Spray Gun Electrical Housing Segmentation for High-Pressure Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spray guns for high-pressure cleaning devices are costly to manufacture and maintain, and are prone to faults due to complex electrical components that can be affected by liquid exposure.

Innovation Solution

The spray gun features a splash-proof electrical housing that isolates current-carrying components, allowing for pre-assembly and testing before integration, with wireless pressure detection and a standby mode to reduce energy consumption and maintenance needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electrical components are integrated into the spray gun housing, then the spray gun can display operational information and control functions, but the complexity of manufacturing and assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing and assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spray gun is divided into distinct functional modules: a valve assembly housing containing the valve mechanism, and a separate electrical unit housing containing all electrical components (battery, display, control elements). This segmentation allows each module to be manufactured, tested, and assembled independently, reducing overall manufacturing and assembly complexity while maintaining full functional capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If electrical components are exposed to the liquid environment, then the spray gun can monitor and display liquid pressure and flow rate, but the reliability of the electrical system decreases due to moisture and liquid exposure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure and flow rate monitoringVSAvoidelectrical system reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical unit is housed in a separate liquid-tight enclosure from the liquid flow path. This physical separation allows pressure sensors to monitor liquid parameters while the electrical components (battery, display, electronics) remain protected from moisture and liquid exposure, ensuring both measurement precision and electrical system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A pressure sensor acts as an intermediary element that detects liquid pressure through a sealed interface and transmits this information to the electrical display system without requiring direct exposure of electrical components to the liquid environment. This mediator enables accurate pressure monitoring while maintaining electrical system integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If the electrical system remains active during standby, then the display can show information continuously, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation availabilityVSAvoidbattery energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical display system operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. During active use, the display shows information and controls are responsive. During standby periods, the system enters a low-power state with reduced display activity, automatically waking when the trigger is pulled or after a set time interval. This periodic operation significantly reduces battery energy consumption while maintaining information availability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

This design simplifies production and assembly, reduces fault susceptibility, and lowers maintenance costs by keeping electrical components dry and only activating them when needed, ensuring efficient operation and extended device lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

The pressure sensing device is arranged outside the electrical housing in the gun housing and is wirelessly coupled to a sensor element of the electrical device located in the electrical housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless signal transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3212335B1Spray gun for a high-pressure cleaning appliance
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP3212335B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3212335B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3212335B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a spray gun (10; 200) for a high-pressure cleaning appliance, with a gun casing (12), in which there is arranged a valve (26), wherein the valve (26) has a through duct (34) which extends from a valve inlet (30) to a valve outlet (32), and wherein the valve has a closure body (36) which, in a closed position, bears in a fluid-tight manner against a valve seat (56) and which can be moved, with the aid of a hand lever (48) mechanically coupled to the closure body (36), into an open position spaced apart from the valve seat (56), and with an electric apparatus (100; 202) which has an electric display device (140; 208) and at least one battery (114; 234). In order to refine the spray gun such that it can be produced and assembled in a cost-effective manner, is insensitive to disturbances and is maintenance-friendly, it is proposed according to the invention that the electric apparatus (100; 202) has an electric casing (102; 204) which is sealed against sprayed water and forms a sub-unit which can be handled independently, wherein all of the current-carrying components of the spray gun are arranged in the electric casing (102; 204) and are separated galvanically from the remaining components of the spray gun (10; 200).