DESC:

FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)

&

THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(See section 10 and rule 13)

1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION:

HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE MULTIPURPOSE TRACTOR

2. APPLICANT (S):

a) NAME: ESCORTS KUBOTA Limited

b) Nationality: Legal entry incorporated under the law of India

c) Address: Escorts Kubota Limited, Knowledge Management Centre.
15/5, Mathura Road, Faridabad – 121003 (India)

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:

(v) COMPLETE: The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE MULTIPURPOSE TRACTOR
Field of the invention:
The present invention generally relates to a novel height adjustable multipurpose tractor; particularly a “variable ground clearance height adjustment tractor for multipurpose applications”. Said tractor is provisioned with novel constructional features so as to make it capable of variable ground clearance by way of height adjustment of the tractor’s body/chassis for performing multipurpose applications using the said tractor, primary in cultivation to harvesting.
The invention also provides a mechanism to achieve Adjustable ground clearance from 310 mm to 1000 mm in a tractor. This mechanism controls and regulates the speed of the tractor as per the change in ground clearance level to provide safety& comfort to tractor operator while also ensuring the desired activity. This mechanism enhances tractor use from single application to multiple applications and from one single crop to multiple crops. Vehicle drive, vehicle control, are electronically designed and controlled in such a way that it ensures crop safety, vehicle safety and operator safety at any inclination and direction.
Background of the invention and prior arts:
Compact Tractor & Row-crop tractors are used for the inter-cultivation operations of crops sown in rows. Inter-cultivation can take place anytime from crop germination to harvest cycle. Several rounds of cultivation may be done over the season. A row-crop tractor essentially brings together a farm tractor and its cultivator into one machine. The earliest tractors were to mechanize agriculture to reduce the heavy efforts of ploughing and harrowing before planting, after planting. Early tractors were used mainly to alleviate this drudgery, but they tended to be very big and heavy, so were not well-suited in getting into a field of already-planted row crops for weeding, spraying etc. Row-crop tractors are generally light, reliable with more ground clearance and wide wheel track that can be adjusted to suit the particular inter row distance.
Special purpose tractors are modification of standard land or row crop utility tractor models and are used for definite or special crops/jobs (e.g. in cotton, garden, orchard, vineyard fields) or for various jobs under certain conditions (e.g. on marshy soils, hillsides).
Object of the invention:
Prime object of the instant invention is to provide a novel height adjustable multipurpose tractor, particularly a “variable ground clearance height adjustment tractor for multipurpose applications”.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a height adjustable multipurpose tractor wherein towards the mechanism of height adjustment, the said tractor mainly comprises an unique assembly and installation of the Outrigger/Innertriger, hydraulic cylinder, Motor & pump mounting, Long members, and the Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) supported with several sensors towards sensing various parameters, namely vehicle height, vehicle tilt, Center of gravity, weight, vehicle speed and lower side obstacle etc.; wherein said by unique structural component designs and their assembly towards creating the height adjustment mechanism, novel functionality towards easy height adjustment of the vehicle is achieved, ensuring its safe motion and multipurpose utility in agriculture.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a height adjustable multipurpose tractor wherein onboard smart software system and different sensors like vehicle height, vehicle tilt, Center of gravity, weight, vehicle speed and lower side obstacle continuously monitor the parameters and give feedback to VCU (Vehicle Control Unit); wherein based on smart software programing VCU controls drive pump & motors displacement, which directly leads to control vehicle speed And ensure with increase in ground clearance vehicle speed will be set in operation speed 4 Kmph to 6 Kmph.Operator need not control different pedals, levers, gear shifts so operator fatigue reduced by 35%.
Another object of the instant invention is to provide a height adjustable multipurpose tractor, provisioned with novel constructional features so as to make it capable of variable ground clearance by way of height adjustment of the tractor’s body/chassis for performing multipurpose applications using the said tractor.
