Spring-Retained Mower Blade Assembly Without Spring Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotating blade assemblies in mower implements suffer from blade deflection and require complex spring plates for easy replacement, leading to weight and manufacturing issues.
Innovation Solution
A rotating blade assembly with a disc and blade configuration that uses a spring positioned above the disc to secure the blade, featuring a fastener with an angulated portion that interlocks with a recessed pocket on the disc, allowing quick attachment and detachment without traditional spring plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional spring plate is used to secure the blade, then the blade can be retained securely, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional spring plate component from the blade assembly and replaces it with a simplified retention mechanism. The spring plate is extracted entirely, and its function is achieved through a different configuration involving the disc and blade interaction, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining blade retention reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the blade retention function directly into the disc structure. The disc is designed with features that work in conjunction with the blade to provide retention, eliminating the need for separate spring plate components. This integration reduces the number of parts and simplifies the overall structure.
2Reliability
If a spring plate is used to secure the blade, then the blade can be retained securely, but the weight of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring plate is removed from the assembly, and its retention function is achieved through the disc and blade configuration alone. This extraction of the heavy spring plate component directly reduces the weight of the moving blade assembly while maintaining secure blade retention through the simplified mechanism.
3Reliability
If a spring plate is used to secure the blade, then the blade can be retained securely, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring plate is extracted from the manufacturing process, eliminating the need to produce, assemble, and adjust this separate component. The simplified design with fewer parts reduces manufacturing complexity and makes the blade assembly easier to manufacture while maintaining secure retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention function is merged into the disc structure, which is already a primary component. This integration eliminates the need for separate spring plate manufacturing and assembly operations, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing overall complexity.
4Reliability
If a spring plate is used to secure the blade, then the blade can be retained securely, but the disc may become distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The spring plate is removed from the system, eliminating the source of distortion. The simplified retention mechanism using only the disc and blade configuration eliminates the mechanical interference that causes disc distortion, thereby maintaining disc stability while achieving secure blade retention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a lightweight and simplified blade replacement process, reducing manufacturing complexity and eliminating potential disc distortion, while ensuring secure blade retention.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is disposed between the upper disc surface of the disc and the cap. The spring is configured to bias the cap away from the upper disc surface to thereby pull the head portion of the fastener and the blade toward the lower disc surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating blade assembly includes a disc defining a mounting aperture extending therethrough. A blade includes a body having an upper blade surface arranged opposite a lower disc surface of the disc. The blade defines a pin aperture extending therethrough. A fastener includes a head portion engaged against a lower blade surface and a shaft portion extending through the pin aperture of the blade and the mounting aperture of the disc. A cap is coupled to a distal end of the fastener. A spring is disposed between an upper disc surface of the disc and the cap. The spring is configured to bias the cap away from the upper disc surface to thereby pull the head portion of the fastener and the blade toward the lower disc surface.