JP5779858B2 - Riding lawn mower - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hybrid riding lawn mower having an engine and an electric motor as power sources.

  A construction of a lawn mower provided with a traveling electric motor and a generator driven by an engine is known (Patent Document 1). Patent Literature 1 discloses a lawnmower vehicle that supplies electric power generated by a generator directly or via a power storage unit to a traveling electric motor to independently drive two main drive wheels. Similarly, a lawn mower driving motor for driving the lawn mowing unit is provided.

JP 2008-265685 A

  However, in lawn mowing work, there are fluctuations in the work load due to factors such as turf grass conditions and lawn mowing work settings, etc. There are many.

  In view of the above, the present invention intends to realize a lawn mower having a high energy saving effect by accurately grasping a traveling condition, a working state, and the like.

In view of the above problems, the present invention has taken the following technical means.
That is, in the invention of claim 1,
A mower deck (13) is mounted on a vehicle body (1) having front and rear wheels for traveling in a lawn mowing working position and a non-working position, and an engine (27) is mounted on the vehicle body (1) for traveling. Electric motor (M1), a battery (9a, 9b) for supplying electric power to the electric motor (M1), and a generator (8) driven by the engine (27) to charge the battery (9a, 9b) In the riding lawn mower provided, the engine driving force can be transmitted from the PTO shaft on the vehicle body 1 side to the blade shaft (14) supporting the blade (54) of the mower deck (13) via the first electromagnetic clutch (C1). The generator (8) is configured so that the driving force of the engine (27) can be transmitted via the second electromagnetic clutch (C2), and the blade (54) is in a lawn mowing state where the turf grass vegetated is cut. Or non-working When the lawn mowing state is detected, the first electromagnetic clutch (C1) is set to “ON” and the second electromagnetic clutch (C2) is set to “OFF”. When the state is detected, the riding lawn mower includes a control unit (72) that switches the first electromagnetic clutch (C1) to “disengagement” and the second electromagnetic clutch (C2) to “on” .
When the auxiliary generator (8a) is driven via the third electromagnetic clutch (C3) by the inertia rotation of the blade shaft (14), and the first electromagnetic clutch (C1) is switched to “OFF” during lawn mowing work, The riding lawn mower is configured to switch the three electromagnetic clutch (C3) to “ON” .
If comprised in this way, in the driving | running | working state in a non-working state, the 2nd electromagnetic clutch (C2) will be set to "on", and an engine (27) drive force will rotate only a generator (8). In the mowing operation state, the second electromagnetic clutch (C2) is disengaged and the engine (27) driving force is exclusively applied to the blade shaft (14) drive. In addition, when discharging operation is performed from the collector (16) that is full during the lawn mowing work, the work is interrupted, but the control unit (72) detects the first electromagnetic when the work state detecting means (S) detects this. The clutch (C1) is automatically turned off and the second electromagnetic clutch (C2) is automatically turned on to drive the generator (8) so that the batteries (9a, 9b) can be charged.
In addition, in this way, the blade shaft (14) drive is cut off, and the auxiliary generator (8a) connected via the third electromagnetic clutch (C3) disengages the auxiliary generator (8a) by the inertia of the blade shaft (14). To drive.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, an engine rotation sensor (74) is provided, the rotation speed (N) detected by the engine rotation sensor (74) is compared with a preset reference load rotation speed (Ns), and the reference load rotation is detected. When the detected rotational speed (N) is higher than the number (Ns), the second electromagnetic clutch (C2) is switched from “OFF” to “ON”.
A second electric motor (M2) that interlocks the blade shaft (14) is provided, a second reference rotational speed (Ns2) that is lower than the preset engine reference rotational speed (Ns) is set, and the detected engine The riding type according to claim 1 , wherein the second electric motor (M2) is activated when the detected rotational speed (N) is an engine speed lower than this value compared to the second reference rotational speed (Ns2). Lawn mower.
In this manner, the blade shaft (14) is rotated and operated in an auxiliary manner, so that the operation can be continued even if a heavy load is applied.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the second electric motor (M2) interlocking with the blade shaft (14) is provided and the lawn mowing work state is detected by the work state detecting means (S), the second electric motor (M2) is turned on. The riding lawn mower according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a control unit (72) that turns on and stops the engine (27). Therefore, work without engine noise can be performed.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since all the engine 27 output is used for driving the blade shaft 14 in the working state, the working ability is improved. Further, for example, when the lawn mowing operation is interrupted by the collector discharging operation, the control unit (72) detects that the operation state detecting means (S) detects that the first electromagnetic clutch (C1) is “off” and the second electromagnetic clutch (C2). ) Is automatically switched to “ON” to drive the generator (8) and efficiently use the engine (27) drive.

