Track system for vehicle with dual alignment system

Abstract

The invention relates to a transfer track system for a vehicle having an axle. The transfer track system includes a chassis and an accessory kit. The chassis includes a track and a track engagement assembly for driving and guiding the track. The track engagement assembly includes a frame having a surface for receiving an accessory kit on a front side and a rear side of the drive wheel. The accessory kit includes an attachment rod coupleable to an axle of a vehicle retrofitted or converted into a track system and two horizontal flanges coupleable to the frame on either side of the drive member. The track system may include an angular alignment system on the accessory kit to minimize or avoid the use of another angular alignment device, such as an alignment rod, to provide alignment between the chassis and a drive wheel mounted to an axle of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] Prior application

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 375.611, filed on September 14, 2022, entitled “Track System for a Vehicle with a Dual Alignment System,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to track systems for towing off-road vehicles, such as agricultural, industrial, and military vehicles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a track system having a dual alignment system. Background Art

[0004] Certain off-road vehicles, such as agricultural vehicles (e.g., harvesters, combines, tractors, etc.), industrial vehicles, such as construction vehicles (e.g., loaders, bulldozers, excavators, etc.) and forestry vehicles (e.g., feller bunchers, tree chippers, articulated arm log loaders, etc.), and military vehicles (e.g., combat engineering vehicles (CEVs), etc.), can be equipped with elastic track systems that enhance traction and flotation on soft, wet and / or irregular ground (e.g., soil, mud, sand, ice, snow, etc.) during operation.

[0005] There are conventional methods of retrofitting wheeled machines (e.g., wheeled machines with outboard planetary final drives) with track systems in order to adapt existing off-road vehicles with wheel systems. These conventional systems provide connection to the machine via a vertical flange placed behind the final drive, which requires the final drive to be removed for assembly. Using a vertical flange interface to connect the track system to the vehicle can be difficult to install with vehicles that have outboard planetary final drives on the wheel hubs, and such vehicles are unable to benefit from aftermarket track systems.

[0006] These conventional systems also require custom undercarriage and / or drive wheel designs to accommodate the vehicle's final drive geometry and specific track gauge requirements, which often may require a separate alignment device to install. Summary of the invention

[0007] According to some embodiments, a track system for vehicle traction is provided, which track system is capable of being connected to an axle of a vehicle, and the track system includes: an underframe, the underframe including a track and a track engaging assembly, the track engaging assembly being used to drive and guide the track around the track engaging assembly, wherein the track engaging assembly includes: a drive wheel, which is used to drive the track; a plurality of track contact wheels, which are used to contact the inner surface of the track; and a frame, which is configured to surround at least a portion of the drive wheel, the frame including opposite side walls, the opposite side walls being connected to the front side of the drive wheel by a front cross member and to the rear side of the drive wheel by a rear cross member; and an accessory kit, which includes a front flange and a rear flange extending vertically from an attachment rod, wherein the attachment rod is capable of being connected to the axle, the front flange is capable of being connected to the front cross member, and the rear flange is capable of being connected to the rear cross member.

[0008] In some embodiments, upper surfaces of the front and rear cross members are configured to engage lower surfaces of the front and rear flanges, respectively.

[0009] In some embodiments, the upper surfaces of the front and rear cross members and the lower surfaces of the front and rear flanges are substantially planar.

[0010] In some embodiments, the front flange and the rear flange are oriented horizontally when the attachment rod is coupled to the axle.

[0011] In some embodiments, at least one of the front cross member and the rear cross member of the frame includes at least one protrusion configured to engage a corresponding one of the front flange and the rear flange.

[0012] In some embodiments, at least one protrusion includes a lip that engages a top surface of a respective one of the front flange and the rear flange.

[0013] In some embodiments, the accessory kit and the frame are removably coupled via the hook coupling when the lip engages a top surface of a respective one of the front flange and the rear flange.

[0014] In some embodiments, the frame includes a mounting flange to couple the wheel mounting subassembly to the frame, and wherein the track system further includes a spacer configured to provide translation between the axle and the undercarriage by adjusting a position of the frame relative to the wheel mounting subassembly.

[0015] In some embodiments, the track system further includes an angular alignment system configured to align the undercarriage relative to the accessory kit.

