阅读说明：本技术 用于自动平地机的牵引杆组件 (Drawbar assembly for motor grader ) 是由 D·R·雷昂 D·L·考克斯 B·J·科瓦里克 于 2021-05-21 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种用于自动平地机的牵引杆组件。所述牵引杆组件限定纵向轴线并且包括第一框架构件和第二框架构件。所述第一框架构件适于可移动地联接到所述自动平地机的主框架。所述第一框架构件包括沿着纵向轴线延伸的第一基部构件和相对于第一基部构件弯曲离开以相对于纵向轴线横向延伸的第一配合部分。所述第二框架构件包括沿着纵向轴线延伸的第二基部构件和相对于第二基部构件弯曲离开以相对于纵向轴线横向延伸的第二配合部分。所述第二配合部分被构造成与第一配合部分配合以在其间形成连接接头,从而促进所述第一框架构件和第二框架构件结合以一起支撑在其下方的所述自动平地机的转盘组件。(A tow bar assembly for a motor grader is provided. The drawbar assembly defines a longitudinal axis and includes a first frame member and a second frame member. The first frame member is adapted to be movably coupled to a main frame of the motor grader. The first frame member includes a first base member extending along a longitudinal axis and a first mating portion bent away relative to the first base member to extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis. The second frame member includes a second base member extending along the longitudinal axis and a second mating portion bent away relative to the second base member to extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis. The second mating portion is configured to mate with the first mating portion to form a connection joint therebetween to facilitate the first and second frame members to combine to together support a turntable assembly of the motor grader therebelow.)

1. A tow bar assembly for a motor grader, the tow bar assembly defining a longitudinal axis, the tow bar assembly comprising:

a first frame member adapted to be movably coupled to a main frame of the motor grader, the first frame member including a first base member extending along the longitudinal axis and a first mating portion that curves away relative to the first base member to extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis; and

a second frame member including a second base member extending along the longitudinal axis and a second mating portion bent away relative to the second base member to extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis,

wherein the second mating portion is configured to mate with the first mating portion to form a connection joint therebetween to facilitate the first and second frame members to couple to one another to together support a turntable assembly of the motor grader therebelow.

2. The tow bar assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second base members defines a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein each of the first and second mating portions is curved to project perpendicularly away from the top surfaces of the first and second base members, respectively.

3. The drawbar assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a mounting member coupled to a bottom surface of each of the first and second base members, the mounting member being configured to mount the carousel assembly thereto.

4. The tow bar assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first frame member and the second frame member are configured to be joined at the connection joint by welding.

5. The tow bar assembly of claim 1, wherein the first base member includes a Y-shaped structure to define a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, and wherein the first mating portion is disposed at the first longitudinal end and the first frame member is configured to be connected to a main frame of the motor grader via an articulated joint at the second longitudinal end.

6. The tow bar assembly according to claim 5, wherein the first frame member includes a pair of bar members attached to a top surface of the first base member, the pair of bar members configured to be spaced apart at the first longitudinal end and connected to the first mating portion, and to intersect at the second longitudinal end.

7. The tow bar assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second mating portions includes at least one fastening hole formed therein, the at least one fastening hole on the first mating portion configured to couple a lifting mechanism to the at least one fastening hole, and the at least one fastening hole on the second mating portion configured to couple a swinging mechanism to the at least one fastening hole.

8. A method of manufacturing a drawbar assembly for a motor grader, the method comprising:

providing a first frame member for movable coupling to a main frame of the motor grader, the first frame member including a first base member extending along a first longitudinal axis and a first mating portion that curves away relative to the first base member to extend laterally relative to the first longitudinal axis;

providing a second frame member including a second base member extending along a second longitudinal axis and a second mating portion bent away relative to the second base member to extend transversely relative to the second longitudinal axis;

aligning the first mating portion of the first frame member and the second mating portion of the second frame member such that the first longitudinal axis is aligned with the second longitudinal axis to define a longitudinal axis of the drawbar assembly; and

