PTO Yoke Clamp Tool for Slide Collar Retraction and Spline Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching a PTO yoke to a tractor output shaft are difficult and frustrating due to the spring-loaded slide collar that needs to be manually retracted and aligned, complicating the alignment of splines for connection.
Innovation Solution
A locking ring clamp tool with pliers and a flexible band is used to maintain the slide collar in a retracted position, allowing easy alignment and attachment of the yoke shaft to the tractor output shaft by frictionally gripping the yoke shaft with the flexible band.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual retraction and alignment of the slide collar is performed, then the PTO yoke can be attached to the tractor output shaft, but the process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp tool is used to pre-retract the slide collar before the attachment process begins. By performing the retraction action in advance and maintaining it with the clamp tool during alignment, the operator eliminates the need to manually retract and realign the collar during the attachment process, thereby speeding up the overall operation and reducing alignment difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp tool acts as an intermediary device between the operator and the slide collar. Instead of directly manipulating the slide collar with hands during alignment, the operator uses the clamp tool to maintain the retracted position, providing mechanical assistance that simplifies the alignment process and improves attachment speed
2Reliability
If the slide collar is spring-loaded to cover the yoke shaft, then the yoke shaft is protected, but the alignment of splines for connection becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp tool extracts or removes the interference caused by the spring-loaded slide collar by forcibly retracting it to expose the yoke shaft. This allows the operator to access and align the splines without the complication of the spring-loaded collar mechanism, while the collar remains in place providing protection when not in use
Solution Approach 2:
The slide collar is retracted in advance using the clamp tool before the alignment process begins. By performing this action beforehand, the operator eliminates the need to deal with the spring-loaded mechanism during alignment, simplifying the overall process while maintaining the protective function of the collar
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates quick and cost-effective attachment of PTO driven implements by maintaining the slide collar in a retracted position, simplifying the alignment process and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
squeezing the plier handles to tighten the flexible band around the yoke shaft such that the flexible band frictionally grips around the yoke shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A system for attaching a PTO yoke to a tractor PTO output shaft comprises gripping a shaft of the PTO yoke using a clamp tool, whereby the clamp tool maintains a slide collar of the PTO yoke in a retracted position with respect to the yoke shaft, such that the yoke shaft is exposed for attachment to the tractor PTO output shaft. The clamp tool may comprise pliers, including plier jaws and plier handles; and a flexible band coupled to the plier jaws.