Adjustable Road Wheels for ATV Track System Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Track systems for wheeled vehicles, such as ATVs and UTVs, face difficulties in steering and maneuverability on hard surfaces due to the larger contact patch of the traction band, which increases friction and hinders movement.
Innovation Solution
A track system configuration with road wheels that extend vertically lower than others, reducing the contact patch on hard surfaces while maintaining a larger contact patch on soft surfaces, combined with a reduced scrub radius to enhance steerability and maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the traction band has a larger contact patch to improve floatation and traction on soft terrains, then floatation and traction are improved, but friction increases making the vehicle more difficult to steer and maneuver on hard surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The road wheels are configured to be adjustable in position, allowing the contact patch size to dynamically change based on terrain conditions. When operated on hard surfaces, the road wheels can be positioned to reduce the contact patch for better steering, while on soft surfaces they can be positioned to increase the contact patch for improved floatation and traction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the contact patch by adjusting the position of the road wheels relative to the traction band. This allows the same track system to achieve different contact patch sizes (smaller for hard surfaces, larger for soft surfaces) by modifying the physical configuration of the road wheels.
2Ease of operation
If the contact patch is reduced to improve steerability on hard surfaces, then steering becomes easier, but floatation and traction on soft surfaces are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The road wheels are configured to be adjustable in position, allowing the contact patch size to dynamically change based on terrain conditions. When operated on hard surfaces, the road wheels can be positioned to reduce the contact patch for better steering, while on soft surfaces they can be positioned to increase the contact patch for improved floatation and traction.
Solution Approach 2:
The track system is designed to perform multiple functions by using adjustable road wheels that can adapt the contact patch size for different terrain types. The same road wheel configuration serves both to reduce friction on hard surfaces and maintain floatation on soft surfaces, making the system universally applicable to various operating conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A track system for use as a replacement of a steerable wheel on a normally wheeled vehicle, is configured to improve the handling of the vehicle when operated over hard surface (e.g. packed dirt, pavement, concrete, etc.). The track system generally comprises a drive wheel configured to be mounted to the vehicle, a support frame mounted to the drive wheel or to the vehicle, front and rear idler wheels respectively pivotally mounted at the front and at the rear of the support frame, road wheels pivotal mounted along the length of the support frame, and a traction band disposed about the wheels and configured to be driven by the drive wheel. The road wheels are particularly configured to improve the handling of the vehicle when the track systems are operated over hard surface.