CIRCLE ASSEMBLY FOR IMPLEMENT

Abstract

A circle assembly for an implement of a motor grader includes a circle and one or more mounting assemblies adapted to couple the circle with the implement. Each of the one or more mounting assemblies includes a first bracket coupled to the circle. The first bracket includes a first arm, a second arm axially spaced apart from the first arm, and a third arm connecting the first arm with the second arm. Each of the one or more mounting assemblies also includes a second bracket removably coupled to the first bracket. The second bracket is adapted to be coupled with the implement. Each of the one or more mounting assemblies further includes a fastener that removably couples the first bracket with the second bracket via the first arm and the second arm.

Claims

1. A circle assembly for an implement of a motor grader, the circle assembly comprising: a circle; and one or more mounting assemblies adapted to couple the circle with the implement, each of the one or more mounting assemblies including: a first bracket coupled to the circle, wherein the first bracket includes a first arm, a second arm axially spaced apart from the first arm, and a third arm connecting the first arm with the second arm; a second bracket removably coupled to the first bracket, wherein the second bracket is adapted to be coupled with the implement; and a fastener that removably couples the first bracket with the second bracket via the first arm and the second arm, wherein, when the fastener is coupled with the first bracket and the second bracket, a portion of the second bracket is axially disposed between the first arm and the second arm.

2. The circle assembly of claim 1, wherein the first bracket further includes a first bushing coupled to the first arm, and wherein, when the fastener is coupled with the first bracket and the second bracket, the fastener is at least partially disposed in the first bushing.

3. The circle assembly of claim 2, wherein the fastener is a pin, wherein the pin includes a body portion and a head portion, and wherein, when the fastener is coupled with the first bracket and the second bracket, the head portion of the pin is disposed adjacent to the first bushing.

4. The circle assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the one or more mounting assemblies further includes a first bearing radially disposed between the first bushing and the fastener.

5. The circle assembly of claim 1, wherein the first bracket further includes a second bushing coupled to the second arm, and wherein, when the fastener is coupled with the first bracket and the second bracket, the fastener is at least partially disposed in the second bushing.

6. The circle assembly of claim 5, wherein each of the one or more mounting assemblies further includes a second bearing radially disposed between the second bushing and the fastener.

7. The circle assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more mounting assemblies further includes at least one third bearing radially disposed between the second bracket and the fastener.

8. The circle assembly of claim 1, wherein the first bracket further includes a fourth arm spaced apart from the third arm and connecting the first arm with the second arm.

9. An implement assembly for a motor grader, the implement assembly comprising: a circle assembly including: a circle; and one or more mounting assemblies that couple the circle with the implement, each of the one or more mounting assemblies including: a first bracket coupled to the circle, wherein the first bracket includes a first arm, a second arm axially spaced apart from the first arm, and a third arm connecting the first arm with the second arm; a second bracket removably coupled to the first bracket, wherein the second bracket is coupled with the implement; and a fastener that removably couples the first bracket with the second bracket via the first arm and the second arm, wherein, when the fastener is coupled with the first bracket and the second bracket, a portion of the second bracket is axially disposed between the first arm and the second arm; a cylinder coupled, at a first end, with the first bracket and coupled, at a second end, with the second bracket; and an implement removably coupled with the circle assembly.

10. The implement assembly of claim 9, wherein the first bracket further includes a first bushing coupled to the first arm, and wherein, when the fastener is coupled with the first bracket and the second bracket, the fastener is at least partially disposed in the first bushing.

11. The implement assembly of claim 10, wherein each of the one or more mounting assemblies further includes a first bearing radially disposed between the first bushing and the fastener.

12. The implement assembly of claim 9, wherein the first bracket further includes a second bushing coupled to the second arm, and wherein, when the fastener is coupled with the first bracket and the second bracket, the fastener is at least partially disposed in the second bushing.

13. The implement assembly of claim 12, wherein each of the one or more mounting assemblies further includes a second bearing radially disposed between the second bushing and the fastener.

14. The implement assembly of claim 9, wherein each of the one or more mounting assemblies further includes at least one third bearing radially disposed between the second bracket and the fastener.

15. A mounting assembly for an implement of a motor grader comprising: a first bracket adapted to be coupled to a circle of the motor grader, wherein the first bracket includes a first arm, a second arm axially spaced apart from the first arm, and a third arm connecting the first arm with the second arm; a second bracket removably coupled to the first bracket, wherein the second bracket is adapted to be coupled with the implement; and a fastener that removably couples the first bracket with the second bracket via the first arm and the second arm, wherein, when the fastener is coupled with the first bracket and the second bracket, a portion of the second bracket is axially disposed between the first arm and the second arm.

16. The mounting assembly of claim 15, wherein the first bracket further includes a first bushing coupled to the first arm, and wherein, when the fastener is coupled with the first bracket and the second bracket, the fastener is at least partially disposed in the first bushing.

