Mower Wheel Lug Layout for Stability on Inclined Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mower machines face challenges when operating on inclined surfaces, as they can slide or fall due to uneven weight distribution and lack of stability, requiring all maintenance to be performed with the machine raised, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The design features wheels with obliquely oriented lugs that cancel out uneven driving force and a prime mover section offset to balance the vehicle's center of gravity, preventing sliding and falling, and a cutting blade housing that can be opened for maintenance without raising the entire machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If lugs are oriented parallel to the axle of the wheel (orthogonal to rotation direction), then driving force transmission to the ground is sufficient, but the vehicle body slides or falls on inclined surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The lug orientation is changed from symmetric (parallel to axle) to asymmetric (oblique angle relative to axle). The lugs are arranged at a specific oblique angle to provide both forward driving force and lateral stabilization force that prevents sliding down inclined surfaces. This asymmetric configuration allows the lugs to engage the ground in a way that simultaneously provides propulsion and anti-slide capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation parameter of the lugs is changed from 0 degrees (parallel to axle) to a specific oblique angle. By adjusting this geometric parameter, the lugs can generate force components in both the forward direction (for driving) and the lateral direction (for preventing slides), thereby resolving the contradiction between driving force transmission and stability on inclined surfaces.
2Ease of repair
If the entire mower machine is raised for maintenance work, then all maintenance tasks can be performed, but work efficiency is reduced due to time-consuming raising and lowering operations
Solution Approach 1:
The maintenance system is segmented into two categories: tasks requiring the machine to be raised (e.g., cutting blade replacement) and tasks that can be performed with the machine on the ground (e.g., engine maintenance, battery replacement). By segmenting maintenance tasks, the patent allows efficient completion of ground-level tasks without the time penalty of raising the machine, while still providing access for tasks requiring elevation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the entire machine to be raised for all maintenance tasks (excessive action), the patent enables partial maintenance to be performed with the machine on the ground. This partial action approach allows common maintenance tasks to be completed efficiently without the overhead of full machine elevation, thereby improving productivity while maintaining adequate repair capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A plurality of lugs 39 are coupled to ground contact sections 37 of wheels 5 and 6 so as to be aligned along a rotation direction A1 of the wheels 5 and 6 with a gap W1 therebetween. Each of the lugs 39 includes a first portion 41 in an oblique orientation relative to the rotation direction A1 of the wheels 5 and 6, and a second portion 42 obliquely oriented relative to the rotation direction A1 of the wheels 5 and 6, opposite to the oblique orientation of the first portion 41. The first portion 41 and the second portion 42 are provided such that ends of the first portion 41 and the second portion 42 in the rotation direction A1 of the wheels 5 and 6 are connected to each other.