Trimmer Head Spool Anchoring Elements Simplify Line Loading
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current trimmer heads require complex and time-consuming processes to replace the cutting line, often necessitating the opening of the housing and precise alignment of the spool, which complicates the loading and winding of a new cutting line stock.
Innovation Solution
A trimmer head design featuring a spool with a flange and anchoring elements that allow the cutting line to be easily anchored and wound without opening the housing, using two diametrically opposite passage holes and rotating the spool to form line turns around the anchoring elements, facilitating quick line replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cutting line is inserted through the spool hole and the spool is rotated to form line turns, then the cutting line can be replaced without opening the housing, but the difficulty in passing the cutting line through the spool hole increases the complexity of the operation
Solution Approach 1:
A guide element is introduced as an intermediary component between the passage hole and the spool. This guide element protrudes from the spool and aligns with the passage hole to facilitate the insertion of the cutting line end, making the operation easier while maintaining the ability to replace the line without opening the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide element is pre-positioned on the spool in a specific orientation that aligns with the passage hole. This preliminary positioning of the guide element prepares the system for easy line insertion, allowing the user to simply push the line through without complex alignment procedures.
2Reliability
If the housing is opened to extract the spool and anchor the cutting line, then the line can be securely anchored to the spool, but the operation becomes long and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring function is extracted from the housing assembly and integrated directly onto the spool through the guide element. This allows the line to be anchored to the spool itself without needing to open the housing, maintaining secure anchoring while dramatically reducing the time required for line replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool with its integrated guide element serves itself by providing the anchoring mechanism directly on the spool body. The guide element automatically aligns and facilitates line attachment without requiring external intervention or housing opening, making the system self-sufficient for quick line replacement.
3Productivity
If the spool is rotated with respect to the housing to form line turns, then the cutting line stock is formed inside the housing, but the process requires precise alignment and angular positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element acts as a mediator that defines the correct angular position of the spool relative to the housing. By protruding from the spool and aligning with the passage hole, it automatically indicates the proper orientation, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment and enabling faster line loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide element creates an equipotential condition by providing a unique angular position where the spool axis aligns with the passage hole. At this position, the line can be easily inserted and the spool can be rotated in either direction, simplifying the operation and improving productivity without requiring high precision alignment skills.
Data Source
AI summary
The trimmer head (1) includes: an axis of rotation (A-A); a housing (3); a spool (13) insertable in the housing, configured and arranged to wind a stock of cutting line (F) therearound. The spool includes flanges (13A, 13B), between which anchoring elements (15) extend to anchor the cutting line.