Electronic Trowel Sensor Integration for Material Application Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current trowels lack the ability to monitor and control trowel usage, material application, and end-user performance, leading to inconsistent and potentially flawed material installations in construction and flooring projects, as they do not provide real-time feedback or ensure correct material proportions and application techniques.
Innovation Solution
The development of electronic trowels equipped with sensors such as temperature, location, infrared, ultrasound, pH, and movement sensors that collect and analyze data during material application, providing real-time feedback and ensuring correct material proportions and application techniques through integrated electronic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional hand-held trowels are used for applying cementitious materials, then the tool is simple and easy to operate, but the application consistency and quality control are poor due to lack of monitoring and feedback mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The trowel integrates multiple functions including material application, sensing (temperature, humidity, pressure, acceleration), data processing, and feedback communication into a single device. The handle contains a processing unit and multiple sensors that work together to monitor application parameters and provide real-time feedback to the operator through visual or audible signals, enabling quality control without requiring separate monitoring equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect application parameters such as material temperature, humidity, pressure, and trowel acceleration. This data is processed by a processing unit that compares actual parameters against target ranges and provides real-time feedback to the operator through visual displays or audible alerts, enabling the operator to adjust technique to maintain application consistency and quality.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and electronic devices are added to the trowel for monitoring and control, then the measurement and control capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensing functions (temperature, humidity, pressure, acceleration detection) are integrated into a single handle assembly that also contains the processing unit and display components. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and wiring harnesses compared to having distributed sensors throughout the trowel, while still providing comprehensive monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing unit in the handle serves multiple functions: it processes data from all sensors, determines whether application parameters are within target ranges, controls the display outputs, and manages communication. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate control circuits for each sensing function.
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 electronic trowels enable accurate and consistent material application, ensuring proper bonding and surface quality by detecting errors and adjusting application parameters in real-time, thereby reducing the likelihood of flawed installations and improving installer safety and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more sensors may include temperature sensors
Implementation Method 2
Suitable sensors may include, for instance, infrared sensors or ultrasound sensors, or movement sensors that detect the height and the pattern of the applied layer of material
Implementation Method 3
Suitable sensors may include, for instance, infrared sensors or ultrasound sensors
Implementation Method 4
The one or more sensors may include temperature sensors, location sensors, infrared sensors, ultrasound sensors, pH sensors
Implementation Method 5
The one or more sensors may include movement sensors
Data Source
AI summary
Electronic trowels, systems and methods of applying a layer of material using the present electronic trowels. The various electronic trowels include a handle, at least one blade, and one or more sensors residing on or within the trowel. The trowel is for applying a layer of material over a surface area, whereby the one or more sensors detect and collect material installation data during application of the layer of material over the surface area. One or more electronic devices coupled to the one or more sensors receive and analyze the collected installation data for monitoring and controlling the application of the layer of material to ensure a desired end product is achieved. Application errors may be detected before, during, or after the installation process.