TWI641424B - Water application device with critical area protectors - Google Patents

Abstract

A sprinkler device includes a body for an operator to hold, manipulate, and flow along the grip portion thereof. The body houses a water flow control assembly that causes the sprinkler to perform a control function associated with the flow of water through the sprinkler. An operating member is operatively coupled to the body to interface with the water flow control assembly to alternately provide or stop water flow through the sprinkler. A flow passage is formed in the body to define a flow path between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the sprinkler. There are a plurality of critical areas in the flow channel, and the water is concentrated in the critical area when the sprinkler is not sprinkled. At least one first compensating member is disposed in the first critical region, and at least one second compensating member is disposed in the second critical region. The first and second compensating members comprise a compressible material such that the first and second compensating members are compressed in the first and second critical regions, respectively, to increase the effective volume of the first and second critical regions.

Description

Sprinkler with critical area protection

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally relate to watering equipment, and more particularly to a sprinkler that uses a compensating member in a critical area proximate the device.

As with many other activities, gardening and yard maintenance can be made easier and more enjoyable for landscapers when using the right tools to handle the work. Every garden or yard needs a suitable and efficient watering method. When nature does not cooperate, or for covered areas, it must rely on watering equipment to provide sufficient water supply.

Watering equipment includes hoses, hose reels, spray guns, spray heads, booms, faucets (or outdoor sprinklers) and other similar equipment. These devices are typically used to apply water from faucets to gardens, plants or other objects, and are typically used with hoses and some form of sprinkler (for example, spray guns, nozzles or booms, etc.) Sprinklers). Many of the components of the sprinkler system can be reconfigured or relatively simply configured as components that can be used with other different types of components or devices. For example, a quick connect assembly can cause the hose to be simply moved and can allow different types or sprinklers with different sprinkling characteristics to be coupled to the hose. However, even with the improved ability to move and reconfigure devices, landscapers often prefer to maintain certain parts of the system that are most commonly used in a pre-group state that is ready for use. Thus, for example, the horticulturist will hold a particular nozzle in a state of being connected to a particular hose and maintain the particular hose in a state of being connected to a particular faucet. This particular method of assembly is often used (or at least the most commonly used combination) or a more convenient combination for a gardener.

When the gardener is used to keeping the sprinklers in a pre-assembled and deployed state, they are likely to forget the possibility of some damage to the pre-assembled equipment. For example, if the temperature drops suddenly and the freezing condition occurs, the water remaining in the equipment may expand due to the freezing condition, causing damage to the equipment. Also one of the examples of the above situation, especially when the nozzle is hung on the hose reel, water will stay in the nozzle (e.g., near the lowest point) and expand due to the phenomenon of freezing. If the volume of water is initially just enough to fill the voids in the nozzle, the expansion caused by the freezing phenomenon may cause damage to the elements forming the void or connected to the void, thus causing damage to the nozzle. Although the above problems can be avoided by the gardener's double efforts and more attention, there is still a need in the industry to provide a solution that can solve the above technical problems for the gardener.

For the above reasons, certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an improved design of a sprinkler that uses a compensator to protect critical areas of the sprinkler. Among other embodiments, a sprinkler device may be provided in which one or more compensating members capable of withstanding repeated cycles of multiple compressions are disposed in the flow passage. Accordingly, for example, if water is frozen in the flow path, the compensator will be compressed to compensate for the volume expansion produced by the frozen water, thereby avoiding possible damage to the components of the sprinkler.

Hereinafter, a sprinkler device is provided in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The sprinkler device can include a body for an operator to hold along a grip portion thereof, an operating member, and a first-class track. The body can house a water flow control assembly that is configured to cause the sprinkler to perform a control function associated with the flow of water through the sprinkler. The operating member can be operatively coupled to the body to interface with the water flow control assembly to alternately provide or stop water flow through the sprinkler. The flow channel may be formed in the body to define the sprinkle A flow path between an inlet portion and an outlet portion of the water device. The flow path may have a plurality of critical areas in which water may be concentrated when the sprinkler is not sprinkled. At least one first compensator may be disposed in a first critical region, and at least one second compensator may be disposed in a second critical region. The first compensating member and the second compensating member may comprise a compressible material, the compressible material being configured such that the first compensating member and the second compensating member may be respectively in the first key region and the second The critical area is compressed, thereby increasing the effective volume of the first critical area and the second critical area.

