Helical Weeder Finger Head with Ejector Rod
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weeding tools often require multiple tools and techniques for different types of weeds and terrains, leading to inefficiencies and increased effort in removing weeds without cutting or damaging the soil.
Innovation Solution
A weeding hand tool with a coiled finger head and ejector rod system that penetrates the soil with a helical motion, allowing for efficient root entrapment and ejection of weeds without cutting, using a handle grip, pedal, and ratcheting mechanism for ergonomic and precise removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple traditional weeding tools are used for different plant types and terrains, then versatility is improved, but device complexity and user effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple weeding functions (digging, grabbing, twisting, and ejecting) into a single integrated tool. The finger head assembly integrates a digging portion, coiled fingers for grabbing, and an ejector mechanism, eliminating the need to switch between multiple separate tools like weed pullers, weed poppers, and weed twisters.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is designed with universal applicability across different plant types and terrain conditions. The adjustable finger head, coiled fingers with varying grip strengths, and ratcheting mechanism enable the same tool to effectively remove annual weeds, perennials, and plants in compacted soils, replacing the need for specialized tools for each condition.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual weed removal is performed without cutting, then soil disturbance is minimized, but time and effort required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coiled fingers are pre-configured to rotate and penetrate the soil before grabbing the weed. The ratcheting mechanism allows the fingers to automatically rotate downward into the soil, performing the digging action preliminarily before the grabbing and extraction phases, which speeds up the overall process while maintaining minimal soil disturbance.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool employs periodic rotational motion through the ratcheting mechanism, where the coiled fingers rotate downward in discrete steps to penetrate and grab the weed. This periodic action is more efficient than continuous manual twisting, reducing the time and effort required while preserving soil structure.
3Reliability
If coiled fingers rotate deeply into soil to grab roots, then weed removal effectiveness is improved, but user effort and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coiled fingers are designed with dynamic rotational capability, allowing them to rotate freely as they penetrate the soil and grab the weed. This dynamic motion reduces the force required from the user compared to rigid digging tools, while still achieving deep root entrapment for effective weed removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The ratcheting mechanism enables the coiled fingers to rotate downward automatically under their own weight and the applied downward force, without requiring the user to manually twist. The ratchet allows rotation in one direction (downward) while preventing backward motion, making the digging and grabbing action self-servicing and reducing user effort.
4Productivity
If weed ejection mechanism is added to the tool, then cleanup time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector mechanism is integrated into the existing finger head assembly, combining the ejection function with the grabbing and twisting mechanisms. The ejector rod and arm work in conjunction with the coiled fingers, adding minimal structural complexity while significantly improving productivity by enabling one-handed weed ejection.
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
Enables effective and ergonomic removal of weeds with minimal soil disturbance, allowing for quick and precise extraction of roots and leaves, reducing the need for additional cleanup and minimizing user effort, capable of handling various terrains and plant types.
Implementation Method 1
a finger head comprising coiled fingers arranged in a helix... when the tool is positioned generally vertically with free end tips of the coiled fingers on the ground, pushing down on at least one of the handle grip and the pedal causes the coiled fingers to rotated down into the soil
Implementation Method 2
an ejector arm, mobile in translation relative to the longitudinal member and connected to the finger head at a first end of the ejector rod; when, by pulling up on the longitudinal member, the coiled fingers are withdrawn out from the soil, with the weed entrapped in the helix they form, the unearthed entrapped weed is ejected from the helix by the ejector rod
Data Source
AI summary
A weeding hand tool, comprising a generally longitudinal member joining a handle grip at a first end thereof and a pedal at a second opposite end thereof, a finger head comprising coiled fingers arranged in a helix and an ejector rod mobile inside the helix, and an ejector arm, wherein, when the tool is positioned generally vertically with free end tips of the coiled fingers on the ground, pushing down on the handle grip and/or on the pedal causes the coiled fingers to rotated down into the soil, entrapping a weed beneath the soil as they penetrate the soil, and wherein when, by pulling up on the longitudinal member, the coiled fingers are pulled out from the soil, with the weed entrapped in the helix they form, and the weed is ejected from the helix pulling down on the ejector arm.