Wireless Irrigation Valve With Integrated Control and Low-Power Scheduling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional irrigation systems require laborious trenching for electrical wiring and are prone to damage, limiting installation flexibility and increasing costs due to the need for a separate irrigation controller, which are also susceptible to lightning surges and difficult to maintain.

Innovation Solution

An independent wireless programmable irrigation valve with a microprocessor, battery/super capacitor power, and wireless communication capabilities, allowing programming via a smartphone or remote computer, eliminating the need for a local controller and enabling remote operation and data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional wired irrigation systems are used with separate controllers, then reliable water control is achieved, but installation becomes laborious and costly due to trenching requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater control reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the irrigation controller and valve into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate controllers and wiring. The controller is housed within the valve body, allowing wireless programming and operation through a mobile device interface, thereby simplifying installation while maintaining control reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical wiring and physical connections with wireless communication technology. The system uses wireless signals between a mobile device and the valve to transmit control commands, eliminating the need for trenching and electrical wiring while maintaining reliable control functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If separate irrigation controllers are used, then programming and control functionality is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogramming convenienceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is integrated into the valve housing, combining what were previously separate components into one unit. This reduces system complexity while maintaining full programming and control functionality through wireless connection to a mobile device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows users to program and control the irrigation valve directly through their own mobile devices without requiring a separate dedicated controller. The valve's internal memory stores programming data, and the mobile device serves as the interface, eliminating the need for additional control equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If wired irrigation systems are installed, then stable power and control signals are provided, but vulnerability to damage from weather, animals, and deterioration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal stabilityVSAvoidenvironmental damage susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical wiring with wireless communication technology. Control signals are transmitted wirelessly between a mobile device and the valve, eliminating exposed wires that are vulnerable to weather, animal damage, and deterioration while maintaining stable signal transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the vulnerable wiring component from the system entirely. By extracting the physical connection requirement and replacing it with wireless communication, the system eliminates the pathway for environmental harm while preserving control functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12543669B2Independent wireless programmable irrigation valve

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 KLICPERA MICHAEL EDWARD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a wireless programmable irrigation valve that has an electrical circuit with a microprocessor, CPU and/or a microcontroller with a data memory bank that can store watering program or schedule software instructions. The wireless irrigation valve is powered by a battery or super capacitor with electric generator. The wireless programmable irrigation valve does not need to be controlled by a local controller. The wireless programmable irrigation valve is programmed using a APP on a cell phone, smart phones, mobile phone or similar apparatus or computer, and when software instructions are transmitted to the wireless programmable irrigation valve, the wireless programmable irrigation valve independently controls its valve on and off. Once the software instructions are transmitted to the wireless programmable irrigation valve, the wireless programmable irrigation valve performs the programmed water scheduled instructions independently. Thus, the rate of wireless communication can be substantially reduced (sleep mode) until updated software instructions are desired to be transmitted. In this way, electrical power can be saved to be used primary for opening and closing the solenoid mechanism, Using the energy generator, the battery or super capacitor will be able to last longer. A button on the wireless irrigation valve can be used to wake up the wireless communication so software instructions can be transmitted to the microprocssor, CPU and/or a microcontroller with data memory.