Vehicle assembly having an electric vehicle and an accessory powertrain

Abstract

A vehicle assembly has a vehicle and an accessory powertrain connected to the vehicle. The vehicle has: a battery; a vehicle motor controller electrically connected to the battery; and a vehicle electric motor electrically connected to the vehicle motor controller. The vehicle electric motor is powered by the battery via the vehicle motor controller. The vehicle electric motor is configured to propel the vehicle. The accessory powertrain has: an accessory motor controller; and an accessory electric motor electrically connected to the accessory motor controller. The accessory electric motor is configured to drive a vehicle accessory. An accessory powertrain for connection to a vehicle and a vehicle accessory kit are also disclosed.

Description

VEHICLE ASSEMBLY HAVING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE ANDAN ACCESSORY POWERTRAINCROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] The present application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 627,476, filed January 31, 2024, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present technology relates to vehicle assemblies configured to drive vehicles accessories.BACKGROUND

[0003] Utility vehicles can be used for different types of maintenance tasks and specific interchangeable accessories, also known as tool attachments, are available for these tasks. These attachments may be mechanically driven from the utility vehicle’s powertrain, using a power take-off (PTO) or from the internal combustion engine, or by an engine provided on the accessory itself. With the electrification of utility vehicles, these accessories could be similarly driven, but this has not been found to be an efficient use of an electric vehicle powertrain.

[0004] In an electric vehicle, batteries output direct current (DC) power, which needs to be converted to alternating current (AC) power to power the vehicle’s electric motor. This is typically done by an inverter. As such, instead of mechanically driving an accessory from the electric motor or the vehicle’s drivetrain, an accessory electric motor can be provided on the accessory and this motor is connected to the vehicle’s inverter to receive AC power. However, AC power consumption of electric motors can be significant, and the vehicle’s inverter may not be able to convert and output enough AC power to both power the motor of the accessory and the motor of the vehicle at the same time. This may not be an issue where the accessory is to be used with the vehicle at rest, such as awoodchipper for example. However, other accessories, such as a snowblower, require the vehicle to be in movement while they are being used.

[0005] One solution to the above problem consists in providing a heavier duty inverter. However, this adds cost to the vehicle and also adds weight in order to provide a feature (i.e., driving an accessory) that is not always used.

[0006] Therefore, there is a desire for a system for powering vehicle accessories that can overcome at least some of the above-described drawbacks.SUMMARY

[0007] It is an object of the present technology to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences present in the prior art.

[0008] The present technology provides a vehicle assembly having an electric vehicle and a dedicated accessory powertrain connected to the vehicle. The vehicle has a battery, a motor controller, and a vehicle motor. The accessory powertrain has its own accessory controller and an accessory motor. The motor controller and the accessory controller both convert DC power to AC power and, in some embodiment, are both connected to the battery of the vehicle. An accessory can be connected to and driven by the accessory motor. The battery of the vehicle can output DC power at a higher rate than can be converted to AC power by a controller, such as an inverter. As such, by providing a dedicated accessory controller and accessory motor, a more efficient use of the DC power supplied by the battery can be achieved and the components used to drive the accessory do not affect the available AC power for driving the vehicle’s motor that has been obtained from the vehicle’s controller. In some embodiments, the accessory powertrain can be removed from the vehicle so as not to add weight to the vehicle when an accessory does not need to be used in combination with the vehicle. In some embodiments, the same accessory powertrain can be used to drive many different accessories.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present technology, there is provided a vehicle assembly having a vehicle and an accessory powertrain connected to the vehicle. The vehicle has: a battery; a vehicle motor controller electrically connected to the battery;and a vehicle electric motor electrically connected to the vehicle motor controller. The vehicle electric motor is powered by the battery via the vehicle motor controller. The vehicle electric motor is configured to propel the vehicle. The accessory powertrain has: an accessory motor controller; and an accessory electric motor electrically connected to the accessory motor controller. The accessory electric motor is configured to drive a vehicle accessory.

