US3881370A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable speed belt drive for an agricultural machine
Assignee: Deere and Co
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Filing: 1973-06-29
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1993-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A self-propelled combine has a pair of forward drive wheels driven through a transmission having its input connected to the engine output shaft by a belt drive that includes an upper, fixed ratio portion and a lower, infinitely variable portion. The output sheave of the fixed ratio drive is an integral part of one of the sheave elements of the variable diameter drive sheave of the variable speed belt drive, said sheaves being mounted on a common shaft carried by a swingable arm on the side of the combine, the diameter of the variable diameter drive sheave being controlled by a hydraulic cylinder within the variable diameter sheave, the shiftable sheave element on said sheave being connected to the opposite element by a spline connection. The driven sheave in the variable speed belt drive is also a variable diameter sheave and includes spring means that operates between the opposite sheave elements to provide the belt tension. A cam also interconnects the opposite sheave elements to cause axial sheave motion and consequent increased belt tension when one sheave element rotates relative to the other due to increased torque transmitted through the driven sheave. The belt tension in the variable speed drive is automatically transmitted to the belt in the fixed ratio drive.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard Francis Vogelaar
- 👤 Mahlon Lloyd Love
- 👤 Charles Edward Cook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:24
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D69/00; A01D69/06; F; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/66; F16H61/662; F16H61/6625; F16H9/00; F16H9/02; F16H9/04; F16H9/12; F16H9/16; F16H2009/166
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
299 words
In a harvesting machine having a mobile main frame mounted on drive wheels, a power source having an output shaft and transmission means drivingly connected to the drive wheels, the combination therewith of improved belt drive means drivingly connecting the output shaft to the transmission and comprising: a shiftable shaft; means mounting the shiftable shaft on the main frame for shifting movement transverse to the shaft axis; a fixed ratio belt drive including a fixed diameter drive sheave operatively connected to and driven by the output shaft, a fixed diameter driven sheave mounted on the shiftable shaft, and a first drive belt drivingly trained around said drive and driven sheaves; and a variable ratio belt drive including a variable diameter drive sheave mounted on the shiftable shaft adjacent the fixed diameter driven sheave and driven thereby, control means operatively associated with said drive sheave for controlling the sheave diameter, a variable diameter torque-sensing driven sheave having a fixed sheave element and shiftable sheave element axially shiftable and rotatable relative to the fixed element, a spring means biasing the shiftable sheave element toward the fixed element and toward a maximum diameter condition, cam means operatively connected to the opposite sheave elements to shift the shiftable sheave element toward the fixed sheave element in response to relative rotation between the sheave elements as a result of torque transmitted therethrough above a predetermined value, and a second drive belt trained around the variable diameter drive and driven sheaves, the spring bias on the torquesensing driven sheave causing a tension in the second drive belt that is transmitted to the first drive belt through the fixed diameter driven sheave, and the shifting of the sheave elements of the torque-sensing sheave as a result of increasing torque causing increased belt tension in both belts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
299 words
In a harvesting machine having a mobile main frame mounted on drive wheels, a power source having an output shaft and transmission means drivingly connected to the drive wheels, the combination therewith of improved belt drive means drivingly connecting the output shaft to the transmission and comprising: a shiftable shaft; means mounting the shiftable shaft on the main frame for shifting movement transverse to the shaft axis; a fixed ratio belt drive including a fixed diameter drive sheave operatively connected to and driven by the output shaft, a fixed diameter driven sheave mounted on the shiftable shaft, and a first drive belt drivingly trained around said drive and driven sheaves; and a variable ratio belt drive including a variable diameter drive sheave mounted on the shiftable shaft adjacent the fixed diameter driven sheave and driven thereby, control means operatively associated with said drive sheave for controlling the sheave diameter, a variable diameter torque-sensing driven sheave having a fixed sheave element and shiftable sheave element axially shiftable and rotatable relative to the fixed element, a spring means biasing the shiftable sheave element toward the fixed element and toward a maximum diameter condition, cam means operatively connected to the opposite sheave elements to shift the shiftable sheave