Rotor Irrigation Sprinkler Arc Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotor-type sprinklers face issues with repeatable arc adjustments due to the reversing stator design, which lacks tactile feedback, and the pinion gear design is prone to slipping or wear under high torque, leading to inaccurate arc settings and potential water wastage or damage.
Innovation Solution
A rotor-type sprinkler with a reversing planetary gear drive and adjustable arc setting mechanism, featuring a bi-level shift sun gear and ring gears with different profiles, allowing for precise arc adjustments through a combination of side and top accessible arc adjusting mechanisms, reducing the need for complex pinion gear assemblies and enhancing torque handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a reversing stator design is used to switch water jets for reversing turbine rotation, then the sprinkler can achieve arc reversal, but the design lacks tactile feedback and does not provide repeatable arc shift points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a reversing frame mechanism with pinion gears and bull gears that provide mechanical feedback through gear engagement. The arc adjustment mechanism includes a shift dog that engages with arc tabs to provide tactile feedback and repeatable arc shift points, eliminating the lack of feedback in reversing stator designs.
2Ease of operation
If pinion gears are used in the reversing mechanism to engage the bull gear assembly, then the sprinkler can achieve arc reversal, but the spring force holding the pinion gears is relatively weak causing slipping or wear under high torque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a planetary gear drive system with curved gear paths and optimized gear tooth geometry that distributes torque more evenly across multiple contact points. This curved engagement path increases the effective contact area and reduces point loading, preventing gear slipping and wear under high torque conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple pinion gears into a planetary gear arrangement where multiple gears work simultaneously to share the torque load. This merging of multiple gear elements into a unified planetary system increases the total engagement area and distributes the mechanical stress, enhancing reliability under high torque.
3Ease of operation
If a complicated assembly with many parts is used for the reversing mechanism, then the sprinkler can achieve arc reversal, but the complexity increases the risk of operational failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the reversing mechanism and arc adjustment mechanism into a unified planetary gear drive system. By merging these functions into a single integrated assembly rather than separate mechanisms, the patent reduces the total number of parts while maintaining arc reversal capability and adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The planetary gear drive system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides arc reversal, arc adjustment, and torque transmission. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each function, reducing overall system complexity and the number of parts required.
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 solution provides precise and repeatable arc adjustments, reducing the risk of slipping or wear, and allows for both coarse and fine tuning of the sprinkler's arc of coverage, ensuring effective irrigation without water wastage or damage.
Implementation Method 1
a turbine and a gear train reduction are mounted in the riser for rotating a nozzle turret
Implementation Method 2
The case is buried in the ground and when pressurized water is fed to the sprinkler the riser extends
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigation sprinkler includes a riser and a nozzle turret rotatably mounted at an upper end of the riser. A drive assembly is mounted in the riser and is coupled to the nozzle turret for rotating the nozzle turret. The drive assembly includes a reversing mechanism having a pair of arc tabs. A position of one of the arc tabs is adjustable through an adjustable arc setting mechanism to change a size of an angle through which the nozzle turret oscillates to thereby pre-set an arc of coverage of the sprinkler. The adjustable arc setting mechanism includes a first portion that is manually movable to effectuate a coarse adjustment of the position of the adjustable arc tab and a second portion that is manually movable to effectuate a fine adjustment of the position of the adjustable arc tab.