Replaceable Mower Blade Assembly with Tool-Free Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lawn mower blade assemblies require tools for replacement, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage during blade changes, and often lack durability and high-quality cutting performance.
Innovation Solution
A replaceable blade assembly with a mounting member featuring a C-shaped cross-section and attachment mechanisms, including caps and indexing apertures, allowing for tool-less attachment and detachment, ensuring proper orientation and stability for high-quality cutting operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional one-piece blades with hardware attachment are used, then the blade can be securely retained for high-quality cutting, but tool removal and replacement is required which reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is divided into a mounting plate portion and a blade portion that can be independently replaced. The mounting plate remains attached to the mower while only the blade portion needs replacement, eliminating the need to replace the entire blade assembly and reducing replacement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment hardware is extracted and integrated into the mounting plate structure itself, with recesses and protrusions that provide tool-less attachment. This eliminates the separate hardware components that previously required tools to install and remove.
2Strength
If pivot-blades are used for rough-cut operations, then durability and impact strength are improved, but cutting quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blade system is segmented into a durable mounting plate that absorbs impact forces and a precision blade portion that performs cutting. The mounting plate's robust construction provides impact strength while the separate blade portion maintains cutting quality through precise geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate acts as an intermediary between the mower spindle and the blade portion. It provides a stable, durable connection point that protects the spindle from impact forces while allowing the blade portion to maintain its cutting edge for quality cuts.
3Stability of the object's composition
If one-piece blades are used, then the entire blade structure provides stability, but replacing the entire blade is required even when only one edge needs replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is segmented into a reusable mounting plate and a replaceable blade portion. The mounting plate maintains stability and remains in place, while only the worn blade portion is replaced, reducing material waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate is recovered and retained for continued use, while only the worn blade portion is discarded and replaced. This selective replacement approach reduces material waste compared to replacing the entire one-piece blade.
4Ease of operation
If tool-less attachment mechanisms are used, then ease of replacement is improved, but secure retention and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate features asymmetric recesses and the blade portion has corresponding asymmetric protrusions that provide both tool-less attachment and secure retention. The asymmetric geometry ensures proper orientation and prevents accidental disengagement while allowing easy installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade portion's protrusions nest into the mounting plate's recesses, creating an interlocking relationship that provides secure retention without requiring additional hardware or tools. The nested geometry ensures firm attachment while maintaining ease of replacement.
Data Source
AI summary
A replaceable mower blade for attachment to a mounting member operatively connected to a mower is provided. The blade includes a central portion having opposing side edges, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The blade also includes a tip portion extending from the central portion. The central portion includes at least one attachment mechanism for operatively connecting the blade to the mounting member.