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Safety system for engine shutdown, and engines and equipment incorporating the same

  • US 10,041,421 B2
  • Filed: 12/10/2015
  • Issued: 08/07/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An engine powered lawnmower comprising:

  • an engine unit comprising;

    an engine configured to rotate a shaft;

    a fuel-air mixer mounted directly to the engine and configured to provide a mixture of fuel and air;

    an ignition coil mounted directly to the engine and configured to provide a plurality of sparks;

    a fuel solenoid mounted directly to the engine, the fuel solenoid alterable between;

    (1) an open position when receiving power in which fuel is permitted to flow to the fuel-air mixer; and

    (2) a closed position when not receiving power in which fuel is prevented from flowing to the fuel-air mixer, the fuel solenoid being normally in the closed position;

    a first relay mounted directly to the engine; and

    an engine-side wiring harness mounted directly to the engine and operatively coupled to each of the first relay, the ignition coil, and the fuel solenoid, the engine-side wiring harness terminating in a multi-pin connector;

    the engine-side wiring harness further comprising a first relay connector operatively coupled to the first relay and the multi-pin connector, the first relay connector comprising a first coil terminal, a second coil terminal, a power supply terminal, a normally open terminal, and a normally closed terminal;

    the fuel solenoid electrically connected to the normally closed terminal of the first relay connector;

    the first relay further comprising;

    a relay coil electrically connected between the first and second coil terminals; and

    a relay switch;

    the first relay alterable between;

    a first state in which the relay switch is in electrical contact with the power supply terminal and the normally closed terminal so that power is supplied to the fuel solenoid; and

    a second state in which the relay switch is in electrical contact with the power supply terminal and the normally closed terminal so that power is not supplied to the fuel solenoid;

    wherein the first relay is normally in the first state;

    a machine unit comprising;

    a fuel supply;

    a working tool;

    a safety switch configured to generate a safety switch activated signal upon being activated; and

    a machine-side wiring harness operatively coupled to the safety switch and terminating in a second coupler comprising a connector;

    the shaft of the engine operably coupled to the working tool, and the fuel supply operably coupled to the fuel-air mixer;

    the multi-pin connector of the engine-side wiring harness connected directly to the connector of the second coupler of the machine-side wiring harness, thereby operably connecting the safety switch to the first relay and the ignition coil; and

    wherein upon the engine running and the safety switch is activated to generate the safety switch activated signal;

    (1) the first relay is transitioned from the first state to the second state, thereby allowing the fuel solenoid to return to the closed position; and

    (2) the ignition coil is disabled so that it no longer provides the plurality of sparks to the engine.

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