Mower Safety Shield for Obstacle Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mowers often accidentally hit obstacles such as animals or solid objects during mowing, leading to animal harm, potential contamination, and equipment damage, especially when mowing at high speeds near windbreaks where animals are stationary and hidden in grass.
Innovation Solution
A mower equipped with a safety system comprising a control unit, detector, and safety device that detects obstacles and triggers a warning signal to activate a separation mechanism, such as a shield or airbag, to prevent contact between the cutter and the obstacle while moving at working speed, ensuring the obstacle is not hit and allowing for continued operation without sudden braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the mower moves at high speed to improve productivity, then the mowing efficiency is improved, but the risk of accidentally hitting obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector detects obstacles in advance before the cutter reaches them, allowing the control unit to activate the safety device (shield or airbag) beforehand. This preliminary detection and response enables the system to maintain high speed while preventing obstacle contact by preparing protective measures before the hazard occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety device (shield or airbag) acts as an intermediary between the cutter and the obstacle. When an obstacle is detected, the shield physically blocks the cutter's path or the airbag inflates to create a protective barrier, allowing the mower to continue at high speed without directly contacting the obstacle.
2Reliability
If the mower stops suddenly to avoid hitting an obstacle, then the risk of obstacle contact is reduced, but deceleration forces cause damage to the mower
Solution Approach 1:
The shield or airbag serves as a mediator that absorbs the impact force between the cutter and the obstacle. When the safety device activates, it creates a buffer zone that reduces the transmission of deceleration forces to the mower's structural components, preventing damage while still protecting against obstacle contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety device is prepared in advance and activates before the cutter would contact the obstacle. The shield positions itself beforehand or the airbag inflates in advance, creating a cushioning effect that mitigates impact forces and protects the mower structure from damage during obstacle encounters.
3Ease of operation
If the driver spots obstacles in time to stop the mower, then obstacle contact can be avoided, but the driver cannot notice obstacles hidden in grass at high speed
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detector (camera system) replaces the driver's visual inspection mechanism. The detector continuously monitors the field ahead, including areas hidden from direct view such as grass-covered obstacles. This substitution allows obstacle detection without requiring the driver to visually scan the entire field, enabling safe operation at high speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety system performs self-monitoring and self-protection functions. The detector automatically identifies obstacles, the control unit processes the information, and the safety device activates without requiring driver intervention. This self-service capability allows the mower to maintain high speed while continuously protecting against obstacles that would be invisible to the driver.
Data Source
AI summary
Mowers are provided with a safety system to prevent obstacles, such as animals, located in the field from being hit by cutters of the mower. The safety system includes a control unit and at least one detector to detect the obstacle and then provide a warning signal to the control unit, when the obstacle is detected. The control unit provides a separation signal to at least one safety device in response to receiving the warning signal, and the at least one safety device causes separation between the obstacle and the at least one cutter in response to receiving the separation signal. The safety device may be at least one shield which is movable between a retracted position and a protecting position in which it extends in front of the at least one cutter to prevent contact between the at least one cutter and the obstacle.