CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 202211029267 filed on 20-May-2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The embodiments herein relate to an agricultural vehicle with adjustable ground clearance and a method for adjusting ground clearance of the agricultural vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[002] Agriculture has a tremendous need for tractors having various characteristics. This need has been met primarily by building a wide variety of tractors, including wheeled and tracked, of various heights and configurations. The conventional tractor has the limitation of working in standing crops for intercultural operations due to its low ground clearance. During inter-culture operations, the tractor does not have the flexibility to adjust the ground clearance to suit the crop heights, which would result in damaging the standing crop. The customized high ground clearance tractor has other limitations and cannot perform like a conventional tractor. Furthermore, conventional agricultural vehicles have a fixed ground clearance and if the operator aims to increase the ground clearance for specific requirement, the operator has to either go for a permanent change in ground clearance of the vehicle or needs to choose a different vehicle with required ground clearance.

[003] Therefore, there exists a need for an agricultural vehicle with adjustable ground clearance, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks. Further, there exists a need for a method for adjusting ground clearance of agricultural vehicles.

OBJECTS

[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an agricultural vehicle with adjustable ground clearance. [005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method for adjusting ground clearance of the agricultural vehicle.

[006] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a compact agricultural vehicle which is robust and has high maneuverability in order to achieve a lower turning radius in tight spaces.

[007] 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

[008] 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:

[009] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of an agricultural vehicle in which a chassis is in a lowered position, according to embodiments of the invention as disclosed herein;

[0010] Fig. 2 depicts another perspective view of the agricultural vehicle, where the chassis is in the lowered position, according to embodiments of the invention as disclosed herein;

[0011] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of the agricultural vehicle in which the chassis is at a raised position, according to embodiments of the invention as disclosed herein;

[0012] Fig. 4 depicts another perspective view of the agricultural vehicle in which the chassis is at the raised position, according to embodiments of the invention as disclosed herein; [0013] Fig. 5 illustrates a pair of extension units coupled between corresponding steering arms and corresponding front wheels when the chassis is in the raised position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0014] Fig. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of a final drive transmission of the agricultural vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0015] Fig. 7 depicts a superimposed view of the final drive transmission in a first position corresponding to a first wheelbase position, and a second position corresponding to a second wheelbase position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0016] Fig. 8A and fig. 8B illustrates the first wheelbase position and the second wheelbase position of the agricultural vehicle when the chassis is moved to one of the lowered position and the raised position respectively, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and

[0017] Fig. 9 depicts a flowchart showing the steps of a method for adjusting ground clearance of the agricultural vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] 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.

[0019] The embodiments herein achieve an agricultural vehicle with adjustable ground clearance. Further, embodiments herein achieve a method for adjusting ground clearance of the agricultural vehicle. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 through 9, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures there are shown embodiments. [0020] Fig. 1 and fig. 2 illustrate the agricultural vehicle (10) in which a chassis is in a lowered position, according to embodiments of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the agricultural vehicle (10) includes a chassis (10C), a pair of front wheels (10FW), a pair of rear wheels (10RW), a pair of steering arms (10ST), a pair of kingpins (10KP), a front axle (10FAX), a pair of final drive transmissions (100) and a pair of extension units (200). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the agricultural vehicle (10) with adjustable ground clearance is explained herein below with reference to a compact tractor. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to implement/practice the components of the agricultural vehicle (10) and method for adjusting the ground clearance, in an off-road vehicle, an agricultural harvester and any other type of vehicle without otherwise deterring the intended function of the agricultural vehicle (10) and method for adjusting the ground clearance of the agricultural vehicle (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.

[0021] The pair of front wheels (10FW) and the pair of rear wheels (10RW) are supported by the chassis (10C). The front axle (204P) is movably mounted to the chassis (10C). Each final drive transmission (100) is adapted to be coupled between a transmission shaft (10TP), as shown in fig. 6) and corresponding rear wheels (10RW). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the transmission shaft (10TP) is considered to be a differential output shaft. The pair of kingpins (10KP) are adapted to couple corresponding front wheels (10FW) to corresponding steering arms (10ST) and the front axle (10FAX).

[0022] Th chassis (10C) is configured to be moved between one of a lowered position and a raised position. In the lowered position, the chassis (10C) is closer to ground. In the raised position, the chassis (10C) is above the lowered position. Further, in the lowered position (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2) of the chassis (10C), each final drive transmission (100) is locked to a transmission housing (10TH), as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 4) and the chassis (10C) at a first position corresponding to a first wheelbase position (WB 1), as shown in fig. 8A) of the vehicle (10). In the raised position of the chassis (10C), each final drive transmission (100) is locked to the transmission housing (10TH) and the chassis (10C) at a second position corresponding to a second wheelbase position (WB2), as shown in fig. 8B) of the vehicle (10). For the purpose of this description ease of understanding, the first wheelbase position (WB 1) of the vehicle (10) is considered to be a longer wheelbase position. Further, the second wheelbase position (WB2) of the vehicle (10) is a shorter wheelbase position. [0023] In an embodiment, each final drive transmission (100) includes an upper final drive housing assembly (101A), a lower final drive housing assembly (101B), an intermediate final drive housing assembly (101C) and a support bracket (101L), as shown in fig. 2 & fig. 4). The upper final drive housing assembly (101A) of each final drive transmission (100) is adapted to be removably mounted onto the transmission housing (10TH) through a plurality of first fasteners (101FA), only one of which is shown in fig. 2 and fig. 4).

[0024] The lower final drive housing assembly (101B) of each final drive transmission (100) is adapted to be coupled to corresponding rear wheel (10RW). The intermediate final drive housing assembly (101C) of each final drive transmission (100) is adapted to couple the upper final drive housing assembly (101A) to the lower final drive housing assembly (101B). One end of the intermediate final drive housing assembly (101C) is connected to the upper final drive housing assembly (101 A), and another end of the intermediate final drive housing assembly (101C) is connected to the lower final drive housing assembly (101B).

[0025] The support bracket (101L) of each final drive transmission (100) is adapted to lock the lower final drive housing assembly (101B) to the chassis (10C) at one of the first position or the second position. A top end of the support bracket (101L) is connected to the chassis (10C) through a plurality of second fasteners (101FB), only one of which is shown in fig. 2 and fig. 4), and a bottom end of the support bracket (101L) is connected to corresponding lower final drive housing assembly (101C) through a plurality of third fasteners (101FC), only one of which is shown in fig. 2).

[0026] Fig. 5 illustrates a pair of extension units (200) coupled between corresponding steering arms (10ST) and corresponding front wheels (10FW) when the chassis (10C) is in the raised position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The extension units (200) are adapted to be coupled between corresponding front wheels (10FW) and corresponding steering arms (10ST) when the chassis (C) is in the raised position, and each final drive transmission (100) is in the second position corresponding to the second wheelbase position (WB2) of the vehicle (10). In an embodiment, each extension unit (200) includes an extension member (202) having an extension coupler (204), and a plurality of fastener sets (208B, 208N). The extension member (202) of each extension unit (200) is adapted to be received by corresponding end portion (10FP), as shown in fig. 5) of the front axle (10FAX), wherein a top end of the extension member (202) is connected to corresponding the steering arm (10ST). The extension coupler member (202). The extension coupler (204) is adapted to receive a top section of corresponding the kingpin (10KP). The bottom section of each kingpin (10KP) is connected to a wheel hub shaft (10FS), as shown in fig. 5) of corresponding front wheel (10FW). The extension coupler (204) of each extension unit (202) is adapted to be locked with the top section of corresponding kingpin (10KP) through the plurality of fastener sets (208B, 208N). In an embodiment, each fastener set (208B, 208N) includes a bolt (208B) and a locknut (208N). The bolt (208B) of each fastener set (208B, 208N) is adapted to be received by a through hole (not shown) defined in each extension coupler (204) and the top end of said kingpin (10KP). The locknut (208N) of each fourth fastener set (208B, 208N) is adapted to lock the bolt (208B) against the extension coupler (204) thereby locking the kingpin (10KP) with the extension coupler (204).