joining the first mating portion to the second mating portion to form a connection joint therebetween to facilitate the first frame member and the second frame member together supporting a turntable assembly of the motor grader therebelow.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein each of the first and second base members defines a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein each of the first and second mating portions is curved to project perpendicularly away from the top surfaces of the first and second base members, respectively.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising attaching a mounting member to a bottom surface of each of the first and second base members of the joined first and second frame members, the mounting member configured to mount the turntable assembly thereto.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein joining the first frame member and the second frame member comprises welding the first frame member and the second frame member at the connection joint.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the first base member includes a Y-shaped structure defining a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, and wherein the first mating portion is disposed at the first longitudinal end and the first frame member is configured to be connected to a main frame of the motor grader via an articulated joint at the second longitudinal end.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first frame member includes a pair of bar members attached to a top surface of the first base member, the pair of bar members configured to be spaced apart at the first longitudinal end and connected to the first mating portion, and to intersect at the second longitudinal end.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein each of the first and second mating portions includes at least one fastening hole formed therein, the at least one fastening hole on the first mating portion configured to couple a lifting mechanism to the at least one fastening hole, and the at least one fastening hole on the second mating portion configured to couple a swinging mechanism to the at least one fastening hole.

15. A motor grader, comprising:

a main frame;

a turntable assembly supporting an implement of the motor grader; and

a tow bar assembly supported and disposed below the main frame, the tow bar assembly defining a longitudinal axis and comprising:

a first frame member movably coupled to the main frame, the first frame member including a first base member extending along the longitudinal axis and a first mating portion curved away relative to the first base member to extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis; and

a second frame member including a second base member extending along the longitudinal axis and a second mating portion bent away relative to the second base member to extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis, the second mating portion being joined to the first mating portion to form a connection joint therebetween; and

a mounting member coupled to the turntable assembly and attached below the combined first and second frame members.

16. The motor grader of claim 15 wherein the first frame member and the second frame member are joined at the connection joint by welding.

17. The motor grader of claim 15, wherein each of the first and second base members defines a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein each of the first and second mating portions is curved to project perpendicularly away from the top surfaces of the first and second base members, respectively.

18. The motor grader of claim 15, wherein the first base member includes a Y-shaped structure defining a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, and wherein the first mating portion is disposed at the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end is connected to a main frame of the motor grader via an articulated joint.

19. The motor grader of claim 18 wherein the first frame member includes a pair of bar members attached to a top surface of the first base member, the pair of bar members spaced apart at the first longitudinal end and connected to the first mating portion and intersecting at the second longitudinal end.

20. The motor grader of claim 15, wherein each of the first and second mating portions includes at least one fastening hole formed therein, and wherein the motor grader comprises:

an implement lifting mechanism connected to the drawbar assembly at least one fastening hole on the first mating portion to facilitate upward and downward movement of an implement of the motor grader; and

a swing mechanism connected to the drawbar assembly at least one fastening hole on the second mating portion to facilitate swinging of the drawbar assembly relative to the motor grader.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to motor graders. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a tow bar assembly for a motor grader.

Background

Motor graders are known to be very commonly used for various earth moving operations such as road maintenance, surface profiling, trench operations, and the like. Typically, motor graders include a main frame having a steerable front frame and a driven rear frame. The front frame supports a drawbar-carousel-blade (DCB) arrangement to perform one or more grading operations. The DCB device includes a drawbar assembly, a turntable assembly, and a blade assembly, each of which cooperates with the other to perform one or more grading operations. The blade assembly is mounted to a turntable assembly which in turn is rotatably mounted to the drawbar assembly for rotating the blade assembly relative to the drawbar assembly.

Typically, the tow bar assembly includes a front end connected to the front frame of the motor grader by a ball and socket connection, and a rear portion suspended by one or more fluid actuators to facilitate upward and downward movement of the tow bar assembly. The turntable assembly and blade assembly are also connected to the rear end of the traction bar assembly. Typically, the design of these drawbar assemblies remains the same in all models of motor graders, however, their size (e.g., length) may vary from model to model. Therefore, manufacturing each model of tow bar is expensive and increases inventory, which is undesirable. Furthermore, since the drawbar assembly is subject to heavy stress during various grading operations, even for minor damage or problems, the entire drawbar assembly may need to be replaced, which may be expensive and therefore undesirable.

