Control systems and methods for electric drive utility vehicles

Abstract

Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric drive motors for propelling a vehicle and electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle. Controller assemblies and packaging for electronic control systems of electric motors utilized in utility vehicles or other power equipment are also disclosed. The controller assemblies are packaged for robust design and heat dissipation, while collectively housing the controllers, switches and sensors needed to operate multiple motors performing different functions, or the same function in serial.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A control system for a vehicle, comprising:
 a first electric drive motor for driving a first wheel of the vehicle;   a second electric drive motor for driving a second wheel of the vehicle;   an accelerator of the vehicle;   a steering mechanism of the vehicle; and   an electronic drive control system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors each in communication with one of the first electric drive motor, the second electric drive motor, the accelerator, and the steering mechanism; 
 a first traction controller in communication with the first electric drive motor and at least one of the plurality of sensors to facilitate adjustment of the first electric drive motor based on a data signal from the at least one of the plurality of sensors; and 
 a second traction controller in communication with the second electric drive motor and the first traction controller to facilitate adjustment of the second electric drive motor based on at least one control signal received from the first traction controller; 
 wherein the first traction controller is configured to:
 receive the data signal from the at least one of the plurality of sensors; 
 process the data signal; and 
 output the at least one control signal to the second traction controller. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the first traction controller is designated as a master and the second traction controller is designated as a slave that is configured to be subordinate to the first traction controller. 
     
     
         3 . The control system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an electric auxiliary motor for driving an auxiliary mechanism; and   an auxiliary controller in communication with the first traction controller and the electric auxiliary motor to facilitate adjustment of the electric auxiliary motor based on the at least one control signal received from the first traction controller;   wherein the first traction controller is further configured to output the at least one control signal to the auxiliary controller.   
     
     
         4 . The control system of  claim 3 , further comprising a data bus for communication between the first traction controller and the auxiliary controller. 
     
     
         5 . The control system of  claim 3 , wherein the auxiliary mechanism comprises a cutting blade. 
     
     
         6 . The control system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a second electric auxiliary motor for driving a second auxiliary mechanism; and   a second auxiliary controller in communication with the second electric auxiliary motor and the auxiliary controller to facilitate adjustment of the second electric auxiliary motor.   
     
     
         7 . The control system of  claim 6 , further comprising a data bus for communication between the auxiliary controller and the second auxiliary controller. 
     
     
         8 . The control system of  claim 1 , further comprising a data bus for communication between the first traction controller and the second traction controller. 
     
     
         9 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electric drive motors are automatically adjusted based on a comparison of programmed operational parameters to the data signal from the at least one of the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         10 . A control system for a vehicle, comprising:
 an electric drive motor for driving a wheel of the vehicle;   an accelerator of the vehicle;   a steering mechanism of the vehicle;   an electric auxiliary motor for driving an auxiliary mechanism;   an electronic drive control system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors each in communication with one of the electric drive motor, the accelerator, and the steering mechanism; 
 a traction controller in communication with the electric drive motor and at least one of the plurality of sensors to facilitate adjustment of the electric drive motor based on a data signal from the at least one of the plurality of sensors; and 
   an auxiliary controller in communication with the traction controller and the electric auxiliary motor to facilitate adjustment of the electric auxiliary motor based on at least one control signal received from the traction controller;
 wherein the traction controller is configured to:
 receive the data signal from the at least one of the plurality of sensors; 
 process the data signal; and 
 output the at least one control signal to the auxiliary controller. 
 
   
     
     
         11 . The control system of  claim 10 , further comprising a data bus for communication between the traction controller and the auxiliary controller. 
     
     
         12 . The control system of  claim 10 , wherein the auxiliary mechanism comprises a cutting blade. 
     
     
         13 . The control system of  claim 10 , wherein the electric drive motor is automatically adjusted based on a comparison of programmed operational parameters to the data signal from the at least one of the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         14 . The control system of  claim 10 :
 further comprising a second electric drive motor for driving a second wheel of the vehicle;   wherein the electronic drive control system further comprises a second traction controller in communication with the second electric drive motor and the traction controller to facilitate adjustment of the second electric drive motor based on the at least one control signal received from the traction controller; and   wherein the traction controller is further configured to output the at least one control signal to the second traction controller.   
     
     
         15 . The control system of  claim 14 , further comprising a data bus for communication between the traction controller and the second traction controller. 
     
     
         16 . The control system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a second electric auxiliary motor for driving a second auxiliary mechanism; and   a second auxiliary controller in communication with the second electric auxiliary motor and the auxiliary controller to facilitate adjustment of the second electric auxiliary motor.   
     
     
         17 . A control system for a vehicle, comprising:
 a first electric drive motor for driving a first wheel of the vehicle;   a second electric drive motor for driving a second wheel of the vehicle;   an accelerator of the vehicle;   a steering mechanism of the vehicle;   an electric auxiliary motor for driving an auxiliary mechanism;   an electronic drive control system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors each in communication with one of the first electric drive motor, the second electric drive motor, the accelerator, and the steering mechanism; 
 a first traction controller in communication with the first electric drive motor and at least one of the plurality of sensors to facilitate adjustment of the first electric drive motor based on a data signal from the at least one of the plurality of sensors; and 
 a second traction controller in communication with the second electric drive motor and the first traction controller to facilitate adjustment of the second electric drive motor based on at least one control signal received from the first traction controller; and 
 an auxiliary controller in communication with the first fraction controller and the electric auxiliary motor to facilitate adjustment of the electric auxiliary motor based on the at least one control signal received from the first traction controller; 
 wherein the first fraction controller is designated as a master and the second traction controller is designated as a slave that is configured to be subordinate to the first traction controller. 
   
     
     
         18 . The control system of  claim 17 , wherein the first fraction controller is configured to:
 receive the data signal from the at least one of the plurality of sensors;   process the data signal; and   output the at least one control signal to the second fraction controller and the auxiliary controller.   
     
     
         19 . The control system of  claim 17 , wherein the auxiliary mechanism comprises a cutting blade. 
     
     
         20 . The control system of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second electric drive motors are automatically adjusted based on a comparison of programmed operational parameters to the data signal from the at least one of the plurality of sensors.