Slope Mower Diamond Blade Arrangement Reverse Cutting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slope mowers with multi-blade cutter decks are limited to forward operation and suffer from poor cutting performance in reverse direction due to uneven power distribution among blades, leading to bogging down and poor cut quality, especially when encountering varying vegetation densities.

Innovation Solution

A slope mower with a diamond-shaped arrangement of four cutting blade assemblies, each driven by a dedicated electric motor, allowing for individual power control and operation in both forward and reverse directions, with a hybrid drive system including an internal combustion engine and electric motors, enabling optimized power delivery to each blade.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a V-formation three-blade assembly cutter deck is used, then the mower can operate on steep slopes, but the cutting quality deteriorates when mowing in reverse direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslope operation capabilityVSAvoidcutting quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by arranging four cutting blades in a diamond pattern rather than a symmetric V-formation. The front and rear blades are positioned to create asymmetric cutting paths that work effectively in both forward and reverse directions, eliminating the directional limitation of traditional V-formation designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies inversion by designing the blade arrangement to perform effectively in reverse operation. The diamond pattern with blades positioned at specific angles allows the mower to cut quality vegetation when moving in either direction, effectively inverting the traditional forward-only operation mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If a belt-driven multi-blade assembly is used, then the mower can cut vegetation on slopes, but the power distribution to individual blades cannot be optimized, causing bogging down in heavy vegetation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting capabilityVSAvoidpower adaptation to cutting conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by providing each of the four cutting blades with its own independent electric motor drive system. This segmentation allows each blade to be controlled independently, enabling optimized power distribution to match local cutting conditions and preventing bogging down when one blade encounters heavy vegetation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by using independently controlled electric motors that can dynamically adjust power delivery to each blade based on real-time cutting conditions. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt power distribution instantly, maintaining optimal cutting performance across varying vegetation densities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the mower is controlled to make sharp Y-turns at the end of each pass, then it can change direction for the next pass, but the ground is torn up especially by tracked vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirectional controlVSAvoidground damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using the fourth blade to clean up vegetation in the corner area before the mower needs to turn. This preliminary cutting action eliminates the need for sharp turning maneuvers, allowing the mower to make smoother transitions and reducing ground damage from track pivoting and sliding during turns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If a centrally mounted cutter deck with three blades is used, then the mower structure is simplified, but poor cutting results occur when mowing in reverse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutter deck structureVSAvoidcutting quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS20240341224A1Slope Mower

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 METALCRAFT OF MAYVILLE

AI summary

A slope mower includes a frame; a prime mover, typically an IC engine; opposed ground supports, typically tracks, supporting opposed lateral side portions of the frame on the ground; and a cutter deck. The cutter deck has four rotating cutting blade assemblies. The cutting blade assemblies are arranged in a non-rectangular quadrilateral pattern when viewed in bottom plan, permitting at least essentially equal operation when mowing in either the forward or reverse direction. The rotational axes of the front and rear cutting blade assemblies may lie on a line that is offset from a longitudinal centerline of the cutting deck. The cutting blades may be powered by dedicated electric motors. The prime mover and electric motors may be mounted on the cutter deck.