[0010] In some embodiments, the accessory powertrain is selectively connected to the vehicle.

[0011] In some embodiments, the accessory motor controller is selectively electrically connected to the battery. The accessory electric motor is powered by the battery via the accessory motor controller.

[0012] In some embodiments, the accessory motor controller is electrically connected to the battery. The accessory electric motor is powered by the battery via the accessory motor controller.

[0013] In some embodiments, the vehicle also has a direct current (DC) accessory output port electrically connected to the battery. The accessory motor controller is connected to the battery via the DC accessory output port.

[0014] In some embodiments, the vehicle also has a direct current (DC) power converter electrically connected to the battery. The accessory motor controller is connected to the battery via the DC power converter.

[0015] In some embodiments, the battery is a vehicle battery; the accessory powertrain also has an accessory battery; the accessory motor controller is electrically connected to the accessory battery; and the accessory electric motor is powered by the accessory battery via the accessory motor controller.

[0016] In some embodiments, the accessory powertrain is selectively connected to the vehicle. The accessory battery is selectively electrically connected to the vehicle battery. The accessory battery is recharged by the vehicle battery.

[0017] In some embodiments, the accessory battery is electrically connected to the vehicle battery. The accessory battery is recharged by the vehicle battery.

[0018] In some embodiments, the accessory battery is selectively removable from the accessory powertrain.

[0019] In some embodiments, the vehicle also has a direct current (DC) accessory output port electrically connected to the vehicle battery. The accessory battery is connected to the vehicle battery via the DC accessory output port.

[0020] In some embodiments, the vehicle also has a direct current (DC) power converter electrically connected to the vehicle battery. The accessory battery is connected to the vehicle battery via the DC power converter.

[0021] In some embodiments, the accessory powertrain also has a speed reducer assembly connected to and driven by the accessory electric motor. The speed reducer assembly is configured to drive the vehicle accessory.

[0022] In some embodiments, the vehicle assembly also has the vehicle accessory operatively connected to the accessory electric motor.

[0023] In some embodiments, the vehicle accessory is selected from a plurality of vehicle accessories. Each vehicle accessory of the plurality of vehicle accessories is configured for being operatively connected to the accessory electric motor.

[0024] In some embodiments, the vehicle motor controller includes an inverter.

[0025] In some embodiments, the accessory motor controller includes an inverter.

[0026] In some embodiments, the vehicle also has: a charger electrically connected to the battery; and a charging port electrically connected to the charger.

[0027] In some embodiments, the vehicle is a utility vehicle having: a frame, the battery, the vehicle motor controller, and the vehicle electric motor being connected to the frame; a seat connected to the frame; and at least two ground engaging members connectedto the frame. At least one ground engaging member of the at least two ground engaging members is operatively connected to the vehicle electric motor.

[0028] In some embodiments, in response to the accessory motor controller powering the accessory electric motor, the vehicle motor controller limiting a maximum speed of the vehicle electric motor and increasing a torque of the vehicle electric motor.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provided an accessory powertrain for connection to a vehicle. The accessory powertrain has: an accessory motor controller; and an accessory electric motor electrically connected to the accessory motor controller. The accessory electric motor is configured to drive a vehicle accessory.

[0030] In some embodiments, the accessory motor controller is configured for being electrically connected to a battery of the vehicle; and the accessory electric motor is configured for being powered by the battery via the accessory motor controller.

[0031] In some embodiments, the accessory powertrain also has an accessory battery. The accessory motor controller is electrically connected to the accessory battery. The accessory electric motor is powered by the accessory battery via the accessory motor controller.

[0032] In some embodiments, a speed reducer assembly is connected to and driven by the accessory electric motor.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provided a vehicle accessory kit having: an accessory powertrain configured for connection to a vehicle, a vehicle accessory. The accessory powertrain has: an accessory motor controller; and an accessory electric motor electrically connected to the accessory motor controller. The vehicle accessory is configured to be operatively connected to and driven by the accessory electric motor.