10, 100‧‧‧ sprinklers

20, 110‧‧‧ subjects

22, 119‧‧ ‧ grip

24. 112‧‧ Export Department

26. 114‧‧‧ Entrance Department

30‧‧‧Operating parts

40‧‧‧ nozzle

50‧‧‧Water flow control components

52‧‧‧Switch control components

54‧‧‧Flow Control Components

60‧‧‧Flow control components

113‧‧‧ axis/exit axis

116‧‧‧Quick coupling

118‧‧‧ axis

120‧‧‧ sprinkler

132‧‧‧Connecting Department

140‧‧‧trigger

150‧‧‧ cover assembly

160‧‧‧ Receiving Department

162‧‧‧Flow control lever

200‧‧‧ Entrance area

210‧‧‧Export area/first exit area

220‧‧‧Intermediate area/second exit area

300, 300’‧‧‧Compensation

302‧‧‧First compensator

304‧‧‧second compensator

306‧‧‧ Third compensator

308‧‧‧fourth compensator

310‧‧‧Inside/Key Areas

310’‧‧‧Key Areas

320‧‧‧Compensation Receiver

330‧‧‧Retaining ribs

330’‧‧‧ Ribs

340‧‧‧Retaining ribs

D1‧‧‧ inner diameter

D2‧‧‧outer diameter/diameter

D3‧‧‧diameter

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing a sprinkler according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 3 is a view showing a sprinkler according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view showing a portion of the inner periphery of the compensating member and the key region according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the exploded view showing the view taken along the axial direction; FIG. 4B A cross-sectional view taken to show a cross section of a compensating member in a direction perpendicular to its axis according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4C is a view showing a fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 4A according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. An alternative view of an alternative design in the assembly; FIG. 5A is a first configuration showing a compensator in a sprinkler device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5B is a view showing an example in accordance with the present invention Sprinkler embodiment of the complement a second configuration of the reimbursement; FIG. 5C is a third configuration showing a compensating member in the sprinkling device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 5D is a view showing sprinkling according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention A fourth configuration of the compensator in the device.

In the following, some exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and FIG. In fact, the examples described and illustrated herein are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present invention. Conversely, the present invention provides the exemplary embodiments primarily to enable the content of the present specification to conform. Applicable legal provisions. Throughout the specification, the same component symbols represent the same components. Moreover, the word "or" as used herein shall be interpreted as a logical operator to obtain the result of the establishment of any one or more of its connected. Here, operational coupling is to be understood as a direct or indirect connection relationship, and in both cases, the elements that are operatively coupled to each other are functionally interconnected.

Here, certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an improved design of a sprinkler device. The exemplary embodiments place the compensator in a strategic position within the sprinkler to ensure that each critical area in the sprinkler can be protected. Since water is particularly easy to stay at several locations in the sprinkler depending on the geometry, individual compensators can be placed at each location to avoid damage caused by freezing or even by certain pressure pulses. .

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a sprinkler device 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The modular sprinkler 10 can include a body 20, an operating member 30, and a showerhead 40. The body 20 is accessible to an operator along a portion thereof. In some cases, the grippable portion can define a grip portion 22 of the body 20, and the grip portion 22 can be disposed between an outlet portion 24 and an inlet portion 26. The body 20 can house a water flow control assembly 50 that is controlled by the water flow control assembly 50 It is configured to cause the sprinkler 10 to perform a control function associated with the flow of water through the sprinkler 10 (for example, a flow of water from the inlet portion 26 to the outlet portion 24).

In certain embodiments, the water flow control assembly 50 can include a switch control assembly 52 and a flow control assembly 54. The operating member 30 can be coupled to the body 20 to interface with the water flow control assembly 50, thereby alternately activating or stopping the flow of water through the sprinkler 10 depending on the position of the operating member 30. Thus, in some cases, the operating member 30 can act as an operating element for opening or closing (partially or completely) a valve body or other water flow control element in the water flow control assembly 50. The operating member 30 can interface, inter alia, with the switch control assembly 52 in the water flow control assembly 50. In some cases, the water flow control assembly 50 can further have a flow control function such that it can adjust the flow of water to a certain extent in accordance with operator control in addition to opening and closing the flow of water. Flow control component 54 may be an example of a structure that performs the functions described above. However, flow control component 54 may also be omitted in some examples. When the sprinkler device has a flow control function, the flow control member 60 can be operated through a flow control member 60, which can be a rod, a button, an adjustment plate, or other component that allows the operator to adjust the flow of water. .