Another object of the instant invention is to provide a height adjustable multipurpose tractor, primary to be used in cultivation to harvesting.
Another object of the instant invention is to provide a height adjustable multipurpose tractor wherein the height adjustment mechanism in the said tractor makes it possible for the said tractor to achieve adjustable ground clearance from 310 mm to 1000 mm in the tractor.
Another object of the instant invention is to provide a height adjustable multipurpose tractor wherein the operation of height adjustment mechanism in the said tractor reduces the speed of the tractor with increased ground clearance to provide safety& comfort to tractor operator.
Another object of the instant invention is to provide a height adjustable multipurpose tractor wherein said height adjustment mechanism enhances the tractor’s use from single application to multiple applications from one single crop to multiple crops.
Another object of the instant invention is to provide a height adjustable multipurpose tractor wherein height adjustment mechanism controls and regulates the speed of the tractor as per the change in ground clearance level to provide safety & comfort to tractor operator while also ensuring the desired activity.
Summary of Invention:
The present invention generally relates to a novel height adjustable multipurpose tractor; particularly a “variable ground clearance height adjustment tractor for multipurpose applications”. Said tractor is provisioned with novel constructional features so as to make it capable of variable ground clearance by way of height adjustment of the tractor’s body/chassis for performing multipurpose applications using the said tractor, primary in cultivation to harvesting.
The mechanism of height adjustment in the said tractor is achieved by unique component designs and assembly, which has novel functionality towards easy height adjustment of the vehicle, ensuring its safe motion and multipurpose utility in agriculture. Major components of said tractor are the Outrigger/Innertriger, hydraulic cylinder, Motor & pump mounting, Long members, and the Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) supported with several sensors towards sensing various parameters, namely vehicle height, vehicle tilt, Center of gravity, weight, vehicle speed and lower side obstacle etc.
Onboard smart software system and different sensors like vehicle height, vehicle tilt, Center of gravity, weight, vehicle speed and lower side obstacle continuously monitor the parameters and give feedback to VCU (Vehicle Control Unit).Based on smart software programing VCU controls drive pump & motors displacement which directly leads to control vehicle speed and ensure with increase in ground clearance vehicle speed will be set in operation speed 4 Kmph to 6 Kmph. Operator need not control different pedals, levers, gear shifts so operator fatigue reduced by 35%.
Inter-cultivation can take place anytime from crop germination to harvest cycle. Several rounds of cultivation may be done over the season. A row-crop tractor essentially brings together a farm tractor and its cultivator into one machine, the earlier tractors were to mechanize agriculture to reduce the heavy efforts of plowing and harrowing before planting and after planting.
Description of the drawings:
The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figure:
Figure 1: Illustrate the complete view of the Height Adjustment Multipurpose Tractor, showing the architecture of the operation of different components involved in the functioning of the said tractor.
Figure 2: Illustrate the configuration of various structural components involved in the height adjustable multipurpose tractor, as shown in the height adjusted/extended position.
Figure 3: Represents one complete rear view of the Height Adjustment Multipurpose Tractor, showing the configuration of various structural components thereof.
Figure 4: Represents one complete rear view of the Height Adjustment Multipurpose Tractor, in the height adjusted/extended position, showing the configuration of various structural components thereof.
Figure 5: Represents the top view of the Height Adjustment Multipurpose Tractor, showing the configuration of various structural components thereof.
Figure 6: Represents the bottom view of the Height Adjustment Multipurpose Tractor, showing the configuration of various structural components thereof.
Detailed description of the invention:-
