US20060236669A1 - Modular vehicle system having engine unit and mower unit for communication therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular vehicle system comprises an engine unit and an engine management controller associated with the engine unit. A throttle actuator is associated with the engine management controller to control a throttle setting of an engine unit. A mower unit is associated with mower electronics. A blade clutch actuator activates or deactivates a cutting blade of the mower unit. A transmission line supports communications between the engine management controller and the mower electronics to support remote control mowing or unmanned mowing activities.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates to a modular vehicle system having an engine unit and a mower unit for communication therewith.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• A modular vehicle system may include an engine unit for propulsion and an implement unit. If an operator is manning or supervising a modular vehicle, the status of the implement may be observed visually, aurally or through gauges on an instrument panel. However, if an operator is not manning a modular vehicle or if the operator is impaired or distracted, there is a need provide technology that is a proxy for the observations, reactions, and control of the operator. Thus, there is a need for a modular vehicle system having an engine unit and a mower unit for communication therewith that supports unmanned operation or assistance to manned operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• A modular vehicle system comprises an engine unit and a mower unit. The mower unit and the engine unit communicate via a wireless or wire-line communications link. The mower unit may transmit status data to the engine unit on activation or deactivation of the cutting blade of the mower unit via the communications link. If the mower unit and the engine unit are mechanically disconnected, an operation of the mower is stopped or other precautionary measures are undertaken.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a modular vehicle system that is suitable for remote control of mowing by a user.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of a modular vehicle system that is suitable for unmanned mowing.
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram of mower electronics in accordance with the modular vehicle system ofFIG. 1 andFIG. 2
• FIG. 4 is a first example of a method for managing the unmanned operation of a modular vehicle system.
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of a modular vehicle system.
• FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of a modular vehicle system.
• FIG. 7 is a second example of a method for managing the unmanned operation of a modular vehicle system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
• “Vehicle” shall refer to the modular vehicle system that includes a mower unit and an engine unit. The mower unit may be pulled by the engine unit, pushed by the engine unit, supported by the engine unit or otherwise integrated with the engine unit. A “communications link” refers to a transmission line that supports the transmission of an electrical or electromagnetic signal or wireless transceivers that communicate via an electromagnetic signal. “Status data” may relate to the operation or performance of the mower unit, the engine unit or both. A “status signal” refers to a transmission or continuity check signal (e.g., a pulse, a direct current signal, a modulated carrier or an audio tone) sent over a communications link between the mower unit and the engine unit to test the integrity of the communications link (e.g., transmission line, wireless communications link or other communications channel).
• InFIG. 1, a modular vehicle comprises anengine unit11 coupled to amower unit13. In one embodiment, theengine unit11 tows, pushes or pulls themower unit13. Theengine unit11 comprisesvehicular electronics10, apropulsion system114, asteering system118, and abraking system116. Themower unit13 comprisesmower electronics22 and a mechanical mowing assembly. Themower electronics22 communicates with thevehicular electronics10 via a communications link (e.g., transmission line23).
• Auser interface24 supports the entry or selection of input data for at least one of thevehicular electronics10 andmower electronics22. Theuser interface24 may also support the display of output or status data to a user with respect to thevehicular electronics10 and themower electronics22. In one embodiment, theuser interface24 communicates to thevehicular electronics10 via a pair oftransceivers26. Onetransceiver26 is co-located with theuser interface24, whereas theother transceiver26 is co-located with thevehicular electronics10. The pair oftransceivers26 may use a modulation scheme, which is resistant to jamming or interference, such as frequency-hopping spread-spectrum (FHSS) or code-division multiple-access (CDMA).
• In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, thevehicular electronics10 comprises a tele-operation controller14. The tele-operation controller14 further comprises acommand module16, astatus module18, and asafety module20. Thecommand module16 facilitates the forwarding of user commands entered or inputted via theuser interface24 to at least one of thepropulsion system114, thesteering system118,braking system116, and themower unit13. Thestatus module18 supports transmitting status information (e.g., feedback) on at least one of the following to a user interface24: thepropulsion system114,steering system118,braking system116,mower electronics22, andmower unit13. Thesafety module20 may stop or change the course of the vehicle to avoid striking an obstacle or person or entering into a hazardous zone. Thesafety module20 may over-ride user input from theuser interface24, if necessary for safety reasons.
