Horizontal Electric Powerhead With Standard Engine Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor power equipment relies on small internal combustion engines, which have limitations in terms of efficiency, emissions, and maintenance, and there is a need for a more compact and efficient electric power solution that can replace these engines without requiring significant modifications to existing equipment.
Innovation Solution
An electric powerhead with a horizontal output shaft, powered by a lithium-ion battery system, designed to have a similar volume and mounting compatibility to small internal combustion engines, featuring a standard cross-sectional footprint and engine mounting patterns, allowing direct replacement and integration with various outdoor power equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If small internal combustion engines are used to power outdoor equipment, then mechanical output and power delivery are achieved, but emissions, maintenance needs, and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the internal combustion engine (mechanical/thermal system) with an electric motor powered by a battery pack. This substitution eliminates emissions and reduces maintenance needs while providing comparable mechanical output through electrical-to-mechanical energy conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy source parameter from chemical combustion (fossil fuels) to electrochemical energy (lithium-ion battery). This parameter change fundamentally alters the operational characteristics, eliminating exhaust emissions and reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining power delivery capabilities.
2Use of energy by moving object
If electric motors are designed with non-standard configurations, then electrical efficiency and compactness are improved, but compatibility with existing equipment mounting patterns is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the electric motor with a horizontal output shaft and standard mounting interface that is universally compatible with existing outdoor power equipment designed for horizontal shaft engines. This universality allows the electric system to replace combustion engines across multiple equipment types without requiring equipment-specific adaptations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the power source (battery pack) from the motor unit, allowing the motor to be designed for optimal electrical efficiency and compactness while the battery can be positioned separately to achieve standard mounting heights and patterns. This segmentation enables both efficiency and compatibility goals to be met simultaneously.
3Volume of moving object
If the electric powerhead is designed with compact dimensions, then volume efficiency is improved, but the output shaft height may deviate from standard mounting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power system into separate components: a compact electric motor unit and a battery pack. The motor can be optimized for minimal volume, while the battery is positioned separately to achieve the standard 6-inch output shaft height from the mounting surface, thus meeting both compactness and mounting height requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mounting interface and shaft extension mechanism as an intermediary between the compact motor and the equipment mounting surface. This intermediary allows the motor to maintain compact dimensions while the output shaft achieves the standard height through the mounting structure, decoupling the motor volume from the shaft height requirement.
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 electric powerhead provides a compact, efficient, and reliable alternative to small internal combustion engines, offering comparable mechanical output while reducing emissions and maintenance needs, and enabling seamless integration with existing outdoor power equipment without the need for retooling.
Implementation Method 1
a battery including a plurality of lithium-ion battery cells, the battery coupled to the electric motor
Implementation Method 2
an electric motor with a horizontal output shaft configured to rotate about a horizontal axis of rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A horizontal shaft electric powerhead includes an electric motor, a battery, a housing, and a base plate. The electric motor includes a horizontal output shaft configured to rotate about a horizontal axis of rotation and has a power rating of 2,500 or fewer watts. The battery includes a plurality of lithium-ion battery cells and is coupled to the electric motor. The housing has a standard cross-sectional footprint so that the electric powerhead has substantially the same volume as a comparable small internal combustion engine. The base plate is configured to be fastened to a mounting surface and includes a plurality of openings arranged in a standard horizontal shaft engine support pattern.