Ski Stance Adjustment Clip for Snowmobiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snowmobile ski adjustment methods require tools and disconnection of skis from ski legs, making it inconvenient to change ski stance during a ride, especially when encountering varying terrain conditions.
Innovation Solution
A clip system that allows for adjustable ski stance without tools or disconnection, by selectively connecting to the ski bolt on either side of the ski leg, enabling lateral movement and reconnection to change the ski's position without lifting the snowmobile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ski stance is adjusted by removing and reattaching skis to ski legs, then the ski position can be changed, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming requiring tools and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
A clip is introduced as an intermediary component that connects to the ski bolt and engages with notches on the ski leg. This clip allows the ski stance to be adjusted by simply moving the clip between notches without removing the ski from the ski leg, eliminating the need for tools and complex disassembly operations while maintaining adjustable positioning capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ski stance is adjusted by removing skis from ski legs, then the position can be changed, but the time required for adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clip is pre-connected to the ski bolt before the skiing activity begins. During the ride, the clip can be quickly repositioned between notches on the ski leg to change ski stance. This preliminary connection eliminates the need for time-consuming ski removal and reattachment operations, allowing rapid stance adjustments during varying terrain conditions
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ski stance is adjusted by disconnecting and reattaching skis, then the position can be changed, but the device complexity increases due to additional tools and procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment function is extracted from the complex ski removal and reattachment process. The clip is designed to engage with notches on the ski leg, allowing the ski stance to be adjusted by simply moving the clip between notches. This extracts the adjustment capability from the complex disassembly procedure, maintaining adaptability while simplifying the operation to a single-component manipulation
Data Source
AI summary
A clip for selectively setting a position of a snowmobile ski and a method for adjusting the position. A snowmobile, snowmobile ski assembly, adjustment kit, and a method to adjust snowmobile ski stance also disclosed. The clip includes a connecting portion for selectively to the ski bolt, the connecting portion defining a space having an opening span less than a diameter of the ski bolt, and a central span greater than the opening span, at least one member of the connecting portion being deflected during connection to the ski bolt; and a gripping portion. The method includes removing the clip from the ski bolt on a first side of the ski leg, sliding the ski laterally relative to the ski leg along the ski bolt, and connecting the clip to the ski bolt on a second side of the ski leg.