Abstract: A configuration of a direct drive lawnmower spindle assembly to protect sensitive electric motor components is provided. A spindle shaft of the spindle assembly is supported by upper and lower bearings. An upper end of the spindle shaft is mounted to a rotor of the electric motor and a lower end of the spindle shaft extends through the clearance opening. The lower bearing is supported by a lower bearing carrier that is mounted to the bottom of the spindle housing. The lower bearing can be serviced by removing the lower bearing carrier. A clearance gap between the spindle shaft and the clearance opening is sufficiently small to limit spindle shaft tipping to a degree that will not damage the motor. The invention also provides a friction coupling system for coupling a blade with the rotating spindle shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin, a brake, a vehicle subsystem, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive an indication that an operator is attempting to exit the cabin and automatically engage the brake in response to the indication to prevent movement of the vehicle. The vehicle subsystem remains operational while the brake is engaged.

Abstract: An assembly for protecting components of an electric motor on a lawn mower deck includes a shaft connected at opposite ends to the motor rotor and a blade adapter. The blade adapter is interconnected to a cutting blade. A blade mounting gap is defined between a shoulder of the blade adapter and a head of a fastener that secures the blade to the shaft. A biasing member is captured within the blade mounting gap and frictionally couples the blade and the shaft for rotation together. The blade slips with respect to the shaft in response to the blade encountering a force that overcomes the blade coupling friction.

Abstract: A vehicle control module for an autonomous vehicle. In one example embodiment, the control module is configured to receive, from a user interface, a user input selecting an operation mode. The module is configured to, responsive to receiving the user input, retrieve, from a memory, a discrete operational parameter set associated with the operation mode. The module is configured to apply the discrete operational parameter set. The module is configured to operate a drive motor of the utility vehicle, a drive wheel of the utility vehicle, a utility device of the utility vehicle, a power source of the utility vehicle, and the user interface according to the discrete operational parameter set.

Abstract: A configuration of a direct drive lawnmower spindle assembly to protect sensitive electric motor components is provided. A spindle shaft of the spindle assembly is supported by upper and lower bearings. An upper end of the spindle shaft is mounted to a rotor of the electric motor and a lower end of the spindle shaft extends through the clearance opening. The lower bearing is supported by a lower bearing carrier that is mounted to the bottom of the spindle housing. The lower bearing can be serviced by removing the lower bearing carrier. A clearance gap between the spindle shaft and the clearance opening is sufficiently small to limit spindle shaft tipping to a degree that will not damage the motor. The invention also provides a friction coupling system for coupling a blade with the rotating spindle shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to determine whether a vehicle has arrived at a destination and provide a signal to switch the vehicle from an operational condition to a locked condition at least the in response to the vehicle arriving at the destination, thereby preventing undesired operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A battery-powered electric lawn mower includes battery packs mounted on a docking stations of a bus bar by way of a gravity-biased engagement. The lawn mower also includes a priority charging control logic for giving priority of charge to battery packs that have a state of charge over a threshold. The lawn mower also includes a live to drive system which alerts the user when the lawn mower is capable of moving in response to manipulation of controls. The lawn mower also includes a variable speed control which adjusts a sensitivity of speed controls such that more precise, slower speed control of the lawn mower is achieved when mowing around trees and the like.

Abstract: A vehicle management system includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to acquire location information relating to a location of the vehicle, determine if the vehicle has arrived at a destination based on the location information, and provide a signal to switch at least one of a transmission of the vehicle or a braking subsystem of the vehicle from an operational condition to a locked condition in response to at least the vehicle arriving at the destination, thereby preventing undesired operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle management system includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to acquire location information relating to a location of the vehicle, determine if the vehicle has arrived at a destination based on the location information, and provide a signal to switch at least one of a transmission of the vehicle or a braking subsystem of the vehicle from an operational condition to a locked condition in response to at least the vehicle arriving at the destination, thereby preventing undesired operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A response vehicle includes a transmission, a braking subsystem, and a vehicle management system coupled to at least one of the transmission and the braking subsystem. The vehicle management system includes an interlock module configured to provide a signal to switch the at least one of the transmission and the braking subsystem from a locked condition to an operational condition only in response to an authenticated user request thereby preventing undesired operation of the response vehicle.

Abstract: A response vehicle includes a transmission, a braking subsystem, and a vehicle management system coupled to at least one of the transmission and the braking subsystem. The vehicle management system includes an interlock module configured to provide a signal to switch the at least one of the transmission and the braking subsystem from a locked condition to an operational condition only in response to an authenticated user request thereby preventing undesired operation of the response vehicle.

Abstract: A response vehicle includes a transmission, a braking subsystem, and a vehicle management system coupled to at least one of the transmission and the braking subsystem. The vehicle management system includes an interlock module configured to provide a signal to switch the at least one of the transmission and the braking subsystem from a locked condition to an operational condition only in response to an authenticated user request thereby preventing undesired operation of the response vehicle.

Abstract: A response vehicle includes a transmission, a braking subsystem, and a vehicle management system coupled to at least one of the transmission and the braking subsystem. The vehicle management system includes an interlock module configured to provide a signal to switch the at least one of the transmission and the braking subsystem from a locked condition to an operational condition only in response to an authenticated user request thereby preventing undesired operation of the response vehicle.

Abstract: An interface module for a power distribution and control system for a vehicle is described. The interface module includes at least one first link configured to receive an input from input devices on the vehicle, at least one second link configured to control output devices on the vehicle, at least one third link configured to communicate with a communication network. The module further includes control logic configured to store a record of output devices associated with the interface module and to process a configuration file to determine whether any of the output devices have been designated as controlling a mission critical function.

Abstract: An interface module for a power distribution and control system for a vehicle is described. The interface module includes at least one first link configured to receive an input from input devices on the vehicle, at least one second link configured to control output devices on the vehicle, at least one third link configured to communicate with a communication network. The module further includes control logic configured to store a record of output devices associated with the interface module and to process a configuration file to determine whether any of the output devices have been designated as controlling a mission critical function.