AGRICULTURAL PROCESSING MACHINE WITH A MEASURING DEVICE BEHIND A WINDOW AND AGRICULTURAL MATERIAL PROCESSING METHOD

Abstract

A conveying device of an agricultural processing machine conveys loose material along a window which is inserted into a wall. A sensor measures in a contactless manner a characteristic of the conveyed loose material. A fluid ejector ejects a fluid jet onto a surface formed in the interior of the processing machine. The fluid is thereby provided in a space between the window and the conveyed loose material.

Claims

1. Agricultural An agricultural processing machine comprising: a conveying device; a wall; and a measuring device, wherein the measuring device comprises: at least one sensor; and a window being inserted into the wall, wherein the conveying device is arranged to convey loose material along the wall and thereby along the window, wherein the window is positioned between the or at least one sensor of the measuring device and the conveyed loose material, wherein the or at least one sensor is arranged to measure in a contactless manner a characteristic of the loose material conveyed along the window, wherein the agricultural processing machine further comprises at least one fluid ejector, wherein the or every fluid ejector is arranged to eject at least one jet of fluid against a receiving surface formed in the agricultural processing machine, thereby providing fluid in a space between the conveyed loose material and that surface of the window which points towards the conveyed loose material.

2. The agricultural processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the measuring device is arranged to measure a value indicative of the amount of loose material conveyed along the window, and wherein the or at least one fluid ejector is arranged to eject a fluid jet if the measured material amount is below a given threshold and/or to interrupt the ejection as long as the material amount is above a given threshold.

3. The agricultural processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the or at least one fluid ejector is arranged to direct at least one fluid jet onto a wall surface area which is positioned above the window.

4. The agricultural processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the conveying device is arranged to convey the loose material in a conveying direction along the wall, and wherein the or at least one fluid ejector is arranged to direct at least one fluid jet onto a wall surface area which is, seen in the conveying direction, positioned upstream from the window.

5. The agricultural processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the agricultural processing machine is arranged to press together the conveyed loose material, thereby forming on board of the machine an object comprising an outer object surface, and wherein the conveying device is arranged to convey the outer object surface along the wall and thereby along the window.

6. The agricultural processing machine according to claim 5, wherein the or at least one fluid ejector is arranged to direct at least one fluid jet onto the outer object surface conveyed along the window.

7. The agricultural processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the processing machine comprises a fluid ejector actuator, and wherein the fluid ejector actuator is arranged to pivot the or at least one fluid ejector with respect to the receiving surface.

8. The agricultural processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the window is in flush with the wall.

9. The agricultural processing machine according to claim 1, wherein at least one lens or optical filter is integrated into the window.

10. A method for processing loose material by using an agricultural processing machine, wherein the processing machine comprises: a conveying device; a wall; and a measuring device, wherein the measuring device comprises: at least one sensor; and a window; and at least one fluid ejector, wherein the window is inserted into the wall, and wherein the method comprises the steps of conveying loose material along the wall and thereby along the window with the conveying device, such that the window is positioned between the or at least one sensor of the measuring device and the conveyed loose material;, and measuring with the or at least one sensor in a contactless manner a characteristic of the loose material while the loose material is conveyed along the window; ejecting with the or at least one fluid ejector at least one jet of fluid against a receiving surface formed in the processing machine, such that fluid is provided in a space between the conveyed loose material and that surface of the window which points towards the conveyed loose material.

11. The material processing method according to claim 10, wherein the processing machine presses together the loose conveyed material such that an object comprising an outer object surface is formed on board of the machine; and conveys the outer object surface along the wall and thereby along the window, and wherein the or at least one fluid ejector directs at least one fluid jet onto the outer object surface which is conveyed along the window.

12. The material processing method according to claim 10, wherein a value indicative of the amount of loose material which is conveyed along the window is measured, and wherein the or at least one fluid ejector ejects the or at least one fluid jet depending on the measured amount value.

13. The agricultural processing machine according to claim 2, wherein the or at least one fluid ejector is arranged to direct at least one fluid jet onto a wall surface area which is positioned above the window.

14. The agricultural processing machine according to claim 2, wherein the conveying device is arranged to convey the loose material in a conveying direction along the wall, and wherein the or at least one fluid ejector is arranged to direct at least one fluid jet onto a wall surface area which is, seen in the conveying direction, positioned upstream from of the window.

15. The agricultural processing machine according to claim 3, wherein the conveying device is arranged to convey the loose material in a conveying direction along the wall, and wherein the or at least one fluid ejector is arranged to direct at least one fluid jet onto a wall surface area which is, seen in the conveying direction, positioned upstream from of the window.

