Method for operating a horticulture appliance and horticulture appliance

Abstract

Method for operating a garden appliance and garden appliance. The invention relates to a method for operating a garden appliance having a drive system with a clutch, which is configured to be automatically engaged by forward rotation to propel the garden appliance and to be automatically disengaged by reverse rotation to freewheel the garden appliance, an electric motor drive system, which is configured to rotate the clutch in forward and reverse rotation, and a user-activatable signaling device, the method having the steps of a) operating the electric motor drive system in a freewheeling and / or braking operating mode by changing the signaling state of the signaling device in a user-activated manner to reduce the motor rotational speed, b) detecting whether a counter electromotive force or a variable based on the counter electromotive force caused by the electric motor drive system meets a stop criterion, and c) operating the electric motor drive system in a reverse rotation operating mode to rotate the electric motor drive system in reverse in order to disengage the clutch to freewheel the garden appliance if the stop criterion is met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for operating gardening tools and gardening tools. Summary of the Invention

[0002] As a task, the present invention is based on providing a method for operating gardening tools and a gardening tool, which respectively have improved characteristics, especially enabling the gardening tool to achieve a high degree of user-friendliness and / or a long service life.

[0003] The present invention solves the aforementioned task through the disclosed method and gardening tools. Advantageous improvements and / or designs of the invention are described in this disclosure.

[0004] The particularly automatic method according to the invention is configured or designed to operate (particularly electrically) gardening implements in a particularly automatic manner. The gardening implement includes or has (particularly electrically) a driving system. The driving system includes or has a clutch, an electric motor drive system, and a user-triggerable (particularly electrically) signaling device, particularly for pushing or propelling the gardening implement. The clutch is configured or arranged to automatically or independently engage, particularly by forward rotation of a portion of the clutch, to push the gardening implement, and to automatically or independently disengage or release, by a particular portion of the clutch, particularly by a reverse rotation of that portion, particularly opposite to or opposite to the forward rotation, to allow the gardening implement to idle. The electric motor drive system is configured or arranged to engage the clutch by forward rotation to push the gardening implement, and to disengage the clutch by reverse rotation of the clutch, particularly a portion of the clutch, to allow the gardening implement to idle. The method includes or has the following steps: a) Operating, especially automatically, the motor drive system in an auger and / or braking mode by changing the value of a signal state, particularly a variable and / or electrical signal state, particularly a driving signal state, in a user-triggered manner, to reduce the motor speed, particularly the value of the motor speed, of the forward-rotating motor drive system, particularly to achieve a stop of the forward-rotating motor drive system. b) Detecting, especially automatically detecting, or probing or measuring, particularly monitoring, whether the back electromotive force, particularly the value of the back electromotive force, or a variable based on the back electromotive force, particularly the value of the variable, caused by the motor drive system, particularly auger, meets or does not meet the stop criteria. The stop criteria characterize the achievement of a stop of the motor drive system, particularly in the past and / or present and / or future. c) If or if the stop criteria are met, operating, especially automatically, the motor drive system in a reverse rotation mode to reverse the rotation of the particularly stopped motor drive system, for clutch disengagement to allow the gardening implement to idle.

[0005] This, in particular, allows the user of the gardening implement to operate without needing to move it. This thus achieves a high degree of user-friendliness. Additionally or alternatively, this, in particular step b), ensures that step c) is performed or that the motor drive system operates in reverse rotation mode, especially if the motor speed is low due to the execution of step a) or the motor drive system is in coasting and / or braking mode, and the motor drive system stops, before performing step c) or operating the motor drive system in reverse rotation mode. Therefore, this allows the mechanical load on the drive system, especially the clutch, to be kept low or even completely avoided. This thus achieves a long service life for the drive system, especially the clutch, and therefore the gardening implement. Further, additionally or alternatively, this method allows the gardening implement to idle, especially without significant user assistance. This idling thus allows the user to easily manipulate the gardening implement when needed, such as in a garage, especially by pulling the implement backward. This thus achieves a high degree of user-friendliness.

