Battery Fluid Sprayer Pressure-Switched Motor Power Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery-powered fluid sprayers face challenges in power conservation, leading to reduced operating time due to continuous power consumption by the motor controller even when the system fluid pressure meets or exceeds the user-adjustable threshold.

Innovation Solution

A power controller is integrated into the battery-powered fluid sprayer, which selectively provides operating power to the motor controller based on pressure signals from a pressure switch. The power controller ensures that power is only supplied when the system fluid pressure is less than the user-adjustable threshold, thereby conserving power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the motor controller continuously operates to maintain system fluid pressure, then the fluid pressure stability is improved, but the battery power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid pressure stabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The motor controller operates periodically rather than continuously. The pressure switch detects when system fluid pressure drops below a threshold and triggers the motor controller to operate only during these periods, creating a periodic on-off operation pattern that reduces overall power consumption while maintaining pressure stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure switch provides feedback about the system fluid pressure to the motor controller. When the pressure drops below the threshold, the pressure switch signals the motor controller to activate. This feedback mechanism ensures the motor controller operates only when needed to maintain pressure, avoiding continuous operation and reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If the power controller is added to selectively control motor controller operation, then the power conservation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower conservationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure switch serves multiple functions: it monitors system fluid pressure, compares it to a threshold, and triggers the motor controller when needed. By making the pressure switch multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate components for each function, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving power conservation.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The power control functionality is merged with the existing pressure switch and motor controller components. Rather than adding a completely separate power control system, the patent integrates the control logic into the existing components, combining their functions to achieve power conservation without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 power controller effectively extends the operating time of the battery-powered fluid sprayer by reducing power consumption during periods when the system fluid pressure meets or exceeds the threshold, enhancing the usability of the device.

Implementation Method 1

The pressure switch generates a pressure signal indicative of whether the system fluid pressure is greater than the user-adjustable pressure threshold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure switch detection:

Implementation Method 2

The power controller is configured to control power of the battery powered fluid sprayer by providing operating power of the motor controller in response to the pressure signal indicating that the system fluid pressure is less than the user-adjustable pressure threshold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical power control:

Implementation Method 3

The electric motor is electrically connected to the battery and to the pump to drive operation of the pump for spraying

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 4

A pump draws the spray fluid from a reservoir, pressurizes the fluid, and drives the fluid downstream to a spray gun

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPositive displacement pumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentUS12280388B2Fluid sprayer with battery power
Publication Date: 2025.04.22 GRACO MINNESTOA INC
  • US12280388B2 patent drawing
  • US12280388B2 patent drawing
  • US12280388B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A battery powered fluid sprayer includes a reciprocating positive displacement pump, a power supply that includes a battery, an electric motor, a motor controller, a user-adjustment mechanism for setting a user-adjustable pressure threshold corresponding to system fluid pressure of the battery powered fluid sprayer, a pressure switch, and a power controller. The pressure switch generates a pressure signal indicative of whether the system fluid pressure is greater than the user-adjustable pressure threshold. The power controller is configured to control power of the battery powered fluid sprayer by providing operating power of the motor controller in response to the pressure signal indicating that the system fluid pressure is less than the user-adjustable pressure threshold, and not providing the operating power of the motor controller in response to the pressure signal indicating that the system fluid pressure is greater than the user-adjustable pressure threshold.