Lawn Mower Ground Detection for Torque and Traction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lawn mowers lack suitable driving operability when transitioning between lawn and non-lawn surfaces, such as paved roads, due to inadequate torque adjustment and traction control.
Innovation Solution
A lawn mower equipped with a slip ratio calculating section, friction coefficient calculating section, determination section, and drive controlling section that adjusts torque and traction control based on the surface type, ensuring optimal operation on both lawns and non-lawn surfaces by differentiating between lawn and non-lawn conditions using slip ratio and friction coefficient data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the lawn mower uses high torque for lawn traveling, then cutting performance on lawn is improved, but slipping and energy loss occur on non-lawn surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the torque output dynamically adjustable based on real-time ground surface detection. The control unit continuously monitors slip ratio and friction coefficient, then adjusts motor torque accordingly - maintaining high torque when on lawn for effective cutting, and reducing torque when on non-lawn surfaces to prevent slipping and energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the torque parameter based on detected ground conditions. By calculating slip ratio and friction coefficient, the system determines the appropriate torque level - using high torque for lawn surfaces and low torque for non-lawn surfaces, thus optimizing energy efficiency while maintaining cutting performance when needed.
2Reliability
If the lawn mower uses traction control on lawn, then wheel slip is reduced, but operational flexibility on non-lawn surfaces is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The traction control system is dynamically enabled or disabled based on ground surface detection. When the determination unit identifies lawn surface through slip ratio and friction coefficient analysis, traction control is activated to prevent wheel slip. When non-lawn surface is detected, traction control is deactivated to allow free operation and maintain versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting ground conditions and adjusting traction control status without user intervention. The control unit monitors slip ratio and friction coefficient, then autonomously enables traction control only when needed on lawn surfaces, eliminating the need for manual mode switching while maintaining both reliability and flexibility.
3Device complexity
If the lawn mower operates with fixed torque settings, then system simplicity is maintained, but driving operability varies poorly between lawn and non-lawn surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs self-service by automatically detecting ground surface type through slip ratio and friction coefficient calculation, then autonomously adjusting torque settings. This eliminates the need for complex manual intervention while achieving optimal driving operability on different surfaces, balancing simplicity with performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring wheel slip and calculating friction coefficient, then using this information to adjust torque output. The determination unit processes this feedback to identify ground surface type, and the control unit responds by adjusting torque settings, creating a closed-loop system that improves operability without excessive complexity.
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 system achieves improved driving operability on lawns by increasing torque and engaging traction control, while reducing torque and disengaging traction control for non-lawn surfaces to prevent slipping and damage, ensuring smooth operation and extended machinery life.
Implementation Method 1
a slip ratio calculating section for calculating a slip ratio indicating a magnitude of slip while the lawn mower is traveling
Implementation Method 2
a friction coefficient calculating section for calculating a friction coefficient of a ground on which the lawn mower is traveling
Data Source
AI summary
The configuration includes: a motor for driving a driving wheel (rear wheel) provided to a body; a slip ratio calculating section for calculating a slip ratio while the lawn mower is traveling; a friction coefficient calculating section for calculating a friction coefficient of a ground on which the lawn mower is traveling; a determination section for determining whether the ground on which the lawn mower is traveling is a lawn based on a relationship between the slip ratio and the friction coefficient and a drive controlling section for controlling the motor based on a determination result from the determination section. This configuration allows suitable driving operability for both of a case where the ground on which a lawn mowers traveling is a lawn and a case where the ground is other than a lawn.