Snowmobile Ski Spindle Outboard Mounting for Cornering Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Snowmobiles face stability and traction issues due to width limitations, which affect cornering and steering performance, especially when operating in compacted and frozen snow tracks.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a ski assembly with a keel and runner positioned on the outboard lateral side of the ski, coupled with a front suspension system that mounts the spindle outboard relative to the ski's central plane, increasing the width of the front suspension and steering assembly for improved cornering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the width of snowmobile is limited by regulation, then the snowmobile can comply with legal requirements, but the stability and cornering performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the spindle and front suspension components from a conventional inboard location to an outboard location relative to the ski's central plane. This spatial reconfiguration increases the effective width of the steering and suspension assembly without increasing the overall snowmobile width, thereby improving cornering stability while maintaining regulatory compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the spindle and suspension components, placing them laterally offset from the ski's central plane. This asymmetric arrangement creates a wider effective track for the suspension system, enhancing stability and cornering performance within the constrained overall width
2Ease of operation
If the skis are positioned in compacted and frozen tracks, then the snowmobile can follow existing paths, but excessive steering feedback occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the spindle and suspension outboard of the ski's central plane, the patent creates a wider effective track that better accommodates the ski within compacted tracks, reducing the binding effect and excessive steering feedback while maintaining path following capability
3Reliability
If the ski geometry allows snow buildup, then the ski can maintain contact with the ground, but steering performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spindle and front suspension from the conventional inboard position and relocates them to an outboard position. This repositioning changes the geometry of the ski assembly to reduce snow buildup in critical steering areas, thereby improving steering performance while maintaining reliable ground contact
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle is provided and includes a frame including a tunnel and a front portion, an endless track at least partially positioned within the tunnel, a ski supporting the front portion of the frame, a spindle coupled to the ski, and a front suspension coupled to the spindle. The ski defines a central plane extending vertically and longitudinally, the central plane defining an inboard lateral side and an outboard lateral side, the ski having a bottom surface and a keel extending therefrom on the outboard lateral side. The spindle is coupled to the ski at a first position on the outboard lateral side of the ski. The front suspension is coupled to the spindle at a second position outboard from the central plane of the ski.