WO2020065677A1

WO2020065677A1 - An agricultural vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2020065677A1
Application number: PCT/IN2019/050708
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shrilesh MANDE; Ajinkya BORHADE; Nikhil MUTAKE; Jitendra MANDE
Original assignee: Industill Farmtech Private Ltd
Current assignee: Industill Farmtech Private Ltd
Priority date: 2018-09-26
Filing date: 2019-09-26
Publication date: 2020-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-26
Also published as: CN113163707B; JP7133719B2; JP2022501071A; CN113163707A; PH12021550678B1; PH12021550678A1

Abstract

An agricultural vehicle comprises a chassis having a bent configuration defined by a bent portion configured between a pair of substantially horizontal support portions; a first pair of wheels supported at an operative front section of the chassis; a second pair of wheels supported at an operative rear section of the chassis; at least one mounting link pivotally connected to the bent portion of the chassis, wherein one end of the at least one mounting link is pivotally connected to a support member configured on the bent portion of the chassis; an agricultural tool coupled to another end of the at least one mounting link; a displacement mechanism coupled to the agricultural tool for facilitating the displacement of the agricultural tool in an operatively vertical direction; a seating arrangement configured on the chassis substantially above the second pair of wheels; and a steering mechanism.

Description

AN AGRICULTURAL VEHICLE

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of agriculture. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a compact agricultural vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] Agricultural vehicles such as tractors are known in the art. Tractors facilitate performing various types of soil preparation operations on the land such as ploughing, harrowing, and levelling. Typically, the implement for performing the soil preparation operation is mounted at the rear end of the tractor, which is also operatively behind the seating arrangement provided on the tractor. Due to this, the operator of the tractor is constantly required to turn around and view the land being worked for supervising if the operation is being performed optimally. This can get extremely tiresome to the operator. Also, tractors are bulky in size. Due to this, the use of tractor usually reduces the density of crop plantation, which can impact the productivity of the agricultural land. More specifically, the bulky size of the tractor causes more space to be left out between two consecutive rows of crop plantation, which is not desired. Furthermore, tractors can also be very costly.

[0003] To overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, hand-held two-wheeled tractors have been developed in the art. These hand-held tractors, used for performing the soil preparation operations, are provided with the implement/tool at the front of the operator, thereby allowing the operator to supervise the operation without having to constantly turn around. On the other hand, the hand-held tractors do require a lot of effort for performing the operations which are easily performed, while sitting, on a tractor. Furthermore, the operator has to manually apply a vertical downward force on the implement/tool, for achieving the desired depth in the soil preparation operations. This is not desired.

[0004] There is, therefore, felt a need for an agricultural vehicle that has a compact configuration and yet allows the operator to be in a seated position while performing the soil preparation operation.

SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure envisages an agricultural vehicle. The agricultural vehicle comprises a chassis having a bent configuration defined by a bent portion configured between a pair of substantially horizontal support portions; a first pair of wheels supported at an operative front section of the chassis on one of the pair of substantially horizontal support portions; a second pair of wheels supported at an operative rear section of the chassis on one of the pair of substantially horizontal support portions, wherein a provision of the first pair of wheels and the second pair of wheels provides stability to the agricultural vehicle; at least one mounting link pivotally connected to the bent portion of the chassis, the at least one mounting link having a first operative end and a second operative end, wherein the first operative end of the at least one mounting link is pivotally connected to a support member configured on the bent portion of the chassis; an agricultural tool coupled to the second operative end of the at least one mounting link; a displacement mechanism coupled to the agricultural tool and configured to facilitate the displacement of the agricultural tool in an operatively vertical direction, wherein the pivotal connection of the at least one mounting link with the bent portion facilitates the displacement of the agricultural tool in the operative vertical direction; a seating arrangement configured on the chassis substantially above the second pair of wheels; and a steering mechanism supported on the chassis at a location operatively in front of the seating arrangement. [0006] In an embodiment, a number of the mounting link is one and supported on the support member. In another embodiment, a number of the mounting link is two. More specifically, one of the mounting link is configured at each end of the support member for supporting the agricultural tool. [0007] In another embodiment, the support member is a cylindrical member having an end sleeve fitted thereon, wherein the end sleeve is provided on the first end of the at least one mounting link.

[0008] In one embodiment, the displacement mechanism comprises a primary displacement mechanism. The primary displacement mechanism comprises an internally threaded housing supported on an operative top end of the bent portion; and a screw along with a handle provided in threadable engagement with the internally threaded housing, wherein the agricultural tool is coupled to an operative bottom end of the screw, and wherein the threadable engagement of the screw with the internally threaded housing facilitates the displacement of the agricultural tool is the operative vertical direction.

