Endless Track with Movable Lateral Positioner for Variable Contact Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traction assemblies with endless tracks face difficulties in maneuverability on hard surfaces due to increased friction from their larger ground-contacting area, which is beneficial on soft surfaces but hinders steering and maneuverability on concrete, asphalt, or pavement.
Innovation Solution
A traction assembly with an endless track featuring an outer ground-engaging surface comprising two laterally extending portions, where one portion has traction lugs higher than the other, allowing for a smaller contact patch on hard surfaces and a larger one on soft surfaces by varying lug engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the endless track has a large ground-contacting area, then floatation and traction on soft surfaces are improved, but friction and difficulty of steering on hard surfaces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The endless track employs a movable lateral positioner that can shift between a retracted position (for small contact patch on hard surfaces) and an extended position (for large contact patch on soft surfaces). This dynamic adjustment allows the track to adapt its ground-contacting area based on surface conditions, resolving the contradiction between needing large area for floatation and small area for maneuverability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of ground-contacting area by laterally extending or retracting the positioner. The positioner includes a laterally extending portion with ground-engaging surface that can be moved to increase or decrease the effective contact width, thereby adjusting the contact patch area to match terrain requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If the ground-contacting area is increased to provide better floatation on soft surfaces, then the contact patch becomes larger, but this larger contact patch creates more friction on hard surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral positioner dynamically adjusts the ground-contacting area by extending laterally when large area is needed (soft surfaces) and retracting when small area is needed (hard surfaces). This dynamic reconfiguration reduces friction on hard surfaces while maintaining floatation capability on soft surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The endless track is segmented into a main body and a movable lateral positioner. The positioner can be independently extended or retracted, allowing the ground-contacting area to be divided into essential contact zones and optional extended zones. This segmentation enables selective engagement of ground surface area based on terrain conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally provides a wheel replacing traction assembly which uses, for propulsion, a longitudinally extending endless track disposed around and cooperating with a sprocket wheel, idler and/or road wheels and a supporting frame. The endless track generally comprises an inner wheel-engaging surface and an outer ground-engaging surface, the latter being provided with traction lugs. The outer surface further comprises at least one laterally extending portion which also extends along the circumference of the track; the traction lugs located on this laterally extending portion being generally higher than the traction lugs located on the remainder of the outer surface.