Frusto-Conical Tree Housing with Integrated Emitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tree protection and water-saving devices are limited by their inability to expand with growing trees and require a stake for the water emitter/atomizer, which increases installation costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A frusto-conical housing with adjustable connection flanges and a conduit system that eliminates the need for a stake, allowing for expansion and efficient watering of trees of varying sizes, while providing environmental protection and chemical application shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed housing structure is used, then the device is simple and cost-effective, but it cannot accommodate trees of varying sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple sections that can be independently adjusted. The housing includes an upper section and a lower section that can be separated and repositioned to accommodate different tree sizes. This segmentation allows the structure to adapt to varying tree diameters while maintaining relative structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing incorporates adjustable components including movable flanges and repositionable sections that can be dynamically adjusted to fit different tree sizes. The flanges can be moved along the housing to reposition the opening, and sections can be detached and reattached at different locations to accommodate tree growth.
2Ease of operation
If a stake is used to hold the water emitter/atomizer, then the emitter can be positioned, but installation costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The water emitter/atomizer is integrated directly into the housing structure, eliminating the need for separate stakes. The emitter is positioned within the housing and can be adjusted as needed, combining the functions of the housing and emitter support into a single unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The stake component is completely removed from the system. Instead of using a stake to hold the emitter, the housing itself provides the mounting structure for the emitter, extracting the unnecessary intermediate component and simplifying the overall assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the housing is made expandable, then it can accommodate growing trees, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into multiple detachable sections that can be reconfigured as trees grow. The upper and lower sections can be separated and repositioned to accommodate increasing tree diameter, providing expandability without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through movable flanges and repositionable sections that can be adjusted as trees grow. These dynamic elements allow the housing to adapt to changing tree sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
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 enables flexible protection and watering of trees of all sizes, reducing water consumption, preventing super cooling damage, and lowering installation costs by integrating the water emitter directly into the housing, thus enhancing tree growth and reducing environmental stress.
Implementation Method 1
providing a protected control area for chemical application and shields the plant from outside sources of damage
Implementation Method 2
retaining maximum heat from applied energy
Data Source
AI summary
A water-saving device includes a frusto-conical housing having a wide lower end that overlies a ground surface. A lip is integrally formed at the upper end, extending radially inwardly. A vertical cut is formed in the housing with a flange adjoining each edge of the cut. The flanges are spaced apart to admit a tree trunk into the hollow interior of the housing and are attachable to one another to enclose a tree trunk. A first pair of apertures is formed in the lip. A conduit has a first end in fluid communication with a row hose and extends upwardly from the row hose, through a first aperture, and downwardly through the second aperture. A water emitter is in fluid communication with a second end of the conduit and is positioned within the hollow interior of the housing below the lip and above the ground surface.