DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to hitch control valves in vehicles and more particularly, but not exclusively to an integrated electrical hitch control valve in vehicles.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, vehicles such as tractors or other similar vehicles comprise a hitch for connecting an implement to the vehicle for performing operations on fields. The hitch is usually controlled using a control valve. Conventional hitch control valve is operated using mechanical linkages. The conventional mechanical hitch control valve consists of a main spool valve, a lowering valve, a relief valve, an unloading valve, a compensator valve, a check valve, a lowering speed control valve, an isolating valve and a shock load relief valve. Main spool valve is a proportional directional control valve that controls the lifting and lowering of a cylinder connected with the hitch. Lowering valve is added in the lowering circuit to reduce the leakage from the main spool valve. Relief valve and shock load relief valve acts as a safety device on pump side and cylinder side respectively. Compensator valve maintains a predefined pressure differential across the main spool valve during the lifting operation to ensure proportional functioning of main spoil valve and unloading valve unloads the pump. However, the the aformentioned hitch control valve has complex linkages and achieving precision control of the hitch is difficult. Further the aforementioned hitch control valve requires an additional lowering valve to control the leakage rate of the hydraulic fluid during holding the load. Furthermore, unloading valve in the aforementioned hitch control valve requires additional pilot line to actuate the unloading valve.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for an integrated electrical control valve assembly for a vehicle hitch. Furthermore, there exists a need for an integrated electrical control valve assembly for a vehicle hitch that eliminates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[004] The principle object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an integrated electrical control valve assembly for a vehicle hitch that enables precise control of the vehicle hitch.
[005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an integrated electrical control valve assembly for a vehicle hitch that provides easier access for servicing.
[006] 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
[007] 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:
[008] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an integrated electrical control valve assembly for a vehicle hitch, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[009] FIG. 2 depicts a right side view of a housing of the integrated electrical control valve assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts a rear view of the housing, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 4 depicts a left side view of the housing, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 5a depicts a cross sectional view of the housing along the line A-A of fig. 2, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 5b depicts a cross sectional view of housing along the line B-B of fig. 2, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 6 depicts a cross sectional view of the housing along the line C-C of fig. 3, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0015] FIG. 7 depicts a cross sectional view of the housing along the line D-D of fig. 4, 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 an integrated electrical control valve assembly for a vehicle hitch enables precise control of the hitch. Further, embodiments herein achieve an integrated electrical control valve assembly for a vehicle hitch that provides easier access for servicing. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 7, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 1 depicts a transparent perspective view of an integrated control valve assembly 100 for a vehicle hitch, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the vehicle (not shown) includes an integrated electrical control valve assembly 100, a hitch (not shown), a cylinder (not shown), a controller unit (not shown), a pump and a tank (not shown).
[0019] In an embodiment, the integrated electrical control valve assembly 100 is used for controlling the hitch (not shown) i.e., the integrated control valve assembly 100 controls or regulates flow of a fluid (oil) to the cylinder (not shown) to lift and/or lower the hitch (not shown) and thereby lifting and/or lowering the implement (not shown) connected to the hitch (not shown). In an embodiment, the integrated control valve assembly 100 includes a housing 102 (as shown in fig. 1 fig. 2, fig. 3 and fig. 4), a lifting control valve 104, a lowering control valve 106, a check valve 108, an isolating valve 110, a shock load relief valve 112, a compensator valve 114 and a relief valve 116.
[0020] In an embodiment, the housing 102 includes at least one inlet port 102a (as shown in fig. 4), a lifting control valve opening 102b (as shown in fig. 7), a lowering control valve opening 102c (as shown in fig. 6), an isolating valve opening 102d (as shown in fig. 6), a shock load relief valve opening 102e (as shown in fig. 5a), a compensator valve opening 102f (as shown in fig. 7), a relief valve opening 102g (as shown in fig. 5b), at least one actuator port 102h (as shown in fig. 5b), a lubrication port 102i (as shown in fig. 4) and may include a tipping trailer port (not shown). In an embodiment, the inlet port 102a of the housing 102 is used to facilitate entry of fluid (oil) from the pump (not shown) to the housing 102. In an embodiment, the lifting control valve opening 102b is used to receive the lifting control valve 104. In an embodiment, the lowering control valve opening 102c is used to receive the lowering control valve 106. In an embodiment, the isolating valve opening 102d is used to receive the isolator valve 110. In an embodiment, the shock load relief valve opening 102e is used to receive the shock load relief valve 112. In an embodiment, compensator valve opening 102f is used to receive the compensator valve 114. In an embodiment, the relief valve opening 102g is used to receive the relief valve 116. In an embodiment, the actuator port 102h of the housing 102 is used to facilitate exit of fluid (oil) from the housing 102 to the cylinder (not shown). In an embodiment, the lubrication port 102i is used to facilitate exit of fluid (oil) from the housing 102 to a transmission unit (not shown). The tipping trailer port (not shown) of the housing 102 is used to facilitate exit of fluid (oil) from the housing 102 to a trailer hydraulic unit (not shown) to operate the trailer hydraulic unit (not shown).
