Spray Gun Reservoir Connector with Undercut Locking and Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spray gun reservoir connection systems face challenges in providing a secure, reliable, and efficient attachment mechanism that minimizes the risk of accidental disconnection and ensures a fluid-tight seal while allowing for easy assembly and disassembly.

Innovation Solution

A spray gun reservoir connector system featuring complementary connector formats with undercuts and ramp regions that guide alignment and rotation, providing a stable, locked connection between the reservoir and spray gun inlet, and optionally incorporating additional retention features for enhanced stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional screw thread-type connection formats are used to secure the reservoir to the spray gun, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the assembly and disassembly process is time-consuming and reduces operational efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into distinct modular components: a reservoir with connector, a spray gun with inlet, and an optional adaptor. Each component has standardized connection features that enable quick attachment while maintaining secure connection through complementary geometries including undercuts and ramp regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connector formats are pre-configured with alignment features, undercuts, and ramp regions that guide the assembly process. The undercuts are positioned to automatically engage with corresponding features on the mating component, eliminating the need for manual threading or complex alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If quick-fit bayonet type connections are used to reduce assembly time, then assembly is faster, but the risk of accidental release and fluid-tight seal reliability is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly timeVSAvoidconnection security

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system combines multiple geometric features in a composite structure: undercuts provide mechanical interlocking, ramp regions provide sealing surfaces, and retention features provide additional locking. This composite approach integrates the speed of quick-fit connections with the security of multi-feature engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The connector design incorporates built-in retention features and security elements that prevent accidental release before it can occur. The multi-feature engagement system ensures that multiple conditions must be met simultaneously for disconnection, providing inherent protection against unintended separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If retention features are added to prevent accidental release, then connection security is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of assembly increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions are merged into integrated connector components. The undercuts, ramp regions, and retention features are combined into unified molded structures on the reservoir and spray gun connectors. This integration achieves enhanced security without adding separate discrete parts or complex assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector formats are designed as universal interfaces that can be used across different reservoir and spray gun configurations. The standardized connection features provide multiple functions: alignment, sealing, mechanical interlocking, and retention, all through a single connector design that works with various liquid types and spray applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12508611B2Connector system for hand-held spray guns

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

Spray gun reservoir components are disclosed. The spray gun reservoir component includes a liquid outlet and an outer face, and defines a centerline plane and an attachment plane. The liquid outlet surrounds a longitudinal axis. The outer face extends away from the liquid outlet. The centerline plane passes through the longitudinal axis. The attachment plane is defined orthogonally to the longitudinal axis and the centerline plane. The outer face further comprises a retention feature extending away from the centerline plane and generally parallel to the attachment plane. In some embodiments, the spray gun reservoir component further comprises a bearing surface formed on the outer face along the attachment plane to engage with a corresponding bearing surface on a liquid spray gun attachment point, with the bearing surface comprising the retention feature.