Clutch guard with integrated torque control link

Abstract

Embodiments include a clutch guard for a CVT in a vehicle, including a shield body, a torque control link section integrated with the shield body and including one or more engine mounting features for securing to an engine, and wherein the torque control link section includes a jackshaft aperture for receiving a jackshaft, and an output shaft clearance component, in contact with the output shaft, and wherein the torque control link portion secures a distance between the shafts.

1 . A clutch guard for a CVT in a snow vehicle, comprising:
 a shield body portion;   a torque control link portion, integrated with the shield body portion and including one or more engine mounting features and one or more chassis mounting features;   wherein the torque control link portion includes a jackshaft aperture for receiving a jackshaft, and an output shaft clearance component, in proximity to an output shaft, and wherein the torque control link portion secures a distance between the jackshaft and the output shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The clutch guard of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more exhaust attachment features. 
     
     
         3 . The clutch guard of  claim 1 , the shield body portion includes an inboard side, an outboard side, and a lip extending outboard from the outboard side, wherein the outboard side and the lip are shaped to at least partially house a transmission belt when secured to the snow vehicle, wherein the inboard side includes one or more accessory attachment features defined thereon. 
     
     
         4 . The clutch guard of  claim 1 , further comprising a dampening component, positioned at least partially within each of the one or more chassis mounting features. 
     
     
         5 . The clutch guard of  claim 1 , wherein the shield body portion and the torque control link portion comprise a polymer matrix composite. 
     
     
         6 . The clutch guard of  claim 1 , further comprising a bearing, positioned at least partially within the jackshaft aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The clutch guard of  claim 2 , further comprising a heat shielding component in contact with the one more exhaust attachment features. 
     
     
         8 . The clutch guard of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more compression limiters positioned at least partially within the one or more engine mounting features. 
     
     
         9 . The clutch guard of  claim 1 , further comprising a metal or metal alloy liner assembly affixed to the shield body portion, wherein the liner assembly includes a curved portion configured to provide structural support to the clutch guard. 
     
     
         10 . The clutch guard of  claim 9 , wherein the shield body portion includes a lip extending outboard from an outboard side, wherein the lip includes a first planar length extending from a forward end of the shield body portion, and a second curved length extending rearward therefrom, wherein a lower surface of the lip at least partially houses a transmission belt with the outboard side, and wherein the liner assembly includes a first planar length secured to the lower surface of the first planar length of the lip, and a second curved length that extends along and conforms to the lower surface of the second curved length of the lip but is not secured thereto, wherein a flange extends outward from an end of the second curved length of the liner assembly under and rearward of a rearward end of the second curved length of the lip, wherein the flange is directly secured to a chassis to inhibit forward deflection of the second curved length of the lip of the shield body portion, and wherein the shield body portion is not directly secured to the chassis. 
     
     
         11 . A snowmobile comprising:
 a chassis and a tunnel;   an engine and skis coupled to a frame;   a drive clutch, a driven clutch, and an endless belt extending therebetween;   a clutch guard secured to both the chassis and the engine, the clutch guard including:
 a shield body; 
 a torque control link section, integrated with the shield body and including one or more engine mounting features and one or more chassis mounting features; 
 wherein the torque control link section includes a jackshaft aperture for receiving a jackshaft, and an output shaft clearance component, in proximity to an output shaft, and wherein the torque control link section secures a distance between the jackshaft and the output shaft and therefore between the drive clutch and the driven clutch. 
   
     
     
         12 . The snowmobile of  claim 11 , further comprising an exhaust system in contact with the engine. 
     
     
         13 . The snowmobile of  claim 12 , further comprising one or more exhaust attachment features on the shield body for securing at least a portion of the exhaust system to the clutch guard. 
     
     
         14 . The snowmobile of  claim 12 , wherein the shield body and the torque control link section comprise a polymer matrix composite. 
     
     
         15 . The snowmobile of  claim 14 , the shield body includes an inboard side, an outboard side, and a lip extending outboard from the outboard side, wherein the outboard side and a lower surface of the lip are shaped to at least partially house a transmission belt when secured to the snowmobile, wherein an upper surface of the lip includes one or more accessory attachments defined thereon, wherein the accessory attachment defines a first arm extending outward from an inboard end of the lip and a second arm extending outward from an outboard end of the lip to define an accessory retention feature therebetween. 
     
     
         16 . The snowmobile of  claim 13 , further comprising a heat shielding component in contact with the one more exhaust attachment features and the exhaust system. 
     
     
         17 . The snowmobile of  claim 12 , further comprising one or more compression limiters positioned at least partially within the one or more engine mounting features. 
     
     
         18 . The snowmobile of  claim 11 , wherein the clutch guard further includes a liner assembly affixed to the shield body, the liner assembly including:
 a frame connection feature configured to secure to the chassis, and   a curved portion configured to partially surround the driven clutch.   
     
     
         19 . A snowmobile comprising:
 an engine including a rotatable output shaft, mounted on a chassis;   a continuously variable transmission including a jackshaft and a belt;   an engine exhaust pipe; and   a fiber reinforced polymer body comprising:
 a torque control arm that is secured to a first side of the engine and receives the jackshaft to maintain a distance between the rotatable output shaft and the jackshaft; and 
 a shield body that extends from the torque control arm and is positioned apart from the engine and the chassis, wherein the shield body at least partially houses the belt and flexibly supports the engine exhaust pipe. 
   
     
     
         20 . The snowmobile of  claim 19 , wherein the shield body includes an outboard side that at least partially houses the belt, and an inboard side, where one or more accessory attachment features are defined on the inboard side of the shield body. 
     
     
         21 . The snowmobile of  claim 19 , further comprising a fiber reinforced recoil housing secured on a second side of the engine, the fiber reinforced recoil housing secured to the chassis. 
     
     
         22 . The snowmobile of  claim 19 , wherein the shield body includes a lip extending outboard from an outboard side, wherein the lip includes a first planar length extending from a forward end of the shield body, and a second curved length extending rearward therefrom, wherein a lower surface of the lip at least partially houses the belt with the outboard side, and wherein a metal or metal alloy liner includes a first planar length secured to the lower surface of the first planar length of the lip, and a second curved length that extends along and conforms to the lower surface of the second curved length of the lip but is not secured thereto, wherein a flange extends outward from an end of the second curved length of the liner under and rearward of a rearward end of the second curved length of the lip, wherein the flange is directly secured to the chassis to inhibit forward deflection of the second curved length of the lip of the shield body, and wherein the shield body is not directly secured to the chassis. 
     
     
         23 . A snowmobile comprising:
 a frame including a longitudinal centerline;   an engine including a crankcase mounted to the frame with a crankshaft axis of rotation positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline, the crankcase including a cast lower surface comprising:
 a first structural wall extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline; 
 a second structural wall extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline; 
 a panel extending between the first structural wall and the second structural wall, the panel defining a curved surface; 
 a mounting surface extending from the first structural wall and across at least a portion of the panel; and 
   an engine mount connected to the frame comprising a housing and a damper, the housing is secured to the mounting surface with a first fastener that extends into the first structural wall to position the damper opposite the panel, wherein the engine mount is positioned below the engine.