Lawn Mower Storage Wheels for Vertical Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lawn mowers face challenges in compact storage due to their horizontal design, which occupies more space and makes it difficult to maneuver when stored vertically.
Innovation Solution
The integration of storage wheels that are elevated during horizontal operation and come into contact with the ground during vertical storage, allowing the mower to be easily rolled and minimizing storage space, along with a handle assembly that can be collapsed to facilitate this orientation change.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the mower is stored in horizontal operating orientation, then the deck structure remains simple and stable, but the storage space occupied is large and maneuverability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the wheel configuration adaptive rather than fixed. The mower transitions between two operational states: during horizontal operation, support wheels bear the weight; during vertical storage, storage wheels engage to support the mower. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same device to optimize for both operational stability and storage compactness, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the wheel system into two distinct functional groups: support wheels for horizontal operation and storage wheels for vertical storage. By dividing the support function into these separate components, each optimized for its specific orientation, the system achieves both horizontal operational stability and vertical storage compactness without requiring a completely different design for each mode.
2Volume of moving object
If storage wheels are added to enable vertical storage, then storage space efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage wheels serve multiple functions: they support the mower during vertical storage orientation and can be positioned to facilitate horizontal-to-vertical transitions. By designing these wheels to be multifunctional rather than single-purpose, the patent reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving the storage space efficiency goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the storage support function with the transition facilitation function into the same storage wheel assembly. Rather than adding separate mechanisms for storage support and for enabling orientation changes, the storage wheels are positioned and configured to perform both roles, simplifying the overall device complexity while achieving vertical storage capability.
3Ease of operation
If the handle assembly is made collapsible to facilitate orientation change, then ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a fixed configuration during horizontal operation to a collapsible or reconfigurable state during vertical storage operations. This dynamic adaptability allows the handle to facilitate orientation changes while maintaining structural integrity during normal use, balancing ease of operation with controlled complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A grounds maintenance apparatus such as a lawn mower adapted for movement from a horizontal operating orientation to a vertical storage orientation. Embodiments of the apparatus provide supplemental storage wheels adapted to permit rolling of the apparatus over a ground surface while in the vertical storage orientation.