Patent Publication Number: US-2022219529-A1

Title: Drive Assembly for Lawn Care Vehicle

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Lawn care tasks are commonly performed using various tools and/or machines that are configured for the performance of corresponding specific tasks. Certain tasks, like grass cutting, are typically performed by lawn mowers. Lawn care vehicles themselves may have many different configurations to support the needs and budgets of consumers. Walk-behind lawn care vehicles are typically compact, have comparatively small engines and are relatively inexpensive. Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, riding lawn care vehicles, such as lawn tractors, can be quite large. Riding lawn care vehicles can sometimes also be configured with various functional accessories (e.g., trailers, tillers and/or the like) in addition to grass cutting components. Riding lawn care vehicles provide the convenience of a riding vehicle as well as a typically larger cutting deck as compared to a walk-behind model. 
     Fuel costs and an increased awareness of pollution and other byproducts of fossil fuel have generated much interest in the development of cleaner energy sources. Battery powered vehicles have a potential for reducing dependence on fossil fuels. However, it should be appreciated that many new design considerations that were not issues previously may come into play when battery powered vehicles are employed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES 
     Some example embodiments may provide for a drive assembly for a lawn care vehicle. In this regard, the drive assembly may be configured to accomplish a large gear reduction ratio in a compact space while also eliminating a need for a parking brake system on the lawn care vehicle. Furthermore, the drive assembly may be configured to move between a plurality of configurations which allows a mobility assembly of the lawn care vehicle to be manually pushed or towed or powered by an electric motor. 
     In one example embodiment, a lawn care vehicle is provided. The lawn care vehicle may include a motor; a mobility assembly to provide mobility to the lawn care vehicle; a working assembly operably coupled to the motor to perform a working function responsive at least in part to operation of the motor; and a drive assembly for selectively coupling the motor of the vehicle to the mobility assembly of the vehicle to provide mobility to the vehicle responsive at least in part to operation of the motor. The drive assembly may include a worm gear assembly having a worm engaged with a worm gear. The worm may be operably coupled to the motor of the vehicle, and the worm gear may be selectively coupled to a shaft of the mobility assembly. The drive assembly may be configured to move between a first configuration and a second configuration. In response to the drive assembly being in the first configuration, the worm gear assembly and the shaft of the mobility assembly may be operably coupled, and the worm gear assembly may be configured to selectively transfer power from the motor to the mobility assembly to provide mobility to the vehicle. In response to the drive assembly being in a second configuration, the worm gear assembly and the shaft of the mobility assembly may be decoupled, and the worm gear assembly may be prevented from transferring the power from the motor to the mobility assembly. 
     In another example embodiment, a drive assembly for a vehicle is provided. The drive assembly for the vehicle may selectively couple a motor of the vehicle to a mobility assembly of the vehicle to provide mobility to the vehicle responsive at least in part to operation of the motor. The drive assembly may include a worm gear assembly having a worm engaged with a worm gear. The worm may be operably coupled to the motor of the vehicle, and the worm gear may be selectively coupled to a shaft of the mobility assembly. The drive assembly may be configured to move between a first configuration and a second configuration. In response to the drive assembly being in the first configuration, the worm gear assembly and the shaft of the mobility assembly may be operably coupled, and the worm gear assembly may be configured to selectively transfer power from the motor to the mobility assembly to provide mobility to the vehicle. In response to the drive assembly being in a second configuration, the worm gear assembly and the shaft of the mobility assembly may be decoupled, and the worm gear assembly may be prevented from transferring the power from the motor to the mobility assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       Having thus described embodiments of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a lawn care vehicle according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the lawn care vehicle according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of the lawn care vehicle according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a drive assembly of the lawn care vehicle according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the drive assembly of the lawn care vehicle with at least part of the housing and/or other components removed according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a first side of the drive assembly of the lawn care vehicle with at least part of the housing and/or other components removed according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a second side of the drive assembly of the lawn care vehicle with at least part of the housing and/or other components removed according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the second side of the drive assembly of the lawn care vehicle with further parts of the housing and/or other components removed to illustrate the drive assembly being in a first configuration according to an example embodiment; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the second side of the drive assembly of the lawn care vehicle with further parts of the housing and/or other components removed to illustrate the drive assembly being in a second configuration according to an example embodiment 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection of components that are operably coupled to each other. 
