US 11,807,251 B2
Hazard prediction for tracked vehicles
Christopher Bering, Waterloo, IA (US)
Assigned to DEERE & COMPANY, Moline, IL (US)
Filed by Deere & Company, Moline, IL (US)
Filed on Aug. 6, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/986,425.
Prior Publication US 2022/0041171 A1, Feb. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. B60W 40/13 (2012.01); B60W 40/02 (2006.01); B60W 50/14 (2020.01); B62D 55/06 (2006.01); B60W 40/105 (2012.01)
CPC B60W 40/13 (2013.01) [B60W 40/02 (2013.01); B60W 40/105 (2013.01); B60W 50/14 (2013.01); B62D 55/06 (2013.01); B60W 2300/44 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
11. A tracked vehicle, comprising:
a chassis;
a prime mover mounted to the chassis;
a ground interface assembly comprising:
a drive wheel operably connected with the prime mover such that the prime mover is operable to rotate the drive wheel;
a track engaged with the drive wheel such that the drive wheel is operable to move the track to propel the tracked vehicle;
an undercarriage frame coupled with the chassis;
a mid-roller carrier movably mounted to the undercarriage frame, the mid-roller carrier comprising a movable component having a displacement corresponding to a load carried by the tracked vehicle; and
one or more support elements arranged to engage the undercarriage frame and the movable component, wherein the one or more support elements permit limited movement of the movable component relative to the undercarriage;
a sensor array comprising:
a displacement sensor operable to sense the displacement of the movable component; and
a speed sensor operable to sense a vehicle speed of the tracked vehicle; and
a control system in communication with the sensor array, wherein the control system is configured to:
determine a hazard parameter based upon the displacement, the vehicle speed, and an ambient temperature in a vicinity of the tracked vehicle;
compare the hazard parameter to a threshold parameter; and
perform an action based upon the comparison of the hazard parameter with the threshold parameter.