Control devices, systems, and methods for self-propelled machinery

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9696749-B2
Application number	US-201313901787-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 24, 2013
Priority date	May 24, 2013
Publication date	Jul 4, 2017
Grant date	Jul 4, 2017

Abstract

Control devices and systems for self-propelled machinery and related methods are disclosed. In one aspect, a control device for self-propelled machinery includes a central portion disposed between a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion and at least one pressure sensitive trigger control provided over either the first or the second gripping portion. The trigger control can be configured to reduce a speed of the self-propelled machinery by actuating a portion of a potentiometer for varying an electrical signal carried by the control device. In some aspects, the control device can electrically communicate with a control unit of the self-propelled machinery.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A control device for self-propelled machinery, the control device comprising:
a central portion disposed between a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion, wherein the central portion has only a first electric control and a second electric control disposed thereon, wherein one of the first and second electric controls is a push button control and another of the first and second electric controls is a rotatable control; and
a first pressure sensitive trigger control provided on the first gripping portion and a second pressure sensitive trigger control provided on the second gripping portion;
wherein each trigger control is configured to reduce a speed of the entire self-propelled machinery by actuating at least one potentiometer for varying an electrical signal carried by the control device, thereby stopping and/or slowing the entire self-propelled machinery upon actuation of a single one of the first or second pressure sensitive trigger controls.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein each trigger control is disposed over a rear surface of the respective gripping portion.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the push button control comprises a push button start provided over the central portion.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the rotatable control is a rotatable knob setting provided over the central portion, wherein the knob setting is configured to set a maximum speed via a second potentiometer.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein:
the first gripping portion is elongated along a first axis and the second gripping portion is elongated along a second axis,
the first axis is angled with respect to the second axis, and
the first and second axes are substantially coplanar with a plane defined by a width and a height of the central portion.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second trigger controls comprise multiple levers.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the multiple levers comprise a first lever adapted to engage an electric transmission and a second lever adapted to slow or stop the electric transmission.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein each trigger control is disposed over a front surface of the respective gripping portion.

9. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a pivotal brake lever.

10. A control system for self-propelled machinery, the system comprising:
a control device comprising a central portion having only a first electric control and a second electric control disposed thereon, wherein one of the first and second electric controls is a push button control and another of the first and second electric controls is a rotatable control;
a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion extending from the central portion, wherein a first pressure sensitive trigger control is provided on the first gripping portion and a second pressure sensitive trigger control is provided on the second gripping portion, whereby application of pressure to either or both of the first and second trigger controls actuates movement within a potentiometer for modifying an electrical signal carried by the device; and
a control unit in electrical communication with the control device, wherein the control unit is adapted to receive the modified electrical signal and engage an electric transmission upon receiving the modified electrical signal from the control device,
wherein the modified electrical signal slows and/or stops an entirety of the self-propelled machinery upon actuation of a single one of the first or second pressure sensitive trigger controls.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein each trigger control is disposed over a front surface of the respective gripping portion.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein each trigger control is disposed over a rear surface of the respective gripping portion.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the potentiometer is provided over a portion of a movable gear.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the push button control comprises a push button start provided over a central portion of the device.

15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the rotatable control comprises a rotatable knob setting provided over a central portion of the device.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the knob setting is configured to set a maximum speed via actuating movement within a second potentiometer.

17. A control system for self-propelled machinery, the system comprising:
a control device comprising:
a handle comprising a first gripping portion, a second gripping portion, and

a central portion disposed therebetween;
only a first electric control and a second electric control disposed on the central portion, wherein at least one of the first and second electric controls comprises a rotatable control and at least one of the first and second electric controls comprises a push button control, whereby rotation of the rotatable control actuates a first potentiometer disposed in the central portion for setting a maximum speed via communication of a first electrical signal; and
at least one pressure sensitive trigger control disposed on the first gripping portion or the second gripping portion, whereby application of pressure to the trigger control actuates movement within a second potentiometer for slowing or stopping movement of the entire self-propelled machinery via communication of a second electrical signal; and

a control unit in electrical communication with the control device, wherein the control unit is adapted to receive the first and second electrical signals and control an electric transmission in response to receiving the first and second electrical signals.

18. The system according to claim 17 , further comprising a brake lever configured to attach to a portion of the control device.

19. The system according to claim 17 , further comprising at least two pressure sensitive trigger controls.

20. A lawnmower incorporating the control system of claim 17 .

Assignees

• Honda Motor Co Ltd
• Honda Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Kaskawitz Scott
• Prinzo Vincent Andrew
• Macapagal Arvic Gutierrez

Classifications

• Y10T74/20384

  Levers · CPC title

• G05G13/00 Primary

  Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with two or more controlling members and also two or more controlled members (interlocking G05G5/08) · CPC title

• Y10T74/20612

  Hand · CPC title

• A01D2034/6843

  Control levers on the handle of the mower · CPC title

• A01D34/6812

  Braking or clutching mechanisms · CPC title