[0006] In particular, gardening implements may be gardening processing implements. Additionally or alternatively, gardening implements may be manually guided and / or ground-guided. Further additionally or alternatively, gardening implements may have a mass of up to 100 kg, especially up to 50 kg, especially up to 20 kg and / or down to 5 kg, especially down to 10 kg.

[0007] The clutch can be, in particular, a form-fit clutch. Additionally or alternatively, the clutch can be configured to remain disengaged without the need for forward rotation of the drive system, especially by means of an electric motor.

[0008] Automatic or automatic can mean especially directly unrelated to the user.

[0009] At any given moment, the electric motor drive system can rotate either in the forward direction or in the reverse direction.

[0010] In coasting operation mode, the motor drive system does not require or cannot achieve reverse rotation of the motor drive system. Additionally or alternatively, coasting operation mode may be referred to as idle operation mode.

[0011] The coasting and / or braking operation mode and the reverse rotation operation mode can be different.

[0012] The back electromotive force (EMF) can be related to the motor speed, especially proportional to it. Additionally or alternatively, the back EMF can be detected in step b). Further, additionally or alternatively, step b) can detect if the back EMF or no variable can be detected or is detectable, or if the back EMF or the variable is undetectable, nonexistent, or zero, especially if the motor speed is zero or the motor drive system has stopped, then the stopping criterion is met.

[0013] If the stopping criteria are not met, especially within a pre-given duration, then step c) or the method is not required or cannot be performed further, or step c) or the method needs or can be interrupted.

[0014] Step c) does not need to be or cannot be performed, in particular directly, by a change in the signal state of the signaling device, especially the change itself, in a user-triggered manner.

[0015] Step c) can be performed after step b) in time.

[0016] In one improved version of the invention, the gardening tool is a lawnmower.

[0017] In an improved embodiment of the invention, the clutch includes or has at least one dog-clutch. The dog-clutch is configured or arranged to automatically or independently disengage or release, particularly to allow gardening implements to idle, by rearward rotation, especially of a portion of the dog-clutch. Additionally or alternatively, the clutch includes or has at least one ramp-operated mechanism. The ramp-operated mechanism is particularly configured or arranged to rotate a particular portion of the dog-clutch in the reverse direction, and particularly to automatically or independently engage, particularly the dog-clutch, particularly for propelling gardening implements, especially by forward rotation. In particular, the electric motor drive system can be configured to rotate in the forward direction, particularly to engage the dog-clutch to propel gardening implements, and to rotate in the reverse direction of the ramp-operated mechanism, particularly to disengage the dog-clutch to allow gardening implements to idle. Additionally or alternatively, the ramp-operated mechanism can be configured to rotate the dog-clutch in the forward direction, particularly for propelling gardening implements.

[0018] In one improvement of the invention, the electric motor drive system includes or has a DC motor or DC drive motor, particularly a permanent magnet direct current (PMDC) motor. The DC motor is configured as a forward and reverse rotation clutch. This enables operation of the electric motor drive system in at least coasting and / or braking modes and / or detection of whether the back electromotive force or variable meets the stopping criteria. In particular, the motor speed can be the motor speed of the DC motor.

[0019] In an improved embodiment of the invention, particularly a design embodiment, the motor drive system includes or has, in particular, an electronic bridge circuit, in particular a full-bridge circuit, in particular a four-quadrant regulator, for operating the motor drive system in at least a coasting and / or braking operating mode and a reverse rotation operating mode, said motor drive system in particular having a DC motor.

[0020] In an improved embodiment of the invention, the braking operation mode in step a) is a short-circuit braking operation mode. Additionally or alternatively, step b) is performed primarily only after step a), and not primarily before or concurrently with step a). This, particularly in short-circuit braking operation mode, enables the rapid reduction of the motor speed of the forward-rotating motor drive system, and particularly rapidly brings the forward-rotating motor drive system to a stop. Additionally or alternatively, this, particularly in time after step a), enables the detection of whether the back electromotive force or variable meets the stopping criterion. In particular, operating the motor drive system in short-circuit braking operation mode does not require or cannot achieve reverse rotation of the motor drive system. Additionally or alternatively, the detection of whether the back electromotive force or variable meets the stopping criterion is not required or is not possible in time, along with operating the motor drive system in short-circuit braking operation mode.

