Harvest collection container for a harvester

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a crop receiving container for a harvesting machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Harvesting machine collection containers feature an open-topped hopper. The hopper has a substantially polygonal opening. To close the hopper and expand its volume, two opposing extension elements are provided, each pivotally mounted around a horizontal axis at the edge of the hopper's opening. These extension elements can be moved from a substantially closed transport position to an open collection position and vice versa. During road transport, the extension elements are folded down to save space, closing the hopper. This ensures that the overall height of the harvesting machine remains within the limits permitted for road use.During operation of the harvesting machine in a field, the extension elements are moved into their open receiving position to increase the volume of the collection container.

[0003] A crop collection container for a harvesting machine of the type mentioned above is known from DE 100 51 096 B4. DE 100 51 096 B4 proposes equipping the collection container with an extension device with four walls forming a closed rectangle to increase its capacity. Two opposing walls are made of a rigid material with reinforcing ribs. The remaining walls are made of a flexible material. The rigid walls are pivotable between a transport position, in which they are pivoted towards each other and downwards, and an upright, upward-opening collection position. The flexible walls are connected at their ends to the rigid walls, thus connecting them to each other, so that a closed ring is formed in the collection position of the device.The walls made of flexible material align themselves with the walls made of rigid material into the operating position and fold up due to their flexibility when the walls made of rigid material are folded into the out-of-service position.

[0004] Document EP 2 661 951 A2 discloses a crop receiving container for a harvesting machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] Based on the aforementioned prior art, the invention aims to further develop a crop intake container for a harvesting machine in such a way that it is characterized by an increased volume and a simplified design of the extension elements.

[0006] The aforementioned problem is solved in a crop intake container for a harvesting machine according to the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] A crop collection container for a harvesting machine is proposed, comprising an upwardly open collection container with a substantially polygonal opening cross-section and pairs of opposing extension elements. The extension elements are pivotally mounted to the collection container about a substantially horizontal pivot axis to move the extension elements from a substantially closed transport position to an open receiving position and vice versa, with an upper pair of extension elements overlapping a lower pair of extension elements in their transport position. According to the invention, the opposing extension elements lie on top of each other in a sandwich-like manner in their transport position.The opposing extension elements each extend beyond half the length or width of the opening cross-section when viewed in the tilting direction. This results in a larger volume being available when the camera is open.

[0008] In particular, the opposing extension elements can overlap each other in their transport position, with an upper pair of extension elements in turn overlapping a lower pair of extension elements. Thus, the sandwich-like superimposition of the extension elements is achieved, firstly, by the fact that opposing extension elements overlap section by section in the transport position, and secondly, that the extension elements of the lower pair overlap the extension elements of the upper pair. The respective lower and upper pairs are formed by the opposing extension elements.

[0009] For this purpose, the extension elements, which lie sandwich-like on top of each other in their transport position, are positioned one above the other in horizontal planes. The extension elements of the lower pair have an essentially trapezoidal outline.

[0010] The extension elements of the upper pair preferably have a substantially cuboid outline. The extension elements of the lower pair are arranged at the end faces of the collection container when viewed longitudinally, while the extension elements of the upper pair are arranged at the long sides of the collection container.

[0011] In particular, the extension elements can be manufactured as a single piece. This single-piece design simplifies achieving the necessary strength. Further advantages include cost reduction and simplified, faster assembly.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the extension elements of the upper pair can have complementary sections in their overlapping area that interlock in their transport position, so that the extension elements of the upper pair form an essentially continuous planar plane. The extension elements of the upper pair extend essentially parallel to the opening plane of the collection container.

[0013] In their transport position, the extension elements of the lower pair can be inclined relative to the upper pair of extension elements towards the opening plane of the collection container. In particular, the extension elements of the lower pair can be inclined inwards, meaning that the outer edges of the extension elements of the lower pair, running parallel to the pivot axis, are located below the opening plane and point into the interior of the collection container.

[0014] Preferably, an intermediate element can be arranged between each pair of adjacent extension elements. These intermediate elements can be essentially triangular in shape. The intermediate elements connect the extension elements to one another, so that in the receiving position, the collection container forms an essentially ring-shaped extension. The extension elements transmit the tilting movement performed during the transfer from the receiving position to the transport position, or vice versa, to the intermediate elements.

