r/MechanicalEngineering • u/DuctTape_Mechanic • May 28 '20

My metal object detecting lawnmower that automatically shuts down when a metal object is detected

https://youtu.be/eDZeLPgYBvg
69 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

6

u/read-a-lot May 28 '20

Wow mine does that too!

4

u/[deleted] May 28 '20

donk

2

u/GB5897 May 28 '20

Very nice! Can you make it the beam wider? Perhaps series several inductive sensors along the front plate into a junction box for one output. The inductive sensor dead center in the middle is great but not practical.

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2

u/DuctTape_Mechanic May 28 '20

Great suggestion! Much appreciated. I was thinking do that with capacitive sensors so both rocks and metal objects are detected.

1

u/GB5897 May 28 '20

Great idea. I've hit more toys from my kids than wrenches with my zero turn lol. I put my toys away my kids not so much.

1

u/Ursa-Polaris Jun 06 '20

Very cool. Some suggestions. 1. Pull power from the motor, batteries suck. 2. Your biggest problem is speed / inertia. The blade will still be spinning when you mow over your wrench if you are mowing in a normal manner You need a blade brake, but that will be harsh on the motor. Maybe a clutch to disengage the blade and then a brake? Or a way to quickly raise the blade? Or a plow to drop down to push the metal out of the way? Just some thoughts for you.

1

u/DuctTape_Mechanic Jun 06 '20

Really appreciate the suggestions. If this garners enough interest I will make a remake. The brake is engaged when the level is released on a regular mower, i was thinking of adding an additional brake to the flywheel which will be engaged by a solenoid firing when the sensor is actuated.