Processing machine for fibrous plants

Abstract

This invention relates to a processing machine for processing fibrous plants, such as hemp or flax. The processing machine may include: - a self-propelled vehicle; - a seed removal unit mounted on the self-propelled vehicle and configured to remove seed portions (e.g., round pods) from the fibrous plant to be harvested; - a harvesting unit mounted on the vehicle and configured to harvest the fibrous plant from which the seed portions have been removed, wherein the harvesting unit is further configured to transport the harvested fibrous plant to a conveyor of the self-propelled vehicle. The seed removal unit may, for example, be a peeler for separating seed portions from the fibrous plant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a processing machine for processing fibrous plants and a method for processing fibrous plants using such a processing machine. Background Technology

[0002] Over time, many different machines have been developed for harvesting and subsequently processing fibrous plants, such as relatively short fibrous plants (e.g., flax) or relatively long fibrous plants (e.g., hemp). On the one hand, there are harvesting machines available for both relatively short and relatively long fibrous plants, which lay the harvested fibrous plants flat on the ground in rows (strips) for composting. On the other hand, so-called turning machines have been developed, which can pick up, turn, and return the fibrous plants to the ground in their turned-up position once they have been laid flat on the ground in an early stage. Many variations of these types of processing machines are known. Given the significant differences in the properties of different fibrous plants (including properties such as length and plant composition), in principle, a separate processing machine is used for each processing step and each type of fibrous plant.

[0003] The useful components of fibrous plants are generally the fiber, the woody part, and the seeds. Seeds are identified as seed pods, such as the round pods in the top portion or the cannabidiol (CBD) portion. Harvesting machines are known in which fibrous plants are harvested as a whole, collected, and subsequently processed to separate the seeds from the fiber and woody parts. One disadvantage of these machines is that the fibrous plants are then used specifically for seed extraction, and other components such as the fiber and woody parts do not undergo composting, thus making them less useful for specific applications. As mentioned above, harvesting machines are also known in which the harvested fibrous plants (in strip form) are laid flat on the ground for composting on the ground. One disadvantage of these harvesting machines is that seeds on the fibrous plants placed on the ground are easily lost. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A processing machine and method for processing fibrous plants is needed to reduce the aforementioned disadvantages and / or other drawbacks. This processing machine is preferably suitable for use in methods that combine the harvesting and threshing of fibrous plants in an acceptable manner. When processing relatively long fibrous plants, the processing machine should be further adapted to be able to place the fibrous plants on the ground in at least two adjacent strips. Another object of the invention is to provide a processing machine suitable for alternately performing different combinations of processing operations, particularly harvesting fibrous plants, placing them on the ground, and threshing them. Another object is to provide a processing machine suitable for processing fibrous plants of different lengths (particularly flax and hemp).

[0005] To achieve at least one of the aforementioned objectives in at least part, a processing machine for processing fibrous plants is provided according to a first aspect, the processing machine comprising:

[0006] - A self-propelled vehicle comprising a vehicle chassis on which a plurality of wheels are arranged and a drive motor for driving at least one wheel, wherein the vehicle chassis is provided with: at least one fiber plant conveyor configured to transport at least a portion of fiber plants from a first outer end of the vehicle chassis to an opposing second outer end; and at least one conveying unit disposed at or near the second outer end and configured to convey fiber plants from the at least one conveyor and place them on the ground;

[0007] - Seed portion removal unit, which is mounted or can be mounted on a self-propelled vehicle and is configured to remove seed portions, particularly round pods, from fibrous plants to be harvested;

[0008] - A harvesting unit, which is mounted on a self-propelled vehicle and configured to harvest fibrous plants from which the seed portion has been removed, wherein the harvesting unit is also configured to transport the harvested fibrous plants to a conveyor of the self-propelled vehicle.

[0009] The seed removal unit is configured to deseed the fibrous plants to be harvested. This processing machine, capable of deseedling and harvesting fibrous plants and then placing them on the ground (for composting), provides an improved option for efficiently processing fibrous plants in a desired manner.

[0010] In this processing machine, the seed removal unit and / or harvesting unit can be directly and / or separately mounted on the vehicle chassis. In other embodiments, the seed removal unit is mounted on the harvesting unit, and the harvesting unit is mounted on the vehicle chassis. The seed removal unit is then indirectly mounted on the vehicle chassis. In other embodiments, there is a different arrangement: the seed removal unit is directly mounted on the vehicle chassis, while the harvesting unit is mounted on the seed removal unit.

[0011] In one embodiment, the processing machine includes a separation unit configured to separate the supplied seed portion into a first stream and a second stream, wherein the first stream generally comprises air, shell particles and dust particles, and the second stream generally comprises the seed portion, wherein the separation unit is preferably releasable and / or the separation unit is disposed on a vehicle chassis.

[0012] The separation unit includes a first outlet for discharging a first stream and a second outlet for discharging a second stream. These two streams can be discharged separately from each other. In a defined embodiment, the first stream is blown into the surrounding air, but the second stream is stored for later use, for example, in a seed section container arranged on a vehicle chassis.