[0027] Initially, the chassis (10C) is in the lowered position. When there is a requirement to move the chassis (10C) from the lowered position to the raised position. Each kingpin (10KP) is decoupled from corresponding steering arm (10ST) and the front axle (10FAX) thereby decoupling the front wheels (10FW) from the steering arms (10ST) and the front axle (10FAX). Further, the upper final drive housing assembly (101A) of each final drive transmission (100) is adapted to be unlocked from the transmission housing (10TH) by disengaging the plurality of first fasteners (101FA) from the transmission housing (10TH). Further, the lower final drive housing assembly (101B) of each final drive transmission (100) is adapted to be unlocked from support bracket (101E) by unlocking third fasteners (101FC) Further, second fasteners (101FB) are loosened. Thereafter, each final drive transmission (100) is adapted to be rotated (manually rotated) about the transmission shaft (10TP) in a first predefined direction thereby moving each final drive transmission (100) from the first position to the second position while moving the chassis (10C) from the lowered position to the raised position. The first predefined direction in which each final drive transmission (100) is rotated about the transmission shaft (10TP) is a downward direction.

[0028] To maintain the chassis (10C) at the raised position, and each final drive transmission (100) in the second position corresponding to the second wheelbase (WB2) of the vehicle (10), the upper final drive housing assembly (101A) of each final drive transmission (100) is adapted to be locked with the transmission housing (10TH) through the first fasteners (101FA), and the lower final drive housing assembly (101B) of each final drive transmission (100) is adapted to be locked with the support bracket (101E) through the third fasteners (101FC). Further second fasteners (101FB) are tightened to lock the support bracket (101E) to the chassis (IOC). Further, each extension unit (200) is adapted to be coupled between corresponding steering arms (10ST) and corresponding front wheels (10FW) thereby maintaining the chassis (10C) at the raised position.

[0029] Now, when there is a requirement to move the chassis (10C) from the raised position to the lowered position, each extension unit (200) is decoupled from corresponding steering arm (10ST) and corresponding the front wheel (10FW) thereby decoupling the front wheels (10FW) from the steering arms (10ST) and the front axle (10FAX). Further, the upper final drive housing assembly (101A) of each final drive transmission (100) is adapted to be unlocked from the transmission housing (10TH) by disengaging the plurality of first fasteners (101FA) from the transmission housing (10TH). Further, the lower final drive housing assembly (101B) of each final drive transmission (100) is adapted to be unlocked from the support bracket (101L). Thereafter, second fasteners (101FB) are loosened. Thereafter, the upper final drive housing assembly (101A) of each final drive transmission (100) is rotated with respect to the transmission shaft (10TP) in a second predefined direction thereby moving each final drive transmission (100) from the second position to the first position when the chassis (10C) is moved from the raised position to the lowered position. The second predefined direction in which each final drive transmission (100) is rotated about the transmission shaft (10TP) is an upward direction.

[0030] To maintain the chassis (10C) in the lowered position, and each final drive transmission (100) in the first position corresponding to the first wheelbase position (WB 1) of the vehicle (10), the upper final drive housing assembly (101A) of each final drive transmission (100) is adapted to be locked with said transmission housing (10TH) through first fasteners (101FA), and the lower final drive housing assembly (101B) of each final drive transmission (100) is adapted to be locked with the support bracket (101L) through the third fasteners (101FC). Further, second fasteners (101FB) are tightened to lock the support bracket (101L) to the chassis (10C) thereby maintaining the chassis (10C) in the lowered position. Further, each kingpin (10KP) is adapted to be coupled between corresponding steering arm (10ST) and corresponding the front wheel (10FW) thereby maintaining the chassis (10C) in the lowered position.

[0031] The lower final drive housing assembly (101B) of each final drive transmission (100) are closer to the chassis (10C) when each final drive transmission (100) is locked with the transmission housing (10TH) and the chassis (10C) at the first position. Further, the lower final drive housing assembly (101B) of each final drive transmission (100) are farther away from the chassis (10C) when each final drive transmission (100) is locked with the transmission housing (10TH) and the chassis (10C) at the second position.

[0032] Fig. 9 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a method (700) for adjusting ground clearance of the agricultural vehicle (10), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. At step (702), the method (700) includes moving a chassis (10C) between one of a lowered position in which the chassis (10C) is closer to ground, and a raised position in which the chassis (10C) is above the lowered position. At step (704), the method (700) includes, locking the chassis (10C) at one of the lowered position and the raised position by locking an upper final drive housing assembly (101A) and a lower final drive housing assembly (101B) of each final drive transmission (100) with a transmission housing (10TH), and the chassis (10C) through a support bracket ( 10 IL) respectively at one of a first position corresponding to a first wheelbase position (WB 1) of the vehicle (10) and a second position corresponding to a second wheelbase position (WB2) of the vehicle respectively.

[0033] Further, the method (700) includes, de-coupling a pair of kingpins (10KP) from corresponding front wheels (10FW) and corresponding steering arms (10ST), and corresponding ends of a front axle (10FAX) prior to moving the chassis (10C) from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0034] The method (700) includes unlocking the upper final drive housing assembly (101A) of each final drive transmission (100) from the transmission housing (10TH) prior to moving the chassis (10C) from the lowered position to the raised position. Further, the method (700) includes, unlocking the lower final drive housing assembly (101B) of each final drive transmission (100) from the support bracket (101L), and loosening second fasteners (101FB) prior to moving the chassis (10C) from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0035] Further, the method step (702) includes moving the chassis (10C) from the lowered position to the raised position thereby rotating the upper final drive housing assembly (101A) of each final drive transmission (100) with respect to the transmission shaft (10TP) in a first predefined direction (downward direction) to move each final drive transmission (100) from the first position corresponding a first wheelbase position (WB 1) to a second position corresponding to a second wheelbase position (WB2). [0036] Further, the method (700) includes coupling a pair of extension units (200) between corresponding steering arms (10ST) and corresponding front wheels (10FW) thereby maintaining the chassis (10C) at the raised position, and each final drive transmission (100) in the second position corresponding to the second wheelbase of the vehicle (10).

[0037] Further, the method (700) includes locking said upper final drive housing assembly (101A) of each final drive transmission (100) to said transmission housing (10TH) through the first fasteners (101FA), and locking lower final drive housing assembly (101B) of each final drive transmission (100) to the support bracket (101L) through third fasteners (101FC), and locking the support bracket (101L) to the chassis (10C) through second fasteners (101FB) thereby maintaining the chassis (10C) at the raised position.

[0038] The method (700) includes decoupling each extension unit (200) from corresponding steering arm (10ST), corresponding front wheel (10FW) and a front axle (10FAX). Further, the method (700) includes, unlocking the upper final drive housing assembly (101A) of each final drive transmission (100) from the transmission housing (10TH), and unlocking the lower final drive housing assembly (101B) of each final drive transmission (100) from the support bracket (101L) and loosening second fasteners (101FB). Further, the method (700) includes, moving the chassis (10C) to the lowered position, and each final drive transmission (100) is moved to the first position.

[0039] Furthermore, the method (700) includes, locking the lower final drive housing assembly (101B) of each final drive transmission (100) to the support bracket (101L) through the third fasteners (101FC), and locking the upper final drive housing assembly (101A) of each final drive transmission (100) to transmission housing (10TH) through the first fasteners (101FA), and locking the support bracket (101L) to the chassis (10C) through the second fasteners (101FB) thereby maintaining the chassis (10C) in the lowered position, and the final drive transmission (100) in the first position.

[0040] Furthermore, the method (700) includes coupling each kingpin (10KP) between corresponding steering arm (10ST) and corresponding front wheel (10FW) when the chassis (10C) is in the lowered position.

[0041] 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 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.