Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 1 -
FRAME FOR A SNOWMOBILE
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] The present application claims priority to United States
Provisional
Patent Applications No. 62/343,075 and 62/343,072, filed on May 30, 2016.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present technology relates to the construction of
snowmobiles.
More specifically, the present technology relates to the construction of
frames and
front suspension assemblies for snowmobiles.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The frame of a snowmobile typically includes a suspension module in
a front portion of the frame for connecting a front suspension assembly
between the
skis and the frame, a motor module connected at the rear of the suspension
module for
receiving the motor of the snowmobile, and a tunnel connected at the rear of
the
motor module for connecting an endless track to the frame.
[0004] In some snowmobiles, the front suspension assembly is only connected
to the suspension module, which is common when the front suspension assembly
includes upper and lower suspension arms on both left and right sides. Such a
construction is disclosed in US 7,451,846 B2 for instance.
[0005] To withstand the forces encountered under normal operating
conditions, the suspension module, the motor module and the tunnel and their
respective parts are connected together using a plurality of fasteners and/or
welds that
adds significantly to the overall weight of the snowmobile. The manufacturing
costs
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 2 -
and complexity of the frame also increase as the number of fasteners and/or
welds
goes up.
[0006] Other components, such as cross members extending across the
suspension module and/or the motor module, are sometimes provided to allow the
suspension module and/or the motor module to withstand the forces applied to
the
frame by the suspension assemblies when the snowmobile travels through snow or
when the skis impact the ground or other objects. These additional components
further increase the weight of the snowmobile, its complexity, and its
manufacturing
costs.
[0007] Therefore, there is a desire for a frame and suspension assemblies
for a
snowmobile that address at least some of the inconveniences of the prior art.
SUMMARY
[0008] For the purposes of the present application, terms related to
spatial
orientation such as forward, rearward, front, rear, upper, lower are as they
would
normally be understood by a rider of the snowmobile sitting thereon in a
normal
driving position with the snowmobile being upright and steered in a straight
ahead
direction. In addition, the term "proximal" refers to items or components that
are
positioned closer to a longitudinal centerline than items or components that
are
qualified as "distal".
[0009] According to one aspect of the present technology, there is provided
a
snowmobile having a frame including a motor module having a front portion
defining
a cross member and further defining an aperture below the cross member, a
tunnel
connected rearward of the motor module, and a suspension module connected
forward
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 3 -
of the motor module. The snowmobile further has a motor received in the motor
module, a handlebar connected to the frame, a front left ski and a front right
ski both
operatively connected to the handlebar, an endless drive track operatively
connected
to the tunnel and to the motor, a front left suspension assembly operatively
connecting
the front left ski to the suspension module and to the motor module. The front
left
suspension assembly includes a left suspension arm having a left proximal end
positioned longitudinally forward of the front portion of the motor module,
and a left
proximal fastener connecting the left proximal end to the front portion of the
motor
module about a left pivot axis. The snowmobile further has a front right
suspension
assembly operatively connecting the front right ski to the suspension module
and to
the motor module, the front right suspension assembly includes a right
suspension
arm having a right proximal end positioned longitudinally forward of the front
portion
of the motor module, and a right proximal fastener connecting the right
proximal end
to the front portion of the motor module about a right pivot axis. A line
extending
from the left pivot axis to the right pivot axis is contained in the cross
member.
[0010] In some implementations, the motor module includes a bottom
panel, a
left part connected to the bottom panel, and a right part connected to the
bottom panel.
[0011] In some implementations, the left part includes a left cast
part, and the
right part includes a right cast part.
[0012] In some implementations, the cross member has a left cross member
segment formed integrally with an upper front portion of the left part, and
the cross
member has a right cross member segment formed integrally with an upper front
portion of the right part.
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 4 -
[0013] In some implementations, the left and right cross member
segments
overlap, and the left and right cross member segments are connected together
using at
least one fastener.
[0014] In some implementations, the left and right cross member
segments
have a C-shaped cross section.
[0015] In some implementations, the left cross member segment has a
left
proximal portion and a left distal portion. The left proximal portion has a
left
proximal top portion. The left distal portion has a left distal top portion.
The left distal
top portion is longitudinally longer than the left proximal top portion. The
right cross
member segment has a right proximal portion and a right distal portion. The
right
proximal portion has a right proximal top portion. The right distal portion
has a right
distal top portion. The right distal top portion is longitudinally longer than
the right
proximal top portion.
[0016] In some implementations, the left part has a left bottom
portion, and
the left part has a left protrusion extending from the left bottom portion
toward the
right part. The right part has a right bottom portion, and the right part has
a right
protrusion extending from the right bottom portion toward the left part. The
left and
right protrusions overlap, and the left and right protrusions are connected
together
using at least one fastener.
[0017] In some implementations, the at least one fastener is a huck bolt.
[0018] In some implementations, the left bottom portion has a left
bracket
extending on a bottom face of the left bottom portion. A left nut is received
in the left
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 5 -
bracket. The right bottom portion has a right bracket extending on a bottom
face right
bottom portion. A right nut is received in the right bracket.
[0019] In some implementations, the suspension module has an interior
portion. The left suspension arm is an upper left suspension arm. The left
proximal
end is an upper left proximal end. The left pivot axis is an upper left pivot
axis. The
left proximal fastener is an upper left proximal fastener. The front left
suspension
assembly further has a lower left suspension arm. The lower left suspension
arm has
lower front and rear left members. The lower left rear member has a lower left
rear
proximal end positioned longitudinally between the motor module and the
suspension
module, the lower left rear proximal end pivoting about a lower left rear
pivot axis
extending through the interior portion of the suspension module. The front
left
suspension assembly further has a lower left rear proximal fastener passing
through
the lower left rear proximal end and extending from the interior portion of
the
suspension module to the motor module, the lower left rear proximal fastener
thereby
pivotally connecting the lower left suspension arm to the suspension module
and to
the motor module about the lower rear left pivot axis. The right suspension
arm is an
upper right suspension arm. The right proximal end is an upper right proximal
end.
The right pivot axis is an upper right pivot axis. The right proximal fastener
is an
upper right proximal fastener. The front right suspension assembly further has
a lower
right suspension arm. The lower right suspension arm has lower front and rear
right
members. The lower right rear member has a lower right rear proximal end
positioned
longitudinally between the motor module and the suspension module, the lower
right
rear proximal end pivoting about a lower right rear pivot axis extending
through the
interior portion of the suspension module. The front right suspension assembly
further
has a lower right rear proximal fastener passing through the lower right rear
proximal
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 6 -
end and extending from the interior portion of the suspension module to the
motor
module, the lower right rear proximal fastener thereby pivotally connecting
the lower
right suspension arm to the suspension module and to the motor module about
the
lower right rear pivot axis.
[0020] In some implementations, the snowmobile further has a left shock
absorber assembly connected between the lower left suspension arm and the
suspension module, and a right shock absorber assembly connected between the
lower
right suspension arm and the suspension module.
[0021] In some implementations, the lower front left member has a
lower
front left proximal end positioned below a front portion of the suspension
module.
The lower front left proximal end pivots about a lower front left axis
extending in the
interior portion of the suspension module. The front left suspension assembly
further
includes a lower front left proximal fastener passing through the lower front
left
proximal end of the lower front left member and extending in the interior
portion of
the suspension module, the lower front left proximal fastener thereby
pivotally
connecting the lower front left member to the front portion of the suspension
module.
The lower front right member has a lower front right proximal end positioned
below
the front portion of the suspension module. The lower front right proximal end
pivots
about a lower front right axis extending in the interior portion of the
suspension
module. The front right suspension assembly further includes a lower front
right
proximal fastener passing through the lower front right proximal end of the
lower
front right member and extending in the interior portion of the suspension
module, the
lower front right proximal fastener thereby pivotally connecting the lower
front right
member to the front portion of the suspension module.
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 7 -
[0022] In some implementations, the snowmobile further has a plate
positioned longitudinally forward of the motor module, and rearward of the
upper left
proximal end and the upper right proximal end.
[0023] In some implementations, the plate extends laterally between
the upper
left proximal fastener and the upper right proximal fastener.
[0024] In some implementations, the plate is connected to the motor
module
using the upper left proximal fastener and the upper right proximal fastener.
[0025] In some implementations, the snowmobile further has a plate
positioned longitudinally rearward of the cross member, the plate being
connected to
the motor module and covering the aperture below the cross member.
[0026] Implementations of the present technology each have at least
one of
the above-mentioned aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It
should be
understood that some aspects of the present technology that have resulted from
attempting to attain the above-mentioned object may not satisfy this object
and/or
may satisfy other objects not specifically recited herein.
[0027] Additional and/or alternative features, aspects, and advantages
of
implementations of the present technology will become apparent from the
following
description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as
other
aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following
description
which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 8 -
[0029] Figure 1 is a left side elevation view of a snowmobile;
[0030] Figure 2 is a left side elevation view of a frame of the
snowmobile of
Figure 1, with a suspension module separated therefrom;
[00311 Figure 3 is a front, left side perspective view of the frame of
Figure 2;
[0032] Figure 4 is a top plan view of the frame of Figure 2;
[0033] Figure 5 is a top, rear, right side perspective view of the
suspension
module of Figure 2;
[0034] Figure 6 is an exploded, top, rear, right side perspective view
of the
suspension module of Figure 5, with a cross bar;
[0035] Figure 7 is a rear elevation view of the suspension module of Figure
5;
[0036] Figure 8 is a top plan view of the suspension module of Figure
5;
[0037] Figure 9 is a top, rear, right side perspective view of a motor
module;
[0038] Figure 10 is an exploded, top, rear, right side perspective
view of the
motor module of Figure 9, with fasteners omitted;
[0039] Figure 11 is an exploded, top plan view of the motor module of
Figure 9;
[0040] Figure 12A is a front elevation view of the motor module of
Figure 9;
[00411 Figure 12B is a front elevation view of the motor module of
Figure 9
according to one variant having a plate connected thereto;
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 9 -
[0042] Figure 12C is a top, rear, right side perspective view of the
motor
module of Figure 9 according to another variant having an alternative
implementation
of a plate connected thereto;
[0043] Figure 12D is a top, rear, right side perspective view of the
motor
module of Figure 12C, with the plate disconnected from the motor module.
