Pressure Washer Trigger Lock Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pressure washers often experience unwanted trigger actuations, leading to unintended discharge of high-pressure fluid, which can be inconvenient and wasteful.

Innovation Solution

A trigger-actuated gun with a lock mechanism that includes a movable lock member with an arcuate path, allowing users to lock and unlock the trigger interface, preventing accidental actuations and allowing for one-handed operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a trigger mechanism is provided for actuating the valve, then the user can control the discharge of high-pressure fluid, but unwanted trigger actuations occur leading to unintended discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrigger controlVSAvoidunwanted actuation prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A lock member is introduced as an intermediary element between the user interface and the valve mechanism. This lock member can be positioned in a locked position to prevent the user interface from actuating the valve, thereby eliminating unwanted trigger actuations while preserving intentional control capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a lock mechanism is added to prevent unwanted actuations, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunwanted actuation preventionVSAvoidlock mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock mechanism is merged with the existing trigger assembly structure. The lock member is integrated into the housing and works in conjunction with the user interface components already present, rather than being a completely separate system, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the lock member moves in an arcuate path, then the locking action is effective, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking effectivenessVSAvoidarcuate path accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lock member is designed to follow an arcuate (curved) path during operation. This curved trajectory provides effective locking engagement through rotational movement, which is more tolerant to manufacturing variations than precise linear positioning while still achieving reliable lock engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS7516910B1Pressure washer trigger lock

Publication Date: 2009.04.14 BRIGGS & STRATTON CORP

AI summary

A pressure washer gun is connectable to a source of fluid. The pressure washer gun includes a housing that defines an interior and a flow path disposed substantially within the interior. The flow path includes an inlet in fluid communication with the source and an outlet. A valve at least partially defines a portion of the flow path and is movable between a closed position and an open position in which fluid travels from the inlet to the outlet. A user interface is movable between an actuated position in which the valve is open and a non-actuated position in which the valve is closed. A lock member is substantially disposed within the interior and is movable in a substantially arcuate path between a locked position in which the lock assembly inhibits movement of the user interface, and an unlocked position.