Preassembled Drip Irrigation Conduit with Lateral Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional dripline system installations require significant labor and lead to increased costs, potential for uneven grids, and contamination from debris due to on-site assembly and measurement of PVC pipes and fittings.
Innovation Solution
A preassembled main supply line with predetermined lateral connectors spaced at equidistant intervals, allowing for accurate and efficient attachment of driplines without on-site measurement, reducing labor and debris entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If PVC pipe and fittings are assembled on-site during installation, then the system can be customized to fit specific locations, but labor requirements and installation costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is pre-assembled onto the conduit body during manufacturing, creating a pre-configured assembly that eliminates the need for on-site cutting, cleaning, priming, and gluing of PVC pipes. This preliminary action maintains adaptability while dramatically improving installation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into modular components (conduit body, connector, cap) that can be independently manufactured and then quickly assembled on-site. This segmentation allows for customization while reducing installation complexity and labor requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If PVC pipe cutting and fitting attachment are performed on-site, then the system can be adapted to specific layouts, but the risk of debris contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is pre-assembled in a controlled manufacturing environment where debris contamination is minimized. This preliminary assembly eliminates on-site cutting and fitting operations that generate plastic chads and foreign debris, while the modular design maintains layout flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The design accepts that on-site assembly provides adaptability but converts the harmful effect of debris generation by pre-assembling connectors in a clean manufacturing environment. The cap further protects the pre-assembled connector from contamination during transport and installation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional PVC assembly methods are used, then connections can be made at various locations, but the installation time and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is pre-assembled onto the conduit body during manufacturing, eliminating time-consuming on-site operations such as measuring, cutting, cleaning, priming, and gluing. This preliminary action maintains connection location flexibility while reducing installation time to simple attachment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into pre-assembled modular units that can be quickly attached at various locations without requiring time-consuming on-site fabrication. The cap-protected connector design allows for rapid deployment while maintaining flexibility in connection placement.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid supply line is provided to reduce the labor and cost required for dripline system installations by providing predetermined fitting locations where driplines can be attached. The supply line consists of a conduit having a side wall, a connector extending through the side wall of the conduit, the connector having a conduit connecting segment extending outside the conduit and an inlet segment extending into the conduit, and the inlet segment being connected to the side wall of the conduit.