Low-flow anti-clogging drip irrigation emitter and design method thereof

Abstract

The application provides a small-flow anti-clogging drip irrigation emitter, and belongs to the field of agricultural water-saving drip irrigation equipment.The drip irrigation emitter comprises an integrally-formed emitter body, a flow collection groove, a labyrinth flow channel and an outlet cavity are arranged on the emitter body, a plurality of inlet grid holes are uniformly arranged in the flow collection groove, one end of the flow collection groove near the outlet cavity is communicated with the flow channel inlet of the labyrinth flow channel, the flow channel outlet of the labyrinth flow channel is communicated with the outlet cavity, and the labyrinth flow channel comprises staggered triangular teeth and inclined teeth.The short side of the inclined teeth is a flow-approaching side, and the top angles of the triangular teeth and the inclined teeth are all rounded.The labyrinth flow channel adopted in the application has staggered triangular teeth and inclined teeth, the short side of the inclined teeth is a flow-approaching side, the top angles of the triangular teeth and the inclined teeth are all rounded, the reasonable tooth top-to-tooth spacing of the triangular teeth and the inclined teeth is combined, the labyrinth flow channel is not prone to clogging, the filtration requirement for water sources is reduced, the requirement for the dissolution degree of the water-soluble fertilizer of the drip irrigation is reduced, and the small-flow requirement can be met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of agricultural water-saving drip irrigation equipment, and specifically relates to a low-flow, anti-clogging drip irrigation emitter and its design method. Background Technology

[0002] Drip irrigation is one of the most water-saving irrigation technologies for farmland to date. It's a method of irrigation that delivers water and necessary nutrients to the crop root zone through a low-pressure pipeline system and emitters installed on capillary tubes, according to the crop's water requirements. It is a scientific and efficient irrigation method. Drip irrigation is an important method of water-saving irrigation in agriculture, significantly reducing water evaporation and surface infiltration, with obvious advantages.

[0003] Currently, most common embedded flat drip irrigation emitters use labyrinth channels. However, these emitters still suffer from poor anti-clogging performance and difficulty in meeting low flow rate requirements. If particulate matter accumulates in the water during drip irrigation, it can cause blockage of the emitter's labyrinth channel. In particular, when fertilizer is applied to the drip irrigation system, incompletely dissolved fertilizer particles can exacerbate the blockage. Therefore, it is essential to develop a low-flow, anti-clogging drip irrigation emitter. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the problems of poor anti-clogging performance and difficulty in meeting low flow requirements of existing inlaid patch flat drip irrigation heads, and to provide a low flow anti-clogging drip irrigation head.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] On one hand, the present invention provides a low-flow, anti-clogging drip irrigation dripper, including an integrally formed dripper body. The dripper body is provided with a confluence groove, a labyrinth flow channel, and an outlet cavity. A plurality of inlet grid holes are evenly opened in the confluence groove. The end of the confluence groove near the outlet cavity is connected to the flow channel inlet of the labyrinth flow channel. The flow channel outlet of the labyrinth flow channel is connected to the outlet cavity. The labyrinth flow channel includes staggered triangular teeth and oblique teeth. The short side of the oblique teeth is the flow-facing side, and the apex corners of the triangular teeth and oblique teeth are rounded.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the side of the dripper body with the manifold is the mounting surface, the normal cross section of the mounting surface along the long side of the dripper is arc-shaped, and the back side opposite the mounting surface is provided with a sorting groove and an inlet grid rib.

[0008] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the labyrinth flow channel is a U-shaped double flow channel structure, with triangular teeth forming the outer ring of the flow channel and oblique teeth forming the inner ring of the flow channel.

[0009] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the labyrinth flow channel is a U-shaped double flow channel structure, with triangular teeth forming the inner ring of the flow channel and oblique teeth forming the outer ring of the flow channel.

[0010] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apex angle of the triangular tooth is 30° and the apex angle of the helical tooth is 70.82°.

