A ride-on lawnmower

By employing a combination of a longitudinally positioned first pivot and a magnetic sensing element in a ride-on lawnmower, the problem of increased width caused by the lateral installation of the operating mechanism is solved, resulting in a smaller overall size and higher operational reliability, thus improving the lawnmower's maneuverability and ease of use.

CN116530292BActive Publication Date: 2026-07-07ZHEJIANG YAT ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE CO LTD

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
ZHEJIANG YAT ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE CO LTD
Filing Date
2023-04-17
Publication Date
2026-07-07

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The horizontal mounting of the operating mechanism in existing zero-steering riding lawnmowers increases the overall width of the machine, affecting maneuverability, and the pivot mechanism is prone to wear and has poor operating feel.

Method used

By using a longitudinally positioned first pivot, combined with magnets and magnetic sensing elements to sense the operator's intentions, directional control is achieved through levers and dampers, reducing the width of the operating mechanism and improving reliability.

Benefits of technology

The reduced size of the lawnmower improves its ability to maneuver through forests, lowers production and maintenance costs, enhances operational precision and stability, and improves the user experience.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The application discloses a mower, in particular to a riding mower, which solves the problems caused by the transverse installation of the pivot mechanism of the existing riding mower. The riding mower comprises a frame, a walking mechanism, a power device and an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism comprises a fixed frame, a pivot assembly and a sensing module. The pivot assembly comprises a lever, a pivot support, a first pivot and a second pivot. The pivot support is rotatably connected with the fixed frame through the first pivot. The lever is rotatably connected with the pivot support through the second pivot. The lever can drive the pivot support to rotate left and right around the first pivot between an external position and an internal position. The lever can rotate forward and backward around the second pivot between a front position, a middle position and a rear position. The sensing module senses the position of the lever.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of lawnmowers, and more particularly to a ride-on lawnmower. Background Technology

[0002] Lawn mowers, as a garden tool, are widely used for trimming lawns and vegetation. Ride-on lawn mowers, with their advantages of long battery life, high mowing efficiency, and strong mowing power, have gradually become the mainstream. Ride-on lawn mowers with zero steering (that is, turning on the spot) are slowly being accepted by people because of their flexible steering, which allows them to maneuver flexibly in very narrow areas.

[0003] The operating mechanism of existing zero-steering lawnmowers uses a lever to drive a pivot mechanism to control the direction of travel. The lever rotates back and forth between the forward, neutral, and reverse positions to control the lawnmower's forward and backward movement. The lever rotates left and right between the inner and outer positions to control the lawnmower's working or standby state.

[0004] However, existing zero-steering lawnmowers typically mount the pivot mechanism laterally on the frame, which leads to a series of problems. First, zero-steering ride-on lawnmowers need to operate in grasslands, gardens, and orchards, requiring them to maneuver between trees. To improve this maneuverability, ride-on lawnmowers usually require a compact design with small overall dimensions. However, the length of the pivot is often greater than its diameter. Since the operating mechanism of a zero-steering ride-on lawnmower is usually mounted on either side of the seat, the lateral mounting of the pivot mechanism affects the overall width of the machine, hindering further optimization of its maneuverability. Second, when the control lever rotates forward and backward, the lever and pivot mechanism rotate together along the axis. The combined weight of the lever and pivot mechanism is relatively heavy, and prolonged operation can easily cause wear and tear on the pivot axis, resulting in wobbling and play, affecting the operator's feel. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and propose a riding lawnmower to solve at least one of the above problems.

[0006] To achieve the above technical objectives, the present invention provides a rideable lawnmower, comprising:

[0007] Frame;

[0008] The walking mechanism includes wheels mounted on both sides of the frame and motors that drive the wheels;

[0009] The power unit provides the power required by the motor;

[0010] Operating mechanism, controlling the walking wheels;

[0011] The operating mechanism includes:

[0012] A mounting bracket is provided on the vehicle frame;

[0013] A pivot assembly includes a lever, a pivot bracket, a first pivot, and a second pivot. The pivot bracket is rotatably connected to the fixed frame via the first pivot. The lever is rotatably connected to the pivot bracket via the second pivot. The lever can drive the pivot bracket to rotate left and right around the first pivot between an outer position and an inner position. The lever can also rotate back and forth around the second pivot between a front position, a middle position, and a rear position.

