CUTTING DEVICE FOR COMMINUTING CROP RESIDUES OR PLANT PARTS

Abstract

A cutting device for comminuting crop residues or catch crops on agricultural land is described. The cutting device is designed to be rotatable around a center longitudinal axis (MLA) and, to this, it has at least one bearing unit for rotatably mounting. The cutting device includes first and second respectively elongated cutting blade element, as well as at least one holding means for holding the cutting blade elements. The elongated cutting blade elements each comprise a cutting edge section and a connecting section lying opposite to the cutting edge section and are radially orientated in such a way that the cutting edge sections of the elongated cutting edge sections are arranged at a radial distance from the center longitudinal axis. The cutting blade elements are directly connected to each other with the aid of the holding means, wherein the connecting sections of the cutting blade elements are arranged directly adjoining one another in a center region of the cutting device receiving the center longitudinal axis (MLA).

Claims

1. A cutting device for comminuting crop residues, catch crop stocks or catch crops on agricultural land, wherein the cutting device is rotatable around a center longitudinal axis (MLA) having at least one bearing unit for rotatably mounting, wherein the cutting device comprises: first and second elongated cutting blade elements, at least one holding means for holding the elongated cutting blade elements, the elongated cutting blade elements each having a cutting edge section and connecting sections opposite the cutting edge section that are radially orientated and the cutting edge section is arranged at a radial distance from the center longitudinal axis (MLA), wherein the elongated cutting blade elements are directly connected to each other by the at least one holding means, and wherein the connecting sections of the elongated cutting blade elements are arranged directly adjoining one another in a center region of the cutting device receiving the center longitudinal axis (MLA).

2. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of elongated cutting blade elements are provided, wherein the plurality of elongated cutting blade elements are directly connected to each other in such a way that respective connecting sections of the plurality of elongated cutting blade elements directly adjoin one another in the center region.

3. The cutting device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality elongated cutting blade elements are arranged in a regularly distributed manner around the center longitudinal axis (MLA) in such a way that angular distances between adjacent cutting blade elements are respectively the same.

4. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein a width (b) of the elongated cutting blade elements extending in a radial direction ranges from 50 mm to 150 mm, wherein the width (b) of the elongated cutting blade elements approximately defines a radius of a circle conceived around the center longitudinal axis (MLA) and wherein twice the width (b) of the elongated cutting blade elements essentially corresponds to a diameter (D) of the cutting device.

5. The cutting device according to claim 4, wherein the width (b) of the elongated cutting blade elements is matched to a number of elongated cutting blade elements arranged around the center longitudinal axis (MLA) so that free-end edges of the cutting edge sections depict a circular line during rotation around the center longitudinal axis (MLA) and the free-end edges of two adjacent elongated cutting blade elements are spaced away from each other in such a way that a circular arc between the free-end edges of the adjacent elongated cutting blade elements have an arc length (BL) of a maximum of 270 mm.

6. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein when an even number of elongated cutting blade elements are used, two elongated cutting blade elements are respectively arranged opposite in relation to the center longitudinal axis (MLA) and form an opposite pair of elongated cutting blade elements, wherein the connecting sections of the respective pairs of elongated cutting blade elements connect each other in a flush manner and each pair of elongated cutting blade elements forms a respective angle of about 180.

7. The cutting device according to claim 6, wherein a pair of opposite elongated cutting blade elements is a single-piece double blade element with two free-end-sided elongated cutting edge sections, wherein the connecting section is provided as a continuous connecting section arranged in a middle between the two free-end-sided cutting edge sections.

8. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the holding means is a blade holder with at least two profile elements, wherein each profile element is operatively connected to two adjacently arranged elongated cutting blade elements.

9. The cutting device according to claim 8, wherein the profile elements are angle profiles.

10. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting section of the elongated cutting blade elements are angled flanges and form the holding means.

11. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the elongated cutting blade elements are connected in a detachable and interchangeable manner.

12. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the bearing unit is formed by at least two bearing elements for supportive holding of connected elongated cutting blade elements, wherein the bearing elements are designed for supportive, sectional receiving of the connected elongated cutting blade elements and the connected elongated cutting blade elements are at least in sections received in a supportive manner in the bearing elements.

13. The cutting device according to claim 12, wherein the bearing elements are coaxially orientated to the center longitudinal axis (MLA) and define opposite outer sides of the cutting device extending across an operating width (AB) and/or that the cutting device can be used in a soil cultivation device and can be combined with other soil cultivation tools.

14. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting device is composed of a plurality of cutting units, wherein the cutting units adjoin one another in the direction of the center longitudinal axis (MLA) and are orientated coaxially to each other and are connected to each other by a connection unit, wherein the cutting units are aligned relative to one another in such a way that the elongated cutting blade elements of directly successive elongated cutting blade elements are offset to each other or aligned to be flush with one another.

