Sprinkler Head Bracket With Spiked Leaves to Prevent Sinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underground sprinkler heads tend to sink below the ground level, obstructing the spray and necessitating costly repairs due to the difficulty of raising them back to the surface.
Innovation Solution
A bracket designed to fit around sprinkler heads, featuring leaf-shaped extensions with spikes to increase friction and allow vegetation growth, preventing sinking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If sprinkler heads are installed underground, then the sprinkler system can be concealed and aesthetically pleasing, but the sprinkler heads gradually sink below ground level obstructing the spray
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket serves as an intermediary element between the sprinkler head and the ground surface. It provides a structural support that prevents the sprinkler head from sinking into the ground while allowing the sprinkler system to remain concealed underground. The bracket extends into the ground to anchor against sinking forces while keeping the sprinkler head at the correct elevation for proper spray operation.
2Reliability
If sprinkler heads are raised back to the surface for repair, then the spray obstruction is resolved, but costly repairs are required due to the difficulty of raising them
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket provides preliminary anti-action by preventing the sinking of sprinkler heads in the first place. Instead of allowing the sprinkler head to sink and then requiring costly repair operations, the bracket proactively counteracts the sinking force through its grounding elements and structural design, eliminating the need for expensive repair interventions.
3Reliability
If extended riser pipes are added to raise sunken sprinkler heads, then the sprinkler head can be brought to the surface, but the process becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket acts as an intermediary structural solution that eliminates the need for extended riser pipes. Instead of adding complex piping systems to raise sunken sprinkler heads, the bracket provides direct structural support that maintains the sprinkler head at the correct elevation, simplifying the overall system design.
4Strength
If the bracket has solid extensions to prevent sinking, then the holding power is maximized, but vegetation growth is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket employs local quality by providing solid grounding elements at specific locations where structural support is needed, while maintaining open spaces in other areas to allow vegetation growth. The grounding portions of the bracket extend into the ground to provide anchoring strength, while the upper portions remain open to permit plant life to grow through and around the structure.
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
Prevents sprinkler heads from sinking, thereby avoiding costly repairs and maintaining effective sprinkler operation.
Implementation Method 1
spikes are included on the bracket 'leaves' to add friction
Data Source
AI summary
The sprinkler head anti-sink bracket is designed to prevent underground sprinkler heads from sinking below the ground surface. This is a common problem that is difficult to resolve. These brackets are easy to install at the time of original installation of the sprinkler system and can be easily installed later as well. The brackets include an open space design with spikes that will create significant friction to prevent the sprinkler heads from sinking.