Hydraulic Wheel Assemblies for Concrete Trowel Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing concrete finishing trowels face difficulties in transportation due to their heavy weight, which requires external equipment or manual labor, and existing transport systems increase the machine's footprint, are inefficient, and are not integrated, making them cumbersome and prone to loss or damage.
Innovation Solution
A power concrete finishing trowel transport system with integrated, hydraulically actuated wheel assemblies that can be raised and lowered by a single switch, allowing for easy deployment and retraction without increasing the machine's footprint, and reducing the need for external lifting mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the trowel is made heavy to provide robust finishing operation, then the finishing performance is improved, but the transportation becomes difficult and requires external equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system is segmented into multiple wheel assemblies that can be independently deployed at different locations along the trowel frame, allowing the heavy trowel to be supported in sections during transportation
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assemblies are designed to be dynamically deployable and retractable, transitioning from a stored position during finishing operations to a deployed position during transportation, adapting the trowel's mobility characteristics as needed
2Ease of operation
If external transport equipment is used to move the heavy trowel, then transportation is enabled, but the process becomes labor-intensive and physically demanding
Solution Approach 1:
The trowel becomes self-sufficient for transportation by integrating its own wheel assembly system, eliminating the need for external forklifts or other transport equipment, and enabling operators to move the machine independently
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assemblies serve multiple functions: they enable transportation of the heavy trowel, provide stability during positioning, and can be used for both loading and unloading operations without requiring different equipment
3Ease of operation
If wheel assemblies are permanently attached to the trowel, then transportation is facilitated, but the machine's footprint increases and obstructs work areas
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assemblies are designed as movable components that can be raised to a stored position during finishing operations, minimizing the machine's footprint, and lowered to a deployed position during transportation, maximizing mobility
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assemblies are positioned within the cage structure of the trowel when in the stored position, nesting the transport components within the existing machine envelope without increasing the overall footprint
4Reliability
If multiple separate jacks are used for each wheel assembly, then the trowel can be supported, but the system becomes complex and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple wheel assemblies are controlled by a single hydraulic system that can raise and lower all wheels simultaneously through one control mechanism, reducing operational complexity while maintaining reliable support capability
Solution Approach 2:
A single hydraulic system performs the function of multiple separate jack systems, providing unified control for all wheel assemblies and eliminating the need for multiple independent lifting 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 system enables efficient, labor-saving transportation of heavy trowels without increasing the footprint, is integrated into the trowel for safety and convenience, and simplifies operation and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
actuation of one or more hydraulic systems to move the wheel assemblies from a raised position to a lowered position
Implementation Method 2
The weight of the finishing trowel, including the operator, is transmitted frictionally to the concrete surface by the rotating blades
Data Source
AI summary
A self-propelled concrete finishing trowel has an integrated transport system that allows the towel to be moved from location to location. The transport system includes a pair of spaced wheel assemblies, each including a pair of wheels that are connected to a frame of the trowel. The wheels of each respective wheel assembly are connected to one another via a powered actuator such as a double acting hydraulic cylinder. The powered actuator is actuatable to raise and lower the first and second wheels from a stowed position in which the wheels are located above the ground and the blades are supported on the ground to a deployed position in which the wheel are supported on the ground and the blades are raised from the ground.