[001] The embodiments herein relate to a system and a method for providing constant downward force to an agricultural implement.

BACKGROUND
[002] Vehicles such as tractors and other similar vehicles are primarily used in agricultural field operations. One of the most common uses of tractors is to move an agricultural implement through agricultural fields to condition the soil for cultivation. Usually, the agricultural implements are attached to a rear-end and/or a front-end of the vehicle using a hitch or a drawbar depending on the type of vehicle configuration and the type of field operation that is to be carried out in the agricultural fields. Most of the agricultural implements are heavy weight implements which attains desired depth of operation by their own weight. However, the heavy weight implements are difficult to handle in the agricultural fields, consumes more power and increases an overall weight of the vehicle and incurs high cost due to the heavy weight of the agricultural implement. On the other hand, light weight implements are easy to handle and cost effective. However, light weight implements cannot attain desired depth of operation in agricultural fields due to the light weight of the agricultural implement. The agricultural implements are subjected to shock loads when the agricultural implement is towed by the vehicle in agricultural fields. The shock loads received by the agricultural implement is undesirable and in turn would result in wear and tear of the components present in a hitch system of the vehicle.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a system and a method for providing constant downward force to an agricultural implement, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a system for providing constant downward force to an agricultural implement.
[005] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a method for providing constant downward force to an agricultural implement.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a system which provides and maintains constant downward force to a lightweight agricultural implement thereby assisting the agricultural implement to attain constant depth of operation in agricultural fields.
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a system for lifting and lowering an agricultural implement.
[008] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a system which dampens a shock load received by an agricultural implement.
[009] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a system for providing constant downward force to a light weight agricultural implement.
[0010] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a system for providing constant downward force to an agricultural implement for a time period to attain constant depth of operation in agricultural fields.
[0011] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a system which transfers rear weight of at least one an agricultural vehicle and a machine to an agricultural implement therein to provide stability to the agricultural implement and to assist the agricultural implement to attain constant depth of operation in agricultural fields.
[0012] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and 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
[0013] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0014] Fig. 1 depicts a hydraulic circuit diagram of a system for providing constant downward force to an agricultural implement, where a double acting directional control valve is in a neutral position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0015] Fig. 2 depicts a hydraulic circuit diagram of the system with the double acting directional control valve in a first position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0016] Fig. 3 depicts a hydraulic circuit diagram of the system with the double acting directional control valve in a second position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0017] Fig. 4 depicts a perspective view of a double acting actuator coupled to a three point hitch, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0018] Fig. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of a leveling assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0019] Fig. 6 depicts a flowchart indicating a method for providing constant downward force to the agricultural implement, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] 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.
[0021] The embodiments herein achieve a system for providing constant downward force to an agricultural implement. Further, embodiments herein achieve a method for providing constant downward force to the agricultural implement. Referring now to the drawings Figs 1 through 6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0022] Fig. 1 depicts a hydraulic circuit diagram of a system (100) for providing constant downward force to an agricultural implement, where a double acting directional control valve (104) is in a neutral position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the system (100) is adapted to provide constant downward force to the agricultural implement (not shown) for a time period to attain constant depth of operation in the agricultural fields. The system (100) is adapted to maintain the constant downward force provided to the agricultural implement at the lowering position. The system (100) is adapted to transfer a rear weight of at least one of an agricultural vehicle and a machine to the agricultural implement thereby providing stability to the agricultural implement and to assist the agricultural implement to attain constant depth of operation in agricultural fields. In an embodiment, the system (100) includes a double acting actuator (102), a double acting directional control valve (104) and a plurality of leveling assemblies (106). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the system (100) is explained herein below with reference to provide constant downward force to the lightweight agricultural implement (not shown) coupled to a three point hitch (H) of an agricultural vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to use/implement the system (100) for providing constant downward force to the agricultural implement coupled to any type of hitch or any other implement mounting structure of the agricultural vehicle or a machine or any off-road vehicle or any other agricultural machine without otherwise deterring the intended function of the system (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0023] In an embodiment, the double acting actuator (102) is adapted to provide constant downward force to the agricultural implement for a time period to attain constant depth of operation in agricultural fields. The double acting actuator (102) is adapted to lift and lower the agricultural implement. The double acting actuator (102) is provided in fluid communication with the double acting directional control valve (104). The double acting actuator (104) is coupled to the three point hitch (H), as shown in fig. 4). The double acting actuator (102) includes a cylinder (102C), a movable member (102P) and a connecting member (102R). The cylinder (102C) is adapted to house the movable member (102P) and a portion of the connecting member (102R). The cylinder (102C) is provided in fluid communication with the double acting directional control valve (104). The cylinder (102C) includes a port (A) and another port (B). The cylinder (102C) is adapted to receive fluid from the double acting directional control valve (104) through at least one of the port (A) and another port (B). The movable member (102P) is disposed inside the cylinder (102C) and slidably connected to the cylinder (102C). The movable member (102P) is at least a piston. One end (102Rf) of the connecting member (102R) is connected to the movable member (102P) and another end (102Rs) of the connecting member (102R) is coupled to the three point hitch (H). The connecting member (102R) is at least an unbalanced connecting rod. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to provide a balanced member or any other type of members for connecting the movable member (102P) without otherwise deterring the intended function of the connecting member (102R) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. The double acting actuator (102) is at least a double acting hydraulic cylinder. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to provide a double acting pneumatic cylinder or any other type of actuators for providing constant downward force to the agricultural implement without otherwise deterring the intended function of the double acting actuator (102) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0024] The double acting directional control valve (104) is provided in fluid communication with a pump (P) through a system safety valve (S). The double acting directional control valve (104) is provided in fluid communication with the double acting actuator (102) and a tank (T). The double acting directional control valve (104) has a neutral position, a first position and a second position. In the neutral position, the double acting directional control valve (104) is adapted to direct the fluid from the pump (P) to the tank (T). In the first position, the double acting directional control valve (104) is adapted to direct the fluid from the pump (P) to the double acting actuator (102) therein to lift the agricultural implement. In the second position, the double acting directional control valve (104) is adapted to direct the fluid from the pump (P) to the double acting actuator (102) to provide constant downward force to the agricultural implement for a time period to attain constant depth of operation in agricultural fields.
[0025] The fluid flow (as shown in fig. 1) in the system (100) during the neutral position of the double acting directional control valve (104) is as follows. The fluid from the pump (P) flows to a neutral position port (104N) of double acting directional control valve (104) through the system safety valve (S). Thereafter, the fluid from the neutral position port (104N) of double acting directional control valve (104) flows to the tank (T).
[0026] Fig. 2 depicts a hydraulic circuit diagram of the system (100) with the double acting directional control valve (104) in a first position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The fluid flow in the system (100) during the first position of the double acting directional control valve (104) is as follows. The fluid from the pump (P) flows to a first position first port (104FX) of double acting directional control valve (104) through the system safety valve (S). Thereafter, the fluid from the first position first port (104FX) of the double acting directional control valve (104) flows into a portion (102CF) of the cylinder (102C) of the double acting actuator (102) through port (A). The pressurized fluid received inside the cylinder (102C) moves the movable member (102P) thereby enabling the double acting actuator (102) to lift the agricultural implement through the three point hitch (H). During the movement of the movable member (102P), the fluid in another portion (102CS) of the cylinder (102C) flows to a first position second port (104FY) of the double acting directional control valve (104) through another port (B) of the cylinder (102C). Thereafter, the fluid from the first position second port (104FY) of the double acting directional control valve (104) flows to the tank (T).
[0027] Fig. 3 depicts a hydraulic circuit diagram of the system (100) with the double acting directional control valve (104) in a second position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The fluid flow in the system (100) during the second position of the double acting directional control valve (104) is as follows. The fluid from the pump (P) flows to a second position first port (104SX) of double acting directional control valve (104) through the system safety valve (S). Thereafter, the fluid from the second position first port (104SX) of the double acting directional control valve (104) flows into another portion (102CS) of the cylinder (102C) of the double acting actuator (102) through port (B). The pressurized fluid received inside the cylinder (102C) moves the movable member (102P) thereby enabling the double acting actuator (102) to provide constant downward force to the agricultural implement through the three point hitch (H). During the movement of the movable member (102P), the fluid in the portion (102CF) of the cylinder (102C) flows to a second position second port (104SY) of the double acting directional control valve (104) through the port (A) of the cylinder (102C). Thereafter, the fluid from the second position second port (104SY) of the double acting directional control valve (104) flows to the tank (T).
[0028] The system (100) includes at least one of a mechanical control mechanism (not shown), an electronic control mechanism (not shown) and an electro-mechanical control mechanism, for actuating the double acting directional control valve. For example, the mechanical control mechanism includes a self-centered lever adapted to be coupled to the double acting directional control valve (104), where the self-centered lever actuates the double acting directional control valve (104) in at least one of the neutral position, the first position and the second position. In another example, the electro-mechanical control mechanism (not shown) includes any of buttons, knobs and levers operating in conjunction with an electronic controller unit for actuating an electronic based double acting directional control valve in at least one of the neutral position, the first position and the second position. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to provide a hydro-mechanical control mechanism or any other type of manual control mechanism or any other type of automatic control mechanism for actuating the double acting directional control valve.
