A FEED-BELT FOR A SUGAR-CANE HARVESTER

Abstract

One describes a feed-belt (100) for a sugar-cane harvester, comprising first (1) and second (2) belts that substantially overlap each other and define a space for passage of cut cane between them (1, 2), the first and the second belts (1,2) exhibiting a substantially curved profile. The invention has the objective of providing a feed-belt (100) for a sugar-cane harvester that can be used for the processes of both harvesting cane for grinding and harvesting seedlings for plantation, also providing a decrease in the total weight of the machine, lower hydraulic power required for the feed assembly, a smaller number of hydraulic components and lower final cost of the machine, besides simplicity and lower maintenance cost.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A feed-belt (100) for a sugar-cane harvester, said feed-belt (100) comprising: a first belt (1); and a second belt (2), wherein: said first and second belts (1, 2) substantially overlap each other and define a space for passage of cut cane between the first and second belts (1, 2); and said first and second belts (1, 2) exhibit a substantially curved profile.

12. The feed-belt according to claim 11, further comprising a spring system (28) for adjusting a pressure and a position (3, 4, 5, 6) on the cane that passes between the first and second belts (1, 2).

13. The feed-belt according to claim 12, wherein the spring system (28) for adjusting the pressure and the position (3, 4, 5, 6) is associated to the second belt (2), which overlaps the first belt (1).

14. The feed-belt according to claim 12, wherein the spring system (28) for adjusting the pressure and the position (3, 4, 5, 6) is configured for adjusting vertical and horizontal positions of the second belt (2) with respect to the first belt (1).

15. The feed-belt according to claim 12, wherein the spring system (28) is located in inlet (18) and outlet (19) regions of the first and second belts (1, 2).

16. The feed-belt according to claim 12, wherein the spring system (28) comprises: a set of adjustment bars (3,5); and a set of rods (4, 6), wherein: said set of adjustment bars (3, 5) is configured for adjusting a position between the first and the second belts (1,2) in a vertical direction; and said set of rods (4, 6) is configured for adjusting a position between the first and the second belts (1,2) in a horizontal direction.

17. The feed-belt according to claim 11, further comprising transverse cleats (8).

18. The feed-belt according to claim 17, wherein said transverse cleats (8) are made of at least one of a metallic material, a plastic material, a polymeric material, or a rubber material.

19. The feed-belt according to claim 17, wherein said transverse cleats (8) are provided with a steel bore coated with a material of greater resilience.

20. The feed-belt according to claim 19, wherein said material coating said steel bore is at least one of a plastic material, a polymer material, or a rubber material.

21. The feed-belt according to claim 11, wherein: the belts (1,2) are actuated by continuous chains (10), which turns over sprockets (9) located at the ends of the belts (1,2); and the first belt (1) has a lifting roller (4) associated to it by a chain.

22. The feed-belt according to claim 21, wherein the lifting roller (40) is associated to one of the sprockets (9) of the first belt (1).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to an example of embodiment represented in the drawings. The figures show:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a side view of the double belt in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the double belt in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the double belt in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional isometric view of the double belt in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 5 is a side view of a sugar-cane harvester of the prior art, provided with a feed assembly using rollers; and

[0022] FIG. 6 is a side view of a sugar-cane harvester as shown in FIG. 5, using, as a feed assembly, the double belt of the present invention in its preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6 illustrate the feed-belt for use on a sugar-cane harvester according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0024] As shown in the figures, the curved/grooved double belt 10 is composed by two belts 1, 2, arranged over each other, being driven by an individual hydraulic machine (not shown), which turns ion the necessary direction so that the region between the two belts 1, 2 will have the tangential velocity in the direction of feeding the cane into the harvester 50. As better shown in FIG. 2, the belts 1, 2 are actuated by means of the assembly formed by the two hydraulic engines, a pair of chains 10 and respective sprockets 9, on which the chains 10 turn.

[0025] In the harvesting process, the cane cut by the base-cutting edge 60 and caused to tumble by the tumbling roller (not shown) located at the front part of the harvester. The cane stalk that has just been cut is lifted by the lifting roller 40 and guided into the double-belt assembly 100. The lifting roller 40 may or may not be coupled to the lower roller of the lower belt 1.

[0026] At the cane inlet 18 into the double belt 100, the grooved/curved profile of the belt causes the cane to describe a turn angle/radius from its semivertical position to the feeding position (almost horizontal). The adjustment of relative position 25, 26, in both the vertical and the horizontal, of the upper belt 2 with respect to the lower belt 1 at the inlet 18, works in the sense of conforming automatically to the volume/density of the flow of whole cane that is getting into the feed assembly 100, as well as concomitantly with the set of springs 28, acting so as to guarantee sufficient pressure for trailing cane. When the volume is larger than that established in the initial/previous condition, the adjustment mechanism 26 is automatically moved means of the rod assembly 6, causing the opening at the inlet 18 to increase. The same system has contrary effect when the volume is smaller than that of the initial/previous condition.

[0027] Upon arriving at the inlet 18, the case will be pulled by the cleats/rollers 8, which may be made from metal, plastic or rubber, thus starting the trailing of the bundle of canes into the feed assembly of the double belt 100. Since the cleats 8 are linked to both side chains 10 on each of the belts 1, 2, the position in which the cleat 8 grabs the cane in the inlet region of the assembly will not be altered, and the cleats 8 will follow the grooved/curved profile of the belts 1, 2, determining the same path for the bundle of canes.

[0028] In order to guarantee that the bundle of canes will not come off the sides of the belts 1, 2, side protections 12, 13 are provided on the lower 1 and upper 2 belts, which overlap each other. In the same way, in order to guarantee that the cane will not fall out, either from above or from below, a perforated protection is provided in the form of a roof 11 on the upper belt 2 and a perforated protection in the form of a bottom 12 on the lower belt 1.

[0029] In the same way as at the inlet 18, when the cane arrives at the outlet region 19 of the double belt assembly 100, the mechanism that adjusts the position with respect to the outlet 25 conforms automatically in both vertical and horizontal directions, to create an area sufficient for passage of the bundle of canes that will then be chopped into billets at the chopping assembly 30.

[0030] The position adjustment system of the upper belt 2 is composed by two mechanisms, namely: the adjustment assembly 25 of the upper belt 2 at the outlet 19 and the adjustment assembly 26 of the lower belt 1 at the inlet 18. The adjustment assemblies 25 and 26 are integral with the frame 20, which in turn is integral with the chassis of the harvester 50.

[0031] The adjustment assembly 25 of the upper belt 2 at the outlet 19 comprises a bar 3 for vertical adjustment of the upper belt 2 at the outlet, the rod 4 for vertical/horizontal adjustment of the upper belt 2 at the outlet 19 and a fixation frame 21.

[0032] The adjustment assembly 26 of the upper belt 2 at the inlet 18 comprises a bar 5 for vertical adjustment of the upper belt 2 at the inlet, the rod 6 for vertical/horizontal adjustment of the upper belt 2 at the inlet 18 and a fixation frame 22.

[0033] The pre-adjustment of height/vertical distance of the upper belt 2 with respect to the lower belt 1 is given by the adjustment of the height adjusting bars 3, 5, which also determine one of the positions of movement of the rods 4, 6.

[0034] With the start of the harvesting operation, the flow of cane, upon arriving at the inlet region 18, will be pulled by the cleats/roller 8. If the volume is different (either larger or smaller) than that pre-stipulated by the adjustment of height with respect to the belts 1, 2, the adjustment rod at the inlet 18 will move in a path close to a radius, adjusting horizontally and vertically, and conforming automatically so as to have an opening sufficient for the flow of cane.

