JP2898408B2 - Solar powered lawn mower - Google Patents

Description

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to electric lawn mowers, and more particularly to:
The present invention relates to an electric lawn mower driven by an electric motor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION At present, powered lawn mowers have four
Either a cycle gasoline engine or a two-cycle gasoline engine can be powered to operate either a rotary or reel-type mowing blade. Other powered lawn mowers have an electric motor that drives either rotary or reel type mowing blades. A lawn mower driven by such an electric motor supplies power to the motor by a cord that can also be connected to a power supply for ordinary households.

The use of gasoline engines, such as large engines to drive automobiles and other motor carriers, is finally EP
S. (Environmental Protection Agency) constitutes a substantial source of air pollution that has been cracked down. Apart from such a gasoline engine, there is a lawnmower driven by a cord-type electric motor. However, this mower, which must be connected to a power source by a running cord, is not as mobile as a gasoline engine mower. Such power cords are prone to being cut by blades or stripping power leads. In addition, if a suitable waste gas recovery device is not integrated into the central power plant, if not a direct source of pollution, such electric lawn mowers can become a major source of pollution when fossil fuels burn. Power is supplied from the generator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, a feature of the present invention to provide an electric lawn mower with a power source that produces no or no emissions from the lawn mower.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide an electric lawn mower with a power source that does not require a cord to power the lawn mower.

Another feature of the invention is an electric motor connected to a cordless power supply that includes a first power supply for supplying power to the operating motor and further includes a second power supply that generates power by simply exposing to light energy. An object of the present invention is to provide an electric lawn mower with a rotary blade driven by a motor.

Yet another aspect of the invention includes a cordless power supply for an electric motor, wherein the power supply is disposed on a top surface of the protective housing, such that power is supplied from the first power supply to the electric motor, the cordless power supply comprising It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric lawn mower of the type mentioned for the purpose, which comprises a first power supply for driving the motor and further comprises a second power supply for charging the first power supply.

Yet another object of the present invention is an electric lawn mower having a solar panel comprising a solar cell for charging a built-in battery that supplies primary power to an electric motor of the electric lawn mower to eliminate the need for a power cord. It is to provide.

Still another object of the invention is to charge a rechargeable battery with a rotary blade driven by an electric motor, having a first power source defined by a rechargeable battery fixed to a lawn mower. To provide an electric lawn mower that includes a second power supply secured to the lawn mower.

Another object of the invention is to position the second power supply above the drive motor to block sunlight from different directions so that the mower is driven in a mowing manner against the turf surface. An object of the present invention is to provide an electric lawnmower which is a solar battery plate.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a solar powered lawnmower having a separate solar panel or solar cell auxiliary power supply formed on the sides and front of the mower deck or blade housing and / or the handle. To provide.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a separate solar cell plate formed as a covering for a turf collecting member implicated in a lawn mower to collect turf cut by a mowing blade of an electric lawn mower. Another object is to provide a solar powered lawnmower having a solar battery auxiliary power supply.

Yet another object of the invention is to equip a passenger entry and exit section,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a solar powered lawn mower in which a solar panel for an electric motor is formed with a covering material covering the front end of the solar powered lawn mower.

Yet another feature of the present invention is that the solar panel or solar cell can be extended from the main housing of the electric lawnmower to expose it to maximum sunlight when in use, restricting the battery storage arrangement to a small one when not in use. It is an object of the present invention to provide such an electric lawn mower which is fixed on a retractable outrigger plate.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a shelter for an electric lawn mower comprising a solar power source, wherein the solar power source is combined with a solar panel fixed to the electric lawn mower to charge a built-in battery. To provide an electric lawnmower including a solar panel on a shelter.

Yet another object of the present invention is a connection circuit between a solar cell plate or solar cell having an output terminal and a positive and negative terminal of a battery fixed on an electric lawn mower for applying power to an electric motor. And the connection circuit serves to charge the solar panel when the solar panel is exposed to sunlight and to supply the charging current to the battery when the solar panel is not exposed to the sun. The connection circuit includes a capacitor and further includes a diode to protect the solar panel or solar cell from return flow from the battery to the solar panel or solar cell when the solar panel does not generate a charging current. Is to provide a solar powered lawnmower.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a safety switch in an electrical control circuit in the form of a lawn mower attitude responsive switch that insulates a drive motor from a power source when the lawn mower is tilted to an angle that exposes a mowing blade to a user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a solar powered lawn mower of the type described in the above object and features.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a safety circuit of the above object, wherein the switch is a mercury switch oriented so that the supply of power to the electric motor is interrupted when the mower is tilted. It is.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a solar panel, such as a flexible amorphous silicon, sprayed or soaked on a relevant surface in a lawn mower, and consequently a lawn mower deck, lawn mower It is an object of the present invention to provide a solar panel in which the entire surface area of the chassis or bagging unit of the machine is a generator of solar power.

