Steering control system for snow vehicles
11173942 · 2021-11-16
Inventors
Cpc classification
B62B13/12
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B62M2027/027
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B62M2027/021
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B62M2027/026
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B62M2027/025
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
Steering control system for snow vehicles, suitable for equipping vehicles like snowmobile type or more specifically of the standing snowmobile style (1), with a basic configuration of, at least, two front skis (4a, 4b) and one drive track (3). The system acts on one or the other ski independently, and depending of the chosen path left or right, the rider can activate the left ski system or the right ski system using a mechanism that can be manual or assisted. This swing arms system (5a, 5b) and rotating ski spindle (6a, 6b) allow an easy and stable lateral tilt of the snowmobile, and besides generate a multiple and simultaneous orientation on the ski (4a) or (4b). All these factors gives the snowmobile high maneuverability and efficient control of the trajectory.
Claims
1. A steering control system for a snow vehicle having least two front skis (4a, 4b) and one rear track (3), characterized in that the system comprises: a pair of independent swingarms (5a, 5b), located to a right and left of the longitudinal axis of the snow vehicle (1) and coupled by one of their ends to a chassis (2) of the snow vehicle (1), which by means of a pivot bolt (14a, 14b) at said end can tilt with an ascending and descending movement with respect to a horizontal surface plane; a pair of ski spindles (6a, 6b) equipped with cams (9a, 9b), with the spindles arranged longitudinally to a direction of travel and capable of radially rotating (27c) while coupled at an opposite end (15a, 15b) of the swingarms (5a, 5b); a pair of independent rocker foot pedals (7a, 7b) located to the right and left of the longitudinal axis of the snow vehicle (1) and connected to a set of pull cables or drive shafts (12a,12b), the pedals coupled to the chassis (2) of the snow vehicle (1) by means of at least one pivot bolt (17a, 17b) on which the pedals can swing; a pair of independent tie rods (8a, 8b), connected at one end to a section of the snow vehicle (1) chassis (10a, 10b) and at an opposite end to the respective cam (9a, 9b) located on each ski spindle (6a, 6b); and a pair of return members (42, or 13a,13b) allowing locking and return rotation of the respective swingarms (5a, 5b); wherein the set of pull cables (12a, 12b) or drive shafts are routed over guide rollers (11a, 11b) or rockers which transmit pedal movement (7a, 7b) to the respective swingarms (5a, 5b).
2. The steering control system for snow vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that at an end of both ski spindle (6a, 6b), skis (4a, 4b) are arranged longitudinally with respect to the direction of travel and coupled with pivot bolts (20a, 20 b) allowing movement.
3. The steering control system for snow vehicles, according to claim 2, characterized in that when placing the skis and the snow vehicle on a horizontal surface, the angle formed between the tail of the ski (4a, 4b) and the ski spindle (6a, 6b) results in an acute angle; or, the angle formed between the front half of the ski (4a, 4b) and the spindle (6a, 6b) results in an obtuse angle.
4. The steering control system for snow vehicles, according to claim 3, characterized in that the system allows the incorporation of a cam synchronizer strut (51) which transmits and synchronizes the direction of rotation of the ski spindle (6a) or (6b), depending on which side has been activated, to the spindle on the opposite side, also causing the swingarm on said opposite side to effect a downward displacement with respect to a neutral position of said swingarm.
5. Steering control system for snow vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that when placing the skis and the snow vehicle on a horizontal surface, an angle formed between a tail of the ski (4a, 4b) and the ski spindle (6a, 6b) results in an acute angle; or, an angle formed between a front half of the ski (4a, 4b) and the spindle (6a, 6b) results in an obtuse angle.
6. The steering control system for snow vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that when the tie rod ends (8a, 8b) act on the cams (9a, 9b) according to their length, the tie rod ends and the cams cooperatively cause radial rotation of the ski spindles (6a, 6b), with this rotational direction (27c) coinciding with the intended steering direction of the snow vehicle.