Worldwide Farmers use compact tractors for the inter-cultivation operations of crops sown in rows. Inter-cultivation can take place anytime from crop germination to harvest cycle. Several rounds of cultivation may be done over the crop season. A row-crop tractor essentially brings together a farm tractor and its cultivator into one machine. The earlier tractors were to mechanize agriculture to reduce the heavy efforts of ploughing and harrowing before planting, after planting. Early tractors were used mainly to alleviate this drudgery, but they tended to be very big and heavy, so were not well-suited in getting into a field of already-planted row crops for weeding, spraying etc. Row-crop tractors are generally light, reliable with more ground clearance and wide wheel track that can be adjusted to suit the particular inter row distance.
As discussed and illustrated in the figures herein, a novel design of a height adjustable tractor has been created, which is provided with an effective mechanism for operating all the functions of the said tractor towards its motion, hydraulic operations and other field activities in agriculture as well as in haulage. Due to said novel and highly effective mechanism, it is possible to achieve adjustable ground clearance from 310 mm to 1000 mm in the tractor. This mechanism reduces tractor speed with increased ground clearance to provide safety& comfort to tractor operator. This same mechanism enhances tractor use from single application to multiple applications from one single crop to multiple crops.
This height adjustment mechanism of the said tractor controls and regulates the speed of the tractor as per the change in ground clearance level to provide safety & comfort to tractor operator while also ensuring the desired activity. This mechanism enhances tractor use from single application to multiple applications and from one single crop to multiple crops. Vehicle drive, vehicle control, are electronically designed and controlled in such a way that it ensures crop safety, vehicle safety and operator safety at any inclination and direction.
The mechanism of height adjustment in the said tractor is achieved by unique component designs and assembly, which has novel functionality towards easy height adjustment of the vehicle, ensuring its safe motion and multipurpose utility in agriculture.
The major components which are assembly together to function in synergy towards creating robust and effective height adjustment for the tractor are:-
a. Outrigger/Innertriger,
b. Hydraulic cylinder,
c. Motor & pump mounting,
d. Long members, and
e. the Vehicle Control Unit (VCU), supported with several sensors towards sensing various parameters, namely vehicle height, vehicle tilt, Center of gravity, weight, vehicle speed and lower side obstacle etc.
The engine of the tractor is so synchronized with the hydraulic system therein that the drive line of the vehicle is safely and effectively operational at normal height as well as any of the selected elevated height, mainly by selecting the ground clearance for the vehicle in the range of 310 mm to 1000 mm. With the arrangement of outriggers/innertriger, hudrulic cylender and long members, suitably with the wheels of the tractor and facilitating motor & pump mounting involving the hydraulic oil channels height adjustment is achieved, which is duly controlled in electronic manner through the Vehicle Control Unit (VCU).
The Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) is provisioned to adjust the height of the vehicle by selecting the ground clearance in the range of 310 mm to 1000 mm and setting the vehicle’s operation speed, in elevated height condition in the range of 4 Kmph to 6 Kmph.
Towards vehicle’s drive and height adjustment control, the tractor comprises a Vehicle Control Unit (VCU), incorporated with dedicated smart software system for controlling such tractor’s operations. While the operation of the tractor, the onboard smart software system and different sensors like vehicle height, vehicle tilt, Center of gravity, weight, vehicle speed and lower side obstacle continuously monitor the parameters and give feedback to VCU ( Vehicle Control Unit). Based on smart software programming, the VCU controls drive pump & motors displacement, which directly leads to control vehicle speed and thus ensures with increase in ground clearance. The VCU is so customized that the vehicle speed will be set in operation speed in the range of 4 Kmph to 6 Kmph, which ensure operator safety to avoid any misshaping with increase in ground clearance. Operator need not control different pedals, levers, gear shifts so operator fatigue reduced by 35%. For crop safety said tractor’s width & height is sufficient that it can’t come in contact with plants which leads to crop safety.
The "height adjustment mechanism" is achieved for a tractor in Indian working conditions. The said height adjustment mechanism of the agricultural tractor works in the following manner-
• Inter-cultivation can take place anytime from crop germination to harvest cycle;
• One Tractor can be used for Multiple Application purpose starts from Land Preparation to till Crop Harvesting (Implements Like Cultivator, Rotovator, MB Plough, Seed-drill,Weeder,Sprayer,Lawn Mover, Trailer etc.
