EP2651566B1

EP2651566B1 - Deflector for a sprinkler

Info

Publication number: EP2651566B1
Application number: EP10790990.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Renner
Original assignee: Husqvarna AB
Current assignee: Husqvarna AB
Priority date: 2010-12-16
Filing date: 2010-12-16
Publication date: 2016-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 2030-12-16
Also published as: WO2012079641A1; PL2651566T3; RU2013132699A; EP2651566A1; RU2543198C2; ES2609656T3

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a sprinkler. In particular, the present invention relates to a deflector for a sprinkler.

BACKGROUND

Sprinklers, used for watering gardens or agricultural irrigation, are well known in the art.
Typically, a sprinkler includes a sprinkler head having one or more nozzles for discharging one or more water jets to the surrounding area. A nozzle is adapted to discharge the water jet at a given range. In various applications, the range of the water jet requires to be varied to water areas located at different distances from the sprinkler.
Typically, the range of the water jet can be changed by using a deflector located downstream of nozzle. The deflector is movable between an idle position and an actuating position by an actuator and includes a deflecting surface which is in contact with the water jet in the adjusting position. When the water jet from the nozzle impinges on the deflecting surface, a significant amount of water may get splashed. The splashed water does not travel any further from the deflecting surface, and flows down through various components of the sprinkler. Subsequently, the splashed water accumulates around the sprinkler, and may have a detrimental effect on the vegetation and the soil. The splashed water may also damage various components of the sprinkler while flowing down.
Patent publications EP 1 967 279 A1 and DE 10 2008 063584 A1 disclose deflecting surfaces to change the range of a water jet. However, the deflecting surfaces may result in a significant amount of splashed water during operation, the splashed water resulting in the aforementioned problems.
In light of the foregoing, there is a need for a deflector which at least partly reduces splashed water.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, it is an objective of the present invention to solve or at least reduce the problems discussed above. In particular, the objective is to provide a deflector for a sprinkler that at least partly reduces splashed liquid.
The objective is at least partially achieved according to a novel sprinkler having a sprinkler head described in claim 1. The sprinkler head includes at least one nozzle provided in the sprinkler head. The nozzle includes a nozzle body and a nozzle opening. Further, the nozzle is configured to discharge a liquid jet through the nozzle opening. A deflector is provided downstream of the nozzle, the deflector including a deflecting surface which is in contact with the liquid jet to adjust a range of the liquid jet. The deflector further includes an elongated guiding element that is located upstream of the deflecting surface. The guiding element is in contact with the liquid jet to direct splashed liquid from the deflecting surface back into the liquid jet. Thus, the guiding element reduces wastage of the liquid and improves the output of the sprinkler. The guiding element also substantially prevents flow of the splashed liquid down the sprinkler head. Thus, accumulation of the splashed liquid around the sprinkler is substantially reduced. Further, various components of the sprinkler may be safeguarded against contact with the splashed liquid.
According to the invention, the guiding element extends at an angle with respect to a direction of discharge of the liquid jet.
According to claim 4, the guiding element is substantially needle shaped. Such a shape of the guiding element may facilitate in directing the splashed liquid towards the liquid jet.
According to the invention, the deflector is mounted on the sprinkler head within a holding structure. Further, according to the invention, the guiding element is in intimate contact with the nozzle body and/or a wall element of the holding structure adjacent to the nozzle body. Thus, there exists almost no clearance between the nozzle body and the guiding element. This substantially prevents an entry of any liquid which is deflected from the guiding element after exiting the nozzle opening. Moreover, according to claim 2, the guiding element is resiliently biased against the nozzle body and/or the wall element of the holding structure adjacent to the nozzle body. Alternatively, according to claim 3, the whole deflector is resiliently biased against the nozzle body and/or the wall element of the holding structure adjacent to the nozzle body.
According to claim 5, the deflecting surface is substantially roof shaped. Such a shape facilitates deflection of the liquid jet when the liquid jet impinges on the deflecting surface.
According to claim 6, the deflector also includes a baffle surface adapted to increase a spread of the liquid jet in the adjusting position of the deflector. Additionally, according to claim 7, the deflector also includes at least two directing surfaces adapted to limit the spread of the liquid jet, each directing surface being positioned at each lateral side of the baffle surface.
According to claim 8, the deflector further includes connecting portions adapted to attach the deflector to the sprinkler head.
According to claim 9, the deflector is movable with respect to the nozzle between at least an adjusting position and an idle position. The guiding element is in contact with the liquid jet in the adjusting position, whereas the guiding element is not in contact with the liquid jet in the idle position. Moreover the deflector is adapted to reduce the range of the liquid jet in the adjusting position. Additionally, according to claim 10, wherein the deflector is adapted to move in a direction which is oriented at an angle with respect to the direction of discharge of the liquid jet.
According to claim 9, an actuator is provided to move the deflector between the idle position and the adjusting position. Further, according to claim 11, the actuator includes a rotatable threaded element.
According to the invention, the angle between the guiding element and the direction of discharge of the liquid jet lies in a range from about 45 degrees to 90 degrees. This is also the angle between the direction of movement of the deflector and the direction of discharge of the liquid jet.
According to claim 12, the sprinkler is a pop-up sprinkler and the sprinkler head is movable between an operating position and a retracted position. Further, according to claim 13, the sprinkler head is rotatable about a rotational axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will in the following be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a sprinkler with portions cut away from a cover element and a deflector in an idle position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 1 B illustrates a perspective view of the sprinkler with portions cut away from the cover element and the deflector in an adjusting position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2A illustrates a sectional view of the sprinkler with the deflector in the idle position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2B illustrates a sectional view of the sprinkler with the deflector in the adjusting position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3A illustrates a rear perspective view of the deflector, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 3B illustrates a front perspective view of the deflector, according to an embodiment of the present invention

