DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to agricultural implements. More particularly, but not exclusively to an agricultural implement having an eccentric shaft and an intermediate shaft to prevent blade breakage or blade damage.

BACKGROUND
[002] A conventional agricultural implement includes a driven shaft on which are mounted a plurality of rotary tillage members having soil engaging blades the outer extremities of which are generally parallel to the shaft. The blades erupt the soil from below seed bed depth upwardly so as to open up the soil.
[003] Blades of the rotavator or rotary tillage members get damaged when blades encounter hard objects, such as stones, hillocks, both of which are usually present in abundance in fields. Further, the rotating shafts (such as first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft) having the blades are prone to bend or damage on one direction due to prolonged usage which in turn affect the life of the rotary tillage members. The blades when pressed against hard objects may bend or break or disengage from the rotating shaft or suffer other serious damage which is undesirable.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for an agricultural implement having at least one intermediate shaft provided between at least one first rotary shaft and at least one second rotary shaft adapted for use with tractors and the like, to prevent blade breakage or blade damage. Further, there exists a need for the agricultural implement having at least one of the at least one first rotary shaft and the at least one second rotary shaft being positioned in at least one of parallel and/or eccentric to a central axis of rotation of a drive shaft, to prevent blade deflection or blade damage.
OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide an agricultural implement having at least one intermediate shaft provided between at least one first rotary shaft and at least one second rotary shaft adapted for use with tractors and the like, to prevent blade deflection or blade damage.
[006] Another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide an agricultural implement having at least one of the at least one first rotary shaft and the at least one second rotary shaft being positioned in at least one of parallel and/or eccentric to a central axis of rotation of a drive shaft, to prevent blade breakage or blade damage.
[007] 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
[008] 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:
[009] FIG. 1 depicts a side view of an agricultural implement having at least one third shaft and at least one fourth shaft, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the agricultural implement having at least one of at least one first rotary shaft and at least one second rotary shaft eccentric to a central axis of rotation of a drive shaft, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein; and
[0011] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the agricultural implement having at least one first rotary shaft and at least one second rotary shaft and a drive shaft, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] 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.
[0013] The embodiments herein achieve an agricultural implement having at least one intermediate shaft provided between a first rotary shaft and a second rotary shaft adapted for use with tractors and the like, to prevent blade damage or blade breakage. Further, the embodiments herein achieve an agricultural implement having at least one of the at least one first rotary shaft and the at least one second rotary shaft being positioned in at least one of parallel and/or eccentric to a central axis of rotation of a drive shaft, to prevent blade breakage or blade damage. Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through FIG. 3, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0014] In an embodiment, the agricultural implement(also referred to as rotavator) 100 includes a frame 102, a driving means (not shown) coupled to a driveshaft116, at least one first rotary shaft 104, the at least one first rotary shaft 104 having at least one first flange 106, at least one first flange 106 having at least one first cutting blade112, at least one second rotary shaft 108, at least one second rotary shaft108 having at least one second flange 110, at least one second flange 110having at least one second cutting blade112, the first cutting blade112 and the second cutting blade112having radially extending portions terminating in outer end portions that extend generally parallel to the drive shaft, at least one third shaft 118 (also referred to as intermediate shaft in the description), and at least one fourth shaft 114 (also referred to as pre-stressed shaft in the description).
[0015] In an embodiment, the agricultural implement 100is pulled by the tractor. The tractor has a conventional power take-off shaft (not shown) extending rearwardly from its body and a drawbar structure mounted on the underside of the body and extending rearwardly from the tractor to terminate at its rearward end in a clevis type connection (not shown). These and all other features of the tractor are conventional and consequently details are neither shown nor described relative to those features.
[0016] In an embodiment, the agricultural implement 100 includes the main frame 102 (also referred to as frame 102). The main frame 102is composed of a front transverse beam (not shown) extending across the front end of the agricultural implement 100. In an embodiment the main frame102is configured to be connected to a clevis by means of a pin (not shown). The main frame 102further includes a pair of side beams (not shown) which are fixed to and extend rearwardly from opposite ends of the front transverse beam. In an embodiment, the main frame 102 may be adjusted vertically relative to the ground. The frame 102 further includes a top cover 124 disposed between a left wall 120 and a right wall 122.
[0017] In an embodiment, the agricultural implement 100 includes the drive shaft 116. In an embodiment, the drive shaft 116is mounted in the main frame102. In an embodiment, the drive shaft 116is rotated by the driving means (not shown). The driving means is rotated by a power take-off unit (PTO) of the tractor. The power take off unit produces a torque T.
[0018] In an embodiment, the agricultural implement 100 includes at least one first rotary shaft104. In an embodiment, the at least one first rotary shaft104 is driven by the drive shaft 116.The at least one first rotary shaft 104 includes the at least one first flange 106. In an embodiment, the at least one first rotary shaft 104 may include plurality of first flanges 106. In an embodiment, the plurality of first flanges106includes the at least one first cutting blade (also referred to as blade) 112. In an embodiment, the first flange 106 may include a plurality of cutting blades. In an embodiment, the plurality of first flange 106 is rotated in forward direction F.
