Motorized Hand-Held Spreader with Adjustable Shutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-held spreader devices for granular products are typically manually operated and lack efficient mechanisms for controlling the distribution of granular materials over various surfaces, requiring manual adjustment and often resulting in uneven coverage and unwanted dispersal onto undesired areas.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered hand-held spreader device with a motor-driven rotor plate, adjustable shutter plate controlled by a rotary dial, and an agitator, allowing for precise control over granular product distribution, including an optional adjustable side deflector to prevent dispersal onto unwanted surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but control precision and distribution uniformity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an electric motor-driven system. The motor activates the rotor plate to distribute granular material automatically, while electronic controls regulate the flow rate and distribution pattern, eliminating the need for manual adjustment mechanisms and providing precise digital control over spreading parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements variable control parameters through the rotary dial mechanism that adjusts the shutter plate position and rotor plate speed. This allows continuous modification of flow rate, distribution width, and spreading pattern to achieve uniform distribution across different terrain conditions, resolving the precision issue while maintaining operational ease.
2Device complexity
If fixed shutter plate position is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different distribution needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed shutter plate into a dynamic, adjustable component controlled by the rotary dial. The shutter plate can be positioned at multiple angles to control flow rate and distribution width, while the rotor plate speed is also variable. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same device to adapt to various distribution requirements without increasing fundamental mechanism complexity.
3Device complexity
If manual adjustment is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but productivity and coverage efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual adjustment and operation with motorized systems that automatically control material flow and distribution. The motor-driven rotor plate and electronically controlled shutter mechanism enable consistent, high-speed spreading over large areas without manual intervention, dramatically increasing productivity while maintaining reasonable device complexity through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous operation through the motor-driven system that can run for extended periods without interruption. The consistent rotational speed of the rotor plate and steady flow control through the adjustable shutter plate ensure uninterrupted, uniform distribution across large terrain areas, maximizing productivity compared to intermittent manual operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A powered hand-held spreader device (10) is disclosed that has a handle that allows a user to grip and hold the device with one hand. The spreader includes an adjustable shutter (58) , controlled by a rotary dial (22) , to allow for distribution of a range of different granular products that require different flow rates for distribution. The granular product is contained in a hopper (12). The product can be distributed over various types of terrain, including, but not limited to, lawns, gardens, and paths. The spreader is driven by an electric motor (52) actuated by a trigger (16) . A spinning rotor plate (26) distributes the granular product fed from the hopper. A trigger lock (18) is optionally available to lock the trigger in the "on" position during use and to prevent actuation when the trigger is in the "off' position. An adjustable side deflector (28) optionally can be used to control the distribution pattern of the granular product.