ELECTRIC SNOWMOBILE ARCHITECTURE
An electric snowmobile, has: a frame extending along a longitudinal axis between a front end and a rear end, the frame including a tunnel at least partially enclosing a spacing, the tunnel having a top panel; an electric motor mounted to the frame; and a battery pack mounted to the frame and at least partially disposed rearward of the electric motor relative to the longitudinal axis, the battery pack including one or more battery modules operatively connected to the electric motor for supplying electrical energy to the electric motor, and a battery enclosure containing the one or more battery modules, the battery enclosure having a bottom panel supporting the one or more battery modules, the bottom panel of the battery enclosure secured to the top panel of the tunnel at a plurality of securing locations, the bottom panel and the top panel defining a structurally integrated double walled panel.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/368,679, filed Jul. 18, 2022, and from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/370,969, filed Aug. 10, 2022, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe application relates generally to snowmobiles and, more particularly, to electrically-powered snowmobiles.
BACKGROUNDSome snowmobiles combust fuel in an internal-combustion engine. The architecture of such fuel-consuming snowmobiles is designed to accommodate the size, weight and loads generated by the internal-combustion engine during operation of the snowmobile. The architecture of such fuel-consuming snowmobiles is also designed to accommodate the evacuation of hot combustion gases, cooling of components, and the lubrication of still other components.
For snowmobiles having batteries which supply electrical power to one or more electric motors for propulsion, the architecture of the snowmobile may be different than that of fuel-consuming snowmobiles.
SUMMARYIn one aspect, there is provided an electric snowmobile, comprising: a frame extending along a longitudinal axis between a front end and a rear end of the frame, the frame including a tunnel at least partially enclosing a spacing receiving a drive track, the tunnel having a top panel; an electric motor mounted to the frame; and a battery pack mounted to the frame and at least partially disposed rearward of the electric motor relative to the longitudinal axis, the battery pack including one or more battery modules operatively connected to the electric motor for supplying electrical energy to the electric motor, and a battery enclosure containing the one or more battery modules, the battery enclosure having a bottom panel supporting the one or more battery modules, the bottom panel of the battery enclosure secured to the top panel of the tunnel at a plurality of securing locations, the bottom panel and the top panel defining a structurally integrated double walled panel.
The electric snowmobile described above may include any of the following features, in any combinations.
In some embodiments, an effective thickness of the top panel of the tunnel corresponds to a thickness of the top panel plus a thickness of the bottom panel.
In some embodiments, a ratio of a thickness of the top panel of the tunnel to a thickness of the bottom panel of the battery enclosure ranges from 1.0 to 1.5.
In some embodiments, a distance between the bottom panel of the battery enclosure and the top panel of the tunnel ranges from about 1.5 mm to 2 mm.
In some embodiments, the bottom panel of the battery enclosure and the tunnel are made of two different materials.
In some embodiments, the bottom panel is made of aluminum, and the tunnel is made of aluminum.
In some embodiments, the bottom panel is free of contact with the tunnel.
In some embodiments, a damping layer is disposed between the top panel of the tunnel and the bottom panel of the battery enclosure.
In some embodiments, the top panel of the tunnel is parallel to the bottom panel of the battery enclosure.
In some embodiments, the plurality of securing locations are disposed along a perimeter of the bottom panel.
In some embodiments, the plurality of securing locations are distributed in two rows each extending longitudinally relative to the longitudinal axis and disposed adjacent a respective one of two side longitudinal edges of the bottom panel.
In some embodiments, the battery enclosure includes a cover removably securable to the bottom panel.
In some embodiments, the bottom panel is removable from the top panel of the tunnel.
In some embodiments, bolts are at the plurality of securing locations.
In another aspect, there is provided an electric snowmobile, comprising: a frame extending along a longitudinal axis between a front end and a rear end of the frame, the frame including a tunnel at least partially enclosing a spacing receiving a drive track, and a sub-frame disposed forward of the tunnel relative to the longitudinal axis, the sub-frame supporting a front suspension; an electric motor mounted to the frame; and a structure disposed over the sub-frame, the structure including members interconnected to one another, the members made of a first material, a bracket secured to an end of a member of the members via an adhesive, the bracket secured to the tunnel, the bracket made of a second material different than the first material.