[0021] In an improved embodiment of the invention, step a) is performed with particular precision, within a particularly fixed predetermined duration, particularly a predetermined value of that duration, and particularly in relation to the last motor speed prior to step a), particularly the value of the motor speed, or a variable corresponding to or proportional to the last motor speed, particularly the value of that variable, such as the motor current of the motor drive system, particularly the DC motor. This enables a significant reduction in the motor speed of the motor drive system, particularly achieving a stop of the motor drive system, particularly ensuring that the back electromotive force or variable can satisfy, particularly satisfy the stopping criteria.

[0022] In an improved embodiment of the invention, step b) includes or comprises: operating, particularly automatically, the motor drive system in coasting mode, and especially not in braking mode. This enables the detection of whether the back electromotive force or variable meets the stopping criteria.

[0023] In an improved embodiment of the invention, the stopping criterion is the back electromotive force, particularly the value of the back electromotive force, or a variable based on the back electromotive force, particularly the value of the variable, which is equal to or less than a stopping upper limit value. Specifically, the stopping upper limit value may be at the maximum motor speed of the forward-rotating motor drive system, or for the maximum motor speed of the forward-rotating motor drive system, it may be 0.2 times, particularly 0.1 times, particularly 0.05 times, the value of the back electromotive force or the variable.

[0024] In an improved embodiment of the invention, the method, particularly prior to step a), includes or has the following steps: operating, particularly automatically, in a forward rotation mode via a user-triggered signal state of a signal device, particularly by further changing the value of that signal state, to forward rotate the motor drive system, particularly to increase the motor speed of the particularly stopped motor drive system, particularly to engage the clutch, and to propel the gardening implement. This enables the user of the gardening implement to operate without moving it. In particular, the forward rotation mode may differ from the coasting and / or braking operation mode and / or the reverse rotation operation mode.

[0025] In an improved embodiment of the invention, particularly a design embodiment, the user-triggerable signal device (if provided) is configured or configured to be at least partially user-movable, particularly for further changes in the signal state of the signal device. The driving system includes or has a reset element. The reset element is configured or configured to apply force to the signal device to reset its movement, particularly from a triggered position to an initial position, thereby changing the signal state of the signal device. This enables the change in signal state to be user-triggered and / or to be triggered by the user, either when or due to the release of the moving signal device, particularly indirectly or directly. In particular, the reset element may have, especially, a spring.

[0026] In an improved embodiment of the invention, the signaling device includes or has (especially an electrical) switch. The signal state is the (especially an electrical) switching state of the switch. In particular, the switch can be configured to automatically reset.

[0027] In an improved embodiment of the invention, the driving system includes or has at least one, particularly only one, particularly unique wheel drive shaft. The clutch is particularly mechanically and / or directly rotatably connected, particularly rotatably connected, to the electric motor drive system on the drive side and to at least one wheel drive shaft on the output side using a corresponding portion. In particular, the disengaged clutch does not need to, or cannot, be configured to automatically engage, particularly automatically, by means of rotation of the wheel drive shaft, particularly forward and / or reverse rotation, particularly a portion of the clutch.

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention, the driving system includes or has at least, in particular exactly two wheel drive shafts. The clutch includes or has, in particular only one, in particular only one claw clutch and / or, for each wheel drive shaft, in particular only one, in particular only one ramp operating mechanism. This enables different wheel speeds, in particular different values ​​of wheel speeds, for example, when a gardening implement is turning or for the purpose of turning.

[0029] The gardening implement according to the invention includes or has a driving system, particularly the driving system. The driving system includes or has a clutch, particularly the clutch, an electric motor drive system, particularly the electric motor drive system, a user-triggerable signaling device, particularly the user-triggerable signaling device, and a control or monitoring or operating device, particularly an electrical control or monitoring or operating device. The clutch is configured to automatically engage by forward rotation to propel the gardening implement, and automatically disengage by reverse rotation to allow the gardening implement to idle. The electric motor drive system is configured to have both forward and reverse rotation clutches. The control device is configured to automatically operate the electric motor drive system, particularly automatically, in a coasting and / or braking operating mode, in a user-triggerable manner by changing the signal state of the signaling device, to reduce the motor speed of the forward-rotating electric motor drive system. Furthermore, the control device is configured to automatically detect, particularly automatically, whether the back electromotive force (EMF) caused by the electric motor drive system, or a variable based particularly on the back EMF, meets the stopping criterion. The stopping criterion (as described in particular) indicates that the electric motor drive system has reached a stop (as described in particular). Furthermore, the control device is configured or arranged to automatically operate the electric motor drive system, especially in the reverse rotation operation mode (as described in particular), if the stopping criterion is met, to reverse the rotation of the electric motor drive system in order to disengage the clutch and allow the gardening implement to idle.

