Rhizome harvester

Abstract

The invention relates to a root crop harvester (2) comprising a conveying device (4) for conveying conveying material composed of harvested material and inclusions in a conveying direction (6) and a separating device (10) with at least one separating element (8) for separating the inclusions from the harvested material. The separating device comprises a conveying material sensor (12) coupled to a first EDV evaluation unit and directed at the conveying material during operation, in particular at the conveying material of the conveying device (4), for receiving conveying material data. According to the invention, the separating device (10) comprises a plurality of separating elements (8) arranged at least partially next to one another in the conveying direction (6), which can be individually manipulated by the EDV evaluation unit on the basis of the conveying material data.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a root crop harvester comprising a conveying device for conveying a conveyed mass, which consists of a harvested mass and inclusions, in a conveying direction. Furthermore, the root crop harvester comprises a separating device with at least one separating element for separating the inclusions from the harvested mass. The separating device comprises a conveyed mass sensor, which is coupled to a first EDV evaluation unit and which, during operation, is directed at the conveyed mass for receiving conveyed mass data. In particular, the conveyed mass sensor is directed at the conveying device during operation. Furthermore, the conveyed mass sensor is in particular an optical conveyed mass sensor. BACKGROUND

[0002] For the known root crop harvesters, the conveying device conveys the conveyed mass to the separating device during operation. The separating device acts at least on the inclusions of the conveyed mass, so that the inclusions are separated from the harvested mass as far as possible. The use of a conveyed mass sensor for calculating the harvested mass yield is known.

[0003] A disadvantage of the known root crop harvesters is that, in particular when the root crop harvester is operated on a slope, the separating device can only separate an insufficient proportion of the total inclusions from the harvested mass on the one hand and, on the other hand, unintentionally separates a part of the harvested mass with inclusions from the remaining harvested mass or damages the remaining harvested mass. SUMMARY

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a root crop harvester and a method for operating a root crop harvester, with which the above-mentioned disadvantages are avoided.

[0005] According to the invention, the separating device comprises a plurality of separating elements, which are arranged at least partially adjacent to one another, viewed in the conveying direction. The separating elements can be individually actuated by the EDV evaluation unit on the basis of the conveyed mass data.

[0006] The root crop harvester is a mobile machine, which is either autonomously driven or is towed by a towing vehicle during operation, and which is used directly in the field. The root crop harvester is in particular suitable for harvesting a harvested mass, which is preferably in the form of potatoes or sugar beets. The conveying device in particular comprises a screen belt, i.e. a conveying belt with a non-closed support surface, or is preferably configured as a roller table.

[0007] During operation, the conveying object sensor is arranged in particular above the conveying object to which it is directed. The conveying object sensor is preferably arranged above the conveying device and more preferably directed at least substantially vertically at the conveying device. In another preferred embodiment, the conveying object sensor is directed at the region between the conveying device and the next conveying device in the conveying direction, in particular at the region of the drop-off step. The conveying object sensor is in particular configured as a video camera, preferably as a line video camera, a 2D video camera or a 3D video camera. In particular, the conveying object sensor is used to receive color information. Alternatively, the conveying object sensor is preferably configured as an ultrasonic sensor, a light barrier or the like. The conveying object sensor can also comprise a plurality of sensors, for example a combination of image sensors and depth sensors.

[0008] During operation, the conveying object data received by the conveying object sensor are transmitted to the EDV evaluation unit. To this end, the conveying object sensor is in particular coupled to the evaluation unit wirelessly or by a cable connection. In particular, the evaluation unit comprises a processor and a memory for processing at least the conveying object data. During operation, the evaluation unit is preferably arranged on the root crop harvester, alternatively the evaluation unit is preferably arranged on a tractor coupled to the root crop harvester during operation.

[0009] The EDV evaluation unit is used to individually actuate the individual separating elements. The separating elements are configured to act on sections of the conveying object which are in particular completely adjacent to one another. When viewed in a horizontal and right-angled transverse direction to the conveying direction, the separating elements are preferably arranged one after the other relative to one another, so that only the one closest to the observer is visible if the separating elements are in unison.

