JP3154574B2 - Reaper - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reaper and, more particularly, to a reaper having a means for controlling the cut grass in a shooter for transferring the cut grass to a collection bag (glass bag).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some mowers for mowing turf, weeds, and the like have a cutter blade on the lower surface thereof. In this mowing machine, the mowing grass is transported in a duct-shaped shooter by the flow of air due to the rotation of the cutter blade, and stored in a glass bag. As an example of this type of device, Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-5
There is one described in Japanese Patent No. 8243.

[0003] In the above-mentioned reaper, there is a problem that since the cut grass is transferred by the air flowing through the shooter, if the transfer amount is large, the transfer capacity is reduced and the cut grass is jammed in the shooter.

[0004] Once this clogging phenomenon occurs, it is necessary to remove the shooter, clean the jammed grass, clean it, and then attach the shooter again. The removal and cleaning work of the cut grass is very troublesome and dirty work, which is disliked by the worker and greatly reduces the work efficiency.

[0005] The problem that the grass is clogged in the shooter does not always occur when the amount of cutting is large. For example, when the grass is wet and the cut grass easily adheres to the inner surface of the shooter, or when the cut grass is transported in a chute in the shooter due to air turbulence, the cause of the clogging is often caused. . And once
If a slight blockage occurs and the air flow in the shooter is interrupted, it quickly becomes a large blockage that renders the operation impossible.

[0006] The present inventors have found that, based on the test results obtained through many years of research, clogging of the cut grass in the shooter is not merely due to the large amount of cutting, but rather as when the cut grass starts to be clogged in the shooter. In addition, they discovered that the amount of cut grass that passed through the shooter temporarily became extremely large, which was caused by a decrease in the amount of air flowing through the shooter (air volume).

[0007] That is, it has been concluded that it is important to keep the optimum air flow for the transfer amount of the cut grass by keeping the cut grass passage amount or the passage density passing through the shooter below an appropriate value.

In view of the above circumstances, the present inventors have proposed a reaper that takes measures to prevent clogging when the passage density of cut grass in a shooter exceeds a predetermined threshold value. No. 3-311332).

[0009]

In detecting the passing density of the cut grass, there are the following problems. When the supply of the wind for transferring the cut grass is stopped, the cut grass being transferred in the shooter may be accumulated in the shooter. For example, it is configured to supply wind with a cutter blade for cutting, and in order to move the reaper from one work area to another work area, when the output shaft of the engine and the drive shaft of the cutter blade are separated, The ventilation is stopped and the cut grass is retained.

In some cases, a transmission type optical sensor is used as a sensor for detecting the passing density. When the optical sensor is covered with the grass that has accumulated in the chute, the optical sensor has a passing density of the grass. It outputs the same detection result as when it is high. As a result, there is a problem that it is determined that the passage density exceeds the threshold value, and the clogging prevention device may operate erroneously.

Further, even if the rotation of the cutter blade is resumed, the cut grass staying in the shooter is not blown off immediately, that is, the wind is actually supplied after the driving force is connected to the cutter blade. There is also a problem that there is a time delay before the air blowing state in the inside reaches a steady state.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a reaper capable of avoiding a clogging prevention determination error in a transition period in which the supply of wind to the shooter is stopped or restarted. The purpose is to do.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To solve the above problems,
In order to achieve the object, the present invention provides a cut grass passage density detecting means for detecting a passage density of cut grass passing through the shooter,
Means for issuing an alarm based on the detected cut grass passage density, and means for detecting whether or not an air supply source for supplying air flow to the shooter for transferring the cut grass is activated, and when the air supply source is not operated, A first feature lies in that the above-mentioned alarm is not issued.

Further, according to the present invention, the means for detecting the presence or absence of the operation of the air supply source is a switch for detecting whether or not the output shaft of the engine for driving the reaper and the drive shaft of the cutter blade are connected. A second feature is that when it is detected that the drive shaft of the cutter blade is connected to the output shaft of the engine, the alarm can be issued after a predetermined time from that time. There is.

Further, according to the present invention, the cut grass passage density detecting means includes an optical sensor attached to an inner wall of the shooter and having an optical axis passing through the inside of the shooter. A third feature is that the detection is performed based on the light blocking ratio based on the presence or absence.

[0016]

According to the present invention having the above characteristics, it is possible to detect that clogging is about to occur based on the passing density of cut grass in the shooter, and to issue an alarm before clogging occurs.

According to the first feature, the interlock is applied so that the alarm is not activated when the air supply source for supplying the wind for transferring the cut grass into the shooter is not activated. According to the second feature, the alarm can be issued only after the air supply source is activated and the air supply to the shooter is in a steady state.

Further, according to the third feature, the light-shielding ratio is detected by detecting, as a pulse train signal, the presence or absence of light-shielding due to cutting grass blocking the optical axis of the optical sensor. It is also possible to judge.

[0019]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a riding lawn mower will be described as an example of a mowing machine. FIG. 3 is a side view of the riding lawn mower. In FIG. 1, a riding lawn mower (hereinafter simply referred to as a lawn mower) 1 is provided at a front portion of a vehicle body 2 and serves as a steering wheel, and a rear wheel 3 is provided at a rear portion of the vehicle body 2 and serves as a driving wheel. Wheel 4
And The front wheel 3 is steered by a handle 5 provided at a front portion of the vehicle body 2. A seat 6 is provided at the center of the vehicle body 2, and an engine (not shown) covered by a cover 7 is mounted below the seat 6.

A cutter housing 8 accommodating a cutter blade 8a is provided below the vehicle body 2. Driving force is transmitted to the cutter blade 8a from the output shaft of the engine. A support stay 9 is provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2,
A glass bag 11 is detachably mounted on a support frame (not shown) horizontally mounted on the stay 9. The upper part of the glass bag 11 is covered with a lid 12 that can be opened and closed.

A duct-shaped shooter 13 is provided between the cutter housing 8 and the bag 11, and the grass cut by the cutter blade 8a is transferred through the shooter 13 and stored in the glass bag 11. Shooter 13
Is composed of components of an upper cylinder 14, an intermediate cylinder 15, and a lower cylinder 16 so that assembly and disassembly for maintenance and cleaning is easy.

The control panel 10 provided below the front handle 5 of the seat 6 includes a PTO switch described later, a threshold setting dial for setting a shooter clogging prevention reference value, a full glass bag 11 and a shooter. An alarm lamp or a buzzer for notifying the possibility of clogging, various display lamps, and the like are provided.

Further, the shooter 13 is provided with an optical sensor for detecting the transfer state of the cut grass in the shooter as the density of the cut grass. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an arrangement state of the optical sensor. The light emitting unit 17a and the light receiving unit 17b are connected to each other by a band-shaped mounting member 19 to form a transmission type optical sensor 17. In the transmission type optical sensor 17, the light emitting unit 17a and the light receiving unit 17b have the same optical axis,
In addition, the position of the shooter 13 is adjusted so as to penetrate the shooter, and the shooter 13 is attached to the intermediate cylinder 15. For example, a light emitting diode can be used as the light emitting unit 17a, and a photo IC including a photodiode can be used as the light receiving unit 17b. The attachment 9 can accommodate a power supply and a signal line.

The optical sensor 17 is desirably provided on the intermediate cylindrical body 15 having a wide linear portion, rather than being provided on the upper cylindrical body 14 or the lower cylindrical body 16 having a wide bent portion. Further, the optical axis connecting the light emitting unit 17a and the light receiving unit 17b does not have to be horizontal as shown in the figure, and may be at least shifted by an appropriate angle from the vertical direction. If the optical axis extends along the vertical direction, fine grass and dust may easily adhere to the lower side of the light emitting unit 17a and the light receiving unit 17b, which may cause dirt. In the case of turfgrass that is heavy due to heavy water or moisture, the cut grass tends to be transferred along the lower side of the shooter, which causes an increase in detection error. Therefore, it is preferable to dispose the optical axis at least by an appropriate angle from the vertical direction.

