Control system for electric drive riding mower
First Claim
1. A gang mower comprising:
- a frame supported on ground engaging wheels;
a plurality of reel-type lawn mowers, each supported from the frame and driven by an electric reel motor;
at least one electric drive motor to provide driving torque to at least one of the ground engaging wheels;
a plurality of electrically-powered lift mechanisms, each one having an electrical motor and each one being associated with a reel mower for moving the reel mower between a raised non-operative position and a lowered operative position in which the reel-type lawn mower engages the ground and is ready to cut grass on a lawn therebelow;
a battery power source for supplying electrical energy to each of the electric reel motors, the electric drive motor, and the electric lift motors, with the battery power source supplying at least a first control voltage and second control voltage higher than the first control voltage; and
a control circuit, powered by the battery power source and having a plurality of switchable electrical devices, for selectively enabling operation of the gang mower, the control circuit being arranged to require that the first control voltage be present before further operation of the gang mower is enabled, and before the second control voltage is supplied to further portions of the control circuit through at least one of the switchable electrical device.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electric drive riding greens mower, with a frame supported plurality of ground engaging wheels, supports a battery power source, an operator station and a plurality of reel lawn mowers. An electric motor provides the driving torque for moving the mower over surfaces to be mowed. Individual electric motors provide driving torque for each of the reel lawn mowers. Electrically driven linear actuators move the reel lawn mowers between a lowered operating position in which the reel lawn mowers engage the turf being mowed and a raised non-operating or transport position. An operator oriented controls layout, which includes an operator communication panel, is provided on the mower. All electric operation provides emissionless extremely quiet operation. The mower includes an electric control system having a battery power source providing a plurality of output voltages to drive the various electric components. The control system provides a first voltage to power control circuits, a second, higher voltage to power smaller motors, and a third highest voltage to power the drive motors and reel mower motors.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A gang mower comprising:
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a frame supported on ground engaging wheels; a plurality of reel-type lawn mowers, each supported from the frame and driven by an electric reel motor; at least one electric drive motor to provide driving torque to at least one of the ground engaging wheels; a plurality of electrically-powered lift mechanisms, each one having an electrical motor and each one being associated with a reel mower for moving the reel mower between a raised non-operative position and a lowered operative position in which the reel-type lawn mower engages the ground and is ready to cut grass on a lawn therebelow; a battery power source for supplying electrical energy to each of the electric reel motors, the electric drive motor, and the electric lift motors, with the battery power source supplying at least a first control voltage and second control voltage higher than the first control voltage; and a control circuit, powered by the battery power source and having a plurality of switchable electrical devices, for selectively enabling operation of the gang mower, the control circuit being arranged to require that the first control voltage be present before further operation of the gang mower is enabled, and before the second control voltage is supplied to further portions of the control circuit through at least one of the switchable electrical device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A gang mower, comprising:
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a frame structure supported on ground engaging wheels; a plurality of reel-type lawn mowers, each supported from the frame structure and individually driven by an electric reel motor, each reel motor positioned on and supported by its respective reel-type mower; at least one electric drive motor to provide driving torque to at least one of the ground engaging wheels; a plurality of electrically-powered lift mechanisms, each one having an electrical motor and each one being associated with a reel mower for moving the reel mowers between a raised non-operative position and a lowered operative position in which the reel-type lawn mowers engage the ground and are ready to cut grass on a lawn therebelow; a battery power source for supplying electrical energy to the electric reel motors, the electric drive motor, and the electric motors of the lift mechanisms, the battery power source being arranged to provide a plurality of output voltages, with the battery power source supplying the electric reel motors generally with at least about 48 volts, the electric drive motor generally with at least about 48 volts, and the electric motors of the lift mechanisms generally with at least about 24 volts; and a control system, including an electrical circuit and powered by the battery power source, for selectively enabling operation of the gang mower, the control system including switching devices for selectively turning on and off electrical energy supplied to the electric reel motors and to the electrical motors of the reel lift mechanisms. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A gang mower, driven over the ground by motive force produced by an electric motor and including a support structure for carrying an operator on the mower, the gang mower comprising:
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a frame structure supported upon a plurality of ground engaging wheels; a battery power source; a plurality of reel-type lawn mowers supported from the frame structure; a plurality of electric reel drive motors each associated with a corresponding reel-type mower, each such electric reel drive motor receiving electrical power from the battery power source and driving an associated reel-type mower; a plurality of electrically-powered lift mechanisms, each associated with a corresponding reel-type mower, for moving the associated reel-type mower between a raised non-operative position and a lowered operative position in which the reel-type lawn mowers engage the ground; and a prime mover comprising an electric motor supplied with electrical energy from the battery power source and adapted to provide driving torque to a plurality of the ground engaging wheels to operate the mower at varying speeds. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An electrically-powered gang mower comprising:
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a frame supported upon a plurality of ground engaging wheels; a battery power source supported by the frame; a plurality of reel-type lawn mowers supported from the frame; a plurality of electric reel drive motors each associated with a corresponding reel-type mower, each electric reel drive mower receiving electrical power from the battery power source and driving an associated reel-type mower; a plurality of electrically-powered lift mechanisms, each associated with a corresponding reel-type mower, for moving the associated reel mower between a raised non-operative position and a lowered operative position in which the reel-type lawn mowers engage the ground; a power transfer apparatus located substantially between and in mechanical communication with two of the ground engaging wheels to normally provide driving torque to these two ground engaging wheels; and a prime mover disposed in proximity to the power transfer apparatus and including an electric motor supplied with electrical energy from the battery power source and adapted to provide driving torque to the power transfer apparatus, whereby the mower may be propelled over the ground by the prime mover at varying speeds. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification