Single-platform reel assembly for an agricultural vehicle.

Abstract

Adjustable reel arm. This is a reel assembly for a platform on an agricultural vehicle. The reel assembly includes a pair of reel arms, each comprising a first member and a second member articulated to the first member, a movably connected reel positioned between the second members of the reel arms, and a pair of actuators. Each actuator is operably connected between the first and second members of a respective reel arm; the actuators are configured to articulate the second member relative to the first member, so that the reel is articulated relative to the first members of the reel arms.

Description

1 / 13 “REEL ASSEMBLY FOR AGRICULTURAL VEHICLE PLATFORM” Fundamentals of the Invention

[001] This invention relates to platforms for agricultural vehicles and, more specifically, reel arms for platforms.

[002] An agricultural combine harvester, known as a "combine harvester," is historically named as such because it combines multiple harvesting functions in a single harvesting unit, such as gathering, threshing, separation, and cleaning. The combine harvester includes a platform that removes the harvest from a field and a feed compartment that transports the harvest material to a threshing rotor. The threshing rotor rotates within a perforated compartment, which may have adjustable concave shapes, performing a threshing operation on the harvest to remove the grain. The threshing rotor is equipped with scraping bars that interact with the harvest material in order to further separate the grain from the harvest material and to provide positive harvesting motion. Once the grain is threshed, it is cleaned using a cleaning system.The cleaning system includes a cleaning fan that blows air through oscillating sieves to discharge seeds and other debris toward the rear of the combine harvester. Grain-free harvest material, such as straw, from the threshing section passes through a straw cutter and exits through the rear of the combine harvester. The clean grain is transported to a grain tank on board the combine harvester.

[003] A typical platform generally includes a frame, a pair of end dividers at the lateral ends of the frame, a floor, a cutter to remove the harvested material from the field, and a conveyor belt to transport the cut harvested material to the feed compartment for further downstream processing in the combine harvester. In general, the components of a platform are specially optimized to harvest a specific type of crop. Petition 870250072492, dated 08 / 18 / 2025, page 12 / 48 2 / 13 of the harvest. For example, the platform may be in the form of a draper platform, which is typically used to harvest loose or thick crops such as soybeans or canola. A draper platform generally includes a rotating reel assembly with teeth, a cutter bar, and a conveyor belt in the form of one or more draper belts and / or augers. Some draper platforms can also move, for example, lower, raise, roll, tilt, and / or flex, to accommodate the undulating terrain of the field. For example, a flexible draper platform equipped with a flexible cutter bar can raise or lower the cutter bar at various points along the length of the cutter bar to harvest crops that would otherwise be left in the field.

[004] The rotary reel assembly of a draper platform may consist of a pair of arms, a reel that is rotated by a motor, a pair of hydraulic cylinders fixed respectively to the arms to set the reel height relative to the cutter bar, transverse toothed bars and multiple fingers, for example, teeth, movably attached to the toothed bars to gather the crop on the platform. In general, when harvesting a crop, an operator will set the height of the rotor so that the teeth are as low as possible relative to the cutter bar without contacting the cutter bar and / or the ground. However, the resulting reel height may be too high to internally engage and guide the fallen crop. In this regard, the special relationship between the reel and the cutter bar may impede the reel's ability to gather the fallen crop.Furthermore, the reel's ability to harvest dropped crops can be particularly impaired with flexible draper platforms. For example, to aggressively harvest dropped crops while operating a flexible draper platform in a flexible mode, the operator must generally set the platform's floating height too low to achieve the desired reel height for harvesting dropped crops, which limits the mobile reach. Petition 870250072492, dated 08 / 18 / 2025, page 13 / 48 3 / 13 of the flexible cutter bar. Therefore, the reel's position relative to the cutter bar can limit the mobility of the flexible draper platform and / or cause a loss of harvest yield.

[005] What is needed in the technique is an enhanced reel assembly on a platform to collect the felled crop material. Summary of the Invention

[006] In an exemplary embodiment formed according to the present invention, a reel assembly with two-membered, articulated reel arms is presented, a reel fixed to the reel arms, and articulated actuators associated with each reel arm. The reel can be moved by the articulated actuators, so that the reel can be lowered and positioned closer to and in front of the cutter bar to aggressively pick up the dropped crop, without interfering with the movement of the cutter bar.

