Mechanisms and related methods for drive by wire control systems in walk-behind working machines

摘要

Mechanisms for drive by wire control systems in walk-behind working machines can include a sensor and at least one resilient member. The sensor can be rotatable about a sensor axis and can be in communication with a control unit, while the at least one resilient member can cooperate with the sensor to bias the sensor about the sensor axis. Furthermore, the control unit can be configured to control an operating state of a transmission of the walk-behind machine. In addition, the mechanism can be configured such that if the drive by wire control system becomes inoperative, a change in the operating state of the transmission occurs, such that the transmission is non-operational if the drive by wire control system becomes inoperative.

主权项

1. A walk-behind working machine comprising:
a drive by wire control system comprising:
a transmission,a control unit configured to control an operating state of the transmission, anda mechanism comprising:
a sensor rotatable about a sensor axis and in communication with the control unit, anda first and a second resilient member, the first resilient member comprising a sensor return spring coupled to the sensor and configured to bias the sensor about the sensor axis into an equilibrium position of the sensor, and the second resilient member comprising a clutch return spring coupled to the sensor and configured to bias the sensor clockwise about the sensor axis; wherein the mechanism is configured such that if the drive by wire control system becomes inoperative, a change in the operating state of the transmission occurs, such that the transmission is non-operational if the drive by wire control system becomes inoperative; wherein the sensor is configured to communicate to the control unit a control signal that corresponds to an electrical angle of the sensor, the electrical angle being measured, by the sensor, as a magnitude of rotation of the sensor about the sensor axis, and wherein the control unit is configured to interpret the control signal and transmit a corresponding output voltage to the transmission of the walk-behind working machine when the electrical angle of the sensor is within a predetermined acceptable range.