[0009] In another embodiment, the displacement mechanism further comprises a secondary displacement mechanism, wherein the secondary displacement mechanism comprises a plate having a plurality of apertures integrally connected to or mounted to the internally threaded housing; and at least one bracket with an aperture configured at a support location at operative top end of the bent portion, wherein the plate is disposed within the brackets to align with one aperture of the plate with apertures on the brackets for allowing a pin to be disposed therewithin to lock the internally threaded housing at a desired height, thereby adjusting the agricultural tool at a desired height. [0010] In one embodiment, the displacement mechanism comprises a hydraulic cylinder. [0011] In another embodiment, the agricultural vehicle further comprises a power generating source configured to provide a drive to the first pair of wheels, and the steering mechanism is configured to facilitate maneuvering the second pair of wheels.

OBJECTS [0012] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an agricultural vehicle having a compact configuration.

[0013] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an agricultural vehicle that achieves the functionalities of a hand-held tractor while overcoming the drawbacks of the hand-held tractors. [0014] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an agricultural vehicle that is stable and easy and ergonomic to use.

[0015] Further objects of the disclosure will be brought out in the following part of the disclosure, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the disclosure without placing any limitations thereon. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

[0016] With the above and other related objects in view, the disclosure consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B illustrate views of an agricultural vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B illustrate views of an agricultural vehicle, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 illustrates a view of an agricultural vehicle, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] The drawbacks of the conventional tractors and the handheld tractors have been explained in the previous sections of the present disclosure. In order to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional tractors and handheld tractors, the present disclosure is directed towards an agricultural vehicle that is compact, stable, and ergonomic for the operator. [0018] In the present disclosure the word "comprise", or variations thereof, such as

"comprises" or "comprising", imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

[0019] Further, the use of the expression "at least" or "at least one" suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use can be in the embodiment of the present subject matter to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

[0020] An agricultural vehicle 100 (also referred to as vehicle 100), in accordance with the present disclosure, is hereinafter described with reference to Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B. The vehicle 100 comprises a chassis 102 having a bent configuration. The bent configuration of the chassis is defined by a bent portion 102A being formed between a pair of substantially horizontal support portions 102B. The vehicle 100, in accordance with the present disclosure, is compact. The compactness of the vehicle 100 is comparable to that of a conventional handheld tractor. However, unlike the handheld tractor that has only two front wheels, the vehicle 100 of the present disclosure, has a pair of front wheels 104A and a pair of rear wheels 104B. The presence of four wheels gives the vehicle 100 an increased mechanical stability as compared to the conventional handheld tractors. More specifically, the presence of four wheels instead of two prevents any kind of roll-over related accidents. [0021] The vehicle 100 further comprises at least one mounting link 106 having a first operative end 106 A and a second operative end 106B. The first operative end 106A of the at least one mounting link 106 is pivotally connected at a location on the bent portion 102A. In one embodiment, the location where the first operative end 106A of the mounting link 106 is connected to support member 102D provided on the bent portion 102A. More specifically, the support member 102D extends from any optimal location from the bend portion 102 A, per the application requirements. In one embodiment, the support member 102D is be a cylindrical member on which the first operative end 106A is provided with an end sleeve 106A’ that fits onto the support member 102D such that there is sufficient clearance between the end sleeve 106A’ and the support member 102D to facilitate pivotal motion of the mounting link 106 with respect to the support member 102D or the bent portion 102A.

[0022] The vehicle 100 further comprises an agricultural tool 108 connected to the second operative end 106B. In an embodiment, the agricultural tool can be any one from a group consisting of a tilling tool, ploughing tool, harrowing tool, furrowing tool, and the like. A displacement mechanism 110 is coupled with the agricultural tool 108 and configured to facilitate the displacement of the agricultural tool 108 in an operatively vertical direction, wherein the pivotal connection of the at least one mounting link 106 with the bent portion 102 A facilitates the displacement of the agricultural tool in the operative vertical direction. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B, the number of the mounting link 106 is two, wherein each mounting link 106 is provided at each end of the agricultural tool 108 to facilitate connection between the ends of the agricultural tool 108 and the bent portion 102 A. [0023] In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B, the displacement mechanism 110 comprises a primary displacement mechanism 112 and a secondary displacement mechanism 114.

[0024] The primary displacement mechanism 112 comprises an internally threaded housing 112A supported on an operative top end of the bent portion 102A. A screw

112B with a handle 112C is provided to be housed in threadable engagement with the internally threaded housing 1 l2A.The agricultural tool 108 is coupled to the operative bottom end of the screw 112B, wherein the screw 112B threadably engages with the internally threaded housing 112A for facilitating linear displacement of the screw 112B within the internally threaded housing 112A, thereby facilitating the displacement of the agricultural tool 108 in the operative vertical direction. More specifically, the screw 112B is connected to a coupling bracket 116 at the operative bottom end thereof. The coupling bracket 116 connects with the operative ends of the agricultural tool 108 and directly transmits the motion caused by the linear displacement of the screw 112B to the agricultural tool 108, thereby varying the operational height of the agricultural tool 108.

