Patent Application
20170318728
The present invention generally relates to agricultural implements, and, more particularly, to connections between components of adjustment systems in tillage implements.
Trunnions can be used to make strong connections at locations where one of the connected components is moved at an angle with respect to another component to which it is connected. As is known to those skilled in the art, in simple form, a trunnion connection usually consists of a trunnion shaft that is connected to, or even integral with a first component, and trunnion blocks supporting opposite ends of the trunnion shaft. The trunnion blocks may be connected to, or integral with a second component or components in the trunnion connection. The trunnion shaft is able to rotate in the trunnion blocks, thereby allowing the component connected thereto to move through changing angles relative to the trunnion blocks and the component or components that support the trunnion blocks. In more sophisticated designs of trunnion connections, the trunnion shaft may include an opening therethrough, to which the first component is adjustably connected. This enables the first component to be moved relative to the trunnion shaft and the trunnion shaft to move relative to the second component or components supporting the trunnion blocks. This allows a connection between components, for example, that not only change angularly relative to one another, but also experience extension or retraction between them.
In the case of a tillage implement, a trunnion connection can be used between linkage components of an adjustment system between a linear actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder, and rotating shafts that raise and lower the ground working tools, to control the depth of tillage when working in a field or for raising the unit sufficiently for transporting from one location to another location.
Use of trunnion connections on agricultural equipment such as field cultivator equipment has been known for a long time, but the use thereof is not without drawbacks. Known trunnion designs have captured the trunnion shaft between trunnion blocks that are fixed permanently in place, such as by welding. For example, in the linkage system described previously, a trunnion shaft has been captured between trunnion blocks that are welded to opposite sides of a tube, shaft or component in the linkage system. The trunnion shaft is provided with a hole therethrough, and a shaft or other structure in the linkage system can be extended through the hole and thereby connected to and disconnected from the trunnion shaft. This enables disconnection and reconnection of the overall assembly, but does not allow for servicing or replacing the trunnion shaft without replacing the trunnion blocks and support shaft to which they are welded. Further, in such designs, initial manufacture and assembly are difficult in that the rotating trunnion shaft must be captured between the trunnion blocks before the trunnion blocks are welded in place and before final finishing, such as painting.
To improve serviceability, it has been known to attach the trunnion blocks by a plurality of bolts. However, if a bolt becomes loosened the trunnion connection can become unstable, causing damages to components along the linkage system. Further, while servicing is facilitated in making disassembly possible, servicing requires tools for disconnecting and reconnecting the trunnion blocks to the component.
What is needed in the art is a more easily serviced trunnion assembly that maintains the integrity of the trunnion connection during use but can be disassembled for servicing easily and quickly.
The present invention provides an agricultural implement with a trunnion connection having permanently connected trunnion blocks and a trunnion shaft that can be connected to and disconnected from the trunnion blocks.
The invention in one form is directed to an agricultural implement with a frame; an adjustment system carried by the frame, the adjustment system including a first component and a second component; and a trunnion connection between the first component and the second component. The trunnion connection includes first and second trunnion blocks disposed in a confronting, spaced relationship to each other, the trunnion blocks defining aligned holes therethrough and being connected to the second component. A trunnion shaft is connected to the first component and is disposed in the aligned holes of the trunnion blocks. The trunnion shaft extends between the trunnion blocks and through the aligned holes, with ends of the trunnion shaft projecting outwardly of each trunnion block. At least one of the ends of the trunnion shaft defines an opening therethrough outwardly of the trunnion block adjacent thereto. End stops at the ends of the trunnion shaft include at least one that is disposed in the opening.
The invention in another form is directed to a trunnion connection with first and second trunnion blocks disposed in a confronting, spaced relationship to each other, the trunnion blocks defining aligned holes therethrough. A trunnion shaft is disposed in the aligned holes and extends between the trunnion blocks and through the aligned holes, with ends of the trunnion shaft projecting outwardly of each trunnion block. At least one of the ends of the trunnion shaft defines an opening therethrough outwardly of the trunnion block adjacent thereto. End stops at the ends of the trunnion shaft are larger than the aligned holes, and at least one of the end stops is has a portion disposed in the opening.
An advantage of the present invention is that a trunnion connection can be disassembled easily for service, adjustment or repair.
Another advantage of the invention is that an easily serviced trunnion is provided with rigidity and strength.
Yet another advantage of the invention is that manufacture is facilitated by simplifying assembly and fabrication.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
Cultivator 10 includes an adjustment system 22 having an easily serviced trunnion connection 24 therein, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. In the exemplary illustration of the drawings, adjustment system 22 and a trunnion connection 24 are shown with respect to a frame 26 of wing section 16B, but it should be understood that the other sections 12, 14 and 16 can advantageously use trunnion connection 24 in similar adjustment systems to adjustment system 22 or for other operating systems and connections therein.
Center frame section 12 and wing sections 14A, 14B, 16A, 16B carry field working devices such as cultivator shanks 30, which may include shovels at the lower ends thereof for tilling the soil as implement 10 is pulled in direction D. Wing lift wheels 34 are provided for wing sections 14A, 14B, 16A, 16B. Main lift and transport wheels 36 are provided for center frame section 12.
Referring now additionally to
A hydraulic lift cylinder or actuator 40 is connected to lift wheels 34 through adjustment system 22 that includes a first component or linkage system shaft 42 which is connected at one end to an operating crank 44 on a pivot tube 46. Also connected to crank 44 is a pedestal arm 48 carrying wing lift wheels 34. Accordingly, extension and retraction of shaft 42 rotates pivot tube 46 and crank 44 thereon, and thereby raising or lowering wing lift wheel 34 relative to frame 26 carrying field cultivator shanks 30.
The end of shaft 42 opposite to the connection to crank 44 is connected through trunnion connection 24 to a second component or pivotal support 50. Hydraulic cylinder 40 is mounted to a shaft 52 connected between a pair of anchors 54, 56. Extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder 40 results in pivoting support 50, linear movement of linkage system shaft 42, rotation of pivot tube 46 and that resulted raising or lowering of wing lift wheels 34. The interconnection of trunnion connection 24 between the hydraulic cylinder 40, linkage system shaft 42 and support 50 allows the transfer of force between the rotating and linear moving components as the relative angles between the components change.
Trunnion connection 24 can be seen most completely in the exploded view of
Referring now to
Referring now again primarily to
It should be understood that structures other than roll pins can be used in end stops 66, 68 to provide portions of the end stops that are received in and removable from openings 78, 80. For example, one or both roll pins 90, 92 can be replaced by a linchpin such as a Klik pin 98 (
The trunnion connection described herein provides several advantages. The assembly of trunnion blocks 60, 62 with support 50 can be rigid and strong, such as by welding, and can be completed with final finishing, such as painting, before trunnion shaft 64 is attached thereto. Trunnion shaft 64 is attached by inserting the trunnion shaft through aligned holes 70, 72. The trunnion shaft is positioned with openings 78, 80 outwardly of trunnion blocks 60, 62. Washers 94, 96 are placed on trunnion shaft 64 and roll pins 90, 92, linchpins 98 or other suitable structures are inserted. Thereafter, shaft 42 can be inserted through aperture 82 and connected thereto.
If servicing is required, shaft 42 is disconnected from trunnion shaft 64. At least one end stop 66, 68 is removed, and trunnion shaft 64 is withdrawn from trunnion blocks 60, 62. A replacement trunnion shaft 64 can be reinstalled as described above. Alternatively, trunnion shaft 64 can be repaired and reinstalled. Removal is easy and quick, particularly when a tool-less end stop is used, such as one using a linchpin 98.
While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
