# US 2008/0185202 A1 · Snowmobile and Features Thereof Allowing for Different Tunnel Widths

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- Number: US 2008/0185202 A1
- Document ID: US20080185202A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 11/671,694
- Filed: 2007-02-06
- Published: 2008-08-07
- Earliest claimed: 2007-02-06
- Assignees: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
- Inventors: Hugues Maltais
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080185202A1

## CPC

- B62M 27/02: power driven
- B62D 55/06: with tracks without ground wheels
- B62D 55/07: Mono-track vehicles
- B62D 55/08: Endless track units; Parts thereof
- Y10T 29/53: Means to assemble or disassemble
- B62M: RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR {SINGLE-TRACK} CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of transmissions in vehicles in general B60K; transmission elements per se F16)
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A family of snowmobiles having different tunnel widths is disclosed. A snowmobile having spacers between the tunnel and the sides of the engine compartment and a method of manufacturing such a snowmobile are also disclosed. A snowmobile having a countershaft which is disposed rearwardly of the engine, vertically higher than the air intake opening, and forwardly of the air intake controller is also disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A family of snowmobiles comprising:
a first snowmobile having:
a first frame, the first frame including:
a first engine compartment, the first engine compartment having an engine compartment configuration; and
a first tunnel rearward of the first engine compartment, the first tunnel having a first tunnel width;
a first engine disposed in the first engine compartment;
a first countershaft traversing the first engine compartment;
a first continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively connecting the first engine with the first countershaft, the first CVT being disposed on a first side of the first engine;
a first reduction gearing operatively connected to the first countershaft on a second side of the first engine opposite the first side;
a first endless drive track disposed below the first tunnel for propelling the first snowmobile, the first endless drive track being operatively connected to the first reduction gearing; and
a first pair of skis connected to the first frame; and
a second snowmobile having:
a second frame, the second frame including:
a second engine compartment, the second engine compartment having the engine compartment configuration; and
a second tunnel rearward of the second engine compartment, the second tunnel having a second tunnel width being greater than the first tunnel width;
a second engine disposed in the second engine compartment;
a second countershaft traversing the second engine compartment;
a second CVT operatively connecting the second engine and the second countershaft, the second CVT being disposed on a first side of the second engine;
a second reduction gearing operatively connected to the second countershaft on a second side of the second engine opposite the first side;
a second endless drive track disposed below the second tunnel for propelling the second snowmobile, the second endless drive track being operatively connected to the second reduction gearing; and
a second pair of skis connected to the second frame.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The family of snowmobiles of claim 1, wherein the first engine has engine physical characteristics and the second engine has the engine physical characteristics;
wherein the first countershaft has countershaft physical characteristics and the second countershaft has the countershaft physical characteristics;
wherein the first CVT has CVT physical characteristics and the second CVT has the CVT physical characteristics; and
wherein the first reduction gearing has reduction gearing physical characteristics and the second reduction gearing has the reduction gearing physical characteristics.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The family of snowmobiles of claim 2, wherein the first engine, the first countershaft, the first CVT, and the first reduction gearing are disposed in a power pack configuration relative to the first engine compartment; and
wherein the second engine, the second countershaft, the second CVT, and the second reduction gearing are disposed in the power pack configuration relative to the second engine compartment.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The family of snowmobiles of claim 1, wherein the first endless drive track has a first track width; and
wherein the second endless drive track has a second track width being greater than the first track width.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The family of snowmobiles of claim 1, wherein the second snowmobile further includes:
a first spacer disposed between the second tunnel and a first side of the second engine compartment; and
a second spacer disposed between the second tunnel and a second side of the second engine compartment.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The family of snowmobiles of claim 5, wherein the second tunnel includes:
a central tunnel portion having a first side and a second side;
a first tunnel side portion fastened to the first side of the central tunnel portion; and
a second tunnel side portion fastened to the second side of the central tunnel portion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The family of snowmobiles of claim 6, wherein the central tunnel portion comprises a heat exchanger.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The family of snowmobiles of claim 6, wherein the first spacer is disposed between the first tunnel side portion and the first side of the second engine compartment; and
wherein the second spacer is disposed between the second tunnel side portion and the second side of the second engine compartment.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The family of snowmobiles of claim 1, wherein the first CVT has a driven pulley disposed vertically higher than the first tunnel; and
wherein the second CVT has a driven pulley disposed vertically higher than the second tunnel.

