Core Collector Skid Plate with Blower for Ground Aeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ground aeration techniques are inefficient due to the manual labor and expense required for collecting and hauling away cores extracted by ground aerators, with debris often plugging freshly made holes and dispersing onto the surface.
Innovation Solution
A core collector device with a skid plate and core clearing members, such as blowers, that deposits extracted cores directly onto the collector, preventing debris from filling holes and reducing manual labor by directing cores away from the extraction area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cores are discharged directly on the ground behind the ground aerator machine, then the core collection process is simplified, but manual labor and hauling time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The core collector is attached to the ground aerator machine and automatically collects cores as they are extracted, allowing the system to service itself without requiring separate manual collection operations. The collector passively receives cores through openings in the skid plate as the aerator moves forward.
Solution Approach 2:
The core collection function is merged with the ground aerator machine by attaching the core collector to the same platform. This combines the core extraction and collection operations into a single integrated system, eliminating the need for separate collection equipment and operations.
2Reliability
If a box with trap door is used to collect cores, then cores are contained during transport, but debris smears on the ground and core collection device
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful action of cores being dragged across the ground is eliminated by extracting cores directly into the collector through openings in the skid plate. Cores are pulled upward through the openings and deposited into the collection chamber, preventing contact with the ground surface that causes smearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The skid plate with openings acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates core transfer from the ground to the collection chamber without direct contact between cores and the ground surface. This intermediate mechanism prevents debris from being smeared while still allowing efficient core collection.
3Device complexity
If cores are collected by dragging them across the ground, then collection is simple, but freshly made holes become plugged with debris
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful practice of dragging cores across the ground is replaced by extracting cores directly into the collector through vertical openings in the skid plate. This upward extraction path prevents cores from contacting the ground surface and plugging the freshly made aeration holes.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing cores to fall backward onto the ground behind the aerator, the system inverts this trajectory by using the upward motion of core extraction to direct cores forward into the collector. The core flow direction is reversed from ground-discharge to collector-intake.
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 core collector efficiently collects and directs extracted cores, reducing manual labor and debris dispersion, thereby enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of ground aeration processes.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one core clearing member may be a blower or a pair of blowers provided on opposite sides of the skid plate. The core collector may have one or more pipes having a first end connected to the blower and a second end positioned over at least one of the plurality of openings. The one or more pipes may be configured to direct forced air from the at least one core clearing member to blow the aeration cores that are extracted from the ground surface from the proximal end of the skid plate toward the distal end of the skid plate.
Data Source
AI summary
A core collector for collecting aeration cores lifted from a ground surface by a ground aerator machine includes a skid plate having a bottom surface opposite the ground surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface. The skid plate has a plurality of openings in the skid plate extending between the top surface and the bottom surface at a proximal end of the skid plate. The plurality of openings are spaced apart from each other based on a spacing of extraction tines of the ground aerator machine. The core collector has at least one core clearing member. Aeration cores are deposited directly onto the top surface of the skid plate. The at least one core clearing member is configured to clear the aeration cores from the proximal end of the skid plate toward the distal end of the skid plate.