Lawn Mower Cutting Rotor Cover Assembly with Nested Shafts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grass cutting mowers with variable cutting width and vertical rotation axes face issues of complexity, inefficiency, and increased size due to the mechanical transmission of power, leading to ineffective cutting and accumulation of cut material.

Innovation Solution

A mower design with a cutting rotor covering assembly that allows for compact and efficient operation by using a movable second part to adjust the cutting width, incorporating a closing part with recesses and solid extensions to accommodate shafts, preventing material accumulation and ensuring continuous coverage without increasing the mower's size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If mechanical transmission shafts are used to power cutting rotors, then power transmission is achieved, but the cutting rotor covering assembly becomes complex and the mower size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission to cutting rotorsVSAvoidcutting rotor covering assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission shafts are nested within hollow portions of the cutting rotor covering assembly parts. Specifically, the first transmission shaft is received within a hollow portion of the first part, and the second transmission shaft is received within a hollow portion of the second part, allowing power transmission without increasing external dimensions or adding mechanical complexity to the covering assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a solid covering assembly structure to a hollow structure by providing first and second hollow portions within the covering assembly parts. This dimensional change allows the transmission shafts to be accommodated internally, eliminating the need for external shaft arrangements that would increase complexity and size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If cutting rotor covering assembly size is reduced, then mower compactness is improved, but effective cutting performance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemower sizeVSAvoidcutting performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs movable parts including the second part that can move relative to the first part, and a closing part that can move between opened and closed positions. This dynamic configuration allows the cutting width to be adjusted and the cutting rotors to be positioned optimally for effective cutting while maintaining a compact overall size when not in use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting rotor covering assembly is divided into multiple separable parts (first part, second part, and closing part) that can move independently. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while contributing to the overall compact design, with the ability to adjust the configuration for optimal cutting performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If cutting width is variable, then adaptability is improved, but mechanical transmission complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting width adjustmentVSAvoidmechanical transmission complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention provides a dynamic cutting width adjustment mechanism where the second part can move relative to the first part, and the closing part can move between opened and closed positions. This allows the cutting width to be varied by adjusting the position of the cutting rotors while using simple mechanical movements rather than complex transmission systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable parts and hollow portions serve multiple functions: the hollow portions accommodate transmission shafts for power delivery, the movable second part and closing part enable cutting width adjustment, and the overall structure maintains compactness. This multi-functionality achieves variable cutting width without requiring separate dedicated mechanisms for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4165974B1Lawn mower with cutting rotor cover group
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 SALTARIN LUCIANO
  • EP4165974B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4165974B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4165974B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mower (100) comprising vertical cutting rotors (71, 72, 73, 74) driven by shafts (81, 82, 83, 84) and a cutting rotors (71, 72, 73, 74) cover assembly (10) comprising a first part (1) which has a first hole (11) housing a first shaft (81), a second part (2) which has a second hole (21) housing a second shaft (82) which are mutually movable between a first position and a second position so as to vary the cutting width (W) and a closing part (4) comprising a first seat (41) which houses the first shaft (81), a second seat (42) which houses the second shaft (82) and, between the first and second shaft (81, 82), a solid part (43). The second part (2) has a recess (22) which faces towards the first shaft (81) so as to accommodate the first shaft (81) in the first position. The closing part (4) is shaped in such a way that the solid part (43) is positioned at the part of the recess (22) that is not covered by the first part (1). The mower (100) preferably has four cutting rotors (71, 72, 73, 74) that are counter-rotating.