Mower Deck Motor Speed Control Linked to Vehicle Travel Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional riding mowers lack efficiency in maintaining a neat lawn while conserving energy, as they operate at constant rotational speed regardless of vehicle speed, leading to excessive fuel and electrical power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a control system that adjusts the rotational speed of the deck motor based on vehicle speed through a mode switch, allowing for increased efficiency in mowing operations by optimizing the relationship between vehicle speed and mower blade peripheral speed, and incorporating a motor cooling system using liquid coolant for enhanced performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the mower rotates at a constant rotational speed regardless of vehicle speed, then the mowing operation is simple to control, but excessive fuel and electrical power consumption occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemowing operation controlVSAvoidfuel and electrical power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the mower's rotational speed variable rather than constant. The rotational speed is dynamically adjusted based on the vehicle speed detected by a speed sensor, allowing the system to adapt its operation to current driving conditions and optimize energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control by using a speed sensor to detect vehicle speed and feeding this information back to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts the mower's rotational speed accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes energy usage based on actual operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If the rotational speed of the mower is increased to sufficiently cut through dense lawn grass, then a neat lawn can be obtained, but wasteful excessive rotation occurs resulting in greater consumption of fuel and electrical power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelawn cutting qualityVSAvoidfuel and electrical power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the mower's rotational speed based on detected vehicle speed and grass density conditions. When vehicle speed indicates dense grass conditions, the rotational speed is increased to ensure proper cutting. When vehicle speed is lower or grass is less dense, rotational speed is reduced to avoid excessive energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the mower by adjusting rotational speed as a variable parameter rather than maintaining a fixed value. The control unit modifies this parameter based on vehicle speed and cutting conditions, optimizing the balance between cutting quality and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the rotational speed of the mower is maintained at a constant value, then the motor operation is simple, but energy saving cannot be achieved when vehicle speed is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor control systemVSAvoidenergy waste at high vehicle speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The motor control system transitions from a static constant-speed operation to a dynamic variable-speed operation. The rotational speed is continuously adjusted based on vehicle speed feedback, allowing the system to reduce energy waste during high-speed travel while maintaining adequate cutting performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback mechanism is introduced where the speed sensor continuously monitors vehicle speed and provides this information to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts the mower's rotational speed in response, creating an adaptive control system that reduces energy loss while maintaining cutting quality.

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

This approach enables efficient lawn maintenance with reduced energy consumption and improved motor performance by dynamically adjusting the mower's rotational speed and utilizing liquid coolant for efficient cooling, thus achieving a fine lawn state with shorter operation times and lower energy expenditure.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating a motor cooling system using liquid coolant for enhanced performance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2639128B1Work vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MFG
  • EP2639128B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2639128B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2639128B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A work vehicle includes a driving wheel motor for driving at least one driving wheel, a working implement-related motor for driving at least one working implement, and at least one controller. The at least one controller sets, upon satisfaction of a predetermined condition set in advance, a relationship between vehicle speed of the work vehicle and working implement-related target rotational speed of the working implement-related motor to a working travelling cooperative relationship according to which the working implement-related target rotational speed is increased according to an increase in the vehicle speed at least within a predetermined vehicle speed range of the work vehicle, and controls the working implement-related motor to implement a working travelling cooperative mode in which the working implement-related motor is driven at the working implement-related target rotational speed based on the working travelling cooperative relationship.