Articulating Mower Deck with Fold Link for Terrain Following
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional large cutting decks struggle to maintain a high-quality cut on hilly or contoured terrain and require excessive storage and transport space due to their width, and existing articulating decks often require multiple deck assemblies for varying widths.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a center deck section with wing deck sections connected via a fold link that pivots between operating and folded positions, featuring a deck drive system that automatically terminates power to the wing deck when it folds, allowing for adjustable cutting widths and reduced transport width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the outboard cutting deck section is displaced upwards to follow raised turf area, then the belt becomes slack and power transmission is lost, but maintaining belt tension would prevent following terrain contours
Solution Approach 1:
The fold link mechanism dynamically adjusts the angular relationship between the inboard and outboard deck sections, allowing the outboard section to pivot upward to follow terrain contours while maintaining proper belt tension through the geometric relationship between the two pivot axes
Solution Approach 2:
The fold link acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the inboard and outboard deck sections, mediating the power transmission while allowing relative angular movement to accommodate terrain variations without losing belt tension
2Area of stationary object
If the articulating deck is folded to reduce transport width, then storage and transport space is reduced, but the deck must be wider than track width when in operating position
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting deck is segmented into an inboard section and an outboard section connected by the fold link, allowing the outboard section to be folded inward against the inboard section for compact transport while maintaining full cutting width when in the operating position
Solution Approach 2:
The fold link enables dynamic reconfiguration of the deck from a wide operating configuration to a compact folded configuration, transitioning the outboard section from a lateral extension to a position within the track width
3Reliability
If articulating decks are manufactured in specific width requirements, then deck performance is optimized for specific applications, but dealers must stock numerous deck assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The fold link mechanism with its offset pivot axes provides universal adaptability, allowing the same inboard deck section to work with various outboard deck sections to create different cutting widths, eliminating the need for dealers to stock multiple complete deck assemblies
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 solution enables efficient cutting on uneven terrain while minimizing storage and transport requirements by allowing the mower to maintain a high-quality cut and fold the deck within the mower's track width, reducing inventory needs for dealers and providing a modular system for varying deck widths.
Implementation Method 1
a first pivot pivotally connecting the fold link to the center deck section, the first pivot defining a first pivot axis
Implementation Method 2
a second pivot defining a second pivot axis offset from the first pivot axis, the second pivot pivotally connecting the fold link to the wing deck section
Data Source
AI summary
An articulating mower deck system. The system is adapted to disable power to a blade associated with the wing deck section before the wing deck section begins to lift—from an operating position toward a folded position—yet does not interfere with blade operation when the wing deck section floats relative to a center deck section during normal operation of the deck. Articulating decks of modular construction are also provided, allowing assembly of multiple deck widths with a minimum of modular deck sections.