Mower Deck Gauge Wheel Support Bracket Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mower deck gauge wheel supports are costly, have a high parts count, and require significant assembly time due to the need for separate retainers and additional components.
Innovation Solution
A mower deck gauge wheel support design featuring a single removable J-pin with a coil spring for height adjustment and locking, eliminating the need for a separate retainer, which is integrated into a one-piece sheet metal bracket with a vertical sleeve and holes for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate retainer is used to hold the pin and spring in place, then the pin can be securely retained, but the parts count increases and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket integrates the retainer function directly into its structure. The bracket includes a retainer element that is formed as one piece with the bracket body, eliminating the need for a separate retainer component. This merged design maintains secure pin retention while reducing the total parts count and simplifying assembly.
2Reliability
If a separate retainer is used to hold the pin and spring in place, then the pin can be securely retained, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is merged with the bracket as a single integrated component. This eliminates the step of assembling a separate retainer, reducing assembly time while maintaining the secure retention function through the integrated retainer element that holds the pin and spring in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is pre-formed as an integrated part of the bracket during bracket manufacturing. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for separate retainer assembly operations, reducing overall assembly time while ensuring reliable pin retention through the pre-configured retainer structure.
3Strength
If multiple components are used for gauge wheel support, then the structure can be robust, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components are merged into a single integrated bracket structure. The bracket combines the support structure, retainer mechanism, and mounting features into one piece that can be manufactured as a single component. This reduces part count and manufacturing cost while maintaining structural robustness through the integrated design that distributes loads effectively.
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 design reduces costs, parts count, and assembly time while maintaining the ability to adjust gauge wheel heights and lock them in the sideways position, enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a spring retaining the second leg of the J-pin in the bracket
Data Source
AI summary
A mower deck gauge wheel support includes a one-piece sheet metal bracket mounted to a mower deck, having a sleeve mounted thereto outside a skirt of the mower deck, a wheel shaft inserted through the sleeve, and a J-pin having a first end that engages the wheel shaft at a desired cutting height, and a second end that is engaged by and retained by a coil spring within the bracket.