• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2001

A variable configuration tracked vehicle(VCTV) is developed to reduce turning energy and improve climbing ability for stairs. This mechanism has four track T-type frames. By changing the driving direction, each track T-type frame rotates to minimize the contact area with ground. It also has better performance than other VCTV in energy consumption of turning. Futhermore this mechanism is more stable than other VCTV on the rough terrain. When climbing stairs, each track T-type frame rotates to obtain a front attack angle and keep stability on steep stairs. The design parameters of components of track T-type frames are optimized to enhance the performance of climbing stairs. Performance indices include a stable angle, a climbing ability, a height of the vertical obstacle. In case that the overall length of the mechanism is 0.2m, it is required that the radius of the wheels should be 5mm and the length track contacted with he ground should be 0.09m to climb higher and steeper stairs.