[007] In another embodiment of the present invention, a reel assembly for a platform for an agricultural vehicle is provided. The platform includes a frame and a cutter bar. The reel assembly includes a pair of reel arms, each comprising a first member configured to articulately connect to the platform frame and a second member articulated to the first member. The reel assembly also includes a movably connected reel positioned between the second members of the reel arms and a pair of actuators. Each actuator is operably connected between the first and second members of a respective reel arm. The actuators are configured to articulate the second member relative to the first member so that the reel is articulable relative to the first members of the reel arms.

[008] In yet another embodiment of the example formed in accordance with the present invention, a platform for an agricultural vehicle that includes Petition 870250072492, dated 08 / 18 / 2025, p. 14 / 48 4 / 13 a structure, a cutting bar connected to the structure, and a reel assembly. The reel assembly includes a pair of reel arms, each comprising a first member articulated to the platform structure and a second member articulated to the first member. The reel assembly also includes a movably connected reel positioned between the second members of the reel arms and a pair of actuators. Each actuator is operably connected between the first and second members of a respective reel arm. The actuators are configured to articulate the second member relative to the first member, so that the reel is articulated relative to the first members of the reel arms.

[009] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for harvesting a crop material is presented. The method includes an initial step to provide a platform for an agricultural vehicle. The platform includes a frame, a cutter bar connected to the frame, and a reel assembly supported by the frame. The reel assembly includes a pair of reel arms, each comprising a first member articulated to the platform frame and a second member articulated to the first member, a movably connected reel positioned between the second member of the reel arms, the reel comprising teeth, and a pair of actuators. Each actuator is operably connected between the first and second members of a respective reel arm.The method also includes the steps of articulating the second member, by the actuators, in relation to the first member to position the reel at least particularly in front of the platform cutter bar, so that the teeth extend below and in front of the platform cutter bar to harvest the knocked crop, and articulating the second member, by the actuators, in relation to the first member to position the reel behind the platform cutter bar. Petition 870250072492, dated 08 / 18 / 2025, page 15 / 48 5 / 13

[010] One possible advantage of the example platform configuration is that the reel assembly positions the reel in front of the cutter bar, so that the reel can harvest the knocked crop without limiting the operation of the cutter bar and / or the movement of the platform.

[011] Another possible advantage of the example platform configuration is that the reel assembly can change the angle of the reel arms to aggressively pick up dropped crop material to increase harvest yield. Brief Description of the Drawings

[012] For illustrative purposes, certain embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements, dimensions, and instruments shown. Similar numbers indicate similar elements throughout the drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 illustrates a conventional agricultural vehicle with a known draper platform; Figure 2 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a reel assembly, the reel assembly including a reel and two-member reel arms, the reel being in an elevated position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the reel assembly in which the reel is in a lowered position; Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the reel assembly in which the reel is in a different lowered position; and Figure 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for harvesting a crop material with the reel assembly of Figures 2 to 4. Detailed Description of the Invention Petition 870250072492, dated 08 / 18 / 2025, p. 16 / 48 6 / 13

[013] The terms “front”, “rear”, “left” and “right”, when used in conjunction with the combine harvester and / or its components, are generally determined with reference to the direction of the forward operating movement of the combine harvester, but again, they should not be interpreted as limiting. The terms “longitudinal” and “transverse” are determined with reference to the forward and backward direction of the combine harvester and should also not be interpreted as limiting. The terms “downstream” and “upstream” are determined with reference to the intended direction of the flow of harvested material during operation, with “downstream” being analogous to “rear” and “upstream” being analogous to “front”.

[014] Now, with reference to the drawings and, more particularly, to figure 1, a known agricultural vehicle 100 is shown. The agricultural vehicle 100 is illustrated as a combine harvester 100 which generally includes a chassis 102 supported by wheels, a prime mover, a cab, a feed compartment and a platform 110.

[015] The platform 110 is removablely attached to the feed compartment. The platform 110 is in the form of a draper platform 110. The draper platform 110 generally includes a frame 112 with left and right side ends, a cutter bar 114 that cuts the crop from the field, at least one conveyor belt 116, for example, a draper belt and / or auger, which feeds the cut crop into from each side end of the frame 112 towards the feed compartment, and a reel assembly 120 mounted to the frame 112, which feeds the crop to the platform 110.