[0014] The sensing module senses the position of the lever and outputs a position signal.

[0015] Preferably, the sensing module includes a magnet and a sensing module. The magnet is fixed on the lever, and the sensing module is fixed on the pivot support. The back-and-forth movement of the lever can cause the magnet to move closer to or away from the sensing module, and the sensing module senses the change in the magnetic field generated by the movement of the magnet.

[0016] Preferably, the magnet and the magnetic sensing element are concentric with respect to the second pivot.

[0017] Preferably, the sensing module includes a sensor switch disposed on the bracket, and the sensor switch is triggered when the lever is in an external position.

[0018] Preferably, the first pivot and the second pivot are orthogonal to each other on the vehicle frame.

[0019] Preferably, the pivot assembly includes a damper, the damper including a first damper connected to the lever and the pivot support, the first damper providing a damping force for movement of the lever between the front position and the rear position.

[0020] Preferably, the first damper and the orthographic projection of the first pivot on the vehicle frame at least partially overlap.

[0021] Preferably, the damper further includes a second damper that provides a damping force for the lever to move between the external position and the internal position.

[0022] Preferably, the second damper is a butterfly spring, which is pre-tensioned between the pivot bracket and the fixed bracket.

[0023] Preferably, the operating mechanism further includes a reset mechanism that provides a restoring force to return the lever to the center position.

[0024] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects.

[0025] 1. The present invention provides a riding lawnmower, which reduces the width of the operating mechanism by setting the first pivot along the longitudinal direction of the frame, thereby reducing the overall width of the riding lawnmower. The outer dimensions of the riding lawnmower can be designed to be smaller to improve the ability of the riding lawnmower to move between trees; the lever rotates along the second pivot in the front and rear positions, and the second pivot is only subjected to the weight of the lever, resulting in less friction and making the second pivot less prone to damage.

[0026] 2. Using magnets and magnetic sensing elements to obtain the operator's desired travel direction can effectively reduce the overall size of the operating mechanism; moreover, magnets and magnetic sensing elements are generally not easily affected by environmental factors (such as temperature, humidity, etc.), and have high reliability; at the same time, magnets and magnetic sensing elements are inexpensive and have a long service life, which can reduce the production and subsequent maintenance costs of ride-on lawnmowers.

[0027] 3. By setting the magnet and the magnetic sensing element concentrically, the magnetic field changes caused by the movement of the magnet can be captured more accurately by the magnetic sensing element, thereby enabling the control module to control the operation of the walking mechanism more precisely.

[0028] 4. Typically, an induction switch is used to automatically sense the lever and open it to the external position, allowing the operator to easily put the ride-on lawnmower into standby mode. Induction switches are also inexpensive and have a long service life, which can reduce the production and maintenance costs of ride-on lawnmowers.

[0029] 5. The first pivot and the second pivot are orthogonal on the frame to avoid interference with the first pivot when the lever moves, so that the outer width of the operating mechanism can be designed to be more compact.

[0030] 6. The first damper connects the lever and the pivot bracket. When the lever rotates back and forth along the second pivot, the first damper provides elastic support. The operator does not need to worry that the position of the lever will change arbitrarily during the operation and affect the driving status of the lawnmower.

[0031] 7. The first damper and the first pivot have at least partial overlap on the frame, so that the lever can be mounted close to the pivot bracket without having to make way for the first damper, thus not increasing the width of the operating mechanism.

[0032] 8. When the lawnmower is in operation, the lever has a lot of play in the left and right directions when the operating mechanism moves back and forth. By setting a second damper, the swaying of the lever in the left and right directions can be reduced. When the lawnmower switches between working and standby modes, the second damper can provide damping and buffering force during the movement of the lever, preventing the operator from accidentally letting go and causing the lever to fall and injure people.

[0033] 9. By setting a second damper, and pre-tightening the second damper between the pivot support and the fixed frame, the pivot support can remain stable relative to the fixed frame at various positions during rotation.

[0034] 10. By setting up a reset mechanism, the operator does not need to push the lever, but only needs to release the lever to automatically reset it, making the operation simpler and improving the operator's user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the operating mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the operating mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure label:

[0038] 100. Fixture;

[0039] 210, lever; 220, pivot support; 221, shaft hole; 230, first pivot; 240, second pivot; 250, first damper 250;

[0040] 301. Magnet; 302. Magnetic sensing element; 303. Inductive switch; 304. Magnet mounting plate;

[0041] 401. Reset rod; 402. Reset spring. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be explained and described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the following embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and not all of them. Other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments in the implementation methods without creative effort are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0043] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0044] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" or "a number" means two or more, unless otherwise expressly defined.

[0045] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0046] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 2 As shown in the figure, a rideable lawnmower proposed in this embodiment of the invention includes a frame, a walking mechanism, a power mechanism, a working mechanism, a control module, and an operating mechanism. The walking mechanism includes wheels mounted on both sides of the frame and a first motor that drives the wheels. The working mechanism includes blades for mowing and a second motor that drives the blades. The power mechanism drives the first and second motors. The control module controls the operation of the lawnmower. The frame connects and secures the above mechanisms. The operating mechanism is fixed in pairs to both sides of the frame and works in conjunction with the control module to control the movement of the wheels, thereby controlling the direction of travel of the lawnmower.

[0048] The operating mechanism includes a fixed frame 100, a pivot assembly, a sensing module, and a control module (not shown). The pivot assembly and the sensing module are mounted on the fixed frame 100, which is mounted on the vehicle frame. The pivot assembly includes a lever 210, a pivot bracket 220, a first pivot 230, and a second pivot 240. The first pivot 230 is longitudinally mounted on the fixed frame 100 along the vehicle frame. The pivot bracket 220 is rotatably connected to the fixed frame 100 via the first pivot 230. The lever 210 is rotatably connected to the pivot bracket 220 via the second pivot 240. The sensing module senses the position of the lever 210 and sends a corresponding position signal to the control module. The control module receives the corresponding signal and outputs a corresponding working or target state to the motor. The operator can push the lever 210 to rotate left and right along the first pivot 230 between an external position and an internal position. When the lever 210 is in the external position, the lawnmower is in standby mode; when the lever 210 is in the internal position, the lawnmower is in working mode. When lever 210 is closed inward and in the inner position, the operator can push lever 210 to rotate back and forth along the second pivot 240 between the front, middle, and rear positions. The sensing module converts the position of lever 210 into a signal and sends it to the control module to control the rotation speed and direction of the wheels on both sides. The operator can simultaneously push the levers 210 of both operating mechanisms to the front position to drive the wheels forward; or simultaneously push the levers 210 of both operating mechanisms to the rear position to drive the wheels backward; or push the levers 210 of both operating mechanisms to different positions to create a speed difference between the wheels on both sides to achieve turning of the lawnmower; the operator can also push the levers 210 of both operating mechanisms to the front and rear positions to drive the wheels on both sides forward and backward respectively to achieve zero-turning of the lawnmower.

[0049] In some other embodiments, the first pivot 230 is fixed to the pivot bracket 220, and the pivot bracket 220 and the fixed frame 100 are rotatably connected through the first pivot 230, which is arranged longitudinally along the frame.

[0050] In some other embodiments, the first pivot 230 is integrally disposed with the pivot bracket 220, the first pivot 230 is disposed longitudinally along the frame, the first pivot 230 is rotatably connected to the fixed frame 100, and the lever 210 is rotatably connected to the first pivot 230 through the second pivot 240.

[0051] The pivot length is usually greater than the pivot width or diameter. By setting the first pivot 230 longitudinally along the frame, the width of the operating mechanism can be reduced, thereby reducing the overall width of the lawnmower. The overall dimensions of the lawnmower can be designed to be smaller to improve the lawnmower's ability to move between trees. The lever 210 rotates in the front and rear positions along the second pivot 240. The second pivot 240 is only subject to the gravity of the lever 210, resulting in less friction and making the second pivot 240 less prone to damage.

