Track system for traction of a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11046377-B2
Application number	US-201715724733-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 4, 2017
Priority date	Mar 4, 2015
Publication date	Jun 29, 2021
Grant date	Jun 29, 2021

Abstract

A track for traction of a vehicle, such as an agricultural vehicle, an industrial vehicle (e.g., a construction vehicle), a military vehicle, or another off-road vehicle, is provided. The track comprises a ground-engaging outer surface for engaging the ground and a plurality of traction projections projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface and distributed in a longitudinal direction of the track. The traction projections may be designed to enhance their resistance to deterioration during use. For example, a blowout resistance of each traction projection may be enhanced to prevent or at least reduce a potential for blowout of the traction projection under repeated loads which may induce heat buildup within it. Also, a wear resistance of the traction projection may be enhanced such that the traction projection wears less rapidly. A system for protecting a track against potential occurrence of blowout is also provided.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system for use in respect of a vehicle comprising a track, the track comprising a ground-engaging outer surface and an inner surface opposite to the ground-engaging outer surface and being mounted around a track-engaging assembly configured to move the track around the track-engaging assembly, the track-engaging assembly comprising a plurality of wheels engaging the track, the track being elastomeric to flex around the track-engaging assembly, the system comprising:
a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the track; and
a processing apparatus configured to issue a signal relating to the vehicle based on the temperature of the track.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the signal relating to the vehicle is directed to a powertrain of the vehicle to control the powertrain of the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the signal relating to the vehicle is directed to the powertrain of the vehicle to control a speed of the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the signal relating to the vehicle is directed to the powertrain of the vehicle to limit the speed of the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the signal relating to the vehicle is directed to the powertrain of the vehicle to reduce the speed of the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 2 , wherein the signal relating to the vehicle is directed to a prime mover of the powertrain of the vehicle to control the prime mover.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the signal relating to the vehicle is directed to a communication device for communicating information related to the temperature of the track to a user of the communication device.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the communication device comprises a display for displaying the information related to the temperature of the track.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the information related to the temperature of the track includes an indication of the temperature of the track.

10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the information related to the temperature of the track comprises a notification based on the temperature of the track.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the notification notifies of potential damage to the track.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the potential damage to the track is potential blowout of the track.

13. The system of claim 7 , wherein the communication device is part of a user interface of an operator cabin of the vehicle.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the signal relating to the vehicle relates to a speed of the vehicle.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the signal relating to the vehicle relates to a reduction of the speed of the vehicle.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the signal relating to the vehicle relates to a limit on the speed of the vehicle.

17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the signal relating to the vehicle is directed to a powertrain of the vehicle to control the speed of the vehicle.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the signal relating to the vehicle is directed to a prime mover of the powertrain of the vehicle to control the prime mover.

19. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processing apparatus is configured to issue the signal relating to the vehicle based on comparison of the temperature of the track to reference temperature data.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the processing apparatus is configured to issue the signal relating to the vehicle when the temperature of the track reaches at least a reference temperature.

21. The system of claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor and the processing apparatus are connected via a wireless link.

22. The system of claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor is part of at least one of the track and the track-engaging assembly.

23. The system of claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor is part of the track.

24. The system of claim 23 , wherein the temperature sensor is disposed within elastomeric material of the track.

25. The system of claim 23 , wherein the track comprises a plurality of projections projecting from a given one of the ground-engaging outer surface and the inner surface, and at least part of the temperature sensor is located in a given one of the projections.

26. The system of claim 25 , wherein the projections include traction projections projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface and wheel-contacting projections projecting from the inner surface; and the given one of the projections is a given one of the traction projections.

27. The system of claim 23 , wherein the temperature sensor comprises at least one of a thermistor, a thermocouple, a resistance temperature detector, and an infrared sensor.

28. The system of claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor is a first temperature sensor and the system comprises a second temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of the track.

29. The system of claim 28 , wherein the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor are part of the track.

30. The system of claim 29 , wherein: the track comprises a plurality of projections projecting from a given one of the ground-engaging outer surface and the inner surface; at least part of the first temperature sensor is located in a first one of the projections; and at least part of the second temperature sensor is located in a second one of the projections.

31. The system of claim 30 , wherein: the projections include traction projections projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface and wheel-contacting projections projecting from the inner surface; the first one of the projections is a first one of the traction projections; and the second one of the projections is a second one of the traction projections.

32. A vehicle comprising a track to engage a ground, the track comprising a ground-engaging outer surface and an inner surface opposite to the ground-engaging outer surface and being mounted around a track-engaging assembly configured to move the track around the track-engaging assembly, the track-engaging assembly comprising a plurality of wheels engaging the track, the track being elastomeric to flex around the track-engaging assembly, the vehicle comprising:
a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the track; and
a processing apparatus configured to issue a signal relating to the vehicle based on the temperature of the track.

33. A track for a vehicle, the track being mountable around a track-engaging assembly configured to move the track around the track-engaging assembly, the track-engaging assembly comprising a plurality of wheels for engaging the track, the track being elastomeric to flex around the track-engaging assembly, the track comprising:
a ground-engaging outer surface;
an inner surface opposite to the ground-engaging outer surface; and
a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the track.

34. The track of claim 33 , wherein the temperature sensor is configured to cause a processing apparatus to perform an operation relating to the vehicle based on the temperature of the track.

35. The track of claim 33 , wherein the temperature sensor is disposed within elastomeric material of the track.

36. The track of claim 33 , wherein: the track compris

Assignees

• Camso Inc

Inventors

• Boily Patrice
• Bergeron Matthieu
• Richard Simon
• Laperle Ghislain

Classifications

• B60K35/22

  Display screens · CPC title

• B60K35/10

  Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor · CPC title

• B62D55/244 Primary

  Moulded in one piece, with either smooth surfaces or surfaces having projections, e.g. incorporating reinforcing elements · CPC title

• B29L2029/00

  Belts or bands {(conveyor belts B29L2031/7092; drive belts B29L2031/7094; fourdrinier belts B29L2031/733)} · CPC title

• B29K2995/0087

  Wear resistance · CPC title