Mower Blade Exchange Lever With Spring-Assisted Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blade exchange apparatuses for mowers require either manual or electrically assisted mechanisms, which are either complex or require an electric motor, making the process cumbersome and potentially dangerous.

Innovation Solution

A lever device with a hand-operated actuating handle and spring-assisted bending-open bodies that facilitate the relative displacement of the blade carrier and mowing disk, allowing for a simple and safe blade exchange without the need for an electric motor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual force is applied via lever action to displace the blade carrier and mowing disk, then the blade exchange is assisted, but the construction becomes complex and requires significant manual effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade exchange assistanceVSAvoidapparatus construction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus is divided into distinct functional components: a holder with lever arm for manual actuation, a crossmember that acts as a bending-open body, and a support device with support bodies. Each component performs a specific function in the blade exchange process, simplifying the overall design while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support device automatically positions itself during operation. The support bodies are designed to be supported on the mowing disk during the bending-open process, eliminating the need for additional actuators or complex positioning mechanisms. The lever action naturally drives the crossmember to perform the bending-open function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If electric motor is used to assist the bending-open process, then the blade exchange is automated, but the device complexity increases and requires external power source

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade exchange automationVSAvoidelectrical components

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical actuation with a purely mechanical lever-based system. The holder with lever arm provides mechanical advantage to displace the blade carrier and mowing disk relative to each other, eliminating the need for electric motors, batteries, or control electronics while achieving sufficient automation for blade exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus uses dynamic lever action where the holder can be rotated about its axis to different positions. This rotational movement translates into the bending-open motion of the blade carrier relative to the mowing disk, providing automated assistance through mechanical dynamics rather than electrical actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Force

If crossmember is positioned between blade carrier and mowing disk to provide lever action, then the bending-open process is assisted, but the manual force requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending-open assistanceVSAvoidmanual effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support device acts as a counterbalance system where the support bodies are supported on the mowing disk during the bending-open process. This support structure reduces the net manual force required by the operator, as the support device bears part of the load during the lever action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The crossmember is designed with curved surfaces that facilitate smooth bending-open motion. The curvature allows the crossmember to roll or glide between the blade carrier and mowing disk, reducing friction and the manual force needed to actuate the mechanism compared to rigid straight-line motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

Enables a straightforward and safe blade exchange process with minimal manual effort, ensuring both hands are free for the operation and reducing the risk of injury by maintaining the open position through spring assistance.

Implementation Method 1

The apparatus according to the invention also comprises at least one spring element which assists the bending-open process via the at least one bending-open body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic energy storage and release: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS12419216B2Apparatus for assisting the exchange of blades on mowers

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 CLAAS SAULGAU GMBH

AI summary

Apparatus (10) for assisting the exchange of blades on a mowing member of a mower having a mowing disk, a blade carrier and at least one blade mounted on the blade carrier via a pin connected to the blade carrier and extends through a recess in the mowing disk, a lever device (11) having at one end an actuating handle (14) actuatable by hand, and has at a second end at least one bending-open body (15, 16), the blade carrier and the mowing disk being able to be displaced such that the pin connected to the blade carrier can be moved out of the recess, a support device (12) mounted in an articulated manner on the lever device (11) and supported on the mowing disk during a bending-open process, and at least one spring element (13) assists the bending-open process via the at least one bending-open body (15, 16).