Patent ID: 12245547

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Representative, non-limiting examples of the present disclosure will now be described in further detail with reference to the attached drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each of the additional features and teachings disclosed below may be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings to provide improved lawn mowers, as well as methods for using and manufacturing the same.

Moreover, combinations of features and steps disclosed in the following detailed description may not be necessary to practice the present disclosure in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to particularly describe representative examples of the present disclosure. Furthermore, various features of the above-described and below-described representative examples, as well as the various independent and dependent claims, may be combined in ways that are not specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provide additional useful embodiments of the present teachings.

All features disclosed in the description and/or the claims are intended to be disclosed separately and independently from each other for the purpose of original written disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter, independent of the compositions of the features in the embodiments and/or the claims. In addition, all value ranges or indications of groups of entities are intended to disclose every possible intermediate value or intermediate entity for the purpose of original written disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter.

In one or more embodiments, the grass collection unit may comprise: a grass collection part configured to collect the grass and comprising a collection inlet and a discharge outlet; and an adjustment mechanism disposed inside the grass collection part and configured to adjust the air flow having entered the grass collection part from the collection inlet. By the adjustment mechanism adjusting the air flow having entered the grass collection part from the collection inlet, the heavy grass may be collected in the grass collection part and the light grass is discharged out of the grass collection part from the discharge outlet.

In the above configuration, by adjusting the air flow using the adjustment mechanism, the heavy grass can be collected in the grass collection part while the light grass is discharged out of the grass collection part through the discharge outlet by using a weight difference between the light grass and the heavy grass. Due to this, the grass can be separated into the heavy grass and the light grass, and further, the heavy grass can be collected while the light grass is discharged.

In one or more embodiments, the adjustment mechanism may comprise a velocity adjustment member. The velocity adjustment member may be configured to adjust velocity of the air flow from the collection inlet toward the discharge outlet by adjusting an opening area of the discharge outlet.

When the velocity of the air flow from the collection inlet toward the discharge outlet is decreased within the grass collection part, the light grass will flow to the discharge outlet along with the air flow, while the heavy grass is more likely to drop out from the air flow and be collected in the grass collection part. In the above configuration, by adjusting the opening area of the discharge outlet using the velocity adjustment member, the velocity of the air flow from the collection inlet toward the discharge outlet can be adjusted. Due to this, the grass can be separated into the heavy grass and the light grass, and further the heavy grass can be collected while the light grass is discharged.

In one or more embodiments, the velocity adjustment member may be pivotably supported by the grass collection part. The opening area of the discharge outlet may change as a pivot angle of the velocity adjustment member changes.

In the above configuration, the opening area of the discharge outlet can be adjusted with a simple configuration.

In one or more embodiments, the velocity adjustment member may be slidably supported by the grass collection part. The opening area of the discharge outlet may change as an amount of sliding of the velocity adjustment member changes.

In the above configuration, the opening area of the discharge outlet can be adjusted with a simple configuration.

In one or more embodiments, the adjustment mechanism may comprise a direction adjustment member. The direction adjustment member may be disposed between the collection inlet and the discharge outlet, and the direction adjustment member may be configured to adjust a direction of the air flow from the collection inlet toward the discharge outlet by disturbing the air flow from the collection inlet toward the discharge outlet.

When the air flow from the collection inlet toward the discharge outlet meander in the grass collection part, the light grass will flow to the discharge outlet along with the air flow, while the heavy grass is more likely to drop out from the air flow and be collected in the grass collection part. In the above configuration, the direction of the air flow from the collection inlet toward the discharge outlet can be adjusted by disturbing the air flow from the collection inlet toward the discharge outlet by using the direction adjustment member. Due to this, the grass can be separated into the heavy grass and the light grass, and further the heavy grass can be collected while the light grass is discharged.

In one or more embodiments, the direction adjustment member may be pivotably supported by the grass collection part. The direction of the air flow from the collection inlet toward the discharge outlet may change as a pivot angle of the direction adjustment member changes.

