All wheel drive, walk behind mower

• US 9,055,713 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2015
• Issued: 06/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Husqvarna AB (HUSQVARNA)
• Original Assignee: Husqvarna AB (HUSQVARNA)
• Inventors: Helgesen, John, Lennings, Eric, Fancher, Robert, Lambert, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): PEZZUTO, ROBERT ERIC
• Application Number:
  US14/609,780
• Publication Number:
  US 20150135671A1
• Time in Patent Office: 137 Days
• Field of Search: 56/108, 56/113, 56/118, 56/136, 56/145, 56/167, 56/176, 180/19.1, 180/357, 180/366, 180/374, 180/383, 180/350, 180/351, 474/11, 474/19, 474/8, 474/38, 474/42, 474/46, 474/69
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 2101/00 Lawn-mowers
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/68 with motor driven cutters or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/6812 Braking or clutching mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/69 with motor driven wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/81 Casings; Housings A01D34/71 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 7/02 with belts; with V-belts
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 7/0827 for disconnecting the drive

Abstract

A drive system includes a first transmission, a second transmission and at least one flexible driving member. The first transmission is operably coupled to a first set of wheels to provide drive power to the first set of wheels responsive to engagement of the first transmission. The second transmission is operably coupled to a second set of wheels to provide drive power to the second set of wheels responsive to engagement of the second transmission. The at least one flexible driving member is operably coupled to a remote actuator and a drive shaft of the walk-behind outdoor power equipment device. The at least one flexible member selectively engages one of the first transmission or the second transmission to switch a walk-behind outdoor power equipment device between all wheel drive operation and another drive mode via the remote actuator.

Claims

1. A lawn mower comprising:

a blade housing;

an engine supported at least in part by the blade housing to selectively rotate a drive shaft;

a mobility assembly selectively operably coupled to the engine to provide mobility of the lawn mower responsive at least in part to operation of the engine, wherein the mobility assembly comprises a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels;

a drive system comprising;

a first transmission operably coupled to the first set of wheels;

a first flexible driving member;

a second transmission operably coupled to the second set of wheels; and

a second flexible driving member; and

a remote actuator operably coupled to the drive system,

wherein, responsive to a single actuation of the remote actuator, the lawn mower is switched between a first drive mode and an all wheel drive mode,

wherein, in the all wheel drive mode, the first flexible driving member engages the first transmission to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the first set of wheels, and the second flexible driving member engages the second transmission to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the second set of wheels, and

wherein the first drive mode is a no wheel drive mode, and wherein, responsive to the single actuation of the remote actuator, the lawn mower is switched from the no wheel drive mode to the all wheel drive mode.

2. The lawn mower of claim 1, wherein the first flexible driving member extends away from the drive shaft towards the first transmission, and the second flexible driving member extends away from the drive shaft towards the second transmission.

3. The lawn mower of claim 1, wherein the drive shaft comprises a first drive shaft pulley and a second drive shaft pulley, wherein the first drive shaft pulley is positioned between the engine and the second drive shaft pulley, and

wherein, in the all wheel drive mode, the first flexible driving member engages the first transmission and the first drive shaft pulley to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the first set of wheels, and the second flexible driving member engages the second transmission and the second drive shaft pulley to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the second set of wheels.

4. The lawn mower of claim 1, further comprising a handle assembly operably coupled to the blade housing, wherein the handle assembly comprises the remote actuator.

5. The lawn mower of claim 1, wherein, responsive to the single actuation of the remote actuator, the lawn mower is switched from the no wheel drive mode to a rear wheel drive mode and then to the all wheel drive mode.

6. The lawn mower of claim 1, wherein the remote actuator is a single actuator, and wherein the single actuation comprises moving the single actuator from a first position corresponding to the no wheel drive mode to a second position corresponding to the all wheel drive mode.

7. The lawn mower of claim 1, wherein the remote actuator is a single actuator, wherein the single actuation comprises pushing the single actuator from a first position corresponding to the no wheel drive mode to a second position corresponding to the all wheel drive mode, and wherein the single actuator is closer to the engine in the second position than in the first position.

8. The lawn mower of claim 1, wherein the first flexible driving member is a drive belt.

9. A lawn mower comprising:

a blade housing;

an engine supported at least in part by the blade housing to selectively rotate a drive shaft;

a mobility assembly selectively operably coupled to the engine to provide mobility of the lawn mower responsive at least in part to operation of the engine, wherein the mobility assembly comprises a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels;

a drive system comprising;

a first transmission operably coupled to the first set of wheels;

a first flexible driving member;

a second transmission operably coupled to the second set of wheels; and

a second flexible driving member; and

a remote actuator operably coupled to the drive system,

wherein, responsive to a single actuation of the remote actuator, the lawn mower is switched between a first drive mode and an all wheel drive mode,

wherein, in the all wheel drive mode, the first flexible driving member engages the first transmission to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the first set of wheels, and the second flexible driving member engages the second transmission to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the second set of wheels, and

wherein, responsive to the single actuation of the remote actuator, the first transmission rocks to engage the first flexible driving member with the first transmission.

10. A lawn mower comprising:

a blade housing;

an engine supported at least in part by the blade housing to selectively rotate a drive shaft;

a mobility assembly selectively operably coupled to the engine to provide mobility of the lawn mower responsive at least in part to operation of the engine, wherein the mobility assembly comprises a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels;

a drive system comprising;

a first transmission operably coupled to the first set of wheels;

a first flexible driving member;

a second transmission operably coupled to the second set of wheels; and

a second flexible driving member; and

a remote actuator operably coupled to the drive system,

wherein, responsive to a single actuation of the remote actuator, the lawn mower is switched between a first drive mode and an all wheel drive mode,

wherein, in the all wheel drive mode, the first flexible driving member engages the first transmission to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the first set of wheels, and the second flexible driving member engages the second transmission to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the second set of wheels,

wherein the first transmission further comprises a first drive pulley, and wherein the driving system further comprises a first axle operably coupled to the first set of wheels, and

wherein, responsive to the single actuation of the remote actuator, the first transmission rotates about the first axle to engage the first drive pulley with the first flexible driving member to thereby provide drive power from the drive shaft to the first set of wheels through the first flexible driving member, the first drive pulley, and the first axle.

11. A lawn mower comprising:

a blade housing;

an engine supported at least in part by the blade housing to selectively rotate a drive shaft;

a mobility assembly selectively operably coupled to the engine to provide mobility of the lawn mower responsive at least in part to operation of the engine, wherein the mobility assembly comprises a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels;

a drive system comprising;

a first transmission operably coupled to the first set of wheels;

a first flexible driving member;

a second transmission operably coupled to the second set of wheels; and

a second flexible driving member; and

a remote actuator operably coupled to the drive system,

wherein, responsive to a single actuation of the remote actuator, the lawn mower is switched between a first drive mode and an all wheel drive mode,

wherein, in the all wheel drive mode, the first flexible driving member engages the first transmission to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the first set of wheels, and the second flexible driving member engages the second transmission to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the second set of wheels,

wherein the first transmission is positioned proximate to a front portion of the blade housing, the second transmission is positioned proximate to a rear portion of the blade housing, the driving system further comprises a first axle operably coupled to the first set of wheels and a second axle operably coupled to the second set of wheels, the first transmission further comprises a first drive pulley, and the second transmission further comprises a second drive pulley, and

wherein, responsive to the single actuation of the remote actuator;

the first transmission rotates about the first axle to engage the first drive pulley with the first flexible driving member to thereby provide drive power from the drive shaft to the first set of wheels through the first flexible driving member, the first drive pulley, and the first axle; and

the second transmission rotates about the second axle to engage the second drive pulley with the second flexible driving member to thereby provide drive power from the drive shaft to the second set of wheels through the second flexible driving member, the second drive pulley, and the second axle.

12. A lawn mower comprising:

a blade housing;

an engine supported at least in part by the blade housing to selectively rotate a drive shaft;

a mobility assembly selectively operably coupled to the engine to provide mobility of the lawn mower responsive at least in part to operation of the engine, wherein the mobility assembly comprises a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels;

a drive system comprising;

a first transmission operably coupled to the first set of wheels;

a first flexible driving member;

a second transmission operably coupled to the second set of wheels; and

a second flexible driving member; and

a remote actuator operably coupled to the drive system,

wherein, responsive to a single actuation of the remote actuator, the lawn mower is switched between a first drive mode and an all wheel drive mode,

wherein, in the all wheel drive mode, the first flexible driving member engages the first transmission to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the first set of wheels, and the second flexible driving member engages the second transmission to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the second set of wheels,

wherein the lawn mower further comprises a handle assembly operably coupled to the blade housing, wherein the handle assembly comprises;

two handle members extending generally rearward and upward away from a rear portion of the blade housing;

a cross bar supported at least in part by the two handle members;

a presence bar supported at least in part by the two handle members and configured to move relative to the cross bar, wherein, in the all wheel drive mode, the presence bar is held proximate the cross bar; and

the remote actuator supported at least in part by the two handle members and configured to move relative to the cross bar, wherein the remote actuator is a single actuator,

wherein the single actuation comprises moving the single actuator from a first position relative to the cross bar corresponding to the first drive mode to a second position relative to the cross bar corresponding to the all wheel drive mode.

13. A lawn mower comprising:

a blade housing;

an engine supported at least in part by the blade housing to selectively rotate a drive shaft;

a mobility assembly selectively operably coupled to the engine to provide mobility of the lawn mower responsive at least in part to operation of the engine, wherein the mobility assembly comprises a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels;

a drive system comprising;

a first transmission operably coupled to the first set of wheels;

a first flexible driving member;

a second transmission operably coupled to the second set of wheels; and

a second flexible driving member; and

a remote actuator operably coupled to the drive system,

wherein, responsive to a single actuation of the remote actuator, the lawn mower is switched between a first drive mode and an all wheel drive mode,

wherein, in the all wheel drive mode, the first flexible driving member engages the first transmission to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the first set of wheels, and the second flexible driving member engages the second transmission to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the second set of wheels,

wherein the lawn mower further comprises a handle assembly operably coupled to the blade housing, wherein the handle assembly comprises the remote actuator, and wherein the remote actuator is a single actuator,

wherein the first transmission is a front transmission and the second transmission is a rear transmission,

wherein the single actuator is operably coupled to the front transmission and to the rear transmission, and

wherein the single actuation causes the front transmission to rotate about a first horizontal axis and causes the rear transmission to rotate about a second horizontal axis.

