US-12625188-B2 - User display for remaining runtime

US12625188B2US 12625188 B2US12625188 B2US 12625188B2US-12625188-B2

Abstract

A battery-powered outdoor power equipment includes a battery, a first electric motor configured to operate at a first power level and a second power level, a runtime module having a display and a first control button, and a controller in communication with the battery, the electric motor, and the display. The controller being configured to communicate a remaining runtime of the battery to the display based on a charge level of the battery, and update the remaining runtime in response to an input to the first control button that changes the first electric motor from the first power level to the second power level.

Inventors

Nicholas J. Zeidler
Steven J. Weber
Steve Olson

Assignees

BRIGGS & STRATTON, LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20221012

Claims (13)

1 . A battery-powered outdoor power equipment, comprising: a battery; a first electric motor configured to receive electrical power from the battery, wherein the first electric motor is configured to operate at a first low power level and a first high power level; a second electric motor configured to receive electrical power from the battery, wherein the second electric motor is configured to operate at a second low power level and a second high power level; a runtime module including a display and a first control button, wherein the first control button is configured to change the first electric motor between the first low power level and the first high power level; and a controller in communication with the battery, the first electric motor, and the display, the controller having a processor and at least one memory and being configured to: calculate a remaining runtime based on an interpolation of a plurality of linear relationships between the remaining runtime and a battery charge level of the battery, the linear relationships comprising a first linear relationship for the first electric motor operating at the first low power level and the second electric motor operating at the second low power level, a second linear relationship for the first electric motor operating at the first low power level and the second electric motor operating at the second high power level, a third linear relationship for the first electric motor operating at the first high power level and the second electric motor operating at the second low power level, and a fourth linear relationship for the first electric motor operating at the first high power level and the second electric motor operating at the second high power level; communicate the calculated remaining runtime of the battery to the display; and update the remaining runtime in response to an input to the first control button.
2 . The battery-powered outdoor power equipment of claim 1 , wherein the first control button is a switch that is configured to pivot or rotate to change the first electric motor between the first low power level and the first high power level.
3 . The battery-powered outdoor power equipment of claim 1 , wherein the first control button is a graphical button on the display.
4 . The battery-powered outdoor power equipment of claim 1 , wherein the runtime module includes a power button that is configured to transition the battery-powered outdoor power equipment from an accessory mode to an active mode.
5 . The battery-powered outdoor power equipment of claim 1 , wherein the runtime module includes a second control button configured to change the second electric motor between the second low power level and the second high power level.
6 . The battery-powered outdoor power equipment of claim 5 , wherein the first control button and the second control button are both graphical buttons on the display.
7 . The battery-powered outdoor power equipment of claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to update the remaining runtime in response to any input to the first control button or the second control button.
8 . The battery-powered outdoor power equipment of claim 1 , further comprising a seat, wherein the runtime module is arranged on a side of the seat.
9 . A method of communicating to a user a remaining runtime for battery-powered outdoor power equipment, the battery-powered outdoor power equipment including a battery, a runtime module including a display and a first control button, a controller, a first electric motor powered by the battery, and a second electric motor powered by the battery, the method comprising: measuring, by the controller, a remaining battery charge of the battery; calculating, by the controller, a remaining runtime of the battery based on the remaining battery charge, an interpolation of a plurality of linear relationships between the remaining runtime and a battery charge level of the battery, the linear relationships comprising a first linear relationship for the first electric motor operating at a first low power level and the second electric motor operating at a second low power level, a second linear relationship for the first electric motor operating at the first low power level and the second electric motor operating at a second high power level, a third linear relationship for the first electric motor operating at a first high power level and the second electric motor operating at the second low power level, and a fourth linear relationship for the first electric motor operating at the first high power level and the second electric motor operating at the second high power level, and one or more of: (a) average current drawn from the battery over a predetermined period of time, (b) average current drawn from the battery since equipment startup, (c) changes in current drawn from the battery over the predetermined period of time, (d) changes in current drawn from the battery over a second predetermined period of time, or (e) changes in current drawn from the battery since equipment startup, and displaying, on the display of the runtime module in response to an input to the first control button, the calculated remaining runtime.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the remaining runtime of the battery is calculated based on at least the remaining battery charge, the average current drawn over the predetermined period of time, and the changes in current drawn over the predetermined period of time.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the remaining runtime of the battery is calculated based on at least the remaining battery charge, the average current drawn over the predetermined period of time, and the changes in current drawn over the second predetermined period of time.
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the remaining runtime of the battery is calculated based on at least the remaining battery charge, an average power usage since equipment startup, and changes in power usage since equipment startup.
13 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising: updating the remaining runtime on the display in response to a power level of the first electric motor changing from the first low power level to the first high power level or from the first high power level to the first low power level.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/255,167, filed on Oct. 13, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND Currently, various types of battery-powered equipment or products include a battery gauge that indicates a percentage of remaining battery charge or displays a graphic representing a percentage of remaining battery charge. SUMMARY At least one embodiment relates to a battery-powered outdoor power equipment that includes a battery, a first electric motor configured to receive electrical power from the battery and to operate at a first power level and a second power level, a runtime module having a display and a first control button, and a controller in communication with the battery, the first electric motor, and the display. The first control button is configured to change the first electric motor between the first power level and the second power level. The controller having a processor and at least one memory and being configured to: communicate a remaining runtime of the battery to the display based on a charge level of the battery; and update the remaining runtime in response to an input to the first control button that changes the first electric motor from the first power level to the second power level. Another embodiment relates to a method of communicating to a user a remaining runtime for battery-powered outdoor power equipment. The battery-powered outdoor power equipment including a battery and a first electric motor powered by the battery. The method includes measuring a remaining battery charge of the battery, calculating a remaining runtime of the battery based on the remaining battery charge and one or more of: (a) average current drawn from the battery over a predetermined period of time; (b) average current drawn from the battery since equipment startup; (c) changes in current drawn from the battery over the predetermined period of time; (d) changes in current drawn from the battery over a second predetermined period of time; (e) changes in current drawn from the battery since equipment startup; or (f) a runtime calculation defining a linear relationship between the remaining battery charge and the remaining runtime. The method further includes displaying the remaining runtime on a display. Another embodiment relates to a method of controlling a power output level of battery-powered outdoor power equipment. The method includes receiving, from a user, an input indicating a desired runtime, calculating, based on the input and a remaining battery charge of the outdoor power equipment, a target current draw of the outdoor power equipment, and operating the outdoor power equipment at an average of the calculated target current draw for the desired runtime. The target current draw is calculated such that the battery charge becomes fully depleted at the end of the desired runtime. Another embodiment relates to a hand control for battery-powered outdoor power equipment. The hand control includes an electronic display configured to indicate at least one of a remaining battery charge of the outdoor power equipment or a remaining runtime of the outdoor power equipment, a power button configured to switch the outdoor power equipment from an on condition to an off condition, and an power input for adjusting a power output level of the outdoor power equipment. The hand control is configured to be operated with a single hand. Another embodiment relates to a electronic display unit for a battery-powered pressure washer. The electronic display unit includes a knob for adjusting a power output level of the pressure washer, an electronic display configured to display a remaining runtime of the pressure washer before the battery charge reaches zero, and a power button configured to switch the pressure washer from a standby condition to an off condition. This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a runtime module or hand control and a battery-powered outdoor power equipment or chore product, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the runtime module FIG. 1 including an on-board controller in communication with the outdoor power equipment or chore product; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a controller of the runtime module or the chore product of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a block