Overlapping Cutting Blade Assembly for Reduced Cutting Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cutting blade apparatuses with rotary or reciprocating blades face issues of high cutting loads leading to locking, requiring excessive driving force and increased weight, which complicates smooth operation and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A cutting blade apparatus with overlapping cutting blade units, where the cutting spaces of one unit are opened and closed by the blades of another unit at different timings, distributed cutting load, and reduced weight by using a drive mechanism with an eccentric cam to translate the blades without rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If all cutting blades are arranged to cut simultaneously, then cutting efficiency is improved, but cutting load increases causing locking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidcutting load
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by arranging cutting blades in multiple rows where each row operates at different timings. The blades are positioned such that they sequentially engage with the material being cut, creating a periodic cutting pattern rather than simultaneous cutting. This distributes the cutting load over time while maintaining continuous cutting operation, preventing locking while preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting blade assembly is segmented into multiple rows of blades, where each row functions as an independent cutting unit. This segmentation allows the total cutting load to be divided among multiple blade rows that operate at different times, reducing the peak load on any single blade while maintaining overall cutting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If driving force is increased to prevent locking, then cutting reliability is improved, but device weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting reliabilityVSAvoiddrive mechanism weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By implementing periodic cutting action through multi-row blade arrangement, the peak cutting load is reduced, allowing the use of a lighter drive mechanism. The sequential operation of blade rows ensures that not all blades engage simultaneously, reducing the maximum force requirement while maintaining reliable cutting operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If multiple blades cut simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting productivityVSAvoidblade arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blade assembly is divided into multiple simple rows of blades, where each row contains blades arranged in a straightforward pattern. This segmentation into simple repeating units achieves high productivity without requiring complex individual blade configurations, maintaining ease of manufacturing and assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 apparatus reduces cutting load, prevents locking, and decreases weight, enabling smooth operation and reduced maintenance costs while maintaining efficient mowing performance.

Implementation Method 1

a drive mechanism with an eccentric cam to translate the blades without rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP4686389A1Cutting blade apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 YAMABIKO CORP
  • EP4686389A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4686389A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4686389A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cutting blade apparatus includes: cutting blade units including a plurality of cutting blades arranged in a plane; and a base unit configured to support the plurality of cutting blade units overlapping one another, the cutting blade apparatus being configured to perform cutting operation by driving at least one of the cutting blade units. A cutting space formed for each of the cutting blades of one cutting blade unit is opened/closed by a cutting blade of the other cutting blade unit to perform the cutting operation. A timing at which one cutting space is opened/closed is different from a timing at which another cutting space is opened/closed.