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the invention incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of devices. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate perspective views of a sprinkler head 100 with portions cut away from a cover element 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sprinkler head 100 is a part of a sprinkler which may be used in various applications, such as, watering gardens, agricultural irrigation, or the like. Though the sprinkler normally dispenses water, the sprinkler may be utilized to dispense any type of liquid within the scope of the present invention.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the sprinkler may be a pop-up sprinkler such that the sprinkler head 100 is movable between an operating position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B , and a retracted position. In the retracted position, the sprinkler head 100 may be partly enclosed in a ground sleeve (not illustrated in the figures) which is embedded in the ground. The sprinkler may include one or more elastic elements (E.g., springs) to normally bias the sprinkler head 100 in the retracted position. The sprinkler head 100 is displaced from the retracted position to the operating position when a liquid is supplied from an external source to the sprinkler. Thus, when liquid supply from the external source is ceased, the sprinkler head 100 moves back to the retracted position. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the sprinkler may be any other type of sprinkler such that the sprinkler head 100 is always in the operating position above the ground.
Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the sprinkler head 100 is configured to rotate about a rotational axis R in the operating position. The sprinkler head 100 may rotate due to impact forces from the liquid or due to separate motive means, such as, an electric motor. The sprinkler head 100 may also be configured to rotate in one or more circular sectors, and/or a full circle. However, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the sprinkler head 100 may be stationary.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B , the sprinkler head 100 includes the cover element 102, a base element 104, and a nozzle 106. The sprinkler head may also include a cap element (not illustrated in the figures) to cover the top portion of the sprinkler head 100. The nozzle 106 includes a nozzle body 108 and a nozzle opening 110, and is configured to discharge a liquid jet (illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B ) through the nozzle opening 110. The nozzle 106 may be in fluid communication with the external liquid supply via a channel (not illustrated in the figures) extending through the sprinkler head 100. The nozzle 106 may be rotationally adjustable about one or more axes. The nozzle 106 may also be replaceable by another nozzle with a different construction. Further, the sprinkler head 100 may also include multiple nozzles which may be identical to the nozzle 106 or different from the nozzle 106.
Further, a deflector 112 is provided downstream of the nozzle 106. The deflector 112 includes a deflecting surface 114 to adjust a range of the liquid jet, and a deflector opening 115 for discharge of the liquid jet. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B , the deflecting surface 114 is substantially roof shaped. Such a shape facilitates deflection of the liquid jet when the liquid jet impinges on the deflecting surface 114. However, the deflecting surface 114 may have any shape within the scope of the present invention. The cover element 102 includes an opening 116 (partially illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B ) which substantially conforms to the deflector opening 115 for discharge of the liquid jet to the surrounding area. Further, the deflector 112 is movable between at least an idle position (as illustrated in FIG. 1A ) and an adjusting position (as illustrated in FIG. 1B ). An actuator 118 is provided to move the deflector 112 between the idle position and the adjusting position. The deflector 112 also includes an elongated guiding element 120 (hereinafter referred to as "the guiding element 120") that is in contact with the liquid jet in the adjusting position. The guiding element 120 is provided upstream of the deflecting surface 114. Additionally, the deflector 112 includes a baffle surface 122 and at least two directing surfaces 124. The various parts of the deflector 112 including the guiding element 120, the baffle surface 122 and the directing surfaces 124 are described in detail with reference to the subsequent figures.
