阅读说明：本技术 多刀片割草机 (Multi-blade mower ) 是由 布拉德·格雷厄姆 塞缪尔·拉铁摩尔 戴维·巴克尔 乔纳森·芬克 于 2019-10-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种割草机,可以包括：刀片壳体,构造成容纳至少第一刀片和第二刀片；轴,设置成在刀片壳体内旋转；动力头,构造成响应于从动力源施加动力而选择性地转动所述轴；以及刀片耦接器,构造成将所述第一刀片和/或所述第二刀片选择性地耦接到所述轴,以基于所述第一刀片和/或所述第二刀片中的哪个刀片能操作地耦接到所述轴而产生不同的切割性能情况。(A lawn mower, comprising: a blade housing configured to house at least a first blade and a second blade; a shaft disposed for rotation within the blade housing; a powerhead configured to selectively rotate the shaft in response to application of power from a power source; and a blade coupler configured to selectively couple the first blade and/or the second blade to the shaft to produce different cutting performance conditions based on which of the first blade and/or the second blade is operably coupled to the shaft.)

1. A lawn mower, comprising:

a blade housing configured to house at least a first blade and a second blade;

a shaft disposed for rotation within the blade housing;

a powerhead configured to selectively rotate the shaft in response to application of power from a power source; and

a blade coupler configured to selectively couple the first blade and/or the second blade to the shaft to produce different cutting performance conditions based on which of the first blade and/or the second blade is operably coupled to the shaft.

2. The mower of claim 1 wherein the first blade and the second blade are each of a different type in energy consumption or cutting characteristics.

3. The mower of claim 2 wherein the first blade is a low energy, low flow blade and the second blade is a high energy, high flow blade.

4. The mower of claim 3 wherein the first blade is a flat blade and the second blade is a wing blade.

5. The lawnmower of claim 2, wherein the blade coupler permanently couples one of the first and second blades to the shaft, and the blade coupler is configured to selectively couple the other of the second and first blades to the shaft.

6. The lawn mower of claim 2, wherein in three respective different positions of the blade coupler, the blade coupler is configured to be positioned to couple only the first blade to the shaft, only the second blade to the shaft, and both the first blade and the second blade to the shaft.

7. The lawnmower of claim 2, wherein the blade coupler is configured to be vertically movable to selectively engage the first blade and the second blade, alone or in combination with each other.

8. The lawnmower of claim 7, wherein the blade coupler is movable in response to operation of a mechanical reset.

9. The lawnmower of claim 7, wherein the blade coupler is movable in response to operation of an electrical reset.

10. The lawn mower of claim 7, wherein the blade coupler is configured to engage the first blade and the second blade such that a retardation angle is defined between the first blade and the second blade.

11. The lawnmower of claim 10, wherein the delay angle is between 0 and 180 degrees.

12. The lawnmower of claim 10, wherein the retardation angle varies as a result of a sliding arrangement provided between the blade coupler and one of the first and second blades.

13. A power management assembly for controlling rotation of a blade in response to operation of a power head of a lawn mower, the power management assembly comprising:

a first blade disposed within the blade housing and selectively operatively coupled to the shaft;

a second blade disposed within the blade housing and selectively operatively coupled to the shaft; and

a blade coupler configured to selectively couple the first blade and/or the second blade to the shaft to produce different cutting performance conditions based on which of the first blade and/or the second blade is operably coupled to the shaft.

14. The power management assembly of claim 13, wherein the first blade and the second blade are each of a different type in energy consumption or cutting characteristics.

15. The power management assembly of claim 14, wherein the first blade is a low energy, low flow blade and the second blade is a high energy, high flow blade.

16. The power management assembly of claim 15, wherein the first blade is a flat blade and the second blade is a wing blade.

17. The power management assembly of claim 14, wherein the blade coupler permanently couples one of the first and second blades to the shaft, and the blade coupler is configured to selectively couple the other of the second and first blades to the shaft.

18. The power management assembly of claim 14, wherein, in three respective different positions of the blade coupler, the blade coupler is configured to be positioned to couple only the first blade to the shaft, only the second blade to the shaft, and both the first blade and the second blade to the shaft.

19. The power management assembly of claim 14, wherein the blade coupler is configured to be vertically movable to selectively engage the first blade and the second blade, alone or in combination with one another.

20. The power management assembly of claim 19 wherein the blade coupler is movable in response to operation of a mechanical reset.

21. The power management assembly of claim 19 wherein the blade coupler is movable in response to operation of an electrical reset.

22. The power management assembly of claim 19, wherein the blade coupler is configured to engage the first blade and the second blade such that a retardation angle is defined between the first blade and the second blade.

