Steering Wheel Screen Mount for Stable Ride-On Mower Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ride-on mowers and small tractors often lack advanced electronic displays and functionalities, making their operation less efficient and user experience limited, especially in terms of accessing and processing operating data.

Innovation Solution

A device that securely holds and positions a mobile screen device, such as a smartphone or tablet, on the vehicle, allowing it to display and record operating information, and providing additional functions by outsourcing data processing to the mobile device's powerful electronics, while being easily detachable and retrofittable, with a clamping mechanism for secure attachment behind the steering wheel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mobile screen device is held securely on the vehicle, then the display of operating information is stable and clear, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay stabilityVSAvoidholder structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder device is divided into separate functional components: a base body for mounting to the vehicle, a device holder for securing the mobile screen, and a clamping device with resilient flap. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall structure manageable and not overly complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the mobile device is detachably attached to the vehicle, then the user can remove and access functions elsewhere, but the connection reliability may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice removabilityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holder device incorporates a resilient flap that can dynamically adjust between a released state (allowing easy insertion and removal of the mobile device) and a clamped state (providing secure retention during operation). This dynamic mechanism enables the holder to transition between adaptability and reliability based on operational needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the screen is positioned behind the steering wheel, then the display is clearly visible to the driver, but the steering wheel design must accommodate this positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay visibilityVSAvoidsteering wheel integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base body serves as an intermediary component that mounts to the vehicle body (separate from the steering wheel itself) and positions the device holder behind the steering wheel. This intermediary mounting approach achieves clear display visibility for the driver while avoiding direct modification or complexity in the steering wheel structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4245612A1Mobile instrument device for riding mower
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 AL KO GERATE
  • EP4245612A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4245612A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4245612A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Device for mounting and positioning a mobile display unit (90) on a ride-on mower (50). The device (1) comprises a base body (10) and a device mount (20). The device (1) is designed to detachably position a screen (91) of the mobile display unit (90) in a predetermined display position (P) on the ride-on mower (50) and to output operating information about the operation of the ride-on mower on the screen (91) of the mobile display unit (90). The device mount (20) is designed to position the screen (91) of the mobile display unit (90) behind an opening in a steering wheel (52), the device mount (20) comprising a clamping device (21) for the mobile display unit (90).