Jet Irrigator Automatic 180° Dispensing Head Rotation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional long-range irrigators cannot automatically rotate the direction of the irrigation fan range by 180° or more without manual intervention, limiting their ability to efficiently irrigate terrains bordering obstacles like roads or zones that should not be wetted.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a mechanism with cogged wheels and motor means that allows for automatic adjustment of the end-run stops, enabling the rotation of the dispensing head by 180° or more, and an electronic command unit for automated operation during irrigation, without interrupting the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of end-run stop elements is used to regulate the angle of aperture, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates and productivity decreases due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The command organ (feeler) automatically detects the position of the dispensing head and triggers the movement means to rotate the head back when the feeler contacts the end-run stop elements, eliminating the need for manual intervention to regulate the angle of aperture
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment of end-run stop elements is replaced by an automated mechanical system comprising the command organ (feeler), movement means, and end-run stop elements that automatically control the rotation of the dispensing head
2Adaptability or versatility
If the angle of aperture is manually adjusted before operation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability deteriorates as the median direction cannot be rotated by 180° or more
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing head is made dynamically rotatable about the vertical axis A through the movement means, allowing the median direction of the irrigation fan range to be rotated by any angle including 180° or more, providing adaptability to different terrain configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The angular position parameter of the dispensing head is made variable through automated control, allowing the median direction to be rotated by 180° or more relative to the terrain, enabling irrigation of terrains bordering passages or zones that should not be wetted
3Ease of operation
If automatic regulating systems are implemented to vary the angle of aperture, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates as the median direction cannot be rotated by 180° or more
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing head is made dynamically rotatable about the vertical axis A through the movement means, allowing the median direction of the irrigation fan range to be rotated by any angle including 180° or more, providing adaptability to different terrain configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The command organ (feeler) provides feedback on the angular position of the dispensing head by contacting the end-run stop elements, triggering automated rotation back to maintain proper irrigation coverage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An irrigator comprising a carriage (11) connected to a source of liquid supply, by means of a tube, having a delivery mouth (15) that is solidly constrained to the mobile carriage, having a vertical axis (A), a dispensing head (20), coaxially rotatable with respect to the delivery mouth (15) about axis (A), movement means (50), a command system of means (50), a further comprising an intermediate tubular support, coaxial to the axis (A), having: - a lower portion (32) solidly constrained to the delivery mouth (15) and - an upper portion (31) which supports the dispensing head (20), where the dispensing head is free to rotate about the axis (A) with respect to the upper portion (31), - where the upper portion (31) and the lower portion (32) are coupled to one another, with a reciprocal rotatability, and with a liquid seal, about the axis (A), and - where the end-run stops (62) are supported by the upper portion (31), the intermediate tubular support (30) further comprising: - a cogged base disc (40) provided with an enmeshing cogging, solidly constrained to the upper portion (31), - a base motor means (70), solidly constrained to the lower portion (32), able to move the base cogged disc (40) in rotation, about the axis (A), with respect to the lower portion (32), so as to vary the orientation, with respect to the delivery mouth (15), of the end run stops (62) of the upper portion (31).