Sprinkler Swivel Angle Adjustment via Independent Mechanical Stops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sprinkler systems are inflexible and require expensive, risky adjustments to change the sprinkling sector, often necessitating manual intervention with high-pressure water jets, and are prone to failure due to reliance on electric motors for directional changes.
Innovation Solution
An adjustment device with independently adjustable stops and a control system that allows for manual override, enabling precise alignment of the sprinkler arm's swivel angle range without continuous power, using a drive mechanism and sensors for optimal irrigation patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electric motors are used to activate water jet deflectors for changing sprinkler direction, then the sprinkler can automatically change irrigation sectors, but the system becomes prone to malfunctions and consumes relatively high power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electric motor-activated deflector system with a purely mechanical stop-based system. The sprinkler arm is constrained by two stops that define the swivel angle range, and these stops can be manually positioned to change the irrigation sector. This mechanical approach eliminates the electric motor and water jet deflector, thereby reducing malfunction risk and power consumption while maintaining the ability to change irrigation sectors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electric motors are used to activate water jet deflectors for changing sprinkler direction, then the sprinkler can automatically change irrigation sectors, but the power consumption is relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electric motor-activated deflector system with a purely mechanical stop-based system. The sprinkler arm is constrained by two stops that define the swivel angle range, and these stops can be manually positioned to change the irrigation sector. This mechanical approach eliminates the electric motor and water jet deflector, thereby reducing malfunction risk and power consumption while maintaining the ability to change irrigation sectors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of sprinkler sector is done with high-pressure water jet, then the sector can be changed, but the operation is dangerous and requires user proximity to the irrigation system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the user from the dangerous high-pressure water jet zone by eliminating the need for manual intervention near the operating sprinkler. The stops are designed to be adjustable when the sprinkler is stationary or at low pressure, and once positioned, they mechanically constrain the sprinkler arm's swivel range. This allows sector changes to be made safely without requiring users to approach the high-pressure water jet, thereby removing the safety hazard while preserving sector adjustability.
4Ease of operation
If a single predefined sector is used, then the system is simple to operate, but it is very inflexible and cannot adapt to different irrigation needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the sprinkler system through two independently positionable stops. These stops define the swivel angle range of the sprinkler arm and can be manually adjusted to create different irrigation sectors. The system transitions from a fixed, predefined sector to a dynamically adjustable sector that can be adapted to various irrigation needs while maintaining simple mechanical operation without complex controls.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an adjustment device (18) for adjusting a swivel angle range (71, 72) of a sprinkler (10) with a sprinkler arm (11) that can be pivoted about a substantially vertical axis (13) in a horizontal angle range. The adjustment device (18) comprises: - a first stop (20) and a second stop (21), wherein the sprinkler arm (11) is pivotable between the two stops (20, 21), and the stops (20, 21) define the pivot angle range (71, 72) of the sprinkler arm (11), - at least one drive (22, 23) for variably adjusting an angular position of the first stop (20) with respect to the vertical axis (13) and for variably adjusting an angular position of the second stop (21) with respect to the vertical axis (13), - a control device for controlling the drive (22, 23), wherein the angular position of the first stop (20) and the angular position of the second stop (21) are independently adjustable.Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for adjusting a swivel angle range (71, 72) of a sprinkler (11).