Robotic mower housing

• US 8,336,282 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2010
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Messina, Thomas M., Elhardt, Paul M., Mouser, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Will, Thomas B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Misa, Joan D
• Application Number:
  US12/845,108
• Publication Number:
  US 20120023887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 881 Days
• Field of Search: 56/119, 56/167, 56/175, 562/55, 563/201, 563/202
• US Class Current: 56/320.1
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/008 for automated or remotely controlled operation
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/81 Casings; Housings A01D34/71 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/40 Working vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/16 DC brushless machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/36 Temperature of vehicle components or parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/28 Four wheel or all wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0061 relating to electrical machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/52 characterised by DC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

A robotic mower housing includes a one piece molded bottom chassis having an inner wall and an outer wall. A top cover is removably attached to and covers the bottom chassis. An outer seal is provided between the outer wall of the bottom chassis and the top cover, and an inner seal between the inner wall of the bottom chassis and the top cover. The vehicle control unit and other electronic components may be located in the inner cavity inside the inner seal and an outer cavity between the outer seal and the inner seal.

Claims

1. A robotic mower housing, comprising:

a one piece molded bottom chassis to which a pair of traction wheel motors are mounted, the bottom chassis having an inner wall and an outer wall separated from the inner wall to provide an outer cavity therebetween housing a plurality of components;

a top cover removably attached to and covering the bottom chassis;

an outer seal between the outer wall of the bottom chassis and the top cover to fully enclose the outer cavity, and an inner seal between the inner wall of the bottom chassis and the top cover to fully enclose an inner cavity; and

the outer seal and the inner seal providing a pair of barriers preventing moisture, dust, debris and other contaminants from reaching a plurality of components housed in the inner cavity.

2. The robotic mower housing of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of mounting clips positioned in the outer cavity between the outer seal and the inner seal.

3. The robotic mower housing of claim 1 further comprising a height of cut adjustment assembly mounted through an opening in the bottom chassis.

4. The robotic mower housing of claim 1 further comprising a boundary sensor positioned in the inner cavity.

5. The robotic mower housing of claim further comprising a control panel attached to the top cover.

6. A robotic mower housing, comprising:

a bottom chassis with an inner wall and an outer wall separated from the inner wall by an outer cavity housing a plurality of components;

a top cover fastened to the bottom chassis;

an outer seal between an outer rim of the top cover and a peripheral upper edge of the outer wall to fully enclose the outer cavity;

an inner seal between a downwardly facing surface of the top cover and an upper edge of the inner wall to fully enclose an inner cavity inside the outer cavity; and

a plurality of electronic components housed inside the inner cavity.

7. The robotic mower housing of claim 6 further comprising a plurality of fasteners positioned in the outer cavity between the inner wall and the outer wall, the fasteners securing the top cover to the bottom chassis.

8. The robotic mower housing of claim 6 further comprising caster wheel mountings in the outer cavity between the inner wall and the outer wall.

9. The robotic mower housing of claim 6 further comprising a mounting hole in the bottom chassis through which a motor cup extends.

10. A robotic mower housing, comprising;

a bottom chassis housing a vehicle control unit, a battery pack, and a plurality of sensors;

a top cover fastened to and covering the bottom chassis; and

an outer wall extending upwardly around the periphery of the bottom chassis and an inner wall extending upwardly from the bottom chassis inside the outer wall to provide an inner cavity surrounding the vehicle control unit, battery pack and sensors, and an outer cavity between the outer wall and the inner wall; and

a seal between the top cover and an upper edge of the outer wall to fully enclose the outer cavity, and a seal between the top cover and an upper edge of the inner wall to fully enclose the inner cavity.

11. The robotic mower housing of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of fasteners in the outer cavity.