Conformable track assembly for a robotic crawler
First Claim
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1. A suspension system for a lightweight robotic vehicle having tandem tracks, the suspension system comprising:
- a frame;
a forward guide coupled to the frame and configured to receive a looped portion of a first endless track around the forward guide;
a rearward guide coupled to the frame and configured to receive a looped portion of the first endless track around the rearward guide; and
at least one deflector operable with the frame between the forward guide and the rearward guide, the at least one deflector being configured to downwardly deflect a ground-engaging portion of the first endless track between the forward guide and the rearward guide to form a peaked area,whereby the lightweight robotic vehicle is selectively stabilized on the peaked area of the first endless track and a peaked area of a second endless track associated in tandem with the first endless track by an articulated arm.
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Abstract
A suspension system for a lightweight robotic crawler is disclosed. The suspension system provides for mounting of a flexible endless track thereon. The suspension system includes a forward guide and a rearward guide around which the endless track can be looped. A deflector positioned between the forward guide and the rearward guide downwardly deflects a ground-engaging portion of the endless track to form a peaked area. The peaked area can support the lightweight robotic vehicle allowing alteration of a distribution of load over the ground-engaging portion of the endless track with respect to a supporting surface.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A suspension system for a lightweight robotic vehicle having tandem tracks, the suspension system comprising:
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a frame; a forward guide coupled to the frame and configured to receive a looped portion of a first endless track around the forward guide; a rearward guide coupled to the frame and configured to receive a looped portion of the first endless track around the rearward guide; and at least one deflector operable with the frame between the forward guide and the rearward guide, the at least one deflector being configured to downwardly deflect a ground-engaging portion of the first endless track between the forward guide and the rearward guide to form a peaked area, whereby the lightweight robotic vehicle is selectively stabilized on the peaked area of the first endless track and a peaked area of a second endless track associated in tandem with the first endless track by an articulated arm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for supporting a lightweight robotic vehicle on tandem endless tracks, comprising:
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providing a first endless track looped around a forward guide and a rearward guide of the lightweight robotic vehicle; selectively deflecting at least one ground-engaging portion of the first endless track in between the forward guide and the rearward guide in a downward direction to form a peaked area of the first endless track; and stabilizing the lightweight robotic vehicle at least partially on the peaked area of the first endless track and a peaked area of a second endless track associated in tandem with the first endless track by an articulated arm, so as to enable changing distribution of load over the ground-engaging portion of the first endless track with respect to a supporting surface. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification