Push-Button Grease Gun Barrel for Quick Reservoir Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current grease gun systems are inefficient due to the need for multiple rotations to secure a grease reservoir, which can lead to user inconvenience, potential injury, and cross-threading issues, and existing quick release mechanisms often rely on rotational forces or spring-biased latches that can fail over time, limiting pressurization capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A push-button quick-connect and disconnect attachment assembly with concentric grooves and a retention fastener that allows for linear force application to engage and disengage a grease reservoir without rotation, providing a secure radial seal and preventing accidental releases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional threaded connection is used to secure the grease reservoir, then the connection is secure and reliable, but multiple rotations (3-7 times) are required which leads to time loss, user inconvenience, potential injury, and cross-threading issues
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface is segmented into distinct functional zones: an outer unthreaded portion for radial sealing and a retained portion with grooves for positive locking, separating the sealing function from the securing function to enable quick connection without multiple rotations
Solution Approach 2:
A retention mechanism with grooves and corresponding protrusions acts as an intermediary locking system that secures the reservoir axially and radially without requiring threaded engagement, enabling secure connection in a single linear motion
2Reliability
If traditional threaded connection is used to secure the grease reservoir, then the connection is secure, but multiple rotations are required which increases device complexity and operational difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring rotational motion to secure the connection, the design inverts the approach by using linear push motion to engage a retention mechanism with grooves and protrusions, making attachment as easy as pushing the reservoir into place
Solution Approach 2:
The retention mechanism with complementary grooves and protrusions creates a self-locking connection that automatically secures the reservoir when pushed into place, eliminating the need for user manipulation or rotation
3Reliability
If radial seal is used to seal the grease reservoir, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but traditional threaded designs prevent radial seal implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface is segmented into distinct functional zones: an outer unthreaded portion for radial sealing and a retained portion with grooves for positive locking, separating the sealing function from the securing function
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded connection is extracted or removed from the outer portion of the reservoir interface, allowing radial seals to be implemented without interference from threading in that critical sealing zone
4Reliability
If spring-biased latch mechanisms are used for quick release, then the latch remains engaged securely, but spring fatigue over time leads to retention failure and unintended releases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism uses simple grooves and protrusions without complex spring-biased latches, creating a durable connection system that doesn't suffer from spring fatigue over time
Solution Approach 2:
The retention mechanism with complementary grooves and protrusions creates a self-locking connection that automatically secures the reservoir when pushed into place, eliminating the need for user manipulation or rotation
5Force
If lever-based latch mechanism is used to increase torque, then the latch engagement force is improved, but the mechanism converts linear input to rotational force adding complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The complex lever-based rotational mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simple linear retention system using grooves and protrusions that engages directly through push motion
Solution Approach 2:
The retention mechanism with complementary grooves and protrusions creates a self-locking connection that automatically secures the reservoir when pushed into place, eliminating the need for user manipulation or rotation
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
This solution significantly reduces the effort and time required for attaching and detaching the grease reservoir, eliminates the risk of injury, ensures secure attachment, and allows for improved sealing, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A retention fastener is removably received by at least one of the concentric grooves and is in operational engagement with the grease reservoir groove
Data Source
AI summary
A grease gun is provided comprising a body having a reservoir bore with a plurality of grooves; a grease reservoir is in communication with the reservoir bore and has a reservoir groove on an outside surface of the reservoir. A retention fastener is received by a groove and is in operational engagement with the reservoir groove to removably retain the reservoir. The retention fastener may be connected to a fastener bracket via an aperture. The bracket is connected to a push-button via a connection mechanism. The grease reservoir may be removed or mounted to the connection aperture by exerting force on the button which transfers the force to the bracket via the connection mechanism. The force causes movement of the bracket along the aperture which deforms the retention fastener to allow the grease reservoir to be mounted/removed.