Network for placing a plurality of lawnmower components in operative communication

• US 9,980,434 B1
• Filed: 02/29/2016
• Issued: 05/29/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Brown, Alyn G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martinez, David E
• Application Number:
  US15/056,839
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/006 Control or measuring arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 69/025 Electric hybrid systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/38 Information transfer, e.g. on bus G06F13/14 takes precedence

Abstract

A network system is disclosed for use on a utility vehicle to connect multiple electronic components, such as input devices such as joysticks or similar mechanisms, motor controllers, sensors, switches, gauges and the like. The network system provides flexibility in the manner and order in which each of the components are connected while permitting each component to communicate with certain other components even when such components are not directly linked together.

Claims

1. A network system for inter-operatively coupling a plurality of electronic components of a utility vehicle, the network system comprising:

a plurality of electrical components networked together to provide electrical power and communication capabilities among the plurality of electrical components, wherein the plurality of electrical components comprise;

a first electrical component comprising a first input device for providing a first input to the utility vehicle, the first electrical component including a first processor and a first port;

a second electrical component comprising a second input device for providing a second input to the utility vehicle, the second electrical component including a second processor and a second port;

a third electrical component comprising a first motor controller including a third processor and a third port; and

a fourth electrical component comprising a second motor controller including a fourth processor and a fourth port;

a first conductor coupled between the first and second electrical components for conducting electrical power and communication signals between the first and second electrical components;

a second conductor coupled between the second and third electrical components for conducting electrical power and communication signals between the second and third electrical components; and

a third conductor coupled between the third and fourth electrical components for conducting electrical power and communication signals between the third and fourth electrical components;

wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth processors are capable of communicating with any of the other of the first, second, third and fourth processors without the need of a separate controller such that the first electrical component can communicate with and influence the operation of the third electrical component without being directly coupled thereto, and the second electrical component can communicate with and influence the operation of the fourth electrical component without being directly coupled thereto.

2. The network system of claim 1, wherein the first input device includes a drive input position sensor configured to detect a position of a joystick or a drive lever of the utility vehicle, wherein the drive input position sensor is configured to post on a network via the first conductor position commands corresponding to the position and wherein the first motor controller is configured to respond to the position commands.

3. The network system of claim 2, wherein the second input device includes a seat occupancy sensor configured to detect presence of weight on a seat of the utility vehicle, wherein the second input device is configured to post on a network via the second conductor an activation signal corresponding to the presence of weight on the seat and wherein the second motor controller is configured to respond to the activation signal.

4. The network system of claim 3, wherein the first motor controller is configured to control a first electric drive motor and the second motor controller is configured to control a second electric drive motor in response to receiving, via the network, the position commands and the activation signal.

5. A network system for inter-operatively coupling a plurality of electronic components of a utility vehicle, the network system comprising:

a plurality of electrical components permanently fixed to the vehicle and networked together via a network to provide electrical power and network communication and control capabilities among the plurality of electrical components, wherein the plurality of electrical components comprise;

a first electrical component comprising a first input device for providing a first input to the utility vehicle, the first electrical component including a first processor and a first port;

a second electrical component comprising a second input device for providing a second input to the utility vehicle, the second electrical component including a second processor and a second port;

a third electrical component comprising a first motor controller including a third processor and a third port; and

a fourth electrical component comprising a second motor controller including a fourth processor and a fourth port;

a network conductor for conducting electrical power and milliamp network communication and control signals to and from the first, second, third, and fourth electrical components, the network conductor serially connecting adjacent ones of the first, second, third, and fourth ports;

wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth processors are capable of communicating with any of the other of the first, second, third and fourth processors without the need of a separate controller such that the first electrical component can communicate with and control the operation of the third electrical component without being directly coupled thereto, and the second electrical component can communicate with and control the operation of the fourth electrical component without being directly coupled thereto.

6. The network system of claim 5, wherein the first input device includes a drive input position sensor configured to detect a position of a joystick or a drive lever of the utility vehicle, wherein the drive input position sensor is configured to communicate on the network position commands corresponding to the position and wherein the first motor controller is configured to respond to the position commands.

7. The network system of claim 6, wherein the second input device includes a seat occupancy sensor configured to detect presence of weight on a seat of the utility vehicle, wherein the second input device is configured to communicate on the network an activation signal corresponding to the presence of weight on the seat and wherein the second motor controller is configured to respond to the activation signal.

8. The network system of claim 7, wherein the first motor controller is configured to control a first electric drive motor and the second motor controller is configured to control a second electric drive motor in response to the position commands and the activation signal communicated on the network.