Track status-monitoring system

Abstract

The present disclosure concerns a track status-monitoring system for a track vehicle comprising: a track system mountable to the track vehicle and comprising: a track; and a track-engaging assembly for driving and guiding the track around the track-engaging assembly, the track-engaging assembly comprising a plurality of wheel assemblies; at least one measuring element mounted to or formed integral with at least one of said plurality of wheel assemblies respectively; and a control system configured to determine a track status parameter based on at least one value measured by the measuring element. It also concerns a vehicle comprising the same.

Description

TRACK STATUS-MONITORING SYSTEMPRIOR APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 63 / 611 ,532, filed on December 18, 2023, and titled “TRACK STATUS-MONITORING SYSTEM”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The technical field generally relates to track status-monitoring systems and to vehicles comprising the same, and more particularly to track-status monitoring systems comprising at least one measuring element mounted to or formed integral with a wheel assembly of a track system thereof.BACKGROUND

[0003] Certain vehicles, including industrial vehicles, military vehicles, agricultural vehicles, construction vehicles, snowmobiles, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), for example, may be equipped with track systems to enhance their traction, floatation on soft, slippery and / or irregular grounds (e.g., mud, sand, snow, etc.) on which they operate. T racks of such vehicles, for instance at least partially made of rubber, may overheat during use of the machines. Several factors may contribute to track overheating, such as for instance a track compression, frequency of compression and ambient conditions. Track compression can be attributed to the vehicle load and the frequency of compression may be attributed to the tracked vehicle speed. However, directly measuring temperatures at specific locations of the track (for instance via a sensor embedded in the track) may prove extremely difficult.

[0004] In view of the above, there is a need for a track status monitoring system that overcomes at least some of the drawbacks of known designs.SUMMARY

[0005] It is therefore an aim of the present invention to at least partially address the above-mentioned issues.

[0006] In an aspect of the invention, a track status-monitoring system for a track vehicle, the track status-monitoring system comprising: a track system mountable to the vehicle and comprising: a track; and a track-engaging assembly for driving and guiding the track around the track-engaging assembly, the track-engaging assembly comprising a plurality of wheel assemblies; at least one measuring element mounted to or formed integral with at least one of said plurality of wheel assemblies; and a control system configured to determine a track status parameter based on at least one value measured by said at least one measuring element.

[0007] In another aspect of the invention, said at least one measuring element comprises a strain gauge. The said at least one of said plurality of wheel assemblies may comprise a longitudinal center dividing said wheel assembly into first and second sides, said at least one measuring element comprising first and second measuring elements mounted to or formed integral with said wheel assembly respectively at the first and second sides thereof, wherein the control system is configured to determine the track status parameter based on at least first and second values measured respectively by the first and second measuring elements. The said at least one of said plurality of wheel assemblies may be rotatable about a wheel axis and may comprise a shaft extending along the wheel axis, the first and second measuring elements being mounted to or formed integral with the shaft. The said at least one of said plurality of wheel assemblies may be rotatable about a wheel axis and may comprise a first wheel and a second wheel mounted to a shaft extending along the wheel axis such that the first wheel is at the first side and the second wheel is at the second side, the first and second measuring elements being respectively mounted to or formed integral with the first and second wheels. The said at least one of said plurality of wheel assembliesmay comprise said at least one measuring element includes a middle roller wheel of the track system. The said at least one measuring element may comprise a pressure-measuring sensor configured to contact an inner surface of the track when in use. The said at least one measuring element may comprise a pressure sensor element disposed between an outer peripheral wall of said wheel assembly and the inner surface of the track. The pressure sensor element may be a piezo sensor. The track status parameter may be at least one of a track temperature and a track wear status. The track status parameter may be further determined based on at least one of a vehicle speed and an ambient condition surrounding the track vehicle when in use. The track status-monitoring system may further comprise at least one ambient condition sensor configured to measure a parameter of an ambient condition surrounding the track when in use. The track status-monitoring system may further comprise a display unit operatively coupled to the control system and configured to display a signal to a user of the track vehicle when a predetermined track status is determined. The signal may comprise one or more of a visual signal and an audio signal.

