Walk-behind Lawnmower Height Adjustment Grip

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing walk-behind lawnmowers require operators to use two hands to adjust the mowing height, which complicates the process and reduces operability.

Innovation Solution

A walk-behind lawnmower design featuring a height-adjusting grip that can be grasped with one hand, with an operating button positioned for easy thumb operation, allowing for intuitive height adjustment without needing to repeatedly release and regrasp the button.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the operating button is positioned on the housing (not integrated with the grip), then the button can be operated independently, but the operator must repeatedly release and regrasp the grip to operate the button, reducing ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of height adjustmentVSAvoidtime for repeated grasping
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The operating button is integrated into the height-adjusting grip, merging two previously separate components (grip and button) into a single unified structure. This allows the operator to operate the button without releasing the grip, eliminating the time loss from repeated grasping while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If the operating button is positioned away from the grip area, then the button operation is independent, but the operator cannot operate the button with the same hand that grasps the grip, increasing device complexity and reducing operability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesingle-handed operation capabilityVSAvoidbutton positioning complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operating button is merged with the height-adjusting grip structure and positioned within easy reach of the operator's thumb while maintaining the grip. This integration allows single-handed operation without increasing overall device complexity, as the button becomes part of the existing grip assembly rather than a separate control element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The button is positioned at a specific location on the grip (the lateral surface) that is optimally accessible to the operator's thumb. This local positioning ensures that only the thumb needs to contact the button while the rest of the hand maintains its grip, enabling intuitive single-handed operation without complicating the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2371198B1Walk-behind lawnmower
Publication Date: 2013.04.17 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2371198B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2371198B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2371198B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A walk-behind lawnmower is provided with a height-adjusting mechanism (20) for adjusting the height of a housing (11) above the ground. The walk-behind lawnmower (10) further comprises an operating button (54c) for switching an adjustment operation of the height-adjusting mechanism (20) from a restricted state to a permissive state; and a height-adjusting grip (60) capable of being grasped by a hand so as to raise or lower the housing (11) when the operating button is operated, and the adjustment operation of the height-adjusting mechanism is thereby permitted. The height-adjusting grip (60) is provided to the housing (11) in the vicinity of a left or right lateral part. The operating button (54c) is positioned in an area allowing operation by a finger of the hand grasping the height-adjusting grip (60).