• Infinite steps of Tractor ground clearance can be maintained by lifting entire vehicle platform chassis from 310 mm to 1000 mm height for different crop height at its crop life cycle.
Advantages to customer:
• High level of safety to vehicle, operator, crop damage and environment, hence high level of saving to customer. All these features are not available in any brand tractor till date.
• Switch over time is minimal from duty to duty operation cycle.
• Single tractor for entire crop life cycle applications like,
? Cultivator
? Rotavator
? MB Plough
? De-Weeder
? Lawn Mover
? Mid Mover
? Sprayer (Mounted & Tilled)
? Seed drill, planter, top dressing, harvester etc. So framers can use same tractor for different application, or else farmers have to wait for time to attach special type of attachment.
• Infinite steps in vehicle ground clearance height adjustment based on the crop height and no special tractor/attachment required, as competitor tractor required special type of tractor/attachment
• Effective utilization of farmer fertilizer, pesticides &water ,farmer can save in fertilizer, pesticides & water cost, hence farmer can get good profit on crop yield as compare other brand tractor. Our tractor technology can reduce significant operator fatigue, hence operator can work more productively & more savings to farmer. Less cost of ownership and maintenance.
• Compact electro hydraulic control system reduces space, reduced assembly and service time with high performance.
• Least vehicle down time – in normal tractor for height change which requires minimum 2 to 4 days of time, resource, tools and equipment to change.
• Operator feel very comfort & user-friendly to drive tractor system.
• Controls are easy to learn & adopt.
Advantages to Tractor Manufacturer
? Modular concept can be Implement in any Farmtrac, Powertrac, Steeltrac, Digitrac in any range from EKL tractor starting from18 Hp tractor to 110 Hp tractor.
? Hydrostatic Drive system enables smooth and ease of operation which eliminates clutch, Gear position shifting etc.
? Hydrostatic breaking for stopping shorter distance.
? Compact electro hydraulic control system reduces space, reduced assembly and service time with high performance.
? Variable height is selling USP of this product.
? This hydrostatic drive technology can be used in normal tractor in which variable ground clearance is not required.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the scheme(s) and embodiments of the invention or other possible arrangements and rearrangements within the present invention, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the description, illustrations, drawings, appended claims and their equivalents.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A height adjustable multipurpose tractor, comprising height adjustment mechanism for the vehicle and an electronic Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) towards controlling the speed and height of the tractor; wherein said tractor is characterized in a “variable ground clearance height adjustment tractor for multipurpose applications”.
2. The height adjustable multipurpose tractor, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tractor comprises Outrigger/Innertriger, Hydraulic cylinder, Motor & pump mounting, Long members, and the Vehicle Control Unit (VCU), supported with several sensors towards sensing various parameters, namely vehicle height, vehicle tilt, Center of gravity, weight, vehicle speed and lower side obstacle; wherein based on smart software programming and the feedback of plurality of sensors, the VCU controls drive pump & motors displacement, which directly leads to control vehicle speed and thus ensures with increase in ground clearance.
3. The height adjustable multipurpose tractor, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) is provisioned to adjust the height of the vehicle by selecting the ground clearance in the range of 310 mm to 1000 mm and setting the vehicle’s operation speed, in elevated height condition in the range of 4 Kmph to 6 Kmph.
4. The height adjustable multipurpose tractor, as claimed in claim 1, wherein towards vehicle’s drive and height adjustment control, the tractor comprises a Vehicle Control Unit (VCU), incorporated with dedicated smart software system for controlling such tractor’s operations; wherein while the operation of the tractor, the onboard smart software system and different sensors like vehicle height, vehicle tilt, Center of gravity, weight, vehicle speed and lower side obstacle continuously monitor the parameters and give feedback to VCU ( Vehicle Control Unit) and based on smart software programming, the VCU controls drive pump & motors displacement, which directly leads to control vehicle speed and thus ensures with increase in ground clearance.
5. The height adjustable multipurpose tractor, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:-
