Spray Gun Nozzle Coupling for Quick Exchange and Leak-Tight Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for improved connections between removable nozzle assemblies and spray gun bodies to facilitate easier cleaning and allow for exchanging nozzles of differing types for different applications.

Innovation Solution

A liquid spray gun nozzle assembly with a quick-connect coupler and adapter system that utilizes a first connector format on the spray gun and a second connector format on the adapter, featuring guide segments, retention structures, and lock structures to ensure a secure and liquid-tight connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a removable nozzle assembly is used, then cleaning ease is improved, but connection reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning easeVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spray gun is divided into separable components: a nozzle assembly and a spray gun body, connected through a quick-connect coupler system. This segmentation allows the nozzle assembly to be easily removed for cleaning while maintaining a reliable connection during operation through the specialized coupler design with lock structures and sealing elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A quick-connect coupler acts as an intermediary component between the nozzle assembly and spray gun body. This coupler includes lock structures that secure the connection and sealing elements that prevent leakage, thereby maintaining connection reliability while enabling easy attachment and detachment for cleaning purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a quick-connect coupler system is implemented, then assembly ease is improved, but connection security may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidconnection security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The quick-connect coupler system incorporates pre-configured alignment features and guide segments that automatically orient and position the nozzle assembly correctly during attachment. This preliminary action ensures proper engagement of lock structures and sealing elements, making assembly easy while maintaining connection security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The coupler serves as an intermediary that integrates both ease of assembly and connection security. It features a user-friendly interface for quick attachment while internally incorporating lock structures and sealing elements that ensure secure and leak-free connection, reconciling the apparent contradiction between ease of operation and connection security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple connector formats are used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle exchange capabilityVSAvoidconnector system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spray gun system employs a universal quick-connect coupler design that can accommodate multiple nozzle assembly types through standardized interface features. This multi-functionality allows different nozzle assemblies to be exchanged on the same spray gun body without requiring multiple specialized connectors, thereby improving adaptability while actually reducing overall system complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3551337B1Spray gun and nozzle assembly attachment
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
  • EP3551337B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3551337B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3551337B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A liquid spray gun nozzle assembly is disclosed comprising a coating liquid inlet portion comprising a liquid connector for connection to an external liquid source; a coating liquid outlet portion comprising a liquid nozzle for spraying a coating liquid fed into the nozzle assembly through the coating liquid inlet portion, the liquid nozzle being disposed along a spray axis; a coating liquid flow path fluidly connecting the coating liquid inlet portion to the liquid nozzle; and a spray gun connection portion opposite the coating liquid outlet portion adapted to connect the liquid spray gun nozzle assembly to a compatible liquid spray gun body. The spray gun connection portion comprises a nozzle assembly sealing surface adapted to seal the liquid spray gun nozzle assembly to the compatible liquid spray gun body, the nozzle assembly sealing surface comprising first and second sealing members that are each circular and concentric with one another.