Modular Running Board Support for Snowmobiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current snowmobile designs lack a standardized running board assembly that can be easily adapted to different configurations and models, leading to inefficiencies in production and maintenance, as well as limited flexibility in accommodating varying drive track requirements and suspension components.
Innovation Solution
A modular running board assembly with a support member and foot support member that can be removably secured to a common forward frame assembly, featuring interchangeable support legs and attachment elements, allowing for customization to fit different snowmobile models and configurations, while maintaining compatibility with various suspension and drive track setups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a standardized running board assembly is implemented across multiple snowmobile models, then production efficiency and maintenance flexibility are improved, but adaptability to different drive track requirements and suspension components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The running board assembly is divided into modular components including a support member, foot support member, and interchangeable support legs. Each component can be independently selected and assembled to match different snowmobile configurations, drive track requirements, and suspension components, enabling standardized production while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is designed with universal attachment features that can accommodate various drive track widths and suspension component positions. The interchangeable support legs provide multiple mounting configurations, allowing the same basic assembly to serve multiple snowmobile models and applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable support legs and attachment elements are used, then adaptability to different configurations is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interchangeability of modular components (support legs, attachment elements) simplifies the overall system by allowing standardized parts to be reused across different configurations, reducing the need for completely different assemblies for each snowmobile model.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment elements are designed with universal mounting features that work across different support leg types and snowmobile models. This universality reduces the variety of unique parts needed, thereby reducing complexity despite the ability to create many configurations.
3Ease of manufacture
If a common forward frame assembly is used, then production costs are reduced, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to varying requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The common forward frame assembly incorporates universal mounting locations and attachment features that accommodate different running board configurations. This allows a single frame design to be used across multiple snowmobile models while still meeting varying requirements through the interchangeable running board components.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the common frame elements from the configurable running board components, the manufacturing process can be optimized for high-volume production of standardized frames, while the running board assemblies are produced in smaller batches tailored to specific configurations, improving overall production efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A running board assembly for a snow vehicle includes a support member positioned outboard from a tunnel of the snow vehicle. The support member includes a first end, a second end, and an attachment element located intermediate of the first end and the second end. One or more foot support members is disposed inboard from the support member. A support leg is removably securable to the attachment element of the support member. The support leg includes a mounting feature securable to a rear suspension component disposed below an upper surface of a drive track.