CUTTING UNIT WITH DOUBLE KNIFE SYSTEM AND MOVABLE SLIDING SURFACE

Abstract

In order to reduce crop losses in the region of the knife bar, a double knife cutting system (11) includes a first part of the knife blades (18a) present on the cutting unit (2) are fastened to a first knife back (20a), this first part of the knife blades (18a) together with the first knife back (20a) forming the upper knife (22), a second part of the knife blades (18b) present on the cutting unit (2) being fastened to a second knife back (20b), this second part of the knife blades (18b) together with the second knife back (20b) forming the lower knife (24), the upper knife (22) and the lower knife (24) being driven in opposite directions, and, of the rocker arms (34), a first rocker arm (34) being drive-connected to the upper knife (22) and a second rocker arm (34) being drive-connected to the lower knife (24).

Claims

1. A cutting unit (2) for attachment to a combine harvester which comprises a frame (4), a knife bar (6), on which a cutting system is arranged, a depositing surface (8) for depositing the cut stalk material, conveying apparatuses (10) for conveying away the cut stalk material, drive apparatuses for driving the cutting system with a mechanism (38) which is arranged at a location between the side walls (36) of the cutting unit (2), the mechanism (38) transmitting the drive power via output shafts (46) which are guided outwards out of the mechanism housing on the upper side of the mechanism (38) to rocker arms (34) which are connected fixedly to the output shafts (46) for conjoint rotation and are drive-connected to lifting rods which are driven in oscillating movements as part of the cutting system via the rocker arms (34), further including a double knife cutting system (11) that is configured as cutting system on the knife bar (6), in the case of which double knife cutting system (11) a first part of the knife blades (18a) present on the cutting unit (2) are fastened to a first knife back (20a), this first part of the knife blades (18a) together with the first knife back (20a) forming the upper knife (22), a second part of the knife blades (18b) present on the cutting unit (2) being fastened to a second knife back (20b), this second part of the knife blades (18b) together with the second knife back (20b) forming the lower knife (24), the upper knife (22) and the lower knife (24) being driven in opposite directions, and, of the rocker arms (34), a first rocker arm (34) being drive-connected to the upper knife (22) and a second rocker arm (34) being drive-connected to the lower knife (24).

2. The cutting unit (2) for attachment to a combine harvester according to claim 1, wherein the rocker arms (34) extend in a plane above the plane of the upper knife (22) and lower knife (24) from the output shafts (46) in the direction of the upper knife (22) and lower knife (24).

3. The cutting unit (2) for attachment to a combine harvester according to claim 1, wherein the drive train has a portion (48) from the output shaft (46) to the lower knife (24), in which portion (48) the rocker arm (46) engages around regions of the upper knife (22).

4. The cutting unit (2) for attachment to a combine harvester according to claim 1, wherein the upper knife (22) and the lower knife (24) are held on rocker arms (40) which have the same length between their cutting unit-side rotational axis (42) and the rotational axis (44), via which they are connected to the upper knife (22) or the lower knife (24), as the rocker arms (34), via which the upper knife (22) and the lower knife (24) are connected to the mechanism (38).

5. The cutting unit (2) for attachment to a combine harvester according to claim 1, wherein the rocker arms (40), which hold the upper knife (22) and hold the lower knife (24) are arranged at a bearing point (50) concentrically with respect to one another by way of their respective cutting unit-side rotational axes (42).

6. The cutting unit (2) for attachment to a combine harvester according to claim 1, wherein the rocker arms (46) have a buffer element that builds up restoring forces at their frame-side and/or knife-side end.

7. The cutting unit (2) for attachment to a combine harvester according to claim 1, wherein the knife blades (18a, 18b) are arranged with a different blade pitch on the upper knife (22) and lower knife (24).