In the above configuration, the direction of the air flow from the collection inlet toward the discharge outlet can be adjusted with a simple configuration.

In one or more embodiments, the direction adjustment member may be supported by the grass collection part. The direction adjustment member may be configured such that a position of the direction adjustment member is adjustable with respect to a direction from the collection inlet toward the discharge outlet. The direction of the air flow from the collection inlet toward the discharge outlet may change as the position of the direction adjustment member changes.

In the above configuration, the direction of the air flow from the collection inlet toward the discharge outlet can be adjusted with a simple configuration.

In one or more embodiments, the lawn mower may further comprise a prime mover configured to rotate the blade and the fan.

In the above configuration, the blade and the fan are both driven by the same prime mover. The lawn mower can be made more compact as compared to a case where a prime mover for driving the blade and a prime mover for driving the fan are separately provided.

In one or more embodiments, the blade and the fan may share a rotation shaft.

In the above configuration, since the blade and the fan share the rotation shaft, the lawn mower can be made more compact as compared to a case where the rotation shaft of the blade and the rotation shaft of the fan are separately provided.

In one or more embodiments, the blade and the fan may be integrally formed.

In the above configuration, the number of components constituting the lawn mower can be reduced.

In one or more embodiments, the prime mover may be an electric motor.

In the above configuration, vibration and noise generated upon using the lawn mower can be reduced as compared to a case where the prime mover is an engine.

In one or more embodiments, the lawn mower may further comprise a battery pack configured to supply electric power to the prime mover.

When the lawn mower is configured to supply electric power from an external power source to the prime mover through a power cable, the power cable may interfere with grass-cutting work. In the above configuration, work efficiency in using the lawn mower can be improved.

First Embodiment

A lawn mower2of a first embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS.1to7. As shown inFIG.1, the lawn mower2includes a body unit4, a grass collection unit6, and a handle unit8. The body unit4includes four wheels10that contact ground. The grass collection unit6is detachably attached to the rear end of the body unit4. The handle unit8is connected to a rear upper portion of the body unit4. When a worker stands behind the lawn mower2and pushes the same forward while holding an upper portion of the handle unit8with both hands, the wheels10rotate and the body unit4thereby moves forward along the ground. Hereinbelow, a direction along which the wheels10rotate and the body unit4moves along the ground will be termed a front-rear direction, a direction vertical to the ground will be termed an up-down direction, and a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and to the up-down direction will be termed a left-right direction.

As shown inFIG.2, the body unit4includes a deck12, a rotation shaft14, a blade16, a fan18, a duct20(seeFIG.3), a cowl22, a cover24, a blade motor26, battery packs B, and an ECU (not shown). A lower surface of the deck12opens toward the ground in a substantially cylindrical shape. A substantially circular opening12ais defined in an upper surface of the deck12. An internal space of the deck12communicates with the duct20that opens toward the rear side of the body unit4. When the grass collection unit6(seeFIG.1) is attached to the rear end of the deck12, the internal space of the deck12communicates with an internal space of the grass collection unit6through the duct20. The rotation shaft14extends substantially vertically. The blade16and the fan18are disposed in the internal space of the deck12. The blade16is fixed to the lower end of the rotation shaft14. The blade16extends substantially horizontally from the rotation shaft14. The fan18is fixed to the rotation shaft14at a position higher than the blade16. The fan18is integrated with the blade16. When the rotation shaft14rotates, the blade16rotates accordingly and grass on the ground is cut. Further, when the rotation shaft14rotates, the fan18rotates accordingly and an air flow from the opening of the deck12at its lower surface toward the duct20is generated within the internal space of the deck12. Due to this, grass cut by the blade16is suctioned by the fan18and sent into the grass collection unit6through the duct20.

The cowl22includes a skirt22athat projects downward in a substantially circular shape. The cowl22is fixed to an upper surface side of the deck12such that the skirt22apenetrates through the opening12aof the deck12. The openable cover24is attached to an upper portion of the cowl22. The cowl22houses the blade motor26, the battery packs B, and the ECU (not shown). The blade motor26may for example be a brushless motor. The blade motor26is configured to rotate the rotation shaft14. The battery packs B are detachably attached to battery receptacles22bof the cowl22. The battery packs B may each include a secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion battery, for example. The battery packs B are disposed in a space defined by the cowl22and the cover24. The ECU may for example include an inverter circuit (not shown) including a plurality of switching elements (not shown) and a control circuit (not shown) configured to control operations of the plurality of switching elements. The ECU is configured to control an operation of the blade motor26by controlling electric power supplied from the battery packs B to the blade motor26, and also control an operation of a traction motor (not shown) for rotating the rear wheels10.

As shown inFIG.1, the handle unit8includes a lower frame28, an upper frame30, a right retaining part34, a left retaining part36, a switch lever38, and a traction lever40. The lower frame28is coupled to a rear upper portion of the deck12. The lower frame28has a substantially U-shape that extends rearward and upward, bends, and further extends in the left-right direction. The upper frame30is coupled to a rear upper portion of the lower frame28. The upper frame30has a substantially U-shape that extends rearward and upward, bends, further extends forward and upward, bends again and extends in the left-right direction. Hereinbelow, a portion of the upper frame30extending in the left-right direction will be termed a grip32. The grip32is configured to be gripped by the worker. The right retaining part34is fixed to the upper frame30on the right side at a position lower than the grip32. The left retaining part36is fixed to the upper frame30on the left side at a position lower than the grip32. The switch lever38is disposed on a front lower side of the grip32, and the traction lever40is disposed on a rear side of the grip32. Each of the switch lever38and the traction lever40is supported by the right retaining part34and the left retaining part36so as to be pivotable about its pivot axis extending in the left-right direction. Each of the switch lever38and the traction lever40is biased by a spring (not shown) in a direction moving away from the grip32. While gripping the grip32, the worker can pull the switch lever38with finger(s) of a hand gripping the grip32, and also pull the traction lever40with a remaining finger of the hand gripping the grip32. When the switch lever38is pulled, the ECU rotates the blade motor26. When the switch lever38returns to its initial position, the ECU stops rotation of the blade motor26. When the traction lever40is pulled, the ECU rotates the traction motor. Due to this, the rear wheels10rotate, and the worker can move the lawn mower2without pushing the grip32forward. When the traction lever40returns to its initial position, the ECU stops rotation of the traction motor.

As shown inFIG.4, the grass collection unit6includes a grass collection box44. The grass collection box44includes an opening46that communicates with the duct20when the grass collection unit6is attached to the body unit4, an opening48covered by the duct cover12bof the body unit4(seeFIG.1), and an opening50(seeFIG.5). The opening46and the opening48are continuous with each other. The opening46is oriented frontward, and the opening48is oriented frontward and upward. Grass that is fed from the body unit4through the duct20enters into the grass collection box44through the opening46. As shown inFIG.1, the duct cover12bis pivotably supported by the deck12. The duct cover12bis configured to pivot with respect to the deck12and cover the duct20from behind when the grass collection unit6is detached from the body unit4. As shown inFIG.5, the opening50is defined at the rear end of a lower wall44aof the grass collection box44. The opening50is disposed in front of a rear wall44bof the grass collection box44. Although not shown, the opening50extends from a right wall44cto a left wall44dof the grass collection box44.

The grass collection unit6further includes an inner wall54, an adjustment mechanism56, and a lever82. The inner wall54is integrated with the grass collection box44. Although not shown, the inner wall54extends leftward from the right wall44cand is connected to the left wall44d. The inner wall54is disposed in front of the opening50. That is, the inner wall54is disposed frontward of and separated from the rear wall44b. The inner wall54extends from a lower wall44ato an upper wall44eof the grass collection box44. The upper end of the inner wall54is separated from the upper wall44e.