element toward the fixed sheave element in response to relative rotation between the sheave elements as a result of torque transmitted therethrough above a predetermined value, and a second drive belt trained around the variable diameter drive and driven sheaves, the spring bias on the torquesensing driven sheave causing a tension in the second drive belt that is transmitted to the first drive belt through the fixed diameter driven sheave, and the shifting of the sheave elements of the torque-sensing sheave as a result of increasing torque causing increased belt tension in both belts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the means mounting the shiftable shaft on the main frame includes an arm pivotally mounted on the main frame for swinging about a horizontal axis parallel to the shaft axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the variable diameter drive sheave includes an axially shiftable sheave element and the control means includes hydraulic motor means operatively connected to the shiftable sheave element for shifting said element and changing the effective diameter of the sheave.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention defined in claim 3 wherein the hydraulic motor means includes an annular piston coaxially mounted and slidable on the shaft, and including bearing means coaxially mounted on the periphery of the piston and coaxially and rotatably supporting the shiftable drive sheave element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the torque-sensing sheave elements have opposite belt-engaging faces and the cam means includes first and second cam members respectively coaxially mounted with and connected to the fixed and the shiftable torque-sensing sheave elements and disposed radially inwardly of the sheave faces within the sheave elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention defined in claim 5 wherein the cam members are annular and include a plurality of meshing cam elements with cam surfaces extending obliquely to the axis of the cam members and engageable with the cam surfaces on the opposite cam member to cause axial shifting oF the second member during relative rotation of the members in either direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention defined in claim 5 and including a support housing mounted on the main frame, the torque-sensing sheave including a shaft journaled in and extending outwardly from the housing, the fixed sheave element of said sheave being coaxially connected to said shaft adjacent the housing and interposed between the shiftable sheave element and the housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention defined in claim 7 wherein the torque-sensing sheave shaft includes a tubular outer portion and the spring means includes a helical compression spring at least partly coaxially disposed within said tubular portion, and means connecting one end of the spring to said shaft and the other end to the shiftable sheave element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention defined in claim 8 wherein the cam members are annular and the means connecting the spring to the shiftable sheave element includes a tubular sleeve at least partly coaxially disposed in the tubular portion of said shaft and within the annular cam members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention defined in claim 8 wherein the means connecting the spring to the shaft includes an axially extending rod, having one end connected to the shaft and thread means on its opposite end, and a threaded spring retainer connected to the spring and threadable on the rod to vary the spring compression.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
267 words
In a harvesting machine having a mobile main frame mounted on drive wheels, a power source having an output shaft and transmission means drivingly connected to the drive wheels, the combination therewith of improved belt drive means drivingly connecting the output shaft to the transmission and comprising: a shiftable shaft; means mounting the shiftable shaft on the main frame for shifting movement transverse to the shaft axis; a fixed ratio belt drive including a fixed diameter drive sheave operatively connected to and driven by the power source output shaft, a fixed diameter driven sheave mounted on the shiftable shaft, and a first drive belt drivingly trained around said drive and driven sheaves; and a variable ratio belt drive including a variable diameter drive sheave mounted on the shiftable shaft adjacent the fixed diameter driven sheave and driven thereby and including an axially fixed sheave element having a sheave face, an axially shiftable sheave element having a sheave face opposite the fixed sheave face, hydraulic motor means operatively connected to the shiftable sheave element for shifting said element and changing the effective diameter of the sheave, a variable diameter driven sheave connected to the transmission and having an axially fixed sheave element with a first sheave face, an axially shiftable sheave element having a second sheave face opposite the first sheave face and shiftable to vary the effective diameter of the sheave, and spring means biasing the shiftable sheave element toward the fixed element to bias the sheave towards its maximum diameter condition, and a second drive belt drivingly trained around said variable diameter drive and driven sheaves.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
