FEED MIXER WITH IMPROVED MIXING AUGER

Abstract

The invention provides a feed mixer for mixing feed including a mixing container for receiving feed, wherein the mixing container has a bottom and a wall extending upwardly from the bottom, wherein the mixing container includes at least one mixing auger rotatably arranged in the mixing container, wherein the at least one mixing auger is rotatably drivable about a vertical axis, characterized in that the pitch of the at least one mixing auger increases upwardly.

Claims

1. A feed mixer for mixing feed comprising a mixing container for receiving feed, wherein the mixing container has a bottom and a wall extending upwardly from the bottom, wherein the mixing container comprises at least one mixing auger rotatably arranged in the mixing container, wherein the at least one mixing auger is rotatably drivable about a vertical axis, and characterized in that the pitch of the at least one mixing auger increases upwardly.

2. The feed mixer according to claim 1, wherein the increase of the pitch of the at least one mixing auger is continuous and/or stepwise.

3. The feed mixer according to claim 1, wherein the pitch increases by 10-100%, by 20-80%, or by 25-40%, for each turn.

4. The feed mixer according to claim 1, wherein the at least one mixing auger tapers upwardly.

5. The feed mixer according to claim 4, wherein the increase of the pitch counteracts the tapering of the at least one mixing auger in a compensating manner due to increase of the pitch such that a cross-sectional area of the conveying volume remains the same or increases.

6. The feed mixer according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of a maximum pitch to a minimum pitch is between 1.2 and 6, between 1.4 and 4, or between 1.5 and 3.

7. The feed mixer according to claim 1, wherein the auger blades of the at least one mixing auger are flat or basin-shaped.

8. The feed mixer according to claim 1, wherein the feed mixer is a towed feed mixer vehicle, a self-propelled feed mixer vehicle, a feed robot, or a stationary feed mixer.

9. The feed mixer according to claim 1, wherein the auger tower of the at least one mixing auger tapers upwards.

10. A feed mixer for mixing feed, comprising a mixing container for receiving feed, wherein the mixing container has a bottom and a wall extending upwardly from the bottom, wherein the mixing container comprises at least one mixing auger rotatably arranged in the mixing container, and wherein the at least one mixing auger is rotatably drivable about a vertical axis, characterized in that the at least one mixing auger has a variable pitch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Further features and advantages of the invention are described below with reference to the exemplary figures. In the figures:

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a feed mixer vehicle in schematic representation in perspective plan view,

[0033] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary mixing auger in schematic representation,

[0034] FIG. 3 is a schematically illustrated mixing auger with a constant pitch,

[0035] FIG. 4 is a schematically illustrated mixing auger with the cross-sectional area of the conveying volume increasing towards the top,

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a schematic mixing auger with the cross-sectional area of the conveying volume decreasing towards the top, and

[0037] FIG. 6 shows a schematic feed mixer in side view looking into the mixing container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a feed mixer 1 in perspective top view, which is configured as a feed mixer vehicle. The feed mixer 1 includes a mixing container 2 open at the top for receiving feed, which is mounted on a chassis 3 and may be moved in the direction of motion F by means of the drawbar 4, for example in a stable aisle, with the aid of a towing vehicle, such as a tractor. The mixing container 2 has a bottom 5, a front wall 6, a rear wall 7 and side walls 8. Front wall 6, rear wall 7 and side walls 8 together form the wall of the mixing container 2. Feed may be introduced into the mixing container 2 via the upper container opening 9. The feed to be mixed may in particular be long-fibered feed, such as silage or hay picked up by a loader wagon.

[0039] Two mixing augers 10a and 10b, respectively, arranged one behind the other in the direction of motion F are provided inside the mixing container 2. Each of the mixing augers 10a and 10b rotates in a rotary manner about a vertical axis 11a, 11b which is perpendicular to the floor 5. In other words, the mixing augers 10a and 10b are thus configured as vertical auger conveyors, vertical augers for short. The direction of rotation of the two mixing augers 10a, 10b is the same here and is in the direction of the arrow S here.

[0040] In addition to the mixing auger 10a at the front in the direction of motion F, there are two lateral discharge openings 12a and 12b, which are arranged at the height of the vertical axis 11a and diametrically opposite on both sides of the vertical axis 11a. The two discharge openings 12a and 12b break through the side walls 8 of the mixing container 2 and may each be closed by a slide 13.

[0041] During operation of the feed mixer, the feed is introduced into the mixing container 2 via the container opening 9. Due to the rotation of the two mixing augers in the same direction, the feed is transported upwards and flows downwards again at the upper end of the mixing auger. Feed that reaches one of the two open discharge openings 12a, 12b is continuously discharged through it.

[0042] The front wall 6 and the rear wall 7 extend obliquely upwardly outwardly, so that the container opening 9 is larger than the outline of the floor 5. The angle of inclination of the side walls 8 is greatest in extension of a connecting line between the axes of rotation 11a, 11b, which runs parallel to the direction of motion F, and decreases with increasing distance from this connecting line, until a triangular, laterally placed flattening 14a, 14b, which is flat, touches the floor 5 with its tip and extends substantially perpendicularly to the floor 5. The flattening 15 reduces the width of the mixing container 2 transverse to the direction of motion F to such an extent that even narrow barn aisles may be traversed.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a mixing auger according to the invention. The mixing auger has a tubular auger tower 16, to which the auger blades 17 of the auger thread are attached. The pitches 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d progressively increase every 180 degrees upwardly, each section being implemented by a sheet metal segment. Each of the pitches 18a, 18b, 18c, and 18d is greater than all of the pitches below it. For example, the pitches may be between 200 mm and 400 mm. Thus, a ratio of a maximum pitch to a minimum pitch would be 2. The upward taper of the mixing auger is indicated by dashed lines 19a and 19b.

[0044] In comparison, FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a mixing auger as known from the prior art, i.e. with constant pitches. The pitches 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d may, for example, all be 225 mm. The mixing auger has a tubular auger tower 16, to which the auger blades 17 are attached. The upward tapering of the mixing auger is also indicated here by dashed lines 19a and 19b.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-section through the auger tower 16 of a mixing auger with the pitch increasing upwards. The cross-sectional areas of the conveying volume are indicated by hatched areas 20a and 20b. The cross-sectional areas 20a and 20b with the corresponding pitches 18a and 18b increase upwardly and thus counteract the tapering of the mixing auger in a compensating manner. For example, the cross-sectional area 20a may be 2300 cm.sup.2 and the cross-sectional area 20b may be 2900 cm.sup.2. In other words, therefore, the conveying volume remains substantially constant or even increases upwardly, so that no feed flows prematurely from the mixing auger and thus a higher transport capacity of the mixing auger may be achieved and compression of the feed may be avoided. In addition, the additional volume may be used to loosen up the feed.

[0046] FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-section through the auger tower 16 of the mixing auger of FIG. 3, i.e. a mixing auger known from the prior art. The cross-sectional areas of the feed volume are again indicated by hatched areas 20a and 20b. Due to the upward tapering of the mixing auger the cross-sectional area of the conveying volume decreases towards the top. The cross-sectional area 20a is smaller than the cross-sectional area 20b. For example, the cross-sectional area 20a may be 2950 cm.sup.2 and the cross-sectional area 20b may be 2350 cm.sup.2. Contrary to the mixing auger according to the invention, this results in a smaller transport capacity of the mixing auger and a compression of the feed.

[0047] FIG. 6 shows a schematic feed mixer 1 in side view looking into the mixing container 2, wherein the mixing container 2 includes a mixing auger 10a according to the invention. The auger tower 16 of the mixing auger 10a tapers upwardly, so that the decrease in the width of the auger blades 17 upwardly may be counteracted by the tapering mixing auger 10a. As a result, a larger area of the auger conveyor may be provided, and thus a higher transport capacity may be obtained.

[0048] It is understood that features mentioned in the previously described embodiments are not limited to these particular combinations, and are also usable in any other combinations.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0049] 1 Feed mixer [0050] 2 Mixing container [0051] 3 Chassis [0052] 4 Drawbar [0053] 5 Bottom [0054] 6 Front wall [0055] 7 Rear wall [0056] 8 Side walls [0057] 9 Container opening [0058] 10a, 10b Mixing auger [0059] 11a, 11b Vertical axis [0060] 12a, 12b Discharge opening [0061] 13 Slider [0062] 14 Laterally placed flattening [0063] 15 Flattening [0064] 16 Auger tower [0065] 17 Auger blades [0066] 18a, 18b Pitch [0067] 19a, 19b Taper of mixing auger [0068] 20a, 20b Cross-sectional area of conveying volume [0069] F Direction of motion [0070] S Direction of rotation