Hose End Sprayer Valve Assembly for Dilution Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hose end sprayers face issues with leakage and inability to independently control dilution ratios, especially when using non-liquid concentrates, as they often require flooding the concentrate tank and lack variability in dilution rates.

Innovation Solution

A hose end sprayer apparatus with a valve assembly and metering plate that allows for selective dilution of both liquid and solid concentrates, featuring a valve body that moves between closed, wet, and dry modes to control the flow and concentration of the concentrate, and a metering plate with adjustable flow-metering holes for precise dilution adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the concentrate tank is flooded with water to dissolve solid concentrate, then solid materials can be sprayed, but the system requires flooding the tank first and cannot independently control dilution ratio

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to spray solid concentratesVSAvoidinability to independently control dilution ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic valve assembly with a rotatable valve body that can be positioned in multiple orientations (closed, wet mode, dry mode) to control fluid flow paths. This dynamic positioning allows the system to switch between different operating modes and independently control the dilution ratio of solid concentrates during dry applications, resolving the contradiction between solid material handling capability and dilution control flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters by introducing a valve assembly that can selectively open or close different flow paths. The valve body's rotational position determines whether the system operates in wet mode (with water flow), dry mode (without water flow), or closed position, thereby enabling independent control of dilution ratios and resolving the limitation of fixed flooding requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If a linear selector plate is used to provide variable dilution settings, then liquid concentrate dilution is controlled, but there is no variability to dilution rate while using solid concentrate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariable dilution settings for liquid concentrateVSAvoiddilution rate variability for solid concentrate

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly serves multiple functions: it controls liquid concentrate flow in wet mode, controls air flow and water diversion in dry mode, and provides selectable dilution settings through its rotational positions. This multi-functional design enables the same mechanism to provide dilution variability for both liquid and solid concentrates, resolving the contradiction between liquid concentrate control precision and solid concentrate adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the sprayer uses a single unit for both liquid and solid concentrates, then versatility is improved, but leakage occurs at connection points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle sprayer unit for liquid and solid concentratesVSAvoidleakage at connection points

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and isolates the valve assembly as a separate, self-contained component with internal flow control mechanisms. By positioning the valve assembly within the sprayer head and using internal flow paths, the design minimizes external connection points and potential leakage locations, thereby maintaining versatility while improving reliability and reducing leakage issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 minimizes leakage and enables metered dilution of both liquid and non-liquid concentrates, providing improved control over dilution rates and reducing the risk of leakage, while allowing for efficient use in both wet and dry modes.

Implementation Method 1

A flow tube is located between the inlet end and the outlet end and defines an injection orifice therein. A suction tube is coupled to the injection orifice of the flow tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

The valve body defines an inlet orifice in communication with the inlet opening, first and second flow orifices selectively positionable to communicate with the flow opening, a concentrate orifice selectively positionable to communicate with the concentrate opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectValve mechanism: Valve

Data Source

PatentUS12023704B2Wet/dry hose end sprayer

Publication Date: 2024.07.02 CHAPIN MFG INC

AI summary

A sprayer head may be removably mounted onto a concentrate tank of a hose end sprayer. The sprayer head may include a valve assembly having a valve body having a first axis of rotation selectively movable between a closed orientation, a wet mode orientation, and a dry mode orientation. A metering plate may include a first annular series of spaced-apart flow-metering holes with each successive respective flow-metering hole has an increasing hole diameter adapted to withdraw a selectively adjustable amount of a concentrate from the concentrate tank when the valve body is in either the wet mode orientation or the dry mode orientation. The metering plate has a second axis of rotation which is non-coaxial with the first axis of rotation.