Artificial Field Litter Pick-Up Device with Infill Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for cleaning artificial athletic fields are ineffective in separating infill material from waste, fail to remove ferrous materials, and lack adjustable height and orientation capabilities, leading to inefficient litter removal and infill material redistribution.
Innovation Solution
A device equipped with a rotating brush assembly, a container with openings for infill material return, a magnet for ferrous material collection, and adjustable height and orientation features, including a vibrator and tow bar, to effectively clean and redistribute infill material while collecting waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a brush assembly is used to collect litter from the field, then litter removal capability is improved, but infill material is also collected with no effective method of returning it to the field
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the collection function into two separate containers: one for litter and one for infill material. The brush assembly collects both materials, but the segmentation of storage and return pathways ensures that infill material can be separated and returned to the field, preventing loss while maintaining effective litter removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A vibratory mechanism acts as an intermediary to facilitate the separation and return of infill material. The vibrator promotes the movement of infill material from the collection container back onto the field, enabling effective infill material recovery without compromising litter removal efficiency.
2Productivity
If common brush-type cleaning systems are used, then general litter removal is achieved, but ferrous material cannot be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines multiple cleaning functions into one system: the brush assembly handles general litter removal while the magnet assembly specifically targets ferrous materials. This multi-functional approach allows the device to remove both organic litter and metallic objects, significantly enhancing versatility without compromising general cleaning effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If the device has fixed height and orientation, then structural simplicity is maintained, but it cannot accommodate varying field conditions such as blade heights and surface slopes
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates adjustable components including height adjustment mechanisms and orientation controls that allow the brush assembly and magnet assembly to be dynamically repositioned. These dynamic features enable the device to adapt to varying field conditions such as different blade heights and surface slopes while maintaining relatively simple structural design through modular adjustment mechanisms.
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 device efficiently cleans synthetic infill turf surfaces by separating infill material from waste, returning it to the field, removing ferrous materials, and accommodating varying field conditions through adjustable height and orientation, enhancing maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The device may also include a magnet sized and positioned to attract and hold magnetic waste material from a field
Implementation Method 2
A vibrator effective for causing the container bottom to vibrate to promote separation of particulate infill material from waste may also be included
Data Source
AI summary
A device for cleaning an artificial “infill turf” field includes a rotating brush assembly and a basket for receiving waste and infill material. The basket has a bottom with openings that allow infill material to be returned to the field, and a vibrator to promote separation of infill from waste. The device may include wheels connected to the brush assembly in a manner effective to rotate the brush when one or both of the wheels rotate, and a magnet for picking magnetic waste material from the field. The device may include an actuator for adjusting the height of the brushes, and a tow bar that allows the device to be positioned in an “active” orientation to sweep a field, or an “uplifted” orientation to transport the device across curbs or rough terrain. Multiple brushes and/or baskets may be provided.