Riding Lawn Mower Layout for Stable Grass Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional riding lawn mowers with diesel engines, radiators, and exhaust gas purification devices have a high ground clearance due to the engine configuration, making it difficult to maintain stability when a grass collection container is included, as it raises the center of gravity.

Innovation Solution

The riding lawn mower positions the exhaust gas purification device above the transmission case, lowering its center of gravity and maintaining stability by integrating it with a connector system that allows for adjustable mounting and a bonnet design that covers the engine room, preventing grass from entering and ensuring efficient airflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the exhaust gas purification device is arranged behind the radiator and engine, then the cooling air path can effectively blow out hot air, but the ground clearance of the engine room increases, raising the center of gravity and making stable running difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidrunning stability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust gas purification device is relocated from a horizontal arrangement (behind the engine) to a vertical arrangement (above the transmission case). This dimensional change allows the device to be positioned in the vertical space above the engine room rather than extending the horizontal footprint, thereby maintaining effective cooling air path while lowering the center of gravity by utilizing the space above the transmission case which is lower than the traditional rear position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the grass collection container is provided above the engine room, then grass can be collected, but the center of gravity becomes high, making stable running difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrass collection capabilityVSAvoidrunning stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust gas purification device is positioned above the transmission case to serve as a counterweight element. By placing this relatively heavy component in the lower vertical space above the transmission case rather than in the upper space above the engine, the overall center of gravity of the mower is lowered, counteracting the destabilizing effect of the grass collection container positioned above the engine room.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the bonnet covers the engine room, then grass entry is prevented, but airflow to the engine and radiator may be restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrass intrusion preventionVSAvoidengine cooling
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The bonnet is designed with differentiated local qualities: it provides solid coverage over most of the engine room to prevent grass intrusion, but incorporates specific localized openings or air passage regions that allow sufficient airflow to reach the engine and radiator. This selective permeability maintains both protection and cooling functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 allows the riding lawn mower to run stably with a grass collection container by lowering the center of gravity and preventing grass from entering critical components, enhancing operational stability and safety.

Implementation Method 1

a radiator, arranged on the right side of the engine, and a radiator fan, arranged on the left side of the engine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

an air cleaner, arranged above the engine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

an exhaust gas purification device, disposed above the transmission case

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalytic conversion: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP3819150B1Riding lawn mower
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 ISEKI & CO LTD
  • EP3819150B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3819150B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3819150B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a riding lawn mower capable of stably running while including a grass collection container. A riding lawn mower (1) includes a running vehicle body (2) having running wheels (31), (32) and a driver's seat (20); a mower device (3) connected to the running vehicle body (2); and a grass collection container (8) provided behind the driver's seat (20) on the running vehicle body (2) and configured to store grass cut by the mower device (3). An engine room (40) is provided below the grass collection container (8), and an engine (4) and an exhaust gas purification device (5) configured to purify exhaust gas from the engine (4) are arranged in parallel in the engine room (40).