Spraying Device Electric Drive Outlet Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spray devices for low-pressure applications are unreliable and lack versatility, as they require high pressure to function effectively and fail to provide consistent liquid jet direction and position control.

Innovation Solution

A spray device with an electric drive device that allows for defined movement and orientation of the outlet, independent of fluid pressure, enabling continuous and controlled movement of the liquid jet through a drive motor coupled to the fluid line, and an actuating element that doubles as a trigger for activating the drive device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If rotor nozzles are used for low-pressure spraying, then spray pattern variability is improved, but reliability deteriorates because liquid pressure is too low to initiate or maintain rotor movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespray pattern variabilityVSAvoidrotor movement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pressure-dependent mechanical rotor system with an electric drive system. The motor (22) directly drives the fluid line (26) to move the outlet (40), eliminating the need for pressure-driven rotor movement. This substitution ensures reliable operation at low pressures while maintaining spray pattern variability through controlled outlet movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the spraying function into independent components: the outlet (40) can move independently on a conical surface while the inlet (34) remains fixed. This segmentation allows the outlet to be driven independently by the motor (22) through the flexible fluid line (26), enabling reliable low-pressure operation with variable spray patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If flexible hose lines are used for outlet movement, then adaptability is improved, but control precision deteriorates because the jet direction is subject to chance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutlet position flexibilityVSAvoidjet direction control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces passive flexible hose movement with an active electric drive system. The motor (22) provides controlled, defined movement of the fluid line (26) and outlet (40), replacing the random pendulum motion. This ensures precise control of jet direction while maintaining the flexibility benefits of the hose line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible fluid line (26) serves dual purposes: it allows the outlet (40) to move independently on a conical surface for adaptability, while also being driven by the motor (22) through its flexibility to achieve controlled movement. The line's flexibility becomes a functional feature rather than a limitation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If electric drive units are added to control outlet movement, then reliability and control are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelow-pressure operation reliabilityVSAvoiddrive mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The motor (22) serves multiple functions: it drives the fluid line (26) to move the outlet (40) for spray pattern control, and can be activated through the existing actuating element (30). This multi-functionality adds reliability for low-pressure operation while minimizing complexity by utilizing existing structural elements.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the drive mechanism with the existing spray device structure. The motor (22) is integrated into the housing (18), and the actuating element (30) that controls liquid flow also activates the drive unit. This merging reduces overall complexity by combining functions rather than adding separate control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If the actuating element controls only liquid flow, then ease of operation is improved, but versatility deteriorates because it cannot activate the drive device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesingle control operationVSAvoidcontrol functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating element (30) is designed with multi-functionality: it controls both the liquid flow through the valve element (28) and activates the drive unit (22). This single control element provides both flow control and outlet movement activation, improving ease of operation while maintaining versatility through dual functionality.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the flow control function and drive activation function into a single actuating element (30). The element's movement simultaneously operates the valve element (28) for liquid flow and activates the motor (22) for outlet movement, combining multiple controls into one user interaction point.

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 device ensures reliable operation in low-pressure ranges, enhances cleaning and irrigation performance, and provides user-friendly handling by allowing for adjustable liquid jet direction and position without manual movement of the device, increasing versatility and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a preferably electric drive unit, in particular a drive motor (54), which can directly or indirectly be coupled to the fluid line (26)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3784411B1Spraying device
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP3784411B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3784411B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3784411B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a spraying device for spraying a liquid, in particular in the low-pressure range, said spraying device (10; 90; 110; 40; 160; 170; 190; 220) being designed to be manually holdable and manually operable and comprising: a spray head (16) and a handle element (14); a fluid line (26; 92; 172) having an inlet (34) for supplying the liquid and an outlet (40) positioned on the spray head for spraying the liquid; an actuating element (30) for acting on a valve element (28) via which the flow of liquid through the fluid line (26; 92; 172) can be optionally released or blocked; a preferably electric drive device (52) having a drive motor (54) which is coupled to the fluid line (26; 92; 172); wherein the fluid line (26; 92; 172) can be moved continuously in a defined manner via the drive device (52) in order to change the position and/or the orientation of the outlet (40).