23. The power management assembly of claim 22, wherein the delay angle is between 0 and 180 degrees.

24. The power management assembly of claim 22 wherein the retardation angle changes due to a sliding arrangement provided between the blade coupler and one of the first and second blades.

Technical Field

Exemplary embodiments relate generally to outdoor power equipment and, more particularly, to a lawn mower having multiple blades operable to provide different functions and/or power consumption profiles.

Background

Yard maintenance tasks are typically performed using a variety of tools and/or machines configured to perform respective specific tasks. Certain tasks, such as mowing, are typically performed by lawn mowers. The lawn mower itself can have a variety of different configurations to support the needs and budget of the consumer. Rear-steered mowers are typically relatively compact, have relatively small engines, and are relatively inexpensive. The robotic lawnmower may be smaller and may operate autonomously. Meanwhile, on the other hand, riding mowers, such as lawn tractors, can be large.

While each of these different types of lawnmowers differ significantly in weight, size, cost, and sometimes performance, they are all generally configured around the same basic operating principles. In this regard, the power source is used to enable a power unit (e.g., a motor or engine) to provide motive force that causes the blades to rotate on the shaft and mow the grass. For many years, gasoline or gasoline engines have been the primary means by which to provide the motive force for rotating the blades. More recently, however, battery powered devices have become more prominent.

Practical limitations initially effectively limited battery power to use on smaller devices, such as robotic lawnmowers. However, battery technology has advanced gradually so that rear-steered mowers can also be battery powered. Even riding mowers such as lawn tractors and mowers with zero (or near zero) turn radii are now designed to be battery powered.

In view of these (and future) advances in battery technology, it is anticipated that more and more battery-powered mode mowers (i.e., electric mowers) will impact the market. The product cost of an electric mower is directly related to the size of the battery and the charger capacity of the charger used to charge the battery. Therefore, in this context, finding innovative solutions to reduce power consumption while also minimizing the impact on the quality of the cut provided by an electric mower would provide cost and performance advantages.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, some example embodiments may be used to improve the power management capabilities of a lawn mower.

In an exemplary embodiment, a lawn mower may be provided. The lawn mower may include: a blade housing configured to house at least a first blade and a second blade; a shaft disposed for rotation within the blade housing; a powerhead configured to selectively rotate the shaft in response to application of power from a power source; and a blade coupler configured to selectively couple the first blade and/or the second blade to the shaft to produce different cutting performance conditions based on which of the first blade and/or the second blade is operably coupled to the shaft.

In another embodiment, a power management assembly may be provided for controlling rotation of a blade in response to operation of a power head of a lawn mower. The power management assembly may include: a first blade disposed within the blade housing and selectively operatively coupled to the shaft; a second blade disposed within the blade housing and selectively operatively coupled to the shaft; and a blade coupler configured to selectively couple the first blade and/or the second blade to the shaft to produce different cutting performance conditions based on which of the first blade and/or the second blade is operably coupled to the shaft.

Drawings

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a lawn mower that may utilize a power management assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cross-sectional side view of a blade housing of a lawn mower according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a power management assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a blade and blade coupler of a power management assembly in a first position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a blade and blade coupler of the power management assembly in a second position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a blade and blade coupler of the power management assembly in a third position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of a blade and blade coupler of a power management assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

Some example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and illustrated herein should not be construed as limiting the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, the term "or" as used herein may be understood as a logical operator that results in a true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, operatively coupled may be understood to refer to a direct or indirect connection, in either case enabling functional interconnection between components operatively coupled to one another.

Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a walk-behind mower 10. However, it should be understood that the walk-behind mower 10 is merely one example of an outdoor power equipment device on which the exemplary embodiments may be implemented. In other examples, the outdoor power equipment device may be any form of riding lawn mower or robotic lawnmower. For the present example, the operator may be located at an operator position behind the lawn mower 10. However, for riding mowers, the operator may sit on a seat located in the front, middle, or rear portion of the apparatus. With robotic mowers, during a cutting operation, no operator may be actively involved in the operation of the device because the robotic mowers are capable of autonomous operation.

The lawn mower 10 of fig. 1 includes a blade housing 16 with a handle assembly 18 attached thereto, and an operator position may be distal of the handle assembly 18 relative to the blade housing 16. Blade housing 16 may house a blade assembly 20 (see also fig. 2) having more than one rotatable cutting blade. The cutting blade may be suspended above the ground surface via one or more instances of a rotatable shaft (e.g., a drive shaft, not shown in fig. 1) that may be rotated in response to operation of the power head 30, such as an electric motor. Operation of the powerhead 30 may be enabled by a key, switch, electronic ignition, or other similar device. In some cases, a key, switch, electronic ignition, etc. may be located at the powerhead 30. However, in other cases, keys, switches, electronic ignition devices, etc. may be located at the operator's location.