[0015] Preferably, the intermediate elements consist of an elastic material. Preferably, the intermediate elements can consist of a fabric-like material that exhibits high tensile strength.

[0016] In particular, the extension elements of the upper pair can have a chamfer on their vertically extending edge areas when in the receiving position, which extends towards the opposite extension element. In the transport position, the chamfers on the edge areas of the upper pair's extension elements can rest against the extension elements of the lower pair. This allows the extension elements of the upper pair to be kept spaced apart from the extension elements below, preventing them from lying flush. At the same time, this creates gaps that at least partially fill the intermediate elements in the transport position.

[0017] Furthermore, the harvesting container can include an actuating device for transferring the extension elements between the transport and receiving positions. This device has a common actuator, which is configured by several mechanical coupling links for the controlled movement of the extension elements. The actuating device can form a kinematic chain with the extension elements.

[0018] In this process, at least one of the extension elements of the lower pair can be drivenly connected to the actuator by at least one characteristic-curve-controlled coupling element in such a way that a sequential movement of the two extension elements of the lower pair is effected. Sequential movement here means a temporally and spatially coordinated movement of the extension elements of the lower pair, which prevents a collision during the transfer between the transport position and the receiving position, or vice versa.

[0019] For this purpose, at least one coupling element can be designed as a spring, in particular a gas spring.

[0020] Furthermore, the extension elements of the upper pair can be connected to each other by a coupling element designed as a multi-part coupling, which effects a sequential movement of the two extension elements of the upper pair. Sequential movement here means a temporally and spatially coordinated movement of the extension elements of the upper pair, which prevents a collision during the transfer between the transport position and the receiving position, or vice versa.

[0021] The multi-part coupling can comprise a connecting rod and a coupling element, which are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the connecting rod, wherein the connecting rod and the coupling element are connected to each other by at least one characteristic-curve-controlled coupling element. In particular, the at least one characteristic-curve-controlled coupling element can be elastically deformable. For this purpose, the at least one characteristic-curve-controlled coupling element can be designed as a damper, in particular a hydraulic damper.

[0022] Furthermore, the problem posed at the outset is solved by a harvesting machine, in particular a self-propelled harvesting machine, with a crop intake container designed according to any one of claims 1 to 14. Reference is made to all descriptions of the proposed crop intake container.

[0023] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the drawings.

[0024] They show: Fig. 1 schematically shows a side view of a harvesting machine with a crop intake container; Fig. 2 schematically shows a perspective view of extension elements of the crop intake container in their receiving position; Fig. 3 schematically shows an actuating device for transferring the extension elements according to Fig. 2 between a transport position and the receiving position; Fig. 4 a partial view of the harvested crop receiving container; Fig. 5 a partial view of a multi-part coupling; and Fig. 6a to 6f schematically a process of transferring the extension elements from the receiving position to the transport position.

[0025] In Fig. 1Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of a harvesting machine 1, designed as a combine harvester. The harvesting machine 1 has a crop intake container 2, which includes a collection hopper 3 with a substantially polygonal opening cross-section, as well as pairs of opposing extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b, each pivotally mounted about a horizontal pivot axis 25 (indicated by way of example) at the edge of an opening 21 of the collection hopper 3. The extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b are arranged in a funnel shape to increase the volume of the collection hopper 3, i.e., they are in their intake position. The harvesting machine 1 is equipped at the front with a header 4, designed as a cutting unit, which is mounted on an inclined conveyor 5. The harvesting machine 1 uses the attachment 4 to pick up the crop 6 and feed it to the inclined conveyor 5.The inclined conveyor 5 transfers the harvested crop 6 to a downstream threshing unit 7. The threshing unit 7 processes the harvested crop 6, separating it into a grain-chaff mixture 8 and a stream of threshed straw 9. The grain-chaff mixture 8 is conveyed via a preparation floor 10 directly to a cleaning unit 11, which separates the grains 12 from the non-grain components 13, i.e., straw and chaff.

