Patent classifications
B60Y2200/223
PARK BRAKE AND TRACTION DRIVE BYPASS INTERLOCK
Methods and apparatus for a lawn maintenance vehicle park brake and traction drive interlock are provided. A park brake mechanism is selectively operable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A traction drive is also mounted to the lawn maintenance vehicle, the traction drive having a disable mode which prohibits transmission of a driving force from the traction drive to a drive wheel. A first operable connection between the park brake mechanism and a wheel brake activates the wheel brake. A second operable connection between the park brake mechanism and the traction drive activates the disable mode of the traction drive. A method of controlling a lawn maintenance vehicle with a park brake and traction drive interlock include the steps of providing a lawn maintenance vehicle, providing an operable park brake mechanism, providing a first operable connection, and providing a second operable connection.
Slip controlling belt tension system
A yard maintenance device having a working assembly selectively rotatable based on operation of an engine of the device may include a belt drive system. The belt drive system may include at least one driven pulley operably coupled to the working assembly, a drive shaft operably coupled to the engine, a drive belt configured to selectively couple the drive shaft to the at least one driven pulley, a tension adjustment assembly, and a control unit. The tension adjustment assembly may be configured to operably couple to at least one component of the belt drive system to adjust a position thereof to modify tension of the drive belt. The control unit may be configured to provide electronic control of the tension adjustment assembly.
Vehicle drive and control system
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.
Riding mower trailing arm suspension system
Provided is a trailing arm riding mower suspension system that includes trailing arms adapted to support hydraulic motor units and having leading ends pivotally coupled to a mower frame by way of leading end spherical joints and trailing ends having hydraulic drive unit mounts, where the trailing arms are adapted to pivot about leading end pivot locations defined by the leading end spherical joints.
WORK VEHICLE HAVING ENGINE AND HYDRAULIC STEPLESS SPEED CHANGING DEVICE
A work vehicle includes a driver's seat supported to a frame unit, a first hydraulic stepless speed changing device transmitting power to a first drive wheel, a second hydraulic stepless speed changing device transmitting power to a second drive wheel, and an oil tank. A bridge beam extending in a vehicle body transverse direction is provided between a cable harness extending in the vehicle body transverse direction and a hydraulic passage connecting the second hydraulic stepless speed changing device to the oil tank.
Deployable operator protection apparatus with an over-center linkage
A operator protection apparatus unlocks and lowers from a raised position to a lowered position suitable for clearing a low hanging obstacle when an operator applies a force to an operator lever or pedal. The operator protection apparatus returns to the raised position when the operator ceases applying force to the operator lever or pedal.
Total task vehicle
A vehicle includes a frame, an electric motor coupled to the frame and configured to selectively receive power from at least one battery pack and operable in a first operation mode and a second operation mode that is different from the first operation mode. A wheel assembly is coupled to the frame and driven by the motor. A control device is operable by a user to control operation of the vehicle. The control device is moveable between a first position relative to the frame corresponding to a riding configuration in which a user is able to operate the control device while seated on a seat on the frame, and a second position relative to the frame corresponding to a walking configuration in which a user is able to operate the control device while walking adjacent the vehicle. Movement of the control device from the second position to the first position triggers conversion from operation of the motor in the second operation mode to operation of the motor in the first operation mode. Movement of the control device from the first position to the second position triggers conversion from operation of the motor in the first operation mode to operation of the motor in the second operation mode.
BI-DIRECTIONAL OVERRUNNING CLUTCH WITH OUTER SPRING FOR A DRIVE AXLE
A bi-directional overrunning clutch for transmitting torque to drive axle halves includes a clutch housing that attaches to an input gear, and hubs that attach to the axle halves. A pair of roll cages located within the housing adjacent to the hubs have rollers. The rollers wedge between the hubs and first tapered portions on the clutch housing when the roll cage is rotated forward relative to the housing, and between the hubs and second tapered portions on the clutch housing when the roll cage is rotated in the opposite direction. Springs hold the rollers engaged with recesses in the hubs, but let the rollers lift to permit relative rotation of the hubs and roll cages. Relative rotation between the roll cages is limited: when one roll cage is wedged, the other can move only as far as a free position midway between the first and second tapered portions.
Electric Work Vehicle
An electric work vehicle includes a plurality of battery mounting portions, a plurality of battery packs that can be detachably mounted to the battery mounting portions, a main body contact provided for each one of the battery mounting portions and electrically connected with the battery back mounted to the battery mounting portion, a power feeding circuit to which the main body contact is parallel connected, a battery switch configured to block flow of electric power from the battery pack to the power feeding circuit, a switch operating portion for operating the battery switch, a charged amount estimating portion for estimating a charged power of the battery pack mounted to the battery mounting portion, an electric motor driven by power fed from at least one battery pack via the power feeding circuit, and a driving wheel receiving power transmitted from the electric motor.
Electric work vehicle, battery pack for electric work vehicle and contactless charging system
An electric work vehicle includes: a battery pack that is arranged between a left rear wheel arranged outside of a left frame and a right rear wheel arranged outside of a right frame, the front end of the battery pack being located forward of an axle center of a rear wheel unit; a left motor that is arranged above the battery pack, in the periphery of the left rear wheel, receives a supply of power from the battery pack, and transmits rotational power to the left rear wheel; and a right motor that is arranged above the battery pack, in the periphery of the right rear wheel, receives a supply of power from the battery pack, and transmits rotational power to the right rear wheel.