The inner wall54partitions the grass collection box44into a grass collection part59and a discharging part61. The grass collection part59has a grass-collecting space60therein. The grass-collecting space60is defined by the inner wall54, the lower wall44a, the right wall44c, the left wall44d, and the upper wall44e. The grass-collecting space60communicates with the outside of the grass collection box44through the openings46,48. The discharging part61is disposed behind the grass collection part59. The discharging part61has a discharging space62therein. The discharging space62is defined by the inner wall54, the rear wall44b, the right wall44c, the left wall44d, and the upper wall44e. The discharging space62is disposed rearward of the grass-collecting space60. The discharging space62communicates with the grass-collecting space60, and communicates with the outside of the grass collection box44through the opening50.

The adjustment mechanism56includes a direction adjustment member70and a velocity adjustment member72. The direction adjustment member70is disposed inside the grass-collecting space60. The direction adjustment member70is fixed to the upper wall44eusing screws74. The screws74are inserted into holes76defined in the upper wall44e. The holes76are arranged with intervals in the front-rear direction. By changing the holes76into which the screws74are to be inserted, a position of the direction adjustment member70in the front-rear direction is adjusted. In the state where the direction adjustment member70is fixed to the upper wall44e, the direction adjustment member70extends substantially forward along the upper wall44e, bends, and extends toward the lower wall44a. The lower end of the direction adjustment member70is disposed closer to the lower wall44athan the upper end of the inner wall54is. Although not shown, the direction adjustment member70extends in the left-right direction.

The velocity adjustment member72is disposed inside the grass-collecting space60. The velocity adjustment member72is disposed at a rear upper portion of the grass collection part59. The velocity adjustment member72is disposed closer to the inner wall54than the direction adjustment member70is. The velocity adjustment member72is supported by the upper wall44eso as to be pivotable about a pivot axis extending in the left-right direction. When the velocity adjustment member72is in a non-pivot state, the velocity adjustment member72extends rearward and downward from the upper wall44e, bends, and further extends to the upper end of the inner wall54. When the velocity adjustment member72is in the non-pivot state, the velocity adjustment member72abuts the upper end of the inner wall54or its vicinity from the front side. Due to this, when the velocity adjustment member72is in the non-pivot state, the grass-collecting space60and the discharging space62do not communicate. When the velocity adjustment member72pivots forward from the non-pivot state, the velocity adjustment member72approaches closer to the upper wall44eand moves away from the inner wall54. Due to this, an opening58is thereby created between the velocity adjustment member72and the inner wall54. Further, the grass-collecting space60and the discharging space62thereby communicate. As the velocity adjustment member72pivots forward, an opening area of the opening58increases.

As shown inFIG.4, the lever82is disposed on the rear right side of the upper wall44e. As shown inFIG.5, the lever82is pivotably supported by the upper wall44e. The lever82is configured to be operated by the worker. When the lever82pivots, the velocity adjustment member72pivots therewith. For example, when the lever82is moved rearward by the worker when the velocity adjustment member72is in the non-pivot state, the velocity adjustment member72pivots forward and moves away from the inner wall54. The lever82can be fixed at a desired position. Due to this, the velocity adjustment member72can be fixed at a desired pivot angle, and the opening area of the opening58can be adjusted to a desired size.

Next, series of grass-cutting operation using the lawn mower2will be described. When the blade motor26shown inFIG.2is driven, the blade16and the fan18rotate with the rotation of the rotation shaft14. When the blade16rotates, the grass on the ground is thereby cut. The grass cut by the blade16includes heavy grass L1cut long (seeFIG.6) and light grass L2cut short (seeFIG.6). Further, when the fan18rotates, an air flow from the opening at the lower surface of the deck12toward the duct20(seeFIG.3) is generated in the space inside the deck12. Due to this, the heavy grass L1and the light grass L2are suctioned by the fan18and are sent into the grass collection unit6through the duct20.

