DESC:[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to hitch control systems in vehicles and more particularly, to a hitch control valve assembly for a vehicle, which comprises an integrated position control override spring.
BACKGROUND
[002] Agricultural vehicles such as tractors and other similar vehicles comprises a hitch control valve which is used for controlling a three-point hitch of the vehicle. The three-point hitch is used to attach implements (earth working machines) which are being pulled by the vehicle in agricultural fields to condition the soil for cultivation. Usually a position control linkage mechanism is used to actuate a main spool of the hitch control valve by compression of primary spring (main spring) to adjust the position of the three-point hitch. To get desired position and height of the implement coupled to the hitch, the position control linkage has to ride on a cam and its cam follower up to a certain distance. The distance covered by the position control linkages is more than the travel distance of the main spool of the hitch control valve. The excess travel of the position control linkage requires some cushioning effect and the same is provided by using an override spring. The override spring can be assembled to any portion of the position control linkage based on the design arrangement of various original equipment manufacturers (OEM). For example, in a conventional hitch position control mechanism, the override spring S (as shown in fig. 1) is mounted and loaded between corresponding intermediate position control linkages P. The override spring S is positioned away from the hitch control valve H. The arrangement and packaging of the override spring S between intermediate position control linkages P consumes more space and requires more number of child parts. Further, the assembly and assembly instructions for assembly of the override spring with position control linkages is complex.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a hitch control valve assembly for a vehicle, which comprises an integrated position control override spring (override spring or position control spring) that obviates the aforementioned drawbacks. Further, there exists a need for an arrangement and a method for mounting and loading a position control override spring in a hitch position control mechanism of a vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a hitch control valve assembly for a vehicle, which comprises an integrated position control override spring (override spring or position control spring) adapted to be indirectly mounted with a hitch control valve spool.
[005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an arrangement for mounting and loading position control override spring (override spring or position control spring) in a hitch position control mechanism of a vehicle.
[006] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method for mounting and loading position control override spring (override spring or position control spring) in a hitch position control mechanism of a vehicle.
[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 schematic view of a conventional hitch position control mechanism, where the override spring is loaded between intermediate position control linkages;
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a hitch control valve assembly for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a hitch control valve assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of a hitch control valve spool of the hitch control valve assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a support member of an override spring supporting assembly of the hitch control valve assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of an override spring support member (spring retainer) of the override spring supporting assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0015] FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart showing the steps of a method for mounting and loading at least one position control override spring in a hitch control mechanism of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] 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.
[0017] The embodiments herein achieve a hitch control valve assembly for a vehicle, which comprises an integrated position control override spring (override spring or position control spring) adapted to be indirectly mounted with a hitch control valve spool. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 2 through 7, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a hitch control valve assembly 100 for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the hitch control valve assembly 100 includes a valve housing 102 (also called as valve manifold or valve block, as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3), a hitch control valve spool 104S (also called as control valve main spool, as shown in fig. 2 to fig. 4), a hitch control valve spool body 104B (as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3), a main spring support member 106 (as shown in fig.2 and fig. 3), at least one spool valve main spring 108 (as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3), an override spring supporting assembly 110 (as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3) and at least one position control override spring 112 (also called as override spring or position control spring, as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3), and may include other standard components as present in a standard hitch control valve. An arrangement for mounting and loading at least one position control override spring 112 in a hitch control mechanism includes a main spring support member 106 and an override spring supporting assembly 110. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the hitch control valve assembly 100 is explained herein below with reference to be provided in an agricultural vehicle (tractor). However, it is also within the scope of the invention to implement/practice the hitch control valve assembly 100 in an off-road vehicle and/or any other type of vehicle without otherwise deterring the intended function of the hitch control valve assembly 100 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0019] The valve housing 102 (also called as valve manifold or valve block) is used for housing the hitch control valve spool body 104B thereby housing the hitch control valve spool 104S, and also houses other standard valves and components as present in a standard hitch control valve assembly. The hitch control valve spool 104S (control valve main spool) is movably connected to the hitch control valve spool body 104B. The sliding movement of the hitch control valve spool 104S with the hitch control valve spool body 104B regulates (controls) the flow of hydraulic fluid (oil) to a hydraulic cylinder (lift cylinder) which in turn controls the lifting and lowering of an implement (earth working machines or agricultural implements) which is coupled with a hitch (three-point hitch) of the vehicle. The hitch control valve spool 104S defines a support member receiving portion 104Si (considered to be threaded cavity, as shown in fig. 4) adapted to facilitate fastening (locking) of a support member 110S (as shown in fi. 2) of the override spring supporting assembly 110 with the hitch control valve spool 104S at a predetermined position. The support member receiving portion 104Si of the control valve spool 104S defines a plurality of internal threads (not shown) adapted to facilitate lockable engagement with corresponding plurality of external threads (not shown) of corresponding portion 110Ss (as shown in fig. 5) of the support member 110S of the override spring supporting assembly 110 thereby lockably connecting the override spring supporting assembly 110 with the hitch control valve spool 104S at the predetermined position. The hitch control valve spool body 104B is used for housing the hitch control valve spool 104S.
