DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the split-housing power take-off unit (PTO) in light commercial vehicle (LCV). In particular, the present invention relates to a split housing power take-off unit for rear-engine rear-wheel drive LCV. More particularly, the present invention relates to a split-housing PTO unit for rear-engine rear-wheel drive LCV configured with East-West configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The power take-off (PTO) is one of the methods used for taking power from a power source, such as a gear box and transmitting it to an application such as an implement or separate machines attached to LCVs, e.g. tractors.

Normally, the PTO system includes a splined output shaft on a tractor or truck, which is configured for easy connection and disconnection to the PTO-shaft, and a corresponding input shaft to/from the end of such attached application. In particular, LCVs are deployed for different types of applications which require the power to be applied in different directions. However, the existing PTO units offer only a fixed position thereof or require complete removal from the transaxle and indexing at any angle to the input shaft axis thereof.

PRIOR ART

US4793430A discloses a tractor and implement drawn thereby, which includes a hitch and drive structure for power take-off (PTO) driven, semi-integral implement. A hutch adapter is used to couple a PTO-driven implement to a three-point hitch arrangement of a towing tractor. The implement includes a transmission housing mounted for rotation about an upright axis that passes through a ball connection effected between a drawbar of the hitch adapter and the implement tongue. The tractor PTO-shaft is connected by a telescopic drive shaft to an input shaft supported by the transmission housing for rotation about an axis extending perpendicular to and intersecting said upright axis provided for steering the transmission housing for maintaining the input shaft disposed in parallel relationship to the tractor PTO shaft is a steering assembly including a pair of steering arms depending from the housing and engaging diametrically opposite locations of a cylindrical guide surface of a guide member fixed to the drawbar with the guide surface arranged concentrically to an axis located in a plane containing the previously mentioned axes and intersecting the upright axis at the ball connection.

Tractor PTO-shaft disclosed in US4793430A is connected by a telescopic drive shaft to an input shaft supported by the transmission housing for rotation about an axis extending perpendicular to and intersecting said upright axis. Here, the PTO is connected to the engine and PTO output is connected to the transmission input shaft.

CN203570942U discloses an angle transmission transfer case. The angle transmission transfer case comprises a case body, wherein an input shaft, an output shaft and a power takeoff shaft are arranged in the case body, the input shaft and the output shaft are arranged in a coaxial mode, the power take-off shaft is arranged perpendicular to the input shaft, the input shaft is sleeved with a power takeoff driving gear, the power takeoff shaft is sleeved with a power takeoff driven gear, the power takeoff driving gear is meshed with the power takeoff driven gear, and the power takeoff driving gear and the power takeoff driven gear are spiral bevel gears. According to the angle transmission transfer case, due to the fact that a pair of spiral bevel gears are used for carrying out transmission, the power takeoff shaft and the input shaft are arranged in a 900 mode, the original position of a gas compressor can be changed by 900, gas inlet and heat dissipation of the gas compressor are facilitated, it is ensured that the gas compressor can work for a long time, ventilation performance is good, the temperature in a vehicle body is lowered, and a steel cylinder set cannot be influenced by hot gas flow.

However, the angle transmission transfer case disclosed in CN203570942U comprises a case body, wherein an input shaft, an output shaft and a power take-off shaft are arranged in the case body, the input shaft and the output shaft are arranged in a coaxial mode, the PTO-shaft is arranged perpendicular to the input shaft. Here, the PTO application is for an inline configuration (North-South, Rear-wheel drive Power train layout). Therefore, the abovementioned concept is applicable for North-South Automatic configuration gearbox only.

DISADVANTAGES WITH THE PRIOR ART

The problem with the existing power take-off units is that they are configured for specific purposes. Moreover, these can be used only for a North-south configuration Rear-wheel drive power train layout. Further, these PTOs do not offer flexibility to the end user to work in a detached state, which therefore leads to a reduction in the efficiency.

DEFINITIONS

Front-wheel-drive or Front-engine Front drive (FF) layouts are the ones in which 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 vehicle road-grip in normal conditions. However, in this FF layout, due to weight transference under acceleration, the weight on the front wheels is reduced and so their traction is also reduced, thereby limiting the torque that can be utilized. The 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 will 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 the 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 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 under braking.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to a Split-housing Power Take-off (PTO) Unit for East-West configuration transaxle of a Rear-Engine Rear-Wheel vehicle driven by the input shaft of the gearbox. Here, the PTO-unit has a housing split in two parts, i.e. a front-housing and a rear-housing. The input shaft and its input bevel gear are enclosed in the front housing of the PTO. The output shaft and its output bevel gear are enclosed in the Rear-housing of the PTO. The output of the PTO-unit is at 900 to the axis of the input shaft. 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. 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.

PTO-unit also includes a selector mode lever for disengaging it from the transaxle.
Further, the PTO unit has a lubrication channel which allows for keeping the lubrication system of transaxle unaffected.

The oil for lubrication of the input shaft and the bevel gear is shared between rear housing of the gearbox and front housing of PTO. Thus, the oil contamination is avoided in all conditions of the PTO operation. This was possible by splitting the housing into two housing parts.

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 Power Take-off (PTO) for an East-West configuration rear-engine rear-wheel drive transaxle of a light commercial vehicle.

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

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a Power take-off (PTO) unit drawing output from the input shaft of the gear box.

Yet another object of the present invention is to allow the lubrication system of transaxle to remain unaffected on attaching the PTO to the transaxle.

A further object of the present invention is a PTO which is completely disengaged from the transaxle using a selector lever.

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 split-housing power take-off (PTO) unit for rear-engine rear-wheel drive, east-west configuration gearbox of a light commercial vehicle, wherein the PTO unit comprises:

• a fixed rear-housing part mounted on the gearbox by means of a plurality of fasteners;

• a detachable front-housing part mounted on the fixed rear-housing part by means of another plurality of fasteners;

• the input shaft and the input bevel gear thereof enclosed within the detachable front housing part;

• the output shaft and the output bevel gear thereof enclosed within the fixed rear-housing part;

wherein the output shaft of the split-housing PTO unit is disposed perpendicular to the input shaft axis for powering the PTO unit by the gearbox input shaft.

Typically, the PTO-unit is operable both in the stationary condition and mobile condition of the vehicle.

Typically, the PTO-unit is configured as an add-on unit to the gearbox.

Typically, the output of the PTO-unit is indexable at any predefined angle.

Typically, the PTO-unit also comprises a selector mode lever for disengagement thereof from the transaxle.

Typically, the PTO-unit comprises a lubrication channel to keep the lubrication system of transaxle unaffected by the split-housing configuration.

Typically, the lubrication system comprises at least one front-housing channel, lube-tube input shaft, lube-tube support shaft, lube-tube housing support and lube-tube housing each.

Typically, the lubrication system is configured to receive oil from the transaxle oil catcher and to pass it on through the detachable front-housing and subsequently to pass through the lube pipe and to finally collect at the support shaft with the help of lube tube housing support and the collected oil being drained to the input shaft of the gearbox through the shaft lube tube to complete the lubrication channel inside the PTO unit.

Typically, the lubrication system facilitates the PTO operation free from any oil contamination in all operating conditions thereof.

Typically, the PTO side of the gearbox comprises:

• a split housing consisting of a detachable front-housing and a fixed rear housing;
• a pair of snap rings to hold bearing in its position in layout;
• a companion flange for powering another auxiliary unit or a machinery requiring a rotary unit;
• an output bevel gear mounted on an output shaft;
• a deep-groove ball bearing and a support therefor;
• an integrated input bevel gear and a support shaft;
• a C-clip for locking the bevel gear’s position in the shaft;
• a PTO sleeve and an actuator sleeve with an actuator lever for engaging and disengaging the PTO;
• a lock nut to preload the companion flange to the shaft; and
• an oil seal to prevent any oil leakage;

wherein the output shaft of the split-housing PTO unit is disposed perpendicular to the input shaft axis for powering the PTO unit by the input shaft of the gearbox.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

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

Figure 1 shows the schematics of a conventional front-wheel driven automobile with transversely disposed engine mounted in front of the front-axle thereof.

Figure 2 shows the schematics of a conventional rear-wheel driven automobile with longitudinally disposed engine mounted on the front-axle thereof.

Figure 3 shows the schematics of a conventional rear-wheel driven automobile with transversely disposed engine mounted behind the rear-axle thereof.

Figure 4 shows the schematics of a conventional four-wheel drive automobile with longitudinally disposed engine mounted on the front-axle thereof.

