Airless Spray Gun Trigger Assembly With Pressure-Balanced Valve Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current spray gun designs require constant user pressure to maintain the valve assembly in an open position, leading to user fatigue during prolonged paint spraying operations, as they rely on spring forces to counteract the pressure holding the valve open, which is inefficient and tiring.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a fluid applicator with a valve assembly that uses pressurized liquid to counteract the pressure holding the valve open, eliminating the need for a strong spring and reducing the pressure required to keep the valve in the open position by distributing equal pressure on all sides of the valve assembly, thus alleviating user fatigue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a spring force is used to counteract pressure holding the valve open, then the valve can be kept in open position, but user fatigue increases during prolonged operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure to keep valve openVSAvoiduser fatigue
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly is designed to automatically maintain its open position through balanced fluid pressures acting on its surfaces, eliminating the need for continuous user pressure or strong spring forces. The system serves itself by using the pressurized liquid flow to counteract the closing force, allowing prolonged operation without user fatigue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Force

If a strong spring is used to counteract pressure, then the valve remains controllable, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespring forceVSAvoidvalve assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The design removes the strong spring component from the valve assembly by replacing it with a pressure-balancing fluid mechanism. This extraction of the spring eliminates the associated complexity while maintaining the ability to control valve opening through simpler pressure equilibrium principles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If constant user pressure is applied to maintain valve open, then liquid flow is sustained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesustained liquid sprayingVSAvoiduser energy expenditure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly uses the kinetic energy of the pressurized liquid flow itself to maintain the open position, creating a self-sustaining system. The fluid pressure differential automatically keeps the valve open during operation, eliminating the need for continuous user energy expenditure while sustaining productive liquid spray.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 configuration reduces user fatigue by allowing the valve to remain open without the need for a strong spring, enabling sustained liquid spraying with reduced pressure requirements, enhancing operational efficiency and comfort during extended use.

Implementation Method 1

Both the first end portion and the second end portion are configured to be in fluidic contact with the pressurized liquid at the second position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3681641B1Airless spray gun with improved trigger assembly
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 WAGNER SPRAY TECH CORP
  • EP3681641B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3681641B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3681641B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A spray gun (100) is presented. The spray gun (100) includes a fluid applicator (336) configured to receive a pressurized liquid through an inlet and disperse the pressurize liquid through an outlet (124). The fluid applicator (336) includes a body (210) defining a fluid path (216). The fluid applicator (336) includes a valve assembly (206) with a first end portion (408) opposite of a second end portion (410) configured to be movable between a first position and a second position. The second end portion (410) is configured to be in fluidic contact with the pressurized liquid at the first position. Both the first end portion (408) and the second end portion (410) are configured to be in fluidic contact with the pressurized liquid at the second position. The first end portion (408) includes a portion of a blocking member (306) configured to contact a seat within the body (210). The second end portion (410) includes a distal portion of a guide (308). The fluid applicator (336) also includes an actuating mechanism (502) configured to couple to the valve assembly (206) and selectively move the valve assembly (206) within the body (210) between the first position and the second position.