Liquid Distribution System with Transverse Conduit Displacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid distribution systems for fields, such as slurry and irrigation, are cumbersome and risk damaging crops and soil due to heavy equipment and require substantial manpower and time to reposition, especially when moving in transverse directions.

Innovation Solution

A liquid distribution system with a pressurized conduit and drive means for longitudinal movement, featuring tap means with valve control for 'on-the-fly' liquid tapping, conduit displacement for efficient transverse movement, and a flexible tap housing for reduced weight and precision, along with a dedicated delivery pump and drag hoses for controlled distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a heavy hose reel or tank is used to distribute liquid on the field, then the liquid distribution capacity is improved, but the risk of damaging crops and soil increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid distribution capacityVSAvoidcrop and soil damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the liquid from the heavy tank and replaces it with a lightweight hose connected to a stationary water supply. The distributing means only carries the hose and control mechanisms rather than heavy liquid storage, thereby maintaining distribution capacity while eliminating the weight problem that causes crop and soil damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hose serves multiple functions: it acts as both the liquid conduit and the distribution medium. By tapping liquid from the moving hose itself rather than from a stationary tank, the system combines the functions of liquid transport and distribution into a single lightweight component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Length of stationary object

If the distributing means carries a large hose reel or tank, then the liquid distribution range is improved, but the total weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution rangeVSAvoidtotal weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of carrying the liquid supply (tank) on the moving distributing means, the patent inverts the approach by having the distributing means move along a lightweight hose that is supplied from a stationary source. This allows unlimited distribution range without increasing the weight of the moving equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the liquid conduit is moved transversely every time the irrigation device needs to be moved, then the adaptability is improved, but the time and manpower required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield coverage flexibilityVSAvoidrepositioning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the hose displacement dynamic and automated through conduit displacing means that move the hose transversely in coordination with the movement of the distributing means. This eliminates manual repositioning operations and allows the system to adapt to different field configurations automatically during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This system reduces the risk of crop and soil damage, minimizes manpower, and enhances efficiency by allowing continuous operation with reduced weight and improved maneuverability, enabling controlled and efficient liquid distribution across fields.

Implementation Method 1

pressurising means for pressurising a liquid in the liquid conduit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressurisation: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP2858479B1A liquid distributing system and a method for distributing liquid on a field
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 MIMA INVENT APS
  • EP2858479B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2858479B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2858479B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed is a liquid distributing system (1) for distributing liquids such as water or slurry on a field (3). The system (1) comprises a liquid conduit (2) for being placed in a longitudinal direction on the field and pressurising means (4) for pressurising a liquid in the liquid conduit (2). The system (1) further comprises distributing means (5) comprising drive means (6) for moving the distributing means (5) in the longitudinal direction, wherein the distributing means (5) comprises tap means (7) for tapping liquid from the liquid conduit (2) and delivery means (8) for distributing the liquid to the field (3). The liquid distributing system (1) is characterised in that the distributing means (5) further comprises conduit displacing means (9) for displacing the liquid conduit (2) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction on said field (3). A method for distributing liquid on a field (3) is also disclosed along with use of a liquid distributing system (1).