Pivot-Blade Mower Retaining Assembly for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mower blade mounting methods result in significant wobble during finish-cut operations, leading to uneven cuts and unprofessional appearances, as they fail to effectively transmit torque and maintain stability.
Innovation Solution
A pivot-blade retaining mechanism featuring a blade mounting assembly with an upper and lower retaining plate, a hat-shaped mounting spacer, and pivot-blade spacers, which securely fastens the blades to a spindle, providing stability and flexibility in blade configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a single mounting plate or disc is used to attach the blade with mounting bolts and retaining nuts, then the mounting assembly provides durability and impact strength for rough-cut operations, but the cutting blade experiences significant wobble resulting in uneven cuts and unprofessional appearance for finish-cut operations
Solution Approach 1:
The single mounting plate is segmented into two separate retaining plates (upper and lower) that clamp the blade mounting end between them. This segmentation allows for more precise positioning and reduced wobble while maintaining the structural strength needed for rough-cut operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure transitions from a two-dimensional single plate to a three-dimensional clamping assembly with upper and lower plates separated by a spacer. This adds a dimensional element that enables precise blade positioning and reduces wobble in the cutting plane.
2Device complexity
If a single mounting plate is used to attach the blade, then the design remains simple and cost effective, but the blade mounting assembly fails to provide a stable platform for finish-cut operations
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly is segmented into modular components (upper retaining plate, lower retaining plate, spacer, bolts, and nuts) that can be manufactured independently and assembled together. This segmentation maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving the stability needed for finish-cut operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade mounting end is nested between the upper and lower retaining plates, with the spacer nested within the assembly structure. This nested configuration provides stability without requiring a complex integrated structure.
3Reliability
If traditional mounting methods are used, then the blade can be securely attached for rough-cut operations, but the blade experiences wobble that results in uneven cuts and unprofessional appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly provides different local qualities: the upper and lower retaining plates provide secure clamping for reliability, while the spacer provides precise positioning for cut quality. Each component is optimized for its specific function within the assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer acts as an intermediary element between the upper and lower retaining plates, providing precise positioning and spacing that ensures the blade is correctly positioned for high-quality cuts while maintaining secure attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting device configured to attach to a spindle of a mower. The cutting device includes at least two pivot-blades and a blade mounting assembly. The blade mounting assembly has an upper retaining plate, a lower retaining plate, and a mounting spacer positioned at least partially between the upper retaining plate and the lower retaining plate, wherein end portions of the pivot-blades are retained between the upper and lower retaining plates.