[0030] Gardening tools can achieve the same advantages as those previously described for the method.

[0031] In particular, gardening implements, and especially control devices, can be configured or arranged to perform the methods described above (especially those stated above) particularly automatically. Additionally or alternatively, gardening implements, especially driving systems and / or clutches, electric motor drive systems and / or signaling devices, are respectively configured or arranged as previously described for this method. Further additionally or alternatively, the control devices may have, in particular, a microcontroller. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Other advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, which are then explained with reference to the figures. In the figures:

[0033] Figure 1 A perspective view of the gardening implement according to the present invention is shown.

[0034] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 Schematic diagrams of gardening tools, especially circuit diagrams.

[0035] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 The clutch engagement of the driving drive system of gardening tools.

[0036] Figure 4 Show Figure 3 Clutch disengagement, and

[0037] Figure 5 The invention illustrates the use of [the invention] for operation Figure 1 A flowchart of a method for developing gardening tools, particularly a graph showing the motor speed and current of the motor drive system of the gardening tools as a function of time. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A gardening implement 1 according to the present invention is shown. The gardening implement 1 has a driving system 2. The driving system 2 has a clutch 3, an electric motor drive system 4, a user-triggerable signal device 5, and a control device 12. The clutch 2 is configured to automatically engage by forward rotation to actuate the gardening implement 1, as shown in... Figure 3 As indicated by the arrow, and by automatically separating through reverse rotation to allow gardening implement 1 to idle, as shown in... Figure 4 As indicated by the arrow. The electric motor drive system 4 is configured to cause the clutch 3 to... Figure 3 As shown, rotate in the forward direction and as in Figure 4 As shown, it rotates in the opposite direction. The control device 12 is configured to, in a user-triggered manner, change the signal state S5 of the signal device 5 from closed to open in the illustrated embodiment, operating the motor drive system 4 in a coasting and / or braking operation mode LBM to reduce the motor speed n4 of the forward-rotating motor drive system 4, as shown in... Figure 5 As shown on the left. Furthermore, the control device 12 is configured to detect whether the back electromotive force BEMF caused by the motor drive system 4, or a variable based on the back electromotive force, meets the stop criterion SK, as shown in... Figure 5 As shown in the center. The stop criterion SK represents the achievement of a stop for the electric motor drive system 4. Furthermore, the control device 12 is configured to operate the electric motor drive system 4 in reverse rotation operation mode RM if the stop criterion SK is met, so as to rotate the electric motor drive system 4 in reverse to disengage the clutch and allow the gardening implement 1 to idle, as in... Figure 5 As shown on the right side of the middle.

[0039] Figure 5 A method for operating a gardening implement 1 according to the present invention is shown. The gardening implement 1 has a driving system 2. The driving system 2 has a clutch 3, an electric motor drive system 4, and a user-triggerable signal device 5. The clutch 3 is configured to automatically engage by forward rotation to drive the gardening implement 1, and to automatically disengage by reverse rotation to allow the gardening implement 1 to idle. The electric motor drive system 4 is configured to rotate both forward and reverse from the clutch 3. The method includes the following steps: a) particularly by means of a control device 12, the electric motor drive system 4 is operated in a coasting and / or braking operation mode LBM by changing the signal state S5 of the signal device 5 in a user-trigger manner to reduce the electric motor speed n4 of the forward-rotating electric motor drive system 4. b) particularly by means of the control device 12, whether the back electromotive force BEMF caused by the electric motor drive system 4 or a variable based on the back electromotive force satisfies the stopping criterion SK. The stopping criterion SK indicates that the electric motor drive system 4 has stopped. c) In particular, with the aid of control device 12, if the stop criterion SK is met, the motor drive system 4 is operated in reverse rotation operation mode RM so as to rotate the motor drive system 4 in reverse to disengage the clutch 3 so as to allow the gardening tool 1 to idle.

