Cutter and a base cut assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cutter (1) for a base cut assembly (11) applied to a sugar-cane harvesting machine (100). The base cut assembly (11) comprises a support rod (2), which is provided with a substantially C-shaped geometric profile, this support rod (2) being associated to an axle (3) of the base cut assembly (1) simultaneously in its first portion and second portion (21; 29).

Claims

1. A cutter for a base cut assembly applied to a sugar-cane harvesting machine, the cutter comprising: a table; an axle; a base cut disc; a single-piece support rod positioned between the table and base cut disc and behind the base cut assembly; and an actuator positioned between the table and the base cut disc, wherein: the support rod comprises a first portion having a first longitudinal axis and a second portion having a second longitudinal axis, the first and second longitudinal axes being parallel and spaced apart relative to one another such that the first and second portions of the support rod are likewise parallel and spaced apart relative to one another, the first portion is arranged opposite the base cut disc, the second portion extends beyond the base cut disc, the first and second portions of the support rod simultaneously provide a direct interface between the first and second portions of the support rod and the axle, said direct interface being provided respectively by first roller bearing and second roller bearing, the support rod further comprises, in its second portion, a stroke-end sensor configured to generate input data; and the actuator is configured, via a control unit and based upon the input data from the stroke-end sensor, to automatically command the rise and fall of the base cut assembly.

2. The cutter according to claim 1, wherein: the cutter further comprises a plurality of metallic blades and a scraping guide, and the geometric profile of the support rod extends beyond an outer profile defined by the metallic blades, the scraping guide, and the base cut disc.

3. A base cut assembly comprising two cutters as defined in claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

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

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view of the sugar-cane harvesting machine of the present invention, showing the arrangement of the base cut assembly and the raising roller table with respect to the machine;

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of the cutter in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of the cutter of the present invention associated to a raising roller table.

(5) FIG. 4 is a side view of the cutter in alternative embodiment of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a side view of the prior-art cutter associated to a raising roller table;

(7) FIG. 6 is a front view of a prior-art base cut assembly associated to a raising roller table.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

(8) FIGS. 5 and 6 show how the cutters 1 of the prior-art base cut assembly 37 are secured to the cane harvesting machine in one of the possible prior-art embodiments.

(9) The prior-art base cut assembly 37 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is composed by two cutters 31, each comprising a base cut axle 3, a base cut bearing 33, a scraping guide 8, a base cut disc 6 and a plurality of metallic blades 7. Each base axle 3 is connected to a rotary motor (not shown in the figures) for carrying out the rotation motions.

(10) The cutters 31 are used for cutting the sugar-cane, the movement direction of the axles 3 of each of them being oriented so that the movement tangent of these discs is oriented in the same direction that the sugar-cane follows when it comes into the harvesting machine. In other words, the disc 6 of the cutter 31 on the far right of the machine rotates in counterclockwise direction, while the disc 6 on the fur left of the machine rotates in clockwise direction, causing the cane not only to be cut, but also to be dragged into the harvesting machine.

(11) The scraper guide 8 located at the lower part of the base cut axle 3 is constituted by a number of vertical waved border flaps. This scraping guide is connected concentrically to the axle 3, and its function is to aid in conducting the cut sugar-cane as far as the raising roller table 10. The base cut disc 6 is connected to the lower end of the base cut axle 3, performing the same rotary movement of the base cut axle 32. This base cut disc 6 comprises a plurality of metallic blades 7, which, upon rotating around the axle 3, cut the sugar-cane at the base of this plant.

(12) FIG. 1 shows the sugar-cane harvesting machine 100 of the present invention. In FIG. 1 it is possible to see the preferred location of the base cut assembly 11 of the present invention with respect to the harvesting machine 100. In the preferred embodiment, the base cut assembly 11 is associated to the raising roller table 10, but the present invention does not exclude other arrangement forms for this base cut assembly 11.

(13) FIG. 2 discloses the main constructive details of a cuter 1 of the base cut assembly 11 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In its preferred embodiment, each of the cutters 1 of the invention is composed by a base cut axle 3, a scraper guide 8, a base cut disc 6, at least one metallic blade 7, a support rod 2, two roller bearings 4, 4 and a stroke-end sensor mechanism 9.

(14) The base cut axle 3 is connected to a motor responsible for the rotary motion of the base cut axle 3 during the sugar-cane cutting operation.

(15) The support rod 2 can be describes shortly as a C-shaped support. In its first portion 21 (the farthest portion from the disc 6) the support rod 2 is associated to the upper end of the axle 3, whereas in its second portion 29 (the opposite portion) this support rod 2 is associated to the end of the axle 3, which extends beyond the base cut disc 6. In both the association of the first portion 21 and the association of the second portion 29, the interface between the support rod 2 and the axle 3 is made by means of roller bearings 4, 4, these bearing being respectively first roller bearing 4 and second roller bearing 4.

(16) This solution, comprising the C-shaped support rod 2, which is associated simultaneously to two points of the axle 3, proves to be effective for two reasons, namely:

(17) i. It solves the problem of weight and manufacture cost of the prior-art bearings 33, since they do not leave a portion of axle 3 far from the bearing, requiring a robust and heavy bearing 33 for bearing the arm moment forces exerted by the free axle 3 portion;
ii. It provides a point of fixation to a stroke-end sensor 9, the function of which is to orient automatically the rise and fall of the base cut assembly 1.

(18) It should be noted that, without this support rod 2, it would not be possible to install a stroke-end sensor 9 at the lower end of the cutter 1. This is because ion the prior art the lower portion of the base cut assembly 31 is always describing a rotary motion.

(19) Compulsorily, the support rod 2 should be arranged behind the base cut assembly 1, because otherwise it would block contact of the metallic blades 7 and of the scraping guide 8 with the sugar-cane.

(20) Preferably, but not compulsorily, the support rod 2 describes a geometric form that accompanies the outer profile of the following elements: the metallic blades 7, the scraping guide 8 and the base cut disc 6. This is the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 of this specification. Anyway, other embodiments with profiles that do not follow the outer profile of these elements, but that foresee two points of association with the axle 3 do not depart the protection scope of the present invention. An example of an alternative embodiment of the present invention that discloses a support rod 2 that does not follow the outer profile of the elements metallic blade 7, scraping guide 8 and base cut disc 6 is the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 of this specification.

(21) Preferably, the support rod 2 is built in a single piece, forged in a light and resistant metallic alloy.

(22) FIG. 3 shows a side view illustrating the fixation of a cutter 1 of the present invention to a raising roller table 10. The base cut assembly 1 is secured to the table 10 by association of at least one through-bore 12 present in the support rod 2.

(23) It is evident that the base cut assembly 11 of the present invention is not necessarily associated to the raising roller table 10. In an alternative embodiment, the base cut assembly 11 may be associated to the harvesting-machine floor or to any structure present in the lower portion of this machine.

(24) In a preferred embodiment, between the table 10 and the base cut assembly 1, there is an electronic actuator (not shown in the figures), configured for lowering or raising the base cut assembly 1 according to the commands of an electronic control unit.

(25) This electronic control unit (ECU/UCE) uses, as input data, the electronic signals emitted by the stroke-end sensor 9. When the base cut assembly 1 comes close to the ground, the stroke-end sensor 9 rests on the soil surface and automatically sends an electronic signal to the UCE/ECU. Upon receiving this electronic signal, the UCE/ECU sends a command to said electromechanical actuator, causing the base cut assembly 11 to be moved away from the soil.

(26) 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.