Spray Gun Adjustment Valve for Single-Handed Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paint spray guns require the use of an additional hand for auxiliary adjustments, making operations inconvenient due to limited and single adjustment functions.

Innovation Solution

A spray gun with an adjustment valve featuring a first and second operating member, where the second operating member is screwed into the first operating member, allowing for multiple adjustments to be made with the thumb, enhancing convenience and stability, and including a guide bevel for improved air flowability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate adjustment assemblies are provided for different adjustment functions, then each adjustment function can be performed, but an additional hand is required for auxiliary operations making operation inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment functionVSAvoidoperation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple adjustment functions (center adjustment and pattern adjustment) into a single adjustment valve assembly. The first operating member controls air intake passage while the second operating member controls first and second air outlet passages, all integrated in one valve body. This merging allows the user to perform multiple adjustments with one hand, resolving the contradiction between having multiple adjustment functions and maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment valve is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform center adjustment, pattern adjustment, and air flow control simultaneously. The valve body incorporates multiple passages (air intake, first air outlet, second air outlet) and multiple operating members that work together, allowing a single component to fulfill multiple adjustment roles that previously required separate assemblies.

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

2Ease of operation

If a single adjustment valve with multiple operating members is used, then single-handed operation is enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation convenienceVSAvoidvalve structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested structure where the second operating member is movably mounted on the first operating member. The second operating member can be inserted into or removed from the first operating member, creating a compact nested arrangement. This nesting reduces the overall space required and simplifies the visual complexity while maintaining the multi-functionality of the valve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment valve is segmented into distinct functional components: the valve body with multiple passages, the first operating member with cylinder and perforation for air intake control, and the second operating member for air outlet control. This segmentation allows each component to be designed and manufactured separately then assembled, reducing overall device complexity while enabling single-handed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the second operating member is movably mounted on the first operating member, then compact structure is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure compactnessVSAvoidassembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The second operating member is designed to be movable relative to the first operating member, allowing dynamic adjustment of its position. This movability enables the second member to be precisely positioned during assembly and operation, accommodating minor manufacturing variations while achieving compact structure. The dynamic mounting allows for adjustment and fine-tuning that static mounting would not permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The first operating member acts as an intermediary between the valve body and the second operating member. It provides a mounting interface that mediates the connection, allowing the second operating member to be movably mounted with reduced precision requirements. The intermediary structure absorbs and compensates for manufacturing tolerances, enabling compact assembly without excessive precision demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3421138B1Spray gun
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 CHIEN TAO PAO
  • EP3421138B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3421138B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3421138B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A spray gun includes a spray gun main body (1) and an adjustment valve (2). The spray gun main body (1) has an air intake passage (111), a first air outlet passage (131), a second air outlet passage (132), and a mounting hole (133) defined therein. The mounting hole (133) is in communication with the air intake passage (111), the first air outlet passage (131) and the second air outlet passage (132). The adjustment valve (2) is mounted to the spray gun main body (1) and located in the mounting hole (133). The adjustment valve (2) includes a first operating member (21) and a second operating member (22). The second operating member (22) is movably mounted on the first operating member (21).