CA3077569A1 - Wheeled vehicle having retractable driven tracks - Google Patents
Wheeled vehicle having retractable driven tracks Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA3077569A1 CA3077569A1 CA3077569A CA3077569A CA3077569A1 CA 3077569 A1 CA3077569 A1 CA 3077569A1 CA 3077569 A CA3077569 A CA 3077569A CA 3077569 A CA3077569 A CA 3077569A CA 3077569 A1 CA3077569 A1 CA 3077569A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- track
- frame
- linkage
- actuator
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D55/00—Endless track vehicles
- B62D55/04—Endless track vehicles with tracks and alternative ground wheels, e.g. changeable from endless track vehicle into wheeled vehicle and vice versa
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60F—VEHICLES FOR USE BOTH ON RAIL AND ON ROAD; AMPHIBIOUS OR LIKE VEHICLES; CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES
- B60F5/00—Other convertible vehicles, i.e. vehicles capable of travelling in or on different media
Abstract
A retractable driven track system for wheeled vehicles includes a frame on which is mounted an endless flexible track, a pivotable linkage coupled at a lower end thereof to the frame, and adapted for coupling at an upper end thereof to the underside of a vehicle, a selectively actuable actuator operatively coupled to the frame or linkage to selectively raise and lower the track relative to the vehicle when the track is mounted to the vehicle, a drive selectively driving rotation of the track relative to the frame so as to assist in at least forward traction of the vehicle when the track is driven by the drive and the track is lowered into contact with soft ground under the vehicle.
Description
WHEELED VEHICLE HAVING RETRACTABLE DRIVEN TRACKS
Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to wheeled vehicles and in particular to a retractable driven track system which is mountable under such vehicles for use in snow or other soft-terrain conditions.
Background The published application by Gibbs Technologies Limited under Publication No.
WO
2007/141515, which published December 13, 2007, discloses an amphibious vehicle having a bow, a stern and land propulsion means which may include at least two retractable tracked drives. A marine drive may include a jet drive. The tracks are retractable above the water line for marine travel. The tracks may be full length dual tracks or "half tracks".
Wheels may be provided for land travel, and may be retractable. The tracks may retract vertically, or by rotation about a longitudinal axis. Hydraulic rams used to retract the land propulsion means may also provide vehicle suspension.
Brief Description of the Drawing Figure 1 is, in rear perspective partially cut-away view, a four wheeled vehicle having retractable driven tracks according to one embodiment.
Description As seen in Figure 1, a wheeled vehicle 10 includes wheels 12 separated by a wheel-base A. In conventional vehicles 10, all four wheels 12 may be driven wheels driven by the vehicle's motor via a drive train which typically includes a drive shaft 14.
In deep snow conditions, or in other soft terrain conditions in which wheels 12 may bog down, it assists traction in such terrain to reduce the pressure exerted downwardly by the wheels.
One way this is accomplished is by using large wheels having a large diameter and a large corresponding width so as to increase the wheel footprint on the terrain. For example, and without intending to be limiting, wheels 12 in Figure 1 may be approximately 44 inches in diameter, thereby reducing their pressure footprint on soft terrain. Another way to reduce the pressure footprint is to reduce the tire pressure by actively deflating the tires when in snow, mud, or otherwise boggy terrain. This again increases the size of the tire's footprint and reduces the pressure per unit area exerted on the ground. This also typically then requires that the tires be re-inflated once clear when it is desired to travel at higher speed.
The addition of retractable tracks 16 mounted under vehicle 10 provides a further method of reducing the pressure footprint of the vehicle. Although a pair of such tracks 16 mounted for example under the running boards 18 of vehicle 10 do add weight to the vehicle, the benefit in reducing the pressure footprint off-sets the additional weight penalty of the tracks when the tracks 16 are deployed so as to engage the snow or other soft terrain.