[0011] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tooth tip-to-tooth distance between adjacent triangular teeth and helical teeth is 0.05 mm.

[0012] On the other hand, the present invention provides a design method for the above-mentioned low-flow anti-clogging drip irrigation emitter, comprising the following steps:

[0013] 1) Determine the overall dimensions of the dripper.

[0014] Based on the installation and layout requirements of the drippers in the drip irrigation tape, determine the parameter values ​​of the total length, total height, total width of the drippers and the radius of the arc of the installation surface;

[0015] 2) Determine the one-piece molding process for the dripper.

[0016] Based on the dripper's working pressure, environment, and water quality, select the dripper material and corresponding one-piece molding process; 3) Determine the dripper's process structure parameters.

[0017] Based on the integral molding process determined in step (2), determine the parameter values ​​for forming rounded corners and draft angles on the drip head structure;

[0018] 4) Determine the effective structural parameters of the dripper.

[0019] The effective structural parameters of the dropper are obtained by subtracting the parameter values ​​of the process structure determined in step 3) from the parameter values ​​of the overall external dimensions of the dropper determined in step 1).

[0020] 5) Determine the structural parameters of the sorting tank for the dripper.

[0021] Determine the location, depth, and width of the sorting tank according to the requirements of the dripper sorting equipment;

[0022] 6) Determine the structural parameters of the dripper's inlet grid and manifold.

[0023] Based on the pressure, water quality, and filtration equipment precision of the drip irrigation system, determine the thickness of the inlet grid ribs, the size and number of inlet grid holes, and then obtain the size of the manifold.

[0024] 7) Determine the structural parameters of the dripper's outlet cavity.

[0025] Based on the dimensions and position of the manifold obtained in step 6), determine the length, width, and depth of the outlet cavity. Ensure that the manifold and the outlet cavity are on the same side of the dropper, and that the remaining area on this side is a rectangular area.

[0026] 8) Determine the structural parameters of the labyrinth flow channel of the dripper.

[0027] Design a labyrinth flow channel on the remaining effective surface obtained in step 7), initially specifying the flow channel inlet and inlet size, the combination of triangular teeth and helical teeth, the height and apex angle of the triangular teeth, the apex angle of the helical teeth, the length and length of the long side and short side, the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing of the triangular teeth and helical teeth, and the groove depth of the labyrinth flow channel.

[0028] 9) Optimize and adjust the structural parameters of the labyrinth flow channel of the dripper.

[0029] A finite element simulation model of the dripper labyrinth flow channel is established based on the initially determined detailed parameters of the dripper. The flow rate of the dripper and the time for particles to exit the labyrinth flow channel are calculated. If the flow rate meets the design requirements and the particle exit time is less than the target time, the design parameters are approved. If the flow rate meets the design requirements and the particle exit time is greater than the target time, return to step 8) to adjust the size of the helical teeth. If the flow rate does not meet the design requirements and the particle exit time is less than the target time, return to step 8) to adjust the groove depth of the labyrinth flow channel and the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing between the triangular teeth and the helical teeth. If the flow rate does not meet the design requirements and the particle exit time is greater than the target time, return to step 8) to adjust the depth of the labyrinth flow channel, the size of the helical teeth, and the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing between the triangular teeth and the helical teeth.

[0030] Furthermore, the integral molding process is one of injection molding, hot pressing, machining, or 3D printing.

[0031] Beneficial technical effects of the present invention:

[0032] 1. The small-flow anti-clogging drip irrigation emitter of the present invention uses a labyrinth channel with staggered triangular teeth and oblique teeth. The short side of the oblique teeth is the flow-facing side, and the apex angles of the triangular teeth and oblique teeth are rounded. Combined with the reasonable tooth-to-tooth spacing of the triangular teeth and oblique teeth, the labyrinth channel is not easy to clog, which reduces the filtration requirements of the water source and the requirements for the solubility of water-soluble fertilizers in drip irrigation, and can meet the requirements of small flow rate.

