed air, an air guidance system with an air valve, and an air flow regulator for adjusting the compressed air flow. In the case of an air atomizing paint gun, the compressed air required for atomization is supplied to the air supply connection located on or in the gun handle. The air valve is opened by pulling the trigger to a first pressure point.As the trigger is pulled further, the material needle is also pulled out of the material nozzle. The coating agent then flows out of the material nozzle due to gravity or a pressure difference. The compressed air flowing through the air nozzle, which is designed in the form of an annular gap and surrounds the material nozzle, atomizes it, and is conveyed in the material discharge direction to the object to be coated, where the material deposits and forms a coating film.

[0010] The nozzle head of such a paint spray gun has a material-carrying area through which the material to be atomized flows from a coating agent inlet to a material nozzle. A material supply is provided at the coating agent inlet, which can be in the form of a storage container or a feed line from an external material reservoir. Common storage containers include gravity cups, suction cups, or side-feed cups. The pressure difference required to convey the material is created, for example, by gravity or by a material conveying device that pressurizes the material to be conveyed. The material can also be conveyed by negative pressure, which is created by air flowing past the material nozzle, which subjects the material to a suction effect.

[0011] Such paint guns offer the user a multitude of setting options. The air flow rate can be adjusted using an air volume regulator. A round / wide jet regulator allows the shape of the aerosol jet emerging from the paint gun to be varied. For this purpose, two or more horns with homing air nozzles are provided on the nozzle head, which are diametrically opposite the material nozzle. The homing air nozzles are directed inwards towards the emerging coating material jet. If no air flow emerges from the homing air nozzles, the coating material jet can spread evenly in all directions after exiting the nozzle and forms a material jet with a round cross-section. If air flows out of the homing air nozzles, the coating material jet is shaped into a material jet with an elliptical cross-section after exiting the material nozzle.

[0012] The material flow control device limits one side of the path that the material needle can move along its own axis. On the opposite side, this path is limited by the material nozzle. The further the stop surface of the material flow control device is moved in the direction of material discharge, the more it shortens the path that the material needle can move when the trigger is pulled, thereby limiting the maximum material volume flow. When the trigger is not pulled, the material needle is held in the material nozzle by the compression spring, thereby sealing it. When the trigger is pulled, the material needle is moved out of the material nozzle, gradually releasing it.

[0013] According to the invention, a material flow control device for limiting the material needle stroke of a preferably hand-held paint spray gun is proposed. The material flow control device has a front end with a holding means, in particular in the form of a thread, by means of which the material flow control device can be fastened to a paint spray gun. A rear end is located opposite the front end. Furthermore, the material flow control device has a stop surface for limiting the material needle stroke, and an adjustment means, in particular formed by a part of the holding means designed in the form of a thread, via which, in interaction with a corresponding counter-element of the paint spray gun, an axial position of the stop surface for limiting the material needle stroke relative to the paint spray gun can be axially adjusted.Furthermore, the material flow control device has a quick-adjustment mechanism by means of which the stop surface can be adjusted back and forth in the axial direction relative to the adjustment means between a stroke-limiting position and a stroke-opening position different from the stroke-limiting position. In this case, the setting of the adjustment means or the axial position of the stop surface adjusted by the adjustment means is not changed, and the material flow control device is not disassembled from the paint gun. At least in the stroke-limiting position, the stop surface is arranged in the axial direction at the height of the holding means or is arranged offset in the axial direction relative to the holding means toward the rear end of the material flow control device.Without disassembling the material flow control device, it is understood that the material flow control device is not removed from the paint spray gun, but remains connected to it. Preferably, the stop surface is located closer to the front end of the material flow control device in the stroke limiting position than in the stroke opening position. This design of the material flow control device enables a particularly compact construction, which facilitates handling by the user.

[0014] The stroke opening position is a position of the material flow control device in which the stop surface does not restrict, or only marginally restricts, the axial movement of the material needle of the paint spray gun when dispensing coating material. Accordingly, the trigger of the paint spray gun can be actuated up to a position at which the said maximum amount is dispensed. The stroke limiting position is a position of the material flow control device in which the stop surface of the material flow control device restricts the axial movement of the material needle of the paint spray gun in such a way that the material needle of the paint spray gun can only be displaced axially against the material dispensing direction so far that a reduced amount of coating material can be dispensed compared to the maximum amount of coating material in the stroke opening position.The dispensable quantity of coating material in the stroke-limiting position is preferably more than one-third, in particular more than half, of the coating material that can be specified in the stroke-opening position. Particularly preferably, more than two-thirds, preferably more than 80%, of the maximum material quantity can be dispensed in the stroke-limiting position. In a further preferred embodiment, the material quantity regulating device has a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, wherein the front end has a holding means and an adjusting means, wherein the adjusting means extends from the front end toward the rear end.Furthermore, a stop surface for limiting the material needle stroke is provided, as well as a quick-adjustment mechanism separate from the adjustment means, by means of which the stop surface can be adjusted back and forth in the axial direction relative to the holding means between the stroke-limiting position and the stroke-opening position, which is different from the stroke-limiting position. In this case, the stop surface is arranged at the level of the holding means in the axial direction, at least in the stroke-limiting position, or is offset in the axial direction relative to the holding means towards the rear end of the material flow regulating device. Since the stop surface is offset rearwardly from the adjustment means in this design, a particularly compact design can also be achieved, which facilitates handling by the user.

[0015] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the stop surface is located at the level of the adjusting means in the axial direction, at least in the stroke-limiting position, or is offset in the axial direction relative to the adjusting means toward the rear end of the material quantity regulating device, preferably closer to the rear end than to the front end of the material quantity regulating device. Additionally, the material quantity regulating device can also be located at the level of the adjusting means in the stroke-opening position, or offset relative to the adjusting means toward the rear end of the material quantity regulating device, preferably closer to the rear end than to the front end of the material quantity regulating device.This design has the advantage that the stop surface for the paint gun's material needle is shifted further back, further shortening the required length of the material flow control device and resulting in an even more compact design. The material flow control device is preferably designed such that, when the trigger is pulled, the paint gun's material needle extends into the material flow control device over at least half the length of the material flow control device, preferably over at least two-thirds the length of the material flow control device.

[0016] Particularly preferably, the material flow control device has a cavity that extends from the front end of the material flow control device toward the rear end of the material flow control device into the interior of the material flow control device and is designed to accommodate a material needle of the paint spray gun. Said cavity increases the space for the material needle of the paint spray gun within the material flow control device, which results in a further reduction in the structural size of the material flow control device.