Further, the deflector 112 is mounted on the sprinkler head 100 within a holding structure 126 which is partially illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B . The holding structure 126 includes wall elements 128 and 130 that are located adjacent to the nozzle 106. The deflector 112 is further enclosed on a lower side by another wall element 132. The cover element 102 partially covers the deflector 112 on the front. In FIGS. 1A and 1B , a wall element similar to the wall element 130 is hidden by the cover element 102. The deflector includes multiple connecting parts (described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B ) to attach the deflector 112 to the holding structure 126 such that the deflector 112 can move from the idle position to the adjusting position. The holding structure 126 for the deflector 112 is only exemplary in nature, and the deflector 112 may be mounted on the sprinkler head 100 using any method or system. Further, the deflector 112 may also be stationary and mounted fixedly in the adjusting position within the scope of the present invention. In such case, the deflector 112 may be attached to the sprinkler head 100 by various methods, such as, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, or the like. Alternatively, the deflector 112 may also be an integral component of the sprinkler head 100.
FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate sectional views of the sprinkler head 100 in the idle position and the adjusting position of the deflector 112, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2A , the liquid jet 202 is discharged at a range in a direction D1 through the nozzle opening 110 and the opening 116 in the cover element 102. The deflector 112 is in the idle position and is not in contact with the liquid jet. In FIG. 2B , the deflector 112 is lowered to the adjusting position such that the various components of the deflector 112, including the deflecting surface 114, the guiding element 120, the baffle surface 122, and the directing surfaces 124 are in contact with the water jet. A direction of the liquid jet 202, downstream of the nozzle opening 110, is changed from D1 to D2 after contact with various components of the deflector 112. Consequently, the range of the liquid jet is reduced, and the liquid reaches parts of the surrounding area closer to the sprinkler. It may be apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the directions D1 and D2 are for exemplary purposes only, and the direction D2 may change with different adjusting positions of the deflector 112.
When the liquid jet from the nozzle opening 110 impinges on the deflecting surface 114, splashed liquid is generated. However, the guiding element 120, which is located upstream of the deflecting surface 114, directs at least a part of the splashed liquid back into the liquid jet 202. Thus, at least a part of the splashed liquid reaches the surrounding area. Further, the guiding element 120 extends substantially at an angle θ with respect to the direction of discharge D1 of the liquid jet 202. The angle θ may lie in a range from about 45 degrees to 90 degrees. In an embodiment of the present invention, the angle θ is of a value such that the guiding element 120 extends substantially perpendicular to the direction D2 in the adjusting position. Thus, the guiding element 120 reduces wastage of the liquid and improves the output of the sprinkler. The guiding element 120 also substantially prevents flow of the splashed liquid down the sprinkler head 100. Thus, accumulation of the splashed liquid around the sprinkler is substantially reduced. Further, various components of the sprinkler may be safeguarded against a contact with the splashed liquid. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-2B , the guiding element 120 is substantially needle shaped. Such a shape of the guiding element 120 may facilitate in directing the splashed liquid towards the liquid jet 202. However, the guiding element 120 may be of any other shape (E.g., rectangular) within the scope of the present invention.
Further, a front surface 204 of the guiding element 120 is exposed to the splashed liquid from the deflecting surface 114. Thus, the front surface 204 primarily directs the splashed liquid towards the liquid jet 202, whereas a rear surface 206 of the guiding element 120 is exposed to the liquid jet discharged from the nozzle opening 110. Therefore, the rear surface 206, in addition to the needle shape of the guiding element 120, may deflect a part of the liquid jet back towards the nozzle 106 before the liquid jet 202 reaches the deflecting surface 114. This liquid may enter a space between the deflector 112 and the nozzle 106, and spatter out of the sprinkler head 100. To substantially prevent this, the guiding element 120 is in intimate contact