Lawn Treatment Apparatus with Inclined Screen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lawn treatment devices fail to efficiently remove debris and improve soil nutrient levels, leading to suboptimal grass growth and increased maintenance costs, as they are unable to effectively cut and redistribute soil components from deeper layers and separate stones from soil.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus features long vertical cutting rotor blades and an inclined filtering screen that allows nutritious soil to return to the lawn while retaining debris, with a conveyor system and cleaning mechanisms to ensure efficient soil and debris management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional vertical cutters are used to cut grass and remove mat layer, then grass cutting is achieved, but soil nutrients from deeper layers are not redistributed and debris separation is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil nutrient redistributionVSAvoiddebris removal efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus segments the debris removal and soil nutrient redistribution functions by using a mesh screen that separates stones and debris from nutritious soil particles. The mesh screen allows small soil particles to pass through while retaining larger debris, enabling simultaneous debris removal and soil nutrient redistribution in one operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus combines multiple functions into a single device: vertical cutting of grass, removal of mat layer, separation of debris from soil, and redistribution of nutritious soil particles. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate operations for each task, improving overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If conventional sweeping methods are used to remove debris, then debris removal is achieved, but soil nutrient levels are not improved and multiple operations are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance operation efficiencyVSAvoidsoil nutrient level
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges debris removal and soil nutrient redistribution into a single integrated operation. The mesh screen simultaneously separates debris for removal while allowing nutritious soil particles to be redistributed onto the lawn, eliminating the need for separate sweeping and soil treatment operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus performs multiple maintenance functions in one pass: cutting grass, removing mat layer, separating debris, and redistributing soil nutrients. This multi-functionality significantly reduces the number of maintenance operations required while improving soil nutrient levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If long vertical cutting blades are used to reach deeper soil layers, then soil nutrient redistribution is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil nutrient redistributionVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus uses a mesh screen to segment the mixed material into debris (retained) and soil particles (passed through). This simple segmentation mechanism enables soil nutrient redistribution without requiring complex processing systems, maintaining device simplicity while achieving the desired effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh screen acts as an intermediary element that facilitates the separation and redistribution process. It mediates between the vertically cutting blades that bring up deep soil and the collection system, allowing nutritious particles to pass through while retaining debris, thus simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution significantly improves grass growth by redistributing soil nutrients from deeper layers, reducing maintenance costs and enhancing the quality and appearance of lawns by increasing nutrient levels in the upper soil layer.

Implementation Method 1

a cutting means having a number of vertical cutting blades non rotatably mounted with spacing on the rotatable shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

an inclined endless meshed conveyor screen mounted on two rotating bars, said screen placed with its lower end at the cutting means and its upper end at the container; wherein the conveyor screen is inclined in an angle ranging from 5 to 70 degrees

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

The apparatus is provided with a guide device for collecting the material loosened by the aerating blades and discharging it in the direction of a collecting device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3038445B1Apparatus for treating a lawn surface
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 ENGBAKKEN HLDG 2012 APS
  • EP3038445B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

There is provided an apparatus for surface treatment and collection of undesirable debris of a defined nature from lawns.During a cutting operation rotating blades ripe surface material up onto a filtering screen and along this further to a collecting box so that only stones and debris of e.g. at least 1 cm enter the box whereas smaller particles / soil escape through the filter screen and are thereby returned to the lawn surface, which significantly increases the nutrient level in the upper layers of the lawn.