Distributed Battery System for Articulated Riding Lawn Mower
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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, leading to higher operational costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered riding lawn mower design featuring a distributed battery system with multiple batteries connected in series and parallel, strategically positioned across compartments to optimize weight distribution and power the drive motor and cutting deck, eliminating the need for gasoline engines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a gas-fueled combustion engine is used to power the riding lawn mower, then sufficient power and torque are provided for heavy-duty 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 distributed battery system. This substitution eliminates the mechanical combustion process that generates noise, vibration, and emissions, while providing equivalent or superior power delivery through electrical energy conversion. The electric motor directly converts electrical energy to mechanical motion without the intermediate combustion steps that cause harmful effects.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a gas-fueled combustion engine is used, then the lawn mower can operate for extended periods, but frequent maintenance of engine components (oil, spark plugs) is required
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor and battery system replaces the internal combustion engine, eliminating components that require maintenance such as engine oil, spark plugs, air filters, and exhaust systems. Electric motors have fewer moving parts and no combustion-related wear components, dramatically reducing maintenance frequency and complexity while maintaining operational duration through the battery system.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple batteries are distributed across different compartments, then weight distribution and center of gravity are optimized, but the battery system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into multiple individual battery units distributed across different compartments (front compartment, operator compartment, rear compartment). This segmentation allows the weight to be distributed to optimize the center of gravity and balance the vehicle, while each battery unit can be independently managed and replaced, actually simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Each battery unit in the distributed system serves multiple functions: it provides electrical power, acts as a weight element for balance, and can be independently removed or replaced. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate balancing mechanisms and simplifies the overall system design despite the distributed configuration.
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 efficiency, reduces maintenance costs, and minimizes environmental impact by providing a quieter, cleaner, and more cost-effective lawn mowing solution.
Implementation Method 1
The battery system may include a first battery and a second battery connected in series and collectively coupled in parallel to a load of the riding lawn mower
Data Source
AI summary
A riding lawn mower may include a first frame portion, a second frame portion, an articulated joint and a battery system. The articulated joint may couple the first frame portion to the second frame portion. The battery system may include a first battery and a second battery. The first and second batteries may be electrically connected in series and collectively coupled to a load. The first battery may be mounted to the first frame portion and the second battery may be mounted to the second frame portion.