DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to yoke assembly of vehicles, more particularly but not exclusively to a yoke assembly for a vehicle such as motor grader and the like.
BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, a motor grader is a constructional vehicle that is used to create a flat surface during the grading process. Motor grader comprises a yoke which is a critical part as lift cylinder or saddle cylinder force passes through the yoke. The yoke is typically made from forging steel to allow for strong bonding between the driveshaft and the yoke. However, forging steel is a relatively expensive material. The forging process requires a significant amount of capital equipment. The dimensional quality of the forged tube yoke often requires the driveshaft assembly to be balanced, which increases manufacturing time and cost. Although the forged tube yoke has been in common use for many years, it would be desirable to provide an improved structure for a driveshaft assembly that is simpler and less expensive.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a yoke assembly for a vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a yoke assembly for a vehicle such as motor grader and the like.
[005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a yoke assembly for a vehicle which is inexpensive.
[006] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a yoke assembly for a vehicle which is easy to manufacture.
[007] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a yoke assembly for a vehicle, which facilitates easier servicing and repair process.
[008] 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
[009] 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:
[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a yoke assembly for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of the yoke assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0012] FIGS. 3a and 3b depict exploded views of pin and base of the yoke assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] 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.
[0014] The embodiments herein achieve a yoke assembly for a vehicle such as motor grader and the like. Further, the embodiments herein achieve a yoke assembly for a vehicle, which facilitates easier servicing and repair process. 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 embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a yoke assembly for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the yoke assembly 100 includes a base 102, a central axial bore (not shown, a first arm 104, a second arm 106, each of the first arm 104 and the second arm 106 having an opening 108, a pin 110, pin having a first end 110a and a second end 110b, at least one locking plate 112, an annular protrusion 114, a first portion 116 of pin, a second portion 118 of pin, a third portion 120 of pin, at least two holes 122a on the first arm 104 and the second arm 106, at least two holes 122b on locking plate, at least two fasteners 124, at least one castle nut 126, at least one washer 128, and at least one protrusion 130.
[0016] FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of the yoke assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The yoke assembly 100 includes the base 102. The base 102 includes the central axial bore extending through a central portion of the base 102. The central bore (not shown) extends from a top surface (not shown) of the base 102 to a bottom surface (not shown) of the base 102. Further, the base 102 includes the first arm 104 and the second arm 106. The first arm 104 and the second arm 106 extends axially away from the base 102 to a predetermined distance along an axis (not shown) defined by the pin 110. Both of the first arm 104 and the second arm 106 include an opening 108. The opening 108 is made up of predetermined shape. The base 102, the first arm 104 and the second arm 106 are unitary structure and are made up a first metal. The first metal is selected from a group of metals which may be easily casted and welded. For example, the first metal may be mild steel. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use/implement any type of metal without otherwise deterring the intended function of supporting as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. Further, the base 102 includes an annular protrusion 114 extending circumferentially on both sides of the central bore. The annular protrusion 114 is defined along the bore to limit or restrict radial movement of the pin 110 while the pin 110 is disposed in the central bore of the base 102.
[0017] FIGS. 3a and 3b depict exploded views of pin and base of the yoke assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The yoke assembly 100 includes the pin 110 having the first end 110a and the second end 110b. Further the pin 110 includes a first portion 116 defined at first end 110a of the pin 110. The first portion includes a first predetermined diameter (not shown). Further, the pin 110 includes the second portion 118 extending from the first portion 116. The second portion 118 includes a second predetermined diameter (not shown). The second predetermined diameter is larger the first predetermined diameter. Furthermore, the pin 110 includes the third portion 120 extending from the second portion 118 at the second end 110b. The third portion 120 includes a third predetermined diameter (not shown). The third predetermined diameter is larger than the second predetermined diameter. The second portion 118 of the pin 110 having the second diameter is disposed into the bore defined in the base 102. The pin 110 is press fitted into the central bore of the base 102. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use/implement any type of attachment between the pin 110 and the base 102 without otherwise deterring the intended function of connecting/fixing as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. The press fitting of the pin 110 into the central bore integrates the pin 110 with the base 102. The rotation provided to the pin 110 is transferred to the base 102.