17. The mounting assembly of claim 16, wherein the mounting assembly further includes a first bearing radially disposed between the first bushing and the fastener.

18. The mounting assembly of claim 15, wherein the first bracket further includes a second bushing coupled to the second arm, and wherein, when the fastener is coupled with the first bracket and the second bracket, the fastener is at least partially disposed in the second bushing.

19. The mounting assembly of claim 18, wherein the mounting assembly further includes a second bearing radially disposed between the second bushing and the fastener.

20. The mounting assembly of claim 15. wherein the mounting assembly further includes at least one third bearing radially disposed between the second bracket and the fastener.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary motor grader;

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a drawbar and a circle assembly associated with the motor grader of FIG. 1, according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 3A illustrates an exploded view of a portion of the circle assembly of FIG. 2;

[0012] FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a first bracket of the circle assembly of FIG. 3A;

[0013] FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustrating a mounting assembly associated with the circle assembly of FIG. 2;

[0014] FIG. 4B is a perspective view illustrating two second brackets of two mounting assemblies associated with the circle assembly of FIG. 2;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a front view of the circle assembly of FIG. 2; and

[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first bracket of the mounting assembly coupled with a second bracket of the mounting assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a motor grader 100 is illustrated. The motor grader 100 may be used during a grading process prior to road construction, to cut/dig a work surface, and/or for moving of snow, debris, and so on, without any limitations.

[0019] The motor grader 100 includes a frame 102. The frame 102 defines a front end 104 and a rear end 106. Further, the motor grader 100 includes two pairs of rear wheels 108 disposed proximate to the rear end 106 and one pair of front wheels 110 disposed proximate to the front end 104. The front wheels 110 and the rear wheels 108 allow movement of the motor grader 100.

[0020] The frame 102 supports various components of the motor grader 100, such as, a power source (not shown) disposed within an enclosure 112, an operator cabin 114, the front wheels 110, the rear wheels 108, and so on. The power source may be an engine, such as an internal combustion engine, a battery system, a fuel cell, and the like. The power source may supply output power to various components of the motor grader 100 for operation thereof. Further, the motor grader 100 includes the operator cabin 114. The motor grader 100 also includes a drawbar 116 coupled to the frame 102. The drawbar 116 is coupled to the frame 102 at an end 118 of the drawbar 116 by a ball and socket joint (not shown), such that the drawbar 116 can pivot relative to the frame 102.

[0021] Referring now to FIG. 2, the drawbar 116 includes one or more drawbar beams 120 and a circle mounting portion 122. The circle mounting portion 122 is circular in shape. In the illustrated example of FIG. 2, the drawbar 116 includes two drawbar beams 120, but it should be understood that the drawbar 116 can include any suitable number of drawbar beams 120, or any other suitable structure known to a person having ordinary skill in the art. The drawbar 116 may include additional elements (not shown herein) that may facilitate connection of the drawbar 116 to other components of the motor grader 100 (see FIG. 1).

[0022] The motor grader 100 further includes an implement assembly 124. The implement assembly 124 is coupled with the drawbar 116. The implement assembly 124 includes a circle assembly 126 for an implement 128 of the motor grader 100. The implement assembly 124 also includes the implement 128 removably coupled with the circle assembly 126. The implement 128 may include a blade or a moldboard. The implement 128 may be used to perform work operations, such as, grading or snow removal.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 3A, the circle assembly 126 includes a circle 130. The circle assembly 126 also includes one or more mounting assemblies 200, 201 to couple the circle 130 with the implement 128 (see FIG. 2). Specifically, the circle assembly 126 includes a first mounting assembly 200 disposed at a first side 131 of the circle 130 and a second mounting assembly 201 disposed at a second side 132 of the circle 130. The mounting assembly 200 may be hereinafter interchangeably referred to as the first mounting assembly 200. The mounting assembly 201 may be hereinafter interchangeably referred to as the second mounting assembly 201. The first mounting assembly 200 and the second mounting assembly 201 are similar to each other in terms of configuration and functionality, and are symmetric relative to a vertical axis A1.

[0024] Each of the one or more mounting assemblies 200, 201 includes a first bracket 202 coupled to the circle 130. Each first bracket 202 is fixedly coupled to the circle 130 at the first and second sides 131, 132, respectively. In an example, each first bracket 202 is fixedly coupled to the circle 130 by welding. However, any other joining technique apart from welding may be used to fixedly couple the first brackets 202 to the circle 130. The first bracket 202 defines a first distal end 204 and a second distal end 206 that is spaced apart from the first distal end 204 along the first bracket 202. The first distal end 204 is disposed in proximity to the circle 130 and the second distal end 206 is disposed away from the circle 130. Specifically, the first bracket 202 is coupled to the circle 130 proximate to the first distal end 204.

