Nozzle Adapter With Drip Edge And Remote Touch Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical manual-adjustment spray nozzles for lawn and garden sprayers require users to grasp the nozzle close to the fluid outlet, leading to finger contact with the sprayed fluid during spray pattern adjustment, resulting in wetness and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle adapter with features such as ribbed or knurled diametrical touch points located away from the nozzle outlet, a bell-shaped outer feature to prevent contact with wet surfaces, and a drip edge to divert fluid away from the user, allowing for intuitive adjustment and protection from fluid exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user grasps the nozzle close to the fluid outlet for manual adjustment, then the spray pattern can be adjusted, but the user's fingers contact the sprayed fluid causing wetness and potential contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the touch point from a position close to the nozzle outlet (in the original design) to a position far from the nozzle outlet (in the improved design). This spatial repositioning in another dimension allows the user to grasp and rotate the nozzle body for spray pattern adjustment while keeping fingers at a safe distance from the fluid outlet, thus preventing fluid contact while maintaining adjustability functionality
2Ease of operation
If the touch point is positioned close to the nozzle outlet, then the nozzle can be easily grasped, but fluid can drip and collect on the touch point surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the touch point on the nozzle body at a location that is axially and radially distant from the fluid outlet. This dimensional relocation ensures that even when fluid drips or accumulates at the outlet, the touch point remains in a dry zone, eliminating fluid contamination while preserving the nozzle's graspability and rotatability for spray pattern control
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle adapter/attachment includes features that facilitate use and protects the user from possible fluid exposure. The nozzle attachment is configured with features that both align and clamp onto an existing nozzle. In one embodiment, there are three sets of alignment and clasping features.