Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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NOSE CONE FOR A SNOWMOBILE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a snowmobile and, more
particularly, to the construction of the front portion of the snowmobile.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A prior-art snowmobile typically includes a hood and a belly pan such
as the ones illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. The hood and belly pan
cooperate to enclose the engine, defining a forward portion of an engine
compartment of a snowmobile. As shown in FIG. 1, a hood 11 includes at least
one air inlet 11 a for admitting ambient air into the engine compartment of
the
snowmobile, for cooling the engine and/or for supplying air to the engine. The
air inlets are disposed with filtering grilles to inhibit snow or other debris
from
entering the engine compartment.
[0003] As shown in FIG. 2, a conventional belly pan 20 includes an
underbelly 21, left and right side walls 22, 23 rising upwardly from the sides
of
the underbelly 21, and a front wall 24 extending upwardly from the front of
the
underbelly to define an open structure adapted to partially enclose a forward
portion of the engine. The front wall 24 also includes a bumper 25, usually
molded integrally with the beNy pan 20. As noted above, the hood of FIG. 1
closes over the belly pan of FIG. 2 to enclose a forward portion of the engine
compartment.
[0004] As is known in the art, the belly pan extends rearwardly under the
engine, tuned pipe and other engine accessories to a point where the tunnel
attaches to the engine cradle. The conventional, prior-art belly pan therefore
has a rear opening for accepting the front of the tunnel, gas tank and other
forwardly mounted components of the vehicle. Sometimes, the bottom of the
belly pan is cut away so as to have the shape of the bottom of the engine
cradle, which is normally made of sheet metal. Because the belly pan is
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normally made of plastic and the shape is not enclosed, the overall
construction
is very flexible and thus the attachment to the snowmobile has to be
reinforced
with metal brackets to ensure that the belly pan does not deform or break
under
its own weight.
[0005] In the prior art, however, the air inlets do not direct the air to the
most
effective locations within the engine compartment. Thus, there is a natural
tendency to provide more air inlets than would be needed if the air were
guided
to the right places to ensure sufficient air cooling of the engine. By
providing an
excessive number (or excessive size) of air inlets, at least two shortcomings
arise. First, the engine compartment becomes vulnerable to penetration of
snow, particularly powdery snow, which can then clog up the engine
compartment and the air inlets. Second, the snowmobile is noisier when many
air inlets are provided. In other words, noise suppression is diminished when
the size and/or number of air inlets is increased.
[0006] Therefore, it would be highly desirable to provide a nose cone for a
snowmobile that overcomes at least one of the deficiencies of the prior art as
described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a nose cone for a
snowmobile that overcomes at least one of the deficiencies of the prior art.
[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a nose cone
for a snowmobile includes an underbelly; a first side waH extending upwardly
from the underbelly; a second side wall extending upwardly from the
underbelly,
the second side wall being spaced apart from the first side wall; the side
walls
adapted to secure a snowmobile hood, and a top cover extending rearwardly
from the forward end of the underbelly, and between the first and second side
walls, such that the underbelly, side walls and top cover together define a
generally conical nose for substantially enclosing a front end of the
snowmobile.
(0009] Preferably, the top cover includes an opening defining an air inlet for
admitting air into an engine compartment of the snowmobile.
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[0010] More preferably, the top cover includes an air guide connected to the
air inlet for conducting air to one or more regions within the engine
compartment
for optimizing engine performance.
[0011] More preferably, the air guides conduct air through passageways that
are off-axis from the axes of admission of the air inlets for suppressing
engine
noise.
[0012] 1n accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a
snowmobile includes a frame including a tunnel; an engine disposed on the
frame; a drive track disposed below and supported by the tunnel and
operatively connected to the engine for propulsion of the snowmobile; a
straddle
seat disposed on the tunnel above the drive track and rearward of the engine;
two steerable skis disposed on the frame, each via a front suspension; and a
nose cone as described in the preceding paragraphs, the nose cone being
connected to a forward portion of the frame.
[0013] The nose cone described in the foregoing paragraphs provides a
more structurally rigid body that the belly pans of the prior art. The nose
cone
also provides a more optimal number and configuration of air inlets that
suppress engine noise while admitting and guiding air to the regions of the
engine that most require airflow.
