Light riding vehicle with variable friction drive

US9445541B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• HUSQVARNA AB · SE

Inventors

• Matthew Elder · Orangeburg, US
• Brad Graham · Summerville, US
• Justin Warner · Harrisburg, US
• Eric Canonge · Charlotte, US
• Warren W. Pendry · Bonfield, US
• Lennie Rhoades · Charlotte, US
• Jeffrey C. Hickman · Concord, US
• Darren Chandler · Orangeburg, US
• Duncan Burns · Charlotte, US
• Rick Nelson · Pleasanton, US
• Alex Evrard · Concord, US
• Jeremy Hansen · Calgary, CA
• Chris Roth · Town of West Hartford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 31, 2011
• Grant date: Sep 20, 2016
• Expiry date: Nov 10, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16H61/6649
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Riding lawn mowers may utilize friction drives configured with a variable normal force between frictional components. In a riding lawn mower, an internal combustion engine may be coupled to a differential via a friction drive, wherein the friction drive is configured with a variable normal force in order to provide improved power transfer and/or shifting performance.