Irrigation Control Panel Electrophoretic Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Restarting an irrigation system after automatic shutdown poses risks to technicians and equipment due to unclear causes of shutdown, and current communication methods are unreliable and costly.
Innovation Solution
An irrigation control panel with a display and processing element using electrophoretic technology that persists in displaying the operating condition even after power disconnection, allowing technicians to assess and diagnose issues safely without restarting the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If wireless signal transmission is used to communicate operating conditions to a remote device, then information can be transmitted remotely, but the signals can be missed and expensive communication equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electrophoretic display as an intermediary device that physically displays operating condition information directly at the irrigation system location. This intermediary display serves as a reliable local record that technicians can read without relying on wireless signal transmission, thereby eliminating the reliability issues of wireless communication while still providing remote accessibility to the information.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrophoretic display creates a persistent visual copy of the operating condition information that remains visible after power disconnection. This copied information allows technicians to read the status without needing active wireless transmission, ensuring the information is not lost and can be reliably accessed without expensive communication equipment.
2Productivity
If the technician restarts the irrigation system without knowing the shutdown cause, then the system can be restored, but the technician and equipment may be damaged due to undetected faults
Solution Approach 1:
The electrophoretic display provides operating condition information in advance before the technician attempts to restart the system. By displaying fault codes or status information persistently after power disconnection, the system prepares the technician with necessary safety information beforehand, allowing them to assess risks and take appropriate precautions before restoration, thus preventing damage while maintaining quick recovery.
3Loss of information
If conventional displays are used to show operating conditions, then information can be displayed, but the display requires continuous power and the information disappears when power is disconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The electrophoretic display utilizes phase transition properties of electrophoretic particles that can maintain their displayed state without continuous power. The particles physically transition between different positions in the display medium, creating a bistable state that persists after power disconnection, thereby eliminating the need for continuous energy consumption while preventing information loss.
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
Enables safe and informed restart of irrigation systems by providing persistent visual indicators of operating conditions, preventing potential hazards like short circuits and reducing the need for costly communication equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The display comprises an electrophoretic portion
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigation control panel, an irrigation system, and a method of monitoring operations of the irrigation system are provided. The irrigation control panel comprises a display and a processing element. The display comprises an electrophoretic portion. The processing element is configured to determine an operating condition of the irrigation system, and display an indication representative of the operating condition on the electrophoretic portion so that the indication representative of the operating condition displayed on the electrophoretic portion persists after disconnecting power.