Electric motor assembly with card edge connector
AssigneeThe Toro Company
InventorsEvan D. Sundry, Christopher A. Stroth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power equipment apparatus may include a motor assembly including an electric motor, a motor controller, and a card edge connector. The electric motor may include a motor housing defining a cavity, a rotor disposed in the cavity, a stator disposed in the cavity, and a printed circuit board operatively coupled to the stator. The motor controller may include a controller housing, a printed circuit board disposed in the controller housing, and one or more processors operatively coupled to the printed circuit board of the motor controller. The card edge connector may be configured to operatively couple the printed circuit board of the electric motor and the printed circuit board of the motor controller.
Claims25
A power equipment apparatus comprising a motor assembly, the motor assembly comprising:
- an electric motor comprising:
- a motor housing defining a cavity;
- a rotor disposed in the cavity defined by the motor housing;
- a stator disposed in the cavity defined by the motor housing and comprising a plurality of motor windings, the stator operatively coupled to the rotor to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy;
- and
- a printed circuit board including a card edge and operatively coupled to the plurality of motor windings and at least partially disposed in the cavity defined by the motor housing;
- a motor controller comprising:
- a controller housing configured to couple to the motor housing;
- a printed circuit board disposed within the controller housing;
- and
- one or more processors operatively coupled to the printed circuit board of the motor controller;
- a card edge connector configured to operatively couple the printed circuit board of the electric motor and the printed circuit board of the motor controller;
- and
- one or more guides configured to align the card edge connector and the card edge when the controller housing is coupled to the motor housing, wherein the one or more guides are disposed on one or more of the controller housing, the printed circuit board operatively coupled to the plurality of motor windings, or the printed circuit board disposed within the controller housing.
An electric motor for a power equipment apparatus comprising:
- a motor housing defining a cavity comprises one or more guides;
- a rotor disposed in the cavity defined by the motor housing;
- a stator disposed in the cavity defined by the motor housing and comprising a plurality of motor windings, the stator operatively coupled to the rotor to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy;
- an output shaft connected to the rotor and configured to drive a tool of the power equipment apparatus;
- and
- a printed circuit board operatively coupled to the plurality of motor windings, the printed circuit board comprising:
- a winding connection portion disposed in the cavity defined by the motor housing;
- and
- a card edge configured to engage with a card edge connector, the card edge disposed outside of the cavity
- wherein the one or more guides are configured to align the card edge connector and the card edge when a controller housing is coupled to the motor housing.
A motor controller for an electric motor of a power equipment apparatus comprising:
- a controller housing;
- a printed circuit board disposed within the controller housing and comprising:
- a power printed circuit board defining an aperture;
- and
- a control printed circuit board operatively coupled to the power printed circuit board,
- wherein the control printed circuit board extends through an aperture of the power printed circuit board;
- one or more processors operatively coupled to the printed circuit board of the motor controller;
- and
- a card edge connector configured to receive a card edge and operatively couple the card edge to the printed circuit board.
A power equipment apparatus for turf care and comprising:
- a mowing unit comprising:
- a power source comprising a battery or a generator;
- a grass-cutting tool;
- and
- a motor assembly operably coupled to the power source comprising:
- an electric motor comprising:
- a motor housing defining a cavity;
- a rotor disposed in the cavity defined by the motor housing;
- a stator disposed in the cavity defined by the motor housing and comprising a plurality of motor windings, the stator operatively coupled to the rotor to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy;
- an output shaft connected to the rotor and configured to drive the grass-cutting tool;
- and
- a first printed circuit board including a card edge and operatively coupled to the plurality of motor windings and at least partially disposed in the cavity defined by the motor housing;
- a motor controller comprising:
- a controller housing configured to couple to and environmentally sealed to the motor housing;
- a second printed circuit board disposed within the controller housing;
- and
- one or more processors operatively coupled to the second printed circuit board;
- and
- a card edge connector configured to operatively couple the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board,
- wherein the first printed circuit board of the electric motor and the second printed circuit board of the motor controller are configured to be uncoupled when the controller housing is uncoupled from the motor housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.