# US 10,864,954 B2 · Track system for traction of a vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,864,954 B2 - Document ID: US10864954B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/342,714 - Filed: 2016-11-03 - Published: 2017-05-04 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2015-11-03 - Assignees: Camso Inc. - Applicants: Camso Inc. - Inventors: Jeremie Zuchoski; Bernard Jean - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864954B2 ## CPC - B62D 55/084: Endless-track units or carriages mounted separably, adjustably or extensibly on vehicles, e.g. portable track units (B62D55/07 takes precedence) - B62D 55/116: Attitude or position control of chassis by action on suspension, e.g. to compensate for a slope - B62D 55/08: Endless track units; Parts thereof - B62D 55/108: with mechanical springs, e.g. torsion bars - B62D 55/244: {Moulded in one piece, with either smooth surfaces or surfaces having projections, e.g. incorporating reinforcing elements} - A01D 41/02: Self-propelled combines - B62D 55/04: with tracks and alternative ground wheels, e.g. changeable from endless track vehicle into wheeled vehicle and vice versa {(for multi-purpose tractors B62D49/0635)} - B62D 55/065: Multi-track vehicles, i.e. more than two tracks {(soil-shifting machines E02F; mining machines E21C)} - B62M 27/02: power driven - B62M 2027/027: {Snow mobiles characterised by the tracks} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - A01D: HARVESTING; MOWING - B62M: RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR {SINGLE-TRACK} CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of transmissions in vehicles in general B60K; transmission elements per se F16) ## Abstract A track system for traction of a vehicle, such as an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), an agricultural vehicle, etc. The track system comprises a track and a track-engaging assembly for driving and guiding the track around the track-engaging assembly. The track system may be configured to facilitate adjustment of certain aspects of its operation, including, for example, how it is positioned and/or can move relative to a frame of the vehicle, based on one or more factors, such as, for instance, a user's preferences (e.g., riding style, desire to “feel” the ground, etc.), an environment of the track system (e.g., a profile of the ground, such as a slope or steepness or a levelness of the ground; a compliance of the ground, such as a softness or hardness of the ground, etc.), a state of the track system (e.g., a speed and/or a direction of motion of the track, etc.), a state of the vehicle (e.g., a speed and/or direction of the vehicle, etc.), and/or any other suitable factor. For instance, the track system may comprise a control mechanism configured to adjust an anti-rotation device that is configured to restrict movement of the track system relative to the frame of the vehicle. The control mechanism may be configured to adjust the anti-rotation device in response to a command, which may be input via a user interface or automatically generated by a controller. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A track system for traction of a vehicle on a ground, the vehicle comprising a powertrain and a frame supporting the powertrain, the track system comprising: a track comprising a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground and an inner side opposite to the ground-engaging outer side; a track-engaging assembly for driving and guiding the track around the track-engaging assembly, the track-engaging assembly comprising: a frame; and a drive wheel for imparting motion to the track; an anti-rotation device configured to restrict rotation of the frame of the track system relative to the frame of the vehicle, the anti-rotation device being connectable between the frame of the track system and the frame of the vehicle; and a control mechanism configured to adjust the anti-rotation device in response to a command. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The track system of claim 1, wherein the control mechanism is configured to adjust a parameter of the anti-rotation device in response to the command in order to adjust the anti-rotation device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The track system of claim 2, wherein the anti-rotation device comprises a spring and the parameter of the anti-rotation device is a parameter of the spring. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The track system of claim 3, wherein the parameter of the spring is a stiffness of the spring. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The track system of claim 3, wherein the parameter of the spring is a preload of the spring. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The track system of claim 2, wherein the parameter of the anti-rotation device is a length of the anti-rotation device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The track system of claim 2, wherein the anti-rotation device comprises a damper and the parameter of the anti-rotation device is a parameter of the damper. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The track system of claim 7, wherein the parameter of the damper is a stiffness of the damper. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The track system of claim 7, wherein the parameter of the damper is a preload of the damper. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The track system of claim 2, wherein the parameter of the anti-rotation device is a first parameter of the anti-rotation device and the control mechanism is configured to adjust a second parameter of the anti-rotation device in response to the command in order to adjust the anti-rotation device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The track system of claim 10, wherein the anti-rotation device comprises a spring and the first parameter of the anti-rotation device and the second parameter of the anti-rotation device are two of: a stiffness of the spring, a preload of the spring, and a length of the anti-rotation device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The track system of claim 1, wherein the command is inputtable by a user via a user interface comprising an input device and configured to allow the user to adjust the anti-rotation device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The track system of claim 12, wherein the user interface is configured to allow the user to adjust a parameter of the anti-rotation device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The track system of claim 13, wherein the user interface is configured to allow the user to input an indication of a desired value of the parameter of the anti-rotation device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The track system of claim 12, wherein the input device comprises a mechanical input element. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The track system of claim 15, wherein the mechanical input element comprises a lever, a switch, a button, a knob, a dial, or a manual screw. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The track system of claim 12, wherein the input device comprises a virtual input element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The track system of claim 1, wherein the control mechanism comprises the user interface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The track system of claim 1, where the vehicle comprises the user interface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The track system of claim 1, wherein the command is automatically generated by a controller. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The track system of claim 20, wherein the control mechanism comprises the controller. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The track system of claim 20, wherein the vehicle comprises the controller. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The track system of claim 20, wherein the controller is configured to generate the command based on information regarding the track system. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The track system of claim 23, wherein the information regarding the track system includes information regarding a state of the track system. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The track system of claim 24, wherein the information regarding the state of the track system includes a speed of motion of the track around the track-engaging assembly. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The track system of claim 24, wherein the information regarding the state of the track system includes a tension of the track. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The track system of claim 23, wherein the information regarding the track system includes information regarding an environment of the track system. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The track system of claim 27, wherein the information regarding the environment of track system includes information regarding the ground beneath the track system. ### Claim 29 (depends on 23) The track system of claim 23, wherein the information regarding the track system includes information regarding a state of the vehicle to which the track system is mounted. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The track system of claim 29, wherein the information regarding the state of the vehicle to which the track system is mounted includes a speed of the vehicle. ### Claim 31 (depends on 20) The track system of claim 20, wherein the controller comprises a sensor configured to sense a parameter relating to the track system and the controller is configured to automatically generate the command based on the parameter relating to the track system. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The track system of claim 31, wherein the parameter relating to the track system is a speed of motion of the track around the track-engaging assembly. ### Claim 33 (depends on 31) The track system of claim 31, wherein the parameter relating to the track system includes a tension of the track. ### Claim 34 (depends on 31) The track system of claim 31, wherein the parameter relating to the track system is a speed of the vehicle to which the track system is mounted. ### Claim 35 (depends on 20) The track system of claim 20, wherein the controller comprises a processing apparatus configured to process information and to generate the command based on the information. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The track system of claim 35, wherein at least part of the information is derived from a sensor. ### Claim 37 (depends on 1) The track system of claim 1, wherein the control mechanism comprises an actuator connected to the anti-rotation device to adjust the anti-rotation device in response to the command. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The track system of claim 37, wherein the actuator is a mechanical actuator. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) The track system of claim 37, wherein the actuator is an electromechanical actuator. ### Claim 40 (depends on 1) The track system of claim 1, wherein the command is conveyed as a mechanical action. ### Claim 41 (depends on 1) The track system of claim 1, wherein the command is conveyed as a signal. ### Claim 42 (depends on 1) The track system of claim 1, wherein the control mechanism is configured to adjust the anti-rotation device based on an angle of attack of the track system. ### Claim 43 (depends on 1) The track system of claim 1, wherein the control mechanism is configured to adjust the anti-rotation device based on a speed of the vehicle. ### Claim 44 A track system for traction of a vehicle on a ground, the vehicle comprising a powertrain and a frame supporting the powertrain, the track system comprising: a track comprising a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground and an inner side opposite to the ground-engaging outer side; a track-engaging assembly for driving and guiding the track around the track-engaging assembly, the track-engaging assembly comprising: a frame; and a drive wheel for imparting motion to the track; an anti-rotation device configured to restrict rotation of the frame of the track system relative to the frame of the vehicle, the anti-rotation device being connectable between the frame of the track system and the frame of the vehicle; and a control mechanism configured to adjust the anti-rotation device automatically. ### Claim 45 A track system for traction of a vehicle on a ground, the vehicle comprising a powertrain and a frame supporting the powertrain, the track system comprising: a track comprising a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground and an inner side opposite to the ground-engaging outer side; a track-engaging assembly for driving and guiding the track around the track-engaging assembly, the track-engaging assembly comprising: a frame; and a drive wheel for imparting motion to the track; an anti-rotation device configured to restrict rotation of the frame of the track system relative to the frame of the vehicle, the anti-rotation device being connectable between the frame of the track system and the frame of the vehicle; and a control mechanism configured to adjust the anti-rotation device based on an angle of attack of the track system. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) The track system of claim 45, wherein the control mechanism is responsive to a command input by a user via a user interface comprising an input device to adjust the anti-rotation device. ### Claim 47 (depends on 45) The track system of claim 45, wherein the control mechanism is responsive to a command automatically generated by a controller to adjust the anti-rotation device. ### Claim 48 A track system for traction of a vehicle on a ground, the vehicle comprising a powertrain and a frame supporting the powertrain, the track system comprising: a track comprising a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground and an inner side opposite to the ground-engaging outer side; a track-engaging assembly for driving and guiding the track around the track-engaging assembly, the track-engaging assembly comprising: a frame; and a drive wheel for imparting motion to the track; an anti-rotation device configured to restrict rotation of the frame of the track system relative to the frame of the vehicle, the anti-rotation device being connectable between the frame of the track system and the frame of the vehicle; and a control mechanism configured to adjust the anti-rotation device based on a speed of the vehicle.