Although deployment mechanisms other than the actuated linkage illustrated will work, Figure 1 is provided as an example of a driven track system for selectively raising and lowering a driven endless track 20 so as to raise track 20 up tucked closely under the vehicle for on-road or higher speed travel, and to lower track 20 to engage soft terrain, for example in snow or boggy conditions. Thus what is seen in Figure 1 by of example, and without intending to be limiting, is a driven endless track 20, such as may be found on snow-mobiles, supported on bogeys or rollers 22 mounted on a frame 24. Frame 24 is rigid and may, as seen, be rectangular and planar so as to be approximately parallel with a notional ground surface F. Because vehicle 10 moves forwardly in direction B, I refer to the forward end 24a of frame 24 as the end of frame 24 corresponding with the forward end of vehicle 10. The opposite, rear end of frame 24 is referred to herein as rearward end 24b. Frame 24 holds endless track 20 so that the track is free to rotate, for example in direction C when track 20 is driven to assist in forward motion of vehicle 10. The force to drive the rotation of track 20 comes, in one example, from relatively short laterally extending axles driven at their in board end by a conventional drive train splitter (not shown) mounted to vehicle driveshaft 14. The laterally outer ends of the shafts drive rotation of one of the sprockets engaging the track. Other drive arrangements would also work.
For example, each track 20 could be driven by a dedicated electric motor, for example mounted within the orbit of the track, or a pair of tracks 20 could be driven by a single electric motor.
The tracks 20 could also be driven by a hybrid arrangement of electric drive and mechanical drive. Alternatively, tracks 20 could be hydraulically driven, with the hydraulic motor located in the orbit of the tracks, for example in the space of a sprocket, and with the hydraulic pump located elsewhere in the vehicle.
In the illustrated example of Figure 1, again which is not intended to be limiting, as other structures and/or linkages would also work, a single scissor linkage 26 is located at the forward end 24a of frame 24, mounted between forward end 24a and the corresponding forward end 18a of running board 18. The upper ends of upper links 26a are pivotally mounted under forward end 18a. The lower ends of lower links 26b are pivotally mounted to forward end 24a of frame 24. The lower ends of upper links 26a are pivotally mounted to the upper ends of lower links 26b. Cross-bracing (not shown) may be provided between the pairs of upper links and between the pair of lower links. A rigid cross-member 28 extends laterally between the lower ends of upper links 26a where pivotally connected to lower links 26b.
In this example, which again is not intended to be limiting, a pair of rigid struts 30 extend between, and are pivotally mounted to, the forward end 18a of running board 18 and the rearward end 24b of frame 24. A cross member 30a extends laterally between struts 30 at approximately half way along the length of struts 30. An upper cylinder 32, which may for example be a pneumatic cylinder, is pivotally mounted at its rearward end up under running board 18, and is pivotally mounted at its forward end to cross member 28. A
lower cylinder 34, which may for example be a pneumatic cylinder, is pivotally mounted up under running board 18 at the rearward end 18b of running board 18.
Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to wheeled vehicles and in particular to a retractable driven track system which is mountable under such vehicles for use in snow or other soft-terrain conditions.
Background The published application by Gibbs Technologies Limited under Publication No.
WO
2007/141515, which published December 13, 2007, discloses an amphibious vehicle having a bow, a stern and land propulsion means which may include at least two retractable tracked drives. A marine drive may include a jet drive. The tracks are retractable above the water line for marine travel. The tracks may be full length dual tracks or "half tracks".
Wheels may be provided for land travel, and may be retractable. The tracks may retract vertically, or by rotation about a longitudinal axis. Hydraulic rams used to retract the land propulsion means may also provide vehicle suspension.
Brief Description of the Drawing Figure 1 is, in rear perspective partially cut-away view, a four wheeled vehicle having retractable driven tracks according to one embodiment.
Description As seen in Figure 1, a wheeled vehicle 10 includes wheels 12 separated by a wheel-base A. In conventional vehicles 10, all four wheels 12 may be driven wheels driven by the vehicle's motor via a drive train which typically includes a drive shaft 14.