The showerhead 40 can be coupled to the outlet portion 24 of the body 20 to spray water flowing through the showerhead 40 in accordance with the spray characteristics of the showerhead 40. In some cases, the showerhead 40 can be a showerhead selected from a number of different sprayheads, and each of the different sprayheads has a different configuration and/or configuration to accommodate different sprays. Demand or expectation.

The body 20 can have or accommodate a first-class track that extends from the inlet portion 26 to the outlet portion 24. A switch control assembly 52 and a flow control assembly 54 can be disposed in the flow passage to divide the flow passage into a unique space or region. Water may be collected in any of these areas and may be damaged when a freeze or pressure pulse occurs. For example, when water is frozen, it creates volume expansion (i.e., internal functional elements) in the unique regions of the flow channel and the space of a fixed volume defined by the surrounding components. The pressure therefore increases in a fixed volume of space, and as the pressure increases to a sufficient value, the water flow channel wall may rupture and is more likely to cause damage to the internal functional components.

As noted above, these potentially affected areas can therefore be considered "critical areas" and these key areas can include an entry area between the inlet portion 26 and the switch control assembly 52, at the switch control assembly 52, and flow. An intermediate region between the control assemblies 54 and an outlet region between the flow control assembly 54 and the outlet portion 24. In order to protect the above-mentioned areas from damage, an exemplary embodiment in which a compensating member is provided in each critical area will be provided below. Of course, some embodiments may have only two critical regions, as some embodiments may not have all of the components of flow control component 50 (eg, flow control component 54 may be omitted). However, in this specification, it should be understood that the term "critical area" should be taken to mean a container, a space, or other area formed in a flow path near the internal functional components of the sprinkler 10. Moreover, in the present specification, the internal functional elements may include elements of the water flow control assembly 50 and the spray head 40 (eg, the nozzle portion of the spray head 40).

The compensating members can be configured to avoid damage caused by water being frozen in critical areas or by expansion caused by pressure pulses. In this regard, for example, a compensator can be inserted into the critical areas to provide a flow that does not affect or interfere with the flow through the sprinkler 10 under normal operating conditions, but can contain (or compensate) residuals A component of volume expansion or other influence caused by water in a critical area. For example, the compensator can be made of a flexible and/or resilient material that absorbs repeated compression and expansion without causing permanent deformation. Thus, the compensator can be made of a compressible material that is configured such that the compensator can be compressed in critical areas, thereby increasing the critical area in response to freezing of water or pulsation of water. The effective volume is to avoid damage to the internal functional components of the sprinkler 10. In some cases, the compensator can be formed from a compressible material as a hollow cylindrical tube, and the compensating members can be housed in critical areas to become compressible members, thereby increasing the effective volume of critical areas at least 10%. Thus, the compensator can contain or compensate for the increased volume caused by the frozen water. In some cases, the compensator may have sufficient compressibility to increase the effective volume of the critical area by more than 25%.

In some cases, the compensator can be made from a bullet such as a thermoplastic elastomer The body consists of. The compensator can have a plurality of enclosed gas spaces (e.g., glass bubbles) that are formed and distributed throughout the volume of the compensator. Thus, the compensating members can be made of a material similar to rubber, foamed, and having a plurality of hollow closed cells therein. The enclosed gas space (ie, the hollow closed cell chamber) may be a watertight structure. These enclosed gas spaces may be of a compressible structure such that the compensator is a compressible structure thereby accommodating the expansion of water as it is formed into ice. The increase in water volume (i.e., volume expansion) can therefore be compensated for by the volumetric compression of the corresponding compensator. Then, when the ice cubes melt, the enclosed gas space is expanded to allow the compensator to expand in volume when the water is converted back to liquid and takes up less volume. It should be noted that although a plurality of enclosed gas spaces may be distributed in a foam-like material, some embodiments may use a rubber or other flexible type having a few or only one compressible gas space. The material acts as a compensator.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view showing the sprinkler device 100, which is an example of the sprinkler device 10 shown in Fig. 1. The sprinkler device 100 includes a body 110 which is an example of the body 20 shown in FIG. At the same time, the main body 110 has an outlet portion 112 and an inlet portion 114, which are respectively an example of the outlet portion 24 and the inlet portion 26 shown in FIG. The inlet portion 114 has a threaded engagement that can engage a quick coupling joint 116. Alternatively, the outlet portion 112 can be coupled to a selected one of the plurality of spray heads. The showerhead 120 is a specific example of the showerhead 40 shown in FIG. 1 and is one of a plurality of showerheads that can be engaged with the outlet portion 112.

