U.S. patent application number 09/836324 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-11 for snowmobile suspension system.
Invention is credited to Lillbacka, Jorma, Lillbacka, Pekka.
Application Number | 20010027887 09/836324 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22063541 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010027887 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lillbacka, Jorma ; et
al. |
October 11, 2001 |
Snowmobile suspension system
Abstract
To enable a rider to control in real time the type of ride he
desires, a snowmobile is equipped with a suspension system that
includes at least one fluid actuated device which can be adjusted
in real time to control the relative distance between the body of
the snowmobile onto which the rider sits and the frame, or the
slide tracks about which the drive belt is mounted. By setting a
constant predetermined desirable distance between the body and the
slide tracks, or the frame, of the snowmobile, an optimal cushioned
ride for the rider is obtained. The control of the fluid actuated
device(s) may be effected at any time manually by the rider, or be
effected by a feedback system. The snowmobile is also equipped with
an ABS system for enhancing the traction of the drive belt on snow
and therefore the control of the snowmobile by the rider.
Inventors: |
Lillbacka, Jorma; (Kauhava,
FI) ; Lillbacka, Pekka; (Kauhava, FI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Law Offices of Louis Woo
Suite 501
1901 North Fort Myer Drive
Arlington
VA
22209
US
|
Family ID: |
22063541 |
Appl. No.: |
09/836324 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09836324 |
Apr 18, 2001 |
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09065557 |
Apr 24, 1998 |
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6253867 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
180/182 ;
180/190 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62M 2027/026 20130101;
B60G 2800/164 20130101; B60G 2500/30 20130101; B60G 2202/314
20130101; B60G 17/0523 20130101; B62D 55/07 20130101; B60G 2202/412
20130101; B60T 8/3225 20130101; B60G 2500/202 20130101; B60G
2500/204 20130101; B60G 2400/61 20130101; B60G 2400/252 20130101;
B60G 15/12 20130101; B60G 2800/914 20130101; B62D 55/112 20130101;
B60G 2300/32 20130101; B60G 2500/203 20130101; B62M 27/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
180/182 ;
180/190 |
International
Class: |
B62M 027/02 |
Claims
1. A vehicle comprising: a body onto which at least one rider
rides; a frame to which slide tracks are mounted; a belt mounted
about said slide tracks and driven to provide movement for said
vehicle; and a suspension system including at least one fluid
actuated device operatively connecting said frame to said body
adjustable at any time for substantially insulating said vehicle
body from forces acting on said frame when said vehicle is in
movement to thereby effecting an optimal cushioned ride for said
rider.
2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said fluid actuated device
comprises a gas cylinder which movement is driven by compressed air
or gas.
3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said fluid actuated device
comprises a cylinder driven by hydraulic fluid and/or other
incompressible fluids.
4. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a pair of skis
movably attached to said vehicle body for providing said rider
controlled steered movement of said vehicle, at least one fluid
actuated cylinder connecting each of said skis to said body, said
at least one fluid actuated device adjustable at any time to effect
a stabilized movement for said one ski independent of the other of
said skis.
5. The vehicle of claim 2, further comprising: a shock absorber
working in cooperation with an air or gas store which volume is
varied by the amount of air or gas fed thereto.
6. The vehicle of claim 2, further comprising: valve means for
controlling the amount of air or gas provided to said gas
cylinder.
7. The vehicle of claim 3, further comprising: valve means for
controlling the amount of fluid provided to said cylinder.
8. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: means responsive to
at least the weight of said rider riding on said body for moving
said body and said slide tracks relative to each other to provide
the optimal cushioned ride for said rider.
9. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: means for sensing
the forces acting on said frame relative to said body and
automatically adjusting said fluid actuated devices to control the
operation of said suspension system.
10. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: sensor means
responsive to at least the weight of said rider supported by said
body; and processor means communicatively connected to said sensor
means for receiving signals therefrom representative of at least
the weight of said rider, said processor means further
communicatively connected to said fluid actuated devices so that,
in receipt of the signals from said sensor means, said processor
means sends a command signal to adjust the stiffness of said fluid
actuated devices to thereby provide the optimal cushioned ride for
said rider.
11. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: means for
controlling the operation of said suspension system to variably
adjust, at different positions, the distance separating said frame
from said slide tracks.
12. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said suspension system is
actuated to raise or lower said vehicle body relative to said slide
tracks.
13. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said fluid actuated device
comprise two fluid driven cylinders working cooperatively with each
other to provide a variable optimal distance between said body and
said slide tracks for each rider of said vehicle.
14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein said two fluid actuated
cylinders are individually actuated.
15. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: activating means
responsive to said rider for controllably adjusting said fluid
actuated devices.
16. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: adjusting means for
automatically adjusting said fluid actuated devices to vary the
distance separating said frame and said slide tracks without
requiring any interaction on the part of said rider.
17. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: an antilock braking
system for providing enhanced traction for said vehicle.
18. In a snowmobile having a body onto which at least one rider
rides, said body being coupled to a frame supported by slide
tracks, a system for maintaining a distance between said body and
said slide tracks to provide optimal riding comfort for said rider,
comprising: at least one fluid actuated device operatively
interposed between said body and said slide tracks; at least one
fluid containing means for storing fluid to be used for actuating
said fluid actuated device; conduit means connecting said fluid
containing means to said fluid actuated device; and valve means
interposed between said fluid containing means and said fluid
actuated device, said valve means actuable to effect a selective
open path between said fluid containing means and said fluid
actuated device so that said fluid actuated device can operate to
move said body and said slide tracks relative to each other for
effectuating said distance.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein said valve means is responsive
to at least the weight of said rider supported by said body for
moving said body and said slide tracks relative to each other to
vary said distance separating said body and said slide tracks,
thereby providing the optimal riding comfort for said rider.
20. The system of claim 18, wherein said fluid actuated device
comprises a gas or air actuated cylinder; and wherein said fluid
containing means stores compressed air or gas for usage by said
fluid actuated devices.
21. The system of claim 18, wherein said fluid actuated device
comprises a hydraulic cylinder; and wherein said fluid containing
means stores hydraulic oil or other incompressible liquids for
actuating said cylinder.
22. The system of claim 18, further comprising: sensor means
positioned relative to said body for determining the forces acting
on said slide tracks including at least the weight of said rider;
and processor means communicatively connected to said sensor means
for receiving signals therefrom representative of at least the
forces acting on said slide tracks in reaction to the weight of
said rider, said processor means further communicatively connected
to said valve means so that, in receipt of the signals from said
sensor means, said processor means sends a command signal to said
valve means to selectively provide fluid to said fluid actuated
devices to effectuate said distance.
23. The system of claim 18, further comprising: switch means
situated on said body to be within easy reach of said rider that
enables said rider to selectively actuate said fluid actuated
device to adjust said distance.
24. The system of claim 18, further comprising: means located on
said snowmobile for sensing the weight of said rider and using said
sensed weight as a reference for providing fluid to said fluid
actuated device to automatically adjust said distance.
25. The system of claim 18, wherein said snowmobile has at least
one ski, said system further comprising: at least one fluid
actuated device connecting said ski to said body, said fluid
actuated device being effective for stabilizing the movement of
said ski.
26. The system of claim 18, further comprising: at least two fluid
actuated devices operatively interposed between said body and said
slide tracks.
27. A snowmobile comprising: a body for supporting at least one
rider; a frame to which slide tracks are mounted for supporting
said body; a belt mounted about said slide tracks and driven to
provide movement for said snowmobile; and means connecting said
body to said frame for substantially insulating said snowmobile
body from forces acting on said slide tracks as a reaction to at
least the weight of said rider when said snowmobile is in movement,
said means including at least one fluid actuated device adjustable
at any time to substantially insulate said snowmobile body from
said forces acting on said slide tracks to thereby maintain an
optimal cushioned ride for said rider.
28. The snowmobile of claim 27, wherein said fluid actuated device
comprises a cylinder which movement is driven by fluid.
29. The snowmobile of claim 27, further comprising: a fluid store
which volume is varied by the amount of fluid fed thereto
communicatively connected to said fluid actuated device for
supplying fluid thereto.
30. The snowmobile of claim 27, further comprising: valve means
interposed between said fluid store and said fluid actuated device
for controlling the amount of fluid provided to each of said fluid
actuated devices.
31. The snowmobile of claim 27, further comprising: means for
sensing the forces acting on said slide tracks in reaction to at
least the weight of said rider to automatically adjust said fluid
actuated devices to insulate said snowmobile body from said forces
acting on said slide tracks.
32. The system of claim 27, further comprising: sensor means
responsive to the weight of said rider supported by said body and
the forces acting on said slide tracks in reaction to at least said
weight and the movement of said snowmobile; processor means
communicatively connected to said sensor means for receiving
signals therefrom representative of at least the forces acting on
said slide tracks and the weight of said rider, said processor
means further communicatively connected to said fluid actuated
device so that, in receipt of the signals from said sensor means,
said processor means sends a command signal to adjust said fluid
actuated device to maintain said optimal cushioned ride for said
rider.