As shown inFIG.6, the heavy grass L1and the light grass L2flow into the grass collection box44from the opening46along the air flow generated by the rotation of the fan18. After this, the heavy grass L1and the light grass L2flow inside the grass collection box44along the air flow F1. InFIG.6, the air flow F1within the grass collection box44is shown by a solid line. Firstly, the air flow F1will be described. The air that entered into the grass-collecting space60from the opening46flows rearward and upward and reaches the direction adjustment member70. After this, the air meanders around the direction adjustment member70and flows toward the opening58. Specifically, the air flowing toward the opening58is disturbed by the direction adjustment member70, by which the air collides with the direction adjustment member70and flows along the direction adjustment member70toward the lower end of the direction adjustment member70. The air that reached the lower end of the direction adjustment member70changes its flowing direction after having passed by the direction adjustment member70, and flows toward the opening58. After this, the air passes through the opening58between the velocity adjustment member72and the inner wall54and flows from the grass-collecting space60into the discharging space62. The air having entered therein flows in the discharging space62toward the opening50, and flows out to the outside of the grass collection box44from the opening50.

Next, flows of the heavy grass L1and the light grass L2will be described. Firstly, the heavy grass L1and the light grass L2having entered the grass-collecting space60from the opening46flow to the direction adjustment member70along with the air flow F1. In this case, since the heavy grass L1has a higher weight as compared to the light grass L2, the heavy grass L1drops out from the air flow F1before coming close to the direction adjustment member70, and falls toward the lower wall44aof the grass collection box44by its own weight. Due to this, the heavy grass L1is collected in the grass-collecting space60. Further, as aforementioned, the air flow F1meanders around the direction adjustment member70when it comes close to the direction adjustment member70. In this case, the heavy grass L1drops out from the meandering air flow F1and is collected in the grass-collecting space60. Further, the heavy grass L1drops out from the meandering air flow F1by colliding with the direction adjustment member70, and is thereby collected in the grass-collecting space60. On the other hand, the light grass L2can flow along the direction adjustment member70with the meandering air flow F1even if the air flow F1meanders around the direction adjustment member70, thus it passes by the lower end of the direction adjustment member70and reaches the opening58. After this, the light grass L2flows through the opening58from the grass-collecting space60into the discharging space62. The light grass L2having entered the discharging space62flows out of the grass collection box44through the opening50. Due to this, the light grass L2is scattered on the ground. As a result, among the heavy grass L1and the light grass L2cut by the blade16, the heavy grass L1is collected in the grass-collecting space60, as a result of which a frequency of work to throw out the grass collected in the grass collection box44can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, a direction of the air flow F1changes by adjusting the position of the direction adjustment member70with respect to a direction from the opening46toward opening58. As the direction adjustment member70moves from the position closest to the opening46as shown inFIG.6to the position separated farthest from the opening46as shown inFIG.7(that is, the position closest to the opening58), the air flows around the direction adjustment member70and thus thereby meanders significantly. Specifically, when the air flowing along the direction adjustment member70flows beyond the lower end of the direction adjustment member70toward the opening58, change in the direction of the air flow F1becomes more drastic. When the change in the direction of the air flow F1becomes more drastic, the heavy grass L1can more easily dropout from the meandering air flow F1. Due to this, the heavy grass L1can more easily fall toward the lower wall44aby its own weight, and thus can more easily be collected in the grass-collecting space60. On the other hand, even when the change in the direction of the air flow F1becomes drastic, the light grass L2can flow along with the meandering air flow F1. Thus, the light grass L2can flow to the opening58and flow out to the outside of the grass collection box44through the opening50.

Further, the air flow F1changes by adjusting the pivot angle of the velocity adjustment member72. As the velocity adjustment member72pivots from the state where the velocity adjustment member72pivots as shown inFIG.6to the state where the velocity adjustment member72is in the non-pivot state as shown inFIG.5, the opening area of the opening58decreases. Due to this, velocity of the air flowing toward the opening58decreases. As the velocity of the air flowing toward the opening58decreases, the heavy grass L1can more easily drop out from the air flow F1having the reduced velocity, thus it becomes easier for the heavy grass L1to fall toward the lower wall44aby its own weight, and thus is more easily collected in the grass-collecting space60. On the other hand, even when the velocity of the air flowing toward the opening58decreases, the light grass L2can flow along with the air flow F1having the reduced velocity, thus the light grass L2can flow to the opening58and flow out to the outside of the grass collection box44through the opening50.

