1. A position control mechanism (100) for coupling and decoupling of an actuator (110a) to and from a load body (105), said mechanism (100) configured for position control of load body and physical disconnection in a vertical position mechanism (100) comprising: a. a bearing yoke (112) connected to said load body (105), said bearing yoke (112) configured to slide on metal slide-ways provided on said frame structure (120) by said actuator (110a); b. a fork (114) and pin (116) connection provided between said bearing yoke (112) and said actuator (110); and c. a cam profile (118) provided on operative top surface of said frame structure (120) and stretching along the length of said load body (105), when said load body (105) reaches a predefined position with respect to said frame structure (120), said cam profile (118) is configured to come in contact with a fork roller (115) to angularly displace and release engagement between said fork (114) and said pin (116) thereby decoupling the load body (105) from the actuator (110).

2. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator (110) is configured between vehicle frame structure and said load body (105).

3. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein two actuators (110a) are provided between said load body (105) and the vehicle frame structure.

4. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator (110) is selected from a group of linear actuators consisting of hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, and electro-mechanical actuators.

5. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in vertical orientation said actuators (105) are configured to displace said load body (105) downward such that said load body (105) rests on ground while simultaneously getting disengaged from said actuators (110).

6. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mechanism (100) is configured to facilitate momentary shrinkage of said load body (105) into the ground and spring back movement thereof.

7. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an electronic controller (not shown in figures) is provided for controlling the operation of said actuators (110a).

8. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operative front side of the load body (105) includes trunnions configured on said front bearing yoke (112) while the operative rear side of the load body (105) is rested on a cup and saddle assembly.

9. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein hemispherical profiles are configured at the contact region between said actuator (110) and load body (105).

10. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mechanism (100) is configured to be mounted on a transport and military vehicles.

11. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load body, which is otherwise held by said actuators (110a), is rested on the ground by gravity, after automatic disengagement from the actuators (110a).

12. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at a vertical position of said load body (105) when said actuators (110a)are retracted the load body (105) gets lowered and then rested on the ground, while on further retraction of said actuators (110a),said actuators (110a) reach their closed position without any effect on the state of said load body (105) thereby making resting of said load body (105) on the ground a drill based activity and requiring little operator judgment.

13. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engagement and/or disengagement of said hydraulic actuators (110a,) takes place at a predefined position of said load body (105) on said slide-ways, and the predefined position being configured to be altered by a predefined pitch.

