Asymmetric Button Drip Emitter Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drip emitters face challenges in bonding to the inner surface of conduits without deforming the conduit, leading to issues with external properties and reliability, especially for self-contained button drippers with non-radially symmetric designs.
Innovation Solution
A drip emitter design featuring a cylindrical element with a closed perimeter fluid outlet zone and a labyrinth flow path between the element and a cover, including a flexible membrane and orientation elements for precise alignment, allowing for reliable bonding and flow regulation without significant deformation of the conduit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a self-contained button dripper with non-radially symmetric design is used, then flow regulation precision is improved, but bonding reliability to conduit inner surface deteriorates due to deformation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the button dripper with a non-radially symmetric flow regulator that has a specific asymmetric profile. This asymmetric design allows the regulator to bond reliably to the conduit inner surface while maintaining precise flow regulation, resolving the contradiction between flow precision and bonding reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a localized bonding interface between the asymmetric regulator and the conduit surface. The regulator is designed with specific surface characteristics in the bonding region that ensure reliable attachment, while other parts maintain the asymmetric geometry needed for flow control precision
2Area of stationary object
If the conduit is deformed to accommodate the dripper, then bonding surface area is improved, but external properties and flexibility of the conduit deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by reversing the conventional approach: instead deforming the conduit to fit the dripper, the dripper regulator is designed to fit the conduit's existing geometry. The asymmetric regulator profile is configured to match the conduit inner surface without requiring conduit deformation, thus maintaining bonding area while preserving conduit flexibility and external properties
3Ease of manufacture
If a symmetric radial design is used for the dripper, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but flow regulation efficiency under varying pressures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the flow regulator with a non-radially symmetric profile that is optimized for maintaining constant flow under varying pressures. While asymmetric designs can be more complex to manufacture, the specific asymmetric geometry allows for efficient flow regulation that symmetric designs cannot achieve
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 design ensures a consistent flow rate and reliable bonding to the conduit, maintaining the conduit's flexibility and external geometry, with the ability to handle varying pressures and misalignments during automated perforation.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable elastomeric membrane between the body member and cover and defining a pressure-compensated flow control passageway through the flow control unit
Implementation Method 2
A resiliently flexible membrane is mounted in the housing
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D~1E
AI summary
A drip irrigation emitter may be provided with a coupler (125) for bonding to an inner surface (123) of a conduit. The emitter may include for example a button flow restrictor (128). The coupler (125) may optionally provide an outlet zone on the conduit surface that is large enough for automated perforation. Bonding the emitter to the surface of the conduit may have a minimal effect on the dimensions and/or properties of the conduit. A button drip irrigation emitter may optionally include a two part labyrinth (232). The labyrinth (232) may for example be confined between a cylindrical outer surface (230) and a cover (252) and/or wind between intermeshing baffles (284, 286) on the cover (252) and/or the surface (230).