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Tilt and/or acceleration sensing apparatus and method

  • US 8,352,116 B2
  • Filed: 01/13/2010
  • Issued: 01/08/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A tilt sensing apparatus for a lawnmower, comprising:

  • an accelerometer mounted to the lawnmower having a first sensing axis and a second sensing axis oriented at an angle with respect to the first sensing axis, wherein the accelerometer is configured to;

    sense a first tilt angle defined between the first sensing axis and a horizontal reference plane and generate a corresponding first tilt signal;

    sense a second tilt angle defined between the second sensing axis and the horizontal reference plane and generate a corresponding second tilt signal; and

    a processor in operative communication with the accelerometer, configured to;

    determine a maximum fall angle of the lawnmower based on the first tilt signal and the second tilt signal, wherein the maximum fall angle is an angle formed between a plane of the accelerometer and the horizontal reference plane;

    compare the maximum fall angle to a first predetermined value; and

    generate a first output signal when the maximum fall angle exceeds the first predetermined value.

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