IP Library Granted Patent US 8,191,342
Granted Patent B2
US 8,191,342 · App. 12/107,354 · Granted Jun 5, 2012

Riding lawnmower vehicle

Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,191,342
App. No.
12/107,354
Granted
Jun 5, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A riding lawnmower vehicle includes two main drive wheels, at least one caster wheel, an electric traction motor, an internal combustion engine, a generator driven by the internal combustion engine, and a lawnmower. The electric energy generated by the generator can be supplied directly or via an electric accumulator to the electric traction motor. The main drive wheels are independently driven by the electric traction motor, which can operate as a traction power source. When viewed from one end to the other end in the width direction of the vehicle, the internal combustion engine and a secondary battery operable as the electric accumulator overlap each other, and the main drive wheels overlap at least a part of at least one of the internal combustion engine, the generator, the secondary battery, a fuel cell, a capacitor, an inverter, a cooling device, a mower driving motor, and a grass-collecting duct.

Claims (17)

1. A riding lawnmower vehicle comprising:

a right main drive wheel and left main drive wheel;

at least one caster wheel;

right and left electric traction motors, each provided on a right and left end of a main frame constituting a vehicle body;

a driver's seat provided on top of the main frame;

a mower working machine provided under the main frame and driven by an electric motor for driving the mower working machine;

a secondary battery that is supported by the main frame and supplies electric power to the right and left electric traction motors and the motor for driving the mower working machine; and

a control unit that controls operation of the right and left electric traction motors,

wherein the right and left main drive wheels are respectively supported at a left end and a right end of the main frame, and independently driven by the right and left electric traction motors, which can operate as traction power sources,

when viewed from one end to the other end in the width direction of the vehicle, the main drive wheels overlap at least a part of the secondary battery;

when viewed from one end to the other end in the width direction of the vehicle, the right and left electric traction motors overlap the main drive wheels; and

at least part of the control unit is positioned on a top surface side of the main frame and under the driver's seat.

2. The riding lawnmower vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein

the right and left main drive wheels are respectively supported at a rear portion of the mainframe;

the caster wheel is supported at a more forward portion of the main frame than the right and left main drive wheels;

the mower working machine is positioned between the right and left main drive wheels and the caster wheel in a front to rear direction; and

the secondary battery is positioned at the rear side of the driver's seat.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 22, 2008
From: ISHII, NORIHIRO; SASAHARA, KENGO; KOGA, KAZUNARI; MATSUURA, JUN; EBIHARA, TOMOYUKI; MIZUKAWA, KATSUMOTO
To: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
Reel/Frame 020842/0650 →
Priority Claims (3)
JP 2007-114744 · Apr 24, 2007 · national
JP 2007-114745 · Apr 24, 2007 · national
JP 2007-114746 · Apr 24, 2007 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080264026A1 · Oct 30, 2008