US 12,291,287 B2Granted

Track device for movement of a vehicle

AssigneeCamso Inc.

InventorsAlain Lussier, Jeremie Zuchoski, Olivier Ravat

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Abstract

An auxiliary track device for movement of a vehicle. The auxiliary track device may enhance traction and/or floatation of the vehicle, such as, for example, by being installable on the vehicle to convert the vehicle into a tracked one and/or by being deployable to engage the ground in certain situations, including where additional traction and/or floatation may be desirable based on an environment of the vehicle such as one or more characteristics of the ground (e.g., a compliance, such as a softness or hardness, a slipperiness, a soil compatibility, and/or a profile of the ground), a state of the vehicle (e.g., a speed of the vehicle, loading carried by the vehicle, etc.), a user's preferences (e.g., ride quality, etc.), and/or any other suitable factor. The auxiliary track device may be used only for traction and/or floatation of the vehicle or may be part of an implement to perform work with the vehicle.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An auxiliary track device for use with a vehicle comprising:

a first track system and a second track system each comprising a track for engaging the ground and a track-engaging assembly for driving and guiding the track;
a support for connecting the auxiliary track device to the vehicle and supporting the first track system and the second track system;
and
a powertrain configured to power a drive wheel of the track-engaging assembly of each of the first track system and the second track system;
wherein the support of the auxiliary track device comprises an attachment configured to be connected to a three-point hitch of the vehicle;
wherein the auxiliary track device is movable between a deployed position in which the auxiliary track device engages the ground and a retracted position in which the auxiliary track device is off the ground;
wherein the auxiliary track device is configured to be automatically moveable between the deployed position and the retracted position by a control system based on one or more sensed parameters of the auxiliary track device;
and
wherein the one or more sensed parameters of the auxiliary track device comprise:
a speed of the track of the first track system around the track-engaging assembly of the first track system;
a speed of the track of the second track system around the track-engaging assembly of the second track system;
a direction of motion of the track of the first track system around the track-engaging assembly of the first track system;
a direction of motion of the track of the second track system around the track-engaging assembly of the second track system;
a tension of the track of the first track system around the track-engaging assembly of the first track system;
and/or
a tension of the track of the second track system around the track-engaging assembly of the second track system.

13 more elements

An implement for a vehicle, the implement comprising:

a work element to perform work;
and
an auxiliary track device comprising:
a first track system and a second track system each comprising a track for engaging the ground and a track-engaging assembly for driving and guiding the track;
a support for connecting the auxiliary track device to the vehicle and supporting the first track system, the second track system, and the work element;
and
a powertrain configured to power a drive wheel of the track-engaging assembly of each of the first track system and the second track system;
wherein the auxiliary track device is movable between a deployed position in which the auxiliary track device engages the ground and a retracted position in which the auxiliary track device is off the ground;
wherein the auxiliary track device is configured to be automatically moveable between the deployed position and the retracted position by a control system based on one or more sensed parameters of the auxiliary track device;
and
wherein the one or more sensed parameters of the auxiliary track device comprise:
a speed of the track of the first track system around the track-engaging assembly of the first track system;
a direction of motion of the track of the first track system around the track-engaging assembly of the first track system;
a direction of motion of the track of the second track system around track-engaging assembly of the second track system;
a tension of the track of the first track system around the track-engaging assembly of the first track system;
and/or
a tension of the track of the second track system around the track-engaging assembly of the second track system.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/759,706Filed 25 Oct 2018 · us provisional application
Priority: 25 Oct 2017
Published: US 2020/0296876 A124 Sep 2020
Granted: 6 May 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

B62D 49/0635
Comprising traction increasing arrangements, e.g. all-wheel traction devices, multiple-axle traction arrangements, auxiliary traction increasing…:…
A01B 51/02
Undercarriages specially adapted for mounting on various kinds of agricultural tools or apparatus: propelled by a motor
B62D 55/02
Endless track vehicles: with tracks and additional ground wheels
B62D 55/06
Endless track vehicles: with tracks without ground wheels