Reel Mower Cutting Bar Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reel mowers often encounter issues with objects like sticks and pinecones becoming lodged between the helical blades and the horizontal cutter bar, inhibiting the cutting operation.
Innovation Solution
A mower design featuring a reel and blade subassembly with a release mechanism that allows for movement between engaged and disengaged positions, utilizing a protrusion and detent system with a biasing member to adjust the distance and torque, enabling the blade subassembly to pivot or translate, thereby accommodating foreign objects and maintaining cutting efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the reel blades and cutter bar are fixed in close proximity for efficient cutting, then cutting performance is improved, but foreign objects become lodged between them inhibiting operation
Solution Approach 1:
The cutter bar is made movable relative to the reel blades through a release mechanism that allows it to shift position when foreign objects become lodged. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to maintain cutting efficiency while avoiding jamming, as the cutter bar can be repositioned to clear obstructions and resume operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The release mechanism extracts or removes lodged foreign objects from between the reel blades and cutter bar by allowing the cutter bar to move away, clear the obstruction, and then return to its cutting position. This separates the problem of foreign object removal from the cutting function.
2Reliability
If the blade subassembly is made movable to clear foreign objects, then operational reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to release mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through a biasing member that automatically urges the cutter bar into engagement with the reel blades. When foreign objects cause jamming, the mechanism automatically releases and allows the cutter bar to move, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member acts as an intermediary element that provides the necessary force to maintain cutter bar engagement with the reel blades while allowing controlled movement when needed. This simple mechanical intermediary enables the complex function of automatic release and reengagement without requiring sophisticated control mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If the cutter bar is held firmly against the reel blades for precise cutting, then cutting precision is improved, but adjustment flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between a fixed engaged state for precise cutting and a movable disengaged state for clearing obstructions or adjusting position. The release mechanism enables this dynamic behavior, allowing the cutter bar to be firmly held during normal operation while permitting movement when adaptability is needed.
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 design effectively prevents foreign objects from being cut and allows for their removal, ensuring continuous operation by adjusting the blade position and torque, ensuring efficient cutting of grass and weeds.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member coupled to the at least one of the reel or the blade subassembly and configured to move the at least one of the reel or the blade subassembly from the disengaged position to the engaged position
Implementation Method 2
the first mechanism includes a protrusion, and the second mechanism includes a detent configured to releasably receive the protrusion in the engaged position
Data Source
AI summary
A mower includes a frame, a blade assembly, and a reel. The blade assembly is supported by the frame for rotation about a first axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The reel is supported by the frame for rotation about a second axis. The reel defines an outer diameter relative to the second axis and engages the blade assembly at a contact location in the engaged position. The outer diameter defines a tangent at the contact location. A force in a direction substantially parallel to the tangent is operable to produce a first torque in a first direction about the first axis when the blade assembly is in the engaged position. The weight of the blade assembly is operable to produce a second torque in a second direction about the first axis when the blade assembly is in the engaged position.