[0040] In detail, gardening tool 1 is lawnmower 1'.

[0041] Furthermore, clutch 3 has at least one claw-shaped clutch 6, and in the illustrated embodiment, two claw-shaped clutches 6. The claw-shaped clutches 6 are configured to automatically disengage upon reverse rotation, specifically, to automatically disengage upon reverse rotation, as in... Figure 4 As shown in the figure.

[0042] Additionally or alternatively, the clutch 3 has at least one ramp operating mechanism 7, and in the illustrated embodiment, two ramp operating mechanisms 7 are provided. The ramp operating mechanism 7 is particularly configured as a counter-rotating claw clutch 6, and automatically engages, particularly the claw clutch 6, and especially the counter-rotating claw clutch 6 by forward rotation, as in... Figure 4 As shown, and rotates in the forward direction and automatically engages the claw clutch 6, as in Figure 3 As shown in the figure.

[0043] Furthermore, the driving drive system 2 has at least one wheel drive axle 11, and in the exemplary embodiment shown, it has two wheel drive axles 11. The clutch 3 is operatively connected to the electric motor drive system 4 on the drive side and operatively connected to at least one wheel drive axle 11 on the output side.

[0044] In detail, the driving system 2 has two wheel drive shafts 11. The clutch 3 has a claw clutch 6 and / or a ramp operating mechanism 7 for each wheel drive shaft 11.

[0045] In alternative embodiments, the clutch may have only one claw clutch and / or only one ramp operating mechanism. In particular, the drive system may have a differential and the clutch may be connected, particularly rotatably, to both wheel drive shafts on the output side via the differential. Additionally or alternatively, in alternative embodiments, the drive system may have only one, particularly consecutive, wheel drive shafts.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, at least one ramp operating mechanism 7 of the clutch 3 is directly connected to the electric motor drive system 4, particularly the electric motor drive shaft 4W of the electric motor drive system 4. At least one ramp operating mechanism 7 is directly connected to a corresponding or assigned claw clutch 6 of the clutch 3. At least one claw clutch 6 is directly connected to at least one corresponding or assigned wheel drive shaft 11.

[0047] In other words, at least one wheel drive shaft 11 is engaged or connected, in particular and without disengagement, to the electric motor drive system 4, in particular the electric motor drive shaft 4W, via a clutch 3, in particular a rotary connection.

[0048] Furthermore, for information regarding the claw clutch 6, its particular functions, particularly its disengagement function, the ramp of the claw clutch 6 for automatic disengagement by reverse rotation, and / or the ramp operating mechanism 7, please refer to relevant literature.

[0049] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the driving system 2 has wheels, particularly two wheels, that are rotatably and fixedly connected to at least one wheel drive shaft 11. In particular, the electric motor drive system 4 is configured as the drive wheel. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the gardening implement 1 has additional, particularly non-driven wheels.

[0050] In alternative embodiments, particularly if the driving system has only a single wheel drive shaft, the gardening implement may have at least one wheel speed or turning mechanism, particularly at least two wheel speed or turning mechanisms, particularly directly connected on the drive side to the clutch and / or wheel drive shaft and / or particularly directly connected on the output side to the driven wheel, particularly the corresponding or assigned wheel. This allows for different wheel speeds, such as when the gardening implement is turning or for turning purposes.

[0051] Furthermore, the method, particularly prior to step a), includes the following steps: Specifically, by means of the control device 12, in a user-triggered manner, through a further change in the signal state S5 of the signal device 5 (in the illustrated embodiment, from open to closed), the motor drive system 4 is operated in a forward rotation operation mode VM to forward rotate the motor drive system 4, particularly increasing the motor speed n4 of the motor drive system 4, especially for engaging the clutch 3 and for propelling the gardening implement 1, as in… Figure 5 As shown on the left.