Mower 10 may include a moving assembly on which a majority of the weight of mower 10 may be located when mower 10 is stationary. The moving assembly may also be provided for movement of the mower 10. In some cases, the moving assembly may be driven via power from the powerhead 30, which may be selectively provided to the ground engaging wheels 40 that make up the moving assembly. In other cases, the wheels 40 may simply roll in response to the operator's thrust. In some examples, the wheels 40 are adjustable in their respective heights. Adjusting the height of the front and/or rear wheels may be utilized to provide horizontal cutting and/or to adjust the height of the cutting blade. In some embodiments, the partial wheel adjuster may be provided on the front wheel and/or the rear wheel. However, in other embodiments, remote wheel height adjustment is also or alternatively possible (e.g., from an operator location or other location on mower 10).

Rotation of the cutting blades of the cutting assembly 20 may generate clippings and/or other debris ejected from the blade housing 16. In some cases, grass clippings/debris may be ejected from the sides or rear of the blade housing 16. Many such mowers may use the collector 50 to collect the discharged clippings/debris when rear discharge is utilized. However, in some cases, the collector is used in a side discharge mode. The collector 50 may be removable to enable an operator to empty the collector 50, and the collector 50 may be made of fabric, plastic, or other suitable material.

As previously described, the exemplary embodiments can also be implemented on robotic mowers and riding mowers. In such cases, the components discussed above, as well as other components, may be included (or modified) to form a robotic or riding lawn mower. Accordingly, the components in FIG. 1 are provided as non-limiting examples of only some components that may be common to lawn mowers utilizing the techniques associated with the exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the interior of the blade housing 16 of fig. 1. Meanwhile, fig. 3 shows a functional block diagram of various components of a multi-blade mower according to an exemplary embodiment. It will be appreciated that in another embodiment, a general housing associated with a robotic lawnmower or riding lawn mower may be readily substituted for the blade housing 16. In the example of fig. 2 and 3, the powerhead 30 is battery powered by a battery 200. Although the powerhead 30 is battery powered in this example, it will be appreciated that the powerhead 30 could alternatively be powered by a gasoline or gasoline engine, and that the exemplary embodiments described herein could still be utilized. When battery powered, battery 200 may be a rechargeable battery that may be charged at a charging location (not shown). In an exemplary embodiment, the powerhead 30 may be operatively coupled to (and selectively provide power to or rotate) the shaft 100. Shaft 100 is then selectively coupled to one or both blades of blade assembly 20. The blades of blade assembly 20 include a first blade 110 and a second blade 120. However, it is understood that blade assembly 20 may also include additional blades (e.g., a plurality of vertically stacked blades). First and second blades 110 and 120 (along with any additional blades, if more than two are used) are each operably coupled to shaft 100 by a blade coupler 130. In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second blades 110 and 120 may each be a different type of blade, at least in terms of their energy consumption and/or cutting characteristics. For example, one blade may be used for better coverage performance and another blade may be used for better drainage or bagging performance. Different features of the blade may also include having different lengths. For example, the first blade 110 may be a 21 inch blade and the second blade 120 may be an 18 inch blade. In some alternative embodiments, other structural differences that affect energy consumption and/or cutting characteristics may also be utilized.

In some cases, the first blade 110 (e.g., the blade positioned closest to the ground, thus having the lowest elevation relative to the ground) may be a low flow and/or low energy (energy) blade. In other words, the first blade 110 may be shaped or otherwise designed to generate relatively little airflow and flow energy in response to its rotation. The flat blade design can provide such a low flow, low energy profile. In this regard, since the flat blade design encounters less air as it rotates, the amount of flow energy can be minimized. The flat blade can thus be turned relatively easily and consumes less energy. At the same time, the flat blade may also generate less flow energy, thus providing less ability to drive the flow of cuttings into the collector 50 of fig. 1, for example. The flat blade can thus be used as a better blade for mulching operations.

In some cases, the second blade 120 (e.g., the blade positioned furthest from the ground, and thus having the highest elevation relative to the ground) may be a high flow and/or high energy blade. In other words, the second blade 120 may be shaped or otherwise designed to generate a relatively large amount of airflow and flow energy in response to its rotation. The wing blade design can provide such a high flow, high energy profile. In this regard, because the wing blade design has non-uniform surfaces (e.g., some of which may be created by a "wing" shaped structure on or near its distal end), the wing blade encounters more air as it rotates, creating turbulence and increasing the amount of flow energy generated by the rotation of the blade. The wing blade is thus relatively more difficult to turn and consumes more energy. At the same time, the foil blades may also generate more flow energy, thus providing increased ability to drive the flow of cuttings into the collector 50 of fig. 1, for example. A wing blade can thus serve as a better blade for a discharging or bagging operation.