(Effect)

The lawn mower2of the present embodiment comprises the blade16configured to cut the grass; the grass collection unit6configured to collect the grass cut by the blade16; and the fan18configured to generate the air flow that blows the grass cut by the blade toward the grass collection unit6. The grass includes the heavy grass L1cut long by the blade16and the light grass L2cut short by the blade16. Among the heavy grass L1and the light grass L2having entered the grass collection unit6, the grass collection unit6is configured to collect the heavy grass L1and discharge the light grass L2out of the grass collection unit6. In the above configuration, firstly, both the heavy grass L1and the light grass L2cut by the blade16enter the grass collection unit6. After that, only the heavy grass L1is collected in the grass collection unit6, while the light grass L2flows within the grass collection unit6and is thereafter discharged out of the grass collection unit6. Due to this, the grass can be separated into the heavy grass L1and the light grass L2, as a result of which the heavy grass can be collected and the light grass can be discharged.

As shown inFIG.6, the grass collection unit6comprises: the grass collection part59configured to collect the grass and comprising the opening46and the opening58; and the adjustment mechanism56disposed inside the grass collection part59and configured to adjust the air flow F1having entered the grass collection part59from the opening46. By the adjustment mechanism56adjusting the air flow F1having entered the grass collection part59from the opening46, the heavy grass L1is collected in the grass collection part59and the light grass L2is discharged out of the grass collection part59from the opening58. In the above configuration, by adjusting the air flow F1using the adjustment mechanism56, the heavy grass L1can be collected in the grass collection part59while the light grass L2is discharged out of the grass collection part59through the opening58by using a weight difference between the heavy grass L1and the light grass L2. Due to this, the grass can be separated into the heavy grass L1and the light grass L2, and further, the heavy grass can be collected while the light grass is discharged.

The adjustment mechanism56comprises the velocity adjustment member72. The velocity adjustment member72is configured to adjust velocity of the air flow from the opening46toward the opening58by adjusting the opening area of the opening58. When the velocity of the air flow from the opening46toward the opening58is decreased within the grass collection part59(i.e., the grass-collecting space60), the light grass L2will flow to the opening58along with the air flow F1, while the heavy grass L1is more likely to drop out from the air flow F1and be collected in the grass collection part59. In the above configuration, by adjusting the opening area of the opening58using the velocity adjustment member72, the velocity of the air flow from the opening46toward the opening58can be adjusted. Due to this, the grass can be separated into the heavy grass L1and the light grass L2, and further the heavy grass can be collected while the light grass is discharged.

The velocity adjustment member72is pivotably supported by the grass collection part59. The opening area of the opening58changes as the pivot angle of the velocity adjustment member72changes. In the above configuration, the opening area of the opening58can be adjusted with a simple configuration.

The adjustment mechanism56comprises the direction adjustment member70. The direction adjustment member70is disposed between the opening46and the opening58, and the direction adjustment member70is configured to adjust the direction of the air flow F1from the opening46toward the opening58by disturbing the air flow F1from the opening46toward the opening58. When the air flow D1from the opening46toward the opening58meander within the grass collection part59(i.e., the grass-collecting space60), the light grass L2will flow to the opening58along with the air flow F1, while the heavy grass L1is more likely to drop out from the air flow F1and be collected in the grass-collecting space60. In the above configuration, the direction of the air flow F1from the opening46toward the opening58can be adjusted by disturbing the air flow from the opening46toward the opening58by using the direction adjustment member70. Due to this, the grass can be separated into the heavy grass L1and the light grass L2, and further the heavy grass can be collected while the light grass is discharged.

The direction adjustment member70is supported by the grass collection part59. The direction adjustment member70is configured such that the position of the direction adjustment member70is adjustable with respect to the direction from the opening46toward the opening58. The direction of the air flow F1from the opening46toward the opening58changes as the position of the direction adjustment member70changes. In the above configuration, the direction of the air flow F1from the opening46toward the opening58can be adjusted with a simple configuration.

The lawn mower2further comprises the blade motor26configured to rotate the blade16and the fan18. In the above configuration, the blade16and the fan18are both driven by the same blade motor26. The lawn mower2can be made more compact as compared to a case where a motor for driving the blade16and a motor for driving the fan18are separately provided.

The blade16and the fan18share the rotation shaft14. Since the blade16and the fan18share the rotation shaft14, the lawn mower can be made more compact as compared to a case where the rotation shaft of the blade16and the rotation shaft of the fan18are separately provided.

The blade16and the fan18are integrally formed. In the above configuration, the number of components constituting the lawn mower2can be reduced.

The blade motor26functions as a prime mover. In the above configuration, vibration and noise generated upon using the lawn mower2can be reduced as compared to a case where the prime mover is an engine.

The lawn mower2further comprises the battery packs B configured to supply electric power to the blade motor26. When the lawn mower2is configured to supply electric power from an external power source to the blade motor26through a power cable, the power cable may interfere with grass-cutting work. In the above configuration, work efficiency in using the lawn mower2can be improved.

(Corresponding Relationship)

The opening46is an example of “collection inlet”, the opening58is an example of “discharge outlet”, and the blade motor26is an example of “prime mover”.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.8. In the second embedment, only the features different from the first embodiment will be described, and the features that are the same as those of the first embodiment will be given the same reference signs and the description thereof will be omitted. In the second embodiment, the configuration of a velocity adjustment member180is different from the configuration of the velocity adjustment member72of the first embodiment. The velocity adjustment member180is disposed inside the discharging space62. The velocity adjustment member180is slidably supported by the right wall44cand the left wall44dof the grass collection box44. The velocity adjustment member180is configured to slide in a direction perpendicular to the upper wall44e. The velocity adjustment member180is disposed behind and adjacent to the inner wall54. In the state where the velocity adjustment member180is in a non-slide state, the upper end of the velocity adjustment member180abuts the upper wall44e. Due to this, the grass-collecting space60and the discharging space62do not communicate when the velocity adjustment member180is in the non-slide state. When the velocity adjustment member180slides substantially downward from the non-slide state, it moves away from the upper wall44e. Due to this, the opening58is created between the upper end of the velocity adjustment member180and the upper wall44e. Further, the grass-collecting space60and the discharging space62thereby communicate. As the velocity adjustment member180slides substantially downward, the opening area of the opening58increases. The velocity adjustment member180slides when levers (not shown) disposed on the right wall44cand the left wall44dare operated.

As the velocity adjustment member180slides toward the upper wall44e, the opening area of the opening58decreases. Due to this, the velocity of the air flowing toward the opening58decreases. As the velocity of the air flowing toward the opening58decreases, the heavy grass L1can more easily drop out from the air flow F1having the reduced velocity, thus it becomes easier for the heavy grass L1to fall toward the lower wall44aby its own weight, and thus to be collected in the grass-collecting space60. On the other hand, even when the velocity of the air flowing toward the opening58decreases, the light grass L2can flow along with the air flow F1having the reduced velocity, thus the light grass L2can flow to the opening58and flow out to the outside of the grass collection box44through the opening50.