Us patent No. 4,064,947 (hereinafter the' 947 patent) proposes a motor grader having a longitudinal main frame with a circular mounting bar that pivots on a horizontal axis at a connecting end and has a load-bearing portion remote from its connecting end. The turntable rotates on the vertical axis on the mounting bar carrying portion and the grader blade is mounted on the turntable. The turntable mounting bar of the' 947 patent is a box-like beam with an internal vertical web, and the beam increases in width from its connecting end toward a load-bearing portion of the box-like cross-section, which is a separate part integrally welded to the beam. The shape of the beam in plan view is intermediate between an isosceles triangle (with its apex at the connecting end) and a parabola (with its apex at the end) in order to impart optimal stress uniformity for both vertical and lateral forces throughout the length of the mounting bar.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, a tow bar assembly for a motor grader is provided. The drawbar assembly defines a longitudinal axis and includes a first frame member and a second frame member. The first frame member is adapted to be movably coupled to a main frame of the motor grader. The first frame member includes a first base member extending along a longitudinal axis and a first mating portion bent away relative to the first base member to extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis. The second frame member includes a second base member extending along the longitudinal axis and a second mating portion bent away relative to the second base member to extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis. The second mating portion is configured to mate with the first mating portion to form a connection joint therebetween to facilitate the first and second frame members to combine to together support a turntable assembly of the motor grader therebelow.

In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a drawbar assembly for a motor grader is provided. The method includes providing a first frame member and a second frame member. The first frame member is for being movably coupled to a main frame of the motor grader. The first frame member includes a first base member extending along a first longitudinal axis and a first mating portion bent away relative to the first base member to extend transversely relative to the first longitudinal axis. The second frame member includes a second base member extending along a second longitudinal axis and a second mating portion bent away relative to the second base member to extend transversely relative to the second longitudinal axis. The method also includes aligning the first mating portion of the first frame member and the second mating portion of the second frame member such that the first longitudinal axis is aligned with the second longitudinal axis to define a longitudinal axis of the tow bar assembly. Additionally, the method includes joining the first mating portion to the second mating portion to form a connection joint therebetween to facilitate supporting the first and second frame members together below a turntable assembly of the motor grader.

In yet another aspect, a motor grader is provided. The motor grader includes a main frame, a turntable assembly, and a traction bar assembly. The turntable assembly supports an implement of the motor grader. The traction bar assembly is supported and arranged below the main frame. The drawbar assembly defines a longitudinal axis and includes a first frame member and a second frame member. The first frame member is movably coupled to the main frame. The first frame member includes a first base member extending along the longitudinal axis and a first mating portion that curves away relative to the first base member to extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis. The second frame member includes a second base member extending along the longitudinal axis and a second mating portion bent away relative to the second base member to extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis. The second mating portion is joined to the first mating portion to form a connection joint therebetween. The tow bar assembly also includes a mounting member coupled to the turntable assembly and attached beneath the combined first and second frame members.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary grader according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary drawbar-turntable-blade (DCB) assembly of a grader in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary first and second frame members of a tow bar assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example tow bar assembly having joined first and second frame members at a connection joint according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the drawbar assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method of manufacturing a tow bar assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates to a tow bar assembly for a grader. Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary grader 100 in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the grader 100 (hereinafter referred to as the machine 100) is embodied as a motor grader. The grader 100 may be used to displace, spread, distribute, level, and grade material 102 (e.g., soil) on a work surface 104. Typically, grading operations are performed during movement of the machine, for which purpose the machine 100 may include a traction device that facilitates movement over the work surface 104. For example, the traction devices include a set of front wheels 106 (only one side shown) disposed toward a front end 108 of the machine 100 and a set of rear wheels 110 disposed toward a rear end 112 of the machine 100. As used herein, the terms "front" and "rear" are relative to a direction of travel of the machine 100, as indicated by arrow T in fig. 1, which is illustratively defined from the rear end 112 toward the front end 108. The movement of the traction devices (i.e., the rotation of the set of front wheels 106 and the set of rear wheels 110) may be driven by a power source, such as an engine (not shown), housed in a power compartment 114 of the machine 100.

