Track System Movement Limiting Link for Vehicle Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing track systems for vehicles often interfere with surrounding equipment when replacing wheels due to their pivoting motion, and a lower pivot point does not fully address the space constraints and stability issues.
Innovation Solution
A track system with a sprocket wheel mounted to a vehicle's wheel axle, a support frame, and a movement limiting link that prevents longitudinal and lateral movements, allowing the track system to pivot while maintaining stability and fitting within the wheel's space envelope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a track system with pivoting motion is used to replace wheels, then traction and flotation are improved, but the track system interferes with surrounding equipment such as fenders, fuel tanks, and vehicle chassis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing the support frame to pivot relative to the sprocket wheel assembly, enabling the track system to adapt its position dynamically. This pivoting capability maintains traction while the movement limiting link prevents excessive movement that would cause interference with surrounding equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement limiting link changes the operational parameters of the track system by constraining the pivot angle and preventing longitudinal and lateral movements. This parameter control allows the track to achieve sufficient pivoting for traction while staying within the space envelope to avoid interfering with fenders, fuel tanks, and other surrounding equipment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pivot point is lowered to improve stability and reduce interference, then stability is improved and interference with vehicle components is reduced, but the space constraints and stability issues are not fully addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The track system is segmented into distinct functional components: the sprocket wheel assembly, the support frame, and the movement limiting link. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the sprocket provides drive, the support frame allows controlled pivoting for stability, and the movement limiting link ensures adaptation to the vehicle's space envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement limiting link acts as an intermediary between the pivoting support frame and the vehicle frame. It mediates the motion by allowing necessary pivoting for stability while blocking excessive movements, thus adapting the track system to the vehicle's space envelope without compromising stability.
3Reliability
If the track system is allowed to pivot freely to maintain traction, then traction is maintained, but longitudinal and lateral movements cause interference with vehicle components
Solution Approach 1:
The movement limiting link applies local quality control by specifically constraining longitudinal and lateral movements while allowing pivoting motion in the vertical plane. This selective constraint maintains the local quality of traction through pivoting while preventing harmful contacts with vehicle components in other directions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The track system provides enhanced traction and flotation while preventing interference with vehicle components, adapting to various vehicle sizes, and ensuring stable operation without damaging surrounding equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a support frame connected to the sprocket wheel via a support member pivotally mounted to both the sprocket wheel and the support frame
Implementation Method 2
The movement limiting link limits the movements of the track system, such as to prevent contacts between the track system and the vehicle. The link allows the support frame to pivot with respect to the support member but prevents longitudinal movements (i.e. forward and/or rearward movements) and lateral movements (i.e. side movements) of the support frame relatively to the support member.
Implementation Method 3
a sprocket wheel configured to be mounted to one of the wheel axles or wheel hubs of the vehicle
Implementation Method 4
Having a vehicle mounted on track systems assures lower ground pressure, better traction and better use of the available power
Data Source
AI summary
This invention generally relates to track systems and traction assemblies for use as wheel replacement for normally wheeled vehicles. The track system uses a traction band disposed about a sprocket wheel, idler wheels and road wheels for propulsion. The idler wheels and road wheels are typically pivotally mounted to a support frame, itself configured to be coupled to the sprocket wheel via a support member. The track system also comprises a movement limiting link mounted both to the support member and to the vehicle frame. The movement limiting link limits longitudinal and lateral movements of the track system, such as to prevent contact between the track system and the vehicle.