Garden Hose Sprayer Coupling with Pressure Regulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hand-held and garden hose sprayers have limited chemical capacity and uneven chemical application due to variable pressure, making them inefficient for home use, while powered sprayers are expensive and require specialized knowledge.
Innovation Solution
A powered spray system with a chemical supply tank, sprayer, and coupling that connects to a standard garden hose, featuring a pressure regulator and pump to ensure constant pressure and controlled chemical mixing with water, using off-the-shelf components for cost-effectiveness and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hand-held sprayer with a small tank is used, then the sprayer is portable and easy to operate, but the tank capacity is limited requiring frequent refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the chemical storage function from the spraying function. A large external chemical supply tank is connected to a portable sprayer unit, allowing the chemical reservoir to be stationary while the sprayer remains mobile and easy to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
A garden hose acts as an intermediary connecting the large chemical supply tank to the portable sprayer, enabling flexible chemical delivery without requiring the tank to be carried or attached directly to the sprayer.
2Ease of operation
If a hand-held sprayer is used, then the sprayer is simple to operate, but the pressure varies causing uneven chemical application
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure regulator provides feedback control by automatically adjusting the water pressure to maintain a constant level, ensuring uniform chemical application while requiring minimal user intervention or knowledge.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure regulator is a self-adjusting device that automatically maintains constant pressure without requiring user intervention, making the system both simple to operate and precise in its application.
3Manufacturing precision
If a powered sprayer is used, then constant pressure and controlled application are achieved, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex pressurization mechanism is extracted from the sprayer system and replaced with a simple garden hose connected to municipal water pressure, eliminating the need for pumps, tanks, and complex control systems while maintaining application control through the pressure regulator.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a standard garden hose and pressure regulator, which are common off-the-shelf components with multiple uses, rather than specialized sprayer components. This reduces cost and complexity while achieving the same functional goals.
4Quantity of substance
If a garden hose sprayer is used, then the sprayer can be connected to a water source, but the chemical tank is small and control over chemical application is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates chemical storage from the sprayer unit, using a large external tank connected via garden hose. This allows the water supply to be abundant while chemical dosing is controlled separately at the sprayer.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure regulator provides automatic feedback control to maintain consistent water pressure, enabling precise control over chemical application rates even with abundant water supply from the garden hose.
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 provides a professional-quality, cost-effective, and user-friendly solution for home users by ensuring continuous and controlled application of chemicals with a large chemical capacity and consistent pressure, eliminating the need for frequent refills and skill requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a pump to pressurize and deliver the chemical solution
Implementation Method 2
a spray nozzle to atomize the chemical solution into fine droplets
Data Source
AI summary
A powered spray system designed for home use comprises a chemical supply tank, a sprayer for applying a chemical in the chemical supply tank, and a coupling connecting a water source with the chemical supply tank and sprayer for mixing chemical contained in the chemical supply tank with a stream of water as the water is sprayed. The coupling comprises a first inlet configured to connect to a standard garden hose for connecting the coupling to the water source, an outlet configured to connect to a standard garden hose for connecting the coupling to the sprayer, and a second inlet configured to connect to the chemical supply tank.