655results about "Lawn-mowers" patented technology

An irrigation system includes at least one sensor configured to acquire data regarding a water saturation level of an area of soil, a sprinkler configured to provide water to the area of soil, and a control system. The control system is configured to acquire the data from the at least one sensor and adjust a watering scheme of the sprinkler based on the data to provide a desired water saturation level to the area of soil.

A hybrid system for use with utility vehicles includes an electric motor including an output shaft and a conductor configured to alternatively receive power from or send power to an electrical power source. The hybrid system includes an internal combustion engine, a first pulley connected to and rotated by the internal combustion engine, and a clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism includes a ratchet connected to the output shaft of the electric motor to rotate at a first rotational speed, a pawl carrier driven by the internal combustion engine to rotate at a second rotational speed, and one or pawls coupled to and configured to rotate with the pawl carrier. The one or more pawls are configured to be disengaged from the ratchet when the first and second rotational speeds differ and engaged with the ratchet when the first and second rotational speeds are equal.

This invention discloses a mobile mechanism and a mobile robot incorporating the same. The mobile mechanism includes a housing, a slide, a moving wheel, a pressing part, and a deformable part. A guide part is provided within the housing. The slide is mounted on the guide part and can move along it. The moving wheel is fixed to the slide and partially protrudes from the surface of the housing. The pressing part presses against the slide, causing the slide to move towards the surface of the housing. The deformable part is mounted on the housing and connected to the pressing part, providing a force to the slide towards the housing surface during deformation. This invention allows the robot to move on different types of work surfaces. Especially when encountering obstacles, the pressing part provides a downward force to the slide, maximizing the proximity of the moving wheel to the work surface and generating friction, enabling the mobile robot to move and move away from obstacles.

A robotic garden tool may include a first sensor configured to sense an electromagnetic signal from a boundary cable installed on an operating surface, and a second sensor configured to sense a first anchor installed on the operating surface. The robotic garden tool may also include an electronic processor configured to control, based on first sensor data received from the first sensor, operation of at least one wheel motor to control movement of the robotic garden tool such that the robotic garden tool remains within a boundary defined by the boundary cable. The electronic processor may also be configured to, in response to receiving second sensor data from the second sensor that indicates a sensing of the first anchor, control operation of the at least one wheel motor to control movement of the robotic garden tool in a first predetermined manner.

A charging coupling for connecting a robotic mower to a charging station, comprising a first charging contact provided on the robotic mower and a second charging contact provided on the charging station. The first charging contact comprising a recess with two side walls substantially perpendicular to a mowing surface of the robotic mower, each side wall is provided with an essentially rectangular resilient metal plate. The second charging contact comprising a protruding part configured to fit in the recess of the first charging contact and has two sides facing the two side walls of the recess of the first charging contact when in contact. Each side of the protruding part is provided with metal plates with its sharp side facing the surface of the resilient metal plates of the first charging contact, when in contact.

Provided are a vehicle control method, a multi-purpose vehicle, and a garden work vehicle. The multi-purpose vehicle includes a drive mechanism, a control mechanism, and an auxiliary control mechanism. The auxiliary control mechanism includes: a control state sensing component, configured to determine a control state of a user with respect to the control mechanism; a traveling state sensing component, configured to determine the traveling state of the multi-purpose vehicle, the traveling state including a straight-line traveling state and a non-straight-line traveling state; and a calibration controller component, configured to determine that the multi-purpose vehicle is traveling abnormally in response to a mismatch between the traveling state and the control state. The calibration controller component is further configured to adjust, in response to determining that the multi-purpose vehicle is traveling abnormally, the operating state of the drive mechanism to match the traveling state with the control state.

A traction and steering control system and method for a small- or zero-radius-turning maintenance vehicle. The traction and steering control system may determine operator intended speed and direction by monitoring positions of speed and directional control members and one or more operational parameters of the vehicle. The vehicle may then generate drive wheel speed commands that achieve the intended speed and direction by determining how best to manipulate the left and right drive wheels. In some instances, the drive wheel speed commands are disproportionately related to the positions of the speed and directional control members.