These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of the electric lawnmower of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electric lawnmower of FIG. 1 including a movable solar cell plate.

 FIG. 3 is a plan view of the solar cell plate of the present invention.

 FIG. 4 is a side view of the solar cell plate of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of the solar cell plate used in the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention comprising a front panel, a side panel, and an upper section of a roof of a lawn mower and a solar cell plate disposed on a handle thereof.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6, seen in the direction of the arrow.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention including an electric lawn mower having a solar panel turf collecting member forming the outer surface of the lawn mower.

FIG. 9 has a solar panel or solar cell mounted on an outrigger connected to a jacket of an electric lawn mower operated by an electric motor powered by a battery, and the control circuit supplies power when in use. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention for connecting a battery for charging and a solar cell plate or solar cell on an outrigger.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a riding lawn mower having a front section whose roof is formed by external solar panels.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of an electric motor driven riding lawn mower that includes a flat protective roof with solar panels for charging the battery of the lawn mower.

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of an electric motor-driven riding lawn mower including an inclined roof lid with solar panels.

FIG. 11 includes a passenger seat mounted as a pedestal in front of the mowing section of the lawn mower, with solar panels on both sides and in front of the lawn mowing section, and further mounting the turf collecting member. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another riding lawn mower installed at the top rear of the vehicle.

FIG. 12 houses a solar-charged electric motor-driven lawnmower that assists battery charging of a solar panel mower that is directly fixed to a solar electric lawnmower including a solar panel or a roof panel that defines the solar cells It is a perspective view of a solar garage for performing.

FIG. 12A is a variant of the flat roof of the solar garage of FIG.

 FIG. 12B is another embodiment of the solar garage.

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram of a solar panel charging circuit for a built-in mounted solar panel for charging a battery of an electric lawnmower that supplies power to an electric motor for operating a mowing blade of a lawnmower. FIG.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view of a safety switch for cutting off connection between a power terminal and a power supply of a drive motor of a solar electric lawnmower when the lawnmower is tilted to expose a cutting blade.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, an electric lawn mower 10 includes a rotary blade
Shows that it includes a protective housing 12 for 14. The blade 14 is suspended within the protective housing 12 by a drive train 16 that includes an electric clutch and brake device 18. The drive mechanism row 16 is an operating axis of the drive motor.
It is connected to a drive motor 20 to which a direct current is supplied by 20a. This motor 20 is mounted on the upper part 12a of the protective housing 12.
Supported by.

The electric lawn mower 10 is powered by a first power supply in the form of rechargeable batteries 22, 24 located on either side of the drive motor 20. In this case, these batteries 22, 24
Protective housing with suitable limiting fixture (not shown)
12 is fixed to the top 12a.

One of the features of the present invention is that the installation of a built-in power supply for the drive motor 20 eliminates the need for a power cord as in existing electric lawn mowers. Thus, the present invention eliminates the problem of accidental disconnection of the power cord that can occur during mower operation.

Another feature of the present invention is the installation of a solar cell device 30 for charging the rechargeable batteries 22, 24 while the mower is operating to maintain the functional operating levels. The installation of a built-in recharging power supply eliminates the need to connect to a battery for recharging from a central power supply so as to avoid generating plant emissions that may be generated during recharging. If the mower is not exposed to sunlight until the next mowing after use, an initial charge is required, but a periodic charge is also required due to some losses resulting from leaving (shade). A further advantage of electric lawn mowers is that pollutants and emissions generated by lawnmowers of the type in which the lawn mower is powered by either a four or two cycle engine fueled by an existing fossil fuel source Is lost. Such fossil-fueled internal combustion engines do not include emission control devices and generate, as a whole, combustion materials that constitute substantial sources of nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. Direct evaporation of fuel meets all the regulations necessary to protect the world environment.