[0026] Behind the threshing unit 7, a counterclockwise rotating reversing drum 14 is arranged, which conveys the crop flow 9, consisting of threshed stalks, onto a separating device designed as a straw walker 15. The straw walker 15 separates the remaining grains 12, short straw 16, and chaff 17 from the crop flow 9, which also enter the cleaning unit 11 via a return floor 18. Alternatively, the separating device can be designed as at least one axial separating rotor. A grain elevator 19 conveys the grains 12 separated by the cleaning unit 11 into the collection container 3, which is designed as a container with a substantially polygonal base and is usually located behind a driver's cab 22 of the harvesting machine 1. The collection container 3 has an upper opening 21, which forms an opening plane. The extension elements 23, 24 are arranged above the opening 21.If required, the grain 12 is transferred from the collection container 3 to a transport wagon (not shown) using a grain tank unloading conveyor 20. An arrow FR indicates the direction of travel of the harvesting machine 1 during harvesting. In the transport position of the extension elements 23, 24, these close the upper opening 21 to maintain a maximum overall height of the harvesting machine 1 that is permissible for road traffic.

[0027] The representation in Fig. 2Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of only the extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b in their receiving position. An intermediate element 26 is arranged between each pair of adjacent extension elements 23a, 24a; 23a, 24b; 24b, 23b; 23b, 24a. This intermediate element 26 is attached to the vertically extending edge regions 27 of the adjacent extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b in their receiving position. The intermediate elements 26 are made of an elastic material. In particular, the intermediate elements 26 are made of a fabric-like material that has high tensile strength and, due to its elasticity, can be folded or collapsed. The extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b are made of a rigid material. In addition, struts 28 can be provided to increase stiffness, which are arranged on the mutually facing inner sides of the extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b.The extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b are designed as single pieces.

[0028] According to the invention, the opposing extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b are arranged in a sandwich-like configuration in their transport position. The opposing extension elements 23a, 23b and 24a, 24b can overlap each other in their transport position, with an upper pair formed by extension elements 24a, 24b overlapping a lower pair formed by extension elements 23a, 23b, as described below. In their transport position, the sandwich-like extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b are positioned one above the other in horizontal planes.The extension elements 23a, 23b of the lower pair are arranged on the opposite end faces of the collection container 3 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the harvested crop receiving container 2, while the extension elements 24a, 24b of the upper pair are arranged on the opposite longitudinal sides of the collection container 3.

[0029] The upper pair of extension elements 24a, 24b has complementary sections 30, 31 in its overlap area, which interlock in their transport position, so that the upper pair of extension elements 24a, 24b forms an essentially continuous planar plane, which in Fig. 6fAs illustrated, an extension element 24a has a stepped shoulder 32 running parallel to the horizontal, end-face outer edge 29, which limits the section 30 in the overlap area with the opposite extension element 24b. The section 31 of the opposite extension element 24b, which rests against the section 30 in a substantially form-fitting manner in the closed transport position, is designated by 31. The crop receiving container 2 includes an actuating device 33 for moving the extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b between the transport position and the receiving position.

[0030] The extension elements 24a, 24b of the upper pair each have a chamfer 58 on their vertically extending edge regions 27 in the receiving position, which extends towards the opposite extension element 24a, 24b. The chamfers 58 run essentially perpendicular to the surface of the respective extension element 24a, 24b. In the transport position, the chamfers 58 on the edge regions 27 of the extension elements 24a, 24b of the upper pair can rest against the extension elements 23a, 23b of the lower pair. This allows the extension elements 24a, 24b of the upper pair to be held spaced apart from the extension elements 24a, 24b of the lower pair below, so that they do not lie flush. At the same time, this creates gaps that at least partially fill the intermediate elements 26 in the transport position.

[0031] In Fig. 3The actuating device 33 for transferring the extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b is shown schematically according to Fig. 2 The diagram shows the position between the transport position and the receiving position. For the sake of simplicity, only the essential components of the actuating device 33 are shown. The actuating device 33 has a common actuator 34, which is configured for the controlled movement of the extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b. For this purpose, the extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b are mechanically connected to the actuator 34 by several mechanical coupling links 35. The extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b of the actuator 34 and the coupling links 35 form a kinematic chain. The term coupling link 35 is used for simplicity as a general term for various mechanical components of the actuating device 33 with partially differing properties, which are specified in more detail below.

