Concrete Edger With Integrated Spray And Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing concrete edging tools face challenges in uniformly wetting the edges of freshly poured concrete, leading to surface voids and irregularities due to inconsistent water application and pressure distribution during finishing.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held concrete edging tool equipped with an electrically or electronically actuated water application system and vibration system, featuring a spray device with a water tank, pump, and vibration module, allowing for controlled water spraying and blade vibration to ensure uniform wetting and smooth edge finishing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If water is applied by splashing from a brush, then the concrete surface can be wetted, but the water application is non-uniform resulting in surface voids and irregularities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater application uniformityVSAvoidsurface finish quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual brush splashing mechanism with an electronically controlled spray system that delivers water uniformly across the concrete surface. The spray device with adjustable nozzle patterns and electronic control eliminates the non-uniform water application characteristic of manual brush methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs adjustable spray parameters including water pressure, flow rate, and nozzle positioning that can be electronically controlled and optimized. This allows precise adjustment of water application characteristics to achieve uniform wetting without creating surface voids or irregularities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If a manually operated pump with squeeze bulb is used to spray water, then water can be sprayed onto the concrete, but the downward pressure on the blade becomes inconsistent affecting the finish quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater spray capabilityVSAvoidblade pressure consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual squeeze bulb pump with an electronically controlled pump system that independently regulates water spray delivery. This electronic control system decouples water application from blade pressure, allowing consistent blade pressure to be maintained while achieving uniform water spray distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic, independently controlled systems for water delivery and blade pressure regulation. The electronically controlled pump and spray system can adjust water flow rates dynamically without affecting the mechanical downpressure applied to the blade, enabling simultaneous optimization of both water application and finishing pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If water is applied to drying concrete, then the concrete can be finished, but surface irregularities and soft spots occur without proper vibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefinishing capability on drying concreteVSAvoidsurface uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the water spray system and vibration system into a single integrated edging tool. This merging allows simultaneous application of water and vibration to the concrete surface, enabling effective finishing of drying concrete without the surface irregularities that occur when water is applied without vibration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a vibration system that applies mechanical vibrations to the concrete surface during the edging and finishing process. This vibration helps eliminate air pockets, soft spots, and surface irregularities that can occur when working with drying concrete, while the integrated water spray keeps the surface appropriately moist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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

The tool provides consistent water application and vibration to prevent surface irregularities, ensuring a smooth and even finish on concrete edges, even as the concrete is drying, eliminating bubbles and soft spots.

Implementation Method 1

a sprayer, for spraying water onto an advance path of the edger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpray: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

a vibration element that vibrates the rectangular blade

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10443195B2Concrete edging tool

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 CONTRINO JAMES

AI summary

A hand-held concrete edger is formed with a rectangular blade having a first, substantially planar part with an upper surface and a lower surface, and a second part extending substantially at a right angle from a long side of the first, substantially planar part, away from the lower surface. A handle extends substantially perpendicularly away from the upper surface of the first, substantially planar part and is configured with a spray device including a water supply and a sprayer, for spraying water onto an advance path of the edger. A control and vibration module is arranged on the upper surface of the substantially planar part and configured with a vibration element that vibrates the rectangular blade.