Snap-Fit Drip Lateral Connector for Lay-Flat Feeder Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Farmers face challenges in anchoring drip irrigation laterals to lay-flat feeder pipes due to the difficulty in forming openings in the thin pipe walls and mounting connectors, especially in field conditions.
Innovation Solution
The development of a drip irrigation lateral connector that includes a bushing with a ring-shaped configuration and a sleeve element with a multi-armed circumferential array, allowing for snap mounting and easy disassembly without the need for tools, and featuring a self-closing mechanism to prevent water leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If farmers form openings in thin lay-flat pipe walls and mount connectors in the field, then drip irrigation laterals can be anchored to feeder pipes, but the process becomes highly challenging and difficult to perform on-site
Solution Approach 1:
Bushings are pre-formed and integrally mounted to the lay-flat pipe during manufacturing, creating ready-to-use mounting locations. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for farmers to form openings and mount connectors in the field, transforming a complex field operation into a simple snap-in operation with the sleeve element.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector system is divided into separate functional components: the bushing (pre-mounted to pipe), the sleeve element (with multi-armed array for engagement), and the bracket (for mounting lateral connector). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies field assembly through straightforward snap-together operations.
2Productivity
If connectors are mounted over thin edges of pipe wall openings, then drip irrigation laterals can be anchored, but the process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing is pre-mounted to the pipe with engagement features (circumferential array of engagement elements) ready to receive the sleeve element. This preliminary preparation allows farmers to simply snap the sleeve into place without complex field operations, dramatically increasing productivity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve element's multi-armed circumferential array automatically engages with the bushing's engagement elements during snap-in, and the system includes self-sealing features that automatically close openings when laterals are removed, eliminating the need for additional field operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If lay-flat pipes are used as feeder pipes, then flexibility and ease of transport are improved, but the thin wall structure makes connector mounting challenging
Solution Approach 1:
Bushings are integrally formed with or pre-mounted to the lay-flat pipe during manufacturing, creating robust connector mounting locations that leverage the pipe's flexibility while eliminating the need for difficult field openings in thin walls. The bushing serves as a reinforcement that makes connector installation straightforward.
4Reliability
If openings are formed in pipe walls for connector mounting, then drip irrigation laterals can be connected, but water leaks may occur under fluctuating pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates self-sealing features where the bushing and sleeve element arrangement automatically closes openings and maintains seals when laterals are removed or under fluctuating pressure, eliminating the need for complex manual sealing operations while ensuring reliable leak-free performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A drip irrigation lateral connector to a feeder pipe, a feeder pipe adapted for mounting those connectors and an irrigation system comprises a feeder pipe with those connectors and drip irrigation laterals that are mounted to those connectors by standard drip irrigation lateral connectors, wherein each of those connectors comprising a bushing and a sleeve element and wherein the sleeve is formed with a multi-armed circumferential array that are adapted for snap mounting of said sleeve into said bushing or disassembly from it by linearly pushing the sleeve towards the bushing or linearly retrieving the sleeve from the bushing while disconnecting the sleeve's multi-armed circumferential array from the bushing.