Pivoting Armrest Carrying Controls for Mower Seat Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current riding mowers restrict operator access for mounting and dismounting due to fixed control consoles, limiting flexibility and design options.
Innovation Solution
A pivotally mounted armrest carries operational controls, allowing the armrest to flip up and out of the way, enabling the operator to mount or dismount from either side and providing unrestricted access to the seat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed control console is used to mount operational controls, then the operational controls are easily accessible during operation, but the operator cannot step over the console and mounting/dismounting is restricted to one side only
Solution Approach 1:
The control console is made dynamically movable rather than fixed. The console can pivot between a lowered operational position where it blocks access and a raised storage position where it clears the path. This dynamic transformation allows the same structure to serve both functions: providing control accessibility during operation and allowing mounting/dismounting access when raised.
Solution Approach 2:
The control console is given a third dimension of movement (vertical pivoting) in addition to its horizontal positioning. By moving the console upward into a raised storage position, it clears the mounting path without requiring additional horizontal space. This dimensional transformation resolves the conflict between blocking access and providing control access.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed control console is positioned to allow mounting from one side, then operational controls are accessible, but additional space must be left in front of the console which restricts mower design
Solution Approach 1:
The control console transforms from a static fixed structure to a dynamic pivoting structure. When raised to the storage position, it clears the area in front of the seat without requiring permanent clearance space. This eliminates the need to design around fixed spatial requirements, allowing more flexible mower configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control console is raised to its storage position before the operator attempts to mount. This preliminary action of raising the console clears the path in advance, allowing the operator to step over the area that would otherwise be blocked. The space is utilized efficiently by having the console occupy it temporarily only when needed for operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A riding mower has a frame supported by a plurality of wheels including a pair of front drive wheels covered by front fenders. A plurality of cutting units are arranged in advance of the frame. The operator sits on a seat atop the frame at the front of the frame. The operator mounts and dismounts the seat from behind the front fenders and the front wheel and not from the front, access to the seat from the front being prevented by the placement of the cutting units. A pivotal armrest along one side of the seat normally blocks access to the seat from that side. However, the armrest can be pivoted to a raised position in which it clears the seat to allow the operator to reach the seat from that side of the seat. The armrest carries a lift and lower control for lifting and lowering the cutting units and a start/stop control for starting and stopping the operation of the cutting units, the operational controls moving with the armrest as the armrest moves between its lowered operational position and its raised position.