Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Walbro Engine Management, L.l.c.

Andrew Edwin Bejcek

Scott J Kaskawitz

Vincent Andrew Prinzo

Nathaniel Artemis Lenfert

John C Woody

Ronald H Roche

Martin N Andersson

William E Galka

Mark S Swanson

Cyrus M Healy

Christopher D Meeks

Dean E Hartley

Surender Kumar

James E Van Allen

Lawrence J Lardieri

Charles R Spitler

Yasushi Fujita

Tyler Isaac Ricketts

Massimo Casoni

Steven J Busjahn

Aaron J Parks-ksor

Alessandro Pascoli

Nathaniel Lenfert

A drive-by-wire system can include pair of inputs and a controller configured to process signals from the inputs in a first mode and process the same signals differently in a second mode. The controller can be configured to, in the first mode, drive a first motor at a speed and direction that corresponds to the position of the first input and drive a second motor at a speed and direction that corresponds to the position of the second input and, in the second mode, drive the first motor and the second motor in the same direction and at the same speed using the first drive signal when the controller receives a second neutral signal from the second input, and drive the first motor and the second motor at different speeds and/or directions when the controller receives the first drive signal and the second drive signal.

Drive-by-wire system for vehicle, zero-turn-radius lawnmower including same, and drive-by-wire system for lawnmower

A control system can be used for a walk-behind self-propelled machine that includes a handle, a power source, a drive assembly, and an implement selectively driven by the power source. The control system can include a touch sensor located on the handle configured to transmit a contact signal indicative of an operator of the walk-behind self-propelled machine physically contacting the handle at a predetermined location. The system can further include a controller that is in electrical communication with the touch sensor and configured to enable the power source to drive the implement, such as a lawnmower blade, when the controller receives the contact signal.

Control-by-wire system for a walk-behind self-propelled machine, lawnmower including same, and method

A control handle for a lawn mower includes a first lever and a second lever facing the first lever. Each lever is configured to actuate between an extended position and a depressed position. A controller is operatively associated with each of the first lever and the second lever so as to determine a position of the first lever with respect to the depressed position or the extended position of the first lever, and a position of the second lever with respect to the depressed position or the extended position of the second lever. Also, the first lever defines an interior having an opening facing the second lever such that the interior of the first lever is configured for receiving the second lever when at least one of the first lever and the second lever are actuated toward the respective depressed position.

Adjustable electric control handle for a lawn mower

A propulsion control system for a walk-behind self-propelled machine including a drive transmission and at least one wheel selectively driven by the drive transmission can include a sensor array and a controller. The sensor array can be configured to measure a first angular velocity about a first rotational axis of the machine and a second angular velocity about a second rotational axis of the machine, where the second rotational axis is different from the first rotational axis. The controller can be in electrical communication with the sensor array and configured to place the drive transmission in an off state when the drive transmission is in an on state, the first angular velocity is greater than a first threshold, and the second angular velocity is greater than a second threshold.

Propulsion control system for a walk-behind self-propelled machine, a lawnmower, and method for controlling a lawnmower

A shutter assembly for a lawnmower can include a cutter housing, a shutter, and a lever. The shutter can be rotatably attached to the cutter housing so as to be movable between (a) a first shutter position in which a blocking panel is positioned such that the blocking panel opens the discharge opening, and (b) a second shutter position in which the blocking panel is positioned such that the blocking panel closes the discharge opening, and the second shutter position corresponds to a mulching position. The lever can be attached to the shutter and extend through the cutter housing slot. The lever can move the shutter between the first shutter position and the second shutter position. The lever can include a handle knob assembly that includes a button that is biased, by a spring, to lock in any one of a plurality of positions on the cutter housing.

Shutter locking assembly for a lawnmower, lawnmower having same, and convertible lawnmower

A riveted joint is described herein. The riveted joint includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes a first opening, and a plurality of first tabs and a plurality of first notches defined along a periphery of the first opening. The second component includes a second opening aligned with the first opening. The second component further includes a plurality of second tabs defined along a periphery of the second opening, wherein at least one second tab is aligned with at least one first notch to define an interlock zone when the first and second components are in a predetermined orientation relative to each other. The joint also includes a rivet extending through the first and second openings. The rivet is configured to secure the at least one second tab within the at least one first notch such that the first and second components are rotationally interlocked.

Riveted joint and method of forming the same

A power tool is provided. The power tool includes an internal combustion engine and an integrated device coupled to the internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine includes a flywheel or another rotating component. The integrated device is enclosed in a housing and is coupled adjacent to either the flywheel or a rotating component. The integrated device includes a printed circuit board with a wireless communications module and a power generation portion which receives power wirelessly from the internal combustion engine.

