Spray Gun Barrel Boost Passageway for Viscous Coating Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spray gun systems face challenges in efficiently removing viscous coating liquids from reservoirs due to gravity or siphon, leading to waste and inefficiency, especially when trying to minimize the use of expensive coating materials.

Innovation Solution

A barrel and coating fluid reservoir system that incorporates a boost passageway and pressurized boost fluid to assist in urging the coating fluid out of the reservoir through a fluid nozzle, using a separating member to prevent backflow and ensure efficient fluid transfer regardless of orientation, integrated with a spray gun platform for effective atomization and propulsion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If gravity or siphon is used to remove coating liquid from the reservoir, then the system structure is simple, but viscous coating liquids cannot be effectively removed leading to waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating liquid wasteVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a boost passageway that utilizes pressurized gas (pneumatic force) to actively push coating liquid from the reservoir through the fluid passageway and out the nozzle. This hydraulic/pneumatic mechanism overcomes the limitations of passive gravity or siphon systems, enabling complete removal of viscous materials without waste while maintaining reasonable system complexity through integrated internal channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If passive gravity or siphon systems are used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity is reduced due to incomplete liquid removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid removal efficiencyVSAvoidbarrel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The boost passageway delivers pressurized gas to actively propel coating liquid through the system, dramatically improving liquid removal efficiency and productivity. This active pneumatic delivery mechanism ensures complete reservoir evacuation even for highly viscous materials, transforming the system from passive to active transport without excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The barrel is designed with segmented functional zones: a fluid passageway for liquid transport, a boost passageway for gas delivery, and a separating member to prevent backflow. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving high productivity through coordinated specialized pathways rather than a single complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the boost passageway is interrupted by a shut-off device, then the system adaptability is improved, but the reliability is reduced due to potential clogging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveboost passageway reliabilityVSAvoidflow control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shut-off device is extracted from the boost passageway entirely and relocated to the fluid passageway at the nozzle. This removal eliminates the risk of clogging in the boost passageway (improving reliability) while preserving flow control capability through the nozzle shut-off (maintaining adaptability). The separation of functions protects the critical gas delivery path from contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Loss of substance

If no separating member is used, then the device complexity is low, but the loss of substance increases due to backflow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating fluid backflowVSAvoidseparating member structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separating member converts the potential harm of pressure differential (which could cause backflow) into a beneficial one-way valve effect. By positioning the separating member where the boost passageway and fluid passageway meet, it allows gas to push liquid forward while preventing liquid from flowing backward into the gas supply, thus eliminating waste without requiring complex active control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The system enhances the efficient removal and use of coating liquids by utilizing pressurized boost fluid to assist in dispensing viscous materials, minimizing waste and ensuring consistent application, even with varying viscosities and orientations of the reservoir.

Implementation Method 1

a boost passageway adapted to convey a boost fluid to a boost delivery port to assist in urging a coating fluid from a compatible coating fluid reservoir

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The boost passageway may be interrupted by a shut-off device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOne-way flow control: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP4000744A1Spray gun having internal boost passageway
Publication Date: 2022.05.25 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
  • EP4000744A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4000744A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4000744A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a barrel adapted for use with a spray gun, the barrel comprising a boost feed port fluidly connected to a boost passageway, the boost passageway being integral to the barrel, wherein the boost passageway is adapted to convey a pressurized boost fluid originating in the spray gun to a boost delivery port to assist in urging a coating fluid from a compatible coating fluid reservoir for spraying by the spray gun, the compatible coating fluid reservoir comprising a coating fluid chamber further comprising a first section; and a piercing member that is configured to pierce the first section upon installation of the coating fluid reservoir onto the barrel.