Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present disclosure relates to systems and mechanisms for validation of components, assemblies, and sub-assemblies, and more particularly the present disclosure relates to a mechanism for validation of a hydraulic system used in a vehicle for lifting operations.

BACKGROUND
[002] Hydraulic systems are used in agricultural vehicles such as tractors for carrying out lifting operations. An implement, such as a plough, tiller, or cultivator is attached to a tractor and operated through a lift control system. Commonly, in agricultural vehicles, the lift control system comprises of a hydraulic system, and a lifting lever for operating the hydraulic system. The lever in the lift control system controls the position and speed of the implement attached to the vehicle by controlling the operation of a direction control valve of the hydraulic system. In a manually operated control valve, the lift system operates in three positions: lifting (up), neutral, and lowering (down). The lever is operated manually in the corresponding positions for controlling the position of the implement through the hydraulic system.
[003] As part of product development cycle, validation of the hydraulic system of the vehicle is essential to test the functionality of the lifting system. Validation of a product involves testing the product under different field applications to check the compliance of the product in relation to the desired functionality and purpose. This applies to a product development cycle of an agricultural vehicle as well. The components, assemblies, and sub-assemblies of the vehicle undergo the validation process before the assembled and final vehicle is subjected to field application validation process. In case of component, sub-assembly, assembly or machine failure during the various field application, the failure is attributed to either design or manufacturing quality or manufacturing process or assembly process and after redesigning or quality inputs the re-defined component, sub-assembly, assembly or machine is again subjected to field application validation. After subjecting to multiple validation cycles, and after obtaining the desires quality and output, the product i.e., the vehicle qualifies the qualitative checks. The entire validation process including the validation of components, assemblies and sub-assemblies is sequential and time consuming. Therefore, it is crucial that the components, sub-assemblies, and assemblies undergo validation before the assembled vehicle is subjected to field application validation.
[004] For validation of the hydraulic system operating the implements, it is crucial that the lever is actuated and tested for operating in the different operating positions. This actuation needs to be done for a longer period of time to test the life span, quality, and functionality of the lever and advertently the hydraulic system. In a conventional system for validation of hydraulic system, the actuation of the lever is not automatic. This increases the product development time, therefore reducing the efficiency of production process. Automatic actuation of the lever can be achieved through a programmable logic controller (PLC). However, using a PLC based system for automatic actuation of lever would require a long lead time and would also increase the production cost.
[005] Therefore, there is a need for an alternative mechanism for validation of a vehicle hydraulic system which enables automatic actuation of lever, does not substantially increase production cost, is easy to implement and reduces product development and testing time.

OBJECTS
[006] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a mechanism for validation of a vehicle hydraulic system.
[007] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the mechanism which includes a cam member for validation of a vehicle hydraulic system
[008] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the mechanism which facilitates automatic actuation of a lever, and operation of the hydraulic system in predetermined positions.
[009] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the mechanism which does not require complex components and is easy to implement.
[0010] Still another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the mechanism for validation of vehicle hydraulic system which reduces the time for validation and product development time, and which does not impact the overall production cost.
[0011] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method for validation of a vehicle hydraulic system which enables automatic actuation of the lever operating the hydraulic system without the requirement of complex components.
[0012] Still another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the method for validation of hydraulic system which reduces product development and testing time and is cost effective.
[0013] These and other objects of the embodiment herein will be better appreciated and understood 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 thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] The embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawing, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a cam provided in a vehicle for validation of a vehicle hydraulic system, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0016] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for validation of a vehicle hydraulic system, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] 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 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.
[0018] The embodiments herein achieve a mechanism for validation of a vehicle hydraulic system used in a vehicle for lifting operations. The embodiments herein achieve the mechanism which automatically actuates a lever in predetermined positions, wherein the lever controls the operation of the vehicle hydraulic system. Further, the embodiments herein achieve the mechanism for validation of vehicle hydraulic system which includes a cam and a spring coupled with an actuating mechanism for actuating the lever in predetermined positions. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve the mechanism for validation of vehicle hydraulic system which reduces the time for validation and product development time, without impacting the overall production cost. Moreover, the embodiments herein achieve a method for validation of a vehicle hydraulic system which facilitates the automatic and continuous actuation of the lever operating the hydraulic system. Additionally, the embodiments herein achieve the method for validation of the vehicle hydraulic system which reduces product development time and is cost effective. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 2, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0019] In agricultural vehicles such as tractors, various types of farming equipment and tools are attached to the vehicle for carrying out agricultural operations. The equipment and tools are operated through a hydraulic system, which facilitates the lifting, lowering, and positioning of the attached equipment. Typically, the hydraulic system comprises of a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic tank, and a control valve. Lifting arms are attached to a piston of the hydraulic cylinder and the equipment is attached to the lifting arms. Therefore, the movement of the lifting arm results in the movement of the equipment. The hydraulic system is controlled and operated through a lever such as a DCV lever, wherein the lever controls positioning of the lifting arms by controlling operation of the directional control valve of the hydraulic system.
[0020] Conventionally, for a manually operated directional valve, the lever is operated in three positions: a lifting position wherein the lifting arms (or lift) are moved in an upward direction, a neutral position, and a lowering position wherein the lifting arms are moved in a downward direction. For validation of the hydraulic system, the actuation of lever is crucial as the lever is the central component which drives the hydraulic system and the lifting arms. Through continuous actuation of the lever in different operating positions, the hydraulic system is also continuously operated, therefore facilitating validation of the hydraulic system at the developmental stage.
[0021] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cam provided in a vehicle for validation of vehicle hydraulic system, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. A DCV lever (not shown) is mounted on a body structure of the vehicle at a predetermined position to control the operation of the vehicle hydraulic system. In an embodiment, the mechanism (100) includes a cam (104) attached adjacently to a DCV lever (not shown) operating the vehicle hydraulic system, an actuating mechanism (not shown) selectively engaged with the cam (104), a spring (not shown) connected between the actuating mechanism (not shown) and the body structure of said vehicle, and a timer/controller (not shown in fig) communicating with the actuating mechanism (not shown). The DCV lever (not shown) is operationally connected with the hydraulic system, such that a position of lifting arms or lift of the vehicle operated through the hydraulic system is altered by altering the position of the lever (not shown). In an embodiment, the DCV lever (not shown) is operated in three positions: a lifting position (first position), a neutral position, and a lowering position (second position). When the lever (not shown) is operated to a lifting position, an implement of the vehicle is lifted upwards through the hydraulic system, and when the lever (not shown) is operated to a lowering position, the implement attached to the vehicle is lowered downwards. In the neutral position, the lever stays in the selected position.
[0022] In an embodiment, the actuation mechanism (not shown) comprises of a pneumatic cylinder (not shown) with a piston (not shown). The piston (not shown) extends from a first end of the pneumatic cylinder (not shown), wherein the piston expands up to a predetermined height in a predetermined direction and retracts back into the pneumatic cylinder. A second end of the pneumatic cylinder is mounted on the body structure of the vehicle at a predetermined position. A cam engageable member (not shown) such as a hook is attached to an upper/ another end of the piston (not shown). The timer/ controller communicating with the actuating mechanism automatically operates the piston to expand and retract.
[0023] As shown in Fig 1, the spring is connected between the cam engageable member (not shown) attached to the piston and the body structure of the vehicle. In an embodiment, a first end of the spring is attached to the cam engageable member at a predetermined position and another end of the spring is attached/ fixed at a predetermined position on the body structure of the vehicle, such that the spring aligns with the cylinder. In an embodiment, the spring is a helical spring. The spring is operationally connected with the actuating mechanism such that when the piston of the actuating mechanism moves in an upward direction (first direction), the spring expands, and when the piston moves in a downward direction (second direction), the spring contracts. The spring operationally connected to the actuating mechanism provides the required direction and force for a linear stroke required for operating the lever in a lifting position (first position).
[0024] Further, the cam (104) comprises of a substantially L-shaped flat member having predetermined dimensions. A first arm (104a) of the cam (104) is attached to the lever and a second arm (104b) of the cam (104) extends in a direction away from the piston. The cam (104) is connected to the lever and operationally engaged with the actuating mechanism, such that when the cam (104) is displaced by the movement of cam engageable member connected to the piston, the lever is displaced corresponding to movement of the cam (104). Further, the cam (104) is operationally engaged with the actuating mechanism such that the expansion of the piston in the upward direction displaces the cam (104) in a first predetermined direction (position) to a first predetermined height and releases the cam (104) after reaching the first predetermined height due to the predetermined profile of the cam (104). This causes the displacement of the lever in a first direction (lifting position) and the lever then moves back to the neutral position. The retraction of the piston in the downward direction displaces the cam (104) in a second predetermined direction (position) for a second predetermined height and releases the cam (104) after reaching the second predetermined height due to the predetermined profile of cam (104). This causes the displacement of the lever in second direction and the lever moves back to the neutral position.
[0025] The cam (104) is operatively engaged with the actuating mechanism such that, when the piston moves in the upward direction i.e., when the piston expands, the cam (104) is pushed in the upward direction, and when the piston moves in the downward direction i.e., when the piston retracts, the cam profile (104) is pulled in the downward direction. When the cam (104) is pushed in the upward direction the lever is operated to the lifting position (first position) resulting in the lifting of the implement of the vehicle, and when the cam (104) is pulled in the downward direction the lever is operated to the lowering position (second position) resulting in the lowering of the implement of the vehicle.
[0026] The mechanism (100) achieves a complete cycle of operation of the lever by actuating the lever in the lifting position, neutral position, followed by lowering position, neutral position and again to lifting position. The continuous actuation of the lever facilitates the validation of the of the lever and advertently the hydraulic system being operated by the lever.
[0027] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method (300) for validation of a vehicle hydraulic system, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the method (300) includes attaching a cam (104) adjacently to a DCV lever which is mounted to a body structure of a vehicle at a predetermined position (step 302). Further, the method (300) includes installing an actuating mechanism at a predetermined position on a body structure of the vehicle such that the actuating mechanism selectively engages with the cam (step 304). The method (300) includes installing a cylinder comprising of a pneumatic cylinder with a piston extending from a first end of the cylinder such that a second end of the cylinder is connected to said body structure of the vehicle at a predetermined position, and a cam engageable member connected to an upper end of the piston selectively engages with the cam (104) when the piston expands and retracts in predetermined directions. Furthermore, the method (300) includes connecting a spring between said actuating mechanism and said body structure of said vehicle at a predetermined position (step 306). In an embodiment, a first end of the spring is connected to the cam engageable member, and the second end is connected to the body structure of the vehicle such that the spring aligns with the cylinder and expands when the piston expands and retracts when the piston retracts in predetermined direction. Additionally, the method (300) includes automatically operating the actuating mechanism through a timer/ controller communicating with the actuating mechanism, such that the DCV lever is continuously/sequentially actuated between a first position, a neutral position, a second position and again to said neutral position through the displacement of said cam (104) in predetermined directions (step 308).
[0028] The technical advantages achieved by the embodiments disclosed herein include reduction of product development time and product development cost, non-requirement of complex components and ease of operation.
[0029] 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 the embodiments herein can be practiced with the modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
, Claims:We claim,