In order to prevent contamination of the optical sensor 17 and improve detection accuracy, the light emitting section 17a and the light receiving section 17b
It is desirable that the side arranged below is flush with the inner wall of the shooter 13, and the side arranged above is desirably withdrawn from the inner wall of the shooter 13. Furthermore, it is desirable to install protectors for protecting the light emitting unit 17a and the light receiving unit 17b from grass and dust, respectively, upstream of each protector. Of course, the protector has a streamline shape or the like that does not impede the smooth flow of air in the shooter 13.

Next, control of the lawnmower of this embodiment will be described. First, a clogging prevention method will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, a pulse signal s is an output signal of the optical sensor 17. The optical sensor 17 is set so that the output signal is high “H” when the light reception level is lower than the predetermined value, and is low “L” when the light reception level is higher than the predetermined value.

When the optical axis of the optical sensor 17 is cut off by grass, the light receiving section 17b cannot detect the light emitted from the light emitting section 17a, so that the pulse signal s becomes "H" and the light is detected. In this case, the pulse signal s becomes “L”. If the amount of cut grass passing through the shooter 13 increases and the passing density of cut grass increases, the time during which the optical axis is cut off increases. That is, the ratio of the time TA, TB, TC during which the pulse signal s is “H” to the scheduled sampling period T (hereinafter, referred to as a light blocking ratio) increases. The shooter 13 determines whether the light-shielding ratio exceeds a threshold value.
To foresee jams in the house.

When the light-shielding ratio, that is, the parameter indicating the passing density of the cut grass exceeds the threshold value, an alarm is issued. This alarm operation is configured not to be executed when the air supply into the shooter 13 is not performed stably.

Further, in the present embodiment, the clogging of the cut grass in the shooter 13 is not predicted by the ratio of the light-shielding time in one sampling period T, that is, the light-shielding ratio, but preferably includes the light-shielding ratio detected most recently. An average number of continuous light shielding ratios is averaged, and the average value is compared with a threshold to predict clogging of the shooter 13.

With reference to the block diagram of FIG. 1, the main functions of the control device according to the present embodiment will be described. The level detection unit 20 determines whether the output signal of the optical sensor 17 (light receiving unit 17b) is “H” or “L”, and outputs a detection signal when the output signal is “H”. The level detection section 20 performs a detection operation at every predetermined interruption time (250 μsec in this embodiment), and a detection signal is supplied to the H level counter 21. H
The level counter 21 increments (+1) its count value in response to the supplied detection signal.

The sampling counter 23 counts the clock pulse CK, and outputs the detection signal x when the predetermined count value is counted, that is, during each sampling period. In this embodiment, the preset value of the sampling counter 23 is set so that the sampling period is 400 ms.

The value of the H level counter 21 is taken into the passage density judgment value calculation section 22 in response to the detection signal x output from the sampling counter 23, and the H level counter 21 is reset at the same time. That is, the count value for each sampling period is supplied from the H level counter 21 to the passage density determination value calculation unit 22.

The passage density judgment value calculation section 22 has a function of summing up or averaging the values of the H level counter 21 for each predetermined number of sampling periods, and outputs the calculation result to the clogging state judgment section 24. . In the following description, a case will be described in which a value obtained by averaging the values of the H level counter 21 for each elapse of the sampling period for a predetermined number of times is used as the passage density determination value.

In this embodiment, the value of the H-level counter 21 read out at the end of each sampling period is treated as a light-shielding time, that is, a light-shielding ratio in the sampling period.

The passage density determination value calculation unit 22 is provided with a light shielding ratio, that is, an H level counter 2 for a predetermined number of times read in the past.
The count value of 1 is stored, and the sum with the latest light-shielding ratio is calculated, and the average value is calculated. In the present embodiment, the average value of the light blocking ratio in the sampling period for the scheduled number of times including the latest data is obtained. The calculated average value is supplied to the clogging state determination unit 24.

