Grass Comb with Grate and Scraper Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for picking up pet feces from lawns are ineffective, difficult to use, and often break, failing to provide a fast and sanitary solution for large areas with thick or long grass.
Innovation Solution
The Grass Comb, comprising a control panel, comb, wheel assembly, storage bag, and blade, allows for efficient collection and storage of feces by pushing through the yard, using levers and a scraper to move feces into the bag, with features like tapered fingers and optional illumination and motorized wheels for ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional hand-picking method is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity and sanitation are poor due to constant bending and manual contact
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a collection pan for gathering feces, a grate system for separation, a scraper mechanism for clearing, and a discharge system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, improving overall productivity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The grate and scraper system operates automatically as the device is pushed forward. The grate passes under feces and the scraper automatically clears accumulated waste into the collection pan without requiring manual intervention for each pickup, enabling fast, hands-free operation that improves productivity
2Ease of operation
If a device with two parts requiring both hands is used, then the collection capability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring two hands
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to be pushed forward with one hand while the grate and scraper mechanisms automatically perform the collection and clearing functions. The collection pan fills automatically as feces are scraped onto it, and discharge is achieved by simple tilting. This self-service operation allows one-handed use while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates movable components including the tiltable collection pan and the scraper mechanism that moves along the grate. These dynamic elements allow the device to adapt to different operating conditions and enable simple one-handed operation while maintaining effective feces removal capability
3Reliability
If a device with spring loaded or moving parts is used, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to breaking parts
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts and eliminates spring-loaded components and complex moving parts that are prone to breaking. Instead, it uses a simple pushed-forward mechanism with a stationary grate and scraper that clear feces automatically. This extraction of unreliable components significantly improves device durability and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using active mechanisms to grab or pull feces through grass, the device inverts the approach by pushing forward and allowing the grate and scraper to passively clear waste as the device moves. This inverted passive mechanism improves reliability by eliminating complex active components while maintaining adaptability to various grass conditions
4Strength
If a device with poor or weak materials is used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the strength deteriorates causing the tool to break
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs composite construction combining metal components for the grate, scraper, and structural frame with plastic or composite materials for the collection pan and handle. This composite approach provides the necessary strength and durability to withstand rough lawn conditions while remaining manufacturable through standard fabrication processes
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the device are constructed from materials with appropriate local properties: metal for high-stress components like the grate and scraper that need strength and wear resistance, and lighter materials for the collection pan and handle where extreme strength is less critical. This localized material selection optimizes overall device strength while maintaining ease of manufacture
Data Source
AI summary
A grass comb for feces removal made up of a body, a control panel connected to the body, the panel having a first lever and a second lever, a grate, the grate connected to the first lever and the body, the grate having a raised position and a lowered position, and the state of the grate responding to a user input on the first lever, a scraper connected to the body and operably connected to the second lever, wherein the scraper is oriented such that it can move from a first position to a second position according to user input on the second lever, wherein when the grate is in the raised position, moving the scraper from the first position to the second position pushes feces off the grate and into a bag.