G01M17/03

TRACK SYSTEM

A track system for use with a vehicle includes an attachment assembly connectable to the chassis of the vehicle having a first pivot extending vertically and defining a yaw pivot axis of the track system, and a second pivot extending laterally and defining a pitch pivot axis of the track system. A frame assembly is disposed laterally outwardly from the attachment assembly and connected thereto. The frame assembly includes at least one wheel-bearing frame member. The track system further includes at least one actuator connected between the attachment assembly and the frame assembly for pivoting the frame assembly about the yaw pivot axis, a leading idler wheel assembly at least indirectly connected to the at least one wheel-bearing frame member, a trailing idler wheel assembly at least indirectly connected to the at least one wheel-bearing frame member, at least one support wheel assembly, and an endless track.

Systems and methods for monitoring off-road vehicles

A vehicle (e.g., an agricultural vehicle or other off-road vehicle) comprising a track system can be monitored to obtain information regarding the vehicle, including information regarding the track system, such as one or more parameters (e.g., a temperature, a pressure, an acceleration, an identifier, etc.) of the track system and/or one or more characteristics of an environment of the track system (e.g., a compliance, a profile, a soil moisture level, etc. of the ground beneath the track system), which can be used for various purposes, such as, for example, to: convey the information to a user (e.g., an operator of the vehicle); control the vehicle (e.g., a speed of the vehicle, operation of a work implement, etc.); transmit the information to a remote party (e.g., a provider such as a manufacturer or distributor of the track system and/or of the vehicle; a supplier of a substance such as fertilizer used where the vehicle is located; etc.); control equipment (e.g., an irrigation system, a fertilizing system, etc.) external to the vehicle; etc.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING A TRACK SYSTEM FOR TRACTION OF A VEHICLE

A track system of a vehicle can be monitored (e.g., during operation of the vehicle) to obtain information about the track system which can be used for various purposes, such as, for example, to convey the information about the track system to a user (e.g., an operator of the vehicle) and/or to control the vehicle, for instance, by controlling a speed of the vehicle depending on a state (e.g., a temperature and/or one or more other physical characteristics) of the track system. This may be useful, for example, to gain knowledge about a track of the track system, to help prevent rapid wear or other deterioration of the track of the track system (e.g., blowout), and/or to adapt how fast or slow the vehicle moves in order to protect the track of the track system while permitting the speed of the vehicle to be greater over short periods (e.g., when travelling on or crossing roads or other particular areas).

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING A TRACK SYSTEM FOR TRACTION OF A VEHICLE

A track system of a vehicle can be monitored (e.g., during operation of the vehicle) to obtain information about the track system which can be used for various purposes, such as, for example, to convey the information about the track system to a user (e.g., an operator of the vehicle) and/or to control the vehicle, for instance, by controlling a speed of the vehicle depending on a state (e.g., a temperature and/or one or more other physical characteristics) of the track system. This may be useful, for example, to gain knowledge about a track of the track system, to help prevent rapid wear or other deterioration of the track of the track system (e.g., blowout), and/or to adapt how fast or slow the vehicle moves in order to protect the track of the track system while permitting the speed of the vehicle to be greater over short periods (e.g., when travelling on or crossing roads or other particular areas).

MONITORING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY ESTIMATING AND MONITORING THE CORRECT ALIGNMENT OF THE TRACKS, PARTICULARLY OF THE TRACK CHAINS, AND RELEVANT METHOD

A monitoring system is disclosed for automatically estimating and monitoring the alignment of tracks of a track-type vehicle. The track-type vehicle includes an undercarriage and two tracks. Each track includes a chain with a plurality of chain links and articulated joints. The monitoring system includes at least one undercarriage sensor fixable on the undercarriage, at least one chain sensor fixable on the chain of each of the two tracks, and a processor configured to combine the detections of the sensors to determine the alignment direction of the tracks and to compare the determined direction with a reference alignment direction.

MONITORING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY ESTIMATING AND MONITORING THE CORRECT ALIGNMENT OF THE TRACKS, PARTICULARLY OF THE TRACK CHAINS, AND RELEVANT METHOD

A monitoring system is disclosed for automatically estimating and monitoring the alignment of tracks of a track-type vehicle. The track-type vehicle includes an undercarriage and two tracks. Each track includes a chain with a plurality of chain links and articulated joints. The monitoring system includes at least one undercarriage sensor fixable on the undercarriage, at least one chain sensor fixable on the chain of each of the two tracks, and a processor configured to combine the detections of the sensors to determine the alignment direction of the tracks and to compare the determined direction with a reference alignment direction.

Tracked vehicle

An agricultural tracked vehicle has a ground drive including at least two ground drive wheels. Ground engagement elements are assigned to individual ground drive wheels and/or units comprising several ground drive wheels. An evaluation device is provided, which is configured for ascertaining an operating state of at least one of the ground engagement elements based at least on one or several state variables of the surroundings and/or vehicle-independent, device-specific sensor data.

Tracked vehicle

An agricultural tracked vehicle has a ground drive including at least two ground drive wheels. Ground engagement elements are assigned to individual ground drive wheels and/or units comprising several ground drive wheels. An evaluation device is provided, which is configured for ascertaining an operating state of at least one of the ground engagement elements based at least on one or several state variables of the surroundings and/or vehicle-independent, device-specific sensor data.

Track system

A track system includes an attachment assembly including at least one of a first pivot defining a roll pivot axis, a second pivot defining a pitch pivot axis, and a third pivot defining a yaw pivot axis of the track system. A frame assembly is disposed laterally outwardly from the attachment assembly and connected to the attachment assembly. The track system further includes at least one actuator for pivoting the frame assembly about at least one of the roll and yaw pivot axes, and at least one monitoring for determining, at least indirectly, at least one of a state of the track system and a ground surface condition. The at least one monitoring sensor is communicating with a track system controller to control the operation of the at least one actuator based on the at least one of the state of the track system and the ground surface condition.

Track system

A track system includes an attachment assembly including at least one of a first pivot defining a roll pivot axis, a second pivot defining a pitch pivot axis, and a third pivot defining a yaw pivot axis of the track system. A frame assembly is disposed laterally outwardly from the attachment assembly and connected to the attachment assembly. The track system further includes at least one actuator for pivoting the frame assembly about at least one of the roll and yaw pivot axes, and at least one monitoring for determining, at least indirectly, at least one of a state of the track system and a ground surface condition. The at least one monitoring sensor is communicating with a track system controller to control the operation of the at least one actuator based on the at least one of the state of the track system and the ground surface condition.