Paint Sprayer Pump Guard and Control Interlock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sprayers require disassembly and exposure of unnecessary components to access the pump assembly for maintenance, leading to inefficient servicing and potential damage to non-serviceable parts.

Innovation Solution

A sprayer design featuring a moveable door that allows the pump assembly to be easily removed without disassembling the housing or front cover, retaining other components within the sprayer for protection during servicing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the front cover is removed to access the pump assembly, then the pump can be serviced, but unnecessary components (pump drive components) are exposed or removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump assembly accessibilityVSAvoiddisassembly requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The front cover is segmented into a fixed portion and a moveable door portion. The moveable door can be opened independently to provide access to the pump assembly, while the fixed portion remains attached to the housing, maintaining structural integrity and protecting pump drive components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The moveable door is extracted from the front cover structure, allowing it to be opened and closed independently. This extraction enables selective access to the pump assembly without removing the entire front cover, thereby avoiding exposure of unnecessary components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of repair

If the front cover is removed to access the pump assembly, then maintenance can be performed, but components not needing service are exposed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump maintenance efficiencyVSAvoidexposure of non-serviceable components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The front cover is divided into fixed and moveable sections. The moveable door can be opened only when needed for pump maintenance, while the fixed portion remains closed, protecting pump drive components from exposure and potential damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The moveable door is designed to block access to the pump assembly when closed, preventing accidental exposure or damage to components. The door must be intentionally opened to perform maintenance, providing preliminary protection against harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of repair

If the pump assembly is accessed by removing the front cover, then servicing is enabled, but structural integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump accessibilityVSAvoidhousing structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The front cover is segmented into a fixed portion that remains attached to the housing and a moveable door that can be opened independently. This segmentation allows pump access while maintaining the structural integrity of the housing and fixed cover portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The moveable door introduces dynamic functionality to the previously static front cover. The door can be opened and closed as needed, providing flexible access to the pump assembly while the fixed portion maintains structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4234098B1Integrated pump guard and control interlock
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 GRACO MINNESTOA INC
  • EP4234098B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4234098B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4234098B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A paint sprayer includes an end bell, a motor connected to the end bell, a pump drive connected to the end bell, a pair of protrusions attached to an extending from the end bell such that each protrusion is cantilevered from the end bell, and a pump assembly comprising a pair of mounting holes and containing a piston. The pair of mounting holes is adapted to receive and slide onto the pair of protrusions to mount the pump assembly on the end bell as well as slide off of the pair of protrusions to remove the pump assembly from the end bell. The pump drive is configured to covert rotational motion output by the motor to reciprocal motion. The pump assembly is configured to pump paint when reciprocated by the pump drive while mounted on the end bell.