Spray Gun Converter for Compact Pressure-Assisted Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spray guns require separate gravity-fed and pressure-assisted models, leading to bulkiness and adaptability issues when converting between applications, especially in tight spaces.
Innovation Solution
A spray gun converter that diverts a portion of the air supply to the reservoir within the manifold of a gravity-fed spray gun, allowing conversion to a pressure-assisted mode without significant bulk addition, with adjustable air diversion and reversible attachment for easy switching between modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a secondary regulator is added below the handle to divert air to the reservoir, then pressure-assisted functionality is achieved, but the spray gun becomes bulkier and less adaptable for tight spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The converter assembly is nested within the existing spray gun platform structure, utilizing the hollow interior space of the platform to house the air diversion mechanism. This allows the pressure-assisted functionality to be integrated without adding external bulk, maintaining adaptability for tight spaces while achieving the desired functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural component of the spray gun and an air diversion mechanism. By integrating the pressure-assisted functionality into the existing platform structure rather than adding a separate regulator, the design achieves multi-functionality without increasing overall bulk.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pressure barb or bolt is inserted over the air inlet, then the spray gun can operate in pressure-assisted mode, but it cannot easily switch between pressure-assisted and gravity-fed modes
Solution Approach 1:
The converter assembly incorporates a movable cap or plug that can be positioned in different locations to dynamically switch between operating modes. When the cap blocks the air passage to the reservoir, the gun operates in gravity-fed mode; when the cap is moved to allow air passage, it operates in pressure-assisted mode. This dynamic switching mechanism provides versatility without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The air supply system is segmented into separate controllable pathways: one leading to the spray nozzle and another to the reservoir. The converter assembly provides independent control over each pathway, allowing the user to selectively activate pressure-assisted functionality while maintaining the ability to operate in pure gravity-fed mode. This segmentation enables flexible mode switching.
3Adaptability or versatility
If air is diverted to the reservoir, then pressure-assisted liquid delivery is enabled, but air flow to the nozzle center air and fan air outlets may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply system is divided into separate controllable branches: one branch supplies air to the reservoir for pressure-assisted delivery, while another branch continues to supply air to the nozzle center air and fan air outlets. The converter assembly includes separate control mechanisms for each branch, allowing independent regulation of air flow to ensure reliable atomization and spray pattern formation even when pressure-assisted mode is active.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter assembly includes adjustable parameters such as orifice sizes and flow restrictors that can be modified to optimize air distribution. By changing these parameters, the system can maintain adequate air flow to the nozzle outlets while simultaneously providing sufficient pressure to the reservoir, ensuring both pressure-assisted delivery and reliable spray atomization function simultaneously.
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
Enables seamless conversion of a gravity-fed spray gun to a pressure-assisted spray gun with minimal bulk impact, maintaining air flow and allowing quick adaptation to different application needs.
Implementation Method 1
The spray gun converter can be inserted into a manifold of a platform of the gravity-fed spray gun that feeds air to a nozzle center air outlet and a nozzle fan air outlet
Implementation Method 2
Liquid is typically gravity fed to the spray gun by a reservoir that is in fluid contact with the spray head assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of a spray gun converter (100) and a spray gun system that includes such converter (100) are disclosed. The spray gun converter (100) includes a body (102) having a first end (104) configured for insertion into an air passage of a spray gun (11), a second end (106) having a converter fitting (108) configured for connection to a reservoir (30), and a reservoir air passage (110) extending through the body (102) from an inlet end (112) at the first end to an outlet end (114) on the converter fitting (108) at the second end. The spray gun converter (100) also includes a reservoir air control valve (116) that opens and closes the reservoir air passage (110).