[0052] To further reduce the force on the second pivot 240 during the rotation of the lever 210, the pivot bracket 220 is provided with a shaft hole 221. The second pivot 240 is mounted on the lever 210. The second pivot 240 is engaged with the shaft hole 221 through a bearing or bushing to reduce the friction when the second pivot 240 rotates and to distribute the weight of the lever 210 more evenly on the second pivot 240 in the circumferential direction, making the second pivot 240 more durable.

[0053] In some other embodiments, the second pivot 240 may also be disposed on the pivot support 220, and the shaft hole 221 may also be disposed on the lever 210.

[0054] In this preferred embodiment, the sensing module includes a magnet 301 and a magnetic sensing element 302. The magnet 301 is fixed on a magnet mounting plate 304, which is fixed on a lever 210. The magnetic sensing element 302 is fixed on a pivot bracket 220. The orthographic projections of the magnet 301 and the magnetic sensing element 302 on the frame fall within the pivot bracket 220, eliminating the need to increase the installation gap between the lever 210 and the pivot bracket 220. The lever 210 rotates back and forth along the first pivot 230 between the front, middle, and rear positions, causing the magnet 301 to move. The distance between the magnet 301 and the magnetic sensing element 302 changes, resulting in a change in the magnetic field strength at the position of the magnetic sensing element 302. The magnetic sensing element 302 senses the change in the magnetic field and sends a corresponding signal to the control module. The control module receives the corresponding signal, obtains the position of the lever 210 through matching or calculation, and sends signals of the target speed and rotation direction to the motor based on the position of the lever 210. Magnet 301 and magnetic sensing element 302 are compact in structure. Using magnet 301 and magnetic sensing element 302 to obtain the operator's desired travel direction can effectively reduce the overall size of the operating mechanism. In addition, magnet 301 and magnetic sensing element 302 are generally not easily affected by environmental factors (such as temperature and humidity), and have high reliability. At the same time, magnet 301 and magnetic sensing element 302 are inexpensive and have a long service life, which can reduce the production and subsequent maintenance costs of lawnmowers.

[0055] To ensure greater accuracy of the output from the magnetic sensing element 302, the magnet 301 and the magnetic sensing element 302 are concentric with respect to the second pivot 240. Their positions lie on a concentric circle centered at a point on the second pivot 240, and the trajectory of the magnet 301 also falls within this concentric circle. Furthermore, when the lever 210 is in its central position, the distance between the magnet 301 and the magnetic sensing element 302 is less than 1 cm; even further, the distance between the magnet 301 and the center of the second pivot 240 is less than 1 cm. By concentrically positioning the magnet 301 and the magnetic sensing element 302, the magnetic field changes caused by the movement of the magnet 301 can be more accurately captured by the magnetic sensing element 302, thereby enabling the control module to more precisely control the operation of the walking mechanism.

[0056] In this embodiment, the magnetic sensing element 302 can be a Hall element or a combination of a coil and several reed switches or magnetoresistive elements. The coil can sense the magnetic field strength, and the several reed switches or magnetoresistive elements can determine the orientation of the magnet 301. The combination of the two sends a signal to the control module so that the control module can determine the position of the lever through signal matching or calculation.

[0057] In this preferred embodiment, the sensing module includes a sensing switch 303. When the lever 210 is opened outward and in the external position, the lever 210 drives the pivot bracket 220 to rotate at a certain angle. The pivot bracket 220 contacts the sensing switch 303 and triggers it. The sensing switch 303 sends a sensing signal to the control module, and the lawnmower is in standby mode.

[0058] In some other embodiments, lever 210 may trigger inductive switch 303.

