Aspects of the disclosure relate to a mechanical joint with five degrees of freedom. In certain embodiments, the mechanical joint includes first and second triangular linkages. The first triangular linkage includes a base end configured to hingedly couple to a first body to pivot relative to the first body and a vertex end that includes a first rotational member. The second triangular linkage includes a base end configured to hingedly couple to a second body to pivot relative to the second body and a vertex end that includes a second rotational member. The first rotational member and the second rotational member are rotationally coupled to form a all joint. With this joint, the second body is moveable in two translational degrees of freedom and restricted in one translational degree of freedom relative to the first body. Such a configuration allows vertical movement and/or reduces stress on the joint.

Suspension systems and grounds maintenance vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. The suspension system may include biasing elements or springs that may be adjusted to vary the preload and thus change the spring and dampening characteristics of the suspension system. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustment mechanism that permits simultaneous adjustment of two springs via a single action. In other embodiments, features adapted to assist an operator with mounting/dismounting the vehicle are disclosed.

Suspension systems and grounds maintenance vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. The suspension system may include biasing elements or springs that may be adjusted to vary the preload and thus change the spring and dampening characteristics of the suspension system. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustment mechanism that permits simultaneous adjustment of two springs via a single action. In other embodiments, features adapted to assist an operator with mounting/dismounting the vehicle are disclosed.

Provided is a bumper apparatus of a robot, including: a bumper elastically coupled with a chassis of the robot; at least one sensor configured to sense object impacts with the bumper; and at least one elastic element coupled to or interfacing with the chassis and coupled to or interfacing with the bumper; wherein: the at least one elastic element facilitates movement of the bumper relative to the chassis upon impact with an object and disengagement from the object after impact; the at least one elastic element facilitates a return of the bumper to a neutral position upon disengaging from the object after impact; and the bumper covers at least a front side of the chassis.

Provided is a bumper apparatus of a robot, including: a bumper elastically coupled with a chassis of the robot; at least one sensor configured to sense object impacts with the bumper; and at least one elastic element coupled to or interfacing with the chassis and coupled to or interfacing with the bumper; wherein: the at least one elastic element facilitates movement of the bumper relative to the chassis upon impact with an object and disengagement from the object after impact; the at least one elastic element facilitates a return of the bumper to a neutral position upon disengaging from the object after impact; and the bumper covers at least a front side of the chassis.

Suspension systems and grounds maintenance vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. The suspension system may include biasing elements or springs that may be adjusted to vary the preload and thus change the spring and dampening characteristics of the suspension system. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustment mechanism that permits simultaneous adjustment of two springs via a single action. In other embodiments, features adapted to assist an operator with mounting/dismounting the vehicle are disclosed.

Suspension systems and grounds maintenance vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. The suspension system may include biasing elements or springs that may be adjusted to vary the preload and thus change the spring and dampening characteristics of the suspension system. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustment mechanism that permits simultaneous adjustment of two springs via a single action. In other embodiments, features adapted to assist an operator with mounting/dismounting the vehicle are disclosed.

A carrier control module includes a carrier and an actuating mechanism. The carrier is configured to couple to a mobile vehicle and has a leveling sensor. The actuating mechanism is disposed beneath the carrier and connected or coupled to a first region and a second region of the carrier, in which the leveling sensor is configured to sense a tilt angle of the carrier, and when the tilt angle of the carrier is non-zero or reaches a non-zero preset value, the actuating mechanism is actuated to adjust an attitude of the carrier so that the tilt angle of the carrier becomes smaller or zero.

A carrier control module includes a carrier and an actuating mechanism. The carrier is configured to couple to a mobile vehicle and has a leveling sensor. The actuating mechanism is disposed beneath the carrier and connected or coupled to a first region and a second region of the carrier, in which the leveling sensor is configured to sense a tilt angle of the carrier, and when the tilt angle of the carrier is non-zero or reaches a non-zero preset value, the actuating mechanism is actuated to adjust an attitude of the carrier so that the tilt angle of the carrier becomes smaller or zero.

A vibration damping device for a vehicle includes a subframe to which a vibration of a wheel is transmitted, a plurality of mounts arranged between the subframe and a vehicle body and configured such that stiffness of each mount in a prescribed direction changes according to an excitation current supplied thereto, and a controller configured to control the excitation current supplied to each mount, wherein the controller is configured to set a target elastic center of the subframe, and individually calculate the excitation current supplied to each mount so as to match an actual elastic center of the subframe with the target elastic center.