Battery-Powered Troweling Machine With Planetary Gearbox Torque

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery-powered troweling machines lack sufficient torque and battery life to effectively finish poured concrete surfaces, and existing gasoline-powered machines emit harmful exhaust, posing health risks to operators.

Innovation Solution

A battery-powered troweling machine with a planetary gearbox driven by a pair of twenty-four volt batteries in series, featuring a control mechanism on a detachable handle for speed and blade pitch adjustment, and a detachable handle system for easy transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional battery power is used to power a troweling machine, then the machine can operate without exhaust emissions, but the battery life is insufficient to complete the finishing process and the torque is insufficient to provide a satisfactory finished floor surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust emissionsVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical parameters by using a 48-volt battery system instead of conventional 12-volt or 24-volt batteries. This higher voltage provides both extended operational duration and increased torque output, resolving the contradiction between environmental friendliness and sufficient power/duration for completing concrete finishing tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional direct-drive electrical system with a planetary gear mechanism. This mechanical substitution allows the electric motor to operate at optimal speeds while the gear system multiplies torque, enabling the battery-powered system to deliver sufficient finishing power throughout the entire job duration without exhaust emissions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional battery power is used to power a troweling machine, then the machine can operate without exhaust emissions, but the torque is insufficient to provide a satisfactory finished floor surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust emissionsVSAvoidtorque

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional direct-drive electrical system with a planetary gear mechanism. This mechanical substitution allows the electric motor to operate at optimal speeds while the gear system multiplies torque, enabling the battery-powered system to deliver sufficient finishing power throughout the entire job duration without exhaust emissions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameters by using a 48-volt battery system instead of conventional 12-volt or 24-volt batteries. This higher voltage provides both extended operational duration and increased torque output, resolving the contradiction between environmental friendliness and sufficient power/duration for completing concrete finishing tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If a gasoline engine is used to power a troweling machine, then sufficient torque and continuous operation are achieved, but harmful exhaust is produced that makes the operator ill

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetorqueVSAvoidcarbon dioxide exhaust

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the internal combustion engine with an electric motor coupled to a planetary gear system. This substitution eliminates carbon dioxide exhaust production while the gear mechanism ensures sufficient torque is delivered to the trowel blades for effective concrete finishing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The planetary gear system acts as an intermediary between the electric motor and the trowel blades. It translates the high-speed, low-torque output of the electric motor into the low-speed, high-torque output required for effective concrete finishing, matching the performance characteristics of gasoline engines without the harmful emissions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Force

If a planetary gear mechanism is used to deliver power to the blade assembly, then adequate torque is provided, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetorqueVSAvoidgearbox structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power transmission system into distinct functional components: the electric motor, the planetary gear mechanism, and the blade assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier maintenance and repair, offsetting the complexity with modularity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The planetary gear mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides torque multiplication, enables variable speed control through the clutch assembly, and allows for reverse rotation when needed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms, thereby managing overall device complexity while achieving adequate torque.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Provides adequate torque and extended battery life for finishing concrete surfaces, while being environmentally friendly and easy to operate and transport.

Implementation Method 1

a battery-powered troweling machine having an electric motor powered by a pair of twenty-four volt batteries

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

electric motor powered by a pair of twenty-four volt batteries coupled in series to drive a planetary gearbox

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

drive a planetary gearbox that rotates a trowel blade assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 4

planetary gearbox that rotates a trowel blade assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGear: Gear

Data Source

PatentUS12435527B2Battery powered hand-operated troweling machine

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 S K E MASONRY

AI summary

A battery-powered troweling machine is driven by an electric motor powered by a pair of twenty-four volt batteries coupled in series to drive a planetary gearbox to rotate a trowel blade assembly engageable with the surface of the poured concrete. The controls are carried by a detachable handle that is connectable with a receiver box that traps the handle between interior and exterior stops and uses over center clamps to maintain the handle in proper position within the receiver box. The controls at the rearward distal end of the handle can be used to vary the speed of rotation of the troweling assembly, to adjust the pitch of the individual trowel blades through an actuator and linkage assembly, to initiate actuation of the electric motor and to provide an emergency stop for the operation of the troweling machine.