GUI-Controlled Spray Gun Height and Rotation Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing line stripers lack an efficient mechanism for adjusting the height and rotation of spray guns, requiring manual adjustments that are time-consuming and dependent on various environmental and paint-related factors.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a graphical user interface (GUI) in a control device to adjust the height and rotation of spray guns through a height adjustment mechanism and an angular adjustment mechanism, respectively, allowing for precise control via a non-transitory computer readable storage medium.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual height adjustment mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adjustment precision and efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment mechanism complexityVSAvoidheight adjustment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment system with an automated electro-mechanical system. A motor-driven mechanism controlled by a microprocessor and GUI interface substitutes the manual clamp operation, enabling precise height adjustments through electronic control rather than manual mechanical manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service operation where the spray gun height adjustment is automatically controlled by the system itself through motorized actuation. The operator simply inputs desired parameters through the GUI, and the system autonomously adjusts the height without requiring manual intervention with clamps and brackets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If manual height adjustment is used, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment operation easeVSAvoidline striping productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical adjustment process is replaced with an automated electronic control system. The motorized height adjustment mechanism, controlled through GUI, eliminates the time-consuming manual clamp operation while maintaining operational simplicity through intuitive digital interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows preliminary setting of height parameters through the GUI before actual painting begins. Operators can pre-program optimal heights for different painting conditions, eliminating the need for iterative manual adjustments during operation and thereby increasing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment procedure is used, then adaptability to environmental factors is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to temperature and paint variationsVSAvoidtime for iterative adjustments

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the microprocessor monitors painting results and automatically adjusts height parameters based on pre-programmed criteria for different environmental conditions and paint types. This eliminates the iterative trial-and-error process while maintaining adaptability to varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system stores pre-configured height settings for different environmental conditions and paint types in its memory. When conditions change, the operator can quickly select from pre-programmed settings or the system can automatically apply appropriate parameters, eliminating the need for time-consuming iterative manual adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If automated height adjustment is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveline striping productivityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The microprocessor-based control system serves multiple functions: it controls height adjustment, manages spray gun rotation, stores multiple preset configurations, and interfaces with the GUI. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated control unit, managing complexity while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250050367A1Article of manufacture for GUI-controlled height and rotation adjustments in spray gun line striping systems

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 RAID ONE IP LLC

AI summary

An article of manufacture is disclosed with a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing program code that, when executed by a processor, enables a method to adjust the height and rotation of a spray gun used in a line striper via a control device's GUI. The medium includes program code: (a) receiving a first user input through the GUI to raise or lower a spray gun mount bar via a height adjustment mechanism; (b) adjusting the spray gun mount bar's height based on the input in (a); (c) receiving a second user input through the GUI to rotate an angular adjustment mechanism linked to the spray gun mount bar; and (d) executing rotation of the spray gun mount bar, either clockwise or counterclockwise, based on the input in (c).