     Some example embodiments may provide for a drive assembly for a vehicle such as a lawn care vehicle. As noted above, the drive assembly may accomplish a large gear reduction ratio in a compact space with minimal components while also eliminating a need for a parking brake system on the vehicle. Furthermore, the drive assembly may be configured to move between a plurality of configurations which allows a mobility assembly of the vehicle to be manually pushed or towed or powered by a motor. 
       FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a riding lawn care vehicle  10  according to an example embodiment.  FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  and  FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  according to an example embodiment. Furthermore,  FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of various components of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  to illustrate operable coupling provided between various of such components and to facilitate description of an example embodiment. While example embodiments described herein relate to a battery-powered riding lawn care vehicle, it should be understood that a drive assembly according to example embodiments herein may be employed on other vehicles. In this regard, in accordance with other example embodiments, the vehicle may be a gasoline-powered vehicle. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the riding lawn care vehicle  10  may include a seat  20  that may be disposed at a center, rear, or front portion of the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . The riding lawn care vehicle  10  may also include a steering assembly  30  (e.g., a set of zero turn mower steering levers  34  with shaft  36  or the like) functionally connected to a mobility assembly  100  (e.g., wheels  31  and  32 ) of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  to allow the operator to steer the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . For example, the operator may sit on the seat  20 , which may be disposed to the rear of the steering assembly  30 , to provide input for steering of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  via the steering assembly  30 . However, some models may be stand-up models that eliminate the seat  20 . If the seat  20  is eliminated, the operator typically stands at an operator station proximate to the steering assembly  30 . 
     The steering assembly  30  may include steering levers  34  and a shaft  36 . In some example embodiments, the steering assembly  30  may be embodied as an assembly of metallic or other rigid components that may be welded, bolted or otherwise attached to each other and operably coupled to the wheels  32  of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  to which steering inputs are provided. When a steering lever  34  is pushed forward (e.g., away from the operator towards the front of the vehicle), a corresponding wheel  31 ,  32  may move forward. When a steering lever  34  is pulled backward, the corresponding wheel  31 ,  32  may drive backward or rearward. Thus, when both steering levers  34  are pushed forward the same amount, the riding lawn care vehicle  10  may travel forward in substantially a straight line since approximately the same amount of forward drive input is provided to each drive wheel  31 ,  32 . When both steering levers are pulled back the same amount, the riding lawn care vehicle  10  may travel backward in substantially a straight line since approximately the same amount of rearward drive input is provided to each drive wheel  31 ,  32 . When one steering lever  34  is pushed forward and the other steering lever  34  is pulled back, the riding lawn care vehicle  10  may begin to turn in a circle. Steering right and left may be accomplished by providing uneven amounts of input to the steering levers  34 . Other steering control systems may be employed in some alternative embodiments. 
     As noted above, the riding lawn care vehicle  10  may also include the mobility assembly  100 . The mobility assembly  100  may include drivable components such as the wheels  31 ,  32  (e.g., a pair of rear wheels  32  being disposed at a rear of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  and a pair of front wheels  31  being disposed at a front of the riding lawn care vehicle  10 ). However, in accordance with other example embodiments, the drivable components may be continuous tracks or any other suitable component that may be powered to cause the riding lawn care vehicle  10  to move over a ground or surface. In an example embodiment, the rear wheels  32  may be provided on a drive or output shaft on opposing sides of the lawn care vehicle  10 . 
     In the example embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the riding lawn care vehicle  10  may also include a drive motor compartment  50 . The drive motor compartment  50  may be disposed to the rear of the operator&#39;s seat  20  to house various components of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  including an electric drive motor  120 . However, in other example embodiments, the drive motor compartment  50  could be in different positions such as in front of the seat  20  or below the seat  20 . It should be understood that in accordance with other example embodiments the motor referred to herein may be a hydraulic, air, or other types of motors known in the art. 
     In some embodiments, the electric drive motor  120  may be operably coupled to the mobility assembly  100  (e.g., the rear wheels  32 ) in order to provide drive power for the riding lawn care vehicle  10 , as further described below. Although the electric drive motor  120  described herein relates to powering the rear wheels  32 , in other alternative embodiments, the electric drive motor  120  may power all four wheels  31 ,  32  of the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . Moreover, in some cases, the electric drive motor  120  may manually or automatically shift between powering either two wheels  31 ,  32  or all four wheels  31 ,  32  of the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . 
     The riding lawn care vehicle  10  may also include a working assembly  140 . The working assembly  140  may be operably coupled to the electric drive motor  120  to perform a working function responsive at least in part to operation of the electric drive motor  120 . The working assembly  140  in this example embodiment may be a cutting deck  40  (see  FIG. 1 ) having at least one cutting blade mounted therein. The cutting deck  40  may be positioned behind the front pair of wheels  31  in a position to enable the operator to cut grass using the cutting blade when the cutting blade is rotated below the cutting deck  40  when the cutting deck  40  is in a cutting position. However, in some alternative examples, the cutting deck  40  may be positioned in front of the front pair of wheels  31 . In some embodiments, a footrest  42  may also be positioned above the cutting deck  40  forward of the seat  20  to enable the operator to rest his or her feet thereon while seated in the seat  20 . In embodiments that do not include the seat  20 , the footrest  42  may be the operator station from which a standing operator controls the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . When operating to cut grass, the grass clippings may be captured by a collection system, mulched, or expelled from the cutting deck  40  via either a side discharge or a rear discharge. In accordance with other example embodiments, the working assembly  140  could perform working functions such as snow removal, edging, tilling and/or the like. 
     In embodiments, where the riding lawn care vehicle  10  is electric powered, the riding lawn care vehicle  10  may also include a battery power source (not shown). The battery power source may include one or more batteries that may provide power for all electrical components of the lawn care vehicle  10 . In cases in which multiple batteries are combined to form the battery power source, the batteries may be distributed or located near one another. For example, three twelve volt batteries may be employed connected in series and their locations may be distributed throughout the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . 
     In an example embodiment, the electric drive motor  120 , the mobility assembly  100 , the steering assembly  30 , the working assembly  140 , the seat  20 , and other components of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  may be operably connected (directly or indirectly) to a frame  60  of the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . In this regard, the frame  60  may be a rigid structure configured to provide support, connectivity, and interoperability functions for various ones of the components of the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the riding lawn care vehicle  10  may further include a drive assembly  160  to provide operable coupling between the motor  120  and the mobility assembly  100 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the drive assembly  160  in accordance with example embodiments. In this regard, the drive assembly  160  may transfer power from the motor  120  to the mobility assembly  100 . The drive assembly  160  may be or include a transmission for transferring power from the motor  120  to the mobility assembly  100 . As such, the drive assembly  160  may selectively provide forward drive power or reverse drive power to the mobility assembly  100 . More specifically, the drive assembly  160  may transfer rotary power from the motor  120  through a series of gears, frictionally engaged components, and/or the like to the wheel  32  to turn the wheel  32  in a desired direction (i.e., forward or reverse). 
     The drive assembly  160  described herein may be configured to move between a first configuration and a second configuration. In this regard, the drive assembly  160  may be changeable from the first configuration where the drive assembly  160  is in an engaged position and the second configuration where the drive assembly  160  is in a disengaged position. 
     In the first configuration when the drive assembly  160  is in the engaged position, the motor  120  may selectively provide power to the mobility assembly  100  (i.e., wheel  32 ). In this regard, when the drive assembly  160  is in the first configuration, the drive assembly  160  is configured to selectively and independently provide power to the wheels  32  via the motor  120 . Furthermore, when the drive assembly  160  is in the first configuration, the drive assembly  160  may be configured to prevent the mobility assembly  100  or wheels  32  from moving when no power is being transferred from the motor  120  to the mobility assembly  100  thereby eliminating the need for a parking brake system on the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . 
