Auxiliary Track Device for Vehicle Traction and Floatation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing track systems for vehicles are not always readily available or cost-effective, and they may not be suitable for all terrain conditions, leading to a need for improved track technology that enhances traction and floatation.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary track device that can be installed or deployed on vehicles to convert them into tracked vehicles, providing enhanced traction and floatation based on environmental conditions, vehicle state, user preferences, and other factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a track system is installed on a vehicle to enhance traction and floatation, then the vehicle's performance on soft, slippery, and irregular grounds is improved, but the cost and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The track system is divided into separate modular components including a track assembly, a support assembly with attachment mechanisms, and a drive assembly. This segmentation allows the track system to be installed as independent modules on existing vehicles, reducing installation complexity and cost while maintaining the desired traction and floatation performance on soft, slippery, and irregular grounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The track system is designed with universal attachment mechanisms that can be installed on various types of vehicles with different ground-engaging wheel configurations. The support assembly includes attachment means that can interface with different vehicle platforms, making the track system adaptable to multiple vehicle types without requiring vehicle-specific custom installations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a track system is used to improve traction on certain ground conditions, then the vehicle's ability to operate on soft, slippery, and irregular grounds is enhanced, but the track system may not be suitable for all terrain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The track system incorporates adjustable components including a adjustable support assembly that can be positioned at different locations on the vehicle, and a drive assembly with variable drive wheel positions. These dynamic adjustment capabilities allow the track system to adapt to different terrain conditions, optimizing traction and floatation performance whether the vehicle is operating on soft ground, slippery surfaces, or irregular terrain.
Solution Approach 2:
The track system features locally optimized characteristics including a track assembly with specific tread patterns and material properties for ground engagement, and a support assembly with attachment means designed for particular vehicle types. The drive assembly includes drive wheels with optimized diameters and positions that can be adjusted to match different vehicle configurations, ensuring reliable performance across various terrain conditions.
3Device complexity
If ground-engaging wheels are used on soft, slippery, and irregular grounds, then the vehicle can maintain simpler structure, but the traction and floatation are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The track system merges the functions of ground engagement, traction enhancement, and floatation improvement into a single integrated assembly. The track assembly combines these functions through its design, while the support assembly and drive assembly provide the necessary mechanical connection and power transmission. This merging allows the vehicle to achieve superior traction and floatation on soft, slippery, and irregular grounds while maintaining relatively simple structure compared to completely tracked vehicles.
Data Source
AI summary
An auxiliary track device for movement of a vehicle. The auxiliary track device may enhance traction and/or floatation of the vehicle, such as, for example, by being installable on the vehicle to convert the vehicle into a tracked one and/or by being deployable to engage the ground in certain situations, including where additional traction and/or floatation may be desirable based on an environment of the vehicle such as one or more characteristics of the ground (e.g., a compliance, such as a softness or hardness, a slipperiness, a soil compatibility, and/or a profile of the ground), a state of the vehicle (e.g., a speed of the vehicle, loading carried by the vehicle, etc.), a user's preferences (e.g., ride quality, etc.), and/or any other suitable factor. The auxiliary track device may be used only for traction and/or floatation of the vehicle or may be part of an implement to perform work with the vehicle.