Further, the auxiliary generator (8a) can drive the auxiliary generator (8a) by the inertia of the blade shaft (14), efficiently perform auxiliary charging of the batteries (9a, 9b), recover energy, and waste Don't make it happen.

In addition to the effect of the first aspect , the invention according to the second aspect can continue the work even if the blade shaft (14) is rotated to assist the heavy load.

In addition to the effects of the first or second aspect , the invention according to the third aspect provides a second electric motor (M2) that interlocks the blade shaft (14), thereby enabling low noise work. Improve the working environment .

Overall side view of lawn mower Overall plan view of lawn mower Transmission diagram Control block diagram flowchart flowchart flowchart flowchart flowchart Transmission relation overview diagram showing another example flowchart flowchart

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
A side view of the riding lawn mower of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 1, and a plan view of the riding lawn mower is shown in FIG.
A front axle 24 having a pair of left and right front wheels 23 is swingably supported around a center pivot 25 on the lower front side of the vehicle body 1, and a rear axle housing 4 having a pair of left and right rear wheels 26 is supported on the lower rear side. To do. The main transmission shaft 6 connected to the rear side of the engine output shaft 3 is transmitted by the drive rotation of the engine output shaft 3 of the engine 27 mounted on the upper front end of the vehicle body 1. A flywheel 28 is attached to the front end of the engine output shaft 3, a radiator 29, a radiator fan 30, etc. are arranged on the rear side of the engine 27, and the upper part is covered with a bonnet 31. 32, a handle 34 is provided on the steering post 33, and the front wheel 23 is steered and linked.
Between the front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 26, there is provided a moor deck 13 in which a pair of left and right blades 54 for mowing the lawn are provided.
The rear axle housing 4 is formed with a differential case 35 in which a rear wheel differential gear mechanism is installed at a position closer to one side of the tread (left side in the present embodiment, the same applies hereinafter) with respect to the center line L. The electric motor M1 is configured, and the output rotation of the electric motor M1 is transmitted to the rear wheel differential gear mechanism in the differential case 35. A rear axle 39 built in the rear axle housing is driven and rotated via the rear wheel differential gear mechanism in the differential case 35, and the rear wheels 26 mounted on both ends of the rear axle 39 are driven.
A step floor 2 is laid on the upper side of the vehicle body 1 and the main transmission shaft 6, and a seat floor 44 bent upward is connected to the rear of the step floor 2, and a seat 43 is provided on the upper side. Fenders 45 are formed on both the left and right sides.
The main transmission shaft 6 includes a first transmission shaft 6 a having a start end connected to the engine output shaft 3 and a second transmission shaft 6 b connected to a rear end thereof via a joint member 71.
The main transmission shaft 6 is provided with a pulley 53 fixed to the front portion of the second transmission shaft 6b. A PTO shaft 11 is provided obliquely below the main transmission shaft 6. The PTO shaft 11 is provided with a pulley 52 fixed thereto, and the pulley 52 and the pulley 53 of the second transmission shaft 6b are wound around the belt 12 to receive the power of the second transmission shaft 6b. The PTO shaft 11 has an inner / outer double shaft configuration, the pulley 52 is fixed to the outer shaft 11A, and a first electromagnetic clutch C1 is formed between the inner shaft 11B and the first electromagnetic clutch C1 is set to “ON”. Then, the inner and outer shafts 11A and 11B are in an interlocking state, and when “OFF”, both are in a transmission cut-off state. One end of the universal joint shaft 11U is connected to the inner shaft 11B, and the other end is connected to the input shaft 15 of the mower deck 13.
The order of transmitting power to the blades 54 in the mower deck 13 is as follows: first transmission shaft 6a, second transmission shaft 6b, belt 12, outer shaft 11A, first electromagnetic clutch C1, inner shaft 11B, universal joint shaft 11U, input shaft 15 In the order.
On the other hand, a second electromagnetic clutch C2 is provided on the second transmission shaft 6b of the main transmission shaft 6, and the generator 8 disposed rearward can be driven via the second electromagnetic clutch C2. The generator 8 charges the batteries 9a and 9b that drive the electric motor M1. A plurality of batteries 9a and 9b are preferably prepared. For example, the batteries 9a and 9b may be installed using a space below the seat 43.
Accordingly, the rear wheel 26 can be driven via the rear wheel differential gear mechanism in the differential case 35 and the rear axle 39 by the rotation of the electric motor M1 configured by the generator 8 and the batteries 9a and 9b as described above.
In addition, a collector 16 is provided which is attached to the rear end portion of the vehicle body 1 and accommodates turfgrass fed from the mower deck 13 and sent by the rotating action of the blade 54.
A duct 22 that communicates between the discharge port 20 of the mower deck 13 and the supply port 21 of the rear collector 16 is provided in a position shifted to the right side with respect to the center line L of the vehicle body 1 and the engine output shaft 3. The main transmission shaft 6 and the universal joint shaft 11U that are connected to each other are disposed at positions closer to the side opposite to the duct 22 side.
The mower deck 13 is a mid-mount configuration that is mounted on the abdomen of the vehicle body 1 and is biased to the left and right sides with respect to the center line L, and a pair of left and right blade shafts 14 are mounted on the lower end of each blade shaft 14. It has a blade 54 for cutting turfgrass. The mower deck 13 has gauge wheels 55 and 56 arranged at the front and rear lower ends. The mower deck 13 has a pair of left and right parallel front links 57 and a rear link 58 arranged on the upper part, and is suspended from the vehicle body 1 and is moved up and down while maintaining a horizontal state by a lift mechanism. . Also, blade cases 59 and 60 are provided on the upper part of the left and right blade shafts 14 on the mower deck 13, and the input shaft 15 is pivotally supported on the left blade case 59 via an internal bevel gear or the like. The blade shaft 14 is engaged and interlocked. The power is transmitted from the blade case 59 to the blade case 60 by the blade transmission shaft 62.
A lift lever 79 that moves up and down the mower deck 13 is provided, and the lift lever 79 is switched to the “up” side or the “down” side to operate the hydraulic lift cylinder mechanism (not shown). Position detection switches 80U and 80D corresponding to the “up” side and “down” side of the lift lever 79 are provided, and work state detection means S for detecting the lawn mowing work state and the non-work state is configured. Yes. The work state detection means S may be a means for detecting the presence or absence of blade rotation, or may be a manual mode switch.
The collector 16 is attached to the rear end of the vehicle body 1. A mounting frame 63 (FIG. 1) that can be attached to and detached from the rear end of the vehicle body 1 is formed so as to surround the supply port 21 at the rear end of the duct 22 and the outer periphery of the rear case 5 and the like. And attach the front plate 17. A support arm 64 protrudes from the rear upper part of the mounting frame 63, and a collector bag 66 or a collector case (not shown) is attached around the support shaft 65 so as to be pivotable to the rear upper part.
The collector bag 66 can be closed by forming a bag port 67 on the front surface and contacting the rear surface of the front plate 17 with pressure. Turfgrass discharged from the exhaust port 20 by connecting the discharge port 20 of the mower deck 13 and the supply port 21 formed on the right side of the front plate 17 with a duct 22 passing through the upper right side of the rear axle housing 4. Is guided into the collector bag 66 through the supply port 21. The collector bag 66 is formed by forming a bag frame 68 along the outer peripheral corner portion and covering the outer periphery of the bag frame 68 with a wind cloth, and closing the bag port 67 in contact with the front plate 17. Thus, the conveying wind can be discharged from the mesh portion of the net cloth to accommodate the imported turf grass.
Further, the accommodating turfgrass is operated by operating a handle lever 69 protruding above the collector bag 66 and pivoting rearward and upward around the support shaft 65 to open the bag mouth 67 downward to accommodate the turfgrass accommodated. Can be dropped and discharged. The upper side of the collector bag 66 is covered with a cover 70.

