Drip Irrigation Emitter With Asymmetric Protrusions for 3D Vortex Clogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing drip irrigation emitters fail to effectively prevent clogging with accumulated foreign matters, as the vortex generated is only two-dimensional, inadequately agitating the irrigation liquid and allowing for insufficient prevention of clogging.
Innovation Solution
An emitter is designed with a pressure reducing channel featuring alternating protrusions that generate a three-dimensional vortex, reducing pressure and effectively distributing irrigation liquid, thereby enhancing the prevention of clogging by agitating the liquid in both the flow and depth directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protrusions are arranged alternately in the longitudinal axial direction of the channel (as in PTL 1), then a vortex is generated that reduces clogging, but the liquid is agitated only two-dimensionally and clogging prevention is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional vortex generation (in the plane parallel to flow direction) to three-dimensional vortex generation by arranging protrusions alternately on both side walls of the channel. This creates alternating left-handed and right-handed vortices that agitate liquid in multiple directions, including depth direction, thereby preventing clogging more effectively while maintaining a relatively simple channel structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If protrusions are made symmetric (as in PTL 1), then the channel structure is simple, but the vortex generation is insufficient for preventing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces asymmetry in the protrusion arrangement by positioning protrusions alternately on left and right side walls at different longitudinal positions. This asymmetric arrangement creates alternating left-handed and right-handed vortices, enhancing liquid agitation and clogging prevention while maintaining manufacturability through consistent protrusion geometry.
3Productivity
If the channel width is increased to improve flow distribution, then more liquid can be discharged, but the vortex generation capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the vortex generation function by creating multiple alternating vortices along the channel length rather than relying on a single large vortex. This segmentation allows the channel to maintain adequate width for flow distribution while each localized protrusion region generates effective vortices for clogging prevention.
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 emitter effectively suppresses clogging by generating a three-dimensional vortex, ensuring quantitative discharge of irrigation liquid and reducing the accumulation of foreign matters within the channel.
Implementation Method 1
a vortex of the irrigation liquid that moves also in the depth direction in the pressure reducing channel is generated
Implementation Method 2
the liquid is agitated only two-dimensionally in the channel
Data Source
AI summary
An emitter having a water intake part, a discharge part, a channel, and a pressure reduction channel. The pressure reduction channel includes a groove and a plurality of projections. The plurality of projections include first and second projections that are adjacent to one another in the groove depth direction. The first projections are positioned on one side in the depth direction of the groove, and when seen from a planar view, the tip ends thereof project from the inside surface of the groove so as to cross the center line of the groove. The second projections are positioned on the other side in the depth direction of the groove, and when seen from a planar view, the tip ends thereof project from the inside surface of the groove so as not to cross the center line of the groove.