Robotic Lawnmower

• US 20150045948A1
• Filed: 02/22/2012
• Published: 02/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Husqvarna AB (HUSQVARNA)
• Original Assignee: Husqvarna AB (HUSQVARNA)
• Inventors: Bjrn, Jonathan, Jgenstedt, Patrik
• Granted Patent: US 9,241,441 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/245
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/008 for automated or remotely controlled operation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 27/00 Switches operated by a removable member, e.g. key, plug or plate; Switches operated by setting members according to a single predetermined combination out of several possible settings combined with plug-and-socket connectors H01R13/70; with current-carrying plug H01R31/08
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 36/00 Switches actuated by change of magnetic field or of electric field, e.g. by change of relative position of magnet and switch, by shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 36/0066 magnet being removable, e.g. part of key pencil
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/97 using a magnetic movable element

Abstract

A robotic lawnmower 1 is provided, having a deactivated state, a stand by state and an activated state. A removable disabling device 3 is arranged to be positioned in a first, a second, and a third position in a retainer 5 of the robotic lawnmower 1. The first position constitutes an off position in which the robotic lawnmower 1 is in a deactivated state. The second position constitutes a stand by position in which the robotic lawnmower 1 is in a stand by state. The third position constitutes an on position in which the robotic lawnmower 1 is in an activated state. The present invention also relates to a disabling device 3 arranged to be positioned in a retainer 5 of a robotic lawnmower 1 according to the invention.

Claims

1. A robotic lawnmower having a deactivated state, a stand by state and an activated state, wherein a removable disabling device is arranged to be positioned in a first, a second, and a third position in a retainer of the robotic lawnmower, and wherein the first position constitutes an off position in which the robotic lawnmower is in the deactivated state, and wherein the second position constitutes a stand by position in which the robotic lawnmower is in the stand by state, and wherein the third position constitutes an on position in which the robotic lawnmower is in the activated state.

2. The robotic lawnmower according to claim 1, wherein the robotic lawnmower comprises a processing unit, and wherein the processing unit is connected to at least one sensor device arranged to sense a position of the disabling device.

3. The robotic lawnmower according to claim 2, wherein the disabling device equipped with at least one magnet, and wherein the at least one sensor device is a sensor device arranged to sense a magnetic field.

4. The robotic lawnmower according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit is arranged to gather operation data of the robotic lawnmower in the activated state.

5. The robotic lawnmower according to claim 4, wherein the processing unit is adapted to save the operation data in the stand by state.

6. The robotic lawnmower according to claim 4, wherein the processing unit is arranged to provide at least a part of the operation data to a user of the robotic lawnmower, via an interface, in the stand by state.

7. The robotic lawnmower according to claim 1, wherein the robotic lawnmower comprises an electric motor and a working tool, and wherein the electric motor arranged to drive the working tool in the activated state.

8. The robotic lawnmower according to claim 7, wherein the robotic lawnmower is arranged to stop the driving of the working tool in the stand by state.

9. The robotic lawnmower according to claim 1, wherein the retainer is arranged to lock the disabling device to the robotic lawnmower in the second and third positions.

10. The robotic lawnmower according to claim 1, wherein the disabling device is removable from the robotic lawnmower in the first position.

11. The robotic lawnmower according to claim 1, wherein the disabling device is biased by a spring in a direction from the third position and the second position towards the first position.

12. The robotic lawnmower according to claim 1, wherein the robotic lawnmower comprises a button, and wherein the button is linked to the retainer such that, in the third position, the disabling device is displaced from the third position to the second position when the button is pressed or touched.

13. The robotic lawnmower according to claim 12, wherein the button is linked to the retainer such that, in the second position, the disabling device is displaced from the second position to the first position when the button is pressed or touched.

14. The robotic lawnmower according to claim 13, wherein the disabling device comprises a first shoulder and a second shoulder and the retainer comprises a first retaining arm arranged to be in an abutment with the first shoulder when the disabling device is in the third position, and wherein the first retaining arm is arranged to be in an abutment with the second shoulder when the disabling device is in the second position.

15. The robotic lawnmower according to claim 14, wherein the first retaining arm is connected to the button, and wherein the button is hinged around a pivot axis and arranged to pivot between a locking position and a releasing position, and wherein the first retaining arm is arranged to be in the abutment with the first or second shoulder in the locking position, and wherein the abutment is released when the button is displaced from the locking position to the releasing position.

16. The robotic lawnmower according to claim 15, wherein the disabling device comprises a third shoulder and the retainer comprises a second retaining arm connected to the button, and wherein an abutment between the second retaining arm and the third shoulder prevents the disabling device from being displaced directly from the third position to the first position when the button is in the releasing position.

17. A disabling device arranged to be positioned in a retainer of a robotic lawnmower, the disabling device being removable and being arranged to be positioned in a first, a second, and a third position in the retainer, and wherein the first position constitutes an off position in which the robotic lawnmower is in a deactivated state, and wherein the second position constitutes a stand by position in which the robotic lawnmower is in a stand by state, and wherein the third position constitutes an on position in which the robotic lawnmower is in an activated state.