Vegetation Cutting Device with Adjustable Eccentric Cam Stroke
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hedge trimmers with blades of differing masses require more energy to operate, especially when battery-driven, due to the need to move the heavier blade through the same distance as the lighter one, leading to inefficiency and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A vegetation cutting device with a rotatable eccentric cam mechanism that adjusts the distance of the first blade's movement, allowing for energy-saving modes by varying the eccentricity of the cam, enabling the device to operate efficiently in different vegetation conditions without complex drive mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heavier blade is moved through the same distance as the lighter blade, then both blades can cut vegetation effectively, but the energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the blade travel distance adjustable rather than fixed. The heavier blade can be configured to travel a shorter distance than the lighter blade, allowing the system to adapt its operation dynamically based on the mass difference between blades. This resolves the contradiction by enabling effective cutting with optimized energy usage through variable stroke lengths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the blade travel distance is increased to cut denser vegetation, then cutting capability improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable blade travel mechanism allows the system to dynamically adapt its stroke length based on vegetation density requirements. Users can increase travel distance for denser vegetation or reduce it for lighter vegetation, optimizing the balance between cutting capability and energy consumption for different operating conditions.
3Strength
If the blade mass is increased to improve cutting strength, then cutting power improves, but the energy required to move the blade increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by allowing blades of different masses to operate with different travel distances. The heavier blade, which provides greater cutting power, can be configured to travel a shorter distance, thereby maintaining its strength advantage while reducing the energy penalty associated with moving its greater mass.
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 adjustable cam mechanism allows for optimized energy usage by reducing the distance the heavier blade travels, enhancing efficiency and versatility in cutting various types of vegetation while maintaining a simpler drive mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
at least one rotatable eccentric cam mounted on the drive gear or wheel; a reciprocating blade assembly comprising a first blade and a second blade wherein the first blade is coupled to the at least one rotatable eccentric cam and the first blade is arranged to reciprocally move when driven by the at least one rotatable eccentric cam
Data Source
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AI summary
A vegetation cutting device (100) comprising a housing (116); a motor (114) mounted in the housing (116) configured to drive a drive gear (122) or wheel, at least one rotatable eccentric cam (206) mounted on the drive gear (122) or wheel; a reciprocating blade assembly (210) comprising a first blade (102) and a second blade (104) wherein the first blade (102) is coupled to the at least one rotatable eccentric cam (206) and the first blade (102) is arranged to reciprocally move when driven by the at least one rotatable eccentric cam (206); and a cam adjustment mechanism (220) for varying the eccentricity of the at least one rotatable eccentric cam (206) with respect to the drive gear (122) or wheel and thereby varying the distance through which the first blade (102) moves.