Further, the machine 100 includes a main frame 116 including a steerable front section 118 at the front end 108 of the machine 100 and a driven rear section 119 at the rear end 112. An operator compartment 120 is supported on the main frame 116 and houses the power supply of the machine 100 and the controls for the various appliances.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, to level and level the material 102, the machine 100 includes a drawbar-carousel-blade (DCB) arrangement 122, also referred to as a grader train 122. As shown, the grader set 122 is supported by and below the main frame 116 and is connected to the front section 118 of the main frame 116. In some alternative embodiments, the set of landings 122 may be supported by another portion of the machine 100, such as by the rear section 119 of the mainframe 116 or by another portion of the front section 118. The grader train 122 may include a drawbar assembly 124, a turntable assembly 126, and an implement assembly, such as a blade assembly 128, each of which may cooperate to perform grading operations on the work surface 104.

The drawbar assembly 124 defines a longitudinal axis 125, and includes a first end 130 and a second end 132 of the drawbar assembly 124 defined along the longitudinal axis 125. A first end 130 of the drawbar assembly 124 rotatably supports the turntable assembly 126 and the blade assembly 128 thereto. Further, first end 130 of drawbar assembly 124 is movably supported by intermediate section 117 of mainframe 116 (e.g., via one or more lifting mechanisms, such as hydraulic actuator 134). Hydraulic actuator 134 may be actuated to raise or lower first end 130 of drawbar assembly 124 relative to main frame 116, thereby allowing the ground plane unit 122 to be raised or lowered relative to work surface 104.

Further, the tow bar assembly 124 is supported below the main frame 116 such that the second end 132 of the tow bar assembly 124 is pivotally connected to the front section 118 of the main frame 116. For example, the second end 132 of the drawbar assembly 124 is connected to the main frame 116 via a hinge ball joint 136 (shown in FIG. 2). The articulation ball joint 136 may be configured to facilitate lateral swinging of the grader mass 122 about the longitudinal axis 125 of the drawbar assembly 124, which in turn defines a swing axis (not shown) of the articulation ball joint 136. As shown in fig. 2, one or more swing actuators 137 may be configured to be actuated to facilitate lateral swinging of the drawbar assembly 124 about the swing axis of the articulation ball joint 136.

The dial assembly 126 includes a dial member 138 and a pair of arms 140-1, 140-2 (hereinafter collectively referred to as a pair of arms 140). The dial member 138 is configured to rotate relative to the drawbar 124 about an axis of rotation 141 passing through the center of the dial member 138. For example, the dial member 138 includes a ring gear portion 142 having a plurality of teeth 144 (shown in fig. 2) configured to engage a drive gear 146 on the drawbar assembly 124 to facilitate rotation of the dial assembly 126 about the rotation axis 141.

Further, a pair of arms 140 extend from the dial member 138 and are configured to tiltably support the blade assembly 128 thereto. The blade assembly 128 includes a die plate 129 mounted to the turntable assembly 126 for rotation about an axis of rotation 141. For example, the turret assembly 126 may include one or more tilt actuators 148 coupled to the die plate 129 to facilitate tilting of the blade assembly 128 relative to the turret assembly 126.

Fig. 3-5 illustrate an exemplary tow bar assembly 124 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the tow bar assembly 124 includes two frame members, such as a first frame member 302 and a second frame member 304, that are joined together at a connection joint 305 (shown in fig. 4) to form the tow bar assembly 124. As shown in fig. 3, the first frame member 302 can extend along a first longitudinal axis 306, and the second frame member 304 can extend along a second longitudinal axis 308 such that each of the first and second longitudinal axes 306, 308 are parallel and aligned with each other to define the longitudinal axis 125 of the drawbar assembly 124 when the two frame members are joined together.

