Safety system for engine shutdown, and engines and equipment incorporating the same
First Claim
Patent Images
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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Accused Products
Abstract
A safety system for engine powered machinery having a fuel cut functionality to promote more rapid shutdown of the rotating parts of the engine powered machinery. In one aspect, the system is implemented as a wiring harness disposed exclusively on the engine which simultaneously disables one or more ignition coils and prevents a fuel-air mixer from supplying a mixture of air and fuel to the engine upon activation of a safety switch. In alternate aspects, the system further comprises a stator brake which is activated by the safety switch to provide additional braking torque on the engine. These features bring the machinery to a rapid halt, further enhancing safety.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An engine powered lawnmower comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A standalone engine unit for incorporation into a machine having a safety switch and a machine-side wiring harness operatively coupled to the safety switch and terminating in a second coupler comprising a connector, the standalone engine unit comprising:
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an engine configured to rotate a shaft; a fuel-air mixer mounted to the engine and configured to provide a mixture of fuel and air; an ignition coil mounted to the engine and configured to provide a plurality of sparks; a fuel solenoid mounted 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 to the engine and operatively coupled to the fuel solenoid, the first relay configured to alternate between a first state in which the relay supplies power to the fuel solenoid and a second state in which the relay cuts power off from the fuel solenoid when the engine is running, wherein the first relay is normally in the first state and configured to transition from the first state to the second state upon receiving a safety switch activated signal generated by the safety switch; and an engine-side wiring harness mounted 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 first coupler comprising a connector, the connector of the first coupler configured for operable coupling to the connector of the second coupler of the machine-side wiring harness. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An engine powered machine comprising:
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an engine configured to rotate a shaft; a fuel-air mixer mounted to the engine and configured to provide a mixture of fuel and air; an ignition coil mounted to the engine and configured to provide a plurality of sparks; a 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 to the engine; an engine-side wiring harness mounted 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 first coupler; the engine-side wiring harness comprising a first relay connector operatively coupled to the first relay and the first coupler, 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 fuel supply operably coupled to the fuel-air mixer; a working tool operably coupled to the shaft of the engine; a safety switch configured to generate a safety switch activated signal upon being activated; a machine-side wiring harness operatively coupled to the safety switch and terminating in a second coupler; the first coupler of the engine-side wiring harness connected to 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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Specification