[0014] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better
understood with reference to the preferred embodiment described hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Having thus generally described the nature of the present invention,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings by way of illustration
showing a preferred embodiment, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a hood of a typical prior-
art
snowmobile;
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[0017] FIG. 2 is an isometric perspective view of a belly pan of a typical
prior-art snowmobile;
(0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of a snowmobile incorporating a nose cone in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 4 is an isometric perspective view of a nose cone for a
snowmobile in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the nose cone in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a side view of the nose cone in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a front view of the nose cone in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a rear view of the nose cone in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the nose cone and forward portion
of a snowmobile, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 3, a snowmobile incorporating an embodiment
of the present invention is designated generally by reference numeral 10.
Although certain aspects of the present invention are applicable in other
types
of vehicles, the present invention has particular utility in connection with
snowmobiles.
[0026] The snowmobile 10 includes a forward end 10a and a rearward end
10b which are defined consistently with a forward travel direction 8 of the
vehicle. The snowmobile 10 includes a frame or chassis 12 which normally
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includes a rear tunnel 12a, an engine cradle portion 12b and a front
suspension
assembly portion 19. An engine 14, which is schematically illustrated in
dotted
fines in FIG. 3, is carried by the engine cradle portion 12b of the frame 12.
A ski
and steering assembly (not indicated) is provided, in which two skis 18 are
positioned at the forward end 10a of the snowmobile 10 and are attached to the
front suspension assembly portion 19 of the frame 12 through a front
suspension assembly 17. The front suspension assembly 17 includes ski legs,
supporting arms and ball joints (not shown) for operatively joining the
respective
ski legs, supporting arms and a steering column. The steering column at its
upper end is attached to a steering device such as a handlebar 16 which is
positioned forward of a rider to rotate the skis 18, in order to steer the
vehicle.
(0027] An endless drive track 30 is positioned at the rear end 10b of the
snowmobile 10 and is disposed under tunnel 12a, being connected operatively
to the engine 14 through a belt transmission system (not shown). Thus, the
endless drive track 30 is driven to run about a rear suspension assembly 28
for
propulsion of the snowmobile 10. The rear suspension assembly 28 includes a
pair of slide rails 28a in sliding contact with the endless drive track 30.
The rear
suspension assembly 28 also includes one or more shock absorbers 29 which
may further include a coil spring (not shown) surrounding the individual shock
absorbers 29. Front and rear suspension arms 31 and 32 are provided to
attach the slide rails 28a to the frame (chassis) 12. One or more idler wheels
30a are also provided in the rear suspension assembly 28.
(0028] At the front end 10a of the snowmobile 10, a hood 11 covers the
nose cone 100 enclosing the engine 14 and the belt transmission system,
thereby providing an external shell that not only helps protect the engine 14
and
the belt transmission system, but can also be decorated to make the
snowmobile 10 more aesthetically pleasing. Typically the hood includes one or
more holes therethrough to allow air to enter into the engine compartment 14b.
These holes can be misalligned with the air inlets 142 and 144 of the nose
cone
to improved engine noise suppression and prevent snow and other debris from
entering directly into the engine compartment 14b. Typically, one or more side
panels can be opened to allow access to the engine 14 and the belt
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transmission system when this is required, for example, for inspection or
maintenance of the engine 14 and/or the belt transmission system. In the
particular snowmobile 10 shown in FIG. 3, the side panels can be opened along
a vertical axis to swing away from the snowmobile 10. A windshield 15 may be
connected to the snowmobile 10 or directly to the handlebar 16. The windshield
acts as a wind screen to lessen the force of the air on the rider while the
snowmobile 10 is moving.
(0029] The engine 14 is a type of internal combustion engine that is
supported on the frame 12 and is located at the engine cradle portion 12b. The
internal construction of the engine 14 may be of any known type, however the
engine 14 drives an engine output shaft (not shown) that rotates about a
horizontally disposed axis that extends generally transversely to a travel
direction (or longitudinal centerline) 8 of the snowmobile 10. The engine
output
shaft drives the belt transmission system for transmitting torque to the
endless
drive track 30 for propulsion of the snowmobile 10.
(0030] A straddle-type seat 35 is positioned atop the frame 12 and extends
to the rear end 10b of the snowmobile 10. A rear portion of the seat 36 may
include a storage compartment or can be used to accommodate a passenger
seat (not indicated). Twa footrests 13 are positioned on opposite sides of the
snowmobile 10 below the seat to accommodate the driver's feet.
(0031] FIGS. 4 to 8 show various views of a nose cone 100 in accordance
with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring first to
FIGS.
