Sprinkler Height Adjustment via Interlocking Support Tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation systems face challenges in adjusting sprinkler heights to accommodate growing crops without putting workers at risk of injury from falls, as they need to manually raise and lower sprinklers on moving irrigation devices.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive support system comprising a sprinkler support body and a hanger body with inter-fitting contact surfaces, along with a lifting tool, allows for the raising and lowering of sprinklers on a flexible hose irrigation system without requiring workers to climb or risk falls, by mating the tool with the support body and moving the sprinkler between elevated and lowered positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If workers manually raise and lower sprinklers on moving irrigation devices, then sprinkler height adjustment is achieved, but worker safety deteriorates due to risk of falls from height
Solution Approach 1:
A lifting tool serves as an intermediary device between the ground-level operator and the sprinkler assembly. The tool includes a lifting mechanism with a hook that engages with the sprinkler support body, allowing the worker to operate from ground level while the mechanical system performs the height adjustment, eliminating the need for workers to climb elevated structures
Solution Approach 2:
The sprinkler support body includes integrated lifting engagement features (such as a hook or eyelet) that allow the sprinkler assembly to be self-lifted by the mechanical lifting tool. The system is designed so that the sprinkler support structure itself provides the attachment points needed for mechanical lifting, enabling self-service height adjustment without manual handling at height
2Adaptability or versatility
If rigid water lines are replaced with flexible hoses to allow height adjustment, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional components needed for elevation control
Solution Approach 1:
The height adjustment system is segmented into distinct functional components: a sprinkler support body that attaches to the flexible hose, a hanger body that provides support at elevated positions, and a separate lifting tool for height adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system by separating the support function from the adjustment function
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static rigid water lines to a dynamic configuration using flexible hoses combined with adjustable support mechanisms. The sprinkler support body can be positioned at different heights along the flexible hose, and the lifting tool enables dynamic repositioning as crops grow, creating a adaptable system that responds to changing conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A sprinkler transferring apparatus is provided for a flexible sprinkler drop on an irrigation supply line. The sprinkler transferring apparatus includes a lifting tool and a sprinkler component support body. The lifting tool has an elongate body with a first contact portion and a handle spaced from the first contact portion. The sprinkler component support body has a second contact portion configured to mate with the first contact portion.