[0044] Figure 13 is a left side elevation view of the motor module of
Figure 9;
[0045] Figure 14 is a front elevation view of the frame of Figure 2,
with the
suspension module omitted;
[0046] Figure 15 is a front, left side perspective view of the frame
portions of
Figure 14;
[0047] Figure 16 is a top, front, left side perspective view of the
frame of
Figure 14, with upper left and right suspension arms connected to the motor
module;
[0048] Figure 17A is an enlarged view of the portion XVII of the frame
of
Figure 16;
[0049] Figure 17B is an enlarged view of the portion XVII of the frame of
Figure 16 having the motor module presented in Figure 12B;
[0050] Figure 18 is a left side elevation view of the frame of Figure
2, with the
suspension module connected to the frame and front suspension assemblies
connected
to the frame;
[0051] Figure 19 is an enlarged view of the portion XIX of the frame and
suspension assemblies of Figure 18;
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 10 -
[0052] Figure 20 is a bottom, rear, left side perspective view of the
frame of
Figure 18, with a right shock absorber assembly omitted;
[0053] Figure 21 is an enlarged view of the portion XXI of the frame
of
Figure 20;
[0054] Figure 22 is a front elevation view of the frame of Figure 18, with
the
right shock absorber assembly omitted;
[0055] Figure 23 is a top plan view of the frame and front suspension
assemblies of Figure 18;
[0056] Figure 24 is an enlarged view of the portion XXIV of the frame
and
front suspension assemblies of Figure 23;
[0057] Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view of the frame and front
suspension
assemblies of Figure 18 taken along line XXV-XXV of Figure 23;
[0058] Figure 26 is an enlarged view of the portion XXVI of the frame
and
front suspension assemblies of Figure 25;
[0059] Figure 27 is top, rear, left side cross-sectional perspective view
of the
frame and front suspension assemblies of Figure 18 taken along line XXVII-
XXVII of
Figure 23;
[0060] Figure 28 is an enlarged view of the portion XVIII of the frame
of
Figure 27;
[0061] Figure 29 is a partially exploded left side elevation view of the
frame
of Figure 2, with a lower left suspension arm; and
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 11 -
[0062] Figure 30 is an enlarged view of portion XXX of the frame and
the
lower left suspension arm of Figure 29.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0063] Referring to Figures 1, 4 and 24, a snowmobile 20 will be
described.
The snowmobile 20 has a front end 22 and a rear end 23, which are defined
consistently with the forward travel direction of the snowmobile 20. The
snowmobile
20 includes a frame 25. The frame 25 includes a tunnel 27, a motor module 29
and a
suspension module 32. A longitudinal centerline 37 (Figure 4) extends between
the
front end 22 and the rear end 23 of the snowmobile 20 and splits the frame 25
into a
left longitudinal side 39 and a right longitudinal side 41. For the purpose of
the
present application, the components that are qualified as "left" or "right"
are
positioned on the corresponding left longitudinal side 39 and right
longitudinal side
41 of the frame 25.
[0064] Front left and right suspension assemblies 34, 35 are connected
to the
suspension module 32 and to the motor module 29 (Figures 21 and 24). The
connection of the front left and right suspension assemblies 34, 35 to the
suspension
module 32 and to the motor module 29 will be described in detail below. A
motor 36,
which is schematically illustrated in Figure 1, is received in the motor
module 29. In
the present implementation, the motor 36 is a two-stroke, two-cylinder,
internal
combustion engine. However, it is contemplated that other types of motors
could be
used such as, but not limited to, an electric motor or a four-stroke internal
combustion
engine.
[0065] An endless drive track 38 is disposed under the tunnel 27. The
endless
drive track 38 is operatively connected to the engine 36 through a
continuously
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 12 -
variable transmission (CVT, not shown) and other components not described
herein.
The endless drive track 38 is suspended for movement relative to the frame 25,
by a
rear suspension assembly 40. The rear suspension assembly 40 includes a pair
of
spaced apart slide rails 42, rear suspension arms 44, 46 and shock absorbers
48, 50.
The slide rails 42 engage the internal side of the endless drive track 38. The
rear
suspension arms 44, 46 and the shock absorbers 48, 50 pivotally connect the
tunnel 27
to the slide rails 42. The endless drive track 38 is driven to run about the
rear
suspension assembly 40 for propulsion of the snowmobile 20. A plurality of
wheels
52 define the path over which the endless drive track 38 travels.
[0066] A fuel tank 54 is supported on top of the tunnel 27. A seat 56 is
disposed on the fuel tank 54 and is adapted to support a rider. Two footrests
58
(Figure 4) are positioned on opposite sides of the tunnel 27 below the seat 56
to
support the rider's feet. The footrests 58 are integrally formed with the
tunnel 27.
[0067] A left ski assembly 60 is positioned at the front end 22 of the
snowmobile 20. A right ski assembly (not shown) is also positioned at the
front end
22 of the snowmobile 20. The right ski assembly is, in some implementations, a
mirror image of the left ski assembly 60.
[0068] The left ski assembly 60 includes a left ski 62 and a
corresponding left
ski leg 64. The left ski assembly 60 is operatively connected to the
suspension module
32 and to the motor module 29 via the front left suspension assembly 34. The
front
left suspension assembly 34 includes an upper left suspension arm 66, a lower
left
suspension arm 68 and a left shock absorber assembly 70. The left shock
absorber
assembly 70 includes a left spring 72.