The present disclosure relates to the field of vehicles having a load body. Particularly, the invention relates to a position control mechanism for coupling and decoupling of hydraulic actuator to and from a load body.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Transport vehicles are provided with load bodies that are positioned in a horizontal orientation during transportation. When the load body is to be emptied it is required to be moved to a vertical orientation such that the material stored in the load body moves down under gravity. Various types of coupling device are available in market for hydraulically detaching and attaching an implement to a work machine. Several types of conventional coupling devices consist of a frame on which a bracket carrying latch member is pivoted. The bracket is operated through a hydraulic cylinder provided between a disengaged position and an engaged position, wherein the latch member helps in locking the implements with a loader arm. Several work machines involve engagement grooves in the work implement.
Sometimes, the load body is required to be detached from hydraulic actuators when the load body is held in a vertical position during unloading. Moving the load body to a vertical orientation and its placement on the ground is a challenging task and only skilled and experienced operators can achieve this task.
There is, therefore, felt a need of a position control mechanism for coupling/decoupling of hydraulic actuators that alleviates the above mentioned 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 disclosure is to provide a position control mechanism for hydraulic actuators.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a position control mechanism for hydraulic actuators, which is automatically actuated.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a position control mechanism for hydraulic actuator that facilitates coupling and decoupling of the hydraulic actuator from load body.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a position control mechanism for hydraulic actuator that facilitates automatic engagement and disengagement of hydraulic actuators from load body.
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 envisages a position control mechanism for coupling and decoupling of an actuator to and from a load body. The mechanism is configured to control position of load body and physical disconnection in its vertical position. The mechanism comprises a bearing yoke that is connected to the load body, wherein the bearing yoke is configured to slide on metal slide-ways provided on the frame structure by the actuator. A fork and pin connection is provided between the bearing yoke and the actuator. Further, a cam profile is provided on operative top surface of the frame structure and stretching along the length of the load body wherein the cam profile is configured to come in contact with a fork roller to angularly displace the fork to release engagement between the fork and the pin thereby decoupling the load body from the actuator. The actuator is connected between a vehicle frame structure and the load body.
In an embodiment, at least two actuators are provided between the load body and the vehicle frame structure.
In an embodiment, the actuator is selected from a group of a linear actuators consisting of hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, and electro-mechanical actuators.
In another embodiment, in vertical orientation the actuators are configured to displace the load body downward such that the load body rests on ground while simultaneously getting disengaged from the actuators.
In an embodiment, the mechanism is configured to facilitate momentary shrinkage of the load body into the ground and spring back movement thereof.
In another embodiment, an electronic controller (not shown in figures) is provided for controlling the operation of the actuators.
In another embodiment, the operative front side of the load body includes trunnions assembled in the front bearing yoke while the rear side of the load body is rested on a cup and saddle assembly.
In another embodiment, the metal slide-ways are provided at the front and rear side of the frame structure.
In another embodiment, hemispherical profiles are configured at the contact region between the actuator and load body.
In another embodiment, the mechanism is configured to be mounted on a transport and military vehicles.
In yet another embodiment, the load body, which is otherwise held by the actuators, is rested on the ground by gravity, after automatic disengagement from the actuators.
In yet another embodiment, at a vertical position of the load body when the actuators are retracted the load body gets lowered and then rested on the ground, while on further retraction of the actuators, the actuators reach their closed position without any effect on the state of the load body thereby making resting of the load body on the ground a drill based activity and requiring little operator judgment.
In yet another embodiment, the engagement and/or disengagement of the actuators takes place at a predefined position of the load body on the slide-ways. The predefined position can be altered by a predefined pitch.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A position control mechanism for hydraulic actuators of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a load body in horizontal configuration mounted on a frame structure;
Figure 2 illustrates a position control mechanism for hydraulic actuator;
Figure 3aillustrates a side view of a load body in a vertical configuration mounted on a frame structure; and
Figure 3b illustrates a zoomed in view of a position control mechanism for hydraulic actuator.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS:
100 – A position control mechanism
105 – Load body
110a, 110b – Actuator
112 – Front bearing yoke
112a – Front yoke coupler
118 – Cam
120 – Frame structure
120a – Front end of frame structure
120b – Rear end of frame structure
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully 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, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
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.
The present disclosure envisages a position control mechanism 100 for coupling/decoupling of hydraulic actuator 110a. The position control mechanism (herein after referred to as “mechanism 100”) is described herein below with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 3b.
A heavy, long and tubular load body 105is integrated on a frame structure 120 of a vehicle. The load body 105 remains in horizontal condition during transportation. The load body 105 is required to be made vertical and thereafter lowered to rest on ground. The frame structure 120 on which load body 105 supports fluid powered actuators 110b for articulating the load body 105 from a horizontal position to a vertical position. Firstly, the load body 105 is horizontally displaced by means of the actuator 110a such as to slide rearward on the frame structure 120 just before being articulated up. Alternately the load body 105 is slided forward after being articulated down such as to set it in a horizontal transportation condition.
According to an embodiment, a set of double acting hydraulic actuators 110a is connected between the frame structure 120 and the load body 105 for enabling the sliding motion of the load body 105. The frame structure 120 accommodates four metal slide-ways (not seen in figures), two on either side of the frame structure 120 at both the front end 120a and the rear end 120b. The load body 105 is mounted in bearing yokes at front and to the cup-saddle assembly (not seen in figures) at the rear in such a manner that the actuation of the hydraulic actuators (110a generates a forward and a rearward linear sliding motion of the load body 105. After the load body 105 is slided rearward up to a predetermined position, the frame structure 120 is articulated up from its horizontal to vertical orientation. Initially a gap exists between the ground and rear most point of the load body 105. Hence the load body 105 needs to be further lowered to touch the ground. This is achieved by sliding the load body 105 downward by the same hydraulic actuators 110a. However, the load body cannot rest on the ground due to its own gravity, since it is supported vertically on frame by hydraulic actuators 110a through contact between actuator and the coupler 112a. Usually hydraulic actuators (110a are hinged at both side of the frame structure 120 and are not detachable.
