Paintball Swab With Pivotable Disk for Barrel Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paintball marker cleaning tools are ineffective in removing all excess paint and debris, leading to accuracy issues and potential marker failure due to residual paint from broken paintballs.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning element with a pivotable disk and rod design, featuring a wiping material and friction fins, allows for thorough removal of paint and debris by changing orientations during insertion and withdrawal, ensuring comprehensive cleaning of the marker barrel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional swab or squeegee is used to clean the barrel, then some paint can be removed, but excess paint remains and accuracy issues persist
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning element incorporates a disk that can pivot between a first position (oblique to the longitudinal axis) and a second position (substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis). This dynamic positioning allows the disk to effectively remove paint during both insertion and withdrawal of the cleaning element, ensuring complete cleaning without residual paint that would compromise marker accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a rotational dimension to the cleaning element by enabling the disk to pivot relative to the rod's longitudinal axis. This dimensional change allows the cleaning surface to engage the barrel interior at multiple orientations, dramatically improving paint removal effectiveness compared to traditional linear swabs or squeegees.
2Productivity
If friction between the disk and equipment is used to move the disk between positions, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but the mechanism requires sufficient friction force
Solution Approach 1:
The disk's positioning is automated through friction interaction with the barrel interior. As the cleaning element is inserted or withdrawn, friction between the disk and barrel surface automatically moves the disk between the first and second positions without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism converts the cleaning action itself into the positioning force, eliminating the need for separate actuation systems.
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 cleaning element effectively removes excess paint and debris, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of paintball markers by ensuring a clean interior surface, thus preventing marker failure.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of the lateral edge is raised and is formed from a wiping material (e.g. rubber or rubber-like material) that can be used to remove liquid from paintball equipment. In particular embodiments, friction between the disk and the equipment moves the disk between the first and second positions.
Data Source
AI summary
There are disclosed embodiments for a paintball swab. For example, embodiments can include a rod with at least one tab extending radially and a hollow tube connected to a cleaning element. The tube can include an internal ring to fit over or beyond the tab.