In deep snow conditions, or in other soft terrain conditions in which wheels 12 may bog down, it assists traction in such terrain to reduce the pressure exerted downwardly by the wheels.
One way this is accomplished is by using large wheels having a large diameter and a large corresponding width so as to increase the wheel footprint on the terrain. For example, and without intending to be limiting, wheels 12 in Figure 1 may be approximately 44 inches in diameter, thereby reducing their pressure footprint on soft terrain. Another way to reduce the pressure footprint is to reduce the tire pressure by actively deflating the tires when in snow, mud, or otherwise boggy terrain. This again increases the size of the tire's footprint and reduces the pressure per unit area exerted on the ground. This also typically then requires that the tires be re-inflated once clear when it is desired to travel at higher speed.
The addition of retractable tracks 16 mounted under vehicle 10 provides a further method of reducing the pressure footprint of the vehicle. Although a pair of such tracks 16 mounted for example under the running boards 18 of vehicle 10 do add weight to the vehicle, the benefit in reducing the pressure footprint off-sets the additional weight penalty of the tracks when the tracks 16 are deployed so as to engage the snow or other soft terrain.
Although deployment mechanisms other than the actuated linkage illustrated will work, Figure 1 is provided as an example of a driven track system for selectively raising and lowering a driven endless track 20 so as to raise track 20 up tucked closely under the vehicle for on-road or higher speed travel, and to lower track 20 to engage soft terrain, for example in snow or boggy conditions. Thus what is seen in Figure 1 by of example, and without intending to be limiting, is a driven endless track 20, such as may be found on snow-mobiles, supported on bogeys or rollers 22 mounted on a frame 24. Frame 24 is rigid and may, as seen, be rectangular and planar so as to be approximately parallel with a notional ground surface F. Because vehicle 10 moves forwardly in direction B, I refer to the forward end 24a of frame 24 as the end of frame 24 corresponding with the forward end of vehicle 10. The opposite, rear end of frame 24 is referred to herein as rearward end 24b. Frame 24 holds endless track 20 so that the track is free to rotate, for example in direction C when track 20 is driven to assist in forward motion of vehicle 10. The force to drive the rotation of track 20 comes, in one example, from relatively short laterally extending axles driven at their in board end by a conventional drive train splitter (not shown) mounted to vehicle driveshaft 14. The laterally outer ends of the shafts drive rotation of one of the sprockets engaging the track. Other drive arrangements would also work.
For example, each track 20 could be driven by a dedicated electric motor, for example mounted within the orbit of the track, or a pair of tracks 20 could be driven by a single electric motor.
The tracks 20 could also be driven by a hybrid arrangement of electric drive and mechanical drive. Alternatively, tracks 20 could be hydraulically driven, with the hydraulic motor located in the orbit of the tracks, for example in the space of a sprocket, and with the hydraulic pump located elsewhere in the vehicle.
In the illustrated example of Figure 1, again which is not intended to be limiting, as other structures and/or linkages would also work, a single scissor linkage 26 is located at the forward end 24a of frame 24, mounted between forward end 24a and the corresponding forward end 18a of running board 18. The upper ends of upper links 26a are pivotally mounted under forward end 18a. The lower ends of lower links 26b are pivotally mounted to forward end 24a of frame 24. The lower ends of upper links 26a are pivotally mounted to the upper ends of lower links 26b. Cross-bracing (not shown) may be provided between the pairs of upper links and between the pair of lower links. A rigid cross-member 28 extends laterally between the lower ends of upper links 26a where pivotally connected to lower links 26b.
In this example, which again is not intended to be limiting, a pair of rigid struts 30 extend between, and are pivotally mounted to, the forward end 18a of running board 18 and the rearward end 24b of frame 24. A cross member 30a extends laterally between struts 30 at approximately half way along the length of struts 30. An upper cylinder 32, which may for example be a pneumatic cylinder, is pivotally mounted at its rearward end up under running board 18, and is pivotally mounted at its forward end to cross member 28. A
lower cylinder 34, which may for example be a pneumatic cylinder, is pivotally mounted up under running board 18 at the rearward end 18b of running board 18.