The body 110 can be made of molded plastic, composite material, metal, or any other suitable material that is sufficiently rigid and can be formed to accommodate a flow path (or water) that defines water flow from the inlet portion 114 to the outlet portion 112. Components, components and/or components of the channel). The flow passage may extend along an axis 118 of one of the grip portions 119 of the body 110. However, in some embodiments, the outlet portion 112 can be disposed along the outlet portion axis 113 such that the outlet portion 112 has an angle with respect to the axis 118. Moreover, different body structures can be selected to define different angles between the axis 118 and the axis 113.

The connecting portion 132 may be disposed at a rear portion of the grip portion 119 to receive a cover assembly 150. An example in which the sprinkler device 100 is configured to include flow control The flow control lever 162 may be disposed in the receiving portion 160 of the cover assembly 150. However, in certain embodiments, the cover assembly 150 may not have the receiving portion 160 and thus does not have the flow control rod 162 (or does not have any flow control assembly 54).

In an exemplary embodiment, the trigger 140 may be an example of the operating member 30 shown in FIG. In some cases, the trigger 140 can be pivoted between the inlet portion 114 on the body 110 and the intersection of the axis 118 and the axis 113. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the pivot point of the trigger member 140 is located at one end of the trigger member 140 corresponding to or near the inlet portion 114. It should be noted that, however, the pivot point may alternatively be disposed at the other end of the trigger member (so that the pivot point is located near the intersection of the axis 118 and the axis 113). The end of the trigger member 140 opposite the pivot point may be alternately compressed toward the body 110 and may extend away from the body 110, thereby adjusting the switch control assembly 52 to open and close the sprinkler 100, respectively.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the sprinkler device 100 in Fig. 2. Figure 3 shows the flow path through which water flows from the inlet portion 114 to the outlet portion 112. In this example, the flow channel can have multiple critical regions, such as an inlet region 200 and an outlet region 210. The exit region 210 can generally have an intermediate region 220.

In some cases, the entry area 200 can be considered the most critical area. The inlet region 200 can be located between the inlet portion 114 and the switch control assembly 52. The switch control assembly 52 can be a gate valve or other binary valve that switches between on or off (ie, open or closed) and, in some cases, is not suitable for throttling or regulating the flow of water. Accordingly, the inlet region 200 will typically be filled with pressurized water (eg, when the faucet is open), or by being pressurized and (especially when the system has minimal water leakage) because it is locked The valve of the faucet and the valve of the switch control assembly 52 are still filled with water of some degree of pressure. Accordingly, since there is usually no conduit for releasing pressure in this region, it is more difficult to relieve the pressure without the compensating member when a freezing or pressure pulse occurs.

The outlet portion can be disposed between the nozzle of the showerhead 120 and the switch control assembly 52. However, in certain embodiments (eg, particularly in embodiments that include flow control assembly 54), the outlet portion can be divided into a first exit region 210 and a second exit region 220, wherein the first outlet region 210 extends between the nozzle of the showerhead 120 and the flow control assembly 54, and the second outlet region 220 is between the switch control assembly 52 and the flow control assembly 54 extend.

First, with respect to the first outlet region 210, if the showerhead 120 of the sprinkler device 100 has an open nozzle and the nozzle is just at an angle that allows all or most of the water to drain, the water in the first outlet region 210 Will leak out. However, the angle at which the sprinkler device 100 is suspended from the hose reel or from other devices is not conducive to the outflow of water therein, when the flow control valve is positioned to maintain water in the first outlet region 210, and / or when the nozzle is close to closing, the water will stay in the first outlet region 210. Further, when the nozzle is slightly opened, cold air is easily entered by the first outlet region 210, so that freezing phenomenon easily occurs in the first outlet region 210.

