Snowmobile Tunnel Width Variation Using Engine Compartment Spacers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional snowmobile designs require significant modifications to the power pack configuration for different tunnel widths, leading to increased production time and costs due to unbalanced transverse mass distribution caused by the engine's offset position.
Innovation Solution
A family of snowmobiles with the same engine compartment configuration but varying tunnel widths, utilizing spacers between the tunnel and engine compartment sides to maintain engine centrality and balance, allowing the power pack to remain unchanged across different models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the engine is offset to one side to accommodate a larger tunnel width, then the tunnel width increases, but the transverse mass distribution becomes unbalanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally offsetting the engine and power pack components from the longitudinal centerline of the snowmobile. This asymmetric arrangement allows the engine to be positioned within the engine compartment while maintaining adequate clearance from the tunnel side, thereby accommodating larger tunnel widths without requiring perfect centering of the mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the positional parameters of the engine and power pack components, allowing the engine to be offset from the centerline by a controlled distance. This parameter adjustment enables the power pack to fit within the engine compartment while maintaining proper clearance from the tunnel, resolving the conflict between tunnel width and mass distribution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the engine and power pack components are relocated for different tunnel widths, then the tunnel width varies, but the production time and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal engine compartment design that can accommodate different tunnel widths without requiring custom power pack configurations. The engine compartment is designed with sufficient transverse space and proper structural features to house the power pack components in a standardized arrangement, making the same power pack suitable for multiple snowmobile models with different tunnel widths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the snowmobile frame into distinct functional zones: the engine compartment is separated from the tunnel, with the engine compartment positioned forward and the tunnel extending rearward. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component - the engine compartment can be designed to accommodate the power pack in a standardized way, while the tunnel width can be varied independently for different applications.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the engine is centered on the longitudinal centerline, then the transverse mass distribution is balanced, but the driven pulley interferes with the tunnel in larger tunnel width configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the interference issue by applying asymmetry - the engine is deliberately offset from the longitudinal centerline, and the power pack components (driven pulley, CVT, reduction gearing) are arranged asymmetrically within the engine compartment. This asymmetric arrangement positions the driven pulley and other components away from the tunnel side, eliminating interference while allowing the engine to be accommodated within the engine compartment boundaries.
Data Source
AI summary
A family of snowmobiles having different tunnel widths is disclosed. A snowmobile having spacers between the tunnel and the sides of the engine compartment and a method of manufacturing such a snowmobile are also disclosed. A snowmobile having a countershaft which is disposed rearwardly of the engine, vertically higher than the air intake opening, and forwardly of the air intake controller is also disclosed.