[0021] The lifting control valve 104 is used to actuate or regulate the cylinder (not shown) to lift the hitch (not shown) and thereby lifting the implement (not shown) connected to the hitch (not shown) i.e., the lifting control valve 104 regulates or controls the flow of the fluid received from the pump (not shown) to the cylinder (not shown) to lift the hitch (not shown) in accordance to a signal or information received by the lifting control valve 104 from the controller unit (not shown). The lifting control valve 104 controls the lifting of the hitch (not shown). In an embodiment, the lifting control valve 104 is connected to the housing 102 i.e., the lifting control valve 104 is received by the lifting control valve opening 102b of the housing 102. In an embodiment, the lifting control valve 104 is a solenoid operated directional cartridge valve. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other directional control valves or any other control valves for lifting the hitch (not shown) without otherwise deterring the intended function of the lifting control valve 104 as can be deduced from the description.
[0022] The lowering control valve 106 is used to actuate or regulate the cylinder (not shown) to lower the hitch (not shown) and thereby lowering the implement (not shown) connected to the hitch (not shown) i.e., the lowering control valve 106 regulates or controls the flow of fluid from the cylinder (not shown) to the tank (not shown) to lower the hitch (not shown) in accordance to the signal or information received by the lowering control valve 106 from the controller unit (not shown). The lowering control valve controls the lowering of the hitch (not shown). In an embodiment, the lowering control valve 106 is connected to the housing 102 i.e., the lowering control valve 106 is received by the lowering control valve opening 102c of the housing 102. In an embodiment, the lowering control valve 106 is a solenoid proportional throttle cartridge valve. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other directional/proportional control valves or any other control valves for lowering the hitch (not shown) without otherwise deterring the intended function of the lowering control valve 106 as can be deduced from the description.
[0023] The check valve 108 is used allow flow of the fluid in one direction. The check valve 108 facilitates flow of the fluid from the lifting control valve 104 to the cylinder (not shown) and prevents the flow of the fluid from the cylinder (not shown) to the lifting control valve 104. In an embodiment, the check valve 108 prevents the pressure from the cylinder (not shown) to communicate with/reach the lifting control valve 104 when the lifting control valve 104 is switched off. In an embodiment, the check valve 108 is provided to or disposed inside the housing 102.
[0024] The isolating valve 110 is used lock or hold the cylinder (not shown) at a pre-defined position during transport mode. The isolating valve 110 in closed position prevents the flow of the fluid from the lifting control valve 104 or the lowering control valve 106 to the cylinder (not shown) to hold the cylinder (not shown) at the pre-defined position during transport mode. In an embodiment, the isolating valve 110 is connected to the housing 102 i.e., the isolating valve 110 is received by the isolating valve opening 102d of the housing 102.
[0025] The shock load relief valve 112 is used regulate or limit a pressure in the cylinder (not shown) to protect the cylinder (not shown) from high pressure spikes by discharging or bypassing the fluid received from the cylinder (not shown) to the tank (not shown) when the pressure in the cylinder (not shown) exceeds preset relief pressure of the shock load relief valve 112. The shock load relief valve 112 also protects the seals (not shown) of the cylinder (not shown) from high pressure spikes. In an embodiment, the shock load relief valve 112 is connected to the housing 102 i.e., the shock load relief valve 112 is received by the shock load relief valve opening 102e of the housing 102.
[0026] The compensator valve 114 is used to regulate or control the pressure across/in the lifting control valve 104 for proper functioning of the lifting control valve 104 during lifting operation by discharging or bypassing the fluid received from the lifting control valve 104 to the tank (not shown). The compensator valve 114 also unloads the pump (not shown) when the lifting control valve 104 is switched off. In an embodiment, the compensator valve 114 is connected to the housing 102 i.e., the compensator valve 114 is received by the compensator valve opening 102f of the housing 102.
