Vehicle Track System Reducing Rolling Resistance on Hard Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional track systems for vehicles face challenges on harder surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, and snow groomed trails, where the larger contact patch of endless tracks increases friction, making vehicles difficult to steer and maneuver, and results in speed loss and higher gas consumption.
Innovation Solution
A track system with a larger diameter sprocket wheel and lower track tension, combined with a narrower endless track and guide lugs to maintain alignment, reduces rolling resistance and detracking, enhancing performance on harder surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional track system with larger contact patch is used, then traction and floatation are improved on soft surfaces, but rolling resistance and friction increase on harder surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The track system incorporates adjustable suspension components that dynamically adapt the track's contact characteristics. The suspension system allows the track to conform to varying terrain conditions, optimizing the contact patch size dynamically - larger for soft surfaces to maximize traction, and smaller for hard surfaces to reduce rolling resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the track system by using compliant elastomeric material with varying durometer ratings. The track can be configured with different hardness levels and cross-sectional geometries to alter the contact patch characteristics, enabling the system to transition between high-traction and low-resistance states based on surface conditions.
2Ease of operation
If a smaller sprocket wheel diameter is used in conventional track systems, then the track system fits better on vehicles, but speed loss and top speed reduction occur on harder surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs an adjustable sprocket wheel mechanism that can change its effective diameter or tooth engagement characteristics. The sprocket wheel includes adjustable components that allow the operator to modify the drive geometry dynamically, using smaller effective diameter for low-speed maneuvering and larger effective diameter for high-speed travel on hard surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The sprocket wheel is divided into multiple functional zones with different tooth configurations or engagement mechanisms. Different segments of the sprocket wheel engage with the track at different radii, allowing the system to selectively use portions of the sprocket wheel's circumference to achieve variable effective diameters based on speed and terrain requirements.
3Reliability
If a larger contact patch is used, then floatation on soft terrain is improved, but steering difficulty and maneuverability increase on harder surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The track system incorporates dynamic width adjustment mechanisms that allow the contact patch width to vary. The track can be configured to run at full width for floatation on soft terrain and narrowed for reduced steering resistance on hard surfaces. This is achieved through adjustable idler wheels or track tensioning mechanisms that modify the track's effective width.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the track system have different compliance characteristics. The central portion of the track maintains larger contact area for floatation, while the edges or lateral portions can be made more compliant or adjustable to reduce the effective contact width during steering operations, allowing localized adaptation to operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Track system to be mounted on a vehicle in place of a rotatable OEM tire/wheel assembly, including: A frame. A drive wheel is rotatably mounted on the frame, operatively connectable to the drive shaft of the vehicle, and has a diameter of between 65% and 100% of the OEM tire diameter. Leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies are mounted on the frame. An endless track having an inner surface is disposed around the drive wheel, the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The endless track has an unsupported portion between the drive wheel and one of the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The unsupported portion has a length and a center. The unsupported portion deflects a distance of between 8% and 12% of its length on application of a 25-lb. force at its center.