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 13 -
[0069] Referring to Figures 1 and 24, the right ski assembly (shown in
part)
includes a right ski (not shown) and a right ski leg 74 connected to the
suspension
module 32 and to the motor module 29 via the front right suspension assembly
35.
The front right suspension assembly 35 includes an upper right suspension arm
76, a
lower right suspension arm 78, and a right shock absorber assembly 80. The
right
shock absorber assembly 80 includes a right spring 82.
[0070] The left and right ski legs 64, 74 are pivotally connected to
the
corresponding upper and lower suspension arms 66, 68, 76, 78 respectively, and
the
corresponding shock absorber assembly 70, 80 is connected between the
corresponding lower suspension arms 68, 78 and the suspension module 32 of the
frame 25.
[0071] Referring to Figure 1, a steering assembly 84 including a
steering
column 86 and a handlebar 88 is supported by the frame 25. The steering column
86
is attached at its upper end to the handlebar 88, which is positioned forward
of the
seat 56. The steering column 86 is operatively connected to the ski legs 64,
74 by
steering rods 72 in order to steer the left ski 62 and the right ski, and
thereby the
snowmobile 20, when the handlebar 88 is turned.
[0072] Fairings 90 enclose the engine 36 and the CVT, and provide an
external shell that protects the engine 36 and the CVT. The fairings 90
include a hood
and one or more side panels that can be opened to allow access to the engine
36 and
the CVT when this is required, for inspection or maintenance of the engine 36
and/or
the CVT for example. A windshield 92 is connected to the fairings 90 forward
of the
handlebar 88. It is contemplated that the windshield 92 could be attached
directly to
the handlebar 88.
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 14 -
[0073] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, the frame 25 of the snowmobile 20
will be
described in more detail. The suspension module 32 is disposed near the front
end 22
of the snowmobile 20. The suspension module 32 has a front portion 94 and a
rear
portion 96. The motor module 29 is disposed rearward of the suspension module
32.
The motor module 29 has a front portion 98 and a rear portion 100. The front
portion
98 of the motor module 29 abuts the rear portion 96 of the suspension module
32. The
connection between the motor module 29 and the suspension module 32 will be
described in further detail below. The tunnel 27 is disposed rearward of the
motor
module 29. The tunnel 27 has a front portion 102 and a rear portion 104, the
rear
portion defining the rear end 23 of the snowmobile 20. The rear portion 100 of
the
motor module 29 may be connected to the front portion 102 of the tunnel 27 by
any
suitable means known in the art. For example, the motor module 29 may be
welded or
bolted to the tunnel 27. The tunnel 27 has rear frame members 106 connected to
the
tunnel 27 and extending to an apex 112 to which the steering column 86 is
connected.
Front left and right members 108, 110 are connected to the suspension module
32 and
extend to the apex 112. Middle left and right members 114, 116 are connected
between the apex 112 and the motor module 29.
[0074] Referring to Figures 5 to 8 and 24, the suspension module 32
will be
described in more detail. The suspension module 32 includes left and right
parts 120,
122. The left and right parts 120, 122 of the suspension module 32 are cast
parts.
Other manufacturing methods are also contemplated. The left and right parts
120, 122
are connected together using welding or any other suitable connection
technique
known in the art. The suspension module 32 also includes a crossbar 124
extending
between an upper left portion 126 and an upper right portion 128 of the
suspension
module 32. The upper left portion 126 includes left tabs 127 for connecting
the left
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 15 -
shock absorber assembly 70 (Figure 24), and the upper right portion 128
includes
right tabs 129 for connecting the right shock absorber assembly 80 (Figure
24). Below
each upper portion 126, 128, the suspension module 32 has left and right side
walls
130, 132. The left and right side walls 130, 132 have a respective aperture
134, 136
allowing passage of the left and right steering rods 72 (Figure 1) connecting
the
steering column 86 to the ski legs 64, 74. Left and right upper flanges 131,
133 extend
laterally from the left and right side walls 130, 132 and include left and
right tabs 135,
137.
[0075] When the left and right parts 120, 122 of the suspension module
32 arc
connected, the suspension module 32 has a bottom wall 138 extending between
the
front portion 94 and the rear portion 96 of the suspension module 32. A drain
hole
140 is defined in the bottom wall 138 to drain water from the suspension
module 32.
[0076] As illustrated in Figures 5 to 8 and 24, in the front portion
94, the
suspension module 32 has a front wall 142 with an aperture 144 defined
therein.
Below the front wall 142, the suspension module 32 has lower front left and
right tabs
146, 148. In the rear portion 96, the suspension module 32 has a rear wall 150
with
left and right holes 152, 154 defined therein. The rear portion 96 also
includes rear
left and right flanges 156, 158 defining holes 160 allowing passage of
fasteners (not
shown) connecting the suspension module 32 to the motor module 29 as the motor
module 29 has corresponding holes 162 defined on the front portion 98 of the
motor
module 29 (Figure 12A). The suspension module 32 could also be connected to
the
motor module 29 using any other suitable technique known in the art, such as
welding. The left and right side walls 130, 132, the front and rear walls 142,
150 and
the bottom wall 138 define an interior portion 164 of the suspension module
32.