The electric snowmobile described above may include any of the following features, in any combinations.
In some embodiments, the first material is steel and the second material is aluminum.
In some embodiments, the adhesive is one or more of an epoxy and an acrylic.
In some embodiments, the structure defines two fore ends and two rear ends, the bracket including two brackets each secured to a respective one of the two rear ends, the two brackets secured to the tunnel.
In some embodiments, the structure defines two fore ends each secured to a respective one of a right suspension and a left suspension of the front suspension.
In some embodiments, the members include a left member extending upwardly from a front left end to a left apex and from the left apex downwardly to a rear left end, a right member extending upwardly from a front right end to a right apex and downwardly from the right apex to a rear right end.
In some embodiments, the right member is secured to the left member proximate the left apex and the right apex.
In some embodiments, the structure includes a bracing member connecting the left member to the right member, the bracing member secured to the left member proximate or at the left apex and secured to the right member proximate or at the right apex.
In some embodiments, the structure includes a transverse member extending substantially transversally to the longitudinal axis from a left end to a right end, the transverse member secured to the left member and to the right member.
In some embodiments, a left foot rest is secured to a left side of the tunnel and a right foot rest secured to a right side of the tunnel, the left foot rest and the right foot rest extending along the longitudinal axis from the sub-frame towards the rear end of the frame, the left end of the transverse member secured to the left foot rest proximate the sub-frame, the right end of the transverse member secured to the right foot rest proximate the sub-frame.
In some embodiments, the transverse member is secured to the left member and to the right member via left and right connecting members made of the second material, the left and right connecting members secured to the transverse member and to the left and right members via the adhesive.
In some embodiments, the left member defines a left elbow and the right member defines a right elbow, the transverse member secured to the left member proximate or at the left elbow and secured to the right member proximate or at the right elbow.
In some embodiments, a left shear plate is connecting the transverse member to the sub-frame and a right shear plate connecting the transverse member to the sub-frame.
In yet another aspect, there is provided an electric snowmobile, comprising: a frame extending along a longitudinal axis between a front end and a rear end of the frame, the frame including a tunnel at least partially enclosing a spacing receiving a drive track, a sub-frame disposed forward of the tunnel relative to the longitudinal axis, the sub-frame supporting a front suspension; an electric motor mounted to the frame; a battery pack mounted over the tunnel and at least partially disposed rearward of the electric motor relative to the longitudinal axis, the battery pack having a front portion and a rear portion, a width of the front portion relative to a transverse direction normal to the longitudinal axis being greater than a width of the rear portion; and a structure disposed over the sub-frame and over the front portion of the battery pack, the structure defining at least four legs ending at four ends, the at least four legs including two front legs secured to the front suspensions and two rear legs secured to the tunnel, each of the two rear legs defining a respective one of two elbows and a respective one of two rear ends of the four ends, the two elbows located above the two rear ends, a distance along the transverse direction between the two elbows being greater than the width of the rear portion of the battery pack to receive the rear portion between the two rear legs.
The electric snowmobile described above may include any of the following features, in any combinations.
In some embodiments, a distance along a vertical direction being normal the transverse direction between the two elbows and a top wall of the tunnel is greater than a height of the battery pack taken along the vertical direction.
In some embodiments, the two elbows are located at an intersection between the front portion and the rear portion of the battery pack.
In some embodiments, the at least four legs are defined by two members each extending upwardly from a front end to an apex and downwardly from the apex to a respective one of the two rear ends.
In some embodiments, the two members are secured to one another proximate the apexes.
In some embodiments, the structure includes a bracing member connecting the two members.
In some embodiments, the structure includes a transverse member extending substantially transversally to the longitudinal axis from a left end to a right end, the transverse member secured to the two rear legs.
In some embodiments, a left foot rest is secured to a left side of the tunnel and a right foot rest secured to a right side of the tunnel, the left foot rest and the right foot rest extending along the longitudinal axis from the sub-frame towards the rear end of the frame, the left end of the transverse member secured to the left foot rest proximate the sub-frame, the right end of the transverse member secured to the right foot rest proximate the sub-frame.
In some embodiments, the transverse member is secured to two rear legs via connecting members.