On the other hand, the threshold value for preventing clogging set in the threshold value setting unit 25 is also supplied to the clogging state determination unit 24 and compared with the average value. As a result of the comparison, if the average value exceeds the threshold value, an alarm command is output. This alarm command is sent to the alarm unit 26 through the gate 29.
Supplied to

The PTO switch detecting section 27 is linked with a PTO operation lever (not shown) for connecting or disconnecting the output shaft of the engine for driving the lawnmower and the drive shaft of the cutter blade. When it is detected that the output shaft and the drive shaft are connected by the position of the lever, P
The output signal of the TO switch detection unit 27 becomes “H”. P
When the output signal of the TO switch detection unit 27 becomes “H”,
The gate 29 is opened, and the alarm command is supplied to the alarm unit 26.

Therefore, even if there is a command from the clogging state judging section 24, unless the output of the PTO switch detecting section 27 is "H", in other words, as long as the cutter blade is not rotating, the alarm section 26 is activated. Not done.

Further, if necessary, a timer 28 may be set to delay the output signal of the PTO switch detecting section 27 for a predetermined time and supply it to the gate 29.
That is, the timer 28 is connected to the PTO switch detector 27.
Is configured to start counting a predetermined timer time in response to the output signal. Therefore, when the output signal of the PTO switch detection unit 27 and the time-up signal of the timer 28 are supplied, the gate 29 opens, and the alarm command is output to the alarm unit 2
6 can be set. As a result, even when the output of the PTO switch detection unit 27 becomes “H”, the alarm unit 26 is activated after the set time of the timer 28 elapses, that is, until the wind starts to be stably supplied into the shooter. Can be set to never.

As a warning means included in the warning unit 26, a lamp or a buzzer can be considered. In the present embodiment, a buzzer is adopted, and if it is detected that the shooter 13 is likely to be clogged with grass, the buzzer is turned off. Sounds continuously or intermittently to urge the operator to execute clogging prevention measures such as deceleration operation.

The threshold value setting section 25 specifically comprises a potentiometer and an A / D converter for converting the output of the potentiometer into a digital signal so as to be convenient for computer processing. Further, the output value of the threshold value setting unit 25 is supplied to the clogging determination unit 24 after correcting the output of the potentiometer with different correction values according to conditions such as the type, length, and wetness of turf grass. May be.

The threshold value setting unit 25 may be constituted by a keyboard having a numeric keypad capable of generating digital data indicating a numerical value, in place of the above-described structure.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the main routine. In the figure, in step S1, initial processing necessary for microcomputer processing, such as setting of various timers and counters and clearing of memory, is performed. In step S2,
The threshold value (a potentiometer analog value) read from the threshold value setting unit 25 is converted into a digital value.

In step S3, an alarm interlock process is performed. In this alarm interlock processing, the alarm unit 26 is operated based on the state of the PTO switch indicating whether or not the output shaft of the engine and the drive shaft of the cutter blade are connected.
Set / reset processing of an alarm enable flag indicating whether or not to activate the device.

That is, when the cutter blade stops rotating and the air blowing into the shooter 13 is stopped, the cut grass may not be discharged to the glass bag side and may remain in the shooter 13. Then, this cut grass is the optical sensor 1
In some cases, an accurate light-shielding ratio cannot be detected by, for example, covering the cover 7. If an alarm is enabled in such a case, an erroneous alarm may be issued, which is confusing.

Immediately after the restart of the rotation of the cutter blade, the air flow is not stabilized, and the cut grass remaining in the shooter 13 and covering the optical sensor 17 may not be blown off, and the light blocking ratio may be erroneously detected. .

