Yield monitoring system

Abstract

A yield monitoring system for a grain harvester includes a large strike plate mounted on parallel four bar linkages. The strike plate intercepts a larger portion of the clean grain flow and is supported near the four corners to provide even translation and force transmission even if not struck in the center of the plate. The four bar linkages provide translational movement relative to a center load cell. An engagement bracket at the center of the strike plate includes a surface that is aligned perpendicularly to the sensing element of the load cell.

Claims

1. A yield measurement system, comprising: a strike plate; a support assembly comprising a connected pair of parallel four bar linkages, the strike plate defining a first link of each of the linkages, each of the linkages including a pair of parallel arms defining second and third links pivotally connected to a mounting surface defining a fourth link; a load cell including a sensing element engaging the support assembly.

2. A yield monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the support assembly further comprises torsion tubes aligned along pivot axes of the linkage.

3. A yield monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the strike plate is configured to deflect crops larger than granular grains.

4. A yield monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the parallel linkages are laterally spaced apart.

5. A yield monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the sensing element engages the support assembly intermediate the parallel linkages.

6. A yield monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein the sensing element extends transverse to an engagement element mounted orthogonally to the strike plate.

7. A harvester measurement system measuring material flow in a material flow path of a harvester, comprising: a strike plate positioned to deflect material in the flow path; a support assembly comprising a four bar linkage, the strike plate defining a first link of the linkage, the linkage including a pair of parallel arms including a first arm and a second arm defining second and third links pivotally connected to a mounting surface defining a fourth link; a load cell including a measurement element engaging the support assembly; wherein the harvester comprises a corn harvester.

8. A harvester measurement system according to claim 7, wherein the strike plate has a surface area of at least 75% of a cross sectional area of the flow path.

9. A harvester measurement system according to claim 7, wherein the support assembly comprises a pair of the linkages, wherein the linkages are parallel linkages and laterally spaced apart.

10. A harvester measurement system according to claim 9, wherein the measurement element engages the support assembly intermediate the parallel linkages.

11. A harvester measurement system according to claim 10, wherein the strike plate includes a load cell engagement element mounted at an orthogonal angle to a surface of the strike plate, and wherein the measurement element extends transverse to the engagement element.

12. A harvester measurement system according to claim 7, further comprising isolator mounts.

13. A harvester measurement system measuring material flow in a material flow path, comprising: a strike plate positioned to deflect material in the flow path; a support assembly comprising a four bar linkage, the strike plate defining a first link of the linkage, the linkage including a pair of parallel arms including a first arm and a second arm defining second and third links pivotally connected to a mounting surface defining a fourth link, and torsion tubes aligned along pivot axes of the linkage; a load cell including a measurement element engaging the support assembly.

14. A harvester measurement system according to claim 13, wherein the strike plate is configured to deflect ear corn.

15. A harvester measurement system measuring material flow in a material flow path, comprising: a strike plate positioned to deflect material in the flow path; a support assembly comprising a pair of parallel four bar linkages, the strike plate defining a first link of each of the linkages, each of the linkages including a pair of parallel arms including a first arm and a second arm defining second and third links pivotally connected to a mounting surface defining a fourth link; the strike plate including a mounting bracket with a first upper portion connecting to the first arm, and a second lower portion mounting to the second arm, the lower portion extending further from a face of the strike plate than the upper portion; and a load cell including a measurement element engaging the support assembly.

16. A harvester measurement system according to claim 15, wherein the first arm and the second arm are oriented vertically.

17. A harvester measurement system according to claim 15, wherein the first parallel arm is positioned above and spaced apart from the second parallel arm and intermediate the second arm and the strike plate.

18. A harvester measurement system according to claim 15, wherein the load cell is transverse to the parallel arms.

19. A harvester measurement system according to claim 18, wherein the support assembly is configured to exert force horizontally against the load cell.

20. A harvester measurement system according to claim 19, wherein the strike plate and support assembly exert no force on the load cell in a no flow condition.

