Tool carrying assembly and agricultural machine

Abstract

The present application relates to a tool carrying assembly for an agricultural machine, in particular for a rotary harrow, comprising two support members configured to be mounted in an axially spaced manner on a support structure to rotatably support a tool carrying shaft on the support structure.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a tool-carrier assembly for an agricultural machine, in particular for a rotary harrow, and to an agricultural machine comprising such a tool-carrier assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] Figure 1 A tool-carrier assembly constructed according to the prior art is shown. The assembly according to the prior art comprises a flanged first element A and a flanged second element B, which are fixed to the support structure of the machine and are provided with respective rolling bearings C, which support the machine transmission shaft D in a rotatable manner for rotational movement. A similar tool-carrier assembly is also described in EP2232972A1 in the name of the same Applicant.

[0003] In this case, the rolling bearings allow to reduce friction during rotation of the shaft. However, it is evident that the presence of the rolling bearings increases the complexity and the space requirements of the tool-carrier assembly.

[0004] This problem is particularly evident in the agricultural field, where the use of rotary machines, such as rotary harrows, is known, in which there are a large number of rotating elements, each of which comprises a shaft provided with blades and rotates to exert a mechanical action on the ground. It is understood that, in this case, a tool-carrier assembly is provided for each blade-carrying shaft and therefore necessarily has a large number of additional bearings.

[0005] From EP0398384A2 a tool-carrier assembly is known, in which the blade-carrying shaft is supported in a rotatable manner by means of a single rolling bearing.

[0006] However, it is evident that the presence of a single bearing is not optimal for firmly supporting the rotating elements during the treatment of the ground.

[0007] In fact, the problem of supporting the rotating elements of a rotary harrow is particularly difficult due to the harsh operating conditions of the shaft, which is subjected to repeated and variable load cycles over time. In particular, the blades operating on the ground transmit mechanical stresses to the respective blade-carrying shaft, which have variable size and direction depending on the rotation speed of the rotating elements, the advance speed of the agricultural machine, the ground conditions, and any obstacles (stones, stumps, logs, etc.). Therefore, the tool-carrier assembly must be structurally rigid and in particular resistant to support the stresses transmitted by the respective blade-carrying shaft.

[0008] The unique aspect of the tool carrier assembly described in EP 0 398 384 A2 is that the inner rolling track of the support is constructed in one piece in the vane carrier shaft. Although this solution reduces the number of additional components since the inner ring of the support is structurally integral with the shaft, this solution involves a series of drawbacks.

[0009] First of all, the fact that the inner rolling track of the support is constructed in one piece in the vane carrier shaft means that, in order to replace the support, in particular in the event of damage to the inner rolling track, it is necessary to replace the entire vane carrier shaft, with consequent burden of maintenance costs.

[0010] Furthermore, the fact that the inner rolling track of the support is constructed in one piece in the shaft involves the fact that the shaft must be a special shaft and it is not possible to use a shaft of the conventional type. In fact, the conventional shafts available on the market do not have a rolling track for the rolling elements.

[0011] Furthermore, the assembly process of the support on the shaft presupposes the insertion of the individual rolling elements through suitable openings formed between the inner rolling track and the outer rolling track. This process is rather complex and in any case difficult to apply since it is not clear how a cage can be constructed for this support. Furthermore, it is not clear how to close the openings after the insertion of the rolling elements. Therefore, when the tool carrier assembly is under axial load, the rolling elements can exit the above-mentioned openings, affecting the axial load capacity of the assembly itself.

[0012] Furthermore, it must be noted that the tool carrier assembly can be loaded in the presence of external contaminants, such as, for example, mud or dust, which are introduced into the rolling support, thus accelerating the wear of the rolling support and reducing its useful life.

[0013] Furthermore, the introduction of dust or dirt into the support and the wear resulting therefrom inevitably increases the power consumption during the rotation of the rotating member.

