B60Y2200/223

Lawn tractor with electronic drive and control system

A drive and control system for a utility vehicle includes a CAN-Bus network and a vehicle control module operable to communicate signals to and from one or more components via the CAN-Bus network. The system includes first and second electric actuators with first and second electronic drive modules, respectively. The system includes a steering and drive input device and a steering and drive sensor module operable to post on the CAN-Bus network a steering and drive input command. The vehicle control module processes the steering and drive input command and post on the CAN-Bus network a steering and drive output command. The first and second electronic drive modules process and convert the steering and drive output command to appropriate first and second actuator commands to drive the first and second electric actuators to obtain the desired speed and direction of motion of the utility vehicle.

Axle drive apparatus

An axle drive apparatus of the present invention includes an adapter unit that has an adapter case connectable to an axle drive case while supporting a first motor, an adapter input member connected to an output shaft of the first motor by connection of the first motor to the adapter case, an adapter output member that is connected to an axle drive input member of the axle drive apparatus by connection of the adapter case to an axle drive case, and an adapter power transmission mechanism that operatively transmits the rotational power of the adapter input member to the adapter output member. The axle drive apparatus is connectable to a vehicle frame through an axle drive case side frame connecting part and an adapter case side frame connecting part respectively provided at the axle drive case and the adapter case.

Transaxle

A transaxle with a brake includes an axle supported by the transaxle casing, a continuously variable transmission disposed in the transaxle casing, a braking device that is disposed in the transaxle casing and locks a rotation of the axle, a speed control arm that is journaled so as not to rotate relatively with respect to the transmission operating shaft of the transmission, controls the transmission, and is capable of changing a rotation of the axle continuously. A brake arm that is journaled with respect to an operating shaft of the braking device and a relay arm that is journaled so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the transmission operating shaft are also included. The relay arm has one end connected to the brake arm via a link mechanism and the other end for lock operation input.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE
20220203816 · 2022-06-30 · ·

The disclosure provides an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle includes: a vehicle body provided with a power input port and a power supply device. The power supply device includes a charger and a detachable battery pack. The charger includes a power interface for obtaining external power, a charging portion provided with a docking interface, an output part, and a control unit. The output part includes a first power output interface connected with the power input port to supply power to the electric vehicle. When the power interface is connected with the external power, the control unit controls the charging portion to charge the battery pack.

MOWER PROPULSION APPARATUS INCLUDING A SPLIT TRANSAXLE

According to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a ride-on mower can include a main frame, a side member pivotally connected to the main frame, and a transaxle. The transaxle can include a pump portion that has a pump housing fixed on the main frame and a fluid displacement structure located in the pump housing. The transaxle can further include a motor portion including a motor housing and a fluid driven structure located in the motor housing. The motor housing can be separate from the pump housing, and the motor housing can be carried on and movable with the side member. Tubing can interconnect the pump portion and the motor portion.

Adaptive control of a mower

A mower can be adaptively controlled to optimize efficiency based on loads experienced by motors that drive the cutting blades and/or based on vertical movement that a mower deck is experiencing. If the load is below a threshold, the ground speed of the mower can be increased. If the vertical movement or load exceeds a threshold, the ground speed can be reduced. The mower's performance can also be monitored to identify characteristics of an area being cut and then such characteristics can be used to further enhance the efficiency of the mower. A density map can be created based on monitored load, vertical movement and possibly other characteristics as a mower is cutting a particular area. The density map can be employed by any mower that is subsequently used to cut the same area.

Reverse switch activation mechanism

A reverse switch activation mechanism includes forward and reverse pedals connected to a control arm for pivoting the control arm in first and second directions. A cam surface extends from the control arm and activates a reverse switch if the reverse pedal is partially depressed. A transmission control rod is connected to the control arm through a lost motion slot and moves rearwardly if the reverse pedal is depressed further after activating the reverse switch. A control rod keeper on the control arm biases the control rod pin to a first side of the lost motion slot.

Steering lever pivot assembly for terrain working vehicle

A steering lever pivot assembly may have a two-axis polymer housing pivotally coupled to a terrain working vehicle at opposing bosses and comprising a pair of reciprocal housing portions, a steering lever pivotally coupled to the two-axis polymer housing, the steering lever having a connecting portion for coupling to a first system of the terrain working vehicle, a clasp coupled to the steering lever and the two-axis polymer housing and having a mounting portion for coupling to a first system of the terrain working vehicle, and a pair of bushings that receive one of the opposing bosses therein. In some aspects, the two-axis polymer housing provides a first axis of rotation at the pivotal coupling between the steering lever and the two-axis polymer housing and a second axis of rotation through the opposing bushings, which may be axially aligned.

Lawn mower fender
11352069 · 2022-06-07 ·

A fender for a lawn mower having tire and wheel assemblies that are mounted to a yoke of a swivel caster assembly, whereby the yoke pivots through 360 degrees of rotation, includes an arcuate fender body. The fender body is attached to the yoke by a bracket so that it is rotatably carried by the rotating yoke. As such, the fender body is maintained at an optimal position relative to the mower tire and thereby provides desirable deflection of lawn clippings and other debris from the various operational components provided upon the mower deck. This prevents the premature wear of such operational components, thereby decreasing down time and reducing maintenance costs of the mower.

Control assembly for zero turn device
11343970 · 2022-05-31 · ·

A lawn mower includes a pair of electric motors configured to drive respective driven wheels and a control assembly. The control assembly includes a controller configured to control operation of the pair of electric motors, a bracket, a pivot bar, and rotation assembly. The rotation assembly is configured to rotatably mount the pivot bar to the bracket such that the pivot bar is configured to rotate between a forward position, a neutral position, and a rear position about a first axis and between an operative position and a stopped position about a second axis. The control assembly also includes a magnet and a position sensor spaced apart from the magnet. The position sensor is configured to detect rotation of the pivot bar about the first axis. The lawn mower also includes a return-to-neutral assembly configured to bias the pivot bar toward the neutral position about the first axis.