Gyroscope-Based Mower Stability Control for Slope Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles with electrically-controlled right and left-side ground drives face challenges in maintaining stability, particularly on uneven terrain and slopes, without the complexity of front wheel steering mechanisms and requiring operator differential steering.
Innovation Solution
A stability control system utilizing a multi-axis gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer, along with lap bars or control sticks, provides automatic steering corrections and traction control, eliminating the need for wheel speed sensors and reducing design complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If front wheel steering mechanisms are added to improve straight line tracking on slopes, then steering accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical front wheel steering mechanisms with an electronic control system that uses a gyroscope to detect vehicle orientation and automatically adjusts the ground drives to maintain straight line tracking on slopes, eliminating complex mechanical steering hardware while achieving the same tracking accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The stability control system automatically detects slope conditions using the gyroscope and self-corrects the vehicle's trajectory by differentially controlling the ground drives, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention or complex mechanical steering assistance
2Measurement precision
If wheel speed sensors are installed to improve traction control, then wheel slip detection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical wheel speed sensors with an electronic gyroscope-based system that detects wheel slip indirectly by measuring changes in vehicle orientation and motion dynamics, eliminating the need for physical sensors at each wheel while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The gyroscope acts as an intermediary device that indirectly measures wheel slip conditions by detecting the vehicle's rotational motion and orientation changes caused by slipping wheels, providing the necessary information without direct contact with the wheels
3Adaptability or versatility
If operator differential steering is required to maintain stability on slopes, then vehicle controllability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stability control system automatically performs the differential steering adjustments needed for slope stability by detecting the vehicle's orientation with the gyroscope and autonomously adjusting the ground drive speeds, eliminating the need for the operator to manually compensate for slope effects
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors vehicle orientation and slope conditions through the gyroscope and provides real-time feedback to the control algorithm, which automatically adjusts the ground drives to maintain stability, creating a closed-loop system that reduces operator burden while maintaining adaptability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances straight line tracking, wheel slip control, and hillside stability, ensuring smoother operation and reducing operator effort on uneven terrain.
Implementation Method 1
The system disclosed herein utilizes a multi-axis gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer
Implementation Method 2
The system disclosed herein utilizes a multi-axis gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer
Implementation Method 3
The system disclosed herein utilizes a multi-axis gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer
Data Source
AI summary
A lawn mower having a control system, and a pair of driven wheels and a pair of electric motors for zero turn capabilities, is disclosed. The lawn mower has a steering wheel having a neutral wheel position. The control system includes one or more first sensors configured to collect orientation data of the lawn mower, a position sensor configured to detect a position of the steering wheel, memory for storing a target heading of the lawn mower, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine the target heading based on the position of the steering wheel, determine a current heading of the lawn mower based on the orientation data collected by the one or more first sensors, and transmit a course correction signal for at least one of the pair of electric motors based on a comparison between the current heading and the target heading.