One-Piece Molded Nozzle With Deflector Ribs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional irrigation nozzles suffer from non-uniform water distribution, particularly at boundary edges, and have complex designs with multiple components, leading to inefficiencies in water usage and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece, molded nozzle body with a deflector featuring rib structures and vent holes to create multiple flow channels and trajectories, along with a port aperture with complex geometry, ensures uniform fluid distribution and reduces precipitation at boundary edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional nozzles use multiple separately molded components (nozzle base, base ring, deflector), then assembly flexibility is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the nozzle base, base ring, and deflector into a single integrated molded component. The nozzle body includes an integrated deflector portion with flow channels formed directly in the molded structure, eliminating the need for separate components and assembly operations while maintaining the functional advantages of multi-part construction
2Device complexity
If conventional nozzles project streams or sprays from a central location, then device simplicity is improved, but water distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the water flow into multiple separate streams by incorporating a deflector with multiple flow channels. Each flow channel directs water in a different trajectory, creating multiple spray streams that cover different areas. This segmentation of the flow path within a single molded component achieves uniform water distribution while maintaining structural simplicity
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional nozzles distribute water without flow control features, then ease of manufacture is improved, but precipitation rate control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls precipitation rate by changing the geometric parameters of the flow channels during the molding process. The flow channels have specific cross-sectional areas, lengths, and orientations that are directly controlled by mold cavity dimensions. By adjusting these geometric parameters, the precipitation rate can be precisely controlled while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard molding processes
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle is provided having a low precipitation rate and uniform fluid distribution to a desired arcuate span of coverage. The nozzle has an inflow port having a shape corresponding to the desired arc of coverage and a size for effecting a low precipitation rate. The nozzle also has a deflector surface with a water distribution profile including ribs for subdividing the fluid into multiple sets of fluid streams. There are at least two fluid streams for distant and close-in irrigation to provide relatively uniform distribution and coverage. The nozzle may be a unitary, one-piece, molded nozzle body including a mounting portion, an inflow port, and a deflector portion.