Granular Material Launcher with Flexible Feed Line
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual distribution of granular materials, such as rock salt for deicing, is challenging due to the need to traverse icy surfaces and lack of efficient tools for covering large areas with even distribution, especially for individuals with limited strength or mobility, and existing tools often result in clumping and require separate handling of materials.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held launcher with a flexible feed line and supply container adaptor that allows for controlled propulsion and distribution of granular materials up to 25 feet, featuring a trigger-operated pivoting release lever and directing fins to prevent clumping, enabling easy and ergonomic use with adaptable compatibility for various materials and containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If manual throwing of granular material is used, then distribution coverage can reach substantial areas, but distribution evenness and control precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The granular material flow is segmented into controlled portions using a gate mechanism that divides the material stream. This segmentation allows precise control over the amount of material released at each discharge point, ensuring even distribution across large areas while maintaining the ability to cover substantial distances.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible feed line acts as an intermediary between the material storage container and the discharge mechanism. This intermediary component enables controlled material transfer over extended distances while maintaining distribution precision, allowing the system to cover large areas with consistent material placement.
2Ease of operation
If manual carrying of material containers is used, then mobility and accessibility are improved, but operator fatigue and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from horizontal carrying to vertical suspension, with the material container suspended from the operator's backpack harness. This dimensional change allows the container weight to be borne by the backpack frame rather than the operator's hands and arms, significantly reducing fatigue while maintaining mobility and accessibility to difficult-to-reach areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The gravity-fed material delivery system automatically replenishes the discharge mechanism without requiring manual intervention. The flexible feed line continuously supplies material from the suspended container to the gate mechanism, eliminating the need for the operator to stop and refill, thereby reducing overall physical effort and maintaining ease of operation throughout the distribution process.
3Productivity
If granular material flows through supply path, then continuous distribution is achieved, but clumping occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates vibration mechanisms that agitate the granular material as it flows through the supply path and feeds into the discharge mechanism. This mechanical vibration prevents particles from settling and forming clumps, maintaining material uniformity and consistent flow characteristics throughout continuous distribution operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal geometry of the supply path and discharge mechanism is specifically designed with local features that promote material flow stability. The gate mechanism and feed line geometry are optimized to create controlled flow patterns that prevent clumping at critical transition points, ensuring uniform material composition is maintained throughout the distribution process.
4Device complexity
If fixed distribution pattern is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different materials and conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal components such as the flexible feed line and adjustable gate mechanism that can accommodate various granular materials with different flow characteristics. These multi-functional elements allow the same basic device structure to adapt to different materials (such as salt, fertilizer, or seeds) and distribution conditions without requiring complex specialized mechanisms, maintaining device simplicity while achieving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate mechanism incorporates adjustable settings that allow the operator to dynamically modify the discharge rate and pattern based on the specific material being distributed and the desired application conditions. This dynamic adjustability enables a single simple device structure to adapt to different materials and conditions, providing versatility without increasing fundamental device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for dispersing granular material from a supply enable enhanced directional control and throwing distance. The present invention is utilizable with an integrated granular material supply container or can be configured for adaptation to a separate supply. Some embodiments of the present invention include a supply funnel, a flexible conduit, and a launcher constructed of a relatively stiffer material having a selectably openable aperture. When fed the supply of the granular material by the conduit, and moved forward in an underhanded tossing motion, a basic coordination of a triggering of the aperture opening at the appropriate moment in the toss controllably propels a substantial amount of the granular material a significant distance.