33. The snowmobile of claim 27, wherein said fluid actuated device
is actuated to raise or lower said body relative to said slide
tracks.
34. The snowmobile of claim 27, further comprising: means
responsive to activation by said rider for controllably adjusting
said fluid actuated device.
35. The snowmobile of claim 27, further comprising: means for
automatically adjusting said fluid actuated device to maintain said
optimal cushioned ride for said rider without any interaction on
the part of said rider.
36. The snowmobile of claim 27, further comprising: a pair of skis
movably attached to said body for providing said rider controlled
steered movement of said snowmobile, at least one fluid actuated
cylinder connecting each of said skis to said body, said at least
one fluid actuated device adjustable at any time to effect a
stabilized movement for said one ski independent of the other of
said skis.
37. The snowmobile of claim 27, further is equipped with an
antilock braking system for enhancing the traction and movement of
said snowmobile.
38. In a snowmobile having a body for supporting at least one
rider, a frame to which slide tracks are mounted for supporting
said body, a belt mounted about said slide tracks and driven to
provide movement for said snowmobile, a method of providing a
cushioned ride for at least one rider of said snowmobile comprising
the steps of: connecting said body to said frame by means of at
least one fluid actuated device; and effecting said fluid actuated
device to act as an independent insulator by varying the stiffness
of said fluid actuated device to substantially insulate said
snowmobile body from movements of said frame in reaction to forces
acting on said slide tracks when said snowmobile is in movement to
thereby maintain an optimal cushioned ride for said rider.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein said fluid actuated device
comprises a cylinder which movement is driven by fluid.
40. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of:
communicatively connecting a fluid store to said fluid actuated
device for supplying fluid thereto.
41. The method of claim 40, further comprising the step of:
interposing valve means between said fluid store and said fluid
actuated device for controlling the amount of fluid provided to
said fluid actuated device.
42. The method of claim 38, further comprising the steps of:
sensing the weight of said rider on said body; and automatically
adjusting the stiffness of said fluid actuated device by varying
the amount of fluid supplied thereto to insulate said body from
forces acting on said slide tracks resulting from at least the
weight of said rider to thereby provide said optimal cushioned ride
for said rider.
43. The method of claim 38, wherein said snowmobile further
includes a sensor means and a processor means, the method further
comprising the steps of: utilizing said sensor means to sense at
least the weight of said rider supported by said body and the
forces acting on said slide tracks in reaction to said weight and
the movement of said snowmobile; and communicatively connecting
said processor means to said sensor means for receiving signals
therefrom representative of at least the weight of said ride;
communicatively connecting said processor means to said fluid
actuated device; and effecting said processor means, when in
receipt of the signals from said sensor means, to send a command
signal to vary the stiffness of said fluid actuated device to
maintain said optimal cushioned ride for said rider.
44. The method of claim 38, wherein said fluid actuated device is
actuated to raise or lower said body relative to said slide
tracks.
45. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of:
adjusting said fluid actuated device using means responsive to
activation by said rider.
46. The method of claim 38, further comprising: adjusting said
fluid actuated device using self adjusting means to maintain said
optimal cushioned ride for said rider without any interaction on
the part of said rider.
47. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of: movably
attaching a pair of skis to said body for providing said rider
controlled steered movement of said snowmobile; connecting each of
said skis by at least one fluid actuated cylinder to said body; and
adjusting said at least one fluid actuated device at any time to
effect a stabilized movement for said one ski independent of the
other of said skis.
48. For a vehicle having a body onto which at least one rider
rides, a frame to which slide tracks are mounted, a belt mounted
about said slide tracks and driven to provide movement for said
vehicle, a method of improving the ride of said vehicle comprising
the steps of: connecting said frame to said body by at least one
fluid actuated device; and varying the stiffness of said fluid
actuated device at any time for substantially insulating said
vehicle body from forces acting on said frame when said vehicle is
in movement to thereby effecting an optimal cushioned ride for said
rider.
49. The method of claim 48, further comprising the steps of:
movably attaching a pair of skis to said vehicle body for providing
said rider controlled steered movement of said vehicle; coupling
each of said skis to said body by at least one fluid actuated
cylinder; and adjusting said at least one fluid actuated device at
any time to effect a stabilized movement for said one ski
independent of the other of said skis.
50. The method of claim 48, wherein said fluid actuated device
comprises a fluid driven cylinder, and wherein said vehicle further
includes a fluid store and valve means, further comprising the
steps of: communicatively connecting said fluid store to said fluid
actuated devices; interposing said valve means between said fluid
store and said fluid actuated device; and controlling the amount of
fluid supplied to said fluid actuated device to regulate the
stiffness of said fluid actuated device to thereby provide the
optimal cushioned ride for said rider.
