Grain conveying chain

Abstract

The invention relates to a grain conveying chain for a harvesting vehicle and a method for operating the grain conveying chain according to the invention in a harvesting vehicle, the grain conveying chain having a chain made of standard chain elements, wherein the standard chain elements comprise an inner plate, an outer plate, a pin and / or a bushing and a plurality of scoops, wherein the scoops are fixed on the chain and wherein the chain has chain links that are partially back-face-rigidly connected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a grain conveying chain for a harvester and a method for operating the grain conveying chain according to the invention in a harvester, the harvester having a chain made of standard chain elements, wherein the standard chain elements have an inner plate, an outer plate, a pin and / or a sleeve and a plurality of shovels, wherein the shovels are fixed to the chain and wherein the chain has chain links that are partially rigidly connected to the back. Background Technology

[0002] Harvesting machinery (such as combine harvesters) has a conveyor chain (also called a grain conveyor chain or lifting chain) that transports harvested and threshed material (e.g., grain) from a screw conveyor located in the lower section of the harvester to a grain bin located in the upper section of the harvester. For this purpose, an annular chain equipped with shovels runs between two sprockets within the lifting housing. This annular chain has an upward section under tension load (loaded strands) and a return section without load (empty strands). Additionally, the conveyor chain is used in the feed area of ​​the harvesting head (e.g., a corn harvester).

[0003] During operation, the shovel in the upward section of the conveyor chain can tilt under the weight of the material being transported, causing the material to leave the shovel and roll back into the upward section. This reduces the efficiency of the shovel. Low chain tension increases unintentional unwinding. The chain can then slide along the wall of the elevator housing, resulting in increased wear and higher energy consumption due to friction.

[0004] Therefore, this type of chain must be kept under minimal tension to reduce or minimize the unintentional scattering of the transported material. This can be achieved, for example, by high chain speed, but high speed can lead to unnecessarily increased wear on the chain. The chain sleeve and chain pins also experience increased wear due to the shovel's deflection.

[0005] US2018 / 0334329A1 discloses a grain conveyor chain with a conveying shovel. The shovel is fixed to a bracket, which in turn is fixed to an outer element of the conveyor chain. Additionally, a plastic guide is attached to the bracket. During operation, the plastic guide slides against a partition wall of the elevator housing and thus prevents the shovel from tipping over. However, the guide on the wall of the elevator housing increases friction and therefore increases the energy required to operate the conveyor chain; the plastic guide also wears down during operation and therefore must be replaced periodically. Furthermore, the wall is necessary for operation in the immediate vicinity of the grain conveyor chain, on which the plastic guide can slide. Harvester designs intended to use the grain conveyor chain of this invention must take this into account.

[0006] US10462973B2 also discloses a grain conveyor chain in which the conveyor shovel is also fixed to a bracket. The bracket is fixed to an external element of the conveyor chain. The bracket is characterized by corner braces that are supported by the chain itself under load, thereby preventing the shovel from tipping over.

[0007] The two types of grain conveyor chains described here have the following disadvantages: in addition to the conveyor shovel, additional components (brackets) are required to secure the shovel to the chain. This increases the weight of the conveyor chain, leading to increased energy consumption during operation. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide a grain conveyor chain for a harvester that allows for the transport of a higher quantity of harvested grain per unit time, is cost-effective and operates reliably in use, can be manufactured cost-effectively and is easy to repair in case of damage. The objective of this invention is also to provide a method for operating a conveyor chain for a harvester that allows for more efficient operation of the grain conveyor chain and longer maintenance intervals than before.

[0009] The objective is achieved by means of a grain conveyor chain for a harvester according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

[0010] A grain conveyor chain (also known as a lifting chain) has a chain. The chain has standard chain elements, wherein the standard chain elements have an inner plate, an outer plate, a pin, and / or a sleeve. The grain conveyor chain also has a plurality of shovels fixed to the chain. According to the invention, the chain has chain links that are partially rigidly connected on the back, i.e., the chain links are flexible on one side. In an optional embodiment, the rigidly connected chain links are specifically arranged in the area of ​​the shovels to prevent the shovels from tipping over.

[0011] The chain is a closed, circular chain guided on at least two sprockets, at least one of which drives the chain. The rigid-joint chain links are designed such that the chain is flexible in the direction in which it is guided around the sprockets within the area of ​​the rigid-joint chain links, but does not twist in the opposite direction. A partial implementation of rigid-joint chain links on the back side of the shovel provides a simple, inexpensive, and effective chain that simultaneously prevents the shovel from tilting under load.

