Electric Lawn Mower Battery Compartment Layout for Runtime and Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric lawn mowers face challenges in providing a robust and efficient mechanism to control and mount motors, ensuring compactness, and maximizing runtime and cutting area, while effectively managing power distribution and regenerative energy.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a frame with an upper body, side plates, and a lower support body, featuring drive motors, deck motors, batteries, and a motor control panel with thermally-conductive materials, power switches, and regenerative energy control modules to manage power distribution and energy absorption efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple motors are used to increase cutting area and functionality, then productivity and versatility are improved, but device complexity and power management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system is segmented into multiple independent control modules, each dedicated to controlling specific motors (drive motors, deck motors, etc.). Each module contains its own power switches and control circuitry, allowing independent management of each motor's power supply while maintaining overall system coordination through the controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor control panel and power management system are designed with universal functionality to handle multiple types of motors simultaneously. The same control architecture and power distribution mechanism serve both drive motors and deck motors, providing a scalable solution that can accommodate different motor configurations without requiring entirely separate control systems.
2Duration of action of moving object
If battery capacity is increased to extend runtime, then duration of action is improved, but weight and device dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power delivery system is designed to dynamically adjust power distribution based on real-time operational demands. The controller monitors motor performance and battery status, dynamically switching between different power levels and activating only the necessary motors during different operational phases, thereby extending effective runtime without requiring proportionally larger battery capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as power output levels, motor activation states, and voltage/current delivery characteristics based on operational conditions. By varying these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes energy consumption patterns to extend runtime while maintaining acceptable performance levels without increasing battery weight.
3Area of moving object
If compact motor design is implemented to maximize cutting area, then area of moving object is improved, but motor control precision and cooling efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distributed control modules, with each motor having its dedicated control circuitry and power switches. This segmentation allows precise independent control of each motor despite compact physical dimensions, as the control logic can be optimized for each specific motor without interference from other systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel acts as an intermediary between the battery power source and the multiple motors. It contains power switches and control circuitry that precisely regulate power delivery to each motor, enabling accurate motor control and protecting motors from electrical surges while maintaining compact overall system design.
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 configuration enhances motor control and power management, enabling extended runtime, increased cutting area efficiency, and effective regenerative energy utilization, addressing the challenges of motor control and power distribution in electric lawn mowers.
Implementation Method 1
The motor control panel comprises a plate that supports a plurality of control modules configured to control a supply of electric power from the battery packs to the drive motors and the plurality of deck motors
Data Source
AI summary
An electric lawn apparatus is provided including a frame having an upper body and two side plates extending downwardly from sides of the upper body defining a cavity therein, an operator seat mounted on the upper body, two drive motors secured to the side plates away from the cavity, and a battery compartment formed within the cavity. The battery compartment receives battery packs therein along a rear-front axis of the electric lawn apparatus in a side-by-side orientation, where each battery pack has a maximum rated voltage of approximately 40V to 80V. A ratio of the cumulative energy output of the battery packs to a lateral distance between the drive motors is greater than or equal to approximately 0.23 kW/cm.