Walk-behind mower steering wheel universal joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing walk-behind mowers with rigid controls require operators to walk around obstacles and perform U-turns manually, leading to unnecessary walking and energy expenditure.
Innovation Solution
A walk-behind mower design featuring a frame with a selectively steerable drive wheel, follower wheels, and a steering wheel assembly connected via a universal joint, allowing for rotational force application to the frame about a vertical axis, enabling easy steering without the need to follow a push handle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rigid handle control system is used, then the structure is simple, but the operator must walk around obstacles and perform U-turns manually, increasing walking distance and energy expenditure
Solution Approach 1:
The mower incorporates a steerable drive wheel that can rotate about a vertical axis, transforming the static rigid handle system into a dynamic steering system. This allows the mower to turn in place without requiring the operator to manually maneuver the handle around obstacles, reducing walking distance and time while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Productivity
If a steering wheel assembly with universal joint is added, then turning efficiency is improved and walking distance is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal joint connects the steering wheel assembly to the frame, enabling the steering wheel to apply rotational force to the frame about a vertical axis. This multi-functional connection allows the steering wheel to control the steerable drive wheel while maintaining structural integrity, achieving improved turning efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the steerable drive wheel is made selectively steerable, then the turning radius is reduced and 180° turns are enabled without repositioning, but the control mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The steerable drive wheel is designed to rotate about a vertical axis, enabling dynamic steering adjustments. This dynamic capability allows the mower to perform 180° turns without repositioning and reduces the turning radius, improving maneuverability while the rotational symmetry of the wheel minimizes the complexity of the control mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
A walk-behind mower (20) includes a frame (24) and a power source (50) attached to the frame (24). A selectively steerable drive wheel (46) and a set of follower wheels (70) are rotatably attached to the frame (24). The walk-behind mower (20) includes a steering wheel assembly (80) attached to the frame (24), the assembly including a steering column (84) and a steering wheel (86) attached to the steering column (84). The walk-behind mower (20) also includes a universal joint (90) connecting the steering wheel assembly (80) to the frame (24). The walk-behind mower (20) further includes a mower deck (34) attached to the frame (24) and a mower blade assembly (36) attached to the deck. In other examples, the walk-behind mower (20) includes a front section (26) and a rear section (28) that rotate relative to each other about a vertical axis (30).