Drip Irrigation Spout Rib Structure for Leak-Proof Pipe Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drip irrigation systems face challenges in efficiently directing water from drip emitters to lateral tubes and ensuring a secure, leak-proof attachment of irrigation spouts to drip irrigation pipes, which affects the distribution and delivery of water to plants.

Innovation Solution

A spout member is designed to be attached to the outer side of a drip irrigation pipe, featuring a ribbed lower side for secure attachment and a passage with a larger entry section to facilitate the flow of water from the drip emitter, ensuring a water-tight seal and efficient water distribution without the use of adhesives, utilizing heat bonding or adhesives for attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a spout member is attached to the outer side of a drip irrigation pipe, then water distribution efficiency is improved, but attachment security and leak-proof sealing become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater distribution efficiencyVSAvoidattachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical attachment systems (screws, clips, or adhesives) with a thermal bonding system. The spout member includes a lower side with an attachment surface that is thermally bonded to the outer surface of the drip irrigation pipe, creating a permanent, leak-proof mechanical bond through material fusion rather than mechanical fastening or chemical adhesion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes temperature as a critical parameter to achieve attachment. By applying heat to the attachment surface of the spout member and/or the pipe outer surface, the materials are softened and fused together, creating a strong, water-tight bond. This thermal parameter change enables reliable attachment without mechanical fasteners or adhesives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a spout member with a passage is attached to the pipe, then water flow direction is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater flow directionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated spout member component. The spout member simultaneously provides water flow direction control through its passage geometry and attachment to the pipe through its thermally bondable lower side. This merging of flow control and attachment functions into one component simplifies the overall system compared to separate flow directors and attachment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spout member is designed as a multi-functional element that performs both water flow direction control and secure attachment to the irrigation pipe. The passage within the spout member directs water flow, while the lower side with attachment surface provides secure mounting to the pipe outer surface, eliminating the need for separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the passage entry section has a larger cross sectional area than the main section, then water flow efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater flow efficiencyVSAvoidpassage geometry precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs curved or tapered geometries in the passage design, where the entry section smoothly transitions to the main section through curved surfaces rather than sharp angles or abrupt changes. This curved transition facilitates smooth water flow from the larger entry section to the main passage, reducing turbulence and improving flow efficiency while being more manufacturable than precision-machined tapered sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 ensures efficient water distribution to plants by providing a secure and leak-proof attachment of the spout to the drip irrigation pipe, enhancing the delivery of water through the system and reducing manufacturing complexity.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing heat bonding or adhesives for attachment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat bonding: Welding

Implementation Method 2

a passage with a larger entry section to facilitate the flow of water from the drip emitter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS20230019950A1Drip irrigation pipe and an irrigation spout thereof

Publication Date: 2023.01.19 NETAFIM LTD

AI summary

A spout member for attachment to an outer side of a drip irrigation pip has a lower side arranged to attach the pipe. The lower side of the spout member includes at least one rib for facilitating its attachment, where attachment may be to an irrigation pipe, possibly a drip irrigation pipe.