DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to a power transmission means in vehicles, more particularly but not exclusively to a multi-speed power takeoff assembly for agricultural vehicles (tractors).

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, vehicles such as tractors or other similar vehicles comprise a power take-off shaft which is used to transfer the power of an engine of the vehicle to implements or auxiliary components such as rotavator, hydraulic pump, plough, mowing deck and the like. Manufactures currently manufacture tractors and implements to run at one of three standard speeds, namely, 540 rpm, 1000 rpm, and ground speed. The term “ground speed” means that the rate of rotation of the power take off shaft is proportional to the speed at which the tractor travels across the ground.
[003] PTOs for operation at the three above-mentioned PTO standards (or other standards) are each designed to work on different types of agricultural tractor (i.e. non constant running PTO type and a constant running PTO type). The non constant running PTO tractor includes a single clutch for gear box and PTO, while the constant running PTO tractor includes dual clutch i.e. one clutch for gear box and another for PTO. In the non constant running PTO tractor the gear box and the PTO both are disengaged when a clutch is operated. In the constant running PTO tractor the gear box disengages when the clutch is operated while the PTO is still engaged with the engine of the tractor. The non constant running PTO tractor is configured to be operated at two different speeds i.e. 540 rpm and 1000 rpm while the constant running PTO tractor is operated at a predetermined speed.
[004] A main drawback exists when a combination of both is required. An operator or framer has to either purchase both types of agricultural vehicle or needs supplemental arrangements or parts to obtain desired output speed of the PTO. Thus increasing the cost of investment and also increasing downtime for assembling and dismantling the supplemental arrangements or parts.
[005] Therefore, there exists a need for a multi-speed power take-off assembly for an agricultural vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[006] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a multi-speed power take-off assembly for an agricultural vehicle.
[007] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a multi-speed power take-off assembly for an agricultural vehicle for operating a power take-off output shaft in at least four different operating speeds.
[008] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a multi-speed power take-off assembly for an agricultural vehicle, which is inexpensive.
[009] Still another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a multi-speed power take-off assembly for an agricultural vehicle, which reduces operator’s fatigue.
[0010] Also another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method of providing a multi-speed power take-off assembly for a vehicle.
[0011] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0013] Fig. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of a power take-off assembly for an agricultural vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0014] Fig. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a coupling of the power take-off assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0015] Fig. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method of providing a multi-speed power take-off assembly for an agricultural vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed 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.
[0017] The embodiments herein achieve a multi-speed power take-off assembly for an agricultural vehicle. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 through 3, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0018] Fig. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of a power take-off assembly 100 for an agricultural vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the power take-off is referred or described as PTO. In an embodiment, the power take-off assembly 100 (also referred as PTO assembly) includes an input shaft 102, a first input gear pair 104, a second input gear pair 106, a first shaft 108, a third input gear pair 110, a second shaft 112, a coupling 114, an output shaft 116, and a lever 118.
[0019] In an embodiment, the power take-off assembly 100 includes the input shaft 102. In an embodiment, the input shaft 102 is coupled to an engine of the agricultural vehicle. In an embodiment, the engine of the agricultural vehicle rotates the input shaft 102. In an embodiment, the input shaft 102 includes a main drive shaft M and a hollow drive shaft H. In an embodiment, the input shaft 102 is connected to the first input gear pair 104 and the second input gear pair 106.
[0020] In an embodiment, the power take-off assembly 100 includes the first input gear pair 104 and the second input gear pair 106. In an embodiment, the first input gear pair 104 and the second input gear pair 106 are rotated by the input shaft 102. In an embodiment, the first input gear pair 104 may be considered as a high gear pair, similarly the second input gear pair 106 may be considered as a low gear pair. In an embodiment, the first input gear pair 104 and the second input gear pair 106 are selectively connected to the first shaft 108.
[0021] In an embodiment, the power take-off assembly 100 includes the first shaft 108. In an embodiment, the first shaft 108 is selectively connected to the first input gear pair 104 and the second input gear pair 106. In an embodiment, the first shaft 108 is rotated by the main drive shaft M. In an embodiment, the first shaft 108 is a hollow counter shaft. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type shaft without otherwise deterring the intended function of rotating as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the first shaft 108 is connected to first input gear pair 104 to drive the output shaft 116 at first speed. In an embodiment, the first shaft 108 is connected to second input gear pair 106 to drive the output shaft 116 at second speed.
[0022] In an embodiment, the power take-off assembly 100 includes the third input gear pair 110. In an embodiment, the third input gear pair 110 is connected to the input shaft 102. In an embodiment, the third input gear pair 110 is rotated by the hollow drive H. In an embodiment, the third input gear pair 110 is coupled and configured to rotate the second shaft 112. In an embodiment, the second shaft 112 is a mid-PTO shaft. In an embodiment, the first shaft 108 is disposed above the second shaft 112. In an embodiment, the first shaft 108 and the second shaft 112 are not in contact.
[0023] Fig. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a coupling of the power take-off assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the power take-off assembly 100 includes the coupling 114. In an embodiment, the coupling 114 includes a first end (not shown) and a second end (not shown). In an embodiment, the first end of the coupling 114 is connected to at least one of the first shaft 108 and the second shaft 112. In an embodiment, the second end of the coupling 114 is connected to the output shaft 116. In an embodiment, the coupling 114 includes a lever 118. In an embodiment, the lever 118 configured to be moved between a first position and a second position. In an embodiment, the first position connects the coupling 114 with the first shaft 108 and the second position connects the coupling 114 with the second shaft 112;
[0024] In an embodiment, the power take-off assembly 100 includes the output shaft 116. In an embodiment, the output shaft 116 is rotated by the coupling 114. In an embodiment, the output shaft 116 is the PTO output shaft configured to drive at least one agricultural implement. In an embodiment, the output shaft 116 is adapted to be rotated at first speed when the coupling 114 engages with the first shaft 108 and is rotated by the first input gear pair 104, similarly the output shaft 116 is adapted to be rotated at second speed when the coupling 114 engages with the first shaft 108 and is rotated by the second input gear pair 106. Also the output shaft 116 is adapted to be rotated at third speed when the coupling 114 engages with the second shaft 112 and is rotated by the third input gear pair 110. In an embodiment, the PTO output shaft is configured to rotate in at least four selected speeds and the four selected speed includes first speed, second speed, third speed and a predetermined reverse speed.
[0025] Fig. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method of providing a multi-speed power take-off assembly for an agricultural vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. A method 300 of providing a multi-speed power take-off assembly for an agricultural vehicle is provided. At step 302, the method includes providing an input shaft 102. At step 304, the method includes supporting a first input gear pair 104 and a second input gear pair 106 on the input shaft 102 for rotation. At step 306, the method includes connecting a first shaft 108 with the first input gear pair 104 and the second input gear pair 106. At step 308, the method includes supporting a third input gear pair 110 on the input shaft 102 for rotation. At step 310, the method includes connecting a second shaft 112 with the third input gear pair 110. At step 312, the method includes connecting a coupling 114 with at least one of the first shaft 108 and the second shaft 112. At step 314, the method includes connecting an output shaft 116 to the coupling 114.
[0026] This arrangement gives multi-speed which facilitates in disposing clogged mud, weed and the like due to higher centrifugal. Thus the agricultural tractor achieves high, low (both in non constant running power take-off (NON CRPTO) mode) and constant running power take-off (CRPTO) speeds in same gear box (i.e. high gear pair, low gear pair, PTO gear pair and reverse gear pair).
[0027] The technical advantages of the power take-off assembly 100 are as follows. Both NON CRPTO and CRPTO functionality is possible through the power take-off assembly 100. Three speed availability (multi suitability for various power take-off applications). Reverse speed can be achieved (fourth speed possible with this assembly).
[0028] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal 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. ,CLAIMS:STATEMENT OFCLAIMS
We claim,
1. A multi-speed power take-off assembly 100 for a vehicle, the power take-off assembly 100 comprising:
an input shaft 102;
a first input gear pair 104 and a second input gear pair 106 supported on the input shaft 102 for rotation;
a first shaft 108 for selectively connecting with the first input gear pair 104 and the second input gear pair 106;
a third input gear pair 110 supported on the input shaft 102 for rotation;
a second shaft 112 connected with the third input gear pair 110;
a coupling 114 for selectively connecting with at least one of the first shaft 108 and the second shaft 112; and
an output shaft 116 connected to the coupling 114,
wherein
the coupling 114 includes a lever 118 configured to be moved between a first position and a second position; and
the first position connects the coupling 114 with the first shaft 108 and the second position connects the coupling 114 with the second shaft 112;
the output shaft 116 adapted to be rotated at first speed when the coupling 114 engages with the first shaft 108 rotated by the first input gear pair 104;
the output shaft 116 adapted to be rotated at second speed when the coupling 114 engages with the first shaft 108 rotated by the second input gear pair 106;
the output shaft 116 adapted to be rotated at third speed when the coupling 114 engages with the second shaft 112 rotated by the third input gear pair 110.