[016] The reel assembly 120 generally includes a rotating reel 122 with fingers, for example, teeth 124, a pair of L-shaped reel arms 126 that mount the reel 122 to the frame 112, a pair of hydraulic extension cylinders 127, a corresponding pair of hydraulic lifting cylinders 128, and a reel bearing 129. The reel assembly 120 may also include a meca Petition 870250072492, dated 08 / 18 / 2025, page 17 / 48 7 / 13 Reel drive mechanism to rotate the reel. Thus, the reel 122 can be raised and lowered by actuators 128 or extended and retracted by actuators 127. Each reel arm 126 has a proximal, i.e., rear end, and a distal, i.e., front end. The proximal end of each reel arm 126 is articulated to the frame 112. The reel 122 is movably mounted on each distal end of the reel arms 126 by means of the reel bearing 129. Each reel arm 126 is a rigid, uniform part that is typically made of metal.

[017] Now, with reference to figures 2 to 4, an exemplary embodiment of a platform 210 is shown which generally includes a frame 212, a cutter bar 214, at least one conveyor belt 216, and a reel assembly 220 according to the present invention. The platform 210 can be connected to any desired agricultural vehicle, such as a baler or combine harvester 100, as discussed above. The platform 210 can be in the form of any desired platform, such as a draper platform 210. The draper platform 210 can be a flexible draper platform 210 that allows the floor and / or cutter bar 214 to flex, or otherwise move, to accommodate field undulations.

[018] The reel assembly 220 may generally include two multi-membered reel arms 222, each including a first and a second member 224, 226, a reel 228 with toothed bars 230 and teeth 232 fixed to it, lifting actuators 234, extension actuators 236 and articulated actuators 238. The reel assembly 220 may also include at least one support 240, 242 associated with each reel arm 222. The articulated actuators 238 may be retracted to position the reel 228 in a raised position (figure 2) or extended to position the reel 228 in one or more lowered positions (figures 3-4). For example, the articulated actuators 238 can be extended to position the reel 228 closer to and behind the cutter bar (figure 3) or on Petition 870250072492, dated 08 / 18 / 2025, page 18 / 48 8 / 13 in front of the cutter bar 214, so that at least part of the reel 228 is positioned in front of the cutter bar 214, thus allowing the reel 228 to more aggressively pick up the dropped crop without interfering with the operation of the cutter bar 214 (Figure 4). It should be noted that although only the right side of the reel assembly 220 of the platform 210 is shown, the left side of the reel assembly 220 is exactly the same, except that it is mirrored. It should be noted that the reel assembly 220 can be incorporated into any desired platform 210.

[019] Each first member 224 of a respective winch arm 222 is articulated to the frame 212, and each second member 226 is articulated to each of the first members 224 by means of at least one support 240, 242. Each first member 224 may be in the form of a beam or plate with an irregular polygonal cross-section. For example, each first member 224 may have one or more angled end protrusions or sections for mounting the respective articulation actuator 238, lifting actuator 234, and / or support(s) 240, 242. Each second member 226 may be in the form of a rectangular or cylindrical beam. It should be noted that each second member 226 may be directly articulated to each first member 224 without incorporating a support. Each second member 226 can be articulated to each first member 224 by two supports 240, 242.The first support 240 can be articulated to the upper part of a respective first member 224 in an intermediate section of the first support 240 and to a respective second member 226 in an end part of the first support 240. The second support 242 can be articulated to the lower part of the respective first member 224 and to the first support 240 and / or respective second member 226 by one or more (unnumbered) links. Thus, each support 240, 242 defines a respective articulation point. Petition 870250072492, dated 08 / 18 / 2025, page 19 / 48 9 / 13 of each second member 226. The second support 242 can also function as a mechanical lock to thus limit the range of articulation of each second member 226 in relation to each first member 224.

[020] The reel 228 is positioned between and movably connected, via a reel bearing 244, to the second member 226 of the reel arms 222. The reel 228 can be extended inward or outward by means of the extension actuators 236, and raised or lowered by means of the raising and / or articulated actuators 243, 238. The reel 228 can be lowered so that at least part of the reel 228 extends beyond the cutter bar 214 to collect the dropped crop. In this regard, at least part of the teeth 232 and / or the toothed bars 230 can extend beyond, i.e., in front of, the cutter bar 214 (figure 4).

