Electric Mower With Sub-Deck Liquid-Cooled Motor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing outdoor power equipment, such as mowers, face challenges in efficiently cooling and maintaining electric motors, which can lead to reduced performance and increased maintenance due to debris accumulation and conventional cooling methods.

Innovation Solution

The integration of liquid-cooled electric motors positioned partially below the cutting deck, combined with a liquid-cooled energy storage device and a control system that optimizes motor operation, allows for higher output and easier maintenance by reducing debris accumulation and improving cooling efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the electric motor is positioned above the cutting deck, then access for maintenance is easier, but debris accumulation and cooling efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor accessVSAvoiddebris accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The motor is inverted to a sub-deck position below the cutting deck, which was previously the opposite of conventional placement. This inversion simultaneously achieves better debris clearance through improved airflow access and maintains ease of maintenance through the removable deck design that allows direct access to the motor from below.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor placement transitions from a two-dimensional surface mounting above the deck to a three-dimensional configuration below the deck. This dimensional change allows the motor to be accessed from underneath while maintaining serviceability through the removable deck mechanism, effectively resolving the spatial conflict between access and debris accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If conventional cooling methods are used, then device complexity is lower, but temperature management and motor performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling systemVSAvoidmotor temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a liquid-cooling system using a cooling pump and coolant circulation pathway. This hydraulic approach replaces simpler air-based cooling methods, providing more effective temperature management for the motor while the integrated design keeps the overall system complexity controlled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the motor is positioned below the cutting deck, then cooling efficiency and debris clearance improve, but access for maintenance becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris accumulationVSAvoidmotor access

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting deck is designed as a removable segment that can be detached to provide access to the motor positioned below. This segmentation allows the deck to be removed for maintenance access while maintaining the beneficial sub-deck positioning for debris clearance and cooling efficiency during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Power

If liquid-cooled motors are used, then motor performance and output improve, but device complexity and cooling system requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor outputVSAvoidcooling system

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid-cooling system is merged with the motor assembly itself, with cooling passages integrated directly into the motor housing. The cooling pump and coolant pathways are combined with the motor mounting structure, allowing high-performance liquid-cooled operation while minimizing the additional complexity that would result from separate cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 performance by enabling higher output and easier blade replacement, while maintaining efficient operation and extending the lifespan of the energy storage device through effective temperature management.

Implementation Method 1

The electric motor is a liquid-cooled motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid cooling: Convection

Implementation Method 2

liquid-cooled energy storage device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

effective temperature management

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20250295062A1Electric mower

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 BRIGGS & STRATTON CORP

AI summary

A lawnmower includes an electric motor configured to operate a component of the lawnmower, a user interface configured to display operational parameters of the lawnmower, and a controller configured to receive input from an operator of the lawnmower via the user interface, the input comprising a selection of an operational mode of a plurality of operational modes, and control the electric motor differently in response to a selection of each operational mode, wherein the electric motor is connected to the controller via a network communication bus.