Wireless Handle Sensor for Grass Mower Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grass mowers require complex and costly wiring for control systems, which increases manufacturing complexity, is prone to damage during use and storage, and complicates maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A handle with a wireless remote control system that uses sensors to ensure correct alignment before allowing mower functions to be controlled, reducing the need for physical wiring and simplifying assembly and repair processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If controls are placed on the handle with physical wiring, then control functionality is achieved, but wiring complexity increases and maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. The handle control unit communicates with the mower control unit via wireless signals (e.g., radio frequency), eliminating the need for physical wires and connectors between these components. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining control functionality while eliminating wiring complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the wiring system from the control architecture by implementing wireless communication. The control signals are transmitted through the air using electromagnetic waves rather than through physical conductors, effectively removing the wiring infrastructure that caused complexity and maintenance issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If physical wiring is used for control systems, then control signals can be transmitted, but the risk of wire damage during use, storage, and folding increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol signal transmissionVSAvoidwire damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the vulnerable mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. Control signals are transmitted through electromagnetic waves in the air, eliminating physical wires that can be cut, damaged, or disconnected during handling, storage, and folding operations. This maintains reliable control signal transmission while removing the source of damage risk.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If extensive wiring is implemented for handle controls, then full control functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex wiring infrastructure with wireless communication modules. Instead of routing multiple wires through the handle assembly and connecting them to various control components, the system uses wireless transceivers to transmit control signals, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing assembly steps.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless communication module serves multiple control functions simultaneously, replacing what would otherwise require separate wiring for each control signal. This multi-functional approach reduces the overall complexity of the control system while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If wired control systems are used, then control precision is maintained, but maintenance difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the wired control system with wireless communication, eliminating the need to physically trace, test, and repair wires and connectors. Maintenance personnel only need to check the wireless communication module and its software, significantly simplifying diagnostic and repair procedures while maintaining control precision through digital signal transmission.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3277070B1Handle with wireless control
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 TECHTRONIC OUTDOOR PRODS TECH
  • EP3277070B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3277070B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3277070B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A handle for attaching to a grass mower has a base, a handlebar and a sensor. The base contains a handlebar lock connector and a base lock that securably attaches to the grass mower. The handlebar contains a handlebar lock that is releasably securable to the handlebar lock connector. The handlebar also contains a wireless remote control for controlling a mower function. The sensor is in a sensor location such as the base and/or the handlebar lock, and detects whether the handlebar is correctly aligned to the base. Furthermore the sensor only allows the wireless remote to control the mower function when the sensor detects that the handlebar is correctly aligned to the base. A grass mower may also contain such a handle.