Airbrush Junction Device Air Intake Orifice Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional airbrushes face issues with ergonomics, reliability, and waste during filling and cleaning, particularly with suction feed models, and the use of valves in spray systems can lead to manufacturing costs and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A junction device is introduced that positions the air-entry orifice above the composition level, eliminating the need for valves and allowing for the use of valve-less containers, enhancing ergonomics and reducing the risk of blockages and composition leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a valve is used in the container to close the opening when not in place, then the exposure of composition to environment is reduced, but the container construction cost increases and the valve may jam due to drying or particulate filler

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve operation reliabilityVSAvoidcontainer manufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the valve component from the container system entirely. Instead of using a valve to control composition flow, the design relies on the dip tube extending to the bottom of the container and the air intake channel positioned at the top, allowing composition to be drawn up only when the airbrush is actively spraying. This extraction of the valve eliminates manufacturing costs and reliability issues while maintaining functional control through fluid dynamics principles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical valve system with a passive fluid dynamics system. The air intake channel positioned above the composition level creates a pressure differential that automatically controls composition flow without mechanical moving parts. This substitution eliminates valve jamming issues and reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliable composition delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the air-entry orifice is positioned below the air-inlet orifice, then air can be taken in on the same side as composition entrainment, but composition may leak easily during vigorous manipulation or container removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair intake efficiencyVSAvoidcomposition leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the air-entry orifice above the air-inlet orifice rather than below it. This inverted positioning ensures that air enters the container from the top, creating a downward flow that prevents composition from leaking during vigorous manipulation or container removal. The air flow direction is reversed to achieve both efficient air intake and leakage prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention addresses the leakage problem by adding vertical dimensionality to the orifice positioning. Instead of merely horizontal positioning, the air-entry orifice is positioned at a higher vertical level than the air-inlet orifice, creating a height differential that uses gravity and pressure differential to prevent composition leakage while maintaining air intake efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If suction feed airbrushes are used, then composition can be contained in a removable container, but the ergonomics are hindered by the dip tube and the extraction rate is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer removabilityVSAvoidergonomics
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention prepares the system in advance by positioning the air-entry orifice at the top of the container and the dip tube at the bottom before use. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the container is removed or manipulated, the dip tube does not interfere with ergonomics, and the air intake channel is already positioned to prevent leakage. The system is pre-configured to eliminate ergonomic hindrances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If a single cup is fastened on the airbrush body, then gravity feed is simple, but numerous manipulations are required for filling and cleaning resulting in composition waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairbrush structure simplicityVSAvoidcomposition waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables continuous composition supply by using a removable container that can be pre-filled and attached to the airbrush. The dip tube extends to the bottom of the container, ensuring continuous composition availability during spraying. This continuity eliminates the need for frequent refilling and cleaning operations, reducing composition waste while maintaining simple gravity feed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution improves airbrush ergonomics, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances operational reliability by eliminating valve-related issues, allowing for efficient use of standard containers and minimizing waste.

Implementation Method 1

an air-intake channel (80) that opens out at one end into the bottom of the housing via an orifice (81) and that has its other end arranged above the air-inlet orifice (35) so as to open out facing the container (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the composition for spraying flows by gravity towards the inlet of the airbrush

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2552597B1A junction device for a spray system
Publication Date: 2017.08.23 LOREAL SA
  • EP2552597B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2552597B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP2552597B1 patent drawingFigure 8~10

AI summary

The invention provides a junction device (30) for a spray system, said device being arranged so as to connect, to an airbrush, at least one removable container (11) containing a composition for spraying, the device comprising at least a composition-outlet first orifice (35) enabling the composition to leave the container in order to be sprayed via the airbrush, and at least an air-inlet second orifice (81) enabling air intake by the container, the device including an air-intake channel (80) that is connected to the air-inlet orifice (81), and said channel terminating by an air-entry orifice (82) that is situated above the air-inlet orifice (81) and the composition-outlet orifice (35).