Two-Piece Rotating Owl Head for Balanced 360° Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scarecrow devices with movable owl heads require skill and are time-consuming to assemble due to unstable mounts and one-piece head constructions that are difficult to balance and attach to pivot components.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece molded plastic head construction with unequal thicknesses and an unstable mount allowing 360-degree rotation, simplifying assembly and balancing without the need for additional weights, and a press-fit design for easier installation and improved balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a one-piece head construction is used, then the head structure is simple, but the assembly is time-consuming and requires skill due to balancing difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The head is divided into two separate molded portions: a front face portion and a rear head portion. These portions are assembled together using a press-fit design where the front face portion is inserted into the rear head portion, eliminating the need for complex balancing operations and reducing assembly time while maintaining structural integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a one-piece head construction is used, then the head structure is simple, but additional weights are required for balancing
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing function is merged into the head structure itself by making the rear head portion thicker than the front face portion. This integrated design creates an inherent weight distribution that balances the head on the unstable mount, eliminating the need for separate balancing weights or additional components.
3Ease of operation
If an unstable mount is used, then the head can rotate freely, but the assembly requires skill and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The unstable mount is segmented into a lower pivot assembly attached to the body and an upper pivot assembly attached to the head. This segmentation allows each assembly step to be simplified and performed independently, reducing the skill level required while maintaining the 360-degree rotational freedom of the head.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower and upper pivot assemblies are prepared in advance as separate components. The lower pivot assembly is first attached to the body, then the upper pivot assembly is attached to the head, and finally the head assembly is mounted onto the lower pivot assembly. This preliminary preparation of components simplifies the overall assembly process.
4Ease of manufacture
If the front face portion and rear head portion have equal thickness, then the manufacturing is uniform, but the head cannot be balanced without additional weights
Solution Approach 1:
The rear head portion is designed with a greater thickness than the front face portion, creating a local variation in mass distribution. This asymmetric thickness design inherently balances the head on the unstable mount by positioning the center of gravity appropriately, while both portions can still be manufactured using standard molding processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A scarecrow includes a scarecrow body corresponding generally in shape to a body of a live animal; and an assembled and balanced hollow head of molded plastic construction corresponding in shape to a head of the live animal. The assembled and balanced head includes a front face portion and a rear head portion fixed together to form the head. The front face portion has a first thickness and the rear head portion has a second thickness, the front face portion and the rear head portion being unequal in weight, with the rear head portion having selected areas on an interior surface thereof that are thicker than the first thickness and define an offset weight so that the assembled head is substantially balanced as assembled. An unstable mount is disposed between the body and the head onto which the head is rotatably mounted for 360-degree movement of the head to the body without interfering with free movement of the head, the head being balanced on the unstable mount.