Asymmetric Baffle Mower Deck for Grass Stagnation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mulching type mower decks experience stagnation of cut grass pieces and create conspicuous streaks on mowing marks due to excessive rear discharge, which affects grass cutting performance.
Innovation Solution
A mower deck design with a blade baffle unit featuring a longer front baffle to prevent front discharge and a shorter rear baffle to allow controlled rear discharge, along with a lift link mechanism to adjust the blade's rotational path and a curved blade with a flat plate and triangular wind generating portion for optimal cutting and air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the rear baffle is made shorter to allow rear discharge of cut grass pieces, then stagnation of cut grass pieces inside the mower deck is prevented, but conspicuous streaks are created on the mowing marks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the front baffle longer than the rear baffle. The front baffle extends lower to prevent discharge at the front, while the rear baffle is shorter to allow controlled discharge. This creates different functional qualities at different locations of the blade baffle unit, resolving the contradiction between preventing stagnation and avoiding streak formation.
2Productivity
If the front baffle is made longer to prevent front discharge, then cut grass pieces are retained for mulching, but discharge control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the front baffle and rear baffle with different lengths. The front baffle is longer to effectively prevent front discharge and retain cut grass pieces for mulching, while the rear baffle is shorter to allow natural discharge. This asymmetric design simplifies discharge control by relying on the natural flow patterns created by the asymmetric structure.
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 design prevents stagnation and reduces conspicuous streaks on mowing marks, achieving improved grass cutting performance by controlling the discharge of cut grass pieces and ensuring uniform distribution.
Implementation Method 1
at least one blade rotated downwardly of the top wall and about a vertical shaft
Implementation Method 2
a blade baffle unit extending downwards from the top wall in such a manner as to surround an outer circumferential area of a rotational path of the blade to create therein a mulching blade rotation space
Implementation Method 3
the front baffle extends downwards from the top wall to exceed the rotational path so as to prevent discharge of cut grass pieces via a lower end of the front baffle
Implementation Method 4
the rear baffle extends downwards from the top wall by such an extent to allow discharge of the cut grass pieces
Implementation Method 5
a curved blade with a flat plate and triangular wind generating portion for optimal cutting and air flow
Data Source
AI summary
A mower deck is disclosed. The mower deck includes a housing having a top wall, at least one blade rotated downwardly of the top wall and about a vertical shaft, and a blade baffle unit extending downwards from the top wall in such a manner as to surround an outer circumferential area of a rotational path of the blade to create therein a mulching blade rotation space, the blade baffle unit having a front baffle located on an advancing side of the traveling vehicle and a rear baffle located on a reversing side of the traveling vehicle. The front baffle extends downwards from the top wall to exceed the rotational path so as to prevent discharge of cut grass pieces via a lower end of the front baffle. The rear baffle extends downwards from the top wall by such an extent to allow discharge of the cut grass pieces.