Ergonomic Irrigation Fitting Geometry for Easier Tube Insertion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Irrigation fittings are difficult to insert and remove from irrigation tubes, particularly in drip irrigation systems, necessitating ergonomic improvements for easier handling.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating ergonomic features such as curved concave edges and recessed regions with cylindrical protrusions into irrigation fittings to facilitate gripping and manipulation during insertion and removal processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional irrigation fittings are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the fittings are difficult to insert and remove from irrigation tubes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertion and removalVSAvoidfitting structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by incorporating curved concave edges on the fitting body that conform to the shape of irrigation tubes. These curved surfaces provide ergonomic gripping areas that facilitate manual manipulation during insertion and removal operations, directly addressing the difficulty of handling traditional straight-edged fittings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by adding recessed regions with cylindrical protrusions at specific locations on the fitting body. These localized ergonomic features are positioned where fingers naturally grip during installation and maintenance, providing enhanced control without requiring a complete redesign of the entire fitting structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If ergonomic features are added to irrigation fittings, then the ease of handling is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of grippingVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The curved concave edges are designed with simple radii that can be efficiently produced using standard CNC machining or injection molding techniques. The curvature follows the natural grip contours, allowing for straightforward toolpath generation and mold design, thus minimizing the impact on manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The recessed regions with cylindrical protrusions are localized features that can be added as separate machining operations or integrated into the mold cavity design. These features occupy a small portion of the total fitting surface area, limiting the increase in manufacturing complexity while providing significant ergonomic benefit at the critical gripping locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20260036235A1Ergonomic Irrigation Fittings

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 HUSQVARNA AB

AI summary

An irrigation fitting comprises a first fitting branch and a second fitting branch. The first fitting branch comprises a first planar region and a second planar region. The second fitting branch comprises a third planar region and a fourth planar region. The first planar region and the third planar region jointly comprise a first curved concave edge and a second curved concave edge. The second planar region and the fourth planar region jointly comprise a third curved concave edge and a fourth curved concave edge.