Cutting Blade Upturn Geometry for Mower Clipping Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting blades and assemblies for mowers face challenges in achieving optimal performance characteristics such as uniform clipping spread, reduced clumping, cleaner cuts, energy efficiency, and ease of manufacturing, with prior solutions often addressing only one criterion inadequately.

Innovation Solution

The cutting blade design incorporates an upturn feature with specific radial, vertical, and rake angles, along with an upturn void or web, which optimizes clipping spread, power consumption, and manufacturability, while reducing clumping and brooming, by enhancing the interaction of these parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional cutting blade designs are used, then manufacturing is simple, but clipping spread is poor and clumping occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclipping spreadVSAvoidblade design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting blade body is configured to extend upward from the cutting edge plane, adding a vertical dimension to the traditionally flat blade design. This upward extension creates a three-dimensional structure that actively engages with clippings to improve distribution and reduce clumping, while still being manufacturable using conventional processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention specifies particular ranges for the upward extension dimensions (10-50mm height, 5-30mm thickness) to optimize performance. By carefully controlling these geometric parameters, the blade achieves improved clipping spread and reduced clumping while maintaining manufacturability within standard tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If cutting blade features are added to improve cut quality, then brooming is reduced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecut cleanlinessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than adding multiple complex features to the blade, the invention uses a single, moderately-sized upward extension (10-50mm) that provides sufficient improvement in cut quality without excessive energy penalty. This partial action approach balances performance gains with energy consumption constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Manufacturing precision

If cutting blade features are added to reduce clumping, then clipping distribution improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclipping distributionVSAvoidblade structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The upward extension of the blade body creates distinct functional zones: the cutting edge zone for shearing clippings and the upward extension zone for distributing them. This segmentation of functions within a single integrated structure improves clipping distribution while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20220369548A1A cutting lbade and a cutting assembly

Publication Date: 2022.11.24 TRIMAX MOWING SYST NZ

AI summary

This specification describes improvements to cutting blades and a cutting blade assembly. In some forms the cutting blade includes an upturn with an upturn radial angle which is non-parallel to a reference axis.