Battery Pack Layout for Zero-Turn Mower Stability and Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in electric zero-turn vehicles, such as lawn mowers, is to optimize the center of gravity by effectively positioning and mounting batteries, which are heavy and essential for powering the vehicle's wheels and cutting blades, while also providing structural support.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a battery mounting system that utilizes the weight, positioning, and orientation of batteries to advantageously affect the vehicle's center of gravity. This is achieved by connecting multiple battery packs to each other and mounting them to the vehicle's frame, providing structural support and optimizing the center of gravity for improved stability and zero-turn performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If heavy batteries are used to power the wheels and cutting blades, then the power and duration of action are improved, but the vehicle stability and center of gravity control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from considering battery weight as a single scalar value to optimizing its spatial distribution across multiple dimensions. By positioning batteries in specific locations (rear-mounted, low profile, distributed arrangement) and orientations, the system achieves favorable center of gravity characteristics while maintaining required power duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different positioning strategies to different battery packs within the assembly. Individual batteries are positioned at specific locations and orientations to create localized weight distribution that collectively optimizes the overall center of gravity, rather than treating all batteries uniformly.
2Power
If multiple heavy battery packs are installed to increase power capacity, then the power output is improved, but the device complexity and structural support requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple battery packs into a single integrated assembly that functions as both a power source and a structural component. The batteries are mounted to the vehicle frame in a configuration where they collectively provide both the required power output and structural support, reducing the need for separate mounting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical power to the wheels and cutting blades, acts as a structural support element for the vehicle frame, and serves as a ballast to optimize center of gravity. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery assembly is disposed on a mowing vehicle having at least two electric drive assemblies. The battery assembly includes a plurality of battery packs joined together, where two of the battery packs are structurally connected to the vehicle frame and at least one other battery pack is structurally connected only to the first two battery packs to form a structural support for the vehicle. A fourth battery pack may be connected to and disposed below one of the other battery packs, and may be located between the two electric drive assemblies. A portion of the battery assembly may be located between an operator seat and a portion of the drive assemblies.