Draper Head with Multipart Screw Conveyor

Abstract

A cutting system for a combine harvester has a three-part frame with frame parts articulately joined with each other. A cutter bar, a reel, a central belt conveyor system, and lateral belt conveyor systems for discharging the cut stalk material are supported by the frame. The lateral belt conveyor systems move transversely to the travel direction towards the central belt conveyor system. The central belt conveyor system moves contrary to the travel direction. To prevent accumulation of crop material near the rear wall of the lateral belt conveyor systems, a three-part screw conveyor is arranged near the rear wall and extends across the operating width of the cutting system such that the length of the screw conveyor parts corresponds at least approximately to the width of the frame parts. The screw conveyor parts are powered by a joint drive. Adjacent screw conveyor parts are mutually connected by universal joints.

Claims

1. A cutting system (2), to be attached to a combine harvester with a three-part frame, of which the frame parts (4, 6) are articulately joined with each other, a cutter bar (10), a reel (8), a central belt conveyor system (14), and a lateral belt conveyor systems (12) for discharging the cut stalk material, supported by a frame (4, 6), such that the lateral belt conveyor systems (12) move transversely to the direction of travel towards the central belt conveyor system (14), and the central belt conveyor system (14) moves contrary to the direction of travel, furthermore, a multi-part rear wall (20) of the cutting system (2), embodied to the frame parts (4, 6) of the frame, which extends along the conveyor line of the lateral belt conveyor systems (12), and which features a discharge opening in the area of the central belt conveyor system (14) for the delivery of the harvested crop to the combine harvester, as well as drive units for driving the cutter bar (10), the reel (8), and the belt conveyor systems (12, 14), characterized in that near the rear wall, a three-part screw conveyor is arranged, which extends across the operating width of the cutting system (2) and is arranged above the central and the lateral belt conveyor systems (12, 14) and between the reel (8) and the rear wall (20), such that the length of the respective parts (16, 18) of the screw conveyor correspond at least approximately to the width of the frame parts (6, 8), the screw conveyor parts (16, 18) are powered by a joint drive, and adjacent parts (16, 18) of the screw conveyor are mutually connected by way of universal joints (24).

2. The cutting system (2) according to claim 1, wherein the central part (18) of the screw conveyor is solidly connected with the central frame part (6).

3. The cutting system (2) according to claim 1, wherein the lateral parts (16) of the screw conveyor are connected at one point with the respectively associated frame part (4, 6).

4. The cutting system (2) according to claim 3, wherein the lateral parts (16) of the screw conveyor are connected with their external ends in a slide bearing (38) as a connection point with the respectively associated frame part (4, 6), the slide bearing (38) being designed such that it also allows for a rotational movement of the respective screw conveyor segment (16, 18) and the ends of the lateral parts (16) of the screw conveyor that face the central frame part (6) being in a torque-proof connection with the central part (18) of the screw conveyor.

5. The cutting system (2) according to claim 1, wherein scrapers (40) aligned toward the envelope circle of the spiral sheets (26) of the screw conveyor segment (16, 18) are arranged on the respective frame part (4, 6).

6. The cutting system (2) according to claim 1, wherein the drive (28) of the screw conveyor powers the central part (18) of the screw conveyor.

7. The cutting system (2) according to claim 1, wherein the screw conveyor segments (16, 18) are connected to their respective frame part (4, 6) or to the respective rear wall (20).

8. The cutting system (2) according to claim 1, wherein spiral sheets have a stronger gradient in one section of the central screw conveyor segment (18) than spiral sheets on a section of the lateral screw conveyor segment.

9. The cutting system (2) according to claim 1, wherein in the area of universal joints (24), a cone (30) covering the universal joints (24) is positioned on the screw conveyor.

10. The cutting system (2) according to claim 1, wherein the screw conveyor segments (16, 18) are connected with each other in the connection area in a torque-proof connection by way of shaft stubs that are mutually connected via a universal joint (24).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention will be further explained based on a preferred exemplary embodiment and with reference to the enclosed drawings.

