Hose-Controlled Sprinkler Valve with Rotary Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sprinkler systems require significant labor and effort to change sprinkler locations without getting wet, as they often involve extensive walking and hose manipulation, and existing solutions are cumbersome, costly, and prone to malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A hose-controlled sprinkler device that allows remote control of liquid output through a unidirectional movement of the connected hose, featuring a rotary valve assembly and support system that stabilizes the valve above the ground, enabling easy on and off states without manual ground pushing, reducing walking and hose dragging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional sprinkler systems are used to water a large lawn, then the sprinkler can cover a wide area, but significant labor and time are required to move the sprinkler to new locations without getting wet
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the water control function from the sprinkler head by introducing a remote valve assembly that can be positioned independently. The hose is divided into segments with the valve assembly located at a distance from the sprinkler, allowing the sprinkler to be moved without controlling water flow manually near the faucet.
Solution Approach 2:
A remote valve assembly acts as an intermediary between the water source and the sprinkler. This intermediate device allows remote control of water flow through hose manipulation outside the sprinkling range, preventing the user from getting wet while moving the sprinkler.
2Ease of operation
If the user walks to the faucet to turn water off and on, then the sprinkler can be moved to new locations, but considerable time and effort are required due to long walking distances
Solution Approach 1:
The remote valve assembly serves as an intermediary control mechanism positioned between the user and the sprinkler. By manipulating the hose at the valve assembly location (outside the sprinkling range), the user can control water flow without walking to the faucet or dragging the sprinkler, significantly reducing relocation time and effort.
3Ease of operation
If the hose is pinched to restrict water flow, then the sprinkler can be moved without turning water at the faucet, but excessive hose manipulation and dragging are required
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly with movable member acts as an intermediary mechanism that replaces the crude hose pinching method. Instead of manually pinching and dragging the hose, the user simply moves the valve assembly along the hose outside the sprinkling range, which internally controls water flow through the movable member's rotation, reducing manipulation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual hose pinching mechanism is replaced by a valve assembly with a movable member that rotates to control water flow. This mechanical substitution transforms the complex action of pinching and dragging into a simple rotational movement of the valve assembly, reducing the effort and complexity required.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a remote valve is used to control water outside sprinkling range, then the user stays dry, but the valve requires manually pushing into the ground and swinging the hose over long distances
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is designed to be self-positioning through the movement of the hose itself. As the hose is moved during normal sprinkler operation, the valve assembly automatically positions itself along the hose path outside the sprinkling range, eliminating the need for manual ground pushing and extensive hose swinging.
5Productivity
If the valve disc is tilted from the valve seat to allow water flow, then the sprinkler can operate, but water flow is restricted because water can only flow from one side of the valve
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of tilting the valve disc from a closed position (traditional valve operation), the movable member rotates from a position where water flows freely through the aligned passages to a closed position. This inverted approach allows full water flow during operation without restriction, improving productivity while maintaining a relatively simple valve mechanism.
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
Significantly reduces the time and effort required to change sprinkler locations, minimizes hose dragging, and enhances reliability with a simple, low-part-count design that is user-friendly and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurized liquid input at the inlet connection...established by a unidirectional movement of the movable member and the valve housing one about the other
Data Source
AI summary
A hose controlled sprinkler device, whose sequential liquid output states can be remotely controlled by a substantially unidirectional movement of a hose connected to the sprinkler device. The hose controlled sprinkler device includes a valve and at least one valve support. The valve includes a moveable member, a valve housing, an inlet connection configured for connection to the hose and an outlet connection. The valve is configured to have at least one liquid off state, a liquid on state, and a liquid off state output sequence at the outlet connection. The sequence is established by a pressurized liquid input at the inlet connection and further by a unidirectional movement of the movable member and the housing one about the other. The at least one valve support is connected to the valve and is configured to stabilize the valve above at least one of a ground and a lawn. The liquid output states of the hose controlled sprinkler device can be remotely controlled by the substantially unidirectional movement of the hose which is both connected to the inlet connection and supplies the inlet connection with a pressurized liquid. In other embodiments, a sprinkler is connected to the outlet connection of the hose controlled sprinkler device.