[0019] The agricultural implement 100 further includes at least one second rotary shaft 108. In an embodiment, the at least one second rotary shaft 108 is driven by the drive shaft 116or by the at least one first rotary shaft 104.The at least one second rotary shaft108 includes the at least one second flange 110. In an embodiment, the at least one second rotary shaft108 may include plurality of second flanges 110. In an embodiment, the plurality of second flanges 110 may include the plurality of second cutting blade112. In an embodiment, the plurality of second flange 110 is rotated in reverse direction R.
[0020] In an embodiment, the plurality of first cutting blades 112 and the plurality of second cutting blades 112 are configured to be rotated in clockwise direction and counterclockwise direction. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any rotation direction for the plurality of first flange 106 and the plurality of second flange 110 without otherwise deterring the intended function of the rotation as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. Each of the first flange 106 and the second flange 110 are coupled with a predetermined number of cutting blades 112. The cutting blades112 are coupled to said each of the first flange 106 and the second flange 110 at a predetermined angle. In an embodiment, the cutting blades 112 are fabricated in a shape selected from a group comprising L shape, C shape and J shape. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any shape of blade for fabricating the blade without otherwise deterring the intended function of the tilling as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings.
[0021] FIG. 1 depicts an agricultural implement 100 having at least one third shaft and at least one fourth shaft, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The agricultural implement 100 includes the at least one third shaft 118. The at least one third shaft 118 is mounted in the frame 102between the plurality of first cutting blades 112 and the plurality of second cutting blades 112. In an embodiment, the at least one third shaft 118 is a rotating shaft (also referred to as intermediate shaft) which is rotated by one of the drive shaft, the first rotary shaft 104, and the second rotary shaft 108. In an alternate embodiment, the at least one third shaft 118 is a non-rotating shaft. In another alternate embodiment, the third shaft 118 may be fixed in bearing and will be self rotatable with the soil interaction in one of clockwise and counter clockwise direction. The at least one rotating third shaft 118 is mounted at a predetermined position such that it does not allow any obstacle such as stones and roots to pass through both of the plurality of first cutting blades 112 and the plurality of second cutting blades 112. The at least one rotating third shaft 118 is mounted at the predetermined position such that it facilitates in cutting of soil and avoids damage to the cutting blades112 (such as bending or breaking of the blades). In an embodiment, a diameter D of the third shaft 118 is selected based on size of the stones and roots which are not allowed to pass through the cutting blades. The third shaft 118 is mounted at top end 102a of the frame 102. The third shaft 118 is adapted to be rotated in one of clockwise direction and anti-clockwise direction.
[0022] In an alternate embodiment, the agricultural implement 100 includes the at least one fourth shaft 114. In an embodiment, the at least one fourth shaft 114 is solid (also referred to as pre-stressed solid shaft 114). The at least one pre-stressed solid shaft 114 is mounted in the frame 102 between the plurality of first cutting blades 112 and the plurality of second cutting blades 112. The at least one pre-stressed solid shaft 114 is mounted at a predetermined position such that it does not allow any obstacle such as stones and roots to pass through both of the plurality of first cutting blades 112 and the plurality of second cutting blades 112. The fourth shaft 114 is a pre-stressed shaft having a predetermined tension or stress. The at least one pre-stressed solid shaft 114 is mounted at the predetermined position such that it avoids bending of the at least one first rotary shaft 104 and the at least one second rotary shaft 108 due to impact of the stones or roots, thus maintaining a predetermined clearance between the at least one first rotary shaft 104 and the at least one second rotary shaft 108. The at least one pre-stressed solid shaft 114 is mounted near at least one of top end 102a and the bottom end 102b of the frame 102. In an embodiment, the at least one pre-stressed solid shaft 114 is a non-rotating shaft.
[0023] FIG. 2 depicts an agricultural implement having at least one of at least one first rotary shaft and at least one second rotary shaft eccentric to a central axis of rotation of a drive shaft, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In a first embodiment, the agricultural implement 100 includes both the at least one first rotary shaft104 and the at least one second rotary shaft108 being positioned eccentric to a central axis A of rotation of the drive shaft 116. In a second alternate embodiment, the at least one first rotary shaft 104 is offset at first end (one end) and the at least one second rotary shaft 108 is positioned parallel to the central axis A of the drive shaft 116. In a third alternate embodiment, the at least one second rotary shaft 108 is offset at first end (one end) and the at least one first rotary shaft 104 is positioned parallel to the central axis A of the drive shaft 116. In fourth embodiment, both the at least one first rotary shaft 104 and the at least one second rotary shaft 108 is being positioned parallel to a central axis A of rotation of the drive shaft 116. In an embodiment, when both the at least one first rotary shaft 104 and the at least one second rotary shaft 108 is being positioned parallel to the central axis A, a deflector (not shown) is mounted between the at least one first rotary shaft 104 and the at least one second rotary shaft 108. In fifth embodiment, the at least one of, the at least one first rotary shaft 104 and the at least one second rotary shaft 108 is positioned eccentrically along with the deflector (not shown).