First frame member 302 defines a first longitudinal end 310 and a second longitudinal end 312 along first longitudinal axis 306. Second longitudinal end 312 is configured to be movably coupled to main frame 116 via ball joint 136. The first frame member 302 also includes a first base member 314 extending along the first longitudinal axis 306 between the first and second longitudinal ends 310, 312. In the exemplary embodiment, first base member 314 is a Y-shaped structure that widens toward first longitudinal end 310 and converges toward second longitudinal end 312 and defines a top surface 316 and a bottom surface 318. It is contemplated that the shape of the first base member 314 is merely exemplary and may be varied to achieve similar results without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first frame member 302 includes a first mating portion 320 that is bent away relative to the first base member 314 to extend transversely relative to the first longitudinal axis 306 of the first frame member 302 and thus transversely relative to the longitudinal axis 125 of the tow bar assembly 124. For example, the first mating portion 320 is disposed at the first longitudinal end 310 of the first frame member 302 and is perpendicularly bent away from the top surface 316 of the first base member 314. In one example, the first mating portion 320 is a rectangular plate-like portion that includes a first lateral end 317 and a second lateral end 319 that define a width W1. The first mating portion 320 also defines a mating face 321 (hereinafter referred to as the first mating face 321) and an inner face 323 opposite the first mating face 321 such that the first mating face 321 and the inner face 323 extend along a width W1, i.e., between the first lateral end 317 and the second lateral end 319 of the first mating portion 320. It is contemplated that the shape of first mating portion 320 is merely exemplary, and may be varied to achieve similar results without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The first frame member 302 also includes a pair of rod members 322, 324 extending along the first longitudinal axis 306 and attached to the top surface 316 of the first base member 314. As shown, a pair of rod members 322, 324 are configured to be spaced apart at first longitudinal end 310 of first frame member 302 and attached to inner face 323 of first mating portion 320 and to converge at second longitudinal end 312, forming a V-shaped configuration of the pair of rod members 322, 324. For example, first rod member 322 is attached to inner face 323 adjacent first lateral end 317 of first mating portion 320, while second rod member 324 is attached to inner face 323 adjacent second lateral end 319. Further, the rod members 322, 324 are configured to converge at the second longitudinal end 312 of the first frame member 302 and attach to the cover member 325. In the exemplary embodiment, ball joint 136 is attached to a cover member 325 at second longitudinal end 308 of first frame member 302, which in turn is configured to be coupled to main frame 116 of machine 100 to facilitate an articulated movement of drawbar assembly 124 with respect to machine 100.

Further, the second frame member 304 defines two longitudinal ends along the second longitudinal axis 308, a third end 326 and a fourth end 328. As shown, the second frame member 304 includes a second base member 330 that extends along the second longitudinal axis 308 and, thus, the longitudinal axis 125 of the drawbar assembly 124. Second base member 330 extends between third end 326 and fourth end 328 and defines a top surface 332 and a bottom surface 334. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second base member 330 defines a U-shaped structure that includes a first arm member 333, a second arm member 335, and a second mating portion 336 extending between the first arm member 333 and the second arm member 335.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second mating portion is bent away relative to the second base member 330 to extend transversely relative to the second longitudinal axis 308, and thus transversely relative to the longitudinal axis 125 of the traction bar assembly 124. For example, second mating portion 336 is perpendicularly bent away from top surface 332 of second base member 330 at third end 326. In some examples, the second mating portion 336 is similar or identical to the first mating portion 320, while in some other examples, it may be different. As shown, the second mating portion 336 is a rectangular plate-like structure (similar to the first mating portion 320) having a first lateral end 337 and a second lateral end 339 defining a width W2 of the second mating portion 336. It is contemplated that the shape of the second mating portion 336 is merely exemplary and may be varied to achieve similar results without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter. In one example, the width W2 of the second mating portion 336 of the first frame member 302 is equal to the width W1 of the first mating portion 320. In some alternative embodiments, the widths of the first and second mating portions 320, 336 may be varied to be different from each other to achieve similar results without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The second mating portion 336 also defines a second mating surface 338 that extends along the width W2, i.e., between the first lateral end 337 and the second lateral end 339.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second mating portion 336 is configured to mate with the first mating portion 320 to form the connection joint 305 therebetween. For example, the first mating surface 321 of the first mating portion 320 meets the second mating surface 338 of the second mating portion 336 to form the connection connector 305 therebetween, wherein the connection connector 305 extends across the entire width W1 and/or W2 of the first and second mating portions 320, 336. The first frame member 302 and the second frame member 304 are configured to be joined together at a connection joint 305 to cooperatively support the turntable assembly 126 therebelow. In an exemplary embodiment, first frame member 302 and second frame member 304 may be joined at connection joint 305 by a permanent fastening mechanism, such as welding. However, it is contemplated that two frame members may also be joined together using a semi-permanent or, in some cases, even non-permanent fastening mechanism to achieve a similar result without departing from the scope of claimed subject matter.