[0014] Other examples of known tool carrier assemblies are described in GB 1 508 504 A or CN 2 112 103 84 U. SUMMARY

[0015] The technical problem solved by the present invention is to provide a tool carrier assembly and an agricultural machine comprising such a tool carrier assembly, which are structurally and functionally configured to at least partially solve one or more of the drawbacks listed with reference to the cited prior art.

[0016] In the context of this problem, one aim of the present application is to provide a tool carrying assembly which allows the replacement of the tool carrying assembly without the need to replace the entire tool carrying shaft.

[0017] Another aim of the present application is to provide a tool carrying assembly which allows the use of a shaft of a conventional type, in particular without a rolling track for the rolling elements, and the simple assembly of a shaft of a conventional type, in particular without a rolling track for the rolling elements.

[0018] Furthermore, an aim of the present application is to provide a tool carrying assembly which has greater load capacity and / or lower structural complexity with respect to known tool carrying assemblies.

[0019] The present application solves this problem and achieves these aims by means of a tool carrying assembly configured according to the present application and an agricultural machine comprising such a tool carrying assembly.

[0020] According to the present application, this problem is solved by configuring a tool carrying assembly for an agricultural machine, in particular a rotary harrow, comprising two supports configured to be mounted in a spaced manner in an axial direction on a support structure to support a tool carrying shaft in a rotatable manner on the support structure.

[0021] It can be noted that, in the present context, the term "tool carrying shaft" is preferably intended to be understood as a shaft configured to transmit the rotary motion from a rotary actuation device of an agricultural machine to one or more agricultural tools which are or can be fixed to the end of the shaft by means of reversible connection means. In a preferred embodiment, the end of the tool carrying shaft is provided with a seat or a hole for implementing the connection with the tools, for example a bolted connection.

[0022] Each of the two supports comprises a flanged element configured to be fixed in a removable manner to the support structure and in which an axial seat is defined.

[0023] It can be noted that, in the present context, the term "flanged element" is preferably intended to be understood as a mechanical component intended for non-permanent connection with other components by means of screws or bolts. In a preferred embodiment, the flanged element is provided with an opening, preferably a hole, for implementing the bolted connection.

[0024] Each support also comprises a bearing ring received in the seat and configured to engage with the tool carrying shaft and a plurality of rolling elements which support the bearing ring in a rotation inside the seat.

[0025] The support ring advantageously retains the rolling element in a seat of the support ring, so that the support can be provided as a pre-assembled unit ready to receive a shaft of conventional type, which can be fitted without difficulty on said shaft of conventional type.

[0026] Preferably, each support ring is configured to engage with the tool-carrying shaft, for example to fix the tool-carrying shaft axially by means of an interference connection between the ring and the shaft. In this way, for the installation of the shaft, it is sufficient to insert the shaft into the support ring. In a very preferred embodiment, the shaft has a shoulder against which the respective support ring abuts, so as to ensure axial fixing between the ring and the shaft also in the presence of high axial loads.

[0027] The rolling element is interposed between a first rolling track, which is configured at the periphery of the support ring, and a second rolling track, which faces the first rolling track. It must be noted that, in at least one of the two supports, the second rolling track is configured in one piece in the flanged element and is structurally integral with the flanged element, so as to define, together with the support ring and the rolling element, a rolling support which is integral with the flanged element.

[0028] It can be understood that, by forming the seat of the rolling element directly in the flanged element, it is possible to use larger rolling elements with the same space requirements of the support. This solution thus makes it possible to increase the load capacity of the support, while at the same time reducing the structural complexity of the support. Furthermore, this solution makes it possible to solve potential failures of the bearing by replacing the respective support, without necessarily having to replace the tool-carrying shaft. Another advantage of this solution is that it can be installed in bearing cages of conventional type, which are commercially available on the market.

[0029] Preferably, in both supports, the second rolling track is configured in one piece in the respective flanged element and is structurally integral with the respective flanged element, so as to define, together with the respective support ring and the respective rolling element, a rolling support which is incorporated in the respective flanged element. In this way, the production of the support is greatly standardized.

