Unmanned utility vehicle
First Claim
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.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An unmanned utility vehicle (30) for traversing a plot of land comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An autonomous lawn mower comprising:
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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). - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification