CONCAVE SEGMENT FOR HARVEST SEPARATION

Abstract

A concave segment (6) for combine harvesters (1), which is provided for separating harvest (2), extends in a circumferential direction (65) in a curve about a concave axis (53), and includes numerous finger strips (62). The finger strips (62) each have a transverse strip (67), wherein the transverse strips (67) each extend in a direction of extension parallel to the concave axis (53), and wherein numerous fingers (63) are disposed on each of the transverse strips (67). The fingers (63) have a curved cross section thereby, and/or the transverse strips (67) have a wave shape (74) in the direction of extension (70).

Claims

1. A concave segment for a combine harvester, provided for separating harvest, extending in a curve about a concave axis in a circumferential direction, the concave segment comprising: a plurality of finger strips, wherein the finger strips each have a transverse strip, wherein the transverse strips each extend in a direction of extension parallel to the concave axis, and wherein a plurality of fingers are disposed on each of the transverse strips, wherein at least some of the fingers have a curved cross section.

2. The concave segment according to claim 1, wherein the fingers have an upper convex surface facing the concave axis and a lower concave surface facing away from the concave axis.

3. The concave segment according to claim 1 wherein, the transverse strips have a wave shape in the direction of extension.

4. The concave segment according to claim 3, wherein the transverse strips each have an upper surface, and the upper surface has the wave shape in the direction of extension, wherein the upper surface faces the concave axis.

5. The concave segment according to claim 1, wherein the fingers of adjacent finger strips are spaced apart in the axial direction.

6. The concave segment according to claim 3, wherein the wave shape of transverse strips has troughs and peaks, and the fingers of the finger strips are aligned with the peaks of the adjacent finger strips.

7. The concave segment according to claim 1, wherein the fingers each have a free end, and are parallel to one another.

8. The concave segment according to claim 1, wherein the free ends of the fingers of the finger strips are each spaced apart from the transverse strips of their adjacent finger strips in the circumferential direction.

9. The concave segment according to claim 3, wherein the transverse strips each comprise a first and second leg, which are disposed at an angle greater than 0 to one another, wherein the second leg defines the upper surface of the transverse strip, and the fingers extend from the second leg to the free end.

10. The concave segment according to claim 9, wherein the concave segment has a frame on which the finger strips are disposed, wherein the finger strips are attached to the frame by means of the first leg.

11. The concave segment according to claim 1, wherein the finger strips are reversibly pivotable about respective pivot axes that extend parallel to the transverse strips.

12. A concave having one or more concave segments according to claim 1, wherein the concave is a threshing concave having a concave segment for a tangential threshing unit for tangential combine harvesters and/or hybrid combine harvesters.

13. A concave according to claim 12, wherein the concave is a separating concave having a plurality of concave segments for an axial separating device (8) for hybrid combine harvesters.

14. A concave according to claim 12, wherein the concave is a separating concave having a plurality of concave segments for an axial separation device for axial combine harvesters.

15. The concave according to claim 12, wherein the concave segments are disposed adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction and/or behind one another in the axial direction.

16. A combine harvester having at least one concave segment according to claim 1.

17. A concave segment for a combine harvester, the concave segment comprising: a plurality of finger strips extending in an axial direction, wherein the finger strips each comprise: a transverse strip having an upper surface with an undulating wave shape extending in the axial direction, the upper undulating wave shape defining peaks and troughs along the upper surface; and a plurality of fingers coupled to and extending from the transverse strip, wherein at least some of the fingers have a curved cross section with an upper convex surface and a lower concave surface.

18. The concave segment according to claim 17, wherein the upper convex surface of the fingers are aligned with the peaks of the upper surface of the transverse strip.

19. The concave segment according to claim 18, wherein the plurality of fingers are spaced apart in the axial direction and define gaps therebetween.

20. The concave segment according to claim 19, wherein the gaps between the fingers are aligned with the troughs of the upper surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The various aspects shall be explained below in greater detail based on exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawings. Therein:

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a combine harvester having an axial separating device;

[0037] FIG. 2A shows a concave segment in a perspective view;

[0038] FIG. 2B shows a concave segment in a view from above;

[0039] FIGS. 3A and B show perspective views of a finger strip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] FIG. 1 shows, schematically, a side view of a section of a self-driving combine harvester 1 having an axial separating device 8. A hybrid combine harvester is shown here.

[0041] Harvest 2 is cut during a harvest drive with an attachment (not shown) of the combine harvester 1, and supplied by means of a conveyor (not shown) of a threshing unit 4, in this case a tangential threshing unit 4.

[0042] The threshing unit 4 includes a threshing drum 41, a straw impeller drum 42 and a concave 5 designed as a threshing concave 51. The threshing concave 51 partially encompasses the threshing drum 41 from below. It is composed of one or more concave segments 6 as explained in greater detail below. In addition, the threshing unit 4 can include an accelerating drum (not shown), wherein the threshing concave 51 can then partially encompass the accelerating drum as well. The threshing drum 41 threshes the harvest 2 at the threshing concave 51. The harvest 2, composed substantially of grain separated at the threshing concave 51, falls through the at least one concave segment onto the preparation base 9, from where it is conveyed to a cleaning device 91. The remaining harvest 2 composed substantially of straw, chaff and residual grain is supplied to an axial separating device 8 by means of the straw impeller drum 42.

[0043] The axial separating device 8 includes a separating rotor 81 and a housing 82 that cylindrically and entirely encompasses the separating rotor 81. The housing 82 has a lower housing part 83, which includes a concave 5 designed as a separating concave 52. The concave 5 cylindrically and partially encompasses the separating rotor 81, and has an imaginary concave axis 53. The concave 5 includes a plurality, meaning two or more, concave segments 6, which are disposed behind one another in the axial direction 54, and in one embodiment numerous concave segments.

[0044] The separating rotor 81 picks up the harvest and conveys it on a helical track (not shown) about the concave axis 53 through the housing 82 of the separating device 8. The harvest 2, substantially composed of residual grain, chaff and straw, is separated thereby at the separating concave 52. The residual grains and the chaff of the harvest 2 fall through the concave segments 60 onto a return base 92. From there, the harvest 2 is supplied to the cleaning device 91 via the preparation base 9.

[0045] The harvest 2 composed substantially of straw remaining in the separating device 8 is conveyed in the axial direction 54 out of the axial separating device 8, and ultimately discarded to the rear of the combine harvester 1.

[0046] FIGS. 2A and B show two embodiments of the concave segment 6 incorporated into the concave 5 designed as a separating concave 52. FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the concave segment 6 having a plurality of, meaning two or more, finger strips 62 with flat-ended free ends 71 of fingers 63. FIG. 2B shows a view of a concave segment 6 from above, having finger strips 62 with rounded free ends 71 of fingers 63. The concave segment 6 extends in a curve, which is circular here, about an imaginary concave axis 53 extending in the axial direction 54. The concave axis 53 is only partially encompassed thereby.

[0047] The concave segment 6 has a curved frame 64, on which the finger strips 62 are disposed in the direction of the circumference 65 of the concave segment 6. For this, the finger strips 62 are attached in grooves 66 in the frame 64, in particular, they are welded thereto in one embodiment.

[0048] The finger strips 62 form passages 62 in the concave segment 6. The finger strips 62 furthermore have an upper surface 77 facing the concave axis 53. The finger strips 62 each comprise a transverse strip 67, which extends in a direction of extension 70 parallel to the concave axis 53. A plurality of fingers 63 are disposed on the transverse strips 67, each of which extends away, for example perpendicular to the transverse strip, from the transverse strip 67 to the free ends 71. Gaps 79 extend between the individual fingers 63 of each finger strip 62.

[0049] The fingers 63 of adjacent finger strips 62 in the direction of circumference 65 are disposed offset to one another in the axial direction 54. The fingers 63 of the finger strips 62 are disposed flush to the gaps 79 of the adjacent finger strips 62 in and counter to the circumferential direction 65. Furthermore, the fingers 63 are spaced apart, parallel to one another. They are substantially oriented in the circumferential direction 65 thereby. The free ends 71 of the fingers 72 of the finger strips 62 are each spaced apart from the transverse strip 67 of their adjacent finger strip 62 in the circumferential direction 65, by means of which a gap 80 is created between the finger strips 62. The gaps 80 and the gaps 79, collectively, form the passages.