51. The method of claim 48, further comprising the steps of:
sensing the weight of said rider riding on said body; and moving
said body and said slide tracks relative to each other to provide
the optimal cushioned ride for said rider in response to the sensed
weight.
52. The method of claim 48, further comprising the steps of:
sensing the forces acting on said frame relative to said body; and
controlling said fluid actuated device in response to the sensed
forces to variably adjust the distance separating said frame and
said body to effect said cushioned ride for said rider.
53. In a snowmobile having a body onto which at least one rider
rides, said body being coupled to a frame supported by slide
tracks, a method of maintaining a distance between said body and
said slide tracks to provide optimal riding comfort for said rider,
comprising the steps of: interposing at least one fluid actuated
device between said body and said slide tracks; provisioning at
least one fluid store means for storing fluid to be used for
actuating said fluid actuated device; connecting said fluid store
means to said fluid actuated device; and interposing valve means
between said fluid store means and said fluid actuated device; and
actuating said valve means to effect a selective open path between
said fluid store means and said fluid actuated device so that said
fluid actuated device can operate to move said body and said slide
tracks relative to each other for effectuating said distance.
54. The method of claim 53, further comprising the steps of:
sensing at least the weight of said rider; and actuating said valve
means in response to at least the weight of said rider for moving
said body and said slide tracks relative to each other to vary said
distance separating said body and said slide tracks.
55. The method of claim 53, wherein said snowmobile has at least
one ski, said method further comprising the step of: connecting
said ski to said body by at least one fluid actuated device for
stabilizing the movement of said ski.
56. A snowmobile comprising: a body onto which at least one rider
rides; a frame to which slide tracks are mounted; a belt mounted
about said slide tracks and driven by drive means to provide
movement for said vehicle; a drive disc coupled to said drive
means; a brake pad mounted relative to said drive disc for braking
the motion of said drive means to stop the movement of said belt;
and an antilock braking system communicatively coupled to said
brake pad and said drive means for controlling the braking action
of said brake pad and to prevent the locking of said brake pad to
said drive disc.
57. The snowmobile of claim 56, further comprising: a suspension
system including at least one fluid actuated device operatively
connecting said frame to said body adjustable at any time for
substantially insulating said vehicle body from forces acting on
said frame when said vehicle is in movement to thereby effecting an
optimal cushioned ride for said rider.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to snowmobiles and
more particularly to a suspension system that provides a controlled
cushioned ride for riders of the snowmobile.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] To compensate for the ruggedness of the terrain, a
conventional suspension system for a snowmobile includes a pair of
shock absorbers, and associated springs, for supporting the frame
of the snowmobile. Such suspension system is usually not
adjustable. Thus, if persons of different weights, or for that
matter if more than one person, were to ride on the same
snowmobile, the ride would become choppy and the steering of the
snowmobile becomes less responsive. Such unresponsiveness in the
steering and choppiness in the ride detract from the rider the
pleasure of driving or riding a snowmobile.
[0003] The fact that the conventional suspension system of
snowmobiles is unable to adjust on a real time basis means that a
rider has to stop the snowmobile, turn off the engine for safety
sake and manually adjust the stiffness or tension provided by the
shock absorbers of the snowmobile, if indeed such shock absorbers
were adjustable. But adjusting the conventional suspension system
for one environment means that the rider has to readjust the
suspension system when the snowmobile is ridden in a different
environment, as the suspension system, once set, remains set at
that tension or stiffness, until readjustment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] To provide a smooth or cushioned ride for a rider of the
snowmobile and also the ability of the rider to adjust at any time
the stiffness of the ride, at least one but most likely a plurality
of fluid actuated devices are interposed between the body and the
frame of the snowmobile. These fluid actuated devices could be
hydraulic or gas driven cylinders controlled either manually by the
rider or automatically by a feedback circuit.
[0005] For supplying fluid--which per the instant invention
encompasses air, gas, hydraulic oil and other incompressible
fluids--to the fluid actuator devices, valve mechanisms which may
include throttle valves and pressure regulators are used. To
provide the necessary pressure, a compressor is used. The fluid is
stored in one or more fluid containers or reservoirs, which are
communicatively connected to the fluid actuator devices by fluid
conduits. The throttle valves and pressure regulators provide the
necessary regulation of the amount of fluid supplied to the fluid
actuated devices. And depending on the kind of stiffness the rider
desires, different amounts of fluid may be provided independently
to each of the plurality of fluid actuated devices. The amount of
fluid supplied to each of the fluid actuated cylinders can vary, as
fluid compensation may vary for each of the cylinders.
