US 12,250,904 B2
Control-by-wire system for a walk-behind self-propelled machine, lawnmower including same, and method
Andrew Edwin Bejcek, Chapel Hill, NC (US); Steven J. Busjahn, Swansboro, NC (US); Aaron J. Parks-Ksor, Greensboro, NC (US); and Dean Edward Hartley, Burlington, NC (US)
Assigned to HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Nov. 18, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/529,919.
Prior Publication US 2023/0148472 A1, May 18, 2023
Int. Cl. A01D 34/00 (2006.01); A01D 34/68 (2006.01); A01D 34/82 (2006.01); A01D 101/00 (2006.01)
CPC A01D 34/822 (2013.01) [A01D 34/006 (2013.01); A01D 34/6812 (2013.01); A01D 34/6818 (2013.01); A01D 34/824 (2013.01); A01D 2101/00 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A control system for a walk-behind self-propelled machine including a handle, a power source, a drive assembly, and an implement selectively driven by the power source, the control system comprising:
a touch sensor located on the handle configured to transmit a contact signal indicative of an operator of the walk-behind self-propelled machine physically contacting the handle at a predetermined location; and
a controller in electrical communication with the touch sensor and configured to,
enable the power source to drive the implement when the controller receives the contact signal, and
cause a ready signal to be displayed to the operator when the controller receives the contact signal, the ready signal indicates that a presence of the operator is detected on the handle.