[0032] Here, and preferably, the actuator 34, which is designed in particular as a linear drive, engages a coupling element 35 designed as a lever arm 36, which is rotationally fixed to a rotatably mounted drive shaft 37 as a further coupling element 35. On the drive shaft 37, positioning levers 38 are arranged as coupling elements 35 in a rotationally fixed manner, at the free ends of which a lever 49 is pivotably arranged and is articulated to a bearing point 50 of the extension element 24b, which is arranged on one of the longitudinal sides of the crop intake container 2 running parallel to the direction of travel FR. The linear movement generated by the actuator 34 is transmitted by the lever arm 36 to the drive shaft 37 and converted into a rotary movement 39. Parallel to the drive shaft 37, a further drive shaft 44 is arranged as a coupling element 35.The drive shaft 44 is mechanically connected to the opposite drive shaft 37 by a coupling element designed as a multi-part coupling 40. The construction of the multi-part coupling 40 is described further below with reference to [reference missing]. Fig. 5 explained in more detail.

[0033] The multi-part coupling 40 comprises a connecting rod 41, which is arranged essentially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the crop intake container 2, i.e., the direction of travel FR. One end of the coupling 40 facing the drive shaft 37 is non-rotatably connected to it by a rocker arm 42. The coupling 40 is pivotally connected to the free end of the rocker arm 42. The connecting rod 41 is pivotally connected at its free end to a coupling element 35 designed as a rocker arm 43. On the drive shaft 44, pivoting levers 45 are also non-rotatably arranged as coupling elements 35, to which the corresponding extension element 24a is articulated by means of at least one lever 49 and at least one bearing 50. The multi-part coupling 40 transmits a linear movement to the rocker arm 43, which is transmitted by the rocker arm 43 as a tilting or pivoting movement to the drive shaft 44.

[0034] In the area between extension element 23a and extension element 24b, a lever arm 46 is fixedly arranged on the drive shaft 37 as a coupling element 35. A characteristic-curve-controlled coupling element 47 is arranged at the free end of the lever arm 46 and is connected to the extension element 23a. The coupling element 47 is variable in length, with the change in length being controlled by a characteristic curve. The coupling element 47 is preferably designed as a gas spring, in particular as a gas tension spring. The rotational movement of the drive shaft 37 is transmitted to the coupling element 47 by the rocker arm 42 as a tensile or compressive movement, depending on the direction of rotation, resulting in a tilting or pivoting movement of the extension element 23a connected to it. In the area between extension element 23b and extension element 24a, a lever arm 46a is fixedly arranged on the drive shaft 37 as a coupling element 35.At the free end of the lever arm 46a, a characteristic-curve-controlled, length-variable coupling element 47a is also arranged, which is connected to the extension element 23b. The coupling element 47a is preferably designed as a gas spring, in particular as a gas tension spring.

[0035] The representation in Fig. 4Figure 1 shows a partial view of the crop collection container 2. Shown – viewed in the direction of travel FR – is a corner section of the crop collection container 2, in which the extension element 23a and the adjacent extension element 24b are connected to each other by the intermediate element 26. The coupling element 47, designed as a gas spring, is articulated at its free end to an internally arranged bearing point 48 on the extension element 23a. The support levers 38 and 45 are each articulated by a lever 49 to an internally arranged bearing point 50 on the extension element 24a and 24b, respectively. An internal arrangement means that, in the transport position, the bearing points 48 and 50 face the interior of the collection container 3.

[0036] In Fig. 5A partial view of the multi-part coupling 40 is shown. The coupling 40 comprises the connecting rod 41 (only partially shown) and a coupling element 51. The coupling element 51 is designed as an essentially U-shaped profile section. The coupling element 51 is pivotally mounted at its end facing the drive shaft 37 about a pivot axis 52. The coupling element 51 has a first stop 53 and a second stop 54, which are fixedly arranged coaxially with the connecting rod 41 on the coupling element 51. The two stops of the coupling element 51 serve to guide the connecting rod 41. The connecting rod 41 and the coupling element 51 are movable relative to each other in the axial direction of the connecting rod 41. The first stop 53 is arranged adjacent to the pivot axis 52. The second stop 54 is spaced apart from the first stop 53 of the coupling element 51.

[0037] The connecting rod 41 also has a first stop 55 and a second stop 56, which are fixedly arranged on the connecting rod 41. The first stop 55 is located at the free end of the connecting rod 41 and, viewed longitudinally along the connecting rod 41, is positioned behind the first stop 53 of the coupling element 51. The second stop 56, viewed longitudinally along the connecting rod 41, is positioned in front of the second stop 54 of the coupling element 51. At least one characteristic-curve-controlled coupling element 57 is arranged parallel to the connecting rod 41 and the coupling element 51, connecting the connecting rod 41 and the coupling element 51. The at least one coupling element 57 is designed as a damper. Preferably, two dampers with the same damping force are provided as coupling elements 57.

