JP2000043735A - Steering device for snowmobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To further improve the steering performance and aerodynamic characteristic of a steering device respectively and improve a feeling of ride on a snowmobile, even if the snow quality of a running snow surface is not constant, when the snowmobile is run and driven. SOLUTION: A steering ski 24 is supported right/left turnably to a car body and this device is provided with a ski main body 33 on which the steering ski 24 is supported to the car body and a ski runner 35, extending along the longitudinal direction of the lower surface 34 of this ski main body 33, whose parts of the longitudinal direction are each projected toward the downside from the lower surface 34. The projection size L1, L2 of the ski runner 35 for the lower surface 34 of the ski main body 33 is variable and at the arbitrary position of the ski runner 35 of the vertical direction for the ski main body 33, a fixing implement 36 for fixing this ski runner 35 to the ski main body 33 is provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a snowmobile that can be driven to run on a snowy road or on a running snow surface such as a snowy field.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a steering device for a snowmobile having a steering ski supported to be rotatable left and right with respect to the vehicle body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some of the above snowmobiles are conventionally constructed as follows.

That is, front and rear rotating wheels are supported on a vehicle body so as to be rotatable around respective axial centers extending in the vehicle width direction, and a track belt is wound around these rotating wheels. The lower part of the track belt between the two rotating wheels is a drive unit that can move rearward with its lower surface in contact with the running snow surface, while the upper part moves forward with the rearward movement of this drive unit. It is a return part that moves in the opposite direction.

At the front of the vehicle body, a steering ski is supported so as to be rotatable left and right, and the vehicle body is supported on a running snow surface by the track belt and the steering ski.

An engine for driving the track belt is provided. By driving the engine, the track belt is circulated around the front and rear rotating wheels, and when the drive unit is moved rearward as described above, the drive unit is driven. The snowmobile is driven to run forward by the frictional force between the snowmobile and the running snow surface.

[0006] In addition, if the steering ski is rotated left or right during the traveling to steer, the snowmobile can be steered in a desired direction.

[0007] In the above case, the steered ski comprises a ski body supported by the vehicle body, and extends along the longitudinal direction of the lower surface of the ski body supported by the ski body.
Ski runners, each of which extends in the longitudinal direction downward from the lower surface.

In general, the lower surface of the ski body comes into surface contact with the running snow surface, and the weight of the vehicle body is supported on the running snow surface, while the ski runner is placed in the running snow surface. When the steered ski is steered, the snowmobile can be steered in a desired direction by a reaction force received from the running snow surface on the side surface of the ski runner. I have.

[0009]

By the way, the snow quality on the running snow surface includes fresh snow or sherbet-like "soft snow", "hard snow" which is compacted, and "hard snow" which is frozen. Ice and snow ". And in the case of the above "soft snow", when the steered ski is steered,
The side of the ski runner of this steered ski receives a small reaction force from the running snow surface, and there is a possibility that a steering with good responsiveness cannot be obtained on the snowmobile.

On the other hand, in the case of the above-mentioned "hard snow", when the steered ski is steered, on the contrary, the reaction force received by the side surface of the ski runner from the running snow surface becomes too large.
There is a possibility that stable straightness cannot be obtained.

Furthermore, in the case of "ice and snow", the ski runner comes into pressure contact with the running snow surface without cutting into the running snow surface, and the front portion of the vehicle body is lifted by that much. In addition, there arises a problem that the air resistance during traveling of the snowmobile increases unnecessarily.

That is, the steering performance and aerodynamic characteristics of the steering device may be impaired due to the difference in the snow quality of the running snow surface when the snowmobile is driven to travel.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the steering device can be operated even when the snow quality of the running snow surface is not constant when the snowmobile is driven to run. It is an object of the present invention to further improve the directional performance and aerodynamic characteristics to improve the riding comfort on a snowmobile.

[0014]

Means for Solving the Problems A steering apparatus for a snowmobile according to the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a steering ski 2 is mounted on a vehicle body 2.
The steering ski 24 extends along the longitudinal direction of the ski body 33 supported on the vehicle body 2 and the lower surface 34 of the ski body 33, and the steering ski 24 extends in the longitudinal direction. And a ski runner 35 protruding downward from the lower surface 34.

