Abstract: A brake pad monitoring sensor includes an erodible, electrically non-conductive body, and an electrical circuit disposed within the body. The electrical circuit includes a first wear indicating portion. Electrical continuity of the first wear indicating portion is broken when the body erodes, in response to abrasion against a brake rotor, beyond a first depth relative to a contact surface of the body, to sense a first degree of wear. The electrical circuit includes a first thermocouple that is operable to generate a temperature dependent voltage signal for sensing a temperature of the brake pad. The brake pad monitoring sensor may be used to determine both brake pad wear, and brake pad temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies and a plurality of electronic brake system (EBS) controllers. The brake assemblies each include an electro-mechanical actuator configured to adjust a torque force applied to a wheel of the vehicle. The EBS controllers are located remotely from one another. Each EBS controller has integrated therein an electronic actuator driver unit that includes an electronic power circuit configured to drive at least one of the electro-mechanical actuators. A first EBS controller is configured to drive a first group of electro-mechanical actuators, and a second EBS controller is configured to drive a second group of electro-mechanical actuators that exclude the electro-mechanical actuators of the first group.

Abstract: A vehicle with a fault tolerant electronic brake-by-wire (BBW) system includes a plurality of brake assemblies that control braking of a respective wheel of the vehicle. The brake assemblies include a first brake assembly and a second brake assembly. The first brake assembly is integrated with at least one enhanced brake actuator assembly including a first electronic actuator driver circuit in signal communication with a first electro-mechanical actuator. The first brake assembly is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a first wheel of the vehicle. The second brake assembly is integrated with at least one enhanced smart brake actuator assembly including a first actuator controller in signal communication with a second electronic actuator driver circuit. The second electronic actuator driver circuit is in signal communication with a second electro-mechanical actuator that is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a second wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies configured to control braking of a respective wheel of the vehicle. The brake assemblies includes a first brake assembly integrated with a smart actuator unit including a first actuator controller and a first electro-mechanical actuator that is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a first wheel coupled to the first brake assembly. A second brake assembly excludes an actuator controller and has installed therein a second electro-mechanical actuator that is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a second wheel coupled to the second brake assembly. At least one electronic actuator driver unit is remotely located from the first and second brake assemblies, and is configured to output a high-power signal that drives the first and second electro-mechanical actuators in response to receiving a digital command signal from the first actuator controller.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies and a plurality of electrical power circuits. Each brake assembly includes an electro-mechanical actuator configured to adjust a torque force applied to a wheel of the vehicle. The electrical power circuits are located remotely from one another. Each power circuit is configured to drive a respective actuator. The vehicle further includes a first electronic brake system (EBS) controller and a second EBS controller. The first EBS controller is configured to output a first data command signal to control a first group of power circuits among the plurality of power circuits. The second EBS controller is configured to output a second data command signal to control a second group of power circuits among the plurality of power circuits. The second group excludes the power circuits from the first group.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a plurality of controllers and a driver. Each controller is configured to receive one or more braking signals. Each controller is also configured to generate one or more braking commands in correspondence to the one or more braking signals. The driver is configured to perform a voting operation on the one or more braking commands to determine whether to generate a driving signal to at least one brake.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of electronic brake system (EBS) controllers configured to detect at least one braking event, and a plurality of brake assemblies. Each brake assembly is coupled to a respective wheel of the vehicle and includes an enhanced smart actuator. The enhanced smart actuator further includes an electro-mechanical actuator, and at least one power circuit. The electro-mechanical actuator is configured to adjust a torque force applied to the respective wheel. The at least one electronic power circuit is configured to output a high-frequency switched high-power current drive signal that drives the electro-mechanical actuator. The EBS controllers control a first group of enhanced smart actuators independently from a second group of enhanced smart actuators that exclude the enhanced smart actuators of the first group.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies, and a brake request input device. Each brake assembly is coupled to a respective wheel of the vehicle and is configured to control braking of the respective wheel. The brake request input device is configured to output an electronic brake request signal indicating a request to brake at least one of the wheels. Each brake assembly has integrated therein an enhanced smart actuator unit that includes an electronic actuator controller configured to control a braking torque applied to the respective wheel in response to receiving the brake request signal.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a suspension system coupled to a main frame of ride-on equipment including at least one subframe coupled to the main frame with a pivot including pivot axis. Some embodiments include at least one transaxle assembly supported on the at least one subframe coupled to a drive wheel, and a power source supported on the main frame coupled to the at least one transaxle assembly. Some embodiments include driven pulleys, idler pulleys and backside idler pulleys supported by the at least one subframe coupled to a power source not supported by the at least one subframe. Some embodiments include two independently suspended subframes, each independently pivotable on the pivot axis with respect to each other and the main frame.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment. The transaxle drive system can include a frame supporting at least one power source and at least two subframes, the at least one power source including at least one drive pulley. The system can also include transaxle assemblies driven by at least a portion of at least one belt from the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can include a first transaxle assembly supported by a subframe, the first transaxle assembly coupled to the at least one drive pulley with at least one belt, and a second transaxle assembly supported by another subframe, the second transaxle assembly coupled by at least one belt to the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can be independently pivoted with respect to each other, the frame, and the power source.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment with a plurality of transaxle assemblies supported by a suspended subframe, and a frame supported on a pair of front wheels at one end that is coupled to and pivotably suspends the subframe. Some embodiments include a power source with a drive pulley supported by the frame at an opposite end. Some embodiments include a belt coupling the drive pulley to a driven pulley of the transaxle assemblies. In some embodiments, the plurality of transaxle assemblies can be driven from the drive pulley by at least a portion of the belt. Further, in some embodiments, the plurality of transaxle assemblies include a first and second transaxle assembly each coupled to a separate rear wheel. The first and second transaxle assemblies are suspended from the subframe, and can be pivoted together about the frame, and the at least one drive pulley.

Abstract: Brake system telemetry systems and methods utilize wireless communication technology to communicate brake system data to one or more vehicle electronic control modules. A wireless transceiver is provided and is operably disposed with the brake system components. The wireless transceiver is coupled to receive data from various components of the brake system at the respective and to communicate the data to one or more electronic control units within the vehicle.

Abstract: A zero turn mower may include a frame having a front portion, a rear portion and opposing side portions, a pair of front wheels located near the front portion of the frame, a pair of rear wheels located near the rear portion of the frame, wherein the engine is supported by the frame in between the pair of rear wheels near the rear portion of the frame, a seat supported by the frame, a cutter deck assembly having at least one cutting blade to cut grass, wherein the cutter deck assembly is located between the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels, a utility bed supported by the frame having an imperforate floor and an air intake through which air is drawn to cool the engine.

Abstract: Front and rear independent suspension mechanisms accommodating an increased range of motion to better absorb shock originating at the wheels of a riding mower to insulate the operator and reduce stress on the mower chassis and other mechanical components. The front suspension can include a front axle with pivot pockets allowing 360 degree rotation of pivots engaged within the pockets, thereby providing a greater range of absorption of shock entering the front axle at varying angles. The rear suspension can include a vertically pivoting transmission platform, providing for controlled vertical motion in the transmission while the transmission is powered by an engine by way of a belt assembly.

Abstract: A self-contained starting module for outdoor power equipment that has control circuit and a start button. The starting module includes internal control circuit that can be either microprocessor based or analog. The control circuit receives a start signal from a start button of the starting module. The control circuit monitors for the presence of an enable device and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device, provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the control circuit initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the control circuit activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the operation of the engine is terminated.

Abstract: Apparatus for prognosing a vehicle brake-system health issue, and processes performed thereby. The apparatus in various embodiments includes a first sensor and a second sensor. In various embodiments, the first sensor is configured to measure a brake system input, such as brake pedal force or displacement, and the second sensor configured to produce output indicative of vehicle deceleration. The apparatus further includes a processing hardware unit, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage device. The storage device includes a prognostic module configured to cause the processing hardware unit to determine, based on the data received from the first sensor and the second sensor, whether there is an existing or potential brake-system health issue. In some implementations, the first sensor or the second sensor is configured to measure brake-line pressure.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a suspension system coupled to a main frame of ride-on equipment including a subframe coupled to the main frame with a pivot including a pivot axis. Some embodiments include a transaxle assembly supported on the subframe coupled to a drive wheel, and a power source supported on the main frame coupled to the transaxle assembly. A rider can control the transaxle assembly with a compensated control linkage assembly that can compensate for movement of the subframe. Some embodiments include driven pulleys, idler pulleys and backside idler pulleys supported by the subframe coupled to the power source not supported by the subframe. In some embodiments, the pivot axis resides between the power source and the transaxle assembly. In some embodiments, the drive wheel can be driven by an electric motor supported by the subframe and the power source can be a battery.

Abstract: A mower comprises a utility bed that extends at least partially over an air intake screen of an engine.

Abstract: A self-contained starting module for outdoor power equipment that has control circuit and a start button. The starting module includes internal control circuit that can be either microprocessor based or analog. The control circuit receives a start signal from a start button of the starting module. The control circuit monitors for the presence of an enable device and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device, provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the control circuit initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the control circuit activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the operation of the engine is terminated.

Abstract: Front and rear independent suspension mechanisms accommodating an increased range of motion to better absorb shock originating at the wheels of a riding mower to insulate the operator and reduce stress on the mower chassis and other mechanical components. The front suspension can include a front axle with pivot pockets allowing 360 degree rotation of pivots engaged within the pockets, thereby providing a greater range of absorption of shock entering the front axle at varying angles. The rear suspension can include a vertically pivoting transmission platform, providing for controlled vertical motion in the transmission while the transmission is powered by an engine by way of a belt assembly.