4 and 5, the nose cone 100 includes an underbelly 110, a first side wall 120
extending upwardly from the underbelly, and a second side wall 130 extending
upwardly from the underbelly. The second side wall is spaced apart from the
first side wall as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The top edges of the side walls
adapted to support the hood 11 thereon. Preferably, the hood is pivotally
connected to the forward end 102 of the nose cone 100. The nose cone further
includes a top cover 140 extending upwardly and rearwardly from a forward end
102 of the underbelly. The top cover 140 also extends, as shown, between the
first and second side walls 120, 130 to define an "upper wall". In other
words,
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the underbelly 110, the first and second side walls 120, 130 and the top cover
140 together define a generally conical nose for substantially enclosing a
front
end of the snowmobile.
[0032] As further illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the top cover 140 of the nose
cone 100 has a pair of openings defining air inlets 142, 144. The top cover
140
can also include a pair of air scoops 146, 148 defining planar regions leading
up
to the respective air inlets 142, 144. The air inlets are preferably
orthogonal to
a forward, travel direction of the snowmobile to increase air intake although
it
should be understood that the air inlets can be oblique or even normal to the
travel direction of the vehicle. The air inlets 142, 144 includes respective
air
guides, preferably integrally molded to the underside of the top cover 140.
The
air guides are ducts or passageways connected to the air inlets for conducting
air to the regions of the engine compartment where airflow is most desired.
The
air guides preferably conduct air through passageways that are off-axis from
axes of admission of the air inlets. By "off-axis", it is meant that the air
guides
are not merely straight extensions of the air inlets. In other words, the air
does
not flow straight into the engine compartment along straight air ducts.
Rather,
the air is routed along axes that are not aligned with the ducts, preferably
been
routed along a section of ductway that is at least perpendicular to the air
inlet.
A circuitous "off-axis" air guide will act as a noise baffle to suppress
engine
noise. The air inlets can also include filtering grilles (not shown) for
inhibiting
snow or other debris from entering the engine compartment of the snowmobile.
The front of the nose cone can include an integrally molded bumper 104 (or
attachment points for attaching a separate bumper).
[0033] Other features of the nose cone 100 will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. FIG. 6 is a side view of the nose cone 100 showing
that upper portions 122, 132 of the first and second side walls 120, 130,
respectively extend more rearwardly than respective lower portions 124, 134 of
the side walls. The nose cone is thus able to connect forward of the engine
cradle at the forward end of the snowmobile. Nose cone 100 is preferably a
unitary roll-molded structure.
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[0034] FIG. 7 shows a front view of the nose cone 100. The air inlets 142,
144 in the top cover 140 are preferably not the same size and are "staggered".
(i.e. one air inlet in this case, the left air inlet 142 is forward of the
right air inlet
144) to optimize airflow distribution within the engine compartment while also
optimizing engine noise suppression. The nose cone is thus preferably not
symmetrical. FIG. 7 also shows that the upper portions 122, 132 of the side
walls 120, 130 flare laterally outwardly in an asymmetric manner, which
accommodates packaging asymmetries of the forward portion of the
snowmobile.
[0035] As referred to above, FIG. 8 shows the underbelly 110 that forms the
bottom of the nose cone 100. The underbelly extends forward from the front
suspension assembly 19to the front end of the snowmobile.
(0036] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the nose cone 100 connected to a
forward portion of the snowmobile 10 in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the present invention. In this preferred embodiment, the top
cover 140 of the nose cone 100 extends over a tuned pipe 14a connected to the
engine 14 and also overlays at least a portion of the engine. In other words,
the
nose cone cooperates with the frame to enclose a forward portion of an engine
compartment 14b. As shown in FIG. 9, the nose cone 100 connects to the
frame of the snowmobile at a number of locations. In this preferred
embodiment, a lower portion of the nose cone 100 connects a forward portion of
the engine cradle 12b through a portion of the front suspension assembly 19
and an upper portion of the nose cone connects to the frame members 12c that '
form a pyramidal frame structure at the front of the vehicle.
(0037] In operation, the nose cone, once attached to the front end of the
snowmobile, provides a rigid structure for enclosing the forward portion of
the
engine compartment of the snowmobile. Air inlets and guides which are
integrally molded in the top cover of the nose cone help to direct air to
those
regions of the engine compartment where airflow is most needed. The air inlets
and air guides are configured to suppress engine noise while admitting
sufficient air for optimal engine performance.
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[0038 Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiment
of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The
foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The
scope of the present invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by
the
scope of the appended claims.
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