A circular cotton picking machine

Abstract

A circular mold cotton harvester includes a chassis and a cotton harvesting head, a suspension device, a cotton conveying device, a cotton collecting box, a cotton feeding device, a circular mold forming device, a film-coating device, and a bale unloading device mounted on the chassis. The cotton harvesting head is mounted on the front end of the chassis via the suspension device. The cotton conveying device is connected to the cotton harvesting head. The cotton collecting box is connected to the cotton conveying device, and collects seed cotton fed in by the cotton conveying device and discharges cotton intermittently. The cotton feeding device is connected to the cotton collecting box and includes a feeding frame, a conveyor belt, a pre-compression roller, a drive roller, and a tensioning mechanism. The conveyor belt is tensioned on the drive roller and the support roller, and the tension is adjusted by the tensioning mechanism. The circular mold forming device includes a baling chamber formed by a front chamber and a rear chamber. The rear chamber has an open position and a closed position relative to the front chamber, and discharges cotton bales when in the open position. The film-coating device is located below and behind the rear chamber and wraps the cotton bales with film. The bale unloading device receives and unloads the cotton bales discharged by the circular mold forming device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to agricultural machinery, and in particular to a circular cotton harvester. Background Technology

[0002] Cotton harvesters can be categorized into three types based on their cotton collection and unloading methods: box-type, square-type, and round-type cotton harvesters. Box-type and square-type harvesters cannot unload cotton at any time and place; they require unloading at designated locations or field edges, consuming significant harvesting time and impacting harvesting efficiency and income. Furthermore, seed cotton unloaded by box-type harvesters at the field edge requires reloading and transportation, along with manual compaction, which is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly. Square-type harvesters, unloading at the field edge using square molds, require specialized transport vehicles, resulting in high investment costs and negatively affecting the overall profitability of the cotton industry.

[0003] There are two types of circular mold cotton harvesters currently in use. One type is the belt-type circular mold forming cotton harvester, represented by the CP690 produced by John Deere in the United States. The circular mold forming device consists of a front chamber and a rear chamber. After the front and rear chambers are combined, the circular mold is formed. During transportation, in order to reduce the transportation height, the lower parts of the front and rear chambers are separated and placed horizontally on the frame. The structure is complex, the manufacturing cost is high, and the weight is large. It is mainly used in large cotton harvesters. The other type is represented by the roller-type circular mold forming cotton harvester produced in Brazil. It relies on a large number of rollers around the roller-type circular mold forming device to form a circular mold. The larger the diameter of the circular mold, the more rollers there are, the greater the weight, and the higher the cost. This circular mold forming method has a lower density than the belt-type mold forming device and has not been widely used in my country. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a circular cotton harvester in response to the above-mentioned defects of the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a circular cotton harvester, comprising:

[0006] Chassis;

[0007] The cotton picking head is installed at the front end of the chassis via a suspension device and is used to pick seed cotton from the cotton plant. The suspension device is used to suspend and adjust the height of the cotton picking head off the ground.

[0008] A cotton conveying device is installed on the chassis and connected to the cotton picking head;

[0009] A cotton collection box is installed on the chassis and connected to the cotton conveying device. The cotton conveying device is used to pneumatically convey seed cotton into the cotton collection box. The cotton collection box is used to collect seed cotton and intermittently discharge cotton.

[0010] A cotton feeding device is installed on the chassis and connected to the cotton collection box. The cotton feeding device includes a cotton feeding frame and a conveyor belt, a pre-compression roller, a drive roller and a tensioning mechanism installed on the cotton feeding frame. The conveyor belt is tensioned on the drive roller and the support roller, and the tension is adjusted by the tensioning mechanism. The pre-compression roller is used to compact the loose seed cotton layer on the conveyor belt to increase the density of the seed cotton layer.

[0011] A circular mold forming device is installed on the chassis and includes a packaging chamber formed by a front chamber and a rear chamber. The rear chamber has an open position and a closed position relative to the front chamber, and the cotton bales are discharged when the rear chamber is in the open position.