16. The agricultural processing machine according to claim 2, wherein the agricultural processing machine is arranged to press together the conveyed loose material, thereby forming on board of the machine an object comprising an outer object surface, and wherein the conveying device is arranged to convey the outer object surface along the wall and thereby along the window.

17. The agricultural processing machine according to claim 3, wherein the agricultural processing machine is arranged to press together the conveyed loose material, thereby forming on board of the machine an object comprising an outer object surface, and wherein the conveying device is arranged to convey the outer object surface along the wall and thereby along the window.

18. The agricultural processing machine according to claim 4, wherein the agricultural processing machine is arranged to press together the conveyed loose material, thereby forming on board of the machine an object comprising an outer object surface, and wherein the conveying device is arranged to convey the outer object surface along the wall and thereby along the window.

19. The agricultural processing machine according to claim 2, wherein the processing machine comprises a fluid ejector actuator, and wherein the fluid ejector actuator is arranged to pivot the or at least one fluid ejector with respect to the receiving surface.

20. The agricultural processing machine according to claim 3, wherein the processing machine comprises a fluid ejector actuator, and wherein the fluid ejector actuator is arranged to pivot the or at least one fluid ejector with respect to the receiving surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] FIG. 1 shows in a top view a first embodiment of the invention in which three fluid jets are directed, one jet on the window and two jets on a wall surface above the window;

[0060] FIG. 2 shows the first embodiment of FIG. 1 in a side view in a viewing direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and towards the window;

[0061] FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in a side view in a viewing direction parallel to the conveying direction and parallel to the window plane;

[0062] FIG. 4 shows in a side view a second embodiment of the invention in which every fluid jet is directed onto a wall surface upstream of the window;

[0063] FIG. 5 shows in a top view a third embodiment of the invention in which three fluid jets are directed onto a front face of a round-cylindrical bale;

[0064] FIG. 6 shows the third embodiment of FIG. 5 in a side view in a viewing direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and towards the bale wherein the front face of the bale is in the drawing plane;

[0065] FIG. 7 shows the third embodiment of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 in a side view wherein the front face of the bale and the window plane are perpendicular to the drawing plane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

[0066] In every embodiment described below the agricultural processing machine processes loose crop material, e.g. hay, straw, silage. The machine is a harvester, in particular a baler with a bale forming chamber or a loader wagon or combine harvester or field chopper with a storing room. A pick-up unit picks up loose crop material from the ground. A conveyor conveys the picked-up crop material towards a bale forming chamber or towards the storing room (not shown). It is also possible that the harvester does not comprise an own pick-up unit and loose crop material is otherwise collected and dropped on the conveyor.

[0067] In the first and second embodiments the picked-up or otherwise collected loose crop material is automatically analyzed by a measuring device in a contactless manner while the crop material is conveyed and before being injected into the bale forming chamber or storage room. In the third embodiment the pressed crop material in the forming chamber is automatically analyzed.

[0068] In every embodiment the signals from the measuring device are used for controlling a moved part of the harvester or for generating an alert or a further message for the operator or for generating a signal which is transmitted to a control unit of a pulling tractor or to a remote data processing center or mobile computer, e.g.

[0069] In one application the measuring device analyzes the color of the crop material in the visible or infrared or ultraviolet light spectrum. In a further application the measuring device detects a chemical property of the crop material, e.g. the moisture or dry matter contact. In just a further application the volume or amount or specific weight of crop material conveyed along the measuring device or the actual conveying speed or the mass flow are measured in a contactless manner.

[0070] FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 show a first embodiment of the invention and thereby of the measuring device and the fluid ejectors in three perpendicular viewing directions. FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment in a top view, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 in two different side views. The viewing direction of FIG. 2 is perpendicular to the conveying direction and the viewing direction in FIG. 3 is parallel to the conveying direction.

[0071] FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 show schematically the following parts according to the first embodiment: [0072] a bottom conveying belt 6 which conveys loose crop material collected on the belt 6, [0073] two deflecting rollers 5.1, 5.2 around which the conveyor belt 6 is guided wherein at least one deflecting roller 5.1, 5.2 is driven, [0074] a wall 4 into which a window 3 is inserted, [0075] an opposing wall 9, [0076] two light sources 10.1, 10.2 which emit light onto the conveyed crop material CM and which are positioned behind the window 3, [0077] a camera 1 which receives light reflected by the crop material CM and generates image signals and which is positioned behind the window 3, [0078] an image processing unit 2 which automatically processes signals from the camera 1, and [0079] three fluid ejectors 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 with three nozzles 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 which eject three fluid jets 8.1, 8.2, 8.3.