The first and second blades 110 and 120 may be coaxially positioned (e.g., by the shaft 100 forming a common axis thereof) in a vertically stacked arrangement. Thus, for example, the spacing between the first and second blades 110 and 120 may be provided with vertical spacing. In other words, the second blade 120 may be mounted at a higher elevation than the first blade 110 (i.e., farther from the distal end of the shaft 100 than the first blade 110). In some exemplary embodiments, the vertical space between the first and second blades 110 and 120 may be less than one inch. Further, in some cases, the vertical space may be approximately 1/8 inches or in the range of 1/2 inches to 1/16 inches.

In some cases, both the first and second blades 110 and 120 may be able to be selectively coupled to the shaft 100 to rotate therewith based on the position or arrangement of the blade coupler 130. For example, the blade coupler 130 may have: a first position in which the blade coupler 130 physically engages or couples only the first blade 110 to the shaft 100; a second position in which the blade coupler 130 physically engages or couples only the second blade 120 to the shaft 100; and a third position in which the blade coupler 130 physically engages or couples both the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 to the shaft 100. When a respective one of the first and second blades 110 and 120 is physically engaged or coupled to the shaft 100, the respective one of the first and second blades 110 and 120 may rotate with the shaft 100. Without being physically engaged or coupled to the shaft 100, the uncoupled/engaged respective first or second blade 110 or 120 may be allowed to freely rotate (freewheel) or not move even if the shaft 100 rotates.

In an exemplary embodiment, the blade coupler 130 may change position or arrangement to operatively couple one or both of the first and second blades 110 and 120 to the shaft 100 in response to a local or remote drive. Thus, for example, blade coupler 130 may be operated by electrical reset 210 or mechanical reset 220 to adjust to make a selection regardless of which blade is coupled to shaft 100. One or more gripping (clutch) elements, collar means, protrusions or other means may be used to couple the first and second blades 110 and 120 to the shaft 100. In some cases, one of the blades may always be coupled, while the other blade may be optionally coupled. For example, the first blade 110 may always be coupled to the shaft 100, and the second blade 120 may also be optionally coupled to the shaft 100. As an alternative, the second blade 120 may always be coupled to the shaft 100, the first blade 110 also being optionally coupled to the shaft 100. As another alternative, each of the first and second blades 110 and 120 may optionally be coupled to the shaft 100 individually or in combination with the other blades.

Mechanical reducer 220 may physically extend a stop, protrusion, or other coupling member from shaft 100 and into a portion of the blade (or vice versa) to operatively couple the two components in response to mechanical reducer 220 being operated. The electrical reset 210 may operate electrically or magnetically to extend a stop, protrusion, or other coupling member, or to magnetically couple a component of a blade to the shaft 100 (or vice versa). In some cases, electrical reset 210 or mechanical reset 220 may also include a braking mechanism for frictional coupling that stops or slows the unselected blades. For example, if the electrical reset 210 or the mechanical reset 220 operates to select the first blade 110 to rotate with the shaft 100, the second blade 120 may also be engaged (e.g., by a braking mechanism or frictional coupling) to slow or stop the second blade 120.

Fig. 4-6 show side views of a portion of the first and second blades 110 and 120 on the shaft 100, and an example of the vertical movement of the blade coupler 130. In this example, the blade coupler 130 may be moved vertically along the shaft 100 so as to be positioned in one of three different horizontal positions. In this regard, arrow 300 in FIG. 4 indicates that the blade coupler 130 can be moved up or down from the position shown in the figure. However, it will be appreciated that in the position shown in fig. 4, the blade coupler 130 contacts both the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 and couples both to the shaft 100 at the same time so that both the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 will rotate with the shaft 100. Notably, the shaft 100 may have one or more holes 310 disposed along the shaft 100. The blade coupler 130 may include a protrusion (not shown) that may fit within the instance of the aperture 310 to secure the blade coupler 130 to the shaft 100. Blade coupler 130 may also include a mating device with any blade in contact with blade coupler 130 to carry the corresponding blade through blade coupler 130 in response to movement of shaft 100. Thus, for example, in fig. 4, as the shaft 100 rotates, the blade coupler 130 engages (and thus carries) each of the first and second blades 110 and 120.

