Mower Utility Bed Imperforate Floor Engine Cooling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mowers lack an effective solution to prevent debris and heat from the engine from entering the cooling air intake, which can lead to engine overheating and malfunction, while also needing a utility bed for hauling materials without compromising engine cooling.

Innovation Solution

A mower design featuring a utility bed with an imperforate floor that extends over the engine's air intake and a plenum that restricts the flow of heated air from the engine, preventing debris from entering the intake and ensuring efficient cooling by directing cooler air to the engine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a utility bed is added to the mower for hauling materials, then the versatility and utility of the mower is improved, but the risk of debris and heat from the engine entering the cooling air intake increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveutility of mowerVSAvoidengine cooling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The utility bed is segmented from the engine compartment through the use of an imperforate floor that creates a physical barrier. This segmentation allows the bed to provide utility functions while the floor prevents debris and heat from affecting the engine cooling system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The imperforate floor acts as an intermediary barrier between the utility bed and the engine air intake. It mediates by blocking the direct path of debris and hot air while still allowing the utility bed to be mounted and used for its intended purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the utility bed extends over the air intake to prevent debris entry, then the protection of the cooling system is improved, but the airflow to the engine may be restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris protectionVSAvoidairflow to engine

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The imperforate floor is strategically positioned only where needed to block debris and heat from reaching the air intake, while maintaining open airflow paths in other critical areas. This local application of the barrier property protects against harmful factors without compromising overall airflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The protection is achieved by extending the utility bed vertically over the air intake area rather than blocking the horizontal airflow path. The imperforate floor creates a protective canopy in the vertical dimension while leaving the horizontal airflow channels open for engine cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If an imperforate floor is used in the utility bed, then debris prevention is improved, but the weight of the utility bed increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris preventionVSAvoidutility bed weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The imperforate floor uses a solid, non-porous material construction that completely blocks debris passage. This material choice prioritizes debris prevention over weight reduction, creating an effective barrier that maintains structural integrity and blocking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 effectively prevents debris and heat from entering the cooling system, enhancing engine cooling and stability, while allowing the mower to haul materials without risking engine overheating.

Implementation Method 1

The utility bed extends at least partially over the air intake and has an imperforate floor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier (imperforate floor): Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

The plenum extends from the utility bed and restricts the flow of heated air from the engine from entering the air drawn through the air intake

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow restriction (plenum): Flow Separation

Implementation Method 3

an upwardly facing cooling air intake through which air is drawn to cool the engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection (cooling air intake): Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10238036B2Mower utility bed

Publication Date: 2019.03.26 BRIGGS & STRATTON CORP

AI summary

A zero turn mower may include a frame having a front portion, a rear portion and opposing side portions, a pair of front wheels located near the front portion of the frame, a pair of rear wheels located near the rear portion of the frame, wherein the engine is supported by the frame in between the pair of rear wheels near the rear portion of the frame, a seat supported by the frame, a cutter deck assembly having at least one cutting blade to cut grass, wherein the cutter deck assembly is located between the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels, a utility bed supported by the frame having an imperforate floor and an air intake through which air is drawn to cool the engine.