     When the drive assembly  160  is in the second configuration, the drive assembly  160  may be in a disengaged position. When the drive assembly  160  is in the disengaged position, the motor  120  may be prevented from providing power to the mobility assembly  100 , and the mobility assembly  100  is configured to move or rotate in response to the user or operator pushing or towing the lawn care vehicle  10 . In other words, when the drive assembly  160  is in the first configuration, the riding lawn care vehicle  10  is prevented from moving, via the operator or user or otherwise, unless the motor  120  is providing the drive power to the mobility assembly  100  via the drive assembly  160 . However, when the drive assembly  160  is in the second configuration, drive power from the motor  120  is prevented from being transferred to the mobility assembly  100  and rather the operator may manually push or tow the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . 
     As noted above, the drive assembly  160  may be configured to receive input torque and rotational speed from the motor  120  for transferring to the mobility assembly  100  when the drive assembly  160  is in the first configuration (i.e., engaged position). In accordance with example embodiments, the motor  120  may be operably coupled or mounted directly to the drive assembly  160 . Furthermore, components of the mobility assembly  100  (e.g., wheel mounting hub  202 ) may be operably coupled or mounted directly to the drive assembly  160  via an output or drive shaft  200 . In this regard, a length of the output shaft  200  may extend through the drive assembly  160  substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis  210  of the of the motor  120 . In this regard, a first end of the output shaft  200  may be disposed on a first side of the drive assembly  160  with a second, opposite end of the output shaft  200  being disposed on a second, opposite side of the drive assembly  160 .  FIG. 4  demonstrates the output shaft  200  having a wheel mounting hub  202  for one of the rear wheels  32  at the first end of the output shaft  20  with the second end of the output shaft  200  being capped off via cap  204  and thus controlling only one of the wheels  32 . However, in accordance with other example embodiments, each of the first and the second end of the output shaft  200  may have corresponding wheel mounting hubs  202  for operably coupling each of the rear wheels  32 . Thus, references to mobility assembly  100  may include one or both of rear wheels  32 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the drive assembly  160  with a housing of the drive assembly  160  removed.  FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a first side of the drive assembly  160  with a housing of the drive assembly  160  removed, and  FIG. 7  illustrate a perspective view of a second side of the drive assembly  160  with the housing of the driving assembly  160  removed. As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the drive assembly  160  may include a worm gear assembly  300  to facilitate the transfer of power from the motor  120  to the mobility assembly  100  when the drive assembly  160  is in the first configuration. In this regard, the worm gear assembly  300  may allow for single gear reduction from the motor  120  to the mobility assembly  100  to accomplish a large reduction ratio provided in the riding lawn care vehicle  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the worm gear assembly  300  may include a worm  310  and a worm gear  320 . The worm  310  may be operably coupled to the motor  120 . In particular, the motor  120  may selectively transfer rotational power to the worm  310  in order to facilitate rotation of the worm gear  320  by the worm  310  and thereby cause rotation of the output shaft  200  operably coupled to components of the mobility assembly  100 . In this regard, when the drive assembly  160  is in the first configuration, the worm  310  and the worm gear  320  may be engaged. In this case, spherical threads  312  disposed on an exterior surface of the worm  310  may be configured to engage with and cause rotation of the worm gear  320  in response to the transfer of power from the motor  120 . In response to rotation of the worm gear  320 , the output shaft  200  may also rotate causing the rotational power to be transferred to respective components of the mobility assembly  100  (i.e., wheels  32 ). Because a single worm gear is being used to accomplish the large reduction ratio, the drive assembly  160  may be used in spaces where space is limited or compact. 
     Even in response to the motor  120  not transferring power to the worm  310  (e.g., motor is at zero RPM), engagement of the worm  310  and the worm gear  320  may prevent any back driving of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  when the drive assembly  160  is in the first configuration. In this regard, the worm  310  and the worm gear  320  may be self-locking in that the engagement of the worm  310  and the worm gear  320  prevents the worm gear  320  from driving the worm  310 . Thus, the engagement of the worm  310  and the worm  320  effectively enables braking of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  without the need for the addition of a parking brake system. 
     The drive assembly  160  may also include an engagement assembly  340 . As noted above, the drive assembly  160  is moveable between a first configuration (i.e., engaged position,  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) and a second configuration (i.e., disengaged position,  FIG. 9 ). To facilitate the drive assembly  160  moving between these configurations, the engagement assembly  340  may be provided. When the drive assembly  160  is in the first configuration, the engagement assembly  340  may be configured to lock or engage the worm gear assembly  300  to the output shaft  200  allowing the motor  120  to selectively provide power to the mobility assembly  100 . However, as noted above, when the output shaft  200  is engaged or locked with the worm gear assembly  300 , the output shaft  200  may be prevented from spinning freely, and thus due to the self-locking of the worm gear assembly  300 , movement of the mobility assembly  100  may be prevented unless the motor  120  is providing rotational power to the mobility assembly  100  via the drive assembly  160 . 
     The engagement assembly  340  may also be configured to unlock or disengage the worm gear assembly  300  from the output shaft  200 . When the worm gear assembly  300  is unlocked from the output shaft  200  as shown in  FIG. 9 , the drive assembly  160  is in the second configuration (i.e., disengaged position). When the drive assembly  160  is in this second configuration, the output shaft  200  may freely spin or rotate (i.e., rotate independently) within the worm gear assembly  300 . Thus, when the drive assembly  160  is in the second configuration, the drive assembly  160  is prevented from providing rotational power or braking to the mobility assembly  100  and thus the riding lawn care vehicle  10  may be moved in response to being pushed or towed. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate a perspective view of the drive assembly  160  with further components of the housing of the drive assembly  160  removed to illustrate the components of the engagement assembly  340 . As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the engagement assembly  340  may include a dog clutch  342  and a selection lever  346 . The selection lever  346  may be pivotable or rotatable between an engaged position ( FIG. 8 ) and a disengaged position ( FIG. 9 ) to cause the unlocking or locking of the worm gear assembly  300  with the output shaft  200 . Furthermore, the position of the selection lever  346  may cause the engagement and disengagement of the dog clutch  342  with the worm gear assembly  300  to facilitate the unlocking or locking of the worm gear assembly  300  with the output shaft  200 . 
     In this regard, when the drive assembly  160  is in a first configuration, the dog clutch  342  may be engaged with or operably coupled to a side of the worm gear  320  (position shown in  FIG. 8 ), and when the drive assembly  160  is in the second configuration, the dog clutch  342  may be disengaged from the side of the worm gear  320  (position shown in  FIG. 9 ). In this regard, the dog clutch  342  may move between positions in response to positioning of the selection lever  346 . In other words, the position of the selection lever  346  may control the position of the dog clutch  342  relative to the worm gear  320  and thereby may cause the coupling of the worm gear assembly  300  to the output shaft  200 . 
     When the selection lever  346  is in the engaged position (position shown in  FIG. 8 ), the dog clutch  342  may be engaged with the worm gear  320  and the drive assembly  160  may be in the first configuration (i.e., the drive assembly  160  being configured to selectively transfer power from the motor  120  to the mobility assembly  100 ). When the selection lever  346  is in the disengaged position (position shown in  FIG. 9 ), the dog clutch  342  may be disengaged with the worm gear  320  and the drive assembly  160  may be in the second configuration (i.e., the drive assembly  160  being prevented from transferring power from the motor  120  to the mobility assembly  100 ). 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the dog clutch  342  being operably coupled to the worm gear  320  and thus the drive assembly  160  being in the first configuration. To facilitate the operably coupling of the dog clutch  342  to the side of the worm gear  320 , the engagement assembly  340  may also include a control fork  344 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the control fork  344  may enable or assist in the coupling of the dog clutch  342  with the worm gear  320 . In this regard, the control fork  344  may be coupled at first end  343  to the selection lever  346  and at a second end  345  to the dog clutch  342 . Thus, in response to movement of the selection lever  346  to the engaged position (shown in  FIG. 8 ), the control fork  344  may hold the dog clutch  342  in engagement with the worm gear  320  and thus the drive assembly  160  may be in the first configuration. However, when the selection lever  346  moves to the disengaged position (e.g., to a position more proximate to the worm gear  320  shown in  FIG. 9 ), the selection lever  346  may cause the shifting or movement of the control fork  344  toward the wheel mounting hub  202  and thus the dog clutch  342  out of engagement with the worm gear  320 . 