[0010] During operation of the root crop harvester according to the application, the EDV evaluation unit determines the position of the root crop and / or the inclusions, in particular their transverse position, on the basis of the conveying object. To this end, in particular identification algorithms are used. On the basis of the position information and in particular on the basis of the conveying speed of the conveying device, the EDV evaluation unit calculates when which separating element is to be actuated in order to separate the root crop or the inclusion component from the further conveying object flow. In this case, the separating element is actuated which has the same transverse coordinate as the component to be separated. The other separating elements can remain unactuated in order to not unintentionally separate other components from the conveying object or to damage the harvested material.

[0011] By this targeted use of the separating elements it is achieved, on the one hand, that the inclusion of stones and weeds can be separated from the harvested material more targeted and thus more reliably, without this unintentionally affecting the separated harvested material. Thus, the separating device described above is significantly more efficient than conventional separating devices on root crop harvesters.

[0012] In particular, the separating device comprises at least three, preferably at least five, particularly preferably at least ten, at least thirty or at least fifty separating elements. In an advantageous embodiment of the application, the separating device has up to or exactly sixty separating elements. The support surface of the conveying device has in particular a width measured in the transverse direction of at least 500 mm, preferably at least 1000 mm, particularly preferably at least 1500 mm and / or up to 2000 mm. The number of separating elements depends in particular on the width thereof and the width of the conveying device. Preferably, the conveying device has conveying segments which are not only separated from one another in the conveying direction but also in the transverse direction to the conveying direction for receiving the root crops or the inclusion, respectively. Preferably, each segment offset in the transverse direction is equipped with at least one, in particular exactly one separating element.

[0013] The separating device is preferably arranged downstream of the conveying device. In particular, the separating device is arranged upstream with respect to a further conveying device connected to the conveying device. In particular, the further device is a device which follows the conveying device along the conveying flow. Thus, in this embodiment of the application, the separating device is arranged in the region of the drop-off step, whereby the separating elements act on the root crops or the inclusion of the stones as they drop off. Advantageously, in the region of the drop-off step, the conveying material is at a greater distance from one another, whereby it can be reliably detected and, for this purpose, only a small force is exerted by the separating elements.

[0014] Preferably, the separating elements are arranged on the separating device frame, such that the separating elements can be moved from a rest position into an ejection position and back. In particular, the separating elements are pivotably arranged on the separating device frame and / or have an ejection surface for contacting the ingredients to be separated in the ejection position. Here, each separating element is equipped with at least one ejection adjustment element. In particular, in this embodiment, the separating elements are transferred from the rest position into the ejection position when they are actuated. Thereby, the separating elements can hit or deflect the transport ingredients during operation, such that they are separated from the remaining transport. The ejection adjustment elements are in particular controlled by the EDV evaluation unit, which are preferably configured as hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders or electrically drivable adjustment elements. In particular, the separating elements comprise a pivot bearing on their upper side and are movably suspended thereon with respect to the separating device frame and / or the machine frame. In addition to the rest position and the ejection position, the separating elements particularly preferably have further positions, and the actuation of the separating elements only means a change of their position. In this way, in particular different sizes of root crop or different inclusions can be sorted, such that they are further conveyed by the separating elements in different ways.

[0015] In another embodiment of the application, the separating elements each form at least one fluid discharge opening. In particular, the separating elements each have an actuable fluid adjustment element here. In particular, the fluid discharge openings are constituted by nozzles and / or are suitable for the outflow of air, and for this purpose are in particular connected to a compressed air reservoir. In particular, the movement path or movement trajectory of the ingredients to be separated can be influenced in particular by the fluid flow out of the actuated separating elements during operation, such that they are gently separated from the other transport. The separating elements are here in particular configured on a common housing or preferably integrally configured.

[0016] The fluid adjustment elements and / or the ejection adjustment elements are preferably formed by separate components or devices. Alternatively, a plurality of fluid adjustment elements and / or ejection adjustment elements are formed at least together by a common component or a common device. The common component is in particular configured as a line containing a fluid during operation or as an electrical conductor.

