Device for Harvesting Stalk-Like Stem Crops

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (2) for harvesting stalk-like stem crops, having a number of picking units (4) which are arranged alongside one another on the frame (6) of the device (2) and each have picking plates (12), laterally delimiting a picking gap (14), and picking rotors (16) located therebeneath, conveying units which are assigned to the respective picking units (4), are configured as continuous conveyors (22) that are driven in circulation, are arranged on opposite sides above a picking gap (14) and are configured with drivers (18) fastened to the circulating elements, and a transverse conveying device (8) arranged downstream of the conveying units. In order to find an arrangement for the continuous conveyors which results in a reduced overall width without the intake of laid maize being substantially impaired, it is proposed that the axes of rotation (24) of front deflection wheels (26) of the continuous conveyors (22) be positioned obliquely at an angle (32) transversely to the working width of the device (2) and to the picking plane (28), which is defined by the mutually facing front edges of the picking plates (12) assigned to a picking gap (14), such that the axes of rotation (24), considered to be lengthened, intersect above the picking plates (12) at a distance from the picking plane (28), and the drivers (18) formed on the continuous conveyors (22) are for their part positioned upwardly at an angle (30) to the axis of rotation (24) of the deflection wheels (26).

Claims

1. A device (2) for harvesting stalk-like stem crops, having a number of picking units (4) arranged side by side on the frame (6) of the device (2), each of which has picking plates (12) that laterally delimit a picking gap (14) and picking rotors (16) located beneath said picking plates, conveying units embodied as continuous conveyors (22) driven in circulation, which are assigned to the respective picking units (4), are arranged on opposite sides above a picking gap (14), and have carrier elements (18) attached to the circulating elements, and a transverse conveying device (8) located downstream of the conveying units, characterized in that the axes of rotation (24) of front deflecting wheels (26) of the continuous conveyors (22) are positioned obliquely at an angle (32) transversely to the working width of the device (2) and to the picking plane (28), which is defined by the mutually facing front edges of the picking plates (12) assigned to a picking gap (14), such that the imaginary extensions of the axes of rotation (24) intersect above the picking plates (12) at a distance from the picking plane (28), and the carrier elements (18) formed on the continuous conveyors (22) are for their part positioned pointing upward at an angle (30) to the axis of rotation (24) of the deflecting wheels (26).

2. The device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the axes of rotation (24) of the deflecting wheels (26) of the continuous conveyors (22) are positioned obliquely at an angle (32) to the picking plane, transversely to the working width of the device (2) and to the picking plane (28), which is defined by the mutually facing front edges the picking plates (12) assigned to a picking gap (14), and the carrier elements (18) located on the continuous conveyors (22) are positioned obliquely at an angle (30) to the circulating plane, which is defined by the deflecting wheels (26), wherein the angle (30) is selected such that the carrier elements (18) circulate along a boundary curve in which, in their removal direction, the lower edge of each such carrier element is aligned in a plane parallel to the picking plane (28).

3. The device (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the angles (32) and (30) are each approximately or precisely 45.

4. The device (2) according to claim 1, wherein in the front region of the continuous conveyors (22), a plurality of deflecting wheels (26) are arranged offset from one another laterally and longitudinally along the device (2), wherein for each continuous conveyor (22), the foremost deflecting wheel (26) is located a greater lateral distance from the longitudinal center axis of the intake gap than the deflecting wheel (26) located further toward the rear, and the plurality of deflecting wheels (26) of the continuous conveyors (22) assigned to a picking gap (14) delimit a V-shaped intake opening, in portions of which the mutually opposing continuous conveyors (22) have a linear profile.

5. The device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the axes of rotation (24) of the rear deflecting wheels (26) of the continuous conveyors (22) are positioned obliquely at an angle (32) transversely to the working width of the device (2) and to the picking plane (28), such that the imaginary extensions of the axes of rotation (24) intersect above at a distance from the picking plane (28).

6. The device (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that the axes of rotation (24) of the rear deflecting wheels (26) of the continuous conveyors (22) are positioned obliquely at an angle of precisely or approximately 45 to the picking plane (28).

7. The device (2) according to claim 1, wherein in the deflection area of the rear deflecting wheel (26), the carrier elements (18) pass over a threshold (10) at the rear end of the picking gap (14), which threshold forms the transition from the picking plates (12) to the trough of the transverse conveying device (8).

8. The device (2) according to claim 1, wherein at least one picking rotor (16) has a plurality of cutting disks (34), distributed over its length and supported by the shaft of the picking rotor (16), said cutting disks projecting radially beyond the cylindrical body of said picking rotor (16) and extending up to or into the boundary circle of the adjacent picking rotor (16).

9. The device (2) according to claim 1, wherein drive shafts of rear deflecting wheels (26) that are arranged side by side are covered up to the transverse conveying device (8) by a cover plate (36), which projects upward from the threshold (10) to the plane of rotation of the adjacent rear deflecting wheels (26).