[0018] Further, the pin 110 is made up of a second metal. The second metal is selected from a group of metals which includes high yield strength, hardness and machinability. For example, the second metal may be alloy steel. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use/implement any type of metal without otherwise deterring the intended function of supporting as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0019] The yoke assembly 100 further includes the locking plate 112 which is disposed in each of the first arm 104 and the second arm 106. The locking plates 112 are connected to the first arm 104 and the second arm 106 by at least two fasteners 124. The first arm 104 and the second arm 106 includes at least two holes 122a to receive the at least two fasteners 124 to clamp the locking plate 112 to the first arm 104 and the second arm 106. Further, the locking plate 112 includes at least two holes 122b corresponding to the at least two holes 122a of the first arm 104 and the second arm 106. Further, each of the locking plate 112 includes at least one protrusion 130 having a predefined slope corresponding to shape of the opening 108 defined in the first arm 104 and the second arm 106. The protrusion 130 includes a reverse slope such that it facilitates in supporting a lift cylinder which is assembled between the locking plates 112 of the first arm 104 and the second arm 106.
[0020] The yoke assembly 100 further includes at least one castle nut 126 coupled at first end 110a of the pin 110. The castle nut 126 is adapted to lock the entire yoke assembly 100 to a mounting member. The mounting member may be any assembly of the vehicle. For example the mounting member may be a chassis of the vehicle. Furthermore, the yoke assembly 100 includes at least one washer 128 coupled between the castle nut 126 and the mounting member of the vehicle. The washer 128 is configured to prevent wear of the castle nut 126. The washer 128 may be a hardened washer. In an embodiment, the yoke assembly is configured to be rotated along the axis (not shown) defined by pin 110 and also to be rotated along the axis (not shown) defined by the locking plate 112.
[0021] The pin 110 is press fit into the central bore of the base 102 so that it can be easily replaced during service. Further, the pin 110 alone can be replaced so the service cost is much lower than the service cost incurred in changing the complete yoke assembly. Reverse slope alignment between the locking plate 112 and the yoke assembly 100 assures that yoke assembly 100 will work even in bolt torque loose condition.
[0022] The technical advantages achieved by the embodiments herein are as follows. Yoke assembly service price reduced by 99% (just INR. 2000 in place of INR 2 lakhs), simple construction and no critical alignment required, easy to operate, easy to manufacture, very low part cost and service spare cost.
[0023] 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:We claim,
1. A yoke assembly 100 for a vehicle, said yoke assembly 100 comprising:
a base 102 having a central axial bore extending through a central portion of said base 102;
a first arm 104 and a second arm 106 axially extending away from said base 102, said first arm 104 and said second arm 106 each having an opening 108 of predetermined shape;
a pin 110 having a first end 110a and a second end 110b received within said bore; and
at least one locking plate 112 coupled to said each of said first arm 104 and said second arm 106,
wherein,
said second end 110b of said pin 110 includes a diameter larger than a diameter of said bore to hold or support said base 102 at a predetermined position,
said base 102, said first arm 104 and said second arm 106 are unitary structure made of a first metal,
said pin 110 is made up of a second metal.
2. The yoke assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base 102 includes an annular protrusion 114 extending circumferentially on both sides of said bore.
3. The yoke assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pin 110 includes:
a first portion 116 defined at first end 110a of said pin 110 and having a first predetermined diameter;
a second portion 118 extending from said first portion 116 and having a second predetermined diameter, said second predetermined diameter is larger said first predetermined diameter; and
a third portion 120 extending from said second portion 118 at said second end 110b and having a third predetermined diameter, said third predetermined diameter is larger than said second predetermined diameter.
4. The yoke assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second portion 118 of said pin 110 having said second diameter is disposed into said bore defined in said base 102.
5. The yoke assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said each of first arm 104 and said second arm 106 includes at least two holes 122a to receive at least two fasteners 124 to clamp said locking plate 112 to said first arm 104 and said second arm 106.
6. The yoke assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking plate 112 includes at least two holes 122b corresponding to said at least two holes 122a of said first arm 104 and said second arm 106.
7. The yoke assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said yoke assembly 100 further includes at least one castle nut 126 coupled at first end 110a of said pin 110, said castle nut 126 adapted to lock said yoke assembly 100 to a mounting member.
8. The yoke assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said yoke assembly 100 includes at least one washer 128 coupled between said castle nut 126 and said mounting member of said vehicle, said washer 128 is configured to prevent wear of said castle nut 126.
9. The yoke assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking plate 112 includes at least one protrusion 130 having a predefined slope corresponding to shape of said opening 108 defined in said first arm 104 and said second arm 106.