公开(公告)号：US20250127080A1

公开(公告)日：2025-04-24

申请号：US18920455

申请日：2024-10-18

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC

Inventor： Zachary A. Lyzen ,  Adam J. Woodrum ,  Katharin Jensen-Nau

IPC: A01D34/00 ,  A01D101/00

Abstract: An apparatus coupled with steering and optionally drive components of a power equipment device can be utilized to implement operator-initiated autonomous turning of the power equipment device. As an example, the apparatus can turn the power equipment device from an initial heading to a second heading. The second heading can be selected to achieve a target angular displacement from the initial heading. Further, the second heading can be implemented to accomplish a linear displacement of the power equipment device in addition to the angular displacement. A steering control signal is generated and provided to an automated steering control unit to turn the power equipment device in response to an operator's input at a user input/output device. The apparatus delivers an operator-initiated limited autonomous driving module for alleviating a portion of the rote driving responsibilities for the operator of the power equipment device.

公开(公告)号：US20210070356A1

公开(公告)日：2021-03-11

申请号：US17016022

申请日：2020-09-09

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC

Inventor： Zachary A. Lyzen ,  Adam J. Woodrum

IPC: B62D15/02 ,  G01S13/931 ,  B60W30/18 ,  H04W4/40 ,  G01C21/34

Abstract: An automated steering device is provided usable in conjunction with power equipment machines. By way of example, the automated steering device can provide user-assisted steering for a power equipment machine to maintain tight parallel paths. The user-assisted steering can be defined relative to an initial vector traversed through user directed operation of the power equipment machine, independent of or at least in part independent of a predefined area of operation for the power equipment machine. Position location data refined by local terrestrial positioning system correction devices, or onboard rotational correction devices can be provided to obtain high positioning accuracy, and minimal path deviation. As a result, highly accurate pathing can be provided by way of the disclosed automated steering devices.

公开(公告)号：US11623689B2

公开(公告)日：2023-04-11

申请号：US17016022

申请日：2020-09-09

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC

Inventor： Zachary A. Lyzen ,  Adam J. Woodrum

IPC: B62D15/02 ,  B60W30/18 ,  G01C21/34 ,  G01S13/931 ,  H04W4/40

Abstract: An automated steering device is provided usable in conjunction with power equipment machines. By way of example, the automated steering device can provide user-assisted steering for a power equipment machine to maintain tight parallel paths. The user-assisted steering can be defined relative to an initial vector traversed through user directed operation of the power equipment machine, independent of or at least in part independent of a predefined area of operation for the power equipment machine. Position location data refined by local terrestrial positioning system correction devices, or onboard rotational correction devices can be provided to obtain high positioning accuracy, and minimal path deviation. As a result, highly accurate pathing can be provided by way of the disclosed automated steering devices.

公开(公告)号：US20220121202A1

公开(公告)日：2022-04-21

申请号：US17503958

申请日：2021-10-18

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC

Inventor： Zachary A. Lyzen ,  Adam J. Woodrum

IPC: G05D1/00 ,  G05D1/02

Abstract: A power equipment machine with operator selectable autonomous mode and manual mode is provided. By way of example, the power equipment device can provide user-assisted semi-autonomous steering along user-defined paths of a geographic area. Manual steering controls and autonomous guidance controls can be positioned on one or more movable armrests to enhance comfort and minimize operator fatigue. The manual steering controls can include a jog wheel and encoder mechanism located on a first armrest, eliminating conventional mechanical shaft and wheel steering devices and dual lap bar steering devices. Guidance and computer settings can be accessed through a touchscreen display mounted in front of an operator position on the power equipment device.

公开(公告)号：US12296898B2

公开(公告)日：2025-05-13

申请号：US17736141

申请日：2022-05-04

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC

Inventor： Zachary A. Lyzen ,  Adam J. Woodrum ,  Adam Hiller ,  Jay E. Maggard

IPC: B62D5/00 ,  A01D101/00 ,  B62D1/02 ,  B62D5/04

Abstract: A drive-by-wire steering system for a power equipment device is provided. One example embodiment comprises a steering interface system, a power steering system, and a communication link connecting the steering interface system and power steering system. The power steering system can adjust steering angle of wheels of the power equipment device based on inputs received from the steering interface system. The steering interface system can receive user inputs and provide powered feedback and/or a simulated caster effect via a steering interface. Additional embodiments include power equipment devices and steering interface systems.

