Flexible Hitch Cutter Deck with Swiveling Linkages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art rotary cutters with rigid frames and flat cutting decks are inefficient in maintaining cutting blades close to the ground, especially when navigating uneven terrain, as they do not flex or rotate effectively, leading to reduced cutting efficiency and increased material costs due to the need for large contiguous metal plates.
Innovation Solution
A concave cutting deck design with swiveling linkages and a pivoting lift frame that allows the deck to flex and rotate, maintaining the cutting blades in close proximity to the ground, and reducing material costs by using smaller deck plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid frame with flat cutting deck is used, then structural strength is improved, but adaptability to uneven terrain deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the rigid, static frame into a dynamic structure with multiple degrees of freedom. The frame includes a lift arm assembly with pivot points that allow the cutting deck to rotate and adjust its angle relative to the ground, enabling the cutter to adapt to uneven terrain while maintaining structural integrity through controlled movement rather than rigid fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the frame into multiple independent components including the lift arm assembly, cutting deck, and support structures connected through pivot points. This segmentation allows each component to move independently, enabling the cutting deck to follow ground contours while the overall structure maintains strength through the coordinated movement of segmented parts.
2Stability of the object's composition
If large flat metal plates are used for the cutting deck, then structural rigidity is improved, but material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by designing the cutting deck with an arched or curved configuration rather than a flat plate. This curved deck structure provides inherent rigidity and strength through its geometric form, eliminating the need for large, thick flat metal plates while maintaining the necessary structural stability to support cutting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the deck from a flat configuration to a curved/arched configuration. This parameter change fundamentally alters the structural properties, allowing the deck to achieve required rigidity with less material by utilizing the strength provided by the curved geometry rather than relying on material thickness and area.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the cutting deck is rigidly affixed to the tractor, then structural stability is improved, but cutting efficiency on uneven terrain deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by replacing the rigid, fixed connection between the cutting deck and tractor with a dynamic linkage system featuring pivot points and articulation joints. This allows the cutting deck to actively adjust its position and angle in response to terrain variations, maintaining stable cutting contact with the ground while the overall structure remains firmly attached to the tractor through the articulated connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary mower has a lift frame comprising swiveling linkages that allow rotation of the deck with respect to a three point hitch. The lift frame further has a pair of angled legs rotatably affixed to the lift frame, each angled leg having an upper end and a lower end, the lower ends rotatably affixed to pivot brace brackets rigidly affixed to the deck. Each angled leg of the lift frame is rotatably affixed to one or more pivot bars near the upper end of the angled leg. Each pivot bar extends upwardly between the angled leg and an upper end of the lift frame. A shield covers the pivot bars to protect the users.