Impulse Sprinkler Time-Responsive Sector Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation systems for impulse sprinklers cannot automatically cover all angular sectors of a round area without manual adjustment and are prone to jamming and damage due to their size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A time-responsive irrigation sector control system for impulse sprinklers, featuring a pair of limit stop members and reversing levers that allow automatic rotation and programmable sector changes, preventing jamming and enabling all-round coverage without orientation changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical selector with limit stop members is used to automatically adjust the irrigation angle, then the sprinkler can cover different angular sectors, but the system size increases and becomes prone to damage from accidental impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into a stationary control unit (with the ring and limit stop members) and a rotating barrel. The stationary portion contains all the selector mechanism components, preventing them from being damaged by rotation or impact, while still enabling angular sector adjustment through the reversible lever interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The limit stop members are positioned in the stationary ring structure rather than being attached to the rotating barrel. This spatial repositioning removes the vulnerable selector components from the rotation path and impact zone, eliminating the harm while preserving the angular adjustment capability through lever interaction.
2Extent of automation
If multiple limit stop members and reversing levers are added to enable automatic sector switching, then all angular sectors can be covered at regular intervals, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple limit stop members (first pair and second pair) are integrated into a single stationary ring structure. The reversible lever interacts with these stops in sequence during rotation, enabling automatic sector switching without requiring separate control mechanisms for each sector transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrel's own rotation drives the reversible lever to interact with the limit stop members in sequence. The system uses the barrel's rotational motion itself to trigger the sector switching, eliminating the need for external actuators or complex control systems while achieving automatic sector coverage.
3Area of stationary object
If the sprinkler barrel rotates to cover all angular sectors, then complete round area coverage is achieved, but the orientation of the sprinkler must be changed manually
Solution Approach 1:
The barrel is designed to rotate dynamically about the vertical axis to cover different angular sectors. The stationary ring with limit stop members provides the control structure, while the barrel's rotation enables coverage of the entire round area without requiring manual repositioning of the sprinkler's orientation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A timed control system (1) for timed control of irrigation sectors for an impulse sprinkler (2) with a barrel (3), a joint (4) swiveling about a vertical axis (X) and an actuator (7). The system comprises a first pair of limit stop members (11, 12) in first angular positions relative to the axis of rotation (X) to define a first irrigation sector (α), and at least one first reversing lever (23) which is adapted to be operably coupled to the actuator (7) and is adapted to interact with the first pair of limit stop members (11, 12) to reverse the direction of rotation in the first sector (α). The system also comprises a second pair of limit stop members (24, 25) in second angular positions to define a second irrigation sector (β) differing from the first. A second reversing lever (33) is provided, which is adapted to interact with the second pair of limit stop members (24, 25) to reverse the direction of rotation in the second sector (β). A selector (34) is further provided, which is configured to alternately cause interaction of the first lever (23) with the first pair of limit stop members (11, 12) and interaction of the second lever (33) with the second pair of limit stop members (24, 25) after a given scheduled interval of time to move from the first irrigation sector (α) to the second irrigation sector (β).