Tow bar assembly for automatic land leveler

Abstract

A drawbar 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 the longitudinal axis and a first mating portion that bends away from 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 that bends away from 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 connecting joint therebetween, thereby facilitating the first and second frame members to be joined to together support a turntable assembly of the motor grader thereunder.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to motor graders. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a drawbar assembly for a motor grader. BACKGROUND

[0002] Motor graders are known to be used very commonly for various earthmoving operations, such as road maintenance, surface shaping, trenching operations, and the like. Generally, a motor grader includes 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 arrangement includes a drawbar assembly, a carousel assembly, and a blade assembly, each of which cooperate with one another to perform the one or more grading operations. The blade assembly is mounted to the carousel assembly, which in turn is rotatably mounted to the drawbar assembly for rotating the blade assembly relative to the drawbar assembly.

[0003] Generally, the drawbar 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 drawbar assembly. The carousel assembly and the blade assembly are also connected to the rear end of the drawbar assembly. Generally, the design of these drawbar assemblies remains the same across all models of motor graders, however, their size (e.g., length) can be different for different models. Therefore, manufacturing of the drawbar for each model is expensive and increases inventory, which is undesirable. Moreover, since the drawbar assembly is subjected to heavy stresses during various grading operations, replacement of the entire drawbar assembly can be required even for small damages or issues, which can be expensive and therefore undesirable.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 4,064,947 (hereinafter the ’947 patent) proposes that a motor grader has a longitudinal main frame with a circular mounting bar that pivots on a horizontal axis at a connection end and has a load carrying portion away from its connection end. A carousel rotates on a vertical axis on the mounting bar load carrying portion and a grader blade is mounted on the carousel. The carousel mounting bar of the ’947 patent is a box beam with an internal vertical web and the beam increases in width from its connection end toward the load carrying portion of the box cross section, which is a separate portion welded integrally to the beam. The shape of the beam in plan view is between an isosceles triangle with its apex at the connection end and a parabola with its apex at the end, so as to impart optimal stress uniformity of both vertical and lateral forces over the length of the mounting bar. SUMMARY

[0005] In one aspect, a drawbar assembly for an automatic land leveler 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 automatic land leveler. The first frame member includes a first base member extending along the longitudinal axis and a first mating portion curved away from 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 curved away from 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, thereby facilitating the first and second frame members to combine to support together a turntable assembly of the automatic land leveler thereunder.

[0006] In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a drawbar assembly for an automatic land leveler is provided. The method includes providing a first frame member and a second frame member. The first frame member is for movably coupling to a main frame of the automatic land leveler. The first frame member includes a first base member extending along a first longitudinal axis and a first mating portion curved away from 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 curved away from the second base member to extend transversely relative to the second longitudinal axis. The method further 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 drawbar assembly. Moreover, the method includes joining the first mating portion to the second mating portion to form a connection joint therebetween, thereby facilitating the first and second frame members to support together a turntable assembly of the automatic land leveler thereunder.

[0007] In yet another aspect, an automatic grader is provided. The automatic grader includes a main frame, a swing frame assembly, and a drawbar assembly. The swing frame assembly supports implements of the automatic grader. The drawbar assembly is supported and disposed 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 curved away from 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 curved away from 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 drawbar assembly further includes a mounting member coupled to the swing frame assembly and attached below the joined first and second frame members. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 An exemplary grader according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0009] Figure 2 An exemplary drawbar-swing frame-blade (DCB) assembly of a grader according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0010] Figure 3 An exemplary first frame member and second frame member of a drawbar assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure are shown;

[0011] Figure 4 An exemplary drawbar assembly having joined first and second frame members at a connection joint according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0012] Figure 5 A bottom view of a drawbar assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown; and

[0013] Figure 6 An exemplary method of manufacturing a drawbar assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The present disclosure relates to a drawbar assembly for a grader. Figure 1An exemplary motor grader 100 is shown in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the motor grader 100 (hereinafter referred to as the machine 100) is embodied as a motor grader. The motor grader 100 may be used to shift, spread, distribute, level, and smooth material 102 (e.g., soil) over a work surface 104. Typically, the grader operation is performed while the machine is moving, and to this end, the machine 100 may include a traction device that facilitates movement over the work surface 104. For example, the traction device includes a set of front wheels 106 (only one side is 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 the direction of travel of the machine 100, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown by arrow T in FIG, the direction of travel is illustratively defined from rear end 112 toward front end 108. Movement of the traction device (i.e., rotation of a set of front wheels 106 and a set of rear wheels 110) can be driven by a power source, such as an engine (not shown), housed in a power compartment 114 of the machine 100.