[0008] In another aspect of the invention, the track vehicle may comprise at least one track status-monitoring system according to any one of the previously disclosed aspects. The track vehicle may comprise at least four track systems arranged at each corner of the track vehicle, said at least one track statusmonitoring system comprising one of said at least four track systems. The track vehicle may be a farming track vehicle.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary track vehicle comprising a plurality of track systems and a track status-monitoring system in accordance with the principles of the present application, the track status-monitoring system comprising one of the track systems.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary track status-monitoring system in accordance with the principles of the present application, the track status-monitoring system comprising a track system with a track and a trackengaging assembly comprising a plurality of wheel assemblies.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic top cross-section view of the track status-monitoring system of FIG. 2.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic bottom plan view of another track status-monitoring system in accordance with the principles of the present application, the track thereof being removed.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic top plan view of an exemplary wheel of another track status-monitoring system in accordance with the principles of the present application.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with several references numbers, not all figures contain references to all the components and features, and references to some components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and features of the present disclosure which are illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and / or dimensions shown in the figures are optional, and are given for exemplification purposes only.

[0015] Moreover, it will be appreciated that positional descriptions such as "above", "below", "forward", "rearward", "left", "right" and the like should, unless otherwise indicated, be taken in the context of the figures only and should not be considered limiting. Moreover, the figures are meant to be illustrative of certaincharacteristics of the track status-monitoring system and of the vehicle comprising the same and are not necessarily to scale.

[0016] To provide a more concise description, some of the quantitative expressions given herein may be qualified with the term "about". It is understood that whether the term "about" is used explicitly or not, every quantity given herein is meant to refer to an actual given value, and it is also meant to refer to the approximation to such given value that would reasonably be inferred based on the ordinary skill in the art, including approximations due to the experimental and / or measurement conditions for such given value.

[0017] In the following description, an embodiment is an example or implementation. The various appearances of "one embodiment", "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments. Although various features may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, it may also be implemented in a single embodiment. Reference in the specification to "some embodiments", "an embodiment", "one embodiment" or "other embodiments" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments.

[0018] It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose only. The principles and uses of the teachings of the present disclosure may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description, figures and examples. It is to be understood that the details set forth herein do not construe a limitation to an application of the disclosure.

[0019] Furthermore, it is to be understood that the disclosure can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the disclosure can be implemented inembodiments other than the ones outlined in the description above. It is to be understood that the terms "including", "comprising", and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers or groups thereof and that the terms are to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers. If the specification or claims refer to "an additional" element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element. It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to "a" or "an" element, such reference does not mean that there is only one of that element. It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic "may", "might", "can" or "could" be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included.

[0020] The descriptions, examples, methods and materials presented in the claims and the specification are not to be construed as limiting but rather as illustrative only. Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined. It will be appreciated that the methods described herein may be performed in the described order, or in any suitable order.

[0021] The present description relates to track status-monitoring systems. The track status-monitoring systems can be used on track vehicles for various applications. Such track vehicles may be for instance and without being limitative farm vehicles, military vehicles, industrial vehicles, recreational vehicles, etc. Although the track vehicles may be used in various applications, they each have at least one track status-monitoring system according to the present disclosure.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1 , an exemplary track vehicle 100 is shown comprising a plurality of track systems 15 (four, in the embodiment shown). At least one of the track systems 15 of the track vehicle 100 is part of a track status-monitoring system 10 according to the present disclosure. In the embodiment shown, the at least onetrack status-monitoring system 10 is located on a rear right side of the track vehicle 100 for reasons that will be detailed below and said track vehicle 100 is for instance a farming track vehicle.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 2, an exemplary embodiment of a track statusmonitoring system 10 for a track vehicle is shown. The track status-monitoring system 10 includes a track system 20 mountable to the track vehicle 100 and including a track 25 and a track engaging assembly 30 for driving and guiding the track 25 around the track-engaging assembly 30. The track 25 has an inner surface 27 (or wheel-facing surface) and an opposed outer surface 29 (or ground-facing surface) configured to engage with a ground 5 shown in FIG. 1 . The track engaging assembly 30 includes a plurality of wheel assemblies 32 configured to contact and engage with the inner surface 27 of the track 25 for driving the track 25.

[0024] It will generally be understood that although wheel assemblies are described in the track status-monitoring systems, track status-monitoring systems comprising any other embodiments of track-guiding elements or track-contacting elements could be conceived, wherein the track-guiding elements are configured to put a load from the track vehicle to the track. For example, skis could replace wheel assemblies in certain embodiments. In yet other alternatives, a combination of wheel assemblies and skis could be conceived.