Further, each of the first and second mating portions 320, 336 includes one or more fastening holes, such as fastening holes 340, 342, respectively. For example, the first fitting portion 320 includes two fastening holes, e.g., a first fastening hole 340-1 and a second fastening hole 340-2, and the second fitting portion 336 includes one fastening hole, i.e., a third fastening hole 342. As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the first fastening hole 340-1 is formed on the first lateral end 317 of the first fitting portion 320, and the second fastening hole 340-2 is formed on the second lateral end 319. The third fastening holes 342 are formed only on the second lateral end 339 of the second fitting portion 336. The fastening holes 340-1, 340-2 on the first mating portion 320 are configured to engage corresponding mounting studs (e.g., first mounting stud 344-1 and second mounting stud 344-2) to which the corresponding mounting studs in turn mount the lifting mechanism (i.e., hydraulic actuator 134) (as shown in fig. 2). The third fastener holes 342 on the second mating portion 336 are configured to engage third mounting studs 346, which in turn mount the swing actuator 137 to the third mounting studs (shown in fig. 2). When the first and second frame members 302 and 304 are coupled together, the fastening holes 340-2 on the first mating portion 320 are aligned with the fastening holes 342 on the second mating portion 336. It is contemplated that the number of fastening holes and their positioning on each mating portion is merely exemplary and may be varied to achieve similar results.

The drawbar assembly 124 further includes a pair of support plates, such as a first support plate 348 and a second support plate 350, each of which is coupled to the bottom surface 318, 334 of each of the first and second base members 314, 330 of the combined first and second frame members 302, 304. For example, each of the first support plate 348 and the second support plate 350 is a curved plate member. As shown in fig. 5, when the first frame member 302 and the second frame member 304 are joined, the first support plate 348 is attached to the bottom surface 334 of the second base member 330 at the second arm 335 and to a portion of the bottom surface 318 of the first base member 314 toward the first longitudinal end 310. Similarly, the second support plate 350 is attached to the bottom surface 334 of the second base member 330 at the first arm member 333 and to a portion of the bottom surface 318 of the first base member 314 toward the first longitudinal end 310. In some embodiments, the support plates 348, 350 can be secured to the bottom surfaces 318, 334 using non-permanent fasteners (e.g., bolts), while in some alternative embodiments, can be secured using other types of non-permanent, semi-permanent, or permanent fastening mechanisms. A pair of support plates 348, 350 are configured to provide additional strength to the combined first and second frame members 302, 304 and to facilitate mounting of the turntable assembly 126 to the drawbar assembly 124.

In an embodiment, the drawbar assembly 124 further includes a mounting member 352 configured to support the carousel assembly 126 thereto, the mounting member including a first mounting rail 354 and a second mounting rail 356. As shown, the first mounting rail 354 is mounted to the first support plate 348, and the second mounting rail 356 is mounted to the second support plate 350. For example, the first mounting rail 354 and the second mounting rail 356 may be arranged in a circular array to engage with corresponding circular pad assemblies (not shown) provided on the turret assembly 126 to couple the turret assembly 126 to the drawbar assembly 124.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Referring to fig. 6, an exemplary method 600 of manufacturing the traction bar assembly 124 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is described. The method 600 will additionally be described in connection with the drawbar assembly 124 shown in fig. 3-5. Initially, at step 602, a first frame member, such as first frame member 302, is provided. As previously explained, the first frame member 302 defines a longitudinal axis thereof, referred to as the first longitudinal axis 306, and includes a first longitudinal end 310 and a second longitudinal end 312. The first frame member 302 includes a Y-shaped first base member 314 extending along the first longitudinal axis 306 and defining a top surface 316 and a bottom surface 318. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first frame member 302 includes a first mating portion 320 disposed at the first longitudinal end 310. The first mating portion 320 is bent away perpendicularly to protrude from the top surface 316 and extends transverse to the first longitudinal axis 306. In addition, first frame member 302 includes a pair of rod members 322, 324 arranged in a V-shaped configuration to be spaced apart and connected to first mating portion 320 at first longitudinal end 310 and to converge at second longitudinal end 312.