[0025] The secondary displacement mechanism 114 comprises a plate 114A having a plurality of apertures configured thereon integrally connected to or mounted on the internally threaded housing 112A. The secondary displacement mechanism 114 further comprises at least one bracket 118 with an aperture configured at a support location at the top end of the bent portion 102A, wherein the plate 114A is disposed within the brackets 118 to align one aperture of the plate 114A with the apertures on the brackets 118 for allowing a pin to be disposed therewithin to lock the internally threaded housing 112A at a desired height, thereby adjusting the agricultural tool 108 at a desired height. The secondary displacement mechanism 114 provides two functionalities, i.e., the secondary displacement mechanism 114 couples the internally threaded cylinder 112A to the bent portion 102A, while also allows adjustment of the operational height of the agricultural tool 108.

[0026] The displacement mechanism 110 allow the adjustment of the operational height of the agricultural tool 108. In the conventional handheld tractors, the operator had to manually apply the operative vertical downward force on the tool to achieve the desired operational height, which is extremely tiresome for the operator. The vehicle 100, in accordance with the present disclosure, overcomes the aforementioned drawback using the displacement mechanism 110.

[0027] Another embodiment of the vehicle is illustrated in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B. The vehicle 100A illustrated in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B is similar to the vehicle 100, as illustrated in Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B. As such, all the like elements in vehicle 100 and vehicle 100A have been referenced by like numerals for the sake of simplicity. Also, the description of the like elements of the vehicles 100 and vehicle 100A is not repeated herein for the sake of brevity of the present disclosure. The only difference between the vehicle 100 and vehicle 100A lies in the configuration of the mounting link 106. As seen in Fig. 2A and 2B, one mounting link 106 is provided on the bent portion 102A such that the mounting link 106 connects at a substantial central location of the agricultural tool 108. As in the previous embodiment, one end of the mounting link 106 is pivotally connected to the bent portion 102 A, while the other end is coupled with the agricultural tool 108.

[0028] Another embodiment of the vehicle is illustrated in Fig. 3. The vehicle 100B illustrated in Fig. 3is similar to the vehicle 100, as illustrated in Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B. As such, all the like elements in vehicle 100 and vehicle 100B have been referenced by like numerals for the sake of simplicity. Also, the description of the like elements of the vehicles 100 and vehicle 100B is not repeated herein for the sake of brevity of the present disclosure. The only difference lies in the displacement mechanism. The displacement mechanism 110, as seen in Fig. 3, is a hydraulic mechanism comprising a hydraulic cylinder 110A, wherein the agricultural tool 108 is coupled with the hydraulic cylinder 110A. A lever 11 OB is provided for controlling the operation of the hydraulic cylinder 110A. More specifically, the operational height of the agricultural tool 108 is controlled via the hydraulic cylinder 110 A. [0029] The agricultural vehicle 100, 100A and 100B further comprises the pair of front wheels 104A and a pair of rear wheels 104B, wherein a power generating source 120 of the vehicle 100, 100A and 100B provides drive to the pair of front wheels 104A, and a steering mechanism 122 facilitates maneuvering of the rear wheels 104B. In an alternative embodiment, the power generating source 120 can also be configured to provide drive to the pair of rear wheels 104B which converts the agricultural vehicle 100 from two wheel drive to four wheel drive. The agricultural vehicle 100, 100 A andlOOB further comprises a seating arrangement 124 provided substantially operatively above the pair of rear wheels 104B for allowing an operator to sit thereon and operate the vehicle. It is to be noted that agricultural tool 108 is not the only tool that can be provided on the vehicle 100. A hook mechanism 126 provided operatively below the seating arrangement 124 can also be used to connect an additional tool to the vehicle 100. The tool may be a trolley, a cultivator, and the like. It can be a simple pin type attachment or a three point linkage with hydraulic lift like a mini tractor [0030] The provision of the seating arrangement 124 substantially above the rear wheels 104B allows the operator to easily supervise the agricultural operations being performed by the vehicle 100, 100 A and 100B without having the operator turn around constantly. Furthermore, the seating arrangement 124 allows the operator to operate the vehicle 100, 100A and 100B in a seated position, while the steering mechanism 122 allows the operator to maneuver the vehicle 100, 100A and 100B while being seated. All of these features make the vehicle 100, 100 A, and 100B more compact as compared to the conventional tractors and more convenient to use as compared to the handheld tractors.

