Garden Hose Timer with Pivotable Display Panel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional garden hose ON/OFF timer units with viewing angle adjustable display panels face limitations as the display panel is not pivotable, leading to difficulties in optimal viewing and operation, especially under strong light or uneven angles, and is prone to dust and water adherence.
Innovation Solution
A garden hose ON/OFF timer unit with a movable base that allows the display panel and timer to pivot, enabling adjustment to any viewing angle, ensuring easier operation and maintenance by allowing dust and debris removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the display panel is directly fastened on the water valve in a fixed position, then the structure is simple and stable, but the viewing angle cannot be adjusted making it difficult to operate under strong light or uneven angles
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel is mounted on a movable base that can pivot relative to the fixed mount, transforming the static mounting structure into a dynamic one. This allows the display panel to be adjusted to different viewing angles according to user needs, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure is divided into separate components: a fixed mount attached to the water valve, and a movable base carrying the display panel. This segmentation allows the display panel to be independently positioned and adjusted, improving operability without significantly complicating the overall structure.
2Ease of repair
If the display panel is fixed in one position, then the manufacturing and assembly are simple, but dust and water can adhere to the panel making it difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The movable base enables the display panel to be tilted and adjusted, allowing users to easily knock off or remove dust, mud, sand and water drops from the panel surface. This dynamic positioning capability significantly improves maintenance ease while adding minimal structural complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the display panel is positioned at a fixed angle, then the structure is stable and simple, but it cannot be adapted to different user preferences or environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable movable base provides adaptability by allowing the display panel to be positioned at different angles, accommodating various user preferences and environmental conditions such as strong light or uneven mounting surfaces, while maintaining relative structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure adds rotational freedom in another dimension, allowing the display panel to pivot around an axis perpendicular to the mounting surface. This dimensional addition provides viewing angle adjustment without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
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 solution allows for optimal viewing and operation of the timer unit regardless of the angle, facilitates individual user adjustments, and maintains the display panel's cleanliness by enabling easy removal of dust and debris, enhancing usability and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
An electromagnetic solenoid 63 is disposed on a side of the water valve 60. Thus, the electromagnetic solenoid 63 can control the ON- and OFF-state of the inside of the water valve 60 by the timer 70.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A garden hose ON/OFF timer (50) unit with viewing angle adjustable display panel (51) is revealed. The garden hose ON/OFF timer (50) consist of a main body (10), an ON/OFF valve assembly (20), a fixed mount (30), a movable base (40) and a timer (50). The main body (10) has a water inlet (11) and a water outlet (12) between which a valve tube (13) extends from one side of the main body (10), whereas the extending of the valve tube (13) enables the installation of the ON/OFF valve assembly (20). The fixed mount (30) is fastened on the main body (10) in such a way that the water inlet (11), the water outlet (12) and valve tube (13) all extend out of the fixed mount (30) without any problems. The movable base (40) is disposed on the position of the valve tube (13) and pivotably connected to the fixed mount (30) so that the movable base (40) is capable of pivoting along the fixed mount (30). The timer (50) is mounted in the movable base (40) und provided with a display panel (51) and an operational interface (52) operated by pressing keys, whereas the display panel (51) and the operational interface (52) are exposed on the movable base.