[0030] In one aspect, the two supports are configured to be mounted on the support structure along the axis of the tool-carrying shaft in such a way as to be spaced from each other, so as to effectively counteract external stresses which tend to bend the shaft.

[0031] In one aspect, the first one of the supports comprises a first blind hole seat configured to receive a first end of the tool carrier shaft, and the second one of the supports comprises a second through seat, the through hole of which is configured for the tool carrier shaft to pass through.

[0032] Advantageously, the rolling elements are spheres. According to another advantageous aspect, the flanged element, the bearing ring and the spheres of the first support define a four-point contact ball bearing.

[0033] In some embodiments, the second support comprises an axial ring and a sealing element configured to be applied between the ring and the tool carrier shaft. In this way, the sealing element prevents the rolling elements and the rolling track from being contaminated. Preferably, the sealing element is a cartridge seal.

[0034] In one aspect, the present application relates to an agricultural machine comprising: at least one tool carrier assembly; and a support structure to which the tool carrier assembly is removably secured; and a tool carrier shaft rotatably supported on the support structure by means of the tool carrier assembly.

[0035] Preferably, the support structure comprises a box beam comprising a first wall and a second wall facing and spaced from each other. In this case, the first support is removably secured to the first wall, for example by means of bolting to the respective flanged element, and the second support is removably secured to the second wall, for example by means of bolting to the respective flanged element.

[0036] In some embodiments, the agricultural machine is a rotary harrow and the tool carrier shaft is a blade carrier shaft.

[0037] It can be noted that, in the present context, the term "blade carrier shaft" is intended to be understood as a tool carrier shaft that is rotatably secured to or can be rotatably secured to a rotary harrow and is arranged to support a plurality of rotary harrow blades that exert a mechanical action on the ground as a result of the rotation of the shaft.

[0038] It must be noted that the agricultural machine advantageously comprises a plurality of tool carrier assemblies and respective tool carrier shafts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0039] The features and advantages of the present application will be better understood through the following detailed description of preferred but non-exclusive embodiments thereof, with reference to the figures, shown by way of non-limiting example and in which:

[0040] Figure 1 ​is a tool carrying assembly according to the prior art;

[0041] - Figure 2 is a front view of an agricultural machine according to an embodiment of the application;

[0042] - Figure 3 is Figure 2 a detail of the cross section along the line III-III portion;

[0043] - Figure 4 shows Figure 3 a detail;

[0044] - Figure 5 shows Figure 4 a detail;

[0045] - Figure 6 and Figure 7 is Figure 5 a detail in perspective view;

[0046] - Figure 8 shows Figure 4 a detail;

[0047] - Figure 9 is Figure 8 a detail in perspective view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In the drawings, generally designated with 100 is a rotary harrow type agricultural machine comprising a plurality of rotary members 110 provided with blades 103 to treat and refine the soil.

[0049] It can be noted that, in the present embodiment, the agricultural machine is indicated as a rotary harrow and the tools of the agricultural machine are indicated as blades, but, as described below, the same concept can also be applied to other types of agricultural machines and corresponding tools, as long as these are generally characterized by a rotary type actuation.

[0050] The rotary members 110 are associated with the frame of the agricultural machine 100 in the region of a support structure, preferably a box beam 102 which extends longitudinally along a longitudinal axis Y.

[0051] In some embodiments, the agricultural machine 100 can also comprise rotary members 110 associated with foldable transverse portions of the frame. Each rotary member 110 is provided with a blade carrying shaft 101 which extends through the box beam 102 and is able to rotate about a respective rotation axis X, preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Y of the box beam 102.