• For remote control operation of the modular vehicle, auser interface24 is coupled to atransceiver26 supporting remote control of at least one of the emergency stopping movement of the mower, emergency stopping of the cutting blade, adjustment of mowing height, activating rotation of the cutting blade, deactivating rotation of the cutting blade, and detecting an obstacle around the mower.
• In one embodiment, thetransmission line23 comprises one or more of the following: coaxial cable, flexible coaxial cable, a cord, a cable assembly, a bundle of wires, an optical transmission line, and a wiring harness. The transmission line may be associated with one or moreelectrical connectors21. For example, anelectrical connector21 may comprise a firstelectrical connector portion115 that mates with a secondelectrical connector portion117, where the firstelectrical connector portion115 is associated with the engine unit (e.g.,11) and wherein the second electrical connector portion is associated with themower unit13. The firstelectrical connector portion115 may be male or female or otherwise capable of mating with or interlocking with the secondelectrical connector portion117. Ethernet or other communication standards or protocol may be used for communications via thetransmission line23 between theengine unit11 and themower unit13.
• Thevehicular electronics10, themower electronics22, or both are arranged to electro-mechanically, mechanically, electrically, optically, electromagnetically or ultrasonically sense whether theengine unit11 is mechanically connected to or disconnected from themower unit13. The connection may be realized by hitching or connecting theengine unit11 to themower unit13. Further, an emergency-stop of themower unit13 is provided by a cord or electrical connection between theengine unit11 andmower unit13 that removes electrical power to themower unit13 if it is not connected to theengine unit11.
• Thevehicular electronics101 ofFIG. 2 differ from thevehicular electronics10 ofFIG. 1. InFIG. 2, thevehicular electronics101 is configured for unmanned operation or user-assisted operation, whereas thevehicular electronics10 ofFIG. 2 support wireless remote control or tele-operation by a user. Thevehicular electronics101 comprises anautonomous vehicle controller102 that receives input data (e.g., status data) from any of the following: one ormore sensors110, a location-determiningreceiver112, themower unit13, and themower electronics22. One of thesensors110 may comprise an ultrasonic or laser sensor, for example. The location-determiningreceiver112 may comprise a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, with or without differential correction. Theautonomous vehicle controller102 provides output data (e.g., command data) to one or more of the following: apropulsion system114, abraking system116, asteering system118,mower electronics22, and amower unit22. Theautonomous vehicle controller102 communicates with themower electronics22 via atransmission line23, such as a cable or a wiring harness.
• Auser interface120 is coupled to atransceiver26. Thetransceiver26 communicates with anothertransceiver26 associated with thevehicular electronics101 via an electromagnetic signal (e.g., radio frequency signal). For example, theuser interface120 andtransceivers26 may support the issuance of a command by a user to stop the vehicle, to stop mowing, to stop a blade from rotating, to turn off the vehicle or to take another safety measure or precaution. The autonomous controller processes commands received from theuser interface120 via the transceivers122.
• For unmanned operation of the modular vehicle, a location-determiningreceiver112 determines a location of theengine unit111 or the modular vehicle system. Apath planning104 module establishes a planned path for theengine unit111 or the modular vehicle system. Anavigation106 module guides the vehicle along the planned path based on the determined location of theengine unit111 or vehicle. Anobstacle detection108 module detects obstacles in at least one of the planned path and a defined region about the vehicle.
• FIG. 3 illustrates amower unit13 in greater detail thanFIG. 1 andFIG. 2. Themower unit13 comprises aninternal combustion engine150 associated withmower electronics22. Theinternal combustion engine22 may be configured to drive or rotate one or more cutting blades of themower unit13. Themower electronics22 comprises acontroller172. In one embodiment, the controller comprises anengine management controller174 and amower controller176, although various single-processor and multiple-processor architectures may be used to carry out the invention.
• Theengine management controller174 receives input data from one or more sensors and sends output data (e.g., command data), responsive to the input data, to one or more actuators. In one embodiment, the sensors associated with theengine management controller174 comprise one or more of the following: an electricalbus voltage sensor156, an engine speed sensor158 (e.g., RPM sensor), anengine temperature sensor160, and arun time meter162. The actuators associated with theengine management controller174 comprise one or more of the following: throttle actuator152 (e.g., a throttle control servo), a choke actuator154 (e.g., a choke control servo), and an engine disable switch (e.g., fuel supply or electrical cut-off switch for the internal combustion engine).
