Interchangeable Poppet Gas Regulator for Paintball Pressure Settings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paintball gun regulators either provide fixed output pressures that are inefficient for different models or require complex mechanical adjustments, posing safety risks due to user error and reliance on inaccurate pressure gauges.

Innovation Solution

A gas regulator with interchangeable poppet housings that visibly indicate output pressure, allowing easy adjustment to predefined settings through simple visual checks, ensuring safe and accurate pressure regulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If continuous adjustable pressure regulation is provided, then adaptability to different paintball gun models is improved, but device complexity and safety risks increase due to mechanical adjustment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different paintball gun modelsVSAvoidcomplexity of mechanical adjustment mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure regulation mechanism is segmented into discrete, interchangeable poppet housing units, each configured for a specific output pressure. Instead of a continuous adjustment mechanism, the system divides pressure regulation into separate, pre-configured components that can be easily swapped based on the paintball gun model requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The poppet housing units are designed as simple, replaceable components that can be easily exchanged. Each poppet housing is a straightforward mechanical element without complex adjustment mechanisms, making the system both simple and adaptable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If external mechanical adjustment elements are provided, then ease of operation for pressure adjustment is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to user error and inaccurate pressure gauges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of pressure adjustmentVSAvoidaccuracy of pressure output

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each poppet housing unit is self-identifying with visual markings that indicate its output pressure. The system eliminates the need for external pressure gauges or complex adjustment mechanisms by incorporating the pressure information directly into the component itself, allowing users to select the correct pressure setting through simple visual identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The poppet housing units incorporate visual markings or color coding on their external surfaces to indicate the output pressure. This visual differentiation allows users to quickly and accurately identify the correct pressure setting without relying on pressure gauges or complex mechanical indicators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Reliability

If fixed output pressure regulators are used, then reliability of pressure output is improved, but adaptability to different paintball gun models deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of pressure outputVSAvoidcompatibility with different paintball gun models

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The regulator system achieves universality through interchangeable poppet housing units. A single regulator body can accommodate multiple poppet housing configurations, each providing a different fixed pressure output. This allows the same regulator to serve multiple paintball gun models with different pressure requirements by simply changing the poppet housing unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables safe and efficient pressure adjustment for paintball guns by providing discrete, user-friendly output pressure changes without the need for complex mechanical adjustments, reducing safety risks and user errors.

Implementation Method 1

a regulating spring acting on the regulator piston such that the regulator piston is moved to the closed position once the low-pressure chamber reaches a preset output pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a regulator piston moveable between an open position for gas flow through the gas regulator and a closed position with the gas flow blocked between the high-pressure chamber and a low-pressure chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20260078979A1Gas regulator

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 METHOD DEVELOPMENT PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

Apparatus and methods relate to gas regulators for use with paintball guns. The gas regulator includes a poppet housing interchangeable by a user to modify output pressure of the gas regulator. The poppet housing includes markings visible externally on the gas regulator indicating to the user the output pressure provided. The gas regulator may further include a rotatable adapter for coupling with a paintball gun. A regulator piston that functions to control the output pressure based on the poppet housing selected acts in some embodiments on an internal balanced piston for selectively opening and closing flow through the gas regulator.