In some embodiments, a left shear plate is connecting the transverse member to the sub-frame and a right shear plate connecting the transverse member to the sub-frame.
In still another aspect, there is provided an electric snowmobile, comprising: a frame extending along a longitudinal axis between a front end and a rear end of the frame, the frame including a tunnel at least partially enclosing a spacing receiving a drive track, a sub-frame disposed forward of the tunnel relative to the longitudinal axis, the sub-frame supporting a front suspension, and a bulkhead connecting the sub-frame to the tunnel; an electric motor mounted to the frame; a battery pack mounted to the frame and at least partially disposed rearward of the electric motor relative to the longitudinal axis; and a cooling system including a liquid coolant circuit in heat exchange relationship with one or both of the electric motor and the battery pack, and a heat exchanger mounted to the bulkhead, the heat exchanger having two plates secured to the bulkhead, one of the two plates exposed to the spacing, one or more conduits defined between the two plates, the one or more conduits hydraulically connected to the liquid coolant circuit.
The electric snowmobile described above may include any of the following features, in any combinations.
In some embodiments, the two plates include a first plate secured to the bulkhead and a second plate secured to the first plate, the second plate exposed to the spacing, being embossed, and defining one or more channels, the one or more conduits extending within the one or more channels.
In some embodiments, the heat exchanger is secured to the bulkhead at a plurality of securing locations thereby increasing a stiffness of the bulkhead.
In some embodiments, the plurality of securing locations are disposed along perimeters of the two plates.
In some embodiments, the two plates are made of metal.
In some embodiments, the two plates have each a thickness of about 1.6 mm.
In another aspect, there is provided a structure for an electric snowmobile having a battery pack having a front portion and a rear portion, a width of the front portion relative to a transverse direction normal to a longitudinal axis of the electric snowmobile being greater than a width of the rear portion, the structure comprising: two front legs to secure to front suspensions of the electric snowmobile; and two rear legs to secure to a tunnel of the electric snowmobile, each of the two rear legs defining a respective one of two elbows and a respective one of two rear ends, the two elbows located above the two rear ends, a distance along the transverse direction between the two elbows being greater than a width of the rear portion of the battery pack to receive the rear portion between the two rear legs.
Reference is now made to the accompanying figures in which:
The following disclosure relates to straddle seat vehicles and associated methods for operating the straddle seat vehicles. The straddle seat vehicles are drivingly engaged to motors for effecting propulsion of the vehicles in both forward and reverse directions. In some embodiments, the straddle seat vehicles and methods described herein may be applicable to electric powersport vehicles that may be operated off-road and/or in relatively rugged environments. Examples of suitable off-road electric and non-electric powersport vehicles include snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and utility task vehicles (UTVs). As used herein, the term off-road vehicle refers to vehicles to which at least some regulations, requirements or laws applicable to on-road vehicles do not apply. In some embodiments, the vehicles and methods described herein may, based on one or more positions of an input device operatively connected to a motor, determine the forward direction and reverse direction of propulsion for the vehicle.
The terms “connected”, “connects” and “coupled to” may include both direct connection and coupling (in which two elements contact each other) and indirect connection and coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements).
With reference to
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In the embodiment shown, the electric snowmobile 10 has a cooling system 100 including a liquid coolant circuit 101 in heat exchange relationship with one or both of the electric motor 26 and the battery pack 30. The liquid coolant circuit 101 may extend through cooling passages defined within or around the electric motor 26 and/or within cooling passages defined within the battery pack 30. A liquid coolant may flow within the cooling passages of the liquid coolant circuit 101 to pickup heat generated by these components. This heat may then be expelled to an environment via a heat exchanger, which will be described further below.
