Lawnmower and method of cleaning a rolling surface of a wheel of a lawnmower

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020352091-A1
Application number	US-201816766080-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 6, 2018
Priority date	Dec 11, 2017
Publication date	Nov 12, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

A lawnmower (1) is disclosed comprising at least one wheel (3) configured to support the lawnmower (1) during operation. The at least one wheel (3) comprises a rolling surface (5), and the lawnmower (1) comprises a cleaning device (7) configured to clean the rolling surface (5), and an actuator (9) configured to move the cleaning device (7) relative the rolling surface (5). The present disclosure further relates to a method (100) of cleaning a rolling surface (5) of at least one wheel (3) of a lawnmower (1).

First claim

1 . A lawnmower comprising at least one wheel configured to support the lawnmower during operation, wherein the at least one wheel comprises a rolling surface,
and wherein the lawnmower further comprises:
a cleaning device configured to clean the rolling surface, and
an actuator configured to move the cleaning device relative the rolling surface.

2 . The lawnmower according to claim 1 , wherein the cleaning device is configured to clean the rolling surface by abutting against matter on the rolling surface.

3 . The lawnmower according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to move the cleaning device relative the rolling surface such that different portions of the cleaning device face the rolling surface.

4 . The lawnmower according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the cleaning device around a first rotational axis.

5 . The lawnmower -according to claim 4 , wherein the cleaning device comprises a body and bristles extending from the body.

6 . The lawnmower according to claim 5 , wherein the cleaning device comprises a peripheral surface, wherein the peripheral surface, at least periodically, faces the rolling surface during movement of the cleaning device, and wherein the bristles cover 2.5%-30%, or 3.5%-20%, or 4%-12.5%, of an area of the peripheral surface.

7 . The lawnmower according to claim 5 , wherein the bristles cover the peripheral surface in a pattern such that the bristles periodically face the rolling surface in a plane comprising the first rotational axis and a portion of the rolling surface.

8 . The lawnmower according to claim 7 , wherein the bristles cover the peripheral surface in a spiral pattern along the first rotational axis.

9 . The lawnmower according to claim 4 ,wherein the at least one wheel is arranged to rotate around a second rotational axis, and wherein the first and second rotational axes are substantially parallel.

10 . The lawnmower according to claim 9 , wherein the lawnmower is configured to move in a forward direction during operation, wherein the at least one wheel is arranged to rotate in a first rotational direction when the lawnmower is moving in the forward direction-, and wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the cleaning device in the first rotational direction.

11 . The lawnmower according to claim 1 , wherein the lawnmower is configured to move in a forward direction (fd) during operation, and wherein the cleaning device arranged behind the wheel seen in the forward direction.

12 . The lawnmower according to claim 9 , wherein the lawnmower is configured to move in a forward direction during operation, wherein the at least one wheel is arranged to rotate in a first rotational direction when the lawnmower is moving in the forward direction, wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the cleaning device in a second rotational direction, opposite to the first rotational direction, and wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the cleaning device in a rotational velocity causing outer radial portions of the cleaning device to obtain a higher tangential velocity than a tangential velocity of the rolling surface.

13 . The lawnmower according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises an electric motor, or
wherein the lawnmower is a self-propelled robotic lawnmower.

14 . The lawnmower according to claim 1 , wherein the lawnmower further comprises an adjustment mechanism, wherein the cleaning device is mounted onto the lawnmower via the adjustment mechanism, and wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to allow adjustment between different relative distances between the cleaning device and the rolling surface.

15 . The lawnmower according to claim 1 , wherein the lawnmower comprises a control arrangement configured to control operation of the actuator based on a cleaning need of the rolling surface.

16 . The lawnmower according to claim 15 , wherein the lawnmower further comprises a sensor, and wherein the control arrangement is configured to determine the cleaning need based on data from the sensor.

17 . The lawnmower according to claim 16 , wherein the sensor is configured to sense at least one of a humidity, a weather condition, and a length of grass, in an environment surrounding the lawnmower.

18 . (canceled)

19 . A method of cleaning a rolling surface of at least one wheel of a lawnmower, wherein the lawnmower comprises the at least one wheel, a cleaning device, and an actuator, wherein the at least one wheel is configured to support the lawnmower during operation,
and wherein the method comprises:
cleaning the rolling surface, using the cleaning device, and
moving the cleaning device relative the rolling surface, during the cleaning of the rolling surface.

20 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein the lawnmower further comprises a control arrangement,
and wherein the method comprises: controlling operation of the actuator, based on a cleaning need of the rolling surface.

21 . The method according to claim 20 , wherein the lawnmower further comprises a sensor,
and wherein the method comprises:
determining the cleaning need based on data from the sensor.

Assignees

• Husqvarna Ab

Inventors

• Ambros Rickard
• Svensson Mats

Classifications

• A01D34/003 Primary

  Means for cleaning the machine · CPC title

• A01D2101/00

  Lawn-mowers · CPC title

• A01D34/008

  for automated or remotely controlled operation · CPC title