Battery-Powered Riding Lawn Mower Drive System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Riding lawn mowers powered by gas-fueled combustion engines are noisy, vibration-intensive, produce emissions, and require frequent maintenance, posing operational and environmental challenges.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered riding lawn mower with an articulated frame, a mechanical differential, and a drive motor system powered by a battery system, eliminating the need for gasoline and reducing maintenance costs while improving efficiency and customer experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If gas-fueled combustion engines are used to power riding lawn mowers, then sufficient power and torque are provided for cutting operations, but the system produces noise, vibration, emissions, and requires frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gas-fueled combustion engine with an electric motor powered by a battery system. This substitution eliminates the harmful factors (noise, vibration, emissions) associated with internal combustion engines while maintaining the necessary power output for cutting operations through proper selection and configuration of the electric motor and battery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the power system by transitioning from chemical energy combustion (gasoline) to electrical energy conversion (battery-powered electric motor). This parameter change fundamentally alters the characteristics of power delivery, eliminating combustion-related harmful effects while providing sufficient mechanical power for the cutting deck.
2Power
If gas-fueled combustion engines are used to power riding lawn mowers, then adequate power is provided for operation, but maintenance requirements increase due to engine oil, spark plugs, and fuel system components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex combustion engine system with a simpler electric motor and battery system. This substitution dramatically reduces maintenance requirements by eliminating components such as engine oil, spark plugs, fuel filters, and exhaust systems that require regular servicing, while maintaining adequate power for cutting operations.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If battery-powered systems are used to power riding lawn mowers, then noise, emissions, and maintenance are reduced, but power and torque availability may be limited compared to gas engines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the electrical parameters of the power system by selecting appropriate battery voltage, capacity, and motor specifications to deliver sufficient power and torque for cutting operations. The system is designed to provide adequate power output despite using electric propulsion instead of combustion, resolving the perceived limitation through proper engineering parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the battery-powered system to serve multiple functions: providing propulsion power, driving the cutting deck, and potentially powering auxiliary systems. This multi-functional design ensures that the battery system is sized and configured to handle all power requirements, eliminating the perception of power limitation.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the battery system is mounted on the rear frame portion, then weight distribution and stability are improved, but space for other components may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent strategically places the battery system on the rear frame portion to optimize weight distribution and improve stability during operation. This localized placement decision balances the overall vehicle configuration, ensuring proper weight distribution without compromising the available space for other essential components through careful spatial planning.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The battery-powered system enhances the efficiency and reduces operational costs of riding lawn mowers, providing a quieter, cleaner, and more reliable cutting and driving experience.
Implementation Method 1
a battery system, wherein a first battery of the battery system is mounted to the rear frame portion
Implementation Method 2
a drive motor mounted to the articulated frame and electrically connected with the battery system so that the drive motor is configured to be powered by the battery system
Implementation Method 3
a mechanical differential operatively coupling the rear axle with the drive motor so that when the drive motor is powered, rotational forces are distributed to the rear axle, thereby rotating the rear wheel connected to the rear axle
Implementation Method 4
the cutting deck comprising at least one blade motor configured to rotate at least one cutting blade rotatably mounted in the cutting deck
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A drive system of a battery powered riding lawn mower is provided. The drive system may include a battery system mountable to a frame, an axle, a drive motor and a differential. The axle may have a wheel on connected to each end of the axle. The drive motor may be mounted to the axle and may be electrically connected to the battery system so that the drive motor is powered by the battery system. The differential may be operatively mounted to the axle and coupled with the drive motor so that when the drive motor is powered, rotational forces are distributed to the axle, thereby rotating each wheel.