Inflatable Airbag Tree Mover for Root Ball Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for moving large trees with trunk diameters of eight inches or more are inefficient and costly, as they require complex equipment and high operational pressures, limiting their practicality and scalability.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing inflatable airbags to elevate and roll the root ball, supported by a network of parallel pipes and beams, allowing for efficient transportation and planting of large trees with minimal soil disturbance and low air pressure requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional spade or roundball techniques are used to move large trees, then the trees can be relocated, but the equipment complexity and operational cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inflatable airbags as the core moving mechanism. The airbags are positioned under the root ball and inflated to lift and transport the tree, replacing complex mechanical spade systems and crane-based roundball techniques with a simpler pneumatic system that reduces equipment complexity while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter from high mechanical force and complex mechanical structures to controlled air pressure inflation. By varying the inflation pressure of the airbags, the system can smoothly control the lifting and rolling of the root ball, achieving efficient tree movement with simpler equipment
2Force
If high operational pressure is applied to move large trees, then the tree can be moved, but soil disturbance and root damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic airbag system distributes the moving force through air pressure rather than concentrated mechanical force. The airbags conform to the root ball shape and provide uniform support, enabling tree movement with minimal soil disturbance and reduced risk of root damage compared to high-pressure mechanical systems
Solution Approach 2:
The airbags act as flexible shells that adapt to the contours of the root ball. This flexibility allows the system to apply moving force uniformly across the root ball surface without creating stress concentration points that would cause soil disturbance or root damage
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex equipment is used for tree moving, then large trees can be transported, but the operational cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system serves multiple functions: lifting, rolling, and transporting the root ball. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate equipment for different stages of tree moving, reducing both equipment complexity and the time required for operations while maintaining adaptability to handle large trees
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamically inflatable airbags that can be adjusted in real-time during the moving process. The airbags can be inflated to lift the root ball, then repositioned and inflated again to enable rolling motion, providing versatile and adaptive tree moving capability without requiring complex fixed mechanical structures
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
Enables the cost-effective and efficient movement of large trees over short distances, including loading onto trailers, with reliable support and minimal soil displacement, using low air pressure and a robust yet flexible airbag system.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of inflatable airbags each positioned under the support members are inflated to raise the support member and the root ball from the base of the hole
Implementation Method 2
The root ball may then be rolled on a plurality of inflatable of airbags to a trailer for transport
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A large tree mover system includes a trench formed around the circumference of the tree, and a plurality of elongate supports beneath the root ball of the tree. Two or more connecting beams positioned over the plurality of supports connect the plurality of supports to form a substantially rigid frame. The plurality of inflatable airbags are positioned under the plurality of supports, and these or other airbags may be positioned under the supports to roll the root ball to a selected location. A method of moving large trees is also disclosed.