Cylindrical Watering Device Root Zone Apertures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gardening tools face challenges in efficiently watering potted and in-ground plants, leading to water waste, runoff, and inadequate delivery to the root zone, which can result in over- or under-watering, harming plants and promoting unwanted weeds. Additionally, existing devices often disrupt soil integrity and fail to provide controlled water application below the soil surface.

Innovation Solution

A hollow elongated cylindrical watering device with a beveled lower end and linearly aligned apertures, designed to direct water from a positive pressure source directly to the plant root zone, featuring a resilient collar to control depth and prevent soil disruption, allowing for precise water application and minimizing waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If water is applied to the top of plants or soil surface using conventional watering devices, then plants can be watered, but water run-off and waste occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater application efficiencyVSAvoidwater waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments water delivery by using multiple apertures distributed along the cylindrical member, allowing water to be delivered at multiple locations and depths within the root zone rather than as a single surface application, thereby reducing run-off and improving water use efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow elongated cylindrical member acts as an intermediary conduit that transports water from the source to the root zone, directing flow through controlled apertures to achieve precise placement and minimize waste

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If water is applied above ground level, then plants can be watered, but unwanted contact with plant foliage occurs which may be detrimental

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewatering accessibilityVSAvoidfoliage damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device transitions water application from the vertical dimension (above ground) to the horizontal dimension (within the root zone at soil level), inserting the cylindrical member laterally into the soil to deliver water directly to roots without contacting foliage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If pressurized water is dispersed near the soil surface, then water can be delivered to plants, but soil surface and sub-surface integrity is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater delivery speedVSAvoidsoil integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary action by creating a controlled insertion path into the soil before water delivery begins, allowing the cylindrical member to be positioned within the root zone first, then water is delivered through apertures already positioned within the soil matrix rather than dispersing pressurized water at the surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device applies local quality by concentrating water delivery at specific locations through apertures positioned at different depths and orientations along the cylindrical member, allowing controlled water application to specific root zones without disrupting overall soil structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of manufacture

If water is delivered passively from a reservoir, then plants can be watered, but control over volume and placement is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidwater volume and placement control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables parameter changes by allowing adjustment of water flow rate, pressure, and delivery timing while maintaining a simple passive reservoir structure, with multiple apertures providing control over water distribution patterns and placement depth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device effectively delivers water to the root zone of both potted and in-ground plants, reducing waste and runoff, promoting healthy plant growth while preventing soil disruption and unwanted watering of weeds, with adjustable flow rates for optimal water distribution.

Implementation Method 1

the hollow elongated cylindrical member being structured to direct the flow of at least one aqueous liquid through the hollow elongated cylindrical member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through conduit:

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of linearly aligned apertures passing through the side wall of the hollow elongated cylindrical member wherein the plurality of linearly aligned apertures permit the flow of the at least one aqueous liquid from within said hollow elongated cylindrical member into the at least one level of a plant root zone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through apertures:

Data Source

PatentUS11224174B2Plant watering device

Publication Date: 2022.01.18 REISSMANN LUTZ W

AI summary

A plant watering device designed and configured to efficiently provide water to either potted plants or to in-ground garden plants. The plant watering device having a hollow elongated cylindrical member and at least one series of linearly aligned apertures having sequential decreasing diameters along a length of a lower section of the hollow elongated cylindrical member which is inserted into a plant root zone. The hollow elongated cylindrical member of the invention being structured to receive at least one aqueous liquid from at least one aqueous liquid source.