Vehicle Track System with Dynamic Mounting for Terrain Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicle track systems often fail to perform optimally across varying operating conditions due to design trade-offs, resulting in suboptimal ride quality, stability, and maneuverability on diverse grounds.
Innovation Solution
A track system with an elastomeric track and a mounting mechanism that allows for horizontal, vertical, and pivotal movement relative to the vehicle frame, featuring actuators and resilient components to control engagement with the ground, enhancing adaptability and maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the track system is designed with fixed engagement to the ground, then stability and load distribution are improved, but maneuverability and adaptability to varying ground conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The track system incorporates a mounting mechanism that enables dynamic movement of the track assembly relative to the vehicle frame. This includes horizontal movement to adjust track position, vertical movement to vary ground engagement depth, and pivotal movement to change track orientation. These dynamic adjustments allow the system to optimize both stability during operation and maneuverability during turning or repositioning, resolving the contradiction between fixed stability and adaptive versatility.
2Force
If the track system is designed with full ground engagement, then traction is improved, but maneuverability during turning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism allows dynamic adjustment of track engagement with the ground. During straight-line travel, the tracks can be positioned to maximize ground contact area for optimal traction. During turning operations, the system can pivot or adjust track positions to reduce engagement on the inner turn radius, facilitating easier rotation and maneuvering. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction between maintaining high traction and enabling effective turning.
3Strength
If the track system uses rigid mounting to the vehicle frame, then structural strength is improved, but ride quality and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism incorporates resilient elements that provide flexibility between the track assembly and the vehicle frame. These resilient elements allow the track system to absorb shocks and vibrations from uneven terrain while maintaining secure attachment. The flexible mounting preserves structural strength for load-bearing operations while simultaneously improving ride quality by isolating the vehicle operator from ground irregularities, thus resolving the contradiction between rigidity and comfort.
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 solution improves ride quality, stability, and adaptability by allowing the track system to adjust its engagement with the ground, thereby enhancing traction and maneuverability across different terrains and conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a track that is elastomeric and comprises a ground-engaging outer surface
Implementation Method 2
resilient members receiving the axles and resiliently deformable about the axles
Data Source
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AI summary
A track system for a vehicle on a ground, wherein the track system may be designed to enhance ride quality (e.g., comfort), stability, load distribution on the ground, manoeuvrability (e.g., steerability), adaptability to ground and/or working conditions, and/or other aspects of the track system and/or the vehicle, such as by being movable relative to a frame of the vehicle (e.g., horizontally, vertically, and/or pivotally), resiliently supporting wheels of the track system (e.g., with elastomeric bushings or other components), and/or varying how much of the track engages the ground (e.g., reducing that to facilitate turning).