Implement Coupling Locking Mechanism for Lawn Care Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing coupling mechanisms for ride-on lawn care vehicles, which are biased to lift implements for transport, can suddenly snap upwards when decoupling, potentially damaging the vehicle and are difficult to reattach due to the biasing force, making installation and removal of implements cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
An implement coupling arrangement featuring a support arm with a biasing member that includes a locking mechanism to prevent sudden upward movement, allowing the support arm to be held at a consistent height, simplifying the engagement and disengagement of implements by converting linear motion into rotational motion through a pushrod mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the spring-loaded frame is used to lift the implement for transport, then the implement can be easily lifted into transport position, but the coupling mechanism can snap upwards and hit hard against the vehicle frame when decoupling
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is positioned to engage with the biasing member before the support arm can snap upwards. When the mounting assembly is disengaged, the locking mechanism activates in advance to counteract the upward biasing force, preventing the harmful snapping motion against the vehicle frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism acts as a cushioning element that engages with the biasing member to absorb and control the upward force before it can cause damage. This preliminary cushioning prevents the harsh impact that would otherwise occur when the spring-loaded frame decouples.
2Ease of operation
If the biasing member is used to lift the implement, then the implement can be lifted into transport position, but the operator has to move the support arm against the biasing force to reattach the implement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism counteracts the biasing force during the reattachment process. When the mounting assembly is engaged, the locking mechanism engages with the biasing member to hold the support arm in place, eliminating the need for the operator to manually overcome the spring force.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism automatically engages with the biasing member when the mounting assembly is attached, self-regulating the position of the support arm. This eliminates the need for manual adjustment against the biasing force, making the reattachment process simpler and more automated.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the support arm is not held at a fixed position, then the coupling mechanism has freedom of movement, but it is difficult to drive the vehicle so that the support arm engages the mounting assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism changes the positional parameter of the support arm by engaging with the biasing member at a specific point. This creates a fixed, predictable height for the support arm, transforming it from a freely moving component to one with controlled positioning that facilitates reliable engagement.
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 solution prevents damage from sudden movements during decoupling and simplifies the installation and removal of implements by maintaining the support arm at a consistent height, reducing the effort required for reattachment and allowing easy interchange of different implements.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member arranged so as to bias the support arm upwards relative to the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
The locking mechanism may comprise a rotating part, with rotation of the rotating part effecting the transfer between the locked and unlocked states
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An implement coupling arrangement, typically for use with a lawn care vehicle (1), comprising a first part arranged to be coupled to a vehicle (1) and a second part arranged to be selectively mounted on the first part, in which the first part comprises a support arm (5) configured to support the second part, a mounting (6) for moveably mounting the support arm (5) relative to the vehicle (1), and a biasing member (7) arranged so as to bias the support arm (5) upwards relative to the vehicle (1), in which the second part comprises an implement (9) and a mounting assembly (8), the mounting assembly (8) and the support arm (5) being interengageable so as to mount the second part on the first part; and in which the arrangement further comprises a locking mechanism ( 10), which has a locked state which inhibits movement of the support arm (5) upwards relative to the vehicle (1) beyond a point, and an unlocked state which allows upward movement of the support arm (5) relative to the vehicle (1) beyond the point; in which disengagement of the mounting assembly (8) from the support arm (5) causes the locking mechanism (10) to enter the locked state.