Selectively powered caster wheels for a maintenance apparatus are described. A motor attached to the caster wheel(s) can be selectively powered to apply force to the caster wheel. This force can be selected to overcome another force sensed at the maintenance apparatus, or to steer the maintenance apparatus on a desired course or direction. The caster wheels can be configured to orient along a direction of motion of the maintenance apparatus, in response to power from the motor or in response to the motion of the maintenance apparatus itself. In further embodiments, the motor(s) can be selectively activated or deactivated by an operator of the maintenance apparatus, in response to a remote control signal, or in response to an onboard or offboard controller of the apparatus.

A drive-by-wire system can include pair of inputs and a controller configured to process signals from the inputs in a first mode and process the same signals differently in a second mode. The controller can be configured to, in the first mode, drive a first motor at a speed and direction that corresponds to the position of the first input and drive a second motor at a speed and direction that corresponds to the position of the second input and, in the second mode, drive the first motor and the second motor in the same direction and at the same speed using the first drive signal when the controller receives a second neutral signal from the second input, and drive the first motor and the second motor at different speeds and / or directions when the controller receives the first drive signal and the second drive signal.

A work machine includes: a pair of drive wheels that is either front wheels or rear wheels; a pair of non-driving wheels that is the other of the front wheels and the rear wheels; a work device disposed between the front wheels and the rear wheels; a machine body; and a control device including an automatic turn-execution unit configured to execute an automatic turn in a U shape. The automatic-turn execution unit is configured to execute: a gentle turn operation in which the work machine makes a gentle turn; and a counter-rotation turn operation in which the work machine makes a counter-rotation turn after the gentle turn operation.

A battery pack includes a battery housing defining an internal cavity, a first positive terminal extending through the housing, a first negative terminal extending through the housing, a plurality of battery cells within the internal cavity, and a battery charger within the internal cavity. The plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled to the first positive terminal and the first negative terminal. The battery charger is configured to charge the plurality of battery cells and includes a second positive terminal electrically coupled to the first positive terminal within the housing, and a second negative terminal electrically coupled to the first negative terminal within the housing.

A communication system may include a robotic garden tool with an electronic processor that may be configured to determine (i) a plurality of relative distances between the robotic garden tool and an object as the object moves in the operating area, and (ii) one or more locations of the robotic garden tool as the object moves in the operating area. The electronic processor may be further configured to determine a respective location of the one or more locations of the robotic garden tool at a respective time at which data was captured that allowed for the determination of each relative distance of the plurality of relative distances. A virtual boundary may be generated using each relative distance in combination with the respective location of the robotic garden tool at the respective time at which the data was captured that allowed for the determination of each relative distance.

The disclosed subject matter is directed to an electric lawn machine and method for use. The machine can include a housing and a tool, such as a lawnmower blade. A front pair of drive wheels, rear pair of drive wheels, and a storage surface / wheels can be connected to the housing. The housing can be configured to be placed upon a ground surface in two different positions: a use position in which the front pair of drive wheels and the rear pair of drive wheels contact the ground surface; and, a storage position in which the rear pair of drive wheels and the storage surface / wheel(s) contact the ground surface. A handle can be provided that is moveable between a use position, storage position, and an intermediate position in which the machine can be pulled / pushed around into and out of storage by the handle.

A string trimmer attachment assembly for a lawn mower includes a deck attachment mount; a turret mounted to the deck attachment mount about an axis; a trimmer head; a first arm mountable to the turret, the first arm adjustable along a first axis; a second arm mountable to the trimmer head, the second arm adjustable along a second axis; and a coupling to connect the first arm and the second arm such that the second arm is transverse to the first arm.

An example vehicle includes: at least one electric motor that propels the vehicle; at least one drive motor controller that controls the at least one electric motor to propel the vehicle; and a plurality of inertial measurement unit (IMU) modules coupled to various locations on the vehicle including the at least one drive motor controller or the at least one electric motor, wherein the plurality of IMU modules provide sensor information indicative of one or more of heading, acceleration, or orientation of the vehicle, wherein the at least one drive motor controller receives the sensor information from the plurality of IMU modules, and responsively adjusts operation of the at least one electric motor based on the sensor information.

A walk-behind working machine. The walk-behind working machine includes a body including a walking assembly and a drive assembly for driving the walking assembly; a handle device including a grip for a user to hold; and a connecting rod assembly for connecting the body to the handle device. The walk-behind working machine further includes a display capable of displaying information related to the walk-behind working machine. In this manner, it is convenient for the user to acquire the work information of a working machine, thereby improving the convenience of use of the user.

Provided is an autonomous lawn mowing system having improved safety. An autonomous lawn mowing system 1 is provided with: a position-information acquisition unit 14 that acquires position information concerning the position of an autonomous lawn mower 2 that is capable of travelling by itself; a moisture-information acquisition unit 15 that acquires moisture information concerning the moisture content of turf; a wet-ground identification unit 31 that identifies a wet region on the basis of the position information and the moisture information; and a control module 34 that controls the autonomous lawn mower 2 on the basis of the result identified by the wet-ground identification unit 31.

A mower includes a main body having an electric motor configured to drive a mowing member, a pair of front wheels, and a pair of rear wheels. A supporting portion is associated with the main body and a handle is connected to the main body and rotatable between a first position and a second position. The handle comprises an operation assembly operable by a user to control the electric motor. A controller prevents the electric motor from being activated by a user operation of the operation assembly when the mower is in a first state in which the supporting portion and the pair of rear wheels are used to support the main body on a supporting surface with the handle in the first position.

A mower slope sensing system on a grass mowing machine. An elevation sensor may capture terrain elevation values for each of a plurality of different locations according to a latitude and a longitude of each of the locations on a field. An electronic controller may store the terrain elevation values, latitudes and longitudes, and adjust a mowing blade speed depending on changes in the terrain elevation values from a current location to a next expected location.

A method includes (a) receiving course data identifying a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone within a golf course, (b) generating time prediction data including predicted work times indicating a predicted amount of time required for a mower to mow one of the zones, (c) receiving a set of desired mowing parameters indicating that a first mower and a second mower are available for maintenance of the golf course, (d) generating a first route assignment for the first mower and a second route assignment for the second mower based on the course data and the time prediction data, and (e) providing a graphical user interface including instructions for an operator to complete the first route assignment using the first mower. The first route assignment includes mowing the first zone and the second zone. The second route assignment includes mowing the third zone.

A cutting assembly may be configured to be mounted to a robotic lawnmower to cut vegetation. The cutting assembly includes a mounting unit configured to be mounted to a lawnmower body of the robotic lawnmower, a cutting arrangement including a cutting unit, a link arm arrangement connecting the cutting arrangement to the mounting unit, and a cutting height adjustment mechanism. The link arm arrangement includes a number of link arms each pivotally attached to the mounting unit and to the cutting arrangement around pivot axes. The cutting height adjustment mechanism includes an actuator arm slidably received in an aperture of the cutting arrangement and a linear actuator configured to move the actuator arm relative to the mounting unit.

A rotary mower blade position synchronization system with first and second rotary mower blades rotated by electric motors. First and second position sensors provide electric motor position signals to first and second control inverters. The control inverters communicate to run a calibrate routine to set the angle of the first rotary mower blade relative to the second rotary mower blade, and a synchronous operation mode to operate the first and second electric motors at rotational speeds that maintain the position of the first rotary mower blade relative to the second rotary mower blade when mowing.

A riding mower includes a seat for a user to sit on, a main frame configured to support the seat, a power output assembly configured to mow vegetation, a traveling assembly configured to enable the riding mower to travel, an operating assembly configured to be operated by the user, a control module configured to control the riding mower, and a power supply apparatus configured to supply power to the riding mower. At least a portion of the control module is disposed on the lower side of the seat, and the control module comprises a drive control board for controlling the power output assembly and the traveling assembly, a fuse, and a power supply management module.