10. The device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the continuous conveyors (22) and picking rotors (16) assigned to a picking gap (14) are driven by a common series gearbox (38), wherein the series gearbox (38) for driving each continuous conveyor (22) has a first gear stage (50) from a main drive shaft (40) to an intermediate shaft (52), and a second gear stage (54) from the intermediate shaft (52) to the shaft (56), on which the rear deflecting wheel (26) of the continuous conveyor (22) is mounted for conjoint rotation, and wherein the first gear stage (50) is embodied as an angular gear, so that the intermediate shaft (52) does not extend parallel to the main drive shaft (40).

11. The device (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that a shaft connection (42) for continuing the main drive shaft (40) is located between adjacent series gearboxes (38).

12. The device (2) according to claim 10, wherein an overload clutch (58) is located in the series gearbox (38) between the main drive shaft (40) and the first angular gear (44) and/or the second angular gear (46).

13. The device (2) according to claim 1, wherein at least two picking rotors (16) arranged along the picking gap (14) are located below the picking plates (12), the boundary circles of said picking rotors overlapping at least in certain areas.

14. The device (2) according to claim 13, characterized in that stationary or rotating blades are arranged spaced from one another along the length of the picking gap (14) and extending into the boundary circles of the picking rotors (16).

Description

[0029] The invention will be described below in reference to an exemplary embodiment. The drawings show:

[0030] FIG. 1: a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis of the device,

[0031] FIG. 2: a view of a part of the device from the front,

[0032] FIG. 3: a transverse sectional view of two picking gaps,

[0033] FIG. 4: a view from below of two picking units,

[0034] FIG. 5: a view from the rear of the rear deflecting wheels, and

[0035] FIG. 6: a diagram of a series gearbox for a picker unit.

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a device 2, along the longitudinal axis of the device 2. The picking units 4 extend along the longitudinal axis. In device 2, picking units 4 are mounted side by side on frame 6. At the rear of device 2, a transverse conveying device 8 is located, configured in the exemplary embodiment as a transverse auger. In the transition area from picking units 4 to transverse conveying device 8 is a threshold 10, via which picked ears of corn are transported into the active region of the transverse conveying device.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a view of device 2 from the front. FIG. 2 shows the left end of a corn picker, as viewed in the direction of travel. FIG. 2 shows two picking gaps 14, each delimited by two laterally adjacent picking plates 12. Located below each of the picking plates 12 in the exemplary embodiment are two picking rotors 16, although only one picking rotor 16 is clearly visible in each case in FIG. 2. Located above the picking plates 12 are a number of carrier elements 18, which are attached to a continuous conveyor 22, not visible in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, each of the continuous conveyors 22 is covered by a covering hood 20.

[0038] As is clear from the diagram of FIG. 2, the ears of corn, which are held back by the picking plates 12, are carried rearward by the carrier elements 18 traveling along the picking gaps 14, and are transported over threshold 10 into the active region of transverse conveying device 8. The stalks and leaves of the corn plants are carried downward through picking gap 14 by picking rotors 16, and are thereby removed from the picking area.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a transverse sectional view of two picking gaps lying side by side. Clearly visible in FIG. 3 are the four continuous conveyors 22, with 2 conveyors being assigned to each picking gap 14. As is clear from the sectional view of FIG. 3, the two picking rotors 16 are located below the picking plates 12. Each of the continuous conveyors 22 has a deflecting wheel 26 at its front end and another at its rear end, around which the chains or belts of the continuous conveyor 22 circulate continuously. Carrier elements 18 are mounted rigidly on the chains or belts of continuous conveyors 22. In terms of their direction of rotation, continuous conveyors 22 are driven such that carrier elements 18 travel along picking plates 12 and picking gap 14 to the rear, where they are deflected by the respective rear deflecting wheel 26 to travel forward again, extending upward, back to the front deflecting wheel 26, where they are again deflected, allowing them to pick up more crop material and travel rearward again over picking plates 12. Carrier elements 18 thus circulate continuously.

[0040] In the exemplary embodiment, the axes of rotation 24 of deflecting wheels 26 are positioned at the angle 32 in relation to picking plane 28. In the exemplary embodiment, angle 32 is 45. Carrier elements 18 are also positioned in relation to the plane of rotation of deflecting wheels 26 and the axis of rotation 24 of deflecting wheels 26, specifically by the angle 30. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, angle 30 is likewise 45.

[0041] As is clear from the sectional view of FIG. 3, the carrier elements 18 traveling rearward above picking plates 12 travel just above the picking plane 28, whereas the carrier elements 18 traveling back toward the front travel forward offset laterally from and spaced vertically a certain distance from picking gaps 14. The angular positioning of the axes of rotation 24 of deflecting wheels 26 gives the continuous conveyors a relatively narrow overall width B as viewed over the width of device 2, despite a considerably wider effective overall width B(e). This design gives the carrier elements 18 a range R, which leaves sufficient space in the area of the picking plate plane 28 for the ears of corn to be separated cleanly from the stalks, but also enables the ears of corn to be effectively transported away afterward by the carrier elements 18.

