Foldable Garden Shredder With Rotating Support for Compact Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional garden shredding apparatuses are bulky and inconvenient to transport and store due to their excessive height and size, with issues such as occluded particle outlets, interference between components during retraction, and compromised usability when batteries are removed for size reduction.

Innovation Solution

A shredding apparatus with a shredder assembly that rotates about a first axis within an open space in the support assembly, allowing for a compact internal layout and reducing overall size in the retracted state, featuring a frame assembly with a chassis and support portion, and a particle discharging section that avoids interference, along with a detachable particle collection bag and hanger system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the shredder assembly is made foldable and retractable into the collection bin, then the bulkiness disadvantage is partially overcome, but the particle outlet opening becomes occluded by the collecting section

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize of shredding apparatusVSAvoidocclusion of particle outlet
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shredder assembly is divided into separable components including the shredder body, collection bin, and support portion. The shredder body can be detached from the collection bin, allowing the particle outlet to remain unoccluded while the collection bin is stored separately, thus resolving the contradiction between compact storage and discharge functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shredder assembly incorporates a rotatable connection between the shredder body and support portion, enabling dynamic adjustment between operating position and retracted position. This rotational mechanism allows the particle outlet to be positioned away from the collecting section during operation, preventing occlusion while maintaining compact dimensions when retracted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the shredder assembly is fixed to the opposite end of the support portion to lock the retracted state, then the retracted state is locked, but interference occurs between the shredder assembly and the frame structure during rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocked retracted stateVSAvoidcollision between components
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is extracted from the frame structure and implemented as a separate locking mechanism that engages with the shredder assembly. This allows the shredder assembly to rotate freely within the open space without interfering with the frame structure, while still achieving a locked retracted state through the dedicated locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the shredder assembly and the support portion. This intermediary component enables the locked retracted state without requiring direct fixation to the frame structure, thereby preventing collision and interference during the rotation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the battery is removed to reduce the overall size of the retracted shredder assembly, then the compact layout and reduced size are achieved, but use convenience is significantly compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize of retracted shredder assemblyVSAvoiduse convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The power system is segmented into a removable battery pack that can be detached from the shredder assembly. This allows the battery to be stored separately when not in use, reducing the overall size of the retracted assembly, while maintaining full functionality and convenience during operation when the battery is installed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery installation is designed as a dynamic, tool-free attachment process that allows quick installation and removal. This enables the battery to be easily attached when needed for operation and detached for compact storage, resolving the contradiction between size reduction and operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4640318A1Crushing device
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 ZHEJIANG YAT ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE CO LTD
  • EP4640318A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4640318A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4640318A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a shredding apparatus, particularly a foldable-to-retract shredding apparatus, which overcomes a drawback of an existing shredding apparatus that cannot be made further compact or miniaturized due to limitation of support frame. The shredding apparatus disclosed herein includes a shredder assembly, a support assembly, and a frame assembly; the shredder assembly includes a motor, a power compartment, a material introducing section, a shredder body, and a particle discharging section; the support assembly is connected to the shredder assembly; the frame assembly and the support assembly are securely connected to support the shredder assembly; an open space is left in front of the support assembly; the shredder assembly may pass through first axis of the support assembly to rotate in the open space; the shredder assembly has a first position where it enters an operating state and a second position where it enters a retracted state and may switch therebetween; in the operating state, the shredder body rotates with the electric motor; the material is introduced via the material introducing section, shredded by the shredder body, and discharged out from the particle discharging section.