Ground-embeddable Conical Irrigation Ring with Weed Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional irrigation methods, such as sprinkling, are wasteful and inefficient, as they allow water to evaporate and run off, and do not effectively target plant root structures, leading to water scarcity issues in areas where potable water is scarce.
Innovation Solution
A truncated, conical irrigation ring with an integral weed-abatement collar that prevents weeds from growing outside the ring and retains water within the irrigation area, allowing for nested stacking and efficient water use, with embodiments featuring annular or hexagonally-shaped collars and underlapping shelves to seal gaps in honeycomb arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional sprinkling irrigation is used, then water can be applied to the general area, but water is lost through evaporation and runoff, and does not effectively reach plant roots
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation system is segmented into multiple discrete embeddable rings, each targeting a specific plant's root zone. This segmentation allows water to be delivered precisely where needed (at the root level) rather than broadcasting water over a large area, thereby reducing evaporation and runoff losses while improving water use efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by delivering water specifically to the root zone of each plant through embeddable rings positioned at the soil surface. This localized irrigation approach ensures water is applied exactly where plant roots can absorb it, preventing water loss through evaporation and runoff while maximizing productivity.
2Productivity
If conventional sprinkling irrigation is used, then water can be applied broadly, but it requires several hours of continuous application, leading to time consumption and water waste
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the irrigation area into discrete embeddable rings around individual plants, the system enables targeted water delivery directly to root zones. This eliminates the need for prolonged sprinkling operations, reducing irrigation time significantly while improving water application efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The local quality principle is applied by positioning embeddable rings at the soil surface around each plant, delivering water precisely to the root zone. This localized approach eliminates the need for hours-long continuous sprinkling, reducing both time consumption and water waste through evaporation and runoff.
3Productivity
If water is applied to the general area, then all plants receive water, but water seeps outwardly into soil where no plant growth is wanted
Solution Approach 1:
The embeddable ring structure segments the water distribution area, confining water to the circular zone defined by each ring. This prevents water from seeping outwardly into surrounding soil where no plants are growing, while ensuring all planted areas receive adequate water, thereby improving distribution efficiency and eliminating harmful water migration.
Solution Approach 2:
By implementing local quality through embeddable rings positioned around each plant, the system delivers water precisely to the intended root zone. This localized containment prevents water from migrating to areas where plant growth is not desired, improving water distribution efficiency while eliminating the harmful effect of water seeping into unwanted areas.
4Productivity
If conventional irrigation without weed control is used, then water is wasted on weed growth, but additional weed control measures increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two functions into a single integrated device: irrigation and weed control. The embeddable ring both delivers water to plants and acts as a physical barrier preventing weed growth. This combination improves water use efficiency by preventing water waste on weeds while avoiding the increased complexity that would result from adding separate weed control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The embeddable ring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it delivers water to plant roots, contains water within the irrigation zone, and prevents weed growth through its physical barrier. This multi-functionality improves water use efficiency by eliminating water waste on weeds while maintaining simple device architecture, avoiding the complexity increase that would result from separate specialized components.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a truncated, ground-embeddable conical irrigation ring having an integral weed-abatement collar. The slight conical nature of the ring allows for nested stacking of the devices. A first embodiment device has an annular collar with a circular outer perimeter. The weed-abatement collar is wide enough to prevent most weeds from beginning growth outside the ring, creeping over the edge thereof, and into the plant growing region within the ring. The ring prevents water that is provided to a plant growing within the ring from seeping outwardly into soil were no plant growth is wanted. A second embodiment has a hexagonally-shaped weed-abatement collar that allows for honeycomb arrangements of multiple devices which completely cover the ground between irrigation rings. A third embodiment also has a hexagonally-shaped weed-abatement collar. Half of the collar perimeter is equipped with a light-blocking underlapping shelf.