Autonomous Lawn Mower Vertical Drive Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production cost of autonomous lawn mowers is increased due to the need for dedicated parts for both electric and manual cutting height adjustment mechanisms, which are largely different in arrangement.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous lawn mower design that allows for both electrical and manual operation methods using a shared vertical driving mechanism, where the traveling frame accommodates either a vertical driving motor for electrical operation or a manual driving mechanism, maximizing part sharing and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated parts are designed for both electrical and manual cutting height adjustment mechanisms, then both operation methods can be supported, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical driving member is designed with a universal interface that can be actuated by either a vertical driving motor (electrical operation) or manual input (manual operation). The member includes a driven gear that meshes with either a driving gear from the motor or a driving gear from the manual driving mechanism, allowing the same vertical driving member to perform the same function through different actuation methods. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated parts for each operation method, thereby reducing production cost while maintaining adaptability to both electrical and manual operation modes.
2Reliability
If separate vertical driving devices are designed for electrical and manual operations, then each method can be optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical and manual driving paths into a single vertical driving member. The driven gear of the vertical driving member is positioned to mesh with either the driving gear of the vertical driving motor or the driving gear of the manual driving mechanism, depending on which operation method is selected. This merging approach consolidates the mechanism arrangement, reducing device complexity while maintaining the reliability of both operation methods through a unified driving interface.
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
Enables the production of autonomous lawn mowers with reduced production costs by sharing components between electrical and manual operation methods, while maintaining effective cutting height adjustment capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a screw portion for vertically moving the motor holding member by being meshed with the rack, and a gear driving motor for driving the screw portion
Data Source
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AI summary
An autonomous lawn mower, comprising a traveling frame (11) provided with traveling wheels (17, 18), a motor holding member (13) for vertically moving while holding a cutter blade driving motor, a vertical driving member (14) vertically moving the motor holding member (13), and one of a vertical driving motor (61) or a manual driving mechanism (80), the vertical driving motor (61) electrically driving the vertical driving member (14), the manual driving mechanism (80) manually driving the vertical driving member (14), the frame including a support portion (28, 75) for supporting the vertical driving member (14), a motor mounting portion (76) for mounting the vertical driving motor (61), and a manual driving mechanism mounting portion (95 to 98) for mounting the manual driving mechanism, and, when the frame is viewed from above, the motor mounting portion (76) and the manual driving mechanism mounting portion (95 to 98) are positioned in different phases around the support portion (28, 75).