[0016] In some embodiments, the angular alignment system includes: an alignment pin configured to extend through an alignment pin hole on a front cross member and a front flange or on a rear cross member and a rear flange; and an angular alignment device located on a side of the frame opposite to the alignment pin, wherein the alignment pin is configured to provide a pivotal relationship between the frame and the accessory kit, and the angular alignment device is configured to adjust the alignment of the chassis relative to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0017] In some embodiments, the angular alignment device includes: at least one frame extension that protrudes from the underside of the opposite side of the frame; an adjustment protrusion that is connected to the front flange or the rear flange on the side of the accessory kit opposite to the alignment pin; and an adjustment pin; wherein at least one frame extension and the adjustment protrusion each have an alignment aperture that is configured to receive the adjustment pin therethrough; and wherein adjustment of the adjustment pin causes the opposite side of the frame to pivot at an angle relative to the accessory kit.

[0018] In some embodiments, the angular alignment system is configured to align the angular position of the undercarriage relative to the accessory kit after coupling the drive wheel to the wheel flange on the axle and driving the vehicle a predetermined distance.

[0019] In some embodiments, the track system further includes one or more sensors located on or within a material of at least one of the inner side of the chassis and the outer side of the chassis for determining parameters of the inner side and / or the outer side of the chassis.

[0020] In some embodiments, the angular alignment system is configured to determine a correction in the angular position by: determining, after the vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance, using one or more sensors to determine a first temperature of the track on the inside of the chassis and a second temperature of the track on the outside of the chassis; comparing the first temperature and the second temperature to determine the side of the track with a higher temperature; and rotating an adjustment pin to increase the distance between a rear track contact wheel of a plurality of track contact wheels and the side of the track with a higher temperature.

[0021] In some embodiments, the axle of the vehicle includes a recess that is sized and shaped to receive the attachment rod.

[0022] In some embodiments, an axle of the vehicle includes an axle coupling surface configured to correspond and / or engage with a coupling surface of the attachment rod.

[0023] In some embodiments, the accessory kit is an integrated part of the axle of the vehicle.

[0024] According to another aspect, a fitting kit for connecting a chassis to an axle of a vehicle is provided, the fitting kit including a front flange and a rear flange connected to opposite ends of an attachment rod and extending in the same direction from the attachment rod, wherein the attachment rod is connectable to the axle and the front flange is connectable to a front side of a chassis frame and the rear flange is connectable to a rear side of the chassis frame.

[0025] In some embodiments, the surface of the front flange has a size and shape corresponding to the front side of the frame, and the rear flange has a size and shape corresponding to the rear side of the frame.

[0026] In some embodiments, the surface of the front flange and the surface of the rear flange are planar.

[0027] According to another aspect, a method for providing a track system to a wheeled vehicle having an axle is provided, the method comprising: removing a wheel from the wheeled vehicle to expose a rim on the axle; providing an accessory kit, the accessory kit comprising a front flange and a rear flange extending from opposite ends of an attachment rod; coupling the attachment rod to the axle so that the front flange and the rear flange extend substantially parallel to the axle and extend beyond the ends of the wheel flange; providing an undercarriage, the undercarriage comprising a track, a drive wheel for driving the track, a plurality of track contact wheels, and a frame configured to surround at least a portion of the drive wheel, wherein the frame comprises opposing side walls connected at the front side by a front cross member and at the rear side by a rear cross member; coupling the front flange to the front cross member and coupling the rear flange to the rear cross member; and coupling the drive wheel to the rim.

[0028] In some embodiments, upper surfaces of the front and rear cross members are configured to engage lower surfaces of the front and rear flanges, respectively.

[0029] In some embodiments, the upper surfaces of the front and rear cross members and the lower surfaces of the front and rear flanges are substantially planar.

[0030] In some embodiments, the front flange and the rear flange are oriented horizontally when the attachment rod is coupled to the axle.

[0031] In some embodiments, the method further includes temporarily connecting the front flange to the front cross member and temporarily connecting the rear flange to the rear cross member via a hook-type connection portion, wherein the front cross member and the rear cross member each include at least one protrusion, and the at least one protrusion is configured to engage the front flange and the rear flange respectively in a hook-type configuration.

[0032] In some embodiments, at least one protrusion includes a lip that engages a top surface of the front flange or the rear flange.

[0033] In some embodiments, the method further includes translating the position of the chassis relative to the axle via planar alignment.

[0034] In some embodiments, the planar alignment includes coupling at least one spacer between a mounting flange coupling the wheel mounting subassembly to the frame and the frame.

[0035] In some embodiments, the method further includes aligning the angular position of the chassis relative to the accessory kit using an angular alignment system.

