Total task vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11999224-B2
Application number	US-202117323062-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 18, 2021
Priority date	Nov 4, 2016
Publication date	Jun 4, 2024
Grant date	Jun 4, 2024

Abstract

A total task vehicle (TTV) may operate indoors to move a variety of different types of materials and accomplish a variety of different types of tasks, using tools and accessories powered by/connected to the TTV. One or more high power density (HD) battery packs may provide both 240V DC to 380V DC and 120V AC power to propel the TTV and also to function as a generator for tools and accessories attached to the TTV. A high torque/high speed convertible drive system may allow the TTV to operate in a ride-on mode, a walk-behind mode, providing for flexibility and adaptability in use of the TTV.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle, comprising:
a frame;
an electric motor coupled to the frame;
at least one battery pack received in a receptacle in the frame;
a first axle and a second axle coupled to the frame;
a first wheel assembly and a second wheel assembly coupled to opposite end portions of the first axle;
a third wheel assembly coupled to the second axle;
a power transmission device coupled between the electric motor and at least one of the first axle or the second axle and configured to transmit a force generated by the motor to the at least one of the first axle or the second axle; and
a plurality of powered attachment ports provided on the frame, wherein each of the plurality of powered attachment ports is configured be mechanically and electrically coupled with a piece of accessory equipment, and each of the plurality of powered attachment ports are configured to selectively receive power from the at least one battery pack to provide output power at a voltage of at least 120V alternating current (AC) or at least 380V direct current (DC) to the piece of accessory equipment coupled thereto.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one battery pack includes a first high power density (HD) battery pack, a second HD battery pack, and a third HD battery pack carried on the frame.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the first, second and third HD battery packs are configured to output 240V DC to 380V DC power to the electric motor, and to simultaneously output 240V DC to 380V DC power to one or more powered attachment ports of the plurality of powered attachment ports based on detection of a powered piece of accessory equipment coupled to the one or more of the plurality of powered attachment ports.

4. The vehicle of claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of power sockets on the first, second and third HD battery packs, wherein the first, second and third HD battery packs are configured to output 120V AC power to one or more power sockets of the plurality of power sockets based on detection of a plug, connected to a piece of equipment, received in the one or more power sockets.

5. The vehicle of claim 4 , wherein the first, second and third HD battery packs are configured to output AC power to the one or more power sockets, and to simultaneously provide DC power to the electric motor via the power transmission device or to the one or more powered attachment ports.

6. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one battery pack is a high power density (HD) battery configured to output 240V DC to 380V DC power in a first mode, and to output 120V AC power in a second mode.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the at least one battery pack is configured to output 240V DC to 380V DC power to the engine, and is configured to simultaneously and selectively provide 240V DC to 380V DC power or 120V AC power to each of the plurality of attachment ports based on an identification of the piece of accessory equipment respectively coupled therein.

8. The vehicle of claim 6 , further comprising at least one power socket on the at least one battery pack or on the frame, wherein the at least one power socket is configured to receive a plug therein, and to provide 120V AC power to a piece of equipment connected to the plug.

9. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the at least one battery pack includes a plurality of high power density battery packs, and wherein,
in a first mode, each battery pack of the plurality of battery packs is dedicated to supplying one of AC power or DC power, and
in a second mode, DC power is drawn simultaneously from multiple battery packs of the plurality of battery packs, and the supply of DC power from one or more of the multiple battery packs of the plurality of battery packs is interrupted in response to a demand for AC power.

10. The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a control panel coupled to the frame, the control panel including a plurality of manipulation devices configured to receive user inputs for controlling operation of the vehicle and operation of accessories attached to the vehicle at the plurality of powered attachment ports.

11. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the vehicle is operable in a riding mode in which the user is received on a seat positioned on the frame, and in a walk-behind mode in which the vehicle is configured to be operated by the user walking adjacent to the vehicle.

12. The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the control panel is rotatably coupled to the frame such that a rotation of the control panel, from a first position relative to the frame to a second position relative to the frame, triggers a conversion from operation of the vehicle in the riding mode to operation of the vehicle in the walk-behind mode.

13. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein, in the riding mode, the motor is configured to operate in a high speed/low torque mode, in a high speed/high torque mode, in a low speed/low torque mode, or in a low speed/high torque mode, in response to a user input received at the control panel.

14. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein, in the walk-behind mode, the motor is configured to operate in a low speed/high torque mode, or in a low speed/low torque mode, in response to a user input received a the control panel.

15. The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a towing adapter configured to mount the vehicle to a hitch attachment of a transport vehicle, the towing adapter including first end configured to be received in one of the plurality of powered attachment points, and a second end configured to be received in the hitch attachment of the transport vehicle.

16. The vehicle of claim 15 , the towing adapter including a latching mechanism configured to engage in response to insertion of the second end of the towing adapter into the hitch attachment of the transport vehicle.

17. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein, with second end of the towing adapter inserted into the hitch attachment of the transport vehicle and the latching mechanism engaged, the vehicle is suspended from the hitch attachment of the transport vehicle.

18. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein, with second end of the towing adapter inserted into the hitch attachment of the transport vehicle and the latching mechanism engaged, the vehicle, only the third wheel assembly contacts the ground, wherein rotation of the third wheel assembly in response to towing movement of the transport vehicle produces regenerative charging of the at least one battery.

19. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the frame, first and second wheel assemblies coupled to the first axle, and the third wheel assembly coupled to the second axle, define a three-wheeled cantilevered suspension system.

20. The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein, in a ride-on mode of the vehicle, a seat configured to receive a user seated thereon is positioned such that the first axle and first and second wheel assemblies coupled thereto are located at a forward end portion of the vehicle, and the second axle and the third wheel assembly coupled thereto are positioned at an aft end portion of the vehicle.

Assignees

• Black & Decker Inc

Inventors

• Peloquin Jr Ryan H
• White Daniel J
• Velderman Matthew J
• Seman Jr Andrew E
• Lemieux Christopher
• Zhong Harry

Classifications

• H02J7/50

  acting upon multiple batteries simultaneously or sequentially · CPC title

• B60K1/00 Primary

  Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units (B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00) · CPC title

• B60K1/04

  of the electric storage means for propulsion · CPC title

• B60K17/04

  characterised by arrangement, location or kind of gearing · CPC title

• B60K17/28

  characterised by arrangement, location, or type of power take-off · CPC title