Self-propelled lawn care equipment carrier vehicle

Abstract

Self-propelled lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10) for a lawn care device (30) connectable to the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10) for lawn care, wherein the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10) can be operated in a working mode or in a transport mode and includes an operator platform (20) designed for an operator (B), which can be moved into an operator platform working position due to the change from the transport mode to the working mode and into an operator platform transport position due to the change from the working mode to the transport mode, characterized by a control device (40) which is designed to control the movement of the operator platform (20) when changing and / or in response to the change from one operating mode to the other operating mode.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a self-propelled lawn care equipment carrier vehicle and an operating method therefor.

[0002] Self-propelled deep aerators are currently limited to shallow to medium working depths (max. 100 mm). Furthermore, these devices are limited to hand-held operation (walk-behind) and do not offer a driver's platform. Such a walk-behind aerator is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 7,096,969 B2.

[0003] The tillage units are directly connected to the drive and transport system, so they cannot be used universally (different tillage units on the same carrier vehicle). Thanks to the adapted drive control and application-specific chassis design, the tillage unit can be controlled via automatic functions and is highly maneuverable. A corresponding vehicle is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 6,354,388 B1.

[0004] However, due to the design, the soil tillage units are located far away from the operator, so that the operator can only have limited control over the quality of work directly.

[0005] Deep aerators for medium to deep tillage depths (> 150 mm) and working widths > 1 m are currently mounted on the rear of conventional universal wheeled tractors using the standardized 3-point linkage, and are adapted to this in terms of drive and attachment points. The tillage unit is operated manually via the tractor controls (cardan shaft, hydraulic lift) and does not allow for any automatic functions. Due to the universal tractor design, higher ground pressures and larger turning circles result than with self-propelled deep aerators with the same working width.

[0006] It should therefore be noted that conventional wheeled tractors are distinguished from the carrier vehicles in question here due to their weight and dimensions. Carrier vehicles are generally significantly lighter than wheeled tractors and should not exceed a maximum weight (without driver and attachments) of 500 kg. Furthermore, unlike wheeled tractors, carrier vehicles generally do not have a driver's cab.

[0007] DE 10 2007 042 599 A1 discloses an example of a carrier vehicle that is unsuitable for lawn care due to its weight. The driver's cab of the carrier vehicle can be moved freely by the driver.

[0008] US Patent No. 4,897,987 A discloses a self-propelled multi-purpose vehicle for agriculture. The driver's cab of the multi-purpose vehicle can be freely moved by the driver.

[0009] Especially for lawn care on golf courses, self-propelled deep aerators are required that offer higher transport speeds and greater tillage depths than conventional self-propelled machines. At the same time, the new development should be able to implement automated functions.

[0010] It can therefore be considered the object underlying the invention to improve lawn care equipment carrier vehicles, in particular to enable a wider range of applications, improved control of the work result and improved safety during transport.

[0011] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Preferred developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0012] The invention provides a self-propelled lawn care device carrier vehicle for a lawn care device that can be connected to the lawn care device carrier vehicle for lawn care. The lawn care device carrier vehicle is operable in a work mode or in a transport mode and comprises an operator's station that is movable, in particular automatically, into an operator's station working position upon switching from the transport mode to the work mode and into an operator's station transport position upon switching from the work mode to the transport mode. The lawn care device carrier vehicle comprises a control device that is configured to control the movement of the operator's station during the changeover and / or in response to the changeover from one operating mode to the other operating mode.

[0013] It is preferred that the operator station is movable into an operator station working position in response to a change from the transport mode to the working mode.

[0014] It is preferred that the operator station is movable into an operator station transport position in response to a change from the working mode to the transport mode

[0015] It is preferred that the center of gravity of the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle can be moved predominantly in the vertical direction due to the movement of the operator's station.

[0016] It is preferred that when changing and / or in response to changing from the transport mode to the work mode, the operator stand is liftable into the operator stand working position.

[0017] It is preferred that when changing and / or in response to changing from the working mode to the transport mode, the operator station is lowerable into an operator station transport position.

[0018] It is preferred that the operator station is movable predominantly in the vertical direction between the operator station working position and the operator station transport position.

[0019] It is preferred that the control device is designed to raise the operator's platform due to the change and / or in response to the change to the working mode or to lower it due to the change and / or in response to the change to the transport mode.

[0020] Preferably, the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle comprises an operator station actuator which can be controlled by means of the control device to move, in particular to raise and lower, the operator station between the operator station positions.

