Locking Blade Retaining Fastener for Toolless Garden Machine Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional garden machines with cutting blades face issues of retaining fasteners loosening or accidentally releasing, especially under high dynamic loads, which compromises safety and reliability, and requires tool-based operation.
Innovation Solution
A retaining fastener system that includes a housing with a threaded portion, a locking element that engages with a retaining feature on the cutting blade drive shaft, and an actuation element to disengage the locking element, allowing for toolless mounting and unmounting without risk of loosening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple hex nut retaining fastener is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to loosening under high dynamic loads
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining fastener is divided into distinct functional components: a threaded portion for engagement, a locking element for securing, and an actuation element for release. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element is pre-configured to engage with the drive shaft in a predetermined manner, automatically securing the fastener upon tightening without requiring additional locking steps. This preliminary action ensures reliability while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Reliability
If a tool-based retaining fastener (hex nut with wrench) is used, then the reliability is improved through sufficient holding torque, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to tool requirement and storage needs
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining fastener incorporates an integrated actuation element that enables the user to release the locking mechanism directly through the fastener body without requiring external tools. This self-service capability resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through the locking mechanism while dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation element is merged with the locking element, combining the security function and the release function into a single integrated component. This merging eliminates the need for separate tools while maintaining the reliability of the locking mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If a retaining fastener without locking mechanism is used, then the ease of operation is improved for quick release, but the reliability deteriorates due to accidental loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed to be dynamically controllable - it automatically engages during tightening to prevent accidental loosening, yet can be easily disengaged when intentionally actuated. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between secure retention and easy release.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation element serves as an intermediary mechanism that controls the locking element. It provides a deliberate user action requirement for release while maintaining automatic security during normal operation, thus preventing accidental loosening while enabling controlled release.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
According to aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, a retaining system and a retaining fastener 200, 300, 400 for fastening at least one cutting blade 130a, 130b to a garden machine 100 is provided. The retaining fastener 200, 300, 400 is configured to be fastened to a cutting blade drive shaft 140 having a threaded portion 141 and a retaining feature 142, and further includes at least one locking element 210, 310, 410 which releasably engages with the retaining feature 142 in a fastened state, retaining the retaining fastener 200, 300, 400 in place. The retaining fastener further includes at least one actuation element 220, 320, 420 being coupled to the at least one locking element 210, 310, 410 such that the at least one locking element 210, 310, 410 can be disengaged from the retaining feature 142. According to further aspects and embodiments, a garden machine having said retaining system and a method of operating said retaining system are provided.