[0025] In the embodiment shown, the track-engaging assembly 30 includes more than one type of wheel assembly 32. Precisely, in the embodiment shown, there are a plurality of wheel assemblies including middle rollers 34, also referred to as mid-rollers or mid-roller wheels, (eight in the embodiment shown, with four on each side of the track system), a wheel assembly including one or more drive wheels 36, configured to push against the inner surface 27 of the track 25 in order to impart motion to the track 25, and a wheel assembly including one or more stretch wheels 38 (or idle wheels). The middle roller wheels 34 support the weight of the track vehicle 100 and transfer said weight onto the track 25. The drive wheel 36 usuallydoes not support a considerable weight of the track vehicle 100 and is instead configured to drive the rotation of the track 25 around the track-engaging assembly 30. The stretch wheel 38 also usually does not support the weight of the track vehicle 100 and is instead configured to stretch the track 25 around the trackengaging assembly 30. Understandably, the presence, quantity, size, shape, and disposition of each of the wheels in the wheel assemblies 32 may vary in other embodiments. Unless specified otherwise, the wheel assemblies 32 here below described include one or more middle roller wheels 34.

[0026] Still referring to the embodiment of FIG. 2, each of the plurality of wheel assemblies 32 has an inboard side 40 and an outboard side 42, with the inboard side 40 being closer to a body 105 of the track vehicle 100, shown in FIG. 1 , whereas the outboard side 42 is further from the body 105 of the track vehicle 100, shown in FIG. 1 . In other words, the outboard side 42 faces away from a center of the vehicle 100 equipped with the track status-monitoring system 10, while the inboard side 40 faces towards the center of the vehicle 100.

[0027] Even though the track systems 15 and track status-monitoring systems 10 shown and described in the present application are part of a track vehicle 100 comprising left and right side track systems 10, 15, it can be understood that the track systems 15 and track status-monitoring systems 10 can also be installed substantially centrally on a track vehicle 100. In embodiments wherein the track status-monitoring system 10 is installed substantially centrally to the track vehicle 100, the terms “inboard” and “outboard” with regard to the track vehicle 100 can be replaced by “left-side” and “right-side” or by “first side” and “second side”. For example, a wheel assembly 32 of a track status-monitoring system 10 can be divided into a first side and a second side through a median line of the wheel assembly 32, the median line usually substantially corresponding to a median line of the track vehicle 100. In further embodiments, the track vehicle 100 can include at least one track status-monitoring system 10 installed centrally to the track vehicle 100 and at least another track status-monitoring system 10 installed on aleft or right side of the track vehicle 100. In yet other embodiments, a wheel assembly 32 may only include one or more wheels on one of the sides of the first and second sides, which would be defined by the median line with regard to the wheel assembly 32. For the sake of simplicity only, the following embodiments are described with regard to a track vehicle 100 having left and right side track systems 15 and track status-monitoring systems 10.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the track status-monitoring system 10 according to the present disclosure includes at least one measuring element 52, 54 mounted to or formed integral with one of the wheel assemblies 32, and a control system 60, configured to determine a track status parameter based on at least one value measured by the measuring element 52, 54. Even though the following description refers to track status-monitoring systems 10 comprising at least first 52 and second 54 measuring elements, track status-monitoring systems 10 comprising only one measuring element could be conceived.

[0029] In the embodiment shown, the track status-monitoring system 10 thus further includes inboard and outboard measuring elements 52, 54 mounted to or formed integral with at least one of the plurality of wheel assemblies 32 respectively at the inboard 40 and outboard 42 sides thereof. The control system 60 is configured to determine a track status parameter based on inboard and / or outboard values measured respectively by the inboard 52 and outboard 54 measuring elements.

[0030] For instance, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the wheel assembly 32 with the inboard 52 and outboard 54 measuring elements is rotatable about a wheel axis 35 and includes an inboard wheel 44 and an outboard wheel 46 mounted to a shaft 48 extending along the wheel axis 35. The inboard wheel 44 and the outboard wheel 46 can each be defined as a mid-roller wheel and the wheel assembly 32 could also be referred to as a mid-roller assembly. It is understood that the inboard wheel 44 is located on or at least partially forms the inboard side 40 of the wheelassembly 32 and the outboard wheel 46 is located on or at least partially forms the outboard side 42 of the wheel assembly 32. Other embodiments may include more than one inboard wheel 44 and / or more than one outboard wheel 46 or the wheel assembly 32 might be substantially one-pieced, see FIG. 5 as an example. The wheel assembly 32 being substantially one-pieced means that it has no distinct inboard and outboard wheels angularly coupled to a shaft, but instead includes a single wheel element 64 and a shaft 48 angularly coupled to the single wheel element 64 or integrally formed therewith.

[0031] Still referring to FIG. 3, a first exemplary embodiment of a wheel assembly 32 of a track status-monitoring system 10 is shown. The wheel assembly 32 includes an inboard wheel 44 and an outboard wheel 46. The wheel assembly 32 has a width W, considered in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 115 of the vehicle 100 and / or a longitudinal direction 26 of the track 25. The width W of the wheel assembly 32 substantially corresponds to a width of the track 25. The inboard 44 and outboard 46 wheels can be angularly coupled to the shaft 48 can be rotatable together about the wheel axis 35. The inboard 44 and outboard 46 wheels can also be rotatably independent from the wheel axis 35. The shaft 48 has a longitudinal center through which extends a median line 50. It is understood that the median line 50 divides the wheel assembly 32 into the above-mentioned inboard 40 and outboard 42 sides. In other embodiments not shown where the shaft and / or the wheels 44, 46 have an asymmetrical shape, configuration, or quantity, the median line 50 defining the inboard 40 and outboard 42 sides can be defined by the width of the wheel assembly 32.

[0032] As mentioned above, the inboard 52 and outboard 54 measuring elements are mounted to the wheel assembly 32 on the inboard 40 and outboard 42 sides respectively. The measuring elements 52, 54 may also be formed integral with the wheel assembly 32, respectively with the inboard 40 and outboard 42 sides thereof and / or respectively with the inboard 44 and outboard 46 wheels. The inboardmeasuring element 52 is inboard of the median line 50 and the outboard measuring element 54 is outboard of the median line 50. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the inboard 52 and outboard 54 measuring elements are mounted to or formed integral with the shaft 48 of the wheel assembly 32, respectively at the inboard 40 and outboard 42 sides thereof and respectively with the inboard 44 and outboard 46 wheels.

[0033] In the embodiment shown, the inboard 52 and outboard 54 measuring elements are configured to measure a parameter linked to or correlated with a load of the vehicle applied thereto, i.e. , at their respective location of the track statusmonitoring system 10. For example, by measuring the vehicle load at two distinct locations at inboard 40 and outboard 42 sides of one of the wheel assemblies 32, the track status-monitoring system 10 is able to determine a track status parameter of the track 25 thereof.

[0034] The inboard 52 and outboard 54 measuring elements are in communication with the control system 60. With measures of a load applied at two or more distinct locations of the track system 10, on inboard 40 and outboard 42 sides of one of the wheel assemblies 32 thereof, the control system 60 can determine the track status parameter, such as for instance a track temperature or a track wear status of the track 25.

[0035] The inboard and outboard values measured respectively by the inboard 52 and outboard 54 measuring elements might be, for instance, measures of a strain resulting from a load applied to the wheel assembly 32 at the respective location of the inboard 52 and outboard 54 measuring elements, or measures of a pressure applied to the inboard 52 and outboard 54 measuring elements by the track 25 at the respective location of the inboard 52 and outboard 54 measuring elements.

[0036] Besides the inboard and outboard values measured respectively by the inboard 52 and outboard 54 measuring elements, the control system 60 might determine the track status parameter of the track 25 additionally based on at leastone of a vehicle speed and an ambient condition (such as for instance weather or temperature conditions or ambient humidity or parameters relative to the ground on which the vehicle is used or measurement of the ambient conditions on the midrollers or undercarriage directly) surrounding the track vehicle 100 when in use. To this end, the track status-monitoring system 10 might further comprise at least one ambient condition sensor, such as for instance a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and the like, configured to measure a parameter of an ambient condition surrounding the track vehicle 100 when in use, the ambient condition sensor being operatively coupled to the control system 60. The control system 60 might also be operatively coupled to a speed-measuring device or a speed-sensor of the vehicle 100. The track status parameter may be representative of at least one of a status of the track 25 of the track status-monitoring system 10 and a status of the track assembly 20, for instance a status of the wheel assembly 32 comprising the inboard and outboard measuring elements 52, 54.

