# US 11,999,224 B2 · Total task vehicle

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- Number: US 11,999,224 B2
- Document ID: US11999224B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/323,062
- Filed: 2021-05-18
- Published: 2021-11-04
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2016-11-04
- Assignees: Black & Decker Inc.
- Applicants: Black & Decker Inc.
- Inventors: Ryan H. Peloquin, Jr.; Daniel J. White; Matthew J. Velderman; Andrew E. Seman, Jr.; Christopher Lemieux; Harry Zhong
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11999224B2

## CPC

- B60K 1/00: 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)
- B60K 1/04: of the electric storage means for propulsion
- B60K 17/04: characterised by arrangement, location or kind of gearing
- B60K 17/28: characterised by arrangement, location, or type of power take-off
- B60K 25/00: Auxiliary drives (arrangement of tyre-inflating pumps mounted on vehicles B60C23/10)
- B60K 25/08: from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
- B60L 50/64: Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
- B60L 53/30: Constructional details of charging stations
- B60M 1/02: Details
- B60R 16/0238: {Electrical distribution centers}
- H01M 50/249: specially adapted for aircraft or vehicles, e.g. cars or trains (constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles B60L50/64)
- H02J 3/008: Circuit arrangements for power supply or distribution technologies responsive to energy trading
- H02J 7/50: acting upon multiple batteries simultaneously or sequentially
- B60K 2001/0461: {from the side}
- B60K 2025/005: {driven by electric motors forming part of the propulsion unit}
- B60Y 2200/223: Ridable lawn mowers
- B60Y 2200/225: Walk behind vehicles, e.g. motorized wheel barrows
- H01M 2220/20: Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
- H01M 2220/30: Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
- Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries
- Y02T 10/70: Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
- Y02T 10/7072: Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
- Y02T 90/12: Electric charging stations
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60L: PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of electrical propulsion units or of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion in vehicles B60K1/00, B60K6/20; arrangements or mounting of electrical gearing in vehicles B60K17/12, B60K17/14; preventing wheel slip by reducing power in rail vehicles B61C15/08; dynamo-electric machines H02K; control or regulation of electric motors H02P); SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (electric coupling devices combined with mechanical couplings of vehicles B60D1/64; electric heating for vehicles B60H1/00); ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL (control or regulation of electric motors H02P); MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60M: POWER SUPPLY LINES, AND DEVICES ALONG RAILS, FOR ELECTRICALLY- PROPELLED VEHICLES (control of points and safety arrangements along railway lines B61L; construction of rails and points in general E01B)
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

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.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

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.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

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.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

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.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

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.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

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.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

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.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

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.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

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.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

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.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

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.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

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.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

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.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

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.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

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.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

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.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

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.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

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.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

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.