267 words
In a harvesting machine having a mobile main frame mounted on drive wheels, a power source having an output shaft and transmission means drivingly connected to the drive wheels, the combination therewith of improved belt drive means drivingly connecting the output shaft to the transmission and comprising: a shiftable shaft; means mounting the shiftable shaft on the main frame for shifting movement transverse to the shaft axis; a fixed ratio belt drive including a fixed diameter drive sheave operatively connected to and driven by the power source output shaft, a fixed diameter driven sheave mounted on the shiftable shaft, and a first drive belt drivingly trained around said drive and driven sheaves; and a variable ratio belt drive including a variable diameter drive sheave mounted on the shiftable shaft adjacent the fixed diameter driven sheave and driven thereby and including an axially fixed sheave element having a sheave face, an axially shiftable sheave element having a sheave face opposite the fixed sheave face, hydraulic motor means operatively connected to the shiftable sheave element for shifting said element and changing the effective diameter of the sheave, a variable diameter driven sheave connected to the transmission and having an axially fixed sheave element with a first sheave face, an axially shiftable sheave element having a second sheave face opposite the first sheave face and shiftable to vary the effective diameter of the sheave, and spring means biasing the shiftable sheave element toward the fixed element to bias the sheave towards its maximum diameter condition, and a second drive belt drivingly trained around said variable diameter drive and driven sheaves.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention defined in claim 11 wherein the hydraulic motor means includes an annular piston coaxially mounted and slidable on the shaft, and including bearing means coaxially mounted on the periphery of the piston and coaxially and rotatably supporting the shiftable drive sheave element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
118 words
The invention defined in claim 11 wherein the opposite sheave elements of the variable diameter driven sheave are mounted for relative rotation, and including cam means operative between the opposite sheave elements to shift the shiftable sheave element toward the fixed sheave element in response to relative rotation between the sheave elements as a result of increased torque transmitted therethrough above a preterdetermined value, the spring bias on said driven sheave causing a tension in the second drive belt that is automatically transmitted to the first drive belt through the shiftable shaft, the shifting of the sheave element in the varIable diameter driven sheave as a result of the torque increase causing increased belt tension in both belts.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
243 words
An improved belt drive comprising: an input shaft; a fixed diameter drive sheave mounted on the input shaft; a shiftable shaft parallel to the input shaft and shiftable toward and away from the input shaft; a fixed diameter driven sheave mounted on the shiftable shaft; a first drive belt means drivingly trained around the fixed diameter drive and driven sheaves; an output shaft parallel to the input shaft and the shiftable shaft; a variable diameter drive sheave coaxially mounted on the shiftable shaft with the fixed diameter driven sheave and operatively connected to and driven thereby, and including control means operatively associated therewith for controlling the sheave diameter; a variable diameter torque-sensing driven sheave mounted on the output shaft and having a fixed sheave element connected to said shaft and a shiftable sheave element axially shiftable and rotatable relative to the fixed element, a spring means biasing the shiftable sheave element toward the fixed element and toward a maximum diameter condition, cam means operatively connected to the opposite sheave elements to shift the shiftable sheave element toward the fixed sheave element in response to relative rotation between the sheave elements in response to increasing torque transmitted therethrough, and a second drive belt trained around the variable diameter drive and driven sheaves, the spring bias on the torque-sensing driven sheave causing a tension in the second drive belt that is transmitted to the first drive belt through the sheaves mounted on the shiftable shaft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
243 words
