Abstract
A harvester includes a chassis having a head and an outlet from the head to the chassis. A conveying system moves harvested crop from the gathering assembly to the outlet, the conveying system. The conveying system includes an auger having a rotational axis extending along a longitudinal direction and including a center shaft and a helical blade. An auger pan extends parallel to the rotational axis of the auger. The pan includes a first edge, a planar portion extending beneath the auger, and a trough portion defining a lower section with a generally upward extending surface. An air nozzle extends along the first edge of the pan, the nozzle sloping upward from a first nozzle edge lower than the first edge of the pan to a second nozzle edge higher than the first edge of the pan.
Claims
1. A harvester head, comprising: a gathering assembly; an outlet; a conveying system conveying harvested crop from the gathering assembly to the outlet, the conveying system comprising an auger having a rotational axis extending along a longitudinal direction and including a center shaft and a helical blade; a pan extending parallel to the rotational axis of the auger, the pan comprising: a first edge at a first side of the rotational axis, a planar portion extending from the first edge to beneath the auger, and a trough portion extending from the planar portion to a second side of the rotational axis, the trough portion defining a lower section with a generally upward extending surface at the second side of the rotational axis; a first nozzle extending along the first edge of the pan, the nozzle sloping upward from a first nozzle edge lower than the first edge of the pan to a second nozzle edge higher than the first edge of the pan.
2. The harvester head according to claim 1, comprising a belt for receiving harvested crop from the reel and delivering the harvested crop to the auger, wherein a portion of the belt extends over a portion of the first nozzle and the first edge of the pan.
3. The harvester head according to claim 1, comprising an air duct defining a plurality of openings spaced longitudinally apart below the first nozzle.
4. The harvester head according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of openings comprising lateral edges, and wherein lateral edges of the openings slant progressively more from a center of the air duct to end of the air duct.
5. The harvester head according to claim 4, wherein the lateral edges of the openings proximate a center of the pan are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
6. The harvester head according to claim 1, wherein the pan comprises an outlet on the second side of the longitudinal axis.
7. The harvester head according to claim 6, comprising an air duct defining a plurality of openings spaced longitudinally apart below the first nozzle, wherein the plurality of openings comprising lateral edges, and wherein lateral edges of the openings are slanted progressively more away from the outlet to direct air toward the outlet.
8. The harvester head according to claim 7, wherein the auger comprises a first portion with a helical blade and a second portion with longitudinally extending blades.
9. The harvester head according to claim 8, wherein the auger comprises a first portion with a helical blade and a second portion with longitudinally extending blades, wherein the second portion is aligned with the outlet.
10. The harvester head according to claim 9, wherein the openings aligned radially outward from the straight blades have straight lateral edges and wherein openings aligned radially outward from the helical blade have edges slanting toward the outlet.
11. The harvester head according to claim 1, further comprising a second nozzle at a lateral end of the trough and comprising a plurality of spaced apart apertures directing air along the trough.
12. The harvester head according to claim 1, further comprising a second nozzle at a lateral end of the trough and comprising a plurality of spaced apart apertures, the apertures being spaced apart from the pan and substantially following a curvature of the pan.
13. A harvester, comprising: a chassis; a head comprising: an outlet; a conveying system conveying harvested crop from the gathering assembly to the outlet, the conveying system comprising an auger having a rotational axis extending along a longitudinal direction and including a center shaft and a helical blade; a pan extending parallel to the rotational axis of the auger, the pan comprising: a first edge at a first side of the rotational axis, a planar portion extending from the first edge to beneath the auger, and a trough portion extending from the planar portion to a second side of the rotational axis, the trough portion defining a lower section with a generally upward extending surface at the second side of the rotational axis; a first nozzle extending along the first edge of the pan, the nozzle sloping upward from a first nozzle edge lower than the first edge of the pan to a second nozzle edge higher than the first edge of the pan.
14. The harvester according to claim 13, comprising a belt for receiving harvested crop from the reel and delivering the harvested crop to the auger, wherein a portion of the belt extends over a portion of the first nozzle and the first edge of the pan.
15. The harvester according to claim 13, comprising an air duct defining a plurality of openings spaced longitudinally apart below the first nozzle.
16. The harvester according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of openings comprising lateral edges, and wherein lateral edges of the openings slant progressively more from a center of the air duct to end of the air duct.
17. The harvester according to claim 16, wherein the lateral edges of the openings proximate a center of the pan are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
18. The harvester according to claim 13, comprising an air duct defining a plurality of openings spaced longitudinally apart below the first nozzle. wherein the plurality of openings comprising lateral edges, and wherein lateral edges of the openings are slanted progressively more away from the outlet to direct air toward the outlet.