[0006] The fact that the stiffness of each of the fluid actuated
cylinders can be adjusted means that riders of different weights
may each comfortably ride on the same snowmobile. And for those
instances where there are more than one rider, the riding comfort
of the snowmobile is not decreased insofar as the cushioning
ability of the fluid actuated cylinders can be adjusted for the
increased weight.
[0007] To free the rider the need to manually adjust the fluid
actuated devices, a feedback circuit including a sensor and a
processor may be used for obtaining the optimal cushioned ride for
the rider. One way in which the optimal cushioned ride may be
obtained is by the sensor monitoring the distance separating the
slide tracks of the snowmobile which come into contact with the
terrain and the body of the snowmobile which is mounted to a-frame
to which the slide tracks are coupled. By maintaining a given
distance which could be ascertained empirically, and controlling
the fluid actuated cylinders to raise or lower the body of the
snowmobile relative to its frame or slide tracks, the optimal
cushioned ride can be maintained.
[0008] The same type of fluid actuated cylinder could be used to
connect the skis to the body of the snowmobile so that better
controlled and more stabilized steering is achieved.
[0009] To provide yet better handling and control, the snowmobile
of the instant invention is equipped with an anti-lock braking
system (ABS).
[0010] It is therefore an objective of the present invention to
provide a new and improved suspension system that gives a rider of
a snowmobile an optimal cushioned ride.
[0011] It is yet another objective of the present invention to
provide each rider of the instant invention snowmobile the ability
to control the type of ride he desires, either manually or
automatically.
[0012] It is yet another objective of the present invention to
provide each rider of the instant invention snowmobile the ability
to control the type of ride he desires, either manually or
automatically.
[0013] It is moreover another objective of the present invention to
provide a snowmobile with a controlled and stabilized steering
system.
[0014] It is still another objective of the present invention to
provide a snowmobile with improved handling abilities by equipping
the same with an ABS brake system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0015] The above-mentioned objects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent and the invention itself will be
best understood by reference to the following description of the
present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the basic body and frame of
a conventional snowmobile being used for illustrating the instant
invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a simplified illustration of the instant
invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame and slide tracks
illustrating an embodiment of the instant invention;
[0019] FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional cut-away view of an exemplar
fluid actuated device of the instant invention;
[0020] FIG. 4b is a side view of the exemplar fluid actuated device
of the instant invention sans the rubber isolator; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic illustrating the addition
of an ABS braking system to the instant invention vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Stripped of all components not required for the
understanding of the instant invention, an exemplar snowmobile
showing only the body and the frame attached thereto is shown in
FIG. 1. As illustrated, snowmobile or vehicle 2 has a body 4
mounted to a frame 6 by way of a number of connecting links and
struts. Fixedly coupled to frame 6 are two slide tracks 8a and 8b
about which a belt, not shown, is mounted. As is well known, the
belt is driven by at least one wheel, which in turn is driven by a
belt or gears from a transmission, shown in FIG. 5, which movement
is driven by an engine, not shown for the sake of simplicity in
illustration. Thus, when driven, the belt is guided by slide tracks
8a and 8b, as well as guide wheels, and rotates about the frame of
snowmobile 2 such as for example shown by the dotted line 30 in
FIG. 3.
[0023] Also shown in FIG. 1 are a number of shock absorbers 10 and
12 interposed between body 4 and frame 6 for providing a smoother
ride for a rider of the snowmobile. The problem with such
conventional support provided by shock absorbers 10 and 12 is that
those shock absorbers are not adjustable and thus if the weight of
the rider, or riders, exceeds a certain predetermined weight, body
4 of the snowmobile tends to sag onto frame 6, and any irregularity
on the path would cause body 4 to bump against frame 6, thereby
providing a not so comfortable ride for the rider. Further, given
the one for all mentality of the prior art suspension system for
snowmobiles, different riders of the same snowmobile may feel
differently when the snowmobile is in movement, and thereby
possibly causing uneven handling of the snowmobile which may lead
to potential accidents.
[0024] The shock absorbers of some snowmobiles do allow for
adjustment. However, in order to adjust those shock absorbers, the
rider has to in all likelihood turn the snowmobile over and
manually rotate the shock absorber to a given height. And if after
adjustment, the rider still feels he is not getting an optimal
cushioned ride, he has to yet again stop the snowmobile, turn it
over, and readjust the shock absorbers. Needless to say, such stop
and go, not to mention adjustment of the shock absorbers by trial
and error, is both time consuming and frustrating for the
rider.
