Twist-and-Lock Debris Screen for Irrigation Sprinklers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rotor-type sprinklers lack an easily removable and replaceable debris screen, making maintenance tedious and risky for users, as they require gripping or prying, which can damage the screen and pose injury risks.

Innovation Solution

A twist-and-lock mechanism is integrated into the sprinkler, featuring a locking mechanism with a first portion on the riser assembly and a second portion on the debris screen, allowing for secure attachment and detachment through axial and rotational motion, enabling quick and safe replacement of the debris screen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the debris screen is press fit against the inside of a shoulder, then the screen is securely held in place, but the screen becomes difficult to remove and replace, requiring pliers or screwdrivers which can damage the screen and pose injury risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachment of debris screenVSAvoidremoval and replacement of debris screen

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is divided into two portions: a first portion on the lower end of the riser assembly and a second portion on the debris screen. This segmentation allows the screen to be securely locked when installed while enabling easy release through relative axial and rotational motion, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and ease of removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism transitions from a static press-fit connection to a dynamic twist-and-lock system. The first and second portions can be positively locked and unlocked by a combination of relative axial and rotational motion, making the debris screen easy to remove and replace without requiring tools, while maintaining secure attachment during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the debris screen is press fit into the riser assembly, then the screen remains fixed during operation, but the removal process becomes tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixed position of debris screen during operationVSAvoidtime required for screen removal and replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism uses dynamic motion (combination of axial and rotational movement) to quickly lock and unlock the debris screen. This allows the screen to remain stable during operation while reducing maintenance time, as users can simply twist and pull to remove or install screens without tedious prying or gripping operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The twist-and-lock mechanism is designed to be user-operated without requiring additional tools or complex procedures. The first and second portions of the locking mechanism engage and disengage through simple manual motion, enabling quick screen replacement that serves the user's maintenance needs efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional press fit method is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the user risks damaging the screen and injuring themselves during removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of manufacturing processVSAvoidrisk of damage and injury during screen removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the locking mechanism into two portions (first on riser assembly, second on screen), the design maintains manufacturing simplicity while eliminating the need for tool-based removal. The segmented locking portions engage through controlled motion, preventing screen damage and user injury without complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the riser assembly and debris screen, providing a controlled engagement method that prevents harmful forces during installation and removal. The first and second portions mediate the connection, allowing secure attachment while enabling safe, tool-free removal that eliminates injury risks associated with traditional press-fit methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8622317B1Irrigation sprinkler with twist-and-lock debris screen

Publication Date: 2014.01.07 HUNTER INDUSTRIES INC

AI summary

An irrigation sprinkler has a generally tubular riser assembly including a nozzle turret rotatably mounted at an upper end of the riser assembly and a drive assembly coupled for rotating the nozzle turret. The riser assembly has at least one locking recess formed in a lower end of the riser assembly. A debris screen is removably mounted to a lower end of the riser assembly. The debris screen is formed with a plurality of apertures for filtering debris from water flowing through the apertures. The debris screen is dimensioned and configured to mate with the lower end of the riser assembly. The debris screen has at least one lock that is dimensioned and configured to be received in the locking recess for holding the debris screen to the riser assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the lock can be located on the lower end of the riser assembly and the recess can be located on the screen.