Portable Sprayer Sensor Activation and Nozzle Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household sprayers require manual operation of a trigger to activate the pump and often have nozzle controls that require multiple turns to adjust the spray profile, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A portable sprayer with a sensor activated by contact with the outer housing, which powers a pump to spray liquid, and a nozzle actuator that can rotate 45° to adjust the spray profile from least to most restrictive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual trigger is used to activate the pump, then the sprayer can be operated, but the operation becomes cumbersome and requires continuous manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical trigger system with an electronic sensor system. The sensor detects contact with the outer housing and sends electrical signals to activate the pump, substituting manual mechanical operation with automated electronic control. This eliminates the need for continuous manual trigger pulling while maintaining spray activation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sprayer system performs self-activation through the sensor mechanism. When the user contacts the outer housing, the sensor automatically detects this action and triggers the pump without requiring manual intervention to operate the pump itself. The system serves itself by converting simple contact into automated pump activation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional nozzle control requiring multiple turns is used, then the spray profile can be adjusted, but the adjustment process becomes time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle actuator is designed as a dynamic component that can rotate through a limited range (approximately 45 degrees) to adjust the spray profile. This dynamic mechanism allows the nozzle to transition between different spray patterns (least restrictive to most restrictive) through a compact rotational motion rather than requiring multiple full turns of a traditional control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle actuator changes the spray profile parameter by rotating to different positions, which alters the flow restriction through the nozzle. The multi-start thread mechanism converts rotational motion into linear displacement, changing the effective opening size and thus the spray characteristics. This parameter change approach allows versatile spray profile adjustment within a limited rotational range.
3Ease of operation
If a sensor activated by contact with the outer housing is used, then hands-free operation is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor acts as an intermediary between the user's contact action and the pump activation. Instead of directly manipulating the pump trigger, the user simply contacts the outer housing, and the sensor mediates this simple action into an electrical signal that activates the pump. This intermediary approach simplifies the user interface while adding controlled complexity to the internal sensing and actuation system.
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 solution allows for easy, hands-free operation of the sprayer and quick adjustment of the spray profile, enhancing user convenience and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a battery electrically connected to the pump, wherein the battery is configured to provide power to the pump
Implementation Method 2
a pump connected to the nozzle and the liquid reservoir, wherein the pump is configured to cause liquid to flow from the liquid reservoir to the nozzle
Implementation Method 3
a sensor that includes a spring and a metal plate, wherein the spring is disposed between the outer housing and the metal plate
Data Source
AI summary
A household sprayer may include a liquid reservoir configured to store a liquid and a nozzle connected to the liquid reservoir, wherein the nozzle is configured to spray liquid. A household sprayer may include a nozzle actuator connected to the nozzle, wherein the nozzle actuator is configured to control the spray profile of liquid exiting the nozzle, and a pump connected to the nozzle and the liquid reservoir, wherein the pump is configured to cause liquid to flow from the liquid reservoir to the nozzle. A household sprayer may include a battery electrically connected to the pump, wherein the battery is configured to provide power to the pump. A household sprayer may include an outer housing enclosing the liquid reservoir, the pump, and the battery and a sensor disposed beneath the outer housing, wherein activating the sensor causes the pump to activate, thereby causing liquid to spray from the nozzle.