8. The cutting unit (2) for attachment to a combine harvester according to claim 1, wherein the cutting unit (2) has a sliding surface (14), inclined obliquely in the conveying direction of the harvested crops, in the transition region from the knife bar (6) to the depositing surface (8), the sliding surface (14) being configured as a bar (16) which is connected in a stationary manner to the upper knife (22).

9. The cutting unit (2) for attachment to a combine harvester according to claim 8, wherein the bar (16) has a number of air outlet openings (32) which are oriented upwards and/or in the direction of the depositing surface (8) distributed transversely over the working width.

10. The cutting unit (2) for attachment to a combine harvester according to claim 8, further comprising coverings (30) are formed in each case in the bar (16) in the regions, in which rocker arms (34, 40) are situated, which coverings (30) shield the rocker arms (34, 40) against harvested crops and dirt.

11. The cutting unit (2) for attachment to a combine harvester according to claim 8, wherein the cutting unit (2) is of multiple-part configuration, and the bar (16) is of flexible and/or split configuration at the joints between the cutting unit parts.

12. The cutting unit (2) for attachment to a combine harvester according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower knives (22, 24) are held over their length in the direction of extent (26) at the free ends of a plurality of supporting arms (28) which are connected to the frame (4) and can be moved with their free ends into height positions which are different from one another.

13. The cutting unit (2) for attachment to a combine harvester according to claim 1, wherein the depositing surface (8) is configured on the upwardly pointing side of one or more belt conveyors (12) which are driven in circulation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Several embodiments in which the present invention can be practiced are illustrated and described in detail, wherein like reference characters represent like components throughout the several views. The drawings are presented for exemplary purposes and may not be to scale unless otherwise indicated.

[0034] In the drawings:

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a view of a cutting unit from a view obliquely from the front;

[0036] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged detailed view of the double knife cutting system;

[0037] FIG. 3 shows the upper and lower knives, which are held at the free ends by a plurality of supporting arms that are connected to the frame;

[0038] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of that region of the knife bar, in which a mechanism is arranged, and

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view through the region of the knife bar.

[0040] An artisan of ordinary skill in the art need not view, within isolated figure(s), the near infinite number of distinct permutations of features described in the following detailed description to facilitate an understanding of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The present disclosure is not to be limited to that described herein. Mechanical, electrical, chemical, procedural, and/or other changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. No features shown or described are essential to permit basic operation of the present invention unless otherwise indicated.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a view of a cutting unit 2 from a view obliquely from the front. The cutting unit 2 is of a multiple-part configuration with a central part and two side parts which can be pivoted in relation to the central part, and has a frame 4, to which the knife bar 6 is connected. The harvested material, which is cut by the knife bar 6 is deposited on the depositing surface 8 and is conveyed away from there by means of one or a plurality of conveying apparatuses 10. The cutting unit 2 has a double knife cutting system 11.

[0043] In the exemplary embodiment, the depositing surface 8 is situated on a total of three belt conveyors 12a, 12b, 12c, of which the two lateral belt conveyors 12a, 12c, during the harvesting work, convey the cut harvested material which is deposited on them from the outside to the inside onto the central belt conveyor 12b, and the latter conveys the harvested material deposited on it away rearwards in the direction of the feeder house of a combine harvester which is connected to the cutting unit 2. As a result of their method of operation, the belt conveyors 12a, 12b, and 12c not only configure the depositing surface 8, but rather at the same time also conveying apparatuses 10. One example of a further conveying apparatus 10 is the reel which is arranged over and above the knife bar 6 such that it can be driven rotationally. It dips with the reel prongs into the supply of the cereal crops to be harvested during the harvesting work and moves the cut cereal crops in the direction of the depositing surface 8. The cutting unit 2 has a drive apparatus, by way of which a drive force is transmitted to the double knife cutting system 11 with the upper knife 22 and the lower knife 24 and to the conveying apparatuses 10. The side walls 36, which at the same time define the working width of the cutting unit 2 are situated at the lateral ends of the cutting unit 2.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged detailed view of the double knife cutting system 11, which is arranged in the region of the knife bar 6. In the case of the double knife cutting system 11, a first part of the knife blades 18a which are present on the cutting unit 2 are fastened to a first knife back 20a, and this first part of the knife blades 18a forms the upper knife 22 together with the first knife back 20a, and a second part of the knife blades 18b which are present on the cutting unit 2 are fastened to a second knife back 20b, this second part of the knife blades 18b forming the lower knife 24 together with the second knife back 20b. The upper knife 22 and the lower knife 24 are driven in opposite directions, which results in a type of scissor-like cut in the region of the cutting edges of the knife blades 18a, 18b, which are moved towards one another, by way of which scissor-like cut the stalks of the harvested material are cut off.

