Water Gun Flow Smoothing and Inverted Inlet Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water guns have a limited operational range, poor target accuracy, and are difficult to handle, leading to a less enjoyable user experience.
Innovation Solution
A water gun design featuring a liquid inlet near the nozzle, an electrical pump for convenient filling, an electromechanical actuator for valve control, and a flow smoothing device to produce a laminar jet with improved range and accuracy, allowing for enhanced usability and realistic gameplay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the liquid inlet is arranged near the storage device or handle portion, then the filling process requires manual operation and the user cannot hold the water gun during filling, but if the liquid inlet is arranged near the nozzle portion, then the user can hold the water gun in a ready-to-fire position during the entire filling process
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the liquid inlet near the storage device or handle as in conventional water guns, the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the liquid inlet near the nozzle portion. This allows the user to hold the water gun in a ready-to-fire position during filling, transforming the filling operation from a manual ground-based task to a convenient handheld operation.
2Device complexity
If conventional water guns are used, then the structure is simple, but the operational range is limited and target accuracy is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual valve operation with an electromechanical actuator that translates electrical signals into precise mechanical valve control. This substitution enables sophisticated flow control for laminar jet production while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, achieving both good structural simplicity and improved target accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flow smoothing device that changes the flow parameters of the liquid, transforming turbulent flow into laminar flow. This parameter change enables the production of a compact, stable jet with extended range and improved accuracy, while the valve body geometry is optimized to work with the electromechanical actuator for precise control.
3Device complexity
If manual pumping is used for filling, then the device structure is simple, but the filling process is time-consuming and requires manual effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical pumping with an electrical pump device that automatically fills the storage device. This substitution dramatically increases filling speed and eliminates manual effort, while the electrical pump integrates smoothly into the water gun's existing structure without requiring major design changes.
4Device complexity
If the valve body is manually operated, then the control mechanism is simple, but the user must provide force to open the valve which reduces usability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual valve operation with an electromechanical actuator that uses electrical power to move the valve body. This substitution eliminates the need for the user to apply force to open the valve, significantly improving ease of operation. The actuator translates electrical signals into precise mechanical valve control, enabling sophisticated flow control while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
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 water gun provides a comfortable filling process, increased operational range, and improved target accuracy, enhancing the user's experience with a more realistic and enjoyable gameplay.
Implementation Method 1
a pump device for supplying liquid from outside the water gun into the storage device via a liquid inlet of the water gun
Implementation Method 2
a flow smoothing device for smoothing a flow of the pressurized liquid
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a water gun, in particular to a toy water gun comprising a supply line, which is adapted to supply a pressurized liquid from a source, a nozzle arrangement for ejecting the liquid to the environment as well as a valve for controlling a flow of the liquid in a direction from the supply line to the nozzle arrangement. The water gun additionally includes a flow-smoothing device, with the valve arranged behind the flow-smoothing device with respect to the flow direction.