[0017] Preferably, the material flow control device is designed such that the stop surface is located closer to the front end of the material flow control device in the stroke limiting position in the axial direction than in the stroke opening position. In the stroke limiting position, the stop surface is preferably positioned within the half of the material flow control device that includes the rear end of the material flow control device. Since the stop surface is located particularly far toward the rear end of the material flow control device even in the stroke limiting position, a particularly compact design is possible.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment, a locking means is provided, by means of which the material flow control device can be locked in a position set by the adjustment means in the axial direction relative to the paint gun. The locking means is preferably designed as a lock nut. This reduces the risk of accidental adjustment of the adjustment means.

[0019] The material flow control device preferably has an adjustment element, in particular a sleeve-shaped adjustment element, which encloses the adjustment means. Furthermore, a stop element, in particular a sleeve-shaped stop element, is preferably provided, which encloses the stop surface. Preferably, the stop element and the adjustment element are displaceable relative to one another in the axial direction. The stop surface, and preferably the entire stop element, are mounted axially displaceably relative to the adjustment element between the stroke-limiting position and the stroke-opening position.

[0020] Particularly preferably, the stop element is arranged at least partially inside the adjustment element and / or the adjustment element is arranged at least partially inside the stop element. The nested design creates a particularly compact material quantity regulating device which requires very few parts and provides a large interior space for accommodating the material needle of the paint spray gun. In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the stop element and the adjustment element each have a shoulder which abuts one another in the stroke-open position. The shoulders of the stop element and the adjustment element create a particularly simple maximum stop for the stroke-open position which requires no additional parts.

[0021] Preferably, the material quantity regulating device is designed such that the adjustment of the stop surface by means of the quick-adjustment mechanism occurs, preferably exclusively, through a movement in the axial direction of the stop surface and / or the adjustment of the stop surface by means of the adjustment means occurs through a screwing movement around the central axis of the material quantity regulating device. These adjustment movements allow the quick-adjustment mechanism to be operated particularly easily, while the adjustment means can be operated with particular precision.

[0022] Particularly preferably, the quick-adjustment mechanism is designed such that it automatically locks in the stroke limiting position and / or the stroke opening position. Thus, the quick-adjustment mechanism is automatically secured against reversing, which improves the functional reliability of the quick-adjustment mechanism.

[0023] The quick-adjustment mechanism preferably comprises a locking element that serves to lock the quick-adjustment mechanism in the stroke-limiting position and / or the stroke-opening position, wherein the locking element preferably at least partially surrounds the adjustment element and / or the stop element in the circumferential direction. Said locking element prevents automatic adjustment of the selected stroke-opening position or stroke-limiting position.

[0024] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the quick-adjustment mechanism automatically moves from the stroke-limiting position to the stroke-opening position by retracting a locking element. The automatic adjustment from the stroke-limiting position to the stroke-opening position preferably occurs by means of a force acting on the stop element in the axial direction against the front end of the material flow control device and generated by a spring element. This can be achieved by either a spring element within the material flow control device or a spring element within the spray gun, which pushes the material needle back into the sealing seat of the material valve when the material valve is open.

[0025] In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the material quantity regulating device has a sleeve-shaped adjusting element and a sleeve-shaped stop element arranged in regions within the adjusting element and mounted coaxially on the inner surface of the sleeve-shaped adjusting element.

[0026] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the adjusting element is provided with an external thread, which forms the retaining means and the adjusting means. A locking means in the form of a lock nut can be provided on the external thread. The adjusting element, by means of the thread, allows the axial position of the stop surface to be adjusted in the stroke limiting position and the stroke opening position.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the stop element may be closed at an end opposite the front end of the material quantity regulating device and the stop surface may be formed on the inside of the closed end.

[0028] In the case of an advantageous further development of the invention, in a region of the open end of the stop element opposite the closed end, the outer surface of the stop element can be provided with a shoulder which, in the stroke opening position in which the inner stop element is maximally displaced in the direction of the rear end of the material quantity regulating device, comes into contact with a shoulder on the inner surface of the adjusting element and blocks the movement of the stop element in the axial direction from the front end of the material quantity regulating device in the direction of the rear end of the material quantity regulating device.

[0029] In a preferred variant of the invention, the stop element can have a circumferential groove in the region of the closed end, and the adjusting element can have bores in the rear region in which balls are mounted so as to be displaceable radially to the axial direction. In a securing position, the position of the bores is at the same height as the position of the circumferential groove in the axial direction, and the stop element is displaced within the adjusting element towards the front end. In a further embodiment, an additional sleeve-shaped securing element can be provided which surrounds the region of the rear end of the material quantity regulating device in the region of the bores and the circumferential groove. The securing element can have a larger opening inner diameter at the front in the axial direction and a smaller securing inner diameter at the rear in the axial direction.

[0030] A particularly preferred embodiment is one in which the securing element is mounted on the adjusting element and / or the stop element so that it can be displaced back and forth in the axial direction between the securing position and the opening position. In this case, in the securing position, the circumferential groove, the bores, and the securing inner diameter can be at the same height in the axial direction, whereas in the opening position, the circumferential groove, the bores, and the opening inner diameter can be at the same height in the axial direction.

[0031] In the locking position, the balls can be pressed into or engage the circumferential groove of the stop element, wherein the mobility of the balls, in the radial direction and away from the center axis of the material quantity regulating device, is limited by the smaller locking inner diameter in such a way that they are held in engagement with the circumferential groove, thereby preventing the axial mobility of the stop element relative to the material quantity regulating device.

[0032] In the opening position, the balls can be deflected radially outwards away from the central axis of the material quantity regulating device due to the larger opening inner diameter, so far that the balls no longer engage in the circumferential groove, whereby the stop element can be moved back and forth relative to the adjusting element in the axial direction between the opening position and the locking position.

[0033] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a spring element can be provided that exerts a force directed in the axial direction and toward the rear end of the material flow control device from the locking element to the stop element, which automatically displaces the stop element rearward in the open position and holds it in this open position. The spring element can exert a force directed in the axial direction and toward the front end of the material flow control device on the locking element, which automatically displaces the locking element forward and holds it in the locking position, thereby keeping the balls engaged with the groove.

[0034] These design features make it possible to create a material flow control device that is particularly compact in design and particularly easy to operate. Furthermore, such a material flow control device can be replaced with a conventionally mounted material flow control device on an existing paint spray gun without requiring any modifications to the paint spray gun. Conventional material needles can also be used without adjusting the length of the material needle. This eliminates the need to manufacture additional parts, reducing manufacturing costs.

