Lawn Mower Deck Lock Assembly with Dual Pedal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lawn mowers require operators to release control levers for driving and steering to manually adjust the cutting deck's position, which is inconvenient and disrupts continuous operation.
Innovation Solution
A storage lock assembly with a primary pedal, lock striker, secondary pedal, and deck lock allows operators to raise, lock, unlock, and lower the mower deck without releasing the control levers, using a combination of pedal movements to control the deck's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator manually adjusts the cutting deck position using control levers, then the deck can be raised or lowered, but the operator must release the steering control which disrupts continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two independent parts: a foot pedal for deck position adjustment and hand levers for steering control. This segmentation allows the operator to adjust the deck using the foot pedal while maintaining steering control with the hand levers, eliminating the need to release steering control during deck adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
A foot pedal serves as an intermediary control mechanism between the operator's foot and the deck position adjustment mechanism. This intermediary allows hands-free deck adjustment while the operator maintains grip on the steering levers, enabling continuous operation without releasing steering control.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the deck in position, then the deck stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the existing pedal and linkage system rather than being a separate independent system. The pedal simultaneously performs the functions of deck elevation and locking/unlocking through its movement along the linkage, combining multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism that reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal assembly serves multiple functions: it raises and lowers the deck, locks the deck in position, and unlocks the deck for adjustment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate locking and unlocking mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining deck position stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage lock assembly for a lawn mower can include a primary pedal, a lock striker, a secondary pedal, and a deck lock that can be manipulated to selectively lock a mower deck into a stowed position and unlock the deck from the stowed position. The primary pedal can move the deck between a plurality of operating positions and the stowed position. The secondary pedal can include an engagement member and be pivotably attached to the primary pedal. The deck lock can be movable between a locked position where the deck lock is engaged with the lock striker, and an unlocked position where the deck lock is disengaged from the lock striker. When the deck lock is in the locked position and the secondary pedal pivots relative to the primary pedal, the engagement member can move the deck lock away from the lock striker and to the unlocked position.