The electric snowmobile 10 may also include one or more brake(s) 36 (referred hereinafter in the singular) that may be applied or released by an actuation of a brake actuator (e.g., lever) 38 by the operator for example. The brake 36 may be operable as a main brake for the purpose of slowing and stopping the electric snowmobile 10 during motion of the electric snowmobile 10. The brake 36 may comprise a combination of tractive braking and regenerative braking. In some embodiments, the brake 36 may be operable as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/091,712 entitled “Braking system for an off-road vehicle”, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively or in addition, the brake 36 may be operable as a parking brake, sometimes called “e-brake” or “emergency brake”, of the electric snowmobile 10 intended to be used when the electric snowmobile 10 is stationary. In various embodiments, such main and parking brake functions may use separate brakes, or may use a common brake 36. In some embodiments of tractive braking, the brake actuator 38 may be lockable when the brake 36 is applied in order to use the brake 36 as a parking brake. The brake 36 may be electrically or hydraulically operated. For example, the brake 36 may include a master cylinder operatively coupled to a brake caliper that applies brake pads against a brake rotor that is coupled to the powertrain 16. In some embodiments, such brake rotor may be secured to and rotatable with the drive shaft 28. In some embodiments of regenerative braking shown in
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The battery enclosure 52 includes a cover 53 and a bottom panel 54. The cover 53 may be removably secured to the bottom panel 54. In other words, the cover 53 may be removed from the bottom panel 54 to access the battery modules 51 and/or other components of the battery pack 30 for maintenance purposes. The battery pack 30 may be secured to the tunnel 60 via the bottom panel 54 of the battery enclosure 52. In a further embodiment, the battery pack 30 may be secured to the tunnel 60 via a combination of the bottom panel 54 and the cover 53 of the battery enclosure 52. The battery modules 51 may be supported by the bottom panel 54 and secured thereto using any suitable techniques.
One of the functions of the tunnel 60 is to support the straddle seat 22 (
In the embodiment shown, the torsional stiffness of the tunnel 60 may be increased by the battery pack 30. More specifically, the bottom panel 54 of the battery enclosure 52 is secured to the top panel 61 of the tunnel 60 in a manner such that a torsional stiffness of the tunnel 60 is increased by the bottom panel 54 of the battery enclosure 52. Stated differently, the bottom panel 54 of the battery enclosure 52 is secured to the top panel 61 of the tunnel 60 at a plurality of securing locations 65 (see
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In the present embodiment, the cover 53 is secured to the bottom panel 54 at the first securing locations 49 spaced apart from one another by between 130-170 mm, and in some embodiments by about 150 mm. Threaded inserts (e.g., standoffs/clinch nuts) are secured to the bottom panel 54 at the first securing locations. Thus, threaded holes 54B may be defined by the threaded inserts. Bolts may then be inserted through registering apertures 53B, 55A defined through the flange 53A of the cover 53 and through the seal 55 until it threadingly engages the threaded holes 54B. The bolt has a head abutting the flange 53A to secure the flange 53A to the bottom panel 54. A washer may be used in some configurations.
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These fasteners at the second securing locations 65 may allow the removal of the bottom panel 54 from the top panel 61 of the tunnel 60. Stated differently, the whole battery enclosure 52 may be removable from the tunnel 60. The seal 55 and/or the layer 56 of damping material may be avoided in some embodiments.
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Moreover, having the longitudinal edges 54A of the bottom panel 54 being substantially aligned or flush with the longitudinal edges 61A of the top panel 61 of the tunnel 60 may allow to maximize a distance D1 (
The bottom panel 54 and the tunnel 60 may be made of the same material, such as aluminum. Alternatively, they may be made from two different materials (e.g., steel and aluminum). In some embodiments, composite materials may be used.
In the depicted embodiment, the top panel 61 of the tunnel 60 is free of contact with the bottom panel 54 of the battery enclosure 52. A spacing or gap between the tunnel 60 and the bottom panel 54 may be sized to receive the layer 56 of damping material. A third thickness T3 of this layer 56, which substantially corresponds to a dimension of the spacing or distance between the tunnel 60 and the bottom panel 54, may be about from 1.5 mm to 2 mm. The third thickness T3 corresponds to a distance between the tunnel 60 and the bottom panel 54. The layer 56 may be compressed when the bottom panel 54 is fastened to the tunnel 60. The gap between the tunnel 60 and the bottom panel 54 may increase the effective torsional and/or bending stiffness of the tunnel 60. For example, spacing the bottom panel 54 and the top panel 61 apart from one another may improve stiffness similar to an I-beam. This may for allow a reduced thickness of the material of the tunnel 60, thereby saving weight.
In some other embodiments, the layer 56 may be removed and the top panel 61 of the tunnel 60 may be in contact against the bottom panel 54 of the battery enclosure 52. In some cases, the bottom panel 54 may be glued to the top panel 61 of the tunnel 60.
