Grass Cutter Duct Airflow Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional grass cutters face inefficiencies in increasing the total amount of carrier air inside the duct, leading to reduced airflow and disturbance of the carrier air flow generated by rotary blades due to the placement and operation of auxiliary fans within the mower deck.

Innovation Solution

The design includes side walls with openings on the right and left sides to direct fan-generated carrier air into the duct, a guide member to efficiently direct airflow, and a bottom plate configuration that aligns with the conveyance direction, ensuring that carrier air from both rotary blades and fans is effectively guided into the duct without disturbing the main airflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If auxiliary fans are arranged inside the mower deck to increase carrier air amount, then the total amount of carrier air can be increased, but the flow of carrier air generated by rotary blades is disturbed inside the mower deck

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal amount of carrier airVSAvoidflow stability of carrier air
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the air generation sources into two separate locations: rotary blades inside the mower deck and auxiliary fans outside the mower deck. This segmentation allows each component to generate carrier air independently without interfering with the other's airflow pattern, resolving the contradiction between increasing total carrier air and maintaining flow stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The duct serves as an intermediary component that receives carrier air from both the rotary blades (through the mower deck) and the auxiliary fans (directly from outside), and combines them in a controlled manner. This intermediary structure enables the integration of multiple air sources while maintaining proper airflow dynamics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If auxiliary fans are arranged inside the mower deck, then carrier air can be generated, but the fans occupy space and complicate the internal structure of the mower deck

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier air generationVSAvoidmower deck structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary fans are extracted from the mower deck interior and relocated to the exterior, mounted on the rear surface of the mower deck. This extraction eliminates the space occupation and structural complexity issues while preserving the carrier air generation function. The fans now operate independently outside the mower deck without complicating its internal structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Quantity of substance

If openings are formed on side walls of the duct body to introduce fan-generated air, then larger amount of carrier air can be introduced into the duct, but the duct structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier air introduction into ductVSAvoidduct body structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The side walls of the duct body are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the duct and simultaneously incorporate openings that enable direct introduction of fan-generated carrier air. This multi-functionality increases carrier air introduction efficiency without requiring separate complex air intake structures, thus avoiding additional structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This configuration significantly increases the total amount of carrier air inside the duct, enhancing airflow efficiency and preventing disturbance of the rotary blade-generated airflow, thereby improving grass clipping conveyance and mower deck strength.

Implementation Method 1

a fan (13) which is arranged above the mower deck (11) and generates carrier air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFan: Fan

Implementation Method 2

two right and left rotary blades (12) which are housed inside the mower deck (11) to cut lawn grass and generate carrier air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational motion generating airflow: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP3045032B1Grass cutter
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP3045032B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3045032B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3045032B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A grass cutter is provided with a mower and a duct (30). The mower includes a rotary blade which cuts grass by being driven to rotate, a mower deck (11) which houses the rotary blade (12), and a fan (13) which is arranged above the mower deck (11) and generates carrier air. The duct (30) includes a duct body (31) which communicates with the mower deck and extends in a conveyance direction of grass clippings cut by the rotary blade (12), and an opening (32) which is configured to allow carrier air generated by the fan (13) to be introduced into the duct body (31).