VEHICLE OPERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20160025016A1
• Filed: 10/06/2015
• Published: 01/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Incorporated (Bombardier Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Incorporated (Bombardier Incorporated)
• Inventors: BERNIER, Michel, PION, Benoit, MILOT, Pierre-Luc, PARD, Jean-Sebastien, LEFEBVRE, Michel
• Granted Patent: US 10,450,968 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 2027/023 Snow mobiles characterised by engine mounting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 27/02 power driven
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/06 using a single chain, belt, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/04 characterised by mechanical control linkages F02D11/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/10 of the electric type
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2009/0277 Fail-safe mechanisms, e.g. with limp-home feature, to close throttle if actuator fails, or if control cable sticks or breaks
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2011/102 at least one throttle being moved only by an electric actuator
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 9/02 concerning induction conduits throttle valves, or arrangements thereof in conduits F02D9/08
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/162 Motorcycles; All-terrain vehicles, e.g. quads, snowmobiles; Small vehicles, e.g. forklifts
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/101 for preventing engine starter actuation or engagement

Abstract

A snowmobile includes a frame with a tunnel, a fuel tank disposed thereon and an engine connected thereto. A throttle body fluidly communicates with the engine. A throttle valve is disposed in the throttle body for regulating fluid flow through the throttle body into the engine, a position of the throttle valve being movable between an open position and a closed position. A throttle operator connected to the frame to control the position of throttle valve is moveable between an idle position and a drive position. A throttle valve actuator operatively connected to the throttle valve and the throttle operator controls a position of the throttle valve based at least in part on the throttle operator position, the throttle valve actuator being an electric throttle valve actuator and disposed longitudinally between the fuel tank and the engine. Vehicles and methods of operating the vehicles are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A snowmobile comprising:

a frame comprising a longitudinally extending tunnel;

a fuel tank disposed on the tunnel;

an engine connected to the frame;

a throttle body fluidly communicating with the engine;

a throttle valve disposed in the throttle body for regulating fluid flow through the throttle body into the engine, a position of the throttle valve being movable between an open position and a closed position;

a throttle operator connected to the frame to control the position of throttle valve, the throttle operator being moveable between an idle position and a drive position;

a throttle valve actuator operatively connected to the throttle valve and the throttle operator, the throttle valve actuator controlling a position of the throttle valve based at least in part on the throttle operator position, the throttle valve actuator being an electric throttle valve actuator, the throttle valve actuator being disposed longitudinally between the fuel tank and the engine.

2. The snowmobile of claim 1, wherein the fuel tank comprises a portion extending forwardly of the tunnel, and the throttle valve actuator is disposed below the forwardly extending portion of the fuel tank.

3. The snowmobile of claim 1, further comprising a seat disposed at least partly on the tunnel, the seat comprising an upper surface disposed higher than the throttle valve actuator.

4. The snowmobile of claim 3, wherein the seat further comprises a left lateral surface and a right lateral surface, the throttle valve actuator being disposed laterally between the left lateral surface and the right lateral surface.

5. The snowmobile of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises:

an engine compartment extending forwardly from the tunnel; and

an upper structure comprising;

a rear assembly extending upwardly and forwardly from the tunnel,

a front assembly extending forwardly and downwardly from the rear assembly; and

the upper structure forming a pyramidal structure, the throttle valve actuator being disposed within the pyramidal structure.

6. The snowmobile of claim 5, wherein:

the front assembly comprises;

a front left brace extending upwardly, rearwardly and rightwardly from a suspension module; and

a front right brace extending upwardly, rearwardly and leftwardly from a suspension module; and

the rear assembly comprises;

a rear left brace extending upwardly, forwardly and rightwardly from the tunnel; and

a rear right brace extending upwardly, forwardly and leftwardly from the tunnel,

the front left brace and the front right brace defining a front face of the pyramid structure,

the rear left brace and rear right brace defining a rear face of the pyramid structure,

the front left brace and rear left brace defining a left face of the pyramid structure,

the front right brace and rear right brace defining a right face of the pyramid structure,

the throttle valve actuator being disposed laterally between the right and left faces of the pyramid structure, and

the throttle valve actuator being disposed longitudinally between the front and rear faces of the pyramid structure.

7. The snowmobile of claim 6, wherein:

the front left brace, the front right brace, the rear left brace and the rear right brace are joined together to form an apex of the pyramid structure, the apex being disposed vertically higher than the throttle valve actuator, and at least one of the front left brace, the front right brace, the rear left brace and the rear right brace extends vertically lower than the throttle valve actuator.

8. The snowmobile of claim 1, wherein the engine comprises:

a cylinder defining a cylinder axis;

an exhaust outlet defined in a forward portion of the cylinder; and

an air inlet defined in a rearward portion of the cylinder, the throttle body fluidly communicating with the air inlet.

9. The snowmobile of claim 8, further comprising:

a primary air box fluidly connecting the throttle body to the air inlet; and

a secondary air box fluidly communicating with the throttle body and receiving air from outside the engine, at least a portion of the secondary air box being disposed above the engine, at least a portion of the secondary air box being disposed forwardly of the engine.

10. The snowmobile of claim 1, further comprising a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the CVT comprising:

a drive pulley connected to the engine and rotatable about a drive pulley rotation axis;

a driven pulley rotatable about a driven pulley rotation axis;

an endless belt coupling the driven pulley to the drive pulley,

wherein the throttle valve actuator is disposed rearward of a CVT plane containing the drive pulley rotation axis and the driven pulley rotation axis.

11. The snowmobile of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the throttle valve actuator is disposed longitudinally within a projection of a circumferential edge of the driven pulley on a longitudinally extending vertical plane.

12. The snowmobile of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the throttle valve actuator is disposed vertically within a projection of the circumferential edge of the driven pulley on a longitudinally extending vertical plane.

13. The snowmobile of claim 10, further comprising a countershaft connected between the driven pulley and a gear reduction drive, wherein the throttle valve actuator is disposed longitudinally rearward of the countershaft.

14. The snowmobile of claim 13, further comprising a sprocket engaging the track and defining a sprocket axis, wherein the throttle valve actuator is disposed longitudinally forward of the sprocket axis.