The protrusion lengths L1 and L2 of the ski runner 35 with respect to the lower surface 34 of the ski body 33 are made variable, and the ski runner 35 is attached to the ski body 33 at any position in the vertical direction with respect to the ski body 33. Is provided with a fixing tool 36 for fixing the fixing member 36 to the base member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, a groove 39 extending along the longitudinal direction of the lower surface 34 is formed in the lower surface 34 of the ski body 33, and the ski 39 is formed in the groove 39. Each part in the longitudinal direction of the runner 35 is fitted so as to be slidable up and down.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a snowmobile which can be driven to run on a running snow surface S, and an arrow Fr indicates the front of the snowmobile 1.

The vehicle body 2 of the snowmobile 1 is provided with a driving means 3 for driving the vehicle at an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction. The driving means 3 is mounted on the vehicle body 2 so as to be rotatable around axes 5 and 6 extending in the vehicle width direction.
, Elastic track belt 9
And an idler 10 for applying a predetermined pulling force to the track belt 9 and an engine (not shown) for driving the front rotating wheel 7, and the front rotating wheel 7 and the inner surface of the track belt 9 have respective teeth. Are engaged with each other, that is, the front rotating wheel 7 is a driving rotating wheel, and the rear rotating wheel 8 is a driven rotating wheel.

A lower portion of the track belt 9 between the two rotating wheels 7 and 8 in the front-rear direction is a driving unit 14 whose lower surface is movable in a rearward direction in contact with a running snow surface S. Is formed as a return portion 15 which moves forward with the movement of the drive portion 14 to the rear. That is, the track belt 9 includes front and rear rotating wheels 7 and 8,
The track belt 9 can be circulated around the idler 10, and the track belt 9 is circulated by driving the engine as described above.

The front and rear rotating wheels 7, 8, the track belt 9, and the idler 10 are located at the center of the vehicle body 2 in the vehicle width direction. When viewed from the side of the vehicle body 2, a pair of left and right resin guide rails 17, 17 extending long in the front-rear direction are provided inside the annular shape of the track belt 9, and the guide rails 17, 17 are suspended by the suspension means 18. It is supported by.

The suspension means 18 includes a connecting member 19 for connecting the two guide rails 17 to each other, and a pair of front and rear links 2 for supporting the connecting member 19 on the vehicle body 2.
0, 20 and a shock absorber 21 provided between the connecting member 19 and the link 20. The rear rotating wheel 8 is supported on the connecting member 19, that is, the rotating wheel 8 is It is supported on the vehicle body 2 via suspension means 18. The lower surface of each of the guide rails 17 is pressed against the inner surface (upper surface) of the drive unit 14 of the track belt 9, and the inner surface of the drive unit 14 slides against the lower surface of each of the guide rails 17. It is possible to move.

A steering device 2 that enables the vehicle body 2 to be steered.
3 are provided. The steering device 23 is mounted on the vehicle body 2.
Is provided with a pair of left and right steering skis 24, 24 supported to be rotatable left and right. More specifically, these steering skis 24, 24 are respectively provided with shock absorbers 25.
And each of the guide rails 17 and the suspension means 18 supported by the vehicle body 2 so as to be rotatable left and right by the pivot shaft 26, and via the drive unit 14 of the track belt 9.
The vehicle body 2 is supported on the running snow surface S by the shock absorber 25 and the pivot 26 via the steering skis 24.

A handle 27 is projected from the upper surface of the vehicle body 2, and the steering skis 24 are connected to the handle 27 in an interlocked manner. The body 2 behind the handle 27
A sheet 28 is provided on the upper surface of the
Steps 29 are formed on each side of the vehicle body 2 below each side of FIG. The rider seated on the seat 28 in a straddling manner can place his or her feet on the steps 29, and in this posture, can grip the handle 27 so as to be steerable.

Each of the steering skis 24 linearly extends in a plan view along the longitudinal direction of a ski body 33 made of aluminum metal supported on the vehicle body 2 and a lower surface 34 of the ski body 33. A ski runner 35 made of an iron metal in which each part in the longitudinal direction protrudes downward from the lower surface 34.
And a plurality (4) in the longitudinal direction of the steering ski 24 for detachably attaching the ski runner 35 to the ski body 33.
And a fixing tool 36).