[0013] In a defined embodiment, the seed portion removal unit includes a peeler for removing seed portions from the fibrous plant to be harvested, particularly the round pods at the free outer end of the fibrous plant. The seed portions are peeled from the top of the fibrous plant, where the top remains virtually intact and can be placed on the ground for composting.

[0014] In a defined embodiment, the seed removal unit includes a rotatable removal element provided with radial fingers for removing the seed portion from the fibrous plant as the removal element rotates, particularly for peeling the seed portion from the fibrous plant. This configuration allows for very quick and efficient "scraping" (which includes cutting and / or tearing) of the seeds from the fibrous plant, where the seeds are essentially undamaged and can be easily collected, while the stem of the fibrous plant can still be used as a whole for further processing steps. Processing steps may include, for example, harvesting, turning, placing on the ground, cutting into segments (root portion, top portion, and middle portion) and / or pressing.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, the processing machine includes discharge devices for collecting and discharging the removed seed portions. In a defined embodiment, these discharge devices extend between the seed portion removal unit and the separation unit described below. In other embodiments, such as in embodiments without a separation unit, the discharge devices may lead directly to, for example, the collection unit described below, such as a seed portion container mounted on a self-propelled vehicle.

[0016] Here, the discharge device may include: a first seed portion conveyor for receiving and laterally displacing the seed portion removed by the rotatable removal unit of the seed portion removal unit; and / or a second seed portion conveyor for transporting the seed portion transported by the first seed portion conveyor to the vehicle chassis.

[0017] The first seed portion conveyor preferably includes a transverse conveyor belt extending generally parallel to the rotatable removal element. The stripped seed portion falls onto the conveyor belt, which discharges the seed portion transversely, preferably to the side of the machine. A second seed portion conveyor belt can perform the function of discharging the seed portion from the conveyor belt. The second seed portion conveyor includes a flexible tube or hose and a fan, wherein the fan is configured to displace the seed portion supplied by the first seed portion conveyor through the tube or hose.

[0018] A second seed section conveyor can transport the seed section to a self-propelled vehicle behind the harvesting element. Optionally, a separation step can be performed there, in which the usable seed section is separated from the shell, dust, air, etc.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, the separation unit includes at least one separating cyclone separator for separating the supplied seed portion into a first stream and a second stream by rotation. Other means may be provided for providing the separated first and second streams, although in the established embodiment the cyclone separator produces a sufficient degree of separation. In other embodiments, a cyclone separator is not used, and separation is performed in other ways.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, the separation unit includes a crushing unit for crushing the supplied seed portion. The first and second streams can be more easily achieved after the seed portion is crushed.

[0021] In one embodiment, the separation unit includes a metering feed element for metering the optional crushed seed fraction supplied to the second stream. In certain embodiments, the separating cyclone separator may be omitted, and only the metering feed element or the crushing unit may be present, for example. However, in other embodiments, the crushing unit and the metering feed element are combined into a single unit that performs both crushing and metering functions. A rotatable combined roller within the housing, such as a roller with radial protrusions, can be envisioned that presses the seed fraction against the inside of the housing during rotation and prevents the seed fraction from passing through when rotation stops. By alternately rotating or stopping the combined roller, the amount and composition of the seed fraction allowed to pass through can be varied as needed.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, the separation unit includes a screen, particularly a vibrating screen. Using the screen, relatively large seed portions can be collected and discharged in the second stream, while smaller portions (and air) pass through the screen and can be discharged as the first stream.

[0023] Seed portions can be collected and stored in a storage unit. The storage unit can be mounted, for example, in an optionally releasable manner on the chassis of a self-propelled vehicle. In a defined embodiment, the storage unit includes a seed portion container. This container can be mounted at the rear of the vehicle, allowing the supplied seed portions to be stored entirely in the container at once.

[0024] To transport the seed fraction to the storage unit immediately or after at least one of the separation, crushing, and metering steps, the processing machine is preferably equipped with a transport device for moving the seed fraction from the separation unit to the storage unit. In certain embodiments, these transport devices include screw conveyors (e.g., jack screws or Archimedes screws).

[0025] The harvesting unit for picking fibrous plants preferably includes a harvesting element that is pivotable in a vertical direction. The pivotable harvesting element also includes at least one pair of driven annular conveyor belts configured to hold the fibrous plants and transport them therebetween to a fibrous plant conveyor belt on a vehicle chassis. Here, the drive of one or more pairs of annular conveyor belts can be achieved through multiple drive pulleys, which are driven by a single central drive motor or by multiple drive motors.

[0026] For harvesting relatively short fibrous plants, such as flax, a single harvesting element is usually sufficient. In other embodiments, such as those processing longer fibrous plants, two (or more) harvesting elements are used, with a first or upper harvesting element for harvesting the corresponding upper portion of the fibrous plant and a second or lower harvesting element for harvesting the corresponding lower portion. In certain embodiments, the harvesting unit includes another harvesting element (below or above the aforementioned harvesting element) that is pivotable in the vertical direction. This other harvesting element is structurally and functionally similar to the described harvesting element. The other harvesting element may include at least one pair of driven annular conveyor belts configured to grip the fibrous plants and transport them toward a fibrous plant conveyor belt on a vehicle chassis. The free outer end of the harvesting element is preferably located at a higher height than the free outer end of the other harvesting element to engage the fibrous plants at two different heights. Embodiments with a single picking element are particularly suitable for processing relatively short fibrous plants, such as flax, while embodiments with a (lower) picking element and a (upper) picking element are particularly suitable for processing relatively long fibrous plants, such as hemp.

[0027] In one embodiment of the invention, the processing machine includes a cutting device for cutting the fibrous plant to be harvested into a lower fibrous plant portion and an upper fibrous plant portion, wherein another harvesting element is preferably configured to engage the lower fibrous plant portion, and the harvesting element is configured to engage the upper fibrous plant portion. In the case of relatively long hemp, the hemp plant can be harvested and cut after seed removal, such that the remaining stems of the hemp plant can be laid out in two parallel strips behind the traveling vehicle.

[0028] In another embodiment, the processing machine includes a top cutting unit configured to cut off the corresponding top portion from the fibrous plant. The top cutting unit is preferably configured to cut off the top portion from the fibrous plant from which the seed portion has been removed. In a further preferred embodiment, the apparatus is implemented to first remove the seed portion from the fibrous plant, then harvest the fibrous plant, and only at the very end use the top cutting unit to cut off the top portion from the harvested fibrous plant (where the seed portion has therefore been removed from these top portions). In a defined embodiment with two (or more) harvesting units, the top portion (h5) is first deseeded by the seed removal unit, then the fibrous plant is cut by the harvesting unit 55 (e.g., approximately centrally) to form an upper plant portion h2 and a lower plant portion h1, and finally the lower plant portion (h1) of the fibrous plant is harvested.

[0029] In one embodiment, the processing machine includes a removal unit frame for supporting the removal unit, wherein the removal unit frame is preferably mounted on a vehicle chassis, a picking element, or another picking element. The removal unit frame may, for example, be arranged on the upper side of an upper picking element to allow the peeler to reach a desired height at the location of the seed portion. The removal unit frame is preferably also pivotally oriented relative to the vehicle chassis, so that the height at which the removal unit engages with the fibrous plant can be set as needed, and even, for example, independently of the position of the picking element.

[0030] In a particular embodiment, the conveyor belt and / or additional conveyor belts are configured to tilt the joined fiber plants during transport, preferably tilting them from a generally upright position to a generally flat position. In this way, the fiber plants can be placed on the ground in a neat and controlled manner.

[0031] In a defined embodiment, the height of the seed removal unit relative to the vehicle chassis can be adjusted using at least one actuator, for example, because the actuator is formed by a lifting cylinder or similar actuator arranged between the removal unit frame and the upper picking element. In a defined embodiment, the processing machine includes one or more lifting units for pivoting at least one of the first picking element, the second picking element, and the seed removal unit frame relative to the ground.

[0032] Preferably, one or more pivotable picking elements are mounted on the vehicle chassis using a mounting device, allowing them to be released (and, when attached, enabling at least one picking frame to pivot), and optionally replaced. Thus, a processing machine suitable for hemp processing can be easily and quickly converted to a processing machine suitable for flax processing, and vice versa.

[0033] According to another aspect, a method for processing fibrous plants is provided, wherein the method includes removing the seed portion from the fibrous plant and then harvesting the fibrous plant. This method is preferably performed by a processing machine of the type described herein and having the technical features described herein.

[0034] First, removing the seed portion from the fiber plant using the seed portion removal unit and then harvesting only the fiber plant has several other advantages. During seed portion removal, the seed portion removal unit keeps the fiber plant taut and straight, allowing the harvesting unit to better engage and harvest the fiber plant. It was also found that the yield of seed removal is higher than that of harvesting first and then removing the seed portion. With harvesting first and then removing the seed portion, a relatively large amount of seed loss occurs.

[0035] The replaceable picking unit, and preferably also a replaceable pickup unit, is preferably implemented as being entirely supported by the vehicle's chassis. In other words, there are no wheels or other support devices on the frame of the processing unit (e.g., the picking unit or pickup unit). The processing unit is supported only by the vehicle itself. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will be illustrated by referring to the following description of some embodiments of the invention. Referring to the description of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0037] Figure 1 This is a partial sectional side view of an embodiment of the vehicle according to the present invention;

[0038] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic top view of the vehicle, with a processing unit located on its front side;

[0039] Figure 3 This is a side view of a processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the processing unit 3 is mounted on the vehicle 1 and is adapted to process long-fiber plants;

[0040] Figure 4 This is a detailed view of an embodiment of the processing unit 3 according to the present invention;

[0041] Figure 5 This is a side view of a processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the processing unit 3 is mounted on the vehicle 1 and is adapted to process short fiber plants;

[0042] Figure 6 yes Figure 11 Detailed views of the embodiment;

[0043] Figure 7This is a side view of another embodiment of the processing machine according to the present invention, namely, a side view of another embodiment of a hemp harvesting unit having harvesting elements that are alternatively mounted to each other and mounted on a vehicle chassis;

[0044] Figure 8 This is a side view of an embodiment of a processing machine suitable for processing cannabis, having a seed portion removal unit;

[0045] Figure 9 This is a side view of an embodiment of a processing machine suitable for processing flax, having a seed portion removal unit;

[0046] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a seed removal unit;

[0047] Figure 11 Details of an embodiment of a rotatable removable element with several teeth;

[0048] Figure 12 It is based on Figures 8 to 11 A partial cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of the seed removal unit;

[0049] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the separation unit, the storage unit, and the transport device disposed between the two;

[0050] Figures 14 and 15 are cross-sectional views of an alternative embodiment of the separation unit. Detailed Implementation

[0051] Flax is a fiber crop cultivated for the production of linen and other textiles. Flax plants are typically 80 to 120 cm long and are harvested using tractor-mounted or self-propelled flax harvesters. For this purpose, the flax harvester has a harvesting unit at the front, specifically designed to pull the flax plants from the ground. The harvested flax plants are then processed by the harvester, moving them to the rear of the machine and placing them on the ground during travel. The flax plants are laid flat on the ground in long rows (also called "strips"), with the stems of the harvested flax plants extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the strip. This process of laying the flax flat on the ground at the rear to form these strips is also known as "stacking" or "picking." When flax plants are laid in rows or strips, spaces are left between adjacent rows. These spaces are provided to prevent the strips from tangling together.

[0052] Harvested flax plants are laid flat on the ground in rows and then allowed to decompose under the combined effects of dew, rain, and sunlight. This process of leaving flax plants on the ground (i.e., in a field or composting area) for a period of time is known in flax processing as field composting or dew composting. To achieve even composting and prevent flax from rotting, the flax laid flat on the ground must be turned over periodically. Turning the flax flat on the ground is also called "turning over." Flax turning over is done using traction-type or self-propelled flax turning machines.

[0053] Hemp is also a fiber crop cultivated for making textiles or ropes. Hemp plants are much longer than flax plants, typically ranging from 140cm to 240cm in length. Hemp is usually cut at the base of the plant before further processing.

[0054] Therefore, at least four different machines are required to achieve optimal processing of hemp and flax. This results in high purchase, use, and maintenance costs. In embodiments of the invention, a processing machine is provided that is, in principle, suitable for harvesting / picking and / or turning relatively long fibrous plants (e.g., hemp or kenaf) and relatively short fibrous plants (e.g., flax).

[0055] Figure 1 A self-propelled vehicle 2 of a processing machine 1 according to a defined embodiment of the present invention is shown. The self-propelled vehicle 2 includes a vehicle chassis 6 on which four wheels are arranged in a known manner, namely two front wheels 7 and two rear wheels 8. Figure 1 In this design, a portion of the left front side of the vehicle (i.e., the relevant part of the left front wheel and wheel suspension) is removed to allow for a better view of the structure at the front of the vehicle. The vehicle is self-propelled, meaning it is equipped with its own drive motor, which can drive multiple wheels, such as the two rear wheels, or all wheels. The vehicle is operated from the cab 23 at the front of the vehicle. The chassis 6 includes two parallel conveyors 11, 12 formed by a loading floor or platform 14 and two annular conveyor belts disposed above it. Here, at least one of the annular conveyor belts can be adjusted in the lateral direction, allowing the intermediate distance between the two conveyor belts to be adjusted to achieve a suitable intermediate distance for shorter or longer strips.

[0056] Reference Figure 2 In the top view, two conveyors 11 and 12 are arranged along the two longitudinal edges of vehicle 2, such that each of these conveyors can be used in the axial rearward direction (P). A,aThis transports large quantities of fibrous plants. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the conveyors 11, 12 includes an annular conveyor belt 82 running on front rollers 80 and rear rollers 81. At least one of the rollers 80, 81 is driven by a driver (not shown). In a specific embodiment, the driver includes a hydraulic motor arranged in the rear (three) pulleys or rollers 81. Each of the various portions of the rollers (of the three pulleys) is driven individually but synchronously with each other, preferably in a determined proportion as needed. So-called carriers 83 are disposed on the outside of the conveyor belt 82. These carriers allow the fibrous plants laid flat on the platform 14 to rest at least on the guide rails 84 of the platform. Figure 1 ) in the rearward direction along the axial direction (P A,a It is moved to the rear side of chassis 6. Therefore, the fiber plant is surrounded between conveyor belt 82 and guide rail 84.

[0057] At the rear of vehicle 2, a conveying unit 13 is provided for each conveyor 11, 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the conveying unit 13 includes an annular belt conveyor 87. The annular belt of each annular belt conveyor 87 runs around roller 86 and around roller 81 (the belt conveyor 87 therefore shares roller 81 with conveyor 11 or 12). The conveying unit 13 is driven by the first roller 81. The conveying unit 13 extends rearward at an angle and is configured to move the fiber plant from the respective conveyor 11, 12 downward in a quantitative and controlled manner, so that the fiber plant can be placed on the ground at the rear of the vehicle. Figure 2 As shown, when the vehicle is moving forward along the axial direction (P) A,v During movement, the fibrous plants (v) harvested or picked up at the front of the vehicle are moved to the rear of the vehicle 2, and each fibrous plant is placed on the ground (o) in separate rows 15a, 15b via the conveyor unit 13. In certain applications, rows 15a, 15b of fibrous plants consist of the same portion of the fibrous plants, for example, in the case of relatively short flax plants. However, in other embodiments, one row consists of the lower portion of the harvested fibrous plants, while the other row consists of the upper portion of the harvested fibrous plants. This is the case, for example, when harvesting hemp plants. In both cases, the fibrous plants are laid flat on the ground, as parallel to each other as possible, and then the composting can begin.

[0058] Vehicle 2 has a processing unit 3 located at its front side, enabling it to harvest fibrous plants or retrieve fibrous plants that have been laid flat on the ground in an earlier stage. When harvesting fibrous plants, the harvesting unit is located at the front; when retrieving previously harvested fibrous plants from the ground, the processing unit 3 will be the retrieval unit. Different harvesting units will be installed on the vehicle depending on the length of the crop to be harvested.

[0059] Specific reference Figure 1The chassis includes multiple supporting chassis components 39a and 39b on the front side of the chassis 6 of vehicle 2. The supporting chassis component 39b extends concurrently with the rest of the chassis 6 of vehicle 2, while the supporting portion 39a, mounted on a supporting portion 30b, and the rest of the chassis 6 are arranged at an angle. The chassis 6 is also provided with multiple hinges 48 on which two parallel longitudinal lifting arms 47a and 47b are arranged. The two longitudinal lifting arms 47a and 47b are connected at their outer ends to a lateral lifting arm 47c. The supporting chassis components 39a and 39b, the longitudinal lifting arms 47a and 47b, and the lateral lifting arm 47c together form a robust and stable support structure for mounting multiple actuators, thereby allowing the machining unit 3 of the chassis 6 of vehicle 2 to pivot upwards and downwards. The support structure, together with these actuators, forms the aforementioned lifting unit.

[0060] The pivoting of processing unit 3 is caused by multiple actuators, such as the electric motor of the lifting unit or, preferably, the lifting cylinder 36 of the lifting unit. Figure 1 In this embodiment, the actuator is formed by two lifting cylinders 36. In the illustrated embodiment, two lifting cylinders are positioned laterally adjacent to each other. However, in other embodiments, only a single lifting cylinder is used, or three or more lifting cylinders are applied. The lifting cylinders are pivotally mounted on the support chassis components 39a, 39b via hinges and pivotally mounted on the lateral lifting arm 47c via mounting support 38b. The construction and operation of the lifting unit will be further described below.

[0061] The chassis 6 has first mounting devices 34 on both sides of the supporting chassis components 39a and 39b for mounting the processing unit 3 thereon in a pivotable and releasable manner. The first mounting devices 34 can be implemented in various ways, but in the specific embodiment shown, the first mounting devices 34 include multiple flanges, in which corresponding pivots 43 can be rotatably mounted.

[0062] Each different processing unit 3 includes one or more frame components that can be pivotally and releasably mounted on the first mounting device 34. Figure 3 and Figure 4In the illustrated embodiment, processing unit 3 includes a first or lower hemp harvesting element 25 and a second or upper hemp harvesting element 26 positioned above it. The lower hemp harvesting element includes a frame member 30, which is pivotally and easily releasable mounted on a first mounting device 34 of the vehicle using a second mounting device 32. The upper hemp harvesting element 26 includes a frame member 33, which is also pivotally (but not necessarily easily releasable), but in the illustrated embodiment, the frame member 33 of the upper hemp harvesting element 26 is mounted on the frame member 30 of the lower hemp harvesting element 25, rather than directly on the chassis 6 of the vehicle. However, in other embodiments (not shown), the upper hemp harvesting element is mounted directly on the chassis 6 of the vehicle 2, and the lower hemp harvesting element is mounted on the upper hemp harvesting element. In still other embodiments (not shown), both hemp harvesting elements are pivotally and releasably mounted on the vehicle 2.

[0063] For mounting on the chassis 6 of vehicle 2, and more specifically on its first mounting device 34 (e.g., a flange 34 positioned on or near the side of vehicle 2 and having a pivot 43 mounted therein), the processing unit 3 (lower hemp picking element 25 in the illustrated embodiment) is provided with a second mounting device 32. The second mounting device 32 is configured for easy mounting on the first mounting device 34. The first mounting device 34 and the second mounting device 32 together form a mounting hinge between the processing unit 3 and the vehicle 2, allowing the processing unit 3 to pivot about the horizontally placed pivot 43 in both upward and downward directions.

[0064] To enable the processing unit 3 to pivot relative to the vehicle 2, the aforementioned lifting unit is used. As described above, the lifting cylinder 36 is rotatably arranged on a flange 38a at one outer end of the chassis 6. On its opposite side, the lifting cylinder 36 is connected to the transverse lifting arm 47c via a mounting support 38b. The transverse lifting arm 47c of the lifting unit has a generally U-shaped cross-section, which in Figure 1 This is particularly evident in the U-shape forming a receiving space for a portion of the frame component 30 of the lower hemp harvesting element 25. In other words, the processing unit 3 can be easily connected to the lifting unit by placing the frame component 30 of the lower hemp harvesting element 25 from above into the lateral lifting arm 47c of the lifting unit, or conversely, by simply pressing the lateral lifting arm 47c against the frame component 30 from below. Finally, the entire assembly is locked by a locking mechanism 70, which, for example, takes the form of a remotely controllable extension cylinder, ensures that the processing unit 3 remains locked to the lifting unit in the extended state. The lifting unit then prepares to lift the processing unit 3.

[0065] As shown by arrow (P1) in the diagram, the length of the lifting cylinder 36 is controllable. Clearly, when the length of the lifting cylinder 36 increases, the frame component 30 will pivot upwards, and if the length of the lifting cylinder 36 decreases, the frame component 30 will pivot downwards. In this way, the height of the free end of the processing unit can be changed, for example, to adjust the position in which the processing unit clamps the fiber plants and pulls them from the ground during vehicle travel.

[0066] The mounting devices for each different processing unit 3 are essentially the same. This means that different processing units can not only be easily installed on or removed from the vehicle, but also in a uniform manner. It is important to note that when a processing unit 3 is replaced, only the mounting devices for the processing unit 3 (i.e., the second mounting device 3 when the processing unit is for harvesting long-fiber plants, the fifth mounting device when the processing unit is for harvesting short-fiber plants, and the sixth mounting device when the processing unit is for flipping long or short-fiber plants) actually need to be released from the first mounting device of the vehicle, after which the processing unit 3, in particular its frame component 30, can be removed from the upper side of the cylinder 36. Now, by simply placing another processing unit 3 on the lifting unit of the vehicle 2 and installing the relevant mounting device on the first mounting device of the vehicle, the user can easily adapt the processing machine 1 to specific desired processing, such as harvesting short-fiber plants, harvesting long-fiber plants, or picking and flipping fiber plants.

[0067] As mentioned above, Figure 3 and Figure 4 An embodiment of the processing machine 1 according to the invention is shown, wherein the processing machine is provided with a replaceable harvesting unit, the harvesting unit comprising a first harvesting element and a second harvesting element placed thereon. This embodiment is implemented for harvesting relatively long fibrous plants, such as hemp plants, as schematically shown in the figure.

[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, the processing machine 1 includes the self-propelled vehicle 2 described above and a specific processing unit 3, namely, a hemp harvesting unit. The hemp harvesting unit includes a lower hemp harvesting element 25 and an upper hemp harvesting element 26 disposed above it. The lower harvesting element 25 is mounted on a first mounting device of the vehicle in the manner described above, allowing the first hemp harvesting element 25 to pivot in the upward and downward directions by controlling the lifting cylinder 36. The upper hemp harvesting element 26 is pivotally disposed on the lower hemp harvesting element 25 via a pivot 43, allowing the upper hemp harvesting element 26 to pivot relative to the first hemp harvesting element 25 (and relative to the vehicle 2 and the ground) (pivoting direction R2). The pivotal movement of the upper hemp harvesting element 26 relative to the lower hemp harvesting element 25 is driven by a plurality of other lifting cylinders 42 arranged on the frame components 30, 33, wherein increasing the length of the lifting cylinder 42 causes the upper hemp harvesting element 26 to rotate upward relative to the lower hemp harvesting element 25, while decreasing the length causes the upper hemp harvesting element 26 to rotate downward relative to the lower hemp harvesting element 25.

[0069] Figure 3 The illustration schematically shows a relatively long fibrous plant (h), such as hemp, kenaf, or a similar fibrous plant, with a total length l. tot (Typically between 1.4 meters and 4.0 meters, with an average of 2.4 meters). The lower part (h1) of each fiber plant (h) has a length of l o (e.g., 110cm to 120cm), while the upper part (h2) has a length l b (e.g., 120cm to 130cm). In the illustrated embodiment, the length l o and l b They are roughly the same, but in practice these lengths can certainly differ. Importantly, the fibrous plant (h) is cut into at least two parts (h1, h2) and then further processed by the processing machine 1. For this purpose, the lower hemp harvesting element 25 is adapted for harvesting and processing the lower fibrous plant portion (h1), while the upper hemp harvesting element 26 is used for harvesting the upper fibrous plant portion (h2).

[0070] The upper hemp harvesting element 26 includes a transport device 46 for gripping hemp plants and transporting them to the vehicle 2, while the lower hemp harvesting element 25 includes (preferably completely or almost identically) a transport device 45, whereby the hemp plants can also be gripped and transported to the vehicle 2. When the vehicle 2 is in the forward direction (P... A,vDuring the process, the upper hemp harvesting element 26 will reach the hemp plants first. Shortly afterward, the lower hemp harvesting element 25 will also reach the same hemp plants. In other words, the engagement position of the upper hemp harvesting element 26 at a predetermined time point is offset relative to the engagement position of the lower hemp harvesting element 25 at the same time point for (different) fiber plants. This causes the upper hemp harvesting element 26 to first engage the upper part (h2) of the hemp plant and cut it off from the lower part (h1) using the cutting element 55 (also referred to here as the harvesting element 55) located on the front side of the upper hemp harvesting element 26. After this, the lower hemp harvesting element 25 will only engage the lower part (h1) of the same hemp plant once the upper part (h2) has been cut off and transported away.

[0071] The lower hemp harvesting element 25 is configured to engage with the lower part (h1) of the hemp plant. Due to the forward movement of the vehicle 2 and / or the displacement by the transport device 45, which will be described further below, the hemp plant, along with its roots, is pulled from the ground. Therefore, it is noteworthy that, in principle, the lower part and roots of the hemp plant are not severed before the entire hemp plant is pulled from the ground.

[0072] like Figure 3 As shown, the upper portion (h2) of the hemp plant (h) that has been cut by the harvesting element 55 is picked up by the upper hemp picking element 26. The upper portion (h2) of the fibrous plant includes the flower or feathery top portion (h5) and the remaining upper portion (h3). As will be explained below, in the defined embodiment, the top portion (h5) of the upper portion (h2) of the hemp plant (h) is removed using the cutting unit. Here, the top portion (h5) is discharged through a discharge device that includes a discharge pipe 28 having an inlet opening near the cutting unit, a centrifugal fan 20 connected to the discharge pipe, and an outlet opening leading to a container 16 arranged via a frame 17 on the rear side of the vehicle 2. Figure 4 As shown, the container 16 is releasably mounted on the frame component of the frame 6 via a quick coupler 18, and is used essentially only when the intention is to remove the top portion (h5) from the fibrous plant. In other words, the container 16 can be optionally omitted when the top portion is not cut off.

[0073] The lower part (h1) of the hemp plant (h) similarly consists of the root portion h6 where the roots of the hemp plant are located and the remaining lower part h4. In a defined embodiment, the root portion h6 is removed from the lower part h1 of the hemp plant (h) by a root cutting unit. These removed root portions h6 can be discharged into a container 16 on the vehicle, although they preferably fall directly onto the ground (o) (in a manner not further described). In a defined embodiment, the root portion cutting unit (h6) and the associated discharge device are implemented such that these portions are located directly in front of one or more of the wheels 7, 8. This results in the cut root portions h6 being pressed into the ground by the weight of the tires of the wheels 7, 8 as the vehicle 2 moves forward. In other words, in this embodiment, the roots are pressed into the ground, and the top portion is collected in the container 16, resulting in the conveying unit 13 placing only the lower remaining portion (h4) and the upper remaining portion (h3) of the hemp plant (h) on the ground (o) at the rear of the vehicle. As further explained elsewhere, in the defined embodiment, the two conveying units 13 are configured to place a first row 15a containing only the lower remaining portion (h4) of hemp plants and a second row 15b containing only the upper remaining portion (h3) of hemp plants (h) on the ground, and then subject them to the desired composting process. Figure 2 ).

[0074] Figure 4 A view of the hemp harvesting unit 3 is shown. The figure illustrates transport devices 45 and 46, from which the hemp plants are gripped and transported to vehicle 2. Each of the transport devices 45 and 46 includes multiple annular belt conveyors, more specifically a first number of annular belt conveyors for gripping, transporting, and tilting the crops during transport, and a second number of annular belt conveyors for receiving the crops from the first number of conveyors and transporting them to vehicle 2. The second number of conveyors (typically 3, 4, or more) is generally smaller than the first number of conveyors (typically 1 or 2).

[0075] The guide element 40 is positioned on the front side of both the lower hemp harvesting element 25 and the upper hemp harvesting element 26. Its purpose is to push the hemp plants (h) to this side and guide them into the multiple channels 41 of the upper hemp harvesting element 26 as the vehicle and the harvesting unit 3 mounted thereon move forward. 1 -41 6 and multiple channels 41 of the lower hemp harvesting element 25 7 -41 12 Its entire configuration is designed to receive and hold hemp plants. Figure 4 Each hemp harvesting unit has six channels (although this may be a larger or smaller number in other embodiments). These twelve channels consist of multiple driven conveyor belts and multiple pulleys.

