Lawn mower starter system

• US 9,220,192 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2014
• Issued: 12/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Briggs & Stratton LLC (Briggs & Stratton Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Inventors: Hansen, Jason A., Koenen, Robert, Procknow, David W., Lavender, Stephen J., Elvers, Jason D.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEZZUTO, ROBERT ERIC
• Application Number:
  US14/260,206
• Publication Number:
  US 20140230393A1
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 56/105, 56/108, 56/111, 56/113, 56/117, 56/118, 180/333, 180/6.34, 180/6.54, 180/6.58, 180/331, 180/323, 180/273, 123/179.26, 123/185.14
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/001 Accessories not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/008 for automated or remotely controlled operation
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/67 hand-guided by a walking operator
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/6818 Motor starting mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/78 electric
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/026 Cleaning by making use of hand-held spray guns; Fluid preparations therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/042 by electrical means, e.g. using travel or force sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/12 for automatic initiation; for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger limiting speed of vehicles other than rail vehicles B60K31/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/14 operated upon collapse of driver deadman's devices for electrically propelled vehicles B60L3/02
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/08 Circuits or control means specially adapted for starting of engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0803 characterised by means for initiating engine start or stop F02N11/0814 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0862 characterised by the electrical power supply means, e.g. battery
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/087 Details of the switching means in starting circuits, e.g. relays or electronic switches
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/101 for preventing engine starter actuation or engagement
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/12 Starting of engines by means of mobile, e.g. portable, starting sets
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/14 Starting of engines by means of electric starters with external current supply F02N11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 15/003 Starters comprising a brake mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 9/005 by weakening or suppression of sparks to limit the engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/02 Details of electrodes H01M4/00; of non-active parts H01M50/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0525 Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 : Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/251 : specially adapted for stationary devices, e.g. power plant buffering or backup power supplies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A lawn mower includes an internal combustion engine, a rotary tool driven by the internal combustion engine, an electric motor coupled to the internal combustion engine and configured to start the internal combustion engine, a receiving port mounted to the internal combustion engine, an energy storage device configured to be selectively inserted into and removed from the receiving port without tools, a first user interface, and a second user interface, wherein the electric motor starts the internal combustion engine upon actuation of the first user interface and the second user interface.

Claims

1. A lawn mower, comprising:

an internal combustion engine;

an electric motor configured to start the internal combustion engine;

a rotary tool driven by the internal combustion engine;

a brake mechanism for inhibiting rotation of at least one of the tool and the internal combustion engine;

a release mechanism allowing for selective releasing of the brake mechanism;

a lock-out device configured to selectively prevent release of the brake mechanism; and

an interface configured to permit an operator to release the lock-out device;

wherein the electric motor starts the internal combustion engine upon actuation of the interface and the release mechanism.

2. The lawn mower of claim 1, further comprising:

a receiving port attached to the internal combustion engine; and

an energy storage device configured to be selectively inserted into and removed from the receiving port without tools.

3. The lawn mower of claim 1, further comprising a control system for operating the electric motor, wherein actuation of the interface and the release mechanism results in the transmission of a start signal to the control system to cause the electric motor to start the internal combustion engine.

4. The lawn mower of claim 3, wherein the start signal is provided via a mechanical linkage.

5. The lawn mower of claim 3, wherein the start signal is provided wirelessly.

6. The lawn mower of claim 3, wherein the start signal is provided via an electrical connection.

7. The lawn mower of claim 2, further comprising a charging station, wherein the energy storage device is configured to be selectively coupled to the charging station for charging the energy storage device.

8. The lawn mower of claim 2, further comprising a switch for selectively electrically coupling the energy storage device to the electric motor, wherein in an off position of the switch, the energy storage device is not electrically coupled to the electric motor, and wherein in an on position of the switch, the energy storage device is electrically coupled to the electric motor.

9. The lawn mower of claim 2, further comprising a locking mechanism for securing the energy storage device in the receiving port, wherein the locking mechanism is engaged when the switch is in the on position and disengaged when the switch is in the off position.

10. The lawn mower of claim 1, further comprising:

a receiving port attached to the internal combustion engine; and

an energy storage device configured to be selectively inserted into and removed from the receiving port.

11. The lawn mower of claim 10, further comprising a charging station, wherein the energy storage device is configured to be selectively coupled to the charging station for charging the energy storage device.

12. The lawn mower of claim 10, further comprising a switch for selectively electrically coupling the energy storage device to the electric motor, wherein in an off position of the switch, the energy storage device is not electrically coupled to the electric motor, and wherein in an on position of the switch, the energy storage device is electrically coupled to the electric motor.

13. The lawn mower of claim 10, further comprising a locking mechanism for securing the energy storage device in the receiving port, wherein the locking mechanism is engaged when the switch is in the on position and disengaged when the switch is in the off position.