Pivotable Cutting Element With Compressed Flexible Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting elements in garden trimmers are prone to breaking at the cord exit aperture, noisy, and difficult to replace, with a high probability of breakage and low cutting quality.
Innovation Solution
A cutting element with a pivotable annular body and flexible arms having compressed cross-sections in specific directions, made of elastic plastic material, which reduces noise and stress, allowing for precise cutting and easy replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the arm has a constant cross-section, then the structure is simple, but it causes noisy working and high probability of breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The arm cross-section is varied along its length, with the portion near the head having a compressed cross-section (smaller area) and the distal portion having a larger cross-section. This local variation in geometry optimizes both noise reduction and breakage resistance without requiring complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional dimensions of the arm are changed along its length, specifically compressing the cross-section near the head and expanding it toward the distal end. This parameter change allows the arm to be more rigid where needed (reducing noise) while maintaining flexibility and strength where required (reducing breakage).
2Reliability
If the cutting element is made strong and noiseless, then breakage probability is reduced, but replacement becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting element is designed as a separate, detachable component that can be easily removed from the trimmer head. This segmentation allows the cutting element to be replaced independently without affecting the main trimmer structure, facilitating easy maintenance and replacement.
3Reliability
If the cord exit aperture is reinforced, then breakage at the aperture is prevented, but the overall strength and flexibility are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The arm cross-section is specifically compressed near the head where the cord exits, creating a localized region of higher strength and rigidity. This local reinforcement prevents cord breakage at the aperture while the rest of the arm maintains appropriate flexibility and strength for its function.
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 cutting element significantly reduces breakage, noise, and enhances cutting quality by distributing stress and allowing for precise cutting while being easy to replace.
Implementation Method 1
made of elastic plastic material, which reduces noise and stress
Data Source
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AI summary
The cutting element (10) is connectable to a trimmer head of a garden trimmer. The cutting element (10) comprises a body (11) which is pivotable to the trimmer head along a pivoting axis (23) parallel to the axis of rotation of the head. From the body (11) extends one or more flexible arms (12), wherein an end portion (22) of each arm (12) opposite to the body (11) has a cross-section which is compressed along the direction of the pivoting axis (23), and an intermediate portion (24) of each arm (12) interposed between said end portion (22) and said body (11) has cross-section compressed along a direction perpendicular to the pivoting axis (23) and cross-section plane walls (26) parallel to said pivoting axis (23).