Drip Irrigator with Float-Controlled Chamber and Ogive Plug
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drip irrigators for potted plants face challenges when a large number of pots are spaced far apart, as the water tank may be insufficient and the tubes may not reach all pots, necessitating a large tank that is difficult to place.
Innovation Solution
A drip irrigator for single pots featuring a support base with insertable feet, a vertically extending body with a water chamber, a float-controlled water outlet, and an ogive-shaped delivery plug with lateral holes, allowing for constant water delivery from any container, independent of its size, with adjustable drip frequency using different dripping devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large water tank is used to ensure sufficient water supply for multiple pots arranged far apart, then the water supply capacity is improved, but the device becomes difficult to place and becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the water supply function into two independent parts: a small water container that can be easily placed next to the pot and a separate water reservoir that can be refilled. This segmentation allows the irrigator to maintain sufficient water supply capacity while eliminating the need for a large, cumbersome tank at the irrigation site.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary water container that acts as a mediator between the water source and the pot. This container holds a sufficient amount of water for the irrigation period and can be refilled independently, allowing the main water reservoir to be placed far from the pot while still ensuring adequate water supply.
2Adaptability or versatility
If long tubes are used to reach pots arranged far apart, then the irrigation coverage is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of installation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The water delivery system is segmented into a local water container positioned near the pot and a separate reservoir system. This eliminates the need for long tubes to reach distant pots, as the water is delivered through a short connection from the nearby container to the pot, significantly reducing installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontal water delivery approach (using long tubes to reach distant pots) to a vertical/local approach where the water container is positioned immediately next to the pot. This dimensional change eliminates the need for extensive tubing while maintaining irrigation coverage.
3Quantity of substance
If a large water tank is used to supply water to multiple pots, then the total water supply is improved, but the device becomes difficult to place and operate
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply system is divided into a small, easily placeable water container that holds sufficient water for the irrigation period and a separate refillable reservoir. This segmentation allows the device to be placed easily next to the pot while still providing adequate total water supply through the combination of the container and reservoir.
Solution Approach 2:
The water container is designed to be refilled independently from the reservoir, allowing the user to maintain water supply without needing to manage a large integrated tank. The system serves itself by allowing simple, independent refilling of the container from the reservoir.
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
Ensures the right amount of daily water to a single pot with constant pressure and adjustable drip rate, without requiring a large water tank, and allows easy placement and operation, ensuring effective irrigation regardless of soil obstruction.
Implementation Method 1
a float accommodated in said chamber and provided at the top with a shutter pin engageable with said orifice and disengageable therefrom according to the level of water in said chamber
Implementation Method 2
the due amount of daily water may be ensured to a single pot, which is delivered one drop at a time under a pressure which is kept constant
Implementation Method 3
a substantially ogive-shaped delivery plug removably fixed at the lower end of said vertically extending body and provided with a terminal trap for collecting water falling from the dripping device and small lateral holes for transferring the water collected in said trap
Data Source
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AI summary
A drip irrigator for potted plants comprises a support base (1) with at least three feet (3) insertable in the ground; a vertically extending body (15) extending downwards from said base (1) between said at least three feet (3) and is provided with an irrigation water containing chamber (16) which is provided with an upper wall (21) crossed by a filling orifice (20) and with a lower water outlet opening (22). Means (9, 12, 13) for removably superimposing and fixing a water container (10) on said chamber (16) are provided. A float (17) is accommodated in said chamber and provided at the top with a shutter pin (19) engageable with said orifice (20) and disengageable therefrom according to the level of water in said chamber (16). A dripping device (24) is removably inserted into said opening (22) to allow the water to drip one drop at a time, and a substantially ogive-shaped delivery plug (27) is removably fixed at the lower end (26) of said vertically extending body (15). The delivery body (17) is provided with a terminal trap (28) for collecting the water falling from the dripping device (24) and with small lateral holes (29) for transferring the water collected in said trap (28).