[0050] Each finger 63 has a curved design, and thus has a curvature with an outer curvature 72, shown as an outer convex surface, and an inner curvature 73, shown as an inner concave surface. The outer curvature 72 is located thereby on a side of the finger 63 facing the concave axis 53, and the inner curvature 73 is located on a side of the finger 63 facing away from the concave axis 53.

[0051] Each transverse strip 67 has a first and a second leg 68, 69. The transverse strips 67 are attached in the grooves 66 of the frame 64 by means of the first leg 68. The fingers 63 are disposed on the second leg 69 of the transverse strips 67. The fingers 63 are cantilevered, and extend from the second leg 69 to a free end 71, for example at a right angle to the second leg.

[0052] FIGS. 3A and B show perspective views of a section of a finger strip 62. The two legs 68, 69 of the transverse strips 67 are connected to one another at an angle of 90°, and have a bending radius 78 between them. The fingers 63 are disposed on the second leg 69 of the transverse strip 67 and extend in each case to a free end 71. In this case, each free end 71 of the respective finger 63 is flat. In particular, this exemplary embodiment serves to provide a better illustrative depiction of the outer and inner curvatures 72, 73 of the fingers 63, as is also the case in FIG. 2A. The design having rounded free ends 71 of the respective fingers 63 is preferred, however, as is depicted in FIG. 2B.

[0053] The second leg 69 of the transverse strips 67 has a wave shape 74, which extends along the direction of extension 70. Furthermore, it has the same wave shape 74 on the upper surface 77 and the lower surface of the second leg 69 of the transverse strips 67. The wave shape 74 has peaks 75, which have a convex curvature, and troughs 76, which have a concave curvature. The peaks 75 and troughs 76 are located on the upper surface 77 of the second leg 69 of the transverse strips 67. The upper surface 77 faces the concave axis thereby. The peaks 75 on the upper surface are aligned and disposed flush with the fingers 63. The peaks 75 on the upper surface are furthermore substantially an extension of the outer curvature 72 of the fingers 63, meaning the outer convex surfaces are aligned and continuous. The troughs 76 on the upper surface are aligned and disposed flush with the gaps 79 of the same finger strips 62. The troughs 76 on the upper surface are furthermore disposed between the fingers 63.

[0054] During separation of the harvest 2 in the axial separating device 8, the harvest 2, substantially composed of residual grain, chaff, and in particular, straw, is conveyed past the concave segments 6 of the concave 5 in the circumferential direction 65 by means of the separating rotor 81. Due to the curved design of the fingers 63, in particular their outer curvature 72, and due to the gaps 79 in front of the peaks 75 of the transverse strips 67, the harvest 2 is directed and conveyed thereby toward peaks 75 of the transverse strips 67 in particular. A separation of the harvest 2 occurs in particular when the harvest 2 strikes the peaks 75. The separated harvest 2, formed substantially of grain and chaff, falls through the passages 61 of the at least one concave segment 6.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0055] 1 combine harvester [0056] 2 harvest [0057] 4 threshing unit [0058] 41 threshing drum [0059] 42 straw impeller drum [0060] 5 concave [0061] 51 threshing concave [0062] 52 separating concave [0063] 53 concave axis [0064] 54 axial direction [0065] 6 concave segment [0066] 61 passage [0067] 62 finger strip [0068] 63 finger [0069] 64 frame [0070] 65 circumferential direction [0071] 66 groove [0072] 67 transverse strip [0073] 68 first leg [0074] 69 second leg [0075] 70 direction of extension [0076] 71 free end of the finger [0077] 72 outer curvature [0078] 73 inner curvature [0079] 74 wave shape [0080] 75 peak [0081] 76 trough [0082] 77 upper surface [0083] 78 bending radius [0084] 79 gap [0085] 80 gap [0086] 8 axial separating device [0087] 81 separating rotor [0088] 82 housing [0089] 83 lower housing part [0090] 9 preparation base [0091] 91 cleaning device [0092] 92 return base