[0012] In the context of this invention, the term "partially back-rigid" means a chain having chain links that are partially back-rigid and chain links that are not back-rigid. A chain having partially back-rigid links has back-rigid links and non-back-rigid links. The back-rigid links of a chain having partially back-rigid links have back-rigid links that may have either back-rigid links or non-back-rigid links in their directly adjacent areas.

[0013] Another advancement of the invention is that the chain has regularly spaced back-mounted rigid chain links. These back-mounted rigid chain links are located in an area surrounding the shovel, which itself is spaced regularly along the chain.

[0014] Another advancement of the invention is that the chain has back-rigid chain links spaced regularly from the shovels. These back-rigid chain links are arranged in a defined area around each shovel attached to the chain. The area extends to at least one chain link arranged at the same distance from the shovel for each shovel.

[0015] In another embodiment of the invention, the chain links beneath each shovel are designed to have a rigid back. The term "below the shovel" is defined in this document as such that the rigid-backed chain links are arranged below the shovel in the upward section of the chain subjected to tensile load (load strand), which must prevent the shovel from tilting under load. The shovel under load in the upward section of the chain applies a force to the inflexible side of the rigid-backed chain links. This prevents the shovel from tipping over under load.

[0016] Another advancement of the invention is that the two chain links directly beneath each shovel are designed to have rigid back surfaces. In the upward section of the chain under tension load (load strand), the two chain links directly beneath each shovel are designed to have rigid back surfaces. The load-bearing shovel in the upward section of the chain applies force to the inflexible side of the rigid back chain link. The first rigid back chain link directly beneath the shovel applies force to the second rigid back chain link directly beneath the first rigid back chain link to prevent the shovel from tilting under load.

[0017] In another embodiment of the invention, the chain link is formed to have a rigid back side by means of an additional chain element. The additional chain element may be, for example, an additional component arranged on the back side of the chain link to prevent the chain link from being bent in the direction of the back side of the chain link.

[0018] In another embodiment of the invention, the additional chain element is an additional plate. The additional plate is typically arranged as an additional outer plate on the outer plate (designed as a standard chain element) and is connected to the standard chain element via a contact surface such that it generates back-side rigidity of the chain links.

[0019] Another advancement of the invention is that the additional plate can engage with a pin of the chain to form a back-rigid chain link. The engagement of the additional plate with the pin prevents the pin from pivoting in one direction (back-rigid direction). The pin does not terminate at the outer plate of the chain but protrudes to allow engagement with the additional plate.

[0020] Another improvement of the invention is that the additional plate can be engaged with the chain pin to form a back-mounted chain link. The additional plate is shaped and arranged such that it encloses the inner plate or preferably the outer plate on one side and prevents the plate from pivoting in one direction.

[0021] Another advancement of the invention is that the additional plate can engage with the chain pin to form a back-rigid chain link. The back-rigidity is achieved by a suitable profile of the contact surface of the additional plate in the engaged state.

[0022] An improvement of this invention is that additional chain elements replace standard chain elements. Therefore, additional chain elements replace standard chain elements, which may be on the inner and / or outer plates. This advantageous embodiment of the invention does not increase the weight of the grain conveyor chain according to the invention and achieves rigidity at the back end through simple components.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, all chain links of the chain are designed to have rigid back surfaces. This is advantageous because all inner plates and / or all outer plates are designed as rigid plates with adjacent profiles of contact surfaces. The adjacent profiles of the rigid plates are supported on the adjacent profiles of two directly adjacent rigid plates, such that the chain is designed to have fully rigid back surfaces.

[0024] The invention also utilizes a grain conveyor chain used to operate agricultural machinery to achieve its objective. Additional advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

[0025] The method for operating a grain conveyor chain for agricultural machinery according to the present invention comprises two steps: In a first step, shovels attached to the grain conveyor chain are loaded. The grain conveyor chain has a chain and a plurality of shovels. The chain is a closed, circular chain guided on at least two sprockets, at least one of which drives the chain. The chain runs within a hoist housing and has an upward section under tension load (loaded strands) and a return section without load (empty strands). In a second step, a first additional chain element of the chain is abutted against another standard chain element of the chain and / or a second additional chain element of the same type as the chain.

[0026] According to the invention, the first additional chain element is abutted against the other standard chain element and / or a second additional chain element of the same type by loading the shovel. Loading the shovel generates a torque substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chain. This can cause the shovel to tip over and the transported material may roll off the shovel. By abutting the additional chain element against another chain element, the torque is compensated and the shovel does not tilt.

[0027] For the purposes of this invention, the additional chain element is a chain element that differs from a standard chain element that is not rigidly connected to the back side and restricts the chain's freedom of movement beyond what the chain would otherwise have without this additional chain element. The additional chain element can be incorporated into the chain to replace the standard chain element, or it can be installed in addition to the standard chain element.

[0028] Another improvement of the invention is that the additional chain elements are securely locked abutting against the other standard chain elements and / or the second additional chain elements of the chain. Therefore, the chain elements are in contact with each other, thereby preventing the shovel from tipping over.

[0029] In another embodiment of the invention, the chain is rigidly connected by abutting additional chain elements with other standard chain elements and / or a second additional chain element. Partial embodiments of the back-rigid chain links provide a simple, inexpensive, and effective chain that simultaneously prevents the shovel from tilting under load.

[0030] In another embodiment of the invention, when the shovel of the grain conveyor chain is loaded, the additional chain element is abutted against other standard chain elements of the chain. Each loading of the grain conveyor chain results in partial rigidity of the grain conveyor chain. The chain is not completely back-rigid, but only back-rigid in the region where the shovel applies a torque perpendicular to the chain under load. Thus, a cost-effective chain that effectively prevents the shovel from tipping over under load is provided.

[0031] In another embodiment of the invention, the additional chain elements are arranged at equidistant distances from the shovel, such that each additional chain element is adjacent to another standard chain element and / or another additional chain element of the same type. The additional chain elements are preferably first chain links located directly above and below the shovel. Alternatively, the first two chain links located directly above and below the shovel may be designed to have rigidly connected back surfaces. This results in a partially rigid chain connection.

[0032] In another embodiment of the invention, the chain is only partially rigidly connected by additional chain elements, such that each of these additional chain elements is adjacent to another standard chain element and / or other additional chain elements of the same type. The chain is not designed to be fully back-rigid, but rather preferably only the first two chain links in the areas directly above and directly below the shovel, where the shovel exerts a torque perpendicular to the chain under load, are designed to be back-rigid. This provides a cost-effective chain that effectively prevents the shovel from tipping over under load.

[0033] An improvement of the invention is that the grain conveyor chain is partially rigidly connected to the shovel at equal intervals. Preferably, only the first two chain links are directly rigidly connected above and below the shovel, thus rigidly connected in the region where the shovel exerts a torque perpendicular to the chain under load. This region is chosen identically for each shovel arranged on the chain because the shovels typically have the same design, meaning that the torque exerted by the shovel under load is the same.

[0034] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, tilting movement of the shovel due to load is reduced by using a rigid-connected grain conveyor chain. The back rigid-connected chain links are designed such that the chain is flexible in the direction in which it is guided around the sprocket, but does not twist in the opposite direction. Attached Figure Description

[0035] An exemplary embodiment of the grain conveyor chain according to the invention and the method of operating the grain conveyor chain according to the invention are schematically shown in simplified form in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description.

[0036] To be precise:

[0037] Figure 1a This is a perspective view of a grain conveyor chain according to the present invention.

[0038] Figure 1b This is a side view of a grain conveyor chain according to the present invention.

[0039] Figure 1c This is a plan view of a grain conveyor chain according to the present invention.

[0040] Figure 2a This is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the grain conveyor chain according to the present invention.

[0041] Figure 2b This is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of the grain conveyor chain according to the present invention.

[0042] Figure 2c This is a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of the grain conveyor chain according to the present invention.

[0043] Figure 3a This is a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of the grain conveyor chain according to the present invention.

[0044] Figure 3b This is a side view of a third exemplary embodiment of the grain conveyor chain according to the present invention.

[0045] Figure 3c This is a plan view of a third exemplary embodiment of the grain conveyor chain according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0046] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a grain conveyor chain 1 according to the present invention. The grain conveyor chain 1 is generally a circulating annular chain, and only one section of the grain conveyor chain 1 is shown in this and the following figures. The grain conveyor chain 1 has a chain 100. In this embodiment and the following exemplary embodiments, the chain 100 is designed as a roller chain having standard chain elements. The standard chain elements have alternating inner plates 110 and outer plates 120, which are connected to each other by chain pins 140 guided in a chain sleeve. Rotatable rollers 130 enclose the chain sleeve and chain pins 140 and are operatively connected to a drive member, such as a sprocket (not shown).

[0047] Multiple shovels 200 are fixed to the chain 100, among which... Figure 1a , Figure 1b The two shovels 200 are fixed to the chain at intervals and in Figure 1c The middle shovel 200 is fixed to the chain 100. Each shovel 200 is rectangular in shape and has a shovel surface 250 located on the upper side of a shovel body 260 for conveying grains or other materials. The shovel surface 250 has a recess 251 for better material conveying. In the rear region, the shovel 200 has an edge 252 to prevent the conveyed material from falling off. At the same time, the edge 252 increases the structural integrity of the shovel 200.

[0048] The shovel body 260 is preferably made of a mass-producible material (e.g., a polymer). A recess 205 is also arranged in the middle of the rear region. The recess 205 is sized such that it encloses the chain 100 when mounted on it. Sides 201 and 202 are arranged on the upper side around the recess 205, having fixing elements 211 and 212 aligned with each other. Sides 203 and 204 are arranged on the lower side by fixing elements 213 and 214, which are also aligned with each other. The shovel 200 has a second shovel surface reinforcement 230 on the lower side. Figure 1c The second shovel surface reinforcement 230 is designed as a support structure and effectively prevents the shovel 200 from deforming under load.

[0049] The shovel 200 is secured to the chain 100 such that fixing elements 211, 212 are aligned with another chain sleeve 130 and fixing elements 213, 214 are aligned with another chain sleeve 130. A first pin 241 is guided through fixing elements 211, 212 and chain sleeve 130, and a second pin 242 is guided through fixing elements 213, 214. Thus, the two pins 241, 242 directly secure the shovel 200 to the chain 100, and both pins 241, 242 simultaneously serve as chain pins of the chain 100.

[0050] In this exemplary embodiment, chain 100 has two regularly spaced chain links 150 and 160, which are designed to be rigidly connected from the back. A first rigidly connected chain link 150 is positioned directly below the shovel 200, and a second rigidly connected chain link 160 is positioned directly above the shovel 200 (in the upward section of chain 100). Each of the rigidly connected chain links 150 and 160 has an additional plate 151 and 161, which engage in the upward section with an outer plate 120 designed as a standard chain element when chain 100 is tensioned, thus reducing the degree of freedom of movement of the respective chain links 150 and 160 compared to a standard chain.

[0051] During operation, the shovel 200 attached to the chain 100 bears its own weight and the weight of the material being transported on the shovel surface 250. Due to this load, the additional chain elements 151, 161 are shaped and abut against the outer plate 120, which is designed as a standard chain element. The load of the shovel 200 acts on the chain 100 in the direction of back-rigid connection (i.e., opposite to the direction in which the chain 100 is flexible). The partial rigid connection around the additional chain elements 150, 160 effectively prevents the shovel 200 from tipping over.

[0052] Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a grain conveyor chain 1 according to the present invention, wherein all inner chain link elements 110 are designed to be back-mounted rigidly. The chain 100 shown in this exemplary embodiment has an inner plate 110 and an outer plate 120, which are connected to each other by chain pins 140 guided in a chain sleeve 130. Figure 2a In this exemplary embodiment, the inner plate 110 advantageously has the same construction ( Figure 2b Therefore, chain 100 can be manufactured very inexpensively in a manufacturing process, for example, by stamping a large number of identical components. The rigidity of the back side of chain 100 is achieved through the geometrical abutment profile of inner plate 110. Inner plate 110 forms a robust connection with two adjacent inner plates 110. Figure 2c Therefore, the chain 100 is designed to be fully back-rigid and to prevent the shovel 200 from tipping over under load.

[0053] Figure 3 shows a grain conveyor chain 1 according to the invention as illustrated in the first embodiment (see Figure 3). Figures 1a to 1c A variation of the chain 100. In this exemplary embodiment, the chain 100 has two chain links 150 and 160 designed to be rigidly connected at the back, the two chain links being regularly spaced. The first rigidly connected chain link 150 is positioned directly below the shovel 200, and the second rigidly connected chain link 160 is positioned directly above the shovel 200. The two rigidly connected chain links 150 and 160, respectively above and below the shovel 200, have additional plates 151 and 161, which engage with chain pins 140 in the upward section when the chain 100 is taut. The additional plates are designed as single pieces and are arranged on both sides of the chain. The partial rigidity around the additional chain elements 151 and 161 prevents the shovel 200 from tilting under load.

[0054] Reference Number List

[0055] 1. Grain Conveyor Chain

[0056] 100 chains

[0057] 110 Chain Inner Plate

[0058] 120 chain outer plate

[0059] 130 roller

[0060] 140 chain pin

[0061] 150 The chain link is just attached to the back of the shovel below.

[0062] Additional plates 151 and 161

[0063] 160 The chain link is just attached to the back of the shovel above.

[0064] 200 shovels

[0065] 201, 202 Side upper side

[0066] 203, 204 Lower side

[0067] 205 Groove

[0068] 211, 212, 213, 214 Fixed components

[0069] 230 Reinforcement on the surface of the shovel

[0070] 241, 242 Fixed pins

[0071] 250 shovel surface

[0072] 251 recess

[0073] 252 Upgrade

[0074] 260 shovel body

Claims

1. A grain conveyor chain (1) for a harvester, said grain conveyor chain (1) having the following elements: • Chain (100), said chain (100) having standard chain elements, The standard chain element described therein has an inner plate (110), an outer plate (120), a pin (140), and / or a sleeve (130). • Multiple shovels (200), wherein the shovels (200) are fixed to the chain (100), Its features are, The chain (100) has chain links (150, 160) that are partially designed to be rigidly connected at the back. The first additional chain element of the chain (100) is adjacent to another standard chain element of the chain (100). By placing an additional chain element adjacent to another chain element, torque is compensated and the shovel does not tilt. The chain (100) has back-mounted chain links (150, 160) that are regularly spaced relative to the shovel (200), and The chain links (150, 160) below and above each shovel (200) are designed to be rigidly connected on the back.

2. The grain conveyor chain (1) for a harvester as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The chain (100) has regularly spaced back-connected chain links (150, 160).

3. The grain conveyor chain (1) for a harvester as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The two chain links (150, 160) directly below and above each shovel (200) are designed to be rigidly connected on the back.

4. The grain conveyor chain (1) for a harvester as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The chain links (150, 160) are designed to be back-mounted by using additional chain elements (151, 161).

5. The grain conveyor chain (1) for a harvester as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The additional chain elements (151, 161) are additional plates.

6. The grain conveyor chain (1) for a harvester as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The additional plate can engage with the pin (140) of the chain (100) to form the back-mounted chain link.

7. The grain conveyor chain (1) for a harvester as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The additional plate can engage with the outer plate (120) of the chain (100) to form the back-mounted chain link.

8. The grain conveyor chain (1) for a harvester as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The additional plate can engage with another additional plate of the chain (100) to form the back-mounted chain links (150, 160).

9. The grain conveyor chain (1) for a harvester as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The additional chain elements (151, 161) replace the standard chain elements.

10. The grain conveyor chain (1) for a harvester as described in claim 1, characterized in that, All chain links of the chain (100) are designed to be rigidly connected on the back.

11. A method for operating a grain conveyor chain (1) of agricultural machinery, wherein the grain conveyor chain (1) comprises a chain and a plurality of shovels (200), the method comprising the following steps: • Load the shovel (200) attached to the grain conveyor chain (1). • This causes the first additional chain element of the chain (100) to be adjacent to another standard chain element of the chain (100). The characteristic is that, by loading the shovel (200), the first additional chain element is adjacent to the other standard chain element of the chain (100). By placing an additional chain element adjacent to another chain element, torque is compensated and the shovel does not tilt. The chain links of the chain are partially designed to be rigidly connected at the back. The chain (100) has back-mounted chain links (150, 160) that are regularly spaced relative to the shovel (200), and The chain links (150, 160) below and above each shovel (200) are designed to be rigidly connected on the back.

12. The method for operating a grain conveyor chain (1) for agricultural machinery as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The additional chain elements (151, 161) are secured together to be adjacent to the other standard chain elements of the chain (100).

13. The method for operating a grain conveyor chain (1) for agricultural machinery as described in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The chain (100) is rigidly connected by making the additional chain elements (151, 161) adjacent to the other standard chain elements.

14. The method for operating a grain conveyor chain (1) for agricultural machinery as described in claim 13, characterized in that, Each time the shovel (200) of the grain conveyor chain (1) is loaded, additional chain elements (151, 161) are brought into abutment with other standard chain elements of the chain (100), wherein each loading of the shovel (200) of the grain conveyor chain (1) causes the chain (100) to be partially rigidly connected.

15. The method for operating a grain conveyor chain (1) for agricultural machinery as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The additional chain elements (151, 161) are arranged at equal distances from the shovel (200), and the additional chain elements (151, 161) are respectively arranged to be adjacent to other standard chain elements.

16. The method for operating a grain conveyor chain (1) for agricultural machinery as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The rigid connection of the chain (100) achieved by the additional chain elements (151, 161) occurs only locally, and the additional chain elements (151, 161) are respectively made to be adjacent to other standard chain elements.

17. The method for operating a grain conveyor chain (1) for agricultural machinery as described in claim 16, characterized in that, The local rigid connection position of the chain (100) is equidistant from the shovel (200).

18. The method for operating a grain conveyor chain (1) for agricultural machinery as described in claim 12, characterized in that, By connecting the chain (100), the tilting movement of the shovel (200) caused by the loading is reduced.

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