Swivel plate assembly for motor grader

Abstract

A swivel assembly for supporting a tool of a motor grader is provided. The swivel assembly rotates about an axis of rotation relative to a draw bar. The swivel assembly includes a plate and a rim member coupled to the plate. The plate defines a front portion and a rear portion and includes a ring gear portion defining a plurality of teeth integrally formed therein. First and second skirts integrally and continuously extend from the ring gear portion at the rear portion. The first and second skirts are angled relative to the ring gear portion in a direction of the axis of rotation. The rim member includes first and second arm members attached to the first and second skirts, respectively, and a circumferential band portion extending between the first and second arm members. The circumferential band portion is spaced apart from and surrounds the ring gear member at the front portion of the plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention generally relates to motorized graders. More specifically, this invention relates to a turntable assembly for a motorized grader. Background Technology

[0002] Motorized graders are commonly used for various earthmoving operations, such as road maintenance, surface shaping, and ditching. Generally, a motorized grader consists of a main frame with a controllable front frame and a driven rear frame. The front frame supports a tie rod-disc-blade (DCB) arrangement to perform one or more grading operations. The DCB arrangement includes a tie rod assembly, a disc assembly, and blade assemblies (e.g., push plates), each of which works in conjunction with the others to perform one or more grading operations. The blade assemblies are tiltably mounted on the disc assembly, which in turn is rotatably mounted to the tie rod assembly, allowing the blade assemblies to rotate relative to the tie rod assembly.

[0003] Generally, a turntable assembly includes a ring gear that engages with a drive gear typically mounted on a tie rod assembly to rotate the turntable assembly relative to the tie rod assembly, thereby causing the blade assembly to rotate relative to the tie rod assembly. Typically, the ring gear is coupled (e.g., by welding) to a diaper plate, which is further attached to a pair of tool support arms supporting the tool. The ring gear is usually formed using costly processes, including forging. Furthermore, assembling the entire turntable assembly involves complex welding joints, such as those typically found between the ring gear and the diaper plate. Moreover, because the turntable assembly is subjected to significant stress during various leveling operations, even minor damage or problems may necessitate replacement of the entire assembly, which can be costly and therefore undesirable.

[0004] PCT Publication No. 2019 / 207681 (hereinafter referred to as '681 Publication) provides a motor grader including a tie rod with a tie plate and a bearing having an outer ring fixed to a lower surface of the tie rod plate and an inner ring disposed within and connected to the outer ring for circumferential rotatability. The motor grader also includes a turntable having a turntable plate fixed circumferentially to a lower end of the inner ring. The turntable includes an outer peripheral sidewall connected to the outer peripheral side of the turntable plate and has a cylindrical shape surrounding the bearing from the outer peripheral side, forming a gap between the outer peripheral sidewall and the lower surface of the tie rod plate. The turntable also includes an inner peripheral sidewall projecting from the upper surface of the turntable plate between the bearing and the outer peripheral sidewall, extending circumferentially and radially from the outside towards the outer ring. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one aspect, a turntable assembly for supporting a motorized grader is provided. The turntable assembly rotates about a rotation axis relative to a lever. The turntable assembly includes a plate and a rim member coupled to the plate. The plate defines a front portion and a rear portion, and includes a ring gear portion defining a plurality of teeth integrally formed therein. A first skirt and a second skirt extend integrally and continuously from the ring gear portion at the rear portion of the plate. The first skirt and the second skirt are angled relative to the ring gear portion along the rotation axis. Furthermore, the rim member includes a first arm member and a second arm member respectively attached to the first skirt and the second skirt. The rim member also includes a circumferential belt portion extending between the first arm member and the second arm member. The circumferential belt portion is spaced apart from and surrounds the ring gear member at the front portion of the plate.

[0006] On the other hand, a method is provided for manufacturing a turntable assembly for a motorized grader. The turntable assembly is adapted to support implements thereon and rotate about a rotation axis relative to a tie rod assembly. The method includes providing a plate defining a front and a rear portion. A plurality of teeth are integrally formed onto the plate to define a ring gear portion of the plate. A first portion and a second portion are manufactured at the front portion of the plate. Furthermore, each of the first portion and the second portion is bent at an angle relative to the ring gear portion along the rotation axis to form a first skirt and a second skirt of the plate, respectively. The method also includes attaching a rim member to the plate. The rim member includes a first arm member, a second arm member, and a circumferential belt portion extending between the first arm member and the second arm member. The method also includes attaching the first skirt and the second skirt to the first arm member and the second arm member, respectively. Furthermore, the circumferential belt portion is attached to the ring gear portion such that the circumferential belt portion is spaced apart from and surrounds the ring gear portion at the rear.

[0007] In another aspect, a motorized grader is provided. The motorized grader includes a main frame, a turntable assembly, and a tie rod assembly. The tie rod assembly includes a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the main frame. The turntable assembly supports the implements of the motorized grader and is rotatably attached to the second end of the tie rod assembly. The turntable assembly is configured to rotate about a rotation axis relative to the tie rod assembly. The turntable assembly includes a plate, a rim member coupled to the plate, and a C-shaped support plate attached to a bottom surface of the plate and the rim member. The plate defines a front portion and a rear portion and includes a ring gear portion defining a plurality of teeth integrally formed therein. A first skirt and a second skirt extend integrally and continuously from the ring gear portion at the rear portion of the plate. The first skirt and the second skirt are angled relative to the ring gear portion along the rotation axis direction. Furthermore, the rim member includes a first arm member and a second arm member respectively attached to the first skirt and the second skirt. The rim member also includes a circumferential belt portion extending between the first arm member and the second arm member. The circumferential band portion is spaced apart from and surrounds the ring gear member at the front of the plate. Furthermore, the C-shaped support plate includes a first curved end and a second curved end attached to the rim member. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 An exemplary grader according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0009] Figure 2 An exemplary lever-turntable-blade (DCB) assembly of a grader according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0010] Figure 3 An exploded view of an exemplary turntable assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0011] Figure 4 An exemplary turntable assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; and

[0012] Figure 5A and Figure 5B An exemplary method for manufacturing a turntable assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0013] This invention relates to a turntable assembly for a grader. Figure 1An exemplary grader 100 according to various embodiments of the present invention is shown. In embodiments of the invention, the grader 100, hereinafter referred to as machine 100, is implemented as a motorized grader. Machine 100 can be used to move, spread, distribute, level, and smooth a material 102, such as soil, on a work surface 104. Generally, the leveling operation is performed during machine movement, and for this purpose, machine 100 may include a traction device that facilitates movement on the work surface 104. For example, the traction device includes a set of front wheels 106 (only one side is shown) disposed toward the front end 108 of machine 100 and a set of rear wheels 110 disposed toward the rear end 112 of machine 100. As used herein, the terms “front” and “rear” relate to the direction of travel of machine 100, such as... Figure 1 As indicated by arrow D, the direction of travel is defined, exemplarily, from the rear end 112 toward the front end 108. The movement of the traction device (i.e., the rotation of a set of front wheels 106 and a set of rear wheels 110) can be powered by a power source (such as an engine (not shown)) housed in the power compartment 114 of the machine 100.

[0014] In addition, the machine 100 includes a main frame 116, which includes a controllable front section 118 at the front end 108 of the machine 100 and a driven rear section 119 at the rear end 112 of the machine 100. The operator's cab 120 is supported on the main frame 116 and houses the power supply of the machine 100 and the controllers for various implements.

[0015] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 Machine 100 includes a lever-turntable-blade (DCB) arrangement 122—also known as a grader unit 122—for leveling and grading material 102. As shown, grader unit 122 is supported by and located below main frame 116, and is connected to the front portion 118 of main frame 116. In some alternative embodiments, grader unit 122 may be supported by another portion of machine 100 (such as rear portion 119) or by another portion of the front portion 118 of main frame 116. Grader unit 122 may include lever assembly 124, turntable assembly 126, and implement assemblies, such as blade assembly 128, each of which works in concert to perform a leveling operation on work surface 104.

[0016] The tie rod assembly 124 includes a first end 130 and a second end 132, wherein the first end 130 of the tie rod assembly 124 rotatably supports the turntable assembly 126 and the blade assembly 128. Furthermore, the first end 130 of the tie rod assembly 124 is movably supported by the middle portion 117 of the main frame 116, for example, via one or more lifting components, such as a hydraulic actuator 134 (only one shown). The hydraulic actuator 134 can be actuated to raise or lower the first end 130 of the tie rod assembly 124 relative to the main frame 116, thereby allowing the grader unit 122 to be raised or lowered relative to the working surface 104.

[0017] Furthermore, the tie rod assembly 124 is supported below the main frame 116, such that the second end 132 of the tie rod assembly 124 is pivotally connected to the front portion 118 of the main frame 116. For example, the second end 132 of the tie rod assembly 124 is connected via a hinged ball joint 136 (in... Figure 2 (shown in the figure) is connected to the main frame 116. The articulated ball joint 136 can be configured to allow the grader unit 122 to swing left and right about the swing axis (not shown) of the articulated ball joint 136.

[0018] The turntable assembly 126 is configured to be attached below the pull rod assembly 124 and to rotate relative to the pull rod assembly 124 about a rotation axis 138 passing through the center of the turntable assembly 126. In an exemplary embodiment, the turntable assembly 126 includes a ring gear portion 140 having a plurality of teeth 142. Figure 2 As shown in the diagram, tooth 142 is configured to engage with drive gear 144 on the tie rod assembly 124 to facilitate rotation of the turntable assembly 126 about the axis of rotation 138. In some examples, the tie rod assembly 124 may include mounting rails (not shown) arranged in a circular array to engage with corresponding turntable piling shoe assemblies (not shown) disposed on the turntable assembly 126 to couple the turntable assembly 126 to the tie rod assembly 124. The attachment of the turntable assembly 126 to the tie rod assembly 124 is well known in the art and therefore will not be described further in this specification for the sake of brevity.

[0019] The blade assembly 128 includes a pusher plate 129 mounted to the turntable assembly 126 for rotation about a rotation axis 138. Furthermore, the turntable assembly 126 may include one or more tilting actuators 146 coupled to the pusher plate 129 to facilitate tilting of the blade assembly 128 about a horizontal axis 148, which is substantially orthogonal to the travel direction D of the machine 100.

[0020] Figure 3 and Figure 4An exemplary turntable assembly 126 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown, the turntable assembly 126 includes a plate 302 defining a central horizontal axis 304, which divides the plate 302 into two portions, such as a front portion 306 and a rear portion 308. The front portion 306 defines a curved front end 310, while the rear portion 308 defines a rear end 312 of the plate 302. The plate 302 also defines an outer surface 313, a top surface 314, and a bottom surface 316, such that the top surface 314 is configured to intersect with a tie rod assembly 124, while the bottom surface 316 is configured to face a blade assembly 128. The top surface 314 and the bottom surface 316 define a thickness T of the plate 302.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, plate 302 includes a ring gear portion 140 integrally formed therein. For example, the ring gear portion 140 is integrally formed within plate 302, extending partially in both front portion 306 and rear portion 308. The ring gear portion 140 defines an inner circumferential surface 315 and includes a plurality of teeth 142 formed continuously and integrally across the thickness T of plate 302 on the inner circumferential surface 315 of the ring gear portion 140. The ring gear portion 140 further defines an outer arcuate surface 317 located within the front portion 306 of plate 302. In an exemplary embodiment, the ring gear portion 140 and the teeth 142 are formed by a flame-cutting process. However, other methods of forming the ring gear portion 140 and the teeth 142 may be implemented without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0022] Plate 302 includes a base 318 extending between the ring gear portion 140 and the rear end 312 of plate 302. The base 318 includes a first portion 320, a second portion 322 laterally spaced from the first portion 320, and an intermediate portion 324 extending between the first portion 320 and the second portion 322 and connecting the first portion 320 and the second portion 322.

[0023] In an embodiment of the invention, plate 302 includes a first skirt 326 and a second skirt 328 that extend integrally and continuously from the ring gear portion 140 at a rear portion 308 of plate 302. For example, the first skirt 326 is curved from the first portion 320 to form an angle relative to the base 318 and the ring gear portion 140 in the direction of the rotation axis 138. Similarly, the second skirt 328 is curved from the second portion 322 to form an angle relative to the base 318 and the ring gear portion 140 in the direction of the rotation axis 138. As shown, each of the first skirt 326 and the second skirt 328 is curved downward to protrude from the bottom surface 316 of plate 302 in the direction of the rotation axis 138. Furthermore, the first skirt 326 defines a first outer surface 327, while the second skirt 328 defines a second outer surface 329, such that the first outer surface 327 and the second outer surface 329 together with the outer arcuate surface 317 of the ring gear portion 140 form the outer surface 313 of plate 302.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, each of the first skirt portion 326 and the second skirt portion 328 includes a corresponding first curved portion extending from the base 318 and angled relative to the base 318, and a second curved portion extending from the first curved portion and angled relative to the first curved portion. For example, the first skirt portion 326 bends from a first portion 320 of the base 318 to define a first curved portion 330, the first curved portion 330 forming a first transition edge 338 with the first portion 320. Furthermore, the first skirt portion 326 includes a second curved portion 332, which bends from the first curved portion 330 and angled relative to the first curved portion 330. Similarly, the second skirt portion 328 bends from a second portion 322 of the base 318 to define its first curved portion 334, thereby forming a second transition edge 340 with the second portion 322. Furthermore, the second skirt portion 328 includes a second curved portion 336 bending from the first curved portion 334 and angled relative to the first curved portion 334. Each of the second curved portions 332 and 336 bends inward toward the rotation axis 138 of the turntable assembly 126.

[0025] As shown in the figure, each of the first curved portions 330 and 334 bends downward relative to the base 318 at a first angle A along the direction of the rotation axis 138, while each of the second curved portions 332 and 336 bends relative to the corresponding first curved portions 330 and 334 at a second angle B. In an exemplary embodiment, the value of the first angle A is in the range of 63 degrees to 67 degrees, while the value of the second angle B is in the range of 25 degrees to 35 degrees. In the example shown, the value of the first angle A is 65 degrees, and the value of the second angle B is 30 degrees. Furthermore, each of the first transition edge 338 and the second transition edge 340 is configured to form a third angle C relative to the middle portion 324 of the base 318. In an exemplary embodiment, the third angle C is in the range of 42 degrees to 46 degrees. In the embodiment shown, the value of the third angle C is 44 degrees.

[0026] The turntable assembly 126 also includes a rim member 342 coupled below the plate 302. For example, the rim member 342 includes a first arm member 344, a second arm member 346, and a circumferential belt portion 348 extending between and connecting the first arm member 344 and the second arm member 346 to form a U-shape. The rim member 342 defines an inner surface 350, which includes a combination of the inner surface 352 of the first arm member 344, the inner surface 354 of the second arm member 346, and the inner surface 355 of the circumferential belt portion 348. Each of the first arm member 344 and the second arm member 346 is configured to tiltably mount implements, such as the push plate 129 of the blade assembly 128, via one or more fasteners 345-1 and 345-2.

[0027] In an embodiment of the invention, a first arm member 344 is configured to attach to a first skirt 326, while a second arm member 346 is configured to attach to a second skirt 328 of a plate 302. A circumferential belt portion 348 is configured to be spaced apart from and surround the ring gear portion 140 at the front portion 306 of the plate 302. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner surface 350 of the rim member 342 is configured to attach to the outer surface 313 of the plate 302. For example, as... Figure 4As shown, the outer surface 327 of the first skirt 326 is configured to attach to the inner surface 352 of the first arm member 344. Similarly, the outer surface 329 of the second skirt 328 is configured to attach to the inner surface 354 of the second arm member 346. Furthermore, the inner surface 355 of the circumferential belt portion 348 is configured to attach to the outer arcuate surface 317 of the ring gear portion 140 in the front portion 306 of the plate 302. In one example, the rim member 342 is attached to the plate 302 by welding. However, other coupling components for attaching the rim member 342 to the plate 302 may also be considered without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0028] The turntable assembly 126 also includes a support plate 356 having a C-shaped structure and defining a first bent end 358, a second bent end 360, and a top surface 362. In an embodiment, the support plate 356 is configured to attach to the bottom surface 316 at the rear 308 of the plate 302. For example, the top surface 362 of the support plate 356 is attached to the bottom surface 316 of the plate 302 at a base 318 and is configured to be positioned adjacent to the ring gear portion 140 in the rear 308 of the plate 302. Furthermore, the first bent end 358 and the second bent end 360 of the support plate 356 are configured to attach to corresponding portions, such as the inner surface 355 of the circumferential belt portion 348 of the rim member 342. It is contemplated that the shape of the support plate 356 is merely exemplary and can be varied to achieve similar results without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0029] Turntable assembly 126 also includes a mounting structure 364 coupled to support plate 356. Mounting structure 364 is configured to support one or more tilt actuators (such as… Figure 1 and Figure 2 The tilt actuator 146 shown facilitates the tilting of the blade assembly 128 relative to the turntable assembly 126 about a horizontal axis 148. As shown, a mounting structure 364 is attached to a support plate 356 such that the mounting structure 364 is positioned below the rear end 312 of the plate 302. The tilt actuator 146 may be a hydraulic actuator, with one end coupled to the mounting structure 364 and the other end coupled to the push plate 129. The tilt actuator 146 may be coupled to the mounting structure 364 via a pin fastener or any other fastening mechanism known in the industry.

[0030] Industrial applicability

[0031] Reference Figure 5A and Figure 5BAn exemplary method 500 for manufacturing a turntable assembly 126 according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. Method 500 begins by providing a plate 302, wherein the plate 302 defines a central horizontal axis 304, the central horizontal axis 304 further defining a front portion 306 and a rear portion 308 of the plate 302. The plate 302 also includes a top surface 314 and a bottom surface 316, such that the top surface 314 and the bottom surface 316 define a thickness T of the plate 302. It should be understood that the plate 302 serves as a substrate on which the ring gear portion 140, the teeth 142, and the first skirt 326 and the second skirt 328 are ultimately formed according to the steps of method 500 described below.

[0032] The method proceeds to step 504, wherein a plurality of teeth 142 are integrally formed within plate 302 to define a ring gear portion 140, such that the ring gear portion 140 is partially located within the front portion 306 and partially located within the rear portion 308 of plate 302. In an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of teeth 142 are integrally formed to extend over the entire thickness T of plate 302. The central axis of the ring gear portion 140 defines the rotation axis 138 of the resulting turntable assembly 126, which rotates relative to the tie rod assembly 124 about the rotation axis 138 (e.g., ...). Figure 1 (As shown). In one example, the plurality of teeth 142 and the ring gear portion 140 are formed by a flame cutting process. However, it should be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to forming the ring gear portion 140 by a flame cutting process, as any other similar and / or suitable technique can be used to form the ring gear portion 140. Thus, the formation of the ring gear portion 140 results in the formation of a curved front end 310 of the plate 302, which defines an outer arcuate surface 317 of the ring gear portion 140. For example, after forming the ring gear portion 140 and the teeth 142, the resulting surfaces are machined to obtain a smooth surface of the teeth 142 and an outer arcuate surface 317 of the ring gear portion 140, thereby obtaining the curved front end 310 of the plate 302.

[0033] A portion of the plate 302 extending between the ring gear portion 140 and the rear end 312 of the plate 302 forms a base 318 disposed in the rear portion 308 of the plate 302. In step 506, the base 318 is cut and machined to form a first portion 320, a second portion 322 laterally spaced from the first portion 320, and an intermediate portion 324 connecting the first portion 320 and the second portion 322 and extending between the first portion 320 and the second portion 322. As shown, the first portion 320 and the second portion 322 are triangular portions protruding from the side ends of the intermediate portion 324.

[0034] Furthermore, in step 508, each of the first portion 320 and the second portion 322 is bent relative to the ring gear portion 140 to form a first skirt 326 and a second skirt 328, respectively. As shown, the first skirt 326 and the second skirt 328 are bent downward from the first portion 320 and the second portion 322, respectively, along the direction of the rotation axis 138 to extend from the bottom surface 316 of the plate 302. In an embodiment of the invention, the first skirt 326 is bent from the first portion 320 of the base 318 to define a first bent portion 330, which forms a first transition edge 338 with the first portion 320. Similarly, the second skirt 328 is bent from the second portion 322 of the base 318 to define its first bent portion 334, which forms a second transition edge 340 with the second portion 322. Each of the first curved portions 330 and 334 bends downward relative to the base 318 along the direction of the rotation axis 138 at an angle A, while each of the first transition edge 338 and the second transition edge 340 forms an angle C relative to the middle portion 324 of the base 318 (e.g., ...). Figure 3 (As shown).

[0035] In step 510, a second curved portion is formed, such as the second curved portion 332 of the first skirt 326 and the second curved portion 336 of the second curved portion 328. The second portions of the first portion 320 and the second portions 322 are rotated at an angle B relative to the corresponding first curved portions 330 and 334 to form the second curved portions 334 and 336, respectively.

[0036] At the end of step 510, the resulting plate 302 includes a ring gear portion 140, a first skirt 326, and a second skirt 328, each having a first curved portion 330, 334 and a second curved portion 332, 336, which are attached to other components in subsequent steps to ultimately form the turntable assembly 126. As shown, the resulting plate 302 defines an outer surface 313, which includes an arcuate outer surface 317 at the front end 310 and outer surfaces 327 and 329 at the first skirt 326 and the second skirt 328.

[0037] In step 512, the rim member 342 is coupled to the plate 302 formed at the end of step 510. The rim member 342 includes a first arm member 344, a second arm member 346, and a circumferential band portion 348 extending between the first arm member 344 and the second arm member 346. The rim member 342 defines its inner surface 350, which is a combination of the inner surface 352 at the first arm member 344, the inner surface 354 at the second arm member 346, and the inner surface 355 at the circumferential band portion 348. In an embodiment of the invention, the outer surface 313 of the plate 302 is attached to the inner surface 350 of the rim member 342. For example, the inner surface 352 of the first arm member 344 is attached to the outer surface 327 of the first skirt 326, while the inner surface 354 of the second arm member 346 is attached to the outer surface 329 of the second skirt 328 of the plate 302. Furthermore, the circumferential belt portion 348 is spaced apart from and surrounds the ring gear portion 140 at the front 306 of the plate 302, such that the inner surface 355 of the circumferential belt portion 348 is attached to the outer arcuate surface 317 at the front end 310 of the plate 302. In some embodiments, the inner surface 350 of the rim member 342 is attached to the outer surface 313 of the plate 302 by welding. However, other fastening components may be implemented without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0038] Once the rim member 342 is attached to the plate 302, in step 514, the support plate 356 is attached to the bottom surface 316 of the plate 302, and the mounting structure 364 is coupled to the support plate 356. As previously described, the support plate 356 is a C-shaped plate having a first bent end 358, a second bent end 360, and a top surface 362. In step 514, the top surface 362 of the support plate 356 is attached to the bottom surface 316 of the plate 302, while the first bent end 358 and the second bent end 360 are attached to the inner surface 355 of the circumferential band portion 348 of the rim member 342. Furthermore, the mounting structure 364 is attached to the support plate 356 such that the mounting structure 364 is positioned below the rear end 312 of the plate 302. The mounting structure 364 is configured to support the tilt actuator 146 (e.g., Figure 1 and Figure 2 (as shown), so as to facilitate the tilting of the blade assembly 128 relative to the turntable assembly 126.

[0039] The turntable assembly 126 of the present invention comprises a single plate, namely, a plate 302 including a ring gear portion 140 and a first skirt 326 and a second skirt 328, which together serve as a conventional turntable component and a rudder shaft sleeve liner. As disclosed in various embodiments of the present invention, the turntable assembly 126 eliminates the conventional complex weld joints between the turntable component and the rudder shaft sleeve liner. Therefore, plate 302 provides strong stress protection against the heavy stresses borne by the turntable assembly 126 during leveling operations of the machine 100. Furthermore, the ring gear portion 140 of the present invention is formed by a flame-cutting process, which significantly reduces the cost of manufacturing the turntable assembly 126 of the present invention. Therefore, the turntable assembly 126 offers greater cost-effectiveness and strength compared to conventional turntable assemblies with a turntable component having a forged ring gear portion and a rudder shaft sleeve liner attaching the turntable component to the machine support arm.

[0040] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the system of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the description and practice of the system disclosed herein. The description and examples should be considered as exemplary only, and the true scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A turntable assembly for supporting the implements of a motorized grader and configured to rotate about a rotation axis relative to a tie rod assembly, the turntable assembly comprising: A plate defining a front portion and a rear portion, the plate comprising: The ring gear portion includes multiple teeth integrally formed therein; A first skirt and a second skirt extend integrally and continuously from the ring gear portion at the rear of the plate, each of the first skirt and the second skirt being angled relative to the ring gear portion along the axis of rotation. A flange member, coupled to the plate, the flange member comprising: The first arm component and the second arm component are respectively attached to the first skirt and the second skirt; and A circumferential belt portion extends between the first arm member and the second arm member, and is spaced apart from and surrounds the ring gear portion at the front of the plate. The plate includes a base extending between the ring gear portion and the first skirt and the second skirt, the base defining a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the first portion and the second portion, thereby forming the first skirt by bending the first portion and forming the second skirt by bending the second portion; Each of the first skirt portion and the second skirt portion includes: The first curved portion bends at a first angle relative to the base along the axis of rotation and defines a transition edge with the base; and The second curved portion bends at a second angle relative to the first curved portion, and the second curved portion bends toward the axis of rotation.

2. The turntable assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The plate includes a top surface and a bottom surface to define the thickness of the plate, and wherein the plurality of teeth extend over the entire thickness of the plate.

3. The turntable assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The transition edge of each of the first skirt and the second skirt defines a third angle relative to the middle portion of the base.

4. The turntable assembly according to claim 1 further includes a C-shaped support plate, the C-shaped support plate being attached to the bottom surface of the plate at the rear.

5. The turntable assembly according to claim 4, wherein, The C-shaped support plate defines a first curved end and a second curved end, each of which is attached to a corresponding portion of the rim member.

6. The turntable assembly of claim 4 further includes a mounting structure coupled to the C-shaped support plate, the mounting structure being configured to support a tilting actuator to facilitate tilting of the implement relative to the turntable assembly.

7. A method of manufacturing a turntable assembly for a motorized grader, the turntable assembly being adapted to support implements thereon and rotate about a rotation axis relative to a tie rod assembly, the method comprising the following steps: Provides panels that define the front and rear sections; Multiple teeth are integrally formed on the plate to define the ring gear portion of the plate; The first and second portions are manufactured at the rear of the plate; Each of the first portion and the second portion is formed at an angle relative to the ring gear portion along the direction of the axis of rotation, so as to form the first skirt and the second skirt of the plate, respectively; A rim member is provided, comprising a first arm member, a second arm member, and a circumferential belt portion extending between the first arm member and the second arm member; as well as The plate having the ring gear portion, the first skirt, and the second skirt is coupled to the rim member by the following steps: The first skirt and the second skirt are respectively attached to the first arm member and the second arm member; and The circumferential belt portion is attached to the ring gear portion such that the circumferential belt portion is spaced apart from the ring gear portion at the front and surrounds the ring gear portion; The plate includes a base extending between the annular gear portion and the first skirt and the second skirt, the base defining the first portion, the second portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the first portion and the second portion, and wherein bending each of the first portion and the second portion to form the first skirt and the second skirt includes: The first portion of each of the first and second portions is rotated relative to the base at a first angle along the direction of the rotation axis to define a corresponding first curved portion of the first and second skirts; and The second portion of each of the first and second portions is rotated at a second angle relative to the corresponding first curved portion to define the corresponding second curved portions of the first and second skirts, wherein each of the second curved portions bends toward the axis of rotation.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The plate includes a top surface and a bottom surface to define the thickness of the plate, and wherein the plurality of teeth of the ring gear portion are formed by a flame cutting process to extend over the entire thickness of the plate.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The corresponding first portions of the first portion and the second portion define corresponding transition edges with the base, and each transition edge defines a third angle relative to the middle portion of the base.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising attaching a C-shaped support plate to the bottom surface of the plate at the rear.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The C-shaped support plate includes a first curved end and a second curved end, and the method further includes attaching each of the first curved end and the second curved end to a corresponding portion of the rim member.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising coupling a mounting structure to the C-shaped support plate to support a tilting cylinder thereon, the tilting cylinder being configured to facilitate tilting of the implement relative to the turntable assembly.

13. A motorized grader, comprising: Main framework; A tie rod assembly having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the main frame; as well as A turntable assembly for supporting the implements of the motorized grader, the turntable assembly being rotatably attached to a second end of the tie rod assembly and configured to rotate about a rotation axis relative to the tie rod assembly, the turntable assembly comprising: A plate defining a front portion and a rear portion, the plate comprising: The ring gear portion defines a plurality of teeth integrally formed therein to engage with the drive gear and facilitate rotation of the turntable assembly about a rotation axis; A first skirt and a second skirt extend integrally and continuously from the ring gear portion at the rear of the plate, each of the first skirt and the second skirt being angled relative to the ring gear portion along the axis of rotation. A flange member, coupled to the plate, the flange member comprising: A first arm member and a second arm member are respectively attached to the first skirt and the second skirt, each of the first arm member and the second arm member having the implement tiltably mounted thereon; and A circumferential belt portion extends between the first arm member and the second arm member, and is spaced apart from and surrounds the annular gear portion at the front of the plate; and A C-shaped support plate includes a first bent end and a second bent end, wherein the C-shaped support plate is attached to the bottom surface of the plate at the rear and to the rim member at the first bent end and the second bent end; The plate includes a base extending between the ring gear portion and the first skirt and the second skirt, the base defining a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the first portion and the second portion, such that the first skirt is formed by bending the first portion, and the second skirt is formed by bending the second portion. Each of the first skirt and the second skirt of the plate includes: The first curved portion bends at a first angle relative to the base along the axis of rotation and defines a transition edge with the base; and The second curved portion bends at a second angle relative to the first curved portion, and the second curved portion bends toward the axis of rotation.

14. The motorized grader according to claim 13, wherein, The turntable assembly also includes a mounting structure coupled to the C-shaped support plate, the mounting structure supporting a tilting actuator to facilitate tilting of the machine relative to the turntable assembly.

15. The motorized grader according to claim 13, wherein, The transition edge of each of the first skirt and the second skirt defines a third angle relative to the middle portion of the base.

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