DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the power take-off unit in Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) which have an east-west, rear-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration. In particular, the present invention relates to an indexable power take-off unit for a light commercial vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a power take-off unit for a light commercial vehicle which is indexable in multiple positions according to different applications of the LCV.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The power take-off or power take-off (PTO) is one of the methods used for taking power from a power source, such as gearbox and transmitting it to an application such as attached implements/separate machines to be operated.

Normally, the PTO system comprises a splined output shaft, which is configured for easily connecting and disconnecting a PTO-shaft, and a corresponding input shaft to or from the end of any such attached application.

Therefore, any power take-off system allows the attached implements to draw energy, for example from the IC engine of a tractor or truck.

In particular, the light commercial vehicles are deployed for different types of applications. These applications require the power to be taken from PTO in different directions of the input shaft axis.

DISADVANTAGES WITH THE PRIOR ART

However, the existing PTO units offer only fixed position of the PTO with reference to the input shaft axis thereof. So, they do not offer any flexibility of transmitting power at different angles.

The problem with the existing power take-off units is that they are configured for specific purposes. PTO is connected to transaxle and PTO output is connected to particular implements. Most of the PTO will be always rotating when the transaxle is given power.

Therefore, there is an existing need for developing a PTO unit, which can be indexed for delivering power at different angles with respect to the input shaft axis thereof to cater to various light commercial vehicle applications.

DEFINITIONS

Front-wheel-drive or Front engine-Front drive (FF) layouts are the ones in which only the front wheels of the vehicle are driven. This layout is typically chosen for its compactness. Since the engine and the driven wheels are disposed on the same side of the vehicle, there is no need for a central tunnel through the passenger compartment to accommodate a propeller shaft running between the engine and the driven wheels. The weight of the engine mounted over the front driven wheels also improves the road-grip of the vehicle wheels in normal conditions.

However, in this FF layout, the weight on the front wheels is reduced due to weight transference under acceleration and so the front wheels’ traction is also reduced, which limits the torque that can be utilized. FF layout also restricts the size of the engine that can be placed in modern engine compartments, as FF configurations usually have Inline-4 and V6 engines, while longer engines such as Inline-6 and 90° V8 engines rarely fit therein. A transverse engine or "east-west" configuration is commonly used in such FF layouts, which is in contrast to FR layouts using longitudinal engine.

Rear-wheel drive (RWD) typically places the engine in the front of the vehicle and the driven wheels are located at the rear, a configuration known as front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout (FR layout). Most of rear-wheel-drive vehicles use a longitudinally-mounted engine in the front of the vehicle, driving the rear wheels via a driveshaft linked via a differential between the rear axles.
In the present invention, the vehicle is in a Rear-Engine, Rear-Wheel Drive configuration. In which the rear wheels are driven by an engine placed just in front of them, behind the passenger compartment.

In contrast to the rear-engine RR layout, the center of mass of the engine is in front of the rear axle. This layout is typically chosen for its low moment of inertia and relatively favorable weight distribution (the heaviest component is near the center of the car, making the main component of its moment of inertia relatively low). The layout has a tendency toward being heavier in the rear than the front, which allows for best balance to be achieved during brake operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to a Power Take-off (PTO) Unit for the East-West configuration Transmission Axle of a Rear Engine Rear Wheel vehicle driven by the input shaft of the gearbox. Here, the PTO-unit includes a set of bevel gears. The output of the PTO-unit is at 900 to the axis of the crankshaft. PTO-unit takes the drive from the input shaft of the gearbox. PTO-unit is operable during the stationary condition of the vehicle as well while in motion.

The PTO-unit in accordance with the present invention is configured as an add-on unit to the gearbox, the output of which can be indexed at any angle. The PTO-unit also includes a selector mode lever for disengaging PTO-unit from the transmission gearbox. The input shaft of the gearbox will have an extra length to accommodate the PTO.

In particular, the present invention relates to a Power Takeoff Unit that can be indexed to multiple positions based on various desired applications of the light commercial vehicle. This layout consists of a housing which encloses the full gear train, one adaptor plate which used for indexing portion is a rotatable and indexable with respect to the input shaft axis in multiple angles with different bolting configurations for various applications of the PTO unit.

