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US 2002/0117342 A1Published application
Snowmobile planetary drive system
AssigneeArctic Cat Inc.
InventorsRaymond A. Schoenfelder, Dennis Zulawski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a snowmobile including a reduction drive system including planetary gears. In an alternate embodiment, a reversing unit is provided. In a further alternate embodiment, an offset is provided in the drive system.
Claims74
A snowmobile comprising:
- a frame having a forward portion and a rear portion, said frame including a pair of skis supporting said forward portion and an endless drive track supporting said rear portion, an engine supported in said frame, a drive train connected to said engine and to said endless drive track, said drive train including a planetary gear system, said planetary drive system including a first shaft means and sun gear, said first shaft means being driven by said engine, planetary gears drivenly engaged with said sun gear, and second shaft means including means engaged with said planetary gears, said second shaft means being driven by said planetary gears, said second shaft means driving said endless drive track.
A snowmobile clutch system comprising:
- a planetary gear system, said planetary drive system including a first shaft means including a sun gear, said first shaft means being adapted for driving engagement with a snowmobile engine, planetary gears drivenly engaged with said sun gear, and second shaft means including means engaged with said planetary gears, said second shaft means being driven by said planetary gears;
- primary clutch means in driven engagement with said second shaft means;
- secondary clutch means adapted for driving the track of a snowmobile;
- and
- belt means interconnecting said primary clutch means and said secondary clutch means.
2 more elements
A snowmobile comprising:
- a frame having a forward portion and a rear portion, said frame including a pair of skis supporting said forward portion and an endless drive track supporting said rear portion, an engine supported in said frame, a drive train connected to said engine and to said endless drive track, said drive train including a reduction drive comprising a planetary gear system, said planetary drive system including a first shaft means and sun gear, said first shaft means being driven by said engine, planetary gears drivenly engaged with said sun gear, and second shaft means including ring gear means engaged with said planetary gears, said second shaft means driving said endless drive track.
A snowmobile including
- an engine with a drive shaft;
- a differential and a track;
- a planetary gear system interconnecting said engine drive shaft and said differential.
A snowmobile reduction gear system comprising a planetary gear system for interconnecting a snowmobile engine drive shaft and a differential, said planetary gear system including a drive shaft and integral sun gear, a plurality of planetary gears disposed around said sun gear and a driven shaft and integral ring gear, wherein said sun gear is adapted to be driven by an planetary gears serve to provide driving power from said sun gear to said ring gear.
A snowmobile comprising:
- a frame having a forward portion and a rear portion, said frame including a pair of skis supporting said forward portion and an endless drive track supporting said rear portion, an engine supported in said frame, a drive train connected to said engine and to said endless drive track, said drive train including a primary clutch, a secondary clutch and a planetary gear system, said primary clutch and said secondary clutch being interconnected by a belt, said planetary drive system including a first shaft means and sun gear, said first shaft means being driven by said engine through said primary clutch, said belt, and said secondary clutch, said planetary gears being drivenly engaged with said sun gear, and second shaft means including means engaged with said planetary gears, said second shaft means being driven by said planetary gears, said second shaft means driving said endless drive track.
The snowmobile of claim 33 wherein said second shaft means drives a differential and wherein said differential drives said endless drive track.
A snowmobile comprising:
- a frame having a forward portion and a rear portion, said frame including a pair of skis supporting said forward portion and an endless drive track supporting said rear portion, an engine supported in said frame, a drive train connected to said engine and to said endless drive track, said drive train including a clutch system, said clutch system including a reduction drive comprising a planetary gear system, said planetary drive system including a first shaft means and sun gear, said first shaft means being directly driven by said engine, planetary gears drivenly engaged with said sun gear, and second shaft means including ring gear means engaged with said planetary gears;
- primary clutch means driven by said second shaft means, secondary clutch means and belt means providing driving engagement between said primary clutch means and said secondary clutch means, said secondary clutch means serving to drive said endless track.
