Laminar Water Feature Pivot Bracket and Modular Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laminar water features face challenges such as difficulty in perceiving lighting due to fiber-optic-like properties, permanent lighting fixtures that are costly to maintain or replace, angle adjustments being prone to change from fluid pressure variations, and alignment issues with decking surfaces, leading to aesthetic and functional problems.
Innovation Solution
A laminar water feature design incorporating a pivot adjustment bracket, modular lighting, and a spacer ring system that allows for adjustable height and angle settings without tools, along with a laminar flow disruption assembly to enhance lighting visibility and alignment with decking surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a lighting source is permanently affixed to the laminar flow device, then the lighting is always available to illuminate the laminar water column, but the device complexity increases and maintenance or replacement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting source is separated from the main laminar flow device and placed in a removable housing. This segmentation allows the lighting component to be independently installed, maintained, or replaced without affecting the laminar flow device, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining lighting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting source is designed with dynamic installation and removal capabilities through the removable housing. This allows the lighting system to adapt between being permanently installed for continuous illumination or easily removed for maintenance, providing operational flexibility without increasing device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If brackets are used to secure the device at a particular angle, then the device can be adjusted to desired height and throw, but the angle changes over time due to vibrations from fluid pressure variations
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates pre-positioned adjustment holes that allow the angle to be set in advance at multiple predetermined positions. This preliminary positioning ensures stable angular adjustment without requiring complex locking mechanisms, maintaining both ease of operation and angle stability.
3Shape
If the laminar water feature is installed below grade to obscure the structure, then aesthetics are improved, but alignment with decking surfaces becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The housing includes a pre-adjustable lid with multiple height positions that can be set during installation. This preliminary adjustment capability allows the lid to be aligned with various decking surface levels, maintaining aesthetic appearance while simplifying the installation process.
4Ease of operation
If friction fittings or pressure fittings are used to secure the device, then tool-free adjustment is enabled, but the angle is likely to change over time
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses pre-positioned adjustment holes that allow the angle to be set in advance at multiple predetermined positions. This preliminary positioning ensures stable angular adjustment without requiring complex locking mechanisms, maintaining both ease of operation and angle stability.
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 easy adjustment of the laminar water column's height and angle, improves lighting visibility by disrupting the water surface, and ensures proper alignment with decking, providing a more aesthetically pleasing and functional solution.
Implementation Method 1
laminar flow disruption assembly to enhance lighting visibility
Data Source
AI summary
A laminar water feature is provided which includes a housing having a deck niche, a niche collar, a spacer ring, and a lid, a laminar vessel having an inlet, an annular pocket, a vertical baffle, a horizontal baffle, a light pipe, a plurality of screens, a cap having an outlet, and threading within an isolated light chamber for removably accepting a lighting source, and a pivot adjustment bracket having a handle with push button assembly, ridge, and detent configuration for fixedly rotatably adjusting the angle of the laminar vessel.