Power Sweeper Wheel Assembly for Adjustable Handle Angle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power sweepers lack the ability to adjust the angle of the handle with respect to the ground surface effectively, limiting user comfort and performance, especially when dealing with varying surface conditions and user heights.
Innovation Solution
A power sweeper design that includes a moveable axle and wheel assembly allowing the handle to be adjusted between 30 to 45 degrees relative to the ground surface, facilitated by a gearbox-driven brush and a shield with an aperture for the handle, enabling the user to change the angle by sliding the wheel assembly relative to the shield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the handle angle is fixed, then the structure is simple, but user comfort and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a moveable axle that allows the handle to transition between fixed and adjustable angle positions. The axle can be locked at different angles (e.g., 30-45 degrees) to accommodate varying user heights and surface conditions, transforming a static structure into a dynamic, adaptable system that resolves the contradiction between simplicity and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the angular parameter of the handle relative to the ground surface by allowing the axle to move between different positions. This parameter adjustment enables the same device to adapt to different user requirements and operating conditions without requiring multiple separate devices, thus improving adaptability while maintaining structural efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If the handle angle is adjusted for different users, then user comfort improves, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moveable axle provides a simple yet effective mechanism for adjusting the handle angle to suit different user heights and preferences. By allowing the axle to slide and lock at different positions, the system achieves ease of operation and user comfort without introducing complex adjustment mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between usability and complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wheel assembly is fixed, then structural stability is maintained, but adaptability to different surfaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the wheel assembly moveable relative to the shield, allowing the wheels to be repositioned for different surface conditions while maintaining structural stability when locked in place. This dynamic capability enables the device to adapt to varying ground surfaces without compromising the overall structural integrity during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A power sweeper has a handle having a first end graspable by a user and a second end, a drive shaft extending along the handle, and a power head coupled to the handle to rotate the drive shaft. A gear box is coupled to the drive shaft adjacent the second end, and a brush is coupled to the gear box for rotation in response to rotation of the drive shaft. The power sweeper includes an axle, and first and second wheels coupled to the axle. A shield is coupled to the gear box and defines an aperture through which the handle extends. The axle is moveable with respect to the shield and the brush to adjust an angle between the handle and the ground surface.