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 16 -
[0077] Referring to Figures 9 to 13, the motor module 29 will be
described in
more detail. The motor module 29 includes a bottom panel 170 and left and
right parts
172, 174. The left and right parts 172, 174 are connected to the bottom panel
170
using fasteners (not shown). The left and right parts 172, 174 could be
connected to
the bottom panel 170 using any other suitable technique known in the art, such
as
bonding or welding. The left and right parts 172, 174 are cast parts while the
bottom
panel 170 is made from sheet metal. Other manufacturing techniques are also
contemplated. At the rear portion 100 of the motor module 29, the bottom panel
170
has an upwardly extending portion 171 adapted to abut the front portion 102 of
the
tunnel 27 so that connection then:between can be performed. The motor module
29
may be connected to the tunnel 27 by any suitable means known in the art. For
example, the motor module 29 may be riveted to the tunnel 27.
[0078] The left part 172 defines a left side wall 176 of the motor
module 29.
The left side wall 176 defines a U-shaped recess 178 therein. The right part
174
defines a right side wall 180 of the motor module 29. The right side wall 180
has an
aperture' 182 defined therein.
[0079] As best seen in Figures 10 and 11, the left part 172 has a left
bottom
portion 184 and a left protrusion 186 extends from the left bottom portion 184
toward
the right part 174. The right part 174 has a right bottom portion 188 and a
right
protrusion 190 extends from the right bottom portion 188 toward the left part
172.
The left and right protrusions 186, 190 overlap and are connected together
using three
fasteners 192. In the present implementation, the fasteners 192 are huck
bolts. It is
contemplated that other fasteners could be used, and that more or less than
three
fasteners could be used. The bottom panel 170 and the left and right parts
172, 174 are
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 17 -
further connected together using at least one of bonding and fastening
techniques
known in the art. When connected together, the bottom panel 170 and the left
and
right parts 172, 174 define a bottom wall 194 of the motor module 29. The
bottom
wall 194 has a convex bottom face 196 toward the front portion 98 of the motor
module 29 (Figure 13).
[0080] Referring to Figures 12A, 12B and 13, forward of the bottom
panel
170, the left bottom portion 184 has a left bracket 198 extending on a bottom
face 199
thereof. The right bottom portion 188 has a right bracket 200 extending on a
bottom
face 201 thereof. When the left and right parts 172, 174 are connected
together, the
left bracket 198 and the right bracket 200 form a bracket 202 extending from
the
convex bottom face 196 of the bottom wall 194. The bracket 202 has a vertical
portion 203 extending downwardly from the convex bottom face 196 and the
bracket
202 also has a horizontal portion 205 extending rearwardly and perpendicularly
to the
vertical portion 203. The bracket 202 defines a nut cavity 210 at the rear of
the
vertical portion 203, above the horizontal portion 205 and below the convex
bottom
face 196.
[0081] The left bracket 198 has a hole 207 defined in the vertical
portion 203.
The left bracket 198 receives a left nut 204 (Figures 13 and 28) in the nut
cavity 210.
The right bracket 200 has a hole 209 defined in the vertical portion 203. The
right
bracket 200 receives a right nut 206 (Figure 26) in the nut cavity 210. Both
the left nut
204 and the right nut 206 are held in place in the nut cavity 210 by surfaces
in their
corresponding left and right brackets 198, 200 such that when a fastener, such
as a
bolt, is fastened thereto, there is no need to prevent rotation of the left
and right nuts
204, 206 using a tool. As illustrated in Figure 13, the vertical portion 203
extends
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 18 -
perpendicularly to the fastening axes of the left and right nuts 204, 206, and
the
horizontal portion 205 extends rearwardly and perpendicularly to the vertical
portion
203. The horizontal portion 205 thus forms a portion of the bottom wall 194 of
the
motor module 29.
[0082] Referring to Figures 9 to 12B, the front portion 98 of the motor
module
29 will be described in more detail. The front portion 98 includes a front
wall 212
where are defined the holes 162 corresponding to the holes 160 defined in the
suspension module 32 for connection of the motor module 29 to the suspension
module 32 using fasteners (not shown). The front portion 98 also defines a
cross
member 214 and an aperture 216 below the cross member 214. The cross member
214
is formed of a left cross member segment 218 formed integrally with an upper
front
portion of the left part 172. The cross member 214 is further formed of a
right cross
member segment 220 formed integrally with an upper front portion of the right
part
174. The left and right cross member segments 218, 220 are connected together
using
two fasteners 222. It is contemplated that the left and right cross member
segments
218, 220 could be connected together using more or less than two fasteners
222. It is
also contemplated that the left and right cross member segments 218, 220 could
be
connected using any other suitable technique known in the art, such as
welding. The
left and right cross member segments 218, 220 have a C-shaped cross section
(Figure
10). Other suitable cross section profiles, such as an I-shaped cross section,
are
contemplated.
[0083] Referring to Figure 12B illustrating one variant of the motor
module
29, the left and right cross member segments 218, 220 are welded together and
form
the cross member 214. A plate 215 is disposed longitudinally forward of the
front
93063 1 6.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 19 -
portion 98 of the motor module 29 and connected to the cross member 214. The
plate
215 is shaped and configured to be received inside the C-shaped cross-section
of the
left and right cross member segments 218, 220. The plate 215 is connected to
the left
and right cross member segments 218, 220 using fasteners, such as rivets. Any
other
suitable technique known in the art could be used to connect the plate 215 to
the left
and right cross member segments 218, 220, such as bonding or welding.
