Color-Coded String Reel for Trimmer Cutting Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is difficult to determine the remaining length of mowing line on brushcutters, especially on models with non-dismantlatable cutting heads, leading to unexpected downtimes when the line runs out, as users often lack a spare spool and must interrupt work to order a replacement.
Innovation Solution
A mowing line spool designed as a replaceable wearing part with distinct color-coded sections indicating normal consumption, warning, and reserve lengths, allowing users to anticipate and prevent line depletion during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the cutting head is designed as a non-dismantlable single piece, then the device structure is simplified, but the user cannot access the spool to check remaining line length
Solution Approach 1:
The mowing line is divided into sections with different colors: a first section with a first color indicating normal operation, and a second section with a second color indicating residual line. This color differentiation allows users to visually determine remaining line length without disassembling the cutting head, resolving the contradiction between simplified structure and detectability.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the mowing line length is extended to 2-4 meters, then the mowing duration is increased, but the user cannot determine when to restock without disassembling the head
Solution Approach 1:
The extended mowing line includes color-coded sections that provide continuous visual feedback about remaining line length. Users can see the transition from the first color to the second color and plan restocking accordingly, preventing unexpected work interruptions while maintaining the benefit of extended mowing duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The color-coded system provides advance warning when the line is nearing depletion by displaying the second color section. This allows users to perform preliminary restocking actions before the line runs out completely, avoiding work interruptions.
3Productivity
If only a small portion of line protrudes from the spool, then the cutting performance is optimized, but the total mowing time is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The color-coded line system allows users to monitor the consumption of the extended mowing line. The visual indication of remaining line length enables users to plan operations and restocking, maximizing the utilization of the extended line length for prolonged mowing time while maintaining optimized cutting performance.
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 color-coded system provides visual cues for impending line exhaustion, enabling timely restocking and minimizing interruptions by clearly indicating when the line is nearing the end of its useful life.
Implementation Method 1
the free ends of the line during mowing operation per Centrifugal force are pulled outwards
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a string reel (1) to be attached to a cutting head of a string trimmer such that it can rotate during mowing. The string reel (1) is designed as an exchangeable wearing part onto which a number, for example two, string strands (2) are wound such that each free string end is drawn radially outwards during mowing by centrifugal force and the piece of string which is situated at the free string end and is tensioned by rotary movement during mowing can strike off plant stalks. The string strands (2) have a greater length than each piece of string at the free string end which is tensioned during mowing, so that the number of string strands (2) can be pulled out by the free string end after the piece of string has become worn. The invention is characterised in that at least one of the number of string strands (2) in a normal use section (3) which extends from the free end of the string strand in question has a different appearance from in a reserve section (5) which is situated closer to the connection point on the mowing string reel (1) and can be pulled out only after the normal use section.