[0033] 2. In the design method of the low-flow anti-clogging drip irrigation dripper of the present invention, the effective structural parameters of the dripper are determined by reverse engineering through the one-piece molding process of the dripper. This helps to reduce or avoid mechanical processing errors generated in the actual production of the dripper during the dripper design process. Furthermore, based on the preliminary detailed parameters of the dripper, a finite element simulation model of the dripper flow channel is established to calculate the flow rate of the dripper and the time for particles to flow out of the labyrinth flow channel, so as to optimize and adjust the structural parameters of the labyrinth flow channel of the dripper. This effectively solves the problem that the existing toothed labyrinth flow channel is prone to internal clogging and cannot meet the requirements of low flow rate. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a low-flow, anti-clogging drip irrigation emitter according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a low-flow, anti-clogging drip irrigation emitter from another angle;

[0036] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Left view of a low-flow, anti-clogging drip irrigation emitter;

[0037] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the labyrinth flow channel in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the maze flow channel in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 6 This is a curve showing the relationship between the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing and the maximum residence time of the particle in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 7 This is a curve showing the relationship between the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing and the average velocity of the passing particles in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 8 This is a curve showing the relationship between the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing and the outlet flow rate in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Reference numerals: 1-Drip head body, 2-Gathering groove, 3-Maze channel, 4-Channel inlet, 5-Channel outlet, 6-Triangular tooth, 7-Hedged tooth, 8-Outlet cavity, 9-Sorting groove, 10-Inlet grid rib, 11-Inlet grid hole, 12-Mounting surface. Detailed Implementation

[0043] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below through preferred embodiments. Example 1

[0044] Please see Figure 1-4 As shown, the low-flow anti-clogging drip irrigation dripper of this embodiment includes an integrally formed dripper body 11. The dripper body 11 is provided with a confluence groove 22, a labyrinth flow channel 33, and an outlet cavity 88. A plurality of inlet grid holes 1111 are evenly opened in the confluence groove 22. The end of the confluence groove 22 near the outlet cavity 88 is connected to the flow channel inlet 44 of the labyrinth flow channel 33. The flow channel outlet 55 of the labyrinth flow channel 33 is connected to the outlet cavity 88. The labyrinth flow channel 33 includes staggered triangular teeth 66 and oblique teeth 77. The short side of the oblique teeth 77 is the flow-facing side, and the apex corners of the triangular teeth 66 and oblique teeth 77 are rounded.

[0045] Specifically, the side of the dripper body 11 with the confluence groove 22 is the mounting surface 1212. The normal cross section of the mounting surface 1212 along the long side of the dripper is arc-shaped. The back of the mounting surface 1212 is provided with a sorting groove 99 and an inlet grid rib 1010.

[0046] Specifically, the labyrinth flow channel 33 has a U-shaped double flow channel structure, with triangular teeth 66 forming the outer ring of the flow channel and oblique teeth 77 forming the inner ring of the flow channel.

[0047] The design method of the low-flow, anti-clogging drip irrigation emitter in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0048] 1) Determine the overall dimensions of the dripper.

[0049] Based on the installation and arrangement requirements of the drippers in the drip irrigation tape, determine the parameter values ​​of the total length, total height, total width of the drippers and the radius of the arc of the mounting surface 12;

[0050] 2) Determine the one-piece molding process for the dripper.

[0051] The material of the dripper and the corresponding one-piece molding process are selected based on the working pressure, environment, and water quality of the dripper; the one-piece molding process is one of injection molding, hot pressing, machining, or 3D printing.

[0052] 3) Determine the process structure parameters of the dripper.

[0053] Based on the integral molding process determined in step (2), determine the parameter values ​​for forming rounded corners and draft angles on the drip head structure;

[0054] 4) Determine the effective structural parameters of the dripper.

[0055] The effective structural parameters of the dropper are obtained by subtracting the parameter values ​​of the process structure determined in step 3) from the parameter values ​​of the overall external dimensions of the dropper determined in step 1).

