IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,139,233
Granted Patent B2
US 12,139,233 · App. 17/395,479 · Granted Nov 12, 2024

Electric snowmobile

Inventor: Yasushi Matsushita (Shizuoka, JP)
Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
B62M27/02B60L50/66B60L58/26B62M2027/028
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,139,233
App. No.
17/395,479
Granted
Nov 12, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electric snowmobile that prevents temperature rise of a control unit is provided. An electric snowmobile includes a body frame extending in a front-rear direction, a driver's seat supported by the body frame, an electric motor supported by the body frame, a ski supported by the body frame, a track mechanism including a track belt, supported by the body frame below the driver's seat, a battery that supplies electric power to the electric motor, and an inverter including an electronic component controlling a rotation of the electric motor and a housing for housing the electronic component. An opening is formed in the body frame so that a portion of the inverter is exposed from the opening to face the track belt.

Claims (82)

1. An electric snowmobile, comprising:

a body frame extending in a front-rear direction;

a driver's seat supported by the body frame;

an electric motor supported by the body frame;

a ski supported by the body frame;

a track mechanism, which includes a track belt, and which is supported by the body frame below the driver's seat;

a battery that supplies electric power to the electric motor; and

a control unit including an electronic component and a housing for housing the electronic component, the electronic component controlling a rotation of the electric motor or driving of the battery, wherein

an opening is formed in the body frame so that a portion of the control unit is exposed from the opening to face the track belt;

wherein the opening is formed such that a portion of the track belt is disposed in an extension of the opening in a direction perpendicular to an opening surface of the opening.

2. The electric snowmobile according to claim 1 , wherein

a heat dissipating structure is provided in the housing, and

the opening exposes the heat dissipating structure so as to face the track belt.

3. The electric snowmobile according to claim 2 , wherein

the heat dissipating structure includes a plurality of radiator fins protruding to an outside of the body frame.

4. The electric snowmobile according to claim 3 , wherein

the heat dissipating structure includes a base portion and the plurality of radiator fins protruding from the base portion, and

the electronic component is provided on a surface of the base portion opposite to a surface on which the plurality of radiator fins are provided.

5. The electric snowmobile according to claim 4 , wherein

the base portion is fastened to a peripheral portion of the opening in the body frame using a fastener.

6. The electric snowmobile according to claim 4 , wherein

a sealing member is provided between the base portion and the peripheral portion of the opening in the body frame.

7. The electric snowmobile according to claim 4 , wherein

the control unit includes a connection terminal, and

the connection terminal is provided on an opposite side of the plurality of radiator fins through the opening.

8. An electric snowmobile, comprising:

a body frame extending in a front-rear direction;

a driver's seat supported by the body frame;

an electric motor supported by the body frame;

a ski supported by the body frame;

a track mechanism, which includes a track belt, and which is supported by the body frame below the driver's seat;

a battery that supplies electric power to the electric motor; and

a control unit including an electronic component and a housing for housing the electronic component, the electronic component controlling a rotation of the electric motor or driving of the battery, wherein

an opening is formed in the body frame so that a portion of the control unit is exposed from the opening to face the track belt;

wherein

the body frame includes an upper plate, on which the driver's seat is directly or indirectly disposed, and a front side plate extending downwardly from a front portion of the upper plate,

the opening is formed in the front side plate, and

the control unit is provided along the front side plate.

9. The electric snowmobile according to claim 8 , wherein

the front side plate includes an inclined plate and a lower plate, the inclined plate extending and inclining forwardly and downwardly from the front portion of the upper plate, the lower plate extending downwardly from the inclined plate,

the opening is formed in the inclined plate, and

the control unit is provided along the inclined plate.

10. An electric snowmobile, comprising:

a body frame extending in a front-rear direction;

a driver's seat supported by the body frame;

an electric motor supported by the body frame;

a ski supported by the body frame;

a track mechanism, which includes a track belt, and which is supported by the body frame below the driver's seat;

a battery that supplies electric power to the electric motor; and

a control unit including an electronic component and a housing for housing the electronic component, the electronic component controlling a rotation of the electric motor or driving of the battery, wherein

an opening is formed in the body frame so that a portion of the control unit is exposed from the opening to face the track belt;

wherein

the body frame includes an upper plate on which the driver's seat is directly or indirectly disposed,

the opening is formed in the upper plate, and

the control unit is provided on the upper plate.

11. The electric snowmobile according to claim 1 , wherein

the control unit is disposed between the electric motor and the track belt in a front-rear direction.

12. An electric snowmobile, comprising:

a body frame extending in a front-rear direction;

a driver's seat supported by the body frame;

an electric motor supported by the body frame;

a ski supported by the body frame;

a track mechanism, which includes a track belt, and which is supported by the body frame below the driver's seat;

a battery that supplies electric power to the electric motor; and

a control unit including an electronic component and a housing for housing the electronic component, the electronic component controlling a rotation of the electric motor or driving of the battery, wherein

an opening is formed in the body frame so that a portion of the control unit is exposed from the opening to face the track belt;

wherein

the control unit is disposed between the electric motor and the battery in a front-rear direction.

13. An electric snowmobile, comprising:

a body frame extending in a front-rear direction;

a driver's seat supported by the body frame;

an electric motor supported by the body frame;

a ski supported by the body frame;

a track mechanism, which includes a track belt, and which is supported by the body frame below the driver's seat;

a battery that supplies electric power to the electric motor; and

a control unit including an electronic component and a housing for housing the electronic component, the electronic component controlling a rotation of the electric motor or driving of the battery, wherein

an opening is formed in the body frame so that a portion of the control unit is exposed from the opening to face the track belt;

wherein a heat dissipating structure is provided in the housing, and

the opening exposes the heat dissipating structure so as to face the track belt;

wherein the heat dissipating structure includes a plurality of radiator fins protruding to an outside of the body frame;

wherein the heat dissipating structure includes a base portion and the plurality of radiator fins protruding from the base portion, and

the electronic component is provided on a surface of the base portion opposite to a surface on which the plurality of radiator fins are provided.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 10, 2021
From: MATSUSHITA, YASUSHI
To: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 057127/0274 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2020-142378 · Aug 26, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220063764A1 · Mar 3, 2022