  Next, the control configuration will be described. The controller 72 receives ON / OFF signals of the key switch 73, engine rotation sensor 74, blade rotation sensor 75, analog data from the travel speed setting dial 77, detection signals from the lift lever detection switches 80U and 80D, and the like. On the other hand, it has a function of operating and outputting to the electric motor M1, the electromagnetic clutches C1, C2, and the like.

  The engine 27 is started when the key switch 73 is turned on, and the generator 8 is driven by the output of the engine 27 to rotate and link the blade shaft 14 in the mower deck 13. Further, the electric motor M1 is also activated, and the rotation speed of the electric motor M1 is determined according to the setting state of the traveling speed setting dial 77.

  By the way, after the engine 27 is started, when the predetermined rotational speed output to the electric motor M1, that is, the setting by the traveling speed setting dial 77 is set at a predetermined speed other than the speed 0, the electric motor M1 starts so that the set speed is obtained. Is rotated to a predetermined rotation. At the same time, it is determined whether the mower deck 13 is lifted and is in a non-working traveling state or whether the mower deck 13 is lowered and is in a lawn mowing working state. C2 is turned on to rotate the generator 8 exclusively with the driving force of the engine 27. In the working state, the second electromagnetic clutch C2 is disengaged, and the driving force of the engine 27 is exclusively applied to the blade shaft 14 drive. With this configuration, the working capacity is improved because all the engine 27 output is used for driving the blade shaft 14, particularly in the working state. In the work involving collecting grass on the collector 16, when the discharging operation is performed from the collector 16 that is full during the work, the work is interrupted, but when the control unit 72 detects this, the first electromagnetic clutch C1 is interrupted. Is automatically switched to “OFF”, and the second electromagnetic clutch C2 is automatically switched to “ON” to drive the generator 8 so that the batteries 9a and 9b can be charged.

  In the above, the non-working state or the working state detection by the working state detection means S is to detect the upper and lower positions of the moor deck 13 directly in view of the fact that the mower deck 13 rises to the non-working state or descends for working. The lift lever 79 acting on the front link 57 and the rear link 58 to extend and retract the hoisting cylinder mechanism (not shown) that moves up and down the mower deck 13 is in the “up” position and either the detection switch 80U is turned on or “down” It is performed by detecting whether the detection switch 80D is in the ON position.

The operation will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. It is determined whether or not the key switch 73 is ON (step 101), and when it is ON, the engine is started (step 102). At this time, when a predetermined speed is output from the travel speed setting dial 77 to the electric motor M1, the electric motor M1 rotates to start the vehicle body 1 (step 103). Next, it is determined whether the vehicle is traveling on the road or lawn mowing by determining the position of the lift lever 79 (step 104). When traveling on the road, the first electromagnetic clutch C1 is “disengaged” and the second electromagnetic clutch C2 is “engaged” (steps 105 and 106). When lawn mowing is performed, the first electromagnetic clutch C1 is “engaged”. The second electromagnetic clutch C2 is set to “OFF” (steps 107 and 108).
Accordingly, the engine 27 output exclusively drives the generator 8 when not on work such as traveling on the road, and the engine 27 output exclusively drives the blade shaft 14 during lawn mowing work. Is expensive. In step 104, it is determined whether the work is substantially working or non-working, and the turf accommodated in the collector 16 that is full even during the lawn mowing work is periodically discharged. When the discharge operation is performed by rotating 16, the mower deck 13 is placed at the lifted position by the lift lever 59, so that the first electromagnetic clutch C 1 is switched to “OFF” and the second electromagnetic clutch C 2 is switched to “ON”. Thus, the output of the engine 27 can be brought into the generator 8 drive state, so that the charging can be performed efficiently and the working efficiency is improved.
When a series of work is completed, the traveling speed setting dial 77 is returned to speed 0 to stop the vehicle body, and then the key switch 73 is turned OFF to stop the engine (steps 109 to 111).

