Ergonomic Irrigation Fittings for Easier Tube Insertion and Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

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

Innovation Solution

Incorporating ergonomic features such as planar regions, recessed regions, and barbed members with frustoconical 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 manufacturing is easy, 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 local quality by adding ergonomic features (planar regions, recessed regions, barbed members with frustoconical protrusions) only to specific locations on the fitting body where gripping is needed, rather than redesigning the entire fitting structure. This allows the fitting to maintain its simple basic form while incorporating localized features that improve handling and insertion/removal operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The fitting structure is segmented into distinct functional regions: planar regions for gripping, recessed regions for finger placement, and barbed members for tube engagement. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If ergonomic features are added to facilitate gripping, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of grippingVSAvoidnumber of ergonomic features

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple ergonomic features (planar regions, recessed regions, and barbed members) into a single integrated fitting structure. These features are combined in a way that they work together to improve gripping and handling without requiring separate components or complex assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Ergonomic features are applied locally to the fitting surface where they are most needed for gripping, rather than uniformly across the entire fitting. This localized application minimizes the added complexity while maximizing the ease of operation benefit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12442474B2Ergonomic irrigation fittings

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 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.