Powered pivot system for implement assembly

Abstract

It is disclosed a powered pivot assembly for rotatably coupling an implement, e.g a plow blade, to an end of a frame assembly adapted to be driven by a vehicle. The powered pivot assembly is drivingly engaged with the frame assembly to rotate the implement about a generally vertical axis. The pivot assembly comprises an electric motor for causing rotation of the implement. It is also disclosed a pivotal plow system comprising a frame assembly having a first end adapted to be mounted to a vehicle; and an implement being coupled to a second end of the frame assembly and rotatable relative thereto about a generally vertical axis. The plow assembly comprises a pivot assembly drivingly engaged with the frame assembly and operable to rotate said plow assembly and blade. The pivot assembly comprises a motor for causing rotation of the plow assembly and blade about the generally vertical axis.

1 ) A system for pivoting an implement, the system comprising:
 a frame assembly, the frame assembly comprising:
 a first end adapted to be coupled to a vehicle; and 
 a second end adapted to be pivotally coupled to the implement; 
   a pivoting system connected to the second end of the frame assembly and to the implement; the pivoting system comprising:
 a motor; 
 an endless rotating member operatively coupled to the motor; 
 a gear assembly engaged by the endless rotating member; and 
 an annular gear operatively engaged by the gear assembly; 
    the pivoting system being adapted to rotate the implement in relation to the frame assembly about a substantially vertical axis.   
     
     
         2 ) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the endless rotating member comprises a worm and wherein the gear assembly further comprises:
 a worm gear engaged by the worm; and   a spur gear operatively connected to the worm gear for engaging the annular gear.   
     
     
         3 ) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the engagement of the worm with the worm gear is adapted to limit rotation of the implement when the motor is not in operation or when the motor is disengaged from the gear assembly. 
     
     
         4 ) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the endless rotating member further comprises a gear box drivingly connected to the motor and to the worm for increasing torque of the motor. 
     
     
         5 ) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the gear box is a multiple-stages planetary drive connected to a shaft of the motor. 
     
     
         6 ) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the multiple-stages planetary drive is a 3-stages planetary drive. 
     
     
         7 ) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the axis of the multiple-stages planetary drive, the axis of the worm and the axis of the shaft of the motor are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         8 ) The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the motor is an electric motor. 
     
     
         9 ) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the system further comprises a button configured to trigger the electric motor. 
     
     
         10 ) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the annular gear is mounted to the frame assembly, and the motor is mounted to the implement. 
     
     
         11 ) A system for pivoting an implement, the system comprising:
 a frame assembly, the frame assembly comprising:
 a first end adapted to be coupled to a vehicle; and 
 a second end adapted to be pivotally coupled to the implement; 
   a pivoting system, connected to the second end of the frame assembly and to the implement; the pivoting system comprising:
 a motor connected to the implement; 
 an endless rotating member operatively coupled to the motor, and comprising a worm; 
 a gear assembly engaged by the endless rotating member; and 
 an annular gear, mounted to the second end of the frame assembly and engaged by the gear assembly; 
    the gear assembly comprising:
 a worm gear engaged by the worm; and 
 a spur gear operatively connected to the worm gear for engaging the annular gear, 
    the pivoting system being adapted to rotate the implement in relation to the frame assembly about a substantially vertical axis.   
     
     
         12 ) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the engagement of the worm with the worm gear is adapted to limit rotation of the implement when the motor is not in operation or when the motor is disengaged from the gear assembly. 
     
     
         13 ) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the endless rotating member further comprises a gearbox drivingly connected to the motor and to the worm for increasing a torque of the motor. 
     
     
         14 ) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the gear box is a multiple-stages planetary drive connected to a shaft of the motor. 
     
     
         15 ) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the multiple-stages planetary drive is a 3-stages planetary drive. 
     
     
         16 ) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the axis of the multiple-stages planetary drive, the axis of the worm and the axis of the shaft of the motor are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         17 ) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the motor is an electric motor. 
     
     
         18 ) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the system further comprises a button configured to trigger the electric motor. 
     
     
         19 ) A method for rotating an implement, the method comprising the step of powering a motor that drivingly engages the implement for rotating the implement about a generally vertical axis until the implement is rotated from a first position to a second position. 
     
     
         20 ) The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
 lifting the implement before the step of powering the motor to rotate the implement for minimizing a friction force between the implement and a ground, thus minimizing a required torque of the motor, and   lowering the implement after the step of powering the motor to rotate the implement until the implement contacts the ground.   
     
     
         21 ) The method as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the step of powering the motor comprises using a 3-stages planetary drive for increasing torque of the motor.