An improved belt drive comprising: an input shaft; a fixed diameter drive sheave mounted on the input shaft; a shiftable shaft parallel to the input shaft and shiftable toward and away from the input shaft; a fixed diameter driven sheave mounted on the shiftable shaft; a first drive belt means drivingly trained around the fixed diameter drive and driven sheaves; an output shaft parallel to the input shaft and the shiftable shaft; a variable diameter drive sheave coaxially mounted on the shiftable shaft with the fixed diameter driven sheave and operatively connected to and driven thereby, and including control means operatively associated therewith for controlling the sheave diameter; a variable diameter torque-sensing driven sheave mounted on the output shaft and having a fixed sheave element connected to said shaft and a shiftable sheave element axially shiftable and rotatable relative to the fixed element, a spring means biasing the shiftable sheave element toward the fixed element and toward a maximum diameter condition, cam means operatively connected to the opposite sheave elements to shift the shiftable sheave element toward the fixed sheave element in response to relative rotation between the sheave elements in response to increasing torque transmitted therethrough, and a second drive belt trained around the variable diameter drive and driven sheaves, the spring bias on the torque-sensing driven sheave causing a tension in the second drive belt that is transmitted to the first drive belt through the sheaves mounted on the shiftable shaft.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention defined in claim 14 wherein the control means includes an annular, hydraulically actuated piston coaxially mounted and slidable on the shiftable shaft and including bearing means coaxially mounted on the periphery of the piston and coaxially and rotatably supporting the shiftable drive sheave element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention defined in claim 14 and including spline means operatively interconnecting the axially shiftable and the axially fixed sheave elements of the variable diameter drive sheave to permit axial shifting of the shiftable element while causing rotation of the elements in unison.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention defined in claim 14 wherein the shiftable sheave element of the variable diameter drive sheave is mounted on on a single bearing operative to accommodate both axial and radial loads on the shiftable sheave element caused by the tension in the second drive belt.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
278 words
A variable ratio belt drive comprising: a variable diameter drive sheave including an axially fixed sheave element, an axially shiftable sheave element, and hydraulic control means operatively associated with the shiftable sheave element for controlling the axial position thereof and consequently the effective diameter of the drive sheave; a variable diameter torque-sensing driven sheave having a fixed sheave element, a shiftable sheave element axially shiftable and rotatable relative to the fixed element, a spring means operative to bias the shiftable sheave element toward the fixed element and toward a maximum diameter condition, said sheave elements having opposite inclined sheave faces, a first annular cam member coaxially connected to the fixed sheave element radially inwardly of the sheave element face, a second annular cam member coaxially connected to the shiftable sheave element radially inwardly of the sheave element face, said cam members being disposed within and in substantial vertical alignment with the sheave elements and having meshing cam elements with cam surfaces extending obliquely to the axis of the cam members and engageable with the cam surfaces on the opposite cam member to cause axial shifting of the shiftable element during relative rotation of the members, and spring means operatively biasing the shiftable driven sheave element toward the fixed driven sheave element; and a driven belt trained around the variaBle diameter drive sheaves, the spring means causing a tension in the drive belt and the mating cam members causing the shiftable driven sheave element to shift toward the fixed element as a result of relative rotation between the elements due to increasing torque transmitted therethrough to increase the effective diameter of the driven sheave and increase the belt tension.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
278 words
A variable ratio belt drive comprising: a variable diameter drive sheave including an axially fixed sheave element, an axially shiftable sheave element, and hydraulic control means operatively associated with the shiftable sheave element for controlling the axial position thereof and consequently the effective diameter of the drive sheave; a variable diameter torque-sensing driven sheave having a fixed sheave element, a shiftable sheave element axially shiftable and rotatable relative to the fixed element, a spring means operative to bias the shiftable sheave element toward the fixed element and toward a maximum diameter condition, said sheave elements having opposite inclined sheave faces, a first annular cam member coaxially connected to the fixed sheave element radially inwardly of the sheave element face, a second annular cam member coaxially connected to the shiftable sheave element radially inwardly of the sheave element face, said cam members being disposed within and in substantial vertical alignment with the sheave elements and having meshing cam elements with cam surfaces extending obliquely to the axis of the cam members and engageable with the cam surfaces on the opposite cam member to cause axial shifting of the shiftable element during relative rotation of the members, and spring means operatively biasing the shiftable driven sheave element toward the fixed driven sheave element; and a driven belt trained around the variaBle diameter drive sheaves, the spring means causing a tension in the drive belt and the mating cam members causing the shiftable driven sheave element to shift toward the fixed element as a result of relative rotation between the elements due to increasing torque transmitted therethrough to increase the effective diameter of the driven sheave and increase the belt tension.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention defined in claim 18 wherein the spring means includes a helical compression spring at least partially coaxially disposed within the annular cam members and including means connecting one end of the spring to the fixed sheave element and means connecting the other end of the spring to the shiftable sheave element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