21. A harvester measurement system according to claim 15, further comprising isolator mounts.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of harvester according to the principles of the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a portion of a crop conveying system and a first embodiment of a yield monitoring system for the harvester shown in FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 is a front detail view of the yield monitoring system for the crop conveying system shown in FIG. 2;

(4) FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a strike plate and support assembly for the yield monitoring system shown in FIG. 3;

(5) FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the strike plate and support assembly shown in FIG. 4;

(6) FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the strike plate and support assembly shown in FIG. 4 and a mounting bar of the chassis;

(7) FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of a portion of a crop conveying system and a second embodiment of a yield monitoring system for the harvester shown in FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 8 is a front detail view of the yield monitoring system for the crop conveying system shown in FIG. 8;

(9) FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a strike plate and support assembly for the yield monitoring system shown in FIG. 7;

(10) FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the strike plate and support assembly shown in FIG. 7 with portions broken away;

(11) FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the strike plate and support assembly shown in FIG. 9 and a mounting bar of the chassis;

(12) FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the strike plate and support assembly shown in FIG. 9; and

(13) FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of the strike plate and support assembly shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(14) Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a combine harvester, generally designated (100). The harvester (100) includes a chassis (102) supporting a head (104), a rear conveyor (112) and a cab (114). The head (104) harvests corn from the field and directs clean ears of corn rearward through processing and removal of the stalks and other unwanted debris, commonly referred to as matter other than grain.

(15) Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the yield is measured along a clean grain flow path within the chassis (102). A yield monitoring system (20) may be positioned to measure clean ears of corn as they are delivered from a conveyor (106) to a clean grain chute (108). The yield monitoring system (20) includes a strike plate (22) a support assembly (24) and a load cell (26). The yield monitoring system (20) generally mounts to a chassis cross bar (110). As shown in FIG. 3, the strike plate extends across a substantial portion of the clean grain chute (108). In the embodiment shown, the strike plate (22) may intercept 75% or more of the flow path as compared to prior art devices that may intercept only 10-15% of the flow path. As shown in FIG. 2, the strike plate (22) is configured to deflect the flow back and downward and the impact on the strike plate (22) can be measured as the forces transfer through the support assembly to the load cell (26).

(16) Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, a first embodiment of the yield monitoring system (20) includes a four bar linkage type support assembly (24) providing translational movement of the strike plate (22) to transfer the force on the strike plate (22) to the load cell (26). The strike plate (22) includes spaced apart mounting brackets (30) with upper collars (42) and lower collars (44) receiving torsion tubes (38). Upper arms (32) and lower arms (34) are spaced apart at opposite ends of torsion tubes (36) and (38) and laterally outward from the mounting brackets (30). The torsion tubes (36) and (38) provide pivot axes for the linkage type support assembly (24) and include internal bearings at the arms (32) and (34). With support locations spaced vertically and laterally apart, the strike plate (22) is more broadly and evenly supported than single point supports of the prior art. The torsion tubes connect to a center generally vertically extending square mounting tube (40). The strike plate (22) therefore swings generally outward and upward from the position shown in FIGS. 4-6 but rests in the use position shown due to gravity. One or more of the torsion tubes (36) and (38) may include a counteracting torque to prevent lifting of the strike plate (22) to maintain a deflecting position so that the plate (22) does not block the flow path of the grain.

(17) The center mounting tube (40) connects to a cross member (110) above the chute (108), as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6.

(18) The load cell (26) mounts generally at the center of the strike plate (22) below the mounting tube (40); portions of the mounting hardware have been removed for clarity. The load cell (26) includes a mounting bracket (56) and a sensing tab (52). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the strike plate (22) includes a load cell engagement bracket (46). The bracket (46) includes an angled portion having a surface generally perpendicular to the end of the sensor (52). With this configuration, the force passed through the support assembly is transferred directly aligned with the sensing tab (52) of the load cell (26). A lead (54) extends from the top of the load cell (26) and connects to a processor to receive the information from the load cell (26).