[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first bracket 202 includes a first arm 208, a second arm 210 axially spaced apart from the first arm 208, a third arm 212 connecting the first arm 208 with the second arm 210. The first bracket 202 further includes a fourth arm 213 spaced apart from the third arm 212 and connecting the first arm 208 with the second arm 210. In the illustrated of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first bracket 202 has a box-shaped cross-section along at least a portion of the first bracket 202. In other words, the first arm 208, the second arm 210, the third arm 212, and the fourth arm 213 together form the box-shaped cross-section. Further, the second arm 210, the third arm 212, and the fourth arm 213 extend only along a portion of the first bracket 202. The second arm 210 extends from the second distal end 206 towards the first distal end 204. Further, the first arm 208 extends from the first distal end 204 to the second distal end 206. The third arm 212 and the fourth arm 213 may be fixedly coupled with the first and second arms 208, 210, for example, by welding. Alternatively, the first arm 208, the second arm 210, the third arm 212, and the fourth arm 213 may be integral with each other.

[0026] In other examples, the first bracket 202 may include a C-shaped cross-section. In such examples, the first bracket 202 may omit the fourth arm 213, and only include the first arm 208, the second arm 210, and the third arm 212.

[0027] Referring again to FIG. 3A, the first bracket 202 further includes a first bushing 214 coupled to the first arm 208. The first bushing 214 may be fixedly coupled with the first arm 208, for example, by welding. Alternatively, the first bushing 214 and the first arm 208 may be integral with each other. The first bushing 214 is disposed proximate to the second distal end 206 of the first bracket 202. Some portion of the first bushing 214 is received within the first arm 208 (best visible in FIG. 6) and a remaining portion of the first bushing 214 extends axially outwards from the first arm 208. It should be noted that the first bushing 214 and the third arm 212 extend from opposing surfaces of the first arm 208.

[0028] The first bracket 202 further includes a second bushing 216 coupled to the second arm 210. The second bushing 216 and the first bushing 214 are in alignment with each other. The second bushing 216 may be fixedly coupled with the second arm 210, for example, by welding. Alternatively, the second bushing 216 and the second arm 210 may be integral with each other. The second bushing 216 is disposed proximate to the second distal end 206 of the first bracket 202. Some portion of the second bushing 216 is received within the second arm 210 (best visible in FIG. 6) and a remaining portion of the second bushing 216 extends axially outwards from the second arm 210. It should be noted that the second bushing 216 and the third arm 212 extend from opposing surfaces of the second arm 210.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, each of the one or more mounting assemblies 200, 201 also includes a second bracket 218 removably coupled to the first bracket 202. The second bracket 218 is coupled with the implement 128. The second bracket 218 includes various elements that allow coupling of the second bracket 218 with the implement 128. The second bracket 218 includes a body 220. The body 220 is a single integral element that defines a first member 222, a second member 224, and a third member 226.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4B, each second bracket 218 has a substantially triangular profile. The first member 222 and the second member 224 may angularly extend from one another from a first vertex portion 228 of the body 220. In addition, the third member 226 may angularly extend from the first member 222 from a second vertex portion 230 to join the second member 224 at a third vertex portion 232 to impart the substantially triangular profile to the second bracket 218. The first member 222 of the second bracket 218 includes a pair of portions 219 that are axially spaced apart from each other, to accommodate a cylinder 240 (shown in FIG. 5) therebetween. Similarly, the second member 224 of the second bracket 218 may also include a pair of portions (not shown herein) that are axially spaced apart from each other, to accommodate the cylinder 240 therebetween. It should be noted that the second bracket 218 may have any other design or profile, as per requirements.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 5, each of the one or more mounting assemblies 200, 201 further includes a fastener 234 that removably couples the first bracket 202 with the second bracket 218 via the first arm 208 and the second arm 210. The first bracket 202 is removably coupled to the second bracket 218 proximal to the third vertex portion 232. Further, the first bracket 202 is coupled to the second bracket 218, by the fastener 234, such that the second bracket 218 pivots/articulates relative to the first bracket 202 about an axis A2. By way of articulation of the second bracket 218 relative to the first bracket 202, the second bracket 218 may facilitate, at least in part, a tilting of the implement 128 with respect to the frame 102 (see FIG. 1) or the work surface, during grading operations. The fastener 234 is embodied as a pin 234 herein. The fastener 234 may be hereinafter interchangeably referred to as the pin 234. Further, the pin 234 includes a body portion 236 (shown in FIG. 6) and a head portion 238 (shown in FIG. 6).

