DESC:This application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 6443/CHE/2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to leveling systems and methods for attachments to a vehicle, and more particularly to optical radiation based mechanical leveling systems and methods for attachments to a vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[002] Vehicles such as tractors, trucks, and so on, which can be configured for implements (hereinafter referred to as attachments) to be attached to it, either in the rear or in the front. It is important that these attachments be attached in a proper manner. If the attachments are not connected in a proper manner, the utility can be affected, the attachment being unable to function in a proper manner, and so on.
[003] Currently, there are systems available as additional attachments with trailed system, which can be used for leveling. But, these systems are expensive and require additional efforts in terms of configuration and usage. Further, these systems are lengthy & typically bulky (as they use a separate hydraulic system for leveling) and are not easy to transport.

OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of embodiments herein is to disclose optical radiation based mechanical leveling systems and methods for attachments to a vehicle.
[005] Another object of embodiments herein is to disclose optical radiation based mechanical leveling systems and methods for attachments to a vehicle, wherein the attachment uses a three point linkage present on the vehicle and the adjustment for the leveling is performed using a mechanical hitch control hydraulic system present in the vehicle.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to disclose optical radiation based mechanical leveling systems and methods for attachments to a vehicle, wherein the attachment does not comprise a trailed implement along with a separate hydraulic system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[007] Embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, through out 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 system for leveling of an attachment attached to a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[009] FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting a process of the transmitter determining a mean position for the area of interest, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0010] FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting a process of leveling, according to embodiments as disclosed herein

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] 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.
[0012] The embodiments herein disclose optical radiation based mechanical leveling systems and methods for attachments to a vehicle. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGs. 1 through 3, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0013] Vehicle as referred to herein can be a vehicle, to which an extraneous attachment can be hitched, such as an agricultural tractor, load carrying tractor, a truck, a trailer, and so on. The vehicle comprises of a mechanical hitch hydraulic system.
[0014] Embodiments herein disclose an optical radiation based leveling leveler blade attachment, which is mounted on a 3-point linkage present on the vehicle. This is operated with the available mechanical hitch hydraulic system present in the vehicle. A receiver can be directly fitted on a regular leveler blade.
[0015] FIG. 1 depicts a system for leveling of an attachment 109 attached to a vehicle. The system 100 comprises of a transmitter 101, at least one receiver 102 fitted on a leveler 108, a control panel 103a, a Actuator ECU (Engine Control Unit) 103b, a stepper/linear actuator 104, a linkage mechanism 105, a hydraulic system 106, a 3-point linkage 107, and a leveler 108. In an embodiment herein, the transmitter 101 can be present external to the vehicle and can be located at a suitable point in the field such that the transmitter can cover an area of interest. The area of interest can be the area where the vehicle is operating or going to operate, such as a farm, field, plot, plantation, and so on. The area of interest can be defined by a user, in terms of a suitable means such as geographic coordinates, range, and so on. In an embodiment herein, the transmitter 101 can rotate over a 360-degree. In an embodiment herein, the transmitter 101 can move along a vertical axis.
[0016] The receiver 102 can be located on the leveler 108 at a suitable location, such that the receiver 102 can receive a signal from the transmitter 101. The transmitter 101 and receiver 102 can use a suitable optical radiation means for communication, such as laser, infrared, and so on. The control unit 103 (consist of control panel 103a and actuator ECU 103b) can be located in a suitable location such that a user can operate the system. In an example, the control unit 103 can be located in the dashboard of the vehicle, attached to the dashboard of the vehicle, or any other suitable location in the vehicle. The control unit 103 can enable the leveling system to work in either one of manual mode, or automatic mode. The hydraulic system 106 present in the vehicle and controlling the 3-point linkage 107 present in the vehicle.
[0017] The connections between the receiver 102 and the transmitter 101, between the receiver 102 and the control unit 103, between the control unit 103 and the stepper/linear actuator 104, can be used for transferring data. There can be at least one physical connection means between the control unit 103 and the stepper/linear actuator 104. There can be at least one physical connection means between the stepper/linear actuator 104 and the linkage mechanism 105, between the linkage mechanism 105 and the hydraulic system 106, between the Hydraulic system 106 and 3-point linkage 107, between the 3-point linkage 107 and the leveler 108, and between the leveler 108 and receiver 102. The connection between the stepper/linear actuator 104 and the linkage mechanism 105 and between the linkage mechanism 105 and the Hydraulic system 106 can be used for transferring energies between the modules.
[0018] The linkage mechanism 105 can convert linear motion into circular motion. The energy transferred can depend on the degree of movement that has to be made by the leveler 108. The connection between the hydraulic system 106 and the 3-point linkage 107 can be used to transfer fluids and mechanical linkage that will enable the movement of the leveler 108. The connection means between the 3-point linkage 107 and the leveler 108 can be used to transfer energy, wherein the energy transferred can depend on the degree of movement that the leveler 108 has to make.
[0019] The transmitter 101 can determine a mean position of area of interest and the leveler will level the ground to this mean position set at the transmitter 101.