2 Upper cylinder 32 provides the scissor linkage actuator to collapse or extend the vertical height (dimension D) of scissor linkage 26 to thereby correspondingly raise or lower the forward end 24a of frame 24 and thus to also raise or lower the forward end of track 20.
Lower cylinder 34 provides the strut actuator to swing the struts 30 in direction E to raise or lower the rearward end 24b of frame 24 and thus to raise or lower the rearward end of track 20.
Cylinders 32 and 34 thereby provide for selective and independent control by the operator, e.g.
the driver of vehicle 10, of the height and orientation of track 20 above ground level F.
The operator merely has to control the pressure in cylinders 32 and 34, or otherwise the position of the tracks as indicated by corresponding sensors.
In alternative embodiments, again without intending to be limiting, the scissor linkages could be replaced with linkage arms, for example in a parallelogram arrangement using a pair of arms. Further, the tracks could be positioned in board under the vehicle; for example in the cavities on either side of the drive shaft.
Advantageously, the cylinder pressures or track positions are displayed to the operator, for example digitally or by analog display, and a means to actively adjust the cylinder pressures or track position is provided to the operator. For example, a driver may be provided a joy-stick controller which, depending on the actuation of the joy-stick by the driver, controls extension or retraction of the cylinders. The cylinders may form part of a vehicle suspension system to coordinate the deployment of the retractable tracks 16 as part of balancing of the vehicle 10 to maximize traction and minimize and balance the vehicle's pressure footprint.
In an alternative embodiment, not intended to be limiting, a scissor linkage such as for example scissor linkage 26, and associated selectively actuable actuator may be provided at each end of frame 24 instead of the use of a single scissor linkage for one end of frame 24 and the use of struts 30 for the opposite end of frame 24. In a further alternative embodiment the tracks or track 20 may be mounted under the vehicle, laterally inset from the sides of the vehicle, for example mounted along or under the longitudinally extending centerline of the vehicle. In some embodiments the vehicle may have other than four wheels; for example, the vehicle may be a two wheeled trailer for towing behind a four wheeled vehicle.
Lower cylinder 34 provides the strut actuator to swing the struts 30 in direction E to raise or lower the rearward end 24b of frame 24 and thus to raise or lower the rearward end of track 20.
Cylinders 32 and 34 thereby provide for selective and independent control by the operator, e.g.
the driver of vehicle 10, of the height and orientation of track 20 above ground level F.
The operator merely has to control the pressure in cylinders 32 and 34, or otherwise the position of the tracks as indicated by corresponding sensors.
In alternative embodiments, again without intending to be limiting, the scissor linkages could be replaced with linkage arms, for example in a parallelogram arrangement using a pair of arms. Further, the tracks could be positioned in board under the vehicle; for example in the cavities on either side of the drive shaft.
Advantageously, the cylinder pressures or track positions are displayed to the operator, for example digitally or by analog display, and a means to actively adjust the cylinder pressures or track position is provided to the operator. For example, a driver may be provided a joy-stick controller which, depending on the actuation of the joy-stick by the driver, controls extension or retraction of the cylinders. The cylinders may form part of a vehicle suspension system to coordinate the deployment of the retractable tracks 16 as part of balancing of the vehicle 10 to maximize traction and minimize and balance the vehicle's pressure footprint.
In an alternative embodiment, not intended to be limiting, a scissor linkage such as for example scissor linkage 26, and associated selectively actuable actuator may be provided at each end of frame 24 instead of the use of a single scissor linkage for one end of frame 24 and the use of struts 30 for the opposite end of frame 24. In a further alternative embodiment the tracks or track 20 may be mounted under the vehicle, laterally inset from the sides of the vehicle, for example mounted along or under the longitudinally extending centerline of the vehicle. In some embodiments the vehicle may have other than four wheels; for example, the vehicle may be a two wheeled trailer for towing behind a four wheeled vehicle.
3
Claims (9)
1. A retractable driven track system for wheeled vehicles comprising:
a frame on which is mounted an endless flexible track, a pivotable linkage coupled at a lower end thereof to the frame, and adapted for coupling at an upper end thereof to the underside of a vehicle, a selectively actuable actuator operatively coupled to the frame or linkage to selectively raise and lower the track relative to the vehicle when the track is mounted to the vehicle, a drive selectively driving rotation of the track relative to the frame so as to assist in at least forward traction of the vehicle when the track is driven by the drive and the track is lowered into contact with soft ground under the vehicle.
a frame on which is mounted an endless flexible track, a pivotable linkage coupled at a lower end thereof to the frame, and adapted for coupling at an upper end thereof to the underside of a vehicle, a selectively actuable actuator operatively coupled to the frame or linkage to selectively raise and lower the track relative to the vehicle when the track is mounted to the vehicle, a drive selectively driving rotation of the track relative to the frame so as to assist in at least forward traction of the vehicle when the track is driven by the drive and the track is lowered into contact with soft ground under the vehicle.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the linkage includes at least one scissor linkage and the selectively actuable actuator includes at least one actuator cooperating with the scissor linkage to extend and retract the scissor linkage so as to correspondingly lower and raise the frame.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the linkage is a pair of linkages mountable on opposite sides of the vehicle so as to be laterally spaced apart under the vehicle and so as to orient the track longitudinally relative to the vehicle.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the vehicle is a four wheeled vehicle having a single wheel in each of the four corners of the vehicle so as to define a longitudinally extending wheelbase between front and rear wheels on each side of the vehicle, and wherein at least one linkage, actuator, frame and track are mounted on each side of the vehicle along the wheelbase on each side of the vehicle.
5. The system of claim 3 wherein at least one linkage, actuator, frame and track are mounted between the front and rear wheels of the vehicle.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the at least one linkage, actuator, frame and track are mounted substantially flush along each side of the vehicle.
7. The system of claim 3 wherein the at least one linkage, actuator, frame and track are mounted inset from each side of and under the vehicle.
8. The system of claim 3 wherein the at least one linkage, actuator, frame and track are mounted substantially centrally under the vehicle.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is a two wheeled trailer, and the at least one linkage, actuator, frame and track are mounted substantially centrally under the trailer.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3077569A CA3077569A1 (en) | 2020-03-31 | 2020-03-31 | Wheeled vehicle having retractable driven tracks |
| US17/217,783 US20210300487A1 (en) | 2020-03-31 | 2021-03-30 | Wheeled vehicle having retractable driven tracks |
| CA3113485A CA3113485A1 (en) | 2020-03-31 | 2021-03-30 | Wheeled vehicle having retractable driven tracks |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3077569A CA3077569A1 (en) | 2020-03-31 | 2020-03-31 | Wheeled vehicle having retractable driven tracks |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA3077569A1 true CA3077569A1 (en) | 2021-09-30 |
Family
ID=77920281
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3077569A Pending CA3077569A1 (en) | 2020-03-31 | 2020-03-31 | Wheeled vehicle having retractable driven tracks |
| CA3113485A Pending CA3113485A1 (en) | 2020-03-31 | 2021-03-30 | Wheeled vehicle having retractable driven tracks |
Family Applications After (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3113485A Pending CA3113485A1 (en) | 2020-03-31 | 2021-03-30 | Wheeled vehicle having retractable driven tracks |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (2) | CA3077569A1 (en) |
-
2020
- 2020-03-31 CA CA3077569A patent/CA3077569A1/en active Pending
-
2021
- 2021-03-30 CA CA3113485A patent/CA3113485A1/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA3113485A1 (en) | 2021-09-30 |
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