Electric Water Gun Position Correction via Encoder Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watering devices with electric water cannons face issues such as residual water spraying due to pressure in pipes, vandalism causing misalignment, and inability to return to the correct position after stopping, leading to inefficient and uneven watering.
Innovation Solution
A watering device with a programmer that controls the solenoid valve and motor movement, ensuring the solenoid valve closes and the motor stops only after a predetermined time delay following pressure decrease, maintaining electrical supply for precise control and position correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the solenoid valve and cannon motor are controlled simultaneously to stop at the end of the watering period, then the control system is simple and responsive, but residual pressure in the pipes causes continued spraying and water accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid valve is closed before the cannon motor stops rotating. This preliminary action allows the water pressure in the pipes to decrease while the cannon continues to rotate, preventing water accumulation at the stopping position and ensuring uniform watering distribution.
2Ease of operation
If the water cannon is manually repositioned after vandalism, then the device can be restored to operation, but it sprays an inappropriate area and does not return to the correct position
Solution Approach 1:
An encoder provides feedback on the cannon's rotational position to the control system. This allows the system to detect when the cannon has been manually repositioned and to automatically correct its position by rotating it back to the correct orientation, ensuring accurate spraying coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically detects position errors through the encoder and self-corrects by rotating the cannon to the proper position, eliminating the need for manual realignment and ensuring the cannon always returns to the correct spraying area.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the power supply to the cannon is cut immediately at the end of the watering period, then energy consumption is reduced, but the cannon stops abruptly causing water accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid valve is closed before the cannon motor stops, creating a time delay that allows pressure to equalize. This prevents water accumulation while the cannon continues rotating, maintaining watering uniformity without excessive energy consumption.
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
This solution ensures uniform watering by preventing residual spraying, correcting misalignment due to vandalism, and maintaining precise control over watering duration and area, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of the watering process.
Implementation Method 1
associated with a solenoid valve and comprising control means of said associated solenoid valve
Implementation Method 2
comprising means for controlling said solenoid valve and for controlling means for setting in motion a jet of water issuing from said electric gun
Data Source
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AI summary
Irrigation system (300) characterized in that it comprises: a programmer (305) connected by electrical connections (310, 315, 320 and 325) to at least one electric water gun, for controlling the periods of operation and movement of at least one electric water gun (330); and at least one electric water gun (330); each electric water gun being provided with an electrically operated valve (335) and having means (340) for controlling said valve (335) and for controlling means (345) for moving said electric water gun; and an electricity supply (301) external to the water gun. In one embodiment the programmer comprises, for each electric water gun, a relay connected to two outputs of different voltages, one being the all-or-nothing control and the other a permanent voltage, the output of said relay being connected to said electric water gun and the control of said relay being connected to the all-or-nothing control voltage output of the programmer.