[0056] 5) Determine the structural parameters of the sorting tank 9 of the dripper.

[0057] The location, depth, and width of sorting tank 9 should be determined according to the requirements of the drip sorting equipment;

[0058] 6) Determine the structural parameters of the dripper's inlet grid and manifold 2.

[0059] Based on the pressure, water quality, and filtration equipment precision of the drip irrigation system, the thickness of the inlet grid rib 10, the size and number of the inlet grid holes 11 are determined, and then the size of the manifold 2 is obtained;

[0060] 7) Determine the structural parameters of the dripper's outlet cavity 8.

[0061] Based on the dimensions and position of the manifold 2 obtained in step 6), determine the length, width, and depth of the outlet cavity 8. Ensure that the manifold 2 and the outlet cavity 8 are on the same side of the dripper, and that the remaining area on this side is a rectangular area.

[0062] 8) Determine the structural parameters of the labyrinth flow channel 3 of the dripper.

[0063] Design the labyrinth flow channel 3 on the remaining effective surface obtained in step 7), initially give the flow channel inlet 4 and the size of the flow channel inlet 4, the combination of triangular teeth 6 and helical teeth 7, the height and apex angle of triangular teeth 6, the apex angle of helical teeth 7, the size of the long side and the short side, the tooth tip to tooth distance of triangular teeth 6 and helical teeth 7, and the groove depth of the labyrinth flow channel 3.

[0064] 9) Optimize and adjust the structural parameters of the labyrinth flow channel 3 of the dripper.

[0065] A finite element simulation model of the dripper labyrinth channel 3 is established based on the initially determined detailed parameters of the dripper. The flow rate of the dripper and the time for particles to exit the labyrinth channel 3 are calculated. If the flow rate meets the design requirements and the particle exit time is less than the target time, the design parameters are approved. If the flow rate meets the design requirements and the particle exit time is greater than the target time, the process returns to step 8) to adjust the size of the helical teeth 7. If the flow rate does not meet the design requirements and the particle exit time is less than the target time, the process returns to step 8) to adjust the groove depth of the labyrinth channel 3 and the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing between the triangular teeth 6 and the helical teeth 7. If the flow rate does not meet the design requirements and the particle exit time is greater than the target time, the process returns to step 8) to adjust the depth of the labyrinth channel 3, the size of the helical teeth 7, and the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing between the triangular teeth 6 and the helical teeth 7.

[0066] Figure 6 The figure shows the relationship curve between the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing and the maximum residence time of the particle obtained in the design process of step 9) above in this embodiment. It shows that when the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing between adjacent triangular teeth 6 and helical teeth 7 is larger, the maximum residence time of the particle is smaller, and when the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing between adjacent triangular teeth 6 and helical teeth 7 is smaller, the maximum residence time of the particle is larger.

[0067] Figure 7 The figure shows the relationship curve between the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing and the average velocity of the particles obtained in step 9) of this embodiment. It shows that as the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing increases, the average velocity of the particles will first increase and then decrease.

[0068] Figure 8 The figure shows the relationship curve between the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing and the outlet flow rate obtained in the design process of step 9) above in this embodiment. It shows that when the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing between adjacent triangular teeth 6 and helical teeth 7 is 0.05mm, the outlet flow rate has the lowest value. When the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing is too large or too small, the outlet flow rate will increase, which is not conducive to the control requirements of small flow rate in the dripper labyrinth channel 3.

[0069] Using the above design method, the parameters of a low-flow anti-clogging irrigation drip obtained in this embodiment are as follows: head length 20.5mm, width 6mm, height 2.12mm, wherein the flow channel thickness is 0.44mm; the apex angle of the triangular tooth 6 is 30°, the apex angle of the helical tooth 7 is 70.82°; the tooth spacing between adjacent triangular teeth 6 and helical teeth 7 is 0.05mm.