The Power takeoff unit in accordance with the present invention comprises a set of bevel gears, wherein the output of the PTO is disposed at 900 to the crankshaft axis. The unique feature of this full PTO assembly configuration is that it can be rotated all around, i.e. 3600 about its input shaft axis. Therefore, this PTO can be indexed to any angle (in steps of 450) based on the desired light commercial vehicle application.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects of the present invention - satisfied by at least one embodiment of the present invention - are as follows:

An object of the present invention is to provide a PTO for East-West configuration Rear Engine Rear Wheel drive transaxle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose Power take-off (PTO) unit for a Light commercial vehicle.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a Power take-off (PTO) unit, which generates power at constant rpm.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose Power take-off (PTO) unit, in which the output can be indexed at any angle with respect to the crankshaft axis.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a PTO-unit, which includes a selector mode lever for disengaging the PTO-unit from the transmission gearbox.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when read with the accompanying figures of drawing, which are, however, not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a single housing, indexable, power take-off (PTO) unit, wherein the PTO unit is operated by the input shaft of the gearbox and having the output shaft thereof disposed at 900 with respect to the crankshaft axis and the PTO unit is operable both during stationary and mobile condition of the vehicle.

Typically, the PTO unit comprising a PTO housing to enclose the complete gear train; an adapter unit used for indexing is rotatable and indexable with respect to the input shaft axis.

Typically, the PTO unit is configured as an add-on unit to the gearbox and the housing thereof is indexable at different angles with respect toinput shaft axis.

Typically, the adapter unit is rotatable and indexable with respect to the input shaft axis at multiple angles with different bolting configurations for different PTO unit applications.

Typically, the adapter unit is rotatable and indexable with respect to the input shaft axis at multiple angles indexed in multiples of 450.

Typically, the PTO unit is configured with a plurality of bevel gears.

Typically, the PTO unit comprises a PTU housing, a companion flange, an integrated output gear-cum-shaft, an input bevel gear, an extended input shaft, an actuator sleeve, an actuator lever, an adapter plate, a nylon lock nut, a lock nut, an oil seal, a plurality of bearings, a dog teeth and snap ring.

Typically, the PTO unit is made for Rear-Wheel Drive transaxle positioned in East-west configuration.

In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a method for indexing the PTO unit, wherein the PTO unit is operated in the following method steps:

• Taking mechanical input from transaxle gearbox mounted in 900 with respect to input shaft axis;

• Taking power input from the input shaft of the Rear Wheel Drive transaxle;

• Indexing the PTO unit at a predefined angle about the gearbox input shaft by using an adaptor plate between transaxle and PTO unit;

• Varying the angle of power output by changing the bolt fastening pattern in the adapter plate;

• Providing power input from the transaxle to the input shaft of the PTO unit by extended shaft of gearbox input shaft; and

• Engaging the shift mechanism with the bevel gear through a small shift mechanism.

Typically, the PTO housing is indexed by rotation in steps of 450 about the input shaft axis and fastening the bolts in a position according to the respective PTO unit application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which include:

Figure 1 shows a Single housing Power Take-off (PTO) Unit fitted on a gearbox via an adapter plate at an angular position from input shaft axis.

Figure 2 shows a Single housing Power Take-off (PTO) Unit indexed with respect to the position via an adapter plate.

Figure 3 shows the layout of the single housing Power Take-off (PTO) Unit of Fig. 1 assembled to be on a gearbox (not shown).

Figure 4 shows a perspective view from the other side of an index able Power Take-off (PTO) Unit configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5a to 5d show the single housing Power Take-off (PTO) Unit of Fig. 1 fitted in different orientation by rotating full PTO housing about input shaft axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

In the following, different embodiments of the present invention will be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings without limiting the scope and ambit of the present invention in any way.

Figure 1 shows a single housing Power Take-off (PTO) Unit 10 fitted on a gearbox 20 via an adapter plate 25 at an angular position from input shaft axis and mounted on the adapter plate 25 by means of mounting bolts 30.

Figure 2 shows a single housing Power Take-off (PTO) Unit 10 indexed with respect to the position shown in Figure 1 via an adapter plate 25 by shifting the mounting bolts 30 by 900 with respect to the bolt positions in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the layout of the single housing Power Take-off (PTO) Unit 10 of Figure 1 to be assembled on a gearbox (not shown) by means of a plurality of mounting bolts 30.

Figure 4 shows the layout of the single housing Power Take-off (PTO) Unit 10 of Figure 1 assembled on a gearbox (not shown). PTO unit 10 includes PTU housing 12, companion flange 14, integrated output gear 22 and output shaft 24, input bevel gear 32, extended input shaft 34, actuator sleeve 42, actuator lever 44, adapter plate 25, nylon lock nut 52, lock nut 54, oil seal 60, DGBB bearing 62, 64, dog teeth 70 and snap ring 80.

Figure 5a shows the single housing Power Take-off (PTO) Unit of Figures 1 fitted in the first orientation by rotating full PTO housing about input shaft axis.

Figure 5b shows the single housing Power Take-off (PTO) Unit of Figures 1 fitted in the second orientation by further rotating full PTO housing by 900 clockwise about the input shaft axis with respect to the position shown in Figure 5a.

