Staggered Turf Mower Cutting Units for Ground Contouring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gang-type wide area turf mowers are limited in their ability to follow ground contours due to their wide cutting units, which are also cumbersome for road use, as they require large widths for cutting and subsequent lifting and folding mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A turf mower design featuring a wheel-supported main frame with pivotally connected cutting units in a staggered configuration, utilizing hydraulic means to fold and lift the units, allowing for a narrower configuration suitable for road use while maintaining a continuous cutting swath.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the width of cutting units is increased to optimize cutting width, then the mower can cover a wider area, but the mower becomes less able to follow the contour of the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The mower is divided into multiple independent cutting units (at least three cutting units arranged in a staggered configuration), each capable of independent movement and adjustment. This segmentation allows each cutting unit to follow ground contours independently while maintaining overall wide cutting coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting units are made dynamically adjustable through hydraulic means that enable each unit to move between a cutting position and a raised position. This dynamic capability allows the mower to adapt to varying ground conditions while maintaining wide cutting width when needed.
2Area of moving object
If the width of cutting units is increased to optimize cutting width, then the mower can cover a wider area, but the mower becomes more cumbersome for road use requiring larger lifting and folding mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting width is achieved through multiple separate cutting units rather than one large unit. Each unit can be independently lifted and folded, simplifying the transport mechanism compared to lifting a single wide unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Hydraulic means provide dynamic adjustment of each cutting unit's position, enabling easy transition between cutting configuration and compact road configuration. The system can raise cutting units to a horizontal plane above the ground for transport.
3Productivity
If multiple cutting units are arranged in a staggered configuration to ensure continuous cutting swath, then the cutting coverage is optimized, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting system is segmented into multiple independent units arranged in a staggered configuration, with each unit having its own drive and control mechanisms. This allows continuous cutting coverage while maintaining modular simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cutting unit is designed as a universal module that can perform multiple functions: cutting turf, following ground contours independently, and being raised for transport. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite having multiple units.
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
Enables the mower to closely follow ground contours during cutting and efficiently transition to a road-ready position by lifting and folding the cutting units, improving operational flexibility and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
a first hydraulic means for rotating each of the outer cutting units relative to its respective inner cutting unit about a respective vertical pivot axis
Implementation Method 2
a second hydraulic means for rotating each of the inner cutting units relative to the main frame about a respective horizontal pivot axis, whereby each of the inner cutting units lift in an upward direction
Data Source
AI summary
A wide area turf mower has a wheel supported main frame and cutting units movably connected to the main frame and positioned in rows in a staggered order to form a mower cutting configuration for cutting a continuous swath of turf between any two outer cutting units located respectively on opposite sides of the main frame. One row of the cutting units includes a first pair of pivotally interconnected outer and inner cutting units at a first side of the main frame, and a second pair of pivotally interconnected inner and outer cutting units at the second side of the main frame. First hydraulic cylinders cause the outer cutting units to fold in a direction towards the rear end of the main frame. Second hydraulic cylinders cause the inner cutting units to lift in an upward direction. A controller operates all of the hydraulic cylinders.