Patent Publication Number: US-2016222627-A1

Title: Powered pivot system for implement assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to pivot assembly system for implement assemblies, and more specifically to powered actuated pivot assemblies for implement assemblies. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     All-terrain vehicles (“ATV” or “ATVs”), utility-terrain vehicle (“UTV” or “UTVs”), and other similar vehicles, are often equipped with implements such as plows (or plough in English spelling) to allow the vehicles to displace any type of elements or objects, such as snow, dirt, soil, gravel, etc. Such implements are typically removably mounted to the vehicles via appropriate supporting frames or supporting frame assemblies. Such implements are typically pivoting in order to change the angle of the implement to angularly push elements. Current pivot systems for implements or plows on the market are typically bulky and support high loads. Such configurations are very expensive. In order to pivot, typical systems on the market use either electric and/or hydraulic system or a combination of planetary gears coupled to an electric motor which comprises a mechanical brake for absorbing energy in the event of an impact. 
     Thus, it is believed that there is a need for a new low cost pivot system using an reduced size actuator, typically an electric motor, to angularly turn the implement, wherein such system should comprise an mechanism to automatically trigger the turning of the implement while being user-friendly and by limiting the need of an operator to disembark from the vehicle to activate the system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is disclosed a powered pivot system for turning an implement, moved by a vehicle without the need to get out of the vehicle. 
     It is disclosed a powered pivot assembly for rotatably coupling an implement, such as a plow blade, to an end of a frame assembly adapted to be driven by a vehicle, the powered pivot assembly being drivingly engaged with the frame assembly to rotate the implement about a generally vertical axis; the pivot assembly typically comprising an electric motor for causing rotation of the implement. 
     The invention is directed to a system for pivoting an implement, the system comprising:
         a frame assembly, the frame assembly comprising:
           a first end adapted to be coupled to a vehicle; and   a second end adapted to be pivotally coupled to the implement;   
           a pivoting system connected to the second end of the frame assembly and to the implement; the pivoting system comprising:
           a motor;   an endless rotating member operatively coupled to the motor;   a gear assembly engaged by the endless rotating member; and   an annular gear operatively engaged by the gear assembly;   
           the pivoting system being adapted to rotate the implement in relation to the frame assembly about a substantially vertical axis.       

     The invention is further directed to a system for pivoting an implement, the system comprising:
         a frame assembly, the frame assembly comprising:
           a first end adapted to be coupled to a vehicle; and   a second end adapted to be pivotally coupled to the implement;   
           a pivoting system, connected to the second end of the frame assembly and to the implement; the pivoting system comprising:
           a motor connected to the implement;   an endless rotating member operatively coupled to the motor, and comprising a worm;   a gear assembly engaged by the endless rotating member; and   an annular gear, mounted to the second end of the frame assembly and engaged by the gear assembly;   
           the gear assembly comprising:
           a worm gear engaged by the worm; and   a spur gear operatively connected to the worm gear for engaging the annular gear, the pivoting system being adapted to rotate the implement in relation to the frame assembly about a substantially vertical axis.   
               

     It is also disclosed a pivotal plow system comprising:
     1) a frame assembly having a first end adapted to be mounted to a vehicle; and   2) an implement being coupled to a second end of the frame assembly and rotatable relative thereto about a generally vertical axis, the plow assembly also comprising a pivot assembly drivingly engaged with the frame assembly and operable to rotate said plow assembly and blade; the pivot assembly comprising a motor for causing rotation of the plow assembly and blade about the generally vertical axis.   

     It is also disclosed a method for pivoting an implement mounted to a vehicle, the method comprising the step of powering a motor drivingly engaged with the implement to rotate the implement about a generally vertical axis until a new position of the implement is reached. 
     Preferably, a small high RPM electrical motor is used to power the implement assembly. In such an embodiment, it may be required to lifting the plow blade from the ground to avoid contact. Therefore, the method disclosed herein may further comprise the steps of:
         lifting the implement before the step of powering the motor to rotate the implement, and   lowering the implement after the step of powering the motor to rotate the implement until contact with the ground.       

     Preferably, the power is transmitted through a 3-stage planetary drive bolted directly on the motor. This combined motor/gearbox may then power a large worm that turns a worm gear. The worm gear may be on the same shaft as a spur gear that may be used as a “planet” gear while the push frame has the annular gear fixed to it. The rotation of the planet gear may make the planet to move from one side or the other. 
     Preferably, this system comprises planetary gearing in the 3 first stages to reduce the speed of a very small electrical motor, and then a worm gear drive is used for final reduction and for self-braking ability. 
     It&#39;s the first system designed this way. The main advantages are the following:
         No need for a separate braking system. The self-braking feature will work in both directions and at any position.   The only components that will dissipate force during an impact (accident) are the worm, the worm gear and their support brackets. The motor with planetary gearing and its support don&#39;t need to be very strong because they are not taking a lot of force.       

     This system is designed to allow the use of a very small electrical motor to get a low cost but is not limited to a small motor. It could be used with a high power motor as well because the gears are made to handle a lot of power. 
     This system is designed to be installed on the top of a pivot assembly to take a small space and not interfere with any parts of an ATV, but could be designed differently using the same mechanism but placed on the side of the push frame assembly. 
     Advantageously, if an impact occurs on the pivot, the force is stopped by the self-braking feature of the worm gear geometry. 
     Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood upon reading of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an implement pivot assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective close view of the implement pivot assembly illustrated on  FIG. 1 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective exploded view of the implement pivot assembly illustrated on  FIG. 2 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a top exploded view of the implement pivot assembly illustrated on  FIG. 2 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A novel automatic pivot system for an implement assembly will be described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby. 
     As illustrated on  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of a pivotal implement system  100  is shown using a plow as the implement. The pivotal implement system  100  comprises a frame assembly or support frame  110  having a rear end  120  adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, such as a car, a truck, an ATV, an UTV or the like and a front end  130  configured to support an implement and a pivot system  200  allowing the front end  130  to pivot with regard to the rear end  120 . In the present embodiment, the implement is a plow  210  of typical configuration. In that sense, it is to be understood that the support frame  110  would typically be used to support a plow  210 . However, the support frame  110  is not limited to supporting a plow  210  and could therefore support other types of implements such as, but not limited to a shovel, a snowblower or the likes. In a preferred embodiment, the rear end  120  is attached to the frame of the vehicle. 
     The front end  130  further comprises a pivot assembly  200  configured to pivot the front  130  and the rear end  120  with regard to a generally vertical axis. The pivot assembly  200  is typically powered by an electric motor  230  coupled to a gearbox  232 . In a preferred embodiment, the electric motor may be used at high revolutions per minute, has limited torque and has a compact size. The gearbox drivingly engaged with compatible portion of the front end to induce rotative movement to the implement around a generally vertical axis. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , a pivot system  200  to pivot an implement  210  in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown. The pivot system  200  typically comprises an electric motor  230 , an endless rotating member  220  and a mechanism for inducing pivotal movement between the front end  130  and the rear end  120 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , in a preferred embodiment, the endless rotating member  220  typically comprises a 3-stage planetary drive  232  bolted directly on the shaft of the motor  230 . The endless rotating member  220  further comprises an endless gear  240  such as a worm which engages with a gear assembly typically mounted on a shaft  260  through a gear, typically a worm gear. The gear assembly drivingly engages the annular gear  140  to produce a pivoting movement between the front end  130  and the rear end  120 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4  (see large arrows) 
     In a preferred embodiment, the motor  230  and the planetary drive  232  as illustrated on the Figures are directly connected one in the other connected to the endless rotating member  220 . In a preferred embodiment, the planetary drive uses a multiple stage of planetary gears, typically three-stage. In other embodiments, a motor-gearbox assembly  230 - 232  commercially available may be used. The motor-gearbox assembly can be replaced by any type of lower revolution motor having a high torque. One skilled in the art shall understand that a motor having a larger volume or size may be used by adapting the frame to use such motor. 
     The motor powers the gearbox  232  and the endless rotating member  220  that comprises a worm  240 . The worm then engages a worm gear  250  mounted on a shaft  260 . The shaft is connected to a spur gear  270  that engages the annular gear  140  thereby inducing rotation of the implement. 
     This pivot system allows the implement to rotate an implement. The method for rotating the implement is therefore quite simple. The method comprises at least the steps of powering an electric motor drivingly engaged with the blade to rotate the plow blade about a generally vertical axis until a new position of the blade is reached. 
     The method for rotating an implement may further comprise a step to lift the implement from the ground to avoid contact (contact with the ground, the earth, the snow, any material or the like) if the implement is lowered. This step may be required if a motor having a limited torque or force is used as the friction of pivoting the implement requires an increased force. Also, the method may comprise the step of lowering the implement after the implement has been rotated to the desired position, and until contact with the ground for using the implement (e.g. the plow). 
     The powering of the electric motor may be triggered by any type of interface but typically a button wired to the electric motor. In other embodiments, the motor may comprise a module to be remotely activated using a RF remote controller, a portable device such as a smart phone, tablet or computer. The main advantage resides in the fact that the operator will not have to quit the vehicle to turn the blade. Also, the system is simple and only need a small electric motor to be activated, thus reducing the weight of the system. 
     The use of the endless rotating member  220 , rather than a simple gearbox assembly, to transfer the power from the motor to the plow, does not require a braking or decelerating system to keep the pivot system in place when impacts hit the implement or any portion of the pivot system. Furthermore, there is no need to use a brake system for limiting the rotation of the plow when using an endless rotating member  220 . 
     While illustrative and presently preferred embodiment(s) of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.