[0036] In some embodiments, the angular alignment system includes: an alignment pin configured to extend vertically through an alignment pin hole on a front cross member and a front flange or on a rear cross member and a rear flange; and an angular alignment device located on a side of the frame opposite to the alignment pin, wherein the alignment pin is configured to provide a pivotal relationship between the frame and the accessory kit, and wherein aligning the angular position of the chassis includes adjusting the angular alignment device.

[0037] In some embodiments, the angle alignment device includes: at least one frame extension that protrudes from the underside of the opposite side of the frame; an adjustment protrusion that is connected to the front flange or the rear flange on the side of the accessory kit opposite to the alignment pin; and an adjustment pin that is configured to extend horizontally through at least one frame extension and the adjustment protrusion; wherein adjusting the angle alignment device includes rotating the adjustment pin to pivot the opposite side of the frame at an angle relative to the accessory kit.

[0038] In some embodiments, the angular position of the undercarriage relative to the accessory kit is aligned after coupling the drive wheel to the wheel flange on the axle and driving the vehicle a predetermined distance.

[0039] In some embodiments, the method further includes determining a correction to the angular position by: determining a first temperature of the track on the inner side of the chassis and a second temperature of the track on the outer side of the chassis after the vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance; comparing the first temperature and the second temperature to determine a side of the track having a higher temperature; and rotating an adjustment pin to increase a distance between a rear track contact wheel of a plurality of track contact wheels and the side of the track having a higher temperature.

[0040] According to another aspect, there is provided a vehicle comprising a track system as defined herein.

[0041] In some embodiments, the axle includes a recess that is sized and shaped to receive the attachment rod.

[0042] In some embodiments, the axle includes an axle coupling surface configured to correspond and / or engage a coupling surface of the attachment rod.

[0043] In some embodiments, the accessory kit is an integral part of the axle.

[0044] According to another aspect, there is provided a vehicle comprising a fitting kit as defined herein.

[0045] In some embodiments, the axle includes a recess that is sized and shaped to receive the attachment rod.

[0046] In some embodiments, the axle includes an axle coupling surface configured to correspond and / or engage a coupling surface of the attachment rod.

[0047] In some embodiments, the accessory kit is an integral part of the axle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] A detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure is provided below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0049] Figure 1 shows a perspective, outboard view of a track system coupled to an axle of a vehicle according to one embodiment;

[0050] Figure 2 shows a perspective side view of two (2) fitting kits coupled to the left and right sides of an axle of a vehicle according to one embodiment;

[0051] Figure 3 shows a perspective outside view of a chassis according to one embodiment;

[0052] Figure 4 shows a perspective outside view of a track system coupled to an axle on a vehicle chassis according to one embodiment;

[0053] Figure 5 shows a perspective side view of an axle of a vehicle;

[0054] Figure 6 shows a perspective outside view of an assembly kit according to one embodiment, the assembly kit being coupled to an axle of a vehicle;

[0055] Figure 7 shows a perspective, outboard view of a track system coupled to an axle of a vehicle according to one embodiment;

[0056] Figure 8 shows an enlarged perspective outboard view of a track system coupled to an axle of a vehicle according to one embodiment;

[0057] Fig. 9 shows an enlarged perspective outside view of a chassis according to one embodiment;

[0058] Fig.10 shows an enlarged perspective front (front) side view of a track system according to one embodiment, showing an angular alignment system;

[0059] Fig.11 shows an enlarged perspective rear (back) side view of a track system according to one embodiment, showing an angular alignment system;

[0060] Fig.12 shows a perspective outside view of a track system coupled to a vehicle chassis according to one embodiment; and

[0061] Fig.13 Shown is a perspective inside view of a track system coupled to a vehicle chassis according to one embodiment.

[0062] It should be clearly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments of the present disclosure and to facilitate understanding. They are not intended to define the limitations of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] As used herein, "substantially" and "about" refer to acceptable variations according to conventional standards, otherwise varying by up to 5% from the indicated effect or value.

[0064] A track system for a vehicle is provided, the track system having a drive shaft, such as an outboard final drive shaft, the track system comprising an undercarriage and an accessory kit. The undercarriage comprises a track and a track engagement assembly for driving and guiding the track. The track engagement assembly comprises a drive wheel, a plurality of track contact wheels, and a frame having surfaces for receiving the accessory kit on the front and rear sides of the drive wheel. The accessory kit comprises an attachment rod and two horizontal flanges, the attachment rod being configured to be coupled to the axle of the vehicle, and the two horizontal flanges being configured to be connected to the frame at the front and rear sides of the drive member. When the flanges are directly connected to the frame of the undercarriage, the final drive at the end of the axle of the vehicle can be directly coupled to the drive member of the undercarriage. In some embodiments, the track system comprises an angular alignment system on the horizontal flanges to minimize or avoid the use of another angular alignment device, such as an alignment rod. In addition, the surface of the frame of the undercarriage and the accessory kit has a planar alignment, which facilitates alignment of the drive wheel of the undercarriage with the final drive in the axle of the vehicle.

