System and method for proximity-based control of outdoor power machines
First Claim
1. An outdoor power machine proximity-based control system, comprising an object detection system operably connected to an outdoor power machine, the object detection system being configured to transmit a signal into a work area of the outdoor power machine and receive reflected signals from objects located within the work area and a controller configured to control a pre-determined function of the outdoor power machine in response to a triggering event, the controller including:
- a housing having a receptacle at a first end of the housing for receiving a spark plug of the outdoor power machine therein and a spark plug terminal at a second end of the housing for being received by a spark plug terminal of an electrical system of the outdoor power machine;
electronics including a switching circuit operably connected to a communications device, the switching circuit being configured to interrupt an electrical path between the electrical system of the outdoor power machine and the spark plug, the communications device is configured to receive a signal indicative of a location of an object relative to the outdoor power machine, wherein the controller is configured to cause the switching circuit to interrupt the electrical path between the electrical system and the spark plug in response to the received signal; and
a ground strap operably connected between the electronics and a ground of the outdoor power machine to ground the switching circuit and allow the switching circuit to interrupt the electrical path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An outdoor power machine proximity-based control system includes: a controller operably connected to an outdoor power machine, the controller being configured to control a pre-determined function of the outdoor power machine in response to a triggering event, the controller including a communications device configured to receive a signal indicative of a location of an object relative to the outdoor power machine, wherein in response to the received signal, the controller compares the location of the object to a pre-determined threshold and in response to the comparison causes an action to prevent interaction between the outdoor power machine and the object.
17 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An outdoor power machine proximity-based control system, comprising an object detection system operably connected to an outdoor power machine, the object detection system being configured to transmit a signal into a work area of the outdoor power machine and receive reflected signals from objects located within the work area and a controller configured to control a pre-determined function of the outdoor power machine in response to a triggering event, the controller including:
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a housing having a receptacle at a first end of the housing for receiving a spark plug of the outdoor power machine therein and a spark plug terminal at a second end of the housing for being received by a spark plug terminal of an electrical system of the outdoor power machine; electronics including a switching circuit operably connected to a communications device, the switching circuit being configured to interrupt an electrical path between the electrical system of the outdoor power machine and the spark plug, the communications device is configured to receive a signal indicative of a location of an object relative to the outdoor power machine, wherein the controller is configured to cause the switching circuit to interrupt the electrical path between the electrical system and the spark plug in response to the received signal; and a ground strap operably connected between the electronics and a ground of the outdoor power machine to ground the switching circuit and allow the switching circuit to interrupt the electrical path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An outdoor power machine proximity-based control system, comprising:
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(a) an outdoor power machine having an engine including a spark plug; (b) a controller connected to the outdoor power machine, the controller-including; (i) a housing having a receptacle connected to the spark plug of the outdoor power machine therein and a spark plug terminal connected to a spark plug terminal of an electrical system of the outdoor power machine; and (ii) electronics including a switching circuit operably connected to a communications device, the switching circuit being configured to interrupt an electrical path between the electrical system of the outdoor power machine and the spark plug; and (iii) a ground strap operably connected between the electronics and a ground of the outdoor power machine to ground the switching circuit and allow the switching circuit to interrupt the electrical path; (c) at least one object transmitter operably connected to an object in a work area of the outdoor power machine, wherein the object transmitter is configured to transmit a signal that is received by the communications device, and wherein the communications device is configured to receive the signal and determine a strength thereof, wherein the controller is configured to cause the switching circuit to interrupt the electrical path between the electrical system and the spark plug when a strength of the signal meets a pre-determined threshold, thereby shutting down the engine of the outdoor power machine; and (d) a visual display configured to provide a user with visual warnings, the visual warnings including colors to indicate a safe distance to the object, a caution distance to the object, and a not safe distance to the object. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification