Patent Application
20160222627
The present disclosure relates to pivot assembly system for implement assemblies, and more specifically to powered actuated pivot assemblies for implement assemblies.
All-terrain vehicles (“ATV” or “ATVs”), utility-terrain vehicle (“UTV” or “UTVs”), and other similar vehicles, are often equipped with implements such as plows (or plough in English spelling) to allow the vehicles to displace any type of elements or objects, such as snow, dirt, soil, gravel, etc. Such implements are typically removably mounted to the vehicles via appropriate supporting frames or supporting frame assemblies. Such implements are typically pivoting in order to change the angle of the implement to angularly push elements. Current pivot systems for implements or plows on the market are typically bulky and support high loads. Such configurations are very expensive. In order to pivot, typical systems on the market use either electric and/or hydraulic system or a combination of planetary gears coupled to an electric motor which comprises a mechanical brake for absorbing energy in the event of an impact.
Thus, it is believed that there is a need for a new low cost pivot system using an reduced size actuator, typically an electric motor, to angularly turn the implement, wherein such system should comprise an mechanism to automatically trigger the turning of the implement while being user-friendly and by limiting the need of an operator to disembark from the vehicle to activate the system.
It is disclosed a powered pivot system for turning an implement, moved by a vehicle without the need to get out of the vehicle.
It is disclosed a powered pivot assembly for rotatably coupling an implement, such as a plow blade, to an end of a frame assembly adapted to be driven by a vehicle, the powered pivot assembly being drivingly engaged with the frame assembly to rotate the implement about a generally vertical axis; the pivot assembly typically comprising an electric motor for causing rotation of the implement.
The invention is directed to a system for pivoting an implement, the system comprising:
The invention is further directed to a system for pivoting an implement, the system comprising:
It is also disclosed a pivotal plow system comprising:
It is also disclosed a method for pivoting an implement mounted to a vehicle, the method comprising the step of powering a motor drivingly engaged with the implement to rotate the implement about a generally vertical axis until a new position of the implement is reached.
Preferably, a small high RPM electrical motor is used to power the implement assembly. In such an embodiment, it may be required to lifting the plow blade from the ground to avoid contact. Therefore, the method disclosed herein may further comprise the steps of:
Preferably, the power is transmitted through a 3-stage planetary drive bolted directly on the motor. This combined motor/gearbox may then power a large worm that turns a worm gear. The worm gear may be on the same shaft as a spur gear that may be used as a “planet” gear while the push frame has the annular gear fixed to it. The rotation of the planet gear may make the planet to move from one side or the other.
Preferably, this system comprises planetary gearing in the 3 first stages to reduce the speed of a very small electrical motor, and then a worm gear drive is used for final reduction and for self-braking ability.
It's the first system designed this way. The main advantages are the following:
This system is designed to allow the use of a very small electrical motor to get a low cost but is not limited to a small motor. It could be used with a high power motor as well because the gears are made to handle a lot of power.
This system is designed to be installed on the top of a pivot assembly to take a small space and not interfere with any parts of an ATV, but could be designed differently using the same mechanism but placed on the side of the push frame assembly.
Advantageously, if an impact occurs on the pivot, the force is stopped by the self-braking feature of the worm gear geometry.
Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood upon reading of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:
A novel automatic pivot system for an implement assembly will be described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby.
As illustrated on
The front end 130 further comprises a pivot assembly 200 configured to pivot the front 130 and the rear end 120 with regard to a generally vertical axis. The pivot assembly 200 is typically powered by an electric motor 230 coupled to a gearbox 232. In a preferred embodiment, the electric motor may be used at high revolutions per minute, has limited torque and has a compact size. The gearbox drivingly engaged with compatible portion of the front end to induce rotative movement to the implement around a generally vertical axis.
Now referring to
Still referring to
In a preferred embodiment, the motor 230 and the planetary drive 232 as illustrated on the Figures are directly connected one in the other connected to the endless rotating member 220. In a preferred embodiment, the planetary drive uses a multiple stage of planetary gears, typically three-stage. In other embodiments, a motor-gearbox assembly 230-232 commercially available may be used. The motor-gearbox assembly can be replaced by any type of lower revolution motor having a high torque. One skilled in the art shall understand that a motor having a larger volume or size may be used by adapting the frame to use such motor.
The motor powers the gearbox 232 and the endless rotating member 220 that comprises a worm 240. The worm then engages a worm gear 250 mounted on a shaft 260. The shaft is connected to a spur gear 270 that engages the annular gear 140 thereby inducing rotation of the implement.
This pivot system allows the implement to rotate an implement. The method for rotating the implement is therefore quite simple. The method comprises at least the steps of powering an electric motor drivingly engaged with the blade to rotate the plow blade about a generally vertical axis until a new position of the blade is reached.
The method for rotating an implement may further comprise a step to lift the implement from the ground to avoid contact (contact with the ground, the earth, the snow, any material or the like) if the implement is lowered. This step may be required if a motor having a limited torque or force is used as the friction of pivoting the implement requires an increased force. Also, the method may comprise the step of lowering the implement after the implement has been rotated to the desired position, and until contact with the ground for using the implement (e.g. the plow).
The powering of the electric motor may be triggered by any type of interface but typically a button wired to the electric motor. In other embodiments, the motor may comprise a module to be remotely activated using a RF remote controller, a portable device such as a smart phone, tablet or computer. The main advantage resides in the fact that the operator will not have to quit the vehicle to turn the blade. Also, the system is simple and only need a small electric motor to be activated, thus reducing the weight of the system.
The use of the endless rotating member 220, rather than a simple gearbox assembly, to transfer the power from the motor to the plow, does not require a braking or decelerating system to keep the pivot system in place when impacts hit the implement or any portion of the pivot system. Furthermore, there is no need to use a brake system for limiting the rotation of the plow when using an endless rotating member 220.
While illustrative and presently preferred embodiment(s) of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62109292 | Jan 2015 | US |
