Mowing Unit With Targeted Inner-Wall Water Discharge

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mower units inefficiently clean the inner walls of the housing due to uneven distribution of cleaning water, leading to incomplete removal of cut grass pieces, especially in areas of high accumulation, and potential damage from debris collision.

Innovation Solution

A mower unit design with a water discharging section positioned between a vertical wall and lateral wall, utilizing branch water feeding pipes to target specific inner wall areas, supported by adjustable members to enhance cleaning efficiency and prevent debris collision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If water is discharged from the water discharging section toward the blades during blade rotation, then the inner wall of the housing is cleaned by stirred water, but the cleaning is uneven and cut grass pieces remain at portions of large accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning operation efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The water discharging section is divided into multiple discharge ports distributed at different positions within the housing. This segmentation allows water to be discharged toward multiple specific areas simultaneously, ensuring even cleaning distribution and preventing missed spots where cut grass pieces accumulate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each water discharge port is strategically positioned to target specific areas prone to cut grass accumulation, such as corner portions and areas near the blades. This local quality approach concentrates cleaning water precisely where needed rather than distributing it uniformly, improving cleaning effectiveness at critical locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If water discharging is continued to remove accumulated cut grass pieces, then cleaning coverage increases, but the cleaning operation becomes less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning completenessVSAvoidcleaning operation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The water discharging section is pre-configured with multiple discharge ports positioned to target high-accumulation areas before the cleaning operation begins. This preliminary arrangement ensures that water is immediately discharged to the correct locations, reducing the need for prolonged discharge operations and improving overall efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple water discharge ports enable continuous and simultaneous water discharge toward different areas of the housing inner wall. This continuous action ensures that all targeted areas are cleaned without interruption, maintaining high productivity while achieving complete cleaning coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If the water discharging section is positioned to discharge water toward the inner wall face, then targeted cleaning is achieved, but debris collision may damage the water discharging section

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning targeting accuracyVSAvoidwater discharging section durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The water discharging section is designed with a protective structure that cushions against debris collision. The discharge ports are positioned and shaped to direct water flow effectively while the surrounding housing structure provides protective buffering, preventing damage from debris thrown by the rotating blades.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The water flow itself acts as an intermediary between the discharge ports and the blades. The controlled water discharge creates a protective barrier that reduces direct collision between debris and the water discharging section, while still maintaining effective cleaning of the inner wall surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Efficient cleaning of the inner housing walls, including corners and blades, while minimizing damage from debris, by targeted water discharge and improved water flow management.

Implementation Method 1

a water discharging section provided inside the housing for discharging cleaning water fed to the water feeding section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

the cleaning water discharged toward the inner wall face will be splashed back from the inner wall face to hit the blade, whereby the cleaning water will be stirred inside the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid splash and turbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP4233519B1Mowing unit with integrated cleaning system
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4233519B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4233519B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4233519B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There are provided blades 22R, 22C, 22L rotatably driven about rotational axes XL, XC, XR to be able to cut grass on the ground surface, a housing covering the blades 22R, 22C, 22L and having a lower face thereof opened, a water feeding section provided outside the housing, a water discharging section 54 provided inside the housing for discharging cleaning water fed to the water feeding section, and a water feeding pipe 55 connected to/between the water feeding section and the water discharging section 54. The water discharging section 54 discharges water toward an inner wall face of the housing.