Snowmobile Limiter Strap Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snowmobile limiter strap adjustment systems are cumbersome and difficult to adjust while riding, requiring access to underside components and tools, making it challenging to optimize weight distribution for varying terrain conditions.
Innovation Solution
A limiter strap adjustment system featuring a strap holder with a torsion spring and adjustment lever, allowing for easy adjustment of the limiter strap's length between two positions, with a biasing mechanism that moves the strap holder based on tension changes, enabling quick adjustments without tools or underside access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional limiter strap adjustment system is used, then the limiter strap can limit separation between slide rails and tunnel, but the adjustment process requires accessing underside components and tools, making it difficult to adjust while riding
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the user to manually access and adjust the limiter strap connection points on the underside of the chassis, the invention inverts the approach by providing a strap holder with adjustment lever that automatically positions the strap at different lengths. The adjustment mechanism is brought to the user through the handlebar-mounted lever, reversing who does the moving in the adjustment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a strap holder as an intermediary component between the limiter strap and the chassis. This strap holder includes a biasing member (spring) that automatically positions the strap at appropriate lengths, mediating the connection and eliminating the need for direct manual adjustment of the strap itself.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the limiter strap length is fixed, then the structure is simple and robust, but the snowmobile cannot be optimized for different riding conditions such as level surfaces or inclined slopes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the previously static limiter strap length dynamic by providing a mechanism that can change the strap length on-demand. The strap holder with biasing member and adjustment lever allows the strap to be dynamically repositioned between multiple predetermined lengths, enabling adaptation to varying riding conditions while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of limiter strap length from a fixed value to an adjustable parameter. By providing a mechanism that can position the strap at different lengths, the system allows riders to optimize weight distribution for different terrains by changing the strap length parameter without modifying the strap itself.
3Loss of time
If manual adjustment of the limiter strap is required, then the system remains simple, but the adjustment process is time-consuming and cannot be done quickly while out on a trail
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by pre-positioning the limiter strap at multiple predetermined lengths using the biasing member mechanism. The strap holder is designed with stops that correspond to different strap lengths, so the adjustment lever simply needs to select from these pre-prepared positions rather than requiring manual measurement and adjustment of the strap length.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the manual mechanical adjustment process with a spring-loaded automatic positioning system. The biasing member (spring) automatically pushes the strap holder to predetermined positions, substituting the need for careful manual adjustment with a simple lever selection that relies on elastic force to maintain the selected position.
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
Facilitates easy and robust adjustment of the limiter strap length, improving weight distribution and ride stability across different terrains without the need for tools or underside access, enhancing the versatility and usability of snowmobiles.
Implementation Method 1
A limiter strap adjustment system featuring a strap holder with a torsion spring and adjustment lever
Data Source
AI summary
A snowmobile rear suspension assembly has a pair of slide rails and at least one suspension arm pivotally connected thereto and adapted to be pivotally connected to a tunnel. A shock absorber is adapted to be pivotally connected between the tunnel and the slide rails. A limiter strap, adapted to extend between the tunnel and the slide rails, is substantially inextensible to limit separation therebetween. A strap holder, connected between an end of the limiter strap and the slide rails or the tunnel when the at least one suspension arm is connected to the tunnel, is moveable between a first and a second strap holder position. A position of the end of the limiter strap, relative to the slide rails or the tunnel, is different in the first strap holder position compared to the second strap holder position. A method of adjusting the limiter strap is also disclosed.