Description:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a mechanism for preventing accidental engagement of a high torque speed ratio of an auxiliary gear box in agricultural vehicles like tractors.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure.
Vehicles are equipped with an auxiliary gear box that is coupled to a transmission unit of the vehicle. The auxiliary gear box facilitates attaining desired speed reduction ratios as required for high torque-low speed or vice versa applications. Separate levers are provided on the vehicle to switch between the desired speed ratios of the auxiliary gear box. During operation of the vehicle, the driver of the vehicle runs the risk of inadvertently engaging a high torque-low speed ratio of the auxiliary gear box. In the event the vehicle is in motion on a surface and the driver accidently engages the high torque-low speed ratio of the auxiliary gear box, the gear box and the transmission unit experience large forces, which is highly undesired. Moreover, the driver is subjected to jerky motion and can possibly get seriously injured.
Therefore, there is a need for a mechanism for preventing accidental engagement of a high-torque speed ratio of a vehicle, that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as follows:
An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for preventing accidental engagement of a high-torque speed ratio of a vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for preventing accidental engagement of a high-torque speed ratio of a vehicle that prevents mechanical damage to the vehicle structure caused due to undesired high-torque.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for preventing accidental engagement of a high-torque speed ratio of a vehicle that offers the driver of the vehicle, ease of shifting to a desired speed ratio.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for preventing accidental engagement of a high-torque speed ratio of a vehicle that offers a visual indication of the selected speed ratio of the auxiliary gear box.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure discloses a mechanism for preventing accidental engagement of a high torque speed ratio of a vehicle. The mechanism comprises a base support configured to be attached to the vehicle structure, a collar configured to be rotatably mounted on the base support about an operative longitudinal axis of the mechanism. A first lock pin is configured on the collar and is engaged into a first slot configured on the base support. A second lock pin is configured on the collar and is engaged into a second slot configured on the shaft.
In a preferred embodiment, the first slot is configured on an operative bottom surface of the base support, the first slot located radially offset to the operative longitudinal axis.
In a preferred embodiment, the second slot spans along the direction of the operative longitudinal axis. The centreline of the second slot is coaxial with the operative longitudinal axis.
In a preferred embodiment, the first lock pin is engaged in the first slot and the second lock pin is engaged in the second slot, in an operative configuration to attain a first speed ratio on the auxiliary gear box.
In a preferred embodiment, the first lock pin is disengaged from the first slot and the second lock pin is engaged into the second slot, in another operative configuration to attain a second speed ratio on the auxiliary gear box.
In a preferred embodiment, the first speed ratio on the auxiliary gear box corresponds to a low torque-high speed combination, and the second speed ratio on the auxiliary gear box corresponds to a high torque-low speed combination of the vehicle.
In a preferred embodiment, the base support and the collar are coaxially mounted on a shaft, the shaft configured to be angularly displaced by a driver of the vehicle about the operative longitudinal axis.
In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism is configured to be attached on a surface of the vehicle to allow ease of access to the driver of the vehicle to shift between the first speed ratio and the second speed ratio of the transmission unit.
In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism includes a hand-operated lever coupled to the shaft.
In a preferred embodiment, the collar is biased to be engaged into the first slot under the action of a spring, the spring mounted coaxially on the shaft.
In a preferred embodiment, the first slot is oriented parallel to the operative longitudinal axis of the mechanism.
In a preferred embodiment, the second slot is oriented at an angle to the operative longitudinal axis of the mechanism.
In a preferred embodiment, the first lock pin is disengaged from the first slot by linearly displacing the collar along the operative longitudinal axis on the shaft in a first step, and angularly displacing the collar about the operative longitudinal axis in a second step, to enable a high-torque speed ratio of the auxiliary gear box.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A mechanism for preventing accidental engagement of a high-torque speed ratio of a vehicle, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a sectional view of the mechanism of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the mechanism showing the first position and the second position of the hand-operated lever; and
Figure 3 illustrates another sectional view of the mechanism.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
10 – base support
20 – collar
22 – first slot
24 – second slot
30 – first lock pin
40 – second lock pin
50 – shaft
52 – first end of shaft
54 – second end of shaft
60 – hand-operated lever
61 – first position of hand-operated lever
62 – second position of hand-operated lever
70 – spring
80 – bracket
100 – mechanism
L – operative longitudinal axis
R – operative radial direction
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided to convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an”, and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including”, and “having”, are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be constructed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being “mounted on”, “engaged to”, “connected to”, or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
Referring to figures 1-3, a mechanism 100 for preventing accidental engagement of a high torque speed ratio of a gear box of a vehicle will now be described. The mechanism 100 is configured to be coupled to the gear box (not shown in any figures). A bracket 80 facilitates attachment of the mechanism 100 to the vehicle. The mechanism comprises a base support 10 configured to be attached to the vehicle structure, a collar 20 configured to be rotatably mounted on the base support about an operative longitudinal axis L of the mechanism 100. The base support 10 and the collar 20 are coaxially mounted on a shaft 50 of the mechanism 100. The shaft 50 has a first end (52) connected to a gear box of a vehicle. The second end (54) of the shaft 50 is configured to be operated by a driver of the vehicle. The shaft 50 is configured to be angularly displaced by a driver of the vehicle about the operative longitudinal axis L. The mechanism 100 includes a hand-operated lever 60 coupled to the shaft 50 to facilitate the driver to operate the mechanism 100. The hand-operated lever 60 is configured to be displaced in a first position 61 and a second position 62.
