Lawnmower Battery Arrangement with Air Gap Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery-powered lawnmowers for professionals face challenges with run time, as existing battery technology results in large, heavy, and expensive batteries, and insufficient cooling, which restricts usage and requires a cover that increases cost and reduces accessibility for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered lawnmower design featuring at least two batteries spaced apart to create an air gap for improved cooling, with a platform-mounted configuration that allows substantial exposure to air, omitting the need for a cover, and incorporating drainage apertures to prevent water accumulation, while maintaining safety and balance through optimized battery placement and latch mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a single large-capacity battery is used to achieve professional run time, then the battery would be large, heavy and expensive, but using multiple smaller batteries spaced apart resolves this by distributing weight and reducing individual battery cost while maintaining total capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power source into multiple smaller batteries (at least two) instead of using one large battery. These batteries are spaced apart to create an air gap, distributing the weight across different locations on the lawnmower chassis, thereby reducing the weight concentration at any single point while maintaining the total capacity needed for professional run time.
2Reliability
If batteries are covered to protect components, then safety is improved, but cooling of batteries is restricted and access for maintenance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional cover that would enclose the batteries and motor for protection. Instead, the batteries and motor are left exposed and accessible, allowing air to freely circulate around them for improved cooling. The design accepts the trade-off of reduced physical protection in exchange for superior thermal management and easier maintenance access.
3Temperature
If batteries are spaced apart to improve cooling, then thermal management is enhanced, but the device complexity increases due to platform mounting and wiring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a platform structure that serves multiple functions: it mounts the spaced-apart batteries, provides electrical connection terminals for each battery, creates the necessary air gaps for cooling, and offers a mounting surface for the motor. This multi-functional platform reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall structure despite the spaced battery arrangement.
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
This design achieves a run time comparable to petrol lawnmowers, enhances cooling and accessibility for maintenance, and reduces costs by eliminating the need for a cover, while ensuring safety and water resistance, balancing weight distribution and cooling airflow.
Implementation Method 1
the batteries are spaced from one another to provide an air gap in between... a substantial proportion of the underside of the platform being open to air... improves cooling of components such as the batteries, motor and electronics
Implementation Method 2
A pair of electrical terminals for connection with each battery are provided on the platform, separated by a substantially horizontal surface which includes a drainage aperture
Data Source
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AI summary
A lawnmower 10 is disclosed, comprising a chassis 20 including a cutting chamber 21, a cutting blade rotatably mounted within the cutting chamber, and an electric motor 30 mounted to the chassis above the cutting chamber which in use drives the cutting blade. The electric motor 30 is powered by at least two batteries 60 which are spaced from one another to provide an air gap in between. The lawnmower 10 does not have a cover over the major components, and therefore at least the top surface each battery 60 is substantially uncovered in use and open to air. The batteries 60 are mounted on a platform 40 above the motor, a substantial proportion of the underside of which is open to air. Each battery is retained in a docked position on the lawnmower by means of a latch mechanism 70. One or more drainage apertures are provided on the platform 40 adjacent the battery electrical terminals to prevent water forming a continuous bridge between the terminals.