14. A drive system for a walk-behind outdoor power equipment device, wherein the device comprises a drive shaft, an engine to selectively rotate the drive shaft, and a remote actuator, the drive system comprising:

a first transmission operably coupled to a first set of wheels of the device to provide drive power to the first set of wheels responsive to engagement of the first transmission;

a first flexible driving member;

a second transmission operably coupled to a second set of wheels of the device to provide drive power to the second set of wheels responsive to engagement of the second transmission; and

a second flexible driving member,

wherein, responsive to a single actuation of the remote actuator, the device is switched between a first drive mode and an all wheel drive mode, and

wherein, in the all wheel drive mode, the first flexible driving member engages the first transmission to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the first set of wheels, and the second flexible driving member engages the second transmission to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the second set of wheels, and

wherein the first drive mode is a no wheel drive mode, wherein the remote actuator is a single actuator, and wherein the single actuation comprises moving the single actuator from a first position corresponding to the no wheel drive mode to a second position corresponding to the all wheel drive mode.

15. The drive system of claim 14, wherein the drive shaft comprises a first drive shaft pulley and a second drive shaft pulley, wherein the first drive shaft pulley is positioned between the engine and the second drive shaft pulley, and

wherein, in the all wheel drive mode, the first flexible driving member engages the first transmission and the first drive shaft pulley to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the first set of wheels, and the second flexible driving member engages the second transmission and the second drive shaft pulley to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the second set of wheels.

16. The drive system of claim 14, wherein the device is a walk-behind lawn mower.

17. A drive system for a walk-behind outdoor power equipment device, wherein the device comprises a drive shaft, an engine to selectively rotate the drive shaft, and a remote actuator, the drive system comprising:

a first transmission operably coupled to a first set of wheels of the device to provide drive power to the first set of wheels responsive to engagement of the first transmission;

a first flexible driving member;

a second transmission operably coupled to a second set of wheels of the device to provide drive power to the second set of wheels responsive to engagement of the second transmission; and

a second flexible driving member,

wherein, responsive to a single actuation of the remote actuator, the device is switched between a first drive mode and an all wheel drive mode, and

wherein, in the all wheel drive mode, the first flexible driving member engages the first transmission to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the first set of wheels, and the second flexible driving member engages the second transmission to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the second set of wheels,

wherein the device further comprises a handle assembly,

wherein the handle assembly comprises the remote actuator, and wherein the remote actuator is a single actuator,

wherein the first transmission is a front transmission and the second transmission is a rear transmission,

wherein the single actuator is operably coupled to the front transmission and to the rear transmission, and

wherein the single actuation causes the front transmission to rotate about a first horizontal axis and causes the rear transmission to rotate about a second horizontal axis.

18. A walk-behind lawn mower comprising:

a blade housing;

an engine supported at least in part by the blade housing to selectively rotate a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft comprises a first drive shaft pulley and a second drive shaft pulley, and wherein the first drive shaft pulley is positioned between the engine and the second drive shaft pulley;

a mobility assembly selectively operably coupled to the engine to provide mobility of the lawn mower responsive at least in part to operation of the engine, wherein the mobility assembly comprises a front set of wheels and a rear set of wheels;

a drive system comprising;

a front axle operably coupled to the front set of wheels;

a front transmission operably coupled to the front axle and comprising a front drive pulley;

a first drive belt positioned between the first drive shaft pulley and the front drive pulley;

a rear axle operably coupled to the rear set of wheels;

a rear transmission operably coupled to the rear axle and comprising a rear drive pulley; and

a second drive belt positioned between the second drive shaft pulley and the rear drive pulley; and

a handle assembly operably coupled to the blade housing, wherein the handle assembly comprises a remote actuator, wherein the remote actuator is a single actuator, and wherein the single actuator is operably coupled to the front transmission and to the rear transmission;

wherein, responsive to a single actuation of the single actuator, the lawn mower is switched from a no wheel drive mode to an all wheel drive mode, wherein the single actuation comprises moving the single actuator from a first position corresponding to the no wheel drive mode to a second position corresponding to the all wheel drive mode, and wherein the single actuation causes the front transmission to rotate about the front axle and causes the rear transmission to rotate about the rear axle, and

wherein, in the all wheel drive mode;

the first drive belt engages the first drive shaft pulley and the front drive pulley to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the front set of wheels through the first drive shaft pulley, the first drive belt, the front drive pulley, and the front axle; and

the second drive belt engages the second drive shaft pulley and the rear drive pulley to provide drive power from the drive shaft to the rear set of wheels through the second drive shaft pulley, the second drive belt, the rear drive pulley, and the rear axle.