The mechanism 100 further comprises a first lock pin 30 configured on the collar 20. The first lock pin 30 is engaged into a first slot 22 configured on the base support 10. The first lock pin 30 is oriented parallel to the operative longitudinal axis L. The mechanism further comprises a second lock pin 40 configured on the collar 20. The second lock pin 40 is engaged into a second slot 24 configured on the shaft 50. The second slot 24 extends in an operative radial direction R and spans through the collar 20 as well as the shaft 50. The second slot 24 is oriented at an angle to an operative longitudinal axis L of the mechanism 100. The first lock pin 30 is engaged into the first slot 22, and the second lock pin 40 is engaged into the second slot 24 by the driver of the vehicle to prevent inadvertent relative motion between the collar 20 and the base support 10. The collar 20 is biased to be engaged into the first slot 22 under the action of a spring 70. The spring 70 is coaxially mounted on the shaft 50. The spring 70 on one end abuts the collar 20, and on the other end abuts a bearing surface of the mechanism 100. The first slot 22 is configured on an operative bottom surface of the base support 10. The first slot 22 is located radially offset to the operative longitudinal axis L. The second slot 24 spans along the direction of the operative longitudinal axis L. The centreline of the second slot 24 is coaxial with the operative longitudinal axis L.
The first lock pin 30 is engaged in the first slot 22 and the second lock pin 40 is engaged in the second slot 24 by the driver, in an operative configuration to attain a first speed ratio on the auxiliary gear box. The first speed ratio on the auxiliary gear box corresponds to a low torque-high speed combination. As shown in the figure 2, the hand-operated lever 60 shown in dotted line format is the first position 61 of the hand-operated lever 60 that corresponds to the first speed ratio of the auxiliary gear box. The first lock pin 30 is disengaged from the first slot 22, in another operative configuration to attain a second speed ratio on the auxiliary gear box. The first lock pin 30 is disengaged from the first slot 22 by linearly displacing the collar 20 along the operative longitudinal axis L on the shaft 50, and angularly displacing the collar 20 about the operative longitudinal axis L. The second speed ratio on the auxiliary gear box corresponds to a high torque-low speed combination of the vehicle. As shown in the figure 2, the hand-operated lever 60 shown in continuous line format is the second position 61 of the hand-operated lever 60 that corresponds to the second speed ratio of the auxiliary gear box. The second speed ratio corresponds to a high-torque low-speed configuration of the vehicle.
The mechanism is configured to be attached on a surface of the vehicle to allow ease of access to the driver to shift between the first speed ratio and the second speed ratio of the auxiliary gear box which is further coupled to the transmission unit, as shown in the figure 2.
The working will now be explained with respect to the figures 1-3. To shift to the second speed ratio on the auxiliary gear box, the driver lifts the collar 20 from the first slot 22. The linear displacement of the collar 20 causes disengagement of the first lock pin 30 from the first slot 22, in a first step. The first lock pin 30 gets disengaged from the first slot 22 due to the displacement of the second lock pin 40 in the second slot 24. Thus, linear displacement of the second lock pin 40 in the second slot 24 permits disengagement of the first lock pin 30 from the first slot 22. The first step ensures prevention of inadvertently shifting gears of the gear box. During the first step, the linear displacement of the collar 20 causes deformation of the spring 70. The spring 70 stores energy of deformation. In a second step, the driver angularly displaces the hand-operated lever 60 that is coupled to the shaft 50 from the first position 61 into the second position 62. The angular displacement of the hand-operated lever 60 causes the first lock pin 30 to be misaligned with respect to the first slot 22. The collar 20 is then released which is held under the action of the deformed spring 70, to cause the first lock pin 30 to rest onto an outer surface of the base support 10 that is away from the first slot 22. To cancel the first speed ratio of the gear box, the hand-operated lever 60 is angularly displaced from the second position 62 back to the first position 61, to cause the first lock pin 30 to be engaged into the first slot 22 again for enabling the first speed ratio on the gear box.
In another embodiment, a plurality of first slots 22 are provided on the base support 10 with each of the plurality of first slots 22 corresponding to a plurality of speed ratios on the auxiliary gear box.
In an embodiment, a digital readout is provided in communication with the mechanism 100 to indicate the speed ratio of the vehicle.
In another embodiment, an audio-visual alarm is communicatively coupled to the mechanism 100 to indicate the status of the mechanism 100 present in the first speed ratio or the second speed ratio of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the mechanism 100 is configured to be operated by electronic means such as a press of a button that is provided on the instrument panel or in the vicinity of the steering wheel of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the vehicle is an agricultural tractor used for performing several crop activities, and various implements are driven by the powered take-off system of the tractor. The mechanism 100 is coupled to an auxiliary gear box of the vehicle. The auxiliary gear box is further coupled with a transmission unit of the vehicle. The auxiliary gear box enables torque enhancement and speed reduction of the vehicle. The output of the auxiliary gear box is coupled to the input of the transmission unit of the vehicle.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, a mechanism for preventing accidental engagement of a high-torque speed ratio of a vehicle, which:
• reduces the probability of mechanical damage to the vehicle structure caused due to undesired high-torque speed;
• offers ease of shifting to the driver of the vehicle; and
• reduces probability of physical injuries to the driver of the vehicle.
The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or group of elements, but not the exclusion of any other element or group of elements.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
, Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A mechanism (100) for preventing accidental engagement of a high-torque speed ratio of a vehicle, said mechanism (100) comprising:
o a base support (10) configured to be attached to the vehicle structure;
o a collar (20) configured to be rotatably mounted on said base support (10) about an operative longitudinal axis (L) of said mechanism (100);
o a first lock pin (30) configured on said collar (20), said first lock pin (30) is engaged into a first slot (22) configured on said base support (10); and
o a second lock pin (40) configured on said collar (20), said second lock pin (40) is engaged into a second slot (24) configured on said shaft (50).
2. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first slot (22) is configured on an operative bottom surface of said base support (10), said first slot (22) located radially offset to the operative longitudinal axis (L) and wherein said second slot (24) spans along the direction of the operative longitudinal axis (L), the centreline of said second slot (24) is coaxial with the operative longitudinal axis (L).
3. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first lock pin (30) is engaged in said first slot (22), said second lock pin (40) is engaged in said second slot (24), in an operative configuration to attain a first speed ratio on the auxiliary gear box and said first speed ratio on the auxiliary gear box corresponds to a low torque-high speed combination.
4. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first lock pin (30) is disengaged from said first slot (22), said second lock pin (40) is engaged into said second slot (24), in another operative configuration to attain a second speed ratio on the auxiliary gear box and said second speed ratio on the auxiliary gear box corresponds to a high torque-low speed combination of the vehicle.
5. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base support (10) and said collar (20) are coaxially mounted on a shaft (50), said shaft (50) configured to be angularly displaced by a driver of the vehicle about the operative longitudinal axis (L).
6. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1 is configured to be attached on a surface of the vehicle to allow ease of access to the driver of the vehicle to shift between the first speed ratio and the second speed ratio of the transmission unit.
7. The mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein said mechanism (100) includes a hand-operated lever (60) coupled to said shaft (50).
8. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said collar (20) is biased to be engaged into said first slot (22) under the action of a spring (70), said spring (70) mounted coaxially on the shaft (50).
9. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first slot (22) is oriented parallel to said operative longitudinal axis (L) of said mechanism (100) and
wherein said second slot (24) is oriented at an angle to the operative longitudinal axis (L) of said mechanism (100).
10. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first lock pin (30) is disengaged from said first slot (22) by linearly displacing said collar (20) along the operative longitudinal axis (L) on the shaft (50) in a first step, and angularly displacing said collar (20) about the operative longitudinal axis (L) in a second step, to enable a high-torque speed ratio of the auxiliary gear box.

Dated this 09th day of February, 2023

_______________________________
MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN, IN/PA – 25
of R.K. DEWAN & CO.
Authorized Agent of Applicant

TO,
THE CONTROLLER OF PATENTS
THE PATENT OFFICE, AT CHENNAI