[0080] The walls 4, 9 form the sidewalls and the conveying belt 6 forms the bottom of a conveying channel. The conveying belt 6 is positioned between the walls 4, 9 and guides loose crop material in a conveying direction CD through this feeding channel. This conveying belt 6 can be positioned in the feeding channel of a harvester or belong to the bottom conveyor (Kratzboden) below the storing room of a loader wagon. FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 show schematically the upper surface CM of the crop material which is conveyed on the belt 6. The window 3 is in flush with the wall 3 and is positioned between the crop material CM and the camera 1 and protects the camera 1 and the illumination source 10.1, 10.2. The window 3 is in the drawing plane of FIG. 2 and perpendicular to the drawing planes of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3.

[0081] At least one pump or further fluid conveying member (not shown) takes fluid out of a fluid reservoir (also not shown). The fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the fluid ejectors 7.1, 7.2, 7.3. In the embodiment water is used as the fluid. It is possible to add a solvent to the water.

[0082] The middle fluid ejector 7.2 directs a fluid jet 8.2 on that surface of the window 3 which points to the conveying belt 6 and thereby to the conveyed crop material CM. The other two fluid ejectors 7.1, 7.3 direct two fluid jets 8.1, 8.3 not directly onto the window surface but onto two wall surface areas 4.1 and 4.3, resp., of the wall 4 wherein the wall surface areas 4.1, 4.3 are positioned angularly above the window 3, cf. FIG. 2. The window 3 and the wall surface areas 4.1, 4.3 belong to a receiving surface for fluid jets 8.1, 8.2, 8.3.

[0083] The fluid jet 8.2 is emitted in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction CD. The two further fluid jets 8.1, 8.3 are ejected in two directions angular to the conveying direction CD. Thanks to the force of gravity the fluid which is ejected and which hits the wall surface areas 4.1, 4.3 flows downwards towards the conveying belt 6. As can be seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 all three fluid jets 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 are directed sloping downwards and angularly towards the window 3 and the wall surface areas 4.1, 4.3, resp. As two fluid ejectors 7.1, 7.3 direct two fluid jets 8.1, 8.3 onto two different wall areas 4.1, 4.3 angularly above the center area of the window 3 and one fluid ejector 7.2 ejects a fluid jet 8.2 onto the window 3, at least one stream of fluid running downwards reaches the window 3 even in the case that the harvester is operated on a hilly environment and is significantly inclined with respect to a horizontal tilting axis perpendicular to the travelling direction.

[0084] The loose crop material CM on the belt 6 is conveyed along the window 3 when the crop material CM is conveyed between the two walls 4, 9. That surface of the window 3 which points to the crop material CM is made moistly by the fluid which is directed onto the window 3 and/or onto the wall surface area 4.1 or 4.3 above the window 3. Preferably the fluid serves as a solvent. The conveyed crop material CM wipes off sugar particles and other particles which stuck onto the window 3. Thanks to the fluid on the window 3 the crop material CM can easily remove the particles from the window surface.

[0085] In one implementation the fluid ejectors 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 always eject the fluid jets 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 while the harvester processes crop material CM. In a further implementation it is automatically detected whether or not a center area of the window 3 is behind crop material or is free. This detection can be performed by evaluating images from the camera 1. Only if no crop material is between a fluid ejector 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 and the center area, the respective fluid ejector ejects a fluid jet 8.1, 8.2, 8.3. In one implementation the or at least one fluid ejector 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 interrupts the fluid ejection no longer than a given time period.

[0086] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention in a side view. Coinciding parts have the same numbers than in the first embodiment. The task of the second embodiment is the same than that of the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment the bottom conveying belt 6 conveys loose crop material CM in the conveying direction CD and between the walls 4, 9. The crop material CM is thereby conveyed along the window 3. In contrast to the first embodiment fluid jets are neither directed onto the window 3 itself nor on a wall area above the window 3. A fluid ejector 7.4 with a nozzle 12.4 directs a fluid jet 8.4 onto a wall surface area 4.4 positioned upstream of the window 3. A further fluid ejector 7.5 directs a further fluid jet 8.5 onto a further wall surface area 4.5 which is also positioned upstream of the window 3. The term upstream refers to the conveying direction CD. The further wall surface area 4.5 is positioned between the wall surface area 4.4 and the window 3. The two wall surface areas 4.4, 4.5 are not on the same height but in different height levels such that conveyed crop material reaches the window 3 even if the harvester is operated on an ascending or descending ground. These wall surface areas 4.4, 4.5 belong to the receiving surface of the second embodiment. The conveyed crop material CM has been moistened by the fluid from the fluid ejectors 7.4, 7.5 and cleans the window 3 when being conveyed along the window 3.

[0087] FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 show a third embodiment of the invention. In this third embodiment the invention is used in a round baler which forms from loose crop material under pressure round-cylindrical bales in a drum-shaped bale forming chamber. Every round-cylindrical bale serves as a formed object and has two circular front faces and one circumferential surface extending between these front faces. The bale forming chamber is formed by two opposing sidewalls 4, 9 and by a bale forming means. Only the sidewall 4 is shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7. The window 3 is inserted into the chamber sidewall 4.