[0027] The relief valve 116 is used to regulate or limit the pressure in the pump (not shown) to protect the pump (not shown) from high pressure spikes by discharging or bypassing the fluid received from the pump (not shown) to the tank (not shown) when the inlet pressure exceeds the preset relief pressure of the relief valve 116. In an embodiment, the relief valve 116 is connected to the housing 102 i.e., the relief valve 116 is received by the relief valve opening 102g of the housing 102.
[0028] The hitch (not shown) is used for connecting or coupling an implement (not shown) to the vehicle to facilitate agricultural operations. The hitch is connected to the cylinder (not shown). The lifting and lowering of the hitch (not shown) is controlled by integrated control valve assembly 100 through the cylinder (not shown).
[0029] The cylinder (not shown) is used to lift and lower the hitch (not shown) and thereby lifting and lowering the implement (not shown) connected to the hitch (not shown). In an embodiment, the cylinder (not shown) is a hydraulic cylinder. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide a pneumatic cylinder or any other means to lift and lower the hitch (not shown) without otherwise deterring the intended function of the cylinder (not shown) as can be deduced from the description.
[0030] The controller unit (not shown) is provided in communication with the integrated control valve assembly 100 i.e., the controller unit (not shown) is used to control or activate the integrated control valve assembly 100 based on the operating conditions of the vehicle (not shown).
[0031] The pump (not shown) is used to pump the pressurized fluid from the tank (not shown) to the integrated control valve assembly 100 and thereby to the cylinder (not shown).
[0032] The tank (not shown) is used to store the fluid (oil). The tank (not shown) also collects the fluid that is discharged from the relief valve 116, compensator valve 114 and the shock load relief valve 112.
[0033] The working of the integrated control valve assembly 100 is as follows. During lifting operation of the hitch (not shown), the lifting control valve 104 controls the flow of pressurized fluid (oil) received from the pump (not shown) to the cylinder (not shown) to lift the implement (not shown) through the hitch (not shown) on engagement of the controller unit (not shown). The check valve 108 allows the flow of the fluid from the lifting control valve 104 to the cylinder (not shown) and prevents the flow of the fluid from the cylinder (not shown) to the lifting control valve 104. The compensator valve 114 is used to control the pressure across the lifting control valve 104 for proper functioning of the lifting control valve 104 by discharging or bypassing the fluid received from the lifting control valve 104 to the tank (not shown). During lowering operation of the hitch (not shown), the lowering control valve 106 controls the flow of fluid received from the cylinder (not shown) to the tank (not shown) to lower the implement (not shown) through the hitch (not shown) on engagement of the controller unit (not shown). The isolating valve 110 in closed position prevents the flow of the fluid from the lifting control valve 104 or the lowering control valve 106 to the cylinder (not shown) to hold the cylinder (not shown) at the pre-defined position during transport mode. The shock load relief valve 112 is used regulate the pressure in the cylinder (not shown) to protect the cylinder (not shown) from high pressure spikes by discharging or bypassing the fluid received from the cylinder (not shown) to the tank (not shown) when the pressure in the cylinder (not shown) exceeds preset relief pressure of the shock load relief valve 112. The relief valve 116 is used to regulate the pressure in the pump (not shown) to protect the pump (not shown) from high pressure spikes by discharging or bypassing the fluid received from the pump (not shown) to the tank (not shown) when the inlet pressure exceeds the preset relief pressure of the relief valve 116. Therefore, an integrated control valve assembly 100 enabling precise control of the hitch (not shown) is provided for the vehicle.
[0034] 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:CLAIMS
We claim,
1. An integrated control valve assembly 100 for a vehicle hitch, said integrated control valve assembly 100 comprising:
a housing 102;
a lifting control valve 104 connected to said housing 102;
a lowering control valve 106 connected to said housing 102;
a check valve 108 disposed inside said housing 102;
an isolating valve 110 connected to said housing 102;
a shock load relief valve 112 connected to said housing 102;
a compensator valve 114 connected to said housing 102; and
a relief valve 116 connected to said housing 102.
2. The integrated control valve assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lifting control valve is a solenoid operated directional cartridge valve.
3. The integrated control valve assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lowering control valve is a solenoid proportional throttle cartridge valve.
4. The integrated control valve assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing 102 includes at least one inlet port 102a adapted to facilitate entry of a fluid (oil) from a pump to said housing 102.
5. The integrated control valve assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing 102 includes at least one actuator port 102h adapted to facilitate exit of the fluid (oil) from said housing 102 to a cylinder.
6. The integrated control valve assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing 102 includes a lubrication port 102i adapted to facilitate exit of the fluid (oil) from said housing 102 to a transmission unit.