Irrigation Nozzle Deflector Ribs for Uniform Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional irrigation nozzles often result in non-uniform water distribution, leading to overwatering or underwatering of areas, and are complex with multiple separately molded components, increasing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece, molded irrigation nozzle with a deflector featuring rib structures that separate fluid into multiple streams with different trajectories, providing a low precipitation rate and uniform water distribution, and a molding assembly that simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for multiple molds and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional nozzles use multiple separately molded components (nozzle base, base ring, deflector), then the nozzle can be assembled to provide irrigation function, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the nozzle base, base ring, and deflector into a single integrated nozzle body that is molded as one piece. This eliminates the need for separate components and assembly operations, directly reducing manufacturing cost and device complexity while maintaining the irrigation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-piece nozzle body performs multiple functions that were previously distributed across separate components: it provides mounting functionality (base), structural support (base ring), and fluid direction (deflector). This multi-functional design simplifies the overall device while maintaining all necessary irrigation capabilities.
2Device complexity
If conventional nozzles project streams or sprays from a central location, then the irrigation device can be simple in design, but the water distribution becomes non-uniform causing overwatering or underwatering
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector surface is segmented into multiple zones with different rib configurations. Each zone directs fluid at different angles and with different flow rates, creating multiple spray streams that cover different areas. This segmentation of the fluid flow path enables uniform water distribution across the irrigation area while maintaining a relatively simple overall nozzle design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the deflector have locally optimized rib structures with varying angles, heights, and spacings. These local variations in geometry create different spray characteristics in different zones, ensuring that each area receives appropriate water distribution. This local quality approach achieves uniform overall distribution while using a simple integrated nozzle body.
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
The nozzle achieves a uniform water distribution pattern with a low precipitation rate, reducing water usage inefficiencies and manufacturing costs through a simplified, one-piece design and efficient molding process.
Implementation Method 1
a deflector with a profile including rib structures that separate the fluid into different streams in order to improve the overall fluid distribution
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. There is also provided a mold assembly and method for forming a unitary, one piece nozzle body.