Therefore, while the cutter blade is not rotating, and during the scheduled time immediately after the start of rotation, the alarm unit 2
It is necessary to provide an interlock for preventing the activation of the device 6. For this interlock control, a process of setting / resetting the alarm enable flag is performed. Details of the alarm interlock process will be described later with reference to FIG. In step S4, a clogging prevention determination process is performed. Details of the clogging prevention determination process will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, the light-shielding level detection processing of the optical sensor 17 will be described with reference to FIG. This process is performed by a timer interrupt every 250 μsec. In FIG. 6, in step S100, it is determined whether the output signal level of the optical sensor 17 for detecting clogging of the shooter is L level indicating light reception or H level indicating light blocking.

If the detection signal level is at the H level, the process proceeds to step S110, where the count value of the H level counter is incremented (+1). The count value of the H level counter is used in the light-shielding ratio averaging process described later.

Next, the clogging prevention determination processing will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In step S11, it is determined whether the sampling counter is "0".

In step S12, light-shielding ratio averaging processing is performed using the light-shielding ratio, that is, the value of the H level counter 21. The shading ratio averaging process will be described later with reference to FIG.

In step S13, it is determined whether or not the average light shielding ratio calculated in the light shielding ratio averaging process is larger than a threshold value, which is a criterion for preventing clogging of the shooter 13. If the average light blocking ratio is larger than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S14, where "1" is set to a clogging prevention determination flag. On the other hand, if the average shading ratio is smaller than the threshold,
Proceeding to step S15, the clogging prevention determination flag is set to "0".
Is set.

In step S16, the H level counter is reset. In step S17, an initial count value for obtaining a 400 ms sampling period is set in the sampling counter.

Next, the alarm interlock process in step S3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 8, in step S20, the PTO switch flag is identified. The flag is "0" when the PTO switch is on, that is, when the cutter blade is connected to the engine output shaft, and is "1" when the PTO switch is off, that is, when the cutter blade is not connected to the engine output shaft. "Is set.

When the PTO switch flag is "1",
Proceeding to step S21, the alarm possible flag is set to "0", and proceeding to step S22, the initial value of the PTO on counter is set. The initial value here is such that after the PTO switch is turned on, that is, after the output shaft of the engine and the drive shaft of the cutter blade are connected, the air is blown into the shooter, and the air in the shooter is in a steady state. A time of 1 second is set as the delay time until. For example, this P
When the count value of the TO on counter is decremented by the interrupt processing every 40 ms, the count value becomes “2”.
5 ".

When the PTO switch flag is "0",
Proceeding to step S23, it is determined whether or not the PTO on counter is "0". If the PTO on-counter is "0", it is determined that the predetermined delay time has elapsed, the output of the engine is transmitted to the cutter blade, and the air is reliably blown into the shooter, so that accurate clogging prevention processing can be performed. Then, the process proceeds to step S24, where "1" is set to the alarm enable flag. Since the air is reliably blown in this way, the cut grass that has accumulated in the shooter and covers the optical sensor 17 is blown off toward the glass bag when the air blowing is stopped, so that the clogging can be prevented accurately.

Next, referring to FIG.
Will be described in detail. In the light-shielding ratio averaging process, an average value of the light-shielding ratio data is calculated in a plurality of N sampling periods that are continuous with the latest sampling period and include the sampling period. For this purpose, a plurality of light-shielding ratio buffers for storing the light-shielding ratio data for each sampling period are secured by setting the set value “N”.

Then, one of the N light-shielding ratio buffers
When one is designated by the parameter "n" for designating a buffer, data is transferred to and from the designated light-shielding ratio buffer Bn. Parameter "n" is 0
To (N-1). Here, an example will be described in which clogging prevention is determined based on the average value of the light blocking ratios in two consecutive sampling periods. Therefore, the set number of light-shielding ratio buffers, that is, the set value “N” is “2”.
Is set.

In FIG. 9, in a step S30, it is determined whether or not the parameter "n" is (N-1). If the parameter "n" is "0", the determination in step S30 is negative and the process proceeds to step S31, where the parameter "n" is incremented.

In step S33, the current total light shielding ratio D
The light shielding ratio buffer Bn corresponding to the parameter “n” from t
Is subtracted, and the latest light-shielding ratio data DNEW is added to obtain a new total light-shielding ratio Dt.

