Spring-Connected Ice Scratcher for Snowmobile Track Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Snowmobiles operating on hard packed snow or icy surfaces experience reduced cooling and increased friction due to decreased snow sprays, leading to premature wear of track and slide rail components, as existing technologies fail to efficiently generate a spray of ice or snow for lubrication and cooling.
Innovation Solution
An ice scratcher device is designed for attachment to snowmobiles, featuring a spring-connected elongate member with a wear-resistant tip, capable of being deployed to create a spray of ice or snow by bending and extending to contact the surface, thereby lubricating and cooling the track and slide rails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the snowmobile operates on hard packed snow or icy surfaces, then the snowmobile can maintain mobility on diverse terrain, but the cooling efficiency of the engine and the lubrication of the track and slide rails deteriorate due to reduced snow sprays
Solution Approach 1:
The ice scratcher is deployed in advance to scratch the hard packed snow or icy surface before the track and slide rails make contact, creating a spray of ice and snow particles that will subsequently provide cooling and lubrication. This preliminary action prepares the surface conditions needed for proper thermal management and friction reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice scratcher acts as an intermediary device between the snowmobile and the hard packed snow or icy surface. By scratching the surface first, it creates intermediate ice/snow spray particles that mediate the interaction between the track/slide rails and the ground, providing both cooling and lubrication functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the snowmobile operates on hard packed snow or icy surfaces, then the snowmobile can maintain mobility on diverse terrain, but the friction between the track and slide rails increases leading to premature wear
Solution Approach 1:
The ice scratcher is deployed in advance to scratch the hard packed snow or icy surface before the track and slide rails make contact, creating a spray of ice and snow particles that will subsequently provide cooling and lubrication. This preliminary action prepares the surface conditions needed for proper thermal management and friction reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice scratcher acts as an intermediary device between the snowmobile and the hard packed snow or icy surface. By scratching the surface first, it creates intermediate ice/snow spray particles that mediate the interaction between the track/slide rails and the ground, providing both cooling and lubrication functions.
3Ease of operation
If a spring-connected elongate member is used to generate ice or snow spray, then the device can be easily deployed and retracted, but the structural complexity increases compared to fixed devices
Solution Approach 1:
The ice scratcher employs a dynamic structure with a spring-connected elongate member that can extend and retract. The spring mechanism allows the device to automatically deploy when needed (increasing effectiveness) and retract when not in use (maintaining simplicity). This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by making the complexity conditional rather than permanent.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides self-service by automatically deploying the elongate member when force is applied and retracting it when the force is removed, without requiring external actuation systems. The spring stores and releases energy to perform the deploy/retract cycle, eliminating the need for motors, hydraulics, or manual operation.
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
The ice scratcher effectively reduces friction and enhances cooling efficiency by generating a spray of ice or snow, mitigating premature wear and improving performance on hard surfaces, while being durable and easily deployable.
Implementation Method 1
A spring connects the first ice scratcher end portion to the elongate member. The spring has a plurality of coils defining a coil radius. The spring is movable between an unbent configuration and a bent configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
An ice scratcher for attachment to a snowmobile includes first and second ice scratcher end portions opposite to each other, an elongate member connected to the second ice scratcher end portion, and a spring connecting the first ice scratcher end portion to the elongate member. The spring has a plurality of coils defining a coil radius. The spring is movable between an unbent configuration, wherein a centerline passing through respective centers of each coil of the plurality of coils defines a coil axis, and a bent configuration, wherein at least a portion of the centerline is displaced from the coil axis. At least a portion of the first ice scratcher end portion is radially spaced from the coil axis by a distance less than the coil radius and adapted for attachment to the snowmobile. Ice scratcher assemblies, kits and snowmobiles having the ice scratcher are also disclosed.