Sprinkling Apparatus with Multi-Jet Nozzle Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sprinkler systems struggle to uniformly irrigate irregularly shaped areas without requiring significant user effort and time, as they often necessitate complex programming and mechanical adjustments to achieve even water distribution.
Innovation Solution
A sprinkling device with a nozzle arrangement featuring multiple individual nozzles that emit diverging jets, controlled by a regulating valve and an electronic control device, allowing for uniform irrigation of angular segments with minimal mechanical complexity and electrical consumption, using a turbine-driven gear system for rotation and interpolation of control values to cover irregular surfaces efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single nozzle with adjustable range is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different radial irrigation sections is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single nozzle into multiple individual nozzles (at least two) arranged in a multi-jet nozzle arrangement. Each nozzle is directed toward a different radial irrigation section, allowing the system to cover multiple sections simultaneously without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. This segmentation enables the sprinkler to adapt to irregularly shaped areas by distributing water across different radial zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point jet delivery system to a multi-dimensional jet distribution system. By arranging multiple nozzles at different angular positions around the vertical axis of rotation, the system creates a three-dimensional water distribution pattern that can cover irregularly shaped areas more effectively than a single nozzle operating in one dimension.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple controllable motors are used for precise jet positioning, then the manufacturing precision of irrigation coverage is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex programming requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a learning mode that allows the sprinkler system to automatically program itself. During this mode, the system autonomously determines the corner points of the irrigation area and stores the corresponding control values in memory, eliminating the need for manual programming by the user. This self-service approach maintains precise irrigation coverage while dramatically simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the physical boundaries of the irrigation area and feeds this information back to the control device. The control device processes this feedback information to automatically calculate and store the appropriate control values for each nozzle, enabling precise irrigation coverage without requiring the user to manually program the system.
3Ease of operation
If a learning mode with automatic programming is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of time during the learning phase increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parallel operation of multiple nozzles during the learning phase, where all nozzles simultaneously sweep across the irrigation area to detect corner points. This continuous and parallel detection process significantly reduces the time required compared to sequential detection methods, while still maintaining the simplicity of automatic programming for the user.
4Device complexity
If conventional sprinkler systems are used for irregular areas, then the device complexity is minimized, but the uniformity of water distribution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the water distribution task across multiple nozzles, each responsible for a specific radial irrigation section. This segmentation allows each nozzle to be optimized for its specific section while collectively achieving uniform water distribution across the entire irregular area, maintaining relatively simple system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by directing each nozzle toward a specific radial irrigation section with tailored jet characteristics. Each nozzle can be independently adjusted to optimize water distribution for its local area, ensuring uniform coverage across the entire irregular surface while maintaining overall system simplicity.
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
Enables fast and efficient irrigation of irregularly bordered surfaces with reduced user effort, maintaining uniform sprinkling density over a large range of variation, while minimizing electrical power consumption and allowing for easy setup and programming, using a rechargeable accumulator and solar charging for energy.
Implementation Method 1
a turbine wheel (30) acted upon by the water flowing through and a gear arrangement (31)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
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AI summary
For the sprinkling of areas with irregular borders, an apparatus with a programmable electronic control device and a method for operating such a sprinkling apparatus are proposed.