Lawn mower

Abstract

To provide a mower capable of performing mowing work on the top surface and slope face of a furrow by stably traveling on the furrow.SOLUTION: A mower, which is a mower for cutting grass while traveling on a furrow, includes a reaping part that has a cutting part and that is provided ahead of the traveling part, and a reaping part that has a cutting part and that is provided behind the traveling part. In a back view, the cutting part of the reaping part provided ahead of the traveling part and the cutting part of the reaping part provided behind the traveling part are provided side by side in a horizontal direction, and provided in a partially overlapping manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lawn mower. In particular, it relates to a self-propelled lawn mower.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to remove weeds and the like growing on the top surface or side surface of a ridge, a lawn mower has been used to periodically perform lawn mowing work on the ridge. Patent Document 1 discloses a self-propelled lawn mower that performs lawn mowing work on the top surface (top surface) and side surface while traveling on the ridge by remote control using wireless communication. The lawn mower described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a cutting blade portion having a horizontal cutting blade and an inclined cutting blade at the front portion of the machine body, and while traveling, weeds and the like growing on the top surface of the ridge are removed using the horizontal cutting blade, and weeds and the like growing on the side surface of the ridge can be removed using the inclined cutting blade.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Since the lawn mower described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a cutting blade portion at the front portion of the machine body, there is a problem that the weight of the machine body is applied to the front portion of the machine body, and the balance is easily lost. In addition, in order to reduce the interference between the horizontal cutting blade and the inclined cutting blade and secure the inclination adjustment range of the inclined cutting blade, a mechanism is required, so the configuration of the cutting blade portion becomes more complicated than the conventional configuration, and there is a risk that the weight of the cutting blade portion is more likely to be applied to the front portion of the machine body than before. As a result, the lawn mower of Patent Document 1 may easily lose its balance during lawn mowing travel.

[0005] An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a lawn mower that can travel stably on a ridge and perform lawn mowing work on the top surface and side surface of the ridge.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] A lawn mower according to an embodiment of the present invention is a lawn mower that mows grass while traveling on a ridge, and includes a cutting unit having a blade portion provided in front of a traveling unit, and a cutting unit having a blade portion provided behind the traveling unit.

[0007] In a rear view, the blade portion of the cutting unit provided in the front and the blade portion of the cutting unit provided in the rear may be provided so as to be aligned in the left - right direction and partially overlap.

[0008] In a rear view, the blade portion of the cutting unit provided in the front and the blade portion of the cutting unit provided in the rear are provided so as to be aligned in the left - right direction. When the blade portion of the cutting unit provided in the front and the blade portion of the cutting unit provided in the rear are combined, they have at least three blade portions. In the two blade portions located at both ends in the left - right direction among the at least three blade portions, the angles of the cutting surfaces, which are the surfaces including the trajectories of the blade portions for mowing grass, with respect to the horizontal plane may be independently adjustable.

[0009] Among the at least three blade portions, the remaining blade portions excluding the two blade portions located at both ends in the left - right direction are provided between the two blade portions located at both ends in the left - right direction, and the two blade portions located at both ends in the left - right direction and the remaining blade portions may have a control unit that can be independently driven.

[0010] The blade portions of the cutting unit provided in the rear are the two blade portions located at both ends in the left - right direction, and the blade portions of the cutting unit provided in the front may be the remaining blade portions excluding the two blade portions located at both ends in the left - right direction among the at least three blade portions.

[0011] It includes a blade part of a cutting part provided in the front, a battery and an engine serving as a power source for driving the blade part of the cutting part provided in the rear. The battery may transmit power to the blade part of either the cutting part provided in the front or the cutting part provided in the rear, and the engine may transmit power to the other blade part.

[0012] It includes a blade part of a cutting part provided in the front, a battery and an engine serving as a power source for driving the blade part of the cutting part provided in the rear. In a rear view, the cutting part provided in the front and the cutting part provided in the rear are provided side by side in the left - right direction. When the cutting part provided in the front and the cutting part provided in the rear are combined, there are at least three blade parts. For the two blade parts located at both ends in the left - right direction among the at least three blade parts, the angles of the cutting surfaces, which are the surfaces including the trajectories of the blade parts cutting grass, with respect to the horizontal plane are independently adjustable. The two blade parts located at both ends in the left - right direction are blade parts of either the cutting part provided in the front or the cutting part provided in the rear. Among the at least three blade parts, the remaining blade parts except the two blade parts located at both ends in the left - right direction are provided between the two blade parts located at both ends in the left - right direction and are blade parts of the other cutting part of either the cutting part provided in the front or the cutting part provided in the rear. The battery may supply power to the blade parts located at both ends in the left - right direction, and the engine may supply power to the remaining blade parts.

[0013] The two blade parts located at both ends in the left - right direction are blade parts of the cutting part provided in the rear, the remaining blade parts are the cutting part provided in the front, and the battery may be provided behind the position where the engine is provided with respect to the traveling direction of the traveling part.

[0014] It includes a machine body connected to the traveling part, a connecting member supporting the cutting part, a connecting part connecting the connecting member to the machine body and supporting the connecting member to be rotatable in the vertical direction, and a lower limit restricting part restricting the lower limit rotation position of the connecting member with respect to the machine body.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a lawn mower that can stably travel on a ridge and perform mowing operations on the top surface and side surfaces of the ridge.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, the lawn mower of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the lawn mower of the present invention can be implemented in many different modes and is not construed as being limited to the description of the examples shown below. In the drawings referred to in this embodiment, the same parts or parts having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals or the same reference numerals followed by alphabets, and the repeated description thereof is omitted. Further, when the same or similar members are provided at the left and right positions with respect to the traveling direction, L (left member) or R (right member) is attached after the reference numeral of the member. When the left and right members are not particularly distinguished, L and R may be omitted in the description.

[0018] In the specification and claims of the present application, "up" refers to the direction away from the ridge vertically in the state where the lawn mower advances while performing lawn mowing work on the ridge, and "down" refers to the direction opposite to "up". For the convenience of explanation, "front" refers to the direction in which the top field mowing part is located with respect to the traveling part, and "rear" refers to the direction opposite to "front". Further, "left" or "right" refers to the "left" or "right" with respect to the "rear" of the lawn mower.

[0019] In the specification and claims of the present application, the length in the left-right direction of each component part of the lawn mower is called "width". Further, when based on the center line of the lawn mower in plan view (a line parallel to the traveling direction and passing through the center of the lawn mower), relatively, the side closer to the center line is called "inside", and the side farther from the center line is called "outside".

[0020] <First Embodiment> [Configuration of Lawn Mower 100] The lawn mower 100 of the present embodiment is a self-propelled lawn mower that performs lawn mowing work on the ridge while traveling. Specifically, it is a lawn mower that is remotely controlled by a remote controller and travels on the ridge to perform lawn mowing work.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of the lawn mower 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the configuration of the lawn mower 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the power flow of the lawn mower 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the configuration of the lawn mower 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the configuration of the lawn mower 100 of the present embodiment. In the lawn mower 100 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the state of the side surface mowing part 80 is adjusted to a position parallel or substantially parallel to the horizontal plane 203 (see FIG. 4), and the length (width) in the left-right direction is adjusted to the maximum position. In the lawn mower 100 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the state of the side surface mowing part 80 is adjusted such that the angle α between the mowing surfaces 204L and 204R and the horizontal plane 203 is adjusted according to the inclination of the side surface 202 of the ridge 200.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the lawn mower 100 of the present embodiment includes a body 10, a traveling unit 20, a top field cutting unit 30 and a slope cutting unit 80, a cutting unit 120 having a slope cutting unit 80, a control unit 40, a link mechanism 50, an engine 60, an alternator 70, and a battery 41, and the driving of each unit is controlled by the control unit 40. Then, while self-propelling with the traveling unit 20, the lawn mower 100 can drive and control the top field cutting unit 30 and the slope cutting unit 80, so that the grass cutting work on the top surface 201 and the slope surface 202 of the ridge 200 can be performed in one pass.