[021] Each lifting actuator 234 can be connected between the frame 212 and its respective first member 224. The lifting actuators 234 are configured to adjust a vertical position of the reel 228. Each extension actuator 236 is operably connected to its respective second member 226. In other words, each extension actuator 236 is connected between a respective support 240 and the reel bearing 244. The extension actuators 236 are configured to adjust a horizontal position of the reel 228 relative to each second member 226. Each articulation actuator 238 is operably connected between its respective first member 224 and second member 226. The first end of each articulation actuator 238 is connected to a respective first member 224 and the second end of each articulation actuator 238 is connected to at least one respective support. 240 and / or second member 226.Each articulation actuator can be positioned on top of each first member 226. The articulated actuators 238 are configured to articulate the second member 226 in relation to the first member 224, so that the reel 228 is articulated. Petition 870250072492, dated 08 / 18 / 2025, page 20 / 48 10 / 13 level relative to the first member 224. Actuators 234, 236, 238 may be in the form of any desired actuators, such as hydraulic or electric cylinders.

[022] In another embodiment, the platform 210 or the reel assembly 220 may also include an electronic control unit (ECU) 250, with a memory 252, and at least one sensor 254. Thus, the movement and / or the floating mode of the reel 228 may be automatically controlled by the ECU 250.

[023] ECU 250 is connected to actuators 234, 236, 238 and sensor(s) 254. ECU 250 can automatically control the actuation of actuators 234, 236, 238. ECU 250 can prevent actuation of articulated actuators 238 unless the position signal from position sensor 254 registers that reel 228 is at least particularly in front of cutter bar 214. Additionally, under normal conditions of the flexible mode of platform 210, articulated actuators 238 would be retracted to keep reel 228 raised, so that teeth 232 would not come into contact with the ground (figure 2). If reel 228 is in a lowered position (figure 4), and the operator then tries to move reel 228 back to cutter bar 214, ECU 250 would automatically retract the articulated actuators 238 to raise reel 228, so that reel 228 does not interfere with cutter bar 214.Furthermore, the reel assembly 220 allows the cutter bar 214 to be locked in an intermediate floating position when cutting in rigid mode, provided that the platform 210 remains in rigid mode, the articulated actuators 238 could be unlocked and actuated by the ECU 250 to thus maintain the reel 228 at a desirable distance from the cutter bar 214. Additionally, if the platform 210 detects that the cutter bar 214 is cutting the ground in rigid mode, the ECU 250 can automatically actuate the articulated actuators 238 to prevent contact between the reel 228 and the cutter bar 214. Petition 870250072492, dated 08 / 18 / 2025, page 21 / 48 11 / 13 In this regard, the 220 reel assembly can allow the operator to extend a 210 rigid platform that functions easily and efficiently as a 210 flexible platform with a limited range. The 250 ECU can be in the form of any desired analog or digital control unit. For example, the 250 ECU can be in the form of a controller. The 250 ECU can be incorporated into existing hardware and / or software of the 100 agricultural vehicle or the 210 platform.

[024] The position sensor(s) 254 can be connected to the reel 228 and operably connected to the electronic control unit 250. Each position sensor 254 is configured to send a respective position signal, indicating the position of the reel 228, to the ECU 250. The position sensor 254 can be in the form of any desired sensor, such as an optical sensor, linear position sensor, GPS sensor, etc. It should be noted that the platform 210 can include more than one position sensor. For example, the platform 210 can include three or more sensors, in the form of linear sensors, which are incorporated into respective actuators 234, 236, 238.

[025] Now, with reference to Figure 5, a method 500 is shown for harvesting a crop material with a draper platform 210. The method 500 may include an initial step to provide the reel assembly 220, as discussed above (in block 502). For simplicity of description, the method 500 will be discussed with respect to a single reel arm 222; however, it should be noted that the method 500 applies to both reel arms 222 at each lateral end of the reel 228. The method 500 may include the step to articulate the second member 226 of the reel arm 222 downward, by extending the articulation actuator 238 and / or extension actuator 236, in order to move the reel 228 downward and in front of the cutter bar 214 to harvest the dropped crop (in block 504). The 500 method may also include the step to articulate the second limb 226 of the arm. Petition 870250072492, dated 08 / 18 / 2025, page 22 / 48 12 / 13 reel 222 upwards, by retracting the articulation actuator 238, in order to move reel 228 upwards and behind the cutter bar 214 (in block 506). Method 500 may also include the step of articulating the second member 236 downwards, by extending the articulation actuator 238, in order to lower reel 228 to any desired position, so as to position reel 228 closer to cutter bar 214, while still keeping reel 228 behind cutter bar 214.