with the nozzle body 108 and the wall element 128 in the adjusting position of the deflector 112, such that there exists almost no clearance between the nozzle body 108 and the guiding element 120. Further, the guiding element 120 is in intimate contact with the wall element 128 only in the idle position of the deflector 112. In an embodiment of the present invention, the guiding element 120 is resiliently biased against the nozzle body 108 and the wall element 128. The guiding element 120 may be elastic in nature or may be biased by external means (E.g., springs). In another embodiment of the present invention, the deflector 112 as a whole is resiliently biased against the nozzle body 108 and the wall element 128. In such a case, the deflector 112 may be biased by one or more resilient members, such as, springs.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B , the deflector 112 moves at the angle θ with respect to the direction D1 between the adjusting position and the idle position. Particularly, the deflector 112 moves in a direction which is substantially parallel to the direction at which the guiding element 120 extends. Further, the deflector 112 may move due to the actuation of the actuator 118. The actuator 118 includes a rotatable threaded element 208, such as a screw, which can be manually actuated by means of a tool (E.g., a screwdriver). The threaded element 208 extends into an upper part 210 of the deflector 112 such that on rotating the threaded element 208, the deflector 112 moves up or down depending on the direction of rotation. The upper part 210 may include internal threads that engage with the threads of the threaded element 208. Moreover, a lower part 212 may be substantially L-shaped to limit the downward movement of the deflector 112 to the adjusting position. Specifically, the lower part may engage with the wall element 132 at the adjusting position. The actuator 118 is purely exemplary in nature and any type of actuation means can be envisioned without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, another threaded element may be attached to the lower part of the deflector 112. Alternatively, only one threaded element may be attached to the lower part 212 of the deflector 112. Further, the actuator 112 may be actuated by an electric motor instead of being manually actuated. The deflector 112 can further be improved by safeguarding it from damages. This can be achieved by slitting the upper part 210 along its longitudinal axis into 2 or more subsections. Thus if the deflector 112 sits in on of its upper or lower end position and the threaded element 208 will still be rotated by a user these subsections will be bend outwards as seen from the longitudinal axis of the upper part 210 and thus the upper part will be safeguarded from breaking.
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate perspective views of the deflector 112, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The guiding element 120 extends from a substantially rectangular portion 302 which is attached to the upper part 210 of the deflector 112. The guiding element 120 is also positioned substantially symmetrically with respect to the deflecting surface 114. This maximizes the contact of the guiding element with the splashed liquid from the deflecting surface 114. Further, the deflector 112 includes connecting portions 304 that engage with the wall elements 130 for attaching the deflector 112 to the sprinkler head 100 in a movable fashion. Moreover, the deflector includes an upper frame 306, lateral frames 308 and a lower frame 310 which form the deflector opening 115. The upper frame 306 is substantially roof shaped to form the deflecting surface 114. The lower frame 310 with a projection 312 forms the L-shaped lower part 212 for limiting the downward movement of the deflector 112.
According to the FIGS. 3A and 3B , the deflector 112 further includes the baffle surface 122. The baffle surface 122 is adapted to increase the spread of the liquid jet 202, thereby increasing the deflection of the liquid jet 202 from the deflecting surface 114. Consequently, the range of the liquid jet 202 is further reduced, enabling the liquid to reach areas closer to the sprinkler. Moreover, the deflector 112 also includes at least two directing surfaces 124 at each lateral side of the baffle surface 114. The directing surfaces 124 are adapted to limit the spread of the liquid jet 202 due to the baffle surface 122, such that the liquid jet 202 does not become too dispersed. It may be apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the present invention can be envisioned without the baffle surface and/or the directing surfaces 124.
In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

