Automated Flashboard Riser With Hinged Gate and Bellow Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional flashboard risers require manual labor for board cutting and replacement, suffer from leakage issues due to swelling wood, and are economically unfeasible for widespread agricultural use, necessitating a more efficient and automated water control solution.
Innovation Solution
An automated flashboard riser device with a hinged gate that can be incrementally positioned using a cable and gear system, allowing for both manual and automatic control, featuring pie-shaped panel guides and bellow seals to prevent leakage, and an optional solar-powered controller for remote operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional flashboard risers use manual board cutting and replacement, then the device can be constructed with simple materials, but operator time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of cutting and replacing wooden boards with an automated gate system. The gate is mounted on a hinge and can be rotated to different positions using a cable and gear mechanism, eliminating the need for manual board handling while achieving the same water control function.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated gate system allows the flashboard riser to adjust water flow levels independently without continuous manual intervention. The gate can be positioned at different heights to control overflow, and the system maintains its position without requiring operator time for adjustments.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional flashboard risers use wooden boards, then the device is simple and inexpensive, but leakage occurs due to wood swelling in water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from wood to metal or plastic for the gate and housing components. This material substitution eliminates the swelling issue that causes leakage in wooden boards while maintaining the simplicity of the overall device design. The metal or plastic materials do not absorb water and swell, ensuring reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a hinged gate structure that can flex and rotate smoothly within its housing. The gate and housing form a sealed enclosure that prevents leakage, while the flexible hinge mechanism allows for easy positioning and adjustment without compromising the seal integrity.
3Device complexity
If traditional flashboard risers use individual boards, then the device is simple in design, but boards cannot be reused and are difficult to raise or lower once installed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static board structure into a dynamic gate system. The gate is mounted on a hinge that allows it to rotate freely to different positions, enabling continuous adjustment of water flow levels. This dynamic mechanism allows the same gate to be reused indefinitely at multiple positions, eliminating the need for replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated gate serves multiple functions: it can be positioned at various heights to control different water flow levels, it provides reliable sealing without leakage, and it can be adjusted repeatedly without wear. This multi-functional design replaces multiple single-use boards with one versatile component.
4Loss of time
If automated control systems are implemented, then operator time and effort are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic control systems with a simple mechanical cable and gear mechanism. This mechanical system achieves automated control by using a cable that can be wound or unwound to rotate the gate, eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or electronic controllers while maintaining automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical cable and gear system allows for self-contained automated control where the gate can be positioned and maintained without external power sources or complex electronics. The system serves itself through pure mechanical means, reducing overall device complexity while achieving time savings.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated flashboard riser device comprises a housing with a rotatable gate that can be incrementally positioned to control flow of water over an upper edge of the gate. The device is installed at a control point in an impoundment area, such as a settling pond. The gate is raised and lowered by rotation of the gate about a hinge. Automatic control is provided for operation of the gate by a controller communicating with an actuator. A system of the invention includes the automated flashboard riser device and the controller. A method of the invention includes controlling flow of water from an impounded water source by use of the automated flashboard riser device. Manual or non-automated embodiments are also disclosed.