Mower Pulley Cover Latch Mechanism for Secure Attachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective covers for power transmission pulleys on mower decks are prone to unintended disengagement due to forces acting from above, compromising their secure attachment and removal.
Innovation Solution
A cover design featuring a latch mechanism with projections and openings on the side skirt that engage with brackets on the mower deck, positioned to resist forces from above and utilize elastic deformation for secure attachment and easy removal, with ribs on the upper face part to stabilize the cover and prevent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lip is arranged on the upper surface of the cover to allow free access from above, then the cover can be easily attached and removed without tools, but the engagement between the anchor and the lip may be released by unintentional pressing force from above
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is repositioned from the upper surface (vertical dimension) to the side skirt (horizontal dimension). The first and second projections engage with corresponding openings in brackets mounted on the side skirt, moving the engagement interface to a different spatial dimension where it is protected from top-down forces while maintaining accessibility for tool-free attachment and removal.
2Weight of moving object
If the cover is made thin to reduce weight and material cost, then manufacturing cost and weight are reduced, but the cover is easily deformed by forces acting from above
Solution Approach 1:
Ribs are added selectively to the upper face part of the cover at locations where force application is most likely to cause deformation. These localized structural reinforcements increase stiffness in critical areas without requiring the entire cover to be made thick or heavy, thus maintaining weight efficiency while improving resistance to top-down forces.
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
The solution provides a stable and secure attachment of the cover to the mower deck, preventing unintended disengagement and allowing for easy installation and removal without tools, while minimizing deformation under external forces.
Implementation Method 1
a latch mechanism for removably attaching the cover onto the upper surface of the top plate using an elastic deformation of the cover
Data Source
AI summary
A cover having a side skirt and an upper face part covers a pulley provided to a mower deck. A latch mechanism removably attaches the cover to a top plate of the mower deck using an elastic deformation of the cover. The latch mechanism includes a first bracket forming a first opening, and a second bracket which is provided to the top plate so as to oppose to the first bracket via the pulley, and forms at least one second opening, a first projection provided to the side skirt of the cover, and for engaging with the first opening when attaching the cover, and at least one second projection provided to the side skirt of the cover, and for engaging with the second opening when attaching the cover.