[0035] The invention further relates to a paint spray gun for dispensing a coating material, in particular a hand-held paint spray gun, with a material needle and a material flow control device for limiting the material needle stroke, having one or more of the aforementioned features. The material flow control device is preferably attached directly to the paint gun or via at least one intermediate component. The fastening element by means of which the material flow control device is attached to the paint gun can also be used to adjust the stroke limiting position. For example, the attachment is effected by means of an external thread on the material flow control device and an internal thread provided in a channel of the paint gun surrounding the material needle.By screwing or unscrewing the material flow control device using the thread, the position of the stop surface can be adjusted in the axial direction. A paint gun equipped with this type of material flow control device allows for particularly quick and reliable switching between the stroke limit position and the stroke opening position, thus simplifying the operation of the paint gun.

[0036] In a further preferred embodiment of a paint spray gun, the stop surface in the stroke limiting position limits the maximum axial deflection of the material needle in the direction of the rear end of the material quantity regulating device in such a way that a reduced amount of coating material can be dispensed compared to the stroke opening position. Preferably, the maximum deflection of the material needle in the axial direction and in the direction of the rear end of the material quantity regulating device in the stroke opening position is unlimited by the stop surface in such a way that a maximum possible amount of coating material can be dispensed. The dispensing of a maximum possible amount of coating material is preferably understood to mean an amount in which the amount of dispensable coating material can no longer be reduced or can only be reduced slightly by limiting the material needle stroke.In this context, "minor" preferably means a reduction of less than 5% in the maximum dispensable material quantity. Thus, the maximum dispensable material quantity in the stroke-open position is preferably limited primarily by the design of the material nozzle and not by the material needle stroke.

[0037] The invention further relates to a method for applying coating material by means of a paint spray gun, in particular a paint spray gun with one or more of the previously described features and / or a material quantity regulating device with one or more of the previously described features. As a rule, the material quantity regulating device is first adjusted by means of an adjusting element into a closed position in which a stop of the material quantity regulating device for a material needle of the paint spray gun is displaced as far as possible in the material discharge direction. This state forms a zero point or starting position. The material quantity regulating device can be completely closed in this state. A stop surface of the material quantity regulating device can also completely block the movement of a material needle of the paint spray gun in the axial direction.

[0038] Within the scope of the method according to the invention, the material quantity regulating device is set by means of the setting element into a stroke limiting position in which the stop surface allows the material needle to move in the axial direction up to a freely definable intermediate position in which a reduced amount of material can be dispensed. A quick-adjustment mechanism of the material quantity regulating device is then actuated, by means of which the stop surface is moved from the stroke limiting position to a stroke opening position without actuating the setting element. In this position the material needle can be opened in the axial direction up to a maximum position and an unreduced or less reduced amount of material can be dispensed. The next step is the application of a layer of coating material to an object to be coated with the maximum possible (unreduced) material dispensing amount.After the lower material layer has been applied, the quick-adjustment mechanism is actuated, moving the stop surface into the stroke-limiting position in which the reduced amount of material can be dispensed. The adjustment element is not actuated during this process. The next step is the application of another coating material layer with a reduced material dispensing quantity. Using this process, a lower material layer with a greater layer thickness is first applied, followed by the application of an upper material layer which, due to the reduced amount of material, preferably has a thinner layer thickness. Using such a process, a coating material layer can be applied reproducibly, preferably with two different layer thicknesses, whereby a particularly high surface quality can be achieved with the upper layer with the thinner layer thickness.A thinner layer also allows for better visualization of various effects. Unlike applying multiple, identical, thin layers of material, this allows for faster processing and eliminates the risk of the coating material drying before the coating process is complete. Unlike the described method, different coating materials can be used for both layers. Additional layers of varying thicknesses can also be applied.

[0039] The invention further relates to a method for applying coating material using a paint spray gun, in particular a paint spray gun with one or more of the previously described features and / or a material quantity regulating device with one or more of the previously described features. According to the method, the material quantity regulating device is adjusted by means of the adjusting element into a stroke-limiting position in which the stop surface allows the movement of the material needle in the axial direction up to a freely definable intermediate position in which a reduced amount of material can be dispensed. Subsequently, a coating material layer with a reduced material dispensing amount is applied.Once the coating material layer has been completely applied, a quick-adjustment mechanism of the material quantity regulating device is actuated, by means of which the stop surface is moved from the stroke limiting position to a stroke opening position without actuating the adjusting element, wherein the material needle can be opened in the axial direction up to a maximum position in the stroke opening position and a maximum possible (unreduced) or less reduced amount of material can be dispensed. A further coating material layer is then applied with an unreduced amount of material dispensed. The described method can, for example, be used to achieve a special surface effect. A particularly opaque coating material layer can also be produced. Exemplary embodiments of the device according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic figures. In this figure:

[0040] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a material quantity regulating device in the stroke limiting position,

[0041] Fig. 2 shows a partial section of the first embodiment of the material quantity regulating device from Fig. 1 in the stroke limiting position,

[0042] Fig. 3 shows a central section of the first embodiment of the material quantity regulating device from Fig. 1 in the stroke limiting position,

[0043] Fig. 4 is a central section of the first embodiment of the material quantity regulating device from Fig. 1 in the stroke opening position,

[0044] Fig. 5 a paint spray gun with the first embodiment of the material quantity regulating device from Fig. 1 in the stroke opening position,

[0045] Fig. 6 shows a partial section of a paint spray gun from Fig. 5 with the design of the material quantity regulating device from Fig. 1 in the stroke limiting position with the trigger guard not actuated,

[0046] Fig. 7 shows a partial section of a paint spray gun from Fig. 5 with the first embodiment of the material quantity regulating device from Fig. 1 in the stroke limiting position with the trigger fully actuated,

[0047] Fig. 8 shows a partial section of a paint spray gun from Fig. 5 with the first embodiment of the material quantity regulating device from Fig. 1 in the stroke opening position with the trigger fully actuated,

[0048] Fig. 9 a central section of the spray gun from Fig. 6,

[0049] Fig. 10 is a central section of a second embodiment of a material quantity regulating device in the stroke limiting position,

[0050] Fig. 11 shows a central section of the second embodiment of a material quantity regulating device in the stroke opening position, Fig. 12 shows a central section of a third embodiment of a material quantity regulating device in the stroke limiting position,

[0051] Fig. 13 a central section of the third embodiment of a material quantity regulating device in the stroke opening position,

[0052] Fig. 14 is a central section of a fourth embodiment of a material quantity regulating device in the stroke limiting position,

[0053] Fig. 15 is a central section of the fourth embodiment of a material quantity regulating device in the stroke opening position,

[0054] Fig. 16 is a side view of the fourth embodiment of a material quantity regulating device in the stroke opening position,

[0055] Figures 1 to 4 show a material quantity regulating device 1 for limiting the material needle stroke of a hand-held paint spray gun 3, as shown by way of example in Fig. 5. The material quantity regulating device 1 has a front end 4 with a holding means 5 in the form of a thread 14, by means of which the material quantity regulating device 1 can be fastened to the paint spray gun 3 shown in Fig. 5. Also shown is a rear end 6, which is opposite the front end 4. The material quantity regulating device 1 has a stop surface 7, shown in Figs. 2 to 4, for limiting the material needle stroke, as well as an adjusting means 8, which is formed by part of the holding means 5 designed in the form of a thread 14.

