Linear-Move Irrigation Connector Using Aerial Swing Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for automating the forwarding of water main connections in linear-move irrigation systems are complex and require elaborate ground transport components, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs, while also limiting the system's ability to travel in non-linear paths.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a swing arm with a coupler body that can be raised and lowered to swing through the air, eliminating the need for ground transport wheels and allowing the linear-move irrigator to travel directly between access valves, reducing hardware complexity and enabling efficient, non-linear movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If ground transport wheels and swing arm mechanisms are used to automate connector forwarding, then automation is achieved, but device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the ground transport wheels from the system. Instead of using wheels to move the connector along the ground between access valves, the connector is lifted into the air and swung directly from one valve to the next, removing the complex wheel-based ground transport mechanism entirely
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the connector movement from a ground-level horizontal path (using wheels) to an aerial arc path. The connector is raised above ground level and swung through the air in an arc between access valves, changing the dimensional space in which the movement occurs and eliminating the need for ground-based transport components
2Extent of automation
If ground transport wheels are used, then connector forwarding is automated, but the system is limited to straight line travel only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the travel path dynamic and adaptable by using an aerial arc swing mechanism. The connector can swing in any direction needed to reach the next access valve, allowing the system to adapt to fields of various shapes and sizes, including irregularly shaped fields where straight-line travel is not feasible
Solution Approach 2:
By moving the connector into the aerial dimension and swinging it in an arc, the system gains the ability to reach access valves that are not in straight-line alignment. This dimensional change enables the irrigator to navigate around field obstacles and accommodate non-linear field boundaries
3Extent of automation
If elaborate automated connector forwarding methods are used, then automation is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the expensive ground transport wheel assembly from the system. By eliminating wheels, axles, brakes, and associated ground-based mechanical components, the manufacturing cost is significantly reduced while maintaining automation through the simpler aerial swing mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simpler, less expensive components for the automated connector forwarding. The aerial swing mechanism uses basic hydraulic or mechanical actuators rather than complex wheel-based systems, resulting in a more affordable, easier to manufacture solution that maintains automation functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A fully automated irrigation system to irrigate regular and irregular shapes of land. The system includes a water delivery pipe assembly configured to travel linearly while irrigating adjacent to a stationary row of water main spaced access valves. The system includes an automated connector configured to supply water from the access valves to the water delivery pipe assembly. The connector includes a swing arm, a compensator, a valve coupler, a lift and a swinger. The swing arm facilitates positioning a coupler body above a next-up access valve and facilitates positioning the delivery pipe assembly. The compensator compensates for distance change between a coupled-to access valve and the delivery pipe assembly when the assembly travels. A coupler body resides at an outer end of the swing arm. The lift raises and lowers the swing arm to couple and uncouple respectively the coupler body along the row of access valves. The lift also holds the swing arm above the ground while the swinger swings the swing arm proximate to the next-up access valve for subsequent coupling the coupler body thereto.