[0065] Reference now Figure 1 , shows a conversion track system 10 including an undercarriage 20 configured to be coupled to a final drive 42, such as an outboard planetary final drive, at the end of an axle of a vehicle and an accessory kit 30 configured to be coupled to the axle 40 and the undercarriage 20. The undercarriage 20 includes a frame 50 engageable with the accessory kit 30 to couple the undercarriage 20 to the axle 40.

[0066] The undercarriage 20 further includes a track 22 and a track engaging assembly 24, which is configured to drive and guide the track 22 around the track engaging assembly 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the track engaging assembly has a plurality of track engaging wheels, which include a drive wheel 26 and a plurality of track contact wheels 281-284. The plurality of track contact wheels 281-288 include front idler wheels 281, 282, rear idler wheels 287, 288, and rollers 283, 284, 285, 286 between the front idler wheels 281, 282 and the rear idler wheels 287, 288. Each of the plurality of track contact wheels 281-288 can rotate about an axis of rotation. The drive wheel 26 can rotate about the axis of rotation to drive the track 22 in response to the rotation of the axle 40 of the vehicle to which the undercarriage 20 is coupled. In some embodiments, the axis of rotation of the drive wheel 26 corresponds to the axle 40 of the vehicle. Drive wheel 26 may include a hub 26a that may be mounted to a wheel flange on a final drive 42 of the vehicle such that power generated by a power source and transmitted through the vehicle's powertrain rotates final drive 42 on the end of axle 40, which rotates drive wheel 26, thereby imparting motion on track 22. It should be appreciated that track system 10 may be used with a vehicle that does not include an outboard final drive 42 on axle 40. In such an embodiment, hub 26a on drive wheel 26 may be coupled to a wheel flange on axle 40.

[0067] In some embodiments, the drive wheel 26 may be a drive sprocket that may engage the drive or guide lugs 25 on the inside of the track 22 to drive the track 22. The drive wheel 26 may include a drive member, such as a rod, teeth, etc., distributed circumferentially around the drive wheel 26 to define a plurality of lug receiving spaces therebetween that receive the drive or guide lugs 25 on the inner surface of the track 22. In some embodiments, the drive wheel 26 may frictionally engage the inside of the track 22 to frictionally drive the track 22.

[0068] Reference now Figure 2 , the accessory kit 30 includes a front flange 32 and a rear flange 34 (also referred to as a first flange and a second flange) connected by an attachment rod 36. The front and rear flanges 32, 34 and the attachment rod 36 may be a single integral unit, or may be fastened together with known fastening means. The front and rear flanges 32, 34 protrude horizontally from the distal end of the axle 40, such that the ends of the front and rear flanges 32, 34 extend a distance D1 from the ends of the attachment rod 36. When the underframe 20 is coupled to the axle 40 of the vehicle, the front flange 32 is configured to engage with the front side of the frame 50, and the rear flange 34 is configured to engage with the rear side of the frame 50. In this case, "front" refers to the front side of the vehicle, and "rear" refers to the rear side of the vehicle.

[0069] The frame 50 of the chassis 20 supports components of the chassis 20, including the track contact wheels 281-288. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the front idler wheels 281, 282 are mounted to the frame 50 in the front longitudinal end region of the frame 50 near the front longitudinal end 21 of the chassis, while the rear idler wheels 287, 288 are mounted to the frame 50 in the rear longitudinal end region of the frame 50 near the rear longitudinal end 23 of the chassis 20. The rollers 283, 284, 285, 286 are mounted to the frame 50 in the center region of the frame 50 between the front idler wheels 281, 282 and the rear idler wheels 287, 288. Each of the rollers 283, 284, 285, 286 can be directly rotatably mounted to the frame 50, or can be rotatably mounted to a link that is pivotally mounted to the frame 50 and rotatably mounted to an adjacent one of the rollers 283, 284, 285, 286 (e.g., to form a "tandem" connection).

