Snowmobile Storage Support Under Straddle Seat
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for increased storage within snowmobiles to accommodate various accessories and items such as skis, snowboards, tools, and food during different applications.
Innovation Solution
The snowmobile design includes a storage support system that extends longitudinally along the tunnel from behind the rear extent of the straddle seat to at least the midpoint of the seat, providing accessible storage space that can be enclosed on multiple sides for secure storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If storage space is increased within the snowmobile, then storage capacity is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage support is nested within the existing snowmobile structure, specifically positioned above the endless track and extending under the straddle seat. This nesting approach allows storage capacity to be increased without adding external structural complexity, as the storage support utilizes the existing spatial envelope of the snowmobile frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage support extends longitudinally along the tunnel from a location rearward of the longitudinal rear extent of the straddle seat to at least forward of the longitudinal mid-point of the straddle seat. By utilizing the longitudinal dimension along the tunnel and positioning storage in the space beneath the seat, the patent increases storage capacity without significantly increasing lateral or vertical complexity.
2Ease of operation
If storage support is made accessible along longitudinal direction, then ease of operation is improved, but storage security decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage support is segmented into different portions: a first portion that is enclosed on both lateral sides, a front, and a top, and a second portion that is accessible along the longitudinal direction. This segmentation allows different parts of the storage support to serve different functions - the enclosed portion provides security while the accessible portion provides ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the storage support have different enclosure characteristics. The first portion is enclosed on multiple sides for secure storage, while the second portion is accessible along the longitudinal direction for easy operation. This local differentiation of enclosure quality allows the storage support to simultaneously provide both security and accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A snowmobile may include an endless track, an electric powertrain operatively coupled to the endless track and a structural frame including a rear portion including a tunnel and a front portion positioned forward of the tunnel. The snowmobile may include a steering assembly and a straddle seat positioned along the longitudinal axis of the snowmobile over the endless track. The straddle seat may extend longitudinally rearward of the steering assembly. The straddle seat has a longitudinal front extent, a longitudinal rear extent, and a longitudinal mid-point. The snowmobile may include a storage support above the endless track and extending under the straddle seat of the snowmobile. The storage support may be accessible along a longitudinal direction of the snowmobile while the straddle seat is supported by a seat support and may extend longitudinally along the tunnel from a location rearward of the straddle seat to at least forward of the longitudinal mid-point of the straddle seat. The snowmobile may include a cantilevered straddle seat. The snowmobile may include a pass through storage positioned above the skis.