  Further, the flowchart of FIG. 6 is in the ON / OFF control output of the first electromagnetic clutch C1 and the second electromagnetic clutch C2 from step 107 to 109 after the lawn mowing work is determined in step 104 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 (in FIG. 6). The control unit 72 receives the rotation speed N detected by the engine rotation sensor 74 and compares it with a preset reference load rotation speed Ns (steps 208 and 209), and from the reference load rotation speed Ns. If the detected rotational speed N is high, it is determined that the work load is light, and the second electromagnetic clutch C2 is switched from “OFF” to “ON” (steps 209 and 206). In this way, when it is determined that the load is light even during the lawn mowing operation, the generator 8 is driven by a part of the output of the engine 27 and contributes to battery charging, thereby improving energy efficiency. In step 209, when the detected rotational speed N is less than the reference rotational speed, the second electromagnetic clutch C2 is set to “off” and the engine 27 output is exclusively applied to the blade shaft 14 rotations assuming that the load state is predicted. The lawn mowing work is performed (step 210).

In the flowchart in FIG. 7, when it is determined that the lift lever 59 is in the lowered position and the lawn mowing work is performed in step 204 in FIG. 6, the lawn mowing work is performed from step 207 to step 210 (in FIG. 7, the step After the determination of 304, steps 307 to 310 correspond), the operation position of the lift lever 59 is determined again during the lawn mowing work (step 311), and when the operation position shifts to the “up” side, It is estimated that work will be interrupted when necessary.
By the way, an auxiliary generator 8a connected to the inner shaft 11B of the PTO shaft 11 via a third electromagnetic clutch C3 is provided (FIG. 3). The first electromagnetic clutch C1 is turned off and the third electromagnetic clutch C3 is turned on (steps 312 and 313). Thus, the blade shaft 14 can be cut off, and the auxiliary generator 8a clutched to the inner shaft 11B of the PTO shaft 11 can be rotated by the inertia of the blade shaft 14 to drive the auxiliary generator 8a. By performing auxiliary charging of 9a and 9b, energy can be recovered and no waste occurs. Although not shown, when the detected value of the blade rotation sensor 75 that detects the rotation of the blade shaft 14 becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the third electromagnetic clutch C3 is returned to “off”.
In the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the operations of steps 207 to 210 in FIG. 6 (corresponding to steps 407 to 410 in FIG. 8), the second reference speed Ns2 having a value lower than the preset engine reference speed Ns. To detect a heavy load. A second input shaft 15a is provided separately from the input shaft 15 of the mower deck 13, and the second input shaft 15a and the second input shaft 15a are provided on the mower deck 13 so that the second input shaft 15a is driven by the second electric motor M2. An electric motor M2 is configured.
When the detected engine speed N is lower than this value compared to the second reference speed Ns2 (step 411), the second electric motor M2 is started (step 412). Thus, the operation can be continued even if a heavy load is caused by rotating the blade shaft 14 in an auxiliary manner.
The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 will be described. After the key switch 73 is turned on, the travel electric motor M1 is turned on to travel (steps 501 to 504). Simultaneously with the departure, the detection of the blade rotation sensor 75 is read, and when the rotation of the blade shaft 14 is equal to or greater than the predetermined rotation, it is determined that the operation is in progress and the second electric motor M2 that interlocks the blade shaft 14 is turned on (steps 505 to 507). Simultaneously with the ON operation of the second electric motor M2, the engine 27 is controlled to stop (step 508). By comprising in this way, the operation | work without an engine noise can be performed. The detected blade rotation speed B by the blade rotation sensor 75 is compared with a preset reference blade rotation speed Bs, and when the detected blade rotation speed B decreases, the engine 27 is started (steps 509 and 510). If comprised in this way, since it will be an engine drive in the lawn mowing work with a heavy load normally performing the work of low noise, work interruption will not come.
When the engine is started (step 510), the second electromagnetic clutch C2 is immediately "on" and the battery charging system is established (step 511). Further, non-operation can be determined by detecting the absence of blade rotation in step 506, and in this case as well, the second electromagnetic clutch C2 is set to “ON” and the battery is charged (step 512).
FIGS. 11 to 12 are for each pattern during stopping, starting, running at constant speed, accelerating, and decelerating, respectively, during lawn mowing work and during non-working, and also during lawn mowing work. The work load is divided into large and small, and the electric motors M1 and M2 and the second electromagnetic clutch C2 are appropriately turned on and off to exhibit energy saving effects and low noise work effects. .
Here, the regenerative charging at the time of deceleration is distinguished from the charging accompanying the drive of the generator 8, and so-called brake regeneration is intended.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Car body 8 Generator 8a Auxiliary generator 9a, 9b Battery 13 Moore deck 14 Blade shaft 23 Front wheel (wheel)
26 Rear wheel
27 Engine 54 Blade 72 Controller 73 Key switch 74 Engine rotation sensor 75 Blade rotation sensor C1 First electromagnetic clutch C2 Second electromagnetic clutch C3 Third electromagnetic clutch M1 (for traveling) electric motor M2 (for lawn mowing) electric motor S Working state Detection means

