Snowmobile Throttle Lever Layout to Prevent Ice Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Snow and ice buildup at the throttle lever of snowmobiles due to heat from handgrips can prevent the throttle from fully closing, impeding engine operation.
Innovation Solution
A throttle block design with offsetting surfaces and air gaps to minimize snow and ice entrapment, combined with reduced heat transfer from heated handlebars, using polymer materials and air circulation pathways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If handgrips are heated to keep user's hands warm, then hand warmth is improved, but snow and ice melt and refreeze at the throttle lever causing operational impediments
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle block is divided into multiple components including a clamp portion, a lever support portion, and a spacer portion. This segmentation allows heat isolation between the heated handlebar and the throttle lever mechanism, preventing snow and ice buildup while maintaining handgrip heating functionality
Solution Approach 2:
A spacer portion is introduced as an intermediary component between the heated handlebar and the throttle lever. This spacer acts as a thermal barrier that prevents heat transfer from the handgrip to the throttle mechanism, eliminating the melting and refreezing problem while preserving the handwarming function
2Device complexity
If conventional throttle block design with confronting surfaces is used, then simple structure is maintained, but snow and ice become entrapped and compressed preventing throttle closure
Solution Approach 1:
The design transitions from a conventional single-plane confronting surface to a multi-dimensional arrangement where the lever support portion and spacer portion create offsetting surfaces in different spatial dimensions. This dimensional change eliminates the trapping of snow and ice between surfaces while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the throttle lever directly confront the throttle block surface, the design inverts the conventional arrangement by introducing a lever support portion that offsets the lever path from the block surface. This inversion prevents direct contact between snow/ice and the lever mechanism, ensuring reliable throttle closure
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
Prevents snow and ice obstruction of the throttle lever, ensuring reliable engine control and improved handgrip heating efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The throttle block design with offsetting surfaces and air gaps to minimize snow and ice entrapment, combined with reduced heat transfer from heated handlebars, using polymer materials and air circulation pathways.
Data Source
AI summary
A snowmobile throttle control system comprises a throttle block with a throttle thumb lever pivotally connected thereto, the throttle block clamped to a snowmobile handlebar next to a right hand grip. The hand grip and/or thumb lever having electric heaters. The configuration of the throttle block and thumb lever reducing issues associated with snow and or ice buildup between the two during operation of the throttle control system by vertically and horizontally spacing respective confronting portions of each, effecting shear forces on any such ice or snow between the two, and by minimizing heat transfer between the handlebar and throttle block by reducing the contact between clamping surfaces of the throttle block engaging the handlebar thereby minimizing melting and freezing of the snow and ice at the throttle control system. The thumb lever and throttle block providing integrated securement structure for wires associated with the electric heaters.