Removable Nozzle Tips for Liquid Spray Guns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spray gun designs require the removal of the air cap and sometimes the entire spray head assembly to change or clean nozzle tips, which can damage components and complicate the process, leading to increased costs and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Removable nozzle tips that can be attached and detached from the spray head assembly without disassembling the air cap, allowing for easy replacement and cleaning without damaging the nozzle port, and are designed to maintain proper alignment and functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the air cap and nozzle tip are constructed as integral molded plastic components, then the spray head assembly is durable and solvent resistant, but the air cap cannot be removed without risking damage and may require replacement of the entire assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability and solvent resistance of spray head assemblyVSAvoidease of nozzle tip replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spray head assembly is divided into separate components: the air cap remains as an integral molded plastic component attached to the gun body, while the nozzle tip becomes a separate removable component that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows the durable air cap to stay in place while enabling easy nozzle tip changes without risking damage to the air cap or requiring replacement of the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the entire spray head assembly is removed to change nozzle tips, then complete cleaning and inspection can be performed, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethoroughness of cleaning and inspectionVSAvoidtime required for nozzle tip replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle tip is extracted as a separate removable component from the spray head assembly, allowing it to be removed, cleaned, and replaced independently. This extraction eliminates the need to remove the entire spray head assembly or air cap for nozzle tip maintenance, significantly reducing the time and complexity of the replacement process while still enabling complete cleaning of the nozzle tip.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the air cap must be removed before changing nozzle tips, then proper access to the nozzle tip is achieved, but the air cap may be damaged making re-use impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to nozzle tip for replacementVSAvoidreusability of air cap
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented so that the nozzle tip is a separate component that attaches to the gun body independently of the air cap. This allows the nozzle tip to be removed and replaced without disturbing the air cap, ensuring the air cap remains undamaged and fully reusable while still providing proper access to the nozzle tip for maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If the nozzle tip is integral with the barrel, then the structure is simplified, but changing spray characteristics requires replacement of the entire barrel assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicity of spray head assemblyVSAvoidability to change spray characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle tip is segmented as a separate removable component from the barrel and air cap assembly. This segmentation maintains structural simplicity of the overall system while enabling easy replacement of nozzle tips with different spray characteristics. Users can swap nozzle tips to change spray patterns, flow rates, or other characteristics without replacing the entire barrel or air cap assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3476492B1Nozzle tips and spray head assemblies for liquid spray guns
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
  • EP3476492B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3476492B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3476492B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Removable nozzle tips, spray head assemblies including the nozzle tips and liquid spray guns that include the nozzle tips are described herein. The removable nozzle tips provide and define both the liquid nozzle openings and the center air outlets for the center air of the liquid spray guns and the spray head assemblies. The nozzle tips are removably attached over a liquid nozzle port formed in the spray head assembly and/or on the spray gun platform or body using any suitable attachment mechanism. The removable nozzle tips can be removed from the liquid spray gun or the spray head assembly without disturbing the remainder of the spray gun or the spray head assembly.