[0031] The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present disclosure. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this disclosure. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

[0032] Different characteristics and beneficial particulars are unfolded fully with reference to the embodiments/aspects which are exemplified in the accompanying drawing and detailed in the preceding description. Descriptions of techniques, methods, components, and equipment that a person skilled in the art is well aware of or those form common general knowledge in the field pertaining to the present subject matter is not described and/or introduced for the purpose of focusing on the present subject matter and not to obscure the present subject matter and advantageous features thereof. At the same time the present subject matter and its features that are explained herein in the detailed description and the specific examples, are given by way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation. It is to be understood that a person skilled in the art may and can think of various alternative substitutions, modifications, additions, and/or rearrangements which are considered to be within the spirit and/or scope of the underlying inventive concept.

Claims

We claim:

1. An agricultural vehicle (100, 100A and 100B) comprising:

a. a chassis (102) having a bent configuration defined by a bent portion (102 A) configured between a pair of substantially horizontal support portions (102B);

b. a first pair of wheels (104 A) supported at an operative front section of said chassis (102) on one of said pair of substantially horizontal support portions (102B);

c. a second pair of wheels (104B) supported at an operative rear section of said chassis (102) on one of said pair of substantially horizontal support portions (102B), wherein a provision of said first pair of wheels (104A) and said second pair of wheels (104B) provides stability to said agricultural vehicle (100);

d. at least one mounting link (106) pivotally connected to said bent portion (102A) of said chassis (102), said at least one mounting link (106) having a first operative end (106A) and a second operative end (106B), wherein said first operative end (106A) of said at least one mounting link (106) is pivotally connected to a support member (102D) configured on said bent portion (102A) of said chassis (102);

e. an agricultural tool (108) coupled to said second operative end (106B) of said at least one mounting link (106);

f. a displacement mechanism (110) coupled to said agricultural tool (108) and configured to facilitate the displacement of said agricultural tool (108) in an operatively vertical direction, wherein the pivotal connection of said at least one mounting link (106) with said bent portion (102 A) facilitates the displacement of said agricultural tool (110) in the operative vertical direction;

g. a seating arrangement (124) configured on said chassis (102) substantially above said second pair of wheels (104B); and

h. a steering mechanism (122) supported on said chassis at a location operatively in front of said seating arrangement (124).

2. The agricultural vehicle (100, 100A and 100B) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a number of said mounting link (106) is one and supported on said support member (102D).

3. The agricultural vehicle (100, 100A and 100B) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a number of said mounting link (106) is two.

4. The agricultural vehicle (100, 100A and 100B) as claimed in claim 3, wherein one of said mounting link (106) is configured at each end of said support member (102D) for supporting said agricultural tool (110).

5. The agricultural vehicle (100, 100A and 100B) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said support member (102D) is a cylindrical member having an end sleeve (106A’) fitted thereon, wherein said end sleeve (106A’) is provided on said first end (106A) of said at least one mounting link (106).

6. The agricultural vehicle (100, 100A and 100B) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said displacement mechanism (110) comprises a primary displacement mechanism (112), wherein said primary displacement mechanism (112) comprises:

a. an internally threaded housing (112A) supported on an operative top end of said bent portion (102A); and

b. a screw (112B) along with a handle (112C) provided in threadable engagement with said internally threaded housing (112A), wherein said agricultural tool (108) is coupled to an operative bottom end of said screw (112B), wherein the threadable engagement of said screw (112B) with said internally threaded housing (112A) facilitates the displacement of said agricultural tool (108) is the operative vertical direction.

7. The agricultural vehicle (100, 100A and 100B) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said displacement mechanism (110) further comprises a secondary displacement mechanism (114), wherein said secondary displacement mechanism (114) comprises:

a. a plate (114A) having a plurality of apertures integrally connected to or mounted to said internally threaded housing (112A);

b. at least one bracket (118) with an aperture configured at a support location at operative top end of said bent portion (102A), wherein said plate (114A) is disposed within said brackets (118) to align with one aperture of said plate (114A) with apertures on the brackets (118) for allowing a pin to be disposed therewithin to lock said internally threaded housing (112A) at a desired height, thereby adjusting the agricultural tool (108) at a desired height.

8. The agricultural vehicle (100, 100A and 100B) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said displacement mechanism (110) comprises a hydraulic cylinder.

9. The agricultural vehicle (100, 100A and 100B) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a power generating source (120) configured to provide a drive to said first pair of wheels (104A).

10. The agricultural vehicle (100, 100A and 100B) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said steering mechanism (122) is configured to facilitate maneuvering said second pair of wheels (104B).