More specifically, a groove 39 extending linearly in a plan view along the longitudinal direction of the lower surface 34 is formed substantially at the center of the lower surface 34 of the ski body 33 in the width direction. The left and right inner side surfaces 40, 40 of the groove 39 extend in parallel with each other in the vertical direction, and each part in the longitudinal direction of the ski runner 35 is fitted into the groove 39 without looseness so that the ski runner 35 can slide up and down. Have been allowed.

Each of the fixing members 36 is formed on a vertical axis 4 formed on the upper part of the ski body 33 above the groove 39.
2, a first cylindrical bolt 44 screwed to the female screw 43, and the ski runner 35
Female screw 4 projecting from the first bolt 44
5, a lock nut 47 for detachably fastening the first bolt 44 to the ski body 33, and a detachable fastening for the second bolt 46 to the first bolt 44. And a lock nut 48.

By loosening the lock nuts 47 and 48,
When the head 44a at the upper end of the first bolt 44 is screwed, the difference between the screw pitches of the first bolt 44 and the second bolt 46 causes the first bolt 44 and the ski runner 3 to rotate.
5 is integrally movable up and down with respect to the ski body 33, so that the protrusion dimensions L1 and L2 of the ski runner 35 with respect to the lower surface 34 of the ski body 33 are variable. When the lock nuts 47 and 48 are tightened at any desired position of the ski runner 35 in the vertical direction with respect to the ski body 33, the ski runner 35 is detachably fixed to the ski body 33.

When the snowmobile 1 is to be driven, the engine of the driving means 3 is driven to circulate the track belt 9.

Then, the driving section 1 of the track belt 9
4 moves rearward, and the snowmobile 1 is driven to run forward by the frictional force between the drive unit 14 and the running snow surface S. At this time, if the steering ski 24 is rotated left or right by the operation of the handle 27 to steer, the snowmobile 1 can be steered in a desired direction.

According to the above configuration, the protrusion dimensions L1, L2 of the ski runner 35 with respect to the lower surface 34 of the ski body 33.
And a fixing member 36 for detachably fixing the ski runner 35 to the ski main body 33 at an arbitrary position of the ski runner 35 in the vertical direction with respect to the ski main body 33 is provided.

For this reason, when the snow quality of the running snow surface S is "soft snow", the fixing member 36 is operated to increase the protrusion dimension L1 as shown by the dashed line in each figure. In this case, the amount of the ski runner 35 digging into the running snow surface S becomes larger in accordance with the protrusion dimension L1.
Is steered, the reaction force received by the side surface of the ski runner 35 from the running snow surface S becomes larger, and steering with good responsiveness is obtained.

Further, in the case of "hard snow", as shown by a solid line in each figure, the protrusion dimension L2 may be reduced, and in this case, the running snow surface is determined according to the protrusion dimension L2. The amount of the ski runner 35 digging into the inside of the S becomes small, and therefore, when the steering ski 24 is steered, the side surface of the ski runner 35
The reaction force received from is prevented from becoming too large, and stable straightness can be obtained.

Further, in the case of "ice and snow", the protrusion L may be made smaller than the protrusion L2. In this case, the ski runner 3 of the steering ski 24 may be used.
5 is pressed against the running snow surface S without penetrating, but the front part of the vehicle body 2 is prevented from being greatly lifted, so that the air resistance during traveling of the snowmobile 1 is unnecessarily increased. Is prevented.

That is, according to the above configuration, even when the snow quality of the running snow surface S is not constant when the snowmobile 1 is driven to travel, the steering performance of the steering device 23 and the aerodynamic characteristics can be obtained. Are further improved, and the riding comfort to the snowmobile 1 is improved.

Further, on the lower surface 34 of the ski body 33,
A groove 39 extending linearly in a plan view along the longitudinal direction of the lower surface 34 is formed, and each part in the longitudinal direction of the ski runner 35 is fitted into the groove 39 so as to be slidable up and down.

Therefore, when the steering ski 24 is steered and the side surface of the ski runner 35 receives a large reaction force from the running snow surface S, the reaction force is applied to the ski body via the fixing member 36. In addition to being supported by 33, it is also supported by each inner surface 40 of the groove 39 formed in the ski body 33.

Accordingly, the load on the fixing device 36 is reduced, and the ski runner 35 is supported more firmly without rattling on the ski body 33, and the steering performance of the steering device 23 is accordingly reduced. As a result, the riding comfort of the snowmobile 1 is further improved.

