Mini Concrete Trowel Attachment with Adjustable Blades and Free-Wheeling Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing finishing tools for viscous or plastic materials, such as concrete and drywall compound, require labor-intensive hand finishing and struggle to smoothly finish surfaces around obstructions due to limited adjustability and protection against damage.
Innovation Solution
The development of replacement finishing blades with elongated slots for adjustable attachment to rotary disks of varying sizes, combined with a free-wheeling bearing guide ring assembly, allows for precise alignment and protection during finishing, eliminating the need for hand tools and preventing damage to surfaces and obstructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If replacement blades are attached to rotary disks of various sizes using fixed positioning, then attachment is simple, but the blades cannot be precisely aligned along the circular peripheral edge to finish surfaces around obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structure transitions from fixed to adjustable positioning. The blade assembly includes positioning features that can be adjusted along the rotary disk perimeter, allowing dynamic repositioning to achieve precise alignment with the circular peripheral edge for finishing surfaces around obstructions of various sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism is designed to work with rotary disks of various sizes through universal positioning features. The adjustable positioning system allows the same blade assembly to be precisely aligned on different sized rotary disks, providing multi-functionality across various finishing applications.
2Productivity
If the rotary disk extends beyond the guide ring assembly, then blade coverage is maximized, but damage to wall structures and obstructions occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The guide ring assembly is designed to extend beyond the rotary disk perimeter to provide preliminary protection before the blades reach wall structures or obstructions. This anti-action positioning prevents the blades from contacting and damaging external structures, allowing the rotary disk to maintain optimal size for productivity without causing harm.
3Manufacturing precision
If hand finishing is used for surfaces around obstructions, then precision is achieved, but labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary blade assembly with adjustable positioning and guide ring protection enables the machine to perform finishing work around obstructions autonomously without requiring subsequent hand finishing. The system serves itself by providing both the finishing capability and the protection mechanism in one integrated assembly, eliminating the need for additional manual labor.
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
Enables efficient and damage-free finishing of surfaces around obstructions by allowing precise adjustment and protection, reducing labor intensity and improving surface smoothness.
Implementation Method 1
a free-wheeling bearing guide ring assembly, allows for precise alignment and protection during finishing
Data Source
AI summary
A mini-trowel attachment assembly having a rotary disk with a plurality of screw holes disposed therein with a plurality of replacement blades secured therein by a plurality of screw members. The plurality of replacement blades include at least a pair of elongated slots that allows the replacement blades to be adjusted slightly inward of an annular peripheral edge of the rotary disk. A free-wheeling self-lubricating bearing assembly having a first non-rotary bearing and spacer ring member attached to the rotary disk and a second free-wheeling member attached to the first non-rotary bearing and spacer ring member that freely rotates when it engages wall structures and upstanding obstructions in concrete surfaces. Also, the elongated slots allows the plurality of replacement blades to be adjusted slightly inward of an annular peripheral edge of the free-wheeling self-lubricating bearing assembly.