[0042] Although in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3 carrier elements 18 are connected rigidly to the chain or the belt of the continuous conveyor 22, in an alternative embodiment, carrier elements 18 may also be connected to the associated chain or the associated belt via a pivot joint, allowing the carrier elements 18 to be placed, by way of gravity and/or motion links, in a position relative to the chain or the belt and relative to the picking plates 12 with the picking gap 14, that is favorable for a specific function. The imaginary extensions of axes of rotation 24, where such axes are not actually present, are indicated as dashed lines.

[0043] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the front and rear deflecting wheels 26 for each continuous conveyor 22 are shown in the same plane. However, it is also conceivable for the axes of rotation of the front and rear deflecting wheels 26 of a continuous conveyor 22 to be set at different angular positions from one another. If the rear deflecting wheel 26 is set at a shallower angle, covering hood 20 may also be designed as shallower in the rear area, for example; however in that case, the conveying channel, which is delimited by the side walls of the covering hoods 20 and the continuous conveyors 22, which then extend converging with one another toward the rear, is narrowed. If the rear deflecting wheel is set at a steeper angle, the conveying channel will be wider in this area, however covering hood 20 will also project higher.

[0044] As is clear from the sectional view of FIG. 3, the angled position of the axes of rotation 24 of 45 from picking plane 28 in the exemplary embodiment and the offset of carrier elements 18 by 45 from the axes of rotation 24 in the exemplary embodiment result in an effective compromise between an optimally space-saving design and a conveying channel of sufficient width above picking gap 14. Angles and are likewise indicated in FIG. 3. Carrier elements 18, which are directed upward during their forward travel, have an overall width in this upright position that is narrower than their width that is used for transport in the area of picking plane 28.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows a view of two picking units 4 from below. Shown at the front of picking units 4 are continuous conveyors 22, with the carrier elements 18 of each facing picking gap 14. The intake region upstream of picking gap 14, which opens up in roughly a V-shape, is also delimited by the mutually facing edges of picking plates 12. Picking rotors 16 are aligned with their longitudinal axes parallel to the path of picking gap 14. The boundary circles of the two picking rotors 16 mesh with one another. Each of the picking rotors 16 has a cylindrical body that forms the core of a picking rotor 16. Crushing plates may also be provided, projecting radially beyond the cylindrical body. On at least one picking rotor 16, cutting disks 34 may be arranged, protruding radially beyond the cylindrical body of said picking rotor 16 and extending up to or into the boundary circle of the adjacent picking rotor 16. In the adjacent picking rotor 16 grooves may be formed, into which the cutting disks 34 reach.

[0046] FIG. 5 shows a view of the rear deflecting wheels 26 from the rear. Three cover plates 36 protrude above threshold 10, covering the drive shafts of adjacent rear deflecting wheels 26 arranged side by side, up to the transverse conveying device, and preventing crop material from penetrating therein. Cover plates 36 likewise prevent crop material that is being transported in the transverse direction behind the rear deflecting wheels 26 by transverse conveying device 8 from entering the area of the drive shafts. Cover plates 36 are roughly triangular in shape and protrude from threshold 10 into the area of the plane of rotation of the adjacent rear deflecting wheels 26.

[0047] FIG. 6 shows a view from the rear of an assembly of two series gearboxes 38 with the gearbox covers opened. Main drive shaft 40 extends transversely through each series gearbox 38. The shaft sections of main drive shaft 40 that extend transversely through series gearboxes 38 are connected to one another by shaft connections 42, which bridge the gap between adjacent series gearboxes 38. In series gearbox 38, a first angular gear 44 and a second angular gear 46 are shown. The first angular gear 44 serves to drive picking rotor drive 48, this drive also being transmitted via a further spur gear to the second picking rotor. The two second angular gears 46 each serve to drive a continuous conveyor 22. The first and second angular gears 44, 46 are each configured as a bevel gears.

[0048] The second angular gears 46 are designed to transmit driving force via a first gear stage 50 to the intermediate shaft 52. From there, the driving force is transmitted via a second gear stage 54 to the shaft 56, on which the rear deflecting wheel 26 of a continuous conveyor 22 is mounted for conjoint rotation. The rear deflecting wheel 26 acts as a gear to drive the chain, or acts as a belt pulley to drive the belt of continuous conveyor 22 with carrier elements 18.

[0049] Located in each series gearbox 38 between main drive shaft 40 and the first angular gear 44 and/or the second angular gear 46 is an overload clutch 58. In the event of an overload, overload clutches 58 can interrupt the drive transmission to the picking rotors and/or to the continuous conveyors.

[0050] The exemplary embodiment described above is intended merely to illustrate the invention. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment shown. A person skilled in the art will have no difficulty modifying the exemplary embodiment in a way that appears suitable to adapt it to a specific application.