Sprayer Nozzle Locking Mechanism for Stable Spray Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sprayers with remotely pivotable nozzles suffer from undesired nozzle rotation when pressurized fluid is released, making it difficult for users to maintain a desired spray angle, especially in challenging positions like under vehicle wheel wells or high areas, leading to discomfort and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A sprayer design featuring a pivotable connector assembly with a mechanical drive linkage and a spray-angle selector that allows the nozzle to be locked in predefined angular positions, preventing unintended rotation through a recess-engaging mechanism that provides resistance against pivotal movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the nozzle is made pivotable to allow angle adjustment, then the adaptability for spraying different areas is improved, but the stability of the spray angle deteriorates due to unintended rotation when fluid is released
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly incorporates a pivotable connector that allows dynamic angle adjustment during operation. The connector enables the nozzle to be rotated to different angles while maintaining a locked position, providing both adaptability and stability. This dynamic mechanism allows users to adjust the spray angle as needed while preventing unintended rotation during fluid release.
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical linkage acts as an intermediary between the handle and the nozzle, transmitting rotational movement while maintaining precise angular positioning. The linkage includes a drive rod connected to a lever on the nozzle, which mediates the transfer of rotational input from the handle to the nozzle while preventing unwanted movement during operation.
2Ease of operation
If the handle and nozzle are kept close together for ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the accessibility to difficult-to-reach areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a handle portion and a nozzle portion connected by an extendable conduit. This segmentation allows the handle to remain in an accessible position while the nozzle can be extended to reach difficult-to-access areas such as under vehicle wheel wells or high areas on structures, solving both ease of operation and accessibility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a two-dimensional handle-nozzle arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration using an extendable conduit. The conduit can be extended in length and the nozzle can be pivoted to different angles, adding spatial dimensions that enable access to areas that would be unreachable with a fixed-length handle, while the handle remains in a comfortable operating position.
3Manufacturing precision
If the user holds the nozzle over head or leans out while on a ladder to achieve proper spray angle, then the spray angle precision is improved, but the safety deteriorates due to balance loss risk
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable connector with locking mechanism provides dynamic angle adjustment capability, allowing users to set the nozzle at precise angles without maintaining awkward physical positions. The locking feature maintains the selected angle throughout operation, eliminating the need for users to continuously adjust their body position to maintain spray angle precision, thereby improving safety while preserving precision.
4Ease of operation
If the actuator is made slidable to allow nozzle rotation, then the ease of operation for angle adjustment is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
A mechanical linkage serves as an intermediary that translates simple rotational movement of the handle into precise nozzle positioning. The linkage includes a drive rod and lever system that provides mechanical advantage, allowing easy rotation and locking of the nozzle at desired angles without requiring complex actuators or multiple locking mechanisms. The mechanical linkage inherently provides the locking function through its geometric constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid sprayer includes a rigid fluid conduit with a conduit side wall extending along a conduit axis between open first and second conduit ends. The conduit side wall defines a fluid passage extending between the open first and second ends. A spray nozzle with a fluid-expulsion bore is connected to the second conduit end such that it can pivot about a nozzle-pivot axis that extends orthogonally to the conduit axis and such that fluid introduced into the first conduit end is expelled through the fluid-expulsion bore. A nozzle actuator is attached to the conduit for bi-directional rotation about an actuator-rotation axis having a component of spatial extension perpendicular to the conduit axis. The nozzle actuator and nozzle are mechanically linked so that rotation of the actuator causes the nozzle to pivot with respect to the conduit axis. A spray-angle selector rotates in tandem with the nozzle actuator and includes an angle-selection surface. A selector stop, with a base portion fixed relative to the fluid conduit, cooperatively engages the angle-selection surface to define a plurality of angular nozzle positions and provide resistance opposing pivotal movement out of each angular nozzle position.