1. A mechanism (100) for validation of a vehicle hydraulic system, said vehicle hydraulic system having a DCV lever pivotally mounted to a body structure of a vehicle at a predetermined position, said mechanism (100) comprising:
a cam (104) of predetermined shape attached adjacent to said lever;
an actuating mechanism selectively engageable to said cam (104);
a spring connected between said actuating mechanism and said body structure of said vehicle; and
a timer/controller in communication with said actuating mechanism.

2. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuating mechanism includes:
at least one cylinder having a first end and a second end, said cylinder mounted on said body structure of said vehicle at said second end;
a piston extending from said first end of said cylinder, said piston adapted to expand and retract;
at least one cam engageable member connected to another end of said piston; and
said timer in communication with said actuating mechanism,
wherein said timer is configured to automatically operate said actuating mechanism to expand and retract said piston.

3. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cam (104) is connected to said lever such that when said cam (104) is displaced by said cam engageable member through said piston, said lever is displaced corresponding to movement of said cam (104).
4. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cam (104) is operationally engaged with said actuating mechanism through said cam engageable member such that said expansion of said piston in an upward direction displaces said cam (104) in a first predetermined direction to a first predetermined height and releases said cam (104) after reaching said first predetermined height, thereby causes displacement of said lever in first direction and moves back to a neutral position.

5. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said retraction of said piston in a downward direction displaces said cam (104) through said cam engageable member in a second predetermined direction for a second predetermined height and releases said cam (104) after reaching said second predetermined height, whereby causes displacement of said lever in second direction and moves back to said neutral position.

6. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring is at least a helical spring connected between said cam engageable member and said body structure, such that the spring expands when the piston moves in the first direction and the spring contracts when the piston moves in the second direction.

7. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cam (104) is substantially a L-shaped flat member having predetermined dimensions, said cam (104) having a first arm (104a) and a second arm (104b), wherein said first arm (104a) of the cam profile (104) is attached to the lever and said second arm (104b) of the cam (104) extends in a direction away from the piston.

8. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cylinder is at least a pneumatic cylinder.

9. A method (300) for validation of vehicle hydraulic system comprising:
attaching a cam (104) adjacently to a DCV lever which is mounted to a body structure of a vehicle at a predetermined position;
installing an actuating mechanism at a predetermined position on a body structure of said vehicle such that the actuating mechanism selectively engages with the cam (104);
connecting a spring between said actuating mechanism and said body structure of said vehicle at a predetermined position;
automatically operating said actuating mechanism through a timer/ controller communicating with the actuating mechanism, such that said DCV lever is continuously/ sequentially actuated between a first position, a neutral position, a second position through the displacement of said cam (104) in predetermined directions.