[0020] The main spring support member 106 is mounted onto the hitch control valve spool 104S at a predetermined position (considered to be one end of the hitch control valve spool 104S). The main spring support member 106 is used for supporting the spool valve main spring 108 thereby facilitating mounting and loading of the spool valve main spring 108 between the hitch control valve spool body 104B and the main spring support member 106.
[0021] The spool valve main spring 108 (also called as spool valve primary spring) is mounted and loaded between hitch control valve spool body 104B and the main spring support member 106. The spool valve main spring 108 having a first end 108f (as shown in fig. 2) adapted to be engaged with the hitch control valve spool body 104B, and a second end 108s (as shown in fig. 2) adapted to be engaged with the main spring support member 106. The spool valve main spring 108 is actuated by the position control linkage mechanism (not shown) to enable compression of the spool valve main spring 108 to enable movement of the hitch control valve spool 104S so as perform hydraulic function which in turn controls the position of the hitch (not shown) and the implement (not shown).
[0022] The override spring supporting assembly 110 is connected to the hitch control valve spool 104S at a predetermined position. The override spring supporting assembly 110 is used for supporting the position control override spring 112 thereby mounting the position control override spring with the hitch control valve spool 104S. In an embodiment, the override spring supporting assembly 110 includes a support member 110S, an override spring support member 110R (also called as override spring retainer) and a cross link member 110L. The support member 110S is used for supporting the override spring support member 110R therein to connect the override spring support member 110R with the hitch control valve spool 104S thereby supporting the mounting and loading of the position control override spring 112 between the main spring support member 106 and the override spring support member 110R to indirectly mount the position control override spring 112 with the hitch control valve spool 104S. The support member adapted 110S is connected to the hitch control valve spool 104S at a predetermined position (considered to be one end of the hitch control valve spool 104S). The support member 110S includes a first portion 110Sf (as shown in fig. 5) and a second portion 110Ss (as shown in fig. 5). The first portion 110Sf of the support member 110S defines a roll pin receiving portion 110Sr (considered to be an opening, as shown in fig. 5) adapted to receive a roll pin (not shown) there through therein to connect the override spring support member 110R with the support member 110S thereby connecting the override spring support member 110R with the hitch control valve spool 104S to support the mounting and loading of the position control override spring 112 between the main spring support member 106 and the override spring support member 110R. The second portion 110Ss of the support member 110S is extending from the first portion 110Sf of the support member 110S in a direction towards corresponding end of the hitch control valve spool 104S. The second portion 110Ss of the support member 110S is fastened (secured) with support member receiving portion 104Si of the hitch control valve spool 104S therein to connect the override spring support member 110R with the hitch control valve spool 104S to support the indirect mounting of the position control override spring 112 with the hitch control valve spool 104S. The second portion 110Ss of the support member 110S defines a plurality of external threads (not shown) adapted to be lockably engaged with corresponding plurality of internal threads (not shown) of the support member receiving portion 104Si of the hitch control valve spool 104S thereby connecting the override spring supporting assembly 110 with the hitch control valve spool 104S. The override spring support member 110R (also called as override spring retainer) is used for supporting the mounting and loading of the position control override spring 112 thereof to indirectly mount the position control override spring 112 with the hitch control valve spool 104S. The override spring support member 110R is connected to the support member 110S at a predetermined position thereby connecting the override spring support member 110R with the hitch control valve spool 104S. The override spring support member 110R defines a roll pin receiving portion 110Ri (considered to be an oblong hole, as shown in fig. 6) adapted to receive the roll pin (not shown) there through to connect the override spring support member 110R with the support member 110S thereby connecting the override spring support member 110R with the hitch control valve spool 104S. The cross-link member 110L is connected to corresponding portion of the override spring support member 110R of the override spring supporting assembly 110. The cross-link member 110L the override spring supporting assembly 110 is engaged by corresponding position control linkage of the hitch position control linkage mechanism (hitch control mechanism) to actuate the hitch control valve assembly 100.