[0045] A sliding surface 14 is configured on the cutting unit 2 in the transition region from the double knife cutting system 11 to the depositing surface 8. The sliding surface 14 guides the harvested material over the vertical and/or longitudinal offset between the upper and lower knives 22, 24 and the depositing surface 8. The sliding surface 14 is configured as a bar 16, which is connected in a stationary manner to the upper knife 22. When the upper knife 22 moves to and fro, the bar 16 and, therefore also the sliding surface 14 are correspondingly in motion.

[0046] Distributed transversely over the working width of the cutting unit 2, the bar 16 has a number of air outlet openings 32, which are oriented upwards and/or in the direction of the depositing surface 8. Air that exits from the air outlet openings 32 can capture harvested material which is falling down in the region of the sliding surface 14 and can blow it in the direction of the depositing surface 8, with the result that this harvested material does not fall onto the farmland soil in front of the knife bar 6 and is not lost.

[0047] Moreover, in the regions, in which rocker arms 34, 40 are situated, the bar 16 can also in each case have shaped coverings 30, which shield the rocker arms 34, 40 against harvested material and dirt. The coverings 30 can be configured in a manner which is formed in one part in the bar 16, as a result of which the assembly is simplified and joints and edges are avoided, at which harvested material might get jammed and might build up to form material clumps.

[0048] It is shown in FIG. 3 that the upper and lower knives 22, 24 are held over their lengths in the direction of extent 26 at free ends by a plurality of supporting arms 28, which are connected to the frame 4 and can be moved with their free ends into vertical positions which are different from one another. FIG. 3 shows by way of example one of the supporting arms 28 which is configured in the exemplary embodiment as a leaf spring. The mobility of the supporting arm 28 is indicated by way of a corresponding double arrow in the region of its free end. As a result of the movable height securing of the upper and lower knives 22, 24, they can be adapted in a flexible manner to an uneven ground contour during the harvesting work of the harvesting machine. FIG. 3 also shows that the rocker arms 40, which hold the upper knife 22 and hold the lower knife 24 are arranged at a bearing point 50 with their respective cutting unit-side rotational axes 42 concentric with respect to one another.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the region of the knife bar 6, in which a mechanism 38 is arranged. The mechanism 38 is arranged in the cutting unit 2 at a location between the side walls 36 of the cutting unit 2, preferably at least approximately centrally between the side walls 34 in the case of only one mechanism 38 in the cutting unit 2. In the mechanism 38, a rotating drive rotational speed which is introduced by a drive shaft into the mechanism 38 is converted into an oscillating to and fro movement of the rocker arms 34, to which the upper knife 22 and the lower knife 24 of the double knife cutting system 11 are drive-connected. It can be seen in FIG. 4 that the output shafts 46 are guided out of the mechanism housing to the outside on the upper side of the mechanism 38 in order to drive the rocker arms 34. There, they are connected to the rocker arms 34 which extend from a plane above the plane of the upper and lower knives 22, 24 from the output shafts 46 in the direction of the upper and lower knives 22, 24. The rocker arms 34 push the upper and lower knives 22, 24 to and fro, as a result of which the knife blades 18a, 18b cut harvested material which is situated between the knife blades 18a, 18b. In this way, the two knives 22, 24 can be driven in an oscillating manner by way of only one mechanism 38. The balance of the cutting unit 2 about its longitudinal center axis is maintained in full by way of the at least approximately central arrangement of the mechanism 38. In addition, the lateral edges of the cutting unit 2 are relieved of the weight of the mechanism 38 and the associated drive train to the mechanism 38, which has a considerably relieving effect on the overall construction, in particular, in the case of relatively great working widths of the cutting unit 2 of more than 8 m, because, as a result, the frame 4 can also be of lighter configuration. FIG. 4 also shows that the drive train has a portion 48 from the output shaft 46 to the lower knife 24, in which portion 48 the rocker arm 46 engages in regions around the upper knife 22.

