Stand-On Mower Load Deck Border Edge for Material Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stand-on mowers lack a load deck, necessitating the use of additional machines or manual carrying of materials, which is inefficient and costly for landscaping and lawn care operations.
Innovation Solution
A load deck with a border edge is mounted to the front wheel frame of a stand-on mower, providing a sturdy structure to carry heavy loads and prevent material from sliding off during transport, enhancing operational efficiency and versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a load deck is added to a stand-on mower, then the versatility and productivity are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load deck is designed to perform multiple functions: carrying landscaping materials, transporting equipment, and providing a stable platform for various tasks. This multi-functionality approach allows a single addition to the mower to serve multiple purposes, thereby improving versatility without requiring multiple separate pieces of equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The load deck is integrated with the existing mower structure by mounting it to the front wheel frame. This merging of the load deck with the mower's existing components (frame, wheels, platform) creates a unified system that reduces overall complexity compared to having separate independent equipment for loading and mowing operations
2Productivity
If a load deck is added to a stand-on mower, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load deck enables the mower to perform both landscaping material transport and mowing operations, effectively doubling the productivity capabilities of a single machine. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate equipment, thereby improving overall productivity
Solution Approach 2:
By combining the load deck with the existing mower structure (mounting to the front wheel frame and integrating with the platform), the design creates a unified system that improves productivity without requiring entirely separate equipment sets, thus managing the complexity increase
3Reliability
If a border edge is added to the load deck, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load deck is divided into distinct components: the main load-bearing deck portion and the separate border edge structure. This segmentation allows the border edge to be manufactured independently and then attached to the deck, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while ensuring reliable material containment
Solution Approach 2:
The border edge extends vertically from the horizontal deck surface, adding a third dimension to the load deck structure. This vertical addition provides effective material containment without significantly increasing the horizontal footprint or manufacturing complexity of the base deck structure
Data Source
AI summary
A stand-on mower comprising a chassis having drive wheels operably coupled to the chassis; a platform arranged between the drive wheels; a front wheel frame, coupled to the chassis, and having pivot mounts and front wheels coupled to the pivot mounts; and a load deck mounted to the front wheel frame and having a load-bearing first portion, a second portion, and a border edge, wherein: the first portion comprises a perimeter, a front end, a rearward end, and openings through which the pivot mounts extend; the second portion joins the first portion at the rearward end, the second portion substantially orthogonal to the first portion; and the border edge comprises a substantially upright border structure coupled to and along a portion of the perimeter of the first portion, and is further coupled to the second portion.