[0084] Referring to Figures 11 to 12B, the left cross member segment
218 has
a left proximal portion 219 and a left distal portion 221. The left proximal
portion 219
has a left proximal top portion 219a and the left distal portion 221 has a
left distal top
portion 221a. The left distal top portion 221a is longitudinally longer than
the left
proximal top portion 219a. Similarly, the right cross member segment 220 has a
right
proximal portion 223 and a right distal portion 225. The right proximal
portion 223
has a right proximal top portion 223a and the right distal portion 225 has a
right distal
top portion 225a. The right distal top portion 225a is longitudinally longer
than the
right proximal top portion 223a. Toward the left and right distal portions
221, 225 of
the cross member 214, left and right upper holes 224, 226 are defined in the
front wall
212 of the motor module 29. Referring to Figure 12B, the plate 215 also has
holes
aligned with left and right upper holes 224, 226.
[0085] Referring to Figures 12C and 12D illustrating another variant
of the
motor module 29, a plate 215' is positioned longitudinally rearward of the
cross
member 214. The plate 215' covers the aperture 216 below the cross member 214.
In
some implementations, the plate 215' is made of sheet metal and is configured
to
conform to the profile of the front portion 98 of the motor module 29. A
plurality of
holes 163 are defined on the plate 215'. Each one of the holes 163 is aligned
with a
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 20 -
corresponding hole 162 defined in the motor module 29 and a corresponding hole
160
defined in the suspension module 32. The plate 215', the motor module 29 and
the
suspension module 32 are connected together, at least partially, using
fasteners 163'.
The upper portion of the plate 215' includes holes 165 defined therein. The
holes 165
are aligned with corresponding holes 162' defined in the motor module 29, such
that
fasteners (not shown) may be used to further connect the plate 215' to the
motor
module 29. The upper portion of the plate 215' also includes two holes 165'
defined
therein. The two holes 165' allow passage of the two fasteners 222 used to
connect
together the left and right cross member segments 218, 220. As such, the plate
215' is
further connected to the motor module 29 by the two fasteners 222. It is
contemplated
that the plate 215' could be further connected to the motor module 29 using
any other
suitable technique known in the art, such as bonding or welding.
[0086] Referring back to Figure 12A, the aperture 216 defined in the
front
portion 98 of the motor module 29 has a width 228. The width 228 is taken
horizontally and perpendicularly to the longitudinal centerline 37 of the
frame 25 of
the snowmobile 20. The motor module 29 has an overall width 230. The overall
width
230 of the motor module 29 is taken horizontally and perpendicularly to the
longitudinal centerline 37 of the frame 25 of the snowmobile 20. A ratio of
the width
228 of the aperture 216 over the overall width 230 of the motor module 29 is
0.3 or
more. In some implementations, the ratio is 0.4 or more.
[0087] In addition, the aperture 216 has a height 232. The height 232
is taken
vertically and perpendicularly to the longitudinal centerline 37 of the frame
25 of the
snowmobile 20. The motor module 29 has an overall height 234. The overall
height
234 of the motor module 29 is taken vertically and perpendicularly to the
longitudinal
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 21 -
centerline 37 of the frame 25 of the snowmobile 20. A ratio of the height 232
of the
aperture 216 over the overall height 234 of the motor module 29 is 0.25 or
more. In
some implementations, the ratio is 0.28 or more.
[0088] Still referring to Figure 12A, holes 207, 209 are separated by
a center-
to-center distance 236. The upper holes 224, 226 are separated by a distance
238. A
ratio of the distance 236 over the distance 238 is 0.1 or less. In some
implementations,
the ratio is 0.08 or less. A ratio of the width 228 of the aperture 216 over
the distance
238 is 1.25 or more. In some implementations, the ratio is 1.30 or more.
[0089] With reference to Figures 14 to 30, the left and right front
suspension
assemblies 34, 35 and their connection to the motor module 29 and to the
suspension
module 32 will be described in more detail.
[0090] The left and right front suspension assemblies 34, 35 are
connected to
the left and right ski legs 64, 74. An upper front tab 240 of the left ski leg
64 is
connected to the upper left suspension arm 66 at a distal end 242 thereof
through a
ball joint 244 (Figure 24). A lower front tab 246 of the left ski leg 64 is
connected to
the lower left suspension arm 68 at a distal end 248 thereof through a ball
joint 250.
The left ski leg 64 may pivot and rotate with respect to a left ski leg pivot
axis 252
passing through the ball joints 244, 250 (Figure 22). Similarly, an upper
front tab 254
of the right ski leg 74 is connected to the upper right suspension arm 76 at a
distal end
256 thereof through a ball joint 258 (Figure 24). A lower front tab 260 of the
right ski
leg 74 is connected to the lower right suspension arm 78 at a distal end 262
thereof
through a ball joint 264. The right ski leg 74 may pivot and rotate with
respect to a
right ski leg pivot axis 266 passing through the ball joints 258, 264 (Figure
22).
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 22 -
[0091] The upper left suspension arm 66 has upper left front and rear
members 270, 272 meeting at the distal end 242. The upper left front member
270
includes an upper left front proximal end 272 (Figure 19), and the upper left
rear
member 272 includes an upper left rear proximal end 274 (Figure 17).
