Mine restoration water-saving drip irrigation device
The water-saving drip irrigation device for mine restoration, designed with mechanical structure and material properties, solves the problems of water waste and insufficient water supply caused by water pressure fluctuations in mine ecological restoration. It realizes an automated drip irrigation system in an environment without electricity, improving water resource utilization efficiency and system reliability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HUNAN XINGGUI CONSTR ENG CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
AI Technical Summary
Traditional drip irrigation devices cause water waste and insufficient water supply in mine ecological restoration due to water pressure fluctuations. Furthermore, existing electric control and regulation schemes are difficult to apply in remote, power-free environments and lack a dynamic matching mechanism between water inlet and outlet.
Design a water-saving drip irrigation device for mine restoration. The device adopts a purely mechanical structure to achieve adaptive dynamic adjustment of the water inlet flow rate. The opening of the water inlet is adjusted by the linkage of the lifting cylinder and the rotating ring. The automatic opening and closing is achieved by combining the hygroscopic expansion characteristics of the water absorption ring. A pressure relief valve is provided to prevent high pressure surges. The device is designed to build an intelligent response system that does not require external energy.
It ensures stable water output under fluctuating water pressure, prevents jetting or flow interruption, achieves automatic water saving, reduces operation and maintenance costs, is suitable for non-electric mining scenarios, and improves water resource utilization efficiency by more than 40%.
Smart Images

Figure CN121569723B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of water-saving sprinkler irrigation technology, and in particular to a water-saving drip irrigation device for mine restoration. Background Technology
[0002] In mine ecological restoration, drip irrigation is a key means to ensure vegetation survival. However, the undulating terrain and long water supply pipelines in mining areas often lead to drastic fluctuations in water pressure. Traditional drip irrigation devices mostly use drippers with fixed orifice diameters, and the water output is directly affected by water pressure: when the water pressure is too high, the water flows out in a jet, wasting water resources and eroding the soil; when the water pressure is too low, the dripping is insufficient or even stops, making it difficult to meet the water needs of plants.
[0003] While existing pressure-compensating drippers can partially alleviate this problem, they mostly rely on elastic diaphragms or precision piston structures, which are prone to clogging or jamming in dusty, poor-quality mining environments, resulting in low reliability and high cost. Electronic control schemes based on sensors and solenoid valves require continuous power and communication, making them difficult to apply in remote, power-deprived mining scenarios. Furthermore, existing drip irrigation devices generally lack a dynamic matching mechanism between inlet and outlet water: when water pressure suddenly increases and the inlet velocity far exceeds the dripping velocity, the excess water flow cannot be buffered, directly leading to uncontrolled water output. Simply limiting the flow rate by narrowing the inlet will result in insufficient water supply under low pressure.
[0004] Therefore, this invention proposes a water-saving drip irrigation device for mine restoration. Under conditions of fluctuating water pressure, the device achieves adaptive dynamic adjustment of the inlet flow rate through a purely mechanical structure to ensure stable water output and prevent jetting or flow interruption. Summary of the Invention
[0005] In order to overcome the shortcomings mentioned in the background art, the present invention provides a water-saving drip irrigation device for mine restoration.
[0006] A water-saving drip irrigation device for mine restoration includes a water pipe, a support frame symmetrically distributed along the water pipe fixedly connected to the water pipe, fixed pipes evenly distributed connected to the water pipe, a connecting pipe provided on each of the fixed pipes, a fixed block fixedly connected inside the connecting pipe, a lifting cylinder slidably connected to the connecting pipe, a plurality of first water outlets opened at the bottom of the lifting cylinder, first springs symmetrically distributed along the lifting cylinder fixedly connected between the lifting cylinder and the connecting pipe, a rotating ring rotatably connected to the connecting pipe, a first guide groove symmetrically distributed along the center of the rotating ring opened on the outer side of the rotating ring, the lifting cylinder slidably connected to each of the first guide grooves through a protrusion, a first water inlet opened on the fixed block, a second water inlet opened on the rotating ring, the second water inlet being aligned with the first water inlet.