[0012] A film-wrapping device, mounted on the chassis and located below and behind the rear compartment, is used to wrap and pack cotton bales; and

[0013] A pack unloading device is installed on the chassis and located behind the circular mold forming device, used to receive and unload the cotton packs discharged from the circular mold forming device.

[0014] In the aforementioned circular cotton harvester, the cotton conveying device includes a cotton conveying fan and a cotton conveying pipe. The cotton conveying pipe is connected to the cotton harvesting head and the cotton collection box, respectively. The cotton conveying fan is connected to the cotton conveying pipe and is used to provide air force to the cotton harvesting head and the conveying pipe to forcefully convey seed cotton into the cotton collection box.

[0015] In the aforementioned circular cotton harvester, the cotton collection box is equipped with gratings and mesh for venting airflow, in order to reduce the impact of airflow on cotton discharge and seed cotton settling.

[0016] In the aforementioned circular cotton harvester, the cotton collection box is further equipped with a cotton discharge roller and a cotton breaking roller, the cotton breaking roller being used to break up cotton clumps and limit the height of the cotton discharge layer.

[0017] The aforementioned circular mold cotton harvester includes a circular mold forming device that further comprises a feeding roller, a rocker arm, and a packing belt disposed in the packing chamber. The front chamber is fixed on the chassis, and the rear chamber opens and closes under the action of a hydraulic cylinder. The feeding roller, together with the conveyor belt, pushes the seed cotton toward the loose edge of the packing belt of the circular mold forming device to form a mold, and assists the packing belt in driving the cotton mold to rotate, thereby increasing the diameter of the cotton mold.

[0018] In the aforementioned circular cotton harvester, the position of the drive roller is adjusted back and forth to control the gap with the feed roller, thereby reducing the amount of seed cotton that falls off.

[0019] In the aforementioned circular cotton harvester, the film feeding device includes a film feeding frame and a film feeding cylinder, a film feeding mechanism, a film feeding roller, a film support frame, and a film stopping cylinder mounted on the film feeding frame. The film feeding cylinder is connected to the film feeding mechanism, which is used to attach the packing film to the packing strap to complete film feeding and wrapping. The film stopping cylinder performs intermittent extension and retraction to dampen the feeding of the packing film and increase the tightness of the wrapping and disconnect the film roll.

[0020] In the aforementioned circular cotton harvester, the pre-compression roller comprises multiple rollers arranged in parallel, used to sequentially pre-compress the loose seed cotton layer on the conveyor belt, so as to facilitate entry into the cotton die during winding and increase the diameter of the cotton die.

[0021] The aforementioned circular cotton harvester includes a chassis comprising a frame and a power system, transmission system, walking system, hydraulic system, electronic control system, driving control system, water system, and cab mounted on the frame. The diesel tank of the power system is located below the frame and behind the steering axle. The hydraulic oil tank of the hydraulic system is located behind the engine compartment. The muffler of the diesel engine of the power system is located inside the engine compartment and exhausts gas to the outside through the exhaust tailpipe.

[0022] The aforementioned circular cotton harvester includes a frame comprising a main frame and a detachable walkway frame with guardrails. The detachable walkway frame with guardrails is located on one side of the cab for easy assembly and disassembly during long-distance transfers or when transportation is restricted.

[0023] The technical effects of this invention are as follows:

[0024] The circular mold forming device of this invention has a compact structure, and its installation height is suitable for road transport and field transfer. It eliminates the need for horizontally placed front and rear compartments, reducing transport height. Furthermore, the use of a single motor drive and a non-powered film-laying device lowers manufacturing costs. The seed cotton pre-compression roller increases the density of the seed cotton conveying layer, facilitating feeding into the circular mold forming device, increasing the diameter and mass of each mold, improving operational efficiency, reducing the amount of baling film used, and lowering machine harvesting costs. The diesel tank is located at the lower rear of the machine, away from the engine, and isolated from the cotton collection box, cotton feeding device, and circular mold forming device, promoting operational safety and facilitating diesel refueling. The walkway frame with guardrails is small and lightweight, allowing for easy manual installation and disassembly.

[0025] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2This is a side view of a cotton feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Top view;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a side view of the membrane upper device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Top view.

[0031] In the attached diagram, 1 represents the cotton picking head, 2 represents the suspension device, and 3 represents the cotton conveying device.

[0032] 31 Cotton Conveying Fan

[0033] 32 cotton conveying pipes and 4 cotton collection boxes

[0034] 41 cotton rollers

[0035] 42 cotton shredder rollers 5 cotton feeding device

[0036] 51 Cotton Feeder Frame

[0037] 52 conveyor belt

[0038] 53 Preload Rollers

[0039] 54 drive rollers

[0040] 55 tensioning mechanism 6 chassis

[0041] 7. Circular mold forming device

[0042] 71 Feed Roller

[0043] 72 Front Warehouse

[0044] 73 rear warehouse

[0045] 74 rocker arm

[0046] 75 packing straps 8 film application device

[0047] 81 film application frame

[0048] 82 upper film cylinder

[0049] 83. Membrane Installation Mechanism

[0050] 84 film roller

[0051] 85 film support frame

[0052] 86 Stop-film hydraulic cylinder

[0053] 9 Unloading device

[0054] 10 cotton bales Detailed Implementation

[0055] The structural and working principles of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0056] See Figures 1-3 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a side view of a cotton feeding device 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 for Figure 2 A top view. The circular cotton harvester of the present invention includes: a chassis 6, for walking and carrying or suspending the following devices, and providing power; a cotton harvesting head 1, mounted on the suspension device 2, mounted at the front end of the chassis 6 via the suspension device 2, for harvesting seed cotton from cotton plants, and blowing the seed cotton into the cotton conveying pipe 32 of the cotton conveying device 3 under the action of the cotton removal disc and airflow in the cotton harvesting head 1; the suspension device 2 includes a cotton harvesting head 1 suspension frame and a swing frame, for suspending the cotton harvesting head 1 and adjusting the height of the cotton harvesting head 1 from the ground, controlled by a hydraulic cylinder located on the chassis 6; a cotton conveying device 3, mounted on the chassis 6 and connected to the cotton harvesting head 1; a cotton collection box 4, mounted on the chassis 6 and connected to the cotton conveying device 3, the cotton conveying device 3 for pneumatically conveying seed cotton into the cotton collection box 4, the cotton collection box 4 for collecting seed cotton and intermittently discharging cotton; and a cotton feeding device 5, mounted on the chassis 6 and connected to the cotton collection box 4. The device 5 includes a cotton feeding frame 51 and a conveyor belt 52, a pre-compression roller 53, a drive roller 54, and a tensioning mechanism 55 mounted on the cotton feeding frame 51. The conveyor belt 52 is tensioned on the drive roller 54 and the support roller, and the tension is adjusted by the tensioning mechanism 55. The pre-compression roller 53 is used to compact the loose seed cotton layer on the conveyor belt 52, increasing the density of the seed cotton layer. The circular die forming device 7 is mounted on the chassis 6 and includes a front chamber 72 and a rear chamber 73 forming a die. The rear compartment 73 has an open position and a closed position relative to the front compartment 72, and discharges cotton bales 10 in the open position; the film-coating device 8 is installed on the chassis 6 and located below and behind the rear compartment 73, and is used to wrap and pack the cotton bales 10; and the unloading device 9 is installed on the chassis 6 and located behind the circular mold forming device 7, and is used to receive the cotton bales 10 discharged by the circular mold forming device 7 and unload them on the spot or temporarily store them until they are unloaded at a designated location.

[0057] The chassis 6 includes a frame and a power system, transmission system, walking system, hydraulic system, electronic control system, driving control system, water system, and cab mounted on the frame. The diesel tank of the power system is located below the frame and behind the steering axle. The hydraulic oil tank of the hydraulic system is located behind the engine compartment. The muffler of the diesel engine of the power system is located in the engine compartment and exhausts to the outside through the exhaust tailpipe. The frame includes a main frame and a detachable frame with guardrails. The detachable frame with guardrails is located on one side of the cab for easy assembly and disassembly during long-distance transfers or when transportation is restricted.

[0058] In this embodiment, the cotton conveying device 3 includes a cotton conveying fan 31 and a cotton conveying pipe 32. The cotton conveying pipe 32 is connected to the cotton picking head 1 and the cotton collecting box 4, respectively. The cotton conveying fan 31 is connected to the cotton conveying pipe 32. The cotton conveying fan 31 provides pneumatic force to the cotton picking head 1 and the conveying pipe to pneumatically convey seed cotton into the cotton collecting box 4, thus completing the pneumatic conveying of seed cotton. The cotton collecting box 4 is equipped with grids and mesh for venting airflow, reducing the impact on the pneumatic force of cotton discharge and seed cotton settling. The cotton collecting box 4 is also equipped with a cotton discharge roller 41 and a cotton breaking roller 42. The cotton breaking roller 42 is used to break up cotton clumps and limit the height of the cotton discharge layer.

[0059] The circular mold forming device 7 of this embodiment also includes a feeding roller 71, a rocker arm 74, a packing strap 75, and a transmission system disposed in the packing chamber. The front chamber 72 is fixed on the frame of the chassis 6, and the rear chamber 73 can be opened and closed under the action of an electrically controlled hydraulic cylinder. The feeding roller 71 and the conveyor belt 52 together push the seed cotton to the loose edge of the packing strap of the circular mold forming device 7 to pack it into a mold, and assist the packing strap 75 in driving the cotton mold to rotate, thereby increasing the diameter of the cotton mold.

[0060] See Figure 4 and Figure 5 , Figure 4 This is a side view of the membrane upper device 8 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 for Figure 4 The top view of the film-applying device 8 in this embodiment includes a film-applying frame 81 and a film-applying cylinder 82, a film-applying mechanism 83, a film-applying roller 84, a film support frame 85, and a film-stopping cylinder 86 mounted on the film-applying frame 81. The film-applying cylinder 82 is connected to the film-applying mechanism 83. The film-applying mechanism 83 is used to attach the packaging film to the packing strap 75 to complete film feeding and wrapping. Under the action of the electrically controlled film-applying cylinder 82, the film-applying mechanism 83 is lifted. Under the action of the film-applying mechanism 83, the packaging film is attached to the packing strap 75. Under the action of the packing strap 75, film feeding and wrapping are completed. The film-stopping cylinder 86 performs intermittent extension and retraction to dampen the feeding of the packaging film and increase the tightness of the wrapping and disconnect the film roll.

[0061] In this embodiment, the pre-compression roller 53 includes multiple parallel rollers, which can form a pre-compression roller group. This group is used to sequentially pre-compress the loose seed cotton layer on the conveyor belt 52, increasing the density of the seed cotton layer. This causes the packing strap 75 of the circular mold forming device 7 to loosen, initiating packing and facilitating the packing of the cotton mold during the winding process, thus increasing the mold diameter. The conveyor belt 52 can be adjusted at both ends. The drive roller 54 at the rear end can be adjusted to control the gap with the feed roller 71, reducing the amount of seed cotton falling off. The tensioning mechanism 55 at the front end is used to adjust the tension of the conveyor belt 52.

