Toy Water Gun Stream Interrupter for Rapid Burst Firing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toy water guns produce a steady stream of water, lacking the capability to deliver rapid bursts or individual stream segments, which limits play activity and aesthetic variety.
Innovation Solution
A toy water gun design featuring a nozzle recovery chamber with a stream interrupter, such as a helical vane or blocking plate, that periodically interrupts water flow to the discharge opening, allowing for rapid succession of water bursts, and a manually actuatable pump with a toothed rack and follower mechanism to automate this process, eliminating the need for batteries or electrical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a steady stream of water is dispensed using a trigger or pump handle, then the water flow is continuous and simple to operate, but the play activity and aesthetic variety are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by introducing a stream interrupter that oscillates between blocked and unblocked positions, transforming the continuous water flow into periodic bursts. The interrupter is actuated by a linkage connected to the pump handle, causing the water stream to be interrupted at regular intervals during each pump stroke, thereby creating the desired burst effect without requiring separate control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The stream interrupter mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the pump handle's motion. The linkage system automatically converts the pump handle's reciprocating motion into the interrupter's oscillation, eliminating the need for separate motors, sensors, or control systems. The system uses the existing pump mechanism to drive the interrupter, achieving periodic bursting with minimal additional complexity.
2Extent of automation
If electronic components are used to control water discharge, then automated control is achieved, but the components are prone to damage in wet environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic control components with a purely mechanical linkage system. The stream interrupter is actuated by a mechanical linkage connected to the pump handle, which converts mechanical reciprocating motion into the desired periodic interruption of water flow. This mechanical substitution eliminates all electronic components from the water discharge control system, ensuring durability in wet environments while maintaining automated control through the natural motion of the pump handle.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a stream interrupter is added to create periodic bursts, then water flow variety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the stream interrupter function with the existing pump handle mechanism. The interrupter is actuated by a linkage connected to the pump handle, combining the water pumping function and water interruption function into a single integrated mechanism. This merging approach allows the stream interrupter to be driven by the natural reciprocating motion of the pump handle, adding water flow variety without requiring separate power sources or control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump handle serves multiple functions: it drives the water pump to deliver water to the nozzle and simultaneously actuates the stream interrupter through the linkage mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms, achieving periodic burst water flow while minimizing additional device complexity by making the pump handle a universal actuator for both water delivery and stream interruption.
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
Enables the delivery of rapid, periodic bursts of water, enhancing play experience and maintaining functionality without electronic components, which are prone to damage in wet environments.
Implementation Method 1
A pump is provided that is configured to supply water from the supply tank under pressure to a nozzle
Implementation Method 2
A stream interrupter is located in the nozzle recovery chamber between the nozzle opening and the discharge opening and is configured to periodically interrupt a flow of water from the nozzle along the discharge axis to the discharge opening
Implementation Method 3
The helical vane is adapted to be rotated by the flow of water from the nozzle along the discharge axis to the discharge opening
Implementation Method 4
a check valve is located in a fluid path between the nozzle recovery chamber and the supply tank in order to allow the blocked water that is collected by the nozzle recovery chamber to be recycled back to the supply tank
Data Source
AI summary
A toy water gun having a stream interrupter or interrupter valve that is configured to periodically interrupt a flow of water that is discharged such that periodic bursts of water are delivered in a rapid succession. In one arrangement, a nozzle recovery chamber is provided in a nozzle opening of the nozzle is located that is directed to discharge water through the nozzle recovery chamber along a discharge axis. The stream interrupter is located in the nozzle recovery chamber between the nozzle opening and the discharge opening and is configured to periodically interrupt a flow of water from the nozzle along the discharge axis to the discharge opening to form the periodic bursts of water that are delivered from the discharge opening. Blocked water in the recovery chamber is recycled back to the supply tank. Use of the interrupter valve provides for interrupted discharges from the nozzle.