[0023] The body 10 is a frame that forms the skeleton of the lawn mower 100. Further, the body 10 includes a support plate 15 that is fixed to the main body 14 of the body and extends forward. Mounting members 11L and 11R for attaching the top field cutting unit 30 are provided on the support plate 15. Further, a slope cutting unit mounting member 12 for attaching the slope cutting unit 80 is provided behind the main body 14 of the body. The body 10 can be configured using a metal material (for example, steel material, aluminum material), a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) material, etc., but is not limited to this example.

[0024] The traveling unit 20 has a pair of left and right crawlers 20L and 20R and functions as a traveling means of the lawn mower 100. In a rear view, the crawler 20L is a traveling means on the left side toward the traveling direction of the lawn mower 100, and the crawler 20R is a traveling means on the right side. Since the structure of the crawler 20R is the same as that of the crawler 20L, the description will focus on the crawler 20L here.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the crawler 20L includes a crawler belt 21L, a drive wheel 22L, a driven wheel 23L, a crawler frame 24L, and a drive unit 54L. The crawler belt 21L is stretched between the drive wheel 22L and the driven wheel 23L, and rotates according to the rotation of the drive wheel 22L. In the present embodiment, the crawler belt 21L is made of an elastic member (specifically, rubber) and has a plurality of lug portions (protrusions). The drive wheel 22L rotates by the power transmitted from the drive unit 54L (FIG. 3). In the present embodiment, a motor is used as the drive unit 54L, and the drive unit 54L is driven by the electric power supplied from the alternator 70 and the battery 41. The power generated by the rotation of the drive wheel 22L is transmitted to the driven wheel 23L via the crawler belt 21L. The crawler frame 24L rotatably supports the drive wheel 22L and the driven wheel 23L, respectively.

[0026] The mowing unit 120 has a top field mowing unit 30 provided in front of the traveling unit 20 and a slope mowing unit 80 provided behind the traveling unit 20. The slope mowing unit 80 has a pair of left and right slope mowing units 80L and 80R. Although details will be described later, the top field mowing unit 30 is provided in the direction in which the machine body 10 travels (forward), and functions as a mowing means for performing a mowing operation (weed mowing operation) of mowing weeds and the like growing on the ridge. Further, the top field mowing unit 30 is provided between the left slope mowing unit 80L and the right slope mowing unit 80R in the left-right direction.

[0027] The control unit 40 is provided above the machine body 10 and has a function of controlling the traveling unit 20, the mowing unit 120, and the battery 41. The control unit 40 has, for example, an electronic circuit board including an arithmetic unit, a memory, and a communication circuit. A control program for variously controlling each part of the mower 100 is stored in the control unit 40 (memory). The arithmetic unit reads the control program from the memory, and the control unit 40 is a central part that controls the traveling unit 20, the top field mowing unit 30, and the slope mowing unit 80 based on the control program.

[0028] The link mechanisms 50L and 50R connect the body 10 and the traveling unit 20 and have the function of relatively changing the positional relationship between the body 10 and the traveling unit 20. The link mechanism 50L is the link mechanism on the left side facing the traveling direction of the mower 100 and is connected to the crawler 20L. The link mechanism 50R is the link mechanism on the right side and is connected to the crawler 20R.

[0029] The link mechanism 50L includes a link arm 51L, a link arm 52L, and an electric cylinder 53L. The link mechanism 50R includes a link arm 51R, a link arm 52R, and an electric cylinder 53R. Since the structure of the link mechanism 50R is the same as that of the link mechanism 50L, the link mechanism 50L will be described here with attention focused on it.

[0030] In the link mechanism 50L, one end of the link arm 51L is rotatably connected to the crawler frame 24L, and the other end is rotatably connected to the electric cylinder 53L. Further, the link arm 51L has a bent portion, and is rotatably connected to the body 10 at the bent portion. One end of the link arm 52L is connected to the crawler frame 24L, and the other end is connected to the body 10. Thereby, a parallel link is constituted by the link arm 51L, the link arm 52L, the crawler frame 24L, and the body 10. By expanding and contracting the electric cylinder 53L according to the unevenness of the ground to operate the parallel link, the vertical positional relationship between the body 10 and the traveling unit 20 is changed, and the body 10 is configured to be able to travel while being kept horizontal.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, the engine 60 is provided above the body 10 and functions as a power source for the drive units 33L and 33R that drive the blade portions 32L and 32R included in the overhead cutting unit 30, and as a power source for the alternator 70. The power generated by the engine 60 is transmitted to the drive units 33L and 33R and the separately provided alternator 70 via a power transmission means (not shown) constituted by a belt or the like. The power transmission means includes a first power transmission means for transmitting power to the alternator 70 and a second power transmission means for transmitting power to the overhead cutting unit 30.

[0032] The alternator 70 is provided above the body 10. A belt (not shown) of the first power transmission means is bridged between the alternator 70 and the engine 60. By transmitting the power of the engine via the belt, the alternator 70 generates electric power. The alternator 70 supplies the generated electric power to the battery 41, and functions as a power source for drive units 83L and 83R (Figs. 1 and 3) that drive blade parts 82L and 82R included in the slope mowing part 80, and drive units 54L and 54R (Fig. 3) that drive the traveling part 20. Further, the electric power generated by the alternator 70 is supplied to the drive units 83L and 83R, the drive units 54L and 54R, the drive units 33L and 33R, and the battery 41 via power supply means (not shown) that supplies electric power and / or control signals (electrical signals) called wire harnesses, harness cables, etc.

[0033] Note that the alternator 70 is equipped with a power generation control circuit (not shown) for performing power generation control. And, the lawn mower 100 is provided with a sensor for detecting the battery voltage, and the power generation control circuit monitors this detection result so that the alternator 70 itself controls its power generation state. That is, the power generation control circuit monitors the battery voltage, and controls the alternator 70 so that when the battery voltage falls below a predetermined value, it generates electric power and enters a power supply state, and when the battery voltage exceeds the predetermined value, the power supply stops.

[0034] The battery 41 is provided above the body 10 and behind the engine 60, similar to the alternator 70. The battery 41 stores the electric power generated by the alternator 70. The battery 41 functions as a power source that supplies the stored electric power to drive units 83L and 83R (Figs. 1 and 2) that drive blade parts 82L and 82R included in the normal-plane mowing part 80, and drive units 54L and 54R (Fig. 3) that drive the traveling part 20 forward and backward. Further, the battery 41 functions as a power source that supplies the stored electric power to electric cylinders 53L and 53R that operate link mechanisms 50L and 50R that change the vertical positional relationship between the body 10 and the traveling part 20. Note that the electric power stored in the battery 41 is supplied to the drive units 83L and 83R, the drive units 54L and 54R, and the electric cylinders 53L and 53R via the same power supply means as the alternator 70.