Similarly, the
-- upper right suspension member 76 has upper right front and rear members
276, 278
meeting at the distal end 256. The upper right front member 276 includes an
upper
right front proximal end 280 (Figure 17), and the upper right rear member 278
includes an upper right rear proximal end 282.
[0092] The upper left front proximal end 272 is connected to the
suspension
-- module 32 by an upper left front proximal fastener 284 passing through the
upper left
front proximal end 272 and extending through the left tab 135 of the
suspension
module 32 (Figure 8). The upper left front proximal fastener 284 pivotally
connects
the upper left front member 270 to the suspension module 32 about an upper
front left
pivot axis 286 (Figure 24). Similarly, the upper right front proximal end 280
is
-- connected to the suspension module 32 by an upper right front proximal
fastener 288
passing through the upper right front proximal end 280 and extending through
the
right tab 137 of the suspension module 32 (Figure 8). The upper right front
proximal
fastener 288 pivotally connects the upper right front member 276 to the
suspension
module 32 about an upper front right pivot axis 290.
[0093] The upper left rear proximal end 274 is positioned longitudinally
forward of the front portion 98 of the motor module 29 (Figure 17). The upper
left
rear proximal end 274 is connected to the motor module 29 by an upper left
rear
proximal fastener 292 passing through the upper left rear proximal end 274 and
extending through the upper left hole 224 of the motor module 29 (Figure 12A).
The
9306315.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 23 -
upper left rear proximal fastener 292 pivotally connects the upper left rear
member
272 to the motor module 29 about an upper rear left pivot axis 294 (Figures 17
and
19). Similarly, the upper right rear proximal end 282 is positioned
longitudinally
forward of the front portion 98 of the motor module 29 (Figure 17). The upper
right
rear proximal end 282 is connected to the motor module 29 by an upper right
rear
proximal fastener 296 (Figure 17) passing through the upper right rear
proximal end
282 and extending through the upper right hole 226 of the motor module 29
(Figure 12A). The upper right rear proximal fastener 296 pivotally connects
the upper
right rear member 278 to the motor module 29 about an upper rear right pivot
axis
298 (Figure 19). Referring to Figures 12A and 17A, it can be seen that a line
299
extending from the upper rear left pivot axis 294 to the upper rear right
pivot axis 298
is completely contained in the cross member 214.
[0094] Referring to the variant of the motor module 29 shown in
Figures 12B
and 17B, the plate 215 is disposed rearward of the upper left rear proximal
end 274
and the upper right rear proximal end 282. The plate 215 is further connected
to the
cross member 214 of the motor module 29 upon connection of the upper left rear
proximal end 274 using the upper left rear proximal fastener 292 and the upper
right
rear proximal end 282 using the upper right rear proximal fastener 296. Such
connection of the plate 215 is complementary to its fastened connection to the
motor
module 29 described above. In some embodiments, the plate 215 is further
connected
to the motor module 29 using the upper left rear proximal fastener 292 and the
upper
right rear proximal fastener 296. The plate 215 extends laterally between the
upper
rear left pivot axis 294 and the upper rear right pivot axis 298. In the
variant shown in
Figure 17B where the plate 215 is connected to the cross member 214,
modifications
to at least one of the motor module 29, the upper left rear proximal end 274,
the upper
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 24 -
right rear proximal end 282, the upper left rear proximal fastener 292 and the
upper
right rear proximal fastener 296 are contemplated to take into account the
thickness of
the plate 215 so that the configuration of the left and right front suspension
arms 66,
76 presented in Figure 17B remain similar to the left and right front
suspension arms
66, 76 presented in Figure 17A. Referring to Figures 12B and 17B, the line 299
extending between the upper left hole 224 and the upper right hole 226 is
completely
contained in the cross member 214 and in the plate 215.
[0095] The lower left suspension arm 68 has lower left front and rear
members 300, 302 meeting at the distal end 248 (Figures 24 and 30). The lower
left
front member 300 includes a lower left front proximal end 304, and the lower
left rear
member 302 includes a lower left rear proximal end 306. Similarly, the lower
right
suspension member 78 has lower right front and rear members 308, 310 meeting
at
the distal end 262 (Figure 24). The lower right front member 308 includes a
lower
right front proximal end 312 (Figure 21), and the lower right rear member 310
includes a lower right rear proximal end 314.
[0096] The lower left front proximal end 304 is positioned below the
front
portion 94 of the suspension module 32 and longitudinally forward of the
bottom wall
138 of the suspension module 32. The lower left front proximal end 304 is
connected
to the suspension module 32 by a lower left front proximal fastener 316
passing
through the lower left front proximal end 306 and extending through the lower
front
left tabs 146 of the suspension module 32 (Figures 6, 22 and 24). The lower
left front
proximal fastener 316 extends in the interior portion 164, above the bottom
wall 138
of the suspension module 32 (Figures 19 and 24). The lower left front proximal
fastener 316 pivotally connects the lower left front member 300 to the
suspension
93(16316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 25 -
module 32 about a lower front left pivot axis 318 (Figures 19 and 24). The
lower front
left pivot axis 318 extends through the interior portion 164, above the bottom
wall
138 of the suspension module 32 (Figure 19). Similarly, the lower right front
proximal end 312 is positioned below the front portion 94 of the suspension
module
32 and longitudinally forward of the bottom wall 138 of the suspension module
32.