Figure 5c shows single housing Power Take-off (PTO) Unit of Figs. 1-2 fitted in the second orientation by further rotating PTO housing by 1800 clockwise about the input shaft axis with respect to the position shown in Fig. 5a.

Figure 5d shows the single housing Power Take-off (PTO) Unit of Figures 1-2 fitted in the second orientation by further rotating full PTO housing by 2700 clockwise about the input shaft axis with respect to the position shown in Figure 5a. Since the PTO assembly configuration can be rotated by 3600 about its input shaft axis, it can be indexed to any angle (in steps of 450) based on the desired light commercial vehicle (LCV) application.

WORKING OF THE INVENTION

The PTO unit in accordance with the invention can be operated as under:

• Taking mechanical input from transaxle gearbox mounted in 900 with respect to input shaft axis.

• Taking power input from the input shaft of a Rear Wheel Drive transaxle positioned in East-west configuration.

• Indexing full PTO at any angle about the gearbox input shaft by using an adaptor plate between transaxle and PTO unit.

• Varying the angle of power output by changing the bolt pattern in the adapter plate.

• Making available the power input from transaxle the input shaft of the PTO by extended shaft of gearbox input shaft.

• Engaging the shift mechanism with the bevel gear through a small shift mechanism.

TECHNICAL & ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The PTO Unit configured in accordance with the present invention has the following advantages:

- Flexibility of connecting any device to the PTO at any orientation by rotating only the rotatable portion thereof.

- Indexing of the output shaft at any angle for a multipurpose application.

- Transfer of power from input shaft to PTO is available via multiple angled transmission set-up by the dual configuration PTO housing

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.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. The description provided herein is purely by way of example and illustration. The various features and advantageous details are explained with reference to this non-limiting embodiment in the above description in accordance with the present invention.

The descriptions of well-known components and manufacturing and processing techniques are consciously omitted in this specification, so as not to unnecessarily obscure the specification. 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, the skilled person will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of embodiments described herein.

Therefore, the skilled person can easily make innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations and/or integrations in terms of materials and method used to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies, assemblies and in terms of the size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. It is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.

Throughout this specification, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to implies including a described element, integer or method step, or group of elements, integers or method steps, however, does not imply excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or method steps.

The use of the expression “a”, “at least” or “at least one” shall imply using one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as used in the embodiment of the disclosure in order to achieve one or more of the intended objects or results of the present invention. ,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A single housing, indexable, power take-off (PTO) unit, wherein the PTO unit is operated by the input shaft of the gearbox and having the output shaft thereof disposed at 900 with respect to the crankshaft axis and the PTO unit is operable both during stationary and mobile condition of the vehicle.

2. Power take-off unit as claimed in claim 1, the PTO unit comprising a PTO housing to enclose the complete gear train; an adapter unit used for indexing is rotatable and indexable with respect to the input shaft axis.

3. Power take-off unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PTO unit is configured as an add-on unit to the gearbox and the housing thereof is indexable at different angles with respect to the input shaft axis.

4. Power take-off unit as claimed in claim 3, the adapter unit is rotatable and indexable with respect to the input shaft axis at multiple angles with different bolting configurations for different PTO unit applications.

5. Power take-off unit as claimed in claim 3, the adapter unit is rotatable and indexable with respect to the input shaft axis at multiple angles indexed in multiples of 450.

6. Power take-off unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PTO unit is configured with a plurality of bevel gears.

7. Power take-off unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PTO unit comprises a PTU housing, a companion flange, an integrated output gear-cum-shaft, an input bevel gear, an extended input shaft, an actuator sleeve, an actuator lever, an adapter plate, a nylon lock nut, a lock nut, an oil seal, a plurality of bearings, a dog teeth and snap ring.

8. Power take-off unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PTO unit is made for Rear-Wheel Drive transaxle positioned in East-west configuration.
9. A method for indexing the PTO unit as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the PTO unit is operated in the following method steps:

• Taking mechanical input from transaxle gearbox mounted in 900 with respect to input shaft axis;

• Taking power input from the input shaft of the Rear Wheel Drive transaxle;

• Indexing the PTO unit at a predefined angle about the gearbox input shaft by using an adaptor plate between transaxle and PTO unit;

• Varying the angle of power output by changing the bolt fastening pattern in the adapter plate;

• Providing power input from the transaxle to the input shaft of the PTO unit by extended shaft of gearbox input shaft; and

• Engaging the shift mechanism with the bevel gear through a small shift mechanism.

10. Method for indexing the PTO unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the PTO housing is indexed by rotation in steps of 450 about the input shaft axis and fastening the bolts in a position according to the respective PTO unit application.

Dated: this day of 30th April SANJAY KESHARWANI
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT