Paint gun with improved ergonomics

Abstract

The invention relates to a paint gun (100) comprising a paint gun body (10), a paint nozzle body (51) having an outlet opening (52), and an actuating trigger element (30), wherein the paint gun body (10) has a handle portion (12), an air valve (60) extending along an air valve axis (65), and a paint valve (70) extending along a paint valve axis (75), wherein the handle portion (12) has a palm support portion (13) with a front point (18) disposed between a lower end (15) and an upper end (14), wherein the ratio of a vertical distance (6518) between the air valve axis (65) and the front point (18) of the palm support surface (13) to a horizontal distance (5218) between the outlet opening (52) of the paint nozzle body (51) and the front point (18) of the palm support portion (13) is at least 0.35.

Description

[0001] Paint spray gun with improved ergonomics

[0002] The invention relates to a paint spray gun.

[0003] Paint spray guns are generally well-known in the art and are used, for example, in automotive workshops for painting cars. Paint spray guns are used to atomize flowable material and apply it to a surface. The material to be applied can be either liquid or powder. Paint spray guns are often used by an employee for painting for several hours at a time. For this reason, paint spray guns must be ergonomically designed.

[0004] In this context, it has now become apparent that there is a further need to provide a paint spray gun, in particular there is a need to provide a paint spray gun with an improved ergonomic design.

[0005] These and other objects, which will become apparent upon reading the following description or which may be recognized by those skilled in the art, are achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims form further embodiments of the present invention.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a paint spray gun is provided, comprising a paint spray gun body, a paint nozzle body with an outlet opening, wherein the paint nozzle body is arranged on the paint spray gun body by means of an interface, an actuating bracket element, wherein the paint spray gun body has a handle portion, an air valve extending along an air valve axis, and a paint valve extending along a paint valve axis, wherein the air valve axis and the paint valve axis lie on one axis, wherein the handle portion has a palm rest portion with a lower end and an upper end and a front point arranged between the lower end and the upper end, wherein the front point is the point on a center line of the palm rest portion that is closest to the outlet opening of the paint nozzle body in the axial direction,The actuating bracket element is movably mounted on the paint gun body such that, upon deflection in the direction of the palm rest section, it actuates the air valve and the paint valve, wherein the ratio of a vertical distance between the air valve axis and the front point of the palm rest section to a horizontal distance between the outlet opening of the paint nozzle body and the front point of the palm rest section is at least 0.35. The term "paint gun" refers in particular to a hand-held paint dispensing unit with a trigger handle for actuating one or more valves configured to release a paint flow and, if appropriate, an air flow. The terms "paint gun","Paint nozzle" or other designations containing the terms "varnish" or "paint" are not to be understood as limiting these materials. The paint spray gun according to the invention can be used to spray, for example, paint, adhesive, or varnish, in particular base and clear coats, both solvent-based and water-based, as well as liquids for the food industry, wood preservatives, or other liquids. The paint spray gun mentioned can be a hand-held gun, an automatic gun, or a robot gun. Hand-held paint spray guns are primarily used by craftsmen, especially painters, carpenters, and varnishers. Automatic and robot guns are generally used in conjunction with a painting robot or a painting machine for industrial applications. However, it is certainly conceivableto integrate a hand-held spray gun into a painting robot or a painting machine. In particular, a paint gun according to the invention designed as a hand-held paint gun can be designed as a gravity-feed gun with a paint cup arranged above the paint gun body, from which the material to be sprayed flows into and through the paint channels essentially by gravity and by vacuum at the front end of the paint nozzle. However, the paint gun according to the invention can also be a side-feed gun, in which the paint cup is arranged laterally on the paint gun body, and in which the material is also fed to the gun by gravity and by vacuum at the front end of the material nozzle. However, the paint gun according to the invention can also be designed as a suction or suspended cup gun with a paint cup arranged below the paint gun body.from which the material to be sprayed is essentially sucked out of the cup by vacuum. Furthermore, it can be designed as a pressure-cup gun, in which the cup is arranged below, above, or to the side of the paint gun body and is pressurized, whereupon the material to be sprayed is forced out of the cup. Furthermore, it can be a pressure-feed gun, in which the material to be sprayed is supplied to the spray gun via a hose from a paint container or via a pump. The paint gun according to the invention can be a low-pressure gun, in particular an HVLP gun, with an internal nozzle pressure of a maximum of 10 psi or 0.7 bar, which achieves transfer rates of more than 65%. However, it can also be a compliant gun, which has an internal nozzle pressure of more than 10 psi or 0.7 bar.However, a transfer rate of more than 65% is also achieved. It can be an air-atomized spray gun. It can be an air-assisted spray gun. It can be a powder coating gun. It can be an electrostatic gun. However, it can also be a different type of spray gun.

[0007] The term "spray gun body" refers in particular to a housing designed to arrange the components of a spray gun relative to one another and to at least partially enclose them. The spray gun body has, in particular, a handle section. The spray gun can have a compressed air connection, a paint needle, a trigger for opening an air valve and for moving the paint needle out of the outlet opening of the paint nozzle, a round-to-wide jet regulator for adjusting the ratio of atomizing air and horn air to shape the paint jet, an air micrometer for adjusting the spray pressure, a material flow regulator for adjusting the maximum material flow rate, a material connection, paint channels for directing the material to be sprayed from a material inlet to the material outlet opening, a suspension hook, and / or an analog or digital pressure measuring device.However, it can also comprise other components from the prior art. In or on the spray gun body, a needle valve for applying paint and, if applicable, an air valve for releasing compressed air, a compressed air connection, and a paint connection are arranged. Furthermore, a paint nozzle body is arranged on the spray gun body. The spray gun body has, in particular, an interface for the paint nozzle body, and the paint nozzle body has a corresponding interface. The interfaces are, in particular, designed as threads. The spray gun body can be made of plastic or metal.

[0008] The term "handle section" refers in particular to a structural element that is designed to be grasped with a hand. The handle section has a palm rest section. The palm rest section is preferably arranged on the rear side of the handle section. The palm rest section does not have to be completely covered by the user's palm during operation of the paint spray gun. Other parts of the user's hand, in particular an upper side surface, can also be in contact with the palm rest section during operation of the paint spray gun. In particular, an air valve and a paint valve are arranged above the handle section. The palm rest section has an upper end and a lower end.The upper end refers in particular to the uppermost and / or rearmost area of ​​the handle section, which rests on the user's hand when the spray gun is in operation, particularly in the area of ​​the hand between the thumb and index finger.

[0009] The term "paint nozzle body" refers specifically to a nozzle (or paint nozzle) designed to apply paint with a specific spray pattern. The paint nozzle body, in particular, has an interface for mounting on the paint gun body. The paint nozzle body, in particular, has an outlet opening. Paint flows through the outlet opening.

[0010] The term “paint valve” refers in particular to a needle valve which is designed to regulate, i.e. to release or close, a paint flow to the outlet opening of the paint nozzle body.

[0011] The term "air valve" refers specifically to a valve designed to regulate an air flow, i.e., to open or close it. The air flow serves, for example, to atomize the paint stream after it leaves the outlet opening of the paint nozzle body and / or to carry the paint particles toward the object to be coated and / or to shape the spray jet.

[0012] The term "paint valve axis" refers specifically to the axis in or on which the paint valve is located. The paint valve axis is defined, in particular, by the orientation of a paint needle of the needle valve. The paint valve axis can be the longitudinal axis of the paint needle.

[0013] The term "air valve axis" refers specifically to the axis in or on which the air valve is arranged. The air valve axis is defined, in particular, by the orientation of a paint needle of the needle valve. The air valve axis can be the longitudinal axis of at least one component of the air valve, in particular the longitudinal axis of a valve sleeve, which can form a seat for a sealing element.

[0014] The term “actuating bracket element” refers in particular to a structural element that is designed to be rotatably mounted on the paint spray gun body and to open or close the needle valve and, if applicable, an air valve by pressing the actuating bracket element, so that paint and / or compressed air flow through the paint nozzle body. The actuating bracket element is detachably connected to the paint spray gun body. The term “detachable” in this case means that the actuating bracket element can be mounted on and removed from the paint spray gun body. This can be done, for example, via a snap-in connection. The actuating bracket element can be mounted or removed without tools, for example. The actuating bracket element can be mounted or removed with a tool, for example. The actuating bracket element is rotatably mounted, in particular, above the paint valve axis.The actuating bracket element is preferably designed as a single-arm actuating bracket element. The actuating bracket element preferably has an actuating bracket element body with a finger rest, with a fastening arm extending from only one side of the actuating bracket element body. This fastening arm is attached to one side of the paint gun body. However, the actuating bracket element can also be designed as a two-arm actuating bracket element, with two fastening arms extending from two opposite sides of the actuating bracket element body, with both fastening arms being attached to opposite sides of the paint gun body. At least one arm can be detachably arranged on the actuating bracket element body.

[0015] The fact that the actuating bar element actuates the air valve and the paint valve upon deflection in the direction of the palm rest section means, in particular, that when the actuating bar element is actuated, the air valve and the paint valve are actuated either directly by the actuating bar element, in particular by parts thereof, and / or indirectly by other components that are in turn actuated, in particular moved, by the actuating bar element. Preferably, the air valve and the paint valve are opened upon actuation of the actuating bar element, as described in more detail below, and closed upon release of the actuating bar element.

