Hinged Seat Isolation Assembly for Riding Lawn Mowers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Riding lawn mowers often have uncomfortable seats due to lack of effective vibration isolation, which limits operator comfort and space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A riding lawn care vehicle with a fully isolated seat that is hingedly attached, featuring an isolation assembly integrated into the hinge assembly to provide vibration isolation and allow the seat to pivot, exposing the area under the seat for storage and access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional rigid seat mounting structure is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but operator comfort deteriorates due to direct transmission of vibrations and bumps from the frame
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an isolation assembly as an intermediary component between the frame and the seat mounting structure. This assembly includes vibration isolating elements that mediate the connection, allowing the seat to be mounted on the frame while blocking the transmission of harmful vibrations and bumps. The intermediary isolation assembly decouples the rigid connection, protecting the operator from frame vibrations without requiring complete structural redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat mounting system is segmented into distinct functional components: the frame, the isolation assembly, and the seat mounting structure. By dividing the mounting system into separable segments with the isolation assembly in between, the patent allows independent optimization of each component - the frame for structural support, the isolation assembly for vibration damping, and the seat mounting structure for seat attachment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seat is fixed in position, then structural simplicity is maintained, but space utilization deteriorates because the area under the seat cannot be accessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the seat from a fixed position to a dynamic, movable position by incorporating a hinge assembly. The hinge enables the seat to pivot between a normal operating position and an upwardly tilted position, allowing access to the storage area underneath. This dynamic capability provides adaptability for different user needs while maintaining a relatively simple hinged attachment mechanism.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If vibration isolation components are added to the seat mounting structure, then operator comfort is improved, but the ability to access space under the seat deteriorates due to structural interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vibration isolation function into a separate isolation assembly that is positioned between the frame and the seat mounting structure, rather than integrating it directly into the seat attachment mechanism. This segmentation allows the isolation assembly to perform its vibration-damping function while the hinged seat mounting structure independently provides access capability, avoiding structural interference.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a hinged seat attachment is used, then space utilization is improved by enabling access to under-seat area, but vibration isolation performance deteriorates due to direct frame connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the isolation assembly as an intermediary between the frame and the hinged seat mounting structure. This intermediary isolation assembly blocks the transmission path of vibrations through the hinge mechanism, allowing the hinge to provide its pivoting function for access while preventing harmful vibrations from reaching the seat and operator.
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
Enhances operator comfort and space utilization by effectively isolating vibrations while allowing access to storage space beneath the seat.
Implementation Method 1
an isolation assembly providing vibration isolation between the frame and the seat mounting structure
Data Source
AI summary
A riding lawn care vehicle may include a frame to which wheels of the riding lawn care vehicle are attachable, a seat from which an operator of the riding lawn care vehicle is enabled to access steering controls for the riding lawn care vehicle, a seat mounting structure to which the seat is mounted, an isolation assembly providing vibration isolation between the frame and the seat mounting structure, and a hinge assembly configured to enable the seat to be pivoted via the seat mounting structure from an operating position to a pivoted position in which an area under the seat is exposed or accessible. The hinge assembly and at least a portion of the isolation assembly may be integrated to isolate the seat from vibrations at the frame.