Human Powered Irrigation Pump Inverted Rocker Pivot

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing human-powered treadle pumps suffer from instability and inefficiency due to the mounting of the rocker on a tower, leading to increased weight, cost, and friction losses, making them difficult to transport and maintain.

Innovation Solution

A human-powered pump design with a rocker pivot located below the treadle pivot axis, using a frame-mounted rocker and tensile members like flexible steel cables to connect the rocker to the pistons, allowing for a lighter, stiffer, and more efficient pump with improved power transfer and ease of repair.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the rocker is mounted on a tower above the treadles, then the pump structure is stable, but the weight increases and friction losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump stabilityVSAvoidpump weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional mounting arrangement by positioning the rocker pivot below the treadle pivot axis rather than above. This inversion eliminates the need for a tall tower structure, significantly reducing the pump's weight and material requirements while maintaining structural stability through the lower center of gravity and compact frame-mounted design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the rocker is mounted on a tower above the treadles, then the pump structure is stable, but friction losses increase and power transfer efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump stabilityVSAvoidfriction losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the rocker mounting position to below the treadles, the patent shortens the mechanical lever arms and reduces the moment arms that generate friction at the pivot points. This inversion optimizes power transfer efficiency by minimizing energy losses while maintaining operational stability through the redesigned kinematic geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Stability of the object's composition

If stiffness is added to components to address instability, then the pump becomes more stable, but the overall weight increases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump stabilityVSAvoidpump weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The inverted rocker mounting configuration inherently provides structural stability without requiring excessive stiffening of components. The lower pivot position creates a more favorable structural geometry that naturally resists instability, allowing the use of lighter materials and simpler component designs that reduce both weight and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of manufacture

If the rocker pivot axis is located above the treadle pivot axis, then the pump operates conventionally, but the pump is heavier and less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconventional designVSAvoidpower transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the inversion principle by positioning the rocker pivot axis below the treadle pivot axis, fundamentally changing the kinematic arrangement. This inversion improves power transfer efficiency and reduces weight while remaining manufacturable using standard fabrication techniques, thereby achieving superior performance without sacrificing ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 design achieves a lighter, more efficient, and cost-effective pump with reduced friction losses and easier maintenance, enabling effective water transport and irrigation while allowing for easier assembly and disassembly.

Implementation Method 1

The rocker facilitates alternating, reciprocating movement of the treadles and the corresponding pistons. Downward movement of one treadle drives one piston downward, while upward movement of the other treadle lifts the other piston.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

A human-powered foot treadle pump that utilizes a rocker to actuate a pair of pistons for irrigation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Implementation Method 3

Lifting a piston causes a suction movement to fill a piston cylinder with fluid. Depressing a piston pumps fluid out of the cylinder for use at a higher elevation or any other location.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 4

human-powered foot treadle pumps that utilize a rocker to actuate a pair of pistons for irrigation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Data Source

PatentUS10100818B2Human powered irrigation pump

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 KICKSTART INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A human-powered pump assembly includes a frame and a treadle pivot attached to the frame, such that the treadle pivot defines a horizontal rotational axis. The pump assembly includes a pair of treadles coupled to the treadle pivot and a rocker pivot attached to the frame, such that the rocker pivot defines a separate horizontal rotational axis. The pump assembly includes a reciprocating rocker coupled to the rocker pivot and to the pair of treadles to constrain the motion thereof, such that the rocker pivot axis is located below the treadle pivot axis.