[0052] Furthermore, the user-triggerable signal device 5 is configured to be user-movable, particularly for further changes to the signal state S5 of the signal device 5, such as in... Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the driving system 2 has a reset element 9. The reset element 9 is configured to apply force to the signal device 5 to reset the movement of the signal device 5 in order to change the signal state S5 of the signal device 5.

[0053] In particular, the signal device 5 has a user-movable operating element 5B. A reset element 9 is configured to apply a force to the operating element 5B to reset the movement of the operating element 5B in order to change the signal state S5 of the signal device 5.

[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, the operating element 5B is in the form of a bügel. In alternative embodiments, the operating element may be in another form, such as a button.

[0055] In addition, the signal device 5 has a switch 10. The signal state S5 is the switching state S10 of the switch 10.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the operating element 5B is configured to operate the switch 10 by movement, particularly for further changes to the signal state S5 of the signal device 5 or the switching state S10 of the switch 10. Furthermore, the reset element 9 is configured to apply a force to the signal device 5 or the operating element 5B to reset the movement of the signal device 5 or the operating element in order to change the signal state S5 of the signal device 5 or the switching state S10 of the switch 10. Moreover, the switch 10 is configured to automatically reset, particularly from the closed state S10 to the open state S10.

[0057] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the method includes, in particular, the following steps prior to step a): particularly by means of the control device 12, detecting, particularly automatically detecting or probing, particularly monitoring, changes in the signal state S5 of the signal device 5 or the switch state S10 of the switch 10, particularly user-triggered changes, particularly and / or additional changes.

[0058] Furthermore, the electric motor drive system 4 has a DC motor 17, which in the illustrated embodiment is a permanent magnet DC motor 17'. The DC motor 17 is configured as a forward and reverse rotation clutch 3, particularly a forward or reverse rotation clutch 3.

[0059] Furthermore, the electric motor drive system 4 has a bridge circuit 8, in the illustrated embodiment a full-bridge circuit 8', and in particular a four-quadrant regulator 8'', for operating the electric motor drive system 4 (in the illustrated embodiment, a DC motor 17) in at least a coasting and / or braking operating mode LBM and a reverse rotation operating mode RM, especially by means of a control device 12.

[0060] In detail, the four-quadrant regulator 8'' has an electronic H-bridge circuit with four semiconductor switches, transistors T1, T2, T3, and T4 in the illustrated embodiment. In other words, the four-quadrant regulator 8'' has two transistors T1, T2, T3, and T4 connected in series or in series, each transistor having a freewheeling diode of opposite polarity. The DC motor 17 to be operated or controlled is located at the center between the two halves of the bridge.

[0061] The corresponding half-bridges or transistors T1 and T2, and transistors T3 and T4, can be operated, controlled, or switched, for example, as follows, especially by means of control device 12:

[0062] - PWM signal (pulse width modulation) -> PWM state;

[0063] - High-side (T1 or T3) conduction state and low-side (T2 or T4) off state -> 1 state;

[0064] - High-side (T1 or T3) off state and low-side (T2 or T4) on state -> 0 state;

[0065] - High-side (T1 or T3) off state and low-side (T2 or T4) off state -> F state.

[0066] Furthermore, for information regarding the function and / or operation or control of the bridge circuit 8, especially the full-bridge circuit 8', especially the four-quadrant regulator 8'', and especially the bridge circuit 8, please refer to relevant literature.

[0067] Furthermore, in step a), the braking operation mode BM is the short-circuit braking operation mode KBM, as in Figure 5 As shown above.

[0068] Alternatively, in step a), the motor drive system 4 operates in coasting mode LM, as in Figure 5 As shown below.

[0069] Further, or alternatively, especially by means of control device 12, step b) is performed in time after step a).

[0070] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, especially with the aid of control device 12, step c) is executed in time after step b).

[0071] Furthermore, especially with the aid of the control device 12, step a) is executed within a predetermined duration ZD, particularly in relation to the last motor speed n4 prior to step a) or the last variable corresponding to the last motor speed n4, such as the motor current I4 of the motor drive system 4.

[0072] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, steps b) and / or c) are performed, particularly by means of control device 12, for a predetermined duration, respectively. Additionally or alternatively, step c) may be performed if or once the stop criterion SK is met.