[0056] By means of the adjustment means 8 and in interaction with a corresponding counter-element 9 of the paint gun 3, the axial position of the stop surface 7 for limiting the material needle stroke can be adjusted. Also shown is a quick-adjustment mechanism 10, by means of which the stop surface 7 can be adjusted back and forth in the axial direction 13 relative to the adjustment means 8 between a stroke-limiting position and a stroke-opening position different from the stroke-limiting position, without changing the position of the adjustment means 8 and without dismantling the material flow control device 1 from the paint gun 3.

[0057] In the illustrated material quantity regulating device 1, the stop surface 7 is offset in the axial direction 13 relative to the holding means 5 toward the rear end 6 of the material quantity regulating device 1. In the stroke limiting position, the stop surface 7 is located closer to the front end 4 of the material quantity regulating device 1 than in the stroke opening position.

[0058] As can be seen from Fig. 1 to 4, the adjustment means 8 extends at the front end 4 towards the rear end 6. The stop surface 7 for limiting the material needle stroke can be adjusted back and forth in the axial direction 13 between a stroke limiting position and a stroke opening position different from the stroke limiting position by the quick adjustment mechanism 10, which is separate from the adjustment means 8. By means of the quick adjustment mechanism 10, the stop surface 7 is adjustable relative to the adjustment means 8, wherein the stop surface 7 in the stroke limiting position is offset in the axial direction 13 relative to the adjustment means 8 in the direction of the rear end 6 of the material quantity regulating device 1.

[0059] As the design of the material quantity regulating device 1 shows, the stop surface 7 is offset relative to the adjustment means 8 in the direction of the rear end 6 of the material quantity regulating device 1, even in the stroke-limiting position. Accordingly, the stop surface 7 is arranged closer to the rear end 6 than to the front end 4 of the material quantity regulating device 1, both in the stroke-limiting position and in the stroke-opening position. In an alternative embodiment, the stop surface 7 can also be arranged at the level of the adjustment means 8 in the axial direction 13 when the material quantity regulating device 1 is in the stroke-limiting position.

[0060] As can be seen from Fig. 1 to 4, a locking means 17 is provided, by means of which the adjusting means 8 can be locked in a position in the axial direction 13, wherein the locking means 17 is designed as a lock nut 17.

[0061] Figs. 1 to 4 also show a cavity 15 extending from the front end 4 of the material quantity regulating device 1 toward the rear end 6 of the material quantity regulating device 1 into the interior of the material quantity regulating device 1. From Figs. 6 to 9, it can be seen that the cavity 15 is designed to accommodate a material needle 16 of the paint spray gun 3.

[0062] Also shown is a sleeve-shaped adjustment element 18, which comprises the adjustment means 8, and a sleeve-shaped stop element 19, which comprises the stop surface 7, wherein the stop element 19 is partially arranged inside the adjustment element 18. Embodiments are also possible in which the adjustment element 18 is at least partially arranged inside the stop element 19.

[0063] Fig. 3 shows the material flow control device in the stroke limiting position, and Fig. 4 shows the material flow control device in the stroke opening position. Both figures show that in the stroke limiting position, the stop surface 7 is located closer to the front end 4 of the material flow control device 1 in the axial direction 13 than in the stroke opening position, and that in the stroke limiting position, the stop surface 7 is positioned within the half of the material flow control device 1 that includes the rear end 6 of the material flow control device 1.

[0064] It is also shown that the stop element 19 and the adjustment element 18 each have a shoulder 27, 29, which abut one another in the stroke-opening position and limit the maximum rearward deflection of the stop element 19 in the stroke-opening position. From the structure shown, it can be seen that the adjustment of the stop surface 7 by means of the quick-adjustment mechanism 10 takes place exclusively by a movement in the axial direction 13 of the stop surface 7. In the case of another embodiment according to the invention, as shown, for example, in Figs. 10 and 11, 12 and 13 or 14 and 15, the adjustment of the stop surface 7 by means of the adjustment means 8 can also take place by a rotary movement of an actuating element 21 about the central axis of the material quantity regulating device 1 or a combination of such a rotary movement and a previously described movement in the axial direction 13.

[0065] As can be seen particularly from Figs. 3 and 4, the quick-adjustment mechanism 10 is designed such that it automatically locks in the stroke-limiting position and the stroke-opening position. For this purpose, the quick-adjustment mechanism 10 has a locking element 22 that serves to lock the quick-adjustment mechanism 10 in the stroke-limiting position and the stroke-opening position. The locking element 22 partially surrounds the adjustment element 18 and the stop element 19 in the circumferential direction. The quick-adjustment mechanism 10 is designed such that it automatically moves from the stroke-limiting position to the stroke-opening position by retracting the locking element 22.For this purpose, a spring element 37 is provided, which, in conjunction with a material needle spring 47, exerts a backward force on the stop element 19 and moves it in the reverse direction when the quick-adjustment mechanism 10 is released via the locking element 22. For this purpose, the locking element 22 is pulled backward in the stroke-limiting position.

[0066] 3 and 4, the adjusting element 18 is sleeve-shaped, with a sleeve-shaped stop element 19 being provided which is arranged partially within the adjusting element 18 and mounted coaxially on the inner surface 30 of the sleeve-shaped adjusting element 18. The adjusting element 18 is provided with an external thread 14, shown in detail in FIGS. 1 and 2, which forms the holding means 5 and the adjusting means 8. A locking means 17 in the form of a lock nut 17 is provided on the external thread 14. The stop element 19 is closed at an end 23 opposite the front end 4 of the material quantity regulating device 1. The stop surface 7 is formed on the inner side 24 of the closed end 23. In the region of the open end 25 of the stop element 19 opposite the closed end 23, the outer surface 26 of the stop element 19 is provided with a shoulder 27. This shoulder 27 comes in the position shown in Fig.4, the stop element 19 engages with a shoulder 29 on the inner surface 30 of the adjusting element 18 and blocks the movement of the stop element 19 in the axial direction 13. In the stroke opening position, the inner stop element 19 is displaced maximally in the direction of the rear end 6 of the material quantity regulating device 1.