[0038] The multi-part, here and preferably the two-part, design of the relative movable components connecting rod 41 and coupling element 51 of the coupling 40 allows a defined elongation L of the connecting rod 41 relative to the coupling element 51 through the arrangement of the first and second stops 53, 54 of the coupling element 51 and the first and second stops 55, 56 of the connecting rod 41. When moving from the receiving position to the transport position of the extension elements 24a, 24b, the second stop 56 of the connecting rod 41 rests against the second stop 54 of the coupling element 51, with the coupling 40 remaining unelongated. The rotational movement 39 of the drive shaft 37 causes the first stop 53 of the coupling element 51 to move in the direction of the first stop 55 of the connecting rod 41 due to the relative mobility. This results in a delayed movement of the extension element 24a relative to the extension element 24b.To move the extension elements 24a and 24b from their transport position to their receiving position, the first stop 53 of the coupling element 51 is moved towards the first stop 55 of the connecting rod 41 due to its relative mobility. The elongation L to be bridged in this process causes the extension element 24b to move outwards while the extension element 24a below it remains in its transport position. Only when the first stop 53 of the coupling element 51 abuts the first stop 55 of the connecting rod 41 does the extension element 24a also begin to move outwards.

[0039] In the Figs. 6a to 6f The schematic diagram shows the process of transferring the extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b from the receiving position to the transport position. Fig. 6aThe figure shows the extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b in their initial position. The intermediate elements 26 connecting the extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b circumferentially are not shown for clarity. The coupling element 47, designed as a gas spring, does not change length in the initial position of the extension element 23a. Actuation of the actuator 34 causes the extension element 23a to be pivoted into the transport position, first by means of the coupling element 47 located on the drive shaft 37, and then the extension element 24b to be pivoted into the transport position by means of the lifting lever 38, also located on the drive shaft 37.The coupling 40, which transmits the rotary motion 39 exerted by the actuator 34 on the drive shaft 37 via the rocker arm 43 to the opposite drive shaft 44, is also in its essentially unextended position in the initial position, so that the extension elements 23b and 24b are not moved, i.e., they initially remain in their initial position. The closing process of the two extension elements 23b and 24b thus begins with a time offset compared to the extension elements 23a and 24a.

[0040] Out of Fig. 6bIt is evident that after actuator 34 is activated, in particular by a control device of the harvesting machine 1, the extension element 23a exhibits an inward inclination towards the vertical axis of the crop intake container 2. The extension element 23a is inclined in the direction of the opposite extension element 23b, which continues to exhibit an outward inclination. In this intermediate position, the inclination of the extension element 23a is so great that its center of gravity is exceeded, meaning that the extension element 23a would tip inwards without a counterforce. The greater inclination of the extension element 23a compared to the opposite extension element 23b is caused by the coupling element 47. For this purpose, the coupling element 47, designed as a gas spring, has a specific characteristic curve and a defined release load.A specific counterforce is required by the coupling element 47 before it triggers elongation. Furthermore, the characteristic curve can be selected such that a lower load than the trigger load is necessary for the complete elongation of the coupling element 47, which is designed as a gas spring. Until the trigger load is reached, the tensile force transmitted by the lever arm 46 is transferred equally from the unstretched coupling element 47 to the extension element 23a.

[0041] The extension element 24b adjacent to the extension element 23a also has an inclination in the direction of the opposite extension element 24a due to the rotary movement 39 transmitted from the actuator 34 to the drive shaft 37, whereby the center of gravity of the extension element 24b is not exceeded.

[0042] Fig. 6c shows all extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b in a contrasting view Fig. 6asignificantly changed position. The extension element 23a is inclined further inwards, since the coupling element 47 has not yet undergone any change in length. The extension element 24b adjacent to extension element 23a has an inclination that already extends beyond the center of gravity of extension element 24b. The extension elements 23b and 24a are now also in an inwards inclined position, although the center of gravity of the extension elements 23b and 24a has not been exceeded. In order to prevent undamped inward tilting of the extension elements 23a and 24b in the absence of a counterforce, especially since the coupling 40 is now moving from its unstended state to its elongated state due to the continued rotation of the drive shaft 37, this tilting movement is damped by the characteristic-curve-controlled coupling element 57.The retraction of coupling 40 to the unlengthened state now enables at least a short-term accelerated tilting movement of the extension elements 24a and 23b relative to the tilting movement of the extension elements 24b and 23a.