Claims (3)

A mower deck (13) is mounted on a vehicle body (1) having front and rear wheels for traveling in a lawn mowing working position and a non-working position, and an engine (27) is mounted on the vehicle body (1) for traveling. Electric motor (M1), a battery (9a, 9b) for supplying electric power to the electric motor (M1), and a generator (8) driven by the engine (27) to charge the battery (9a, 9b) In the riding lawn mower provided, the engine driving force can be transmitted from the PTO shaft on the vehicle body 1 side to the blade shaft (14) supporting the blade (54) of the mower deck (13) via the first electromagnetic clutch (C1). The generator (8) is configured so that the driving force of the engine (27) can be transmitted via the second electromagnetic clutch (C2), and the blade (54) is in a lawn mowing state where the turf grass vegetated is cut. Or non-working When the lawn mowing state is detected, the first electromagnetic clutch (C1) is set to “ON” and the second electromagnetic clutch (C2) is set to “OFF”. When the state is detected, the riding lawn mower includes a control unit (72) that switches the first electromagnetic clutch (C1) to “disengagement” and the second electromagnetic clutch (C2) to “on” .
When the auxiliary generator (8a) is driven via the third electromagnetic clutch (C3) by the inertia rotation of the blade shaft (14), and the first electromagnetic clutch (C1) is switched to “OFF” during lawn mowing work, 3 Riding lawn mower configured to switch the electromagnetic clutch (C3) to “ON” . An engine rotation sensor (74) is provided, and the rotation speed (N) detected by the engine rotation sensor (74) is compared with a preset reference load rotation speed (Ns) and detected from the reference load rotation speed (Ns). When the rotational speed (N) is high, the second electromagnetic clutch (C2) is switched from “OFF” to “ON”.
A second electric motor (M2) that interlocks the blade shaft (14) is provided, a second reference rotational speed (Ns2) that is lower than the preset engine reference rotational speed (Ns) is set, and the detected engine The riding type according to claim 1 , wherein the second electric motor (M2) is activated when the detected rotational speed (N) is an engine speed lower than this value compared to the second reference rotational speed (Ns2). Lawn mower. A second electric motor (M2) interlocking with the blade shaft (14) is provided, and when the lawn mowing work state is detected by the work state detection means (S), the second electric motor (M2) is turned on and the engine (27). The riding lawn mower according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lawn mower is configured to stop .

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