[0059] The inductive switch 303 can be a contact switch, activated or deactivated by contact or separation; it can also be a reed switch, activated or deactivated by lever 210 moving magnet 301 closer or further away; it can also be a distance sensor, activated by lever 210 opening outwards or closing inwards to a corresponding position, sending a corresponding signal to the control module; or it can be a photoelectric sensor, activated by lever 210 opening outwards or closing inwards to a corresponding position, sending a corresponding signal to the control module. Using the inductive switch 303 automatically senses when lever 210 opens outwards to an external position, allowing operators to easily put the lawnmower into standby mode. Furthermore, the inductive switch 303 is inexpensive and has a long service life, reducing the production and maintenance costs of the lawnmower.

[0060] like Figures 1 to 2As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, a lawnmower is provided. To further reduce the outer width of the operating mechanism, the first pivot 230 and the second pivot 240 are orthogonal in their projections on the frame. The lever 210 rotates back and forth along the second pivot 240 between the front position, the middle position, and the rear position. The rotation path of the lever 210 is parallel to the first pivot 230. In addition to maintaining the necessary clearance between the lever 210 and the first pivot 230, no further clearance is needed to avoid interference between the lever 210 and the first pivot 230 during movement. As a result, the outer width of the operating mechanism can be designed to be more compact.

[0061] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, a lawnmower is provided. To prevent the lever 210 from wobbling during movement, the pivot assembly includes a damper. The damper includes a first damper 250, which connects the lever 210 and the pivot support 220. The first damper 250 provides a damping force for the lever 210 to move between a front position and a rear position.

[0062] Specifically, the first damper 250 is a hydraulic or air damper. The pivot bracket 220 is provided with a first mounting part, and the lever 210 is provided with a second mounting part. The two ends of the first damper 250 are fixedly connected to the first mounting part and the second mounting part, respectively. The lever 210 and the pivot bracket 220 are connected through the first damper 250. When the lever 210 rotates back and forth along the second pivot 240, the first damper 250 provides elastic support. The operator does not need to worry that the position of the lever 210 will change arbitrarily during the operation and affect the driving status of the lawnmower.

[0063] In this preferred embodiment, the first damper 250 and the first pivot 230 are arranged vertically, and their orthographic projections on the frame at least partially overlap. This prevents the first damper 250 from extending too far beyond the vertical plane of the first pivot 230 and interfering with the lever 210, thereby increasing the width of the operating mechanism. More preferably, the orthographic projections of the first damper 250 and the first pivot 230 on the transverse side of the frame do not exceed the orthographic projection range of the first pivot 230 on the side closest to the lever 210, or the orthographic projections of the first damper 250 and the lever 210 on the frame do not overlap. The lever 210 can be installed close to the pivot bracket 220 while maintaining the necessary clearance without having to make way for the first damper 250, thus ensuring that the first damper 250 does not affect the width of the operating mechanism.

[0064] In some other embodiments, the damper further includes a second damper (not shown) that provides damping force for the movement of lever 210 between its external and internal positions. When the lawnmower is in operation, lever 210 has a lateral play when the operating mechanism moves back and forth. By providing the second damper, the damping and buffering force of lever 210 during lateral movement is increased, thereby reducing the lateral sway of lever 210. In addition, when the lawnmower switches between operating and standby states, the second damper can also provide damping and buffering force for lever 210 during its inward and outward movements, preventing the lever 210 from falling and injuring people if the operator accidentally lets go.

[0065] In this preferred embodiment, the second damper is pre-tensioned between the pivot support 220 and the fixed frame 100. This pre-tensioning buffers the force, ensuring the pivot support 220 remains stable relative to the fixed frame 100 at various positions during rotation. In this preferred embodiment, the second damper is a disc spring, which is inexpensive, has a simple and compact structure, high reliability, high load capacity, and precise mechanical properties. The disc spring is pre-tensioned between the pivot support 220 and the fixed frame 100. One or more disc springs can be used depending on the required pre-tension and buffering force. The pre-tensioning of the disc spring creates a constant buffering force, further stabilizing the pivot support 220 relative to the fixed frame 100 at various positions during rotation. Using a disc spring provides more stable buffering and support when the lever 210 rotates left and right, without affecting the overall dimensions of the operating mechanism, and reduces the production and maintenance costs of the operating mechanism.