A sprinkler comprising:
a sprinkler head (100) comprising at least one nozzle (106), wherein the nozzle (106) comprises a nozzle body (108) and a nozzle opening (110), and wherein the nozzle (106) is configured to discharge a liquid jet (202) through the nozzle opening (110); and

a deflector (112) provided downstream of the nozzle (106), wherein the deflector (112) comprises a deflecting surface (114) which is in use in contact with the liquid jet (202) to adjust a range of the liquid jet (202);

an elongated guiding element (120) provided on the deflector (112) upstream of the deflecting surface (114), the guiding element (120) extending at an angle (θ) with respect to a direction of discharge (D1) of the liquid jet (202), wherein the angle (θ) lies in a range from about 45 degrees to 90 degrees, and wherein the guiding element (120) is in use in contact with the liquid jet (202) to direct splashed liquid from the deflecting surface (114) back into the liquid jet (202), characterized in that,

the deflector (112) is mounted on the sprinkler head (100) within a holding structure (126), and

the guiding element (120) is in intimate contact with the nozzle body (108) and/or a wall element (128) of the holding structure (126) adjacent to the nozzle body (108).
The sprinkler of claim 1, wherein the guiding element (120) is resiliently biased against the nozzle body (108) and/or the wall element (128) of the holding structure (126) adjacent to the nozzle body (108).
The sprinkler according to claim 2, wherein the deflector (112) is resiliently biased against the nozzle body (108) and/or the wall element (128) of the holding structure (126) adjacent to the nozzle body (108).
The sprinkler according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guiding element (120) is substantially needle shaped.
The sprinkler according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the deflecting surface (114) is substantially roof shaped.
The sprinkler according to claim 5, wherein the deflector (112) further comprises a baffle surface (122) adapted to in use increase a spread of the liquid jet (202) in the adjusting position of the deflector (112).
The sprinkler according to claim 6, wherein the deflector (112) further comprises at least two directing surfaces (124) adapted to in use limit the spread of the liquid jet (202), wherein each directing surface (124) is positioned at each lateral side of the deflecting surface (114).
The sprinkler according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the deflector (112) further comprises connecting portions (304) adapted to attach the deflector (112) to the sprinkler head (100).
The sprinkler according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an actuator (118) is provided to move the deflector (112) with respect to the nozzle (106) between at least an adjusting position and an idle position, and wherein the guiding element (120) is in use in contact with the liquid jet (202) in the adjusting position, and the guiding element (120) is not in contact with the liquid jet (202) in the idle position.
The sprinkler according to claim 9, wherein the deflector (112) is adapted to move in use in a direction which is oriented at an angle (θ) with respect to the direction of discharge (D1) of the liquid jet (202).
The sprinkler according to claim 9, wherein the actuator (118) comprises a rotatable threaded element (208).
The sprinkler according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sprinkler is a pop-up sprinkler, and wherein the sprinkler head (100) is movable between an operating position and a retracted position.
The sprinkler according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sprinkler head (100) is rotatable about a rotational axis (R).