[0035] Note that the lawn mower 100 of the present embodiment may include a cover member. The cover member has a role of covering and protecting the battery 41, the control unit 40, the alternator 70, and the engine 60. Further, the cover member may be configured to cover a part of the battery 41, the control unit 40, the alternator 70, and the engine 60.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 1, the lawn mower 100 according to this embodiment includes a top field cutting unit 30 in front of the machine body 10, and a right side slope cutting unit 80R and a left side slope cutting unit 80L symmetrically arranged with respect to the center line 110 behind the machine body 10. Further, in a rear view, the top field cutting unit 30 is arranged to be located between the right side slope cutting unit 80R and the left side slope cutting unit 80L, and the top field cutting unit 30, the right side slope cutting unit 80R, and the left side slope cutting unit 80L are arranged to form a triangle. Therefore, the weight of the cutting unit 120 does not concentrate forward as in a conventional lawn mower. Also, above the machine body 10, a control unit 40, an alternator 70, and an engine 60 are arranged on the center line 110. With such a configuration, in the lawn mower 100 according to this embodiment, it is suppressed that the weight of the lawn mower 100 is unevenly applied to a specific position of the lawn mower 100, and it is difficult to lose balance during traveling. Therefore, the lawn mower 100 according to this embodiment can travel stably on the ridge and can perform lawn mowing operations on the top surface and side slopes of the ridge.

[0037] Also, since the lawn mower 100 according to this embodiment is provided with the top field cutting unit 30 in front of the traveling unit 20, it is possible to cut the grass before the traveling unit 20 flattens the grass growing on the top surface 201, and the finish of the ridge after lawn mowing becomes good. From the viewpoint of dispersing the weight of the cutting unit 120, the arrangement of the top field cutting unit 30 and the side slope cutting unit 80 is not limited to the arrangement of this embodiment, and it is also possible to provide the side slope cutting unit 80 in front of the traveling unit 20 and provide the top field cutting unit 30 behind the traveling unit 20.

[0038] [Configuration of the top field cutting unit 30] Hereinafter, with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the configuration of the top field cutting unit 30 and the configuration of the side slope cutting unit 80 will be described in detail. First, the configuration of the top field cutting unit 30 will be described. The top field cutting unit 30 is supported so as to be suspended from a support plate 15 via a mounting member 11. The top field cutting unit 30 is provided in front of the traveling unit 20 and is configured to be able to cut grass such as weeds growing on the top surface of the ridge.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the top field cutting unit 30 includes a casing 31, two blade parts 32L and 32R arranged side by side on the left and right, and drive parts 33L and 33R. The casing 31 covers the upper and side parts of the blade parts 32L and 32R to prevent scattering to the surroundings such as soil, small stones, and grass. Since the structures of the blade part 32R and the drive part 33R are the same as those of the blade part 32L and the drive part 33L, the description will focus on the blade part 32L and the drive part 33L here. The blade part 32L has a plurality of grass cutting blades 32La and a blade mounting part 32Lb for mounting the plurality of grass cutting blades 32La. The blade mounting part 32Lb is connected to the rotating shaft 32Lc of the drive part 33L and rotates by the power from the engine 60. Due to the rotation of the blade mounting part 32Lb, the plurality of grass cutting blades 32La also rotate, and the blade part 32L is configured to cut grass. The drive part 33L has a second power transmission means (not shown) including a belt (not shown), and transmits the power from the engine 60 to the plurality of grass cutting blades 32La via the blade mounting part 32Lb. In addition, an (electric) clutch (not shown) is incorporated in the second power transmission means, and the control unit 40 controls the clutch so that it can be configured to control whether to transmit the power of the engine 60 to the top field cutting unit 30. In this embodiment, the second power transmission means has a plurality of gears (not shown) that branch the rotational force of the belt and transmit it to both the drive parts 33L and 33R. The plurality of gears are designed such that the driving force of the engine 60 transmitted via the belt is transmitted to both the drive parts 33L and 33R (substantially) evenly. Therefore, the plurality of grass cutting blades 32La of the blade part 32L and the plurality of grass cutting blades 32Ra of the blade part 32R rotate at the same timing and at the same speed.

[0040] In the lawn mower 100 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the width (cutting width) at which the blade portions 32L and 32R can cut the grass growing on the top surface 201 (FIG. 4) is the cutting width W1, and the width (crawler width) between the left end portion of the crawler belt 21L and the right end portion of the crawler belt 21R is the crawler width W2. In the present embodiment, the cutting width W1 is configured to be larger than the crawler width W2, and since the blade portions 32L and 32R cut the grass before the crawlers 20L and 20R flatten the grass, it is possible to prevent the grass from being left uncut due to the flattening of the grass by the crawlers 20L and 20R.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the blade portions 32L and 32R are provided symmetrically or substantially symmetrically with respect to the center line 110 of the machine body 10. Further, the rotation trajectories of the plurality of grass cutting blades of the blade portion 32L and the plurality of grass cutting blades of the blade portion 32R are provided so as to partially overlap. Furthermore, the positions of the plurality of grass cutting blades constituting the blade portions 32L and 32R are offset from each other without contacting each other when at rest. As a result, the lawn mower 100 according to the present embodiment can cut the grass growing on the top surface 201 of the ridge 200 without leaving any grass uncut. In the present embodiment, the rotation trajectory is the trajectory drawn by the tip of the outermost grass cutting blade when the grass cutting blade constituting the blade portion rotates about the rotation axis. For example, the rotation trajectory is the trajectory drawn by the tip of the outermost grass cutting blade 32La when the grass cutting blade 32La constituting the blade portion 32L rotates about the rotation axis 32Lc.

[0042] In the lawn mower 100 according to the present embodiment, the blade portions 32L and 32R are arranged with a phase shift so as not to interfere with each other. The second power transmission means branches the power from the engine 60 and is configured to drive the blade portions 32L and 32R at the same timing and at the same speed via the drive portions 33L and 33R. When the rotating shaft of the engine 60 rotates, the rotating shafts 32Lc and 32Rc of the drive portions 33L and 33R rotate via the second power transmission means, and the blade portions 32L and 32R connected to the drive portions 33L and 33R also rotate. As a result, the blade portions 32L and 32R can cut the grass growing on the top surface 201. Since the output of the engine 60 is relatively large, the engine 60 can stably transmit power to the drive portions 33L and 33R. As a result, the drive portions 33L and 33R stably transmit power to the blade portions 32L and 32R, and the blade portions 32L and 32R do not leave any grass growing on the top surface 201 of the ridge 200 uncut. The lawn mower 100 according to the present embodiment can perform stable grass cutting work.

[0043] In the lawn mower 100 according to the present embodiment, an example in which the engine 60 is used as a power source for rotating the blade portion 32 of the top field cutting portion 30 is shown. However, not limited to the example described here, it is also possible to use a motor as a power source for rotating the blade portions 32L and 32R. In this case, the control unit 40 may be used to independently control the drive portions 33L and 33R and configure the blade portions 32L and 32R to be independently driven.

[0044] In the lawn mower 100 according to this embodiment, an example is shown in which the blade portions 32L and 32R of the top field cutting portion 30 are composed of a plurality of rotating lawn mowing blades 32La and 32Ra. However, not limited to the example described here, the blade portions 32L and 32R are configured by overlapping two blade-shaped members each having a plurality of mountain-shaped blades with the plurality of mountain-shaped blades of the blade-shaped members shifted, and one of the two blade-shaped members moves to the left and then to the right, and the other moves to the right and then to the left (that is, they move in different directions from left to right), or the two blade-shaped members may rotate in different rotational directions from each other so that the lawn mower 100 has a function of mowing grass. The blade portions 32L and 32R in this case are, for example, blade portions similar to the blade portions provided in a clipper.

