Angular Irrigation Controller Housing for Solar Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation controllers with integrated solar cells face cumbersome and complex arrangements, limiting their installation and setup flexibility, especially in outdoor applications such as terraces, balconies, and hanging setups.
Innovation Solution
An irrigation controller design featuring a housing with angularly oriented sections, integrating a pump, power supply, and control elements, including a solar cell-charged battery compartment, providing a compact and user-friendly arrangement suitable for various outdoor installations, with a hook-like shape for versatile mounting options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If solar cells are independently provided and connected with additional cable connections, then power supply functionality is achieved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the solar cell directly into the housing structure, merging the power supply component with the main body. The solar cell is positioned to extend through the housing with its light-receiving surface exposed, eliminating the need for separate cable connections while maintaining power supply functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If solar cells are integrally provided with the irrigation controller body, then installation simplicity is improved, but installation flexibility and setup possibilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple sections with the solar cell positioned in a specific region that extends through the housing. This segmentation allows the solar cell to be integrated into the structure while maintaining exposure to light, enabling both simplified installation and flexibility for various mounting positions including wall-mounted and hanging configurations.
3Volume of moving object
If the irrigation controller is designed for compact integration, then space efficiency is improved, but access to components for maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is designed to provide multiple functions: it encloses internal components for compact integration while simultaneously providing access points and mounting features. The solar cell's extended position and the housing's structural design allow maintenance access without requiring disassembly, achieving both compactness and ease of repair.
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 solution enables simple, compact, and stable irrigation controller installations on different surfaces and shapes, including pots, rails, and walls, with easy maintenance access and user-friendly operation, while ensuring efficient solar radiation-based charging and improved stability.
Implementation Method 1
the battery is charged by a solar cell
Data Source
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AI summary
An irrigation controller (100) which includes a housing (110) which integrates at least one control element (170). The housing (110) has a first section (112) and a second section (114). Further, the irrigation controller (100) includes a pump operatively coupled with the irrigation controller (100). The irrigation controller (100) includes a power supply (150) for supplying power to the pump, and the control element (170) configured with the pump. The irrigation controller (100) is characterized in that the first section (112) and the second section (114) are angularly oriented towards each other at an angle (α) less than 90 degrees.