Sprinkler Protective Cover with Alignment Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Irrigation sprinkler heads are prone to damage and premature failure due to debris entry and misalignment, requiring costly and inconvenient maintenance, especially since they are buried underground and can be affected by lawn equipment and accidental impacts.
Innovation Solution
A protective cover system with a bottom sleeve and internal cavity that maintains sprinkler alignment, prevents debris entry, and allows for easy maintenance without excavation, featuring a seal to keep the sprinkler head vertical and a top flange for protection from above-ground damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the sprinkler head is buried below ground level to protect it from damage, then the sprinkler head is protected from external damage, but foreign matter such as sand and debris can enter the working mechanism when the sprinkler head rises above ground level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the sprinkler head is housed within a protective cover that extends below ground level. The cover contains an internal cavity that accommodates the sprinkler head mechanism, creating a nested configuration. This allows the sprinkler head to be protected from external damage while the cover prevents debris entry into the working mechanism during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover acts as an intermediary element between the sprinkler head and the external environment. It provides a barrier that prevents foreign matter from reaching the sprinkler head mechanism while still allowing the sprinkler head to rise and function properly above ground level.
2Productivity
If the sprinkler head rises above ground level to provide full irrigation coverage, then the sprinkler head can spray water effectively, but it becomes vulnerable to damage from lawnmowers, bicycles, and other external objects
Solution Approach 1:
The sprinkler head is nested within a protective cover that extends below ground level. During operation, the sprinkler head rises within the cover's internal cavity to provide full irrigation coverage, while the cover's exterior portion remains below ground to protect against damage from lawnmowers, bicycles, and other external objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover extends in the vertical dimension, with portions both above and below ground level. This dimensional arrangement allows the sprinkler head to rise vertically for effective spraying while the below-ground portion of the cover provides protection from horizontal impacts.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the sprinkler head is protected by a cover that lies flush against the grass level, then the sprinkler head is protected from damage, but maintenance requires digging up the entire assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is divided into separate segments: a cover body that remains installed in the ground and a sprinkler head assembly that can be independently removed. The cover includes an open top or removable section that allows access to the sprinkler head for maintenance without requiring excavation of the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is pre-installed in the ground with an open top or removable section before the sprinkler head is mounted. This preliminary configuration allows maintenance personnel to access the sprinkler head for routine maintenance by simply removing the cover section, without needing to dig up the entire assembly.
4Productivity
If the sprinkler head rises vertically to ensure proper spray alignment, then the irrigation coverage is effective, but the sprinkler head can be bumped out of alignment causing ineffective spray distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover acts as a stabilizing intermediary that guides the sprinkler head's movement. The cover's internal cavity is dimensioned to accommodate the sprinkler head while maintaining proper vertical alignment during rising and operation. This prevents the sprinkler head from being bumped out of alignment while still allowing effective spray distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover provides a stable reference frame that maintains the sprinkler head in a vertical position during operation. By constraining the sprinkler head's movement within the cover's cavity, the system achieves a stable equilibrium position that ensures proper spray alignment and effective irrigation coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to protect the operation of and insure the life of a sprinkler system, this device will be placed in the ground and will provide a protective cover for an individual sprinkler mechanism. The device will prevent the entry of debris into the sprinkler mechanism but also not interfere with the normal operation of the sprinkler. Additionally this will also allow the performance of routine maintenance on the sprinkler heads without the necessity of removing the entire sprinkler assembly.