[0022] The figures show as follows:

[0023] FIG. 1: an oblique top view of a cutting system,

[0024] FIG. 2: a frontal view of a cutting system,

[0025] FIG. 3: a sectional view of a cutting system from the side,

[0026] FIG. 4: a partial view of the area of the drive of the screw conveyor,

[0027] FIG. 5: a sectional view of the drive area shown in FIG. 4,

[0028] FIG. 6: a partial view of the area of the connection between the central screw conveyor segment to the lateral screw conveyor segment,

[0029] FIG. 7: a view of the slide bearings of a lateral screw conveyor segment, and

[0030] FIG. 8: a sectional view of a scraper.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] FIG. 1 shows an oblique top view of a cutting system 2. The cutting system 2 features a three-part frame consisting of two lateral frame parts 4 and a central frame part 6. At the front of the cutting system 2 when viewed in the travel direction, there is a cutter bar 10. The three-part reel 8 [shown] in the exemplary embodiment is located above the cutter bar 10. The harvested crop cut by the cutter bar 10 is discharged by the reel 8 onto the two lateral belt conveyor systems 12 and the central belt conveyor system 14. The two lateral belt conveyor systems 12 transport the harvested crop transversely to the direction of travel onto the central belt conveyor system 14, which discharges the harvested crop backward, in the direction contrary to the direction of travel, onto the slope conveyor of a combine harvester that is connected to the cutting system.

[0032] A rear wall 20 is located in the rear area of the cutting system 2, constructed on the respective frame parts 4, 6 and extending along the conveyor line of the harvested crop via the belt conveyor systems 12, 14. The rear wall 20 is closed, with the exception of a discharge opening for the delivery of the harvested crop to the combine harvester. It is exactly or approximately vertical, and it protrudes clearly above the upper surface of the belt conveyor systems 12, 14.

[0033] Near the rear wall 20, and specifically: above the central and the lateral belt conveyor systems 12, 14 and between the reel 8 and the rear wall 20, a screw conveyor is located, consisting of two lateral screw conveyor segments 16 and a central screw conveyor segment 18. The screw conveyor segments 16, 18 feature spiral sheets 26, by way of which straw can be transported transversely towards the discharge opening following a rotation of the screw conveyor.

[0034] The lateral frame parts 4 are supported on the ground by way of support wheels 22. Since the central frame part 6 is supported by the slope conveyor of the combine harvester since its working height can be adjusted by adjusting the height of the slope conveyor, the lateral frame parts 4 can swing upward or downward, depending on the ground contours, via a respective articulated connection with the central frame part 6 around the pivoting axis which extends in the travel direction. The height alignment is controlled via the support wheels 22 which follow the ground contours. The support wheels 22 may be height-adjustable.

[0035] Due to the capacity of the lateral frame parts 4 to swivel relative to the central frame part 6, it is necessary that when swinging movements of the lateral frame parts 4 occur, the screw conveyor can reproduce the respective movements of the lateral frame parts 4. Due to the tripartite division of the screw conveyor into two lateral screw conveyor segments 14 and a central screw conveyor segment 18, universal joints 24 may be arranged in the partition area, which connect the lateral screw conveyor segments 16 with the central screw conveyor segment 18 in a torque-proof connection, and transfer a drive force to the rotating screw conveyor segment 16, 18. The universal joints 24 arranged in the partition area allow for the pivoting of the individual screw conveyor segments 16, 18 together with the respective frame parts 4, 6.

[0036] In the exemplary embodiment, the screw conveyor segments 16, 18 are adjusted in terms of their length to the operating width of the frame parts 4, 6. During swinging movements of the lateral frame parts 4 relative to the central frame part 6, as a result, overlaps are avoided, which are constructively difficult to control due to the different swing radii.

[0037] In the exemplary embodiment, the screw conveyor is driven by the central screw conveyor segment 18. For these purposes, a drive 28 is arranged on the central frame part 6, which transfers a drive force from a hydraulic motor via a gear step to the central screw conveyor segment 18.

[0038] In FIG. 1, the universal joints 24 are respectively covered by a cone 30. The cone 30 protects the universal joints against contamination and supports the transportation of the harvested crop from a lateral screw conveyor segment 16 to the central screw conveyor segment 18.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a front view of a cutting system 2. In this view, the reel 8 was omitted. In the view in FIG. 2, it can be seen that the lateral frame parts 4 are swiveled relative to the central frame part 6. From the front view, one can see that the length of the screw conveyor segments 16, 18 are adjusted to the width of the respective frame parts 4, 6. The lateral belt conveyor systems 12 and the central belt conveyor system 14 are clearly identifiable in this view as well. The three-part rear wall 20 is clearly identifiable in this view as well. The universal joints 24 with the respective cone 30 are located in the transition area between the lateral frame parts 4 to the central frame part 6. The drive 28 is clearly identifiable as well.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a cutting system 2 from the side. In the side view, the spatial association between the reel 8, the screw conveyor segments 16, 18, the rear wall 20, and the belt conveyor systems 12, 14 are clearly identifiable. The screw conveyor segments 16, 18 are arranged near the rear wall 20 above the central and the lateral belt conveyor system 12, 14 and between the reel 8 and the rear wall 20. The screw conveyor segments 16, 18 do not leave any gap between their spiral sheets 26 and the rear wall 20. The spiral sheets 26 are also located close to the envelope circle of the tines of the reel 8, such that the spiral sheets 26 can also scrape and discharge straw parts stuck on the tines.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a partial view of the area of the drive 28 of the central screw conveyor segment 18. In the exemplary embodiment, the drive 28 is powered by a hydraulic motor 34. The hydraulic motor drives the central screw conveyor segment 18. By means of a universal joint 24 covered by a cone 30, the drive force is transferred by the drive 28 from the central screw conveyor segment 18 to the lateral screw conveyor segment 16.

[0042] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the drive area shown in FIG. 4. In this sectional view, the universal joint 24 is identifiable, with two slider pins 32 extending from it, respectively forming a shaft stub. The slider pins 32 can be held in a torque-proof connection in profile shafts 36, embodied in the central and the lateral screw conveyor segments 16, 18. By way of interlocking external and internal gearing of the slider pins 32 and the profile shaft 36, these can be easily connected with each other by way of sliding, and when required for maintenance, be easily disconnected again. In the exemplary embodiment, the slider pin 32 associated with the central screw conveyor segment 16 is solidly welded as a shaft stub to the central screw conveyor segment. The central screw conveyor segment 18 can also be easily assembled with solidly welded shaft stubs and the appended universal joint 24 and slider pin 32. The drive force for driving the lateral screw conveyor segment 18 is transferred via the universal joint 24 to the lateral screw conveyor segment 16. While the central screw conveyor segment 18 is held in a stationary connection via the drive 28, the end of the lateral screw conveyor segment 16 shown in FIG. 5 is held by the slider pin 32. At this point, therefore, the lateral screw conveyor segment 16 is not connected with the respective lateral frame part 4. Rather, the connection of the lateral screw conveyor segment 16 with the respective lateral frame part 4 is accomplished at another location of the lateral frame part 4.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows the constructive design of the coupling of the other lateral screw conveyor segment 16 with the central screw conveyor segment 18. Since no drive 28 is provided here, a simple mounting of the central screw conveyor segment 18 via a bearing 42, into which a slider pin 32 is inserted, is sufficient. The slider pin 32 is connected here with the central screw conveyor segment 18 again via the profile shaft 36.

[0044] On the opposite side of the universal joint 24, the second slider pin 32 is located, which is inserted in the profile shaft 36 of the lateral screw conveyor segment 16. Here too, the slider pin 32 forms the mounting for an end of the lateral screw conveyor segment 16.

[0045] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment [which demonstrates] how the end of a lateral screw conveyor segment 16 that points away from the central frame part 6 can be supported by a slide bearing 38. In the exemplary embodiment, the shaft stub 44 is arranged in a plastic bushing supported by two support lugs 46. The plastic bushing allows for an axial movement of the shaft stub 44 as well as for a rotational movement of the shaft stubs 44 in the plastic bushing connected with the support lugs 46. The support lugs 46 are arranged on a console 48 which is solidly connected with the rear wall 20 or with the lateral frame part 4.

[0046] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of a scraper 40. The two scrapers 40 are arranged such that they are in the immediate proximity of the envelope circle of the spiral sheets 26.

[0047] The invention is not limited to the aforementioned exemplary embodiment. The person skilled in the art has no difficulty modifying the exemplary embodiment in a manner he deems suitable for the purposes of a concrete application.