2. The power take-off assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input shaft includes:
a main drive shaft M; and
a hollow drive shaft H.

3. The power take-off assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first shaft 108 is rotated by the main drive shaft M.

4. The power take-off assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second shaft 112 is rotated by the hollow drive shaft H.

5. The power take-off assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first shaft 108 is a hollow counter shaft.

6. The power take-off assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output shaft 116 is the PTO output shaft configured to drive at least one agricultural implement.

7. The power take-off assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PTO output shaft is configured to rotate in at least four selected speeds and the four selected speed includes first speed, second speed, third speed and a predetermined reverse speed.

8. A method 300 of providing a multi-speed power take-off assembly 100 for a vehicle, the method 300 comprising steps of:
providing an input shaft 102;
supporting a first input gear pair 104 and a second input gear pair 106 on the input shaft 102 for rotation;
connecting a first shaft 108 with the first input gear pair 104 and the second input gear pair 106;
supporting a third input gear pair 110 on the input shaft 102 for rotation;
connecting a second shaft 112 with the third input gear pair 110;
connecting a coupling 114 with at least one of the first shaft 108 and the second shaft 112; and
connecting an output shaft 116 to the coupling 114,
wherein
the coupling 114 includes a lever 118 configured to be moved between a first position and a second position; and
the first position connects the coupling 114 with the first shaft 108 and the second position connects the coupling 114 with the second shaft 112;
the output shaft 116 adapted to be rotated at first speed when the coupling 114 engages with the first shaft 108 rotated by the first input gear pair 104;
the output shaft 116 adapted to be rotated at second speed when the coupling 114 engages with the first shaft 108 rotated by the second input gear pair 106;
the output shaft 116 adapted to be rotated at third speed when the coupling 114 engages with the second shaft 112 rotated by the third input gear pair 110.