At step 604, a second frame member, such as second frame member 304, is provided. The second frame member 304 defines a longitudinal axis thereof, referred to as the second longitudinal axis 308, and includes a third end 326 and a fourth end 328. The second frame member 304 includes a C-shaped second base member 330 that includes two arm members 333, 335 and defines a top surface 332 and a bottom surface 334. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, second frame member 304 includes a second mating portion 336 disposed at third end 326. The second mating portion 336 bends perpendicularly away to protrude from the top surface 332 and extend transverse to the second longitudinal axis 308.

At step 606, the first mating portion 320 is aligned with the second mating portion 336 such that the first longitudinal axis 306 of the first frame member 302 is aligned with the second longitudinal axis 308 of the second frame member 304. Once the first and second mating portions 320, 336 are aligned, they are joined together to form the connection joint 305 therebetween, thereby joining the first and second frame members 302, 304 to together support the turntable assembly 126 thereunder at step 608. In the exemplary embodiment, first mating portion 320 is coupled to second mating portion 336 by a weld.

The combined first frame member 302 and second frame member 304 result in the resulting traction bar assembly 124 of the present disclosure. Thus, the aligned first and second longitudinal axes 306, 308 define the longitudinal axis 125 of the traction bar assembly 124. Thus, in the resulting drawbar assembly 124, the first mating portion 320 and the second mating portion 336 extend transverse to the longitudinal axis 125 of the drawbar assembly 124. Further, the second longitudinal end 312 of the first frame member 302 becomes the second end 132 of the drawbar assembly 124, which in turn is connected to the main frame 116 of the machine 100 via the articulation joint 136.

In addition, once first frame member 302 and second frame member 304 are joined, one or more support plates, such as first support plate 348 and second support plate 350, are attached to bottom surfaces 318, 334 of each of first base member 314 and second base member 330, respectively. As shown in fig. 5, the support plates 348, 350 are attached to the entire bottom surface 334 at the arm members 333, 335 of the second frame member 304 and to a portion of the bottom surface 318 toward the first longitudinal end 310 of the first frame member 302. In some embodiments, the support plates 348, 350 can be secured to the bottom surfaces 318, 334 using non-permanent fasteners (e.g., bolts), while in some alternative embodiments, can be secured using other types of non-permanent, semi-permanent, or permanent fastening mechanisms.

Further, a mounting member 352 including mounting rails 354, 356 is attached to support plates 348, 350. The mounting rails 354, 356 are arranged in a circular array and are configured to engage with corresponding circular pad assemblies (not shown) provided on the turret assembly 126 to couple the turret assembly 126 to the drawbar assembly 124.

The tow bar assembly 124 according to embodiments presented herein is a two-piece tow bar assembly formed by joining two frame members (i.e., the first and second frame members 302, 304) at a connection joint 305 between respective mating portions 320, 336 formed on each of the first and second frame members 302, 304. Such a two-piece drawbar assembly 124 provides flexibility and reduces costs in manufacturing the drawbar assembly 124 for different models of motor graders. For example, for two models of motor graders, the second frame member 304 may remain the same while the first frame member 302 may be different. Generally, the length of the first frame member 302 may vary from model to model. Similarly, the positioning of the fastening holes 340-1, 340-2, and thus the positioning of the lift actuator 134, may be different for different models of motor graders based on the length variation of the first frame member 302. Thus, by keeping the second frame member 304 the same, only the first frame member 302 needs to be manufactured separately for different models of motor grader 100, rather than manufacturing the entire tow bar assembly 124 for each model.

In addition, the entire widths of the first and second mating portions 320, 336 are joined together by welding, thereby providing strong stress protection against the heavy stresses to which the tow bar assembly 124 is subjected during grading operations of the motor grader 100. Further, conventional drawbar assemblies include a crossbar for mounting the lift and swing actuators thereto. The mounting of these actuators to the rails is typically enhanced by welding gussets near the actuator mounting locations on the rails to prevent damage to the rails and the traction bar assembly under high stress operating conditions. However, the connection joint 305 according to embodiments of the present disclosure eliminates complex weld joints, such as those of gussets to crossbars on a drawbar assembly, because the joined mating portions 320, 336 meet the requirements of conventional crossbars.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed system without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the system disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.