[0016] The paint spray gun according to the invention is a so-called "single-axis" paint spray gun. The air valve axis and the paint valve axis lie on one axis. The air valve axis and the paint valve axis can be coaxial. The air valve axis and the paint valve axis can preferably be the same axis. The paint needle preferably extends along the air valve axis and the paint valve axis. The air valve axis and / or the paint valve axis can be the same as the longitudinal axis of the paint nozzle body. The air valve axis and / or the paint valve axis and / or the longitudinal axis of the paint nozzle body can be coaxial. The air valve can be arranged on the air valve axis and / or the paint valve axis, which can mean that components forming the air valve, in particular a seal and at least part of a valve sleeve, can be arranged around the air valve axis and / or the paint valve axis.The air valve axis and / or the paint valve axis can be the same as the longitudinal axis of a valve sleeve. The air valve axis and / or the paint valve axis can be coaxial with a longitudinal axis of a valve sleeve. The air valve axis and / or the paint valve axis can be the same as the longitudinal axis of an air piston. The air valve axis and / or the paint valve axis can be coaxial with the longitudinal axis of an air piston. The air piston can be movable by the actuating bracket element. The air piston can be part of the air valve. The air piston can be designed to actuate a driver, wherein the driver is fixedly connected to the paint needle in the axial direction, whereby actuation of the driver can cause the paint needle to be actuated. The term “actuation” can mean a movement in the direction opposite to the spraying direction.In a "dual-axis" spray gun, however, the air valve axis and the paint valve axis lie on different axes. As with the present spray gun according to the invention, the paint valve axis lies on the longitudinal axis of the paint needle, but the air valve axis is arranged parallel to the paint valve axis below the paint valve axis, in particular between a front point of the palm rest section and the paint valve axis. The air valve is actuated via an air piston with an air piston rod. The air piston rod is often arranged below the upper gun body behind the actuating bracket element and is actuated via the rear of the actuating bracket element. Single-axis spray guns have manufacturing advantages over dual-axis spray guns.For example, with single-axis spray guns, no additional hole for the air valve needs to be drilled into the spray gun body between a front point of the palm rest section and the paint valve axis.

[0017] The front point arranged between the lower end and the upper end of the palm rest section of the handle section is the point that is closest to the outlet opening of the paint nozzle body in the axial direction on a center line of the palm rest section. In the axial direction means in particular in the spraying direction of the paint spray gun. In the axial direction means in particular in a horizontal direction forward, in particular in the spraying direction. In the axial direction means in particular along an axis that runs through the front point and is parallel to the air valve axis and / or the paint valve axis. The center line of the palm rest section means in particular the line that runs along the middle of the thickness of the palm rest section, in particular from top to bottom.The center line of the palm support section can in particular mean the line that represents the line of the palm support section, in particular the rear of the handle section of the paint gun, in a side view of the paint spray gun and / or in a projection of a side of the paint spray gun onto a plane. Several front points can be present on the center line of the palm support section, which are the same distance from the outlet opening of the paint nozzle body in the axial direction. If the palm support section runs vertically, in particular perpendicular to the air valve axis and / or the paint valve axis, all points on the center line of the palm support section can be the same distance from the outlet opening of the paint nozzle body in the axial direction.If there are multiple front points that are the same distance from the outlet opening of the paint nozzle body in the axial direction, the front point that is closest to the air valve axis and / or the paint valve axis in the axial direction is relevant for the present invention. In the axial direction here means, in particular, perpendicular to the spraying direction of the paint gun, upwards. In the axial direction here means, in particular, in a vertical direction upwards, in particular perpendicular to the spraying direction. In the axial direction here means, in particular, along an axis that runs through the front point and is perpendicular to the air valve axis and / or the paint valve axis.

[0018] In this case, the vertical distance between the air valve axis and the front point of the palm rest area can be understood as the distance between the air valve axis and an axis that passes through the front point and is parallel to the air valve axis / paint valve axis.

[0019] The horizontal distance between the outlet opening of the paint nozzle body and the front point of the palm resting surface can be understood as the distance between an axis that lies at the front end of the outlet opening of the paint nozzle body and is perpendicular to the air valve axis, and an axis that runs through the front point and is perpendicular to the air valve axis and parallel to the said axis that lies at the front end of the outlet opening.

[0020] The ratio of the vertical distance between the air valve axis and the front point of the palm rest to the horizontal distance between the outlet opening of the paint nozzle body and the front point of the palm rest is at least 0.35. This would be the case, for example, if the vertical distance were 50 mm and the horizontal distance were 143 mm.

