Patent ID: 8352116
Filing Date: 2013-01-08
Classification: A01D,G01C

Abstract:
1. A tilt sensing apparatus for a lawnmower, comprising: an accelerometer mounted to the lawnmower having a first sensing axis and a second sensing axis oriented at an angle with respect to the first sensing axis, wherein the accelerometer is configured to: sense a first tilt angle defined between the first sensing axis and a horizontal reference plane and generate a corresponding first tilt signal; sense a second tilt angle defined between the second sensing axis and the horizontal reference plane and generate a corresponding second tilt signal; and a processor in operative communication with the accelerometer, configured to: determine a maximum fall angle of the lawnmower based on the first tilt signal and the second tilt signal, wherein the maximum fall angle is an angle formed between a plane of the accelerometer and the horizontal reference plane; compare the maximum fall angle to a first predetermined value; and generate a first output signal when the maximum fall angle exceeds the first predetermined value.