[0052] Advantageously, the blade-carrying shafts 101 are rotated by means of a transmission gear (not shown) which is housed in a protected manner in the box beam 102. The transmission gear in turn receives the rotary motion from a rotary actuation device 109 associated with the agricultural machine 1. In a preferred embodiment, the rotary actuation device 109 is a transmission box configured to receive the rotary motion from the power take-off (PTO) of an agricultural tractor.

[0053] In one aspect, the rotary members 110 are distributed along the longitudinal axis Y of the box beam 102 at a pitch P defined as the distance between the axes of rotation X of two adjacent blade-carrying shafts 101, as shown in Figure 2

[0054] Each blade-carrying shaft 101 is associated in a rotatable manner with the box beam 102 by means of a tool-carrying assembly 10 comprising a first support 1 and a second support 1' which are mutually spaced apart and arranged coaxially to the axes of rotation X of the respective blade-carrying shafts 101.

[0055] In a very preferred embodiment, the blade-carrying shafts 101 extend longitudinally between the first wall 106 and the second wall 107 of the box beam 102 which face each other and are spaced apart. In this example, the first support 1 and the second support 1' are removably fixed to the same box beam 102 in the region of the inlet and outlet portions of the blade-carrying shafts 101, or they can be removably fixed to the same box beam 102 in the region of the inlet and outlet portions of the blade-carrying shafts 101. In particular, the first support 1 is removably fixed to the first wall 106 and the second support 1' is removably fixed to the second wall 107. This arrangement allows the first support 1 to be positioned at a distance D from the second support 1', as shown in Figure 4

[0056] ​​In one aspect, each blade-carrying shaft 101 along each rotation axis X has a first end 104 fixed to the first support 1, a longitudinal portion 103 fixed to the second support 2, and a second end 105 opposite the first end 104 and arranged to support a blade 103 of a tool, such as a harrow, for example. In the preferred embodiment, the longitudinal portion 103 of the shaft is defined between the first end 104 and the second end 105, at a position axially spaced from the first end 104 and preferably after the second end 105, so as to ensure sufficient distance D between the rotatable fixed positions of the shaft 101 along the rotation axis X.

[0057] Each of the supports 1 and 1’ comprises a flanged element, respectively designated 2 and 2’, and the flanged elements 2 and 2’ are removably fixed to the wall of the box beam 102, or can be removably fixed to the wall of the box beam 102.

[0058] As shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the flanged element 2 of the first support 1 can have a circular shape, for example. However, the flanged element 2’ of the second support 1’ can have a square shape, as shown in Figure 9 . It can be understood that the flanged elements 2 and 2’ can have any other shape.

[0059] Preferably, each of the flanged elements 2 and 2’ has openings 9 to configure a bolted connection with the support structure of the machine 1. In some embodiments, the openings 9 are holes. Preferably, the holes are through holes and / or extend parallel to the rotation axis X. In very preferred embodiments, the holes are distributed along the periphery of the flanged elements 2 and 2’. Advantageously, the holes are configured to receive removable connection means, such as bolts 111, with respect to the wall of the box beam 102.

[0060] A first seat 11 and a second seat 11’ extending along the rotation axis X are defined in the flanged elements of the first support 1 and of the second support 1’, respectively. Advantageously, the first seat 11 defined in the flanged element 2 of the first support 1 is a blind hole and is configured to accommodate the first end 104 of the blade-carrying shaft 101 on the side of the first support 1 of the box beam 102, as shown in Figures 4 to 7According to another advantageous aspect, the second seat 11'defined in the flanged element 2' of the second support 1'is crossed by the through hole 8 and the second seat 11'is configured to allow the longitudinal portion 103 of the blade carrier shaft 101 to pass through the through hole 8, as shown in Figure 4 、 Figure 8 and Figure 9 in the figures.

[0061] The first support 1 and the second support 1'each comprise a support ring 3 received in the first seat 11 and in the second seat 11 ', respectively, and configured to be engaged in the blade carrier shaft 101. In order to support the support ring 3 in a manner rotating inside the respective seat, a plurality of rolling elements 4 is provided, interposed between the support ring 3 and the flanged element of the respective support. In particular, the rolling elements 4 are interposed between a first rolling track 5 configured at the periphery of the support ring 3 and a second rolling track 6 facing the first rolling track 5 and configured in one piece in the flanged element of the respective support.

[0062] It must be noted that the second rolling track 6 is structurally integral with the respective flanged element, so as to define, together with the respective flanged element, the support ring 3 and the rolling elements 4, a rolling support incorporated in the same flanged element. This solution allows the use of rolling elements 4 having a size greater than that of the rolling elements used in the conventional tool carrier assemblies referred to above with reference to the prior art, without further involving greater space requirements of the assembly itself.

[0063] Advantageously, the rolling elements 4 are spheres. According to another advantageous aspect, the flanged element 2 of the first support, the support ring 3 and the spheres 4 define a four-point contact ball bearing.

[0064] It can be noted that, in the present context, the term "four-point contact ball bearing" is intended to be understood as an angular radial bearing with a ring of spheres 4 having a track configured to support axial loads in both directions. It must be noted that, for a given axial load, the bearing can also support radial loads. Therefore, a single bearing with four contact points is an advantageous alternative to a pair of two angular bearings with a ring of spheres, since it allows a reduction in the size of the first support 1.

[0065] In some embodiments, the support ring 3 can be disassembled into two halves. Thus, the flanged element 2 of the first support 1, with the ball 4 and the associated cage 41, can be mounted independently of the two halves of the support ring 3.

[0066] Preferably, the flanged element 2, 2' of the support 1, 1' and / or the ring 3 and / or the rolling element 4 are made of steel or another metal material having mechanical properties sufficient to ensure that the tool carrier assembly 1 operates safely and durably.

[0067] In a very preferred embodiment, the first support 1 comprises a metal disc 112 associated with the flanged element 2 at the side directed towards the second support 1' and configured to retain the rolling elements 4 of the first support 1 in the event of damage to the rolling elements 4 of the first support 1.

[0068] In one aspect, the flanged element 2' of the second support 1' comprises a ring 113 extending from the second seat 11' of the support ring to the second end 105 of the shaft along the rotation axis X. Advantageously, a sealing element 7 is applied between the ring 113 and the shaft. It must be noted that the sealing element 7 is arranged between the rolling elements 4 of the second support 1' and the second end 105 of the blade carrier shaft 101 along the rotation axis X to protect the rolling elements and the associated rolling tracks from the introduction of dirt (mud, water, dust, etc.) when the blade 103 is operating in the ground.

[0069] As shown in Figure 8 The sealing element 7 can be of the cassette type, comprising a plurality of sealing lips 70 interposed between an outer sealing ring 71 and an inner sealing ring 72, as shown in

[0070] Preferably, the rings 71, 72 are rigid sealing elements between which the sealing lips 70 are interposed, made of an elastic material, such as, for example, elastomer material. Preferably, the cassette seal also comprises an annular spring 74.

[0071] The sealing lips 70 inside the cassette seal form a serpentine arrangement coated with grease. The filling with grease makes it possible to reduce wear, thus extending the maintenance intervals.

[0072] The present application thus solves the problems set and at the same time achieves a number of advantages, including:

[0073] - increased load capacity of the tool carrying assembly,

[0074] - limited introduction of water, mud and dust,

[0075] - improved lubrication,

[0076] - increased reliability,

[0077] - minimised weight and size,

[0078] - reduced production, logistics and storage costs,

[0079] - allowed interchangeability with tool carrying assemblies of existing machines.

