Floating Mower Deck Actuator With Directional Obstacle Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mower deck actuators lack the ability to float over obstacles, leading to stress and potential damage when encountering uneven terrain, and disrupt cutting operations.
Innovation Solution
A floating actuator system that allows the mower deck to freely rise over obstacles while preventing downward movement, using a deck actuator assembly with a frame, output interface, stops, and an actuator to control the mower deck's height relative to the chassis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed actuator system is used to control mower deck height, then the deck height can be precisely controlled during normal operation, but the actuator and deck experience stress and potential damage when encountering obstacles or uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator system transitions from a fixed, rigid height control mechanism to a dynamic system with two distinct operational modes: a floating mode where the deck can move freely upward over obstacles, and a controlled mode where height is precisely regulated during normal mowing operations. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the system's rigidity based on operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator system is segmented into multiple functional components including a floating section that allows free movement, a control section that regulates height, and a sensor system that detects obstacle conditions. This segmentation enables different parts of the system to perform specialized functions, protecting the overall system from damage while maintaining control capabilities.
2Reliability
If a floating actuator system is implemented to allow free movement over obstacles, then damage is prevented, but precise height control during normal cutting operations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system automatically detects when the deck encounters an obstacle and triggers the transition to floating mode without operator intervention. Similarly, when the obstacle is cleared, the system automatically returns to controlled height regulation mode, maintaining both protection and precision without requiring manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor system provides real-time feedback about deck position and obstacle detection to the control system. This feedback loop enables the actuator to automatically adjust between floating and controlled modes, ensuring both deck protection during obstacles and precise height control during normal operations.
3Ease of operation
If the actuator shaft is constrained to prevent movement, then height control is maintained, but stress and damage occur when the deck encounters obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator shaft constraint system dynamically adjusts between two states: a constrained state during normal operation that maintains height control, and an unconstrained floating state when obstacles are detected that prevents stress accumulation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between control and stress prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides beforehand protection by allowing the deck to float freely over obstacles before damage can occur to the actuator shaft. The floating capability acts as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs the impact of uneven terrain and obstacles, preventing stress transmission to the actuator components.
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
Prevents damage to the mower deck and maintains continuous cutting operations by allowing free upward movement over obstacles, ensuring smooth operation on uneven terrain.
Implementation Method 1
The control stop is positioned to engage the shaft stop to limit movement of the actuator shaft in the first direction and permit movement of the actuator shaft in the second direction
Implementation Method 2
The actuator is configured to vary the longitudinal range of motion of the actuator shaft by repositioning the control stop relative to the frame
Data Source
AI summary
A mower includes a chassis, a tractive element coupled to the chassis, a mower deck coupled to the chassis and including a cutting element, and a deck actuator assembly configured to raise the mower deck relative to the chassis. The deck actuator assembly includes a frame coupled to the chassis, an output interface coupled to the mower deck and slidably coupled to the frame, a first stop fixedly coupled to the output interface, a second stop, and an actuator configured to reposition the second stop relative to the frame. The second stop is positioned to (a) engage the first stop to limit movement of the output interface in a first direction and (b) permit movement of the first stop in a second direction opposite the first direction.