[0021] Preferably, the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle comprises a steering device for controlling the direction of movement of the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle, wherein the steering device preferably comprises a steering wheel as an input element.

[0022] The lawn care equipment carrier vehicle preferably comprises a right-hand drive actuator and a left-hand drive actuator. It is preferred that the steering device be configured to control the drive actuators at a differential speed depending on the steering angle in order to control the direction of movement of the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle.

[0023] It is preferred that the track width of the front and rear wheels is smaller than the working width of the lawn care equipment to be connected to the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle.

[0024] Preferably, the lawn care device carrier vehicle comprises a connection device to which the lawn care device can be detachably connected.

[0025] It is preferred that the connecting device is designed to raise and lower the lawn care device.

[0026] It is preferred that in the working mode the operator station is in the operator station working position and the connecting device is in the lowered state.

[0027] It is preferred that in transport mode the operator station is in the operator station transport position and the connecting device is in the raised state.

[0028] It is preferred that due to the change and / or in response to the change from transport mode to working mode, the connecting device is movable into a lowered state.

[0029] It is preferred that due to the change and / or in response to the change from the working mode to the transport mode, the connecting device is movable into a raised state.

[0030] It is preferred that the lawn care device is selected from a group that includes grass vacuums, artificial turf care devices, leaf vacuums, leaf blowers, mowers, mower decks, lawn sweepers, seed drills, deep aerators and scarifiers.

[0031] It is preferred that the lawn care device, in particular the deep aerator, has an effective depth of 10 cm to 30 cm, preferably 15 cm to 30 cm.

[0032] It is preferred that the lawn care device, in particular the deep aerator, has a working width of 1 m to 2 m, preferably of 1.2 m to 1.6 m.

[0033] It is preferred that the operator stand working position is vertically higher than the operator stand transport position.

[0034] The invention further provides an operating method for operating a lawn care device carrier vehicle for a lawn care device for maintaining lawns, in particular for a preferred lawn care device, by, in particular automatically, moving an operator's stand of the lawn care device carrier vehicle into an operator's stand working position due to the change and / or in response to the change from a transport mode to a work mode and, in particular automatically, moving the operator's stand into an operator's stand transport position due to the change and / or in response to the change from the work mode to the transport mode.

[0035] The requirements can be met by combining a drive and transport unit with an integrated driver's cab and, preferably, a zero-turn steering system familiar from mowing tractors.

[0036] A carrier vehicle specially designed for use in lawn care work on the golf course is proposed, with its own power source and a height-adjustable driver's cab, with the driver's cab having the following operating status-dependent positions: ◯ Transport: Lowering the operator position with the attachment raised; or ◯ Work: Raising the operator's position with the attachment lowered.

[0037] This allows the operator to have good control of the implement during lawn care work, thus ensuring a higher quality finish. By lowering the operator's position at transport speed, the vehicle's low center of gravity allows for safer travel over undulating terrain.

[0038] The carrier vehicle can be characterized by the following additional features: • Steering control via a steering wheel; • speed-dependent ratio between the steering angle of the steering wheel at the driver’s cab and the differential speed of the drive units on the drive axles; or • Track widths of front and rear axle wheels within the working width of the processing unit.

[0039] In one version, the vehicle features a driver's platform that is height-adjustable via hydraulic cylinders. The control system of the hydraulic cylinder or the controlling valve can be linked to the vehicle's electronics, which can also control the valves of the hydraulic supply of the drive system.

[0040] By selecting the operating modes (e.g. via a switch) by the operator, the vehicle electronics can activate the control valve of the hydraulic cylinder of the driver's cab and change the ratio of the control signal of the valves of the travel drive motors to the sensor signal of the steering wheel angle.

[0041] In a further version, the adjustment drive of the driver's cab and / or the travel drive motors are operated electrically.

[0042] Examples of embodiments are explained in more detail below using the attached drawings. They show: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a lawn care equipment carrier vehicle in plan view; Fig. 2 the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle Fig. 1 in transport mode; Fig. 3 the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle Fig. 1 in working mode; and Fig. 4 a schematic view of the control system of the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle.

[0043] It will be Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, which show a self-propelled lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10. The lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10 includes a vehicle frame 12. The vehicle frame 12 provides a mounting structure for the individual components of the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10.

[0044] The lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10 includes a drive system 14 that provides drive power for moving the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10 and for driving an attachment. The drive system 14 can be electric or internal combustion.

[0045] The lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10 has a non-driven pair of front axle wheels 16 in its front region. The front axle wheels 16 are preferably supported on the vehicle frame 12. Each front axle wheel 16 is preferably mounted for horizontal rotation.

[0046] The lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10 further includes a pair of rear axle wheels 18 driven by the drive device 14. Each rear axle wheel 18 can be driven individually and independently of the other rear axle wheel 18. For this purpose, each rear axle wheel 18 has its own drive actuator 19.

[0047] The lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10 also includes an operator's station 20 for an operator B. The operator's station 20 is designed, for example, as a seat. In this example, the operator's station 20 is arranged behind the front axle wheels 16, as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10. Furthermore, in this example, the operator's station 20 is arranged, as viewed in the longitudinal direction, such that the operator's station 20 is located vertically above the rear axle wheels 18. The operator's station 20 includes at least one operator's station actuator 22 for adjusting the height of the operator's station 20, or for raising or lowering it.

[0048] Furthermore, the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10 includes a steering device 24, which is arranged such that the steering device 24 can be actuated from the operator's station 20. The steering device 24 preferably includes a steering wheel 26. The steering device 24 may also include other operating devices.

[0049] In addition, the lawn care device carrier vehicle 10 includes a connection device 28 to which a lawn care device 30 can be connected. The connection device 28 has at least one connection device actuator 32 with which the connection device 28 and thus the lawn care device 30 can be raised or lowered.

[0050] In this example, the lawn care device 30 is a deep aerator 34, but in principle, it can also be any other type of lawn care device. The lawn care device 30 is connected to the connection device 28.

[0051] The following is based on Fig. 4, the interconnection of the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10 is explained in more detail. The lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10 has a power distribution system 36 for distributing the drive force provided by the drive device 14 to the traction drive actuators 19, the operator station actuator 22, the connection device actuator 32, and / or the lawn care equipment 30.

[0052] The power distribution system 36 can, for example, be a hydraulic system 38. In this case, the actuators 19, 22, 32 are preferably designed as hydraulic cylinders or hydraulic motors.

[0053] An electrical system is also conceivable. In the case of an electrical system, the actuators 19, 22, 32 are designed as electrical actuators, for example, electric motors.

[0054] A power take-off shaft, a hydraulic connection or an electrical connection can be provided to drive the lawn care device 30, depending on the drive type of the lawn care device 30.

[0055] Regardless of the design of the power distribution system 36, the distribution of the drive force in the power distribution system 36 is controlled by a control device 40.

[0056] Apart from the usual control processes, the following will focus in particular on the steering process and the special operating process.

[0057] The lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10 is initially in transport mode, as shown in Fig. 4. In transport mode, the connection device 28 and consequently also the lawn care device 30 are in the raised position. The operator station 20 is in the lowered position, which is also referred to as the operator station transport position and in Fig. 2 is shown.

[0058] In transport mode, the center of gravity S of the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10 is thus lower than in the work mode described below. Therefore, the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10 rests better on the ground when the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10 is moved over undulating terrain. The lower center of gravity S better prevents rocking due to the terrain and therefore reduces the risk of tipping sideways. In addition, when traveling at an angle perpendicular to an inclined plane or slope, smaller torques act around the longitudinal axis of the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10, so that slipping of the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10 or tipping due to an inclined position can be better prevented. Thus, the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10 can be used more safely even when traveling faster in transport mode.

[0059] When cornering, operator B turns the steering wheel 26 in the desired direction. An angle sensor 42 records the current steering angle of the steering wheel 26 and transmits it to the control device 40. The control device 40 uses the steering angle to determine a differential speed for the rear axle wheels 18 in a manner known per se. If operator B turns to the right, for example, the speed of the right-hand drive actuator 19a is reduced and the speed of the left-hand drive actuator 19b is increased. This causes the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle 10 to turn right, with the front axle wheels 16 following the movement. When turning left, the steering is reversed accordingly. In this way, the turning circle can be reduced. In extreme cases, this type of steering allows turning on the spot.

[0060] In order to carry out lawn care, the operator B changes, for example by operating a switch 44. In response to the change of the operating mode from the transport mode to the work mode, the control device 40 controls at least the operator station actuator 22 such that the operator station 20 is raised to an operator station working position which is in Fig.3. It can also be provided that during the change and / or in response to the change of operating mode, the connection device actuator 32 is controlled such that the connection device 28 and consequently the lawn care device 30 are transferred to the lowered state. This can occur essentially simultaneously with the movement of the operator station 20 or sequentially. In order to keep the center of gravity S as low as possible during the change and thus achieve greater stability during the change, the lowering of the connection device 28 can preferably be started or completed before the raising of the operator station B.