[0017] The root crop harvester preferably has at least one inclination sensor, which is contained in particular by the separating device. The inclination sensor serves to measure the inclination of the root crop harvester or of the separating device and / or of the conveying element. Furthermore, the inclination sensor serves to output the inclination data to an EDV control unit coupled to the inclination sensor. The inclination sensor serves in particular to measure the inclination relative to the vertical. In particular, the inclination sensor is connected to the EDV control unit, in particular wirelessly or by means of a cable, and transmits the inclination data to the EDV control unit during operation. In a preferred embodiment of the application, the EDV evaluation unit and the EDV control unit are contained by a higher-ranking EDV unit or are formed by the same EDV unit.

[0018] The inclination sensor preferably serves to measure the inclination about a pitch axis oriented transversely to the direction of travel and / or to measure the inclination about a roll axis oriented in the direction of travel. The pitch axis is in particular parallel to the transverse direction. The roll axis in turn is also in particular parallel to the direction of travel of the roll axis. Since the conveying device of the root crop harvester usually conveys either substantially in the direction of travel or substantially transversely, the inclination measured therefor is most relevant for the function of the root crop harvester.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of the application, the EDV control unit serves to adjust at least one chassis adjustment element as a function of the inclination data. The chassis adjustment element serves to adjust at least one chassis element relative to the machine frame. The chassis element is in particular a shaft or wheel journal of the chassis of the root crop harvester. In particular, the root crop harvester has one chassis adjustment element each at each vehicle side or at each wheel. The chassis adjustment element is in particular configured as a hydraulic cylinder, which is preferably arranged with one end on the machine frame and with the other end on the chassis element.

[0020] By adjusting the chassis adjustment element as a function of the inclination data, not only an inclination compensation about the roll axis, but also an inclination compensation about the pitch axis of the root crop harvester can be achieved. If there are a plurality of chassis adjustment elements, in order to compensate for the inclination about the roll axis, the chassis adjustment elements can in particular be shortened on the higher side of the root crop harvester, while the opposite chassis adjustment elements are lengthened. If there is a defined inclination about the pitch axis of the root crop harvester, this can be eliminated by synchronously shortening or lengthening the chassis adjustment elements on the same axle. In particular, the root crop harvester comprises a receiving adjustment element, which, when the chassis adjustment element is actuated, pivots the receiving part, which is sunk into the ground during operation of the root crop harvester, relative to the machine frame using a lifting lever, so that its functionality is not limited.

[0021] As an alternative or in addition to the chassis adjustment elements, the EDV control unit is used to adjust at least one drawbar adjustment element in accordance with the inclination data. The drawbar adjustment element is used to adjust a coupling element for coupling the root crop harvester to a tractor relative to the machine frame. In particular, the drawbar ring of the root crop harvester or the ball joint can be pivoted or moved relative to its machine frame by the drawbar adjustment element, thereby changing the height of the coupling element. Inclination compensation for the machine frame can also be achieved by this embodiment of the application.

[0022] By means of the inclination compensation for the machine frame, the function of the separating device is ensured even on slopes. In particular, it is thereby achieved that the root crop or the inclusions component moves past the separating element at a constant distance in the rest position.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment of the application, the EDV control unit is used to adjust at least one separating device adjustment element arranged on the separating device in accordance with the inclination data. Here, at least the separating device frame is movably supported relative to the machine frame. The separating device adjustment element is arranged in particular on the separating device frame. In particular, the separating device frame is fixed integrally with the conveyor device frame or is fixed immovably on the conveyor device frame. Alternatively, at least the separating device frame is prevented from pivoting relative to the conveyor device frame about a roll axis, preferably about any pivot axis. The conveyor device frame comprises in particular a bearing element on which the deflection element of the conveyor device is rotatably arranged. By means of the separating device adjustment element, inclination compensation for the separating device is achieved without having to pivot the entire machine frame for this purpose. In particular, the separating device frame is pivoted alternately. For this purpose, the separating device frame is pivotably movably supported about a pitch axis and / or about a roll axis. Due to the common pivoting of the separating device frame and the conveyor device frame, a constantly constant flight curve of the conveyed material in the region of the separating element is ensured in a particularly reliable manner.