[0037] By using different measures of a parameter linked to or correlated with the load of the vehicle 100 at the inboard 40 and outboard 42 sides of the track assembly 20, it is possible to detect an offset loading that might be caused, for instance, by straddling a road edge or driving on a road center crown with the vehicle 100, having a significant impact on a distribution of heat in the track 25. Such an offset loading would not be detectable with a single global measure of the parameter linked to or correlated with the load of the vehicle 100. Moreover, the inboard 52 and outboard 54 measuring elements being mounted to or formed integral with at least one of the wheel assemblies 32, and being away from the track 25 itself, can be more easily mounted, replaced and / or maintained. The measuring elements 52, 54 also allow more accurate measures of the parameter linked to or correlated with the load of the vehicle 100, and thus of the track status parameter.

[0038] In the embodiment shown, the inboard 52 and outboard 54 measuring elements are located at a substantially similar distance of the median line 50 of theshaft 48, respectively on the inboard 40 and outboard 42 sides of the wheel assembly 32.

[0039] In some embodiments, the track status-monitoring system 10 may comprise more than one measuring element 52, 54 on either of the inboard 40 and outboard 42 sides of the wheel assembly 32, or a plurality of inboard 52 and / or outboard 54 measuring elements mounted to or formed integral with different wheel assemblies 32 of the track assembly 20.

[0040] For instance, and without being limitative, at least one of the inboard and outboard measuring elements 52, 54 may comprise a strain gauge 56. The strain gauge 56 may measure the strain resulting from a load applied to the wheel at the respective location of the inboard and outboard measuring elements 52, 54.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a partial schematic bottom plan view of an exemplary wheel assembly 32 of a track status-monitoring system 10 in accordance with another embodiment. The inboard and outboard measuring elements 52, 54 include, in the embodiment shown, inboard and outboard pressure-measuring sensors 58 configured to contact the inner surface 27 of the track 25 when in use. By measuring a pressure applied to the wheel assembly 32 at different or distinct locations thereof, at the inboard 40 and outboard 42 sides thereof in the embodiment shown, it is possible to detect offset loads of the vehicle 100 equipped with the track status-monitoring system 10. For instance, the pressure-measuring sensors 58 may include inboard and outboard piezoelectric elements disposed between an outer peripheral wall 37 of the wheel assembly 32 and the inner surface 27 of the track 25. The outer peripheral wall 37 of the wheel assembly 32 is a surface at the periphery of the wheel assembly 32 that can engage or contact with the track 25. Understandably, there may be more than one outer peripheral walls 37 per wheel assembly 32, for example there may be one outer peripheral wall 37 on each of the inboard 44 and outboard 46 wheels.

[0042] It may be understood that the measuring elements 52, 54 may include a combination of any of the above described types of measuring elements and that the inboard 40 and the outboard sides 42 of the wheel assembly 32 may include different types of measuring elements 52, 54 respectively. Similar measuring elements 52, 54 on the inboard 40 and on the outboard 42 sides of the wheel assembly 32 may further be mounted or formed at mirrored locations relative to the median line 50. Even though in the embodiment shown the inboard and outboard measuring elements 52, 54 are mounted to or formed integral with the inboard 40 and outboard 42 sides of the same wheel assembly 32, a track statusmonitoring system 10 could be conceived in which the inboard measuring element 52 is mounted to or formed integral with the inboard side 40 of a first wheel (for instance a first mid-roller of the track assembly 20) and the outboard measuring element 54 is mounted to or formed integral with the outboard side 42 of a second wheel (for instance a second mid-roller of the track assembly 20).

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 5, another exemplary embodiment of a wheel assembly 32 of a track status-monitoring system 10 is shown. The wheel assembly 32 is a singular or one-pieced wheel 64, meaning that it has no distinct inboard and outboard wheels angularly coupled to a shaft, but instead includes a single wheel element 64 and a shaft 48 angularly coupled to the single wheel 64 or integrally formed therewith. The wheel assembly 32 of FIG. 5 has a width W substantially corresponding to the width of the track 25. The shaft 48 has a longitudinal center through which extends a median line 50. The inboard and outboard measuring elements 52, 54 are mounted to or formed integral with the shaft 48 on each side 40, 42 of said median line 50. The inboard 52 and outboard measuring elements could also be mounted to or formed integral with the wheel 64 on each side 40, 42 of the median line 50.

[0044] In other words, as detailed above, the inboard and outboard measuring elements 52, 54 can be parts of a specific wheel 44, 46, 64 or axle 48 of the wheel assembly 32 that is configured to measure a parameter linked to or correlated witha load of the vehicle 100 applied at inboard 40 and outboard 42 sides of the wheel assembly 32, or the inboard and outboard measuring elements 52, 54 might comprise specific sensors mounted to the wheel assembly 32, or mounted to or formed integral with the inboard 44, outboard 46 and single 64 wheels thereof. It is thus understood that an existing track system 15 could be easily converted into a track status-monitoring system 10 according to the present disclosure.

[0045] As mentioned above, other embodiments of track status-monitoring systems 10 can be contemplated including a single measuring element 52 or 54, mounted to or formed integral with at least one of the wheel assemblies 32. The single measuring element 52 or 54 can be mounted to or formed integral at a location where the most extreme values to be measured with regard to the track 25 are localized or are the most likely to be obtained. For example, a single load measuring element 52 or 54 can be installed at an inboard side 40 of a track statusmonitoring system 10, on the axle 48 for example, on at least one wheel assembly 32 of the track status-monitoring system 10.

[0046] In the embodiment shown, the control system 60 may further determine recommendations, based on the measured and determined track status parameter, in order to limit a usage risk of the vehicle 100 and / or to ease maintenance thereof. For instance, the control system 60 might be able to determine, based on one or both of the inboard and outboard values measured respectively by the inboard and outboard measuring elements 52, 54, when the vehicle 100 should be inspected, for instance for maintenance purposes, whether alternative suspension styles should be deployed, if and when all or part of one or more of the track assemblies 10, 15 should be replaced, and / or undercarriage oil temperature readings.

[0047] The control system 60 may include and / or be operatively coupled with an integrated prediction software or may be in communication with a computerized device comprising a prediction software external to the track vehicle 100 and / or tothe track system 20 that may analyze the track status parameter to predict the above-described recommendations. The control system 60 may also be operatively coupled with an integrated system of the track vehicle 100 to obtain or send information to the same. The prediction software may for instance include artificial intelligence to optimize the predicted recommendations. It will be appreciated that even though measuring elements 52, 54 may only be located on a single wheel assembly 32 of the track assembly of a given track statusmonitoring system 10 of a track vehicle 100, the track status parameter may be determined for the entire track 25 by extrapolating the measured parameters from a single wheel assembly 32 to the other wheel assemblies 32 of the same track system 20 and / or to the track system 20.

[0048] It is understood that the track status parameter based on the inboard and outboard values measured respectively by the inboard and outboard measuring elements 52, 54 of the track status-monitoring system 10 including one of the plurality of track status-monitoring systems 10 of the vehicle 100, might also be extrapolated to the whole vehicle 100 and / or to other ones of the track assemblies 15. For instance, as represented in FIG. 1 , when the track vehicle 100 includes at least four track systems 10, 15 arranged respectively at each corner of the track vehicle 100, the track status-monitoring system 10 might include the track system located at a rear right side of the track vehicle 100, considered with respect to a forward displacement of the track vehicle 100. Placing the track status-monitoring system 10 at a rear portion of the track vehicle 100 is based on the fact that a majority of a weight of the vehicle 100 will usually be supported at a rear end of the vehicle 100. In yet other embodiments, the track status-monitoring system 10 can be placed in front of the track vehicle 100 if the operating conditions are the most extreme at this part of the vehicle 100. Placing the track status-monitoring system 10 at a right portion of the track vehicle 100 makes it possible to detect an offset loading due to the vehicle 100 moving at a lateral edge of a road wherein the track vehicle 100 is driven on a right side of a road. In embodiments whereinthe track vehicle 100 is driven on a left side of a road, the track status-monitoring system 10 may instead be placed at a left portion of the track vehicle 100. Understandably, the track status-monitoring system 10 may be placed on the track vehicle 100 where a part of the same is most likely to fail first, or at least encounter the most extreme operating conditions.

[0049] The control system 60 may be located in the track system 20, may be located on the track vehicle 100 or may be located separately from the track vehicle 100 and the track system 20 thereof. The inboard and outboard measuring elements 52, 54 may communicate with the control system 60 through direct communication channels, such as electrical or optical wires, or through wireless communication channels such as Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, etc.

