Electric Lawn Mower Drive Control With Emergency Motor Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing land maintenance vehicles, such as lawnmowers, face issues with noise, poor maneuverability, limited operating flexibility, and safety concerns, particularly when navigating large areas or obstructed spaces, and lack efficient control over cutting blades.
Innovation Solution
A land maintenance vehicle equipped with independent electric motors for each traction member, a battery pack, and a controller that enables precise control through a joystick system, allowing for flexible movement and blade operation, along with emergency brakes for enhanced safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If internal combustion engines are used for propulsion, then power and traction are sufficient, but noise levels increase and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the internal combustion engine (mechanical/thermal system) with an electric motor (electrical system). The electric motor is driven by a battery pack, eliminating the noisy combustion process while providing sufficient propulsion power for the lawnmower vehicle, thus reducing noise and improving energy efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If traditional steering and propulsion control are used, then basic vehicle control is achieved, but maneuverability and trajectory control precision are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical steering wheels and pedal-based propulsion control with an electric joystick control system. The joystick sends electrical signals to control the electric motor and steering mechanisms, enabling precise and intuitive control of the vehicle's trajectory and maneuverability through electrical rather than mechanical means.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single engine powers both traction and cutting blades, then power delivery is simplified, but operating flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power delivery system by providing separate electric motors for different functions: one motor for vehicle traction and another motor for driving the cutting blades. This segmentation allows independent control of each function, enabling the operator to adjust cutting blade operation independently from vehicle movement, thus improving operating flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs electric motors that can serve multiple functions. The electric motor system can independently control both vehicle propulsion and cutting blade rotation, allowing the same electrical power source (battery pack) to universally power different operational modes without requiring a single dedicated engine for each function.
4Reliability
If basic safety systems are provided, then minimal safety requirements are met, but comprehensive safety in hazardous situations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical safety systems with an electromagnetic braking system controlled by electrical signals. The electromagnetic brake uses electrical control to provide rapid and reliable stopping capability in hazardous situations, enhancing safety through precise electrical actuation rather than purely mechanical mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The vehicle achieves high energy efficiency, low noise, improved maneuverability, and enhanced safety, enabling effective cutting of large areas and navigating obstacles with intuitive control over cutting blades.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic component (23) powered by an electric line connected with the battery pack (10) and configured, only when electrically powered, for generating an electromagnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a mobile vehicle, in particular for cutting lawns or gardens, comprising a support frame (3), a driving station (4), at least one work tool (5) carried below by said support frame (3) for performing a process on land to be maintained, and a command device (7), such as a joystick, operable by the operator seated in said driving station (4), for determining a movement of the vehicle. The vehicle comprises a right drive wheel and a left drive wheel as well as a first and a second electric motor (9a), independent of each other, coupled to the first and the second wheel respectively and powered by a battery pack (10); a controller (50) is configured for receiving at least one command signal from the command device (7) and consequently commanding the two electric motors. In one aspect, the controller (50) can, upon detection of emergency signals, command the locking of the electric motors active on the wheels, and of the electric motor(s) active on the work tool (5). In a further aspect, an emergency brake managed by the controller (50) is included on each of the crankshafts of each of the electric motors.