[0007] Furthermore, the fixed tube is connected to the connecting tube thereon by a thread.
[0008] Furthermore, the side of the lifting cylinder has several second water outlets, and the connecting pipe blocks the second water outlets.
[0009] Furthermore, the first water inlet and the second water inlet are configured with the same shape.
[0010] Furthermore, it also includes a water outlet plate, which is rotatably connected to the bottom of the lifting cylinder, and the water outlet plate has a third water outlet that corresponds one-to-one with the first water outlet.
[0011] Furthermore, it also includes a lifting frame, which is slidably connected to the lifting cylinder. A water-absorbing ring is fixedly connected to the lifting frame, and two guide rings are fixedly connected to the water-absorbing ring. A second guide groove is opened on the guide ring, and the second guide groove is slidably connected to the water outlet plate.
[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a second spring symmetrically distributed along the lifting frame, the second spring being fixed between the lifting cylinder and the lifting frame.
[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a pressure relief valve, which is slidably connected to the side of the water pipe near one of the support frames, and a third spring is fixed between the pressure relief valve and the water pipe.
[0014] Beneficial effects: This invention uses the water storage and weight increase of the lifting cylinder to drive the rotating ring to adjust the opening of the water inlet, forming a negative feedback mechanism of "water pressure rise → water inlet drop", which effectively suppresses high-pressure jet and low-pressure flow interruption, and ensures stable drip irrigation rate.
[0015] This invention utilizes the moisture absorption expansion / drying contraction characteristics of the water absorption ring to achieve physical switching of the drip holes by rotating the water outlet plate. It can automatically stop irrigation during rainfall and automatically resume irrigation on sunny days without the need for power supply, sensors or manual operation, thus eliminating ineffective irrigation and achieving significant water-saving effects.
[0016] The present invention uses a lifting cylinder to trigger the second outlet for auxiliary drainage when it moves downward. The main pipeline is equipped with a mechanical pressure relief valve. This dual mechanism can deal with sudden high pressure, prevent pipe bursts, drip head damage or structural failure, and improve the long-term operational reliability of the system. Attached Figure Description
[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention.
[0018] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the water pipe, fixed pipe, and connecting pipe components of the present invention.
[0019] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic view of the components of the present invention, such as the fixing pipe, connecting pipe, and lifting cylinder.
[0020] Figure 4This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the lifting cylinder and rotating ring components of the present invention.
[0021] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the components of the present invention, including the fixing tube, connecting tube, and rotating ring.
[0022] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the lifting frame, water absorption ring, and guide ring of the present invention.
[0023] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the water pipe and pressure relief valve components of the present invention.
[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 101, water pipe; 102, support frame; 103, fixed pipe; 104, connecting pipe; 1041, fixing block; 105, lifting cylinder; 106, first water outlet; 107, second water outlet; 108, first spring; 109, rotating ring; 110, first guide groove; 111, first water inlet; 112, second water inlet; 201, lifting frame; 202, water suction ring; 203, guide ring; 2031, second guide groove; 204, water outlet plate; 205, third water outlet; 206, second spring; 301, pressure relief valve; 302, third spring. Detailed Implementation
[0025] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0026] Example 1: This invention provides a water-saving drip irrigation device for mine restoration, specifically designed to address prominent issues such as low water resource utilization, susceptibility to water pressure fluctuations, and high manual management costs during ecological restoration in mining areas. Mine restoration areas typically feature fragmented terrain, infertile soil, and scarce water resources. Furthermore, water supply networks often suffer from unstable water pressure due to significant elevation differences and excessively long pipelines. Traditional drip irrigation equipment is prone to jet splashing and dripper clogging under high pressure, while insufficient water output under low pressure severely impacts vegetation survival rates. Simultaneously, mining areas are often located in remote locations, making precise manual control difficult. Especially during rainfall, failure to promptly stop irrigation leads to the waste of precious water resources. To address these pain points, this invention integrates a water pressure adaptive adjustment mechanism, a gravity-driven lifting dripper, a rain-sensing automatic opening and closing component, and a pipeline pressure relief protection unit. This constructs a water-saving drip irrigation system that requires no external energy and relies entirely on the intelligent response of hydraulic and material physical properties to achieve intelligent operation.