[0070] In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 50 is configured to surround at least a portion of the drive wheel 26, with opposing side walls connected by a front cross member 52 on the front side and a rear cross member 54 on the rear side. The frame 50 is configured to be supported by the connection of the frame 50 to the accessory kit 30 and the connection between the drive wheel 26 and the axle 40, which allows the drive wheel 26 to rotate freely within the frame 50 to move the track 22. The upper surface 52a of the front cross member 52 and the upper surface 54a of the rear cross member 54 have shapes and configurations corresponding to the lower surface 32a of the front flange 32 and the lower surface 34a of the rear flange, respectively.

[0071] The front flange 32 and the rear flange 34 are oriented horizontally or substantially horizontally relative to the ground of the vehicle. During installation, the chassis 20 can be mounted on the axle 40 of the vehicle by engaging the upper surface 52a of the front cross member 52 with the lower surface 32a of the front flange 32 and the upper surface 54a of the rear cross member 54 with the lower surface 34a of the rear flange. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower surfaces 32a, 34a of the front and rear flanges 32, 34 and the upper surfaces 52a, 54a of the front and rear cross members 52, 54 have flat or substantially flat surfaces that provide a flat interface with each other. In other embodiments, the lower surfaces 32a, 34a of the front and rear flanges 32, 34, respectively, can have a surface shape configured to receive the shape of the upper surfaces 52a, 54a of the front and rear cross members 52, 54, such as a tongue-and-groove surface. However, it should be appreciated that the tongue and groove surface will not allow adjustment to angularly align the chassis 20 with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (ie, the direction of forward movement of the vehicle).

[0072] In some embodiments, the frame 50 includes at least one protrusion 56 on the front side and / or at least one protrusion 56 on the rear side that are configured to engage with or guide the front flange 32 and the rear flange 34. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown Figure 8 As best shown in FIG. 5 , the frame includes a protrusion 56 having a lip 58. The lip 58 engages the top surfaces of the front and rear flanges 32, 34 to form a hook-type coupling between the chassis 20 and the axle 40. The hook-type coupling allows the chassis 20 to be suspended from the front and rear flanges 32, 34 while the chassis 20 is secured to a final drive on the axle of the vehicle, thereby avoiding the need for a lifting device. In some embodiments, the frame 50 may include a recess configured to receive the front and rear flanges 32, 34 and further support the hook-type coupling. Although a hook-type configuration (i.e., a combination of the protrusion 56 and the lip 58) is shown herein, it should be understood that any suitable engaging surface that allows the chassis 20 to be temporarily suspended from the accessory kit 30 during installation is contemplated.

[0073] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As best shown in FIG. 1 , the front and rear flanges 32, 34 and the front and rear cross members 52, 54 may have a plurality of holes 37 extending therethrough that are configured to receive a plurality of fasteners 38 (e.g., bolts) to secure the front and rear flanges 32, 34, respectively, to the front and rear cross members 52, 54. In some embodiments, a plate with corresponding holes may connect two or more fasteners 38 together.

[0074] In some embodiments, the chassis 20 may include a wheel mounting subassembly 60, which may also be referred to as a "truck." The wheel mounting subassembly 60 is configured to carry the rollers 283, 284, 285, 286 and is mounted to the frame 50 of the chassis 20. The wheel mounting subassembly 60 includes a mounting flange 62 that couples the wheel mounting subassembly 60 to the frame 50.

[0075] Reference now Figure 4 , a vehicle chassis 41 is shown coupled to a frame 50 of the undercarriage 20. The vehicle chassis 41 includes an axle 40 having a final drive 42 at each end, such as Figure 2 and Figure 5 The axle 40 can be coupled to the frame 50 of the chassis 20 on either side of the chassis 20 by the fitting kit 30. The fitting kit 30 includes a front flange 32 and a rear flange 34 extending vertically or substantially vertically from opposite ends of the attachment rod 36, such that when the attachment rod 36 is coupled to the axle 40, the front flange 32 and the rear flange 34 extend beyond the end of the final drive 42.

