SELF-PROPELLED MACHINE
20200221625 ยท 2020-07-16
Inventors
Cpc classification
B62D49/0678
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B62D49/0607
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B62D49/0635
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B62D55/04
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
A self-propelled machine for agriculture forms an agricultural gantry system. The machine has a support structure for receiving attachment devices, at least one drive unit with a control module, a support structure forming an agricultural gantry system and a plurality of ground supports for moving the support structure. The agricultural gantry system is convertible from a road orientation defining a driving width (FB) to a working orientation having a substantially larger working width (AB).
Claims
1.-36. (canceled)
37. A self-propelled machine for agriculture forming an agricultural gantry system and having a support structure for receiving attachment devices, comprising: at least one drive unit with a control module; a support structure forming an agricultural gantry system comprising; a functional frame having a first end and an opposed second end, the functional frame having at least one asymmetrical base carrier for performing variable work tasks disposed between the first end and the second end of the functional frame; and a side carrier having a proximal end and an opposed distal end, the side carrier disposed at the first end of the functional frame; a plurality of ground supports for moving the support structure, at least one ground support provided at each of the first end and the second end of the functional frame, and an additional ground support provided at the side carrier; the agricultural gantry system being convertible from a road orientation defining a driving width (FB) to a working orientation having a substantially larger working width (AB), the driving width (FB) being defined between the ground support provided at the first end of the functional frame and the additional ground support provided at the side carrier when the agricultural gantry system is in the road orientation, the driving width (FB) being divided into three divisions; the support structure defining a longitudinal orientation in the road orientation wherein a vertical longitudinal centre plane (M) is defined as extending between a region of the ground support provided at the first end of the functional frame and the another ground support provided at the side carrier, and the functional frame being offset from the vertical longitudinal centre plane (M), the first end of the asymmetrical base carrier being connected to the side carrier at a proximal one of the three divisions of the driving width (FB).
38. The self-propelled machine according to claim 37, wherein in the road orientation, the asymmetrical base carrier of the functional frame extending substantially parallel to a direction of travel (FS) defines a lateral boundary surface for a maximum permissible travel width (FB) to be maintained.
39. The self-propelled machine according to claim 37, wherein the support structure with the asymmetrical base carrier forms at least one central receiving space.
40. The self-propelled machine according to claim 37, wherein the functional frame has a substantially L-shaped support structure (T), when viewed in a top view, and is connected with the only one side carrier.
41. The self-propelled machine according to claim 37, wherein the side carrier comprises a plurality of assemblies that are connected to the asymmetrical base carrier to form an E-shaped or U-shaped support structure when viewed in a top view.
42. The self-propelled machine according to claim 37, further comprising: another side carrier having a proximal end and an opposed distal end, the proximal end of the another side carrier connected to the second end of the asymmetrical base carrier; and another ground support provided at the another side carrier, wherein a receiving space is defined as delimited at least in a region between the side carrier, the asymmetrical base carrier and another side carrier.
43. The self-propelled machine according to claim 42, wherein the side carrier, the asymmetrical base carrier and the another side carrier each have variable lengths, a base area is defined at least partially between the side carrier and the another side carrier, and therefore, a volume of the receiving space of the support structure is variably configured.
44. The self-propelled machine according to claim 42, further comprising one or more attachment devices, wherein the receiving space comprises at least three functional sections for coupling the one or more attachment devices in one plane, and at least one attachment position being specified for each of the one or more attachment devices with respect to the asymmetrical base carrier, the side carrier and/or the another side carrier.
45. The self-propelled machine according to claim 37, wherein the asymmetrical base carrier and/or the side carrier is/are adjustable in their horizontal position and/or their vertical height above a road surface or field work surface.
46. The self-propelled machine according to claim 39, wherein at least one of the plurality of ground supports comprises a pivoting construction that is operable to position the respective ground support in at least one operating position, the at least one operating position of the ground support providing an additional free space to access the at least one central receiving space.
47. The self-propelled machine according to claim 44, wherein the ground support provided at the first end of the functional frame and the additional ground support provided at the side carrier comprise two support wheels or belt drives cooperating in pairs for displacing the ground support at the first end and the additional ground support; and the ground support provided at the second end of the functional frame and the another ground support provided at the another side carrier comprise two support wheels or belt drives cooperating in pairs for displacing the ground support at the second end and the another ground support.
48. The self-propelled machine according to claim 47, wherein: the one or more attachment devices defines a structure-stiffening connection position and, when in use, the at least one of the attachment devices is operable to provide an optimal load distribution on the support structure both in the working orientation and in the road orientation; and a circumferential direction of the asymmetrical base carrier, side carrier and the another side carrier is defined transversely to their respective longitudinal direction, and all sides of the circumferential direction are provided with respective connection areas for the at least one of the attachment devices.
49. The self-propelled machine according to claim 48, wherein the one or more attachment devices has a connection position assigned to the asymmetrical base carrier, the side carrier and/or the another side carrier, the at least one of the attachment devices enclosing the asymmetrical base carrier, side carrier and another side carrier at least in the regions of their circumferential direction.
50. The self-propelled machine according to claim 44, wherein the one or more attachment devices are operable for different work effects and are attached simultaneously to the asymmetrical base carrier, side carrier and/or another side carrier.
51. The self-propelled machine according to claim 44, further comprising fixing elements disposed on the asymmetrical base carrier, the side carrier and/or the another side carrier for an automatic attachment and detachment of the one or more attachment devices.
52. The self-propelled machine according to claim 37, wherein: each of the ground supports comprises one or more support wheels and/or belt drives that are adjustably connected to the support structure; and an outer edge of the asymmetrical base carrier defines two lateral reference surfaces, one each towards the first end and the second end of the functional frame, the belt drives operable to position the asymmetrical functional frame with coupled attachment device(s) in the road orientation, and the belt drives are alignable without overhang in the region of the two lateral reference surfaces.
53. The self-propelled machine according to claim 37, wherein: the functional frame (FR) is formed as an independently movable unit; further comprising at least one attachment device, wherein the functional frame forming the independently movable unit is operable to perform controllable positioning and/or coupling movements for connecting or releasing of at least one attachment device; and the at least one attachment device is placed largely immovably, and in this position the agricultural gantry system is coupled and uncoupled by respective driving, pushing, lifting and/or pivoting movements of the support structure.
54. The self-propelled machine according to claim 42, further comprising: at least one power supply; at least one cooler-fan system disposed at the side carrier, wherein the at least one power supply provides power to the at least one drive unit, the plurality of ground supports and the at least one cooler-fan system; a drive train for attaching at least one attachment device to the functional frame, wherein the asymmetrical base carrier defines an interior enclosed at least in regions by contour plates, the at least one cooler-fan system generating excess pressure in the interior and the drive train being disposed in the interior of the asymmetrical base carrier; and wherein the functional frame provided with the side carrier and/or the another side carrier is designed as a modular unit, and the asymmetrical base carrier in the region of the contour plates has an installation opening that is releasable for detaching the side carrier and/or the another side carrier from the asymmetrical base carrier.
55. The self-propelled machine according to claim 42, wherein: the asymmetrical base carrier, the side carrier and the another side carrier forming a U-structure or L-structure comprises in each case four caterpillar tracks symmetrically arranged in pairs to form a synchronously steerable system; the side carrier and the another side carrier each comprise at least one steering cylinder in the region of the additional ground support and the another ground support, respectively for controlling the road or field driving direction of the respective caterpillar tracks; and. each of the four caterpillar tracks has an inner support space enclosed by a respective movement path (BB) of the each of the four caterpillar tracks, the inner support space having an electric motor with a planetary gear, wherein the electric motor with the planetary gear runs without overhang under a width of each of the four caterpillar tracks.