[0021] The invention is based on the finding that the handling of the paint spray gun is significantly influenced by its ergonomic design. The center of gravity of the paint spray gun and the lever arm of the actuating lever element each play a particularly important role here. A high center of gravity enables a more gentle hand position and better guidance of the paint spray gun. A larger lever arm can reduce the force required to apply the actuating lever element. The lever arm is mounted in particular above the air valve axis. The aim is therefore to position the air valve axis as far as possible in the upper area of ​​the paint spray gun body. The invention solves this problem by specifying a relationship for two relevant distances, namely the distance between the air valve axis and the front point of the palm of the hand and the distance between the outlet opening of the paint nozzle body and the front point of the palm of the hand.The greatest possible distance achieves the aforementioned advantages. A ratio of 0.35 already results in a noticeable improvement in the handling of the spray gun.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the ratio is at least 0.40, in particular at least 0.43, in particular at least 0.46. In this way, the center of gravity is shifted upward. Furthermore, a higher ratio requires, in particular, a greater lever length of the actuating bracket element. The actuating bracket element is mounted, in particular, above the air valve axis. The ratio is changed, in particular, by adjusting the vertical distance.

[0023] A larger vertical distance also has the advantage of creating space between the front point of the palm rest and the air valve axis for the attachment of a functional unit on the spray gun body, which is described in more detail below.

[0024] Preferably, the ratio of the vertical distance between the air valve axis and the front point of the palm resting surface to the horizontal distance between the outlet opening of the paint nozzle body and the front point of the palm resting surface is less than 0.70, in particular less than 0.65.

[0025] Particularly preferably, the ratio of the vertical distance between the air valve axis and the front point of the palm resting surface to the horizontal distance between the outlet opening of the paint nozzle body and the front point of the palm resting surface is approximately 0.5.

[0026] According to one embodiment, a functional interface is arranged between the air valve axis and the upper end of the palm rest surface, which is designed to bring at least one functional unit into a functional coupling with the paint spray gun body.

[0027] The functional interface can, for example, be an interface for a measuring device. The measuring device can, for example, be a pressure measuring device, in particular a digital pressure measuring device.

[0028] In this way, the functional density can be further increased. In combination with a ratio of the vertical distance to the horizontal distance of 0.35 or higher, space can be provided here for the arrangement of the functional interface. The arrangement between the air valve axis and the front point of the palm rest area further increases operating ergonomics, as the functional interface is arranged parallel to the air valve axis and thus the functional interface for, for example, a pressure measuring device points in the direction of an outstretched arm holding the spray gun. This allows an operator to operate it easily and also directly recognize it during use and read the measured value. According to one embodiment, the functional interface has a pneumatic interface for coupling a functional unit with a pneumatic pressure measuring interface.

[0029] In this way, the area between the compressed air connection and the air valve can be used as the measurement location. The measurement location is close to the air valve, so that the smallest possible measurement error can be assumed with respect to the relevant location, in this case the area around the air outlet.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the functional interface has an electrical data interface for coupling a functional unit to an electrical data interface.

[0031] An electrical data interface refers to the physical connection and electrical signal transmission between different electronic devices or components for the purpose of exchanging or communicating data. In this case, a pressure gauge can be connected to a paint spray gun via the electrical data interface. The electrical data interface can be, for example, a USB interface or an RS-232 interface.

[0032] This can increase measurement accuracy. The electrical data interface is used, for example, to exchange measured values.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the actuating bracket element is arranged on one side of the paint spray gun body, wherein the actuating bracket element is arranged rotatably about a rotation axis transverse to the air valve axis and the paint valve axis on one side of the paint spray gun body.

[0034] In this way, a compact design can be achieved and easy assembly and disassembly of the actuating bracket element on or from the spray gun body is possible, e.g. via a locking mechanism.

[0035] According to one embodiment, a circular wide-jet adjustment device is arranged on at least one side of the spray gun body. The circular wide-jet adjustment device can, in particular, be arranged on the opposite side of the actuating bracket element arranged on one side.

[0036] A round-to-wide spray adjustment device allows the user of a paint spray gun to adjust the shape of the spray jet, particularly continuously. A spray jet with a circular cross-sectional area, known as a round jet, or a spray jet with an elongated cross-sectional area, known as a wide jet, can be set. A round jet is suitable for precise work, while a wide jet is suitable for large-area applications.

[0037] In this way, handling is improved by arranging the round-wide jet adjustment device on at least one side of the spray gun body. By arranging the round-wide jet adjustment device on the opposite side of the single-sided actuating bracket element, a compact design can be achieved, as the area not occupied by the actuating bracket on one side can then accommodate the round-wide jet adjustment device.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the paint spray gun comprises a functional unit, wherein the functional unit is connected to the paint spray gun body via the functional interface, wherein the functional unit has a housing section which runs substantially parallel to the air valve axis and paint valve axis.

[0039] The functional unit is in particular a pressure measuring device, in particular a digital pressure measuring device, in particular for measuring air pressure.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the housing section adjoins the upper end of the palm rest section.

[0041] In this way, the contact area on the user's hand can be increased and the housing section can serve another purpose, which can result in material savings.