[0050] Referring back to FIG. 1 , the track status-monitoring system 10 may include or be operatively coupled to a display unit 62 configured to display information to a user of the track vehicle 100. The display information may be a signal when a predetermined track status is determined or when a value of the track status reaches, exceeds or is below a predetermined threshold. The signal may be one or more of a visual signal and an audio signal. For example, the display unit 62 may be a computerized monitor installed in a cabin 110 of the track vehicle 100 showing visual information with a corresponding sound when a predetermined track status is determined. As another example, the display unit 62 may visually indicate a track parameter, such as temperature, in a temperature unit (e.g., degrees Celsius or degrees Fahrenheit) or in a percentage of the maximal recommended temperature. The display unit 62 may further show predictions on when a certain threshold is expected to be reached based on current operating conditions. The display unit 62 may further show a recommended action to be taken by the driver of the track vehicle 100.

[0051] It is appreciated that the shape, the configuration, and the location of the track status-monitoring system 10 and the different components thereof can vary from the embodiments shown.

[0052] The present disclosure also concerns a method for monitoring a track status of a track system 20 of a vehicle 100, the track system 20 including a track 25 and a track-engaging assembly 30 for driving and guiding the track 25 around the track-engaging assembly 30, the track engaging assembly 30 including a plurality of wheel assemblies 32 configured to contact an inner surface 27 of the track 25 for driving the track 25. The method includes measuring a load, or a parameter linked to or correlated with the load, at a location of one of the wheel assemblies 32, and determining the track status based on the measured load.

[0053] For instance, the method further includes taking into account at least one of a vehicle speed and an ambient condition surrounding the track 10 and / or the vehicle 100.

[0054] The method according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be carried out with a track status-monitoring system 10 such as those described above.

[0055] Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. The embodiments described above are intended to be exemplary only. It will be appreciated that the methods described herein can be performed in the described order, or in any suitable order. A person with common technical knowledge would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of common technical knowledge would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the product can have other specific forms without departing from the central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative andnot restrictive, and the product is not to be limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind. The scope of the product is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A track status-monitoring system for a track vehicle, the track statusmonitoring system comprising: a track system mountable to the track vehicle and comprising: a track; and a track-engaging assembly for driving and guiding the track around the track-engaging assembly, the track-engaging assembly comprising a plurality of wheel assemblies; at least one measuring element mounted to or formed integral with at least one of said plurality of wheel assemblies; and a control system configured to determine a track status parameter based on at least one value measured by said at least one measuring element.

2. The track status-monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one measuring element comprises a strain gauge.

3. The track status-monitoring system of claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one of said plurality of wheel assemblies comprises a longitudinal center dividing said wheel assembly into first and second sides, said at least one measuring element comprising first and second measuring elements mounted to or formed integral with said wheel assembly respectively at the first and second sides thereof, wherein the control system is configured to determine the track status parameter based on at least first and second values measured respectively by the first and second measuring elements.

4. The track status-monitoring system of claim 3, wherein said at least one of said plurality of wheel assemblies is rotatable about a wheel axis andcomprises a shaft extending along the wheel axis, the first and second measuring elements being mounted to or formed integral with the shaft.

5. The track status-monitoring system of claim 3, wherein said at least one of said plurality of wheel assemblies is rotatable about a wheel axis and comprises a first wheel and a second wheel mounted to a shaft extending along the wheel axis such that the first wheel is at the first side and the second wheel is at the second side, the first and second measuring elements being respectively mounted to or formed integral with the first and second wheels.

6. The track status-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said at least one of said plurality of wheel assemblies comprising said at least one measuring element includes a middle roller wheel of the track system.

7. The track status-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said at least one measuring element comprises a pressure-measuring sensor configured to contact an inner surface of the track when in use.

8. The track status-monitoring system of claim 7, wherein the pressuremeasuring sensor is a piezo sensor.

9. The track status-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the track status parameter is at least one of a track temperature and a track wear status.

10. The track status-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the track status parameter is further determined based on at least one of a vehicle speed and an ambient condition surrounding the track vehicle when in use.

11. The track status-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising at least one ambient condition sensor configured to measure a parameter of an ambient condition surrounding the track when in use.

12. The track status-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 11 , further comprising a display unit operatively coupled to the control system and configured to display one or more of a visual and an audio signal to a user of the track vehicle when a predetermined track status is determined.

13. A track vehicle comprising at least one track status-monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The track vehicle of claim 13, comprising at least four track systems arranged at each corner of the track vehicle, said at least one track statusmonitoring system comprising one of said at least four track systems.

15. The track vehicle of claim 13 or 14, the track vehicle being a farming track vehicle.

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