Claims

1. A tool carrying assembly (10) for an agricultural machine, comprising two supports configured to be mounted in an axially spaced manner on a support structure to rotatably support a tool carrying shaft (101) on the support structure, each of the supports comprising: • a flanged element configured to be removably fixed to the support structure and defining an axial seat in it, • a bearing ring (3) received in the seat and configured to engage the tool carrying shaft (101), • a plurality of rolling elements (4) supporting the bearing ring (3) in rotation inside the seat, the rolling elements (4) being interposed between a first rolling track (5) configured at a periphery of the bearing ring (3) and a second rolling track (6) facing the first rolling track (5), characterized in that, in at least one of the supports, the second rolling track (6) is configured in one piece in the flanged element and is structurally integral with the flanged element to define, with the bearing ring (3) and the rolling elements (4), a rolling bearing incorporated in the flanged element.

2. The tool carrying assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The tool carrying assembly (10) is for a rotary harrow.

3. The tool carrying assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein, Each flanged element is crossed by an opening (9) to create a bolting relative to the support structure.

4. The tool carrying assembly (10) according to claim 3, wherein, The opening (9) is a hole.

5. The tool carrying assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, A first one (1) of the supports comprises a first blind seat (11) configured to receive a first end (104) of the tool carrying shaft (101), and a second one (1') of the supports comprises a second through seat (11') whose through hole (8) is configured for the tool carrying shaft (101) to pass through.

6. The tool carrying assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The rolling elements (4) are spheres.

7. The tool carrying assembly (10) according to claim 5, wherein, The rolling elements (4) are spheres, the flanged element of the first support (1), the bearing ring (3) and the spheres defining a four-point contact ball bearing.

8. The tool carrying assembly (10) according to claim 5, wherein, The second support (1') comprises an axial ring (113) and a cartridge seal (7) configured to be applied between the ring (113) and the tool carrying shaft (101).

9. The tool carrying assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, Each bearing ring (3) is configured to engage the tool carrying shaft (101) to axially fix the tool carrying shaft. Each bearing ring (3) is configured to engage the tool carrying shaft (101) to axially fix the tool carrying shaft.

10. The tool carrying assembly (10) according to claim 9, wherein, Each support ring (3) is configured to engage with the tool-carrying shaft (101) to axially fix the tool-carrying shaft by means of an interference connection between the support ring (3) and the tool-carrying shaft (101).

11. The tool carrying assembly (10) according to claim 10, wherein, The support ring (3) is configured to abut against a respective shoulder of the tool-carrying shaft (101) to ensure axial fixing between the support ring (3) and the tool-carrying shaft (101).

12. The tool carrying assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, In both the supports, the second rolling track (6) is configured in one piece in the respective flanged element and is structurally integral with the respective flanged element to define, together with the respective support ring (3) and the respective rolling element (4), a rolling support incorporated in the respective flanged element.

13. The tool carrying assembly (10) according to claim 5, wherein, The first support (1) comprises a metal disc (112) associated with the flanged element at a side directed towards the second support (1') and configured to retain the rolling elements (4) of the first support (1) in the event of damage to the rolling elements (4) of the first support (1).

14. The tool carrying assembly (10) according to claim 5, wherein, The flanged element of the first support (1) has a circular shape and / or the flanged element of the second support (1') has a square shape.

15. An agricultural machine (100) comprising: at least one tool-carrying assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14; and a support structure (102) to which the tool-carrying assembly (10) is removably fixed; and a tool-carrying shaft (101) rotatably supported on the support structure (102) by means of the tool-carrying assembly (10).

16. The agricultural machine (100) of claim 15, wherein, The support structure (102) comprises a box beam comprising a first wall (106) and a second wall (107) facing and spaced from each other, the first support (1) of the tool-carrying assembly (10) being removably fixed to the first wall (106), the second support (1') of the tool-carrying assembly (10) being removably fixed to the second wall (107).

17. The agricultural machine (100) of claim 15 or 16, wherein, The agricultural machine (100) is a rotary harrow and the tool-carrying shaft (101) is a blade-carrying shaft.

18. The agricultural machine (100) according to claim 15 or 16, comprising a plurality of tool-carrying assemblies (10) and respective tool-carrying shafts (101).

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