[0050] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view through the region of the knife bar 6. The upper knife 22 and the lower knife 24 are held there on rocker arms 40 which, between their cutting unit-side rotational axis 42 and the rotational axis 44, by which they are connected to the upper knife 22 or the lower knife 24, have the same length L as the rocker arms 34, via which the upper knife 22 and the lower knife 24 are connected to the mechanism 38. The rocker arms 40a, 40b, which hold the upper knife 22 and the lower knife 24 are arranged with their respective cutting unit-side rotational axes 42 concentrically with respect to one another.

[0051] The invention is not restricted to the above exemplary embodiment. It does not pose any difficulties to a person skilled in the art to modify the exemplary embodiment in a way which appears suitable to them, in order to adapt it to a specific application.

[0052] From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of the stated objectives.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0053] The following table of reference characters and descriptors are not exhaustive, nor limiting, and include reasonable equivalents. If possible, elements identified by a reference character below and/or those elements which are near ubiquitous within the art can replace or supplement any element identified by another reference character.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 List of Reference Characters  2 Cutting unit  4 Frame  6 Knife bar  8 Depositing surface 10 Conveying apparatus 11 Double knife cutting system  12a First lateral belt conveyor  12b Central belt conveyor  12c Second lateral belt conveyor 14 Sliding surface 16 Bar  18a First part of the knife blades  18b Second part of the knife blades  20a First knife back  20b Second knife back 22 Upper knife 24 Lower knife 26 Direction of extent 28 Supporting arm 30 Covering 32 Air outlet opening 34 Rocker arm (mechanism) 36 Side wall 38 Mechanism 40 Rocker arm (holder) (broken down further into rocker arm components 40a and 40b in FIG. 5) 42 Cutting unit-side rotational axis 44 Knife-side rotational axis 46 Output shaft 48 Portion (broken down further into portions 48a and 48b in FIG. 5) 50 Bearing point

Glossary

[0054] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used above have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments of the present invention pertain.

[0055] The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include both singular and plural referents.

[0056] The term “or” is synonymous with “and/or” and means any one member or combination of members of a particular list.

[0057] The terms “invention” or “present invention” are not intended to refer to any single embodiment of the particular invention but encompass all possible embodiments as described in the specification and the claims.

[0058] The term “about” as used herein, refers to slight variations in numerical quantities with respect to any quantifiable variable. Inadvertent error can occur, for example, through the use of typical measuring techniques or equipment or from differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of components.

[0059] The term “substantially” refers to a great or significant extent. “Substantially” can thus refer to a plurality, majority, and/or a supermajority of said quantifiable variable, given proper context.

[0060] The term “generally” encompasses both “about” and “substantially.”

[0061] The term “configured” describes a structure capable of performing a task or adopting a particular configuration. The term “configured” can be used interchangeably with other similar phrases, such as constructed, arranged, adapted, manufactured, and the like.

[0062] Terms characterizing sequential order, a position, and/or an orientation are not limiting and are only referenced according to the views presented.

[0063] The “scope” of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The scope of the invention is further qualified as including any possible modification to any of the aspects and/or embodiments disclosed herein which would result in other embodiments, combinations, subcombinations, or the like that would be obvious to those skilled in the art.