[0066] Understandably, the second damper can be a hydraulic or pneumatic damper, a spring, a friction damper, etc.

[0067] like Figures 1 to 2 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, a lawnmower includes a reset mechanism in its operating mechanism. The reset mechanism provides a reset force to return lever 210 to its central position. Specifically, the reset mechanism includes a reset rod 401 and a reset spring 402. The reset rod 401 is parallel to the first pivot 230. One end of the reset rod 401 is movably mounted on lever 210, and the other end abuts against the inner wall of the fixing frame 100. The reset spring 402 is sleeved on the reset rod 401. When the operator pushes lever 210 backward, lever 210 compresses reset spring 402. When the operator releases lever 210, reset spring 402 pushes lever 210 back to its central position. By providing the reset mechanism, when lever 210 is in the rear position, the operator does not need to push lever 210; simply releasing lever 210 automatically resets it, simplifying operation and improving the user experience.

[0068] In some other embodiments, one end of the reset rod 401 is movably mounted on the lever 210, and the other end abuts against the inner wall of the fixing frame 100 to provide a reset force for the lever 210 to return to the middle position when the lever 210 is in the front position.

[0069] In some other embodiments, the reset mechanism has two sets of reset rods 401 and reset springs 402. The two sets of reset rods 401 abut against the inner wall of the fixed frame 100 in the forward and backward directions, respectively, to provide a reset force for the lever 210 to return to the middle position in the front and rear positions.

[0070] Understandably, when operating a lawnmower, the lawnmower travels forward for most of the working time. To avoid excessive reset force when the lever 210 is in the front position, which would require the operator to push the lever 210 for a long time to prevent it from resetting and thus cause excessive fatigue to the operator, the reset spring 402 on the front reset lever 210 has a small elastic force, or the elastic force only offsets part of the buffer and support force provided by the first damper 250 to make the operation easier for the operator.

[0071] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention includes, but is not limited to, the contents described in the accompanying drawings and the specific embodiments above. Any modifications that do not depart from the functional and structural principles of the present invention will be included within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A ride-on lawnmower, comprising: Frame; The walking mechanism includes wheels mounted on both sides of the frame and motors that drive the wheels; The power unit provides the power required by the motor; Operating mechanism for controlling the walking wheels; Its features are, The operating mechanism includes: A mounting bracket is provided on the vehicle frame; A pivot assembly includes a lever, a pivot bracket, a first pivot, and a second pivot. The pivot bracket is rotatably connected to the fixed frame via the first pivot. The lever is rotatably connected to the pivot bracket via the second pivot. The lever can drive the pivot bracket to rotate left and right around the first pivot between an outer position and an inner position. The lever can also rotate back and forth around the second pivot between a front position, a middle position, and a rear position. The sensing module senses the position of the lever and outputs a position signal; The first pivot and the second pivot are orthogonal to each other on the frame. The pivot assembly includes a damper, the damper including a first damper that connects the lever and the pivot bracket. The first damper provides damping force for the lever to move between the front position and the rear position. The first damper and the orthogonal projection of the first pivot on the frame at least partially overlap.

2. The riding lawnmower as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sensing module includes a magnet and a magnetic sensing element. The magnet is fixed on the lever, and the magnetic sensing element is fixed on the pivot support. The back-and-forth movement of the lever can cause the magnet to move closer to or away from the magnetic sensing element. The magnetic sensing element senses the change in the magnetic field generated by the movement of the magnet.

3. A riding lawnmower as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The magnet and the magnetic sensing element are concentric with respect to the second pivot.

4. A ride-on lawnmower as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sensing module includes a sensor switch mounted on the bracket, which is triggered when the lever is in an external position.

5. A riding lawnmower as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The damper further includes a second damper that provides a damping force for the lever to move between the external position and the internal position.

6. A riding lawnmower as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The second damper is pre-tightened between the pivot bracket and the fixed frame.

7. A ride-on lawnmower as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The operating mechanism also includes a reset mechanism that provides a restoring force to return the lever to the center position.