Lawn Tractor Battery Receptacle Angle for Tool-Free Pack Swapping
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lawn tractors with battery-powered systems face challenges in efficiently inserting and removing battery packs due to their design, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The lawn tractor is equipped with a battery assembly that includes a receptacle angled relative to the operating plane, allowing for easy insertion and removal of battery packs without tools, and is integrated with a hood for protection and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the battery assembly is designed with a receptacle angled relative to the operating plane, then the ease of operation for inserting and removing battery packs is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the angled design
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is angled at an acute angle relative to the operating plane, changing the orientation dimension of the battery assembly. This angular orientation facilitates easier insertion and removal of battery packs by aligning the packing path with the angled receptacle opening, resolving the technical contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the battery packs are designed to be removable and interchangeable, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the reliability of the electrical connection may worsen due to repeated connection and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into interchangeable battery packs that can be independently removed and replaced. Each battery pack includes integrated electrical connectors that maintain reliable connections through repeated mating cycles, enabling adaptability while preserving connection reliability through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery packs are pre-equipped with electrical connectors and contact surfaces that are designed to automatically engage when the battery pack is inserted into the receptacle. This preliminary preparation of connection interfaces ensures reliable electrical connection upon insertion, maintaining reliability while enabling interchangeability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the receiver is designed to guide the battery pack within the bay, then the manufacturing precision of battery pack installation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional guiding structures
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver includes guiding surfaces and structures that constrain the battery pack to a specific insertion path and orientation. These guiding features provide precise alignment in multiple dimensions, ensuring accurate battery pack installation while managing device complexity through integrated guiding design.
Data Source
AI summary
A ride-on outdoor power equipment, comprising a chassis a pair of front wheels coupled with the chassis, a pair of rear wheels coupled with the chassis, a mower deck supported by the chassis, and a battery assembly configured to power a drive motor. The battery assembly may include a plurality of battery packs, and a receptacle defined in part by a bottom wall. The receptacle may include a plurality of bays, each bay having a receiver extending away from the bottom wall, the receiver configured to guide a battery pack within the bay, and a power connector spaced a distance from the bottom wall, the power connector configured to engage the pack connector to electrically couple the battery pack to the receptacle, where the receptacle is angled at an acute angle relative to an operating plane.