V-Shaped Cutting Disc Attachment for Ground Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attachments for cutting ground material with prime movers, such as skid-steer tractors, face challenges in achieving effective cutting engagement without impeding movement, as the spacing of cutting discs relative to the mounting portion affects weight distribution and penetration depth.
Innovation Solution
A disker attachment with a single transversely-extending row of cutting discs arranged in a V-shape, positioned at a prescribed distance from the mounting portion to ensure effective cutting and prevent excessive digging, accompanied by a counterweight and levelling drag for optimal ground engagement and material displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the cutting discs are located closer to the mounting portion, then the weight of the front end causes the cutting discs to dig too deeply into the ground material, but this impedes movement of the prime mover in the forward working direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional single-point mounting to a distributed V-shaped arrangement of cutting discs. This spatial reconfiguration distributes the cutting force across multiple discs positioned at different locations, changing how the cutting action is delivered to the ground while maintaining better balance and reducing excessive digging that impedes forward movement.
2Speed
If the single row of cutting discs is located farther from the mounting portion, then the weight distribution improves for forward movement, but the weight of the front end is insufficient to effect cutting engagement of the discs with the ground material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric V-shaped configuration where cutting discs are arranged with the apex pointing forward and legs extending rearward at angles. This asymmetric layout optimizes the distribution of cutting forces while maintaining sufficient front-end weight for engagement, resolving the contradiction between movement speed and cutting effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The V-shaped arrangement with apex forward creates preliminary ground contact at the front, allowing the cutting discs to gradually engage the ground material as the prime mover advances. This staged engagement ensures sufficient cutting force is applied without causing excessive digging that would impede forward movement.
3Force
If multiple rows of cutting discs are used, then cutting effectiveness increases, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cutting function into multiple individual discs arranged in a V-shape, with each disc contributing to the overall cutting action. This segmentation provides effective cutting engagement across the width of the attachment while maintaining a relatively simple structural configuration compared to multiple full rows of discs.
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 attachment provides controlled and effective cutting action, ensuring the prime mover can move forward without obstruction, while the counterweight and levelling drag ensure sufficient cutting engagement and material levelling, respectively.
Implementation Method 1
a set of cutting disks mounted at the front end of the frame in forwardly spaced relation to the mounting portion; the set of cutting disks comprising only a single transversely-extending row of cutting discs
Implementation Method 2
the attachment further includes a counterweight supported at the rear end of the frame and having a mass greater than that of the cutting portion
Implementation Method 3
the attachment further includes a levelling drag operatively supported on the frame rearwardly of the cutting portion and configured for levelling the cut ground material
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment with cutting discs for use with a prime mover to cut ground material comprises a frame with forward and rear ends, a mounting portion at the rear end which is configured for coupling to a pivotal mounting member of the prime mover which is carried at forward ends of pivotal arms of the prime mover that can be raised or lowered, and a cutting portion at the forward end of the frame comprising a single transversely extending row of cutting discs arranged to cut the ground material in a forward working direction of movement of the prime mover. The single row of cutting discs is spaced from the mounting portion at a prescribed distance of about 4.5-5.5 feet such that cantilever action of the row of discs about the mounting member provides effective cutting action. The attachment includes shields covering the cutting discs.