Unmanned utility vehicle
An unmanned utility vehicle ( 30 ) for traversing a plot of land is disclosed that includes a carriage ( 32 ) having first and second drive wheels ( 34, 36 ) for moving over the plot of land, a guidance assembly ( 44 ) for guiding the vehicle ( 30 ) about the plot, and at least one tool ( 46 ) for performing an operation. The vehicle ( 30 ) includes first and second electric drive motors ( 56, 58 ) operatively connected to the respective drive wheels ( 34, 36 ) and at least one electric tool motor ( 60 ) engaging the tool ( 46 ). A plurality of sonar sensors ( 94 ) are supported by said carriage ( 32 ) for detecting objects near said utility vehicle ( 30 ) such that the utility vehicle ( 30 ) is deactivated or slowed in response to detecting the object.
1 . An unmanned utility vehicle ( 30 ) for traversing a plot of land comprising:
a carriage ( 32 ) having first and second drive wheels ( 34 , 36 ) for moving over the plot of land;
a first electric drive motor ( 56 ) and a second electric drive motor ( 58 ) operatively connected to said first and second drive wheels ( 34 , 36 );
a first drive motor controller ( 80 ) operatively connected to said first electric drive motor ( 56 ) and a second drive motor controller ( 82 ) operatively connected to said second electric drive motor ( 58 );
at least one tool ( 46 ) supported by said carriage ( 32 ) for performing an operation;
at least one electric tool motor ( 60 ) engaging said tool ( 46 ) and supported by said carriage ( 32 );
a tool motor controller ( 84 ) operatively connected to said electric tool motor ( 60 );
a power supply ( 64 ) supported by said carriage ( 32 ) for powering each of said electric drive motors ( 56 , 58 ) and said electric tool motor ( 60 );
a main controller ( 84 , 54 ) for communicating with said drive motor controllers ( 78 , 82 , 84 ) and said tool motor controller ( 84 ) to control said electric drive and tool motors ( 60 ); and
a plurality of sonar sensors ( 94 ) mounted about said carriage ( 32 ) for detecting objects and transmitting a signal to said main controller ( 54 ) to deactivate or reduce at least one of said electric drive motors ( 56 , 58 ) and said electric tool motor ( 60 ) in response to detecting the object.
2 . An unmanned utility vehicle ( 30 ) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electric drive and said tool motors ( 60 ) are further defined as brushless electric motors.
3 . An unmanned utility vehicle ( 30 ) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tool ( 46 ) is further defined as selected from at least one of a mower assembly, a sweeping assembly, a cleaning assembly, and a painting assembly.
4 . An unmanned utility vehicle ( 30 ) as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a guidance assembly ( 44 ) supported by said carriage ( 32 ) for communicating with said main controller ( 54 ) for guiding said vehicle ( 30 ) about the plot.
5 . An unmanned utility vehicle ( 30 ) as set forth in claim 4 wherein said guidance assembly ( 44 ) is further defined as selected from at least one of a laser navigation system, a radio frequency navigation system, a GPS navigation system, and a camera navigation system.
6 . An unmanned utility vehicle ( 30 ) as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a user interface ( 90 ) for programming a route to be followed by said vehicle ( 30 ).
7 . An unmanned utility vehicle ( 30 ) as set forth in claim 6 wherein said user interface ( 90 ) and said main controller ( 54 ) are further defined as a single, integral unit removable from said carriage ( 32 ).
8 . An unmanned utility vehicle ( 30 ) as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a communication device ( 98 ) supported by said carriage ( 32 ) and in communication with said main controller ( 54 ) for wirelessly transmitting signals from said vehicle ( 30 ).
9 . An unmanned utility vehicle ( 30 ) as set forth in claim 1 further comprising bumper sensors ( 96 ) supported by said bumper ( 38 ) for transmitting a signal to said main controller ( 54 ) in response to contacting an object and deactivating at least one of said electric drive motors ( 56 , 58 ) and said electric tool motor ( 60 ).
10 . An autonomous lawn mower comprising:
a carriage ( 32 ) having first and second drive wheels ( 34 , 36 ) for moving over a plot of land;
a guidance assembly ( 44 ) supported by said carriage ( 32 ) for navigating said lawn mower about the plot;
a first electric drive motor ( 56 ) and a second electric drive motor ( 58 ) connected to said first and second drive wheels ( 34 , 36 );
a first drive motor controller ( 80 ) operatively connected to said first electric drive motor ( 56 ) and a second drive motor controller ( 82 ) operatively connected to said second electric drive motor ( 58 );
at least one mower deck supported by said carriage ( 32 ) for performing a mowing operation;
at least one electric mower deck motor engaging said mower deck and supported by said carriage ( 32 );
a mower deck motor controller operatively connected to said electric mower deck motor;
a main controller ( 54 ) for communicating with said guidance assembly ( 44 ), said drive motor controllers ( 78 , 82 , 84 ), and said mower deck motor controller to control said electric drive and mower deck motors ( 56 , 58 , 60 );
a plurality of sonar sensors ( 94 ) mounted about said carriage ( 32 ) for detecting objects and transmitting a signal to said main controller ( 54 ) to deactivate or reduce at least one of said electric drive and mower deck motors ( 56 , 58 , 60 ).
11 . An autonomous lawn mower as set forth in claim 10 further comprising bumper sensors ( 96 ) supported by said bumper ( 38 ) for transmitting a signal to said main controller ( 54 ) in response to contacting an object and deactivating at least one of said electric drive motors ( 56 , 58 ) and said electric tool motor ( 60 ).
12 . An autonomous lawn mower as set forth in claim 10 wherein said guidance assembly ( 44 ) is further defined as selected from at least one of a laser navigation system, a radio frequency navigation system, a GPS navigation system, and a camera navigation system.
13 . An autonomous lawn mower as set forth in claim 10 further comprising a user interface ( 90 ) for programming a route to be followed by said lawn mower.
14 . An autonomous lawn mower as set forth in claim 13 wherein said user interface ( 90 ) and said main controller ( 54 ) are further defined as a single, integral unit removable from said carriage ( 32 ).
15 . An autonomous lawn mower as set forth in claim 10 further comprising a communication device ( 98 ) supported by said carriage ( 32 ) and in communication with said main controller ( 54 ) for wirelessly transmitting signals from said lawn mower.
16 . An autonomous lawn mower as set forth in claim 10 further comprising a controller area network ( 86 ) interconnecting said main controller ( 54 ), said drive motor controllers ( 78 , 82 , 84 ), and said mower deck motor controller for facilitating communication therebetween to improve operation of said lawn mower.