Unmanned utility vehicle

• US 20060059880A1
• Filed: 09/13/2005
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Toro Company (Toro)
• Original Assignee: Toro Company (Toro)
• Inventors: Angott, Paul G.
• Application Number:
  US11/225,855
• Publication Number:
  US 20060059880A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 56/10.20A
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/008 for automated or remotely controlled operation

Abstract

An unmanned utility vehicle (30) for traversing a plot of land is disclosed that includes a carriage (32) having first and second drive wheels (34, 36) for moving over the plot of land, a guidance assembly (44) for guiding the vehicle (30) about the plot, and at least one tool (46) for performing an operation. The vehicle (30) includes first and second electric drive motors (56, 58) operatively connected to the respective drive wheels (34, 36) and at least one electric tool motor (60) engaging the tool (46). A plurality of sonar sensors (94) are supported by said carriage (32) for detecting objects near said utility vehicle (30) such that the utility vehicle (30) is deactivated or slowed in response to detecting the object.

Claims

1. An unmanned utility vehicle (30) for traversing a plot of land comprising:

a carriage (32) having first and second drive wheels (34, 36) for moving over the plot of land;

a first electric drive motor (56) and a second electric drive motor (58) operatively connected to said first and second drive wheels (34, 36);

a first drive motor controller (80) operatively connected to said first electric drive motor (56) and a second drive motor controller (82) operatively connected to said second electric drive motor (58);

at least one tool (46) supported by said carriage (32) for performing an operation;

at least one electric tool motor (60) engaging said tool (46) and supported by said carriage (32);

a tool motor controller (84) operatively connected to said electric tool motor (60);

a power supply (64) supported by said carriage (32) for powering each of said electric drive motors (56, 58) and said electric tool motor (60);

a main controller (84, 54) for communicating with said drive motor controllers (78, 82, 84) and said tool motor controller (84) to control said electric drive and tool motors (60); and

a plurality of sonar sensors (94) mounted about said carriage (32) for detecting objects and transmitting a signal to said main controller (54) to deactivate or reduce at least one of said electric drive motors (56, 58) and said electric tool motor (60) in response to detecting the object.

2. An unmanned utility vehicle (30) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electric drive and said tool motors (60) are further defined as brushless electric motors.

3. An unmanned utility vehicle (30) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tool (46) is further defined as selected from at least one of a mower assembly, a sweeping assembly, a cleaning assembly, and a painting assembly.

4. An unmanned utility vehicle (30) as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a guidance assembly (44) supported by said carriage (32) for communicating with said main controller (54) for guiding said vehicle (30) about the plot.

5. An unmanned utility vehicle (30) as set forth in claim 4 wherein said guidance assembly (44) is further defined as selected from at least one of a laser navigation system, a radio frequency navigation system, a GPS navigation system, and a camera navigation system.

6. An unmanned utility vehicle (30) as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a user interface (90) for programming a route to be followed by said vehicle (30).

7. An unmanned utility vehicle (30) as set forth in claim 6 wherein said user interface (90) and said main controller (54) are further defined as a single, integral unit removable from said carriage (32).

8. An unmanned utility vehicle (30) as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a communication device (98) supported by said carriage (32) and in communication with said main controller (54) for wirelessly transmitting signals from said vehicle (30).

9. An unmanned utility vehicle (30) as set forth in claim 1 further comprising bumper sensors (96) supported by said bumper (38) for transmitting a signal to said main controller (54) in response to contacting an object and deactivating at least one of said electric drive motors (56, 58) and said electric tool motor (60).

10. An autonomous lawn mower comprising:

a carriage (32) having first and second drive wheels (34, 36) for moving over a plot of land;

a guidance assembly (44) supported by said carriage (32) for navigating said lawn mower about the plot;

a first electric drive motor (56) and a second electric drive motor (58) connected to said first and second drive wheels (34, 36);

a first drive motor controller (80) operatively connected to said first electric drive motor (56) and a second drive motor controller (82) operatively connected to said second electric drive motor (58);

at least one mower deck supported by said carriage (32) for performing a mowing operation;

at least one electric mower deck motor engaging said mower deck and supported by said carriage (32);

a mower deck motor controller operatively connected to said electric mower deck motor;

a main controller (54) for communicating with said guidance assembly (44), said drive motor controllers (78, 82, 84), and said mower deck motor controller to control said electric drive and mower deck motors (56, 58, 60);

a plurality of sonar sensors (94) mounted about said carriage (32) for detecting objects and transmitting a signal to said main controller (54) to deactivate or reduce at least one of said electric drive and mower deck motors (56, 58, 60).

11. An autonomous lawn mower as set forth in claim 10 further comprising bumper sensors (96) supported by said bumper (38) for transmitting a signal to said main controller (54) in response to contacting an object and deactivating at least one of said electric drive motors (56, 58) and said electric tool motor (60).

12. An autonomous lawn mower as set forth in claim 10 wherein said guidance assembly (44) is further defined as selected from at least one of a laser navigation system, a radio frequency navigation system, a GPS navigation system, and a camera navigation system.

13. An autonomous lawn mower as set forth in claim 10 further comprising a user interface (90) for programming a route to be followed by said lawn mower.

14. An autonomous lawn mower as set forth in claim 13 wherein said user interface (90) and said main controller (54) are further defined as a single, integral unit removable from said carriage (32).

15. An autonomous lawn mower as set forth in claim 10 further comprising a communication device (98) supported by said carriage (32) and in communication with said main controller (54) for wirelessly transmitting signals from said lawn mower.

16. An autonomous lawn mower as set forth in claim 10 further comprising a controller area network (86) interconnecting said main controller (54), said drive motor controllers (78, 82, 84), and said mower deck motor controller for facilitating communication therebetween to improve operation of said lawn mower.