[0015] Additionally, machine 100 includes a main frame 116 including a steerable front section 118 at front end 108 and a driven rear section 119 at rear end 112 of machine 100. An operator's cab 120 is supported on main frame 116 and houses controls for power and various implements of machine 100.

[0016] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 To smooth and level the material 102, the machine 100 includes a drawbar, turntable, and blade (DCB) arrangement 122, also referred to as a grader assembly 122. As shown, the grader assembly 122 is supported by and below the main frame 116 and is connected to a front section 118 of the main frame 116. In some alternative embodiments, the grader assembly 122 may be supported by another portion of the machine 100, such as a rear section 119 of the main frame 116 or another portion of the front section 118. The grader assembly 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 grade operations on the work surface 104.

[0017] 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. The first end 130 of the drawbar assembly 124 rotatably supports the swivel plate assembly 126 and the blade assembly 128 to the first end. Further, the first end 130 of the drawbar assembly 124 is movably supported by the middle section 117 of the main frame 116 (e.g., via one or more lift mechanisms, such as hydraulic actuators 134). The hydraulic actuators 134 can be actuated to raise or lower the first end 130 of the drawbar assembly 124 relative to the main frame 116, in turn allowing the grader unit 122 to be raised or lowered relative to the work surface 104.

[0018] Further, the drawbar assembly 124 is supported below the main frame 116 such that the second end 132 of the drawbar 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 hinged ball joint 136 (shown in Figure 2 The hinged ball joint 136 can be configured to facilitate lateral oscillation of the grader unit 122 about the longitudinal axis 125 of the drawbar assembly 124, which in turn defines an oscillation axis (not shown) of the hinged ball joint 136. As shown in Figure 2 One or more oscillation actuators 137 can be configured to be actuated to facilitate lateral oscillation of the drawbar assembly 124 about the oscillation axis of the hinged ball joint 136, as shown in

[0019] The swivel plate assembly 126 includes a swivel plate member 138 and a pair of arms 140-1, 140-2 (hereinafter referred to collectively as the pair of arms 140). The swivel plate member 138 is configured to rotate relative to the drawbar 124 about a rotation axis 141 through a center of the swivel plate member 138. For example, the swivel plate member 138 includes an annular gear portion 142 having a plurality of teeth 144 (shown in Figure 2 The plurality of teeth 144 are configured to engage with a drive gear 146 on the drawbar assembly 124 to facilitate rotation of the swivel plate assembly 126 about the rotation axis 141.

[0020] Further, the pair of arms 140 extend from the swivel plate member 138 and are configured to tiltably support the blade assembly 128 to the pair of arms. The blade assembly 128 includes a mold plate 129 mounted to the swivel plate assembly 126 for rotation about the rotation axis 141. For example, the swivel plate assembly 126 can include one or more tilt actuators 148 coupled to the mold plate 129 to facilitate tilting of the blade assembly 128 relative to the swivel plate assembly 126.

[0021] Figures 3 to 5An exemplary drawbar assembly 124 according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawbar 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 Figure 4 Figure 3 As shown in Figure 3

[0022] The first frame member 302 defines a first longitudinal end 310 and a second longitudinal end 312 along the first longitudinal axis 306. The second longitudinal end 312 is configured to be movably coupled to the main frame 116 via the ball joint 136. The first frame member 302 further includes a first base member 314 extending along the first longitudinal axis 306 between the first longitudinal end 310 and the second longitudinal end 312. In exemplary embodiments, the first base member 314 is a Y-shaped structure that widens toward the first longitudinal end 310 and converges toward the 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 can be varied without departing from the scope of the present disclosure to achieve similar results.

[0023] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the first frame member 302 includes a first mating portion 320 that is bent away from the first base member 314 to extend laterally relative to the first longitudinal axis 306 of the first frame member 302 and thus relative to the longitudinal axis 125 of the drawbar 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 instance, 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 Wl. The first mating portion 320 further defines a mating face 321 (hereinafter referred to as a 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 the width Wl, 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 the first mating portion 320 is merely exemplary and can be varied without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter to achieve similar results.

