Handheld Spreader Bottom Wall Slots and Rim Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spreader apparatuses face issues with jamming due to varying particle sizes and hardness, leading to material wastage and operator inconvenience, as particles tend to stick between the spreader plate and housing member, and often fall on the operator's feet.
Innovation Solution
A handheld apparatus with a bucket member, actuating member, and housing member featuring a rotating member with blades and slots, where the slots allow non-spread material to free fall and the rim member protects the rotating member from damage, preventing material from sticking and falling directly on the operator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If particles of varying sizes and hardness are spread using a conventional spreader apparatus, then material distribution is achieved, but particles get stuck between the spreader plate and housing member causing jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom wall is segmented into multiple regions with different slot configurations. Rear slots are smaller and covered by the back wall, while front slots are larger and uncovered, creating zones that handle different particle sizes and prevent jamming by allowing particles to pass through appropriate openings
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the bottom wall have different local characteristics - the rear portion has smaller slots covered by the back wall for controlling material flow, while the front portion has larger uncovered slots for allowing particles to pass through easily, matching the local requirements for different particle handling
2Productivity
If the dispensing opening is positioned to allow material flow, then material can be distributed, but material falls directly on the operator's feet causing wastage and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a horizontal dimension to material discharge by providing slots in the bottom wall that are positioned and oriented to discharge material laterally rather than vertically downward. This dimensional change redirects material flow away from the operator's feet while maintaining distribution efficiency
3Device complexity
If the rotating member is positioned close to the housing member for compact design, then device size is reduced, but the rotating member is vulnerable to damage from external obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The rim member is positioned to extend beyond the rotating member before any damage can occur. This preemptive structural addition acts as a protective barrier that absorbs or deflects external obstacles before they can damage the rotating member, ensuring durability without significantly increasing overall device size
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a handheld apparatus (200) for spreading material, including a housing member (220) connected to a bucket member (202), and having a top wall (258), a bottom wall (260), a back wall (268) and side walls (262). The handheld apparatus includes a rotating member (222) disposed within the housing member, including a base plate (252) having a first diameter (Bl) and blades (254). The bottom wall (260) further includes at least one slot (280) at a rear portion (263) and one or more slots (282) at a front portion (261) of the bottom wall. The bottom wall includes a rim member (286) encompassing the plurality of slots (264, 280, 282), defining a second diameter (B2) larger than the first diameter (Bl) of the base plate (252) to protect the rotating member (222).