Figure 5 shows the schematics of an automobile having a rear-wheel driven engine in East-West configuration and equipped with the split-housing PTO Unit according to the present invention provided on the transaxle driven by the gearbox input shaft.

Figure 6 shows a rear-engine rear-wheel driven transaxle in east-west configuration fixed with a split-housing PTO according to the present invention.

Figure 7 shows an enlarged perspective view of a split housing Power Take-off (PTO) Unit configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of PTO side of a split housing Power Take-off (PTO) unit of Fig. 8 to be assembled to a gearbox on transaxle side.

Figure 9 shows cross-sectional view of the lubrication channel of split housing Power Takeoff unit of Fig. 8.

Figure 10 shows the position of the lubrication pipe mounted on the front housing using the mounting bolts.
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 the schematics of a conventional front-wheel driven automobile having chassis 10, body 20, front wheels 12 mounted on the front axle 16, rear wheels 14, and transversely disposed (east-west configuration) engine mounted in front of the front-axle 16 connected by means of transaxle 22.

Figure 2 shows the schematics of another conventional rear-wheel driven automobile with a chassis 110, body 120, front wheels 112, rear wheels 114 mounted on rear-axle 116. The longitudinally disposed engine 118 (north-south configuration) is mounted on the front-axle (not visible) and connected to the rear-axle 116 by means of a propeller shaft 132 coupled to the gear box 122.

Figure 3 shows the schematics of another conventional rear-wheel driven automobile having a chassis 210, body 220, front wheels 212, rear-wheels 214 mounted on the rear-axle 216 behind which a transversely disposed (east-west configuration) engine 218 is mounted.

Figure 4 shows the schematics of another conventional four-wheel drive automobile having a chassis 310, body 320, front wheels 312, rear wheels 314 mounted on rear-axle 316, with longitudinally disposed (north-south configuration) engine 318 mounted on the front-the rear-axle connected to the central differential or transfer case 338 via a propeller shaft 332. The central differential 338 is coupled to the gearbox 322 of the engine 318 as well as to the front drive shaft 336. This automobile can be configured either full four-wheels drive or partially four-wheel drive and normally has a chassis 310 disposed higher as indicated by arrows 340.

Figure 5 shows the schematics of an automobile having a rear-wheel driven engine 350 in a transversely mounted (east-west configuration), which is equipped with a split-housing Power Take-off (PTO) Unit configured according to the present invention, for the transaxle 351 driven by the gearbox input shaft.

Figure 6 shows a split-housing Power Take-off (PTO) unit 200 configured in accordance with the present invention. PTO unit 200 with a detachable front-housing 210 is mounted on a fixed rear-housing 220 by means of a plurality of mounting bolts 230. The fixed rear-housing portion 220 can be directly mounted on the gearbox 100 by means of another plurality of suitable mounting bolts 240.

Figure 7 shows an enlarged perspective view of a split-housing Power Take-off (PTO) unit 200 side configured in accordance with the present invention. It includes a fixed rear-housing portion 220 which can be mounted on the gearbox 100 on the transaxle side 250 (see Figure 8) by means of a plurality of mounting bolts 240. The detachable front-housing 210 is mounted on the fixed rear-housing 220 by means of another set of mounting bolts 230.

Figure 8 shows a split-housing PTO side of a Power Take-off (PTO) unit 200 of Figure 7 to be assembled to a gearbox 100 on the transaxle side 250 thereof. PTO side 200 includes a detachable front-housing 210, a fixed rear housing 220, snap ring 212, companion flange 214, snap ring 216, output bevel gear 222 and output shaft 224, DGBB bearing 228, support DGBB bearing 230, integrated input bevel gear 232, support shaft 234, C-clip locking ring 236, PTO sleeve 238, actuator sleeve 242, actuator lever 244, lock nut 246 and oil seal 248 and transaxle side 250 includes transaxle housing 252 and extended input shaft 254.

Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the lubrication channel of the PTO of Figure 8. It includes front-housing channel 1100, lube-tube input shaft 1102, lube-tube support shaft 1104, lube-tube housing support 1106 and lube-tube housing 1108.

Figure 10 shows the lube-tube housing 1108 mounted on detachable front-housing 210 of the PTO by means of a plurality of mounting bolts 1110.