[0023] The position control override spring 112 is used to override the excess stroke of the position control linkages (not shown) on movement of the position control lever (not shown, also called as position control quadrant lever) beyond the limit of movement of the hitch control valve spool 104S thereby protecting the position control linkages (not shown) from damage (wear and tear), and as well as for position feedback. The position control override spring 112 is indirectly mounted with the hitch control valve spool 104S through the main spring support member 106 and the override spring supporting assembly 110 therein to enable accurate and precise control on the position control linkage feedback, and to reduce the reduce the number of position control linkages. The position control override spring 112 is mounted and loaded between the main spring support member 106 and the override spring support member 112R of the override spring supporting assembly 110 thereby mounting the position control override spring 112 with the hitch control valve spool 104S. The position control override spring 112 having a first end 112f (as shown in fig. 2) adapted to be engaged with the main spring support member 106, and a second end 112s (as shown in fig. 2) adapted to be engaged with the override spring support member 110R of the override spring supporting assembly 110.
[0024] FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart showing the steps of a method 200 for mounting and loading at least one position control override spring 112 in a hitch control mechanism of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the method 200 for mounting and loading at least one position control override spring 112 in the hitch control mechanism of the vehicle is as follows, the method 200 comprises, mounting and loading at least one position control override spring 112 between a main spring support member 106 and an override spring supporting assembly 110 thereby mounting the position control override spring 112 with a hitch control valve spool 104S of a hitch control valve assembly 100 (step 202), wherein main spring support member 106 is adapted to be mounted onto the hitch control valve spool 104S of the hitch control valve assembly 100 at a predetermined position, and the override spring supporting assembly 110 is adapted to be connected to the hitch control valve spool 104S of the hitch control valve assembly 100 at a predetermined position. The method step (202) of mounting and loading at least one position control override spring 112 between the main spring support member 106 and the override spring supporting assembly 110 thereby mounting the position control override spring 112 with the hitch control valve spool 104S of the hitch control valve assembly 100, comprises, connecting a support member 110S of the override spring supporting assembly 110 with an override spring support member 110R of the override spring supporting assembly 110 at a predetermined position (step 202A); engaging corresponding end 112s of the position control override spring 112 with corresponding portion of the override spring support member 110R of the override spring supporting assembly 110 (step 202B); and connecting (fastening) the support member 110S of the override spring supporting assembly 110 with the hitch control valve spool 104S of the hitch control valve assembly 100 at predetermined position to facilitate mounting and loading of the position control override spring 112 between the main spring support member 106 and the override spring support member 110R of the override spring supporting assembly 110 thereby indirectly mounting the position control override spring 112 with the hitch control valve spool 104S (step 202C).
[0025] Therefore, a hitch control valve assembly 100, which comprises an integrated position control override spring 112 adapted to be indirectly mounted with a hitch control valve spool, and an arrangement and method 200 for mounting and loading position control override spring 112 (override spring or position control spring) in a hitch control mechanism) of a vehicle is provided.
[0026] 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 modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:I/We claim,
1. A hitch control valve assembly 100 for a vehicle, said hitch control valve assembly 100 comprising:
a main spring support member 106 adapted to be mounted onto a hitch control valve spool 104S at a predetermined position;
an override spring supporting assembly 110 adapted to be connected to said hitch control valve spool 104S at a predetermined position; and
at least one position control override spring 112 adapted to be mounted and loaded between said main spring support member 106 and said override spring supporting assembly 110 thereby mounting said position control override spring 112 with said hitch control valve spool 104S.
2. The hitch control valve assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said override spring supporting assembly 110 comprises,
a support member 110S adapted to be connected to said hitch control valve spool 104S at a predetermined position;
an override spring support member 110R adapted to be connected to said support member 110S at a predetermined position thereby connecting said override spring support member 110R with said hitch control valve spool 104S; and
a cross link member 110L adapted to be connected to said override spring support member 110R at a predetermined position.

3. The hitch control valve assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said position control override spring 112 having a first end 112f adapted to be engaged with said main spring support member 106, and a second end 112s adapted to be engaged with said override spring support member 110R of said override spring supporting assembly 110,
wherein said main spring support member 106 is mounted onto said hitch control valve spool 104S at a predetermined position.
4. The hitch control valve assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, further comprising, a spool valve main spring 108 adapted to be mounted and loaded between a hitch control valve spool body 104B and said main spring support member 106,
wherein
said spool valve main spring 108 having a first end 108f adapted to be engaged with said hitch control valve spool body 104B, and a second end 108s adapted to be engaged with said main spring support member 106.
5. An arrangement for mounting and loading at least one position control override spring 112 in a hitch control mechanism of a vehicle, said arrangement comprising:
a main spring support member 106 adapted to be mounted onto a hitch control valve spool 104S of at a predetermined position;
an override spring supporting assembly 110 adapted to be connected to said hitch control valve spool 104S at a predetermined position,
wherein
at least one position control override spring 112 adapted to be mounted and loaded between said main spring support member 106 and said override spring supporting assembly 110 thereby mounting said position control override spring 112 with said hitch control valve spool 104S.
6. The arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein said override spring supporting assembly 110 comprises,
a support member 110S adapted to be connected to said hitch control valve spool 104S at a predetermined position; and
an override spring support member 110R adapted to be connected to said support member 110S at a predetermined position thereby connecting said override spring support member 110R with said hitch control valve spool 104S.
7. A method 200 for mounting and loading at least one position control override spring 112 in a hitch control mechanism of a vehicle, said method 200 comprising:
mounting and loading at least one position control override spring 112 between a main spring support member 106 and an override spring supporting assembly 110 thereby mounting said position control override spring 112 with a hitch control valve spool 104S of a hitch control valve assembly 100,
wherein
said main spring support member 106 is adapted to be mounted onto said hitch control valve spool 104S of said hitch control valve assembly 100 at a predetermined position; and
said override spring supporting assembly 110 is adapted to be connected to said hitch control valve spool 104S of said hitch control valve assembly 100 at a predetermined position.
8. The method 200 as claimed in claim 7 further comprises connecting a support member 110S of said override spring supporting assembly 110 with an override spring support member 110R of said override spring supporting assembly 110 at a predetermined position.
9. The method 200 as claimed in claim 8 further comprises engaging corresponding end 112s of said position control override spring 112 with corresponding portion of said override spring support member 110R of said override spring supporting assembly 110.
10. The method 200 as claimed in claim 9 further comprises connecting (fastening) said support member 110S of said override spring supporting assembly 110 with said hitch control valve spool 104S of said hitch control valve assembly 100 at predetermined position to facilitate mounting and loading of said position control override spring 112 between said main spring support member 106 and said override spring support member 110R of said override spring supporting assembly 110 thereby indirectly mounting said position control override spring 112 with said hitch control valve spool 104S.
11. A hitch control valve assembly 100 for a vehicle, said hitch control valve assembly 100 comprising:
a hitch control valve spool 104S;
a main spring support member 106 adapted to be mounted onto said hitch control valve spool 104S at a predetermined position;
at least one spool valve main spring 108 adapted to be mounted and loaded between a hitch control valve spool body 104B and said main spring support member 106;
an override spring supporting assembly 110 comprising a support member 110S adapted to be connected to said hitch control valve spool 104S at a predetermined position; and an override spring support member 110R adapted to be connected to said support member 110S at a predetermined position thereby connecting said override spring support member 110R with said hitch control valve spool 104S, and provided at a predetermined distance from said main spring support member 106; and
at least one position control override spring 112 adapted to be mounted and loaded between said main spring support member 106 and said override spring support member 110R of said override spring supporting assembly 110 thereby mounting said position control override spring 112 with said hitch control valve spool 104S.