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CA-3049747-C - TRACKED VEHICLE AND FLEET OF TRACKED VEHICLES

CA3049747CCA 3049747 CCA3049747 CCA 3049747CCA-3049747-C

Abstract

A tracked vehicle (1) comprising a first and a second track (3, 4), a mechanical power generator assembly (13); an assembly of operating devices (7) coupled to the generator assembly (13); a first and a second drive wheel (5, 6) coupled respectively to the first and to the second track (3, 4), and to the generator assembly (13); a user interface (8) to receive inputs (IN) from an operator (U); and a control unit ( 17) coupled to the user interface (8) to receive inputs (IN); the control unit (17) being coupled to the mechanical power generator assembly (13) and being configured to enable or disable starting of the mechanical power generator assembly (13).

Inventors

  • Martin Kirchmair
  • Richard Casartelli

Assignees

  • PRINOTH S.P.A.

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20180125
Priority Date
20170125

Claims (14)

  1. 19 CLAIMS 1. Fleet of tracked vehicles comprising a plurality of tracked vehicles; each tracked vehicle comprising a first 5 and a second track, a mechanical power generator assembly; an assembly of operating devices coupled to the generator assembly; a first and a second drive wheel coupled respectively to the first and to the second track, and to the generator assembly; an interface to receive inputs; and 10 a control unit coupled to the interface to receive inputs; the control unit being coupled to the mechanical power generator assembly and being configured to enable or disable starting of the mechanical power generator assembly based on inputs received by the interface; wherein the control unit 15 of each tracked vehicle comprises a memory in which there are stored a plurality of enabling inputs; and at least one of the plurality of enabling inputs of the memories of the respective tracked vehicles is the same as the others; the control unit is configured to compare the inputs with 20 the plurality of enabling inputs and enables the starting of the tracked vehicle if the inputs correspond to one of the enabling inputs of the plurality of enabling inputs; wherein each enabling input is associated with an enabling level; the control unit being configured to enable one or more 25 operating devices based on the enabling level associated 20 with the enabling input entered; the control unit being configured to store the enabling input entered and couple it with at least one operating parameter of the tracked vehicle detected during the use of the tracked 5 vehicle to monitor the use of the tracked vehicle coupled to the enabling input entered; the at least one operating parameter is selected from vehicle speed; drive wheel speed; winch speed, winch jib angle, position of command levers, vehicle weight, operating hours, fuel level, total fuel 10 consumption, position, engine temperature, oil temperature, coolant temperature, error signals.
  2. 2. Fleet of tracked vehicles of claim 1, wherein the interface is a user interface and comprises a keyboard and/or a keypad and/or a fingerprint sensor for entering the inputs 15 preferably the inputs are defined by a number sequence and/or a fingerprint and/or data of a fingerprint.
  3. 3. Fleet of tracked vehicles of claim 1, wherein the interface is a transceiver interface and is configured to receive the inputs through radio signals; preferably the 20 inputs sent through radio signals are defined by a number sequence and/or a fingerprint and/or data of a fingerprint.
  4. 4. Fleet of tracked vehicles of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit comprises a memory in which there is stored at least one enabling input; the control 25 unit being configured to compare the inputs with the at least 21 one enabling input stored and in the case in which the inputs correspond to the at least one enabling input, to enable starting of the mechanical power generator assembly.
  5. 5. Fleet of tracked vehicles of any one of claims 1 5 to 4, comprising a cab configured to accommodate the operator of the tracked vehicle; the cab having a door comprising a door lock that is configured to be opened and/or closed with a key or with a remote control.
  6. 6. Fleet of tracked vehicles of any one of claims 1 10 to 5, wherein the interface comprises a start command connected to the control unit to start the mechanical power generator assembly; the control unit being configured to start the mechanical power generator assembly when it receives the start command and the starting of the generator 15 assembly is enabled.
  7. 7. Fleet of tracked vehicles of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the interface comprises a touch screen display coupled to the control unit and through which it receives the inputs from the operator. 20
  8. 8. Fleet of tracked vehicles of any one claims 1 to 7, comprises a selector and a display coupled to the control unit to receive the inputs to be sent to the control unit and to be viewed on the display, preferably the selector being selected in a group comprising a wheel selector; a 25 joystick selector; a touch pad on an armrest of the vehicle. 22