The second outlet region 220 can be located between the valve of the switch control assembly 52 and the flow control assembly 54. In some cases, when the switch control assembly 52 is assumed to be in a closed state, and when the flow control assembly 54 is in a nearly closed state, and/or when the angle of the sprinkler device 100 is detrimental to the flow of water therein, The ability of the second outlet region 220 to exclude pressure when the freezing occurs occurs is the second lowest region, and thus, the second outlet region 220 may be compared to the region considered to be the second critical. However, as discussed above, in embodiments that do not include flow control assembly 54, this region may be eliminated or may be merged with first exit region 210.

In an exemplary embodiment, each critical region (ie, inlet region 200, first outlet region 210, and (where applicable) second outlet region 220) may include or may be included as at least one compensator receiving portion. As such, the critical regions can be separately formed to receive at least one compensation component. Since in some cases a plurality of compensating elements can be provided in a critical area, it should be mentioned that the critical areas can also be formed or include one or more compensator receiving portions.

Fig. 4 includes a 4A, 4B, and 4C drawings, respectively showing schematic views of a compensating member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 4A is an exploded perspective view of the compensator 300 and a portion of the inner perimeter 310 of a portion of the critical region, along with the compensator and the critical region, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A view obtained by making a cross section in the axial direction of the domain. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing the compensator 300, which is a view taken along a line section perpendicular to the axis of the compensator 300. Figure 4C shows an alternative view to show an alternative design in the assembly shown in Figure 4A. Here, Fig. 4C shows the compensator 300' and the retaining ribs on the critical areas.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the compensator 300 can have a generally hollow cylinder and the critical region can be a generally hollow cylindrical portion of the flow passage. Thus, in the most basic embodiment, the compensator receiving portion 320 can simply be a portion of the flow channel that has sufficient accommodation or that receives the length of the compensator 300 (eg, a portion of the tubular body of the flow channel). As such, the compensator receiving portion 320 can simply be the same portion of the flow path that is substantially the same length as a compensator. The compensator receiving portion 320 need not be defined by any other special features. It should be noted that the compensator 300 does not have to be hollow cylindrical in all cases. For example, in certain embodiments, the compensator can have any shape that allows water flow to flow in the flow channel and has a shape that can retain the compensator in the flow channel to withstand volumetric contraction if necessary. Thus, in some embodiments, the compensator may have the shape of a half hollow cylinder (eg, a shape that matches the shape shown in FIG. 4A, in place of the entire compensator 300 shown in FIG. 4A). Part of it, or any other suitable shape.

In some embodiments, the compensator 300 can have an inner diameter d1 and an outer diameter d2. On the other hand, the inner periphery of the critical region 310 may have a diameter d3. In some cases, the diameter d3 may be slightly smaller than the diameter d2. As such, the compensator 300 needs to be slightly compressed when it is received into the compensator receiving portion 320, and the force exerted on the compensating member 300 by the inner periphery of the critical region 310 should be sufficient to allow the water to flow through the flow path. The compensator 300 is fixed or sufficient to secure the compensator 300 during assembly of the compensator 300 into the sprinkler (eg, the sprinkler 10 or 100).

As shown in FIG. 4, when no compensator is provided, the flow path can be defined by the inner periphery of the critical region 310. However, when the compensator 300 is inserted into the compensator receiving portion 320, the flow path is defined by the hollow central region of the compensator 300. In addition, when water freezes in the flow channel, the volume of water increases (eg, about 10%) due to This causes an increase in the diameter of the flow path. As described above, the compensator 300 is a compressible member such that the inner diameter d1 can expand to accommodate the increased volume after the water expands.

While the compensator receiving portion 320 need not be defined by physical features, in some cases, the compensator receiving portion 320 can have additional features, such as a compensator 300 configured to facilitate a fixed setting relative to the flow channel. Maintain the characteristics of the positioning. In this regard, in some cases, the compensator receiving portion 320 can be configured to have retaining ribs 330 that can be along an inner circumference of the critical region 310' in an axial direction (ie, parallel to the flow passage) The length of the longitudinal direction extends). Alternatively, however, the retaining ribs may also have an annular shape (as indicated by the dashed line of ribs 330') that may extend around the inner periphery of the flow channel and be in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the axial direction. Further, in some cases, an annular ring may be disposed at each longitudinal end of the compensator 300, thereby defining the length of the compensator receiving portion 320 and restricting movement of the compensating member 300 in the axial direction.

