Suzuki Intruder 1978 - Drive System Theory of Operation

Drive System Theory of
Operation
Torque Converter
A to rque sensing, variable ra tio , sheave-type
t
orque converter is used to drive the snowmobile.
Th is converter consists basically of a drive con-
verter moun ted to the power take- off of the en-
gine, a dr i ven converter wh ich drives the track
through the chaincase and gearing, and a V-belt
wh ich transmi ts rotary motion from the drive con-
verter to t he driven converter. (See Fi gure 2-36.)
The
method of transmitt ing power from the drive
convert er by means of a belt to the dr i ven
converter enables mult ipl icatio n of engine to r que
as needed by the track to pull the snowmob ile
through varying snow depths, and up and down
hills. The clutch automatica ll y shifts to maintain
maximum h orsepower at al l operating conditions .
1. Drive Converter
2.
V-Belt
3. Driven Converter
Figure 2-
36
Drive Converter
The drive converter on the snowmobile is designed
to provide maximum performance under all types
of snow and load conditions . (See Figure 2-37 .)
There
are three variables that wi ll change the per-
formance characteristics of the drive converter.
They are as fo llows:
1. Spr in g
2.
We i ghts
3. Ramps
2-26 THEORY OF OPERATION
1. Roller
2. Spider Assembly
3. Spring
4. Movable Sheave
5.
Weight Ramp
6. Drive Belt
7. Stationary Sheave
Figure 2-
37
The primary function of the spring is to control the
initial engagement between the movable drive
sheave and T .C. bel t. The spring also affects
engine
RPM throughout the drive converter shift
pattern. A weak or light spring will decrease both
engagement speed and maximum engine RPM, re-
sulting in speeding up the shift pattern.
A heavy or strong spring will increase engage-
ment speed and maximum engine RPM, but slows
down the shift pattern .
The
drive converter contains three ramp weights
t hat control engine RPM. Ligh ter ramp weight will
increase engagement RPM, and maintain higher
RPM throughout the tota l shift pattern . Care must
be taken not to exceed specified engine RPM or
engine damage will occur. By contrast, heavier
ramp weights will decrease engagement RPM, and
also lower engine RPM throughout the shift
pattern . However, the main function of the ramp
we i ghts is to control the eng ine RPM through the
sh i ft pattern.
The ramp is
designed so the shift pattern is within
the peak torque curve of the engine. The ramp pro-
fi le is the major factor in determining the charac -
teristics of the sh ift pattern .