Suspended Operator Platform with Parallelogram Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension systems for ride-on mowers fail to effectively isolate operators from shock loads and vibrations, leading to discomfort and reduced stability, and lack adjustability for varying user weights and preferences.
Innovation Solution
A suspended operator platform with a parallelogram linkage suspension system that isolates the operator and steering controls from the chassis, featuring a stiffness adjuster with both coarse and fine adjustments, and elastomeric isolation mounts to reduce vibrations, while preventing side-to-side, pitching, and yawing movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a seat suspension system is used to isolate the seat from the chassis, then operator comfort is improved, but shock loads are still transmitted through foot rests and controls
Solution Approach 1:
The operator platform is segmented from the chassis by independent suspension elements at each corner, creating separate vibration isolation zones. The platform itself is divided into functional areas (seating area, foot rest area, control area) that can move independently from the chassis while maintaining relative stability among themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
Elastomeric elements serve as intermediary components between the chassis and operator platform, absorbing and damping shock loads before they reach the operator. These elastomeric mounts act as vibration isolators that protect both the operator and the platform-mounted controls.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If corner-mounted springs are used to suspend the platform, then foot rest isolation is improved, but the platform becomes unstable with rolling and swaying movements
Solution Approach 1:
Different corner positions of the platform have different suspension characteristics. The rear corners use springs for vertical isolation, while the front corners use elastomeric elements that provide both vertical isolation and rotational stability. This localized differentiation of suspension properties prevents unwanted rolling and swaying.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system combines different material properties - springs for elastic energy storage and elastomeric materials for viscous damping. This composite approach provides both vibration isolation and stability by leveraging the complementary characteristics of elastic and viscoelastic materials.
3Speed
If steering levers are mounted directly to the chassis, then control responsiveness is improved, but vibrations are transmitted through the controls to the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The operator platform serves as an intermediary mounting structure for the steering levers, separating them from the chassis vibration source. The elastomeric suspension elements between the platform and chassis filter out high-frequency vibrations while allowing the controls to respond quickly to operator input through the platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform creates a copied or replicated control interface that mirrors the chassis-mounted controls but is isolated from chassis vibrations. This allows the operator to interact with controls that have the same functional characteristics while being protected from vibration transmission.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If chassis suspension systems are used to support the entire chassis, then operator comfort is improved, but the system becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of suspending the entire chassis, only the operator platform is segmented and suspended from the rigid chassis. This partial suspension approach provides vibration isolation where needed (at the operator position) while maintaining chassis rigidity for power train support and mower deck stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Suspension characteristics are applied locally at the operator platform rather than globally to the entire chassis. This localized suspension provides comfort benefits to the operator while avoiding the complexity and cost of a full chassis suspension system, and maintains the rigidity needed for cutting performance.
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 significantly reduces operator discomfort by isolating vibrations and shock loads, enhances stability, and allows for customizable stiffness to accommodate different user weights and preferences, improving the overall riding experience and cutting performance.
Implementation Method 1
elastomeric isolation mounts to reduce vibrations
Implementation Method 2
elastomeric isolation mounts to reduce vibrations
Implementation Method 3
suspension system that has a parallelogram linkage
Implementation Method 4
suspension system that has a parallelogram linkage
Data Source
AI summary
A suspended operator platform for use with a ride-on lawnmower or the like is connected to a rigid chassis of the ride-on lawnmower by a suspension system that has a parallelogram linkage. The operator platform supports an entire body of the operator and isolation mounts connect a seat assembly to the operator platform. Steering controls of the ride-on lawnmower are connected to the operator platform so that the steering controls move with the operator platform and are suspended and/or isolated from the chassis. The suspension system includes a course-stiffness adjuster and a fine-stiffness adjuster that adjust the suspension stiffness to correspond to a particular operator and/or terrain.