[0088] Loose crop material is injected into the bale forming chamber through a crop material inlet In. This inlet In is formed between the two pressing rollers (starter rollers) 11.1, 11.2. A bale forming means comprising pressing rollers and optionally at least one pressing belt (not shown) rotates the round-cylindrical bale B in the drum-shaped bale forming chamber around its own center axis (in the drawing planes of FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, perpendicular to the drawing plane of FIG. 6). Thereby the bale B is rotated around its center axis in the rotating direction RD. The front face FF facing towards the sensor 1, 2 is rotated along the sidewall 4.

[0089] FIG. 5 is a top view. FIG. 6 shows the third embodiment in a viewing direction parallel to the center axis and perpendicular to the front faces of the round-cylindrical bale B and perpendicular to the window plane. The viewing direction of FIG. 6 points onto the front face FF, i.e. seen in the viewing direction of FIG. 6 the bale B is behind the window 3 and behind the fluid ejectors 7.1, 7.2, 7.3. FIG. 7 shows the third embodiment in a side view wherein the front face FF of the bale B and the window plane are perpendicular to the drawing plane of FIG. 7. In FIG. 7 the bale B is behind the pressing rollers 11.1, 11.2.

[0090] In this exemplary implementation of the third embodiment also three fluid ejectors 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 with three nozzles 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 are used. Of course an alternative number of fluid ejectors can also be used in this third embodiment. The window 3 and three apertures 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 are inserted into the chamber sidewall 4. Every nozzle 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 is situated behind a corresponding aperture 13.1, 13.2, 13.3. It is possible that lips can selectively cover or release an aperture 13.1, 13.2, 13.3. The fluid ejectors 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 direct three fluid jets 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 through the apertures 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 onto the front face FF of the bale B. In one implementation water is used as the fluid.

[0091] As can best be seen in FIG. 6, the three apertures 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 are situated upstream of the window 3upstream seen in the rotating direction RD. Fluid jets 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 are ejected and are directed through the apertures 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 onto the front face FF of the bale B. The fluid jets 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 moisten the front face FF. The moist front face FF is conveyed along the window 3 and cleans the window 3. The expanding force of the compressed crop material improves the cleaning function.

[0092] Reference signs used in the claims will not limit the scope of the claimed invention. The term comprises does not exclude other elements or steps. The articles a, an, and one do not exclude a plurality of elements. Features specified in several depending claims may be combined in an advantageous manner.

TABLE-US-00001 LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 1 camera, takes digital images from the conveyed crop material, belong to one sensor of the measuring device 2 image processing unit, processes signals from the camera 1, belong to one sensor of the measuring device 3 window to be cleaned and inserted in the wall 4 and being in flush with the wall 4 4 wall in which the window 3 is inserted 4.1, 4.3 wall surface area above the window 3 against which the fluid jets 8.1, 8.3 are directed, belong to a receiving surface 4.4, 4.5 wall surface area upstream of the window 3 against which the fluid jets 8.4, 8.5 are directed, belong to a receiving surface 5.1, 5.2 deflecting rollers for the bottom conveying belt 6 6 bottom conveying belt, guided around the rollers 5.1, 5.2, positioned between the walls 4, 9 7.1, 7.2, fluid ejectors of the first and third embodiments, eject the 7.3 fluid jets 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 onto the wall surface areas 4.1, 4.3 and onto the window 3 or onto the front face FF, resp. 7.4, 7.5 fluid ejectors of the second embodiment, eject the fluid jets 8.4, 8.5 onto the wall surface areas 4.4, 4.5 8.1, 8.2, fluid jets ejected by the fluid ejectors 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 8.3 8.4, 8.5 fluid jets ejected by the fluid ejectors 7.4, 7.5 9 wall opposite to the wall 4 10.1, 10.2 light source for illuminating the crop material CM, B 11.1, 11.2 pressing rollers rotating the bale B 12.1, 12.2, nozzles of the fluid ejectors 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 12.3 12.4, 12.5 nozzles of the fluid ejectors 7.4, 7.5 13.1, 13.2, apertures in the wall 4 through which the fluid ejectors 7.1, 13.3 7.2, 7.3 emit the fluid jets 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 onto the front face FF B round-cylindrical bale with the front face FF CD conveying direction of the bottom conveying belt 6 CM crop material conveyed by the conveying belt 6 CS circumferential surface of the round-cylindrical bale B FF front face of the round-cylindrical bale B pointing to the wall 4, serves as one receiving surface In crop material inlet RD direction in which the bale B is rotated