7. The steering control system for snow vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that due to the action of the pull cable (12a, 12b) produced by the rocker pedals (7a, 7b), the swingarm (5a, 5b) is rotatable on the pivot bolt (14a, 14b), consequently raising or lowering the desired ski (4a, 4b) with respect to a planar surface.
8. The steering control system for snow vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized by a configuration in which use of the rocker pedal (7a, 7b) activates (28) a semi-assisted or fully-assisted system (29), (30), (31), which may be driven by a hydraulic, pneumatic or electric circuit using servomotors or pressure pumps.
9. The steering control system for snow vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized by inclusion of a fully-assisted steering control system (33, 34, 35) to be activated by means of the rocker pedals (7a, 7b) and connected to control powered assist devices (36, 37, 38) to control displacement of the swingarms (5a, 5b).
10. The steering control system for snow vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the ski spindles (6a, 6b) allow the incorporation of a shock-absorbing component (47) that absorbs the impact from surface irregularities by means of an articulated swingarm (44) and a pivot bolt (45).
11. The steering control system for snow vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the ski spindles (6a, 6b) allow the incorporation of a component that easily and quickly varies the height of a connection point between the cam (9a, 9b) and the tie rod (8a, 8b) by means of a pivot bolt (50) and screw (49), thereby also varying an angle formed between the ski spindles (6a, 6b) and tie rods (8a, 8b).
12. The steering control system for snow vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the system allows the incorporation of a cam synchronizer strut (51) which transmits and synchronizes the direction of rotation of the ski spindle (6a) or (6b), depending on which side has been activated, to the spindle on the opposite side, also causing the swingarm on said opposite side to effect a downward displacement with respect to a neutral position of said swingarm.
13. The steering control system for snow vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that, by activating the vehicle (1) steering control system, a considerable lateral inclination in the vehicle results at the same time that providing in the corresponding ski, (4a) or (4b), a simultaneous motion, resulting in rotation along the X, Y, Z axes with respect to their neutral starting position.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) To complement the description provided further below, and in order to provide a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is included as an integral part of this descriptive specification, in which figures illustratively depict, in a non-limiting manner, the principal characteristics of the invention.
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15)
(16)
(17)
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
(18) In light of the above figures and in accordance with their numbering, a preferred embodiment of the invention can now be described.
(19)
(20)
(21) In
(22) It would be logical and straightforward to come up with an alternative embodiment of this same steering control system, but this time eliminating the rocker pedals and allowing the system to trigger the control mechanism cycle as well as compress the spring (13a) or (13b) solely in response to riders laterally transferring their weight on the chassis to the left or right ski as a point of support and making pressure against the snow. However, when the snow cover varies greatly in compactness or density, the weight transferred to the ski would sink it into the snow instead of the ski remaining static and the compression spring being compressed (13a), which is the desired effect.
(23) This embodiment without pedals would be possible if the snowy terrain through which the vehicle navigates is completely compacted and guarantees a certain degree of hardness. But due to the fact that the qualities of stability and resistance to pressure that the snow might exhibit vary enormously, even within the same environment, riders would not be able to consistently achieve the required spring compression (13a) or (13b) which is what is needed for the system to return to neutral automatically at the end of a curve. This spring action is what keeps the vehicle level and skis in neutral position when travelling in a straight line or standing still. It is for this reason that manual pedal activation of the system was included as part of the steering control system, given that it allows for total precision over the moment of activation, always at rider behest and without being influenced by the type of snow being traversed.
(24) In addition to the above, the particular nature of these pedals is that they provide a triple function, as detailed below. As their primary function, the pedals allow manually achieving a rocker effect using the pivot bolt (17a) in the case of the left pedal, placing weight using the toe of the foot in order to start the tilt mechanism and returning to neutral automatically by releasing foot pressure. Pedal action is very intuitive and a convenient control method. The pedals provide the rider with support when riding in a straight line or when swinging the snowmobile towards the left or right side, as appropriate, without the need to activate any system mechanism in this case. This is useful on a very soft types of snow and/or during very wide radius turns. Due to the pivot bolt (17a, 17b) employed, the system allows the rider to lean back, an appropriate position to take during steep descents or when traversing deep snow, varying the center of gravity of the body toward the front or rear of the snowmobile as needed.
