Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
  • A01D34/00—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
  • A01D34/01—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
  • A01D34/412—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
  • A01D34/63—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis
  • A01D34/76—Driving mechanisms for the cutters
  • A01D34/78—Driving mechanisms for the cutters electric
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
  • A01D69/00—Driving mechanisms or parts thereof for harvesters or mowers
  • A01D69/02—Driving mechanisms or parts thereof for harvesters or mowers electric
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
  • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
  • H02J7/70—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by the mechanical construction
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
  • A01D34/00—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
  • A01D34/01—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
  • A01D34/412—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
  • A01D34/63—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis
  • A01D34/64—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis mounted on a vehicle, e.g. a tractor, or drawn by an animal or a vehicle
  • A01D34/66—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis mounted on a vehicle, e.g. a tractor, or drawn by an animal or a vehicle with two or more cutters
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
  • A01D34/00—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
  • A01D34/01—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
  • A01D34/412—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
  • A01D34/63—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis
  • A01D34/81—Casings; Housings
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
  • H02J2105/00—Networks for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by their spatial reach or by the load
  • H02J2105/30—Networks for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by their spatial reach or by the load the load networks being external to vehicles, i.e. exchanging power with vehicles
  • H02J2105/33—Networks for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by their spatial reach or by the load the load networks being external to vehicles, i.e. exchanging power with vehicles exchanging power with road vehicles
  • H02J2105/37—Networks for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by their spatial reach or by the load the load networks being external to vehicles, i.e. exchanging power with vehicles exchanging power with road vehicles exchanging power with electric vehicles [EV] or with hybrid electric vehicles [HEV]

Definitions

• the electrified chore product includes a chassis, an energy storage device supported by the chassis, an implement, a tractive element, one or more electric motors powered by the energy storage device, a charging port configured to facilitate connecting the energy storage device to an external power source, and an integrated charger.
• the one or more electric motors are positioned to drive at least one of the implement or the tractive element.
• the integrated charger is connected between the energy storage device and the charging port.
• the electrified, ride-on lawnmower includes a frame and body assembly, a seat, a mower deck, a plurality of tractive elements, an energy storage device, one or more first electric motors, one or more second electric motors, a charging port, and an integrated charger.
• the frame and body assembly provides an operator area with a cavity beneath the operator area.
• the seat is disposed in the operator area, above the cavity.
• the mower deck is coupled to the frame and body assembly.
• the plurality of tractive elements are coupled to the frame and body assembly.
• the one or more first electric motors are powered by the energy storage device.
• the one or more first electric motors are positioned to drive the mower deck.
• the one or more second electric motors are powered by the energy storage device.
• the one or more second electric motors are positioned to drive one or more of the plurality of tractive elements.
• the charging port is configured to facilitate connecting the energy storage device to an external power source.
• the integrated charger is positioned within the cavity. The integrated charger is connected between the energy storage device and the charging port.
• the electrified lawnmower includes a frame and body assembly providing an operator area, a mower deck coupled to the frame and body assembly, a plurality of tractive elements coupled to the frame and body assembly, an energy storage device, one or more first electric motors powered by the energy storage device, one or more second electric motors powered by the energy storage device, a charging port, and an integrated charger.
• the one or more first electric motors are positioned to drive the mower deck.
• the one or more second electric motors positioned to drive one or more of the plurality of tractive elements.
• the charging port is configured to facilitate connecting the energy storage device to an external power source.
• the integrated charger is connected between the energy storage device and the charging port.
• the integrated charger includes electrical circuity components such that the electrified lawnmower can receive alternating current power directly from the external power source through the charging port and, then, the integrated charger is configured to modulate the alternating current power to direct current power for storage by the energy storage device.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the chore product of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the chore product of FIG. 1, according to another exemplary embodiment.
• FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a charging port of the chore product of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.
• a “chore product” as used herein refers to any type of equipment, machine, or vehicle that may be used to perform a chore (e.g., an outdoor chore, an indoor chore, lawn care, etc.).
• a chore product may include a motor, a pump, an actuator, a compressor, and/or another device that is electrically-powered to operate some function of the chore product to facilitate performing a chore.
• a chore is a task performed, either by a user or autonomously, at or near a household, a farm, an agricultural facility, a building, a sidewalk, a park, a parking lot, a forest, a field, and/or a lawn.
• a chore product transports an operator and performs a chore.
• a chore product autonomously operates to perform a chore without an operator being present on the chore product or physically/manually manipulating the chore product.
• a chore product (e.g., a piece of equipment, a machine, a vehicle, outdoor power equipment, indoor power equipment, a lawn care vehicle or device, a lawn mower, etc.), shown as chore product 10, is configured as an electrified chore product.
• the chore product 10 is an all-electric chore product (i.e., does not include an internal combustion engine).
• the chore product 10 is configured as a zero turn radius (“ZTR”) mower.
• the chore product 10 is configured as a stand-on mower.
• the chore product 10 is configured as a ride-on or riding mower (i.e., a non- ZTR ride-on or riding mower).
• the chore product 10 is configured as a walk-behind mower.
• chore product 10 is shown to be configured as a mower, it is contemplated that the chore product 10 may be configured as or the features thereof may be implemented on other electrified chore products or “light” electrified vehicles, machines, or equipment, including outdoor power equipment, indoor power equipment, light vehicles, floor care devices, golf carts, lift trucks and other industrial vehicles, pavement surface preparation devices, recreational utility vehicles, industrial utility vehicles, lawn and garden equipment, and/or still other suitable vehicles, machines, or equipment.
• other electrified chore products or “light” electrified vehicles, machines, or equipment including outdoor power equipment, indoor power equipment, light vehicles, floor care devices, golf carts, lift trucks and other industrial vehicles, pavement surface preparation devices, recreational utility vehicles, industrial utility vehicles, lawn and garden equipment, and/or still other suitable vehicles, machines, or equipment.
• Outdoor power equipment may include lawn mowers, riding tractors, snow throwers, pressure washers, tillers, log splitters, walk-behind mowers, riding mowers, and turf equipment such as sod cutters, aerators, spreaders, sprayers, seeders, power rakes, and blowers. Outdoor power equipment may, for example, use one or more electric motors to drive an implement, such as a rotary blade of a lawn mower, a pump of a pressure washer, the auger of a snow thrower, the alternator of a generator, and/or a drivetrain of the outdoor power equipment.
• Indoor power equipment may include floor sanders, floor buffers and polishers, vacuums, etc.
• Recreational utility vehicles may include all-terrain vehicles (“ATVs”), utility task vehicles (“UTVs”), etc.
• Industrial utility vehicles may include forklifts, aircraft tugs, aerial lifts such as scissor lifts and boom lifts, etc.
• the chore product 10 includes a chassis, shown as frame assembly 12; a chassis cover, shown as chore product body 14, positioned over and extending along a least a portion of the frame assembly 12 (e.g., a rear half thereof, a rear and/or center portion thereof, etc.); an operator area, shown as operator area 16, including various operator interfaces, shown as operator controls 18; an energy storage device (e.g., a battery bank, a battery array, etc.), shown as battery module 20, coupled to or otherwise supported by the frame assembly 12; one or more electric motors, shown as electric motors 30, including one or more first motors, shown as implement motors 32, and/or one or more second motors, shown as tractive motors 34; an implement assembly, shown as implement 40; a plurality of tractive elements, shown as tractive elements 50; a power input, shown as charging port 60; and an integrated, onboard charging circuit, shown as integrated charger 70, positioned between the battery module 20 and the charging port 60.
• a chassis shown as frame assembly 12
• the operator area 16 is a seating area that includes a seat for the operator to sit while driving or otherwise controlling operations of the chore product 10.
• the operator area 16 is a stand-on area that includes a platform for the operator to stand on while driving or otherwise controlling operations of the chore product 10.
• the operator area 16 is or includes handles or a handle bar that the operator walks behind.