[0029] Fig. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of a leveling assembly (106), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the plurality of leveling assemblies (106) is adapted to provide and maintain constant downward force to the agricultural implement. The plurality of leveling assemblies (106) are adapted to transfer a rear weight at least one of an agricultural vehicle and a machine to the agricultural implement thereby providing stability to the agricultural implement and to assist the agricultural implement to attain constant depth of operation in agricultural fields. The plurality of leveling assemblies (106) is adapted to dampen a shock load received by the agricultural implement when the agricultural implement is being towed by the vehicle in agricultural fields. Each leveling assembly (106) is adapted to be coupled between corresponding each lower link (VL) and corresponding each upper link (UL) of the three point hitch (H), as shown in fig. 4). In an embodiment, each leveling assembly (106) comprises a sliding assembly (106S), a first end cover (106EF), at least one housing (106H), a second end cover (106ES), at least one resilient and shock absorber unit (106D) and a connecting member (106A). One end of the sliding assembly (106S) is adapted to be coupled to corresponding upper link (UL) of the three point hitch (H) and another end of the sliding assembly (106S) is engaged with the resilient and shock absorber unit (106D). One end of the connecting member (106A) is adapted to be coupled to corresponding lower link (VL) of the three point hitch (H) and another end of the connecting member (106A) is connected to the second end cover (106ES).
[0030] The system safety valve (S) is adapted to restrict the fluid flow to the double acting actuator (102) by bypassing the fluid from the pump (P) to the tank (T) when the pressure of the fluid is beyond a predefined pressure set value of the system safety valve (S). The pump (P) is adapted to pump the fluid to the double acting actuator (102). The tank (T) is adapted to store the fluid.
[0031] Fig. 6 depicts a flowchart indicating a method (200) for providing constant downward force to the agricultural implement, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the method (200) is explained herein below with reference to providing constant downward force to the lightweight agricultural implement coupled to a three point hitch (H) of an agricultural vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to practice/implement the entire steps of the method (200) or with omission of at least one step of the method (200) or with any addition of at least one step to the method (200) for providing constant downward force to the agricultural implement coupled to any type of hitch or any other implement mounting structure of the agricultural vehicle or a machine or any off-road vehicle or any other agricultural machine, without otherwise deterring the intended function of the method (200) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the method (200) includes, actuating a double acting directional control valve (104) through at least one of a mechanical control mechanism, an electronic control mechanism and an electro-mechanical control mechanism, (step 201), directing fluid to a double acting actuator (102) through the double acting directional control valve (104), step 202, and providing constant downward force to the agricultural implement through double acting actuator (102) for a time period to attain constant depth of operation in agricultural fields, step 204.
[0032] Therefore, a system (100) and a method (200) which provides constant downward force to an agricultural implement are provided.
[0033] 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 embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Claims:We claim:
1. A system (100) for providing constant downward force to an agricultural implement, said system (100) comprising:
a double acting actuator (102); and
a double acting directional control valve (104) adapted to be provided in fluid communication with said double acting actuator (102),
wherein
said double acting actuator (102) provides constant downward force to the agricultural implement.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system (100) comprises a plurality of leveling assemblies (106) adapted to provide and maintain constant downward force on the agricultural implement.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said plurality of leveling assemblies (106) are adapted to dampen a shock load received by the agricultural implement

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said double acting directional control valve (104) has a neutral position, a first position and a second position,
wherein
said double acting directional control valve (104) in the neutral position is adapted to direct the fluid from a pump (P) to a tank (T);
said double acting directional control valve (104) in the first position is adapted is adapted to direct the fluid from the pump (P) to said double acting actuator (102) therein to lift the agricultural implement; and
said double acting directional control valve (104) in the second position is adapted to direct the fluid from the pump (P) to the double acting actuator (102) to provide constant downward force to the agricultural implement for a time period to attain constant depth of operation in agricultural fields.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said double acting actuator (102) is at least a double acting hydraulic cylinder.

6. A method (200) for providing constant downward force to an agricultural implement, said method (200) comprising:
directing fluid to a double acting actuator (102) through a double acting directional control valve (104); and
providing constant downward force to the agricultural implement through double acting actuator (102) for a time period to attain constant depth of operation in agricultural fields.

7. The method (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said method (200) comprises actuating the double acting directional control valve (104) through at least one of a mechanical control mechanism, an electronic control mechanism and an electro-mechanical control mechanism.