[0062] During operation, the cotton picking head 1 guides the cotton plants forward with the machine. Under the rapid winding of the picking spindle installed on the picking drum, the seed cotton is released from the cotton boll and wrapped around the picking spindle. As the drum rotates to the cotton removal disc, it is removed and blown into the cotton conveying pipe 32 of the cotton conveying device 3 by the pneumatic action of the cotton conveying device 3, reaching the cotton collection box 4. The cotton collection box 4 discharges airflow, causing the seed cotton to settle and be stored. Then, according to the needs of the circular mold forming, the cotton is discharged intermittently. Regardless of whether the box is full or not, it must be emptied each time. The seed cotton discharged from the cotton collection box 4 reaches the pre-compression roller 53 under the action of the conveyor belt 52 of the cotton feeding device 5. After pre-compression, it is sent to the feeding roller 71 of the circular mold forming device 7. Under the joint action of the feeding roller 71, the baling belt 75 is pushed to loosen the edge, and baling begins or the diameter of the circular mold is increased until baling is completed. The seed cotton fed into the circular mold forming device 7 is formed into a circular mold by the packing belt 75. Through the swing of the rocker arm 74, the diameter of the circular mold continuously increases until the set circular mold diameter and pressure are reached. The circular mold forming ends, and the film feeding device 8 is started to feed and wrap the film. With the cooperation of the film stopping cylinder 86, the packing film is tightly wrapped. After the entire packing film is wrapped, the rear chamber 73 is opened and the cotton bale 10 is discharged. The cotton bale 10 is received by the unloading device 9 and unloaded on the spot or temporarily stored on the unloading device 9. The cotton bale is unloaded after reaching the designated location.

[0063] The circular mold forming device 7 of this invention is not limited to belt forming, but also includes roller forming devices. All components required for forming, such as the packing strap 75, rocker arm 74, and feeding roller 71, are housed within the frame of the circular mold forming device 7. The film-upper device 8 is located below and behind the rear frame of the rear chamber 73. Addressing the problems of existing circular mold forming cotton harvesters requiring the front chamber 72 and rear chamber 73 to be horizontally placed on the frame during transport, resulting in complex structures, high costs, and low packing density, this invention employs a belt packing mechanism. This controls the packing diameter to within 1.8 meters, achieving high density, reducing the amount of packing film used, lowering harvesting costs, and facilitating the loading, unloading, and transport of cotton bales 10. Furthermore, the height of the chassis 6 frame and the structure of the film-upper device 8 are optimized, ensuring the overall machine height meets the requirements for long-distance transport. The circular mold forming device 7 is fixed to the chassis 6 frame, and the entire device uses a hydraulic motor to drive a single power source. The film-upper device 8 is not powered; it obtains power by having the film-upper mechanism 83 attach the packing film to the packing strap 75, thus reducing manufacturing costs.

[0064] The circular mold forming device 7 of this invention has a compact structure, and its installation height can meet the requirements for road transport and field transfer. It eliminates the need for horizontally placed front and rear compartments 72 and 73, reducing transport height. Furthermore, the use of a single motor drive and a non-powered film-laying device 8 lowers manufacturing costs. The seed cotton pre-compression roller 53 increases the density of the seed cotton conveying layer, facilitating feeding into the circular mold forming device 7, increasing the diameter and mass of each mold, improving work efficiency, reducing the amount of baling film used, and lowering machine harvesting costs. The diesel tank is located at the lower rear of the machine body, away from the engine, and isolated from the cotton collection box 4, cotton feeding device 5, and circular mold forming device 7, promoting operational safety and facilitating diesel refueling. The walkway frame with guardrails is small and lightweight, making it easy to install and disassemble by hand.