A number of the second securing locations 65 between the bottom panel 54 of the battery enclosure 52 and the top panel 61 of the tunnel 60 is selected to increase a clamping surface area between these two panels. The greater the clamping surface area, the greater the loads transferred between the two panels.
Referring now to
In the embodiment shown, a left rear bracket 83 is secured to the left rear end 81D of the left rear leg 81B. Similarly, a right rear bracket 84 is secured to the right rear end 82D of the right rear leg 82B. The left and right rear brackets 83, 84 may be made of a second material, such as aluminum, or other suitable materials. The use of aluminum may reduce the weight of the left and right rear brackets 83, 84 as compared to other materials, for example. The second material of the left and right rear brackets 83, 84 may be different than the first material of the left and right primary members 81, 82. This use of dissimilar materials may provide an improved trade-off between the weight, strength and cost of the structure 80 when compared to a structure made of a uniform material, for example.
The left and right rear brackets 83, 84 define flanges for being secured to the side panels 62 of the tunnel 60. In some embodiments, the aluminum brackets 83, 84 are casted components, allowing for relatively intricate geometries. In some embodiments, the bracing member 86 may be a forged component, providing increased strength to take on greater loads from the steering column than casted components. In other embodiments, all of brackets 83, 84 and bracing member 86 may be either casted or forged.
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In the present embodiment, the left primary member 81 is secured to the right primary member 82 via bracing member 86. The bracing member 86 may be made of the second material, which may be aluminum, and secured to the left and right primary members 81, 82 via the adhesive 85 as described herein above with reference to
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The left end 87A of the transverse member 87 is secured to one of the foot rests 63 and the right end 87B of the transverse member 87 is secured to the other of the foot rests 63. Thus, the two foot rests 63 may be secured to one another via the transverse member 87. As illustrated in
Securing the first and second ends 87A, 87B of the transverse member 87 to the foot rests 63 may provide room for the front portion 30A of the battery pack 30. As noted above, the width W1 of the front portion 30A of the battery back 30 may be greater than the width W2 of the rear portion 30B, and therefore extending the transverse member 87 beyond the width of the tunnel 60 may provide additional room to accommodate the front portion 30A within the structure 80.
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The structure 80, including the left and right primary members 81, 82, the transverse members 87, the brackets 83, 84, the connecting members 88, 89, the bracing member 86, and the left and right secondary members 90, 91, may become a single integral unit. The structure 80 may be secured to the frame 12 at six different locations, each corresponding to a respective one of the ends 81C, 81D, 82C, 82D, 87A, 87B. The structure 80 may be secured to the tunnel 60 and the sub-frame 70 as a whole single unit lowered down over the battery pack 30.
In some embodiments, fasteners such as bolts may be used to connect the structure to the tunnel 60 and the sub-frame 70. For example, each of the ends 81C, 82C may include a threaded hole to receive a bolt extending through a respective one of the front suspensions 45 to connect to the front suspensions 45. The threaded holes may extend axially into the left and right primary members 81, 82 at the ends 81C, 82C, respectively. Similarly, each of the ends 87A, 87B may include an threaded hole extending axially into the transverse member 87 at a respective one of the ends 87A, 87B. These threaded holes may receive bolts extending through the foot rests 63. The left and right rear brackets 83, 84 may also be coupled to the tunnel 60 using fasteners.
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In the present embodiment, the structure 80 may be removed from the sub-frame 70 and the tunnel 60 to access the battery pack 30. This may be useful if a replacement or repair of the battery pack 30 is required. To assemble the electric snowmobile 10, the battery pack 30 may be disposed over the tunnel 60 and the sub-frame 70. Then, the structure 80 may be lowered vertically over the battery pack 30 and be secured to the tunnel 60 and sub-frame 70. As explained above, the two elbows of the structure 80 are sufficiently spaced apart and elevated to accommodate the battery pack 30.
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The structure 180 includes the left and right primary members 81, 82 defining the four legs 81A, 81B, 82A, 82B. The left and right primary members 81, 82 are secured together via two secondary transverse members 181, 182 extending generally transversally to the longitudinal axis L.
