Trimmer Head Rod Orientation Switching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trimmer heads for vegetation cutting machines are complex, cumbersome, and require time-consuming dismantling and reassembling to switch between different cutting filament orientations for ground cleaning and vegetation cutting tasks.
Innovation Solution
A trimmer head design with a rotating body and pivotally mounted rods that adjust orientation based on rotation speed, allowing the cutting filament to change direction between parallel and perpendicular to the rotation axis without manual disassembly, using complementary polygonal shapes and springs to lock or pivot the rods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a trimmer head is designed to hold cutting filaments in multiple orientations using a complex support structure with convex and concave components, then the adaptability for different uses (ground cleaning and vegetation cutting) is improved, but the device complexity increases and the structure becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The trimmer head is divided into separate functional modules: a body housing, a rod assembly with retaining portion, and a cutting filament. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall versatility. The rod can be selectively positioned within the body to achieve different orientations without requiring complex integrated structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The body housing is designed with a universal receiving space that can accommodate the rod in multiple orientations (parallel and perpendicular to the rotation axis). This universal design allows the same trimmer head to perform both ground cleaning and vegetation cutting functions without requiring multiple specialized components or complex reconfiguration mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a trimmer head uses a complex support structure with multiple slots and concave rings to hold cutting filaments in different orientations, then the versatility for different tasks is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to time-consuming dismantling and reassembling
Solution Approach 1:
The rod assembly is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be easily rotated and locked into different orientations within the body housing. This dynamic design enables quick switching between parallel and perpendicular filament orientations without requiring complete disassembly of the trimmer head, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining versatility.
3Ease of operation
If a trimmer head design uses pivotally mounted rods with springs and polygonal locking mechanisms to enable orientation switching, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded rod assembly with polygonal locking features is designed to automatically lock into position when the rod is rotated to the desired orientation. The spring provides automatic engagement force, and the polygonal shapes ensure positive locking without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms. This self-service design simplifies operation while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.
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 design results in a more compact, simpler, and user-friendly trimmer head that can seamlessly transition between cleaning and cutting orientations based on rotation speed, eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring urging the rod in the first orientation against the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the body while the body rotates at a rotation speed that is less than a first predetermined speed
Implementation Method 2
when the body rotates at a rotation speed that is greater than a second predetermined speed, said second predetermined speed being greater than or equal to the first predetermined speed, the rod extends in the second orientation under the effect of the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the body
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
The invention relates to a trimmer head for a vegetation cutting machine, comprising: - a body (1) adapted to be coupled to a driving shaft of the vegetation cutting machine so as to cause said body to rotate about a rotation axis (X), - at least one rod (12) comprising at least one retaining portion intended to hold a cutting filament in a determined direction, wherein the body (1) comprises a housing for receiving each end (122, 123) of said rod (12) such that the rod axis (Y) is perpendicular to the rotation axis (X) of the body (1) and substantially tangential to the rotational path of the body (1), said housing and said ends of the rod being having respective shapes allowing at least two relative orientations of the rod with respect to the body: (i) a first orientation wherein the determined direction of the filament is substantially parallel to the rotation axis (X) of the body, and (ii) a second orientation wherein the determined direction of the filament is substantially radial and substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis (X) of the body.