In step S34, the latest light-shielding ratio data DNEW is stored in the light-shielding ratio buffer B corresponding to the parameter "n".
n. In step S35, the average light shielding ratio DAV is calculated by dividing the total light shielding ratio Dt by the set value "N".

In the next process after the parameter "n" is incremented in step S31, the determination in step S30 becomes affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S32. Step S32
Then, “0” is set to the parameter “n”. The processing in steps S33 to S35 after the processing in step S32 is the same as described above.

As described above, the oldest data stored in the light-shielding ratio buffer Bn specified by the parameter "n" is updated with the latest data. As a result, an average value of the latest two light-shielding ratio data is obtained.

As can be seen from the above description, if the set value "N" is arbitrarily set as required, the average light blocking ratio is determined based on the data stored in the buffers corresponding to the set value "N". Can be obtained.

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a description will be given of an alarm process for determining whether to activate the alarm unit 26. This alarm processing
When the clogging prevention determination flag and the alarm enable flag are both “1”, the buzzer is intermittently sounded according to the scheduled clogging buzzer cycle and clogging buzzer ON time, and an alarm is given to the effect that there is a possibility of clogging.

In FIG. 10, in step S500,
The clogging prevention determination flag is identified, and if the clogging prevention determination flag is “1”, the flow proceeds to step S510 to identify the alarm enable flag. If the alarm enable flag is "1", the flow proceeds to step S520, and it is determined whether or not a clogging buzzer on counter in which a time for turning on the alarm means, that is, the buzzer within a scheduled period, is set to "0".

However, immediately after the start of the normal operation, the clogging prevention determination flag is “0”, and is temporarily “1”.
Since the warning possible flag is “0” even if
The process proceeds from step S500 or step S510 to step S570.

In step S570, "0" is set to the buzzer ON flag. In step S580, an initial value is set in the clogging buzzer cycle counter, and in step S590, an initial value is set in the clogging buzzer on counter. For example, if the initial value of the clogging buzzer cycle counter is set to “2” and the initial value of the clogging buzzer on counter is set to “1”, the alarm process is executed every 40 ms. Buzzer on time is 40m
It is set so that an intermittent buzzer sound with a duty of 50% occupying seconds is emitted. If the initial value of the clogging buzzer cycle counter is set to "3" and the initial value of the clogging buzzer on counter is set to "1", the duty of about 3 ms in which the buzzer on time occupies 40 ms in the cycle of 120 ms.
It can be set to emit a 3% intermittent buzzer.

In step S610, the buzzer-on flag is identified, and if the flag is "1", step S620
Proceed to to activate (turn on) the buzzer. If the buzzer on flag is “0”, the process proceeds to step S630 to stop (turn off) the buzzer.

Next, the case where the alarm possible flag is "1" in step S510 will be described. Since the initial value is set in the clogging buzzer-on counter, step S520 is performed.
Is negative, the process proceeds to step S530, and the clogging buzzer-on counter is decremented. Step S5
At 40, the buzzer-on flag is set to "1", and at step S600, the clogging buzzer cycle counter is decremented, and the routine proceeds to step S610.

If the determination in step S520 is affirmative, the flow advances to step S550 to determine whether the clogging buzzer cycle counter is "0". Since this counter is normally set to (initial value -1) as described above, it is determined in step S550 that the count value of the clogging buzzer cycle counter is not "0", and the flow advances to step S560 to turn on the buzzer. Set “0” to the flag. In step S600, if the count value of the clogging buzzer cycle counter is determined to be “0”, step S600 is performed.
Proceed to 570.

As described above, in this embodiment, the degree to which the light sensor 17 is shaded by the grass, that is, the density of the grass in the shooter is determined by the total or the average shade ratio of the shade times detected in a plurality of sampling periods. Is detected, and if the density exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that there is a risk of clogging, and an alarm is issued.