[0042] Particularly preferably, a raised element is arranged between the front point of the palm rest area and the air valve axis. This raised element can be an element that is integrally connected to the paint spray gun body, in particular manufactured integrally with the paint spray gun body, made of solid material, in particular of the same material as the rest of the paint spray gun body. Apart from an inlet air channel, the raised element preferably has no further bores. Preferably, no component of the paint spray gun is arranged between the raised element and the trigger guard, in particular no air piston rod for actuating an air piston of an air valve. The raised element can in particular serve to increase the vertical distance between the front point of the palm rest area and the air valve axis.The raising element can be designed in particular to accommodate a functional unit, in particular the functional unit described above.

[0043] Particularly preferably, all components of the paint valve and / or the air valve are covered by the paint gun body and / or the actuating lever element, preferably both when the actuating lever element is deactivated and activated. This protects the components from contamination. The components can be one or more of the following: bushing, air piston, air piston rod, spring, sealing element, valve sleeve, driver, and paint needle.

[0044] The features described above, including those from different embodiments, can also be combined with each other, resulting in synergistic interactions that go beyond the sum of the individual effects.

[0045] The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments, which are described with reference to the following figures:

[0046] Figure 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of a paint spray gun according to the invention;

[0047] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the embodiment of a paint spray gun according to the invention from Figure 1, the section running longitudinally through the center of the paint spray gun;

[0048] Figure 3 shows the section marked by a rectangle in Figure 2;

[0049] Figure 4 shows a side view of another embodiment of a paint spray gun according to the invention.

[0050] Exemplary embodiments are described and explained below with reference to the figures listed above.

[0051] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a paint spray gun 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The paint spray gun 100 has a paint spray gun body 10, on or in which all functional components of the paint spray gun are fixed. The paint spray gun 100 has an air supply 91, in particular a compressed air supply 91, in particular a hose connection. Furthermore, the paint spray gun has a material or paint supply 92, in particular a cup connection, via which the material to be applied is supplied. It is understood that the material can also be supplied at other locations, depending on the design principle and field of application of the paint gun. The embodiment shown here further has a so-called air cap 50, which has a plurality of air outlet openings, in particular for atomizing the material to be sprayed and for shaping the spray jet. In this case, a round orWide jet regulation 53 allows the spray jet emerging from a paint nozzle body 51 (not visible in Figure 1), in particular from its outlet opening 52, to be shaped in different ways. Via an actuating bracket element 30, which is mounted on the paint spray gun body 10 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis, the user can meter the discharge quantity of the material to be sprayed during a material application. The paint spray gun 100 in the present case has a handle section 12. The handle section 12 has a palm rest section 13. The palm rest section 13 has an upper end 14 and a lower end 15. The upper end 14 refers in particular to the uppermost and / or rearmost region of the handle section 12, which rests on the user's hand during operation of the paint spray gun 100, in particular in the area of ​​the hand between the thumb and index finger.The paint spray gun body 10 further comprises an air valve 60 (not visible in Figure 1) extending along an air valve axis 65. The paint spray gun body 10 further comprises a paint valve 70 (not visible in Figure 1) extending along a paint valve axis 75. The air valve axis 65 and the paint valve axis 75 lie on one axis. The ratio between a vertical distance 6518 between the air valve axis 65 and the front point 18 of the palm support section 13 to a horizontal distance 5218 between an outlet opening 52 of the paint nozzle body 51 (not visible in Figure 1) and the front point 18 of the palm support section 13 is in this case greater than 0.35, in particular approximately 0.49. The palm rest portion 13 has a concave region 17 between its lower end 15 and its upper end 14, wherein the front point 18 is arranged in the concave region 17 in the present case.The actuating bracket element 30 is arranged on one side of the paint gun body 10. The actuating bracket element 30 is rotatable about a rotation axis transverse to the air valve axis 65, and the paint valve axis 75 is arranged on one side of the paint gun body 10. The paint gun body 10 further comprises a round-to-wide jet adjustment device 53 for adjusting the spray jet shape. The round-to-wide jet adjustment device 53 is arranged on the opposite side of the actuating bracket element 30 arranged on one side. A raised element 11 is arranged between the front point 18 of the palm rest section 13 and the air valve axis 65.

[0052] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of a paint spray gun 100 according to the invention from Figure 1, wherein the section runs longitudinally through the center of the paint spray gun 100. Visible in particular are the outlet opening 52 of the paint nozzle body 51, the air valve axis 65, the paint valve axis 75, the front point 18, the vertical distance 6518 between the air valve axis 65 and the front point 18 of the palm rest section 13, and the horizontal distance 5218 between the outlet opening 52 of the paint nozzle body 51 and the front point of the palm rest section 13.