19. The harvester according to claim 13, further comprising a second nozzle at a lateral end of the trough and comprising a plurality of spaced apart apertures, the apertures being spaced apart from the pan and substantially following a curvature of the pan.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference letters and numerals represent correspond structure throughout the views:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combine harvester according to the principles of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a head for the combine harvester shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the head shown in FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the head shown in FIG. 2;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the head shown in FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a left wing assembly for the head shown in FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the left wing assembly shown in FIG. 6;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the left wing assembly shown in FIG. 6;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the left wing assembly with portions removed;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the right wing assembly for the head shown in FIG. 2;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a side detail view of the auger, belt, air duct and front nozzle for the left wing shown in FIG. 11;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a front view of the auger;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a left side view of the auger shown in FIG. 13;
[0028] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the auger and front nozzle shown in FIG. 13;
[0029] FIG. 16 is a partially exploded perspective view of the auger and front nozzle assembly;
[0030] FIG. 17 is a side detail sectional view of the auger, belt, air duct, front nozzle and side nozzles; and
[0031] FIG. 18 is a perspective detail view of the belt, auger, auger pan and side nozzles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0032] Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a first embodiment of a combine harvester, generally designated (100). In one embodiment, the combine harvester (100) is configured as a crop test plot combine, such as the Oxbo® Model 9840 Research Plot Combine. The combine harvester (100) has a chassis (102) including all the components for processing harvested crop and recording data pertaining to the characteristics and the yield for each particular crop plot. In the embodiment shown, the combine harvester (100) is a twin plot combine with a head assembly (110) including a left head portion, or wing (110A) and a right head portion, or wing (110B). The wing (110A) is adapted to align with a conventional configuration of a first (left) crop test plot (1000A) while the wing (110B) is adapted to align with a second (right) crop test plot (1000B). The twin wing head assembly (110) is removably mounted on pivots (130) to be interchangeable with other heads, such as a corn type head, so that the combine harvester (100) may be used with a variety of different crops. The reel type head assembly (110) is typically used for crops such as wheat, canola, sorghum, and soybeans, among others. The combine harvester (100) also includes tracks or wheels (106) and is typically self-propelled. An operator sits in an elevated cab (104) that provides the operator with a clear view of the crop and the head assembly (110) for steering and operating controls.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the head assembly (110) is configured to process each crop plot individually. Therefore, the combine (100) uses a separate reel (120) on each of the wings (110A, 100B) to harvest the crop of an associated first crop test plot. The crop is transported from each wing (110A, 110B) and handled through the processing equipment of the combine (100). The characteristics of the crop will be measured and evaluated with the data recorded with on board equipment. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the left crop test plot (1000A) and the right crop test plot (1000B) are separated and are processed separately. Each crop test plot is individually processed and analyzed, and the results of the analysis are stored in a processor. For crop test plot combines, the individual crop test plots must be harvested individually without harvested crop being mixed together to obtain accurate results. Moreover, it is critical that all harvested crop material be transported for processing so that accurate yields are determined.
[0034] In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-11, each of the wings (110A, 110B) includes a framework (112) that creates a general housing for the other elements. Cutters, such as sickle bars (114) or other conventional cutters as may be appropriate for the crop, are at the front of each of the wings (110A, 110B) below the reel (120). Feed belts (116) move the crop from the reel (120) rearward. Augers (118) or other transverse feeders, such as cross belts, move the harvested materials inward from the back of the feed belts (116). The reels (120) rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel and include horizontally extending bars (122) that rotate and push the plants past the sickle bars (114) and gather the cut portions onto the feed belt (116). The reel bars (122) are mounted on end plates (124). In the embodiment shown, each reel (120) includes six horizontal reel bars (122), but other numbers of bars and/or reels having a larger or smaller diameter are also envisioned. In the embodiment shown, each of the bars includes a plurality of spaced apart fingers (126) that aid in engaging the plants and extend generally transverse to the horizontal reel bars (122), which extend parallel to the rotational axis of the reels (122) transverse to the direction of travel.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 13-16, in one embodiment, each auger (150) includes a shaft (152) on an axle (154). A helical blade (156) winds longitudinally along the shaft (152). An auger pan (164) extends below and to the rear of the auger helical blade (156). The auger pan (164) includes seals (166) near its ends. The pan (164) extends substantially horizontally and curves from below and upward to a rear wall (168) forming a trough. An auger discharge or outlet (162) near the inner side of the wing (110A, 110B) is formed in the rear wall. The rear wall (168) also includes flanges (170) that help in brushing any material that clings to the helical blade (156). The helical blade (156) directs material delivered from the associated feed belt (116) to the inner side of the wing (110A, 110B) to the auger discharge (162). The auger (150) also includes longitudinally extending blades (158) having supports (160) proximate an inner end of the shaft (152). The longitudinally extending blades (158) are aligned in front of the auger discharge (162) to direct material into the discharge (162) for further processing.
