Snowmobile Throttle Lever Spacing Against Snow and Ice Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Snow and ice buildup on snowmobile throttle control systems can prevent the throttle lever from returning to the fully closed position, impeding engine operation due to entrapment and compression forces.
Innovation Solution
The throttle block and thumb lever configuration minimizes snow and ice entrapment by vertically and horizontally spacing the lever arms from the throttle block, reducing direct contact surfaces and heat transfer, and incorporating air gaps and ribs to facilitate air circulation, thereby preventing ice and snow obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the thumb lever is configured to contact the throttle block for throttle control, then the throttle control function is achieved, but snow and ice can become entrapped between the lever and block preventing the lever from returning to the closed position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic confronting surfaces from the system by configuring the thumb lever arms to be vertically and horizontally spaced from the throttle block, eliminating the direct contact interface where snow and ice become entrapped. This allows the lever to move freely without obstruction while maintaining control function through the cable mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dimensional spacing by positioning the thumb lever arms in both vertical and horizontal dimensions relative to the throttle block. This multi-dimensional separation creates clearance that prevents snow and ice entrapment while preserving the functional relationship between the lever and block through the cable connection.
2Temperature
If heated grips are provided to keep user's hands warm, then hand warmth is improved, but heat transfer melts and refreezes snow causing lever obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces air gaps as an intermediary medium between the heated grip and the throttle block. These air gaps act as thermal insulation, preventing heat from the heated grip from transferring to and melting the snow around the throttle control components, thus avoiding the harmful melting and refreezing cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful heat transfer into a beneficial thermal barrier by utilizing the air gaps created by the spaced configuration. The same structural spacing that prevents mechanical entrapment also serves as thermal insulation, protecting the throttle block from heat-induced snow melting.
3Reliability
If the thumb lever arms are spaced from the throttle block to prevent snow entrapment, then lever return reliability is improved, but the throttle control mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves multi-functionality by designing the spaced configuration to simultaneously prevent both mechanical entrapment of snow and thermal transfer from heated grips. This single structural solution addresses multiple problems (mechanical operation and thermal management) without requiring separate components, thereby limiting the increase in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the mechanical spacing function with the thermal insulation function into a single design feature. The vertical and horizontal spacing of the lever arms from the throttle block serves dual purposes: preventing snow entrapment and blocking heat transfer, thus combining multiple protective functions in one structural arrangement.
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
This configuration ensures the throttle lever reliably returns to the closed position, maintaining engine control and reducing heat-related snow and ice buildup, enhancing operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
facilitating air circulation between the handlebar and the throttle block
Implementation Method 2
minimizing heat transfer from the right hand grip warmer to the throttle block by providing air gaps and air circulation pathways
Implementation Method 3
the ice and/or snow can become entrapped and compressed between confronting surfaces of the mid portion of the thumb lever and the throttle block
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.