[0045] [Configuration of the slope cutting portion 80] Next, the configuration of the slope cutting portion 80 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, a slope cutting portion attachment member 12 is fixed at a position passing through the center line 110 behind the machine body 10, and the slope cutting portion 80 is supported by the machine body main body 14 via the slope cutting portion attachment member 12. The slope cutting portion 80 includes a pair of left and right left slope cutting portions 80L and right slope cutting portions 80R. Although details will be described later, the left slope cutting portion 80L and the right slope cutting portion 80R are configured such that a plurality of lawn mowing blades can be adjusted in angle to an angle corresponding to the slope of the slope from a horizontal state, and are configured to be able to mow grass such as weeds growing on the top surface of the ridge or the slope.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 or FIG. 4, the slope cutting unit 80 includes a connection member 88 connected to the machine body 14, a connection member 90 rotatably supported by the connection member 88, a pair of left and right support members 86L and 86R extending left and right from the connection member 90 and supported by the connection member 90, a pair of left and right left slope cutting units 80L and right slope cutting units 80R each having a blade portion, and a pair of left and right angle adjustment mechanisms 130L and 130R for adjusting the angle between the surface (cutting surface) 204L or 204R including the trajectory along which the blade portions of the left slope cutting unit 80L and the right slope cutting unit 80R cut grass and the horizontal plane 203. In the present embodiment, the cutting surface 204L or 204R is a surface including the trajectory along which the slope cutting unit 80 (the blade portion 82L of the left slope cutting unit 80L and the blade portion 82R of the right slope cutting unit 80R) cuts grass. For example, in the case of a rotating blade portion as in the present embodiment, the cutting surface 204L or 204R is a surface including the rotation trajectory of the blade portion, and in the case of a blade portion including two blade-like members reciprocating in different left and right directions like a clipper as described above, the cutting surface 204L or 204R is a surface including the movement trajectory of the blade portion moving in the left and right directions.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, the connection member 88 supports the left side slope cutting portion 80L and the right side slope cutting portion 80R via the connecting member 90. The front portion of the connection member 88 is configured to be insertable and removable with respect to the slope cutting portion attachment member 12 of the machine body main body 14. A protruding portion 88a is provided at the rear portion of the connection member 88. An insertion hole for inserting the pin-shaped member 88b is formed in the protruding portion 88a. The pin-shaped member 88b is inserted through the insertion hole and the insertion hole formed in the arm portion 90b, and the protruding portion 88a rotatably supports the connecting member 90 (arm portion 90b) with the center point of the pin-shaped member 88b as the rotation fulcrum (the central axis as the rotation axis). Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, by configuring the connecting member 90 to be rotatably supported with respect to the connection member 88 (protruding portion 88a), the slope cutting portion 80 can be moved upward with respect to an obstacle. Further, the rear end 88c of the protruding portion 88a functions as a member that limits the lower limit position of the connecting member 90. That is, the rear end 88c of the protruding portion 88a is configured to abut against the engaged member 90a provided on the connecting member 90 and limit the downward rotational movement of the connecting member 90. In the present specification, the rear end 88c of the protruding portion 88a is referred to as a lower limit restricting portion.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 or FIG. 4, the connecting member 90 has an arm portion 90b provided with the pin-shaped member 88b and an attachment member 90c provided at the rear portion of the arm portion 90b for attaching the support members 86L and 86R. A pin-shaped engaged member 90a protrudes from the arm portion 90b.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4, the angle adjustment mechanisms 130 (130L and 130R) connect the support member 86L to the left side slope cutting portion 80L and connect the support member 86R to the right side slope cutting portion 80R. Since the structure of the angle adjustment mechanism 130R is the same as that of the angle adjustment mechanism 130L, the angle adjustment mechanism 130L will be described here with attention focused thereon. The angle adjustment mechanism 130L has a function of adjusting the blade portion 82L included in the left side slope cutting portion 80L from a horizontal state to an angle adapted to the slope of the slope surface, and adjusts the angle of the blade portion 82L by rotating the left side slope cutting portion 80L about the cutting portion mounting pin 89La. The angle adjustment mechanism 130L includes, for example, a lock plate 84L, a cam portion 87L, a support member 89L connected to the cam portion 87L, and a spring 97L connected between the lock plate 84L and the left side slope cutting portion 80L.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the left side slope cutting portion 80L and the right side slope cutting portion 80R each include a casing 81L and 81R, a blade portion 82L and 82R, and a drive portion 83L and 83R. In the lawn mower 100 according to the present embodiment, the drive portions 83L and 83R can be independently controlled using the control unit 40, and the blade portions 82L and 82R can be independently driven. The blade portion 82L and the blade portion 82R are parts composed of a plurality of lawn mowing blades 82La and 82Ra, blade mounting portions 82Lb and 82Rb, and rotating shafts 82Lc and 82Rc, similar to the blade portions 32L and 32R of the top field cutting portion 30. When the plurality of lawn mowing blades 82La and 82Ra rotate, the grass growing on the ridge is mowed. Also, similar to the blade portions 32L and 32R of the top field cutting portion 30, the blade portion 82L and the blade portion 82R are configured by overlapping two blade-shaped members each having a plurality of mountain-shaped blades with the plurality of mountain-shaped blades of the blade-shaped members shifted. The lawn mower 100 may have a function of mowing grass by the two blade-shaped members reciprocating left and right differently from each other, or by the two blade-shaped members rotating in different rotational directions from each other. Since the structure of the right side slope cutting portion 80R is the same as that of the left side slope cutting portion 80L, the left side slope cutting portion 80L will be described here with attention focused thereon.

[0051] The casing 81L is connected to the lock plate 84L via the spring 97L and is connected to the cam portion 87L via the support member 89L. As a result, the left side slope cutting portion 80L is supported by the support member 86L. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in the left side slope cutting portion 80L, the casing 81L covers the blade portion 82L and, similar to the casing 31 of the top field cutting portion 30, prevents scattering to the surroundings such as soil, small stones, and grass. Note that one end of the spring 97L that is stretched between the casing 81L and the lock plate 84L is connected to the casing 81L. Further, the casing 81L is provided with a pair of support members 89L that are connected to the cam portion 87L. Further, the casing 81L is provided with a handle 140L that serves as a gripping portion when adjusting the angle of the left side slope cutting portion 80L. Further, the drive portion 83L is a portion for rotating the blade portion 82L and has a motor that is driven by power supplied from the alternator 70 and the battery 41.

[0052] In the lawn mower 100 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 40 is used to independently control the drive portions 83L and 83R and independently drive the blade portions 82L and 82R. The drive portions 83L and 83R supply the electric power supplied from the alternator 70 or the battery 41 to the blade portions 82L and 82R. Note that in the present embodiment, when the blade portions 82L and 82R are driven, in a normal case (when the battery voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined value), the alternator 70 is in a state where power generation (power supply) is stopped, and only the electric power from the battery 41 is supplied to the blade portions 82L and 82R. On the other hand, when the supply of electric power from the battery 41 is insufficient (when the battery voltage is lower than the predetermined value), the alternator 70 generates power and enters a power supply state, and in addition to the electric power supply from the battery 41, the electric power generated by the alternator 70 is also supplied to the blade portions 82L and 82R.

[0053] Note that the battery 41, the drive units 83L and 83R, and the alternator 70 and the drive units 83L and 83R are connected by, for example, a wire harness. As described above, the left-side flank cutting unit 80L and the right-side flank cutting unit 80R are provided with angle adjustment mechanisms 130L and 130R, and are configured such that the positions of the drive units 83L and 83R change. However, the lawn mower 100 uses the battery 41 or the alternator 70 as the power source for the blade units 82L and 82R and the drive units 83L and 83R, and connects the drive units 83L and 83R to the battery 41 or the alternator 70 with a wire harness, and is configured to be able to transmit the power for rotating the blade units 82L and 82R to the blade units 82L and 82R using the wire harness. That is, the lawn mower 100 does not require the power transmission means that would be necessary if the power source were configured as an engine, and can supply power (with a simple configuration) to the left-side flank cutting unit 80L and the right-side flank cutting unit 80R where the positions of the drive units 83L and 83R change.

[0054] [Drive of the top field cutting unit 30 and the flank cutting unit 80] Using FIGS. 1 to 4, the drive method of the top field cutting unit 30 and the flank cutting unit 80 will be described.