[0053] Fig. 3 shows the area marked by a rectangle in Fig. 2. The paint spray gun body 10 has an opening on its rear side in which a bushing 701 is mounted. A first end 701a of the bushing 701 can be permanently attached to the paint spray gun body 10, for example by screwing, gluing, and / or by press fitting. A sealing element, for example a sealing ring, can be arranged between the paint spray gun body 10 and the bushing 701. The material quantity regulating knob 804 can comprise an outer part 804a and an inner part 804b, which can be assembled in such a way that the outer part 804a and the inner part 804b are not movable relative to one another and are non-detachable from one another. The inner part 804b can comprise an external thread that corresponds to an internal thread on a second end 701b of the bushing 701.When the material quantity control knob 804 is rotated, it moves axially to define a rear stop for the paint needle 801. This defines how far the paint needle 801, which closes the outlet of the paint nozzle body 51, can be moved out of the outlet 52 of the paint nozzle body 51. This defines how much paint can exit the paint nozzle body 51. The outlet 52 of the paint nozzle body 51 and the paint needle 801, particularly its front end, form the paint valve 70.

[0054] An intermediate ring 701c may be arranged between the external thread of the inner part 804b of the material quantity control knob 804 and the internal thread of the bushing 701. This intermediate ring 701c makes it difficult to turn the material quantity control knob 804. This can prevent the user from accidentally turning the material quantity control knob 804.

[0055] An air chamber 107 is located in the paint gun body 10 in front of the bushing 701. A valve sleeve 709 is inserted into the air chamber 107. The valve sleeve 709 has two axial openings at both ends and a plurality of elongated openings in its peripheral surface, wherein the elongated openings in its peripheral surface are separated from one another by ribs, advantageously 4-6 ribs. A first sealing element 708a can be arranged between the valve sleeve 709 and an inner surface of the paint gun body 10 in the region of a first end of the valve sleeve 709. A second sealing element 708b can be arranged between the valve sleeve 709 and an inner surface of the paint gun body 10 in the region of a second end of the valve sleeve 709.

[0056] The paint needle 801 extends through the air chamber 107. An air piston 705 surrounds the paint needle 801 but is not attached to the paint needle 801, allowing the air piston 705 to slide over the paint needle 801. A third sealing element 708c is disposed around the circumference of the air piston 705 in front of a collar 705a on the air piston 705. A spring 707 is disposed between the rear of the collar 705a on the air piston 705 and the bushing 701. A fourth sealing element 708d is disposed between the first end 701a of the bushing 701 and the air piston 705. The third sealing element 708c and the rear end of the valve sleeve 709 form the air valve 60. When the actuating bracket element 30 is not actuated, the third sealing element 708c rests against a rear end of the valve sleeve 709 and seals the air chamber 107 against the interior of the valve sleeve 709.When air flows into the paint gun 100 and through the inlet air channel 110 into the air chamber 107, the air cannot flow into the interior of the valve sleeve 709. When the actuating bracket element 30 is not actuated, a gap 706 exists between the rear end of the air piston 705 and the front end of the actuating piece 802. The driver 802 is attached to the paint needle 801 in such a way that the driver 802 and the paint needle 801 are not axially movable relative to one another and, advantageously, are also not rotatable relative to one another. A spring 803 is arranged between the driver 802 and the inner part 804b of the material quantity regulating knob 804.When the actuating bracket element 30 is actuated, the engagement parts 401a and 401b of the actuating bracket element 30 initially press against a front end of the air piston 705, causing the air piston 705 to slide rearward over the paint needle 801 and the third sealing element 708c to move out of its seat on the rear of the valve sleeve 709. Air can now flow from the air chamber 107 into the interior of the valve sleeve 709. The front opening of the valve sleeve 709 is closed, so that the air can only flow out through the elongated openings in the peripheral surface of the valve sleeve 709. From there, the air flows into the underlying round-wide jet chamber 109, where the air is distributed between atomizing air channels and horn air channels according to the prior art. The round wide jet chamber 109 can preferably consist of two bores, in particular bores arranged one behind the other in the direction of flow, in particular bores with different diameters.An outer bore with a larger diameter can be connected on its side facing the spray direction to an atomizing air duct in the paint gun body. An inner bore with a smaller diameter can be connected on its side facing the spray direction to a horn air duct in the paint gun body. The outer bore with a larger diameter can be connected on its side facing the air valve axis to the bore in the paint gun body which accommodates, among other things, the valve sleeve 709 and the air valve 60, in order to receive air from the open air valve 60 or from the valve sleeve 709, as explained above. Preferably, the said bores overlap. In particular, in the connection area between the outer bore with a larger diameter and the bore which accommodates, among other things, the valve sleeve 709 and the air valve 60, the outer bore with a larger diameter of the round wide jet chamber 109 and / or the bore which, among other things,which accommodates the valve sleeve 709 and the air valve 60, must be widened, in particular drilled at an angle, in order to increase the flow cross-section for the air.