15. A soil cultivation device with at least one cutting device comprising a center longitudinal axis (MLA) for comminuting crop residues or catch crops on agricultural land, wherein the at least one cutting device is mounted in a carrier frame of the soil cultivation device via at least one bearing unit in a manner to be rotatable around the center longitudinal axis (MLA), wherein the at least one cutting device comprises: first and second elongated cutting blade elements, at least one holding means for holding the elongated cutting blade elements, wherein the elongated cutting blade elements each have a cutting edge section and a connecting section opposite from the cutting edge section is radially orientated and the cutting edge section is arranged at a radial distance from the center longitudinal axis (MLA), wherein the elongated cutting blade elements are directly connected to each other with holding means, wherein the connecting sections of the elongated cutting blade elements are arranged directly adjoining one another in a center region of the at least one cutting device receiving the center longitudinal axis (MLA).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The invention will be explained in more detail in the following based on the exemplary embodiments in connection with the drawings. The figures show:

[0044] FIG. 1 a preferred embodiment of the cutting device according to the present invention in a perspective view;

[0045] FIG. 2 in part, a lateral end region of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in perspective view;

[0046] FIG. 3 in a schematic sectional view a cross-section of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 along the cutting line A-A,

[0047] FIG. 4a-4c in a schematic sectional view, cross-sections of other embodiments of the cutting device and

[0048] FIG. 5 in part, an alternative embodiment of the cutting device according to the present invention in a perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the cutting device 1 according to the invention. The cutting device 1 shown as an example is composed of two structurally identical cutting units 1a, 1b that are successively arranged along a center longitudinal axis MLA and are connected to each other by means of a connection unit 7, wherein the first cutting unit 1a extends across a first partial operating width AB1 and the second cutting unit 1b extends across a second partial operating width AB2. The cutting device 1 therefore covers a total operating width AB, wherein the operating width AB runs essentially perpendicular to an operating direction, which can also be seen as a feed direction of the cutting device 1 in operational use.

[0050] It is to be understood that the present cutting device 1 can be constructed just as well out of only one cutting unit, and each of the illustrated structurally identical cutting units 1a, 1b can form an independent cutting device 1 on its own.

[0051] The cutting device 1 designed, in particular, in order to comminute crop residues or catch crops on agricultural land is designed to be rotatable around the center longitudinal axis MLA and can also be understood as a cutting roller arrangement or blade roller arrangement. Thereby, the center longitudinal axis MLA simultaneously represents an axis of rotation of the cutting device 1, around which the cutting device 1 rotates during operation.

[0052] The cutting device 1 can be used as a corresponding cutting tool in a soil tillage device or in a soil tillage unit. For example, the cutting device 1 can be operated individually in solo mode or also in combination with another soil tillage tool, for example, with a cultivator or with a disc harrow or the like. The cutting device 1 can be additionally mounted in a carrier frame, in particular, together with the soil tillage tool(s). In particular, the cutting device 1 is suitable for operation in a so-called push mode, namely in the operating direction before the tractor unit or alternatively in a so-called pull mode, namely, to be operated in the operating direction after the tractor unit.

[0053] For a corresponding mounting or suspension in a carrier frame, for example in a carrier frame of a soil tillage unit, the cutting device 1 has at least one bearing unit 6 for rotatably mounting. The bearing unit 6 in the illustrated example comprises two bearing elements 8, 8, which are orientated coaxially to the center longitudinal axis MLA and are arranged relative to the operating width AB on opposite outer sides of the cutting device 1. The embodiment of the bearing elements 8, 8 is to be discussed in more detail in connection with FIG. 2.

[0054] The cutting device 1in the example shown, each of the structurally identical cutting units 1a, 1bcomprises a first and second respectively elongated cutting blade element 2.1, 2.2, as well as two further elongated cutting blade elements 2.3, 2.4 and at least one holding means 5 designed in the form of a blade holder for holding the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4. Each cutting blade element 2.1-2.4 is essentially designed as a rectangular flat material piece and respectively has a cutting edge section 3 on a longitudinal side and a connecting section 3 opposite to the cutting edge section 4 on the opposite longitudinal side.

[0055] The elongated flat cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 are radially orientated, and that being with reference to the center longitudinal axis MLA or based on the center longitudinal axis MLA. The cutting edge sections 3 are arranged at a radial distance from the center longitudinal axis MLA. The cutting blade elements 2.1, 2.2 are directly connected to each other with the aid of the blade holder 5, wherein the connecting sections 4 of the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 are arranged adjoining one another in a center region of the cutting device 1 receiving the center longitudinal axis MLA. The cutting device 1 is therefore to be understood as a shaftless blade roller arrangement, and that being as a blade roller arrangement without a cylindrical roller body.