[0055] The control unit 40 executes control based on a signal acquired from a remote controller (not shown) in accordance with a control program stored in the control unit 40, and controls each unit. Further, the control unit 40 also has a function of executing various controls such as control based on a signal acquired from various sensors (not shown) provided in the lawn mower 100, position control using GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and control based on a command acquired from a server or the like.

[0056] First, an example of driving both the top field cutting unit 30 and the flank cutting unit 80 will be described. For example, the control unit 40 receives, from a remote controller (not shown), a first work signal for executing an operation of driving both the top field cutting unit 30 and the flank cutting unit 80 to cut the grass growing on the top surface 201 (FIG. 4) of the ridge 200 (FIG. 4) and the grass growing on the flank 202 (FIG. 4) of the ridge 200.

[0057] Based on the first working signal, the control unit 40 operates the engine 60. Before receiving the first working signal, the clutch of the second power transmission means for transmitting power to the lawn cutting unit 30 of the lawn mower 100 is in a disengaged state. However, after receiving the first working signal and operating the engine 60, when the control unit 40 receives a clutch control signal by means of the user's remote controller operation or the like, the control unit 40 switches and controls the clutch so as to change from the disengaged state to the engaged state. Thereby, the power of the engine is transmitted to the drive units 33L and 33R of the lawn cutting unit 30, and the blade units 32L and 32R of the lawn cutting unit 30 rotate. The drive units 83L and 83R of the slope cutting unit 80 are controlled by the control unit 40 to start driving when receiving both cutting unit drive control signals by means of the user's remote controller operation or the like after receiving the first working signal and operating the engine 60. Similarly, after the engine 60 operates and when the control unit 40 receives a travel control signal by means of the user's remote controller operation or the like, the control unit 40 starts the driving of the drive units 54L and 54R of the travel unit 20 and the electric cylinders 53L and 53R of the travel unit 20, and controls these operations according to a predetermined program.

[0058] Also, when the engine operates after receiving the first working signal, the power generation control circuit of the alternator 70 starts monitoring the battery voltage. Then, the power generation control circuit controls the power generation state of the alternator 70 so as not to generate power when the battery voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and to generate power when the battery voltage is lower than the predetermined value.

[0059] The power generated by the alternator 70 is supplied to the drive units 83L and 83R of the slope cutting unit 80 and the drive units 54L and 54R of the travel unit 20, and the remaining power that is not supplied to these is supplied to the battery 41 and stored. That is, the alternator 70 functions as an auxiliary power source when the battery voltage drops with respect to the drive units 83L and 83R of the slope cutting unit 80 and the drive units 54L and 54R of the travel unit 20.

[0060] As a result, while the mower 100 travels while maintaining the level of the machine body 10, it can cut the grass growing on the top surface 201 of the ridge 200 using the blade parts 32L and 32R, and can also cut the grass growing on the side surface 202 of the ridge 200 using the blade parts 82L and 82R. In this embodiment, even when the battery voltage drops, by supplying power from the alternator 70 to the drive parts 83L and 83R of the side surface cutting part 80 and the drive parts 54L and 54R of the traveling part 20, these can be stably driven, so it is possible to cut the grass without leaving any uncut grass while the mower 100 is traveling.

[0061] Next, an example of driving either the top surface cutting part 30 and either the left side surface cutting part 80L or the right side surface cutting part 80R will be described. For example, the control unit 40 drives the top surface cutting part 30 and either the left side surface cutting part 80L or the right side surface cutting part 80R from a remote controller (not shown), and executes a second work signal for cutting the grass growing on the top surface 201 (FIG. 4) of the ridge 200 and the grass growing on either the right side or the left side surface 202 (FIG. 4) of the ridge 200.

[0062] Based on the second work signal, the control unit 40 operates the engine 60. Since the driving of the top surface cutting part 30, the driving of the traveling part 20, and the power generation control of the alternator 70 are the same as when the above-described first work signal is received, detailed description will be omitted. Here, as an example, an example of driving the left side surface cutting part 80L will be described.

[0063] After the control unit 40 receives the second work signal and drives the engine 60, when it receives a left cutting part drive control signal by a user's remote controller operation or the like, it starts driving only the drive part 83L of the left side surface cutting part 80L without driving the drive part 83R of the right side surface cutting part 80R. While the drive part 83L of the left side surface cutting part 80L is being driven, when the battery voltage drops below a predetermined value, the alternator 70 starts power supply, and power is also supplied to the drive part 83L from the alternator 70.

[0064] As a result, while the lawn mower 100 is traveling by the traveling unit 20, it can mow the grass growing on the top surface 201 of the ridge 200 using the blade units 32L and 32R, and can also mow the grass growing on the side surface 202 on the left (or right) side of the ridge 200 using the blade unit 82L (or blade unit 82R).

[0065] Next, an example of driving only the top field mowing unit 30 will be described. For example, the control unit 40 receives a third work signal for driving only the top field mowing unit 30 out of the top field mowing unit 30 and the side surface mowing unit 80 by a user's remote controller operation or the like, and executes an operation of mowing the grass growing on the top surface 201 (FIG. 4) of the ridge 200. Based on the third work signal, the control unit 40 operates the engine 60. After the operation of the engine 60, when the control unit 40 receives a driving control signal for driving the side surface mowing unit 80 by a user's remote controller operation or the like, the control unit 40 controls to start driving the driving units 33L and 33R of the top field mowing unit 30 without driving the side surface mowing unit 80. The driving of the top field mowing unit 30, the driving of the traveling unit 20, and the power generation control of the alternator 70 are the same as the driving based on the first work signal described above.

[0066] When only the top field mowing unit 30 is driven, after receiving the third work signal, the control unit 40 does not receive a driving control signal for driving the driving unit of the side surface mowing unit 80. Therefore, after receiving the third work signal, the control unit 40 controls so that power is not supplied from the battery 41 and the alternator 70 to the driving units 83L and 83R of the side surface mowing unit 80 even when the engine 60 is driven, and does not drive the driving units 83L and 83R of the side surface mowing unit 80. When the battery voltage drops below a predetermined value and the alternator 70 generates electricity, the power of the alternator 70 is not supplied to the driving units 83L and 83R of the side surface mowing unit 80, but is supplied to the driving units 54L and 54R of the traveling unit 20, and the remaining power is stored in the battery 41.

[0067] As a result, the lawn mower 100 can drive the blade units 32L and 32R without driving the driving units 83L and 83R, and can mow the grass growing on the top surface 201 of the ridge 200 using the blade units 32L and 32R.

[0068] Next, an example of driving only the slope cutting unit 80 without driving the top field cutting unit 30 will be described. In this case, for example, the control unit 40 receives a fourth work signal from a remote controller (not shown) to drive only the slope cutting unit 80 and perform an operation of cutting the grass growing on the slope 202 of the ridge 200.

[0069] Based on the fourth work signal, the control unit 40 operates the engine 60. Then, when the control unit 40 receives a drive control signal for driving the drive unit of the slope cutting unit 80, it starts driving the drive unit of the slope cutting unit 80, and when it receives a travel control signal for driving the travel unit 20, it starts driving the drive units 54L and 54R and the electric cylinders 53L and 53R. At this time, since the control unit 40 does not receive a clutch control signal, the clutch of the second power transmission means is maintained in the disengaged state, and the power from the engine 60 is controlled so as not to be transmitted to the top field cutting unit 30 (drive units 33L, 33R). Therefore, the power of the engine 60 is not transmitted to the drive units 33L and 33R, and the blade parts 32L and 32R of the top field cutting unit 30 do not rotate. The power of the engine 60 is used as a power source for power generation by the alternator 70. Other operations except that the power from the engine is not transmitted to the top field cutting unit 30 are the same as the operations when the above-described first work signal is received.

[0070] As a result, the lawn mower 100 can drive the blade parts 82L and 82R without driving the drive units 33L and 33R, and can cut the grass growing on the slope 202 of the ridge 200 using the blade parts 82L and 82R. Here, a configuration in which both the blade parts 82L and 82R of the left slope cutting unit 80L and the right slope cutting unit 80R are driven has been described, but it is also possible to control so as to rotationally drive only the blade part 82 of the left slope cutting unit 80L or the right slope cutting unit 80R.

[0071] [Relief mechanism of slope cutting unit 80] Next, the operation of the slope cutting portion 80 moving upward according to the slope 202 or the top surface 201, and the operation of moving downward from above will be described with reference to FIG. 2. In the present embodiment, a mechanism in which the slope cutting portion 80 moves up and down according to the shape of the ridge being worked (the shape of the slope 202 or the top surface 201) is called a relief mechanism. When the lawn mower 100 of the present embodiment performs a lawn mowing operation, when the slope cutting portion 80 collides with an obstacle such as a clod or a stone, a force acting upward from the slope 202 or the top surface 201 acts on the slope cutting portion 80. Since the connecting member 90 is rotatably supported by the connecting member 88 via the pin-shaped member 88b, when a force acting upward from the slope 202 or the top surface 201 is applied to the slope cutting portion 80 by an obstacle, the connecting member 90 rotates upward with the pin-shaped member 88b as a rotation fulcrum (rotation axis) according to the force. Then, when the slope cutting portion 80 moves away from the obstacle, the slope cutting portion 80 returns to the position where the engaged member 90a abuts against the rear end 88c of the protruding portion 88a by its own weight. That is, the connecting member 90 rotates upward or downward with respect to the machine body 10 (the machine body main body 14), and the downward rotation with respect to the machine body 10 is restricted by the rear end 88c (lower limit restricting portion) of the protruding portion 88a. Thus, in the lawn mower 100 of the present embodiment, even if an obstacle such as a clod or a stone contacts the slope cutting portion 80, the slope cutting portion 80 can escape from below to above, preventing damage to the slope cutting portion 80. Further, the slope cutting portion 80 of the present embodiment can perform a lawn mowing operation while moving upward from below and downward from above following the unevenness of the ridge.

[0072] In the present embodiment, a part of the connecting member 88 (the rear end 88c of the protruding portion 88a) is made to function as a lower limit restricting portion, but the configuration of the lower limit restricting portion is not limited to this. For example, the connecting member 90 may be rotatably supported by the slope cutting portion mounting member 12, and a member serving as a lower limit restricting portion may be provided on the slope cutting portion mounting member 12. In this case, it is also possible to configure the machine body main body 14 and the slope cutting portion mounting member 12 integrally without configuring the machine body main body 14 and the slope cutting portion mounting member 12 separately as in the present embodiment. Note that a configuration in which a stopper functioning as a lower limit restricting portion is separately attached may also be employed.

[0073] Also, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the slope cutting portion 80 is configured to be rotatable up and down with respect to the machine body 14, and its lower limit position is restricted by the lower limit restricting portion. However, the same configuration can also be applied to the top field cutting portion 30. In this case, the support plate 15 may be supported by the machine body 14 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction, and a lower limit restricting portion for restricting the lower limit position of the support plate 15 may be provided at the front end of the machine body 14. Note that the machine body 14 and the support plate 15 may be connected via a connection portion (not shown) provided separately from the machine body 14 and fixed to the machine body 14, or may be connected by providing a function for connecting the support plate to the machine body 14.

[0074] [Angle adjustment mechanism of slope cutting portion 80] The lawn mower 100 according to this embodiment has an angle adjustment mechanism 130 (130L and 130R), and can independently adjust the positions of the left slope cutting portion 80L and the right slope cutting portion 80R, and the angle α between the cutting surface 204L or 204R and the horizontal plane 203 in advance according to the width of the top surface 201 of the ridge 200 and the inclination of the slope 202 (see FIG. 4). Note that since the structure of the angle adjustment mechanism 130R is the same as that of the angle adjustment mechanism 130L, the angle adjustment mechanism 130L will be described here with attention focused thereon.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 4, as described above, the angle adjustment mechanism 130L includes, for example, a lock plate 84L, a slider 85L that is slidable in the left - right direction with a support member 86L, a support member 89L connected to the slider 85L, and a spring 97L spanned between the lock plate 84L and the left slope cutting portion 80L.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lock plate 84L connects the support member 86L and the left side surface cutting portion 80L. The lock plate 84L has a pair of lock plate members 84Lc and 84Ld arranged facing each other in the front-rear direction, and a connecting pin 84Le that connects the pair of lock plate members 84Lc and 84Ld on their upper end sides. Each of the lock plate members 84Lc and 84Ld is formed in an elongated shape, and a comb-shaped long groove 84La is formed. The long groove 84La engages with an angle adjustment pin 84Lb (described later) fixed to the slider 85L, and has a plurality (five in this embodiment) of positioning recesses 84Lf for positioning and fixing the angle of the left side surface cutting portion 80L (blade portion 82L). The positioning recesses 84Lf are configured to be inclined obliquely upward in a rear view when the angle adjustment pin 84Lb engages, so that the engaged angle adjustment pin 84Lb is difficult to fall off. Further, the lower end sides of the lock plate members 84Lc and 84Ld are rotatably connected to a support member 89L fixed to the left side surface cutting portion 80L. A spring 97L is connected between the lower end portion of the long groove 84La of each lock plate member 84Lc and 84Ld and the connection portion with the support member 89L.

[0077] The slider 85L includes a slider main body 85Ld inserted into the support member 86L, an upper clamping member 85Lb, and a lower clamping member 85Lc, and a clamping portion 85Lbc for clamping the slider 85L to the support member 86L is integrally formed. An angle adjustment pin 84Lb inserted into the long groove 84La of the lock plate 84L is fixed to the lower portion of the slider main body 85Ld. Further, a cutting portion mounting portion 98L for mounting the support member 89L is fixed to the lower clamping member 85Lc. The cutting portion mounting portion 98L is connected to the support member 89L via a cutting portion mounting pin 89La, and the support member 89L is configured to be rotatable with respect to the cutting portion mounting portion 98L.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 4, the angle adjustment operation of the left side slope cutting unit 80L using the angle adjustment mechanism 130L will be described. Hold the handle 140L and operate the lock plate 84L to move the lock plate 84L so that the angle adjustment pin 84Lb disengages from the positioning recess 84Lf. At this time, the lock plate 84L rotates with respect to the support member 89L, and the support member 89L rotates with respect to the slider 85L with the cutting unit mounting pin 89La as the rotation fulcrum (rotation axis). Then, further move the lock plate 84L and fit the angle adjustment pin 84Lb into a positioning recess 84Lf different from the initially fitted positioning recess 84Lf, thereby changing the angle of the blade portion 82L of the left side slope cutting unit 80L (that is, the angle α between the cutting surface 204L including the rotation locus of the blade portion 82L and the horizontal plane 203). The angle α increases as it is fitted with the lower positioning recess 84Lf. According to the inclination of the slope 202, by changing the positioning recess 84Lf into which the angle adjustment pin 84Lb is fitted, the angle α can be adjusted to an angle corresponding to the inclination of the slope 202. In the lawn mower 100 of the present embodiment, when the angle adjustment pin 84Lb is fitted into the uppermost positioning recess 84Lf, the angle α is 90 degrees, that is, the cutting surface 204L including the rotation locus of the blade portion 82L becomes vertical, and when the angle adjustment pin 84Lb is fitted into the lowermost positioning recess 84Lf, the angle α is 180 degrees, that is, the cutting surface 204L including the rotation locus of the blade portion 82L is configured to be horizontal.

[0079] As described above, in the lawn mower 100 according to the present embodiment, the angles α between the cutting surfaces 204L and 204R of the left side slope cutting unit 80L and the right side slope cutting unit 80R and the horizontal plane 203 can be adjusted using the lock plates 84L and 84R. Therefore, the lawn mower 100 according to the present embodiment can perform a lawn mowing operation suitable for the width of the top surface 201 of the ridge 200 and the inclination of the slope 202.

[0080] Note that the lawn mower 100 according to the present embodiment can also perform a lawn mowing operation with the angles α of the left side slope cutting unit 80L and the right side slope cutting unit 80R adjusted horizontally. In this case, in a rear view, a part of the blade part 32L of the top field cutting unit 30 and the blade part 82L of the left side slope cutting unit 80L, and a part of the blade part 32R of the top field cutting unit 30 and the blade part 82R of the right side slope cutting unit 80R are arranged in the left-right direction in an overlapping state. Further, when the angles α of the left side slope cutting unit 80L and the right side slope cutting unit 80R are adjusted horizontally, the heights of the blade parts 82L and 82R are configured to be the same as the heights of the blade parts 32L and 32R of the top field cutting unit 30. Thereby, when the angles α of the left side slope cutting unit 80L and the right side slope cutting unit 80R are made horizontal, it becomes possible to perform lawn mowing without leaving any uncut grass from the blade part 82L of the left side slope cutting unit 80L to the blade part 82R of the right side slope cutting unit 80R in the left-right direction.

[0081] Further, the lawn mower 100 of the present embodiment can perform a lawn mowing operation by adjusting the angles α of the left side slope cutting unit 80L and the right side slope cutting unit 80R symmetrically (the angles α are the same), and as shown in FIG. 5, it is also possible to perform a lawn mowing operation by adjusting the angles α asymmetrically (to different angles) left and right.

[0082] [Adjusting mechanism for the position of the slope cutting unit 80 in the left-right direction] In the lawn mower 100 according to this embodiment, an adjustment mechanism is provided for independently adjusting the positions of the left side slope cutting unit 80L and the right side slope cutting unit 80R in the left - right direction according to the width of the ridge (top surface). The adjustment mechanism is provided in the left side slope cutting unit 80L and the right side slope cutting unit 80R respectively. Since the structures on the left and right are the same, only the adjustment mechanism in the left direction will be described here. The adjustment mechanism in the left direction includes the slider 85L configured to be slidable with the support member 86L, and a cam portion 87L for locking the slider 85L with respect to the support member 86L. The cam portion 87L is fixed to the clamping portion 85Lbc of the slider 85L. The cam portion 87L of this embodiment is composed of a cam lever. By operating the lever 87La, the upper clamping member 85Lb and the lower clamping member 85Lc clamp the support member 86L, thereby fixing the position of the slider 85L with respect to the support member 86L. Specifically, when the lever 87La is tilted, a cam portion (not shown) provided at the base of the lever 87La acts, the upper clamping member 85Lb and the lower clamping member 85Lc clamp the support member 86L, and the slider 85L is fixed. When the lever 87La is lifted, the clamping between the upper clamping member 85Lb and the lower clamping member 85Lc with respect to the support member 86L is released, and the slider 85L can slide with respect to the support member 86L.

[0083] Alternatively, instead of the above configuration, the support member 86L may be configured to expand and contract in the left - right direction, and the length of the support member 86L may be changed to adjust the position of the left side slope cutting unit 80L in the left - right direction. For example, the support member 86L may be composed of at least two or more members, and other members may be slidably housed inside one member so that the length of the support member 86L can be expanded and contracted. In addition, a cam portion 87L as described above may be provided to fix the length of the support member 86L.

[0084] [Positional relationship between blade portions 32L and 32R, and blade portions 82L and 82R] The positional relationship among the cutting edges 32L and 32R, and the cutting edges 82L and 82R will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the cutting edges 32L and 32R are arranged symmetrically or substantially symmetrically with respect to the center line 110 in a plan view. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, in a rear view, the cutting edges 32L and 32R are arranged so as to partially overlap. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in a plan view, the cutting edge 32L and the cutting edge 82L are arranged so as to overlap along a parallel line 111 parallel to the center line 110, and as shown in FIG. 4, in a rear view, the cutting edge 32L and the cutting edge 82L are arranged so as to overlap. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, in a plan view, the cutting edge 32R and the cutting edge 82R are arranged so as to overlap along a parallel line 112 parallel to the center line 110, and as shown in FIG. 4, in a rear view, the cutting edge 32R and the cutting edge 82R are arranged so as to overlap.

[0085] It can be understood that the state of the side cutting portion 80 shown in FIG. 1 is a state in which the length (width) in the left - right direction is adjusted to the position (maximum width) where it is maximum, and the cutting edges 32L and 32R overlap, the cutting edge 32L and the cutting edge 82L overlap, and the cutting edge 32R and the cutting edge 82R overlap. Note that the cutting width when the lawn mower 100 performs a lawn mowing operation in this state is the width W3. Also, it can be understood that the state of the side cutting portion 80 shown in FIG. 4 is a state in which it is adjusted to the maximum width and the angle is adjusted, and the cutting edges 32L and 32R overlap, the cutting edge 32L and the cutting edge 82L overlap, and the cutting edge 32R and the cutting edge 82R overlap.

[0086] Furthermore, the state of the side cutting portion 80 shown in FIG. 5 is a state in which the cutting edge 32R of the top cutting portion 30 and the cutting edge 82R of the right - hand side cutting portion 80R are adjusted to overlap along a parallel line 112 parallel to the center line 110 in the plan view shown in FIG. 1, and in a rear view, the cutting edge 32L and the cutting edge 82L overlap, and the cutting edge 32R and the cutting edge 82R overlap.

[0087] That is, in a rear view, the blade portions 32L and 32R of the top field cutting portion 30 are provided so as to be sandwiched between the blade portions 82L and 82R of the left side slope cutting portion 80L and the right side slope cutting portion 80R that constitute the slope cutting portion 80. And, in a rear view, the blade portions 32L, 32R, 82L, and 82R are provided side by side in the left-right direction. No matter how the left side slope cutting portion 80L and the right side slope cutting portion 80R of the slope cutting portion 80 are adjusted in the left-right direction, the adjacent blade portions on the left and right, that is, the blade portion 32L and the blade portion 82L, and the blade portion 32R and the blade portion 82R, are arranged such that a part of their tips overlaps.

[0088] Therefore, in the lawn mower 100 of the present embodiment, no matter how the left side slope cutting portion 80L and the right side slope cutting portion 80R of the slope cutting portion 80 are adjusted, in a rear view (the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction), it is possible to mow the grass without leaving any uncut grass from the blade portion 82L to the blade portion 82R. When mowing the grass on a flat place, that is, performing flat mowing, as shown in FIG. 1, if the slope cutting portion 80 is horizontally expanded, for a ridge or a field having a wide top surface, the width from the blade portion 82L to the blade portion 82R can be utilized to efficiently perform the grass mowing operation. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, even when the slope cutting portion 80 is angle-adjusted to correspond to the slope of the ridge and the grass mowing operation on the slope is performed, since a part of the blade portions 32L and 32R of the top field cutting portion 30 overlaps with the blade portions 82L and 82R of the slope cutting portion 80, not only can the top surface and the slope of the ridge be mowed in one pass of the lawn mower 100, but also the grass mowing operation can be performed without leaving any uncut grass on the ridge shoulder. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, even when the right side slope cutting portion 80R is controlled by the control unit 40 to mow the grass on a plane similar to the top surface of the ridge and the left side slope cutting portion 80L is angle-adjusted to correspond to the slope of the ridge, it is possible to mow the grass on a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the top surface of the ridge (flat surface) and perform the grass mowing operation without leaving any uncut grass on the ridge shoulder.