It should be noted that in addition to the retaining ribs being disposed in the flow passage to define the compensator receiving portion, the retaining ribs may be disposed on the outer periphery of the compensating member itself. Fig. 4C shows an example of the longitudinally extending retaining ribs 340 in which the retaining ribs 340 are disposed along the outer periphery of the compensator 300'. It should be noted that various examples of retaining ribs shown in more than one of FIG. 4C may be included in some embodiments. Thus, the retaining ribs shown can be replicated as many times as needed (or in any desired combination) to provide a plurality of retaining ribs (of the same or different species) in some cases.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sprinkler device 100 may be provided with one or more compensating members 300 in the critical area to protect the sprinkler device 100. The sprinkler 100 can be made stronger and more durable by these protective measures against damage caused by freezing or pulsing. However, another aspect of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further have the ability to provide the sprinkler device 100 with modular characteristics. As such, a full set of components can be manufactured in large quantities during assembly, and the components can optionally be combined to define different types of device configurations. In some cases, a single type and size of compensator can be produced in large quantities and inserted into the sprinkler 100 at selected locations, thereby defining different levels of protection. in this way In this way, it is not necessary to use different tools for different grades of products in the manufacturing process, and different levels of protection measures can be set for different grades of products. In some embodiments, the modular sprinkler assembly kit can have all of the selectable components for the user to select the appropriate combination as desired.

Accordingly, in some cases, the number and/or type of compensators disposed in the sprinkler device 100 can define corresponding different configurations. Here, the design shown in Figure 3 defines an unprotected configuration. However, by inserting a first compensator 302 into a critical region corresponding to the entry region 200, a first configuration of the protected design can be obtained. FIG. 5A shows the first configuration described above, in which the first outlet region 210 and the second outlet region 220 do not include any compensator 300. FIG. 5B shows a second configuration in which the first compensator 302 is disposed with the second compensator 304 disposed in a critical region corresponding to the second exit region 220. There is no compensator 300 in the first outlet region 210 here. A third configuration is shown in FIG. 5C in which a third compensator 306 (in other words, near the nozzle of the showerhead 120) is disposed in the first exit region 210. However, in some cases, the critical area may have a size sufficient to accommodate two compensating members (eg, thus having two compensator receiving portions). Therefore, it is also possible to provide a fourth configuration in which a fourth compensator 308 is added to the first outlet region 210 as shown in FIG. 5D. By making all of the compensating members the same size, the compensating members are interchangeable and mass-produced components so that the operator can place any desired number of compensating members in any desired configuration for assembly. Includes the least protected configuration (for example, the first configuration, only the most critical critical areas are protected) to the most protected configuration (for example, the fourth configuration, where all critical areas are protected and one of the areas A configuration with various levels of protection with dual protection).

The present invention provides a sprinkler apparatus in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. The sprinkler device can include a body for an operator to hold along a grip portion thereof, an operating member, and a first-class track. The body can house a water flow control assembly. The water flow control assembly is configured to cause the sprinkler to perform a control function associated with the flow of water through the sprinkler. The operating member can be operatively coupled to the body to interface with the water flow control assembly, thereby alternately providing or stopping the watering The flow of water from the device. The flow passage may be formed in the body to define a flow path between an inlet portion and an outlet portion of the sprinkler. The flow path has a plurality of critical areas in which water can be concentrated when the sprinkler is not sprinkled. At least one first compensating member may be disposed in a first critical region, and at least one second compensating member may be disposed in a second critical region. The first compensating member and the second compensating member comprise a compressible material, the compressible material being configured such that the first compensating member and the second compensating member are respectively separable in the first key region and the second key The region is compressed, thereby increasing the effective volume of the first critical region and the second critical region.

A sprinkler having features in certain embodiments of the invention may have any of the following additional features or may have a combination of the following features. For example, in some embodiments, (1) the first critical region includes an inlet region of the flow channel between the inlet portion and a switch control component of the water flow control assembly. In certain embodiments, (2) the second critical region includes a first outlet region of the flow passage, the first outlet region being located between the outlet portion and a flow control assembly of the sprinkler. In an exemplary embodiment, (3) the second critical region includes a second exit region of the flow channel, the second exit region being located between the switch control assembly and the flow control assembly. In some embodiments, the sprinkler device can have the features of any one of (1) to (3), and the (4) flow channel includes a substantially hollow cylindrical tube, and the first compensator and the second Each of the compensators can have a generally hollow cylinder configured to be placed into each of the critical regions. In some embodiments, the sprinkler device can have the features of any one of (1) to (4), and including (5) each of the first compensator and the second compensator can have a configuration configured to A substantially hollow cylinder that enters each of these critical areas. In an example, (6) the first compensator and the second compensator are compressible members to increase the volume of the critical regions by at least 10%, or even to greater than about 25%.