[0036] In addition to the helical blade (156), an air system (174) helps to convey the crop through the auger (150) and to discharge through the rear of the head assembly (110) to further processing systems within the combine chassis (102). As shown in FIG. 5, the air system (174) includes ducts providing air flow to the auger (150) to aid in emptying the auger pan (164) of material and to increase accuracy of the yield for each crop test plot. A first air duct (176) associated with the center frame includes end seals (142) to prevent air from escaping. The duct (176) supplies air from a fan (172), shown in FIG. 11, to a second duct (178) on each wing (110A, 110B). Each of the wing ducts (178) supplies air to an air direction assembly to help clear material from the auger pan (164).
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 12-16, an air direction system (180) is associated with each auger (150). The air direction assembly (180) includes a front (first) air nozzle (182) and a cover (192). The air direction assembly (180) directs air flow from the duct (178) to the bottom of the auger pan (164) and toward the auger discharge (162). Air flow at the upper front portion of the duct (178) is directed by the front nozzle (182) below the cover (192). The front nozzle (182) includes a longitudinally extending support portion (184). Vanes (186) extending rearward and/or upward at different angles are longitudinally spaced apart along the support portion (184). The vanes (186) each include lateral edges (188) so that openings (190) are formed between the vanes (186) for air to flow through toward the upper surface of the auger pan (164) and substantially inward. As shown in FIG. 12, the air direction assembly (180) is positioned below and slightly forward of the rear end of the feed belt (116) to provide air flow to the upper surface of the auger pan (164).
[0038] The orientation of each vane (186) varies and the angle of the lateral edges (188) of the vanes (186) also varies along the front nozzle (182). As shown in FIG. 15, the lateral edges (188) generally slant inward toward the auger discharge (162). In the embodiment shown, the outermost lateral edges (188) are more steeply angled inward toward the discharge (162). The angles of the edges (188) gradually becomes less acute until edges (188) aligned with the auger discharge (162) form substantially right angles to direct air flow substantially rearward. Moreover, the orientation of the vanes (186) also changes from the outer end of the auger (150) to the inner end.
[0039] As shown most clearly in FIG. 16, the vanes (186) near the outermost end of the front nozzle (182) extend substantially laterally while the vanes (186) near the inner end of the front nozzle (182) extend substantially horizontally and rearward. The orientation of the vanes (186) becomes progressively more horizontal and rearward extending rather than laterally extending starting from the outside end of the nozzle (182) to the inside end proximate the auger discharge (162). The cover (192) includes an upward and rearward extending section (194) over the vanes (186) and openings (190) and a rear horizontal portion (196), as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14. The vanes (186) and cover (192) form airflow paths through the openings (188) that aids in clearing material from the trough formed by the auger pan (162). With the air direction system (180), virtually all material delivered to the auger (150) is cleared and delivered into the discharge (162) after each crop test plot is cut. This continuous clearing of the auger pan (162) ensures greater accuracy for measuring yields of crop test plots and prevents contamination from material left in the pan (164) from previous plots.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, in one embodiment an end (second) nozzle (146) is formed in an end wall (144) of the auger assembly (150) in addition to the front nozzle. The end nozzle (146) includes slot-type apertures (148) spaced above the auger pan (164) and generally following the curvature of the auger pan at the end of the auger pan (164). The apertures (148) are positioned to direct airflow along the pan (164) rather than the top of the material in the pan for better cleaning and are spaced and arranged so there are no dead zones. The end nozzle (146) directs an air stream laterally inward to blow material on the auger pan (164) in the trough toward the center of the head. Air may be supplied from the fan (172). Airflow from the front nozzle (182) and the end nozzle (146) interact with one another to create a generally rearward and laterally inward flow trajectory. The auger helical blade (156), front nozzle (182) and end nozzle (146) combine to clear material from the auger (150) and maintain purity as the harvested crop from each test plot is individually processed and not mixed with crop from other crop test plots.
[0041] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
