Snowmobile Ski Blade Alignment for Ice Adherence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional snowmobile skis have a large turning radius on hard snow or ice due to lack of adherence to the gliding surface, as the ski runners merely slide without digging in, and merely adding sharpened blade members does not ensure sufficient adherence.
Innovation Solution
A snowmobile ski attachment method involving a steering link with a push axis that registers with the leading end of a blade member on the ski's undersurface, enhancing adherence by applying force directly to the blade's leading end, which is designed with a wear bar and smoothing member to flatten irregularities and improve biting action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional ski runners are used that merely slide along the gliding surface, then the ski structure is simple, but the turning radius becomes very large on hard snow or ice due to lack of adherence
Solution Approach 1:
The ski is equipped with localized blade members (carbide blades) at specific positions on the undersurface rather than modifying the entire ski structure. These blades are concentrated at the leading end and trailing end portions, providing localized biting capability on hard snow and ice while maintaining the overall simplicity of the ski design.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade members are pre-positioned and fixed to the ski body in advance, with their leading ends aligned with the push axis of the steering link. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the ski engages the gliding surface, the blades are already in the optimal position to cut into hard snow and ice, improving turning control without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
2Reliability
If blade members are added to the underside of the ski to cut into the gliding surface, then biting action on hard snow is improved, but adherence is still insufficient without proper force application
Solution Approach 1:
The steering link serves multiple functions: it provides steering control and simultaneously acts as the force application mechanism that pushes the blade members into the gliding surface. The push axis of the steering link is aligned with the leading end of the blade, allowing the steering mechanism to directly enhance blade penetration and adherence without requiring separate actuation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting member is pivotally connected to the steering link, merging the blade attachment function with the steering mechanism. This integration allows the steering link to directly transmit pushing force to the blade leading end, combining structural support, steering control, and force application into a single unified system.
3Reliability
If the push axis of the steering link registers with the leading end of the blade member, then adherence and biting action are enhanced, but the mounting alignment becomes more precise
Solution Approach 1:
The blade member is asymmetrically positioned on the ski body, with its leading end specifically aligned with the push axis of the steering link. This asymmetric positioning ensures that the force from the steering link is applied optimally to the blade's leading end, maximizing biting action. The asymmetry is built into the ski structure itself, providing natural alignment guidance during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting member is designed with pivot holes that are positioned to create a natural alignment with the steering link's push axis. When the mounting member is attached to the ski body, the geometry of the pivot connection automatically positions the blade leading end in alignment with the push axis, creating an equipotential alignment condition that simplifies the mounting process while ensuring precise force application.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of attachment of a ski to a snowmobile, the snowmobile capable of displacement about a gliding surface. The method comprises the step of providing the snowmobile with at least one steering link defining a push axis. It also comprises the step of providing a snowmobile ski having a ski body defining an undersurface, a snowmobile mounting member connected to the ski body, and at least one blade member attached to the ski body and arranged about the ski body undersurface, the blade member defining a leading end portion and a trailing end portion. The method finally comprises the step of attaching the snowmobile mounting member to the steering link such that the push axis substantially registers with the leading end portion of the blade member when the snowmobile glides on the gliding surface, thus enhancing adherence of the ski to the gliding surface.