Sprinkler Adjusting Valve With Butt Joint Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sprinklers require users to manually grip and press a key or lever to control water flow, leading to fatigue and inconsistent water distribution, making them inefficient for large-scale watering and prone to accidental shutdowns.

Innovation Solution

A sprinkler design featuring an adjusting valve with an axle journal and cap bushing that can be assembled in a flow regulating hole, allowing for effortless on/off control and flow regulation without continuous hand pressure, utilizing a butt joint construction for simplified assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a key or lever is used to control water flow in conventional sprinklers, then the water flow can be switched on/off and regulated, but the user experiences hand fatigue and cannot maintain constant flow volume

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of flow controlVSAvoidconstancy of water flow
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting valve is designed to maintain constant water flow automatically once positioned. The valve body with flow regulating hole and sealing element creates a system that self-regulates flow volume without requiring continuous user intervention, eliminating hand fatigue while maintaining reliable constant flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The valve mechanism provides tactile feedback through the pushing action, allowing the user to set the desired flow position once. The mechanical design ensures the valve maintains its position and corresponding flow rate without drift, providing inherent feedback that confirms constant flow without continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If a key or lever is pressed continuously to maintain water flow, then flow regulation is achieved, but the operation becomes tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewatering efficiencyVSAvoidtime spent on flow control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The user performs a preliminary action by pushing the adjusting valve to the desired position before watering begins. Once positioned, the valve maintains the set flow rate automatically, eliminating the need for continuous pressing during the watering process and significantly reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The adjusting valve enables continuous water flow at a regulated rate without interruption or repeated user intervention. The valve maintains constant flow throughout the watering operation, ensuring continuous useful action without the breaks and adjustments required by conventional key/lever systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Manufacturing precision

If the adjusting valve uses a complex assembly structure, then precise flow control is achieved, but the assembly and disassembly become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of flow regulationVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting valve is segmented into distinct components: valve body, sealing element, and flow regulating hole. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured separately with precise dimensions for accurate flow control, while also enabling easy assembly and disassembly by simply connecting these standardized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The valve design uses universal threading and standardized component interfaces that can be applied across different sprinkler models. The adjusting valve mechanism serves multiple functions (flow on/off, flow regulation, and easy assembly) through a unified design that doesn't require complex specialized parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4357027A1Sprinkler having an adjusting valve
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 SHIN TAI SPURT WATER OF THE GARDEN TOOLS CO LTD
  • EP4357027A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4357027A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4357027A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sprinkler consists of a main body, an adjusting valve and a water outlet unit. An inlet portion and an outlet portion are arranged on both ends of the main body. A channel is arranged between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. A flow regulating hole is arranged between the inlet portion and the outlet portion in such a way that the flow regulating hole runs through the peripheral edge and is offset to the channel. Thereby, the adjusting valve can be mounted in the flow regulating hole. The adjusting valve has an axle journal and a cap bushing. The axle journal and the cap bushing are to be put into the flow regulating hole from two directions and then assembled to a butt joint. At least a stop ring is put respectively on the axle journal and the cap bushing. A stop portion and a passage portion of smaller diameter are formed on the axle journal.