[026] It should be understood that the steps of method 500 are performed by the ECU 250 by loading and executing software code or instructions that are tangibly stored on a tangible computer-readable medium, such as a magnetic medium, for example, a computer hard disk, an optical medium, for example, an optical disc, solid-state memory, for example, flash memory, or other storage medium known in the art. Thus, any functionality performed by the ECU 250 described herein, such as method 500, is implemented in software code or instructions that are tangibly stored on a tangible computer-readable medium. The ECU 250 loads the software code or instructions via a direct interface with the computer-readable medium or via a wired and / or wireless network. By loading and executing such software code or instructions by the ECU 250, the ECU 250 can perform any of the ECU 250 functionalities described herein.

[027] The terms “software code” or “code,” as used in this document, refer to any instructions or set of instructions that influence the operation of a computer or controller. They may exist in a computer-executable form, such as machine code, which is the set of instructions and data executed directly by a computer’s central processing unit or by a controller; a human-understandable form, such as source code, which may be compiled to be executed by a computer’s central processing unit or by a controller; or an intermediate form. Petition 870250072492, dated 08 / 18 / 2025, p. 23 / 48 13 / 13 ria, such as object code, which is produced by a compiler. As used in this document, the terms “software code” or “code” also include any understandable computer instructions or set of instructions, for example, a script, that can be executed in real time with the aid of an interpreter run by a central computer processing unit or by a controller.

[028] These and other advantages of the present invention will be evident to those skilled in the art from the preceding descriptive report. Consequently, it should be recognized by those skilled in the art that alterations or modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all alterations and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention. Petition 870250072492, dated 08 / 18 / 2025, p. 24 / 48

Claims

1 / 3 CLAIMS 1. Reel assembly (220) of a platform (210) for an agricultural vehicle, the platform (210) comprising a structure (212) and a cutter bar (214), the reel assembly (220) comprising: a reel (228); and a pair of reel arms (222) each comprising a first member (224) configured to connect in an articulated manner to the structure (224) of the platform (210) and a second member (226) connected in an articulated manner to the first member (224); the reel (228) movably connected and positioned between the second member (226) of the reel arms (222);the reel assembly (220) CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a pair of actuators (238), and each actuator (238) is operably connected between the first member (224) and the second member (226) of a respective reel arm (222), the actuators (238) are configured to articulate the second members (226) in relation to the first members (224) so ​​that the reel (228) is articulable in relation to the first members (224) of the reel arms (222).

2. Reel assembly (220), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the reel (228) comprises teeth (232), and the pair of actuators (238) is configured to position the reel (228) so that the teeth (232) extend below and in front of the cutter bar (214) of the platform (210) to harvest a dropped crop without inhibiting movement of the cutter bar (214).

3. Reel assembly (220), according to claim 1 or 2, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises at least one support Petition 870250072492, dated 08 / 18 / 2025, page 25 / 48 2 / 3 (240, 242) associated with each reel arm (222), and wherein each second member (226) is articulated to each first member (224) by at least one support (240, 242).

4. Reel assembly (220), according to claim 3, CHARACTERIZED in that each actuator (238) comprises a first end and a second end, and the first end of each actuator (238) is connected to a respective first member (224) and the second end of each actuator (238) is connected to at least one respective support (240, 242) associated with each reel arm (222).

5. Reel assembly (220), according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED in that at least one support (240, 242) associated with each reel arm (222) comprises two supports (240, 242) associated with each reel arm (222) for articulatedly connecting each second member (226) to each first member (224) at a respective articulation point.

6. Reel assembly (220), according to any one of claims 1 to 5, CHARACTERIZED in that each actuator (238) is positioned on top of a respective first member (224).

7. Reel assembly (220), according to any one of claims 1 to 6, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises an electronic control unit (250) and at least one sensor (254) connected to the reel (228) and operably connected to the electronic control unit (250), the at least one sensor (254) being configured to detect a position of the reel (228) and send a corresponding position signal to the electronic control unit (250).

8. Reel assembly (220), according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED in that the electronic control unit (250) prevents actuation of the actuators (238) unless the position signal from at least one sensor (254) registers that the reel (228) is at least partially in front of the cutting bar (214) of the platform (210).

9. Winch assembly (220), according to any one of claims 1 to 8, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises a pair of lifting actuators (234), each configured to connect between the structure (212) of the platform (210) and the first member (224) of each winch arm (222), the lifting actuators (234) being configured to adjust a vertical position of the winch (228), and a pair of extension actuators (236) which are each operably connected to the second member (226) of each winch arm (222), and the extension actuators (236) being configured to adjust a horizontal position of the winch (228) relative to each second member (226) of each winch arm (222). Petition 870250072492, dated 08 / 18 / 2025, page 27 / 48

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