Flexible Rotary Cutting Head With Replaceable Filaments for Rough Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lawnmower blades are prone to damage and accidents when mowing rough or rocky terrain, leading to costly repairs and potential injuries.
Innovation Solution
A flexible rotary cutting device with a cutting head, attachment mechanism, and cutting-filaments that can be easily replaced, which reduces damage to the housing and minimizes accidents by using flexible filaments that can sever vegetation without damaging non-vegetation materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed blade is used for mowing, then cutting performance on level grass is sufficient, but damage occurs on rocky or rough terrain leading to broken blades and housing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible cutting filament instead of a rigid blade. The filament is contained within a housing and can flex when encountering obstacles like rocks, preventing breakage and housing damage while still effectively cutting grass on level terrain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by allowing the cutting filament to move flexibly within the housing rather than being fixed rigidly. This dynamic configuration enables the filament to adapt to varying terrain conditions, maintaining reliability across different mowing environments.
2Reliability
If a flexible cutting filament is used, then damage to housing and blades is reduced, but the mechanism for retaining and replacing filaments becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the filament retention system into modular components including a housing, retention mechanism, and replaceable filament segments. This modular approach manages complexity by allowing individual components to be serviced or replaced independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements this principle by using disposable or easily replaceable cutting filaments. When filaments wear out or become damaged, they can be quickly replaced without replacing the entire cutting mechanism, reducing overall system cost and complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cutting filaments are made flexible to avoid damage, then safety is improved, but the ability to sever tough vegetation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting filament materials and dimensions that optimize both flexibility and cutting strength. The filament parameters are carefully chosen to provide sufficient strength for cutting vegetation while maintaining flexibility to prevent breakage and projectile formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements composite materials by using materials that combine flexibility and cutting strength properties. The filament material is selected or engineered to exhibit both elastic behavior for safety and sufficient tensile strength for effective vegetation cutting.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible rotary cutting device useful for attaching to a rotary drive configured to trim vegetation, particularly a lawn mower. The flexible rotary cutting device includes a cutting head, an attachment mechanism, at least one cutting-filament retention mechanisms, and at least one cutting-filament. At least one cutting-filament may be releasably attached to the at least one cutting-filament retention mechanism. The at least one cutting-filament may be configured to sever vegetation as the cutting head is rotated, and may be positioned such that it is passed through the at least one filament-aperture, and between the first-filament engaging pawl and the second-filament engaging pawl, in such a way that the at least one cutting-filament is engaged and anchored by the first-plurality of teeth and the second-plurality of teeth, and extends radially from the outer flange of the cutting head.