[0024] Due to the offset in the position of at least one of the at least one first rotary shaft 104 and the at least one second rotary shaft 108, the stones and roots are allowed to pass through a larger gap defined between the at least one first rotary shaft 104 and the at least one second rotary shaft 108. Thus, offset positioning avoids the breakage of the blades of the plurality of first flange 106 and the plurality of second flange 110. In an embodiment, the at least one first rotary shaft 104 and the at least one second rotary shaft 108 may be pre-bend to an angle of 10-15 degrees in at least one of one side and/or both sides.
[0025] Further the rotavator 100 includes the drive mechanism (not shown) configured to rotate the first rotary shaft 104, the second rotary shaft 108, and the intermediate shaft 118. In an embodiment, the drive mechanism may be connected to the first rotary shaft 104 which may in turn rotate the second rotary shaft 108 and the intermediate shaft 118 through plurality of gear wheels. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to implement/provide any type of drive mechanism to the rotavator without otherwise deterring the intended function of the driving or rotating the shafts as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. The drive mechanism is selected from a group comprising of gear drive, chain drive, belt drive and combination thereof.
[0026] Some of the technical advantages of the disclosed embodiments are that, the agricultural implement mixes and pulverizes the tilled soil well resulting in a good clod size distribution. The number of tillage passes required to achieve an acceptable tilt quality, using implement, is also significantly reduced. Further, damage of the rotating shafts and blades due to impact of stones and roots in soil are evaded.
[0027] 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. It can be noted that 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:We claim,
1. A rotavator 100 for an agricultural vehicle, comprising:
a frame 102;
at least one first rotary shaft 104 mounted to said frame 102, wherein said first rotary shaft 104 includes at least one first flange 106 disposed on said first rotary shaft 104;
at least one second rotary shaft 108 mounted to said frame 102, wherein said second rotary shaft 108 includes at least one second flange 110 disposed on said second rotary shaft 108;
at least one cutting blade 112mounted on each of said corresponding first flange 106 and second flange 110;
at least one third shaft 118 disposed between said first rotary shaft 104 and said second rotary shaft 108; and
a drive mechanism coupled to said first rotary shaft 104, said second rotary shaft 108, and said third rotary shaft,
wherein,
said second rotary shaft 108 is configured to be rotated at least in opposite direction as that of a rotation of said first rotary shaft 104;
said third shaft 118 is configured to be mounted at a predetermined position between said first rotary shaft 104 and said second rotary shaft 108 such that it does not allow any object to pass through said cutting blades 112 mounted on each of said corresponding first flange 106 and second flange 110.
2. The rotavator 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame 102 further includes:
a left wall 120;
a right wall 122 disposed opposite to said left wall 120; and
a top cover 124disposed between said left wall 120 and said right wall 122.
3. The rotavator 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rotavator 100 further includes:
said frame 102;
said first rotary shaft 104 mounted to said frame 102, wherein said first rotary shaft 104 includes at least one first flange 106 disposed on said first rotary shaft 104;
said second rotary shaft 108 mounted to said frame 102, wherein said second rotary shaft 108 includes at least one second flange 110 disposed on said second rotary shaft 108;
said cutting blade 112 mounted on each of said corresponding first flange 106 and second flange 110; and
at least one fourth shaft 114, said fourth shaft 114 is mounted in said frame 102 between said cutting blades 112 mounted on each of said corresponding first flange 106 and second flange 110.
4. The rotavator as claimed in claim 3, wherein said fourth shaft 114 is a pre-stressed shaft having a predetermined tension and is adapted to be mounted near at least one of top end 102a and bottom end 102b of said frame 102.
5. The rotavator 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said third shaft 118 is mounted at top end 102a of said frame 102 and adapted to be rotated in one of clockwise direction and anti-clockwise direction.
6. The rotavator 100 as claimed in claim 4, wherein said third shaft 118 is a stationary shaft.
7. The rotavator 100 as claimed in claim 4, wherein said fourth shaft 114 is a stationary shaft.
8. The rotavator 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first rotary shaft 104 and said second rotary shaft 108 is configured to be positioned in at least one of parallel and eccentric to a central axis A of rotation of a drive shaft 116.
9. The rotavator 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first rotary shaft 104 and said second rotary shaft 108 is adapted to be pre-bent to an angle of 10? -15? in at least one of one side and both sides.
10. The rotavator 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first flange 106 and said second flange 110are coupled with a predetermined number of cutting blades 112.
11. The rotavator 100 as claimed in claim 8, wherein said cutting blades 112 and said corresponding first flanges 106 and said second flanges 110 are unitary.
12. The rotavator 100 as claimed in claim 8, wherein said cutting blades 112 define at least one shape selected from a group comprising L shape, C shape and J shape.
13. The rotavator 100 as claimed in claim 8, wherein said each cutting blade 112 is coupled to said each of said first flange 106 and said second flange 110 at a predetermined angle.
14. The rotavator 100 as claimed in claim 13, wherein said drive mechanism is selected from a group comprising of gear drive, chain drive, belt drive and combination thereof.
15. The rotavator 100 as claimed in claim 13, wherein said rotavator 100 further includes a deflector adapted to be mounted between said first rotary shaft 104 and said second rotary shaft 108.