Irrigation Pipe Adapter Mounting for High-Pressure Tight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current irrigation systems for horticultural crops face issues with ensuring tight and secure connections between branch pipes and main flexible pipes, particularly under strong water pressure, and require manual hand tightening, which is inefficient and prone to detachment.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an adapter with an externally threaded shank and a widened base that can be inserted into a hole in the main flexible pipe, secured by a first ring nut, and featuring a tool for easy mounting and tightening, along with a second ring nut for fixing the adapter to the fitting, ensuring secure attachment even under high pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual hand tightening is used to attach the adapter to the flexible pipe, then the mounting process is simple, but the tightness is not guaranteed and there is a risk of detachment under strong water pressure
Solution Approach 1:
A tool with a gripping element is introduced as an intermediary between the operator and the ring nut. The tool engages with the polygonal cross-section of the fitting's inner section, providing mechanical advantage and precise control for tightening the ring nut, thereby achieving reliable tightness without complex manual operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a ring nut that threads onto the fitting's shank, providing excessive tightening force beyond what manual hand tightening can achieve. This partial automation through a simple tool ensures the connection is sufficiently tight to prevent detachment under strong water pressure
2Reliability
If a simple adapter is used to connect branch pipe to main flexible pipe, then the device complexity is low, but the connection reliability under strong pressure is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the adapter with conical section for pipe insertion, the fitting with threaded shank and polygonal inner section, and the ring nut for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting is pre-designed with an integrated polygonal cross-section in its inner section, which serves as a built-in gripping interface. This preliminary design feature eliminates the need for complex tightening mechanisms, as the tool can directly engage with this pre-prepared interface to achieve secure connection
3Productivity
If manual tightening by operator is required, then no additional tools are needed, but the productivity and efficiency of mounting are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting's polygonal inner section serves as a self-contained interface that automatically provides the gripping mechanism needed for tightening. The system is self-sufficient, requiring only a simple tool to engage with this built-in feature, thereby improving productivity without adding complex external mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
A simple tool with a gripping element is used to apply excessive tightening force through the ring nut, ensuring the connection is securely fastened in minimal time. This partial automation with a basic tool dramatically improves mounting efficiency compared to manual hand tightening
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A system for mounting an adapter (30) on a main flexible pipe (1) for connecting a branch pipe is described, comprising a fitting (10) having an externally threaded shank (11) and a widened base (13) which can be inserted in a hole (2) of the pipe (1) and can be fixed by means of a first ring nut (3) screwed on said threaded shank (11), wherein said system comprises a tool (20) for inserting said fitting (10) in said hole (2) and for tightening said first ring nut (3), and wherein on said adapter (30) a second ring nut (33) is provided for fixing the adapter to the fitting (10).