Sprinkler Riser Height Adjustment With Toothed Ring Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adjusting sprinkler head height is a tedious process that requires full excavation and involves discrete increments due to threaded connections, lacking fine adjustment capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A sprinkler device with a first and second tubular body, a ring cap, fluid seals, and toothed rings that allow for adjustable positioning along a water supply pipe, enabling fine adjustments without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If threaded connections are used to adjust sprinkler head height, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the adjustment is limited to discrete increments and requires full excavation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into a threaded portion for secure attachment and a separate adjustment mechanism with toothed rings and engagement members. This allows the threaded connection to remain intact while enabling continuous height adjustment through the engagement of teeth with the outer surface of the water supply pipe.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism transforms the static threaded connection into a dynamic system where engagement members can move along the toothed rings and engage with the pipe surface at any position. This enables continuous adjustment rather than discrete incremental changes, while maintaining secure connection through the engagement teeth.
2Adaptability or versatility
If full excavation is performed to adjust sprinkler position, then the sprinkler can be repositioned, but the process is time consuming and labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment function is extracted from the installation process. Instead of requiring excavation to reposition the sprinkler, the engagement members can be independently adjusted along the toothed rings to change height, eliminating the need for repeated excavation and making adjustment as easy as rotating a mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothed rings and engagement members act as intermediaries between the sprinkler body and the water supply pipe. These components enable position adjustment by engaging with the pipe's outer surface, allowing height changes without direct contact or excavation of the pipe itself.
3Length of moving object
If threaded adapters are cut and used as extensions, then height adjustment is possible, but only in discrete increments due to threading
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism adds a rotational dimension to height adjustment. Instead of changing height by cutting adapters to different lengths (one-dimensional discrete adjustments), the engagement members rotate along the toothed rings, allowing continuous positional adjustment along the pipe's circumference and length.
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
Facilitates easy and precise height adjustments of sprinkler heads, reducing installation time and preventing upward movement, while maintaining a secure fit.
Implementation Method 1
one or more toothed rings at least partially retained by the second portion of the second tubular body, the one or more toothed rings having two or more teeth that are constructed and arranged to be in sliding communication with at least the outer surface of the third tubular body so that a position of the sprinkler device is adjustable in a downward direction relative to the third tubular body, the two or more teeth being further constructed and arranged to engage with the outer surface of the third tubular body to prevent the sprinkler device from moving in an upward direction
Implementation Method 2
a first fluid seal constructed and arranged to be positioned between at least the first end of the second tubular body and the sprinkler riser, the first fluid seal being further constructed and arranged to be positioned under the first ring cap; a second fluid seal constructed and arranged to be positioned between the outer surface of the third tubular body and the inner surface of the second portion of the second tubular body
Data Source
AI summary
A sprinkler device can include a first tubular body; a second tubular body, one or more toothed rings at least partially retained within a lower portion of the second tubular body, the one or more toothed rings having two or more teeth that are constructed and arranged to be in sliding communication with at least an outer surface of a third tubular body so that a position of the sprinkler device is adjustable in a downward direction along the third tubular body, the two or more teeth being further constructed and arranged to engage with the outer surface of the third tubular body to prevent the sprinkler device from moving in an upward direction along the third tubular body.