The above phenomenon explains the necessity of some arrangement by which the hydraulic actuator 110a can be detached from the load body 105. In certain scenario, the load body 105 may momentarily shrink into the ground or can cause spring back movement.
The actuators (110a, 110b) can be selected from a group of linear actuators consisting of hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, and electro-mechanical actuators. Any other linear actuator can also be used.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, this movement of the load body 105 is allowed and facilitated within the frame structure 120 without any resistance such as to avoid any damage to the frame structure 120, the actuators (110a, 110b) and the fastening means. When the load body 105 is slided backward, the mechanism 100 should also connect the actuators 110a and the fastening means to permit this motion.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cam based mechanism is used to ensure that the hydraulic actuator 110a remain engaged with the load body 105 up to a predetermined position on the slideways during sliding both in forward and rearward direction. Hence when in vertical orientation, the load body 105 is lowered to rest on the ground, the mechanism 100 gets actuated at the predetermined location during the lowering operation. This ensures disengagement of the load body 105 from hydraulic actuators 110a. The load body 105 can now rest on the ground by its own gravity and shrink and/or spring back movement, thereof, is facilitated. These operations are passive and do not require any feedback.
As shown in Figure 1, the operative front side of the load body 105 having trunnions (both on left side and right side) is connected to the front bearing yoke 112 (at location A) while the operative rear side of the load body 105 is rested on a cup and saddle assembly. The trunnions on the rear side (LHS and RHS) of the load body 105 are bolted with a cup at location B (as shown in Figure 1).
The metal slide-ways are housed in front and rear side of the frame structure 120 (both LH and RH sides of the frame structure 120 at location 120a and 120b). The load body 105 in connected to a bearing yoke 112. The bearing yoke 112 is connected to hydraulic actuators 110a as shown in Figure 1.In an embodiment, the pair of actuators 110a forms an integral part of the frame structure 120.
A fork 114 and a pin 116 type connection are provided between the front bearing yoke 112 and the hydraulic actuator 110a. The forks 114 (Qty:02 Nos.) are mounted on the front bearing yoke 112 through a front yoke coupler 112a having an internal hemi-spherical profile wherein the pin 116 is attached to a rod of the hydraulic actuator 110a having an external hemi-spherical eye end as shown in Figure 2. The fork 114 is pivoted at a pivot pin 113. In an operative configuration, when the hemi-spherical profile of the front yoke coupler 112a and the hydraulic actuator 110a rod is in contact, a clearance is formed between forks 114 and the pins 116.
During actuation of hydraulic actuators 110a (placed on both Left and Right side) when the load body 105 is in horizontal condition, the pins 116 make contact with the forks 114 of the hydraulic actuators110 (i.e. making initial clearance between the fork 114 and pin zero) and the load body 105 is slided rearward.
After achieving pre-determined position, the frame 120 along with load body 105 is articulated with pair of hydraulic actuators 110b to 90º. In this condition, the load body 105 slides on the frame structure 120 and again the contact gets established between the hemispherical profiles. The entire load of load body 105 is taken by the hydraulic actuators 110a (through hemi-spherical contact). At 90 degree position, the load body 105 is slided in a downward direction by the hydraulic actuator 110, and during this motion the fork roller makes contact with a cam profile 118 mounted on frame 120. The clearance formed between the fork 114 and the pin 116 when the roller comes in contact with the cam profile 118 helps in angular displacement without friction and thus releasing the engagement between the fork 114 and the pin 116. The disengagement of the fork 114 takes place without any appreciable contact friction with the pin 116 as shown in Figure 3b.
The downward motion of the load body 105 is continued till the load body 105 rests on the ground. The hydraulic actuators 110a are retracted further in downward direction in order to form a sufficient clearance between the hemispherical profiles and thus load body 105 is physically disconnected from the hydraulic actuators 110a (which are mounted on the frame structure).
At vertical orientation, when the hydraulic actuators110a are retracted, the load body gets lowered and then it is rested on the ground. With further retraction of the actuators, the actuators reach to a closed position without any effect on the state of the load body. Thus resting of the load body 105 on the ground becomes a drill based activity rather than based on the operator judgment/skills.
When in a horizontal orientation of the load body 105, during the extension of hydraulic actuators 110a, the load body 105 moves to its home position and the mechanism 100 facilitates engagement of the load body 105 with the actuators 110a at a predefined position so that the load body 105 can be retracted backward from its home position for next cycle of operation.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the mechanism 100 is implemented for hydraulic actuators, but the concept of the mechanism 100 is non-restrictive and can be improvised and applied to any other type of linear actuators.
In an embodiment, the engagement and/or disengagement of the hydraulic actuators 110a takes place at a predefined position of the load body (105) on the slide-ways. The predefined position is configured to be altered by altering cam position.
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 ADVANCES AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a position control mechanism for coupling and decoupling of hydraulic actuator, that:
• facilitates the load body to rest on ground under the action of gravity due to automatic disengagement from the hydraulic actuator; and
• facilitates resting of the load body on ground without the requirement of an experienced and highly skilled operator.
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.
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.
One of the object of the Patent Law is to provide protection to new technologies in all fields and domain of technologies. The new technologies shall or may contribute in the country economy growth by way of involvement of new efficient and quality method or product manufacturing in India.
To provide the protection of new technologies by patenting the product or process will contribute significant for innovation development in the country. Further by granting patent the patentee can contribute in manufacturing the new product or new process of manufacturing by himself or by technology collaboration or through the licensing.
The applicant submits that the present disclosure will contribute in country economy, which is one of the purposes to enact the Patents Act, 1970. The product in accordance with present invention will be in great demand in country and worldwide due to novel technical features of a present invention is a technical advancement in the position control of load bodies using linear actuator. The technology in accordance with present disclosure will provide product cheaper, saving in time of total process of manufacturing. The saving in production time will improve the productivity, and cost cutting of the product, which will directly contribute to economy of the country.
The product will contribute new concept in logistics and material handling wherein patented process/product will be used. The present disclosure will replace the whole concept of manually controlled hydraulics being used in heavy duty vehicles from decades. The product is developed in the national interest and will contribute to country economy.
The economy significance details requirement may be called during the examination. Only after filing of this Patent application, the applicant can work publically related to present disclosure product/process/method. The applicant will disclose all the details related to the economic significance contribution after the protection of invention.

Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A position control mechanism (100) for coupling and decoupling of an actuator (110a) to and from a load body (105), said mechanism (100) configured for position control of load body and physical disconnection in a vertical position mechanism (100) comprising:
a. a bearing yoke (112) connected to said load body (105), said bearing yoke (112) configured to slide on metal slide-ways provided on said frame structure (120) by said actuator (110a);
b. a fork (114) and pin (116) connection provided between said bearing yoke (112) and said actuator (110); and
c. a cam profile (118) provided on operative top surface of said frame structure (120) and stretching along the length of said load body (105), when said load body (105) reaches a predefined position with respect to said frame structure (120), said cam profile (118) is configured to come in contact with a fork roller (115) to angularly displace and release engagement between said fork (114) and said pin (116) thereby decoupling the load body (105) from the actuator (110).
2. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator (110) is configured between vehicle frame structure and said load body (105).
3. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein two actuators (110a) are provided between said load body (105) and the vehicle frame structure.
4. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator (110) is selected from a group of linear actuators consisting of hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, and electro-mechanical actuators.
5. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in vertical orientation said actuators (105) are configured to displace said load body (105) downward such that said load body (105) rests on ground while simultaneously getting disengaged from said actuators (110).
6. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mechanism (100) is configured to facilitate momentary shrinkage of said load body (105) into the ground and spring back movement thereof.
7. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an electronic controller (not shown in figures) is provided for controlling the operation of said actuators (110a).
8. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operative front side of the load body (105) includes trunnions configured on said front bearing yoke (112) while the operative rear side of the load body (105) is rested on a cup and saddle assembly.
9. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein hemispherical profiles are configured at the contact region between said actuator (110) and load body (105).
10. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mechanism (100) is configured to be mounted on a transport and military vehicles.
11. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load body, which is otherwise held by said actuators (110a), is rested on the ground by gravity, after automatic disengagement from the actuators (110a).
12. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at a vertical position of said load body (105) when said actuators (110a)are retracted the load body (105) gets lowered and then rested on the ground, while on further retraction of said actuators (110a),said actuators (110a) reach their closed position without any effect on the state of said load body (105) thereby making resting of said load body (105) on the ground a drill based activity and requiring little operator judgment.
13. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engagement and/or disengagement of said hydraulic actuators (110a,) takes place at a predefined position of said load body (105) on said slide-ways, and the predefined position being configured to be altered by a predefined pitch.