Rotary Baffle Mower Deck for Seamless Grass Collection Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mowers face inconvenience and grass collection issues due to the need for repeated attachment and detachment of plug attachments or rotary units, which can deform or loosen, causing gaps and blockages during mode switching between grass shredding and collection modes.

Innovation Solution

A mower design featuring a rotary unit with a blocking portion and connecting portion that rotates between positions to block or open a grass discharge passage, with a base plate limiting the blocking portion's movement to prevent deformation and blockages, allowing seamless switching between modes without repeated assembly or disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a rotary unit is provided to switch between grass shredding mode and grass collection mode, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to deformation and loosening of the rotary unit over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemode switching convenienceVSAvoidrotary unit stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The baffle plate is designed to be rotatable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically switch between blocking and unblocking positions. This dynamic mechanism enables easy mode switching while the base plate provides static support to maintain reliability during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The base plate acts as an intermediary component between the rotary unit and the housing. It provides additional support and constraint to the rotary unit, preventing deformation and loosening while allowing the rotary unit to perform its switching function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the rotary unit is allowed to rotate freely to switch modes, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to position shift and gap formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemode switching convenienceVSAvoidrotary unit positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The baffle plate is designed to be rotatable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically switch between blocking and unblocking positions. This dynamic mechanism enables easy mode switching while the base plate provides static support to maintain reliability during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The base plate and blocking portion work together in a self-aligning manner. The blocking portion rotates on its own axis to switch modes, while the base plate automatically maintains the correct positioning and gap control without requiring additional adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4327643A1mower
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 NANJING CHERVON IND
  • EP4327643A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4327643A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4327643A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A mower includes a cutter, a deck, a power unit, and a rotary unit. The cutter consists of at least one blade. The deck includes a housing. The housing is formed with a cutting cavity, and the cutting cavity connects with a grass discharge passage through a first outlet. The power unit drives the cutter to rotate in the cutting cavity. The rotary unit includes a rotary body. The rotary body includes a blocking portion and a connecting portion connected to each other, and the connecting portion is rotatably connected to the housing. The rotary unit is capable of rotating to a first position or a second position. When the rotary unit is at the first position, the blocking portion blocks the first outlet. When the rotary unit is at the second position, the first outlet is opened. The deck further includes a first base plate, the first base plate is at least partially located below the rotary unit, the blocking portion mates with the first base plate, and the first base plate limits the downward movement of the blocking portion.