[0027] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the device mainly includes components such as water pipe 101, support frame 102, fixed pipe 103, connecting pipe 104, lifting cylinder 105, first spring 108, rotating ring 109, lifting frame 201, water suction ring 202, guide ring 203, water outlet plate 204, second spring 206, and pressure relief valve 301.
[0028] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the water pipe 101 serves as the main water delivery channel, with multiple fixed pipes 103 connected at equal intervals along its length to distribute water flow to each drip irrigation point. To enhance structural stability, a bearing frame 102 symmetrically distributed along the left and right sides is fixed to the outside of the water pipe 101, which can be directly inserted into or anchored to the mine slope or the ground of the restored planting area, effectively resisting wind loads and soil slippage. Each fixed pipe 103 is connected to the connecting pipe 104 below it by threads, allowing the drip irrigation unit to be independently disassembled and assembled, facilitating on-site installation and subsequent maintenance and replacement. A fixing block 1041 is fixed inside the connecting pipe 104, and a first water inlet 111 is opened on the fixing block 1041. A rotating ring 109 is rotatably connected to the connecting pipe 104, and a second water inlet 112 with the same shape as the first water inlet 111 is opened at the corresponding position on the rotating ring 109. In the initial state, the two are perfectly aligned, forming a smooth water inlet channel.
[0029] A lifting cylinder 105 is slidably connected to the connecting pipe 104 in the vertical direction. Several first water outlets 106 are provided at the bottom of the lifting cylinder 105 for drip irrigation. Several second water outlets 107 are also provided on the side of the lifting cylinder 105, but under normal water pressure, these second water outlets 107 are completely blocked by the inner wall of the connecting pipe 104 and do not participate in water discharge. First springs 108, symmetrically distributed along the lifting cylinder 105, are fixed between the lifting cylinder 105 and the connecting pipe 104, providing upward restoring elastic force. Crucially, a first guide groove 110, symmetrically arranged along the center of the rotating ring 109, is provided on the outer side of the rotating ring 109. The first guide groove 110 is spiral-shaped, and the lifting cylinder 105 is slidably connected to each of the first guide grooves 110 via protrusions. When the lifting cylinder 105 moves downward due to the increased weight of the internal water storage, the protruding column slides along the first guide groove 110, forcing the rotating ring 109 to rotate, thereby causing the second water inlet 112 to gradually shift relative to the first water inlet 111, dynamically reducing the water inlet cross-sectional area, and realizing automatic negative feedback adjustment of the water inlet volume.
[0030] The specific working process is as follows: Water flows through water pipe 101 into each fixed pipe 103, then into connecting pipe 104, and enters the lifting cylinder 105 through the first inlet 111 and the second inlet 112. Under normal water pressure, the water inflow rate is basically balanced with the dripping rate of the first outlet 106, and the lifting cylinder 105 is maintained at a high position with the inlets fully open. When the water pressure suddenly increases, the water in the connecting pipe 104 is rapidly sprayed into the lifting cylinder 105 through the first inlet 111 and the second inlet 112. The water inflow rate is much greater than the dripping rate, and the excess water is temporarily stored in the lifting cylinder 105, reducing the impact of water pressure on the water output, so that the water still drips naturally through the first outlet 106 instead of being ejected under high pressure. As the water storage gradually increases, the overall weight of the lifting cylinder 105 increases, and it moves downward against the elastic force of the first spring 108. During this process, the protruding column, guided by the first guide groove 110, drives the rotating ring 109 to rotate, causing the first water inlet 111 and the second water inlet 112 to gradually shift, thereby gradually reducing the area of their connection and narrowing the water inlet channel until the water inflow and outflow are rebalanced. If the lifting cylinder 105 continues to move downwards until the second water outlet 107 extends from the lower edge of the connecting pipe 104 on its side wall, the second water outlet 107 opens, serving as an auxiliary pressure relief channel to accelerate drainage and prevent structural damage to the lifting cylinder 105 due to overload.
[0031] like Figure 6 As shown, to further improve drip irrigation accuracy and anti-clogging performance, this invention adds a water outlet plate 204, which is rotatably connected to the bottom of the lifting cylinder 105. A third water outlet 205, corresponding one-to-one with the first water outlet 106, is provided on the plate. Under normal conditions, the third water outlet 205 is aligned with the first water outlet 106, allowing water to drip smoothly. This design not only allows for the replacement of water outlet plates 204 with different orifice diameters to adapt to the water requirements of different plants, but also enables self-cleaning through rotational fine-tuning when the dripper is slightly clogged.
[0032] More importantly, this invention innovatively introduces a rain-sensing automatic opening and closing mechanism. The device also includes a lifting frame 201, a water-absorbing ring 202, a guide ring 203, and a second spring 206. The lifting frame 201 is slidably connected to the lifting cylinder 105, and the water-absorbing ring 202 is fixedly attached to the lifting frame 201. The water-absorbing ring 202 is preferably made of a highly absorbent material, which has the characteristics of rapid water absorption and slow evaporation. Guide rings 203 are fixedly attached to both sides of the water-absorbing ring 202. The guide rings 203 have a second guide groove 2031, which slides with the edge of the water outlet plate 204, converting the longitudinal linear motion of the guide ring 203 into the rotational motion of the water outlet plate 204. The second springs 206, symmetrically distributed along the lifting frame 201, are fixed between the lifting cylinder 105 and the lifting frame 201, providing an upward restoring force.
[0033] During sunny or dry periods, the water on the suction ring 202 evaporates, and the second spring 206 pushes the lifting frame 201 to a high position. The guide ring 203, through the second guide groove 2031, pushes the water outlet plate 204 to rotate, aligning the third water outlet 205 with the first water outlet 106, allowing drip irrigation to proceed normally. Once it rains, the suction ring 202 quickly absorbs rainwater and moves downwards due to its increased weight, causing the lifting frame 201 to compress the second spring 206 and descend. Simultaneously, the guide ring 203 moves downwards, pushing the water outlet plate 204 to rotate in the opposite direction through the second guide groove 2031, completely misaligning the third water outlet 205 with the first water outlet 106, physically blocking the drip channel, achieving fully automatic rain-stop irrigation, avoiding ineffective irrigation, reducing water waste, and realizing water-saving drip irrigation. After the rain stops, the water in the suction ring 202 evaporates naturally, the second spring 206 resets, causing the entire mechanism to spring back, restarting drip irrigation. This process requires no electricity, sensors, or human intervention, relying entirely on material properties and mechanical linkage, making it particularly suitable for mine restoration scenarios with no electricity and minimal human intervention.
[0034] like Figure 7 As shown, in addition to protecting the main pipeline, a pressure relief valve 301 is slidably connected to the upper side wall of the water pipe 101 near the right end support frame 102 in the vertical direction. A third spring 302 is fixed between the pressure relief valve 301 and the water pipe 101. If the water pressure rises abnormally due to a system malfunction or operational error, the water pressure overcomes the preload of the third spring 302, pushing the pressure relief valve 301 upward to open the bypass overflow port, allowing some water to flow out of the pipe, quickly reducing the pressure inside the pipe, and preventing pipe bursting or joint detachment. After the pressure returns to normal, the third spring 302 pushes the pressure relief valve 301 to reset and seal, and the system automatically recovers.
[0035] In terms of material selection, water pipe 101 and fixed pipe 103 are made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or modified PVC, which are corrosion-resistant and UV-resistant; precision components such as lifting cylinder 105, connecting pipe 104, and rotating ring 109 are made of engineering plastics (such as POM or PA66), which combine strength and low coefficient of friction; springs are all made of 304 stainless steel to ensure that they will not rust during long-term outdoor use. All moving joints are designed with dustproof sealing rings to prevent mineral dust from entering and causing jamming.
