Wireless Irrigation Valve Control Without Buried Wiring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional irrigation systems face challenges such as the need for trenching for wiring, vulnerability to lightning surges, wire deterioration, and the difficulty of locating and modifying buried wires, leading to costly and undesirable installation and maintenance processes.

Innovation Solution

A wireless irrigation control system that includes a controller interface with a processor and wireless transceiver, allowing for the wireless activation of irrigation valves through a user interface, eliminating the need for physical wiring and enabling remote control of valves without trenching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional wired irrigation control is used, then reliable valve control is achieved, but installation complexity and cost increase due to trenching and wiring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve control reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. The controller transmits activation signals wirelessly to valves using radio frequency communication, eliminating the need for physical wire connections between the controller and valves while maintaining reliable control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a wireless transceiver as an intermediary device that receives control signals from the controller and transmits them wirelessly to the valves. This intermediary enables reliable communication without direct physical wiring, resolving the contradiction between reliability and installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If wired irrigation control is installed, then valve actuation is controlled, but vulnerability to lightning surges and wire deterioration occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve actuation controlVSAvoidlightning surge damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the physical wire infrastructure that is vulnerable to lightning surges and environmental deterioration by implementing wireless communication. The controller and valves communicate through radio frequency signals, removing the conductive path that lightning surges would follow while maintaining full valve actuation control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless system uses battery-powered transceivers at each valve location that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than installing durable buried wiring that is vulnerable to damage. This approach trades the longevity of wired systems for immunity to environmental hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If new zones are added to wired irrigation system, then system functionality is expanded, but trenching and landscaping damage are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem expansion capabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables easy system expansion by using wireless communication instead of wired connections. When new zones or valves need to be added, the wireless transceivers can be installed at the new locations without any trenching or disruption to existing landscaping, as long as they are within wireless communication range of the controller.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless system provides dynamic adaptability for system expansion. New valves can be added, removed, or relocated without permanent infrastructure changes, allowing the irrigation system to be easily modified to meet changing landscaping or water needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If buried wires are used for irrigation control, then valve connection is established, but wire location and modification become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve connection reliabilityVSAvoidwire location and modification ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces buried wires with wireless communication, eliminating the problem of locating and modifying hidden underground cables. Wireless transceivers can be easily accessed and repositioned above ground, and any modifications to the system can be made without excavation or special locating equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12137639B2Wireless irrigation control

Publication Date: 2024.11.12 RAIN BIRD CORP

AI summary

Some embodiments provide methods and systems of controlling irrigation. Some of these systems comprise: a connector of a controller interface (CI) coupled with an irrigation controller, wherein the connector is configured to receive a valve activation signal activated by the irrigation controller; a user interface of the CI; a processor of the CI configured to obtain valve transceiver (VT) programming with VT programming being received from inputs through the user interface, determine a station identifier, and identify as defined in the VT programming a remote valve associated with the station identifier and controlled by a remote VT; and a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit a wireless activation signal configured to be wirelessly received by the VT controlling the valve associated by the VT programming with the station identifier such that the VT is configured to control an actuator to actuate the valve.