  9. 9. Fleet of tracked vehicles of any one of claims 1 to 8, the control unit being configured to set some setting parameters of the vehicle when the vehicle is started; said setting parameters being defined by the input entered by the 5 user; preferably the setting parameters are selected in a group comprising: control parameters of devices housed in cabin; control parameters of vehicle; control parameters of work devices.
  10. 10. Fleet of tracked vehicles of claim 1 or 9, 10 comprising a data transceiver unit to transmit to a remote processing unit the enabling input entered and the at least operating parameter.
  11. 11. Fleet of tracked vehicles according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein one or more enabling inputs entered 15 in the memory of one of the tracked vehicles can be the same as one or more enabling inputs entered in the memory of one or more or all tracked vehicles of the fleet of tracked vehicles.
  12. 12. Management system of a fleet of tracked vehicles 20 comprising the fleet of tracked vehicle vehicles according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and a remote processing unit coupled to the data transceiver unit to receive data transmitted by the data transceiver unit; the remote processing unit comprising a display unit to display data of 25 the fleet of tracked vehicles. 23
  13. 13. Management system of a tracked vehicle comprising the tracked vehicle; the tracked vehicle comprising a first and a second track, a mechanical power generator assembly; an assembly of 5 operating devices coupled to the generator assembly; a first and a second drive wheel coupled respectively to the first and to the second track, and to the generator assembly; an interface to receive inputs; and a control unit coupled to the interface to receive inputs; the control unit being 10 coupled to the mechanical power generator assembly and being configured to enable or disable starting of the mechanical power generator assembly based on inputs received by the interface; wherein a memory of the control unit comprises a plurality of enabling inputs; the control unit is configured 15 to compare the inputs with the plurality of enabling inputs and enables the starting of the tracked vehicle if the inputs correspond to one of the enabling inputs of the plurality of enabling inputs; wherein each enabling input is associated with an enabling level; the control unit being configured to 20 enable one or more operating devices based on the enabling level associated with the enabling input entered; the tracked vehicle comprising a data transceiver unit to transmit to a remote processing unit the enabling input entered and the at least operating parameter; 25 the management system comprising the remote processing unit coupled to the data transceiver unit to receive data transmitted by the data transceiver unit; the control unit being configured to store the enabling input entered and couple it with at least one operating parameter 5 of the tracked vehicle detected during the use of the tracked vehicle to monitor the use of the tracked vehicle coupled to the enabling input entered; the at least one operating parameter is selected from vehicle speed; drive wheel speed; winch speed, winch jib angle, position of command levers, 10 vehicle weight, operating hours, fuel level, total fuel consumption, position, engine temperature, oil temperature, coolant temperature, error signals; the remote processing unit comprising a display unit to display data of the tracked vehicle. 15
  14. 14. Management system of a tracked vehicle comprising the tracked vehicle; the tracked vehicle comprising a first and a second track, a mechanical power generator assembly; an assembly of operating devices coupled to the generator assembly; a first 20 and a second drive wheel coupled respectively to the first and to the second track, and to the generator assembly; an interface to receive inputs; and a control unit coupled to the interface to receive inputs; the control unit being coupled to the mechanical power generator assembly and being 25 configured to enable or disable starting of the mechanical 25 power generator assembly based on inputs received by the interface; wherein the memory of the control unit comprises a plurality of enabling inputs; the control unit is configured to compare the inputs with the plurality of 5 enabling inputs and enables the starting of the tracked vehicle if the inputs correspond to one of the enabling inputs of the plurality of enabling inputs; wherein each enabling input is associated with an enabling level; the control unit being configured to enable one or more operating 10 devices based on the enabling level associated with the enabling input entered; the tracked vehicle comprising a data transceiver unit to transmit to a remote processing unit the enabling input entered and the at least operating parameter; 15 the management system comprising the remote processing unit coupled to the data transceiver unit to receive data transmitted by the data transceiver unit; the control unit being configured to set some setting parameters of the vehicle when the vehicle is started; said 20 setting parameters being defined by the input entered by the user; the setting parameters are selected in a group comprising: control parameters of devices housed in cabin; control parameters of vehicle; control parameters of work devices; the remote processing unit comprising a display 25 unit to display data of the tracked vehicle.

