Track system having low vibrations

• US 10,343,734 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2015
• Issued: 07/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Soucy International Inc. (Soucy Holding Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Soucy International Inc. (Soucy Holding Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sauvageau, Yves, Nanac, Branislav, Lafreniere, Pascal, Martel, Frederik, Pellerin, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Kotter, Kip T
• Application Number:
  US15/515,197
• Publication Number:
  US 20170225727A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,379 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/32 Track vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/096 with noise reducing means
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/104 Suspension devices for wheels, rollers, bogies or frames vehicle suspension in general B60G
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/108 with mechanical springs, e.g. torsion bars
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/112 with fluid springs, e.g. hydraulic pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/1125 Hydro-pneumatic or pneumatic, e.g. air-cushioned
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/12 Arrangement, location, or adaptation of driving sprockets
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/14 Arrangement, location, or adaptation of rollers
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/15 Mounting devices, e.g. bushings, axles, bearings, sealings with lubrication means B62D55/092
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/305 acting on pivotably mounted idlers
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2007/0814 with valves opening on surplus pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 7/1281 where the axis of the pulley moves along a substantially circular path

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to vehicle and machinery in agriculture, construction, forestry, mining and powersport. It further generally relates to track systems and traction assemblies used with such vehicles. The track assembly includes components having particular features that, alone or in combination, participate in decreasing the vibrations 5 undergone by the vehicle. According to embodiments, split frames are used with suspension, tandem subassemblies, “tridem subassemblies”, adjustable damping components, drive shaft openings, lowering of resulting the track band tension and rosta assemblies.

Claims

1. A track system for a vehicle, the track system comprising:

a drive wheel configured to be mounted to the vehicle;

a support frame comprising;

a first portion pivotally connected to a second portion, at least one of the first and second portions comprising a first aperture defined therein, each portion of the support frame defining a second aperture at one end of each of the portions, the pivoting connection between the first and second portions being formed by the superposition of the second aperture of the first and second portions;

a suspension system controlling the pivoting movement of each of the two portions in relation to the other portion;

front idler wheels pivotally mounted to the support frame;

rear idler wheels pivotally mounted to the support frame;

road wheels pivotally mounted to the support frame; and

an endless track disposed about the drive wheel, the front and rear idler wheels, and the road wheels, the endless track defining an overall perimeter of the track system.

2. The track system of claim 1, wherein the first aperture is adapted to allow passage of a drive shaft of the vehicle, and the pivoting of each of the two portions in relation to the other portion.

3. The track system of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the support frame have the first aperture defined therein, the first aperture being adapted to allow passage of a drive shaft of the vehicle, and the pivoting of each of the two portions in relation to the other portion.

4. The track system of claim 1, wherein each portion of the support frame further comprises a third aperture being adapted to receive a mechanical stop adapted to limit the pivoting of each of the two portions in relation to the other portion.

5. The track system of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the support frame are coupled to a final drive, the final drive being coupled to a drive shaft of the vehicle.

6. The track system of claim 1, wherein the front idler wheels and at least one of the road wheels are pivotally mounted to a front tandem support frame, the front tandem support frame being pivotally connected to the first portion of the support frame.

7. The track system of claim 1, wherein the rear idler wheels and at least one of the road wheels are pivotally mounted to a rear tandem support frame, the rear tandem support frame being pivotally attached to the second portion of the support frame.

8. The track system of claim 1, wherein the suspension system is a variable damping system.

9. The track system of claim 8, wherein the damping value of the variable damping system is calculated using the following equation:

10. The track system of claim 8, wherein the suspension system is progressive.

11. The track system of claim 8, wherein the suspension system is configured to allow at least two different damping values.

12. A track system for a vehicle, the track system comprising:

a drive wheel configured to be mounted to the vehicle;

a support frame comprising;

a front portion pivotally connected to a rear portion, each portion of the support frame defining an aperture at one end of each of the portions, the pivoting connection between the front and rear portions being formed by the superposition of the aperture of the front and rear portions, at least one of the front and rear portions being adapted to allow passage of a drive shaft of the vehicle through the support frame and the pivoting of the each of the front and rear portions in relation to the other portion;

a suspension system controlling the pivoting movement of each of the two portions in relation to the other portion;

front idler wheels pivotally mounted to the front portion of the support frame;

rear idler wheels pivotally mounted to the rear portion of the support frame;

at least one set of road wheels, wherein a first road wheel is pivotally mounted to the front portion of the support frame and a second road wheel is pivotally mounted to the rear portion of the support frame and wherein the first and second road wheels are substantially aligned with respect to a lateral axis in a rest position; and

an endless track disposed about the drive wheel, the front and rear idler wheels, and the at least one set of road wheels, the endless track defining an overall perimeter of the track system.

13. The track system of claim 12, wherein the first road wheel is configured to independently move in relation with the second road wheel.

14. The track system of claim 12, wherein the front idler wheels and at least one of the first and second road wheels are pivotally mounted to a front tandem support frame, the front tandem support frame being pivotally connected to the front portion of the support frame.

15. The track system of claim 12, wherein the rear idler wheels and at least one of the first and second road wheels are pivotally mounted to a rear tandem support frame, the rear tandem support frame being pivotally attached to the rear portion of the support frame.

16. The track system of claim 12, wherein the suspension system is a variable damping system.

17. The track system of claim 16, wherein the damping value of the variable damping system is calculated using the following equation:

18. The track system of claim 16, wherein the suspension system is progressive.

19. The track system of claim 16, wherein the suspension system is configured to allow at least two different damping values.