Lawn Mower All-Wheel Drive Controller

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional lawn mowers with internal combustion engines suffer from premature pulley failure due to wear and damage, limiting their operational capacity and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A lawn mower with a battery-powered system that includes a controller to selectively switch between single-axle drive mode and all-wheel drive mode, automatically reverting to single-axle mode when battery power is low, utilizing dual-directional transmissions for the front and rear wheels to enhance operational capacity and adapt to varying terrain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional internal combustion engines with pulleys are used, then power transmission is achieved, but premature failure occurs due to wear and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent durabilityVSAvoidoperational lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional internal combustion engine with pulleys with an electric motor system. The electric motor directly drives the transmission system, eliminating the pulley belt mechanism that is subject to wear and damage. This substitution of mechanical transmission components with direct electric drive improves reliability and extends operational lifespan.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If all-wheel drive mode is used, then traction and control are improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterrain adaptabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic drive mode selection system that allows the lawn mower to switch between single-axle drive mode and all-wheel drive mode. The controller automatically selects single-axle drive mode when battery power is low to conserve energy, while enabling all-wheel drive mode when sufficient power is available to maximize terrain adaptability. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between traction needs and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If battery power is depleted, then operational range is extended in single-axle mode, but loss of drive capability occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational rangeVSAvoiddrive system functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors battery power levels. When the battery power drops below a critical threshold, the controller automatically reverts from all-wheel drive mode to single-axle drive mode. This feedback-based automatic adjustment ensures the lawn mower maintains operational functionality by adapting to available power levels, preventing complete loss of drive capability while maximizing operational range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 solution provides enhanced operational capacity and adaptability to terrain without manual adjustments, improving traction and control in all-wheel drive mode while extending operational range in single-axle mode, and automatically managing battery power to prevent failure.

Implementation Method 1

a battery receiver configured to receive one or more batteries; a rear transmission coupled to the rear drive wheel and configured to receive power from the one or more batteries; a forward transmission coupled to the forward drive wheel and configured to receive power from the one or more batteries

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy to mechanical energy conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4140278B1Lawn mower
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 TECHTRONIC CORDLESS GP
  • EP4140278B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4140278B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4140278B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Lawn mowers are provided. A lawn mower includes: a mower deck; a cutting implement disposed below the mower deck; a handle coupled to the mower deck; a battery receiver configured to receive one or more batteries; a rear drive wheel; a forward drive wheel; a rear transmission coupled to the rear drive wheel and configured to receive power from the one or more batteries; a forward transmission coupled to the forward drive wheel and configured to receive power from the one or more batteries; and a controller configured to control at least one of the rear or forward transmissions.