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, each of the one or more mounting assemblies 200, 201 further includes the cylinder 240 coupled, at a first end (not shown herein), with the first bracket 202 and coupled, at a second end 242, with the second bracket 218. During the operation of the motor grader 100 (see FIG. 1), the implement 128 (see FIGS. 2 and 4A) may be moved to a host of positions. For example, the implement 128 may be moved towards a left side or a right side of the motor grader 100 by sliding the implement 128 laterally, by use of the cylinder 240. Further, the circle assembly 126 includes a plate 246 fixedly coupled with the circle 130 and each first bracket 202. In an example, the plate 246 may be fixedly coupled with the circle 130 and each first bracket 202 by welding.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 6, the first bracket 202 defines a first through-hole 248 and a second through-hole 250. Specifically, the first bushing 214 defines the first through-hole 248 and the second bushing 216 defines the second through-hole 250. Further, the second bracket 218 defines a third through-hole 252. The third through-hole 252 is defined proximal to the third vertex portion 232. Furthermore, each of the first through-hole 248, the second through-hole 250, and the third through-hole 252 align with each other to receive the fastener 234.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6, when the fastener 234 is coupled with the first bracket 202 and the second bracket 218, a portion of the second bracket 218 is axially disposed between the first arm 208 and the second arm 210. Specifically, the third vertex portion 232 is at least partially disposed between the first arm 208 and the second arm 210. Further, when the fastener 234 is coupled with the first bracket 202 and the second bracket 218, the fastener 234 is at least partially disposed in the first bushing 214. Furthermore, when the fastener 234 is coupled with the first bracket 202 and the second bracket 218, the fastener 234 is at least partially disposed in the second bushing 216. Moreover, when the fastener 234 is coupled with the first bracket 202 and the second bracket 218, the head portion 238 of the pin 234 is disposed adjacent to the first bushing 214.

[0035] Each of the one or more mounting assemblies 200, 201 further includes a first bearing 254 radially disposed between the first bushing 214 and the fastener 234. The first bearing 254 is received within the first through-hole 248. Each of the one or more mounting assemblies 200, 201 further includes a second bearing 256 radially disposed between the second bushing 216 and the fastener 234. The second bearing 256 is received within the second through-hole 250. Each of the one or more mounting assemblies 200, 201 further includes one or more third bearings 258 radially disposed between the second bracket 218 and the fastener 234. The third bearings 258 are received within the third through-hole 252. In the illustrated example of FIG. 6, the mounting assemblies 200, 201 includes two third bearings 258. Alternatively, the mounting assemblies 200, 201 may include a single third bearing. Further, each mounting assembly 200, 201 also includes a collar 260 that is coupled to the body portion 236 of the fastener 234. The collar 260 is disposed adjacent to the second arm 210.

[0036] It is to be understood that individual features shown or described for one embodiment may be combined with individual features shown or described for another embodiment. The above described implementation does not in any way limit the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood although some features are shown or described to illustrate the use of the present disclosure in the context of functional segments, such features may be omitted from the scope of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0037] The present disclosure relates to the circle assembly 126 for the motor grader 100 that includes the mounting assemblies 200, 201. Each mounting assembly 200, 201 includes the first bracket 202 that is removably coupled to the second bracket 218, via the fastener 234. The first bracket 202 includes the first arm 208 and the second arm 210 that is spaced apart from the first arm 208. Specifically, the second bracket 218 is removably coupled to each of the first and second arms 208, 210 by a double shear pin joint. Such a double shear pin joint may increase a durability of a joint between the first bracket 202 and the second bracket 218.

[0038] Further, the design of the first bracket 202 that allows coupling of the first and second brackets 202, 218 may increase a load bearing capacity of the joint between the first and second brackets 202, 218 and a service life of the said joint. Furthermore, a design of the first and second brackets 202, 218 as described herein may reduce a probability of failure of the joint between the first and second brackets 202, 218, which may in turn reduce servicing and maintenance costs associated with the motor grader 100.

[0039] The first bracket 202 described herein includes the sub-assembled box structure that may protect the cylinders 240 by improving load distribution in the circle assembly 126. Furthermore, the double shear pin joint as provided by the mounting assembly 200, 201 of the present disclosure may be simple to manufacture, may be cost-effective to incorporate, and may eliminate bending of the fastener 234 by improving the load bearing capacity of the joint between the first and second brackets 202, 218. The mounting assembly 200, 201 of the present disclosure may also improve a run time of the motor grader 100.

[0040] Unless explicitly excluded, the use of the singular to describe a component, structure, or operation does not exclude the use of plural such components, structures, or operations or their equivalents. The use of the terms a and an and the and at least one or the term one or more, and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term at least one followed by a list of one or more items (for example, at least one of A and B or one or more of A and B) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B; A, A and B; A, B and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Similarly, as used herein, the word or refers to any possible permutation of a set of items. For example, the phrase A, B, or C refers to at least one of A, B, C, or any combination thereof, such as any of: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C; or multiple of any item such as A and A; B, B, and C; A, A, B, C, and C; etc.

[0041] While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.