The rechargeable batteries 22, 24 and the solar battery charger 30
The electric mower 10 equipped with is easily adaptable to the use of known drives. For example, the electric lawn mower 10 has a drive shaft
A conventional handle 26 with a control module 28 for setting a control mode to operate a standard drive transmission 32 with either a pulley 34 or gears at 20a
Can have. The drive belt 36 is sent from the pulley 34 to the drive pulley 38. The drive pulley 38 can be connected to a shaft 40 that supports a worm gear 42 that meshes with a worm 44 on a shaft 46 of a drive wheel 48. Such a drive transmission or its equivalent can be used to rotate the wheels of the electric lawn mower 10. The drive transmission or equivalent of this electric lawn mower 10 drives the lawn mower over the entire turf area with power from a built-in power supply and the rotary blade 14 cuts individual leaf pieces of turf in a known manner. Let

2, the rechargeable batteries 22, 24 have a negative terminal 50 connected to a negative terminal 52 of the DC drive motor 20 by a suitable conductor 54. Similarly, the motor
The positive terminal 56 of 20 is an on-off switch 2 of the control module 28.
8a or the variable speed controller 28b. When the switch 28a is turned on, the power circuit is completed over the windings of the DC electric drive motor 20 via the appropriate conductor 58 connected to the positive terminals 59 of the batteries 22,24.

If a variable speed controller 28b is used, the speed control generates a modulation signal of a known pulse width on the windings of the drive motor 20 to control the cutting speed of the blade 14 by itself. rpm can be varied. If the transmission 32 is used to drive drive wheels 48, the speed of the mower can be changed by changing the output speed of the drive motor.

The electric clutch 16 can function as an electric brake when electric power of the opposite polarity is applied to the electric clutch 16 when the handlebar safety bar 26a is released. If the user's hand is away from the handle, the safety release bar 26
a defines the safety switch 26b and the clutch 16 in order to immediately perform the stopping operation on the cutting blade 14.
The clutch 16 also absorbs shock when the blade 14 hits an object.

As a further safe feature, the blade
When the is rotated, the drive motor 20 incorporating the present invention can be immediately stopped by reversing the polarity of the battery with respect to the drive motor using the safety switch 26a. When the motor is stopped, the switch 26b is disconnected from the batteries 22, 24 until the switch 26b is reset to the start mode.
Insulate. Alternatively, an electromechanical brake band can be provided to apply an emergency brake to a rotary clutch or drum assembly connected directly to drive shaft 20a.

In operation, the accumulators or batteries 22, 24 are dry-charged or plugged-in units that are attached to the lawn mower as pre-charged units during manufacturing. If necessary, batteries 22, 24 can receive an initial charge of power from an external charging source. However, once charged, the batteries 22, 24 are powered by using the solar cell device 30 as an auxiliary power source.
It can operate for an extended time while maintaining the first charge of the first power supply defined in 24.

More specifically, the solar cell device 30 includes the electric motor 20
And a pair of solar cell plates 60 and 62 joined at the upper ridge line of the solar cell. To generate a voltage and current supply on conductor 66 that is generated as a direct current and voltage when the battery is exposed to either the sun or a bright light source,
Each of the solar cell plates 60 and 62 is connected with a large number of solar cells. Voltage regulator 70 is connected to either charging outlet 72 for initial charging or conducting wire 66 to control the amount of current for batteries 22 and 24. Voltage regulator 70 operates to maintain the voltage and current at a safe charge level such that additional voltage and current are directed from solar cell device 30 to the battery to maintain the voltage and current at a functional operating level.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
0 and 62 are replaced by a generally conical shaped solar cell plate 80. Solar panels 60 and 62 and conical solar panels
In any of the cases 80, the solar cell device 30 operates so as to block the sunlight from a plurality of directions during the operation of the lawn mower because the lawnmower 10 moves in a different cutting manner with respect to the lawn surface.

In all of the above-described embodiments of the present invention, and in the following embodiments of the present invention, the use of a fixed or mounted solar cell on a mowing device will provide a charging voltage and current to the battery. To increase the mowing time of the mowing device, provide a convenient way to charge the battery during use after use, and extend battery life.

Prolonged mowing time and battery life are achieved by solar cells that supply voltage and current to the battery in use. This reduces the internal resistance of the battery,
A greater amount of current is generated or supplied to the battery to operate the mowing motor for a longer time.

By reducing the internal resistance of the battery in use, the internal strain load of the battery is reduced while supplying voltage and current to the motor load. Thus, internal heat and sintering strain of the plate are reduced, and the battery has a long life.

Since the recharge time is directly proportional to the time the lawnmower is used, the recharge time can be reduced for a battery that has more of its energy unless the battery is fully withdrawn.

Known automotive batteries, such as starting batteries, are not useful as reapers. They can supply a high current for only a short time and cannot withstand long periods of discharge and recharge without loss.

