Sickle Mower Frame Segmentation for Terrain Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional contour rotary mowers face challenges in achieving optimal ground adaptation and consistently low mowing heights on uneven terrain, particularly on golf courses, due to insufficient gimbal suspension of cutting units.
Innovation Solution
A sickle mower design featuring a multi-part frame construction with pivot axes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mower, where each cutting unit is rotatably mounted on pivot axes offset from the frame parts, and a bearing arrangement that distributes the cutting unit's weight ahead of its pivot axis, allowing for enhanced terrain adaptation and low mowing heights without cutting into the grass hub.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional gimbal suspension is used for cutting units, then the structure is simple, but ground adaptation is insufficient on severe terrain distortions
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into multiple articulated frame parts (first frame part, second frame part, third frame part) that can independently pivot relative to each other. Each frame part supports cutting units that can also pivot independently, creating a segmented suspension system that adapts to terrain variations while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting units are mounted on pivot axes that allow dynamic adjustment of their position and orientation. The frame parts themselves are articulated with pivot axes, enabling the entire structure to dynamically adapt to terrain contours. This dynamic capability allows the mower to maintain ground adaptation even on severe terrain distortions.
2Manufacturing precision
If cutting units are rigidly mounted, then structural stability is high, but cutting quality on uneven terrain deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The frame construction is segmented into multiple articulated parts rather than a single rigid structure. This segmentation allows each part to move independently to maintain cutting quality while preserving overall frame stability through the articulated connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot axes are positioned at specific offsets from the longitudinal axis, and the bearing arrangements are configured to change the effective position of cutting unit weights. These parameter changes enable the system to maintain both cutting precision and structural stability by optimizing the geometric relationships between components.
3Manufacturing precision
If cutting units are positioned to achieve low mowing heights, then cutting precision improves, but risk of cutting into grass hub increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing arrangements are specifically configured to position the center of gravity of each cutting unit at a defined offset ahead of its pivot axis. This parameter change creates a geometric relationship that ensures the cutting unit maintains consistent low mowing heights while the offset positioning prevents the cutting edge from contacting the grass hub.
Solution Approach 2:
The offset positioning of the bearing arrangements acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cutting unit and the grass hub. By positioning the bearing at a specific offset, the system mediates the relationship between low mowing height requirements and grass hub protection, allowing both objectives to be achieved simultaneously.
4Adaptability or versatility
If pivot axes are offset from longitudinal axis, then terrain adaptation improves, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented into multiple articulated parts, each with its own pivot axes offset from the longitudinal axis. This segmentation allows the complex terrain adaptation function to be distributed across multiple simpler articulated connections rather than requiring a single complex mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sickle mower (1) for a contour sickle mower with several movably suspended cutting units (5a-5i). In order to create a sickle mower that ensures good ground adaptation and cutting appearance with high mowing performance even under difficult topographical conditions, especially on golf courses, it is proposed according to the invention that the sickle mower has a frame construction with several frame parts (2a-2i), adjacent frame parts are pivotally connected to each other via pivot axes (6), at least one cutting unit is rotatably arranged about a pivot axis (7) on each of several frame parts, and the pivot axes (6) between the frame parts on the one hand and the pivot axes (7) of the cutting units on the other hand are arranged offset from each other.