Team CSC DirectDrive        

Design - Contact - Testing - Schedule - Budget

Figure 1                                                                                                                    Figure 2

Problem Background:

   The CSC DirectDrive was formed to solve the problem of an inefficient and heavy drive system found on a stock Polaris snowmobile. The silver chain drive system (as seen in Fig. 1) is located in the chassis opposite the engine output shaft. This requires the use of a jackshaft (seen in figure 2) to transfer the power to the chain drive, then transfer the power to the track. 

The issue involved with this system are as follows:

• Unneeded rotational mass in jackshaft
• Inefficiencies due to chain tensioning
• Chain stretch create inefficiencies
• Jackshaft creates packaging issues with air box
• Sound emission from system is relatively high

The chain drive mechanism has been the industry standard for almost 40 years and due to advancements in gear technology and availability, they present an opportunity for a more efficient and cost effective powertrain system.