Mower Spindle Brake Disengagement via Cable Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grass mowing machines with multi-spindle rotary mower decks face challenges in disengaging mower spindle brakes due to obstructions from rear discharge/rear collection chutes, leading to increased costs or the omission of brakes in favor of mechanical clutching mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A mower spindle brake disengagement mechanism utilizing a system of cables between an attachment engagement lever and pivot arms on the mower deck, allowing for independent disengagement of spindle brakes without the need for additional mechanical linkages or electromagnets, by retracting the cables to overcome the blocking effect of the discharge chute.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanical linkages (rods or wire forms) are used to connect mower spindle brakes, then the brake disengagement system can satisfy force requirements, but the rear discharge/rear collection chute blocks these linkages and prevents proper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the brake disengagement system into independent cable-operated units, with each mower spindle brake connected individually to the attachment engagement lever via cable. This segmentation allows each brake to be disengaged independently without requiring complex inter-connected linkages between spindles, solving the blocking problem caused by the rear discharge chute.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cable as an intermediary element between the attachment engagement lever and the mower spindle brakes. The cable acts as a flexible mediator that can route around the rear discharge chute obstruction, replacing the rigid mechanical linkages (rods or wire forms) that were blocked by the chute structure.
2Device complexity
If electromagnets connected to the mower clutch are used to stop rotation instead of mower spindle brakes, then the chute blocking problem is avoided, but the cost of the mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spring-biased mower spindle brakes that automatically engage and stop spindle rotation without requiring external power sources or complex control systems. The spring mechanism provides self-contained braking action, and the cable system simply releases the brake when pulled, maintaining simplicity and low cost while avoiding electromagnets entirely.
3Device complexity
If mechanical clutching mechanisms without brakes are used in rear discharge/rear collection mowers, then the chute blocking problem is avoided, but the ability to stop spindle rotation under certain conditions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of both brake systems and clutch mechanisms by combining spring-biased mower spindle brakes with a cable release system. This integration provides both the automatic braking capability (stopping spindle rotation under certain conditions) and the simple disengagement mechanism, while the cable routing avoids the rear discharge chute blocking problem.
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
This solution provides a low-cost, non-electric mechanism for disengaging mower spindle brakes in rear discharge/rear collection configurations, ensuring efficient operation while maintaining brake functionality without the need for additional costly components.
Implementation Method 1
A cable 138 may be used to disengage second mower spindle brake 128. Each of the first and second cables 135, 138 may be pulled or retracted by use of a single attachment engagement lever 141.
Data Source
AI summary
A mower spindle brake disengagement mechanism includes belt driven pulleys on spindles supported by a rotary mower deck, brakes adjacent the pulleys, each of the brakes on a pivot arm biased to a brake engaged position, and a plurality of Bowden cables, each Bowden cable connected between one of the pivot arms and a single lever that may be pivoted to retract the Bowden cables to move the brakes on the pivot arms to a brake disengaged position.