[0073] Furthermore, step b) involves, in particular, operating the motor drive system 4 in coasting mode LM using the control device 12.

[0074] In addition, the stopping criterion SK is: the back electromotive force BEMF or the variable based on the back electromotive force is equal to or less than the stopping upper limit value SO.

[0075] In the illustrated embodiment, the stopping of the motor drive system 4 is achieved in time with the end of step a). In an alternative embodiment, the stopping of the motor drive system may be achieved in time before, during, or after the end of step a), during or with the end of step b).

[0076] Specifically, prior to step a) or in the forward rotation operation mode VM, transistors T1 and T2 operate in PWM state, and transistors T3 and T4 operate in 0 state.

[0077] Furthermore, in step a), in the short-circuit braking operation mode KBM, transistors T1 and T2 operate in state 0, and transistors T3 and T4 operate in state 0.

[0078] Alternatively, in step a), in the idle operation mode LM, transistors T1 and T2 operate in state F and transistors T3 and T4 operate in state F.

[0079] In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the motor current I4 is reduced in time before the coasting operation mode LM in step a), especially during a predetermined duration, particularly when transistors T1 and T2 are operating in the F state and transistors T3 and T4 are operating in the 0 state.

[0080] Furthermore, in step b), in the idle operation mode LM, transistors T1 and T2 operate in state F and transistors T3 and T4 operate in state F.

[0081] Furthermore, in step c), in the reverse rotation operation mode RM, especially for a given duration, transistors T1 and T2 operate in the 0 state and transistors T3 and T4 operate in the PWM state.

[0082] In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, in step c), after the reverse rotation operation mode RM in time, especially within a predetermined duration, the reverse rotation motor drive system 4 operates in the short-circuit braking operation mode KBM, especially transistors T1 and T2 operate in state 0 and transistors T3 and T4 operate in state 0.

[0083] Then the method is terminated, or in particular the motor drive system 4 is stopped in coasting mode LM, especially transistors T1 and T2 are in state F and transistors T3 and T4 are in state F.

[0084] Therefore, the driving system 2, especially the electric motor drive system 4, is ready to start and / or the clutch 3 is disengaged, especially for idling the gardening implement 1.

[0085] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the gardening implement, particularly the electric motor drive system 4, has a particularly replaceable drive voltage source. In particular, the drive voltage source includes a battery Akku.

[0086] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the control device 12 is configured to work in conjunction with the motor drive system 4, particularly the bridge circuit 8, and the signal device 5, particularly the switch 10, as shown in... Figure 1 It is shown in the middle by dashed lines and solid lines.

[0087] As illustrated and the embodiments explained above demonstrate, the present invention provides an advantageous method for operating gardening implements and an advantageous gardening implement, each having improved characteristics, particularly enabling the gardening implement to achieve a high degree of user-friendliness and / or a long service life.

Claims

1. Method for operating a garden appliance (1), wherein the garden appliance (1) has a travel drive system (2), wherein the travel drive system (2) has a clutch (3), an electric motor drive system (4) and a user-activatable signaling device (5), wherein the clutch (3) is configured to automatically engage by forward rotation to propel the garden appliance (1) and to automatically disengage by reverse rotation to freewheel the garden appliance (1), and wherein the electric motor drive system (4) is configured to rotate the clutch (3) in forward and reverse rotation, and wherein the method has the following steps: a) operating the electric motor drive system (4) in a freewheeling operating mode and / or a braking operating mode (LBM) in a user-activated manner by changing a signal state (S5) of the signaling device (5) to reduce an electric motor rotational speed (n4) of the electric motor drive system (4) in forward rotation, b) detecting whether a back electromotive force (BEMF) or a variable based on the back electromotive force caused by the electric motor drive system (4) fulfills a stopping criterion (SK), wherein the stopping criterion (SK) characterizes the achievement of a standstill of the electric motor drive system (4), wherein the stopping criterion (SK) is that the back electromotive force (BEMF) or the variable based on the back electromotive force is equal to or less than a stop upper limit value (SO), and c) operating the electric motor drive system (4) in a reverse rotation operating mode (RM) to rotate the electric motor drive system (4) in reverse rotation in order to disengage the clutch (3) in order to freewheel the garden appliance (1), if the stopping criterion (SK) is fulfilled.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the garden appliance (1) is a lawnmower (1').