[0035] Right after the rod 6 of the inlet 18 begins to move, the rod 4 of the outlet 19 will also begin to move, so that, along the path of the cane in the region between the belts 1, 2 there will be adequate capability of conducting the flow of cane. At the outlet 18 of the cane, the outlet rod 4 moves/adjusts to guarantee pressure (together with the spring assembly 28) and sufficient flow of cane to be chopped at the chopping assembly 30, which includes the lower rollers 31 and the upper rolls 32 of the chopper, as best shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0036] The conveyor belt 100 of the invention has a number of advantages with respect to the prior art, which are presented hereinafter.

[0037] The curved/grooved shape of the profile of the belts 100, both lower 1 and upper 2, has the objective of improving/facilitating the entry and transport of the whole cane ion the vertical space limited between the lower belt 1 and the upper belt 2, seeking to minimize the consumption of energy to cause the cane to enter the assembly. The cane describes a larger angle/radius at the inlet 18 with a long distance provided by the curved/grooved profile of the belt 100, facilitating the feeding process.

[0038] Since the belts 100 are provided with chains 10 at both sides, which are interconnected by the cleats 8, when the set of cleats 8 of the lower and upper belts 1, 2 catches/pulls the cane at one of its portions (segments), this position is no longer altered, if the linear velocities are equal. In the case of the belts 1, 2 with different linear velocities to harvest species of cane having more straw for the purpose of grinding, the advantage is observed in the slight friction caused by the difference in velocity to aid in removing the straw.

[0039] The double belt 100 may comprise both metallic and plastic cleats, as well as metallic rollers and/or rollers covered with rubber/plastic (polyurethane), preferably cleats 8 and metallic rollers 8 used in the case of transporting billets in the grinding condition and the cleats 8 and the plastic/rubbered rollers 8 used for transport in the gemma (seedlings) condition. In the preferred embodiment, one uses a steel cleat covered with a material of greater resilience, and this cleat could be used for both final application of the cane for grinding, and for plantation, guaranteeing top performance for the harvesting, without the need for maintenance (change of cleat to one condition or another). Another advantage of the preferred embodiment is due to the fact that the cleat has a broader and reversible profile, wherein the broader cleat will favor the discharge of stress on the (broader) surface of the cover material (PU, rubber, plastic, polymer) and prolong the life thereof.

[0040] The use of the double belt 100 enables the use of only two hydraulic engines (not shown) for actuating the assembly (reduction of weight), against a number of prior-art engines (one for each roller 55, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 5).

[0041] The lower belt 1 is integral with the chassis of the harvester 50, and the upper belt 2 comprises the automatic adjustment of pressure by means of the springs 28 of vertical position and horizontal positioning on the cane 25, 26, which is enabled by the articulation assembly 3, 4, 5,6, thus always guaranteeing the better condition for feeding the cane as a function of the volume/density of the cane that enters into the assembly.

[0042] One may couple the sprocket 9 of the guide roller of the lower belt to the lifting roller 40 by means of chains (not shown in the preferred embodiment of the present invention), and thereby manage to reduce the hydraulic engine that would be used to drive the lifting roller 40, thus generating greater saving in hydraulic components and reduction in the required hydraulic power.

[0043] In short, the present invention provides decrease in the total weight of the machine, lower hydraulic power required for the feed assembly, smaller number of hydraulic components in the assembly, lower final cost of the machine, since structural elements are used instead of hydraulic ones, which are more expensive, and easier and cheaper maintenance, since there will be only two actuation hydraulic engines that are easily removable, and the other items are structural elements. Further, the proposed double feed belt assembly 100 is suitable for both cane for the purpose of grinding condition and harvesting seedlings, since it does not damage the cane gemma, when cleats/rubbered rollers of plastic or any other material having greater resilience are used on the belt.

[0044] A preferred example of embodiment having been described, one should understand that the scope of the present invention embraces other possible variations, being limited only by the contents of the accompanying claims, which include the possible equivalents.