Automatic Reversible Arc Sprinkler for Field Irrigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sprinkler systems struggle to irrigate fields adjacent to public roads without spraying water onto the roads, resulting in under-irrigated corner areas when using traveling hose reels.
Innovation Solution
An automatic reversible arc assembly for sprinklers that allows for a 180-degree arc facing back into the field, with a timer-controlled mechanism to reverse direction and transition to a 270-degree arc, preventing water from reaching the road while ensuring complete field irrigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the sprinkler is placed adjacent to the public road to irrigate the field, then the irrigation coverage is improved, but water sprays onto the road causing harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The sprinkler system dynamically changes its operational arc between a first arc (e.g., 180 degrees) when near a road and a second arc (e.g., 270 or 360 degrees) when in the field center. The controller detects proximity to the road and automatically adjusts the spray arc to prevent water from reaching the road while maximizing irrigation coverage of the field area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spray arc parameter based on location. When the sprinkler is pulled into the field center, the controller transitions the spray arc from a restricted first arc to a larger second arc, optimizing water distribution across different field zones and preventing road contamination.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the sprinkler operates in a fixed arc away from the road edge, then water does not spray on the road, but corner areas of the field remain under-irrigated
Solution Approach 1:
The sprinkler dynamically adjusts its spray arc based on its position relative to the road. When pulled into the field center by the hose reel, the controller automatically transitions from a restricted first arc to a larger second arc, enabling complete 360-degree or 270-degree coverage that includes previously unreachable corner areas while maintaining road protection through timed arc transitions.
3Area of stationary object
If the sprinkler transitions to a larger arc after reversing from the road edge, then complete field irrigation is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it detects the sprinkler's position relative to the road, controls the reversal mechanism to switch between first and second arcs, and manages the timing of arc transitions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control systems and simplifies the overall device architecture despite the complex operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the hose reel's natural movement of pulling the sprinkler into the field center as a trigger for automatic arc transition. The sprinkler self-adjusts its spray arc based on its position, eliminating the need for external sensors or complex control mechanisms to detect when the transition should occur.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic reversible arc assembly for a sprinkler includes a pair of primary stop members circumferentially spaced from each other by a first amount, and a pair of secondary stop members circumferentially spaced from each other by a second amount, different from the first amount. The primary stop members and the secondary stop members are coupled together and define a pivot assembly pivotable between a first position and a second position. A timer module cooperable with the pivot assembly is configured to hold the pivot assembly in the first position for a selectable period of time, after which the timer module enables the pivot assembly to pivot to the second position. The primary stop members are active in the first position, and the secondary stop members are active in the second position.