Portable Battery Key for Snowmobile Starting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Starting a two-stroke snowmobile engine in cold weather is challenging due to high resistance when pulling the starter and the need for large, heavy batteries, which are inconvenient to maintain and detract from the vehicle's performance and fuel economy.
Innovation Solution
The engine features a starter flywheel with an integral starter pinion accepting member, a gear assembly with a worm gear, and a return spring, along with a locking flange and dust cover, which simplifies the starting process and reduces battery size requirements by optimizing the mechanical components for easier engagement and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large battery is used to start the vehicle reliably in cold temperatures, then the starting reliability is improved, but the weight increases and fuel economy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into a small stationary battery in the vehicle and a portable battery key. The stationary battery only needs to power the control system and communicate with the key, while the portable key contains the actual starting power capability. This segmentation allows the vehicle to have a much smaller battery weight while maintaining reliable starting capability through the portable key.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable battery key acts as an intermediary between the user and the vehicle starting system. It contains the power and control logic to authenticate and initiate engine starting, transferring the burden of power provision from the vehicle's stationary battery to the portable key that the user carries.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed vehicle battery is used for starting, then the starting function is provided, but the maintenance inconvenience increases in extreme cold temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The portable battery key is designed to be maintained and charged by the user independently of the vehicle. Users can keep the key indoors in warm environments to maintain its charge and functionality, eliminating the need for professional maintenance or vehicle disassembly to service the battery system.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the battery function into a portable key that users carry, the system allows users to independently manage and maintain the power source without affecting the vehicle's stationary battery or requiring vehicle disassembly.
3Reliability
If traditional starting systems are used, then the starting function is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex battery and starting control logic is extracted from the vehicle and placed in the portable battery key. The vehicle's starting system is simplified to only include the motor and control interface that communicates with the key, removing the need for complex battery management systems within the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable battery key serves multiple functions: it authenticates the user, provides power for starting, and communicates with the vehicle's control system. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single device, reducing overall complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances the ease of starting the engine in cold conditions while reducing the weight and maintenance burden of the battery, improving the overall performance and fuel efficiency of the snowmobile.
Implementation Method 1
The shaft has a worm gear coupled to the worm gear engaging surface
Implementation Method 2
a gear assembly with a worm gear, and a return spring, along with a locking flange
Implementation Method 3
The gear assembly has a return spring configured to bias the gear assembly exterior surface away from the flywheel when the shaft is not rotating
Implementation Method 4
The pinion shaft is supported by a bearing disposed between the shaft and the through bore integral surface
Data Source
AI summary
A system for starting an engine of a vehicle has a fuel injector injecting fuel into a closed intake port to form an air fuel mixture. The system also includes an actuator rotating a crankshaft in a first direction to open the intake port by moving a piston within a cylinder coupled to the crankshaft. A combustion chamber defines between the cylinder and the port receiving the air fuel mixture through the intake port. The actuator rotates the crankshaft in a second direction to close the intake port. A spark plug ignites the air fuel mixture to start the engine. The engine also includes many other disclosed features.