Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. An arrangement (100) for mounting an air conditioning unit (130) on a cabin tractor, said arrangement (100) comprising:
a support frame (110) connected to a top portion (115) of a frame structure (120) of said cabin;
at least one bracket (125) connected to said support frame (110), said support frame (110) supporting said air conditioning unit (130) thereon; and
a top cover (135) mounted on said frame structure (120) to cover said air conditioning unit (130).
2. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top cover (135) is formed by two sheets (140, 145) using a vacuum forming process.
3. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said arrangement (100) includes a bottom cover connected to said frame structure (120), and configured to cover a bottom portion of said air conditioning unit (130).
4. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said arrangement (100) includes Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) isolators provided between a bottom surface of said unit (130) and said support frame (110), and configured to dampen the vibrations generated by said air conditioning unit (130) during operation of said unit (130).
5. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said arrangement (100) includes a pair of brackets (125) for connecting said air conditioning unit (130) to said support frame (110).
6. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top cover (135) has a top sheet (140) made of Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and a bottom sheet (145) of said top cover (135) is made of Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material.
7. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support frame (110) includes:
a first bar (112) connected to two parallel sides of said frame structure (120); and
a pair of second bars (114) connected orthogonally to said first bar (112) and to said frame structure (120) in a spaced apart configuration.
8. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein four mounting brackets (117) are connected to said top portion (115) to facilitate mounting of said top cover (135) on said frame structure (120).
9. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bracket (125) has a first extension (126) configured to be connected with said unit (130), and a second extension (127) orthogonal to said first extension (126) and configured to be connected with said support frame (110).
10. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top cover (135) includes a window (150).
Dated this 16th day of January, 2020
For MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED
By their Agent

GIRISH VIJAYANAND SHETH IN/PA- 1022
KRISHNA & SAURASTRI ASSOCIATES LLP
, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See Section 10, Rule 13]

AN ARRANGEMENT FOR MOUNTING AN AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ON A CABIN TRACTOR;

MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED, A COMPANY REGISTERED UNDER THE INDIAN COMPANIES ACT, 1913, HAVING ADDRESS AT, MAHINDRA RESEARCH VALLEY, MAHINDRA WORLD CITY, PLOT NO: 41/1, ANJUR P.O., CHENGALPATTU, TAMILNADU – 603004, INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of arrangements for mounting an air conditioning unit on a work vehicle such as a cabin tractor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent years, tractor cabins have evolved to provide better human comfort conditions and better defogging capabilities by employing a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. Typically, such unit is mounted at the top portion of the driver’s cabin. The cabin is provided with a roof having two panels, viz., a bottom roof panel and a top roof panel. Conventionally, the HVAC unit is disposed between the bottom roof panel and the top roof panel, and is supported on the bottom roof panel. The bottom roof panel has a base having a plurality of mounting portions configured to facilitate secure and effective mounting of the HVAC unit. However, such mounting of the HVAC unit causes increased vibration and noise. Further, the bottom roof panel needs to have heavy weight to support the HVAC unit. The top roof panel is connected to a cabin frame structure using twelve bolts. Thus, it is a time-consuming task to remove the top roof panel for maintenance and service purposes. Conventionally, the roof panels are roto-moulded parts. Such panels are costly and adversely hamper the aesthetics of the tractor. Furthermore, there is frequent cooling air leakage from the aforementioned conventional roof panels.
Therefore, there is felt a need of a mounting arrangement for mounting an air conditioning unit on the tractor that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks of conventional mounting arrangements for HVAC units.
SUMMARY
The present invention provides a mounting arrangement for mounting an air conditioning unit on a tractor. The arrangement comprises a support frame, at least one bracket, and a top cover. The support frame is connected to a top portion of a frame structure of a driver’s cabin. The bracket is connected to the support frame and the air conditioning unit. The support frame supports the air conditioning unit thereon. The top cover is mounted on the frame structure and is configured to cover the air conditioning unit there beneath. In an embodiment, the top cover includes a window. In another embodiment, two sheets of the top cover are glued to each other. In yet another embodiment, the top cover is manufactured using a vacuum forming process.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A mounting arrangement for mounting an air conditioning unit on a tractor, of the present invention, will now be described with reference to accompanying figures, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view depicting a support frame of an arrangement mounted on a cabin of a cabin tractor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the support frame, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 illustrates another isometric view depicting a pair of brackets and the support frame of the arrangement, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4a and Figure 4b illustrate isometric views of the bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 illustrates an isometric view of a top cover of the arrangement, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6 illustrates a top sheet of the top cover of figure 5;
Figure 7 illustrates a bottom sheet of the top cover of figure 5;
Figure 8 illustrates a side view of a tractor depicting the top cover of the arrangement mounted on the tractor;
Figure 9 illustrates an isometric view of the arrangement and an air conditioning unit mounted on a tractor; and
Figure 10 illustrates an outlet duct of an air conditioning unit mounted on a tractor.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – Arrangement
110 – Support frame
112 – First bar
114 – Second bar
115 – Top portion
117 – Mounting bracket
120 – Frame structure
125 – Bracket
130 – Air conditioning unit
135 – Top cover
140 – Top sheet
145 – Bottom sheet
150 – Window
155 – Duct
160 – Inlet of duct
165 – Outlets of duct
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Although specific terms are used in the following description for sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to particular structure of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.
References in the specification to “an embodiment” mean that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
The present invention provides a mounting arrangement for mounting an air conditioning unit on a tractor. The arrangement is now described with reference to Figure 1 to Figure 10.
Referring to Figure 1 to Figure 10, various components of an arrangement 100, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, are shown.
The arrangement 100 comprises a support frame 110. The support frame 110 is shown in figure 1 and figure 2. The support frame 110 is connected to a top portion 115 of a frame structure 120 of a driver’s cabin such that the support frame 110 is located above the head of the driver. The support frame 110 is strong enough to support an air conditioning unit and its other components thereon. The support frame 110 can have any suitable shape and size. The support frame 110 is connected to the frame structure 120 using any suitable means. In an embodiment, the support frame 110 is connected to the frame structure 120 using fasteners. In another embodiment, the support frame 110 is welded to the frame structure 120.
Referring to Figure 2, the support frame 110 includes a first bar 112 and a pair of second bars 114. The first bar 112 is connected to two parallel frame members of the frame structure 120. The second bars 114 are arranged orthogonal to the first bar 112 and in a spaced apart configuration. One end of the second bars 114 is attached to the first bar 112, whereas a second end of the second bars 114 is connected to the frame structure 120. More specifically, the second end of the second bars 114 is connected to that frame member of the frame structure which is connected to the parallel frame members to which the first bar 112 is connected.
The arrangement 100 comprises at least one bracket 125. The bracket 125 is configured to connect the support frame 110 and an air conditioning unit 130. The bracket 125 connects the air conditioning unit 130 to the support frame 110. The air conditioning unit 130 rests on a top surface of the support frame 110. In an embodiment, the arrangement 100 includes a single bracket. The bracket is attached to the air conditioning unit 130 and the support frame 110. In another embodiment, the arrangement 100 includes a pair of brackets 125 (as shown in figure 3). In this embodiment, two brackets 125 are connected to two opposite sides of the air conditioning unit 130 and to the support frame 110. More specifically, one bracket 125 is connected to one side of the air conditioning unit 130, whereas the other bracket 125 is connected to opposite side of the air conditioning unit 130. In an embodiment, each bracket 125 is connected to the support frame 110 at the junction of the first bar 112 and the second bar 114.
In yet another embodiment, the arrangement 100 includes more than two brackets 125. The number of brackets 125 is determined based on weight of the air conditioning unit 130 and configuration of the support frame 110. The brackets 125 can have any suitable shape and size. In an embodiment, the brackets 125 are ‘L’- shaped brackets.
Referring to figure 4a and figure 4b, the bracket 125 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The bracket 125 has a first extension 126 configured to be connected with the air conditioning unit 130. The first extension 126 is offset from central axis of the bracket 125. The bracket 125 has a second extension 127 configured to be connected with the support frame 110. The first extension 126 and the second extension 127 are orthogonal to each other, and are in opposite sides of the bracket 125. Both the first extension 126 and the second extension 127 have holes configured thereon to receive fasteners. The bracket 125 also has a pair of third extensions 128 configured to be connected with the air conditioning unit 130. The second extension 127 and the third extensions 128 are configured on opposite sides of the bracket 125.
