Bowling Lane Maintenance Machine for Cordless Battery Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bowling lane maintenance machines require a long electrical supply cord due to high electrical current demands, making battery operation impractical for facilities with multiple lanes.

Innovation Solution

The machine optimizes operational steps to enable battery operation by using rechargeable storage batteries, a constant voltage regulator, and efficient motor control, allowing for practical battery-powered operation without sacrificing quality or speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the machine uses high electrical current for cleaning and dressing operations, then the quality and speed of lane maintenance is improved, but the need for a long electrical supply cord increases making battery operation impractical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelane maintenance quality and speedVSAvoidelectrical current demand

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The machine segments its operational functions into distinct phases (cleaning phase and dressing phase) that are executed sequentially rather than simultaneously. The cleaning system operates first to remove grime and old oil, then the dressing system applies new oil. This temporal segmentation reduces peak power demand, enabling battery operation while maintaining high-quality maintenance through optimized operational sequencing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the machine operates on battery power, then the need for supply cord is eliminated improving convenience, but the electrical current capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of battery operationVSAvoidelectrical current capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The machine employs periodic action by alternating between cleaning operations and dressing operations in distinct cycles. Each cycle completes one full lane maintenance task before moving to the next. This periodic operation pattern allows the battery to recharge during lower-power intervals and discharge during high-power intervals, effectively managing limited battery capacity while maintaining operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 convenient battery-powered operation of the machine, eliminating the need for a supply cord while maintaining quality and speed of lane cleaning and dressing processes.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum pickup head located behind the cleaner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

a squeegee assembly for removing cleaning liquid from the cleaner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical scraping:

Implementation Method 3

rechargeable storage batteries, a constant voltage regulator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery: Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 4

constant voltage regulator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage regulation:

Data Source

PatentUS8051528B2Method of maintaining a bowling lane

Publication Date: 2011.11.08 THE KEGEL COMPANY INC

AI summary

A bowling lane maintenance machine has its operating functions designed and controlled in such a manner that the machine may be battery-operated without loss of performance. Included in the operation are special movements of the machine at the pin deck to flick moisture off blades of the squeegee assembly and limited activation of the vacuum motor to reduce battery drain.