Description

"TRACKED VEHICLE AND FLEET OF TRACKED VEHICLES" TECHNICAL FIELD 5 The invention relates to a tracked vehicle, for example for the preparation of ski slopes, and to a fleet of said tracked vehicles. In particular, the invention relates to a tracked vehicle comprising a first and a second track; a mechanical 10 power generator assembly; an assembly of operating devices coupled to the generator assembly; a first and a second drive wheel coupled to the first and to the second track, respectively, and to the generator assembly; a starting key; and starting lock; the starting lock being coupled to the 15 mechanical power generator assembly so as to start the mechanical power generator assembly. BACKGROUND ART Generally speaking, a tracked vehicle comprises a control cabin, which houses an operator driving the vehicle. 20 The control cabin comprises a door, which has a door lock, which can be opened with a door key and/or with a remote Date re9ue / Received date 2024-08-16 control. A drawback of the prior art lies in the fact that the operator of the tracked vehicle needs two keys, one to open the door and one to start the tracked vehicle. 5 DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a tracked vehicle which reduces the drawbacks of the prior art. According to the invention, a tracked vehicle is provided, which comprises a first and a second track, a 10 mechanical power generator assembly; an assembly of operating devices coupled to the generator assembly; a first and a second drive wheel coupled to the first and to the second track, respectively, and to the generator assembly; an interface to receive inputs; and a control unit coupled 15 to the interface to receive inputs; the control unit being coupled to the mechanical power generator assembly and being configured to enable or disable starting of the mechanical power generator assembly based on inputs received by the interface. 20 Thanks to the invention, the operator can start the mechanical power generator assembly by means of an input entered through the interface and without the use of a key, in an easy an economic fashion. Furthermore, the tracked vehicle can be started with different inputs and, . consequently, by different operators and can associate operating parameters of the tracked vehicle with the operator using the tracked vehicle. According to a preferred embodiment, the interface is a user interface and comprises a keyboard and/or a keypad 5 and/or a fingerprint sensor for entering the inputs; preferably, the inputs can be defined by a number sequence and/or a fingerprint and/or data of a fingerprint. According to another embodiment, the interface is a transceiver interface and is configured to receive the inputs 10 through radio signals; preferably, the inputs sent through radio signals can be defined by a number sequence and/or a fingerprint and/or data of a fingerprint. According to a referred embodiment, the control unit comprises a memory in which there is stored at least one 15 enabling input; the control unit being configured to compare the inputs with said at least one enabling input stored and, in case the inputs correspond to said at least one enabling input, to enable starting of the mechanical power generator assembly. 20 According to a preferred embodiment, the tracked vehicle comprises a cabin configured to accommodate the operator of the tracked vehicle; the cabin having a door comprising a door lock that is configured to be opened with a key or with a remote control. 25 According to a preferred embodiment, the interface comprises a start command connected to the control unit to start the mechanical power generator assembly; the control unit being configured to start the mechanical power generator assembly when it receives the start command and the starting 5 of the generator assembly is enabled. According to a preferred embodiment, the interface comprises a touch screen display coupled to the control unit and through which it receives the inputs from the operator. According to a preferred embodiment, the tracked 10 vehicle comprises a selector and a display coupled to the control unit to receive the inputs to be sent to the control unit and to be viewed on the display, preferably the selector being selected in a group comprising a wheel selector; a joystick selector; a touch pad on an armrest of the vehicle. 15 According to a preferred embodiment, the memory comprises a plurality of enabling inputs; the control unit is configured to compare the inputs with the plurality of enabling inputs and to enable the starting of the tracked vehicle if the inputs correspond to one of the enabling 20 inputs of the plurality of enabling inputs. According to a preferred embodiment, each enabling input is associated with an enabling level; the control unit being configured to enable one or more operating devices based on the enabling level associated with the enabling . input entered. According to a preferred embodiment, the