56. The self-propelled machine according to claim 37, wherein the additional ground support is provided at the distal end of the side carrier.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0074] Further details of the machine according to the invention can be seen from the following description. To this end the accompanying drawings serve for explanation. The drawings show:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0095] A basic principle of a self-propelled agricultural working machine is shown in
[0096] The self-propelled working machine 1 is based according to the invention on a combination of components, by means of with which the known support structures T of agricultural gantry systems are improved. It is now envisaged that in the road orientation with direction of travel FS of the machine 1, the ground supports B, B arranged at the end on the base carrier 6 define a vertical longitudinal centre plane M extending between them (
[0097] This is followed by a multiplicity of structurally possible designs, in which starting from an also variable dimension of the possible driving width(s) FB, it is possible to optimise the position of the base carrier 6 with a view to the stability of the component-composite system. It has been shown that the base carrier 6 can be connected to the at least one side support ST, ST in particular in a respective outer dividing third TD, TD (
[0098] From an overview of the illustrations according to
[0099] Starting from the concept of the asymmetrical function frame FR according to the invention, this provides the possibility that its base carrier 6 running substantially parallel to the direction of travel FS or longitudinal centre plane M, can form a continuous lateral reference surface 9 (
[0100] In this connection a design of the frame construction is conceivable in which the functional frame FR has a support structure substantially L-shaped in top view, with only one of the side supports ST, ST (
[0101] An optimum combination of the support assemblies envisages that the functional frame FR is provided on its base carrier 6 with multiple components that can be used as respective side supports ST, ST. This produces for practical use a construction in which a functional frame FR (
[0102] For the preferred embodiment of the U-frame, in each case only one of the side supports ST, ST is provided at the two end regions of the base carrier 6. This three-support concept is aimed at providing a central receiving space 10, which is delimited in regions and thus forms an inventive base element. Thus, with variable lengths 11 of the base carrier 6 and variable length dimensions 12, 12 of the side supports ST, ST, a three-sided base surface of the functional frame FR can be defined in the region of the inner receiving space 10 (
[0103] The modular overall system in the region of the functional frame FR is also directed to the fact that in the region of the functional frame FR multiple receiving spaces 10, 10 to be variably dimensioned in the height dimension 13 (
[0104] It is clear in this connection that the three-sided functional frame FR with the asymmetrical base carrier 6 and the side supports ST, ST comprises severalin particular at least threefunctional sections for the coupling and decoupling of attachment devices 2 (
[0105] Further structural improvements of the functional frame FR are directed to the fact that the base carrier 6 and/or the side supports ST, ST in their respective horizontal positioni.e. in the direction of the longitudinal centre plane M or the transverse plane Qand/or their vertical height 13 above a road surface or field working surface 5 (
[0106] From the illustration in
[0107] Further improvements of the asymmetric three-support system can be achieved if, in the region of the functional frame FR, at least one of the side supports ST, ST is connected to the base carrier 6 so it can be displaced in relation to the base carrier 6. It is also conceivable that the functional frame FR can be formed with telescopic components (not illustrated) in the region of the base carrier 6 and/or at least one of the side supports ST, ST.
[0108] In order to complete the self-propelled working machine 1, corresponding drive and control assemblies are provided. In this connection a system operable from a driver's cab 19 (
[0109] The basic construction of the functional frame FR according to the invention is designed for the modular construction and a stable implementation for each specific application in such a way that also complex structures of attachment devices, for example complete harvesting equipment such as cutters, combine harvesters or similar multifunctional units with corresponding accessories, can be accommodated with the base carrier/side support unit. It is advantageously envisaged that the at least one attachment device 2 on the functional frame FR can define a structure-stiffening connection position. This stabilisation concept is aimed at the fact that when the system is used both in the working orientation and in the road orientation, in each case an optimal load distribution on the functional frame FR is achieved. In addition to a safe handling of the machine 1 also equipped with the components, the working life of the machine 1 can also be ensured.
[0110] In this connection the functional frame FR is constructed in such a way that the base carrier 6 and/or the respective side supports ST, ST can in each case specify at least one defined mounting position for at least one of the agricultural attachment devices 2. Starting from the basic representations in
[0111] From the sectional view in
[0112] The optimal design of the functional frame FR with a view to a largely arbitrary modular extension envisages that, in the region of the base carrier 6 and/or both side supports ST, ST, multiple attachment devices 2 intended for different working effects can also be fixed at the same time. Starting from work steps involving soil working (basic representation according to
[0113] With the three-leg design of the functional frame FR according to the invention, it is achieved that the functional frame FR supported on the floor side, in particular with four belt drives, can in the region of its asymmetrical receiving system also be positioned in a compact road travel position with attachment devices 2 located in the coupling position. From the illustrations in
[0114] The advantageous embodiment of the system envisages that the asymmetrical function frame FR on the side supports ST, ST optionally forming the E-, F-, L or U-structure can in each case have four crawler chains, four belt drives, four support wheels or similar or ground supports B, B in a paired symmetrical arrangement, and a synchronously steerable implementation of the system is thereby formed.
[0115] From the basic representations according to
[0116] In
[0117] The structural conversion of the overall concept according to
[0118] From a further detail illustration according to
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[0120] As already discussed in conjunction with
[0121] In this connection the functional frame FR is designed as a modular unit both in the details according to
[0122] Structural configurations in the region of the respective ground supports B, B are shown in the representations according to
[0123] The detailed structure in the region of the drive 34 will become clear from the illustrations in
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