The arrangement 100 comprises a top cover 135. The top cover 135 is mounted on the frame structure 120, and is configured to cover the air conditioning unit 130 therebeneath. The top cover 135 is formed of two sheets 140, 145 connected to each other. More specifically, the top cover 135 includes a top sheet 140 and a bottom sheet 145. Both the sheets 140, 145 are connected to each other. In an embodiment, both the sheets 140, 145 are glued to each other using suitable adhesives.
The top cover 135 is formed by a vacuum forming process. This process reduces manufacturing cost of the top cover 135 as well as ensures good aesthetical look of the top cover 135. The vacuum forming process gives a good texture finish to the top cover 135.
The top cover 135 is provided with a window 150 which provides high visibility to the driver. The window 150 is provided with a glass cover. The window 150 helps the driver of the tractor to clearly see an implement when the implement is raised above eye level of the driver.
The window 150 is of openable type, and can be provided with a transparent cover.
The top cover 135 can be made of any suitable material. In an embodiment, the top sheet 140 of the top cover 135 is made of Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The bottom sheet 145 of the top cover 135 is made of Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material.
The top cover 135 is mounted on the top portion 115 of the frame structure 120. In an embodiment, the top cover 135 is connected to the top portion 115 using four bolts. The arrangement 100 includes four mounting brackets 117 connected externally on the top portion 115 of the frame structure 120. The mounting brackets 117 receive the fasteners. Two brackets 117 are connected to two opposite sides of the top portion 115, whereas two brackets 117 are connected to a side connected to the two opposite sides of the top portion 115. If it is required to remove the top cover 135 for maintenance and service purposes of the air conditioning unit 130, the top cover 135 can be quickly removed as only four bolts are needed to be withdrawn. This saves a lot of time as well as labour cost.
The arrangement 100 comprises a bottom cover (not shown in figures). The bottom cover is connected to the frame structure 120, and is configured to cover bottom portion of the air conditioning unit 130.
The arrangement 100 further includes noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) isolators. The isolators are provided around the air conditioning unit 130, and are configured to dampen the vibrations generated by the air conditioning unit 130 during operation of the air conditioning unit 130. In an embodiment, the isolators are provided between bottom surface of the air conditioning unit 130 and the surface of the support frame 110 on which the air conditioning unit 130 is rested.
The air conditioning unit 130 is pre-assembled before mounting on the support frame 110. Thus, the leakage between parts of the air conditioning unit 130 is avoided. The air conditioning unit 130 has inlets configured to draw air into the air conditioning unit 130 from rear side of the tractor. The air conditioning unit 130 has four outlets configured to release cold air inside the driver’s cabin of the tractor. More specifically, the air conditioning unit 130 is provided with a duct 155. The configuration of the duct 155 is shown in figure 10. The duct 155 has a single inlet 160 and four outlets 165. The inlet 160 is in fluid communication with outlet of the air conditioning unit 130. The outlets 165 are configured such that when the duct 155 is connected to the air conditioning unit 130, the outlets 165 are located at four corners of the driver’s cabin. In an embodiment, the duct 155 has substantially ‘I’- shaped configuration. The outlets 165 are configured at four ends of the duct 155, whereas the inlet 160 is configured at middle section of the duct 155. The inlet 160 is in fluid communication with all four outlets 165. The duct 165 and the air conditioning unit 130 are compact, and thus, can be easily accommodated in the driver’s cabin of the tractor. Further, the arrangement 100, more specifically, the support frame 110 helps is accommodating the duct 155 on the top of the cabin of the tractor.
For mounting the air conditioning unit 130, initially, the support frame 110 is connected to the top portion 115 of the support frame structure 120. The air conditioning unit 130 is then rested on the support frame 110. Further, the air conditioning unit 130 is mounted onto the support frame 110 using brackets 125. The top cover 135 is then placed on the air conditioning unit 130, and connected to the frame structure 120 using fasteners. In an embodiment, the bottom cover is provided to cover the bottom surface of the air conditioning unit 130. The NVH isolators are provided at appropriate locations to dampen the vibrations generated by the air conditioning unit 130.
As the air conditioning unit 130 is mounted on the support frame 110 instead of a bottom roof, weight on the driver’s cabin is reduced. Further, vibrations conveyed to the driver’s cabin are also reduced. The top cover 135 is easy to remove from the frame structure 120 to access the air conditioning unit 130. The aesthetics of the top cover 135 are improved as it is manufactured using a vacuum forming process. The cost of manufacturing the top cover 135 is also reduced.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others, skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.