A drive and control system for a lawn tractor includes a CAN-Bus network, a plurality of controllers, a pair of electric transaxles controlled by the plurality of controllers, and one or more steering and drive input devices coupled to respective sensor(s) for sensing user steering and drive inputs. The plurality of controllers communicate with one or more vehicle sensors via the CAN-Bus network. The plurality of controllers receive the user's steering and drive inputs and posts on the CAN-Bus network and generate drive signals to obtain the desired speed and direction of motion of the lawn tractor.

An integrated control apparatus for driving a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a lever housing mounted in an interior space of the vehicle; a joystick lever coupled to the lever housing and configured to be rotatable in a forward-backward direction and a leftward-rightward direction; and a gentle acceleration lever coupled to the joystick lever and configured to be rotatable in the forward-backward direction. When the gentle acceleration lever is operated, a gentle acceleration signal of the vehicle is generated, and when the joystick lever is operated, one of a sudden acceleration signal, a deceleration signal, a steering signal, or a braking signal of the vehicle is generated.

An integrated control apparatus for driving a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a lever housing mounted in an interior space of the vehicle; a joystick lever coupled to the lever housing and configured to be rotatable in a forward-backward direction and a leftward-rightward direction; and a gentle acceleration lever coupled to the joystick lever and configured to be rotatable in the forward-backward direction. When the gentle acceleration lever is operated, a gentle acceleration signal of the vehicle is generated, and when the joystick lever is operated, one of a sudden acceleration signal, a deceleration signal, a steering signal, or a braking signal of the vehicle is generated.

A zero turn radius vehicle with a single steered wheel is described. The vehicle may include a pair of power transfer mechanisms driving a pair of wheels, an operator control mechanism for controlling the steering, speed and direction of the vehicle and a controller in communication with the operator control mechanism. A steerable wheel is located adjacent the front of the vehicle frame, on a first side of the vehicle frame and an electric actuator is connected to the controller for steering the front steerable wheel. A second, non-steerable front caster wheel is located on a second side of the vehicle frame. The controller controls the pair of power transfer mechanisms and the electric actuator based on operator input to the operator control mechanism.

A zero turn radius vehicle with a single steered wheel is described. The vehicle may include a pair of power transfer mechanisms driving a pair of wheels, an operator control mechanism for controlling the steering, speed and direction of the vehicle and a controller in communication with the operator control mechanism. A steerable wheel is located adjacent the front of the vehicle frame, on a first side of the vehicle frame and an electric actuator is connected to the controller for steering the front steerable wheel. A second, non-steerable front caster wheel is located on a second side of the vehicle frame. The controller controls the pair of power transfer mechanisms and the electric actuator based on operator input to the operator control mechanism.

A control system is disclosed for use in a zero turn vehicle, including an electric controller in communication with a pair of independent drive units. A joystick provides user inputs to the controller to control the rotational speed and direction of the drive units. The joystick includes a vertical stalk pivotable between a plurality of pivot positions, where each of the plurality of pivot positions corresponds to a particular rotational speed and direction of each of the driven wheels. A selector switch may be used to select one of a plurality of driving modes stored in the electric controller, wherein each of the plurality of driving modes maps a different set of speeds and directions for each of the driven wheels onto the plurality of pivot positions. The joystick may also rotate about a vertical axis to provide zero turn capability.

A controller having a joystick which can be moved in three dimensions is disclosed. The joystick is connected by a Y (yaw) link which is, in turn, connected to a P (pitch) link, which is, in turn connected to an R (roll) link. The R link is rotatable about a fixed-position mounting base. Alternately, the joystick is connected by an R (roll) link which is, in turn, connected to a P (pitch) link, which is, in turn connected to an Y (yaw) link. The Y link is rotatable about a fixed-position mounting base. In either of these manners, one can rotate a joystick around any of three axes. When used to control a vehicle, rotation around the yaw and roll axes can steer (with one being more fine-tuned steering), and rotation around the pitch axis can control acceleration and deceleration.

A vehicle (2) is provided for use for movement across a surface (18). The vehicle (2) includes a body (4), steering means to allow the selective steering of the vehicle (2) via first and second sets of a plurality of drive wheels (11, 12), a first set (11) mounted on one side (14) of the body (4) and a second set (12) mounted on the opposing side (16) of the body (4) so as to contact with the surface (18). At least one wheel in each set (11; 12) is provided so as to be in greater traction and/or grip with the said surface (18) than the other wheels (11; 12) in the set (12) to thereby achieve an improved steering system which requires low power consumption to achieve the steering and thereby reduce the power demand on the batteries of the vehicle (2) which are provided to drive the vehicle (2) and prolong the time of usage of the vehicle (2) between battery charging being required.

A vehicle (2) is provided for use for movement across a surface (18). The vehicle (2) includes a body (4), steering means to allow the selective steering of the vehicle (2) via first and second sets of a plurality of drive wheels (11, 12), a first set (11) mounted on one side (14) of the body (4) and a second set (12) mounted on the opposing side (16) of the body (4) so as to contact with the surface (18). At least one wheel in each set (11; 12) is provided so as to be in greater traction and/or grip with the said surface (18) than the other wheels (11; 12) in the set (12) to thereby achieve an improved steering system which requires low power consumption to achieve the steering and thereby reduce the power demand on the batteries of the vehicle (2) which are provided to drive the vehicle (2) and prolong the time of usage of the vehicle (2) between battery charging being required.

The disclosure provides a mower and a steering control method thereof. The mower includes a main body, a supporting part, and an operating part. The main body includes at least one driving wheel and a motor and the motor drives the driving wheel to move. The supporting part is connected to the main body for the operator to hold with both hands. The operating part is used to adjust the rotation speed and/or steering of the motor, the operating part is connected to the supporting part, and the operating part is configured to be operated when the operator holds the supporting part.