Sonic Range Finder for Spray Gun Distance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handheld spray guns rely on user judgment to maintain the proper distance from the target surface, leading to uneven coverage and potential sags or runs due to variations in distance, resulting in suboptimal application of coatings.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a range finder with the spray gun that provides a digital display of the distance between the gun and the target surface, allowing users to adjust and maintain the optimal distance for uniform coating application, with the option to freeze the reading during spraying to avoid interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If user judgment is used to position the spray gun, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision of coating application deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual method of distance estimation with an optical/electronic range finder system. The range finder uses optical components (lens, mirror) and electronic processing to automatically measure and display the distance between the spray gun and target surface, substituting human judgment with an automated measurement system that provides precise numerical feedback to the operator.
2Measurement precision
If the range finder provides continuous distance reading during spraying, then the measurement precision is high, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The range finder operates in periodic intervals rather than continuously during spraying. The system freezes the distance reading at the moment the trigger is pulled and maintains this frozen reading throughout the spraying operation. This periodic update approach provides sufficient measurement precision for maintaining proper spray distance while reducing the complexity of continuous measurement and processing systems.
3Ease of operation
If the range finder reading is frozen during spraying, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The range finder captures and freezes the distance reading in advance, at the moment the trigger is pulled, before the spraying operation begins. This preliminary measurement provides the operator with a stable reference distance that was accurately measured before any movement or vibration during spraying occurs, maintaining both ease of operation and measurement precision.
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
Ensures consistent and even coverage by aiding users in maintaining the correct distance, reducing the likelihood of sags and runs, and improving overall coating quality.
Implementation Method 1
a sonic range finder which provides a user of the gun with information about a distance between the gun and the target surface
Data Source
AI summary
A paint spray gun and range finder for positioning the gun with respect to a target surface to be sprayed. The range finder provides a user of the gun with information about the distance between the gun and the target surface, with different indications when the gun is too close, too far or distanced properly from the target surface to be sprayed. An acoustic range finder provides visual indications of the proximity of the gun to the target surface. Visual indications include a digital display of the distance from the target surface and may be frozen while the gun is spraying.