Universal Electric Accessory Drive for PTO-Free Attachment Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Riding yard maintenance vehicles face complexity in making fully interchangeable accessories due to the need for mechanical interfaces like PTO shafts, belt/chain drive assemblies, which complicates the coupling process and limits flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A modular drive assembly that uses a universal electrical interface to power accessories, eliminating the need for mechanical connections, featuring an electric motor housed in a modular unit with an electronic connection assembly and accessory attachment assembly for releasable attachment to different types of accessories.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical interfaces like PTO shafts and belt/chain drive assemblies are used to couple accessories to riding yard maintenance vehicles, then reliable power transmission is achieved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transmission reliabilityVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical power transmission system (PTO shafts, belts, chains) with an electrical power transmission system. The modular drive assembly receives electrical power through an electronic connection assembly and uses an electric motor to drive the accessory, eliminating the need for mechanical couplings while maintaining reliable power transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the power transmission system into separate functional modules: an electronic connection assembly for electrical power delivery, a modular drive assembly containing the electric motor, and an accessory attachment assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Power

If mechanical interfaces like PTO shafts and belt/chain drive assemblies are used to couple accessories, then power transmission is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complicated coupling processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transmission capabilityVSAvoidaccessory coupling ease

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The complex mechanical coupling process involving PTO shafts and belt/chain assemblies is replaced with a simple electrical connection. The modular drive assembly couples to the accessory through an electronic connection assembly that provides both electrical power and a straightforward mechanical attachment, dramatically simplifying the coupling operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The modular drive assembly is designed as a universal interface that can couple to multiple different types of accessories through the same electronic connection assembly. This multi-functional design allows a single standardized interface to replace multiple specialized mechanical couplings, improving ease of operation across different accessory types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple specialized mechanical interfaces are designed for different accessory types, then adaptability to specific accessories is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessory compatibilityVSAvoidinterface variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal electronic connection assembly that can interface with multiple different types of accessories through a single standardized design. This universal interface maintains adaptability to various accessories while eliminating the need for multiple specialized mechanical couplings, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

By replacing the variety of mechanical interfaces (PTO shafts, belt drives, chain drives) with a single electrical power transmission system, the patent achieves accessory compatibility through software and electrical control rather than through multiple mechanical configurations, significantly reducing interface variety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 simple and flexible coupling of various accessories to riding yard maintenance vehicles using only electrical power, reducing complexity and allowing multiple accessories to be operated with a single modular drive assembly, enhancing versatility and ease of use.

Implementation Method 1

The modular drive assembly may include an electric motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12024014B2Electrically powered, universal accessory drive

Publication Date: 2024.07.02 HUSQVARNA AB

AI summary

A modular drive assembly may include an electric motor, a housing at least partially enclosing the motor, an electronic connection assembly configured to electrically couple the electric motor to a host device, and an accessory attachment assembly configured to mechanically couple the modular drive assembly to an accessory to operate a working assembly of the accessory using only electrical power provided from the host device. The accessory attachment assembly may be configured to be releasably attached to the accessory and at least one other accessory of a different type than the accessory.