[0057] Atomizing air and, if applicable, horn air flow through the atomizing air channel or, if applicable, the horn air channel toward the gun head, where they are distributed between the atomizing air area and the horn air area of ​​the air cap, in particular by means of an air distribution ring and / or an air separation ring. Atomizing air and horn air flow out of the openings of the air cap 50.

[0058] If the actuating bracket element 30 is further actuated, the rear end of the air piston 705 presses against the driver 802, which moves backward. Since the driver 802 is attached to the paint needle 801, the paint needle 801 also moves backward and opens the outlet 52 of the paint nozzle body 51, allowing paint to flow out of the outlet 52 of the paint nozzle body 51 and be atomized by the atomizing air according to the prior art.

[0059] When the actuating bracket element 30 is released, the spring 803 pushes the driver 802 and the paint needle 801 forward, so that the paint needle 801 closes the outlet 52 of the paint nozzle body 51 and no more paint can flow out. The spring 707 pushes the air piston 705 forward, so that the third sealing element 708c moves back to its seat on the back of the valve sleeve 709. Now, no more air can flow from the air chamber 107 into the interior of the valve sleeve 709. Thus, when the actuating bracket element 30 is released, the outlet 52 of the paint nozzle body 51 is initially closed, but air continues to flow from the openings in the air cap 50 for a short time before the air valve 60 is closed. This prevents paint from dripping unatomized from the paint nozzle body 51.

[0060] The air valve axis 65 and the paint valve axis 75 are coaxial, preferably the same axis. The paint needle 801 extends along the air valve axis 65 and the paint valve axis 75. The air valve axis 65 and the paint valve axis 75 are the same as the longitudinal axis of the paint nozzle body 51, or the axes are coaxial. The air valve 60 is arranged on the air valve axis 65 and the paint valve axis 75, which means that the components forming the air valve 60, in this case the third sealing element 708c and the rear end of the valve sleeve 709, are arranged around the air valve axis 65 and the paint valve axis 75. The air valve axis 65 and the paint valve axis 75 are the same as the longitudinal axis of the valve sleeve 709, or the axes are coaxial. The air valve axis 65 and the paint valve axis 75 are the same as the longitudinal axis of the air piston 705, or the axes are coaxial.

[0061] The first sealing element 708a, the second sealing element 708b, the third sealing element 708c, and the fourth sealing element 708d are preferably made of a polymer. Particularly preferably, the first sealing element 708a is made of LDPE. Particularly preferably, the second sealing element 708b is made of NBR. Particularly preferably, the third sealing element 708c is made of POM. Particularly preferably, the fourth sealing element 708d is made of LDPE. However, the sealing elements can also be made of other suitable materials.

[0062] Figure 4 shows a side view of a paint spray gun 100 according to another exemplary embodiment. The paint spray gun 100 has essentially the same components as the exemplary embodiment shown in the preceding figures. Here, too, the air valve axis 65 and the paint valve axis 75 are coaxial, preferably the same axis. The paint spray gun body 10 has a handle section 12 with a palm rest section 13. The palm rest section 13 has a front point 18, which is arranged in a concave region 17 in this case. The vertical distance 6518 between the front point 18 of the palm rest section 13 and the air valve axis 65 can be seen in Figure 4, as can the horizontal distance 5218 between the outlet opening 52 of the paint nozzle body 51, which in this case is covered by the horns of the air cap 50, and the front point 18 of the palm rest section 13.The ratio of vertical distance 6518 to horizontal distance 5218 is approximately 0.49.

[0063] In this case, a functional interface 90 is arranged between the air valve axis 65 and the palm rest surface 13. The functional interface 90 comprises an electrical interface and a pneumatic interface. A functional unit 200 with a pneumatic pressure interface is arranged over the functional interface 90. The functional unit 200 has a housing section 214, which forms a palm rest section 16 running substantially parallel to the air valve axis 65 and the paint valve axis 75. The palm rest section 16 adjoins the upper end 14 of the palm rest section 13.

[0064] The paint spray gun body 10 from the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 4 and the paint spray gun body 10 from the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1 can be identical, in particular having been manufactured in the same way and using the same tool, in particular the same forging tool. The original upper end 14 of the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1 can have been removed, in particular milled away, in order to arrive at the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 4. Furthermore, for this purpose, a recess can have been made in the rear region of the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, in particular in the raised element 11. The functional unit 200 or a part thereof can be inserted into this recess directly or indirectly, for example via a fastening element. In the present case, the functional unit 200 is a measuring unit, in particular a digital pressure measuring device.