[0076] During installation, the wheel 43 of the axle 40 coupled to the vehicle chassis 41 is removed to expose the final drive 42. Figure 2 As best shown in FIG. 4 , the accessory kit 30 is coupled to the axle 40 via the attachment rod 36 such that the front flange 32 and the rear flange 34 extend horizontally beyond the end of the axle 40 and, therefore, beyond the final drive 42. In some embodiments, the axle 40 may include a surface 45 that corresponds to a surface (not shown) of the attachment rod 36 to facilitate coupling the accessory kit 30 to the axle 40. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the axle 40 includes a recess 47 having a width that corresponds to or is slightly wider than the width of the attachment rod 36. In some embodiments, the accessory kit 30 may be manufactured by the manufacturer of the axle 40 such that the axle 40 and the accessory kit 30 have coupling surfaces that correspond to and / or engage with each other. The attachment rod 36 may further include a hole for receiving a fastening device (e.g., a bolt or a double dowel pin) to couple the attachment rod 36 to the axle 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment rod 36 is bolted to the axle 40; however, it should be understood that any suitable attachment means may be used to securely couple the attachment rod to the axle, such as by welding. Alternatively, the accessory kit 30 may be manufactured with the axle 40 and / or form an integral part of the axle 40.

[0077] Return to reference Figure 2 In some embodiments, the length L1 of the attachment rod 36 corresponds to a dimension related to the diameter of the drive wheel 26, such that when the accessory kit 30 is coupled to the chassis 20, the front flange 32 and the rear flange 34 are positioned on either side of a small segment or center of the drive wheel 26. In an exemplary embodiment, the length L1 of the attachment rod 36 is slightly greater than the diameter of the drive wheel 26, such that when the accessory kit 30 is coupled to the chassis 20, the front flange 32 and the rear flange 34 are positioned on either side of the drive wheel 26 and extend beyond the final drive 42 of the drive wheel 26. The positioning of the accessory kit 30 requires precision so that when the final drive 42 is coupled to the drive wheel 26, the front flange 32 and the rear flange 34 are aligned with the first side and the second side of the frame 50. As shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown, once the accessory kit 30 is coupled to the axle 40, the distance D2 between the drive flange 44 on the final drive 42 and the end 31 of the front flange 32 or the rear flange 34 is measured. The distance D2 can be compared with a reference value corresponding to the vehicle type to verify the planar alignment between the drive wheel 26 and the wheel mounting subassembly 60.

[0078] like Fig. 9As best shown in FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, the chassis 20 may include a shim or spacer 39 configured to fit between the frame 50 and the mounting flange 62 to provide translation between the axle 40 of the vehicle and the chassis 20 by adjusting the position of the frame 50 relative to the wheel mounting subassembly 60. The spacer 39 may be used when the distance D2 between the drive flange 44 on the final drive 42 and the end 31 of the front flange 32 or the rear flange 34 differs from a reference value by 2 mm or more. The spacer 39 may be a c-shaped shim with an open side, sized and shaped to receive a fastener for coupling the wheel mounting subassembly 60 to the frame 50. When a c-shaped shim is used, the spacer 39 may be adjusted, inserted, or removed without disconnecting the frame 50 from the wheel mounting subassembly 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting flange 62 includes a hole 64 for receiving a fastener 66 therethrough and securing the spacer 39 to the wheel mounting subassembly 60 and / or the frame 50.

[0079] like Figure 7 As best shown in FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, chassis 20 may include sprocket supports 46 and / or oscillation locks 48 to prevent drive wheel 26 or track contact wheels 281-288, respectively, from moving during installation. Once drive wheel 26 has been secured to drive flange 44 of final drive 42, such as via lug bolts, sprocket supports 46 may be removed to allow drive wheel 26 to rotate freely within frame 50.

[0080] In some embodiments, the accessory kit 30 may include holes 33 on each end 31 of the front flange 32 and the rear flange 34 to receive fasteners 33a. Similarly, the frame 50 may include holes 53 on the side of the frame 50 facing away from the vehicle to receive fasteners 53a. The frame 50 may be planarly aligned with the accessory kit 30 via one or more plates 55 that are configured to receive the accessory fasteners 33a and the frame fasteners 53a.

[0081] like Fig.10 and Fig.11As best shown in FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, track system 10 includes an angular alignment system configured to align underframe 20 relative to accessory kit 30, and thus relative to axle 40. Angular alignment system includes a first pin hole 72a on front flange 32 or rear flange 34 that aligns with a second pin hole 72b on front cross member 52 or rear cross member 54 of frame 50 when accessory kit 30 is coupled to frame 50. First pin hole 72a and second pin hole 72b are horizontally oriented such that when aligned, first pin hole 72a and second pin hole 72b are configured to receive alignment pin 74 therethrough. When accessory kit 30 is secured to frame 50 and alignment pin 74 is inserted into first pin hole 72a and second pin hole 72b, a pivotal relationship is established between frame 50 and accessory kit 30. This pivotal relationship allows for adjustment of the angle of underframe 20 relative to axle 40 (i.e., pivoting about an axis aligned with and / or coaxial with alignment pin 74).