[0025] With reference to FIG. 2, the suspension system of the
present invention snowmobile is shown. As illustrated, body 4 of
the vehicle, shown by the dotted line 4b, is positioned relative to
frame 6 of the vehicle. Taking away all of the linkages and
connecting members that are not necessary for the understanding of
this invention, FIG. 2 shows body 4 to be connected to frame 6 by
means of two fluid actuated devices 14 and 16, otherwise also
referred to as fluid driven cylinders. As shown, each of cylinders
14 and 16 has a first end 14a and 16a, respectively, connected to
body 4. The respective connection points to the body of the
snowmobile by the corresponding fluid actuated cylinders, for the
exemplar embodiment shown in FIG. 2, are coincident with guiding
wheels 18 and 20. At least one other guiding wheel, namely 22, is
shown in the exemplar embodiment of the snowmobile of FIG. 2. To
effect movement of belt 30, a drive wheel 24 driven by either a
drive belt or gear is shown.
[0026] As illustrated, belt 30 is mounted about slide tracks 8 and
is guided by the various guide wheels and driven by drive wheel 24
to effect movement of the snowmobile. Further with respect to fluid
actuated cylinders 14 and 16, note that each of those devices has a
second respective end 14b and 16b moveably coupled to frame 6, and
therefore slide tracks 8. For the embodiment illustration of FIG.
2, assume that slide tracks 8 are part of frame 6. Further note
that although fluid driven cylinders 14 and 16 are shown to be
positioned in an offset position, the way in which those cylinders
are positioned relatively to body 4 and frame 6 is not of import to
this invention, insofar as those cylinders can be positioned in
numerous ways, for different embodiments. Furthermore, note that
although two fluid driven cylinders are shown, in actuality only
one or additional similar cylinders may also be used.
[0027] Further with respect to FIG. 2, note that each of cylinders
14 and 16 is provided with at least one inlet/outlet port 14c and
16c, respectively, to which corresponding fluid conduits 26 and 28
are communicatively connected. As shown, conduits 26 and 28 are
also communicatively connected to fluid stores 30 and 32,
respectively. Fluid stores 30 and 32 each act as a reservoir of a
fluid. For this invention, fluid is defined to encompass at least
air, different gases, hydraulic oil and/or other incompressible
liquids.
[0028] For the exemplar vehicle of FIG. 2 , spliced to fluid
conduits 26 and 28 are respective throttle valves 34 and 36. These
valves, as is well known, control the amount of fluid provided to
respective fluid cylinders 14 and 16. The operation of throttle
valves 34 and 36 may be controlled by a processor 38. A more
detailed discussion of the operation of throttle valves 34 and 36,
as well as the overall operation of the system, is given infra.
[0029] To provide the requisite pressure to fluid stores 30 and 32,
a compressor 40, by way of a conduit 42, outputs pressurized fluid
to fluid stores 30 and 32. For the exemplar embodiment shown in
FIG. 2, to regulate the amount of pressure in fluid stores 30 and
32, respective pressure regulators 44 and 46 are interposed between
conduit 42 and the respective input port of the fluid stores. Thus,
in the case of air being the fluid of choice, pressurized air could
be pumped from compressor 40 into fluid stores 30 and 32, which in
this instance act as air tanks. The pressurized air is then
provided, and controlled by throttle valves 34 and 36, to fluid
cylinders 14 and 16, which in this instance are air driven
cylinders, to control the distance separating body 4 and frame 6,
i.e., slide tracks 8.
[0030] In other words, the distance separating body 4, as for
example from the line designated 4b thereof, to slide tracks 8
which via belt 30 is in contact with the ground, can be varied by
adjusting the amount of fluid provided to fluid cylinders 14 and
16, either independently or in combination. Thus, body 4 and frame
6, or slide track 8, are movable relative to each other by the
amount of fluid provided to fluid cylinders 14 and 16. Putting it
differently, the stiffness of fluid cylinders 14 and 16 can be
varied to compensate for different weights being placed on body 4,
with respect to the relationship between body 4 and frame 6. Thus,
irrespective of the weight of the rider, or riders, placed onto
body 4, the suspension of the instant invention is able to
compensate for such variants in weight by simply adjusting the
amount of fluid, pressurized or otherwise, in fluid cylinders 14
and 16. And this adjustment can be effected in a real time basis,
by the rider, either when he first sits on the snowmobile or when
the vehicle is in movement.
[0031] To elaborate, further reference FIG. 2. There, a sensor 48
provided in snowmobile 2 is shown to be positioned relative to body
4 and frame 6, so as to be able to monitor the relative position of
body 4, at least with respect to its base line 4b, to frame 6, or
slide tracks 8. Such monitored signal is provided to processor 38
which can output the received signal to a gauge or readout 50 for
the rider. The rider in turn has the option of manually actuating
either compressor 40 or regulator valves 44 and 46 (and possibly
throttle valves 34 and 36) to adjust the amount of fluid supplied
to fluid cylinders 14 and 16.
