Pivotal Blower Platform for Uneven Golf Course Debris
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blower attachments for mowers are not effectively designed for use on uneven golf course surfaces, leading to unsightly clumps of grass or turf clippings that interfere with play, and may negatively impact the mower's performance.
Innovation Solution
A debris dispersal assembly mounted on a riding mower with a pivotally connected blower platform, an elongated nozzle, and adjustable height, featuring a centrifugal clutch or continuous variable transmission to reduce engine load, and rotatable nozzles for efficient air distribution across uneven terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a blower assembly is mounted on a mower to disperse grass clumps, then debris dispersal effectiveness is improved, but the mower's performance is negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is pivotally connected to the mower frame, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and orientation in response to terrain variations. This pivotal connection enables the blower assembly to adapt to uneven golf course surfaces while maintaining effective debris dispersal without compromising mower performance through excessive rigid mounting constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The height of the platform relative to the mower mounting bracket is adjustable through height adjustment means, allowing optimization of the blower's operating parameters. By changing the vertical position and angle of the blower assembly, the system achieves effective debris dispersal while minimizing negative impacts on mower performance through parameter optimization rather than fixed configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing blower assemblies are used on uneven golf course surfaces, then debris dispersal is attempted, but the blowers are not effectively designed for uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotal connection between the platform and mower frame enables dynamic adaptation to uneven golf course surfaces. As the mower encounters terrain variations, the platform can pivot to maintain optimal blower orientation and ground clearance, ensuring effective debris dispersal across varying surface conditions rather than being constrained by a fixed rigid mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The blower assembly is separated from the mower frame through an independent pivotal platform mounting. This segmentation allows the blower subsystem to independently adjust its position and orientation in response to terrain changes, providing adaptability to uneven surfaces while maintaining effective debris dispersal performance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid mounting system is used for the blower assembly, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to different terrains is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rigid fixed mounting, the platform is pivotally connected to the mower frame, providing structural stability through the pivotal connection while simultaneously enabling adaptation to different terrains. The rolling support further enhances this by allowing the platform to dynamically adjust its position in response to ground variations, maintaining both stability and terrain adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotal platform connection acts as an intermediary between the rigid mower frame and the blower assembly. This intermediary element provides the necessary structural connection while introducing the flexibility needed to adapt to uneven surfaces, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and terrain adaptability.
4Productivity
If the blower assembly is continuously engaged, then debris dispersal effectiveness is improved, but engine load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifugal clutch enables the blower assembly to automatically engage and disengage based on operational conditions without continuous engine power application. The clutch mechanism self-regulates the power transmission from the engine to the blower, allowing the blower to operate only when needed for debris dispersal while reducing engine load during non-operational periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The centrifugal clutch provides periodic engagement of the blower assembly rather than continuous operation. By cycling the blower engagement based on debris accumulation and dispersal needs, the system maintains effective debris dispersal when required while minimizing engine load through periodic rather than continuous power application.
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
Effectively disperses clumps of grass on uneven surfaces without impacting the mower's performance, ensuring a clean and safe playing experience by directing air downward and adjusting to different terrains.
Implementation Method 1
The engine is preferably connected to the blower by a transmission including a centrifugal clutch or a continuous variable transmission
Implementation Method 2
supported on the other side by a rolling support which engages and rolls along the ground
Implementation Method 3
An elongated nozzle is suspended below the platform and extends laterally relative to the platform. The blower assembly includes a blower, an engine and a transmission drivingly connecting the engine to the blower. The elongated nozzle has at least one discharge opening formed therein and oriented for directing air downward from the nozzle.
Data Source
AI summary
A debris dispersal system for use with a vehicle comprises a blower assembly, a nozzle assembly, and first and second discharge conduits. The blower assembly is supported on a frame having at least one rolling support and includes an engine drivingly connected to a blower having a radial housing. The nozzle assembly includes at least one elongate nozzle, wherein each nozzle has at least one discharge opening configured to direct air downwards from the nozzle. The first and second discharge conduits each have a proximal end connected to the blower and a distal end connected to the nozzle assembly in spaced relation.