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the clutch (3) has at least one dog clutch (6), wherein the dog clutch (6) is configured to automatically disengage by reverse rotation, and / or wherein the clutch (3) has at least one ramp operating mechanism (7), wherein the ramp operating mechanism (7) is configured to rotate the dog clutch (6) in reverse rotation and to automatically engage the dog clutch (6) by forward rotation.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein the electric motor drive system (4) has a direct current electric motor (17) in the form of a permanent magnet direct current electric motor (17'), wherein the direct current electric motor (17) is configured to rotate the clutch (3) in forward and reverse rotation.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the electric motor drive system (4) has a bridge circuit (8) in the form of a full bridge circuit (8') for operating the electric motor drive system (4) in at least the freewheeling operating mode and / or braking operating mode (LBM) and the reverse rotation operating mode (RM), the electric motor drive system having the direct current electric motor (17), the full bridge circuit (8') being in the form of a four-quadrant regulator (8").

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein in the step a) the braking mode (BM) is a short-circuit braking mode (KBM) and / or wherein the step b) is performed in time after the step a).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein the step a) is performed in relation to a last motor speed (n4) or a last variable corresponding to the last motor speed, which is in time before the step a).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein the step b) has the step of operating the motor drive system (4) in the freewheeling mode (LM).

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein the method has the step, in time before the step a), of operating the motor drive system (4) in a forward rotation mode (VM) by a further change of the signal state (S5) of the signal device (5) in a user triggered manner, rotating the motor drive system (4) in a forward direction, increasing a motor speed (n4) of the motor drive system (4), engaging the clutch (3) and propelling the garden appliance (1).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the user triggerable signal device (5) is configured to be user movable for the further change of the signal state (S5) of the signal device (5), and wherein the travel drive system (2) has a reset element (9), wherein the reset element (9) is configured to exert a force on the signal device (5) to reset a movement of the signal device (5) in order to change the signal state (S5) of the signal device (5).

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein the signal device (5) has a switch (10), wherein the signal state (S5) is a switch state (S10) of the switch (10).

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein the travel drive system (2) has at least one wheel drive shaft (11), wherein the clutch (3) is in driving connection with the motor drive system (4) on a drive side and with the at least one wheel drive shaft (11) on an output side.

13. The method according to claim 3, wherein the travel drive system (2) has at least two wheel drive shafts (11), and wherein the clutch (3) has a dog clutch (6) and / or a ramp operating mechanism (7) for each wheel drive shaft (11).

14. A garden appliance (1) for performing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the garden appliance (1) has a travel drive system (2), wherein the travel drive system (2) has a clutch (3), a motor drive system (4) and a user triggerable signal device (5) and a control device (12), wherein the control device (12) is configured to perform the method according to any one of the preceding claims. wherein the clutch (3) is configured to be automatically engaged by forward rotation to propel the garden implement (1) and to be automatically disengaged by reverse rotation to idle the garden implement (1), wherein the electric motor drive system (4) is configured to forward rotate and reverse rotate the clutch (3), and wherein the control device (12) is configured - to operate the electric motor drive system (4) in an idling mode of operation and / or in a braking mode of operation (LBM) to reduce a motor speed (n4) of the forward rotating electric motor drive system (4) in a user triggered manner by changing a signal state (S5) of the signal device (5), - to detect whether a back electromotive force (BEMF) induced by the electric motor drive system (4) or a variable based on the back electromotive force fulfills a stopping criterion (SK), wherein the stopping criterion (SK) characterizes a reaching of a stop of the electric motor drive system (4), wherein the stopping criterion (SK) is that the back electromotive force (BEMF) or the variable based on the back electromotive force is equal to or smaller than a stop upper limit value (SO), and - to operate the electric motor drive system (4) in a reverse rotation mode of operation (RM) to reverse rotate the electric motor drive system (4) to disengage the clutch (3) to idle the garden implement (1) if the stopping criterion (SK) is fulfilled.

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