### Claim 10

A snowmobile comprising:
a frame, the frame including:
an engine compartment having a first side and a second side;
a tunnel rearward of the engine compartment;
a first spacer disposed between the tunnel and the first side of the engine compartment; and
a second spacer disposed between the tunnel and the second side of the engine compartment;
an engine disposed in the engine compartment;
a countershaft traversing the engine compartment;
a continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively connecting the engine with the countershaft, the CVT being disposed on a first side of the engine;
an endless drive track disposed below the tunnel for propelling the snowmobile, the endless drive track being operatively connected to the countershaft;
a front suspension connected to the frame; and
a pair of skis connected to the front suspension.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The snowmobile of claim 10, further comprising a reduction gearing operatively connected to the countershaft on a second side of the engine opposite the first side; and
wherein the endless drive track is operatively connected to the reduction gearing.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The snowmobile of claim 10, wherein the tunnel includes:
a central tunnel portion having a first side and a second side;
a first tunnel side portion fastened to the first side of the central tunnel portion; and
a second tunnel side portion fastened to the second side of the central tunnel portion.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The snowmobile of claim 12, wherein the central tunnel portion comprises a heat exchanger.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The snowmobile of claim 12, wherein the first spacer is disposed between the first tunnel side portion and the first side of the engine compartment; and
wherein the second spacer is disposed between the second tunnel side portion and the second side of the engine compartment.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The snowmobile of claim 10, wherein the CVT has a driven pulley disposed vertically higher than the tunnel.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The snowmobile of claim 10, wherein the front suspension includes two pairs of A-arms.

### Claim 17

A method of manufacturing a snowmobile frame comprising:
providing an engine compartment having a first side and a second side;
disposing a tunnel rearwardly of the engine compartment;
inserting a first spacer between the tunnel and the first side of the engine compartment; and
inserting a second spacer between the tunnel and the second side of the engine compartment.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the tunnel comprises a central tunnel portion having a first side and a second side, a first tunnel side portion, and a second tunnel side portion; and
further comprising:
fastening the first tunnel side portion to the first side of the central tunnel portion; and
fastening the second tunnel side portion to the second side of the central tunnel portion.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein the first spacer is inserted between the first tunnel side portion and the first side of the engine compartment; and
wherein the second spacer is inserted between the second tunnel side portion and the second side of the engine compartment.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the tunnel has a tunnel width and the engine compartment has an engine compartment width; and
wherein the tunnel width is greater than the engine compartment width.

### Claim 21

A snowmobile comprising:
a frame, the frame including:
an engine compartment; and
a tunnel rearward of the engine compartment;
an engine disposed in the engine compartment, the engine having at least one air intake opening on a rear side thereof;
an air intake controller being disposed rearwardly of the engine and fluidly communicating with the air intake opening;
a countershaft traversing the engine compartment, the countershaft being disposed rearwardly of the engine, vertically higher than the air intake opening, and forwardly of the air intake controller;
a continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively connecting the engine with the countershaft;
an endless drive track disposed below the tunnel for propelling the snowmobile, the endless drive track being operatively connected to the countershaft;
a front suspension connected to the frame; and
a pair of skis connected to the front suspension.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The snowmobile of claim 21, wherein the air intake controller is one of a carburetor and a throttle body.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The snowmobile of claim 21, wherein the CVT is disposed on a first side of the engine; and
further comprising a reduction gearing operatively connected to the countershaft on a second side of the engine opposite the first side.

### Claim 24 (depends on 21)

The snowmobile of claim 21, wherein the engine has an output shaft; and
further comprising a drive axle disposed in the tunnel, the drive axle being operatively connected to the countershaft for driving the endless drive track.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The snowmobile of claim 24, wherein the countershaft is disposed rearwardly of the output shaft and forwardly of the drive axle.

### Claim 26 (depends on 21)

The snowmobile of claim 21, wherein the countershaft defines a countershaft axis, the countershaft axis being generally vertically aligned with a top portion of the engine.

### Claim 27

A family of snowmobiles comprising:
a first snowmobile having:
a first frame, the first frame including:
a first longitudinal centerline;
a first engine compartment, the first engine compartment having a first engine compartment configuration; and
a first tunnel rearward of the first engine compartment, the first tunnel having a first tunnel width;
a first engine disposed in the first engine compartment, the first engine having engine characteristics, a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side being disposed a first distance from the first longitudinal centerline;
a first countershaft traversing the first engine compartment;
a first continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively connecting the first engine with the first countershaft, the first CVT being disposed on the first side of the first engine;
a first reduction gearing operatively connected to the first countershaft on the second side of the first engine;
a first endless drive track disposed below the first tunnel for propelling the first snowmobile, the first endless drive track being operatively connected to the first reduction gearing; and
a first pair of skis connected to the first frame; and
a second snowmobile having:
a second frame, the second frame including:
a second longitudinal centerline;
a second engine compartment, the second engine compartment having a second engine compartment configuration; and
a second tunnel rearward of the second engine compartment, the second tunnel having a second tunnel width being greater than the first tunnel width;
a second engine disposed in the second engine compartment, the second engine having the engine characteristics, a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side being disposed a second distance from the second longitudinal centerline, the second distance being the same as the first distance;
a second countershaft traversing the second engine compartment;
a second CVT operatively connecting the second engine and the second countershaft, the second CVT being disposed on the first side of the second engine;
a second reduction gearing operatively connected to the second countershaft on the second side of the second engine;
a second endless drive track disposed below the second tunnel for propelling the second snowmobile, the second endless drive track being operatively connected to the second reduction gearing; and
a second pair of skis connected to the second frame.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The family of snowmobiles of claim 27, wherein the first endless drive track has a first track width; and
wherein the second endless drive track has a second track width being greater than the first track width.

### Claim 29 (depends on 27)

The family of snowmobiles of claim 27, wherein the second snowmobile further includes:
a first spacer disposed between the second tunnel and a first side of the second engine compartment; and
a second spacer disposed between the second tunnel and a second side of the second engine compartment.

### Claim 30 (depends on 27)

The family of snowmobiles of claim 27, wherein the first CVT has a driven pulley disposed vertically higher than the first tunnel; and
wherein the second CVT has a driven pulley disposed vertically higher than the second tunnel.

### Claim 31

A method of manufacturing a snowmobile frame and power pack, the power pack including an engine, a CVT on a first side of the engine, the CVT having a driven pulley, a reduction gearing on a second side of the engine opposite the first side, and a countershaft operatively connecting the driven pulley with the reduction gearing, the method comprising:
providing an engine compartment having a engine compartment configuration adapted to receive the power pack;
selecting one of a first tunnel and a second tunnel, the first tunnel having a first tunnel width, the second tunnel having a second tunnel width, the second tunnel width being different from the first tunnel width;
disposing the selected one of the first tunnel and the second tunnel rearwardly of the engine compartment; and
disposing the power pack in the engine compartment,
wherein the driven pulley is disposed vertically above the selected one of the first tunnel and the second tunnel.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, wherein disposing the power pack in the engine compartment includes locating the driven pulley at a first distance from a longitudinal centerline of the frame when the first tunnel is selected, and locating the driven pulley at a second distance from the longitudinal centerline of the frame when the second tunnel is selected; and
wherein the first distance is the same as the second distance.

### Claim 33 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, further comprising:
inserting a first spacer between the selected one of the first tunnel and the second tunnel and a first side of the engine compartment; and
inserting a second spacer between the selected one of the first tunnel and the second tunnel and a second side of the engine compartment.