(19) Referring now to FIGS. 7-13, a second embodiment of the yield monitoring system (220) also includes a four bar linkage type support assembly (224) providing translational movement of a strike plate (222) to transfer the force on the strike plate (222) to a load cell (226). The strike plate (222) includes spaced apart mounting brackets (230) with upper collar type portions (242) and lower collar type portions (244) receiving torsion tubes (238). Upper arms (232) and lower arms (234) are spaced apart at opposite ends of torsion tubes (236) and (238) and laterally outward from the mounting brackets (230). The torsion tubes (236) and (238) provide pivot axes for the linkage type support assembly (224) and include internal bearings at the arms (232) and (234). With support locations spaced vertically and laterally apart, the strike plate (222) is more broadly and evenly supported than single point supports of the prior art. The upper of the torsion tubes (236 and 238) connect to spaced-apart center braces (240). The strike plate (222) therefore swings generally outward and upward from the position shown in FIGS. 9-13, but rests in the use position shown with a vertically extending face due to gravity and the mounting arrangement. One or more of the torsion tubes (236) and (238) may include a counteracting torque to prevent lifting of the strike plate (222) to maintain a deflecting position so that the plate (222) does not block the flow path of the grain.

(20) The load cell (226) mounts generally at the center of the strike plate (222); portions of the mounting hardware have been removed for clarity. The load cell (226) includes a mounting bracket (256) and a sensing tab (252). As shown in FIGS. 11-13, the strike plate (222) includes a load cell engagement bracket (246). The bracket (246) includes has a vertical surface generally perpendicular to the end of the sensor (252). With this configuration, the force passed through the support assembly is transferred directly aligned with the sensing tab (252) of the load cell (226). A lead (254) extends from the top of the load cell (226) and connects to a processor to receive the information from the load cell (226).

(21) As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the upper collars (242) extend a shorter distance than the lower collars (244) so that the mounting axes of the arms (232, 234) are spaced apart vertically and horizontally the same distance as the upper mounting axes of the arms (232,234). The support assembly (224) is configured so that the arms (232,234) hang vertically in the parallelogram of the support structure (224) and the face of the strike plate (222) is vertical. With such an arrangement, the load cell engagement bracket (246) moves horizontally against the sensing tab (252). With this arrangement there is no load against the load cell (226) in a static no-flow condition. Force due to the weight of a support structure and/or strike plate does not need to be calibrated or filtered out of measurements. Therefore there is no extra mass that might dilute readings and the actual force against the sensing tab (252) is due only to the force against the strike plate (222).

(22) Referring to FIGS. 11-13, the yield monitoring system (220) mounts on isolators (250). The isolators dampen vibration so that more accurate readings may be obtained and wear to the system (220) is reduced.

(23) The support assembly (24, 224) is arranged with substantially parallel left and right linkages providing broad support and translational motion. The strike plate (22, 222) is supported at spaced apart left and right locations and at spaced apart upper and lower points to ensure that force is translated in an even manner to the load cell (26, 226). The load cell (26, 226) is positioned substantially at the center of the strike plate (22, 222) to receive force of the strike plate evenly through the support assembly (24, 224). The support assembly (24, 224) maintains the strike plate with even translational movement so that the strike plate (22, 222) cannot be moved at an uneven angle should the left or right side of the strike plate (22, 222) experience a greater impact force. Therefore, the support assembly (24, 224) maintains the strike plate (222) in a substantially same orientation so that it does not vary between the top and bottom so the angle relative to the load cell (26, 226) is maintained. In addition to eliminating inaccuracies from uneven force distribution associated with smaller load cell strike plates, the present invention also is able to sample a larger portion of the flow leading to improved accuracy and yield measurement. The robust support assembly (24, 224) also is better able to absorb the forces that may be encountered from the increased mass from larger crops as compared to other types of measurement systems often used for small grains.

(24) It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.