Oscillating Sprinkler Cam Plate Visual Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oscillating sprinklers are cumbersome to adjust for desired spray coverage, with complex mechanisms increasing manufacturing and assembly costs, and users struggle to accurately determine nozzle positions, leading to inefficiencies and unwanted watering.
Innovation Solution
An oscillating sprinkler system with a central tubular portion and cam plate having cam slots for adjusting nozzle positions, featuring a window for visual indication of angular displacement and finger engaging members for easy adjustment, along with a nozzle strip with flexible nozzles and a pivot plate for uniform spray patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple levers and slotted guide bodies are used to adjust nozzle positions, then the sprinkler can achieve desired spray coverage patterns, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent lever mechanisms into a single integrated cam plate with multiple cam slots. The cam plate simultaneously controls the angular position of multiple nozzles through its rotation, eliminating the need for separate levers for each nozzle adjustment. This merging reduces the number of parts while maintaining the ability to achieve desired spray coverage patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam plate serves multiple functions: it acts as both the adjustment mechanism and the position indicator. By incorporating the window that displays the rotational position of the cam plate, the same component provides both the mechanical function of nozzle positioning and the informational function of indicating the spray width setting, eliminating the need for separate indicator mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If multiple levers and adjusting mechanisms are used, then nozzle positions can be adjusted, but the manufacturing and assembling costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent lever mechanisms into a single integrated cam plate with multiple cam slots. The cam plate simultaneously controls the angular position of multiple nozzles through its rotation, eliminating the need for separate levers for each nozzle adjustment. This merging reduces the number of parts while maintaining the ability to achieve desired spray coverage patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam plate design allows for self-contained adjustment where the single cam plate mechanism automatically coordinates the positioning of multiple nozzles. The window provides visual feedback that helps users self-correct the positioning without requiring complex electronic sensors or multiple independent adjustment indicators, making the system self-sufficient for accurate positioning.
3Ease of operation
If conventional adjustment mechanisms are used, then nozzle positions can be changed, but users cannot accurately determine the spray position from a distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a window that displays the rotational position of the cam plate, allowing users to visually detect the spray width setting from a distance. The window likely uses contrasting colors or visual indicators that are easily observable without requiring close inspection, solving the problem of position detection at a distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The window acts as an intermediary between the internal cam plate mechanism and the external user. It translates the rotational position of the cam plate into a visible indicator that users can observe from a distance, providing clear information about the current spray width setting without requiring users to physically inspect the mechanism up close.
4Measurement precision
If users adjust nozzles based on trial and error or subtle visual cues, then some positioning can be achieved, but time is wasted and unwanted areas may be watered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a window that displays the rotational position of the cam plate, allowing users to visually detect the spray width setting from a distance. The window likely uses contrasting colors or visual indicators that are easily observable without requiring close inspection, solving the problem of position detection at a distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The window provides immediate visual feedback about the cam plate's rotational position, allowing users to know exactly what spray width setting is active without trial and error. This feedback mechanism enables users to make precise adjustments by simply observing the window display and rotating the cam plate to the desired position, significantly reducing adjustment time and preventing unwanted areas from being watered.
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments, an oscillating sprinkler system is provided that includes: a central tubular portion having at least one row of flexible nozzles; a cam plate located inside a peripheral wall of said central tubular member, said cam plate having a plurality of cam slots for adjusting positions of said flexible nozzles upon rotation of said cam plate within said peripheral wall; and said peripheral wall including a window via which an edge of said cam plate is observable during rotation of said cam plate such as to designate an extent of angular displacement of the nozzles based on the positioning of the cam plate within the window.