Spray Gun Socket Keying for Secure Non-Threaded Fluid Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spray gun connection systems face issues with non-threaded fluid inlets, such as the SATAjet® 5000 B RP, where conversion sleeves lack mechanical retention and stop elements made of plastic deform under excessive force, leading to instability and potential detachment.
Innovation Solution
A liquid spray gun with a socket geometry featuring a bore, end surface, and lug portion, incorporating a first keying geometry that includes protrusions or recesses to restrict rotation, and a connector ring with a second keying geometry to enhance stability and secure attachment, allowing for fluid-tight connections without adapters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conversion sleeve is used to attach a threaded adapter to a non-threaded fluid inlet, then connection versatility is improved, but mechanical retention is insufficient causing potential detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The socket geometry incorporates an asymmetric keying geometry with a protrusion that engages with a corresponding recess in the connector. This asymmetric feature prevents rotation of the connector on the spray gun and provides positive mechanical retention, eliminating the detachment issue while maintaining connection versatility through the adapter interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The keying geometry is nested within the socket geometry structure, with the protrusion integrated into the socket body and the recess formed in the connector. This nested arrangement provides compact retention without adding external retention components, solving the mechanical retention problem while maintaining a clean connection interface.
2Ease of operation
If a stop element made of plastic is used to prevent over-rotation during assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but the stop element may deform or be destroyed under excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The keying geometry is designed as a robust, permanent feature in the metal socket and connector rather than a disposable plastic stop element. This permanent mechanical keying provides durable rotational restriction that can withstand assembly forces without deformation, while the metal construction ensures long-term durability beyond the life of the connector.
3Ease of manufacture
If a tubular coupling member is push fitted into a non-threaded spray gun inlet, then ease of manufacture is improved, but rotational restriction is insufficient allowing unwanted rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The keying geometry with its protrusion and recess creates an asymmetric interference fit that naturally prevents rotation. The asymmetric shapes mate together to provide both定位 (positioning) and rotational restriction in a single manufacturing step, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving rotational stability without additional retention features.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a liquid spray gun connectable to a fluid reservoir through a fluid outlet. The spray gun comprises a socket geometry arranged for engagement with a co-operating connector for releasable connecting the spray gun with the fluid outlet. The socket geometry comprises a bore having an opening on one end, an end surface surrounding the bore's opening at least partially, and a lug portion spaced apart from the end surface in an axial direction parallel to a central axis of the bore. The lug portion has a lower surface being adapted to engage with the connector and to retain the connector in the axial direction. The end surface comprises a first keying geometry that is adapted to restrict rotation of the connector in at least one direction.