Charging Trailer Layout for On-Board Outdoor Power Equipment Batteries

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Landscapers face inefficiencies in charging outdoor power equipment, leading to wasted time and increased costs due to the need for larger, more expensive battery packs, as existing solutions do not provide rapid and on-board charging capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A trailer equipped with a storage space for outdoor power equipment, multiple battery packs, a hitch tongue, wheels, and a wiring system that includes a primary battery pack and motor/generators for charging and power distribution, along with a controller for managing electricity flow and a battery charge indicator for visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If larger battery packs are used to extend operating duration, then the equipment can run longer without charging, but the equipment becomes heavier and more expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery operating durationVSAvoidequipment weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is segmented into two functional parts: a compact equipment battery pack for portability and a larger trailer-mounted battery pack for extended capacity. The equipment battery pack connects to the trailer battery pack via a portable charger, allowing the system to function as a distributed energy storage solution that provides extended operating duration without increasing the weight of the moving equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A portable charger serves as an intermediary device between the equipment battery pack and the trailer battery pack. This mediator enables rapid charging of the equipment battery while it remains attached to the equipment, allowing the equipment to quickly replenish power from the trailer's larger battery capacity without carrying that weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of moving object

If larger battery packs are used to extend operating duration, then the equipment can run longer without charging, but the equipment becomes more expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery operating durationVSAvoidequipment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The trailer battery pack serves multiple functions: it acts as a mobile charging station for the equipment battery, provides extended power capacity for multiple equipment pieces, and can be transported to different job sites. This multi-functionality justifies the investment by providing both cost savings on equipment purchases and extended operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If traditional charging methods are used, then equipment can be charged at fixed locations, but job site wait times increase due to lack of on-board charging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging convenienceVSAvoidjob site wait time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The equipment battery pack is pre-connected to the portable charger, which is already attached to the trailer battery pack. This preliminary setup allows the equipment to begin charging immediately upon arrival at the job site without requiring external power sources or complex connections. The charging infrastructure is prepared in advance and travels with the equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service charging where the equipment can recharge its own battery pack autonomously by connecting to the portable charger on the trailer. This eliminates the need for external charging infrastructure at job sites and allows operators to quickly replenish power without waiting for external charging services or facilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables rapid charging of outdoor power equipment on the go, reducing job site wait times and eliminating the need for larger battery packs by utilizing a trailer with integrated charging and power management systems.

Implementation Method 1

a primary battery pack configured to store electricity and to supply power to the plurality of equipment battery packs to charge the plurality of equipment battery packs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

a first motor coupled to and configured to drive a first wheel of the plurality of wheels, a second motor coupled to and configured to drive a second wheel of the plurality of wheels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20240042861A1Outdoor power equipment charging trailer

Publication Date: 2024.02.08 BRIGGS & STRATTON CORP

AI summary

A trailer includes a storage space configured to store outdoor power equipment and a plurality of equipment battery packs, each being configured to power the outdoor power equipment, a hitch tongue, a plurality of wheels, and a plurality of receptacles each configured to receive a primary battery pack. The plurality of receptacles are electrically coupled to a wiring system configured to deliver electricity from the primary battery packs to the plurality of equipment battery packs.