[0032] Alternatively, the rider has the option of letting processor
38 automatically adjust the amount of clearance body 4 has with
respect to frame 6 by allowing processor 38 to regulate the
different operations of compressor 40, regulator valves 44 and 46,
as well as throttle valves 34 and 36. Processor 38 does this in
receipt of the output signal from sensor 48, and in fact can
continuously adjust the amount of fluid provided to fluid cylinders
14 and 16 in response to the output signal from sensor 48 which
continuously varies if the snowmobile is in movement. By thus
continuously varying the amount of fluid provided to fluid
cylinders 14 and 16, provided that a presumed optimal cushioned
ride or threshold has been preset by the rider, an optimal
cushioned ride is maintained, irrespective of the type of movement
of vehicle 2. The rider can override the feedback operation of
processor 38 by manually adjusting, at any time, the stiffness of
his ride by adjusting the amount of fluid being provided to fluid
cylinders 14 and 16, either empherically or by viewing the readout
from gauge 50.
[0033] In addition to sensing the relative movement between body 4
and slide tracks 8, the present invention suspension system can
optionally mount another sensor 52 to vehicle 2 for measuring the
weight placed on body 4, such as for example by the rider or
riders. Upon sensing this weight, sensor 52 provides an output
signal to processor 38, which then automatically adjusts the
relative distance separating body 4 and frame 6 by regulating the
amount of fluid provided to fluid cylinders 14 and 16, thereby
effecting the optimum ride for the given weight sensed. The
presumed optimal cushioned ride for a given weight of course can be
preset or predetermined.
[0034] As is well known, snowmobiles have skis for steering. One
such ski is shown in FIG. 2 as 52. To have stabilized steering, the
exemplar snowmobile of FIG. 2 has movably coupled to ski 52 a fluid
actuated device 54 similar to the fluid actuated cylinders
discussed above. To control the operation of fluid actuated
cylinder 54, fluid is provided thereto per its inlet/outlet port
54c by way of a fluid conduit 56, which has attached thereto a
throttle valve 58. Fluid conduit 56, similar to the earlier fluid
conduits, is connected to a fluid store 60. The amount of pressure
or fluid provided to fluid store 60 is likewise provided thereto by
compressor 40 via conduit 42. A regulator valve 62 is interposed
between conduit 42 and fluid store 60 for regulating the pressure
of the fluid input thereto. By thus provisioning the steering
mechanism of snowmobile 2 with an adjustable fluid actuator, the
steering is controlled and stabilized. As before, the amount of
fluid, and/or the pressure provided to fluid cylinder 54, can be
adjusted by processor 38 on a real time basis, by means of a
feedback circuit that senses the pressure ski 52 is subjected to,
as well as the types of movement such as sharp cornering, being
effected on the steering mechanism. As before, the amount of fluid
provided to fluid cylinder 54 can be manually regulated by the
rider.
[0035] One further point with respect to the FIG. 2 embodiment.
Note that even though a compressor, and various valves, are
illustrated to be used in the suspension system thereof, it should
be appreciated that, in certain circumstances, no such valves or
compressor are necessary, as a fluid store that is under a
predetermined amount of pressure can be used. In those instances,
throttle valves may be provided to allow fluid to traverse between
an air cylinder and a fluid store in a regulated manner, so that as
more pressure is being applied to the air cylinder (which may be
due to forces acting on the slide tracks resulting from the weight
of body 4 and any rider thereon as well as the movement of the
vehicle), more fluid is supplied to the air cylinder to compensate
for the reactive forces to thereby maintain the desired stiffness
and the desired ride. The same is true with respect to the earlier
discussion of the operation of the FIG. 2 suspension system in that
the weight of the rider or riders on body 4 causes a counter
reaction by the air cylinders to thereby provide an optimal
cushioned ride for the rider.
[0036] FIG. 3 is perspective view of an exemplar frame 6 of the
instant invention snowmobile illustrating in particular the
suspension system thereof. As shown, slide tracks 8a and 8b are
coupled to frame 6 by conventional means such as links, rods, nuts
and bolts. Frame 6 in turn is comprised of support bars 56a and 56b
that support a spindle about which guide wheels 20a and 20b are
mounted. For the exemplar embodiment frame of FIG. 3, two torsion
springs 58a and 58b are mounted about the spindle of guiding wheels
20a and 20b. Also mounted to this spindle is one end of fluid
actuated cylinder 16, which other end is mounted to the base of
frame 6. In place of torsion springs 58a and 58b, it should be
appreciated that rigid rods that couple the spindle to the lower
portion of frame 6 may also be used. Such rigid rods would in
essence be positioned relatively in parallel to support bars 56a
and 56b.