• Theengine speed sensor158 may comprise a tachometer or another device for measuring the revolutions per unit time of a shaft (e.g., a crankshaft) of theinternal combustion engine150. Theengine temperature sensor160 may sense the temperature of an engine block, coolant or a lubricant associated with theinternal combustion engine150. The run-time meter162 may provide a record of cumulative duration of engine operation over the life time of theinternal combustion engine150 or a per session duration of engine operation.
• Thethrottle actuator152 controls a throttle setting of theinternal combustion engine150. In one embodiment, thethrottle actuator152 has a throttle position or setting that is controlled by pulse width modulation (PWM). Thechoke actuator154 may control an intake air flow to theinternal combustion engine150.
• In one embodiment, the engine management sensors and actuators may be coupled to theengine management controller174 via a databus or directly to theengine management controller174 via discrete conductors. A sensor may provide an analog or a digital output. Accordingly, if a sensor provides an analog output, an analog-to-digital converter may be interposed between the analog sensor and theengine management controller174 to provide a digital signal to theengine management controller174.
• Themower controller176 receives input data (e.g., status data) from one or more sensors and sends output data (e.g., command data), responsive to the input data, to one or more actuators. In one embodiment, the sensors associated with themower controller176 comprise: an emergency stop switch164 (e.g., emergency stop, pull rope) and anobstacle detection sensor170. The actuators associated with themower controller176 comprise one or more of the following: a blade clutch actuator166 (e.g., a blade clutch servo) and a mow height actuator168 (e.g., mow height servo). The bladeclutch actuator166 is associated with themower electronics22 and supports the coupling or decoupling of the blade from a rotational energy source (e.g., the shaft of an internal combustion engine150). Themow height actuator168 supports adjustment of a cutting height of the cutting blades.
• Thecontroller172 of themower unit13 communicates with the engine unit (e.g.,11 or111). For example, thecontroller172 of themower unit13 may communicate with the autonomousvehicular controller102 ofFIG. 2 or with the tele-operation controller14 ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 4 is a method of managing the modular vehicle system for unmanned operation. The method begins with step S100.
• In step S100, an engine unit (e.g.,11 or111) is provided and has a firstelectrical connector portion115.
• In step S102, a mower unit (e.g.,13) is provided and has a second electrical connector portion for engaging (or electromagnetically or electrically communicating with) the firstelectrical connector portion117.
• In step S104, the engine unit (e.g.,11 or111) and the mower unit (e.g.,13) are mechanically joined or coupled to form a modular vehicle system and to form an electrical connection or electromagnetic connection between the firstelectrical connector portion115 and the secondelectrical connector portion117.
• In step S106,mower electronics22, themower controller176 or theengine management controller174 determines if the electrical connection or electromagnetic connection formed in step S104 is or has been broken or provides a deficient communications channel. A deficient communications channel means that no electrical current or electromagnetic energy is conducted through thetransmission line23 between the mower unit and the engine unit because of the lack of a complete direct current circuit or a complete alternating current circuit. If the electrical connection or electromagnetic connection has been broken or provides a deficient communications channel, the method continues with step S108. If the electrical connection has not been broken or provides an adequate communications channel, the method continues with step S110.
• In one embodiment, the mower unit (e.g.,13) may include a signal generator that transmits a status signal over the communications link (e.g., transmission line) between the engine unit (e.g.,11 or111) and the mower unit. If the vehicular electronics does not receive the transmitted status signal from the engine unit, the continuity of the electrical or electromagnetic connection is broken (i.e., the communications channel is deficient).
• In step S108, themower electronics22, themower controller176, or theengine management controller174 stops an operation of themower unit13. For example, at least one of themower electronics22, themower controller176, and theengine management controller174 may send a command to execute any of the following actions: (a) disengaging the mower blade, (b) activating the blade clutch or the bladeclutch actuator166 to withdraw rotational power from the blade, (c) stopping the rotation of the blade via theclutch actuator166 or otherwise, (d) changing the throttle setting via thethrottle actuator152 to reduce or eliminate the flow of fuel to theinternal combustion engine150, (e) switching off high voltage provided to one or more spark plugs of theinternal combustion engine150, (f) shutting off electrical energy provided to an electrical system (e.g., high voltage coil) of theinternal combustion engine150 or (g) turning off theinternal combustion engine150.