[0065] Reference symbol

[0066] 10 spray gun bodies

[0067] 11 Raising element

[0068] 12 Handle section

[0069] 13 Palm rest section

[0070] 14 upper end of the palm rest section

[0071] 15 lower end of the palm rest section

[0072] 16 Hand saddle support section

[0073] 17 concave area of ​​the palm rest section

[0074] 18 Front point of the palm rest section

[0075] 30 Actuating bracket element

[0076] 50 air cap

[0077] 51 paint nozzle body

[0078] 52 Outlet opening

[0079] 53 Round wide-jet adjustment device / round wide-jet regulation

[0080] 60 Air valve

[0081] 65 Air valve axis

[0082] 70 paint valve

[0083] 75 Paint valve axis

[0084] 90 functional interface on the spray gun body

[0085] 91 Air supply

[0086] 92 Material / Paint feed

[0087] 100 paint spray gun

[0088] 107 Air chamber

[0089] 109 Round wide-jet chamber

[0090] 110 Intake air duct

[0091] 200 functional units that can be connected to the paint gun body

[0092] 214 Housing section of the dockable unit

[0093] 401a first engaging part

[0094] 401b second engaging part

[0095] 701 socket

[0096] 701a first end of the socket

[0097] 701b second end of the socket

[0098] 701c spacer ring

[0099] 705 air piston

[0100] 705a Collar on the air piston 706 Distance

[0101] 707 spring

[0102] 708a first sealing element

[0103] 708b second sealing element 708c third sealing element

[0104] 708d fourth sealing element

[0105] 709 valve sleeve

[0106] 801 color needle

[0107] 802 Driver 803 Spring

[0108] 804 Material quantity control knob

[0109] 804a outer part of the material quantity control knob

[0110] 804b inner part of the material quantity control knob

[0111] 5218 horizontal distance 6518 vertical distance

Claims

Claims 1. A paint spray gun (100), comprising: a paint spray gun body (10); a paint nozzle body (51) with an outlet opening (52), wherein the paint nozzle body (51) is arranged on the paint spray gun body (10) by means of an interface; an actuating bracket element (30); wherein the paint spray gun body (10) has a handle section (12), an air valve (60) extending along an air valve axis (65), and a paint valve (70) extending along a paint valve axis (75), wherein the air valve axis (65) and the paint valve axis (75) lie on one axis;wherein the handle section (12) has a palm rest section (13) with a lower end (15) and an upper end (14) and a front point (18) arranged between the lower end (15) and the upper end (14), wherein the front point (18) is the point on a center line of the palm rest section (13) that is closest in the axial direction to the outlet opening (52) of the paint nozzle body (51); wherein the actuating bracket element (30) is movably attached to the paint spray gun body (10) in such a way that, upon deflection in the direction of the palm rest section (13), it actuates the air valve (60) and the paint valve (70);wherein the ratio of a vertical distance (6518) between the air valve axis (65) and the front point (18) of the palm resting surface (13) to a horizontal distance (5218) between the outlet opening (52) of the paint nozzle body (51) and the front point (18) of the palm resting section (13) is at least 0.35; 2. Paint spray gun (100) according to claim 1, wherein the ratio is at least 0.40, in particular at least 0.43, in particular at least 0.

46.

3. Paint spray gun (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the palm rest portion (13) has a concave region (17) between its lower end (15) and its upper end (14), the front point (18) being arranged in the concave region (17).

4. Paint spray gun (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a functional interface (90) is arranged between the air valve axis (65) and the front point (18) of the palm rest portion (13), which functional interface is designed to bring at least one functional unit (200) into a functional coupling with the paint spray gun body (10).

5. Paint spray gun (100) according to claim 4, wherein the functional interface (90) has a pneumatic interface for coupling a functional unit (200) with a pneumatic pressure measuring interface.

6. Paint spray gun (100) according to one of claims 4 and 5, wherein the functional interface (90) has an electrical interface for coupling a functional unit (200) with an electrical data interface.

7. Paint spray gun (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating bracket element (30) is arranged on one side of the paint spray gun body (10) and is fixed to one side of the paint spray gun body (10) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation transverse to the air valve axis (65) and the paint valve axis (75).

8. Paint spray gun (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a round-wide jet adjustment device (53) is arranged on at least one side of the paint spray gun body (10).

9. Paint spray gun (100) according to one of claims 4 to 8, further comprising a functional unit (200) which can be coupled to the functional interface (90) on the paint spray gun body (10), wherein the functional unit (200) has a housing section (214) which forms a hand saddle support section (16) which runs substantially parallel to the air valve axis (65) and paint valve axis (75).

10. Paint spray gun (100) according to claim 9, wherein the hand saddle support portion (16) adjoins the upper end (14) of the palm support portion (13).

11. Paint spray gun (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a raised element (11) is arranged between the front point (18) of the palm support surface (13) and the air valve axis (65).

12. Paint spray gun (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein all components of the paint valve (70) and / or the air valve (60) are covered by the paint spray gun body (10) and / or the actuating bracket element (30).

Images