[0034] In some embodiments, the vehicle accessory is selected from a plurality of vehicle accessories. Each vehicle accessory of the plurality of vehicle accessories is configured for being operatively connected to the accessory electric motor.

[0035] In the context of the present specification, unless expressly provided otherwise, the words “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. have been used as adjectives only for the purpose of allowing for distinction between the nouns that they modify from one another, and not for the purpose of describing any particular relationship between those nouns.

[0036] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular form “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0037] As used herein, the term “about” in the context of a given value or range refers to a value or range that is within 20%, preferably within 10%, and more preferably within 5% of the given value or range.

[0038] As used herein, the term “and / or” is to be taken as specific disclosure of each of the two specified features or components with or without the other. For example, “A and / or B” is to be taken as specific disclosure of each of (i) A, (ii) B and (iii) A and B, just as if each is set out individually herein.

[0039] For purposes of the present application, terms related to spatial orientation when referring to a vehicle and components in relation to the vehicle, such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “forwardly”, “rearwardly”, “left”, “right”, “above” and “below”, are as they would be understood by a driver of the vehicle sitting thereon in an upright driving position, with the vehicle steered straight-ahead and being at rest on flat, level ground.

[0040] Embodiments of the present technology each have at least one of the above- mentioned object and / or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It should be understood that some aspects of the present technology that have resulted from attempting to attain the above-mentioned object may not satisfy this object and / or may satisfy other objects not specifically recited herein.

[0041] Additional and / or alternative features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the present technology will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:

[0043] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle assembly according to the present technology;

[0044] Figure 2 is a left side elevation view of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV);

[0045] Figure 3 is a left side elevation view of the ATV of Figure 2, with an accessory powertrain connected to the ATV, and a snowblower connected to the accessory powertrain; and

[0046] Figure 4 is a left side elevation view of the ATV of Figure 2, with the accessory powertrain of Figure 3 connected to the ATV, and a lawnmower connected to the accessory powertrain.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including", "comprising", or "having", "containing", "involving" and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter as well as, optionally, additional items. In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements.

[0048] A vehicle assembly 10 in accordance with the present technology will be described with reference to Figure 1. In Figure 1, the elements illustrated in dashed lines correspond to alternative or optional elements. As such, in this figure, when an element A illustrated in solid line connects to an element B illustrated in dashed lines which connects to an element C illustrated in solid line, it should be understood that in embodiments where element B is omitted, element A connects to element C. The elements shown in dashed lines in Figure 1 are not the only alternatives or options contemplated. Other alternative embodiments will be described below.

[0049] The vehicle assembly 10 includes a vehicle 12, an accessory powertrain 14 connected to the vehicle 12, and a vehicle accessory 16 operatively connected to the accessory powertrain 14 to be driven by the accessory powertrain 14. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the vehicle assembly 10 could exclude the vehicle accessory 16 since the vehicle 12 can be used with the accessory powertrain 14 even when the vehicle accessory 16 is not provided, and that vehicle accessories 16 compatible with the accessory powertrain 14 could be provided from various sources. It is also contemplated that the accessory powertrain 14 and one or more vehicle accessories 16 could be provided as a vehicle accessory kit to be used together with the vehicle 12.

[0050] The vehicle 12 is an electric vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle 12 is an electric utility vehicle such as, for example, an electric all-terrain vehicle (ATV) 100 (described in more detail below), a side-by-side vehicle (SS V) or a tractor. A utility vehicle is a vehicle that is intended to perform utilitarian functions (i.e., work) in contrast to other vehicles that are intended for recreational uses.