109 words
The invention defined in claim 19 wherein the driven sheave includes a tubular shaft connected to the fixed sheave element and the means connecting the spring to the fixed sheave element includes a rod having a threaded portion and a spring retainer connected to the spring and threadably mounted on the threaded portion, the spring retainer being threadable on the rod to adjust the preload on the spring and consequently the biasing force exerted thereby, the means connecting the opposite end of the spring to the shiftable sheave element including a tubular sleeve around at least a portion of said rod and at least partially disposed within said shaft.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
259 words
An infinitely variable speed belt drive comprising: a first shaft; a variable diameter drive sheave coaxially mounted on said shaft and including an axially fixed sheave element having an inclined sheave face, an axially shiftable sheave element having an inclined sheave face opposite the fixed element sheave face, spline means coaxially connecting the shiftable sheave element to the fixed sheave element for rotation of the elements in unison while accommodating axial shifting of the shiftable sheave element, and control means operatively associated with the shiftable sheave element for controlling the position of said element; a variable diameter torque-sensing driven sheave including an axially fixed sheave element having an inclined sheave face, an axially shiftable sheave element having an inclined sheave face opposite the fixed sheave element face and mounted for rotation relative to the fixed sheave element, spring means operative between the two sheave elements for biasing the shiftable sheave element toward the fixed sheave element, and cam means operative between the opposite sheave elements for shifting the shiftable sheave element toward and away from the fixed sheave element in response to rotation of the shiftable sheave element in opposite directions relative to the fixed sheave element; and drive belt means trained around the drive and driven sheaves, increasing torque transmitted through the driven sheave element causing the shiftable sheave element to rotate relative to the fixed sheave element so that the cam means causes the shiftable sheave element to move toward the fixed sheave element to increase the driven sheave diameter and increase the tension in said belt.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
259 words
An infinitely variable speed belt drive comprising: a first shaft; a variable diameter drive sheave coaxially mounted on said shaft and including an axially fixed sheave element having an inclined sheave face, an axially shiftable sheave element having an inclined sheave face opposite the fixed element sheave face, spline means coaxially connecting the shiftable sheave element to the fixed sheave element for rotation of the elements in unison while accommodating axial shifting of the shiftable sheave element, and control means operatively associated with the shiftable sheave element for controlling the position of said element; a variable diameter torque-sensing driven sheave including an axially fixed sheave element having an inclined sheave face, an axially shiftable sheave element having an inclined sheave face opposite the fixed sheave element face and mounted for rotation relative to the fixed sheave element, spring means operative between the two sheave elements for biasing the shiftable sheave element toward the fixed sheave element, and cam means operative between the opposite sheave elements for shifting the shiftable sheave element toward and away from the fixed sheave element in response to rotation of the shiftable sheave element in opposite directions relative to the fixed sheave element; and drive belt means trained around the drive and driven sheaves, increasing torque transmitted through the driven sheave element causing the shiftable sheave element to rotate relative to the fixed sheave element so that the cam means causes the shiftable sheave element to move toward the fixed sheave element to increase the driven sheave diameter and increase the tension in said belt.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
68 words
The invention defined in claim 21 wherein the control means includes an annular piston mounted on the shaft and forming an annular pressure chamber between the piston and the shaft, the piston being shiftable in response to the flow of pressurized fluid to and from the chamber, and including bearing means rotatably mounting the shiftable drive sheave element on the piston for rotation of the sheave element thereon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |