Mowing Head Assembly Remote Wire Extension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mowing head assemblies for large area mowing require significant physical exertion and repeated impact to extend wire length, leading to machine wear and potential damage to the ground, especially in soft conditions, and lack remote control capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A mowing head assembly with a coupling system arranged outside the spool housing, allowing for remote actuation using a selectively actuable control, such as a solenoid, to uncouple the spool and spool housing, enabling wire extension without manual impact, and featuring a hollow drive shaft and coupling shaft for structural advantages and compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional brush cutter with a spring-biased spool is used, then wire extension is possible through impact, but significant physical exertion is required and the machine suffers wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical exertion requiredVSAvoidmachine lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual impact mechanism with an actuator (electromagnetic, electrohydraulic, or electro pneumatic) that automatically extends the wire by moving the spool relative to the spool housing, eliminating the need for physical slamming and reducing operator exertion while preserving machine lifespan

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automatic wire extension through the actuator mechanism, allowing the mowing head to service itself by extending the wire without requiring external manual impact or physical intervention from the operator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If repeated impact is applied to extend wire, then wire length is restored, but ground damage occurs in soft conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire extension capabilityVSAvoidground damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator-based system replaces the impact mechanism with a controlled mechanical movement that extends the wire through gradual spool displacement rather than violent impact, eliminating ground damage while maintaining wire extension capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Volume of moving object

If the coupling is located inside the spool housing, then the design is compact, but the coupling is vulnerable to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespool housing sizeVSAvoidcoupling durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling is extracted from the interior of the spool housing and positioned on the exterior, removing it from the vulnerable internal environment while maintaining compact overall design through optimized spatial arrangement of the spool, spool housing, and coupling components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If a solenoid is added to enable remote control, then operation is simplified, but the spool housing size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidspool housing size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator is designed as a multi-functional component that can be implemented in various forms (electromagnetic, electrohydraulic, or electro pneumatic), allowing the same functional requirement to be met with different size and configuration options, thereby minimizing the increase in spool housing volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Reduces physical exertion required for operation, allows for remote control of the mowing head, and protects the coupling from damage by locating it outside the spool housing, thereby extending the machine's lifespan and preventing ground damage.

Implementation Method 1

a spool biased by a spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3180973B1Mowing head assembly and mowing device provided therewith

Publication Date: 2021.05.19 RILU BV

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a mowing head assembly, comprising: - a mowing head (2) comprising a spool housing (4) configured to receive therein a spool (18) with wire (20) for rotation relative to the spool housing (4); - a coupling (42) configured to couple the spool (18) and the spool housing (4) non-rotatably relative to each other in a coupling position and to uncouple the spool (18) relative to the spool housing (4) in a releasing position; and - wherein a selectively actuable control (76) is provided which is configured to carry the coupling (42) from the coupling position to the releasing position. The invention further relates to a mowing device comprising such a mowing head assembly.