SELF-PROPELLED COMBINE HARVESTER

Abstract

The present invention relates to a self-propelled combine harvester (1) comprising: - a separating device (4) for separating grains from a material stream consisting of grains and plant residues, - a chopping device (6) for processing the plant residues supplied by the separating device (4), - a distribution device (7) downstream of the chopping device (6), which is configured for spreading the chopped plant residues supplied by the chopping device (6), - a cleaning device (5) for cleaning the grains supplied by the separating device (4) of remaining plant residues, - a suction blower device (11) downstream of the cleaning device (5),which draws in plant residues separated from the grains by the cleaning device (5) through at least one inlet opening of the suction blower device (11) and discharges the plant residues through at least one outlet opening of the suction blower device (11) to a spreader plate distributor (18) having several guide elements (23) arranged on a plane below the distribution device (7), wherein the spreader plate distributor (18) is closed at least partially on the bottom and top sides.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a self-propelled combine harvester according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A combine harvester of the type mentioned above is known from DE 10 2020 111 603 A1. The spreading plate distributor, referred to as a chaff distributor, is arranged on the underside of the distribution device and at a distance from the suction fan device, so that the plant residues separated by the cleaning device, essentially a mixture of chaff and short straw, are fed to the downwardly open spreading plate distributor after exiting the outlet opening of the suction fan device arranged downstream of the cleaning device. The plant residues fed to the spreading plate distributor by means of the kinematic energy supplied by the suction fan device have a flow direction that is aligned essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the combine harvester. The essentially vertically oriented guide elements of the spreading plate distributor serve to distribute the plant residues as evenly as possible across a distribution width.The plant debris exiting the suction blower fan spreads out vertically upon entering the downward-facing spreader plate. This spreading is further intensified by the deflection of the debris by the guide elements, meaning that in crosswinds, the kinetic energy with which the debris is fed to the spreader plate is insufficient to achieve an even distribution across the entire width of the spreader.

[0003] Based on the aforementioned prior art, the invention is based on the objective of further developing a self-propelled combine harvester of the type mentioned at the outset, which is characterized by an improved distribution of plant residues by the spreading plate distributor, particularly under crosswind conditions.

[0004] This object is achieved according to the invention by a self-propelled combine harvester having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] According to claim 1, a self-propelled combine harvester is proposed, comprising: A separating device for separating grains from a material stream consisting of grains and plant residues, a chopping device for processing the plant residues supplied by the separating device, a distribution device downstream of the chopping device, which is designed for spreading the shredded plant residues supplied by the chopping device, a cleaning device for cleaning the grains supplied by the separating device of remaining plant residues, a suction blower device downstream of the cleaning device, which draws in plant residues separated from the grains by the cleaning device through an inlet opening of the suction blower device and discharges the plant residues through an outlet opening of the suction blower device onto a spreader plate distributor arranged on a plane below the distribution device, which has several, essentially vertically oriented, guide elements.According to the invention, the spreader plate is designed to be closed at least partially at the bottom. This partial closure of the spreader plate improves the distribution of the plant residues dispensed by the spreader plate, as it spatially delays the dispersal of the plant residues, particularly in the vertical direction. The partial channeling achieved by closing the spreader plate at least partially at the bottom has a positive effect on the achievable distribution width of the plant residues, especially in crosswinds.

[0006] In particular, the baffle distributor can have a cover element on which the guide elements are arranged extending essentially vertically downwards, and a base element arranged at a distance from the cover element in the vertical direction by the guide elements, which base element closes the bottom of the baffle distributor at least in sections. In this case, the base element can be arranged running essentially parallel to the cover element at least in sections. It is also conceivable that the vertical distance between outer sections of the base element and the cover element can deviate, in particular decrease. Furthermore, it can be provided that the base element has an incline starting from a central section towards its edge regions. The incline can preferably be selected such that the base element is designed to rise towards the edge regions.

[0007] Preferably, the guide plates can extend in the longitudinal direction of the combine harvester essentially to the transverse outer edge of the cover element.

[0008] The guide vanes can have an outwardly curved profile relative to a central longitudinal axis of the combine harvester. The adjacent guide vanes are spaced apart from one another—viewed in the direction of flow of the crop residue—with increasing spacing along the length of the guide vanes. In other words, the guide vanes are arranged essentially in a fan-like manner, so that the crop residue fed to the spreader vane distributor can be distributed transversely to the central longitudinal axis of the combine harvester by means of the guide vanes. The width available for distributing the crop residue in one pass is largely determined by an attachment located in the front area of ​​the combine harvester.

[0009] Preferably, the base element can extend at least over the first third of the guide vanes, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the combine harvester. This minimum extension of the base element, starting from the side of the spreader vane distributor facing the suction fan device, has proven advantageous in order to utilize the existing kinetic energy of the mixture of air and plant residues, even in crosswinds, to the extent that the desired spreading width can be substantially achieved.

[0010] Furthermore, the base element can extend across the entire width of the cover element. The influence of crosswind on the spreading width is particularly pronounced in the outer edges of the spreader plate, since in this area, the plant residue has to travel a longer distance within the spreader plate due to the greater curvature of the guide elements than, for example, in the center of the spreader plate.

[0011] Further preferably, the floor element can be flush with walls arranged on the outside and bordering the scattering plate distributor at the edges.

[0012] According to a preferred development, a bypass element can be arranged on the top side of the cover element, which bypass element feeds and / or deflects shredded plant residue emerging from the region of a counter-blade comb of the chopping device into a channel-shaped transition area, which is open at least in sections at the top, between the outlet opening of the suction fan device and the scattering plate distributor. As a result, straw losses occurring at the counter-blade comb, essentially in the form of short straw, which occur during chopping of the plant residue fed to the chopping device by the separation device, can be fed to the scattering plate distributor for distribution with the plant residue coming from the cleaning device. This can prevent unwanted deposits on the scattering plate distributor, as well as uncontrolled distribution on the field.

[0013] For this purpose, the essentially plate-shaped bypass element can be arranged at an angle to the top of the cover element. Thus, a funnel-shaped arrangement can be formed between a housing or housing section surrounding the suction fan device and the bypass element, which allows for the almost complete absorption of the straw losses occurring at the counter-blade comb.

[0014] More preferably, the bypass element can be arranged with a variable inclination on the top side of the cover element. This allows adaptation to different operating conditions, particularly when the speed of the chopping device changes, to ensure the absorption of straw losses.

[0015] In particular, the bypass element can have a first section hinged to the cover element, on which a second section is arranged, which is movable relative to the first section. The second section is designed to be telescopic relative to the first section, thereby enabling a change in the length of the bypass element when its inclination relative to the top side of the cover element is changed.

[0016] In particular, the floor element can be designed in one piece or in several parts, in particular in two parts.

[0017] Preferably, the base element can be detachably attached to the spreader plate. This allows for adjustment of the base element's length in the longitudinal direction of the spreader plate to allow adaptation to crosswind conditions, particularly regional ones, by modification if necessary.

[0018] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the drawings.

[0019] They show: Fig. 1 schematic and exemplary side view of a self-propelled combine harvester; Fig. 2 schematic and exemplary partial longitudinal section view of a rear area of ​​the combine harvester; Fig. 3 partial view of a suction blower device and a downstream spreader plate distributor from below; Fig. 4 partial view according to Fig. 3 from the rear; and Fig. 5 schematically and exemplarily a multi-part design of a base element of the spreader plate distributor according to Fig. 3 .

[0020] In Fig. 1Figure 1 is a schematic and exemplary side view representation of a self-propelled combine harvester 1. The combine harvester 1 comprises a header 2 designed as a cutting unit, a threshing device 3 designed as a multi-drum threshing unit, a separating device 4, which here and preferably is designed as at least one separating rotor operating according to the axial flow principle, a cleaning device 5, a chopping device 6, and a distribution device 7, which here and preferably is designed as a radial distributor.

[0021] The threshing device 3, the separating device 4, the cleaning device 5, and the chopping device 6 are at least partially surrounded by a machine housing 14, in which a substantially closed processing chamber 13 is formed. An oscillating preparation floor 8 is arranged below the threshing device 3. A return floor 9, also oscillating, is arranged below the separating device 4 and extends substantially parallel to the separating device 3. The cleaning device 5 comprises at least two cleaning sieves 10, one of which is designed as an upper sieve and one as a lower sieve. The preparation floor 8 is located above the sieve level of the cleaning device 5, here the upper sieve of the cleaning sieves 10.

[0022] A suction fan device 11 with at least one suction fan is arranged downstream of the cleaning device 5. The suction fan device 11 serves as the cleaning fan of the cleaning device 4. The suction fan device 11 has a housing 12 in which at least one rotor of the at least one suction fan rotates about a horizontal axis to draw a suction air stream 19—illustrated by an arrow—from the processing chamber 13 of the combine harvester 1 through at least one inlet opening in the housing 12. The processing chamber 13 separates the working elements arranged therein for processing the collected crop from other working units, such as the drive train, which includes a drive motor 15 designed as an internal combustion engine, or other assemblies, such as a grain tank 16 of the combine harvester 1.

[0023] The threshing device 3, the separating device 4, the cleaning device 5, and the chopping device 6 are arranged in the process chamber 13. The suction air stream 19 taken from the process chamber 13 flows through, among other things, the cleaning sieves 10 of the cleaning device 5.

[0024] Adjoining the housing 12 of the suction fan device 11 is a channel-shaped transition area 17, which fluidically connects the suction fan device 11 to a scattering plate distributor 18. The suction fan device 11 draws in the suction air flow 19, which is supplied essentially in the area of ​​the threshing device 3, in front of the cleaning device 5, and below the preparation floor 8.

[0025] As it flows through the process chamber 13, the suction air stream 19 carries along plant residues that are lighter than the grains separated by the cleaning device 5 through the cleaning sieves 10. The plant residues essentially consist of chaff and short straw. After flowing around and through the preparation tray 8 and the cleaning sieves 10 of the cleaning device 5, the suction air stream 19, together with the plant residues contained therein, leaves the suction fan device 11 through at least one outlet opening. The suction air stream 19, sucked in by the suction fan device 11 from the process chamber 13, flows onward through the transition region 17 adjoining the at least one outlet opening, together with the plant residues contained therein to the scattering plate distributor 18. The scattering plate distributor 18 is arranged on a level below the distribution device 7.

[0026] The chopping device 6 has a chopping rotor 20 equipped with knives and driven in rotation, as well as a stationary counter-knife comb 21.

[0027] In Fig. 2 The diagram schematically and exemplarily shows a partial longitudinal section of a rear area of ​​the combine harvester 1. The spreader plate 18 has a cover element 22 on which the guide elements 23 are arranged, extending essentially vertically downwards. Furthermore, the spreader plate 18 has a base element 24, which is arranged parallel to the cover element 22. The base element 24 is spaced apart from the cover element 22 by the guide elements 23.

[0028] A bypass element 25 is arranged on the upper side 26 of the cover element 22 facing the chopping device 6. The bypass element 25 serves to feed shredded plant residue emerging from the chopping device 6 in the region of the counter-blade comb 21 into the channel-shaped transition area 17, which is open at least in sections at the top, between the outlet opening of the suction fan device 11 and the scattering plate distributor 18, or to deflect it into this channel-shaped transition area 17. Preferably, the transition area 17 is open at the top at least across the width of the counter-blade comb 21.

[0029] The bypass element 25 is essentially plate-shaped. The bypass element 25 is inclined at an angle 27 to the upper surface 26 of the cover element 22. This creates a funnel-shaped arrangement between the housing 12 and the bypass element 25, which allows for the almost complete absorption of straw losses occurring at the counter-knife comb 21. Preferably, the bypass element 25 can be arranged with a variable inclination on the upper surface 26 of the cover element 22, so that the angle 27 between the bypass element 25 and the upper surface 26 is variable.

[0030] According to a further aspect, the plate-shaped bypass element 25 can have a first section hinged to the cover element 22. A second, parallel section can be arranged on the first section, which is movable relative to the first section, ie, telescopic, in order to be able to vary the length of the bypass element 25.

[0031] The representation in Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a partial view of the suction blower device 11 and the downstream spreader plate distributor 18 from below. The spreader plate distributor 18 is essentially formed from a plurality of guide elements 23 in the form of sheets. The distances 28 between adjacent guide elements 23 increase along their length when viewed in the direction of flow of the suction air stream 19 carrying the plant residues.

[0032] The guide elements 23 can be pivotally mounted about a vertically extending axis at their ends facing the transition region 17. The free ends of the guide elements 23 can be guided in arcuate slots 33 on the cover element 22 for displacement in sections in the transverse direction 29. Releasable locking means can be provided on the upper side 26 of the cover element 22 to fix the position set by pivoting the guide elements 23 within the slots 33.

[0033] The kinetic energy supplied to the plant residues by the suction blower 11 is directed towards the spreader plate 18. Upon impact of the plant residues on the guide elements 23, the flow direction is altered such that the plant residues are deflected laterally 29 and thereby effectively "fanned out". The plant residues are then ejected in a first layer onto the field behind the combine harvester 1.

[0034] The guide plates 23 extend, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the combine harvester 1, essentially to the transverse outer edge 30 of the cover element 22. The guide plates 23 have an outwardly curved course with respect to a central longitudinal axis 31 of the combine harvester 1.

[0035] The bottom element 24 extends, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the combine harvester 1, at least over the first third of the guide vanes 23. The bottom element 24 extends over the entire width of the cover element 22. Between the cover element 22 and the bottom element 24, closed flow sections are formed between the guide elements 23 in the circumferential direction.

[0036] The base element 24 is flush with the outer walls 32, which border the scatter plate distributor 18 at its edges.

[0037] The base element 24 can be detachably attached to the spreader plate distributor 18. This allows for adjustment of the extension of the base element 24 in the longitudinal direction of the spreader plate distributor 18. By replacing the base element 24, the extension and thus the partial closure of the bottom of the spreader plate distributor 18, as seen in the longitudinal direction of the combine harvester 1, can be adjusted as needed. This allows for varying the residence time of the exiting suction air stream 19.

[0038] The representation in Fig. 4 shows a partial view of the spreader plate distributor 18 according to Fig. 3 from behind. In Fig. 4The fan-shaped arrangement of the guide plates 23 can be seen on the underside of the cover element 22. The base element 24 is preferably made in one piece. In the area of ​​the two centrally arranged guide plates 23, which have opposite curvatures, the base element 24 can have a gusset-shaped section 34. The leading edge of the section 34, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the combine harvester 1, has a smaller axial distance to the transition area 17 than the leading edges of sections 35 of the base element 24 adjacent to the gusset-shaped section 34.

[0039] The floor element 24 can be designed in one piece or in several pieces. Fig. 5 is a schematic and exemplary multi-part design of the base element 24 of the spreader plate distributor 18 according to Fig. 3The floor element 24, shown here in two parts, has floor segments 24a and 24b. The floor segments 24a and 24b can be designed as identical parts, which are arranged in a mirror image with respect to the central longitudinal axis 31 of the combine harvester 1. Reference symbol list 1 Combine harvester 32 wall 2 attachment 33 Slotted hole 3 threshing device 34 Wedge-shaped section 4 Separation device 35 Section 5 Cleaning device 6 shredding device 7 Distribution device 8 Preparation area 9 Return floor 10 Cleaning screen 11 Suction blower device 12 Housing 13 Process space 14 Machine housing 15 drive motor 16 grain tank 17 Transition area 18 Spreader plate distributor 19 Suction airflow 20 shredder rotor 21 Counter-knife comb 22 Cover element 23 Conductive element 24 floor element 24a floor segment 24b floor segment 25 Bypass element 26 Top 27 angle 28 Distance 29 Transverse direction 30 edge 31 central longitudinal axis

Claims

1. A self-propelled combine harvester (1), comprising: - a separating device (4) for separating grains from a crop stream consisting of grains and plant residues, - a chopping device (6) for processing the plant residues fed by the separating device (4), - a distributing device (7) arranged downstream of the chopping device (6) and designed to distribute the shredded plant residues fed by the chopping device (6), - a cleaning device (5) for cleaning the grains fed by the separating device (4) of any remaining plant residues, - a suction fan device (11) arranged downstream of the cleaning device (5),which sucks in plant residues separated from the grains by the cleaning device (5) through at least one inlet opening of the suction fan device (11) and delivers the plant residues through at least one outlet opening of the suction fan device (11) to a scattering plate distributor (18) arranged on a plane below the distribution device (7) and having a plurality of guide elements (23), , characterized in that the diffusion plate distributor (18) is designed to be closed at least in sections at the bottom and at the top.

2. Combine harvester (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the scattering plate distributor (18) has a cover element (22) on which the guide elements (23) are arranged extending substantially vertically downwards, and at least one base element (24) arranged at a distance from the cover element (22) in the vertical direction by the guide elements (23).

3. Combine harvester (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatthe guide plates (23) extend, as seen in the longitudinal direction of the combine harvester (1), essentially as far as the transverse outer edge (30) of the cover element (22).

4. Combine harvester (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the guide plates (23) have an outwardly curved course relative to a central longitudinal axis (31) of the combine harvester (1).

5. Combine harvester (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor element (24) extends at least over the first third of the guide plates (23) when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the combine harvester (1).

6. Combine harvester (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base element (24) extends over the entire width of the cover element (22).

7. Combine harvester (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base element (24) is flush with the walls (32) arranged on the outside and bordering the scattering plate distributor (18) at the edges.

8. Combine harvester (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the upper side (26) of the cover element (22) a bypass element (25) is arranged, which feeds shredded plant residues emerging from the region of a counter-blade comb (21) of the chopping device (6) to a channel-shaped transition region (17) which is open at least in sections towards the top and is located between the outlet opening of the suction fan device (11) and the scattering plate distributor (18) and / or deflects it into said region.

9. Combine harvester (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the substantially plate-shaped bypass element (25) is arranged inclined at an angle (27) to the upper side (26) of the cover element (22).

10. Combine harvester (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the bypass element (25) is arranged with a variable inclination on the upper side (26) of the cover element (22).

11. Combine harvester (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in thatthe bypass element (25) has a first section which is hinged to the cover element (22) and on which a second section is arranged which is movable relative to the first section.

12. Combine harvester (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor element (24) is designed in one or more parts, in particular in two parts.

13. Combine harvester (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base element (24) is detachably attached to the spreader plate distributor (18).