Pneumatic Leaf Remover Head with Rotating Deflector Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leaf remover machines face issues with large size, weight, and safety hazards due to complex nozzle adjustments and deflector designs, which limit leaf removal power and increase manufacturing costs, while also providing limited configuration options for varying the working band.
Innovation Solution
The leaf remover head features an inclined pneumatic circuit and adjustable nozzles with a protection plate that reduces overall dimensions and weight, enhances leaf removal power by allowing non-parallel air jet directions, and incorporates a rotating peripheral portion for nozzle positioning without additional holes, improving safety and configuration flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the nozzles are arranged to direct air jets divergent from the rotation axis to increase leaf removal power, then the leaf removal power is improved, but the protection casing thickness and overall device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the nozzles to direct air jets divergent from the rotation axis rather than parallel to it, utilizing a different spatial arrangement to achieve better leaf removal power while managing the resulting dimensional constraints through optimized casing design
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complex locking system is used to adjust nozzle position for changing air jet direction, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the nozzle to be repositioned along the duct to change the air jet direction, replacing complex locking systems with a more straightforward adjustable structure that maintains adaptability while reducing overall system complexity
3Ease of operation
If grooves are arranged along the perimeter of the rotor for deflection, then the deflection function is improved, but safety hazards increase due to foreign object entry and hand injury risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hazardous groove structure with a rotary plate featuring holes for air passage. This conversion eliminates the open grooves that allowed foreign object entry and hand injuries, while maintaining the deflection function through the controlled geometry of the holes and plate positioning
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple holes are provided in the deflector plate for nozzle positioning, then the adaptability is improved, but safety hazards increase due to continuous access points for foreign objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a rotary plate that can be rotated to different positions, with holes provided for nozzle mounting. The plate itself rotates into position rather than having multiple static holes, eliminating continuous access points for foreign objects while maintaining positioning adaptability through rotational movement
5Manufacturing precision
If the nozzle is fixed only after removing the deflector plate for inspection, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation worsens due to complex assembly and disassembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the rotary plate and nozzle mounting system so that the nozzle can be positioned and secured on the rotary plate before final assembly. This preliminary positioning action allows for precise nozzle placement while simplifying the overall assembly process, as the pre-positioned nozzle-plate assembly can be installed as a unit
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 design reduces the size and weight of the leaf remover head, increases leaf removal power, enhances user safety, and allows for a wide range of configurations, reducing manufacturing costs and improving assembly and fixing processes.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatic circuit (3), in turn, comprising at least one duct (31) and at least one nozzle (33)... adapted to lead a compressed air flow (f)... through said at least one duct (31) and towards said at least one nozzle (33)
Implementation Method 2
The compressed air flows out of each nozzle in the form of air jet (g)... allowing non-parallel air jet directions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Pneumatic leaf remover head comprising a pneumatic circuit (3) comprising at least one duct (31) and at least one nozzle (33); a rotor (5), adapted to rotate around a rotation axis (Y) and to which said pneumatic circuit (3) is fixed in an integral manner, so that said pneumatic circuit (3) rotates with said rotor (5) in an integral manner; at least one protection plate (7) comprising at least one deflector, which is arranged in front of said at least one nozzle (33) relative to the direction of the rotation axis (Y). The protection plate (7) comprises: a central portion (71), relative to the rotation axis (Y), which is fixed to the rotor (5) in an integral manner, and a peripheral portion (72), relative to the rotation axis (Y), which is fixed to said central portion (71) adapted to rotate around the rotation axis (Y) in an independent manner, thus varying its position relative to said central portion (71).