Concrete Trowel Quick-Connect Trailing Edge Blade System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Powered concrete trowels face issues with burnish marks on finished concrete surfaces due to wear of the trailing edge blades, requiring frequent replacement or manual finishing, which is time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered concrete trowel with a rotor and blades featuring a quick-connect mounting system for the trailing edge, allowing for easy replacement of only the worn trailing edge portion without needing to replace the entire blade, using a motor-driven rotor with a gearbox and a battery pack for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire blade is replaced when the trailing edge wears down, then the blade can be restored to original condition, but the downtime and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is divided into two separable parts: a blade body and a removable trailing edge portion. The trailing edge can be independently removed and replaced without replacing the entire blade, allowing quick maintenance while minimizing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The worn trailing edge portion can be easily removed and replaced with a fresh one, while the blade body is retained and reused. This selective replacement approach recovers the majority of the blade's value while replacing only the worn component.
2Reliability
If the entire blade is replaced when the trailing edge wears down, then the blade can be restored to original condition, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is divided into two separable parts: a blade body and a removable trailing edge portion. The trailing edge can be independently removed and replaced without replacing the entire blade, allowing quick maintenance while minimizing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The worn trailing edge portion can be easily removed and replaced with a fresh one, while the blade body is retained and reused. This selective replacement approach recovers the majority of the blade's value while replacing only the worn component.
3Strength
If traditional fasteners are used to attach blades to rotor arms, then secure attachment is achieved, but replacement requires tools and time
Solution Approach 1:
The quick-connect mounting system allows the blade to be attached and detached without requiring external tools. The operator can simply manipulate the mounting mechanism to release or secure the blade, making the system self-sufficient and tool-free for maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system transitions from a static, fixed fastening to a dynamic, easily changeable connection. The quick-connect mechanism allows rapid transition between attached and detached states, enabling toolless replacement while maintaining secure attachment during operation.
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 solution reduces downtime and costs by enabling quick and toolless replacement of worn trailing edges, maintaining surface quality without burnish marks, and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a battery pack configured to provide power to the motor
Implementation Method 2
a motor configured to receive power from the battery pack and rotate the rotor
Implementation Method 3
a gearbox configured to receive torque from the motor and transmit the torque to the rotor
Data Source
AI summary
A concrete trowel is disclosed and includes a frame, a drive assembly including a motor mounted on the frame and a drive hub configured to receive torque from the motor and a rotor rotatable about a rotational axis. The rotor includes a rotor hub coupled for co-rotation with the drive hub, a plurality of rotor arms radially extending from the rotor hub, and a plurality of blades selectively attached on respective rotor arms by a quick-connect mounting system.