(25) In this manner, if, for example, the rider intends to go left, he/she rotates the pedal (7a) (27e)
(26) In
(27) This steering control system allows the rider to navigate curves very slowly while inclined, without the aid of centrifugal inertia to compensate for the inclination. The rider may even remain standing while turning sharply without falling inward, as shown in
(28) The detailed view of the steering control system activation cycle,
(29) Depending on the intended direction of travel, the rider rocks one foot pedal or the other with the foot. System activation is very easy and intuitive.
(30) To change trajectory, for example, to the left, the left side of the system is used, as can be seen in
(31) A box or housing is fixed (15a) at the other end of the swingarm (5a) which allows inserting the ski spindle (6a), which is longitudinally oriented and can rotate radially on its own pivot bolt. The other end of the ski spindle (6a) is coupled to the ski (4a). This is done in such a way that when the ski spindle (6a) turns, so does the ski, in the same direction as the spindle (6a), as in (27c)
(32) The connection of the ski spindle (6a) to the ski (4a) can be fixed or be done using a pivot bolt (20a), which allows the ski to swing with respect to the spindle and maintain flatness with the ground.
(33) The ski spindle (6a) also has a cam (9a), which is connected to a tie rod (8a), the other end of the rod is connected to a fixed section (10a) of the snowmobile (1) chassis (2). In conclusion, the swingarm (5a), the ski spindle (6a) and the ski (4a) are placed longitudinally to the direction of travel. This occurs whenever the system is in a neutral condition. When the swingarm (5a) ascends, so does the ski spindle (6a). As the arm ascends, the tie rod (8a), in line with its length, displaces the spindle (6a), which due to its connection to the cam (9a), rotates radially (27c) towards the exterior, which in this case is to the left. The radial rotation (27c) of the spindle (6a) acts on the ski (4a) in the following manner: considering that the union of the spindle (6a) with the ski (4a) is at an acute angle, the resulting effect on the ski is that it rotates along axis Y as well as axis Z, as in
(34) While tension is maintained on the pull cable, the main swingarm remains raised and the spring (13a) compressed. When the pull cable (12a) releases as the rider stops pressing the pedal (7a), the spring (13a), due to the force it exerts, returns the main swingarm (5a) to its initial neutral position, and the tie rod (8a) returns the cam (9a) and ski spindle (6a) to their neutral initial position, thereby also returning the ski (4a) to its initial neutral position, as in
(35) In view of various technological advances, it is also possible to employ a variety of assistance mechanisms to this steering control system. One possible embodiment is shown on the left ski (4a), with a semi-assisted mechanism,
(36) Another embodiment with a fully assisted mechanism is shown in
(37) Another embodiment with a fully assisted mechanism is shown in
(38) Another embodiment is shown in
(39) When the swingarm (5a) ascends, rotating on the pivot bolt (14a), this reduces the angle (40e) existing between the chassis (2) and the ski spindle (6a), forcing the connecting rod to tilt and consequently, equal to its length, slide the bushing or guide that compresses the concentric spring (42). Also, a nut (43) concentric to the ski spindle (6a) allows adding or reducing spring compression (42) to obtain greater or lesser hardness in the mechanism. The system is depicted In
(40) When the rider ceases to exert pressure on the pedal (7a), the compressed spring (42) forces the entire mechanism to return to its initial neutral position, as in
(41) Regarding the embodiments discussed above, it would also be logically possible to employ other devices or components that would serve to increase the performance and comfort of the overall steering system. Thus, as per
(42) Another embodiment, as shown in
(43) Finally, another type of embodiment is possible, based on the embodiments above, as shown in
(44) This embodiment uses the same mechanism and components that provide multiple-effect orientation to the ski along the X, Y, Z axes, as per
(45) In turn, when the ski spindle (6b) rotates due to the effect of the cam synchronizer rod (51), the tie rod (8b) acts using the radial length of the cam (9b) to force the swingarm to descend or rotate downwards (5b).