[0020] The transmitter 101 can communicate with the receiver 102 using the optical radiation means, about the set mean position. The receiver 102 can provide the received communication to the control unit 103. The control unit 103 can compare the determined mean position to the current position of the attachment 109 to check for deviation from the mean position, if no deviation (i.e. receiver 102 on the attachment 109 is in determined mean position) leveler 108 is maintained in current position. If the control unit 103 detects a deviation, control unit 103 regulates the degree of leveling to be applied, such that the leveler 108 returns to the mean position. The control unit 103 with the assistance of the stepper/linear actuator 104, the linkage mechanism 105, the hydraulic system 106 and the 3-point linkage 107, moves the attachment 109 for the determined degree of leveling to enable the attachment leveler 108 to be in the mean position. The stepper/linear actuator 104, which can be controlled by the control unit 103, can move the attachment 109. The linkage system 105 can convert linear movement of the actuator 104 to rotary motion to operate the hydraulic system 106.
[0021] In an embodiment herein, the control unit 103 and/or the receiver 102 can make an alert on the status of deviation, wherein the alert can be in the form of at least one of an audio alert, a visual alert, a mechanical alert, and so on.
[0022] A mechanical linkage as disclosed herein can comprise of the stepper/linear actuator 104, the linkage mechanism 105, the hydraulic system 106, the 3-point linkage 107, and the leveler 108.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting a process of the determining and setting the mean position for the area of interest. The transmitter 101 and measuring scale (not shown) collects (201) land variation data about the area of interest. The transmitter 101 can use a suitable means for scanning the area of interest, such as infrared scanning, laser scanning, and so on. The transmitter 101 along with the measuring scale (not shown) determines (202) a mean position. The transmitter 101 is fixed (203) in the determined mean position. Then the receiver is set (204) to the determined mean position. The various actions in method (200) may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 2 may be omitted.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting a process of leveling of field using the attachment 109. The receiver 102 receives (301) the position signal from the transmitter 101, using the optical radiation means and sends it to the control unit 103. The control unit 103 checks if there is a deviation (302) in the position of the attachment 109 from the mean position. If deviation is detected the control unit 103 actuates (303) the hydraulic system 106 through actuator and linkages. The hydraulic system gives instructions to position (304) the attachment 109 to the mean position through 3-point linkage. The instructions can comprise of the degree and/or direction of movement to be performed, so that the attachment 109 is in the mean position. The various actions in method 300 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 3 may be omitted.
[0025] Embodiments as disclosed herein are mounted closer to the vehicle body, hence enabling more accurate leveling. Embodiments herein enable a reduction in cost to the user, as the implement is cheaper than existing solutions (as the hydraulic system present in the vehicle is used and the embodiments herein do not require an additional/external attachment along with hydraulic system). Embodiments herein perform leveling in a continuous manner, hereby enabling the vehicle to move in a more nimble manner (reducing the turning radius) and increasing productivity. Embodiments as disclosed herein can be transported easily across various locations and/or fields.
[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 preferred 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. A method for leveling an attachment (109) using a mechanical linkage, wherein the attachment (109) is attached to a vehicle, the method further comprising
checking for a deviation in a current position of the attachment (109) to a mean position by a control unit (103), wherein the mean position is received from a transmitter (101) using optical radiation means;
providing instructions to an actuator ECU (103b) to move the attachment (109) to the mean position by the control panel (103a), if the deviation is detected; and
moving the attachment (109) to the mean position by the control unit (103) using a stepper/linear actuator (104), a linkage mechanism (105), hydraulic system (106) and a 3multi-point linkage (107), wherein the mechanical hydraulic system (106) is present in the vehicle.
2. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining the mean position comprises of
collecting information about an area of interest using a transmitter (101);
determining the mean position for the area of interest; and
providing the mean position to at least one receiver (102) by the transmitter (101) using at least one optical radiation means.
3. A system (100) for leveling an attachment (109) using a mechanical linkage, wherein the attachment (109) is attached to a vehicle, the system comprising
a control unit (103) configured for
checking for a deviation in current position of the attachment (109) to a mean position, wherein the mean position is received from a transmitter (101) using optical radiation means; and
providing instructions to a control unit (103) to move the attachment (109) to the mean position, if the deviation is detected; and the control unit (103) configured for
moving the attachment (109) to the mean position using a stepper/linear actuator (104), a linkage mechanism (105), a hydraulic system (106) and a 3 -point linkage (107), wherein the hydraulic system (106) is present in the vehicle.
4. The system, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the system (100) further comprises the transmitter (101), wherein the transmitter (101) is further configured for determining the mean position by
collecting information about an area of interest;
determining the mean position for the area of interest from the contour map; and
providing the mean position to at least one receiver (102) using at least one optical radiation means.
5. The system, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the system further comprises a leveler (108) for leveling as a single unit.
6. A vehicle configured for leveling an attachment (109) attached to the vehicle using a mechanical linkage, the vehicle comprising
a control unit (103) configured for
checking for a deviation a current position of the attachment (109) to a mean position, wherein the mean position is received from a transmitter (101) using optical radiation means; and
providing instructions to a control unit (103) to move the attachment (109) to the mean position, if the deviation is greater than a pre-defined limit; and
the control unit (103) configured for
moving the attachment (109) to the mean position using a stepper/linear actuator (104), a linkage mechanism (105), a hydraulic system (106) and a 3 point linkage (107), wherein the hydraulic system (106) is present in the vehicle.
7. The vehicle, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the vehicle comprises a receiver (102) configured to receive the optical radiation signal transmitted by the transmitter
8. The vehicle, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the vehicle comprises a leveler (108) for leveling as a single unit.