Providing objective analysis of performance results of power equipment devices are detailed throughout this disclosure. Image data of vegetation cut by a power equipment device can be captured and uploaded to a server for analysis. Data pertinent to the performance results, such as environment conditions, mechanical parameter settings, type of vegetation or turf, and so forth can be submitted with the image data in some disclosed aspects. Analysis results, optionally in conjunction with adjustment data for adjusting mechanical settings of the power equipment can be provided in response to the image data.

A robotic garden tool may include an object detection sensor. Object detection data from the object detection sensor may indicate a respective position of each of one or more objects with respect to the robotic garden tool. The robotic garden tool may be configured to execute a speed control algorithm that may include determining, based on the object detection data, whether any objects are present within a detection area of the object detection sensor. The speed control algorithm also may include adjusting a speed of the robotic garden tool and / or a travel direction of the robotic garden tool based on whether and where any objects are detected within the detection area.

A method for use in a robotic lawnmower system comprising a robotic lawnmower (100) arranged to operate in an outdoor operational area (205), the robotic lawnmower comprising a satellite navigation sensor and being arranged to operate based on a GCS source. The method comprises the robotic lawnmower receiving error correction data for satellite navigation from a GCS source through the communication interface (115) and determine (410) a current position based on the received error correction data and the satellite navigation sensor (175), wherein the method further comprises navigating (420) based on based on the satellite navigation sensor (175) or based on the satellite navigation sensor (175) in combination with received error correction data from a first GCS source (245-1), determining (430) that operating conditions have changed, and in response thereto navigating (440) based on based on the satellite navigation sensor (175) in combination with received error correction data from a second GCS source (245-2).

A hand-held tool comprises a drive motor (4), at least one tool (23) driven by the drive motor (4), and at least one handle (5). A first control element (11), a second control element (12), and a third control element (13) are pivotally mounted on the handle (5). The first control element (11) is designed to control the drive motor (4) and is pivotally mounted about a first pivot axis (14). The second control element (12) is pivotally mounted about a second pivot axis (15). A locking device (30) is provided which, in a release position (31) of the locking device (30), releases the first control element (11) for operation of the drive motor (4) and, in a locked position (32) of the locking device (30), locks the first control element (11) for operation of the drive motor (4).The locking device (30) is adjustable between the release position (31) and the locked position (32) via the second control element (12). The third control element (13) is pivotally mounted about a third pivot axis (16). In its actuated position (45), the third control element (13) holds the second control element (12) in its actuated position via a retaining element (24). The retaining element (24) is pivotally mounted about a fourth pivot axis (25). The second pivot axis (15) lies in a plane (28) that is perpendicular to the fourth pivot axis (25).

A lawn mower includes: a cutting blade motor that drives a cutting blade; a mode selector that selects one of modes including a normal lawn mowing mode and a grass removal mode in which grass accumulated at the cutting blade is brushed away; and processing circuitry configured to control the cutting blade motor in the mode selected by the mode selector. In the normal lawn mowing mode, the cutting blade motor is controlled so as to rotate in a normal rotation direction at a predetermined rotational frequency or with a predetermined torque. In the grass removal mode, the cutting blade motor is controlled such that the rotational frequency or torque of the cutting blade motor changes more significantly than the rotational frequency or torque of the cutting blade motor in the normal lawn mowing mode, or the cutting blade motor rotates in a reverse rotation direction.

A working machine is provided including a main body and an operation unit. The main body includes a travel motor, a mounting portion, and an attachment portion. The travel motor generates rotational power for traveling of the main body. The mounting portion allows a battery supplying electric power to the travel motor to be attachable and detachable. The attachment portion is disposed within a predetermined area, in a plan view of the main body, between a first straight line and a second straight line. The first straight line passes left-right, orthogonal to a front-rear direction, through a central position of the travel motor in the front-rear direction. The second straight line passes left-right through a central position of the mounting portion in the front-rear direction. The operation unit is connected to the attachment portion and configured to be operable so as to assist the travel of the main body.