• In step S110, at least one of themower electronics22, thecontroller172, theengine management controller174, and themower controller176 transmits status data on the operation of themower unit13 from at least one sensor of the mower unit to the engine unit (11 or111). The status data is transmitted from themower unit13 to the engine unit (11 or111) via the electrical connection formed in step S104. The method continues with step S106 following step S110. The method may execute any number of loops between step S110 and step S106 until the loop is interrupted by breaking or discontinuity of the electrical connection in step S106.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a configuration of a modular vehicle system that is similar to that ofFIG. 1, except theengine unit211 and amower unit213 are associated with wireless transceivers (124,125) that support wireless communication between thevehicular electronics10 and themower electronics22. Like reference numbers inFIG. 5 andFIG. 1 indicate like elements. Thefirst wireless transceiver124 and thesecond wireless transceiver125 ofFIG. 5 replace thetransmission line23 and associated wire-line communications ofFIG. 1. The wireless transceivers (124,125) may comprise Blue-tooth devices, unlicensed code-division multiple access devices or other communication devices. Bluetooth is a wireless communications protocol that may be applied to the replacement of wires or cables with a short-range wireless communications equipment.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a configuration of a modular vehicle system that is similar to that ofFIG. 2, except theengine unit311 and amower unit213 are associated with wireless transceivers (124,125) that support wireless communication between thevehicular electronics10 and themower electronics22. Like reference numbers inFIG. 2 andFIG. 6 indicate like elements. The wireless transceivers (124,125) ofFIG. 6 replace the transmission line ofFIG. 2. The wireless transceivers may comprise Blue-Tooth devices, unlicensed code-division multiple access devices or other communication devices.
• FIG. 7 is a method of managing the modular vehicle system for unmanned operation. The method begins with step S200.
• In step S200, an engine unit (e.g.,211 or311) is provided having a first wireless communications device (e.g., a first wireless transceiver124).
• In step S202, a mower unit (e.g.,213) is provided having a second wireless communications device (e.g., a second wireless transceiver125).
• In step S204, the engine unit (211 or311) and themower unit213 are joined to form a modular vehicular system.
• In step S206, a communications link is formed between the first wireless communications device and the second wireless communications device upon or after detection of the mechanical joining. For example, the engine unit and the mower unit may be hitched or removably fastened together. The communications link may represent a simplex, duplex, two-way or one-way communications channel that is established in a continuous, regular or intermittent basis.
• In step S208, at least one of themower electronics22, thecontroller172, theengine management controller174, and themower controller176 transmits status data on the operation of themower unit13 from at least one sensor of themower unit13 to the engine unit (211 or311). For example, themower unit13 transmits the status data from the secondwireless communications device125 to the firstwireless communications device124 via an electromagnetic signal (e.g., a radio frequency signal).
• In step S210, themower electronics22 determines if a timer has expired. If the time has expired, the method continues with step S212. However, if the timer has not expired, the method continues with step S208.
• In step S212, themower electronics22 determines if the mechanical connection between the engine unit (211 or311) and themower unit213 is absent or present. If the mechanical connection is present, the method continues with step S208. However, if the mechanical connection is absent, the method continues with step S214.
• In step S214, an operation of the mower unit is stopped. Contrary to the method ofFIG. 4, the stopping of the mower can be initiated by thevehicular electronics10, themower electronics22, or both because of the communications link between the firstwireless communications device124 and the secondwireless communications device125. Accordingly, step S214 may be accomplished by various alternate and cumulative techniques. Under a first technique, thesafety module20 of the tele-operation controller14 sends command data to themower electronics22 via the communications link (e.g., via thefirst wireless transceiver124 and the second wireless transceiver125) to do one or more of the following actions: to stop the operation of themower unit213, to stop the rotation of one or more mower blades of themower unit213, to shut-off theinternal combustion engine150 of themower unit213, to stop themower unit213 from moving, to activate the bladeclutch actuator166, and to actuate theobstacle detection sensor170.
• Under a second technique, the vehicular module of the engine unit (211 or311) sends command data to themower electronics22 via the communications link (124,125) to do one or more of the following actions: to stop the operation of themower unit213, to stop the rotation of one or more mower blades of themower unit213, to shut off theinternal combustion engine150 of themower unit213, or to stop themower unit213 from moving.
• Under a third technique, themower electronics22, theengine management controller174, themower controller176 or thecontroller172 of themower unit213 sends command data to do one or more of the following actions: to stop the operation of themower unit213, to stop the rotation of one or more mower blades of themower unit213, to shut off theinternal combustion engine150 of themower unit213, or to stop the mower unit from moving.
• The invention may be configured such that the engine unit tows the mower unit behind the engine unit, which is remote-controlled by a user or unmanned. The modular vehicle may be used to mow field perimeters, foliage between tree rows in orchards, vine rows in vineyards, and other applications where unmanned mowing is advantageous.
• Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims (22)