Accordingly, by recognizing this warning, the operator can reduce or stop the running speed of the lawn mower, ie, the cutting speed, so that the clogging which requires troublesome work such as disassembly and cleaning of the shooter is performed. It can be prevented beforehand.

It is a matter of course that the above-described reduction of the cutting speed and the stopping operation may be performed automatically without the intervention of the operator.

In this embodiment, the clogging is predicted by the total or average shading ratio of the shading times in a plurality of sampling periods. However, the clogging is performed by the shading ratio for each predetermined sampling time, that is, the result of one sampling of the shading ratio. May be predicted. In that case, the portion related to the calculation of the average light blocking ratio in the above-described flowcharts and functional block diagrams may be deleted.

Further, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the present invention is applied to a riding lawn mower, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be similarly applied to a mowing machine that runs unmanned. further,
The supply of air to the chute may not be obtained from the cutter blade, but may be performed from a separately provided blower fan. When using an air supply source other than the cutter blade, the on / off switch of the air supply source and the PTO switch detection unit 27 may be linked.

[0077]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect the best guide for judging clogging of cut grass, that is, the passage density of cut grass per unit time flowing in the shooter.

When the air supply to the shooter is temporarily stopped due to work, the cut grass remaining in the shooter may affect the operation of the cut grass passage density detecting means. Has made it possible to ignore the output signal of the passage density detecting means, so that the warning means does not erroneously issue a clogging prediction warning.

Further, when the air supply source is started, the alarm processing is enabled after the air supply in the chute is in a steady state, so that the influence of the cutting grass remaining in the chute can be taken. It is possible to prevent the alarm means from issuing a clogging prediction alarm by mistake.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a main part of a control device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an output signal of an optical sensor.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a riding lawn mower.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a mounted state of an optical sensor for detecting a light shielding ratio.

FIG. 5 is a main flowchart of clogging prevention control.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a timer interrupt process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a clogging prevention process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an alarm interlock.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a light shielding ratio averaging process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a warning process.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Riding lawn mower, 2 ... Car body, 8 ... Cutter housing, 11 ... Glass bag, 13 ... Shooter, 1
7 ... optical sensor 17a ... light emitting unit 17b ... light receiving unit
20: level detector, 21: H level counter,
22: light-shielding ratio calculation unit, 23: average value calculation unit, 24 ...
Clogging state determination section, 25: threshold value setting section, 26 ...
Alarm unit 27 PTO switch detection unit

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-62-79711 (JP, A) JP-A-2-107117 (JP, A) JP-A 64-29101 (JP, U) JP-A 63-103214 (JP) , U) Real opening 61-142527 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A01D 34/00-34/90

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A reaper configured to transport the cut grass in the shooter by an air flow fed into the shooter together with the grass and store the cut grass in a glass bag, wherein the grass passes through the shooter. A chip passing density detecting means for detecting a passing density of cuttings, a clogging state determining means for outputting a clogging state detection signal based on the detected passing density, and an alarm for issuing an alarm in response to the clogging state detection signal Means, a means for detecting the presence or absence of an air supply source for supplying an air flow into the chute, and an interlock means for not energizing the alarm means when the air supply source is not operating. And reaper. 2. An operation position of a PTO switch for connecting / disconnecting an output shaft of an engine to / from a drive shaft of the cutter blade, wherein the blower source is a cutter blade. 2. The reaper according to claim 1, wherein the reaper is a PTO switch detecting means for outputting an identification signal indicating whether the air supply source is activated based on the PTO. 3. A timer means for delaying a detection signal supplied from the clogging state determination means for a predetermined time after the operation of the air supply source is detected by the PTO switch detection means and supplying the detection signal to the alarm means. The reaper according to claim 2, wherein the reaper is provided. 4. The chip passing density detecting means includes an optical sensor having an optical axis that passes through the inside of a shooter, and means for detecting the presence or absence of light blocking of the optical sensor as a pulse train signal. The reaper according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the passage density is detected as a light blocking ratio based on the pulse train signal.