[0082] The angular alignment system further includes an angular alignment device 70 located on a side of the frame 50 opposite the second pin hole 72b and on a side of the accessory kit 30 opposite the first pin hole 72a. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second pin holes 72a, 72b and the alignment pin 74 are located on the front cross member 52 of the frame 50, and the angular alignment device 70 is located on the rear cross member 54 of the frame 50.

[0083] In the illustrated embodiment, the angle alignment device 70 includes two frame extensions 73 coupled to and protruding from the underside of the front cross member 52 or the rear cross member 54 (i.e., the cross member on the side of the frame 50 opposite to the alignment pin 74) and an adjustment protrusion 75 engaged with the front flange 32 or the rear flange 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle alignment device 70 is located on the rear side of the chassis 20, so the frame extensions 73 are coupled to and protrude from the underside of the rear cross member 54 of the frame 50, and the adjustment protrusion 75 is coupled to the rear flange 34 via the plate 77.

[0084] Each of the frame extension 73 and the adjustment protrusion 75 has an alignment hole that is horizontally aligned to receive an adjustment pin 78 therethrough. In some embodiments, at least one of the alignment holes may be threaded to receive a threaded adjustment pin 78, such as a bolt. In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment hole of the adjustment protrusion 75 is threaded to receive the adjustment pin 78, and when the adjustment pin 78 is rotated, the chassis 20 is moved by the frame extension 73. In some embodiments, a self-aligning washer 79 may be used with the adjustment pin 78. In some embodiments, the angular alignment device 70 may include two adjustment protrusions 75 that engage with the front flange 32 or the rear flange 34 and a single frame extension 73 therebetween that is coupled to the underside of the front cross member 52 or the rear cross member 54.

[0085] More specifically, to align the chassis 20 with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the adjustment pin 78 can be rotated to adjust the position of the rear cross member 54 via the frame extension 73, and the position of the rear cross member 54 relative to the rear flange 34 via the adjustment protrusion 75, which adjusts the position of the frame 50 relative to the axle 40 along the axis formed by the alignment pin 74. This adjustment of one side of the frame 50 aligns the chassis 20 with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Once the chassis 20 is aligned, the oscillation lock 48 can be removed to allow the wheel mounting subassembly 60 to rotate and move freely.

[0086] In some embodiments, an alignment check may be performed after the vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance to account for settling of the vehicle after loading. If the chassis 20 is not perfectly aligned with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, there may be a temperature difference between the drive or guide lugs 25 on the inside of the chassis 20 (i.e., the side of the chassis 20 facing the vehicle) and the outside of the chassis 20. If there is a temperature difference, the adjustment pin 78 may be rotated to increase the distance between the rear idler wheels 287, 288 and the warmer side of the track 22.

[0087] In some embodiments, the track system 10 further includes one or more sensors located on or within the material of the drive or guide lugs 25 on the inside of the chassis 20 and / or on the outside of the chassis 20 for determining a parameter of the drive or guide lugs 25 and / or the outside of the chassis 20. In some embodiments, the parameter is the temperature of the drive or guide lugs 25 and / or the outside of the chassis 20. For example, the track system may include a processor that receives the parameter information from the one or more sensors and provides the parameter information to a user or installer of the track system 10, for example, on a user device having a user interface. If the processor determines that there is a temperature difference between the drive or guide lugs 25 and the outside of the chassis 20, the user may rotate the adjustment pin 78 to increase the distance between the rear idler wheels 287, 288 and the warmer side of the track 22.

[0088] In some embodiments, the track system described above can be used to convert or modify any wheeled vehicle (e.g., a wheeled vehicle with an inner final drive or with an outer final drive) into a track system. In other embodiments, the track system can first be manufactured and installed on the vehicle. For example, the vehicle can be an agricultural vehicle (e.g., a harvester, a combine harvester, a tractor, etc.), an industrial vehicle, such as a construction vehicle for performing construction work (e.g., a loader, a bulldozer, an excavator, a telescopic forklift, etc.) or a forestry vehicle for performing forestry work (e.g., a feller buncher, a tree chipper, an articulated cantilever log loader, etc.), a military vehicle for performing military work (e.g., combat engineering vehicles (CEVs), etc.), an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) (e.g., a snowmobile, a four-wheeler, etc.), or any other vehicle that can be operated off paved roads. Although it can be operated off paved roads, in some cases, the vehicle can also be operated on paved roads.