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8. A modular vehicle, the modular vehicle comprising:

an engine unit;

an engine management controller associated with the engine unit;

a throttle actuator associated with the engine management controller;

a mower unit associated with mower electronics;

a blade clutch actuator associated with the mower electronics; and

a transmission line for conveying data between the engine management controller and the mower electronics.

9. The modular vehicle according toclaim 8 wherein the transmission line further comprises a connector having a first connector portion associated with the engine unit and a second connector portion associated with the mower unit.

10. The modular vehicle according toclaim 8 further comprising:

a user interface;

a transceiver coupled to the user interface and supporting remote control of at least one of the following: emergency stopping of the mower unit, emergency stopping of a blade of the mower unit, adjustment of a mowing height of the mower unit, activating rotation of a blade of the mower unit, deactivating rotation of the blade of the mower unit, directing motion of the mower unit, directing a position of the mower unit, and detecting an obstacle around the mower unit.

11. The modular vehicle according toclaim 8 further comprising:

a location determining receiver for determining a location of the engine unit;

a path planning module for establishing a planned path for the engine unit, a navigation module for guiding the vehicle along the planned path based on the determined location,

an obstacle detection module to detect obstacles in at least one of the planned path and a defined region about the mower.

12. The modular vehicle according toclaim 8 further comprising:

an obstacle detection sensor for detecting obstacles in a defined region about the mower, the obstacle detection sensor associated with the mower electronics.

13. The modular vehicle according toclaim 8 wherein the vehicle electronics further comprises a mower controller for managing at least one of an emergency stop switch, a blade clutch actuator, a mow height actuator, an engine disable switch, and an obstacle detection sensor.

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