(46) Thus, this new component (51) allows the two skis to be oriented in the same direction, as well as allowing one ski to be raised (4a) and the opposite one to be lowered (4b), which would provide the snowmobile (1) with lateral inclination, as per
(47) In light of the many embodiments discussed, it can be easily understood that combinations thereof are distinctly possible.
(48) A list of the various components comprising the invention and appearing in the Figures is provided below.
(49) 1.—“Stand-up” or “standing” style snowmobile
(50) 2.—Snowmobile chassis
(51) 3.—Drive track
(52) 4a.—Left ski
(53) 5a.—Left swingarm
(54) 6a.—Left ski spindle
(55) 7a.—Left rocker pedal
(56) 8a.—Left tie rod
(57) 9a.—Left ski spindle cam
(58) 10a.—Left spindle chassis support
(59) 11a.—Rollers, left side
(60) 12a.—Pull cable, left side
(61) 13a.—Compression spring, left side
(62) 14a.—Left rotating swingarm pivot bolt
(63) 15a.—Left swingarm housing
(64) 16a.—Left pedal cam
(65) 17a.—Left pedal pivot bolt
(66) 18a.—Foot movement
(67) 19a.—Left foot
(68) 20a.—Left ski pivot bolt
(69) 21a.—Left pull cable connection
(70) 4b.—Right ski
(71) 5b.—Right swingarm
(72) 6b.—Right ski spindle
(73) 7b.—Right rocker pedal
(74) 8b.—Right tie rod
(75) 9b.—Right ski spindle cam
(76) 10b.—Right spindle chassis support
(77) 11b.—Rollers, right side
(78) 12b.—Pull cable, right side
(79) 13b.—Compression spring, right side
(80) 14b.—Right rotating swingarm pivot bolt
(81) 15b.—Right swingarm housing
(82) 16b.—Right pedal cam
(83) 17b.—Right pedal pivot bolt
(84) 19b.—Right foot
(85) 20b.—Right ski pivot bolt
(86) 21b.—Right pull cable connection
(87) 22.—Ridge, left ski edge
(88) 23.—Rider (driver)
(89) 24.—Right ski snow impression
(90) 25.—Left ski snow impression
(91) 26.—Drive track snow impression
(92) 27c.—Component 6a rotational direction
(93) 27d.—Component 5a rotational direction
(94) 27e.—Component 7a rotational direction
(95) 27f.—Component 7b rotational direction
(96) 27g.—Component 6b rotational direction
(97) 28.—Sensor with control unit
(98) 29.—Electric assisted steering control system
(99) 30.—Hydraulic assisted steering control system
(100) 31.—Pneumatic assisted steering control system
(101) 32.—Pull cable
(102) 33.—Power supply circuit
(103) 34.—Hydraulic pump
(104) 35.—Pneumatic pump
(105) 36.—Electric linear actuator
(106) 37.—Hydraulic cylinder
(107) 38.—Pneumatic cylinder
(108) 39.—Replaceable return spring
(109) 40.—Connecting rod
(110) 40c.—Fixed pivot bolt, connecting rod
(111) 40d.—Moving anchor pivot bolt, connecting rod
(112) 40e.—Angle between chassis and swingarm
(113) 41.—Sliding bushing for compression
(114) 42.—Spring
(115) 43.—Compression nut
(116) 44.—Articulated swingarm
(117) 45.—Pivot bolt
(118) 46.—Tilt travel
(119) 47.—Shock-absorbing component
(120) 48.—Rotary knob
(121) 49.—Endless screw
(122) 50.—Movable pivot bolt
(123) 51.—Cam synchronizer brace