On the lower surface 34 of the ski body 33, a pair of left and right ridges 51, 51 extending linearly in plan view along the opening edge of the groove 39 is integrally formed.

For this reason, the ski runner 35 is worn or worn, and even if the ski runner 35 is detached, for a short period of time, each of the ridges 5
1 compensates for the decrease in the function of the ski runner 35. Also,
Each of the ridges 51 compensates for a decrease in strength of the ski body 33 due to the formation of the groove 39.

On the other hand, when the fixing tool 36 is operated to change the protrusion dimensions L1 and L2, the fixing tool 3
6, the head 44a of the first bolt 44 and the lock nuts 47, 48
Is disposed on the upper surface side of the
Can be easily operated from above the steering ski 24.

[0043]

The effects of the present invention are as follows.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a steering body is supported on a vehicle body so as to be rotatable left and right, and the steering ski is supported on the vehicle body and a longitudinal direction of a lower surface of the ski body. And a ski runner whose longitudinal portions protrude downward from the lower surface.

The protrusion of the ski runner with respect to the lower surface of the ski body is variable, and a fixing tool for fixing the ski runner to the ski body at an arbitrary position of the ski runner in the vertical direction with respect to the ski body is provided.

Therefore, when the snow quality of the running snow surface is "soft snow", the protrusion may be increased by operating the fixing tool. Accordingly, the amount of the ski runner biting into the inside of the running snow surface becomes larger, so that when the steered ski is steered, the reaction force received by the side surface of the ski runner from the running snow surface is larger. As a result, a responsive steering can be obtained.

Further, in the case of "hard snow", the protrusion size may be reduced, and in this case, the amount of the ski runner biting into the running snow surface according to the protrusion size is reduced. Therefore, when the steered ski is steered, the reaction force applied to the side surface of the ski runner from the running snow surface is prevented from becoming too large, and stable straightness can be obtained. .

Further, in the case of "ice and snow", the protrusion dimension may be made smaller than the above-mentioned protrusion dimension. In this case, the ski runner of the steered ski does not cut into the running snow surface. Although pressed, the front part of the vehicle body is prevented from being lifted significantly, and therefore, the air resistance during traveling of the snowmobile is prevented from increasing unnecessarily.

That is, according to the present invention, the steering performance and aerodynamic characteristics of the steering device can be improved even when the snow quality of the running snow surface when the snowmobile is driven to run is not constant. As a result, the riding comfort of the snowmobile is improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a groove extending along the longitudinal direction of the lower surface is formed on the lower surface of the ski main body, and each portion in the longitudinal direction of the ski runner can be slid up and down in this groove. It is fitted.

For this reason, when the ski is steered and the side surface of the ski runner receives a large reaction force from the running snow surface, the reaction force is supported by the ski body via the fixing member. At the same time, it is also supported by each inner surface of the groove formed in the ski body.

Accordingly, the load on the fixing device is reduced, and the ski runner is more firmly supported by the ski body without rattling, and the steering performance of the steering device is further improved accordingly. Therefore, the riding comfort to the snowmobile can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along line 1-1 of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of the entire snowmobile.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway plan view of the entire snowmobile.

FIG. 4 is an overall front view of the snowmobile.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged partial cutaway view of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Snowmobile 2 Body 3 Drive means 5, 6 Shaft 7, 8 Rotating wheel 9 Track belt 14 Drive section 15 Return section 17 Guide rail 18 Suspension means 23 Steering device 24 Steering ski 33 Ski main body 34 Lower surface 35 Ski runner 36 Fixing tool 39 Groove 40 Inner surface S Running snow surface L Projection dimension

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A ski body is supported on a vehicle body so as to be rotatable left and right. The steering ski extends along a longitudinal direction of a ski body supported by the vehicle body and a lower surface of the ski body. A ski runner having a longitudinal portion protruding downward from the lower surface, wherein the ski runner has a variable protrusion length with respect to the lower surface of the ski body. A steering device for a snowmobile provided with a fixing device for fixing the ski runner to the ski body at an arbitrary position of the ski runner in the direction. 2. A skid runner having a groove formed in a lower surface of the ski body and extending along a longitudinal direction of the lower surface, and each part of the ski runner in the longitudinal direction is fitted into the groove so as to be slidable up and down. Item 2. A steering device for a snowmobile according to Item 1.