[0024] In an alternative or additional advantageous embodiment of the application, the separating device frame is movably supported relative to the conveyor device frame. By this design, adaptation of the separating device to different inclinations can be achieved without having to move the separating device frame for this purpose. Thereby, the conveyor device can remain adjusted independently of the inclination for the benefit of its conveying function, whereas the position of the separating device frame is adapted in accordance with the inclination.

[0025] Preferably, the separating device frame is supported at least partially, in particular exclusively, in translatory motion, in particular in translatory movement, relative to the conveying device frame in a direction parallel to the pitch axis and / or in a transverse direction. The lateral movement of the conveying device frame can in particular react to a tilt angle which exists at least partially about the conveying direction. If the separating device is mounted in such a way that the conveying direction at least partially coincides with the travel direction, a tilt angle of the machine about the roll axis can be compensated by the movability of the separating device frame in the transverse direction. Thereby it is achieved that the conveying ingredients can still be reliably acquired by the separating element, which have a movement component in the transverse direction due to the tilt angle in the material drop step.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, the separating device frame is preferably supported at least partially, in particular exclusively, in translatory motion, in particular in translatory movement, relative to the conveying device frame in a direction parallel to the roll axis, in the conveying direction and / or vertically. Due to this movability, it is in particular possible to adjust the approach of the separating device frame, and thus of the separating element, to the conveying ingredients in the region of the material drop step. In particular, for a tilt angle about an axis parallel to the transverse direction, in particular about the pitch axis, it is thus possible to react to steeper or flatter movement trajectories of the ingredients and to maintain a constant distance of the separating element in the rest position relative to the conveying ingredients.

[0027] Alternatively or additionally, the separating device frame is preferably supported at least partially pivotably relative to the conveying device frame about a pivot axis parallel to the pitch axis. In particular, the separating device frame is supported in such a way that the distance of the separating element in the rest position relative to the conveying device changes by pivoting of the separating device frame. Like the previously specified movement of the separating device frame, the separating device can achieve an adaptation to different movement trajectories by pivoting.

[0028] The EDV control unit is preferably used to adjust at least one deflection adjustment element arranged on a deflection element for deflecting the inclusions that have been separated out by the separating device, as a function of the inclination data. The deflection element is in particular arranged below the separating element and is movable relative to the machine frame, in particular at least partially in a direction parallel to the roll axis and / or the pitch axis. In particular, the deflection element is configured as a guide plate that does not rotate during operation, the guide plate serving for the gravity- assisted deflection of the components separated from the conveying mass. By moving the deflection element as a function of the inclination data, it is possible in turn to react to different movement trajectories of the conveying mass components. It is in particular possible to avoid that components that have been gripped by the separating element for separation subsequently fall away from the deflection element as a result of the inclination, or that components that should not be separated fall onto the deflection element as a result of the inclination. As a result of the preferred direction of the movability parallel to the roll axis or in the direction of the roll axis, it is possible in particular to react to the inclination of the root crop harvester about the pitch axis.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, the deflection element is configured circumferentially during operation. This is in particular a drum that rotates during operation or a belt that rotates during operation. The root crop harvester preferably has a stripping element that abuts against or is slightly spaced apart from the deflection element that rotates during operation and is in particular positionally fixed relative to the machine frame. The stripping element serves to strip off unwanted inclusions adhering to the stripping element. As a result of the circumferential design of the deflection element during operation, it is possible to guide the root crops more gently and more specifically.

[0030] The root crop harvester particularly preferably has two further conveying devices downstream of the separating device, one conveying device for conveying the root crops and one conveying device for conveying the inclusions. In particular, the conveying devices rotate in opposite directions during operation. The deflection element is preferably constituted by at least one of the further conveying devices. At least the other conveying device is in particular at least partially, in particular exclusively, movable in its conveying direction and / or horizontally, in order to be able to react to the inclination and to the region that moves therewith, in which the root crops and the inclusions strike the other conveying device. In this case, at least one of the further conveying devices simultaneously performs a separating function and a conveying function.

[0031] The EDV control unit is preferably used to adjust the conveying speed of the conveying device in accordance with the inclination data. By increasing or decreasing the conveying speed of the conveying device in the conveying direction, the movement path of the conveying material components is changed again in the case of a fixed inclination of the root crop harvester and in the case of a movement path of the conveying material components that changes as a result. In particular, the change in the movement path caused by the inclination can be at least largely compensated for by adapting the conveying speed. To this end, the EDV control unit is in particular coupled to the drive element of the conveying device and adjusts its rotational speed during operation.

[0032] The EDV control unit is preferably used to adjust conveying adjustment elements arranged on the conveying device in accordance with the inclination data. In particular, at least one end of the conveying device facing the separating elements can be moved at least partially vertically with respect to the separating device. In particular, the conveying adjustment elements are arranged in the region of this end of the conveying device. By adapting the height of the conveying device, the conveying material reaches the region of the drop-off step from the conveying device. It is further possible to prevent the conveying material from being accidentally caught by the separating elements, and the conveying material components can still be reliably separated from the remaining conveying material by the separating elements.

[0033] The support surface of the conveying device is preferably adjoined by two imaginary boundary surfaces that extend not only into the conveying device but also in the vertical direction. The outermost separating elements observed in the conveying device are at least partially arranged outside the space between the boundary surfaces. In particular, at least one complete separating element arrangement is arranged on each side of the conveying device outside the aforementioned space, preferably a plurality of separating element arrangements are arranged on both sides outside the space. The lateral extent of the separating device thus exceeds the lateral extent of the support surface. By this design of the separating device, it is possible for the conveying material components to separate themselves from the remaining conveying material, even when they fall laterally from the conveying device in the region of the drop-off step as a result of the inclination about the roll axis, in particular.

[0034] The EDV evaluation unit is preferably designed to select the separating elements to be adjusted in accordance with the inclination data, in particular in accordance with the inclination data representing the inclination about the roll axis or about the conveying direction. The manipulation of the separating elements can thus depend not only on the conveying material data but also on the inclination data. The manipulation of the separating elements can thereby support a broader database and enable a more precise establishment of the separating device.

[0035] The EDV evaluation unit is particularly preferably configured such that, upon its receipt of first inclination data representing a first inclination which does not exceed an inclination threshold value and first conveying material data, the EDV evaluation unit actuates a first separating element, wherein the EDV evaluation unit, upon its receipt of further inclination data representing a further inclination which exceeds the inclination threshold value and the first conveying material data, actuates a separating element which is arranged adjacent to the first separating element. This means that the EDV evaluation unit first determines a separating element for the separation of the identified inclusions on the basis of the conveying material data, in particular on the basis of the identified inclusions, from the horizontal direction of the root crop harvester. The EDV evaluation unit then processes the inclination data in such a way that, upon exceeding the (positive) inclination threshold value and not reaching another (negative) inclination threshold value, the separating element selected on the basis of the selection of the conveying material data is selected as the separating element to be actuated, which is adjacent thereto (in one direction or in the other direction) or which is selected as the separating element to be actuated, which is remote therefrom. Thereby, in the avoidance of additional design expenditure with regard to the width or the support of the separating device, it can be achieved that even in the presence of an inclination, in particular about the roll axis, the inclusions to be separated can be precisely separated from the conveying material. In particular, the EDV evaluation unit is also used to adjust the chassis adjustment elements or the drawbar adjustment elements or the separating device adjustment elements as previously described and on the basis of the inclination. In this way, the inclination in the region of the separating device can be changed at least to some extent by one or more adjustment elements, so that the maintained inclination ensures that the separating element to be actuated is changed by an integer multiple.

[0036] The object is also achieved by a computer-implemented method of a root crop harvester as previously and / or subsequently described. According to the method, conveying material data are first received by a conveying material sensor and inclination data are received by an inclination sensor. At least one adjustment signal is then calculated by an EDV evaluation unit and / or an EDV control unit on the basis of the inclination data and / or on the basis of the conveying material data. At least one of the fluid adjustment elements and / or at least one of the push-out adjustment elements are then actuated and / or the drawbar adjustment elements, the chassis adjustment elements, the conveying adjustment elements, the deflection adjustment elements and / or the separating device adjustment elements are adjusted by the adjustment signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] Further details and advantages of the application can be derived from the following described, schematically illustrated embodiments; the drawings show:

[0038] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a part of a first root crop harvester according to the application;

[0039] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a part of a second root crop harvester according to the application in a first configuration;

[0040] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a part of a second root crop harvester in a second configuration according to the application;

[0041] Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a part of a second root crop harvester in a third configuration according to the application;

[0042] Figure 5 is a schematic top view of a part of a third root crop harvester according to the application;

[0043] Figure 6 is a schematic top view of a part of a fourth root crop harvester in a first configuration according to the application;

[0044] Figure 7 is a schematic top view of a part of a fourth root crop harvester in a second configuration according to the application;

[0045] Figure 8 is a schematic top view of a part of a fifth root crop harvester according to the application;

[0046] Figure 9 is a schematic overall perspective view of a sixth root crop harvester according to the application.

[0047] The features of the embodiments according to the application set out below can also be shown or described individually or in different combinations than the subject matter of the application, but always in combination with at least the features of claim 1. Functionally identical components have the same reference signs, as far as makes sense. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Figures 1 to 8 At least one conveying device 4 and a separating device 10 of different root crop harvesters 2 according to the application are shown. The conveying device 4 conveys a conveying mass consisting of harvested material and inclusions in a conveying direction 6. The conveying mass thereby substantially describes a conveying path 3. A conveying mass sensor 12 for receiving conveying mass data, which is transmitted to an EDV evaluation unit not shown during operation, is arranged above the conveying device 4. Furthermore, an inclination sensor 18 is also arranged on the conveying device 4.

[0049] The separating device 10 is arranged downstream of the conveying device 4 with respect to the conveying path 3. The separating device 10 comprises a plurality of separating elements 8, which are arranged along the conveying path 3 in a manner such that they are able to separate the conveying mass into a first fraction 14 and a second fraction 16. Figures 1 to 4The shown view directions are arranged one after the other, which is why only one separating element 8 is shown in each figure. The separating elements 8 are pivotably arranged on the separating device frame 34. In addition, the separating elements 8 can also be shifted by the ejector adjustment element 16 from the rest position in which the separating elements 8 are shown to the ejecting position, for which purpose the separating elements are pivoted towards the direction of the conveying path 3.

[0050] The deflection element 38 is arranged below the separating device 10 (see Figure 1 ). During operation, the harvested material must fall from the right side of the deflection element 38 in order to be able to be conveyed away by the further conveying device 14. The entrained components that are separated or ejected from the harvested material by the separating elements must fall from the left side of the tip of the deflection element 38, exactly onto the deflection element 38 or onto the left-hand shown conveying belt.

[0051] Figures 2 to 4 The above-described components are shown in a second root crop harvester 2 according to the application. In the second root crop harvester 2, not only the separating device 10 but also the deflection element 38 is supported movably in conveying direction. The deflection element 38 can be moved relative to this by a long hole in the machine frame 30 and can be adjusted by a deflection adjustment element 40. Likewise, the separating device 10 can be adjusted relative to the machine frame 30 by a separating device adjustment element 36. Both adjustments are specified by the EDV evaluation unit or the EDV control unit depending on the inclination angle received with the inclination sensor.

[0052] In Figure 2 , not only the separating device 10 but also the deflection element 38 are in the initial position, because the inclination sensor 18, which measures the potential inclination around the pitch axis here, does not measure the inclination of the root crop harvester or the conveying device 4 relative to the horizontal.

[0053] In Figure 3 , the inclination sensor 18 measures the counterclockwise inclination of the harvester 2 relative to the horizontal, which is why the conveying path 3 of the conveyed material changes and the conveyed material falls particularly steeply from the conveying device 4. Accordingly, the separating device 10 and the deflection element 38 are moved by the separating device adjustment element 36 and the deflection adjustment element 40 relative to their initial position in Figure 2 to the left.

[0054] Figure 4 The arrangement of the mentioned components of the second root crop harvester according to the application in the case of the opposite inclination is shown. Here, the deflection element 38 and the separating device 10 are moved relative to their position in Figure 1 to the right in order to react to the currently flatter glide curve in the conveying path 3.

[0055] A third embodiment of a rhizome harvester according to the application is shown schematically in Figure 5 which the separating device 10 is not only moveably supported relative to the machine frame 30 and relative to the conveying device 4 along a roll axis 24 parallel to the conveying direction 6, but also along a pitch axis 22.

[0056] Figure 6 and 7 A part of a fourth rhizome harvester according to the application is shown, the inclination sensor 18 of which measures an inclination formed at least partially around a roll axis 24 extending parallel to the conveying direction 6. The outer separating elements 8 are arranged here outside the intermediate space opened up by the delimiting surface 42, which adjoins the side of the support surface of the conveying device 4.

[0057] In the operating situation according to Figure 6 the inclination of the rhizome harvester 2 is not measured and the conveying path 3 extends accordingly straight along the conveying direction 6 over the separating device 10. Figure 7 The inclination measured by the inclination sensor 18 is shown to what extent it causes the conveying path 3 to extend partially transversely to the conveying direction 6. In order to take this into account, the selection of the separating elements 8 to be actuated in this embodiment depends on the measured inclination, so that in the embodiment shown in Figure 7 different separating elements are actuated than in the embodiment shown in Figure 6 , it being assumed that the same conveying material data are used in the operating situation according to Figure 6 and Figure 7

[0058] Figure 8 An analogous illustration is shown in Figure 6 and 7 , in which the separating device 10 is moveably supported relative to the machine frame 30 transversely to the conveying direction 6. A separating device adjustment element 36 is also arranged on the separating device frame 34, by means of which the separating device 10 can be moved relative to the machine frame 30. In the embodiment shown, the rhizome harvester 2 or the separating device 10 reacts to the inclination determined by the inclination sensor 18 in such a way that the separating device is moved laterally, so that for the same conveying material data as in the operating situation according to Figure 6 the same conveying elements 8 are actuated, but they are moveably positioned.

[0059] Figure 9 ​A rhizome crop harvester 2 according to the application is shown in a side view. The rhizome crop harvester 2 can be coupled with a tractor by means of a coupling element 32 and is moved during operation in a direction of travel 20. The rhizome crop harvester 2 has a roll angle sensor which is used not only to measure the roll angle of the rhizome crop harvester 2 about a roll axis 24 but also to measure the pitch angle about a pitch axis 22. The roll angle sensor 18, like the separating device 10, is not visible in the given illustration. In the region of the suspension of the chassis elements 28 which are configured as wheels, the rhizome crop harvester 2 has a chassis adjustment element 26 by means of which the chassis elements 28 are coupled with a machine frame 30.

Claims

1. A root crop harvester (2) comprising a conveying device (4) for conveying conveying material consisting of harvested material and inclusions in a conveying direction (6), and a separating device (10) having at least one separating element (8) for separating inclusions from the harvested material, the separating device comprising a conveying material sensor (12) coupled to an EDV evaluation unit and directed at the conveying material and the conveying device (4) during operation for receiving conveying material data, wherein, The separating device (10) comprises a plurality of separating elements (8) which are arranged at least partially adjacent to one another as viewed in the conveying direction (6) and which can be individually actuated by the EDV evaluation unit on the basis of the conveying goods data, characterized in that the root crop harvester (2) is provided with at least one inclination sensor (18) which is comprised by the separating device (10) and which serves to measure the inclination of the root crop harvester (2) or of the separating device (10) and / or of the conveying device (4) and which serves to output inclination data to an EDV control unit which is coupled to the inclination sensor (18), wherein the at least one inclination sensor (18) serves to measure the inclination about a pitch axis (22) which is oriented transversely to the direction of travel (20) and / or to measure the inclination about a roll axis (24) which is oriented in the direction of travel (20), wherein the EDV control unit serves to adjust at least one separating device adjustment element (36) which is arranged on a separating device frame (34) of the separating device (10) as a function of the inclination data, wherein at least the separating device frame (34) is movably supported relative to a machine frame (30), wherein the separating device frame (34) is movably supported relative to a conveying device frame, wherein the separating device frame (34) is at least partially translatably movable relative to the conveying device frame in a direction parallel to the roll axis (24) and / or in the conveying direction (6).

2. The root crop harvester (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The conveying goods sensor (12) is an optical sensor.

3. The root crop harvester (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The separating device (10) is arranged downstream relative to the conveying device (4) and upstream relative to a further conveying device (14) which is adjacent to the conveying device (4).

4. The root-stem crop harvester (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The separating elements (8) are pivotably arranged on a separating device frame (34), are movable from a rest position into an ejection position and back again, and are each equipped with at least one ejection adjustment element (16).

5. The root-stem crop harvester (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The separating elements (8) each form at least one fluid discharge opening and each have an actuatable fluid adjustment element.

6. The root crop harvester (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The EDV control unit serves to adjust at least one chassis adjustment element (26) for adjusting at least one chassis element (28) relative to a machine frame (30) as a function of the inclination data.

7. The root crop harvester (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The EDV control unit serves to adjust at least one drawbar adjustment element for adjusting a coupling element (32) relative to a machine frame (30) as a function of the inclination data, the coupling element being arranged in order to couple the root crop harvester (2) to a tractor.

8. The root crop harvester (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The separating device frame (34) is at least partially, pivotably movably arranged on the machine frame (30), wherein the separating device frame (34) is coupled to the conveying device (4) in such a way that a pivoting of the separating device frame (34) about the roll axis (24) relative to a conveying device frame of the conveying device (4) is prevented.

9. The root crop harvester (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The separation device frame (34) is supported in translatory movement relative to the conveying device frame at least partially in a direction parallel to the pitch axis (22).

10. The root crop harvester (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The separation device frame (34) is supported in translatory movement relative to the conveying device frame at least partially vertically.

11. The root crop harvester (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The separation device frame (34) is supported in pivotable movement relative to the conveying device frame at least partially about a pivot axis parallel to the pitch axis (22).

12. The root crop harvester (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The EDV control unit is designed to adjust at least one deflection adjustment element (40) arranged on a deflection element (38) for deflecting classified inclusions out of the separation device (10), the deflection element being arranged below the separation element (8) and being arranged at least partially movably relative to the machine frame (30) in parallel to the roll axis (24) in accordance with the inclination data.

13. The root crop harvester (2) according to claim 12, characterized in that The deflection element (38) is designed as a drum rotating during operation or as a belt rotating during operation, the deflection element being designed to convey classified inclusions in a rotary manner.

14. The root-stem crop harvester (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The EDV control unit is designed to adjust a conveying speed of the conveying device (4) in accordance with the inclination data.

15. The root-stem crop harvester (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The EDV control unit is designed to adjust a conveying adjustment element arranged on the conveying device (4) in accordance with the inclination data, at least one end facing the separation element being moved at least partially vertically relative to the separation device (10) from the conveying device.

16. The root-stem crop harvester (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that A support surface (5) of the conveying device (4) adjoins two delimiting surfaces (42) extending in the conveying direction and vertically, wherein the outermost separation elements (8) viewed in the conveying direction (6) are arranged at least partially outside the space between the delimiting surfaces (42).

17. The root crop harvester (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The EDV evaluation unit selects a separation element (8) to be adjusted in accordance with the inclination data.

18. The root crop harvester (2) according to claim 17, characterized in that The inclination data represent an inclination about the roll axis (24) or about the conveying direction (6).

19. The root crop harvester (2) according to claim 17, characterized in that The EDV evaluation unit actuates a first separation element (8) upon receiving first inclination data representing a first inclination not exceeding an inclination threshold value and first conveying data, wherein the EDV evaluation unit actuates a separation element arranged adjacent to the first separation element (8) upon receiving further inclination data representing a further inclination exceeding the inclination threshold value and the first conveying data.

20. A method of using a root crop harvester (2) according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: receiving conveying data by a conveying sensor (12); receiving inclination data by an inclination sensor (18); calculating at least one adjustment signal by an EDV evaluation unit and / or an EDV control unit in accordance with the inclination data and / or in accordance with the conveying data; actuating a separation device adjustment element (36) by the adjustment signal.

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