     In some cases, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the selection lever  346  may include a biasing mechanism  348 . The biasing mechanism  348  may assist in urging or moving the control fork  344  (and thus the dog clutch  342 ) to a position in engagement with the worm gear  320  (see  FIG. 8 ). In this regard, the biasing mechanism  348  may be operably coupled between the selection lever  346  and the first end  343  of the control fork  344  and may be operable to exert a biasing force on the control fork  344  to assist in urging the dog clutch  342  into engagement with the worm gear  320 . In an example embodiment, the biasing mechanism  123  may be a spring. In some cases, the spring may be a coiled spring. It should be understood, however, that in other example embodiments the biasing mechanism  348  may be configured to assist in urging the dog clutch  342  out of engagement with the worm gear  320 . 
     In some cases, the selection lever  346  may be manually moved by a user/operator of the riding lawn care vehicle  10  between the engaged and disengaged position. However, in some cases, the selection lever  346  may be configured to move in response to a push of a button or other some mechanism disposed at a control panel of the riding lawn care vehicle  10 . 
     Accordingly, example embodiments described herein may provide a drive assembly for a vehicle. The drive assembly may selectively couple a motor of the vehicle to a mobility assembly of the vehicle. The drive assembly may include a worm gear assembly having a worm engaged with a worm gear. The worm may be operably coupled to the motor of the vehicle, and the worm gear may be selectively coupled to a shaft of the mobility assembly. The drive assembly may be configured to move between a first configuration and a second configuration. In response to the drive assembly being in the first configuration, the worm gear assembly and the shaft of the mobility assembly may be operably coupled, and the worm gear assembly may be configured to selectively transfer power from the motor to the mobility assembly to provide mobility to the vehicle. In response to the drive assembly being in a second configuration, the worm gear assembly and the shaft of the mobility assembly may be decoupled, and the worm gear assembly may be prevented from transferring the power from the motor to the mobility assembly. 
     In some embodiments, additional optional structures or features may be included or the structures/features described above may be modified or augmented. Each of the additional features, structures, modifications, or augmentations may be practiced in combination with the structures/features above or in combination with each other. Thus, some, all or none of the additional features, structures, modifications, or augmentations may be utilized in some embodiments. Some example additional optional features, structures, modifications, or augmentations are described below, and may include, for example, that in response to the drive assembly being in the first configuration, the worm gear assembly may be further configured to prevent any mobility of the mobility assembly of the vehicle in response to no power being transferred from the motor. Alternatively or additionally, the drive assembly may further include an engagement assembly configured to be selectively engaged with the worm gear assembly, and the drive assembly may be movable from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to disengagement of the engagement assembly from the worm gear assembly. Alternatively or additionally, the engagement assembly may include a selection lever configured to rotate between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and the engaged position may correspond to the first configuration of the drive assembly and the disengaged position may correspond to the second configuration of the drive assembly. Alternatively or additionally, the engagement assembly may include a dog clutch. In response to the selection lever being in the engaged position, the dog clutch may be configured to engage the worm gear assembly thereby operably coupling the worm gear assembly to the shaft of the mobility assembly. In response to the selection lever being in the disengaged position, the dog clutch may be configured to be disengaged from the worm gear assembly, and the worm gear assembly may be decoupled from the shaft of the mobility assembly. Alternatively or additionally, the dog clutch may be configured to engage a side of the worm gear in response to the selection lever being in the engaged position. Alternatively or additionally, the engagement assembly may include a control fork. A first end of the control fork may be operably coupled to the selection lever, and a second end of the control fork may be operably coupled to the dog clutch. The control fork may enable the engagement of the dog clutch to the worm gear assembly in response to the selection lever being in the engaged position. Alternatively or additionally, in response to the selection lever moving to the disengaged position, the control fork may be configured to move to a position away from the worm gear assembly thereby causing the dog clutch to disengage from the worm gear assembly. Alternatively or additionally, the selection lever may include a biasing mechanism, and the biasing mechanism may be configured bias the control fork to a position toward the worm gear assembly in response to the selection lever moving to the engaged position. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle may be a lawn care vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the lawn care vehicle may be a battery-powered lawn care vehicle. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits and/or solutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be thought of as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or to that which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.