(Effect)

In the lawn mower2of the present embodiment, the velocity adjustment member180is slidably supported by the grass collection part59. The opening area of the opening58changes as an amount of sliding of the velocity adjustment member180changes. In the above configuration, the opening area of the opening58can be adjusted with a simple configuration.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS.9and10. In the third embedment, only the features different from the first embodiment will be described, and the features that are the same as those of the first embodiment will be given the same reference signs and the description thereof will be omitted. In the third embodiment, the configuration of a direction adjustment member280is different from the configuration of the direction adjustment member70of the first embodiment. The direction adjustment member280is supported by the upper wall44eso as to be pivotable about a pivot axis extending in the left-right direction. The direction adjustment member280is configured to pivot in a direction toward the velocity adjustment member72. As shown inFIG.9, when the direction adjustment member280is in a non-pivot state, the direction adjustment member280extends frontward and downward from the upper wall44e, bends, and further extends toward the lower wall44ain the direction perpendicular to the upper wall44e. As the direction adjustment member280pivots in the direction toward the velocity adjustment member72from the non-pivot state, the direction adjustment member280tilts with respect to the upper wall44e.

The grass collection unit6further includes a lever282. The lever282is pivotably supported by the upper wall44e. The lever282is disposed frontward of the lever82. The lever282is configured to be operated by the worker. When the lever282pivots, the direction adjustment member280pivots therewith. For example, when the lever282is moved forward by the worker when the direction adjustment member280is in the non-pivot state, the direction adjustment member280pivots in the direction toward the velocity adjustment member72.

Next, the air flow F1will be described. As the direction adjustment member280pivots from a state where the direction adjustment member280pivots as shown inFIG.10to the state where the direction adjustment member280is in the non-pivot state as shown inFIG.9, the air flows around the direction adjustment member280and meanders significantly. Specifically, when the air flowing along the direction adjustment member280flows beyond the lower end of the direction adjustment member280toward the opening58, the change in the direction of the air flow F1becomes more drastic. When the change in the direction of the air flow F1becomes more drastic, the heavy grass L1can more easily dropout from the meandering air flow F1. Due to this, the heavy grass L1can more easily fall toward the lower wall44aby its own weight, and thus can more easily be collected in the grass-collecting space60. On the other hand, even when the change in the direction of the air flow F1becomes drastic, the light grass L2can flow along with the meandering air flow F1. Thus, the light grass L2can flow to the opening58and flow out to the outside of the grass collection box44through the opening50.

(Effect)

In the lawn mower2of the present embodiment, the direction adjustment member280is pivotably supported by the grass collection part59. The direction of the air flow from the opening46toward the opening58may change as a pivot angle of the direction adjustment member280changes. In the above configuration, the direction of the air flow F1from the opening46toward the opening48can be adjusted with a simple configuration.

Fourth Embodiment

A fourth embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.11. In the fourth embedment, only the features different from the first embodiment will be described, and the features that are the same as those of the first embodiment will be given the same reference signs and the description thereof will be omitted. In the fourth embodiment, the adjustment mechanism56does not include the direction adjustment member70of the first embodiment, and includes only the velocity adjustment member72. Since the adjustment mechanism56does not have the direction adjustment member70, the direction of the air flow F1within the grass-collecting space60does not change drastically, and the air flows toward the opening58. In this case, since the heavy grass L1has a higher weight as compared to the light grass L2, the heavy grass L1drops out from the air flow F1and falls toward the lower wall44aof the grass collection box44by its own weight. Due to this, the heavy grass L1is collected in the grass-collecting space60. The air flowing toward the opening58passes through the opening58between the velocity adjustment member72and the inner wall54, and flows from the grass-collecting space60into the discharging space62. The air having entered the discharging space62flows therein toward the opening50, and flows out to the outside of the grass collection box44from the opening50. The light grass L2flows out of the grass collection box44from the opening50along with the air.

The adjustment mechanism56according to an embodiment may include only the direction adjustment member70or280.

The lawn mower2according to an embodiment may include an engine configured to drive the blade16and the fan18as a substitute to the blade motor26.

The lawn mower2according to an embodiment may include a power cable for supplying electric power from an external power source to the blade motor26as a substitute to the battery packs B.

The direction adjustment member70according to an embodiment may be supported by the upper wall44eso as to be slidable in a direction from the opening46toward the opening58.

The blade16and the fan18according to an embodiment may be separate members.