Variable-Inclination Drive Handle Joint for Obstacle-Edge Land Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices for land maintenance, such as lawnmowers, face difficulties in reaching peripheral and border zones due to obstacles like hedges and trees, and their drive handles wear out quickly, affecting operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device with a laterally movable drive handle and a coupling mechanism that allows the handle to adjust its position laterally and in height, enabling easier navigation around obstacles and reducing wear through a robust joint design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the mobile device has fixed dimensions in height and width, then the structure is simple and stable, but the device cannot reach peripheral and border zones due to obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the drive handle laterally movable relative to the mobile device body. The handle can move between a first lateral position and a second lateral position, allowing the operator to adjust the device's effective width to navigate around obstacles in peripheral zones while maintaining structural simplicity through a straightforward coupling mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the drive handle is made adjustable in height and laterally movable, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive handle is designed with lateral movability between first and second lateral positions, allowing the operator to adjust the handle position for easier operation around obstacles. The coupling mechanism provides a simple yet effective way to achieve this adjustability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive handle system is segmented into movable and adjustable components that can be independently positioned. The handle is divided into sections that can move relative to each other, with the coupling mechanism providing controlled adjustability in both lateral position and height, thereby improving ease of operation while managing complexity through modular design.
3Reliability
If the drive handle adjustment system is made robust to prevent wear, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed to provide robust lateral movement of the drive handle while maintaining reliability. The mechanism allows controlled movement between lateral positions with a focus on durable construction to prevent wear, achieving reliability through thoughtful mechanical design rather than excessive complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mobile device (1) for land maintenance comprising a support frame (2) carrying movement means configured to allow a movement of the mobile device within a work area, the movement means defining a support plane for the mobile device (1); at least one work tool for performing maintenance operations within the work area; an operating body carrying the work tool and defining an operating zone configured for performing maintenance operations. The mobile device extends in width along a transverse axis (W) between a left side and a right side. The mobile device further comprises a drive handle (20) configured to allow an operator to guide the mobile device (1) and a joint (40) connected to the drive handle (20) and configured to allow the movement of the drive handle (20) along a control axis (D) substantially parallel to the transverse axis (W).