Spray Wand Valve Assembly With Solid Chemistry Swirl Dilution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hose-end type cleaning devices for outdoor surfaces are heavy, bulky, and ergonomically displeasing, limiting range of motion and requiring two hands for operation, with water flow restrictors diminishing spray reach.
Innovation Solution
A spray wand that uses a solid chemistry formulation, allowing for one-handed operation with a lightweight design and tangential swirling of water over the chemistry to achieve consistent dilution and increased spray reach, featuring a hollow tubular body, nozzle, and valve assembly for ergonomic handling and efficient chemical dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If liquid concentrate is stored in a bottom reservoir for hose-end cleaning devices, then the device can deliver diluted cleaning solution, but the device becomes heavy and bulky requiring two hands for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the chemistry from liquid to solid form. Solid chemistry pellets or granules are stored in the reservoir instead of liquid concentrate, significantly reducing the weight of the chemistry while maintaining the same cleaning functionality. The solid chemistry is dissolved by water flow through the device, achieving the same dilution and delivery capability without the weight penalty of liquid storage.
2Manufacturing precision
If water flow restrictors are used to ensure correct dilution ratio, then the dilution is controlled, but the spray reach is greatly diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemistry from liquid to solid form, which alters the dissolution characteristics. Solid chemistry pellets are designed to dissolve at controlled rates as water flows through the device, providing consistent dilution ratios without requiring restrictive flow control mechanisms. This approach maintains spray pressure and reach while achieving precise dilution through the dissolution kinetics of the solid chemistry.
3Ease of manufacture
If the hose hooks into the device at the standard location, then the device can be connected to water source, but the range of motion when cleaning is greatly hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention repositions the hose connection point from the traditional location to an elevated position on the device body. This dimensional relocation allows the hose to attach higher up, creating better leverage and ergonomics. The extended handle length combined with the elevated connection point improves the user's range of motion and reduces strain during cleaning operations, while maintaining standard hose connection compatibility.
4Weight of moving object
If solid chemistry is used instead of liquid concentrate, then the device weight is reduced for one-handed operation, but consistent dilution of solid chemistry must be ensured for EPA compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemistry to solid form and designs the device with specific dissolution control features. The solid chemistry pellets are engineered with controlled surface area and porosity to dissolve at predictable rates. The device incorporates flow distributors and dissolution chambers that ensure consistent water contact with the solid chemistry, achieving reliable dilution ratios that meet EPA testing requirements while maintaining the weight advantages of solid chemistry.
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 spray wand provides ergonomic convenience, consistent chemical dilution, and enhanced spray reach, ensuring compliance with EPA regulations for pesticidal actives and facilitating effective cleaning of large outdoor surfaces with reduced user fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing piston biased within the input conduit is pressed by a contoured section of the column from the sealing position
Implementation Method 2
water pass over the solid chemistry in such a way that the output stream from the device has further spray reach than current hose-end products on the market
Data Source
AI summary
A spray wand includes: a hollow tubular main body; a nozzle mounted on the output end of the main body; and a valve assembly configured to mount the input end of the main body. The valve assembly includes: a housing having an input conduit for coupling the valve assembly with a fluid source; a sealing piston biased within the input conduit toward a sealing position thereof; and a valve core having a column rotatable within the interior space of the housing and a handle extending from the column, the valve core being rotatable between at least one open position corresponding to an open condition of the valve assembly and at least one closed position corresponding to a closed condition of the valve assembly. Upon rotation of the column to at least one open position thereof, the sealing piston biased within the input conduit is pressed from the sealing position.