The lower right front proximal end 312 is connected to the suspension module
32 by a
lower right front proximal fastener 320 (Figure 22) passing through the lower
right
front proximal end 312 and extending through the lower front right tab 148 of
the
suspension module 32 (Figures 6, 22 and 24). The lower right front proximal
fastener
320 extends in the interior portion 164, above the bottom wall 138 of the
suspension
module 32. The lower right front proximal fastener 320 pivotally connects the
lower
right front member 308 to the suspension module 32 about a lower front right
pivot
axis 322 (Figure 24). The lower front right pivot axis 322 extends through the
interior
portion 164, above the bottom wall 138 of the suspension module 32 (Figure
26).
Referring to Figures 22 and 24, a plate 323 is connected to the front portion
94 of the
suspension module 32. The plate 323 is disposed forward of the lower front
left and
right tabs 146, 148 shown in Figure 6. The plate 323 extends laterally and has
holes
defined therein for receiving the lower front left and right proximal
fasteners 316,
320. It is contemplated that the plate 323 could also be welded to the
suspension
module 32.
[0097] Referring to Figures 24, 26 and 30, a distance 324 between the
lower
front left and right pivot axes 318, 322 is less than twice an outside
diameter 325 of
one of the lower front left proximal end 304 and the lower right front
proximal end
312. As the lower front left proximal end 304 and the lower right front
proximal end
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 26 -
312 are cylindrical, the outside diameter 325 is measured as shown in Figures
26 and
30.
[0098] The lower left rear proximal end 306 is positioned
longitudinally
between the motor module 29 and the suspension module 32 (Figures 21 and 28 to
30). The lower left rear proximal end 306 is connected to the suspension
module 32
and to the motor module 29 by a lower left rear proximal fastener 326 passing
through
the lower left rear proximal end 306 and extending in the interior portion
164, above
the bottom wall 138 of the suspension module 32. More particularly, the lower
left
rear proximal fastener 326 extends from the interior portion 164 of the
suspension
module 32, through the hole 152 (Figure 7), through the lower left rear
proximal end
306, to the left bracket 198 through the hole 207 (Figure 12A) and is fastened
to the
left nut 204. The lower left rear proximal fastener 326 pivotally connects the
lower
left rear member 302 to the suspension module 32 and to the motor module 29
about a
lower rear left pivot axis 328. The lower rear left pivot axis 328 extends
through the
interior portion 164, above the bottom wall 138 of the suspension module 32
(Figure
28). Similarly, the lower right rear proximal end 314 is positioned
longitudinally
between the motor module 29 and the suspension module 32 (Figures 21, 25 and
26).
The lower right rear proximal end 314 is connected to the suspension module 32
and
to the motor module 29 by a lower right rear proximal fastener 332 passing
through
the lower right rear proximal end 314 and extending in the interior portion
164, above
the bottom wall 138 of the suspension module 32. More particularly, the lower
right
rear proximal fastener 332 extends from the interior portion 164 of the
suspension
module 32, through the hole 154 (Figure 7), through the lower right rear
proximal end
314, to the right bracket 200 through the hole 209 (Figure 12A) and is
fastened to the
right nut 206. The lower right rear proximal fastener 332 pivotally connects
the lower
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 27 -
right rear member 310 to the suspension module 32 and to the motor module 29
about
a lower rear right pivot axis 334. The lower rear right pivot axis 334 extends
through
the interior portion 164, above the bottom wall 138 of the suspension module
32
(Figure 26).
[0099] The lower left rear proximal fastener 326 and the lower right rear
proximal fastener 332 connect the corresponding lower left rear member 302 and
lower right rear member 310 to the suspension module 32 and to the motor
module
29. The lower left rear proximal fastener 326 and the lower right rear
proximal
fastener 332 also connect the suspension module 32 and the motor module 29
together.
[00100] Referring to Figure 12A, the distance 236 corresponds to a
distance
between the lower left and right rear pivot axes 328, 334 (Figure 24). The
distance
236 is less than twice an outside diameter 330 (Figures 26 and 30) of one of
the lower
left and right rear proximal ends 306, 314. As the lower rear left proximal
end 306
and the lower right rear proximal end 314 are cylindrical, the outside
diameter 330 is
measured as shown in Figures 26 and 30.
[00101] Referring to Figure 24, the lower front and rear left pivot
axes 318, 328
arc coaxial. Similarly, the lower front and rear right pivot axes 322, 334 are
coaxial.
In addition, the lower front and rear left pivot axes 318, 328 are parallel to
the lower
front and rear right pivot axes 322, 334.
[00102] Referring to Figures 19, 24, 26 and 28, the snowmobile 20
further has
a torsion bar assembly 340. The torsion bar assembly 340 includes a torsion
bar 342.
The torsion bar 342 extends across the motor module 29. A left end 344 of the
torsion
bar 342 is connected to an upper left linkage 346 which is connected to a
lower left
9306316.2
CA 2962060 2017-03-27
- 28 -
linkage 348. The lower left linkage 348 is connected to the lower left rear
member
302. A right end 350 of the torsion bar 342 is connected to an upper right
linkage 352
which is connected to a lower right linkage 354 (Figures 21 and 26). The lower
right
linkage 354 is connected to the lower right rear member 310.
[00103] Modifications and improvements to the above-described
implementations of the present 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 is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the
appended
claims.
9306316.2
