Irrigation Truss Joint Assembly for Adjustable Pipeline Crown Height
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation systems have a non-adjustable crown height and require numerous fasteners for assembly, leading to inefficiencies in construction and potential misalignment issues.
Innovation Solution
An irrigation system with a truss connection system where truss rails are connected on either end of the pipeline, using a single fastener to secure multiple components, and adjustable truss rods that change the crown height by altering their position and using shims to adjust length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple fasteners are used to secure truss components, then connection strength is improved, but device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastening functions into a single integrated fastener system. The single fastener secures the truss rod, strut member, and cross-member together at the intermediate joint, eliminating the need for separate fasteners for each component connection while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The single fastener performs multiple functions simultaneously: it secures the truss rod to the mating member, attaches the strut member, and connects the cross-member. This multi-functional fastener design reduces the total number of fasteners needed while maintaining all necessary connections
2Reliability
If multiple fasteners are used to secure truss components, then connection reliability is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fastening operations are merged into a single fastening action. The single fastener is installed once to simultaneously secure all truss components at the intermediate joint, reducing assembly time while maintaining connection reliability through the integrated design
3Manufacturing precision
If fixed-length truss rods are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The truss rod system transitions from fixed-length to adjustable-length configuration. The ability to change the effective length of the truss rail by repositioning truss rods allows the system to adapt to different crown height requirements while maintaining precise connections through the standardized fastening mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows change in the geometric parameter of truss rod position to achieve different crown heights. By adjusting the position of truss rods along the truss rail, the effective length changes, enabling adaptation to various pipeline configurations and crown height requirements
4Strength
If numerous components are used in the truss system, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple component connections into a single integrated joint system. The intermediate joint design allows the truss rod, strut member, and cross-member to be connected together through a single fastener, reducing the number of separate components and connections needed while maintaining structural integrity
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigation system having a pipeline supported by one or more towers includes an improved truss connection system having a means for readily adjusting a crown height of the pipeline. A pair of cooperating members define a joint which selectively couples headed ends of adjacent truss rods together to form a truss rail of a truss system that supports the pipeline. A single fastener may fasten the cooperating members, a strut, and a cross-member together at the joint. A length of the truss rail may be decreased by holding the truss rods closer together. In an aspect, the headed ends of the adjacent truss rods are held closer together by inserting a shim in one of the joints. Decreasing the length of the truss rail increases the deflection of the pipeline and raises the crown height.