A snowmobile including
- an engine with a drive shaft;
- a differential and a track;
- a clutch system including a planetary gear system interconnecting said engine drive shaft and said differential.
A snowmobile comprising:
- a frame having a forward portion and a rear portion, said frame including a pair of skis supporting said forward portion and an endless drive track supporting said rear portion, an engine supported in said frame, a drive train connected to said engine and to said endless drive track, said drive train including a planetary gar system, primary clutch and a secondary clutch, said primary clutch and said secondary clutch being interconnected by a belt, said planetary drive system including a first shaft means and sun gear, said first shaft means being driven by said engine, said planetary gears being drivenly engaged with said sun gear, and second shaft means including means engaged with said planetary gears, said second shaft means being driven by said planetary gears, said second shaft means driving said endless drive track through said primary clutch and said secondary clutch.
A snowmobile comprising:
- (a) a frame having a forward portion and a rear portion, said frame including a ski supporting said forward portion, and said frame including an endless drive track;
- (b) an engine supported in said frame;
- (c) a drive train connected to said engine and to said drive track, wherein said drive train comprises:
- (i) an engine drive shaft capable of being rotated by the engine, the engine drive shaft having a first longitudinal axis;
- (ii) a track shaft having a second longitudinal axis;
- (iii) a sprocket coupled to the track shaft wherein rotation of the track shaft causes rotation of the sprocket, and wherein the sprocket drives the endless drive track;
- (iv) a continuously variable transmission connecting the engine drive shaft to the track shaft wherein the engine drive shaft drives the track shaft through the continuously variable transmission;
- and
- (v) a planetary gear system having an input shaft and a second shaft, wherein the engine drive shaft drives the input shaft and the second shaft drives the track shaft, wherein the input shaft and the second shaft are coaxial with one of the axes selected from the group consisting of the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis, wherein there exists a gear reduction from the input shaft to the second shaft.
6 more elements
A snowmobile comprising:
- (a) a frame having a forward portion and a rear portion, said frame including a ski supporting said forward portion, and said frame including an endless drive track;
- (b) an engine supported in said frame;
- and
- (c) a drive train connected to said engine and to said endless drive track, wherein said drive train comprises:
- (i) a planetary gear system including a input shaft and a second shaft coaxial with the input shaft, wherein the input shaft is driven by the engine and the second shaft is driven by the input shaft with a gear reduction from the input shaft to the second shaft;
- and
- (ii) a sprocket that rotates about an axis, wherein the sprocket is coaxially connected to and driven by the second shaft, and wherein the sprocket drives the endless drive track.
4 more elements
A snowmobile comprising:
- (a) a frame having a forward portion and a rear portion, said frame including a pair of skis supporting said forward portion, and said frame including an endless drive track;
- (b) an engine supported in said frame;
- and
- (c) a drive train connected to said engine and to said endless drive track, said drive train consisting essentially of:
- (i) an engine drive shaft capable of being rotated by the engine, the engine drive shaft having a first longitudinal axis;
- (ii) a track shaft having a second longitudinal axis;
- (iii) a sprocket coupled to the track shaft wherein rotation of the track shaft causes rotation of the sprocket, and wherein the sprocket drives the endless drive track;
- (iv) a continuously variable transmission connecting the engine drive shaft to the track shaft wherein the engine drive shaft drives the track shaft through the continuously variable transmission;
- and
- (v) a planetary gear system having an input shaft and a second shaft, wherein the engine drive shaft drives the input shaft and the second shaft drives the track shaft, wherein the input shaft and the second shaft are coaxial with one of the axes selected from the group consisting of the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis, wherein there exists a gear reduction from the input shaft to the second shaft.
7 more elements
A planetary gear system for a snowmobile comprising:
- (a) an input shaft;
- (b) a sun gear connected to the input shaft, wherein the sun gear defines an opening;
- (b) a ring gear wherein the ring gear is rotationally stationary;
- and
- (c) a planetary cage assembly engaged with the sun gear and the ring gear, wherein the planetary cage assembly comprises:
- (i) a cage member;
- (ii) a second shaft connected to the cage member, wherein rotation of the cage member causes rotation of the second shaft;
- (iii) a weight bearing protrusion connected to the cage and received by the opening in the sun gear, wherein the weight bearing protrusion supports the sun gear;
- and
- (iv) a plurality of planetary gears supported by the cage wherein the planetary gears mesh with the sun gear and the ring gear, wherein rotation of the sun gear causes rotation of the planetary gears, and wherein rotation of the planetary gears within the ring gear cause the planetary cage assembly including the second shaft to rotate.
7 more elements
A forward/reverse planetary unit comprising:
- (a) an input shaft including a first sun gear and a second sun gear adjacent the first sun gear;
- (b) a second shaft;
- (c) a first planetary assembly including a plurality of first planetary gears and a first cage supporting the plurality of first planetary gears, wherein the plurality of first planetary gears is driven by the first sun gear;
- (d) a second planetary assembly including a plurality of second planetary gears and a second cage supporting the plurality of second planetary gears, wherein the plurality of second planetary gears are driven by the second sun gear;
- (e) a first ring gear connected to the second shaft wherein rotation of the first ring gear causes rotation of the second shaft, and wherein the first ring gear is capable of being driven by the plurality of first planetary gears;
- (f) a second ring gear wherein the second ring gear meshes with the plurality of second planetary gears;
- (g) a first locking device engagable with the first cage, the first locking device having a released position and an applied position, wherein the first locking device is disengaged from the first cage when in the released position and wherein the first locking device is engaged with the first cage preventing rotation of the first cage when in the applied position;
- and
- (h) a second locking device engagable with the second ring gear, the second locking device having a released position and an applied position, wherein the second locking device is disengaged from the second ring gear when in the released position and wherein the second locking device is engaged with the second ring gear preventing rotation of the second ring gear when in the applied position.
6 more elements
A snowmobile comprising:
- (a) a frame having a forward portion and a rear portion, said frame including a ski supporting said forward portion, and said frame including an endless drive track;
- (b) an engine supported in said frame;
- (c) a drive train connected to said engine and to said drive track, wherein said drive train comprises:
- (i) an engine drive shaft capable of being rotated by the engine, the engine drive shaft having a first longitudinal axis;
- (ii) a track shaft having a second longitudinal axis;
- (iii) a sprocket coupled to the track shaft wherein rotation of the track shaft causes rotation of the sprocket, and wherein the sprocket drives the endless drive track;
- (iv) a continuously variable transmission connecting the engine drive shaft to the track shaft wherein the engine drive shaft drives the track shaft through the continuously variable transmission;
- and
- (v) a forward/reverse planetary unit comprising:
- (A) an input shaft including a first sun gear and a second sun gear adjacent the first sun gear, wherein the engine drive shaft drives the input shaft;
- (B) a second shaft coaxial with the input shaft wherein the second shaft drives the track shaft, and wherein the input shaft and the second shaft are coaxial with one of the axes selected from the group consisting of the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis, wherein there exists a gear reduction from the input shaft to the second shaft;
- (C) a first planetary assembly including a plurality of first planetary gears and a first cage supporting the plurality of first planetary gears, wherein the plurality of first planetary gears are driven by the first sun gear;
- (D) a second planetary assembly including a plurality of second planetary gears and a second cage supporting the plurality of second planetary gears, wherein the plurality of second planetary gears are driven by the second sun gear;
- (E) a first ring gear connected to the second shaft wherein rotation of the first ring gear causes rotation of the second shaft, and wherein the first ring gear is capable of being driven by the plurality of first planetary gears;
- (F) a second ring gear wherein the second ring gear meshes with the plurality of second planetary gears;
- (G) a first locking device engagable with the first cage, the first locking device having a released position and an applied position, wherein the first locking device is disengaged from the first cage when in the released position and wherein the first locking device is engaged with the first cage preventing rotation of the first cage when in the applied position;
- and
- (H) a second locking device engagable with the second ring gear, the second locking device having a released position and an applied position, wherein the second locking device is disengaged from the second ring gear when in the released position and wherein the second locking device is engaged with the second ring gear preventing rotation of the second ring gear when in the applied position.
15 more elements
A snowmobile comprising:
- (a) a frame having a forward portion and a rear portion, said frame including a ski supporting said forward portion, and said frame including an endless drive track;
- (b) an engine supported in said frame;
- (c) a drive train connected to said engine and to said drive track, wherein said drive train comprises:
- (i) an engine drive shaft capable of being rotated by the engine;
- (ii) a track shaft;
- (iii) a sprocket coupled to the track shaft wherein rotation of the track shaft causes rotation of the sprocket, and wherein the sprocket drives the endless drive track;
- (iv) a continuously variable transmission driven by the engine drive shaft;
- (v) an offset comprising:
- (A) a first offset member connected to and driven by the continuously variable transmission, the first offset member including a first offset gear;
- (B) a second offset member noncoaxial with the first offset member, wherein the second offset member includes a second offset gear, wherein the second offset gear is driven by the first offset gear;
- and
- (vi) a forward/reverse planetary unit comprising:
- (A) an input shaft including a first sun gear and a second sun gear adjacent the first sun gear, wherein the input shaft is driven by the second offset member;
- (B) a second shaft coaxial with the input shaft wherein the second shaft drives the track shaft;
- (C) a first planetary assembly including a plurality of first planetary gears and a first cage supporting the plurality of first planetary gears, wherein the first planetary gears are driven by the first sun gear;
- (D) a second planetary assembly including a plurality of second planetary gears and a second cage supporting the plurality of second planetary gears, wherein the second planetary gears are driven by the second sun gear;
- (E) a first ring gear connected to the second shaft wherein rotation of the first ring gear causes rotation of the second shaft, and wherein the first ring gear is capable of being driven by the plurality of first planetary gears;
- (F) a second ring gear wherein the second ring gear meshes with the plurality of second planetary gears;
- (G) a first locking device engagable with the first cage, the first locking device having a released position and an applied position, wherein the first locking device is disengaged from the first cage when in the released position and wherein the first locking device is engaged with the first cage preventing rotation of the first cage when in the applied position;
- and
- (H) a second locking device engagable with the second ring gear, the second locking device having a released position and an applied position, wherein the second locking device is disengaged from the second ring gear when in the released position and wherein the second locking device is engaged with the second ring gear preventing rotation of the second ring gear when in the applied position.
18 more elements
A snowmobile comprising:
- (a) a frame having a forward portion and a rear portion, said frame including a ski supporting said forward portion, and said frame including an endless drive track;
- (b) an engine supported in said frame;
- and
- (c) a drive train connected to said engine and to said drive track, wherein said drive train comprises:
- (i) an engine drive shaft capable of being rotated by the engine;
- (ii) a track shaft;
- (iii) a sprocket coupled to the track shaft wherein rotation of the track shaft causes rotation of the sprocket, and wherein the sprocket drives the endless drive track;
- (iv) a continuously variable transmission driven by the engine drive shaft;
- (v) an offset comprising:
- (A) a first offset member connected to and driven by the continuously variable transmission, the first offset member including a first offset gear;
- and
- (B) a second offset member noncoaxial with the first offset member, wherein the second offset member includes a second offset gear, wherein the second offset gear is driven by the first offset gear;
- and
- (vi) a planetary gear system having an input shaft and a second shaft, wherein the second offset member drives the input shaft, and the second shaft drives the track shaft, wherein there exists a gear reduction from the input shaft to the second shaft.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.