• the operator controls 18 may include various input and/or output devices to facilitate operator control of the chore product 10 (e.g., joysticks, a steering wheel, a gear selector, a throttle or accelerator pedal, a brake lever or brake pedal, switches, knobs, displays, gauges, etc.).
• the battery module 20 is positioned rearward of the operator area 16 and the chore product body 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the battery module 20 is positioned underneath the chore product body 14. In other embodiments, the battery module 20 is otherwise positioned. As shown in FIG. 1, the battery module 20 is electrically coupled to and configured to power various electrical components or systems of the chore product 10 (e.g., the electric motors 30, the implement motors 32, the tractive motors 34, etc.).
• the battery module 20 may include a plurality of battery packs and/or cells. In some embodiments, the battery module 20 is removable. In some embodiments, the battery module 20 is rechargeable.
• the battery module 20 may include battery cells having one or more battery chemistries including, but not limited to, lithium ion, lithium iron phosphate, lithium polymer, nickel cadmium, lead-acid, nickel-metal hydride, and/or the like.
• the battery module 20 may be interchangeable between different chore products (e.g., between the chore product 10, a mower, a snow blower, a UTV, an ATV, a golf cart, an aerator, etc.).
• the battery module 20 is removable without the use of tools.
• the battery module 20 may be removably coupled to the chore product 10 by one or more latches, straps, detents, magnets, electrical coupler, slots, compartments, etc., or any combination thereof.
• the implement motors 32 are positioned to drive one or more components of the implement 40.
• the implement 40 is configured as a mower implement, shown as mower deck 42, that is coupled to the frame assembly 12 and positioned in front of the chore product body 14 and the operator area 16.
• the mower deck 42 may include a housing or shroud with one or more cutting blades disposed therein and driven by the implement motors 32. While the mower deck 42 is shown as being positioned proximate the front of the chore product 10, in other embodiments, the mower deck 42 is positioned beneath the operator area 16 (e.g., on a ride-on or riding mower) or is trailed behind and pulled by the chore product 10.
• the tractive motors 34 are positioned to drive one or more of the tractive elements 50.
• each of the rear tractive elements 50 is independently driven by a respective tractive motor 34.
• the rear tractive elements 50 are driven by a single tractive motor 34.
• the front tractive elements 50 are additionally or alternatively driven by the tractive motors 34.
• the tractive elements 50 are configured as wheels. In other embodiments, the tractive elements 50 are configured as tracks.
• the charging port 60 includes a housing, shown as charging housing 62, recessed into the frame assembly 12 or the chore product body 14; a cover, shown as charging port cover 64, that facilitates selectively enclosing the charging housing 62; and a connector, shown as electrical connector 66, disposed within the charging housing 62.
• the electrical connector 66 is a male connector that facilitates electrically connecting the integrated charger 70 and the battery module 20 to a female connector of a charging cord external to the chore product 10.
• the electrical connector 66 may be a U.S. style male power connector or plug (e.g., a type B male connector or plug).
• the integrated charger 70 is disposed within a cavity, shown as internal compartment 15, defined by the frame assembly 12 and/or the chore product body 14 (e.g., under the operator area 16, etc.).
• the integrated charger 70 includes various protrusions or fins. Such fins permit heat exchange to facilitate cooling the integrated charger 70 (e.g., as air flows therethrough). During regular operation, however, the fins may become dirty or otherwise covered with debris, which can adversely impact the charging capabilities of the integrated charger 70.
• the internal compartment 15 is semi-enclosed to mitigate or reduce the amount of dirt or debris that reaches the integrated charger 70.
• Coupled means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members.
• Coupled or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled)
• the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above.
• Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Power Engineering (AREA)
• Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
• Harvester Elements (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=90670164

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 2023
  • 2023-10-13 WO PCT/US2023/035100 patent/WO2024081399A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2023-10-13 CN CN202380081400.7A patent/CN120265122A/zh active Pending
  • 2023-10-13 EP EP23878020.9A patent/EP4583695A4/de active Pending

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