Referring now to
The structure 280 includes the left and right primary members 281, 282 defining the four legs 81A, 81B, 82A, 82B. In the embodiment shown, the left and right primary members 281, 282 are secured together at an apex 281A of the structure 280. In other words, the left and right primary members 281, 282 cross one another at the apex 281A. The left and right primary members 281, 282 are secured together via two secondary transverse members 283, 284 extending generally transversally to the longitudinal axis L. The two secondary transverse members 283, 284 are located above one another and may be parallel to one another.
Referring now to
The structure 380 includes the two primary members 381, 382 defining the four legs 81A, 81B, 82A, 82B. In the embodiment shown, the two primary members 381, 382 are offset from one another relative to the longitudinal axis L and define U-shapes and apexes 381A, 382A. The two primary members 381, 382 are secured together at their apexes 381A, 382A via a plate 383. The two primary members 381, 382 are secured together via a secondary transverse members 384 extending generally transversally to the longitudinal axis L.
In some embodiments, two or more members of the structures 180, 280, 380 may be secured together using fasteners, welds and/or adhesives. Optionally, brackets may be used to help secure the members.
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Referring more particularly to
In use, the liquid coolant flows through the different components (e.g., electric motor 26, battery pack 30) to pick up heat from said components. The liquid coolant then flows through the one or more channels 105 of the heat exchanger 102 via the inlet 1021 and outlet 1020. Heat of the liquid coolant may be transferred to ambient air via the one or more channels 105, via internal convection within the one or more channels 105, conduction through the second plate 104, and external convection with the ambient air.
As better illustrated in
The disclosed frame 12 and structure 80 of the electric snowmobile 10 may provide the necessary stiffness and may be lighter than existing snowmobile configurations. It may be more cost efficient and easier to manufacture. The stiffness in torsion of the tunnel 60 may be improved by the battery pack 30, and more particularly by the bottom panel 54 of said battery pack 30. The structure 80 may be adequately sized to accommodate the battery pack 30 while providing the required stiffness.
In the context of the present disclosure, the expression “about” includes variations of plus or minus 10%.
The embodiments described in this document provide non-limiting examples of possible implementations of the present technology. Upon review of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the present technology. Yet further modifications could be implemented by a person of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure, which modifications would be within the scope of the present technology.
Claims
1. An electric snowmobile, comprising:
- a frame extending along a longitudinal axis between a front end and a rear end of the frame, the frame including a tunnel at least partially enclosing a spacing receiving a drive track, a sub-frame disposed forward of the tunnel relative to the longitudinal axis, the sub-frame supporting a front suspension;
- an electric motor mounted to the frame;
- a battery pack mounted over the tunnel and at least partially disposed rearward of the electric motor relative to the longitudinal axis, the battery pack having a front portion and a rear portion, a width of the front portion relative to a transverse direction normal to the longitudinal axis being greater than a width of the rear portion; and
- a structure disposed over the sub-frame and over the front portion of the battery pack, the structure defining at least four legs ending at four ends, the at least four legs including two front legs secured to the front suspensions and two rear legs secured to the tunnel, each of the two rear legs defining a respective one of two elbows and a respective one of two rear ends of the four ends, the two elbows located above the two rear ends, a distance along the transverse direction between the two elbows being greater than the width of the rear portion of the battery pack to receive the rear portion between the two rear legs.
2. The electric snowmobile of claim 1, wherein a distance along a vertical direction being normal the transverse direction between the two elbows and a top wall of the tunnel is greater than a height of the battery pack taken along the vertical direction.
3. The electric snowmobile of claim 1, wherein the two elbows are located at an intersection between the front portion and the rear portion of the battery pack.
4. The electric snowmobile of claim 1, wherein the at least four legs are defined by two members each extending upwardly from a front end to an apex and downwardly from the apex to a respective one of the two rear ends.
5. The electric snowmobile of claim 4, wherein the two members are secured to one another proximate the apexes.
6. The electric snowmobile of claim 5, wherein the structure includes a bracing member connecting the two members.
7. The electric snowmobile of claim 1, wherein the structure includes a transverse member extending substantially transversally to the longitudinal axis from a left end to a right end, the transverse member secured to the two rear legs.
