Handheld Paint Pump with Retractable Plunger for Maneuverability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional painting devices face challenges in efficiently applying paint to surfaces, particularly in small areas due to the design of the paint reservoir and plunger assembly, which can make them cumbersome and difficult to maneuver.

Innovation Solution

A handheld painting device with a paint pump that creates a vacuum to draw paint from a reservoir, featuring a tuck-in plunger rod mechanism to reduce length during use and a powered or manual pump assembly for efficient paint application, allowing one-handed operation and enhanced control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a conventional paint reservoir and plunger assembly design is used, then the device can hold sufficient paint, but the device becomes cumbersome and difficult to maneuver in small areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaint capacityVSAvoidmaneuverability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The plunger rod is designed to be retractable into the handle housing, allowing the assembly to compact to a smaller size when not in use. This nesting mechanism enables the device to maintain sufficient paint capacity while reducing its extended length to improve maneuverability in confined spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If a manual plunger assembly is used, then the device structure can be simple, but the user effort required for paint application increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly structureVSAvoiduser effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The manual plunger assembly is replaced with a powered pump mechanism that uses an electric motor to drive paint flow. This substitution eliminates the need for manual pumping effort while maintaining relatively simple overall device structure through the use of compact motor-pump integration.

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

3Force

If a powered pump assembly is used, then user effort is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser effortVSAvoidpump assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump mechanism is integrated directly into the handle assembly, merging the pumping function with the existing structural components. This consolidation reduces overall device complexity by eliminating separate pump housing and mounting structures, while still providing powered paint delivery to reduce user effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If the plunger rod is extended for paint delivery, then paint flow is enabled, but the device length increases reducing maneuverability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaint deliveryVSAvoiddevice length
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The plunger rod is designed with dynamic extendability, allowing it to lengthen only when paint delivery is required and retract when not in use. This dynamic configuration enables the device to maintain compact dimensions for maneuverability while providing extended reach for effective paint application when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 device enables efficient and controlled paint application in small areas with reduced user effort, improving maneuverability and paint flow consistency.

Implementation Method 1

A paint pump is positioned between the paint reservoir and the paint applicator. The paint pump is operable to create a vacuum that draws paint from the reservoir through the pump assembly and to the applicator.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP2754503B1Painting device
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 WAGNER SPRAY TECH CORP
  • EP2754503B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2754503B1 patent drawingFigure 2-1~2-2
  • EP2754503B1 patent drawingFigure 2-3

AI summary

The invention relates to a handheld painting device comprising: an elongate handle having an internal paint reservoir therein; a paint applicator for applying paint to a surface; and a rotary drive mechanism configured to deliver paint from the internal paint reservoir to the paint applicator, the rotary drive mechanism including: a rotatable shaft extending within at least a portion of the paint reservoir and having a connector formed at one end; a plunger mounted on the shaft and movable within the paint reservoir by rotation of the shaft; and a powered actuator mechanism, interchangeable with other painting devices, and comprising a connector that is configured to engage the connector on the end of the rotatable shaft to thereby rotate the rotatable shaft.