Sprinkler Outlet Cross-Section for Uniform Road Wetting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sprinklers for irrigating roadways fail to create realistic wet road conditions necessary for simulating vehicle behavior, as they do not achieve a uniform and realistic coefficient of friction.
Innovation Solution
A sprinkler design with outlet openings that have a cross-section increasing from the inside to the outside, combined with a spray insert featuring recesses that define the outlet openings, ensures a fan-shaped water distribution pattern, providing a spray angle of up to 180° and a length-to-width ratio of 2 to 4, which mimics realistic road wetting conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional sprinkler outlet openings with uniform cross-section are used, then the sprinkler structure is simple, but the liquid distribution is non-uniform and unrealistic wet road conditions cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet openings are designed with non-uniform cross-sections where different portions of the outlet have different dimensions. Specifically, the outlet opening has a first portion with a first cross-sectional area and a second portion with a second cross-sectional area that differs from the first, creating localized variations in flow characteristics that achieve uniform liquid distribution across the spray pattern
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional parameters of the outlet openings are varied along the flow direction. By changing the cross-sectional area from the first portion to the second portion of the outlet opening, the flow velocity and pressure distribution are adjusted to produce realistic wet road conditions with uniform liquid distribution
2Shape
If sprinkler outlets are positioned at roadway level with 1 bar water pressure, then the spray angle can be controlled at maximum 180°, but the spray pattern length-to-width ratio becomes difficult to optimize for realistic road wetting
Solution Approach 1:
Different outlet openings or different portions of outlet openings are designed with specific cross-sectional characteristics tailored to achieve the desired spray pattern geometry. The non-uniform cross-sections create localized flow modifications that collectively produce a spray pattern with an optimized length-to-width ratio of 2 to 4, mimicking realistic road wetting conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet opening cross-section is designed with variations in multiple dimensions rather than a simple uniform shape. By controlling the cross-sectional area changes along the flow direction and arranging outlets at specific positions, the spray pattern achieves the target length-to-width ratio while maintaining adaptability to different testing requirements
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
The design achieves a uniform and realistic wetting of the road surface, allowing for precise simulation of vehicle behavior on a wet road, while preventing unwanted wetting of vehicle parts like headlights and brake disks, thus providing accurate dynamic testing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Because at least one sprinkler outlet has a cross-section that increases from the inside to the outside, the water jet flowing from the sprinkler outlet spreads out, resulting in particularly good and uniform liquid distribution
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a spray insert (1), in particular a spray ring, for a sprinkler suitable for watering a roadway, with recesses (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) which, when the spray insert (1) is arranged in the sprinkler, at least partially define outlet openings. To achieve favorable wetting of the roadway for driving skills tracks, the invention provides that at least one recess (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) has a cross-section that increases from an inner to an outer area. The invention further relates to a sprinkler for watering a roadway, such as a driving skills track or a test track, with outlet openings for dispensing a liquid. The invention also relates to a method for watering a roadway, in particular a driving skills track or a test track, with a sprinkler.