Angled Battery Pack Receptacle for Ride-On Mower Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ride-on outdoor power equipment, such as lawn tractors, face challenges in efficiently inserting and removing battery packs due to the design orientation, which can complicate maintenance and operation.
Innovation Solution
The battery assembly in the ride-on outdoor power equipment is angled relative to the operating plane, facilitating easy insertion and removal of battery packs without tools, and is integrated with a receptacle that can receive multiple packs to power the drive motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the battery assembly is positioned horizontally in a conventional receptacle, then the structural design is simple, but the insertion and removal of battery packs becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is tilted at an acute angle relative to the operating plane, transitioning from a conventional horizontal position to an angled configuration. This dimensional change in the receptacle's orientation facilitates easier insertion and removal of battery packs by aligning the power connector with the pack connector at a more accessible angle, while the receiver continues to guide the battery pack along its central axis
2Ease of operation
If the receptacle is tilted at an acute angle, then battery pack insertion and removal is easier, but the manufacturing and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is tilted at an acute angle relative to the operating plane, transitioning from a conventional horizontal position to an angled configuration. This dimensional change in the receptacle's orientation facilitates easier insertion and removal of battery packs by aligning the power connector with the pack connector at a more accessible angle, while the receiver continues to guide the battery pack along its central axis
3Ease of operation
If the power connector is positioned far from the bottom wall, then battery pack engagement is easier, but the electrical connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The power connector is positioned at a distance from the bottom wall along the battery pack's central axis, allowing the connector to engage the pack connector at an optimal position that facilitates easier connection while maintaining reliable electrical contact through proper alignment and spacing
Data Source
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AI summary
A ride-on outdoor power equipment, comprising a chassis a pair of front wheels coupled with the chassis, a pair of rear wheels coupled with the chassis, a mower deck supported by the chassis, and a battery assembly configured to power a drive motor. The battery assembly may include a plurality of battery packs, and a receptacle defined in part by a bottom wall. The receptacle may include a plurality of bays, each bay having a receiver extending away from the bottom wall, the receiver configured to guide a battery pack within the bay, and a power connector spaced a distance from the bottom wall, the power connector configured to engage the pack connector to electrically couple the battery pack to the receptacle, where the receptacle is angled at an acute angle relative to an operating plane.