Movable Mower Discharge Chute With Synchronized Outlet Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lawn mowers often have discharge chutes that interfere with mowing close to edges or through narrow openings, and there is a need to block discharge of clippings into certain areas.

Innovation Solution

A lawn mower with a movable discharge chute and a blocking plate that can be controlled manually or automatically, allowing the chute to switch between operative and inoperative positions, and the plate to switch between open and closed positions, using a gear mechanism for synchronized movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the discharge chute extends laterally to direct clippings, then debris ejection is effective, but the mower cannot mow close to edges or through narrow openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris ejection effectivenessVSAvoidability to mow near edges

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge chute is made movable between an extended position for effective debris ejection and a retracted position for mowing near edges and through narrow openings. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt to different operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between debris ejection effectiveness and adaptability to confined spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the discharge chute is positioned to direct clippings away from the mower, then debris management is effective, but clippings may be ejected into flower beds or unwanted areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris management effectivenessVSAvoidclippings ejected into unwanted areas

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge chute can be dynamically repositioned between extended and retracted states, allowing the operator to direct clippings away from the mower when needed while preventing unwanted ejection into flower beds or other areas by retracting the chute in appropriate situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a blocking plate is added to prevent clipping discharge, then clippings can be directed away from flower beds, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of clipping ejection into unwanted areasVSAvoidnumber of moving parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking plate is integrated with the existing movable discharge chute mechanism, combining two functions (chute retraction and outlet blocking) into a single coordinated system. This reduces the overall complexity compared to having separate independent mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable discharge chute structure serves multiple functions: it can be extended for effective debris ejection, retracted to prevent interference with obstacles, and works in conjunction with the blocking plate to control clipping discharge direction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4518641B1Lawn mower and cutting deck with discharge chute control system

Publication Date: 2026.02.18 THE TORO COMPANY

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AI summary

A lawn mower having a cutting deck with a chute control system having a moveable discharge chute. The discharge chute is adapted to move from an operative position to an inoperative position, whereby such movement results in corresponding movement of a blocking plate used to selectively block a discharge outlet of the cutting deck from an open position to a closed position, respectively.