[0070] Testing revealed that the average velocity of particles passing through the low-flow, anti-clogging irrigation dripper of this embodiment was 1.535 m / s, the maximum residence time of particles in the flow channel was 0.434 s, and the calculated outlet flow rate was 0.85 L / h. It is evident that the low-flow, anti-clogging irrigation dripper of this embodiment is not prone to clogging and meets the low-flow requirements; it effectively solves the problem that the existing toothed labyrinth flow channel 3 is prone to internal clogging and cannot meet low-flow requirements. Example 2

[0071] Please combine Figure 5 As shown, unlike Embodiment 1, the labyrinth channel 3 in this embodiment has a U-shaped double channel structure, with triangular teeth 6 forming the inner ring of the channel and oblique teeth 7 forming the outer ring of the channel.

[0072] The above description is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, used to explain the technical solution of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can also make conventional modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements within the spirit and principles of the present invention.

Claims

1. A design method for a low-flow, anti-clogging drip irrigation emitter, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: 1) Determine the overall dimensions of the dripper. Based on the installation and layout requirements of the drippers in the drip irrigation tape, determine the parameter values ​​of the total length, total height, total width of the drippers and the radius of the arc of the installation surface; 2) Determine the one-piece molding process for the dripper. The material of the dripper and the corresponding one-piece molding process shall be selected according to the working pressure, environment and water quality of the dripper; 3) Determine the process structure parameters of the dripper. Based on the integral molding process determined in step 2), determine the parameter values ​​for forming rounded corners and draft angles on the drip head structure; 4) Determine the effective structural parameters of the dripper. The effective structural parameters of the dropper are obtained by subtracting the parameter values ​​of the process structure determined in step 3) from the parameter values ​​of the overall external dimensions of the dropper determined in step 1). 5) Determine the structural parameters of the sorting tank for the dripper. Determine the location, depth, and width of the sorting tank according to the requirements of the dripper sorting equipment; 6) Determine the structural parameters of the dripper's inlet grid and manifold. Based on the pressure, water quality, and filtration equipment precision of the drip irrigation system, determine the thickness of the inlet grid ribs, the size and number of inlet grid holes, and then obtain the size of the manifold. 7) Determine the structural parameters of the dripper's outlet cavity. Based on the dimensions and position of the manifold obtained in step 6), determine the length, width, and depth of the outlet cavity. Ensure that the manifold and the outlet cavity are on the same side of the dropper, and that the remaining area on this side is a rectangular area. 8) Determine the structural parameters of the labyrinth flow channel of the dripper. Design a labyrinth flow channel on the remaining effective surface obtained in step 7), initially specifying the flow channel inlet and inlet size, the combination of triangular teeth and helical teeth, the height and apex angle of the triangular teeth, the apex angle of the helical teeth, the length and length of the long side and short side, the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing of the triangular teeth and helical teeth, and the groove depth of the labyrinth flow channel. 9) Optimize and adjust the structural parameters of the labyrinth flow channel of the dripper. A finite element simulation model of the dripper labyrinth flow channel is established based on the initially determined detailed parameters of the dripper. The flow rate of the dripper and the time for particles to exit the labyrinth flow channel are calculated. If the flow rate meets the design requirements and the particle exit time is less than the target time, the design parameters are approved. If the flow rate meets the design requirements and the particle exit time is greater than the target time, return to step 8) to adjust the size of the helical teeth. If the flow rate does not meet the design requirements and the particle exit time is less than the target time, return to step 8) to adjust the groove depth of the labyrinth flow channel and the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing between the triangular teeth and the helical teeth. If the flow rate does not meet the design requirements and the particle exit time is greater than the target time, return to step 8) to adjust the depth of the labyrinth flow channel, the size of the helical teeth, and the tooth tip-to-tooth spacing between the triangular teeth and the helical teeth. The apex angle of the triangular tooth is 30°, and the apex angle of the helical tooth is 70.82°.

2. The design method of a low-flow, anti-clogging drip irrigation emitter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tooth tip-to-tooth spacing between adjacent triangular and helical teeth is 0.05 mm.

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