[0024] The first frame member 302 also includes a pair of rod members 322, 324 extending along the first longitudinal axis 306 and attached to a top surface 316 of the first base member 314. As shown, the pair of rod members 322, 324 are configured to be spaced apart and attached to an inner face 323 of the first mating portion 320 at the first longitudinal end 310 of the first frame member 302 and to converge at the second longitudinal end 312, thereby forming a V-shaped configuration of the pair of rod members 322, 324. For example, the first rod member 322 is attached to the inner face 323 proximate a first lateral end 317 of the first mating portion 320, while the second rod member 324 is attached to the inner face 323 proximate a second lateral end 319. Further, the rod members 322, 324 are configured to converge and be attached to a cap member 325 at the second longitudinal end 312 of the first frame member 302. In the example embodiment, a spherical joint 136 is attached to the cap member 325 at the second longitudinal end 308 of the first frame member 302, which in turn is configured to be coupled to the main frame 116 of the machine 100 to facilitate articulated movement of the drawbar assembly 124 relative to the machine 100.

[0025] Further, the second frame member 304 defines two longitudinal ends along the second longitudinal axis 308, namely a third end 326 and a fourth end 328. As shown, the second frame member 304 includes a second base member 330 extending along the second longitudinal axis 308 and, thus, the longitudinal axis 125 of the drawbar assembly 124. The second base member 330 extends between the third end 326 and the fourth end 328 and defines a top surface 332 and a bottom surface 334. In the example embodiment of the present disclosure, the second base member 330 defines a U-shaped structure including 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.

[0026] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the second mating portion is curved away from 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 drawbar assembly 124. For example, the second mating portion 336 is perpendicularly curved away from the top surface 332 of the second base member 330 at the 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 can 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 can be varied without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter to achieve similar results. 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 mating portion 320 and the second mating portion 336 can be varied to be different from each other to achieve similar results without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. The second mating portion 336 also defines a second mating face 338 extending along the width W2, i.e., between the first lateral end 337 and the second lateral end 339.

[0027] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the second mating portion 336 is configured to mate with the first mating portion 320 to form a connection joint 305 therebetween. For example, the first mating face 321 of the first mating portion 320 interfaces with the second mating face 338 of the second mating portion 336 to form the connection joint 305 therebetween, where the connection joint 305 extends over the entire width W1 and / or W2 of the first mating portion 320 and the second mating portion 336. The first frame member 302 and the second frame member 304 are configured to be joined together at the connection joint 305 to cooperatively support the turntable assembly 126 thereunder. In exemplary embodiments, the first frame member 302 and the second frame member 304 can be joined at the connection joint 305 by a permanent fastening mechanism, such as welding. However, it is contemplated that semi-permanent or even non-permanent fastening mechanisms can also be used to join the two frame members together to achieve similar results without deviating from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0028] Furthermore, each of the first mating portion 320 and the second mating portion 336 includes one or more fastening holes, such as fastening holes 340, 342. For example, the first mating portion 320 includes two fastening holes, such as a first fastening hole 340-1 and a second fastening hole 340-2, while the second mating portion 336 includes one fastening hole, i.e., a third fastening hole 342. As shown, the first fastening hole 340-1 and the second fastening hole 340-2 are aligned with each other along the first longitudinal axis 306, while the third fastening hole 342 is aligned with the first fastening hole 340-1 and the second fastening hole 340-2 along the second longitudinal axis 308. Figure 3 andFigure 4 As shown in FIG, a first fastening hole 340-1 is formed on the first lateral end 317 of the first mating portion 320, and a second fastening hole 340-2 is formed on the second lateral end 319. A third fastening hole 342 is formed only on the second lateral end 339 of the second mating 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 studs 344-1 and second mounting studs 344-2), which in turn mount the lifting mechanism (i.e., the hydraulic actuator 134) to the corresponding mounting studs (e.g., Figure 2 ). The third fastening hole 342 on the second mating portion 336 is configured to engage a third mounting stud 346 thereto, which in turn mounts the swing actuator 137 thereto. Figure 2 ). When the first frame member 302 and the second frame member 304 are joined together, the fastening holes 340-2 on the first mating segment 320 are aligned with the fastening holes 342 on the second mating segment 336. It is contemplated that the number of fastening holes and their positioning on each mating segment are merely exemplary and may be varied to achieve similar results.

[0029] 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 base member 314 and the second base member 330 of the combined first frame member 302 and the second frame member 304. For example, each of the first support plate 348 and the second support plate 350 is a curved plate member. Figure 5 As shown in FIG, 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 and 350 can be fastened to the bottom surfaces 318 and 334 using non-permanent fasteners (e.g., bolts), while in alternative embodiments, other types of non-permanent, semi-permanent, or permanent fastening mechanisms can be used. The pair of support plates 348 and 350 is configured to provide additional strength to the joined first and second frame members 302 and 304 and to facilitate mounting the turntable assembly 126 to the drawbar assembly 124.

[0030] In embodiments, the drawbar assembly 124 further includes a mounting member 352 configured to support the turntable 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, while the second mounting rail 356 is mounted to the second support plate 350. For example, the first and second mounting rails 354, 356 can be arranged in a circular array to engage with corresponding circular puck assemblies (not shown) provided on the turntable assembly 126 to couple the turntable assembly 126 to the drawbar assembly 124.

[0031] Industrial applicability

[0032] Reference is made to Figure 6 An exemplary method 600 of manufacturing a drawbar assembly 124 according to embodiments of the present disclosure is described. The method 600 will be additionally described in connection with the drawbar assembly 124 shown in Figures 3 to 5 Initially, at step 602, a first frame member, such as the 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 embodiments of the present disclosure, the first frame member 302 includes a first mating portion 320 arranged at the first longitudinal end 310. The first mating portion 320 is bent perpendicularly away to project from the top surface 316 and extend transverse to the first longitudinal axis 306. Additionally, the first frame member 302 includes a pair of bar members 322, 324 arranged in a V-shaped configuration to be spaced apart at the first longitudinal end 310 and connected to the first mating portion 320, and to converge at the second longitudinal end 312.

[0033] At step 604, a second frame member, such as the 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 including two arm members 333, 335, and defining a top surface 332 and a bottom surface 334. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the second frame member 304 includes a second mating portion 336 provided at the third end 326. The second mating portion 336 is bent perpendicularly away to project from the top surface 332 and extend transverse to the second longitudinal axis 308.

[0034] 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 mating portion 320 and the second mating portion 336 are aligned, they are joined together to form a connecting joint 305 therebetween, at step 608, thereby joining the first frame member 302 and the second frame member 304 to support together the turntable assembly 126 thereunder. In the exemplary embodiment, the first mating portion 320 is joined to the second mating portion 336 by welding.

[0035] The joined first frame member 302 and second frame member 304 result in the resulting draft rod assembly 124 of the present disclosure. Thus, the aligned first longitudinal axis 306 and second longitudinal axis 308 define a longitudinal axis 125 of the draft rod assembly 124. Accordingly, in the resulting draft rod assembly 124, the first mating portion 320 and the second mating portion 336 extend transverse to the longitudinal axis 125 of the draft rod assembly 124. Moreover, the second longitudinal end 312 of the first frame member 302 becomes a second end 132 of the draft rod assembly 124, which in turn is connected to the main frame 116 of the machine 100 via the articulating joint 136.

[0036] Moreover, once the first frame member 302 and the second frame member 304 are joined, one or more support plates, such as the first support plate 348 and the second support plate 350, are attached to the bottom surface 318, 334 of each of the first base member 314 and the second base member 330, respectively. As shown in FIG. 6, 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 fastened to the bottom surfaces 318, 334 using non-permanent fasteners, such as bolts, while in some alternative embodiments, other types of non-permanent, semi-permanent, or permanent fastening mechanisms can be used. Figure 5

[0037] Moreover, a mounting member 352 including mounting rails 354, 356 is attached to the support plates 348, 350. The mounting rails 354, 356 are arranged in a circular array and are configured to engage with corresponding circular tile assemblies (not shown) disposed on the turntable assembly 126 to couple the turntable assembly 126 to the draft rod assembly 124.

[0038] ​The drawbar assembly 124 according to the embodiments presented herein is a two-piece drawbar assembly that is formed by joining two frame members (i.e., the first frame member 302 and the second frame member 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 two-piece drawbar assemblies 124 provide flexibility and reduce costs in manufacturing drawbar assemblies 124 for different models of motor graders. For example, for two models of motor graders, the second frame member 304 can remain the same, while the first frame member 302 can be different. Typically, for different models, the length of the first frame member 302 can be different. Similarly, for different models of motor graders, the positioning of the fastening holes 340-1, 340-2, and thus the positioning of the lift actuator 134, can be different 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 graders 100, rather than the entire drawbar assembly 124 for each model.

[0039] Furthermore, the entire width of the first mating portion 320 and the second mating portion 336 are joined together by welding, thereby providing strong stress protection against the heavy stresses experienced by the drawbar assembly 124 during grading operations of the motor grader 100. Furthermore, conventional drawbar assemblies include a crossbar for mounting the lift actuator and swing actuator thereto. The mounting of these actuators to the crossbar is typically reinforced by welding gussets near the actuator mounting locations on the crossbar to prevent damage to the crossbar and drawbar assembly under high stress operating conditions. However, the connection joint 305 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure eliminates the complex welded joints, such as the gussets to the crossbar on the drawbar assembly, as the joined mating portions 320, 336 meet the requirements of a traditional crossbar.

[0040] Various modifications and changes can be made to the disclosed system without departing from the scope thereof, which is defined only by the claims. Other embodiments will be apparent from consideration of the specification and practice of the system disclosed herein. The specification and examples should be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A drawbar assembly for a motor grader, the drawbar assembly defining a longitudinal axis, the drawbar 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 bent away from the first base member to extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis; as well as a second frame member including a second base member extending along the longitudinal axis and a second mating portion bent away from 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, thereby facilitating the first frame member and the second frame member to be coupled to each other to jointly support the turntable assembly of the motor grader thereunder.

2. The drawbar assembly of 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 protrude perpendicularly away from the top surface of the first and second base members, respectively. 3 . The drawbar assembly of 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 turntable assembly thereto. 4 . The drawbar assembly of 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 drawbar 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 provided at the first longitudinal end, and wherein 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 drawbar assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first frame member includes a pair of rod members attached to a top surface of the first base member, the pair of rod members being 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 drawbar assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the first mating portion and the second mating portion includes at least one fastening hole formed therein, the at least one fastening hole on the first mating portion being 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 being configured to couple a swing 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 movably 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 bent away from the first base member to extend transversely relative to the first longitudinal axis; providing a second frame member comprising a second base member extending along a second longitudinal axis and a second mating portion bent away from the second base member to extend transversely relative to the second longitudinal axis; aligning a first mating portion of the first frame member and a 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; as well as Joining the first mating portion to the second mating portion to form a connecting joint therebetween facilitates the first and second frame members to together support a turntable assembly of the motor grader thereunder.

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 protrude perpendicularly away from the top surface 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 combined first and second frame members, the mounting member being 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 provided at the first longitudinal end, and the first frame member is configured to be connected to the 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 rod members attached to a top surface of the first base member, the pair of rod members being configured to be spaced apart at the first longitudinal end and connected to the first mating portion and intersecting at the second longitudinal end.

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

15. A motor grader comprising: Main frame; a turntable assembly that supports an implement of the motor grader; as well as a drawbar assembly supported and disposed beneath the main frame, the drawbar assembly defining a longitudinal axis and comprising: a first frame member movably coupled to the main frame, the first frame member comprising a first base member extending along the longitudinal axis and a first mating portion bent away from 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 from 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 connecting joint therebetween; and A mounting member is coupled to the turntable assembly and attached below the joined 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 bent to protrude 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 comprises 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 the 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 rod members attached to a top surface of the first base member, the pair of rod members being 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 mating portion and the second mating portion includes at least one fastening hole formed therein, and wherein the motor grader comprises: an implement lift mechanism connected to the drawbar assembly at at least one fastening hole on the first mating portion to facilitate upward and downward movement of an implement of the motor grader; as well as A swing mechanism is connected to the drawbar assembly at the at least one fastening hole on the second mating portion to facilitate swinging of the drawbar assembly relative to the motor grader.

Images