WORKING OF THE INVENTION

The split-housing PTO unit 200 configured in accordance with the invention can be operated as under:

Power take off unit (PTO) 200 takes mechanical input from transaxle gearbox which is mounted in 900 with respect to the input shaft axis. In the present invention, the power input is taken from the input shaft of the rear-wheel drive transaxle 250 positioned in an East-west configuration. This configuration has two housing portions, i.e. a front-housing 210 and a rear-housing 220. Front housing 210 houses input shaft and gear, shift system assembly, bearing and lubrication channel. It is attached to the transaxle 250 via rear-housing 220. The rear-housing 220 has an output shaft rear bearing 228 and companion flange 214 and is bolted to the front-housing 210 via mounting bolts 240 tightened through the flanges of the housings 210, 220. The shift system can transfer the power input from input shaft to PTO. The lubrication system is made in such a way that it takes oil from the oil catcher of the transaxle 250 and passes oil through the front-housing 210 of the PTO unit 200 and then passes through the lube pipe and which is collected at the support shaft 1104 in a correct direction with the help of lube tube housing support 1106. The collected oil is then drained to the input shaft of the gearbox through the shaft lube tube, thus completing the channel of lubrication inside PTO.

TECHNICAL & ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

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

- The lubrication system of the mated transaxle will not be affected with addition of the split housing PTO.

- Complete detachable feature allows the transaxle to work with same efficiency as without the PTO attachment.

- The rear housing, gear, bearings and companion flange can be changed according to the purpose by keeping other components same.
- The ease of serviceability of components helps the end customer to reduce the down time.

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.

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 and 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 split-housing power take-off (PTO) unit for rear-engine rear-wheel drive, east-west configuration gearbox of a light commercial vehicle, wherein the PTO unit comprises:

• a fixed rear-housing part mounted on the gearbox by means of a plurality of fasteners;

• a detachable front-housing part mounted on the fixed rear-housing part by means of another plurality of fasteners;

• the input shaft and the input bevel gear thereof enclosed within the detachable front housing part;

• the output shaft and the output bevel gear thereof enclosed within the fixed rear-housing part;

wherein the output shaft of the split-housing PTO unit is disposed perpendicular to the input shaft axis for powering the PTO unit by the gearbox input shaft.

2. Split-housing power take-off (PTO) unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PTO-unit is operable both in the stationary condition and mobile condition of the vehicle.

3. Split-housing power take-off (PTO) unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PTO-unit is configured as an add-on unit to the gearbox.

4. Split-housing power take-off (PTO) unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the output of the PTO-unit is indexable at any predefined angle.

5. Split-housing power take-off (PTO) unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PTO-unit also comprises a selector mode lever for disengagement thereof from the transaxle.
6. Split-housing power take-off (PTO) unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PTO-unit comprises a lubrication channel for facilitating the lubrication system of transaxle unaffected by the split-housing configuration thereof.

7. Split-housing power take-off (PTO) unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lubrication system comprises at least one front-housing channel, lube-tube input shaft, lube-tube support shaft, lube-tube housing support and lube-tube housing each.

8. Split-housing power take-off (PTO) unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lubrication system is configured to receive oil from the transaxle oil catcher and to pass it on through the detachable front-housing and subsequently to pass through the lube pipe and to finally collect at the support shaft with the help of lube tube housing support and the collected oil being drained to the input shaft of the gearbox through the shaft lube tube to complete the lubrication channel inside the PTO unit.

9. Split-housing power take-off (PTO) unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lubrication system facilitates the PTO operation free from any oil contamination in all operating conditions thereof.

10. Split-housing power take-off (PTO) unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PTO side of the gearbox comprises:

• a split housing consisting of a detachable front-housing and a fixed rear housing;
• a pair of snap rings to hold bearing in its position in layout;
• a companion flange for powering another auxiliary unit or a machinery requiring a rotary unit;
• an output bevel gear mounted on an output shaft;
• a deep-groove ball bearing and a support therefor;
• an integrated input bevel gear and a support shaft;
• a C-clip for locking the bevel gear’s position in the shaft;
• a PTO sleeve and an actuator sleeve with an actuator lever for engaging and disengaging the PTO;
• a lock nut to preload the companion flange to the shaft; and
• an oil seal to prevent any oil leakage;
wherein the output shaft of the split-housing PTO unit is disposed perpendicular to the input shaft axis for powering the PTO unit by the input shaft of the gearbox.

Dated: this day of 30th April 2016. SANJAY KESHARWANI
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT