Rotatable Handle Spray Gun for Irrigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spray guns for irrigation lack versatility in handling, leading to user fatigue due to limited actuation options, requiring separate devices for finger and palm operation.

Innovation Solution

A spray gun design with a handle device that can assume multiple positions, allowing actuation with fingers or the palm of the hand, featuring a rotatable handle assembly with a blocking device for secure positioning, enabling seamless transition between finger and palm operation to reduce fatigue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional spray gun with fixed handle position is used, then the device structure is simple, but the user experiences fatigue due to limited actuation options

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling versatilityVSAvoidhandle positioning mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is made rotatable relative to the gun body about a transverse axis, allowing it to assume multiple positions (angled configuration and substantially elongated configuration). This dynamic positioning capability enables the user to switch between finger operation and palm operation modes, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity by introducing a simple rotational degree of freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spray gun is designed to accommodate multiple actuation methods (finger operation and palm operation) through a single device. The handle can be positioned to allow either the user's fingers or the palm to operate the actuating element, making the device universal and eliminating the need for separate spray guns for different operation types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate spray guns are provided for finger and palm operation, then each device is optimized for its specific use, but the overall system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuation method optionsVSAvoidnumber of devices required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single spray gun design incorporates both finger operation and palm operation capabilities by allowing the handle to assume multiple positions. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for maintaining separate spray guns for different actuation methods, reducing system complexity while maintaining adaptability to various user preferences and conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple specialized spray guns (one for finger operation, one for palm operation) into a single device. By combining these functions through a rotatable handle mechanism, the invention reduces the number of devices required while preserving the benefits of both operation types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the handle is made rotatable to enable position switching, then handling versatility is improved, but the risk of unintentional position changes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition flexibilityVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A blocking device is provided that can assume a blocking position to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the gun body. This preliminary action of blocking unintended movement ensures that once the handle is positioned for a specific operation mode, it remains stable during use, preventing unintentional position changes while preserving the ability to switch positions when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking device creates an asymmetric constraint on the handle rotation, allowing intentional position changes while preventing unintentional ones. The blocking mechanism engages at specific angular positions to stabilize the handle, creating a controlled asymmetry that enhances reliability without sacrificing the flexibility of position switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3271079B1Spray gun for irrigation purposes
Publication Date: 2019.08.21 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP3271079B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3271079B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3271079B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to spray gun for irrigation purposes, comprising a gun body (12), a spray unit (14) held thereon, a gripping means (18) for a user held on the gun body (12) in a position-variable manner, an inlet (26), an outlet (24) formed by the spray unit (14) and fluidically connected to the inlet (26) via a fluid channel (28), a valve unit (74) and an actuating element (72) arranged on the gripping means (18), which actuating element (72) is operatively connected to the valve unit (74) for selectively releasing the fluid channel (28). In order to provide a spray gun of this type that can be comfortably handled by a user, the present invention proposes that the gripping means (18) can be transferred from a first position to a second position and vice versa relative to the gun body (12), wherein the actuating element (72) can be actuated with the finger by the user gripping the gripping means (18) in the first position and with the palm of the hand in the second position.