[0037] Further shown in the exemplar frame 6 of FIG. 3 are
additional support bars 60a and 60b that, along with a frontal
support rod 62, provide rigidity to frame 6. As shown, mounted to
frontal support rod 62 is the first end of fluid actuated cylinder
14, whose other end is connected to a lower support bar of frame 6.
Thus positioned, fluid actuated cylinders 14 and 16 provide support
to the body of the snowmobile which is positioned thereover. Note
that for the sake of simplicity of illustration, the inlet/outlet
ports of fluid actuated cylinders 14 and 16 are not shown in the
FIG. 3 embodiment.
[0038] The construction of an exemplar fluid actuated cylinder of
the instant invention is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4a and
4b. For this discussion, assume that the fluid actuator cylinder of
FIGS. 4a and 4b represents fluid actuator cylinder 14 shown in FIG.
2 so that the same components are designated with the same numbers.
As shown, fluid actuated cylinder has a first end 14a and a second
end 14b. Further shown is the inlet port 14c through which fluid is
provided to and taken out of fluid cylinder 14. As best shown in
FIG. 4b, a portion of the fluid actuated cylinder comprises a shock
isolator 62 having portions 62a and 62b that interact with each
other on the load. As best shown in FIG. 4a, a rubber isolator such
as that made by the Firestone company under part No. 7010 is
integrated about the upper portion of portion 62a. This rubber
isolator, designated in FIG. 4a, is attached to portion 62b by
means of a threaded portion 66. The upper end of isolator 64 in
turn is coupled to a collar 68 of portion 62a. Needless to say,
isolator 64 is secured to body 62 in a gas-tight fashion so that
any fluid provided therein remains in the interior of isolator 64.
Moreover, it should be noted that isolator 64 is made of a rubber
that has a sufficiently strong characteristic so that if sufficient
fluid, pressurized or otherwise, is provided therein, end 14a and
end 14b are movable relative to each other by the expansion of
isolator 64. The amount of isolation, or stiffness, provided is
dependent on the amount of fluid input to the chamber 70 of
isolator rubber 64. Thus, when filled with fluid, piston 72 of
absorber 62 is moved relative to end 14b, thereby effecting an
extension of fluid actuated cylinder 14. For the embodiment shown
in FIG. 4a, the fluid used could be either air or gas. Of course,
properly reconfigured, instead of a gas or air actuated device,
fluid actuator cylinder 14 could be driven by hydraulic oil and/or
other incompressible fluids.
[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates another aspect of the instant invention
snowmobile. In particular, FIG. 5 illustrates the equipping of the
snowmobile of the instant invention with an anti-lock braking
system (ABS). As shown, drive wheel 24 is driven by a drive belt 74
which is in turn driven by a wheel, not shown, coupled to a disc
plate 76. Plate 76 is connected to the driving gears of a
transmission 78 of the vehicle that translates the movement of an
engine, not shown. To effect the ABS system, a brake mechanism 80
is mounted relatively to transmission 78 to be in braking
relationship with disc plate 76. The fluid provided to operate
brake pad 80 is input from a fluid conduit 82, which is connected
to a solenoid valve unit 84. Valve unit 84 in turn is connected to
a master cylinder, not shown, and operatively connected to an
actuator 86, which may be mounted to the handle of the snowmobile.
For feedback, a processor controller 88, which may actually be
incorporated as part of main processor 38, is used.
[0040] The reason that ABS braking is advantageous for the instant
invention snowmobile is that drive belt 38 which makes actual
contact with the snow usually is packed with snow, when the vehicle
is moving. Accordingly, there are instances where when sudden stops
are desired, skidding and indeed overturning of the vehicle occur.
By incorporating an ABS system in the present invention snowmobile,
the amount of brake pressure that is applied to brake pad 80 is
limited and brake slippage is allowed. Thus, the snow that is
packed between adjacent ribs of belt 30 is thrown off when the
rider actuates the brake system. As a consequence, better traction
and thereby better control are obtained by the ABS system equipped
snowmobile of the instant invention.
[0041] Insofar as the instant invention is subject to many
variations, modification and changes in detail, it is the intention
of the inventors that all matters described throughout this
specification and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted
as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. Accordingly, it
is intended that this invention be limited only by the spirit and
scope of the hereto appended claims.
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