[0067] The stop element 19 has a circumferential groove 31 in the region of the closed end 23. The adjustment element 18 has bores 32 in the rear region, in which balls 33 are mounted so as to be displaceable radially relative to the axial direction 13. In a securing position shown in Fig. 3, the position of the bores 32 is at the same height as the position of the circumferential groove 31 in the axial direction 13, with the stop element 19 being displaced within the adjustment element 18 toward the front end 4.

[0068] Furthermore, a sleeve-shaped securing element 22 is shown, which surrounds the area of ​​the rear end 6 of the material quantity regulating device 1 in the area of ​​the bores 32 and the circumferential groove 31. The securing element 22 has a larger opening inner diameter 35 located at the front in the axial direction 13 and a smaller securing inner diameter 36 located at the rear in the axial direction 13. The securing element 22 is mounted displaceably in the axial direction 13 relative to the adjusting element 18 and the stop element 19, so that it can be displaced back and forth in the axial direction 13 between the securing position shown in Fig. 3 and the opening position shown in Fig. 4.

[0069] In the locking position shown in Fig. 3, the circumferential groove 31, the bores 32, and the locking inner diameter 36 are at the same height in the axial direction 13. In the opening position shown in Fig. 4, the circumferential groove 31, the bores 32, and the opening inner diameter 35 are at the same height in the axial direction 13.

[0070] In the locking position according to Fig. 3, the balls 33 engage in the circumferential groove 31 of the stop element 19, whereby the mobility of the balls 33, in the radial direction and away from the center axis of the material quantity regulating device 1, is limited by the smaller locking inner diameter 36 such that they are held in engagement with the circumferential groove 31. This prevents the axial mobility of the stop element 19 relative to the adjusting element 18.

[0071] In the opening position according to Fig. 4, the balls 33 can be deflected radially outward from the center axis of the material quantity regulating device 1 due to the larger opening inner diameter 35, so far that the balls 33 no longer engage in the circumferential groove 31. Thus, the stop element 19 can be moved back and forth relative to the adjusting element 18 in the axial direction 13 between the stroke limiting position and the stroke opening position.

[0072] Between the stop element 19 and the securing element 22, the spring element 37 is provided, which exerts a force on the stop element 19 directed in the axial direction 13 and in the direction of the rear end 6 of the material quantity regulating device 1, which force automatically moves the stop element 19 from the stroke limiting position backwards into the stroke opening position and holds it in this position.

[0073] Conversely, the spring element 37 exerts a force on the securing element 22 directed in the axial direction 13 and towards the front end 4 of the material quantity regulating device 1, which force urges the securing element 22 forward towards the securing position. However, the securing element 22 is held in the open position by the balls 33, which are arranged in the inner opening diameter 35 of the securing element 22. In order to transfer the stop surface 7 or the stop element 19 from the stroke opening position shown in Fig. 4 to the stroke limiting position shown in Fig. 3, a push button 38 on the stop element 19 must be actuated, thereby displacing the stop element 19 towards the front end 4 until the groove 31 is again at the axial height of the balls 33. The balls 33 are now pressed radially inward into the groove 31.The spring element 37 now displaces the released securing element 22 towards the front end 4 and the quick-adjustment mechanism 10 automatically locks itself in the stroke limiting position shown in Fig. 3, since the radial movement of the balls 33 outwards is limited by the securing inner diameter 36 of the securing element 22 which is now at the height of the balls 33.

[0074] In order to move the stop surface 7 or the stop element 19 from the stroke limiting position shown in Fig. 3 into the stroke opening position shown in Fig. 4, the securing element 22 is displaced towards the rear end 6 of the material quantity regulating device 1, whereby the spring element 37 is further compressed and the spring force that the spring element 37 exerts on the stop element 19 via the push button 38 increases. As soon as the securing element 22 is displaced far enough towards the rear end 6 of the material quantity regulating device 1 that the opening inner diameter 35 and the balls 33 are at the same axial height, the balls 33 are moved outwards in the axial direction by the spring force, whereby the stop element 19 is released and moves backwards automatically.The spring force exerted by the spring element 37 on the push button 38 and thus on the stop element 19 holds the latter in the stroke opening position, provided that no forward-directed force is exerted on the push button 38 as previously described.

[0075] Fig. 5 shows an example of a paint spray gun 3 for dispensing a coating material. The paint spray gun shown is a hand-held paint spray gun 3, with a material needle 16 shown in the sectional view of Fig. 9 and a material quantity regulating device 1 for limiting the material needle stroke according to Figs. 1 to 4. The material quantity regulating device 1 is attached directly to the paint spray gun 3, but in an alternative embodiment can also be attached via at least one intermediate component. Figs. 6 to 8 show the paint spray gun 3 in different material dispensing states. Fig. 6 shows a state with the material needle 16 unopened in which no coating material is dispensed. Figs. 7 and 8 show the state with the trigger guard 45 fully pulled, with the material quantity regulating device 1 being in the stroke limiting position in Fig. 7 and in the stroke opening position in Fig. 8.

[0076] Fig. 7 shows that the stop surface 7 in the stroke limiting position limits the maximum axial deflection of the material needle 16 in the direction of the rear end 6 of the material quantity regulating device 1 in such a way that a reduced amount of coating material can be dispensed compared to the stroke opening position. This becomes particularly clear when viewed in conjunction with Fig. 8, which shows the material quantity regulating device 1 in the stroke opening position. Here it can be seen that the material needle 16 can be moved further rearward in the stroke opening position, whereby the material nozzle 54 can be opened further and thus a larger amount of coating material can be dispensed because the opening cross-section between the material nozzle 54 and the material needle 16 is larger. Fig.Figure 8 also shows that the maximum deflection of the material needle 16 in the axial direction 13 and in the direction of the rear end 6 of the material quantity regulating device 1 in the stroke-opening position is unlimited by the stop surface 7, so that a maximum possible amount of coating material can be dispensed. In another embodiment, however, the deflection of the material needle 16 can also be limited by the stop surface 7, whereby the deflection of the material needle 16 in the stroke-opening position is nevertheless less limited than in the stroke-limiting position.

[0077] The application of the coating material by means of a paint spray gun 3 preferably begins by first transferring the material quantity regulating device 1 by means of the adjustment element 18 into a closed position (not shown), in which the material quantity regulating device 1 is completely closed. In this position, the stop surface 7 of the material quantity regulating device 1 completely blocks the movement of the material needle 16 of the paint spray gun 3 in the axial direction 13 (zero or starting position).