[0065] Of course, the present invention may have other various embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and modifications according to the present invention, but these corresponding changes and modifications should all fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A circular cotton harvester, characterized in that, include: Chassis; The cotton picking head is installed at the front end of the chassis via a suspension device and is used to pick seed cotton from the cotton plant. The suspension device is used to suspend and adjust the height of the cotton picking head off the ground. A cotton conveying device is installed on the chassis and connected to the cotton picking head; A cotton collection box is installed on the chassis and connected to the cotton conveying device. The cotton conveying device is used to pneumatically convey seed cotton into the cotton collection box. The cotton collection box is used to collect seed cotton and intermittently discharge cotton. A cotton feeding device is installed on the chassis and connected to the cotton collection box. The cotton feeding device includes a cotton feeding frame and a conveyor belt, a pre-compression roller, a drive roller and a tensioning mechanism installed on the cotton feeding frame. The conveyor belt is tensioned on the drive roller and the support roller, and the tension is adjusted by the tensioning mechanism. The pre-compression roller is used to compact the loose seed cotton layer on the conveyor belt to increase the density of the seed cotton layer. A circular mold forming device is installed on the chassis and includes a packaging chamber formed by a front chamber and a rear chamber. The rear chamber has an open position and a closed position relative to the front chamber, and the cotton bales are discharged when the rear chamber is in the open position. A film-wrapping device, mounted on the chassis and located below and behind the rear compartment, is used to wrap and pack cotton bales; and A pack unloading device is installed on the chassis and located behind the circular mold forming device, used to receive and unload the cotton bales discharged by the circular mold forming device. The circular mold forming device also includes a feeding roller, a rocker arm, and a packing strap disposed in the packing chamber. The front chamber is fixed on the chassis, and the rear chamber opens and closes under the action of a hydraulic cylinder. The feeding roller and the conveyor belt together push the seed cotton toward the loose edge of the packing strap of the circular mold forming device to pack it into a mold, and assist the packing strap in driving the cotton mold to rotate, thereby increasing the diameter of the cotton mold. The position of the drive roller is adjusted back and forth to control the gap with the feed roller, thereby reducing the amount of seed cotton falling off. The film-applying device includes a film-applying frame and a film-applying cylinder, a film-applying mechanism, a film-applying roller, a film support frame, and a film-stopping cylinder mounted on the film-applying frame. The film-applying cylinder is connected to the film-applying mechanism, which is used to attach the packing film to the packing strap to complete film feeding and wrapping. The film-stopping cylinder performs intermittent extension and retraction to dampen the feeding of the packing film and increase the tightness of the wrapping and disconnect the film roll.

2. The circular cotton harvester according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cotton conveying device includes a cotton conveying fan and a cotton conveying pipeline. The cotton conveying pipeline is connected to the cotton picking head and the cotton collecting box respectively. The cotton conveying fan is connected to the cotton conveying pipeline. The cotton conveying fan is used to provide air force to the cotton picking head and the cotton conveying pipeline to forcefully convey seed cotton into the cotton collecting box.

3. The circular cotton harvester according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The cotton collecting box is equipped with gratings and mesh for venting airflow, so as to reduce the impact of airflow on cotton discharge and seed cotton settling.

4. The circular cotton harvester according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cotton collection box is also equipped with a cotton discharge roller and a cotton breaking roller. The cotton breaking roller is used to break up cotton clumps and limit the height of the cotton discharge layer.

5. The circular cotton harvester according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pre-compression roller includes multiple rollers arranged in parallel, used to sequentially pre-compress the loose seed cotton layer on the conveyor belt, so as to facilitate its entry into the cotton mold during winding and increase the diameter of the cotton mold.

6. The circular cotton harvester according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The chassis includes a frame and a power system, transmission system, walking system, hydraulic system, electronic control system, driving control system, water system and cab mounted on the frame. The diesel tank of the power system is located below the frame and behind the steering axle. The hydraulic oil tank of the hydraulic system is located behind the engine compartment. The muffler of the diesel engine of the power system is located in the engine compartment and exhausts to the outside through the exhaust tailpipe.

7. The circular cotton harvester according to claim 6, characterized in that, The frame includes a main frame and a detachable walkway frame with guardrails. The detachable walkway frame with guardrails is located on one side of the cab, which facilitates disassembly and assembly when long-distance transfer or transportation is restricted.

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