In the example of fig. 5, the blade coupler 130 has been moved vertically downward to engage only the first blade 110 with the shaft 100. Meanwhile, in the example of fig. 6, the blade coupler 130 has been moved vertically upward to engage only the second blade 120 with the shaft 100. Thus, the examples in fig. 4-6 illustrate three separate coupling states that can be achieved by three distinct vertical resets (repositions) of the blade coupler 130. As described above, the three different vertical positions of blade coupler 130, which may be achieved by operation of electrical reset 210 or mechanical reset 220, may correspond to different respective engagement states with the blades of blade assembly 20, respectively. However, it should be understood that fewer states (e.g., two states) may be used in some cases, as described above. In addition, different configurations of the blade coupler 130 may be used in alternative embodiments.

Fig. 7 shows a bottom view of blade assembly 20 (i.e., looking upward from the ground) and illustrates how in some cases blade coupler 130 may also be coaxial with shaft 100 to engage the portion of any blade vertically overlapping blade coupler 130. As can also be appreciated from the example of fig. 7, the blade coupler 130 may maintain a delay angle 400 between the first and second blades 110 and 120 during rotation of the shaft 100. In the example of fig. 7, delay angle 400 is approximately 60 degrees. However, delay angle 400 may be any desired angle between 0 and 180 degrees. In still other examples, the retardation angle 400 may be variable in that the blade coupler 130 may be configured to provide a sliding engagement with one of the first blade 110 or the second blade 120 and a fixed engagement with the other. In such an example, the sliding engagement may be provided by a friction coupling that carries the sliding engagement blades at a lower speed than the speed of the shaft 100 as the shaft 100 rotates. Thus, the two blades may rotate at different speeds, even if driven by the same shaft 100.

The blade coupler 130 may also be configured in different ways to rotate the blade at different speeds. For example, the blade coupler 130 may be embodied as or include a gear box having separate brackets for supporting each of the first and second blades 110 and 120, respectively. The carrier may then be operatively coupled to the shaft 100 through a respective gear set, which may be configured to rotate a respective one of the first and second blades 110 and 120 relative to the shaft 100 at a corresponding speed that is the same or different from each other. Further, the first and second blades 110 and 120 may also be configured to rotate in different directions through respective gear sets.

Accordingly, the lawnmower in an exemplary embodiment may include: a blade housing configured to house at least a first blade and a second blade; a shaft disposed for rotation within the blade housing; a powerhead configured to selectively rotate a shaft in response to application of power from a power source (e.g., a battery or a gasoline/petroleum engine); and a blade coupler configured to selectively couple the first blade and/or the second blade to the shaft to produce different cutting performance conditions based on which of the first blade and/or the second blade is operatively coupled to the shaft.

In some embodiments, the features described above may be augmented or modified, or additional features may be added. These amplifications, modifications, and additions are optional and may be provided in any combination. Thus, while some example modifications, amplifications, and additions have been listed herein, it will be appreciated that any of the modifications, amplifications, and additions can be implemented alone or in combination with one or more or even all of the other modifications, amplifications, and additions listed. Thus, for example, the first blade and the second blade may each be of a different type in terms of energy consumption or cutting characteristics. In an exemplary embodiment, the first blade may be a low energy, low flow blade and the second blade may be a high energy, high flow blade. In some cases, the first blade may be a flat blade and the second blade may be a wing blade. In an exemplary embodiment, the blade coupler may permanently couple one of the first blade and the second blade to the shaft, and may be configured to selectively couple the other of the second blade or the first blade to the shaft. In some cases, the blade coupler may be configured to be positioned to couple only the first blade to a location on the shaft, to couple only the second blade to the shaft, and to couple both the first blade and the second blade to the shaft in three respective different positions of the blade coupler. In an exemplary embodiment, the blade coupler may be configured to be vertically movable to selectively engage the first blade and the second blade, either alone or in combination with one another. In some cases, the blade coupler may move in response to operation of the mechanical reset. In an exemplary embodiment, the blade coupler may move in response to operation of the electrical reset. In some cases, the blade coupler may be configured to engage the first and second blades such that a retardation angle is defined between the first and second blades. In an exemplary embodiment, the delay angle may be between 0 degrees and 180 degrees. In some cases, the retardation angle changes due to a sliding arrangement disposed between the blade coupler and one of the first blade or the second blade.

Modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, although the foregoing description and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments herein with respect to combinations of specific embodiments of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in the appended claims. If advantages, benefits, or solutions to problems are described herein, it will be appreciated that such advantages, benefits, and/or solutions may be applied to some exemplary embodiments, but are not required in all exemplary embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits and/or solutions described herein should not be considered critical, required or essential to all embodiments or what is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.