Walk-behind power equipment unit having all-wheel drive control system
US9677648B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 6, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jun 13, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2007/0865
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A control system for controlling engagement of a first and second transmission of an all-wheel drive (AWD) walk-behind power equipment unit such as a lawn mower. The control system may include a mechanical load balancer to split an input drive force vector into two output force vectors. These two forces act upon associated first and second connection elements coupled to the first and second transmissions, respectively. One transmission may include a resistance element selected to sequence engagement of the first and second transmissions so that both transmissions begin driving their respective wheels at or near the same time even when the wheels associated with one transmission are more heavily-loaded than the wheels associated with the other transmission.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.