Internal combustion engine with integrated connectivity device

A power tool is provided. The power tool includes an internal combustion engine and an integrated device coupled to the internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine includes a flywheel or another rotating component. The integrated device is coupled adjacent to either the flywheel or a rotating component. The integrated device includes a printed circuit board with a wireless communications module and a power generation portion which receives power wirelessly from the internal combustion engine only when the internal combustion engine is operating.

A power tool is provided. The power tool includes an internal combustion engine and a wireless communications device coupled to the internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine includes an ignition coil assembly and a flywheel. The wireless communications device is coupled adjacent to either the flywheel or to the ignition coil assembly. The wireless communications device receives power wirelessly from the internal combustion engine only when the internal combustion engine is operating.

Internal combustion engine with wireless communications device

A transmission speed control system for a walk-behind lawn mower includes a transmission, a transmission positioning assembly, and an electronic control unit. The transmission is tiltable about and operably engaged with a drive axle shaft. The transmission positioning assembly tilts the transmission between first and second angular positions. A belt tension between a drive belt and a transmission pulley of the transmission continuously increases from a minimum belt tension when the transmission is in the first angular position to a maximum belt tension when the transmission is in the second angular position. The rotational drive force exerted on the drive axle shaft by the transmission and a resulting driving speed of the lawn mower vary proportionally with the belt tension. The electronic control unit controls the transmission positioning assembly to tilt the transmission based on target and detected driving speeds.

Closed-loop electronic slipping belt transmission speed control system for a walk-behind lawn mower

A variable speed control system and method for a walk-behind working machine includes a control system base, a control lever selectively movable with respect to the control system base between two operating positions, a mode actuator positioned on the control system base for toggling between a plurality of control modes, and a control unit in communication with the control lever, the mode actuator, and a machine component. The control unit selectively controls the operation of the machine component between a minimum operating speed and a variable maximum operating speed. The control unit applies a different acceleration profile to accelerate from the minimum operating speed to the variable maximum operating speed depending on the control mode selected.

Adjustable ground speed and acceleration control devices, systems, and methods for walk-behind equipment

Automatic turn-sensing ground speed reduction systems and related methods for walk-behind, self-propelled machines are disclosed. In one aspect, automatic turn-sensing ground speed reduction systems and related methods can include a control unit and a sensor. The sensor can be configured to transmit a signal to the control unit. In some aspects, the sensor can include a gyroscope that can be configured to transmit the signal to the control unit, the signal corresponding to an angular velocity of the walk-behind machine measured about a vertical axis perpendicular to a ground surface on which the walk-behind machine can be self-propelled. The control unit can be configured to automatically adjust a ground speed of the walk-behind machine during turning movement of the walk-behind machine based upon the signal.

Automatic turn-sensing ground speed reduction systems and related methods for walk-behind machines

The present subject matter relates to adjustable ground speed control devices, systems, and methods for walk-behind equipment. A variable speed control system may include a control system base, a control lever selectively movable with respect to the control system base between a first operating position and a second operating position, a mode actuator positioned on the control system base for toggling between a standard mode and a selection mode, and an adjustment actuator positioned on the control system base in communication with a control unit to toggle between a first control mode and a second control mode when the mode actuator is in selection mode. The control unit applies a first acceleration profile to accelerate from the minimum operating speed to the variable maximum operating speed when in the first control mode and a second acceleration profile when in the second control mode.

The present subject matter relates to adjustable ground speed control devices, systems, and methods for walk-behind equipment. A variable speed control system for a machine can include a control system base, one or more control lever selectively movable with respect to the control system base between a first operating position and a second operating position, first and second speed adjustment actuators positioned on the control system base proximal to the one or more control lever, and a control unit configured for communication with the one or more control lever, the first and second speed adjustment actuators, and a machine component. In this configuration, the one or more control lever can be configured to control the machine component to operate between a minimum operating speed and a variable maximum operating speed, where the value of the variable maximum operating speed can be adjusted by the first and second speed adjustment actuators.

Adjustable ground speed control devices, systems, and methods for walk-behind equipment

Drive systems and methods for implementing engine stall protection in a self-propelled machine are disclosed. In one aspect, a drive system of a self-propelled machine incorporating engine stall protection includes an engine being in communication with a control unit and transmitting power and an engine load signal to the control unit. An actuation mechanism can be actuatable to assign a desired ground speed of the self-propelled machine, the actuation mechanism being in communication with the control unit and transmitting a control signal corresponding to the desired ground speed to the control unit. In some aspects, the control unit is configured to control a transmission motor to achieve an actual ground speed of the self-propelled machine based on both the engine load signal and the control signal. In other aspects, the engine load signal is an engine speed signal, wherein engine speed is dependent on a load applied to the engine.

Growing community of inventors

Mebane, NC, United States of America

Andrew Edwin Bejcek