Hand-Held Sprayer With Battery-Powered Heating and Pumping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pesticides and herbicides used for weed control are toxic not only to target pests but also to beneficial insects and the environment, necessitating a safer alternative for home and garden use.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held sprayer utilizing an electrically operated water heating unit and a pressure-increasing device, powered by a battery or accumulator, to efficiently deliver hot, liquid water for weed control, eliminating the need for chemical pesticides and ensuring safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional pesticides and herbicides are used for weed control, then effective pest control is achieved, but environmental toxicity and harm to beneficial insects increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental toxicityVSAvoidweed control effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical parameters of water by heating it to high temperatures (typically 80-100°C), transforming it from a harmless liquid into an effective thermal weed control agent. This parameter change allows water to destroy weed cell structures and proteins through thermal energy transfer, achieving pest control effectiveness comparable to chemical herbicides while eliminating environmental toxicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the typically harmful effect of high temperature into a beneficial weed control mechanism. By heating water to high temperatures and applying it to weeds, the thermal energy that could cause damage is instead used to selectively destroy weed tissues while sparing beneficial insects and the environment, thus converting a potential harm into a beneficial ecological solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of operation

If hot water weed control systems are made portable for home and garden use, then convenience is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveportability for home useVSAvoidsystem integration requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple functional components into a single integrated portable unit: the water container, electric heating element, pump system, and control circuitry are all combined into one handheld device. This consolidation achieves portability for home and garden use while managing complexity through integrated design rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable sprayer device performs multiple functions within a single unit: it stores water, heats water to high temperatures, pressurizes and pumps the hot water, and delivers it through a spray nozzle. This multi-functionality achieves portability and convenience for home use while the integrated design keeps the overall system manageable in terms of complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If electric heating and pumping components are integrated into the water tank housing, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegrated control systemVSAvoidhousing integration requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines the water storage tank, electric heating element, pump mechanism, and control electronics into a single integrated housing structure. This merging of components improves ease of operation by providing a unified handheld device with centralized controls, while the modular integration approach manages manufacturing complexity through standardized assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 hand-held sprayer effectively uses hot, liquid water for weed control, reducing environmental toxicity and providing a convenient, cost-effective, and user-friendly solution for domestic use, with features like thermal insulation and electronic control for efficient energy use and safety.

Implementation Method 1

an electrically operated water heating unit arranged on the water tank for heating the water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a pressure-increasing device for increasing the pressure in the water to be sprayed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump pressurization: Pump

Implementation Method 3

Thermal weed control with hot water is based on the transfer of thermal energy to the plant, which destroys the cell structure and plant proteins

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

a battery or accumulator supply is provided for self-sufficient operation as the power supply for the water heating unit and the pressure-increasing device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery energy storage: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP3008997B1Hand-operated sprayer
Publication Date: 2017.11.29 SCHWEPPACH FAB VON HOLZBEARBEITUNGSMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP3008997B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3008997B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3008997B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a hand-held sprayer for weed control in gardens, yards, and on paths, comprising a water tank (2) for storing heated water, which has a closable filling opening (1) for filling with liquid water and an outlet opening connected to a nozzle assembly for spraying the pre-heated water, an electrically operated water heating unit (4) integrated into or arranged on the water tank (2) for heating the water, and a pressure boosting device (6) for increasing the pressure of the water to be sprayed. The hand-held sprayer is characterized in that the pressure boosting device (6) is designed as an electrically driven pump and that a battery or accumulator supply is provided for the power supply of the water heating unit (4) and the pressure boosting device (6).