Lawnmower Wheel Cleaning Device for Grass Build-up Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lawnmowers face issues with operational reliability due to grass build-up on wheels and other components, which affects cutting uniformity and visual quality.

Innovation Solution

A lawnmower equipped with a cleaning device and an actuator that moves the cleaning device relative to the wheel's rolling surface, effectively reducing grass build-up and improving operational reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cleaning device is added to clean the rolling surface, then grass build-up on wheels is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device is configured to clean the rolling surface of the wheel through self-service action. The actuator moves the cleaning device relative to the rolling surface, enabling automatic cleaning during operation without requiring external intervention or additional complex manual cleaning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning device serves multiple functions: it cleans the rolling surface of the wheel, prevents grass build-up on adjacent components, and maintains operational reliability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cleaning systems for each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the actuator moves the cleaning device relative to the rolling surface continuously, then grass build-up on the cleaning device is reduced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator moves the cleaning device relative to the rolling surface in periodic or intermittent manner rather than continuous motion. This periodic action is sufficient to prevent grass build-up on the cleaning device while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Manufacturing precision

If grass is removed from the rolling surface continuously, then cutting uniformity is improved, but operational time available before manual cleaning is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting uniformityVSAvoidoperational time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device operates continuously or near-continuously during lawnmower operation, maintaining the rolling surface free from grass build-up. This continuous cleaning action ensures consistent cutting uniformity throughout extended operational periods, effectively eliminating the need for manual cleaning interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3723467B1Lawnmower and method of cleaning a rolling surface of a wheel of a lawnmower

Publication Date: 2025.01.22 HUSQVARNA AB

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AI summary

A lawnmower (1) is disclosed comprising at least one wheel (3) configured to support the lawnmower (1) during operation. The at least one wheel (3) comprises a rolling surface (5), and the lawnmower (1) comprises a cleaning device (7) configured to clean the rolling surface (5), and an actuator (9) configured to move the cleaning device (7) relative the rolling surface (5). The present disclosure further relates to a method (100) of cleaning a rolling surface (5) of at least one wheel (3) of a lawnmower (1).