Adjustable Riding Mower Steering Wheel for Ergonomic Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Riding mowers often have a fixed steering wheel position that does not accommodate users of varying body types and heights, leading to reduced comfort and ergonomic issues.
Innovation Solution
A steering wheel assembly with a support rod that is adjustable in both sliding and rotational positions, allowing users to customize the steering wheel's location to their comfort, and a mounting assembly that enables easy switching between working and storage positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the steering wheel position is fixed, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but user comfort and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel position is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The support rod can slide along the longitudinal beam and rotate relative to the steering wheel, allowing the steering wheel to move between multiple positions (including forward, rearward, and angular adjustments) to accommodate different user heights and preferences while maintaining structural simplicity through a straightforward sliding and rotating mechanism
2Ease of operation
If the steering wheel is made adjustable in multiple positions, then user comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into two independent functions: sliding movement along the longitudinal beam and rotational movement relative to the steering wheel. This segmentation allows each function to be implemented with simple, separate components (sliding holes in the beam and a rotating joint), avoiding the need for a single complex adjustment system while achieving comprehensive position customization
Solution Approach 2:
The support rod is designed with dynamic capabilities, allowing it to slide and rotate independently to provide multiple positioning options. This dynamic design enables users to adjust the steering wheel to their preferred position without requiring complex mechanical systems, as the simple sliding and rotating motions achieve the desired adjustability
Data Source
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AI summary
A riding mowing device includes a seat, a frame, a cutting assembly, a walking assembly, a power supply assembly, and a steering wheel assembly. The cutting assembly includes a cutting deck and a mowing element. The cutting assembly is mounted to the frame. The walking assembly is used for driving the riding mowing device to walk. The power supply assembly is used for powering at least the cutting assembly and the walking assembly and mounted to the frame. The steering wheel assembly includes a steering wheel for the user to operate and a support rod connecting the steering wheel to the frame. The riding mowing device further includes a mounting assembly including a locked position and an unlocked position, where when the mounting assembly is in the unlocked position, the steering wheel assembly is switchable between at least a first working position and a second working position.