公开(公告)号：US20240336087A1

公开(公告)日：2024-10-10

申请号：US18631770

申请日：2024-04-10

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC

Inventor： Jay Maggard ,  Zachary A. Lyzen

IPC: B60B33/00 ,  A01D34/00 ,  A01D34/68 ,  A01D34/69 ,  A01D69/03

CPC classification number: B60B33/0068 ,  A01D34/006 ,  A01D34/69 ,  A01D69/03 ,  B60B33/0076 ,  A01D2034/6831

Abstract: Presented is a selective active caster steering apparatus for a maintenance apparatus having a first drive unit and a second drive unit. The selective active caster steering apparatus may comprise a caster wheel frame defining a caster swivel axis and a caster spin axis; a caster wheel operationally engaged with the caster wheel frame such that the caster wheel is adapted to be steered about the caster swivel axis; and a first caster steering unit adapted to selectably apply an amount of active torque to the caster wheel about the caster swivel axis as indicated by a first formula. The first formula may determine the amount of active torque to output as a first function of one or more measured parameters.

公开(公告)号：US20240140528A1

公开(公告)日：2024-05-02

申请号：US18510291

申请日：2023-11-15

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC

Inventor： Zachary A. Lyzen ,  Adam J. Woodrum

IPC: B62D15/02 ,  B60W30/18 ,  G01C21/34 ,  G01S13/931 ,  H04W4/40

CPC classification number: B62D15/021 ,  B60W30/18172 ,  G01C21/3461 ,  G01C21/3469 ,  G01S13/931 ,  H04W4/40 ,  G01S2013/9316 ,  G01S2013/932

Abstract: An automated steering device is provided usable in conjunction with power equipment machines. By way of example, the automated steering device can provide user-assisted steering for a power equipment machine to maintain tight parallel paths. The user-assisted steering can be defined relative to an initial vector traversed through user directed operation of the power equipment machine, independent of or at least in part independent of a predefined area of operation for the power equipment machine. Position location data refined by local terrestrial positioning system correction devices, or onboard rotational correction devices can be provided to obtain high positioning accuracy, and minimal path deviation. As a result, highly accurate pathing can be provided by way of the disclosed automated steering devices.

公开(公告)号：US20230242179A1

公开(公告)日：2023-08-03

申请号：US18132809

申请日：2023-04-10

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC

Inventor： Zachary A. Lyzen ,  Adam J. Woodrum

IPC: B62D15/02 ,  H04W4/40 ,  B60W30/18 ,  G01C21/34 ,  G01S13/931

CPC classification number: B62D15/021 ,  H04W4/40 ,  B60W30/18172 ,  G01C21/3461 ,  G01C21/3469 ,  G01S13/931 ,  G01S2013/932 ,  G01S2013/9316

Abstract: An automated steering device is provided usable in conjunction with power equipment machines. By way of example, the automated steering device can provide user-assisted steering for a power equipment machine to maintain tight parallel paths. The user-assisted steering can be defined relative to an initial vector traversed through user directed operation of the power equipment machine, independent of or at least in part independent of a predefined area of operation for the power equipment machine. Position location data refined by local terrestrial positioning system correction devices, or onboard rotational correction devices can be provided to obtain high positioning accuracy, and minimal path deviation. As a result, highly accurate pathing can be provided by way of the disclosed automated steering devices.

公开(公告)号：US12269528B2

公开(公告)日：2025-04-08

申请号：US18132809

申请日：2023-04-10

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC

Inventor： Zachary A. Lyzen ,  Adam J. Woodrum

IPC: B62D15/02 ,  B60W30/18 ,  G01C21/34 ,  G01S13/931 ,  H04W4/40

Abstract: An automated steering device is provided usable in conjunction with power equipment machines. By way of example, the automated steering device can provide user-assisted steering for a power equipment machine to maintain tight parallel paths. The user-assisted steering can be defined relative to an initial vector traversed through user directed operation of the power equipment machine, independent of or at least in part independent of a predefined area of operation for the power equipment machine. Position location data refined by local terrestrial positioning system correction devices, or onboard rotational correction devices can be provided to obtain high positioning accuracy, and minimal path deviation. As a result, highly accurate pathing can be provided by way of the disclosed automated steering devices.

公开(公告)号：US20240407291A1

公开(公告)日：2024-12-12

申请号：US18737461

申请日：2024-06-07

Applicant: MTD PRODUCTS INC

Inventor： Zachary A. Lyzen ,  Adam Woodrum ,  Katharin Jensen-Nau

IPC: A01D34/64 ,  B62D5/04

Abstract: Systems and methods for drive and steering control in a drive-by-wire system for outdoor power equipment are discussed. Various embodiments can employ techniques related to one or more of: steering based on actively steered wheels with zero caster trail, variable output damping of vehicle control outputs, steering that compensates for drive system loss, emulation of drivability of a hydrostatic drive system by a non-hydrostatic drive system, employing a floating neutral point to improve steering on slopes, open loop techniques for hill holding and speed compensation on hills, and/or adjustment of a speed range associated with control inputs.