[0043] Out of Fig. 6dIt is evident that all extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b exhibit an inclination that extends beyond the center of gravity. Extension element 23a is located below extension element 23b, where it rests on a support 59, for example, a filling head inside the crop intake container 2. Extension element 23b is held in an inclined position below extension elements 24a and 24b by intermediate elements 26 (not shown). The movement of extension elements 24a and 24b occurs sequentially.This is achieved on the one hand by the elongation L, as already explained above, and on the other hand by the at least one coupling element 57 designed as a damper, which in the event of the respective exceedance of the center of gravity position of the extension elements 24a and 23b ensures maximum damping with a fixed fall duration.

[0044] After the extension element 23a reaches its horizontal end position, the coupling link 47, which was previously in its unstretched state, lengthens, allowing the drive shaft 35 to continue rotating and move the extension elements 23b, 24a, 24b, which are not yet in their transport position, into the transport position. The same applies to the coupling link 47a, designed as a gas spring, which is responsible for closing the extension element 23b and is arranged on the drive shaft 44 by means of the lever arm 46a.

[0045] The representation according to Fig. 6eThe figure shows the extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a in their transport position, while extension element 24b is still spaced apart from the extension element 24a below it. The extension elements 23a, 23b, which are designated as the lower pair, exhibit an inclination towards the horizontal relative to the upper pair of extension elements 24a, 24b in their transport position.

[0046] Fig. 6f Figure 1 shows the extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b in their transport position. The extension elements 24a, 24b, designated as the upper pair, form an essentially continuous flat plane. The extension elements 23a, 23b, designated as the lower pair, exhibit an inclination towards the horizontal relative to the upper pair in their transport position, which is particularly evident from... Fig. 6eAs can be seen, in the transport position, the opposing extension elements 23a, 23b and 23a, 24b are sandwiched together. The opposing extension elements 23a, 23b and 24a, 24b overlap each other in their transport position. The upper pair, extension elements 24a, 24b, overlaps the lower pair, extension elements 23a, 23b. In their transport position, the sandwiched extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b are positioned one above the other in horizontal planes.

[0047] The transfer of the extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b from their in Fig. 6f depicted transport position into the Fig. 6aThe illustrated receiving position is performed in reverse. Conversely, when moving from the transport position to the receiving position, initially only the upper extension element 24b, which is directly mechanically connected to the drive shaft 35, is moved. As soon as the coupling 40 reaches its unextended state, the extension element 24a opens. Subsequently, the coupling member 46a associated with the extension element 23b reaches its unextended state due to the rotational movement 39 of the drive shaft 44, which then leads to the opening of the extension element 23b. Finally, the lower extension element 23a pivots towards the receiving position as soon as the coupling member 47 reaches its unextended state.

[0048] The actuating device 33 forms a kinematic chain with the extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b. Despite the mechanical coupling of the components of the actuating device 33 and the extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b, the characteristic-curve-controlled coupling links 47 and 57 allow a precisely defined temporal sequence to be specified by temporarily decoupling the components. This enables collision-free sequential folding and unfolding of the extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b. All extension elements 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b can be controlled and moved with the single actuator 34 of the actuating device 33. Reference symbol list

[0049] 1 Harvesting machine 32 Paragraph 2 Harvesting container 33 Actuating device 3 Collection container 34 actuator 4 attachment 35 Coupling link 5 inclined conveyor 36 Lever arm 6 Harvested crops 37 drive shaft 7 threshing machine 38 Setting lever 8 Grain-chaff mixture 39 Rotational movement 9 Good electricity 40 paddock 10 Preparation area 41 Stabilizer link 11 Cleaning facility 42 rocker arm 12 grains 43 rocker arm 13 Non-grain components 44 drive shaft 14 reversing drum 45 Setting lever 15 Horde shakers 46,46a Lever arm 16 Short straw 47,47a Coupling link 17 chaff 48 Storage site 18 Return floor 49 lever 19 Corn elevator 50 Storage site 20 grain tank unloading conveyor 51 Coupling element 21 Opening of 3 52 Swivel axis 22 Driver's cab 53 First attack 23a Extension element 54 Second attack 23b Extension element 55 First attack 24a Extension element 56 Second attack 24b Extension element 57 Coupling link 25 Swivel axis 58 chamfer 26 Intermediate element 59 supports 27 Edge area L Elongation 28 strut FR Direction of travel 29 outer edge 30 Section of 24a 31 Section of 24b

