Barbed Connection for Irrigation Tubing and Nozzle Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pop-up irrigation devices for low-pressure systems are costly to manufacture, prone to damage, and lack robustness, with threading for nozzle attachment adding complexity and cost, while also being limited in flow rate and area coverage.
Innovation Solution
A pop-up irrigation device with a housing, extensible riser, and snap-fit nozzle attachment, featuring a rotatable plug valve for flow control, and a multi-barbed connection for flexible tubing, allowing for increased flow rates and area coverage without the need for threading, thus enhancing durability and installation flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If threading is used to attach nozzle bodies to risers, then the attachment can be readily made or removed for cleaning or substitution, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase due to complex mold geometries and unscrewing mold components
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface is segmented into an insertion portion on the nozzle body and a receiving portion on the riser, allowing separate formation of these components through injection molding without requiring complex threading operations. This segmentation enables simpler mold designs while maintaining easy attachability.
Solution Approach 2:
The threading operation is extracted and replaced with a simpler insertion-reception mechanism. The complex unscrewing mold components and internal/external threading geometries are removed from the manufacturing process, replaced by straightforward injection-molded interfaces that are easier to manufacture.
2Reliability
If conventional pop-up irrigation devices are used, then irrigation can be provided, but the devices are prone to damage and lack robustness due to small diameter flexible bodies and extensive above-ground components
Solution Approach 1:
The riser is designed to be extensible, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. This dynamic capability enables the riser to retract into the housing when not in use, protecting it from damage, and extend when irrigation is needed, maintaining functionality while improving robustness.
Solution Approach 2:
The riser is nested within the housing when retracted, and the nozzle body is nested within the riser when not in use. This nesting arrangement protects the vulnerable components from external damage while maintaining compact storage, directly addressing the susceptibility to damage issue.
3Quantity of substance
If drip emitters are used, then irrigation water can be delivered at low volume flow rates, but the flow rate and area coverage are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation device is designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating in different modes. The housing can contain either a drip emitter for low-flow applications or a pop-up sprinkler assembly for higher flow rate and broader coverage applications, allowing the same base structure to serve multiple irrigation needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions dynamically between different operational states. The riser can remain retracted for drip irrigation or extend for sprinkler operation, and the flow rate can be adjusted through the valve mechanism, enabling the system to adapt to different irrigation requirements and achieve both low-flow and high-flow performance.
4Ease of operation
If extensive components are located above ground, then the irrigation device can function, but the components are more susceptible to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The riser and nozzle body are designed to dynamically extend only when irrigation is actively needed. During non-operational periods, these components retract into the housing, minimizing their exposure above ground and reducing susceptibility to damage from environmental factors, animals, or human activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The components are nested within the housing when not in use, with the nozzle body nested within the riser, which is nested within the housing. This nested arrangement protects the vulnerable components from external damage while maintaining the ability to deploy them when irrigation function is required.
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 reduces manufacturing costs, improves durability, and increases the flexibility and efficiency of low-pressure irrigation systems by allowing for higher flow rates and broader area coverage, while simplifying the attachment process and reducing the risk of damage.
Implementation Method 1
The connection tube has an open distal end, spaced from the housing, which is configured to be connectable to flexible irrigation tubing
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-barbed connection suitable for use in connecting a piece of flexible irrigation tubing is provided, where one of the barbs is a circumferential barb configured for forming a generally fluid tight connection with the tubing and another of the barbs is a corner barb having one or more corners configured for biting into the tubing for at least partially assisting in retaining the tubing on the connection. The connection can be part of a fitting for fluidly joining multiple pieces of tubing or part of an irrigation device, such as a pop-up irrigation sprinkler.