[0051] The vehicle 12 has a vehicle battery 20, sometimes referred to as a battery pack. The vehicle 12 is propelled by a vehicle electric motor 22. As the vehicle electric motor 22 operates on AC power and the vehicle battery 20 supplies DC power, a vehicle motor controller including an inverter 24 is electrically connected between the vehicle battery 20 and the vehicle electric motor 22. As such, the vehicle electric motor 22 is powered from the vehicle battery 20 via the vehicle motor controller, and the inverter 24of the vehicle motor controller converts the DC power from the vehicle battery 20 to AC power to be supplied to the vehicle electric motor 22.

[0052] The vehicle 12 also has a charging port assembly 26. The charging port assembly 26 includes an AC charging port 28 and a DC charging port 30. The AC charging port 28 is electrically connected to the vehicle battery 20 via a charger 32. The AC charging port 28, as the name suggests, is intended for permitting charging of the vehicle battery 20 by connecting to an AC power source. The charger 32 converts the AC power supplied to the AC charging port 28 to DC power, which is then supplied to the vehicle battery 20 for recharging the vehicle battery 20. The DC charging port 30 is electrically connected to the vehicle battery 20. The DC charging port 30, as the name suggests, is intended for permitting charging of the vehicle battery 20 by connecting to a DC power source. The DC power supplied to the DC charging port 30 is supplied to the vehicle battery 20 for recharging the vehicle battery 20. In alternative embodiments, the DC charging port 30 is electrically connected to the vehicle battery 20 via a DC power converter, such as a DC- DC converter, that regulates the DC power supplied to the vehicle battery 20 from the DC charging port 30. It is contemplated that in some embodiments the DC charging port 30 could be used to connect to an electric device for supplying DC power from the vehicle battery 20 to the electric device. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, one of the AC charging port 28 and the DC charging port 30 could be omitted.

[0053] The vehicle 12 also includes a DC accessory output port 34 electrically connected to the vehicle battery 20. In alternative embodiments, the DC accessory output port 34 is electrically connected to the vehicle battery 20 via a DC power converter, such as a DC-DC converter 36, that regulates the DC power supplied from the vehicle battery 20 to the DC accessory output port 34. In such embodiments, it is contemplated that the DC power converter could detect the power requirements of the electric load connected to the DC accessory output port 34 and automatically adjust the power output of the DC-DC converter 36 to match this power requirement.

[0054] The accessory powertrain 14 has a housing 48 that is connected to the vehicle 12. It is contemplated that the housing 48 could be selectively connected to thevehicle 12 such that the accessory powertrain 14 can be removed from the vehicle 12. In such embodiments, it is contemplated that the accessory powertrain 14 could be connected to the vehicle 12 via connections that do not require the use of tools, such as “quickconnect” connections or via connectors of the LinQ® family of connectors from Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. It is also contemplated that different types of vehicles could be provided with identical connection points such that the accessory powertrain 14 could be used with all of these vehicles.

[0055] The accessory powertrain 14 includes an accessory motor controller including an inverter 50, an accessory electric motor 52 electrically connected to the accessory motor controller, and a speed reducer assembly 54 connected to and driven by the accessory electric motor 52. The accessory electric motor 52 operates on AC power. The inverter 50, the accessory electric motor 52, and the speed reducer assembly 54 are mounted to the housing 48 and at least some of these are at least partially housed in the housing 48.

[0056] In the present embodiment, the inverter 50 is electrically connected to the vehicle battery 20 via the DC accessory output port 34. In some embodiments, the inverter 50 selectively connected to the DC accessory output port 34, so that the inverter 50 can be unplugged from the DC accessory output port 34. The accessory electric motor 52 is powered from the vehicle battery 20 via the accessory motor controller, and the inverter 50 of the accessory motor controller converts the DC power from the vehicle battery 20 to AC power to be supplied to the accessory electric motor 52. As described above, it is contemplated that a DC-DC converter 36 could be electrically connected between the vehicle battery 20 and the DC accessory output port 34. In such embodiments, the accessory motor controller, and therefore the inverter 50, is connected to the vehicle battery 20 via the DC-DC converter 36.

[0057] In alternative embodiments, the DC accessory output port 34 is omitted and the inverter 50 is electrically connected to the vehicle battery 20 via the DC charging port 30 which, as explained above, can be used to supply DC power from the vehicle battery 20. In such embodiments, the DC charging port 30 acts as the DC accessory output port.

[0058] In alternative embodiments, the accessory powertrain 14 includes an accessory battery 56 electrically connected to the accessory motor controller, and therefore the inverter 50. The accessory electric motor 54 is powered by the accessory battery 56 via the inverter 50. In some embodiments, the accessory battery 56 is connected to the battery 20 via the DC accessory output port 34 or the DC charging port 30, acting as a DC accessory output port, for recharging the accessory battery 56 from the vehicle battery 20. It is contemplated that in such embodiments, a DC power converter could be electrically connected between the vehicle battery 20 and the one of the DC accessory output port 34 and the DC charging port 30 to which the accessory battery 56 is connected. In some embodiments, the accessory battery 56 is removable from the accessory powertrain 14 such that the accessory battery 56 may be recharged remotely from the rest of the accessory powertrain 14. For example, it is contemplated that a first accessory battery 56 could be removed from the accessory powertrain 14 and be placed in a charging dock, and that a second charged accessory battery 56 could be placed in the accessory powertrain 14 to power the accessory electric motor 52 while the first accessory battery 56 is recharging.

[0059] The speed reducer assembly 54 is driven by the accessory electric motor 52 and is configured to operatively be connected to the accessory 16 for driving the vehicle accessory 16. The speed reducer assembly 54 transmits torque from the accessory electric motor 52 to the vehicle accessory 16. The speed reducer assembly 54 drives the vehicle accessory 16 at a slower speed than an output speed of the accessory electric motor 52. It is contemplated that the speed reducer assembly 54 could be a gear reduction assembly, a belt and sprockets assembly, a chain and sprockets assembly, a belt and pulleys assembly or combinations thereof. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the speed reducer assembly 54 is omitted from the accessory powertrain 14 and is instead provided on the vehicle accessory 16 and operatively connects to the accessory electric motor 52 when the vehicle accessory 16 is connected to the accessory powertrain 14.

[0060] The vehicle accessory 16 is operatively connected to the accessory electric motor 52 via the speed reducer assembly 54 so as to be driven by the accessory electric motor 52. It is contemplated that the vehicle accessory 16 could be one of a snowblower, a lawnmower, a mechanical sweeper, and a hydraulic pump with corresponding hydraulictool attachments. Other types of vehicle accessories 16 are contemplated. It is contemplated that the vehicle accessory 16 could be provided with a gearbox in addition to the speed reducer assembly 54 provided in the accessory powertrain 14. This gearbox could be used to change the output speed of the speed reducer assembly 54 to an operating speed of the vehicle accessory and / or to drive a driveshaft of the vehicle accessory 16 that is oriented differently from an output of the speed reducer assembly 54. For example, the auger of a snowblower is driven about a horizontal axis and the blades of a lawnmower are driven about a vertical axis. As such, depending on the orientation of the output of the speed reducer assembly 54, one of the snowblower and the lawnmower would require a gearbox to properly drive auger or the blades. The vehicle accessory 16 is also connected to at least one of the vehicle 12 or the housing 48 of the accessory powertrain 14 so as to be supported thereby. It is contemplated that the vehicle accessory 16 could be selectively connected to the vehicle 12 and / or the housing 48 such that the vehicle accessory 16 can be removed from the vehicle 12 and / or the housing 48. In such embodiments, it is contemplated that the vehicle accessory 16 could be connected to the vehicle 12 and / or the housing 48 via connections that do not require the use of tools, such as “quick-connect” connections or via connectors of the LinQ® family of connectors from Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.

[0061] It is contemplated that the vehicle accessory 16 could be selected from a plurality of different vehicle accessories 16 each of which is configured for operative connection to the accessory electric motor 52 and for connection to the vehicle 12 and / or housing 48. Each of the different vehicle accessories 16 is provided with identical connection points such that the different vehicle accessories 16 can be used with the vehicle 12 and the accessory powertrain 14. As such, a family of vehicle accessories 16 could be provided, including, for example, a snowblower, a lawnmower, a mechanical sweeper, and a hydraulic pump with corresponding hydraulic tool attachments, all of which are compatible with the accessory powertrain 14. As such, a user can have one accessory powertrain 14 that can work with multiple vehicle accessories 16.

[0062] It is contemplated that is some embodiments, in response to the accessory motor controller powering the accessory electric motor 54, the vehicle motor controllerlimits a maximum speed of the vehicle electric motor 22 and increases a torque of the vehicle electric motor 22. This has been found to improve efficiency of the system, especially in cases where the DC power is supplied to the accessory motor controller from the vehicle battery 20. It has also been found that when an accessory is in use, it is desirable for the vehicle electric motor 22 to have a limited maximum speed and to generate more torque. A similar change in the control of the vehicle electric motor 22 is contemplated in response to an accessory battery 56 being electrically connected to the vehicle battery 20 for being recharged, in embodiments provided with the accessory battery 56. It is contemplated that other operating conditions of the accessory powertrain 14 could lead in changes in the power consumption profile of the vehicle.

[0063] Turning now to Figure 2, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) 100, which is one contemplated embodiment of the vehicle 12, will be described. Elements of the ATV 100 that correspond to those of the vehicle 12 described above have been labeled with the same reference numerals.

[0064] The ATV 100 has a frame 102 and various body panels, including fenders 104, connected to the frame 102. The ATV 100 has two front wheels 106 and two rear wheels 108 connected to the frame 102 via front and rear suspension assemblies 110, 112 respectively. The front wheels 106 are operatively connected to a steering system including a handlebar 114. A speed controller, in the form of a lever (not shown), is mounted to a right portion of the handlebar 114. A lever position sensor (not shown) senses a position of this lever and sends a signal representative of the lever’s position to the vehicle motor controller. The vehicle motor controller controls the operation of the vehicle motor 22 based at least in part on this signal. A straddle seat 116 is connected to the frame 102 behind the handlebar 114. Although the ATV 100 has ground engaging members in the form of four wheels 106, 108, it is contemplated that other embodiments of the vehicle 12 could have two, three or more than four ground engagement members and / or could have a different kind of ground engaging members such as, but not limited to, drive tracks and skis.

[0065] The vehicle battery 20, the vehicle motor controller, and the vehicle motor 22 are connected to the frame 102. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the vehicle battery 20 could be structural and as such form part of the frame 102. The vehicle battery 20 is disposed below the seat 116, but it is contemplated it could be disposed elsewhere. In the present embodiment, the inverter 24 is mounted to the vehicle battery 20, and as such is connected to the frame 102 via the vehicle battery 20. The vehicle electric motor 22 is disposed in the rear portion of the frame 102. The vehicle electric motor 22 is operatively connected to the rear wheels 108 to drive the rear wheels 108 and thereby propel the ATV 100. It is contemplated that a drive assembly could additionally operatively connect, or selectively connect, the vehicle electric motor 22 to the front wheels 106 to also drive the front wheels 106. In alternative embodiments, it is contemplated that one vehicle electric motor 22 could be provided to drive the front wheels 106 and that another vehicle electric motor 22 could be provided to drive the rear wheels 108. The charger 32 (not shown in Figure 2) is provided in proximity to the vehicle battery 20. The charging port assembly 26 is provided in the front left fender 104. It is contemplated that the charging port assembly 26 could be provided elsewhere on the ATV 100. For example, the charging port assembly 26 could be provided in another fender 104 or between the handlebar 114 and the seat 116. The DC accessory output port 34 is provided at the front of the ATV 100, but it is contemplated that it could be provided elsewhere on the ATV 100. It is contemplated that the charging port assembly 26 and the DC accessory output port 34 could be provided with plugs or doors to prevent water, dirt, and mud from entering the charging port assembly 26 and the DC accessory output port 34 when nothing is plugged into these components.

[0066] Turning now to Figures 3 and 4, a vehicle assembly 130 (Figure 3) and a vehicle assembly 140 (Figure 4), which are embodiments of the vehicle assembly 10 described above, will be described. The vehicle assembly 130 includes the ATV 100, the vehicle powertrain 14, and a snowblower 132, which is an embodiment of the vehicle accessory 16. The vehicle assembly 140 includes the ATV 100, the vehicle powertrain 14, and a lawnmower 142, which is another embodiment of the vehicle accessory 16. Elements of the vehicle assemblies 130, 140 that correspond to those of the vehicle assembly 10 described above have been labeled with the same reference numerals.

[0067] With reference to Figure 3, in the vehicle assembly 130, the accessory powertrain 14 is connected to the front of the ATV 100. Although not shown, the inverter 50 is connected to the DC accessory output port 34. The snowblower 132 is connected to the front of the ATV 100. As can be seen, the accessory powertrain 14 is disposed between the snowblower 132 and the vehicle 12. The snowblower 132 has an auger 134. The auger 134 is mechanically connected to the speed reducer assembly 54 so as to be driven by the accessory electric motor 52.

[0068] With reference to Figure 4, in the vehicle assembly 140, the accessory powertrain 14 is connected to the front of the ATV 100 in the same manner as in the vehicle assembly 130. Although not shown, the inverter 50 is connected to the DC accessory output port 34. The lawnmower 142 is connected to the front of the ATV 100. As can be seen, the accessory powertrain 14 is disposed above a portion of the lawnmower 142. The lawnmower 142 has blades 144. A gearbox 146 mechanically connects the speed reducer assembly 54 to the blades 144 so as to be drive the blades 144 from the accessory electric motor 52. The gearbox 146 takes the rotational output of the speed reducer assembly 54 that is about a horizontal axis and transfers it to a rotation about a vertical axis to turn the blades 144 of the lawnmower 142.

[0069] It is contemplated that in alternative embodiments, the accessory powertrain 14 could be connected to the back of the ATV 100 in order to have a vehicle accessory 16 that is operated behind the ATV 10. For example, both the snowblower 132 and the lawnmower 142 could alternatively be provided behind the ATV 100. Another example of a vehicle accessory 16 that could be provided behind the ATV 100, or another vehicle 12, is a rotary tiller. It is contemplated that in embodiments of the vehicle 12 that have a storage compartment, a storage box or a flatbed, the accessory powertrain 14 could be provided in or on these components. It is also contemplated that embodiments of the vehicle 12 could be designed with a receptacle dedicated to receiving the accessory powertrain 14.

[0070] Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoingdescription is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the present technology is therefore intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle assembly comprising: a vehicle comprising: a battery; a vehicle motor controller electrically connected to the battery; and a vehicle electric motor electrically connected to the vehicle motor controller, the vehicle electric motor being powered by the battery via the vehicle motor controller, the vehicle electric motor being configured to propel the vehicle; and an accessory powertrain connected to the vehicle, the accessory powertrain comprising: an accessory motor controller; and an accessory electric motor electrically connected to the accessory motor controller, the accessory electric motor being configured to drive a vehicle accessory.

2. The vehicle assembly of claim 1, wherein the accessory powertrain is selectively connected to the vehicle.

3. The vehicle assembly of claim 1, wherein: the accessory motor controller is selectively electrically connected to the battery; and the accessory electric motor is powered by the battery via the accessory motor controller.

4. The vehicle assembly of claim 1, wherein: the accessory motor controller is electrically connected to the battery; and the accessory electric motor is powered by the battery via the accessory motor controller.

5. The vehicle assembly of claim 3, wherein: the vehicle further comprises a direct current (DC) accessory output port electrically connected to the battery; and the accessory motor controller is connected to the battery via the DC accessory output port.