Claims

1. Harvested crop receptacle (2) for a harvesting machine (1), comprising an upwardly open collecting container (3) having a substantially polygonal opening cross section and extension elements (23a, 23b; 24a, 24b) which are arranged mutually opposite in pairs and which are each coupled to the edge of an opening (21) of the collecting container (3) so as to be pivotable about a substantially horizontally running pivot axis (25) in order to transfer the extension elements (23a, 23b, 24a, 24b) from a substantially closed transport position into an open receiving position and vice versa, wherein an upper pair of extension elements (24a, 24b) in their transport position overlap a lower pair of extension elements (23a, 23b), characterized in that the respectively mutually opposite extension elements (23a, 23b; 24a, 24b) lie one above the other in a sandwich-like manner in their transport position.

2. Harvested crop receptacle (2) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the respectively mutually opposite extension elements (23a, 23b; 24a, 24b) overlap each other in their transport position.

3. Harvested crop receptacle (2) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the extension elements (23a, 23b; 24a, 24b) lying one above the other in a sandwich-like manner in their transport position are positioned one above the other in horizontal planes.

4. Harvested crop receptacle (2) according to Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the extension elements (23a, 23b, 24a, 24b) are formed integrally.

5. Harvested crop receptacle (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extension elements (24a, 24b) of the upper pair in their overlapping region have complementary sections (30, 31), which mesh with each other in their transport position such that the extension elements (24a, 24b) of the upper pair form a substantially continuous, flat plane.

6. Harvested crop receptacle (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extension elements (23a, 23b) of the lower pair in their transport position relative to the upper pair of extension elements (24a, 24b) have an inclination with respect to the opening plane of the collecting container (3).

7. Harvested crop receptacle (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an intermediate element (26) is in each case arranged between two adjacent extension elements (23a, 23b; 24a, 24b).

8. Harvested crop receptacle (2) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the intermediate elements (26) are composed of an elastic material.

9. Harvested crop receptacle (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extension elements (24a, 24b) of the upper pair have, on edge regions (27) extending in the vertical direction in the receiving position, a bevel (58) extending in the direction of the opposite extension element (24a, 24b).

10. Harvested crop receptacle (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for transferring the extension elements (23a, 23b; 24a, 24b) between the transport position and the receiving position, the harvested crop receptacle (2) comprises an actuating device (33), which has a common actuator (34) which, by means of a plurality of mechanical coupling elements (35), is designed for the controlled movement of the extension elements (23a, 23b; 24a, 24b).

11. Harvested crop receptacle (2) according to Claim 10, characterized in that at least one of the extension elements (23a, 23b) of the lower pair is connected in terms of drive to the actuator (34) by at least one characteristic-controlled coupling member (35, 47, 47a) in such a way that a sequential movement of the two extension elements (23a, 23b) of the lower pair is brought about.

12. Harvested crop receptacle (2) according to Claim 11, characterized in that the at least one coupling member (35, 47, 47a) is designed as a spring, in particular a gas tension spring.

13. Harvested crop receptacle (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extension elements (24a, 24b) of the upper pair are connected to each other by a coupling member (35) which is designed as a multi-part coupling (40) and by which a sequential movement of the two extension elements (24a, 24b) of the upper pair is brought about.

14. Harvested crop receptacle (2) according to Claim 13, characterized in that the multi-part coupling (40) has a coupling rod (41) and a coupling element (51), which are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the coupling rod (41), the coupling rod (41) and the coupling element (51) being connected to each other by at least one characteristic-controlled coupling member (57).

15. Harvesting machine (1), in particular self-propelled harvesting machine, having a harvested crop receptacle (2), characterized in that the harvested crop receptacle (2) is designed according to any one of Claims 1 to 14.