Specially designed "long cycle" batteries, such as, but not limited to, gel cells, nickel cadmium, sealed recirculated gases and other "long cycle" non-spirable types, have long continuous basis without loss. Designed as periodic discharging and recharging. Such a battery provides the necessary current for an extended period of time and allows the reaper to perform useful work without damage, ie without dangerous internal liquid leaks or dangerous gas leaks.

Solar or photovoltaic cells used or mounted in mowing or lawn mowers are not limited to solid brittle types, such as crystalline silicon types. Resilient or compliant molds, such as amorphous silicon, which can be stretched, moistened, or otherwise adapted to any given surface, can adapt to any shape, such as solar generators Can be used for all decks, frames or bagged units. Resilient molds can be used in combination with solid state solar cells to provide maximum power generation for mower or mower applications.

Further, the solar cells or solar panels may be designed and configured as "improvement units" to be adapted to the lawn mower or mower powered by the existing battery and similar to those described herein. Perform a function.

6 and 7, the solar powered lawn mower 82 is connected to the output shaft of a drive motor 84 by a suitable drive train component (not shown). Drive motor for the same cutting blade as the blade shown in
It is shown to have a reaper deck supporting 84. In this embodiment, solar panels 90 for defining a second power source for charging a battery 86 that supplies power to the electric motor 84 are mounted on both sides, the top, and the front of the lawnmower 88. . More specifically, mower deck 88
Two sided solar panels 90a, 90b connected to both sides of the mower and adjusted to the optimal angle for the particular region where the mower is used
There is. In the disclosed adjustment, this angle is about 45 degrees from vertical, which is optimal in more northern regions. The mower also includes a front solar panel 90c located at the front of the mower deck 88 and adjusted to the same angle. The lawn mower 82 further includes a horizontal solar cell plate 90d that covers the motor 84. Further, the solar cell plate 90e is supported by push handles 82a and 82b of the lawnmower 82. In all cases, the positive and negative terminals of each solar cell plate are connected to the terminals of a voltage regulator 70 shown at 67 in FIG.

The embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8 includes a solar powered lawn mower 92 having a drive motor 93, a storage battery 95, and a charging circuit 97 similar to the lawn mower of the embodiment of FIGS. However, in this embodiment, the second power source for charging the power battery is a solar panel or solar cell fixed to the outer surface of a rear fixed turf collecting member 96 connected at the rear end to the deck 98 of the mower 92. Defined by batteries 94a, 94b, 94c.

An embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 9 includes an outrigger solar powered lawn mower 1 including a deck 102 having a drive motor 104.
00. The first power source for the electric motor 104 includes a battery 105 connected to a charging circuit 106 for receiving power from a second power source in the form of a pair of spaced solar panels 108 and 110. Each of the solar cell plates 108 and 110 is supported on an outrigger plate 112 which can be turned between a driving position shown in FIG. 9 and a power storage position shown by a dotted line 113 in FIG. More specifically, outrigger plate 112
Have an inner edge 112a connected by a hinge 114 to a protruding elbow member 115 on the mower deck 102. Each outer edge 112b of the outrigger plate 112 has wheels 116.
The lock members 118 on the edges 112b of each plate are closed together and hold the outrigger plate at the raised position 113.

When the solar powered lawn mower 100 is retracted, the outrigger plate 112 locks at any point that is located within the dimensions of the outer side of the deck 102 to limit the solar panels 108, 110 to a small power storage configuration. It is pivoted upward about hinge 114 until member 118 is engaged.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 10 has a seat fixed to the rear.
122, an electric motor, a storage battery and a riding lawn mower 120
Front housing 12 containing appropriate charging and power circuits for interconnecting the upper solar power supply 126
4 is a riding mower 120 having The charging and power circuits are the same as those described in the embodiment of FIGS. In this embodiment, a solar power source 126 includes a battery pack (not shown) for a drive motor for driving a cutting blade in a reaper deck 136 and a transmission 138 for transmitting power from the drive motor to rear drive wheels 140. A frame 128 is included on a front housing 124 that supports solar panels 130-134 for exposure to sunlight to generate a charge current amount (not shown). The drive train can take a variety of forms, and this embodiment is not a drive train train but a solar battery plate for charging a storage battery for powering an electric motor of a riding lawn mower. It is cited as another device for support.

The embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B shows an apparatus for supporting a solar cell plate on a sunroof above a riding motor. The embodiment of FIG. 10A shows a roof-type vehicle in which solar panels 142, 144 are configured on a sloping roof 145 to protect the driver of the riding lawn mower. 10B illustrates a solar panel 146 configured on a flat roof 148 to protect the driver.
Is shown.

The embodiment of FIG. 11 shows a riding lawn mower 150 having a centrally secured seat and a steering pedestal 156 secured to the front located on a platform with a lawn mower deck 154. A lateral outlet 156 from the mower deck 154 is connected by a drain gutter 156 to a rear turf collecting member 158. In this embodiment, the second power source for charging the built-in storage battery for supplying power to the drive motor is a solar cell plate 160, 162 and 164 supported by a pedestal 156, a seat frame and a rear turf collecting member 158, respectively. Consists of

FIG. 12 shows a solar garage or garage 160 for housing a solar powered mower of the type described above. Solar garage has side and roof 16 to protect the lawnmower
With 2 and 164 respectively. It also includes a solar cell plate 66 formed either tilted or flat to accumulate solar energy. This solar cell plate 166
The mower has a power cord or terminal connected to a power plug 168 that connects to the spade-shaped terminal 170 at the front of the electric mower when housed in the solar housing. In FIG.12A, the housing is shown as a variant of a flat roof 172, and in FIG.12B, the garage variant 174 is a plate with a power cord 174c adapted for connection with a charging socket 176 of a riding lawn mower 178. 174a, 174b.

All of the lawn mower housings and garages described above may be combined with solar panels supported on such lawn mowers (self) to charge the batteries of the solar powered lawn mowers, or It supports a solar cell plate that can be used as a separate power source for a battery of a mower with a drive motor but without a built-in solar cell plate. However, in each case, the garage, garage or other shelter supporting the solar panels serves to protect the lawnmower from natural forces when not in use, while the mower is protected when the sun is out. Charges the built-in storage battery.

In each case, maximum solar charging efficiency can be achieved by properly orienting the solar panels to maximize exposure to sunlight. Areas closer to the equator will have their solar panels adjusted more horizontally to capture light rays from the overhead sun position, but larger north and south latitudes will capture light rays from the sun position that has become lower in the horizontal direction. Requires a solar cell plate that is tilted vertically.

As shown in FIG. 14, a safety switch 180 is used in lawn mowers to prevent starting or driving the mowing device when it is tilted up and down in extreme directions. The switch is adapted to adapt to the running circuit via line 58 through or out of electrical continuity to the lawn mower deck base 18.
A mercury switch 180 fixed to 2.

As shown in FIG. 13, the capacitor 184 is
, And the output voltage sent to the battery 188 can be stabilized.

Thus, when the solar cell plate 186 supplies a current during the insolation time, the capacitor 184 stores the output of the solar cell, and at the same time, charges the battery with the solar cell. Thereafter, when entering the shade and not generating enough current, the energy stored in the capacitor 184 is discharged to the battery 188 until the solar cell receives additional sunlight, thereby charging the battery and charging the capacitor. Keep recharging. This capacitor must be at least the rated voltage output of the solar cell (or multiple solar cells) to withstand the voltage and can be as high as required to be able to deliver its charge in a given time .

When the solar panel does not generate voltage during the off-hours, diode 190 is placed in series with charging circuit 192 to prevent voltage and current return from battery 188. Thereby, the diode 188 blocks current and voltage from the battery reaching the solar panel so as not to damage the solar panel.

In either case, the protective housing of the lawn mower can be increased in size to accommodate a large number of rechargeable batteries to operate large loads. Similarly, a large support base is provided to accommodate the large area of the solar cell and provides a second power source for charging the battery.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are to be included in the spirit of the present invention.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A protective housing for accommodating a planar rotation of a rotary blade arranged for mowing grass located below a protective housing; a motor on top of the protective housing and driving the rotary blade. A rotary blade rotated by a drive for connecting the motor to the rotary blade in relation to the motor, the motor comprising an electric motor; and for the electric motor disposed on an upper surface of the protective housing. A cordless power source, wherein the cordless power source is a first power source for driving the motor, and the first power source when power is supplied from the first power source to the electric motor for operating the rotary blade. A second power source for charging a plurality of inclined solar cell plates, and one substantially horizontal solar cell plate covering the electric motor; Wherein the inclined solar panel is connected at its edge to the horizontal solar panel on the electric motor, so as to catch sunlight from multiple directions during use of the lawnmower. The lawn mower for mowing turf, characterized by the second power source wherein each of the solar panels is inclined downward from the horizontal solar panel.