Multiple Nozzle Holder With Dry-Zone Automatic Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural spray nozzle holders have mechanical components immersed in the fluid, leading to contamination and reduced service life due to contact with chemical agents and lubrication incompatibilities, limiting material choices and requiring manual nozzle changes.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle holder design with a peripheral dispensing chamber and movable valves controlled by a circular plate with high and low edge portions, isolating mechanical components from the fluid and allowing remote, automatic nozzle selection, reducing contact and enabling parameterizable response times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If mechanical components are immersed in the fluid for automatic nozzle selection, then automation is improved, but contamination and reduced service life occur due to contact with chemical agents
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle holder is divided into two distinct zones: a first zone containing mechanical components (valves, plate, actuator) that remain dry and isolated from the fluid, and a second zone containing the dispensing chamber and nozzles that are in contact with the fluid. This segmentation allows automatic control mechanisms to operate without exposure to chemical agents, resolving the contradiction between automation and contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
A dry, air-filled passage acts as an intermediary channel between the mechanical control components and the fluid dispensing system. The control plate and valves operate in this dry zone, controlling fluid flow through sealed connections to the dispensing chamber without direct contact with the chemical spray mixture, thus preventing contamination while maintaining automation.
2Extent of automation
If mechanical components are exposed to chemical fluids, then automatic control is enabled, but lubrication becomes incompatible reducing component service life
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates mechanical components into a dry zone where standard lubrication can be applied, and a wet zone for fluid dispensing. The control plate, valves, and actuator reside in the dry zone, maintaining their service life through proper lubrication while controlling fluid flow from this isolated zone to the dispensing chamber.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the entire device is sealed to protect mechanical components, then service life is improved, but material choices are limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of sealing the entire device, the design segments the nozzle holder into a dry control zone and a wet dispensing zone. This allows the use of standard, easily manufactured materials in the dry zone while using chemically resistant materials only where fluid contact occurs, thus maintaining manufacturing ease while protecting mechanical components.
4Device complexity
If manual nozzle replacement is used, then component simplicity is maintained, but operational interruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms from a static manual replacement mechanism to a dynamic automatic control system. The control plate can rotate to different positions, and valves can open/close automatically based on spray requirements, enabling continuous operation without manual intervention and eliminating operational interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle holder performs self-service by automatically selecting and switching between nozzles based on spray requirements. The control plate and valves enable the system to adjust its own configuration without external manual intervention, maintaining continuous operation while managing complexity through integrated control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a nozzle holder, having a body, a dispensing chamber, a plurality of valves in the dispensing chamber, movable between an open and closed position, a rotationally movable plate in contact with a first end contact surface of each valve to control the movement of said valve between its two positions; wherein the peripheral edge of the plate has high and low edge portions, in the opening position of a valve, the first end contact surface is in contact with a first plate edge portion, and in the closing position, the first end contact surface of the valve is in contact with a second plate edge, the second edge being different from the first edge.