[0089] Some additional elements that may be required for the operation of some embodiments are not described or shown because they are assumed to be within the capabilities of those of ordinary skill in the art. In addition, some embodiments may not have, may lack and / or may function without any element not specifically disclosed herein.

[0090] In some examples of implementations, any features of any implementation discussed herein may be combined with any features of any other implementation discussed herein.

[0091] Although various embodiments and examples have been presented, this is for purposes of illustration and not limitation. Various modifications and enhancements will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A crawler system for vehicle traction, the crawler system being connectable to an axle of the vehicle, the crawler system comprising: An undercarriage including a track and a track engaging assembly for driving and guiding the track around the track engaging assembly, wherein the track engaging assembly includes: A driving wheel, which is used to drive the crawler track; a plurality of track contact wheels for contacting the inner surface of the track; and a frame configured to surround at least a portion of the drive wheel, the frame including opposing side walls coupled on a front side of the drive wheel by a front cross member and coupled on a rear side of the drive wheel by a rear cross member; and A fitting kit includes a front flange and a rear flange extending perpendicularly from an attachment bar, wherein the attachment bar is connectable to an axle, the front flange is connectable to a front cross member, and the rear flange is connectable to a rear cross member.

2. The crawler system according to claim 1, wherein: The upper surfaces of the front and rear cross members are configured to engage with the lower surfaces of the front and rear flanges, respectively, and optionally wherein the upper and lower surfaces are substantially planar.

3. The crawler system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: When the attachment rod is coupled to the axle, the front and rear flanges are oriented horizontally.

4. The crawler system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: At least one of the front and rear cross members of the frame includes at least one protrusion configured to engage or guide a corresponding one of the front and rear flanges, and optionally, wherein the at least one protrusion includes a lip that engages a top surface of the corresponding one of the front and rear flanges.

5. The crawler system according to claim 4, wherein: When the lip engages with a top surface of a corresponding one of the front flange and the rear flange, the accessory kit and the frame are removably coupled via the hook coupling portion.

6. The crawler system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The frame includes a mounting flange to couple the wheel mounting subassembly to the frame, and wherein the track system further includes a spacer configured to provide translation between the axle and the undercarriage by adjusting a position of the frame relative to the wheel mounting subassembly.

7. The track system of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an angular alignment system configured to align the undercarriage relative to the accessory kit.

8. The crawler system according to claim 7, wherein: The angular alignment system includes: an alignment pin configured to extend through an alignment pin hole on the front cross member and the front flange or on the rear cross member and the rear flange; and an angular alignment device located on the side of the frame opposite the alignment pins, Therein, the alignment pins are configured to provide a pivotal relationship between the frame and the accessory kit, and the angular alignment device is configured to adjust the alignment of the chassis relative to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

9. The crawler system according to claim 8, wherein: The angle alignment device includes: at least one frame extension that projects from an underside of opposing sides of the frame; an adjustment protrusion coupled to the front flange or the rear flange on a side of the accessory kit opposite the alignment pin; and Adjustment pin; wherein at least one frame extension and the adjustment projection each have an alignment hole configured to receive an adjustment pin therethrough; and Therein, adjustment of the adjustment pin causes the opposite side of the frame to angularly pivot relative to the accessory kit.

10. The crawler system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein: The angular alignment system is configured to align the angular position of the undercarriage relative to the accessory kit after coupling the drive wheel to the wheel flange on the axle and driving the vehicle a predetermined distance.

11. The track system of claim 10, further comprising one or more sensors located on or in a material of at least one of the inner side of the chassis and the outer side of the chassis for determining parameters of the inner side and / or the outer side of the chassis.

12. The crawler system according to claim 11, wherein: The angular alignment system is constructed to determine the correction of the angular position by: After the vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance, determining, using one or more sensors, a first temperature of the track inside the chassis and a second temperature of the track outside the chassis; comparing the first temperature and the second temperature to determine the side of the track having a higher temperature; as well as The adjusting pin is rotated to increase the distance between a rear track contact wheel of the plurality of track contact wheels and the side of the track having a higher temperature.

13. The crawler system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The axle of the vehicle includes a recess that is sized and shaped to receive the attachment rod.

14. The crawler system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: The axle of the vehicle includes an axle coupling surface configured to correspond and / or engage with the coupling surface of the attachment rod.

15. The crawler system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein: The assembly kit is an integral part of the vehicle's axle.

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