Pivoting Bull Float Vibration Assembly for Easier Concrete Finishing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bull float tools with vibration assemblies for smoothing concrete are bulky and heavy, making it difficult to maintain a smooth finish due to increased weight and size, which affects the quality of the concrete surface.
Innovation Solution
A float tool with a pivotable pole and a vibration generator featuring a motor-mounted to the pole and rotatable eccentric masses, allowing for compact design and easy handling while providing vibration for smoothing and removing imperfections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a vibration assembly with motor is mounted on the float to remove imperfections in concrete, then the quality of surface finish is improved, but the size and weight of the float increases making it harder to angle and maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The float tool is divided into separate functional components: the float body for smoothing and the vibration assembly for removing imperfections. The vibration assembly can be independently mounted on the pole or float, allowing users to separate the vibration function from the main float structure, thereby reducing the weight impact on the float itself while maintaining surface finish quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor is mounted on the pole rather than directly on the float, utilizing the vertical dimension along the pole length. This spatial arrangement distributes weight away from the float center and allows the vibration generator to be positioned optimally for both function and balance, improving maneuverability while maintaining surface finish quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If a vibration assembly with motor is mounted on the float to remove imperfections in concrete, then the quality of surface finish is improved, but the size of the float increases making it harder to angle and maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration assembly is segmented from the main float body, with the motor and eccentric masses housed in a separate mounting structure attached to the pole. This modular approach minimizes the volume increase of the float itself while providing the necessary vibration function for removing concrete imperfections.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor is mounted within a pole cavity, nesting the vibration generator components inside the existing pole structure rather than adding external bulk. This efficient use of space reduces the overall volume increase while maintaining the vibration function for improved surface finish quality.
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 compact design facilitates easier maneuverability and improved surface finish quality by effectively smoothing and removing imperfections in concrete without compromising user handling.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration generator having: a motor mounted to the pole; and at least one rotatable eccentric mass operatively coupled to the motor wherein the least one rotatable eccentric mass is rotatable about the pivot axis
Data Source
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AI summary
A float tool comprises a housing connectable to a float for finishing a surface. A pole pivotally connected to the housing and arranged to pivot about a pivot axis. A vibration generator has a motor mounted to the pole. At least one rotatable eccentric mass is operatively coupled to the motor wherein the least one rotatable eccentric mass is rotatable about the pivot axis.