Integrated Aerator and Sand Spreader for Golf Course Turf
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing aeration process for golf courses and grass-covered surfaces is inefficient as it requires multiple vehicles to traverse a stability-compromised ground after aerating, potentially damaging the surface due to the holes created by plug-type aerators.
Innovation Solution
An integrated system combining a spike-type aerator and a spreader that fills aeration holes in a single pass, with a top dresser laying sand before the aerator, ensuring the ground is never driven over in a stability-compromised state, using a spreader with adjustable suspension and a brush assembly to distribute sand into the holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plug-type aerator is used to create holes in the ground and grass-covered surface, then aeration effectiveness is improved, but ground stability deteriorates and the surface becomes less able to support weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the aerator and spreader into a single integrated vehicle system, allowing both aeration and sand distribution to occur simultaneously in one pass. This merging eliminates the need for separate vehicles to traverse the aerated surface, thereby preventing further stability compromise while maintaining effective aeration.
Solution Approach 2:
The spreader distributes sand into the aeration holes immediately after the aerator creates them, during the same operational pass. This preliminary action of filling holes with sand right after creation prevents ground collapse and maintains stability, avoiding the need for subsequent vehicle traffic on the compromised surface.
2Productivity
If multiple vehicles are used to perform aeration, topdressing, and sand spreading separately, then each function can be performed effectively, but the ground is driven over multiple times in a stability-compromised state, potentially damaging the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions (aeration, topdressing, and sand spreading) into a single integrated vehicle that performs all operations in one pass. This eliminates the harmful effect of multiple vehicles traversing the aerated surface, preventing additional stability compromise and potential surface damage while maintaining functional effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system performs aeration and sand distribution continuously in a single operational pass without interruption. The aerator creates holes and the spreader immediately distributes sand into them in an continuous process, eliminating gaps where the surface would remain vulnerable to subsequent vehicle traffic.
3Ease of operation
If a top dresser and spreader are used after aerating to distribute sand into holes, then sand distribution is achieved, but the vehicles must drive across aerated ground that is less stable and less able to support weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the aerator and spreader into a single integrated vehicle where the aerator creates holes and the spreader immediately distributes sand into them during the same pass. This merging ensures sand distribution capability is achieved while eliminating the need for separate vehicles to traverse the aerated surface, thereby maintaining ground stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spreader performs sand distribution immediately after the aerator creates holes, during the same operational pass. This preliminary action fills the holes with sand before any additional vehicle traffic can occur, maintaining ground stability while achieving complete sand distribution capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated aeration spreader for use with an aerator includes a mounting plate, a mounting block rigidly coupled to the mounting plate, a support arm rotatably coupled to the mounting plate, a support block rigidly coupled to the support arm, a shaft rotatably coupled to the support block, wherein the shaft extends through the mounting block, a first nut threaded on the shaft, a first spring having a first end engaged with the first nut and a second end engaged with the mounting block, a second nut threaded on the shaft, and a second spring having a first end engaged with the second nut and a second end engaged with the mounting block.