Double Flail Mower Cutting Assembly with Orthogonal Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting assemblies with two flail mowers lack versatility and continuity of the cutting edge, especially when operating on inclined surfaces, due to complex and inefficient articulated structures, which increases operating times and limits their use on varied terrain.
Innovation Solution
A cutting assembly with a base support connected to a self-propelled vehicle, featuring a first support frame rotating about a first axis and a second support frame connected to the second flail mower, allowing for orthogonal translation and rotation, and a connecting element that adjusts the position of the first flail mower relative to the second, ensuring a continuous cutting edge even on non-coplanar surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex articulated structure is used to connect two flail mowers, then the cutting assembly can operate on varied terrain, but the structure becomes overly complicated and operating times increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting assembly is divided into two independent flail mowers, each with its own support frame and cutting means. This segmentation allows each mower to operate independently while maintaining overall system versatility, reducing the complexity of interconnections compared to a fully integrated articulated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Each support frame is designed with universal articulation capabilities, allowing the flail mowers to assume multiple positions and orientations. The support frames can rotate about vertical axes and articulate at angles, enabling the same structural design to handle various terrain configurations without requiring specialized components for each scenario.
2Productivity
If the cutting means are positioned to maximize coverage area, then productivity increases, but the cutting edge continuity is lost on inclined surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The support frames are designed with dynamic articulation capabilities, allowing real-time adjustment of the flail mower positions and orientations. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the cutting edges remain coplanar and continuous even when the mowers are positioned to maximize coverage area on inclined or varied terrain, maintaining both productivity and cutting reliability.
3Volume of moving object
If the box body footprint is reduced for compact design, then the articulated structure can move freely, but rotor cutting means with larger diameter knives cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame design accommodates the asymmetric footprint requirements of rotor cutting means with larger diameter knives. Rather than forcing a compact symmetric design, the support frame is configured with asymmetric articulation points and mounting positions that provide the necessary space for rotor operation while maintaining overall system compactness and articulation freedom.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a cutting assembly with double flail mower for cutting brush, hedges, bushes and the like. The cutting assembly (1) according to the invention is installable on a self-propelled vehicle and comprises a first flail mower (10) and a second flail mower (20). Each flail mower comprises a box body (10A, 20A) and plant material cutting means supported within said box body (10A, 20A). The cutting assembly (1) comprises a base support (11) connectable, directly or indirectly, to said self-propelled vehicle and a first support frame (12) hinged to the base support (11) so as to rotate about a first rotation axis (101). This first frame (12) supports the first flail mower (10) in a slidable way to allow said first flail mower to translate along a first displacement direction (201) orthogonal to said first rotation axis (101). The cutting assembly (1) further comprises first moving means (7) for rotating said first frame (12) about said first rotation axis (101) and a second frame (13) connected to the second flail mower (20) and hinged to the first frame (12) so as to rotate about a second rotation axis (102) substantially parallel to the first rotation axis (101). The cutting assembly (1) further comprises second moving means (7) for rotating the second frame (13), with respect to the first frame (12), about the second rotation axis (102). The cutting assembly further comprises a connecting element (6) that operatively connects the second frame (13) to the box body (10A) of the first flail mower (10) so that a rotation of the second frame (13) about the second rotation axis (102) determines a corresponding translation of the first flail mower (10), with respect to the first frame (12), along said first displacement direction (201).