• with the arrangement of outriggers/innertriger, hudrulic cylender and long members, suitably with the wheels of the tractor and facilitating motor & pump mounting involving the hydraulic oil channels height adjustment is achieved, which is duly controlled in electronic manner through the Vehicle Control Unit (VCU); and
• the engine of the tractor is so synchronized with the hydraulic system therein that the drive line of the vehicle is safely and effectively operational at normal height as well as any of the selected elevated height, mainly by selecting the ground clearance for the vehicle in the range of 310 mm to 1000 mm.
6. The height adjustable multipurpose tractor, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in:-
• the vehicle speed will be set in operation speed in the range of 4 Kmph to 6 Kmph, which ensure operator safety to avoid any misshaping with increase in ground clearance;
• Operator need not control different pedals, levers, gear shifts so operator fatigue reduced by 35%;
• For crop safety said tractor’s width & height is sufficient that it can’t come in contact with plants which leads to crop safety; and
• Its height adjustment mechanism, ensuring multipurpose utility of the tractor:-from single application to multiple applications, from one single crop to multiple crops, and in cultivation to harvesting.
7. The height adjustable multipurpose tractor, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the "height adjustment mechanism" is achieved for a tractor in Indian working conditions, mainly when the agricultural tractor works in the following manner-
• Inter-cultivation can take place anytime from crop germination to harvest cycle;
• One Tractor can be used for Multiple Application purpose, starting from Land Preparation till Crop Harvesting (implements like Cultivator, Rotovator, MB Plough, Seed-drill, Weeder, Sprayer, Lawn Mover and Trailer).
• Infinite steps of Tractor ground clearance can be maintained by lifting entire vehicle platform chassis from 310 mm to 1000 mm height for different crop height at its crop life cycle.
8. The height adjustable multipurpose tractor, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said tractor is characterized in at least one of the following advantages to customer:
• High level of safety to vehicle, operator, crop damage and environment, hence high level of saving to customer. All these features are not available in any brand tractor till date;
• Switch over time is minimal from duty to duty operation cycle;
• Single tractor for entire crop life cycle applications like,
? Cultivator
? Rotavator
? MB Plough
? De-Weeder
? Lawn Mover
? Mid Mover
? Sprayer (Mounted & Tilled)
? Seed drill, planter, top dressing, harvester etc. So framers can use same tractor for different application, or else farmers have to wait for time to attach special type of attachment;
• Infinite steps in vehicle ground clearance height adjustment based on the crop height and no special tractor/attachment required, as competitor tractor required special type of tractor/attachment;
• Effective utilization of farmer fertilizer, pesticides &water, farmer can save in fertilizer, pesticides & water cost, hence farmer can get good profit on crop yield as compare other brand tractor. Our tractor technology can reduce significant operator fatigue, hence operator can work more productively & more savings to farmer. Less cost of ownership and maintenance;
• Compact electro hydraulic control system reduces space, reduced assembly and service time with high performance;
• Least vehicle down time – in normal tractor for height change which requires minimum 2 to 4 days of time, resource, tools and equipment to change;
• Operator feel very comfort & user-friendly to drive tractor system;
• Controls are easy to learn & adopt.
9. The height adjustable multipurpose tractor, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said tractor is characterized in at least one of the following advantages to the Tractor Manufacturer:
? Modular concept can be Implement in any Farmtrac, Powertrac, Steeltrac, Digitrac in any range from EKL tractor starting from18 Hp tractor to 110 Hp tractor.
? Hydrostatic Drive system enables smooth and ease of operation which eliminates clutch, Gear position shifting etc.
? Hydrostatic breaking for stopping shorter distance.
? Compact electro hydraulic control system reduces space, reduced assembly and service time with high performance.
? Variable height is selling USP of this product.
? This hydrostatic drive technology can be used in normal tractor in which variable ground clearance is not required.
10. The height adjustable multipurpose tractor, as described herein and illustrated with the help of one of the accompanying drawings of Figures 1 to 6, as follows:

Figure 1

Figure 2


FIGURE: 3

FIGURE: 4

Figure 5

Figure 6