Adjustable PTO Mounting Device for Flexible Auxiliary Equipment Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power takeoff (PTO) devices have limited orientation options for mounting auxiliary equipment, leading to installation difficulties due to interference with engine, transmission, or vehicle components, and increasing the number of bolt holes compromises structural integrity and installation time.
Innovation Solution
The development of adjustable PTO mounting devices that allow for a large number of rotational orientations, including infinite options, by using rotatable and stationary members with interlocking splines and band clamps to securely attach auxiliary equipment to PTOs, enabling flexible orientation selection without compromising structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of bolt holes is increased to provide more mounting orientations, then the number of possible orientations increases, but the structural integrity of the PTO decreases and installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device is divided into a stationary member (attached to PTO) and a rotatable member (attached to auxiliary equipment), allowing the auxiliary equipment to be mounted in multiple orientations without adding multiple bolt holes to the PTO itself. The segmentation enables the rotatable member to provide infinite orientation options while the stationary member maintains a simple, structurally sound attachment to the PTO.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable member acts as an intermediary between the PTO and the auxiliary equipment, decoupling the mounting function from the PTO structure. This intermediary component provides the orientation flexibility through its ability to rotate and lock at various angles, while the PTO itself remains structurally intact with minimal modifications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of bolt holes is increased to provide more mounting orientations, then the number of possible orientations increases, but the installation time increases due to more bolts to install and remove
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable member incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism with splines that can be engaged or disengaged by moving the member between locked and unlocked positions. This dynamic system allows for quick orientation changes without the time-consuming process of removing and reinstalling multiple bolts, as the same single bolt connection can accommodate any orientation once unlocked.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable member is pre-configured with multiple spline configurations that correspond to different locked positions. During installation, the user simply needs to unlock the member, rotate it to the desired orientation, and re-engage the lock, rather than having to pre-determine and plan for multiple separate bolt hole configurations.
3Strength
If a limited number of bolt orientations are provided, then the structural integrity is maintained, but there is interference with engine, transmission, or vehicle components in all orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable member provides dynamic orientation adjustment capability, allowing the auxiliary equipment to be positioned at any angle around the PTO axis. This eliminates the interference problem by enabling the installer to select an orientation that avoids conflicting components, while the single-bolt locking mechanism maintains structural integrity.
4Reliability
If the auxiliary equipment is securely attached with bolts, then the attachment is stable, but adjusting the orientation requires removing all bolts and reinserting them
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable member features a dynamic locking mechanism with splines that can be engaged or disengaged by moving the member between locked and unlocked positions. When locked, the attachment is as secure as a bolted connection; when unlocked, the member can be freely rotated to adjust the orientation. This eliminates the need to remove all bolts for adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-contained and self-locking, allowing the user to secure the auxiliary equipment in any desired orientation without requiring external fastening operations. The splines automatically engage at predetermined positions, providing both security and adjustability through a single mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for mounting auxiliary devices, such as hydraulic pumps or electric generators, to a power takeoff (PTO) maintain alignment of the auxiliary device with the PTO while allowing hand rotation of the auxiliary device to an appropriate orientation and secure the auxiliary device to the PTO in the selected orientation. Embodiments include a stationary member that connects to a PTO and captures a rotatable member between the stationary member and the PTO. When the appropriate orientation of the auxiliary device is achieved, the rotatable member can be moved toward the auxiliary device to connect to the auxiliary device and to engage the stationary member (and to possibly engage teeth in the stationary member) to lock the orientation of the rotatable member.