[0078] The material quantity regulating device 1 is then adjusted by means of the adjusting element 18 into the stroke limiting position shown, for example, in Fig. 4, in which the stop surface 7 allows the movement of the material needle 16 in the axial direction 13 up to an intermediate position shown in Fig. 7, in which a reduced amount of material can be dispensed. The quick adjustment mechanism 10 of the material quantity regulating device 1 is then actuated, by means of which the stop surface 7 is displaced from the stroke limiting position into the stroke opening position shown in Fig. 4 without actuating the adjusting element 18, in which the material needle 16 can be opened in the axial direction 13 up to a maximum position, as shown in Fig. 8, and an unreduced amount of material can be dispensed.

[0079] After the quick adjustment mechanism 10 has been actuated and the material quantity regulating device 1 has been brought into the stroke opening position, a lower coating material layer with an unreduced material discharge quantity is now applied to the object to be coated.

[0080] The quick adjustment mechanism 10 is then actuated again, whereby the stop surface 7 is moved back into the stroke limiting position without actuating the adjusting element 18, whereby a reduced amount of material can now be dispensed.

[0081] After the quick adjustment mechanism 10 has been actuated and the material quantity regulating device 1 has thereby been brought into the stroke limiting position, an upper coating material layer is now applied to the object with a reduced material discharge quantity.

[0082] In the case of an alternative embodiment, the coating material is applied by means of the paint spray gun 3 by first applying a lower (first) coating material layer with the aid of the material quantity regulating device 1 in the stroke limiting position with a reduced material discharge quantity and then applying a further coating material layer to the first coating material layer with the aid of the material quantity regulating device 1 in the stroke opening position with the maximum possible material discharge quantity.

[0083] Fig. 9 shows the paint spray gun from Fig. 5 to 8 in a median section, with the material quantity regulating device 1 in the stroke limiting position shown in Fig. 3. The paint spray gun 3 has a coating agent inlet 41, to which a material supply device can be mounted, which supplies the paint spray gun 3 with coating material. In the paint spray gun 3 shown, a gravity feed cup can be mounted on the coating agent inlet 41. Also shown is an air valve 42, by means of which the air flow through the paint spray gun 3 can be controlled. An air supply connection 43 is provided for supplying the paint spray gun 3 with compressed air. The paint spray gun 3 further has a pistol grip 44, by which the user can hold the paint gun 3.Furthermore, a trigger 45 is provided, by means of which the air valve 42 as well as the deflection of the material needle 16 and thus the material discharge quantity are controlled. Also shown is an air quantity regulator 46, by means of which the amount of compressed air that reaches the air valve 42 from the air supply connection 43. The material needle spring 47 applies a spring force to the material needle 16 in the material discharge direction in order to move it forward again when the trigger 45 is released. Also shown is an air nozzle 53, which surrounds the round material nozzle 54 (also shown) in the form of an annular gap and atomizes the coating material emerging from the material nozzle 54. Both the material nozzle 54 and the air nozzle 53 are located on the nozzle head 55. Horns 57 projecting in the material discharge direction are also provided on the nozzle head 55 and carry the horn air nozzles 58.The round / wide jet control 56 can be used to control how much air flows out of the home air nozzles 58 when the trigger guard 45 is actuated.

[0084] Fig. 10 to 16 show alternative embodiments of a material quantity regulating device 1 according to the invention. However, many other embodiments are conceivable which are also considered to be in accordance with the invention.

[0085] 10 and 11 show a second embodiment of a material quantity regulating device 1. In contrast to the previously described embodiment, the stop element 19 has a quick-adjustment mechanism 10 which is formed by a first quick-action thread 48 and a second quick-action thread 49. In this case, the first quick-action thread 48 is longer than the second quick-action thread 49. If the quick-adjustment mechanism is in the stroke-limiting position shown in Fig. 10, the stop element 19 is connected to the adjusting element 18 by means of the shorter second quick-action thread 49. If the quick-adjustment mechanism 10 is switched to the stroke-opening position, the stop element 19 is unscrewed from the adjusting element 18 by means of the second quick-action thread 49, whereupon the stop element 19 is screwed onto a thread on the adjusting element 18 using the first quick-action thread 48.Due to the different lengths of the first quick-action thread 48 and the second quick-action thread 49, the stop surface 7 is located further away from the front end 4 of the material quantity regulating device 1 in the stroke-opening position than in the stroke-limiting position. Figs. 12 and 13 show a further embodiment of a material quantity regulating device 1, which differs from the previously described embodiments in that the stop element 19 and the adjusting element 18 are connected via a threaded knob 50 having an external thread 60 at its front end, by means of which the threaded knob 50 is connected to the adjusting element 18 in such a way that the threaded knob 50 can be displaced forwards or backwards relative to the adjusting element 18 via the thread 60 when rotated about its own axis.The threaded knob 50 has an internal bore 61 at its front end, in which the stop element 19 is freely rotatable but positively mounted in the axial direction 13, so that the stop element 19 moves forward and backward with the threaded knob 50 relative to the adjustment element 18 when the threaded knob 50 is rotated to the right or left in the circumferential direction. In this way, the stop surface 7 on the stop element 19 can be transferred from a stroke-limiting position (Fig. 12) to a stroke-opening position (Fig. 13) relative to the adjustment element 18.

[0086] Fig. 14 to 16 show a further embodiment of a material quantity regulating device 1. In this embodiment, as can be seen from Fig. 16, part of the stop element 19 is essentially triangular in cross-section, such that the side surfaces of the triangular part form a recess 52. At the front end of the recess 52, the triangular cross-section transitions into a round cross-section, the outer diameter of which lies at the corners of the triangular cross-section. The transition between the triangular cross-section and the round cross-section forms a recess shoulder 59 on the legs of the triangle. Furthermore, an intermediately mounted securing element 22 is provided with a snap hook 51, which is designed such that it can be inserted into the recess shown in Fig.14, engages with the recessed offset shoulder 59 when the angular position of the recessed offset shoulder 59 and the snap hook 51 with respect to the axis of the material quantity regulating device 1 coincides. In this way, the stop element 19 is held in the stroke limiting position, even if the material needle 16 or, if applicable, the material needle spring 47 presses directly rearward on the stop element 19 in the axial direction 13.

[0087] To move the stop element 19 into the stroke-opening position (Fig. 15), the stop element 19 is rotated about its own axis until the snap hook 51 is displaced outwardly far enough that it is located on the round outer diameter of the stop element 19 and disengages from the recessed shoulder 59. The force exerted directly on the stop element 19 by the material needle 16 or the material needle spring 47 then moves the stop element 19 into the stroke-opening position.

[0088] If a force is exerted on the rear end 6 of the material flow control device 1, the stop element 19 can be moved forward again and secured in the stroke limiting position by rotating it around its own axis. Like the other exemplary embodiments, the material flow control device 1 can have a position marking 40 that indicates the angular position of the material flow control device 1 relative to the paint gun.

[0089] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described purely by way of example with reference to the figures and the above explanations. Other designs, materials, or connection types are conceivable and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the explanations and the prior art. All individual features of the embodiments can be combined with one another, even if this is not explicitly stated. This also applies to the embodiments themselves. Those skilled in the art will clearly recognize when a combination is not possible or not practical. All embodiments can be applied to various types of paint spray guns, even if this is not explicitly stated.

[0090] List of reference symbols

[0091] 1. Material quantity control device

[0092] 3. Paint spray gun

[0093] 4. front end (of the material quantity regulation)

[0094] 5. Holding means (of material quantity regulation)

[0095] 6. rear end (of the material quantity regulation)

[0096] 7. Stop surface

[0097] 8. Adjustment means (for material quantity regulation)

[0098] 9. Counter element of the spray gun

[0099] 10. Quick adjustment mechanism

[0100] 13. Axial direction

[0101] 14. Thread

[0102] 15. Cavity

[0103] 16. Material needle

[0104] 17. Locking devices

[0105] 18. Adjustment element

[0106] 19. Stop element

[0107] 21. Actuating element (for rotary movement)

[0108] 22. Securing element

[0109] 23. closed end of the stop element

[0110] 24. Inside of the closed end of the stop element

[0111] 25. open end of the stop element

[0112] 26. Outer surface of the stop element

[0113] 27. Shoulder of the stop element

[0114] 29. Shoulder of the adjusting element

[0115] 30. Inner surface of the adjustment element

[0116] 31. circumferential groove

[0117] 32. Drilling

[0118] 33. Balls

[0119] 35. Opening inner diameter

[0120] 36. Fuse inner diameter

[0121] 37. Spring element

[0122] 38. Push button

[0123] 39. Connecting screw

[0124] 40. Position marking

[0125] 41. Coating agent inlet

[0126] 42. Air valve

[0127] 43. Air supply connection

[0128] 44. Pistol grip

[0129] 45. Trigger guard

[0130] 46. ​​Air flow control device

[0131] 47. Material needle spring

[0132] 48. First quick thread

[0133] 49. Second quick thread

[0134] 50. Threaded knob

[0135] 51. Snap hook 52. Recessed offset

[0136] 53. Air nozzle

[0137] 54. Material nozzle

[0138] 55. Nozzle head 56. Round / wide jet control

[0139] 57. Horns

[0140] 58. Home air nozzle

[0141] 59. Rebound shoulder

[0142] 60. External thread on the threaded knob 61. Internal hole on the threaded knob

Claims

Claims 1. A material quantity regulating device (1) for limiting the material needle stroke of a paint gun (3), in particular a hand-held paint gun (3), comprising a front end (4) with a holding means (5), in particular in the form of a thread (14), by means of which the material quantity regulating device (1) can be fastened to a paint gun (3), a rear end (6) opposite the front end (4), a stop surface (7) for limiting the material needle stroke (2), an adjustment means (8), in particular formed by a part of the holding means (5) designed in the form of a thread (14), via which, in interaction with a corresponding counter-element (9) of the paint gun (3), an axial position of the stop surface (7) relative to the paint gun (3) can be adjusted to limit the material needle stroke, and a quick-adjustment mechanism (10),by means of which the stop surface (7) can be adjusted back and forth in the axial direction (13) relative to the adjusting means (8) between a stroke limiting position and a stroke opening position different from the stroke limiting position, without changing the setting of the adjusting means (8) and without dismantling the material quantity regulating device (1) from the paint gun (3), characterized in that the stop surface (7) is arranged at the level of the holding means (5) in the axial direction (13) at least in the stroke limiting position or is arranged offset in the axial direction (13) relative to the holding means (5) in the direction of the rear end (6) of the material quantity regulating device (1).

2. Material quantity regulating device (1) for limiting the material needle stroke of a paint spray gun (3), in particular a hand-held paint spray gun (3), having a front end (4), a rear end (6) opposite the front end (4), a holding means (5) and an adjusting means (8) at the front end (4), a stop surface (7) for limiting the material needle stroke and a quick-adjustment mechanism (10) separate from the adjusting means (8), by means of which the stop surface (7) can be adjusted back and forth in the axial direction (13) relative to the holding means (5) and the adjusting means (8) between a stroke-limiting position and a stroke-opening position different from the stroke-limiting position, characterized in thatthat the stop surface (7) is arranged at least in the stroke limiting position in the axial direction (13) at the level of the holding means (5) or is arranged offset in the axial direction (13) relative to the holding means (5) in the direction of the rear end (6) of the material quantity regulating device (1).

3. Material quantity regulating device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the stop surface (7) is arranged at least in the stroke limiting position at the level of the adjusting means (8) or offset relative to the adjusting means (8) in the direction of the rear end (6) of the material quantity regulating device (1), preferably closer to the rear end (6) than to the front end (4) of the material quantity regulating device (1).

4. Material quantity regulating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material quantity regulating device (1) has a cavity (15) which extends from the front end (4) of the material quantity regulating device (1) in the direction of the rear end (6) of the material quantity regulating device (1) into the interior of the material quantity regulating device (1) and is designed to receive a material needle (16) of the paint spray gun (3).

5. Material quantity regulating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop surface (7) in the stroke limiting position in the axial direction (13) is closer to the front end (4) of the material quantity regulating device (1) than in the stroke opening position (12), preferably wherein the stop surface (7) in the stroke limiting position is positioned within the half of the material quantity regulating device (1) which comprises the rear end (6) of the material quantity regulating device (1).

6. Material quantity regulating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a locking means (17) is provided, by means of which the material quantity regulating device (1) can be locked in a position set by the setting means (8) in the axial direction (13) relative to the paint gun (3), wherein the locking means (17) is preferably designed as a lock nut (17).

7. Material quantity regulating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an adjusting element (18), in particular a sleeve-shaped adjusting element (18), is provided, which comprises the adjusting means (8) and a stop element (19), in particular a sleeve-shaped stop element (19), is provided which comprises the stop surface (7), wherein the stop element (19) and the adjusting element (18) are displaceable relative to one another in the axial direction (13). Material quantity regulating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop element (19) and the adjusting element (18) each have a shoulder (27, 29) which bear against one another in the stroke-open position. Material quantity regulating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material quantity regulating device (1) is designed such that the adjustment of the stop surface (7) by means of the quick-adjustment mechanism (10), preferably exclusively, takes place with a movement in the axial direction (13) of the stop surface (7) and / or the adjustment of the stop surface (7) by means of the adjusting means (8) takes place by a screwing movement around the central axis of the material quantity regulating device (1).Material quantity regulating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the quick-adjustment mechanism (10) is designed such that it automatically locks in the stroke-limiting position and / or the stroke-opening position. Material quantity regulating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the quick-adjustment mechanism (10) comprises a securing element (22) which serves to lock the quick-adjustment mechanism (10) in the stroke-limiting position and / or the stroke-opening position, wherein the securing element (22) preferably at least partially surrounds the adjusting element (18) and / or the stop element (19) in the circumferential direction.Material quantity regulating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the quick-adjustment mechanism (10) automatically moves from the stroke-limiting position to the stroke-opening position by displacing a securing element (22). Material quantity regulating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material quantity regulating device (1) is a. sleeve-shaped adjusting element (18) and a sleeve-shaped stop element (19) arranged partially within the adjusting element (18) and mounted coaxially on the inner surface (30) of the sleeve-shaped adjusting element (18), wherein the adjusting element (18) is provided with an external thread (14) which forms the holding means (5) and the adjusting means (8), wherein a locking means (17) in the form of a lock nut (17) is provided on the external thread (14), wherein the stop element (19) is closed at an end (23) opposite the front end (4) of the material quantity regulating device (1) and the stop surface (7) is formed on the inner side (24) of the closed end (23), wherein in the region of the open end (25) of the stop element (19) opposite the closed end (23), the outer surface (26) of the stop element (19) is provided with a shoulder (27) which is in the lifting opening position,in which the inner stop element (19) is displaced maximally in the direction of the rear end (6) of the material quantity regulating device (1), comes into contact with a shoulder (29) on the inner surface (30) of the adjusting element (18), and blocks the movement of the stop element (19) in the axial direction (13) from the front end (4) of the material quantity regulating device (1) toward the rear end (6) of the material quantity regulating device (1). Material quantity regulating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop element (19) has a circumferential groove (31), and the adjusting element (18) has bores (32) in which balls (33) are mounted displaceably radially to the axial direction (13), wherein an additional sleeve-shaped securing element (22) is provided.which surrounds the area of ​​the rear end (6) of the material quantity regulating device (1) in the area of ​​the bores (32) and the circumferential groove (31) and has a larger opening inner diameter (35) located at the front in the axial direction (13) and a smaller securing inner diameter (36) located at the rear in the axial direction (13), wherein the securing element (22) is displaceable back and forth in the axial direction (13) relative to the adjusting element (18) and the stop element (19) between a securing position and an opening position, wherein the circumferential groove (31), the bores (32) and the securing inner diameter (36) are at the same height in the axial direction (13) when the securing element (22) is arranged in the securing position and the stop element (19) is arranged in the stroke limiting position relative to the adjusting element (18), whereby the balls (33) are held by the securing inner diameter (36) on the securing element (22) radially inwards, are pressed into the groove (31) on the stop element (19), thereby locking the stop element (19) in the stroke-limiting position relative to the adjusting element (18), and wherein the bores (32) with the balls (33) mounted therein and the inner opening diameter (35) on the securing element (22) are at the same height in the axial direction (13) when the securing element (22) is arranged in the open position, whereby the balls (33) can be displaced radially outwards from the groove (31) on the stop element (19) into the inner opening diameter (35), and thereby the stop element (19) can be displaced back and forth relative to the adjusting element (18) in the axial direction (13) between the stroke-limiting position and the stroke-open position.Material quantity regulating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a spring element (37) is provided, via which the stop element (19) and the securing element (22) are supported against one another in the axial direction (13). A paint gun (3) for dispensing a coating material, in particular a hand-held paint gun (3), with a material needle (16) and a material quantity regulating device (1) for limiting the material needle stroke according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the material quantity regulating device (1) is preferably attached directly to the paint gun (3) or via at least one intermediate component.Paint spray gun (3) according to claim 16, characterized in that the stop surface (7) in the stroke-limiting position limits the maximum axial deflection of the material needle (16) in the direction of the rear end (6) of the material quantity regulating device (1) in such a way that a reduced amount of coating material can be dispensed compared to the stroke-opening position, preferably wherein the maximum deflection of the material needle (16) in the axial direction (13) and in the direction of the rear end (6) of the material quantity regulating device (1) in the stroke-opening position is unlimited by the stop surface (7) in such a way that a maximum possible amount of coating material can be dispensed. Method for applying coating material by means of a paint spray gun (3), in particular a paint spray gun (3) according to claim 16 or 17, comprising the steps. a) Setting the material quantity regulating device (1) by means of the adjusting element (18) into a stroke-limiting position in which the stop surface (7) allows the movement of the material needle (16) in the axial direction (13) up to an intermediate position in which a reduced amount of material can be dispensed, b) Actuating a quick-adjusting mechanism (10) of the material quantity regulating device (1), by means of which the stop surface (7) is displaced from the stroke-limiting position into a stroke-opening position without actuating the adjusting element (18), in which the material needle (16) can be opened in the axial direction (13) up to a maximum position and a maximum possible amount of material can be dispensed, c) Applying a coating material layer with the maximum possible amount of material dispensed, d) Actuating the quick-adjusting mechanism (10), by means of which the stop surface (7) is returned to the stroke-limiting position without actuating the adjusting element (18),in which the reduced amount of material can be dispensed, e) applying a coating material layer with a reduced amount of material dispensed. A method for applying coating material using a paint spray gun (3), in particular a paint spray gun (3) according to claim 16 or 17, comprising the steps of a) setting the material quantity regulating device (1) by means of the setting element (18) into a stroke-limiting position in which the stop surface (7) allows the movement of the material needle (16) in the axial direction (13) up to an intermediate position in which a reduced amount of material can be dispensed, b) applying a coating material layer with a reduced amount of material dispensed, c) actuating a quick-adjustment mechanism (10) of the material quantity regulating device (1), by means of which the stop surface (7) is displaced from the stroke-limiting position to a stroke-opening position without actuating the setting element (18),in which the material needle (16) can be opened in the axial direction (13) up to a maximum position and a maximum possible amount of material can be dispensed, d) applying a coating material layer with the maximum possible amount of material dispensed.

Images