In certain embodiments, the sprinkler device may have features of any or all of (1) through (6) in addition to the selective improvements or additional functions described below. For example, in some embodiments, the first compensator and the second compensator can be formed from a thermoplastic elastomer. As an additional or alternative solution, the first compensator And each of the second compensating members may include a plurality of hollow closed trough chambers distributed throughout the volume of the first compensating member and the second compensating member. As an additional or alternative solution, the hollow closed cells are watertight structures.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and other embodiments of the present invention are capable of various advantages as described hereinabove and shown in the drawings. Therefore, the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described in the specification, and various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In addition, while the above description and the annexed drawings are exemplary embodiments of the embodiments of the invention An alternative embodiment of the present invention is made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, different combinations of elements and/or functions that are different from those mentioned above are also reviewed and described in certain sub-items. The advantages, benefits, and methods of solving the problems are described in the present invention, but the advantages, benefits, and methods of solving the problems are applicable to certain exemplary embodiments and are not necessarily applicable to all of the exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the advantages, benefits, and methods of solving the problems described in the specification are not to be construed as a critical, essential, or necessary condition in the scope of the embodiments. The vocabulary is used in the specification and is not intended to limit the invention.

Claims (10)

A sprinkler device for sprinkling water in a garden watering system, the sprinkler device comprising: a body for an operator to hold along a grip portion thereof, the body accommodating a water flow control assembly, the water flow The control assembly is configured to cause the sprinkler to perform a control function associated with the flow of water through the sprinkler; an operating member operatively coupled to the body for interfacing with the flow control assembly thereby alternating Providing or stopping the flow of water through the sprinkler; and a flow path formed in the body to define an inlet between the inlet and the outlet of the sprinkler, the flow path having a plurality of keys The water may be collected in the critical areas when the sprinkler is not sprinkled; wherein at least one first compensator is disposed in a first critical area and at least one second compensator is disposed in a second In the critical region, the first compensating member and the second compensating member comprise a compressible material, the compressible material being configured such that the first compensating member and the second compensating member are respectively separable in the first critical region Compressed in the second critical region, thereby increasing an effective volume of the first critical region and the second critical region, wherein the first critical region includes an inlet region of the flow channel, the inlet region being located at the inlet portion And a switch control assembly of the flow control assembly, wherein the second critical region includes a first outlet region of the flow passage, the first outlet region being located at the outlet portion and a flow control assembly of the sprinkler Between the first critical area and the second critical area being respective containers formed in a flow path adjacent to an internal functional element of the sprinkler, and wherein the container in the flow path acts as a compensator The receiving portion, the compensator receiving portion includes an additional feature, or wherein the outer periphery of a compensating member is configured to include at least one retaining rib. The sprinkler device of claim 1, further comprising a third critical area between the switch control component and the flow control component, and the third key zone is provided with a Three compensation parts. The sprinkler device of claim 1, wherein the second critical region comprises a second outlet region of the flow channel, the second outlet region being located between the switch control assembly and the flow control assembly. The sprinkler device of claim 2, wherein the flow channel comprises a substantially hollow cylindrical tube, and wherein each of the first compensator and the second compensator There is a generally hollow cylinder configured to be placed into each of the critical regions. The sprinkler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the first compensator and the second compensator has a configuration to be placed in each of the keys A generally hollow cylinder in the region. The sprinkler device of claim 5, wherein the first compensating member and the second compensating member are compressible members to increase the volume of the critical regions by at least 10%. The sprinkler device of claim 5, wherein the first compensating member and the second compensating member are compressible members to increase the volume of the critical regions by at least 25%. The sprinkler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first compensator and the second compensator are formed of a thermoplastic elastomer. The sprinkler device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the first compensating member and the second compensating member comprises a plurality of hollow closed trough chambers, the hollow The closed chamber is distributed in the entire volume of the first compensator and the second compensator. The sprinkler device of claim 9, wherein the hollow closed cell chambers are watertight structures.