Mower Cutting Deck Flow Control Baffles and Mulch Plug
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-bladed mowers face productivity issues due to frequent interruptions for emptying grass collectors, which have limited capacity and lack operator control over clipping discharge, and suboptimal mulching performance with clippings visible on the cut grass path.
Innovation Solution
A rotary cutting deck with dual side-by-side cutting chambers and a rearwardly extending exit tunnel, featuring pivotable flow control baffles and a mulching plug with a vertical separator vane to manage grass clipping discharge and distribution, allowing for adjustable filling of collectors and improved mulching performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a grass collector is used to collect grass clippings, then clippings are prevented from being discharged onto the ground, but the collector must be manually emptied frequently which interrupts mowing operation
Solution Approach 1:
The exit tunnel includes an adjustable opening at the rear end that can be positioned at different heights to control the discharge of grass clippings. By adjusting the opening position, operators can manage when and how clippings are discharged, allowing the collector to be filled more completely before requiring emptying, thus reducing interruptions to mowing operations
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the exit tunnel is closed off for mulching mode, then clippings circulate around cutting chambers, but clippings are discharged in a central windrow that is visible on the cut grass path
Solution Approach 1:
The exit tunnel is divided into multiple sections: a forward section that remains closed during mulching to maintain circulation, and a rear section with an adjustable opening that can be positioned to discharge clippings laterally at different heights. This segmentation allows clippings to be discharged in a more distributed pattern rather than forming a central windrow, improving mulching appearance
3Productivity
If the collector capacity is increased, then fewer emptying operations are needed, but the additional weight the mower must carry increases
Solution Approach 1:
By providing an adjustable opening in the exit tunnel, the system allows operators to control the discharge rate of grass clippings. This enables more efficient utilization of the existing collector capacity by allowing it to fill more completely before discharge is needed, effectively increasing the functional capacity without adding physical weight to the mower
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary cutting deck for a mower has dual, side-by-side cutting chambers that discharge their grass clippings through a common, rearwardly extending exit tunnel. A pair of pivotal flow control baffles are positioned ahead of the mouth of the exit tunnel. The baffles have an open position in which the baffles clear the mouth of the exit tunnel and form guide channels in concert with some of the walls of the cutting chambers which help direct the grass clippings from each cutting chamber towards the mouth of the exit tunnel. The baffles can be pivoted to a closed position in which the baffles block but do not completely close the mouth of the exit tunnel to provide the operator with some way of controlling how long it takes to fill a grass collector attached to the exit tunnel. A mulching plug with a forwardly extending separator vane can be inserted into the mouth of the exit tunnel to convert the deck from a discharge/collection mode of operation to a mulching mode of operation.