6. The vehicle assembly of claim 3, wherein: the vehicle further comprises a direct current (DC) power converter electrically connected to the battery; and the accessory motor controller is connected to the battery via the DC power converter.

7. The vehicle assembly of claim 1, wherein: the battery is a vehicle battery; the accessory powertrain further comprises an accessory battery; the accessory motor controller is electrically connected to the accessory battery; and the accessory electric motor is powered by the accessory battery via the accessory motor controller.

8. The vehicle assembly of claim 7, wherein: the accessory powertrain is selectively connected to the vehicle; and the accessory battery is selectively electrically connected to the vehicle battery, the accessory battery being recharged by the vehicle battery.

9. The vehicle assembly of claim 7, wherein the accessory battery is electrically connected to the vehicle battery, the accessory battery being recharged by the vehicle battery.

10. The vehicle assembly of claim 7, wherein the accessory battery is selectively removable from the accessory powertrain.

11. The vehicle assembly of claim 7, wherein: the vehicle further comprises a direct current (DC) accessory output port electrically connected to the vehicle battery; and the accessory battery is connected to the vehicle battery via the DC accessory output port.

12. The vehicle assembly of claim 7, wherein: the vehicle further comprises a direct current (DC) power converter electrically connected to the vehicle battery; and the accessory battery is connected to the vehicle battery via the DC power converter.

13. The vehicle assembly of claim 1, wherein: the accessory powertrain further comprises a speed reducer assembly connected to and driven by the accessory electric motor; and the speed reducer assembly is configured to drive the vehicle accessory.

14. The vehicle assembly of claim 1, further comprising the vehicle accessory operatively connected to the accessory electric motor.

15. The vehicle assembly of claim 14, wherein: the vehicle accessory is selected from a plurality of vehicle accessories; and each vehicle accessory of the plurality of vehicle accessories is configured for being operatively connected to the accessory electric motor.

16. The vehicle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle motor controller includes an inverter.

17. The vehicle assembly of claim 1, wherein the accessory motor controller includes an inverter.

18. The vehicle assembly of claim 1, wherein the vehicle further comprises: a charger electrically connected to the battery; and a charging port electrically connected to the charger.

19. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a utility vehicle comprising: a frame, the battery, the vehicle motor controller and the vehicle electric motor being connected to the frame; a seat connected to the frame; and at least two ground engaging members connected to the frame, wherein at least one ground engaging member of the at least two ground engaging members is operatively connected to the vehicle electric motor.

20. The vehicle of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein, in response to the accessory motor controller powering the accessory electric motor, the vehicle motor controller limiting a maximum speed of the vehicle electric motor and increasing a torque of the vehicle electric motor.

21. An accessory powertrain for connection to a vehicle, the accessory powertrain comprising: an accessory motor controller; and an accessory electric motor electrically connected to the accessory motor controller, the accessory electric motor being configured to drive a vehicle accessory.

22. The accessory powertrain of claim 21, wherein: the accessory motor controller is configured for being electrically connected to a battery of the vehicle; and the accessory electric motor is configured for being powered by the battery via the accessory motor controller.

23. The accessory powertrain of claim 21, further comprising an accessory battery; wherein: the accessory motor controller is electrically connected to the accessory battery; and the accessory electric motor is powered by the accessory battery via the accessory motor controller.

24. The accessory powertrain of any one of claims 21 to 23, further comprising a speed reducer assembly connected to and driven by the accessory electric motor.

25. A vehicle accessory kit comprising: an accessory powertrain configured for connection to a vehicle, the accessory powertrain comprising: an accessory motor controller; and an accessory electric motor electrically connected to the accessory motor controller; and a vehicle accessory configured to be operatively connected to and driven by the accessory electric motor.

26. The vehicle accessory kit of claim 25, wherein: the vehicle accessory is selected from a plurality of vehicle accessories; and each vehicle accessory of the plurality of vehicle accessories is configured for being operatively connected to the accessory electric motor.