[0036] In actual mine deployments, this device can be laid out along contour lines, with each drip irrigation point covered with 1-2 remedial seedlings (such as sea buckthorn, caragana, and Amorpha fruticosa, all drought-resistant species). Due to its self-stabilizing water pressure and rainwater shut-off functions, even with elevation differences of tens of meters along the same pipeline, each dripper can maintain a uniform drip rate. The system automatically goes into hibernation during rainfall and automatically wakes up afterward, significantly improving water resource utilization efficiency by over 40%. Simultaneously, the modular design allows for rapid replacement of damaged units, greatly reducing operation and maintenance costs.
[0037] In summary, this invention constructs an "intelligent yet independent" water-saving drip irrigation system for mine restoration through a multi-level mechanical feedback and environmental response mechanism. It not only solves the technical bottlenecks of traditional drip irrigation under complex terrain and unstable water supply conditions, fundamentally addressing the adaptability issues of traditional drip irrigation in complex operating conditions, but also ingeniously achieves a closed loop of "perception-decision-execution" through mechanical intelligence. This provides an innovative paradigm for the green and autonomous development of smart water conservancy and ecological restoration equipment, and offers reliable technical support for the sustainable vegetation restoration of ecologically fragile areas. The entire system relies solely on water pressure, gravity, and material properties for operation, requiring no external energy or control system. It is particularly suitable for mine restoration projects with poor transportation and no power grid coverage, reducing deployment barriers and operation and maintenance costs.
[0038] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A water-saving drip irrigation device for mine restoration, comprising a water pipe (101), wherein the water pipe (101) is fixedly connected to a support frame (102) symmetrically distributed along the water pipe (101), and the water pipe (101) is connected to fixed pipes (103) distributed at equal intervals, and each of the fixed pipes (103) is provided with a connecting pipe (104), characterized in that, A fixing block (1041) is fixedly connected inside the connecting pipe (104). A lifting cylinder (105) is slidably connected to the connecting pipe (104). Several first water outlets (106) are opened at the bottom of the lifting cylinder (105). A first spring (108) is fixedly connected between the lifting cylinder (105) and the connecting pipe (104) and is symmetrically distributed along the lifting cylinder (105). A rotating ring (109) is rotatably connected to the connecting pipe (104). A first guide groove (110) is opened on the outer side of the rotating ring (109) and is symmetrical along the center of the rotating ring (109). The lifting cylinder (105) is slidably connected to each of the first guide grooves (110) through a protruding post. A first water inlet (111) is opened on the fixing block (1041). A second water inlet (112) is opened on the rotating ring (109). The second water inlet (112) is aligned with the first water inlet (111).
2. The water-saving drip irrigation device for mine restoration as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed tube (103) is connected to the connecting tube (104) thereon by a thread.
3. The water-saving drip irrigation device for mine restoration as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The lifting cylinder (105) has several second water outlets (107) on its side, and the connecting pipe (104) blocks the second water outlets (107).
4. The water-saving drip irrigation device for mine restoration as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first water inlet (111) and the second water inlet (112) are set to the same shape.
5. The water-saving drip irrigation device for mine restoration as described in claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a water outlet plate (204), which is rotatably connected to the bottom of the lifting cylinder (105). The water outlet plate (204) has a third water outlet (205) that corresponds one-to-one with the first water outlet (106).
6. The water-saving drip irrigation device for mine restoration as described in claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a lifting frame (201), which is slidably connected to the lifting cylinder (105). A water-absorbing ring (202) is fixedly connected to the lifting frame (201), and two guide rings (203) are fixedly connected to the water-absorbing ring (202). A second guide groove (2031) is opened on the guide ring (203), and the second guide groove (2031) is slidably connected to the water outlet plate (204).
7. A water-saving drip irrigation device for mine restoration as described in claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a second spring (206) symmetrically distributed along the lifting frame (201), the second spring (206) being fixed between the lifting cylinder (105) and the lifting frame (201).
8. The water-saving drip irrigation device for mine restoration as described in claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a pressure relief valve (301), which is slidably connected to the side of the water pipe (101) near one of the support frames (102), and a third spring (302) is fixed between the pressure relief valve (301) and the water pipe (101).