[0056] The cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 of the example shown are arranged essentially crosswise, wherein the first and second cutting blade element 2.1, 2.2 are lying opposite relative to the center longitudinal axis MLA and form an opposite pair, and wherein the further cutting blade elements 2.3, 2.4 are also lying opposite relative to the center longitudinal axis MLA and form another opposite pair, as is particularly also evident from FIG. 3, which shows a cross-section along the cut line A-A (see FIG. 2) in a schematic sectional view by means of the embodiment in FIG. 1.

[0057] In order to achieve a quieter, more uniform rotation of the cutting device 1 during the operation and to avoid imbalances, in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, the cutting units 1a, 1b are aligned relative to each other in such a way that the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 of the successive cutting units 1a, 1b are offset to each other in relation to the circumference around the center longitudinal axis MLA. The cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 of the second cutting unit 1b are, with reference to circumference, virtually disposed on spacings in the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 of the first cutting unit 1b and vice versa.

[0058] In detail, the arrangement and connection of the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 is now explained with reference to FIG. 3. The cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 are regularly distributed around the center longitudinal axis MLA, so that adjacent cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 each have an angular distance of 90 to each other. In other words, adjacent cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 each form an angle of about 90.

[0059] The respective connecting sections 4 of the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 are thereby directly connected to each other with the aid of the blade holder 5 in the central region and directly adjoin at a right angle. The blade holder 5 in the example shown comprises four profile elements 5a, which are designed in the form of angle profiles, in particular, L-profiles. The four cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 in the example shown are thereby held by four profile elements 5a and directly connected to each other by means of these.

[0060] Each profile element 5a comprises a first and second profile leg 5a1, 5a2, which form a right angle in the example in FIG. 3. Each profile element 5a is operatively connected to respectively two adjacently arranged cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4, wherein the profile legs 5a1, 5a2 each abut a surface of the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 in the region of the connecting section 4 and are connected to these. In order to supportively mount the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4, two profile elements 5a engage with each cutting blade element 2.1-2.4, and that being on opposite surfaces of the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4. Each cutting blade element 2.1-2.4 is therefore arranged in a sandwich-like manner between two profile elements 5a, in particular, arranged between profile legs of the two profile elements 5a and connected to the profile elements 5a in this way.

[0061] The connecting sections 4 of the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 are thereby directly connected to each other and each of them directly adjoin one another at a right angle. A width b of the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 approximately defines a radius of a circle conceived around the center longitudinal axis, which the free-sided free-end edges 3 of the cutting edge sections 3 of the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 depicts while the cutting device 1 rotates around the center longitudinal axis MLA. Thus, twice the width b of the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 essentially corresponds to a diameter D of the cutting device 1.

[0062] The width of the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 is selected in such a way that the free-end edges 3 of the cutting edge sections 3 of two adjacent cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 are spaced away from each other in such a way that a circular arc between the free-end edges of the adjacent cutting blade elements has an arc length BL of a maximum of 170 mm. This arc length BL specifies the cutting length in operational mode of the cutting device 1, by means of which the plant parts or crop residues, in particular stubbles or stalks, are comminuted. The arc length of an arc is calculated according to the formula to be applied using the product of radius and center point angle (indicated in the radian measure). The width b of the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 can thus be optimally selected depending on the number of cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 arranged around the center longitudinal axis MLA in such a way that the arc length BL between the cutting edge sections 3and thus the cutting length of the cutting device 1is not greater than 170 mm, preferably not greater than 150 mm. In the case of four cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4, each being adjacent to each other at right angle, the width b is around 90 mm to 100 mm for example.

[0063] Particularly favourably, in particular, a small number of cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 can be used with the present cutting device 1 and therefore large angular distances between the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 can be kept to in order to achieve short cutting lengths of less than 170 mm nevertheless, preferably less than 150 mm for plant parts or crop residues to be comminuted. Due to this, even in the case of the desired or required short cutting length, a clogging of the cutting device 1 with plant residues and soil can be effectively countered and this can be reduced to a minimum. By means of this, the cutting performance and, in particular, the cutting quality of the cutting device 1 is significantly improved.

[0064] The large angular distances between the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4, which can also be understood as wide opening angles between the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4, are possible due to the smaller diameter D of the cutting device 1, which is only about twice the width b of the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4. Compared to conventional blade rollers, the diameter of the present cutting device 1 is significantly smaller, since in the case of the known blade rollers from the prior art, the diameter is calculated by adding the diameter of the roller body or of the hollow shaft or of the hollow shaft and twice the width of blades or cutting blade elements attached to them.

[0065] Favorably, with the present cutting device 1, angular distances or opening angles of significantly more than 60 or 90 can be adhered to and nevertheless short cutting lengths can be achieved.

[0066] With reference to FIG. 2, the embodiment of the bearing unit 6 made of two bearing elements 8, 8 is now described more in detail. Each bearing element 8, 8 of the bearing unit 6 used for the supportive holding of the connected cutting blade elements 2.1 to 2.4 is orientated coaxially to the center longitudinal axis MLA and is designed for receiving the connected cutting blade elements 2.1 to 2.4 in sections in a supportive manner, in particular, for receiving of the blade holder 5 in sections connected to the cutting blade elements 2.1 to 2.4 and holding these. The bearing elements 8, 8 are preferably in the form of correspondingly suitable bearing shafts or bearing stubs.

[0067] In the illustrated example in FIG. 2, in which the blade holder comprises 5 four profile elements 5a, in particular, four angle profiles, the profile elements 5a connected to the cutting blade elements 2.1 to 2.4 are partially received in the bearing elements 8, 8 in a supportive manner. The bearing elements 8, 8 have an engaging section 8a for engaging the blade holder as well as an axis section 8b for rotatably mounting in a carrier frame. The engaging section 8a has correspondingly shaped recesses, in which the profile legs Sa1, 5a2 of the profile elements 5a together with the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 arranged in between in a sandwich-like manner are partially received. The engaging sections 8a of the bearing elements 8, 8 can be plugged or pushed onto the joined profile elements 5a connected to the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 by means of the formed matched recesses. In addition, the bearing elements 8, 8 can be firmly connected to the profile elements 5a, for example, by means of welding or screwing. A safeguard by means of splints is also conceivable.

[0068] In FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c, other preferred embodiments of the cutting device 1 are shown. The embodiment in accordance with FIG. 4a essentially differs from the one in FIGS. 1 to 3 only in that the first and second cutting blade elements 2.1, 2.2 are shaped in the form of a single-piece double blade element, which has two cutting edge sections 3, which are arranged at both ends on the free-end side. The connecting section 4 is formed as a continuous section, which lies in the middle between the two cutting edge sections 3.

[0069] In the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 4b, three cutting blade elements 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 are provided, wherein the adjacent cutting blade elements 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 each form an angle of approximately 120 and the respective connecting sections 4 connect to each other at this very angle. For the supportive mounting and connection of the three cutting blade elements 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, three profile elements 5a designed as angle profiles are provided, whose profile legs form an angle of about 120. In the case of this preferred embodiment, the width b of the cutting blade elements 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 is at approximately 70 mm to 80 mm so that the arc length BL here, in turn, is also not greater than 170 mm, preferably not greater than 150 mm and the short cutting length is adhered to.

[0070] In the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 4c, six cutting blade elements 2.1-2.6 are provided, wherein the adjacent cutting blade elements 2.1-2.6 each form an angle of around 60 and the respective connecting sections 4 connect to each other at this very angle. For the supportive mounting and connection of the six cutting blade elements 2.1-2.6, six profile elements 5a designed as angle profiles are provided, whose profile legs form an angle of about 60. In the case of this preferred embodiment, the width b of the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.6 is at approximately 140 mm to 160 mm so that the arc length BL here, in turn, is also not greater than 170 mm, preferably not greater than 150 mm and the short cutting length is adhered to.

[0071] Although not shown in the figures, another preferred embodiment comprises only two cutting blade elements 2.1, 2.2 lying opposite to each other with respect to the center longitudinal axis MLA, which are connected to each other by means of two profile elements each designed as a straight rail profile. In this embodiment, the cutting blade elements 2.1, 2.2 have a width b of about 55 mm so that here, in turn, the arc length BL is also not greater than 170 mm and the short cutting length is adhered to.

[0072] FIG. 5 shows in part a perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the cutting device 1. In this embodiment, the connecting section 4 of the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 is in the form of an angled flange and thus forms the holding means 5. The cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 are connected to each other in such a way that each flange of a cutting blade element 2.1-2.4 abuts another cutting blade element 2.1-2.4 in an overlap region 9 and there is a screw connection in the overlap region 9. Depending on the number of the cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 distributed around the center longitudinal axis MLA, the setting angle of the angled flange can vary. In the case of four cutting blade elements 2.1-2.4 like in the example shown, the setting angle is around 90 for example.

REFERENCE LIST

[0073] 1 cutting device [0074] 1a, 1b cutting units [0075] 2.1 first cutting blade element [0076] 2.2 second cutting blade element [0077] 2.3-2.6 other cutting blade elements [0078] 3 cutting edge section [0079] 3 free-end edge [0080] 4 connecting section [0081] 5 holding means [0082] 5a, 5a, 5a profile element [0083] 6 bearing unit [0084] 7 connection unit [0085] 8, 8 bearing element [0086] 8a bearing section [0087] 8b engaging section [0088] 9 overlap region [0089] AB operating width [0090] AB1, AB2 first and second partial operating width [0091] B width [0092] BL arc length [0093] D diameter [0094] MLA center longitudinal axis