Trimmer Head With Stacked Planes For Simultaneous Blade And Line Use

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trimmer heads for rotary cutting devices cannot simultaneously utilize cutting blades and monofilament line without interference, as the space required for each type of mechanism limits the pivoting range of the cutting elements, preventing both from being used effectively at the same time.

Innovation Solution

A trimmer head design that incorporates blade holding mechanisms allowing blades to pivot more than 180 degrees and line holding mechanisms enabling the monofilament line to pivot over 180 degrees, both in separate planes, with sealed chambers to prevent debris interference and a passageway for easy debris removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If both blade holding mechanisms and line holding mechanisms are incorporated into a single trimmer head, then the trimmer can utilize both cutting blades and monofilament line simultaneously, but the space required for each mechanism limits the pivoting range of the cutting elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to use both blades and line simultaneouslyVSAvoidpivoting range of cutting elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the line holding mechanisms in a plane above the plane in which the blades pivot. This vertical separation of planes allows both blade and line mechanisms to operate independently without spatial interference, enabling both to achieve greater than 90 degrees pivoting range simultaneously while maintaining compact overall head design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the trimmer head is designed to allow both blades and line to pivot more than 90 degrees, then the cutting elements can operate freely without striking the head section, but the mechanisms require more space within the trimmer head

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivoting range beyond 90 degreesVSAvoidspace within trimmer head

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By placing line holders in an upper plane and blades in a lower plane, the design achieves greater than 90 degrees pivoting for both elements without requiring proportional increases in overall head volume. The vertical stacking of mechanisms in separate planes maximizes pivoting freedom while minimizing horizontal space requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The trimmer head is segmented into distinct functional zones: an upper plane containing line holding mechanisms and a lower plane containing blade holding mechanisms. This segmentation allows each mechanism to be optimized for its specific function with adequate pivoting space, while the overall head volume remains compact due to vertical integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10278327B2Trimmer head for use with line and blades

Publication Date: 2019.05.07 SHAKESPEARE CO

AI summary

A trimmer head for a rotary cutting device that utilizes a plurality of trimmer line and cutting blades either separately or simultaneously, the blades pivotally connected to the trimmer head in a first plane which is generally parallel to and underneath a second plane in which the trimmer line is pivotally connected to the trimmer head, each of the blades and strips of trimmer line capable of pivoting within a lateral arc of at least 180 degrees within its respective plane without striking the trimmer head or any other blades or trimmer line.