Electric Line Striper with Removable Reservoir Stage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional wheeled line striping systems rely on internal combustion engines, which are noisy, emit fumes, and are cumbersome, limiting their use in indoor and sensitive environments, and are difficult to maneuver due to their weight and noise.

Innovation Solution

A line striper powered by an electric motor, with a removable stage for the fluid reservoir positioned over the rear axle to balance the weight and protect batteries, allowing for easier access and maneuverability, and using a battery configuration that positions batteries between the rear wheels for balance and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If an internal combustion engine is used to power the pump, then the pump can deliver sufficient power for paint application, but the system becomes noisy and emits fumes, limiting its use in indoor and sensitive environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump powerVSAvoidnoise and fumes
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the internal combustion engine with an electric motor that draws power from a battery pack. This substitution eliminates the harmful emissions and noise associated with combustion engines while maintaining the necessary power output for the paint pump through electric motor propulsion.

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

2Productivity

If traditional wheeled line striping systems are used, then they can perform ground marking effectively, but they are heavy and difficult to maneuver

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveground marking capabilityVSAvoidmaneuverability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a removable stage that can be detached from the main body of the line striper. This dynamic configuration allows the heavy fluid reservoir to be separated during transport, reducing the overall weight and improving maneuverability while maintaining full ground marking capability when the stage is attached.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the fluid reservoir is permanently mounted on the line striper, then the system structure is simplified, but the weight distribution becomes fixed and maneuverability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting structureVSAvoidmaneuverability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the line striper into separable modules, including a removable stage for the fluid reservoir. This segmentation allows the system to maintain structural simplicity through standardized connection interfaces while enabling weight redistribution and improved maneuverability when components are detached or repositioned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Use of energy by moving object

If batteries are positioned in the line striper, then the system can operate electrically, but the batteries are vulnerable to damage and require easy access for maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical power supplyVSAvoidbattery protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent places the battery pack within a protective cavity or compartment in the line striper frame. This nesting arrangement shields the batteries from external damage while maintaining accessibility through designated access panels or openings, allowing maintenance without complete disassembly of the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

The electric motor reduces noise and emissions, enabling indoor use and improving maneuverability by balancing the weight of the system, making it suitable for a wider range of environments and reducing user fatigue during operation.

Implementation Method 1

A line striper for ground marking with a sprayable fluid comprises a body, a removable stage for holding a fluid reservoir

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a pump that pumps the sprayable fluid from the fluid reservoir

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP4079967B1Electric line striper
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 GRACO MINNESTOA INC
  • EP4079967B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4079967B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4079967B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A line striper for ground marking with a sprayable fluid includes a horizontal frame, a front wheel mounted to the horizontal frame, a left rear wheel and a right rear wheel mounted to the horizontal frame, a rear axle extending from one or both of the left rear wheel and the right rear wheel, a mounting arm assembly connected to the horizontal frame, a spray gun mounted on the mounting arm assembly and positioned for spraying the ground, a pump mounted on the horizontal frame, the pump configured to pump the sprayable fluid to the spray gun, and a fluid reservoir support stage removably positioned over the horizontal frame.