Riding Grass-Mower Side Discharge Cover Lock Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional riding grass-mowers lack safety features to prevent accidents during grass-mowing operations, as the side discharge cover can be unintentionally pushed up by shocks, potentially causing hazards.

Innovation Solution

A riding grass-mower design featuring a lock member, unlock pin, and unlock releasing member that securely locks the side discharge cover in place, ensuring it does not unintentionally open during operation, and allows for easy maintenance by switching between lock and unlock states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the side discharge cover is made rotatable to guide mowed-grass, then the grass discharge function is improved, but the safety during operation deteriorates due to unintentional opening from shocks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrass discharge guidanceVSAvoidoperational safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lock member is preliminarily positioned to engage with the lock groove before operation begins, creating a pre-established safety mechanism that prevents unintentional opening during grass-mowing operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The lock member and lock groove create a preliminary counteracting force against the shock-induced opening tendency, preventing the harmful effect before it can occur during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If a lock mechanism is added to prevent unintentional opening, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidlock mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock mechanism is segmented into independent functional components: a lock member with locking projection, a lock groove with engagement surface, and a spring member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while keeping the overall structure simple and maintainable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spring member automatically urges the lock member to engage with the lock groove, and the mechanism self-locks when the side discharge cover is in the correct position, eliminating the need for complex control systems or additional actuating mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The design enhances safety during grass-mowing by preventing accidental opening of the side discharge cover, allowing for secure operation and easy maintenance without the need for additional tools or complex mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

a lock spring that urges the lock member so that a lock state is realized

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3437453B1Riding grass-mower
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 ISEKI & CO LTD
  • EP3437453B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3437453B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3437453B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A riding grass-mower, comprising a mowed-grass guiding plate (200) rotatably provided at a mowed-grass discharging port (111), which guides mowed-grass discharged from the mowed-grass discharging port (111), characterized in that the riding grass-mower comprises a lock member (310) which locks the mowed-grass guiding plate (200) in a posture that is guiding mowed-grass discharged from the mowed-grass discharging port (111).