Abstract: An electric motor, including a motor assembly having a rotor and a stator, and a switching assembly adapted to switch the motor assembly between a wye configuration, a delta configuration, and a neutral configuration. The switching assembly may include a plurality of actuators configured to move at least two movable contact members so as to select which configuration of the motor assembly is active.

Abstract: An enclosure includes a housing defining an interior chamber for receiving an electronic assembly. The housing is made of a thermally conductive material so as to operate as a heat sink. The housing has a heat transfer surface within the interior chamber for receiving heat generating components thereon, and an interior groove within the interior chamber. The enclosure also includes a retaining clip having a clip length, a first portion extending along the clip length for engaging the interior groove, and a second portion extending along the clip length for engaging the heat generating components. The retaining clip is made from a resilient material and is sized and shaped such that positioning the first portion in the interior groove flexes the retaining clip and presses the second portion against the heat generating components so as to bias the heat generating components into thermal contact with the heat transfer surface.

Abstract: An enclosure includes a housing defining an interior chamber for receiving an electronic assembly. The housing is made of a thermally conductive material so as to operate as a heat sink. The housing has a heat transfer surface within the interior chamber for receiving heat generating components thereon, and an interior groove within the interior chamber. The enclosure also includes a retaining clip having a clip length, a first portion extending along the clip length for engaging the interior groove, and a second portion extending along the clip length for engaging the heat generating components. The retaining clip is made from a resilient material and is sized and shaped such that positioning the first portion in the interior groove flexes the retaining clip and presses the second portion against the heat generating components so as to bias the heat generating components into thermal contact with the heat transfer surface.

Abstract: A steering system for a riding lawn mower includes a wheel frame pivotally coupled to a vehicle frame about a roll axis. The wheel frame has spaced apart upper and lower wheel frame members. Steering knuckles are pivotally coupled to opposing sides of the wheel frame for rotatably supporting wheels. Each steering knuckle is straddle mounted between the upper and lower wheel frame members. A rack and pinion steering mechanism for pivoting the steering knuckles is coupled to a steering wheel via a steering column. The steering column includes a shaft portion extending along a shaft axis and has at least one socketed connection. The socketed connection transmits rotational movement about the shaft axis between the shaft portion and another rotatable component. The socketed connection also permits axial movement of the shaft portion along the shaft axis in response to the wheel frame rolling relative to the vehicle frame.

Abstract: An electric motor, including a motor assembly having a rotor and a stator, and a switching assembly adapted to switch the motor assembly between a wye configuration, a delta configuration, and a neutral configuration. The switching assembly may include a plurality of actuators configured to move at least two movable contact members so as to select which configuration of the motor assembly is active.

Abstract: A method of operating an electric motor having a motor assembly that includes a rotor and a stator. The method includes providing the electric motor in a neutral state, and from the neutral state, determining whether to operate the electric motor in a wye configuration or a delta configuration and then operating the motor in that state. In some embodiments, if the electric motor is to be operated in the wye configuration, then putting at least one first actuator into a first state and then powering the stator, and if the electric motor is to be operated in the delta configuration, then putting at least one second actuator into a first state and then powering the stator.

Abstract: A steering system for a riding lawn mower includes a wheel frame pivotally coupled to a vehicle frame about a roll axis. The wheel frame has spaced apart upper and lower wheel frame members. Steering knuckles are pivotally coupled to opposing sides of the wheel frame for rotatably supporting wheels. Each steering knuckle is straddle mounted between the upper and lower wheel frame members. A rack and pinion steering mechanism for pivoting the steering knuckles is coupled to a steering wheel via a steering column. The steering column includes a shaft portion extending along a shaft axis and has at least one socketed connection. The socketed connection transmits rotational movement about the shaft axis between the shaft portion and another rotatable component. The socketed connection also permits axial movement of the shaft portion along the shaft axis in response to the wheel frame rolling relative to the vehicle frame.