8. The electric snowmobile of claim 7, comprising a left foot rest secured to a left side of the tunnel and a right foot rest secured to a right side of the tunnel, the left foot rest and the right foot rest extending along the longitudinal axis from the sub-frame towards the rear end of the frame, the left end of the transverse member secured to the left foot rest proximate the sub-frame, the right end of the transverse member secured to the right foot rest proximate the sub-frame.
9. The electric snowmobile of claim 7, wherein the transverse member is secured to two rear legs via connecting members.
10. The electric snowmobile of claim 7, comprising a left shear plate connecting the transverse member to the sub-frame and a right shear plate connecting the transverse member to the sub-frame.
11. An electric snowmobile, comprising:
- a frame extending along a longitudinal axis between a front end and a rear end of the frame, the frame including a tunnel at least partially enclosing a spacing receiving a drive track, and a sub-frame disposed forward of the tunnel relative to the longitudinal axis, the sub-frame supporting a front suspension;
- an electric motor mounted to the frame; and
- a structure disposed over the sub-frame, the structure including members interconnected to one another, the members made of a first material, a bracket secured to an end of a member of the members via an adhesive, the bracket secured to the tunnel, the bracket made of a second material different than the first material.
12. The electric snowmobile of claim 11, wherein the first material is steel and the second material is aluminum.
13. The electric snowmobile of claim 11, wherein the adhesive is one or more of an epoxy and an acrylic.
14. The electric snowmobile of claim 11, wherein the structure defines two fore ends and two rear ends, the bracket including two brackets each secured to a respective one of the two rear ends, the two brackets secured to the tunnel.
15. The electric snowmobile of claim 11, wherein the structure defines two fore ends each secured to a respective one of a right suspension and a left suspension of the front suspension.
16. The electric snowmobile of claim 11, wherein the members include a left member extending upwardly from a front left end to a left apex and from the left apex downwardly to a rear left end, a right member extending upwardly from a front right end to a right apex and downwardly from the right apex to a rear right end.
17. The electric snowmobile of claim 16, wherein the right member is secured to the left member proximate the left apex and the right apex.
18. The electric snowmobile of claim 16, wherein the structure includes a bracing member connecting the left member to the right member, the bracing member secured to the left member proximate or at the left apex and secured to the right member proximate or at the right apex.
19. The electric snowmobile of claim 16, wherein the structure includes a transverse member extending substantially transversally to the longitudinal axis from a left end to a right end, the transverse member secured to the left member and to the right member.
20. The electric snowmobile of claim 19, comprising a left foot rest secured to a left side of the tunnel and a right foot rest secured to a right side of the tunnel, the left foot rest and the right foot rest extending along the longitudinal axis from the sub-frame towards the rear end of the frame, the left end of the transverse member secured to the left foot rest proximate the sub-frame, the right end of the transverse member secured to the right foot rest proximate the sub-frame.
21. The electric snowmobile of claim 19, wherein the transverse member is secured to the left member and to the right member via left and right connecting members made of the second material, the left and right connecting members secured to the transverse member and to the left and right members via the adhesive.
22. The electric snowmobile of claim 19, wherein the left member defines a left elbow and the right member defines a right elbow, the transverse member secured to the left member proximate or at the left elbow and secured to the right member proximate or at the right elbow.
23. The electric snowmobile of claim 19, comprising a left shear plate connecting the transverse member to the sub-frame and a right shear plate connecting the transverse member to the sub-frame.
24. A structure for an electric snowmobile having a battery pack having a front portion and a rear portion, a width of the front portion relative to a transverse direction normal to a longitudinal axis of the electric snowmobile being greater than a width of the rear portion, the structure comprising:
- two front legs to secure to front suspensions of the electric snowmobile; and
- two rear legs to secure to a tunnel of the electric snowmobile, each of the two rear legs defining a respective one of two elbows and a respective one of two rear ends, the two elbows located above the two rear ends, a distance along the transverse direction between the two elbows being greater than a width of the rear portion of the battery pack to receive the rear portion between the two rear legs.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 13, 2023
Publication Date: Jan 18, 2024
Inventors: Paul DOWDEN (Lindsay), Matthew SCHROEDER (Montreal), Daniel BELL (Montreal), Patrick BERNIER (Montreal)
Application Number: 18/221,492