[0061] In work mode, the connection device 28 and consequently also the lawn care device are in the lowered state. The operator's station 20 is in the operator's station working position. Thus, the eyes of operator B are also in an elevated position. Overall, operator B can therefore survey a larger ground area in work mode than in transport mode. In particular, operator B is able to view ground areas BB previously obscured by the lawn care device carrier vehicle 10 and / or the lawn care device 30. Therefore, operator B can more easily assess the quality of the work result and, if necessary, make corrections to the lawn care device 30. Operator B does not need to dismount from the lawn care device carrier vehicle 10.

[0062] The measures presented here can be used to improve lawn care equipment carrier vehicles. In particular, safety during transport can be increased, while simultaneously enabling better control of the work results during work operations. Furthermore, maneuverability can be increased by driving the drive wheels at different speeds. In extreme cases, turning on the spot may be possible. List of reference symbols: 10 self-propelled lawn care equipment carrier vehicles 12 vehicle frames 14 Drive device 16 front axle wheel 18 Rear axle wheel 19 Drive actuator 19a right drive actuator 19b left drive actuator 20 operator station 22 Operator station actuator 24 Steering device 26 Steering wheel 28 Connection device 30 lawn care equipment 32 connection device actuator 34 deep fans 36 Power distribution system 38 Hydraulic system 40 Control device 42 angle sensor 44 switches B Operator BB previously hidden floor areas S focus

Claims

[1] Self-propelled lawn care device carrier vehicle (10) for a lawn care device (30) connectable to the lawn care device carrier vehicle (10) for lawn care, wherein the lawn care device carrier vehicle (10) is operable in a work mode or in a transport mode and comprises an operator station (20) designed for an operator (B), which is movable into an operator station work position due to the change from the transport mode to the work mode and into an operator station transport position due to the change from the work mode to the transport mode, characterized by a control device (40) which is designed to control the movement of the operator station (20) when changing and / or in response to the change from one operating mode to the other operating mode. [2] Lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat due to the movement of the operator's station (20) the center of gravity (S) of the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10) can be moved predominantly in the vertical direction. [3] Lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when changing and / or in response to changing from the transport mode to the work mode, the operator station (20) can be raised into the operator station work position and / or that when changing and / or in response to changing from the work mode to the transport mode, the operator station can be lowered into an operator station transport position. [4] Lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the operator station (20) is movable predominantly in the vertical direction between the operator station working position and the operator station transport position. [5] Lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the control device (40) is designed to raise the operator's station (20) due to the change and / or in response to the change to the working mode or to lower it due to the change and / or in response to the change to the transport mode. [6] Lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an operator station actuator (22) which can be controlled by means of the control device (40) to move, in particular raise and lower, the operator station (20) between the operator station positions. [7] Lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a steering device (24) for controlling the direction of movement of the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10), wherein the steering device (24) comprises a steering wheel (26). [8] Lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bya right-hand drive actuator (19a) and a left-hand drive actuator (19b), wherein the steering device (24) is designed to control the drive actuators (19) at a differential speed depending on a steering angle of the steering wheel (26) in order to control the direction of movement of the lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10). [9] Lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the track width of the front wheels (16) and rear wheels (18) is smaller than the working width of the lawn care device (30) to be connected to the lawn care device carrier vehicle (10). [10] Lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by and a connecting device (28) to which the lawn care device (30) can be detachably connected. [11] Lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10) according to claim 10, characterized bythat the connecting device (28) is designed to raise and lower the lawn care device (30). [12] Lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10) according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized by that due to the change and / or in response to the change from transport mode to work mode, the connection device (28) is movable into a lowered state and / or that due to the change and / or in response to the change from work mode to transport mode, the connection device (28) is movable into a raised state. [13] Lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the lawn care device (30) is selected from a group containing grass vacuums, artificial turf care devices, leaf vacuums, leaf blowers, mowers, mowing decks, lawn sweepers, seed drills, deep aerators (34) and scarifiers. [14] Lawn care equipment carrier vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the lawn care device (30), in particular the deep aerator (34), has an effective depth of 10 cm to 30 cm, preferably from 15 cm to 30 cm and / or that the lawn care device (30), in particular the deep aerator (34), has a working width of 1 m to 2 m, preferably from 1.2 m to 1.6 m.

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