[0089] <Second Embodiment> The second embodiment describes a form in which the positional relationship between the lawn mower 100 according to the first embodiment and the blade portion is different.

[0090] FIG. 6(A) is a plan view showing the positional relationship of the blade portions of the lawn mower 100B according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 6(B) is a plan view showing the positional relationship of the blade portions of the lawn mower 100C according to the second embodiment.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 6(A), in the lawn mower 100B, the blade portions 32R and 82R are provided forward of the traveling unit 20, and the blade portions 32L and 82L are provided rearward of the traveling unit 20. A part of the blade portion 32L and the blade portion 32R are arranged so as to overlap with respect to the center line 110. The blade portions 32R and 82R are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and a part of the blade portions 32R and 82R are arranged so as to overlap along a parallel line 112 parallel to the center line 110. The blade portions 32L and 82L are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and a part of the blade portions 32L and 82L are arranged so as to overlap along a parallel line 111 parallel to the center line 110.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 6(B), the positional relationship of the blade portions in the lawn mower 100C is different from the positional relationship of the blade portions in the lawn mower 100B in that the blade portion 82R is provided forward of the blade portion 32R and the blade portion 82L is provided rearward of the blade portion 32L. Since other points in the lawn mower 100C are the same as the positional relationship of the blade portions in the lawn mower 100B, the description here is omitted.

[0093] Although not shown, in either the case of the lawn mower 100B or the lawn mower 100C, in a rear view, the blade portions 32L, 32R, 82L, and 82R are provided side by side (adjacently) in the left-right direction, the blade portions 32L and 32R are provided between the blade portions 82L and 82R, the blade portions 82L and 32L are provided so as to partially overlap, the blade portions 32L and 32R are provided so as to partially overlap, and the blade portions 32R and 82R are provided so as to partially overlap. Also, in a rear view, the blade portions 32L, 32R, 82L, and 82R are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and the blade portions 82L and 82R are provided at both ends. In the lawn mower 100B and the lawn mower 100C, the positional relationship between the blade portion provided forward of the traveling unit 20 and the blade portion provided rearward of the traveling unit 20 may be reversed front and back.

[0094] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, based on each embodiment, those in which those skilled in the art appropriately add, delete, or change the design of components are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, the configurations according to the above-described embodiments can be appropriately combined as long as there is no contradiction, and technical matters common to each embodiment are included in each configuration even without explicit description.

[0095] Even if there are other operational effects different from those brought about by the aspects of the above-described embodiments, those that are obvious from the description of this specification or can be easily predicted by those skilled in the art are naturally understood to be brought about by the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0096] 10: Body, 11L, 11R: Mounting members, 12: Slope cutting part mounting member, 14: Body main body, 15: Support plate, 20: Traveling part, 20L, 20R: Crawlers, 21L, 21R: Crawler belts, 22L: Driving wheel, 23L: Driven wheel, 24L: Crawler frame, 30: Top field cutting part, 31: Casing, 32, 32L, 32R: Blade parts, 33L, 33R: Driving parts, 40: Control part, 41: Battery, 50: Link mechanism, 50L, 50R: Link mechanisms, 51L, 51R, 52L, 52R: Link arms, 53L, 53R: Electric cylinders, 54L, 54R: Driving parts, 70: Alternator, 60: Engine, 80: Slope cutting part, 80L: Left slope cutting part, 80R: Right slope cutting part, 81L, 81R: Casings, 82L, 82R: Blade parts, 32La, 32Ra, 82La, 82Ra: Grass cutting blades, 32Lb, 32Rb, 82Lb, 82Rb: Blade mounting parts, 32Lc, 32Rc, 82Lc, 82Rc: Rotation shafts, 83L, 83R: Driving parts, 84L, 84R: Lock plates, 84La, 84Ra: Long grooves, 84Lc, 84Ld: Lock plate members, 84Le: Connecting pin, 84Lf, 84Rf: Positioning recesses, 85L, 85R: Sliders, 85Lbc, 85Rbc: Clamping parts, 85Lb, 85Rb: Upper clamping members, 85Lc, 85Rc: Lower clamping members, 86L, 86R: Support members, 87L, 87R: Cam parts, 87La, 87Ra: Levers, 88: Connecting member, 88a: Protruding part, 88c: Rear end, 89L, 89R: Support members, 90: Connecting member, 90a: Engaged member, 90b: Arm part, 90c: Mounting member, 84Lb, 84Rb: Angle adjustment pins, 88b: Pin-shaped member, 89La: Cutting part mounting pin, 97L, 97R: Springs, 98L, 98R: Cutting part mounting parts, 100: Grass cutter, 110: Center line, 111: Parallel lines, 112: Parallel lines, 120: Cutting part, 130, 130L, 130R: Angle adjustment mechanisms, 140L, 140R: Handles, 200: Ridge, 201: Top surface, 202: Slope surface, 203: Horizontal plane, 204L, 204R: Cutting surfaces

Claims

1. A self-propelled lawn mower having a running unit and mowing grass while running on a ridge, comprising: a first cutting unit having a first blade portion and a first drive unit for driving the first blade portion, the first cutting unit being located in front of the running unit; a second cutting unit having a second blade portion and a second drive unit for driving the second blade portion, the second cutting unit being located behind the running unit; and is provided with: the running unit has a third drive unit; the third drive unit can be driven independently of the first drive unit and the second drive unit; Lawn mower.

2. The lawn mower according to Claim 1, wherein the first drive unit and the second drive unit can be driven independently.

3. At least one of the first cutting unit and the second cutting unit includes a pair of left and right cutting units, each of the pair of left and right cutting units can mow the grass on the normal plane of the ridge; The lawn mower according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. One of the first cutting unit and the second cutting unit includes a pair of left and right cutting units, each of the pair of left and right cutting units can mow the grass on the normal plane of the ridge, the blade portions of each of the pair of left and right cutting units and the blade portion of the other of the first cutting unit and the second cutting unit are provided so as to be arranged in the left-right direction and partially overlap in a rear view; The lawn mower according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

5. The pair of left and right cutting units can independently adjust the angle of the cutting surface, which is the surface including the trajectory of the blade portion for mowing grass, with respect to the horizontal plane; The lawn mower according to Claim 3 or Claim 4.

6. The blade portion of the other of the first cutting unit and the second cutting unit is provided between the blade portions of each of the pair of left and right cutting units; The lawn mower according to any one of Claim 3, Claim 4, and Claim 5 which cites Claim 4.

7. Further comprising a battery and an engine as power sources, the battery is a power source for one of the first cutting unit and the second cutting unit, the engine is a power source for the other of the first cutting unit and the second cutting unit; The lawn mower according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.

8. The battery is provided on one side of the first cutting unit and the second cutting unit closer to the first cutting unit and the second cutting unit than the position where the engine is provided with respect to the traveling direction of the traveling unit; The lawn mower according to Claim 7.

9. The lawn mower is a machine body connected to the running unit; A connecting member that rotatably supports at least one of the first cutting unit and the second cutting unit with respect to the machine body; A lower limit restricting portion that restricts the lower rotation position of the connecting member with respect to the machine body; Comprising: The lawn mower according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The first cutting unit and the second cutting unit each include a cutting unit capable of cutting grass on the normal plane of the ridge, In plan view, The cutting unit capable of cutting grass on the normal plane of the ridge of the first cutting unit is located on one side in the left-right direction with respect to the center line in the front-rear direction passing through the center of the machine body, The cutting unit capable of cutting grass on the normal plane of the ridge of the second cutting unit is located on the other side in the left-right direction with respect to the center line, The lawn mower according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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