Electrostatic Handheld Sprayer Piston Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrostatic sprayers face challenges in efficiently applying corrosive and low-viscosity fluid solutions, such as sanitary fluids, which are often highly atomized and require effective electrostatic charging mechanisms without compromising durability and usability.

Innovation Solution

A handheld electrostatic sprayer design that applies an electrostatic charge to the fluid between the reservoir and nozzle, utilizing a piston as the primary component for both fluid pressure and charging, eliminating the need for external electrodes and enhancing the sprayer's robustness and versatility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional electrostatic spray guns with external electrodes are used, then electrostatic charging of fluid can be achieved, but device complexity and vulnerability to contact damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the fluid displacement function and electrostatic charging function into a single integrated pump unit. The pump serves dual purposes: moving the fluid through the system and generating the electrostatic charge simultaneously, thereby eliminating separate electrodes and reducing overall device complexity while improving reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a fluid displacement device and an electrostatic charge generation device. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining effective electrostatic spraying capability

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

2Reliability

If electrostatic charging is applied to corrosive low-viscosity fluid solutions, then effective coating can be achieved, but the corrosive nature of the fluid compromises durability

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidcorrosiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible conduit with multi-layer construction including chemically resistant materials that protect against corrosion from the fluid. The conduit design incorporates layers that are both flexible for movement and chemically inert to resist degradation from corrosive substances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible conduit is constructed from composite materials with different layers serving different functions: one layer provides chemical resistance to protect against corrosion, another layer provides flexibility for movement, and additional layers may provide structural support or electrical properties. This composite structure addresses both the corrosiveness issue and the need for durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Quantity of substance

If highly atomized fluid spray is generated, then improved coverage is achieved, but material usage efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial usageVSAvoidcoverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrostatic charging mechanism creates feedback control over fluid deposition. The charged droplets are attracted to the grounded target surface, and the electrostatic field naturally guides the spray pattern, reducing overspray and ensuring that material is deposited where needed, thereby improving both coverage and material efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 sprayer efficiently atomizes and applies fluids with improved coverage and reduced material usage, offering a hybrid mode for both electrostatic and non-electrostatic spraying, enhancing usability and reducing power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

An electrostatic module supplies electrical energy to a conductive component that is exposed to the fluid within the pump to transfer electrostatic charge to the fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic charge transfer: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

A pump is provided with a piston configured to place the fluid under pressure to generate the atomized fluid spray

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure and atomization: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3928874B1Electrostatic handheld sprayer
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 GRACO MINNESTOA INC
  • EP3928874B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3928874B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3928874B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

A fluid sprayer (10) includes a pump (32) and an electrostatic module (40) configured to provide an electrostatic charge to spray fluid. The electrostatic module (40) is electrically connected to a conductive component of the fluid sprayer, such as a fluid displacement member (50), fitting, cylinder, or spray tip (52), to charge the spray fluid via the conductive component. The fluid is electrostatically charged prior to exiting the fluid sprayer (10).