[0076] The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of transport devices 45 and 46, in which different annular belt conveyors are used to temporarily supply multiple streams of hemp plants. Here, components of the annular belt conveyors are preferably used in combination to achieve efficient use of available space on the harvesting elements and / or limit complexity and thus the cost of the transport devices. For example, a convergence zone is shown in the drawings where two (or more) streams of hemp plants converge, this convergence zone being roughly defined between the inlet of the hemp plants on the front side of each transport device 45, 46 and the plant delivery vehicle 2 on the rear side of the transport devices 45, 46.

[0077] Figure 4 The operation of the transport device 45 is shown in more detail, particularly the turning of the hemp plants. Via channel 41 1 and 41 2 The two incoming hemp plant streams converge between the conveyor belts. The hemp plant (h2) is then transported between the conveyor belts and, after passing the driven pulley or roller 96, reaches the collection area 117. Figure 5 One embodiment is shown, wherein channel 41 on one side 1 and 41 2 The combined flow of the two channels, along with the combined flow of multiple other channels on the other side, converges in collection area 117.

[0078] Horizontally oriented hemp plant portions (h2 = h3 + h5) arrive at the annular belt conveyor 50. The cut hemp plant (h2) is surrounded between the underside of the annular belt conveyor 50 and the upper side of multiple upright guide flanges 150 on the frame component 33, and transported toward the vehicle 2. During transport, the hemp plant (h2) is processed by pressing (rolling) the hemp plant (h2) and by cutting off and discharging the top portions (h5) from the pressed hemp plant (h2). The flat hemp plant (h2) is first guided between the upper pressure roller 136 and the lower pressure roller 137 such that at least the relevant top portions (h5) (which are typically feather-shaped) are pressed. These pressed top portions (h5) of the hemp plant (h2) are then cut off by a top cutting unit 38. This top cutting unit 38 is schematically represented as vertically arranged rotatable blades (in the illustrated embodiment, circular blades, but blades can also have different forms, such as elongated forms). The housing surrounding the circular cutter, the rotary drive of the circular cutter, and the mechanism for moving the circular cutter laterally P L The displacement guide device is not shown. The cut-off top portion or top (h5) of the hemp part is extracted by the extraction device 29 (collection port 29) connected to the extraction tube 28 and the centrifugal fan 20, and blown into the container 16 at the rear of the vehicle 2 to store the top portion therein.

[0079] refer to Figure 5 The harvesting and further processing of the upper part (h2) via the upper harvesting unit 26 is described in detail. The lower part (h1) of the hemp plant (h) is similarly harvested and further processed by the lower hemp harvesting element 25. Therefore, a detailed description of how these lower parts (h1) of the hemp plant are held and processed can be omitted. The lower hemp portions (h1) are held and carried in a similar manner by the transport device 45, rotated half a turn until they are in a horizontal position, and then discharged by the conveyor 51.

[0080] In the above embodiments, processing machine 1 is suitable for processing relatively tall / long crops, such as hemp. In other embodiments, processing machine 1 can be adapted in a very simple manner to process shorter / less taller crops, such as flax. For this purpose, the hemp harvesting unit 3, consisting at least of an upper hemp harvesting element 25 and a lower hemp harvesting element 26, is replaced by a flax harvesting element 129, which is specifically implemented to process the shorter crop. The height of the crop (e.g., flax) is typically 80 cm to 120 cm (1 tot =80cm-120cm).

[0081] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the flax harvesting element 129 includes a chassis frame component 130, which is provided with a mounting device substantially the same as that of the lower hemp harvesting element 25 of the hemp harvesting unit described above. The frame component 130 can be easily mounted, for example, on the pivot 34 of the first mounting device of the vehicle 2 using the mounting device 32. The flax harvesting unit can be placed on the lateral lifting arm 47c of the lifting unit of the vehicle 2 in a manner similar to that of the hemp harvesting unit, so that the lifting cylinder 36 can pivot the frame 130 of the flax harvesting element in the vertical direction. The flax harvesting unit of the present invention uses substantially the same technique to clamp this fibrous plant (in this case, flax), pull it from the ground and transport it to the vehicle 2, and change the posture of the crop during transport to the vehicle 2. For this purpose, a conveying device, again constructed from the aforementioned annular belt conveyor or the like, is used. However, unlike the hemp harvesting unit, the flax harvesting unit provides the option and space for multiple adjacent channels. Although each hemp harvesting element in the hemp harvesting unit has six channels (therefore there are a total of twelve channels, although this number can be increased or decreased in other embodiments), in Figure 5In this embodiment, there are eight channels positioned adjacent to each other. The four channels on the left receive flax, which is then conveyed via a first conveyor 150 to a first conveyor 11 on vehicle 2. The four channels on the right are used to convey the remaining flax plants via a second conveyor 151 to a second conveyor 12 on vehicle 2. Here, the two conveyors 150 and 151 are positioned adjacent to each other rather than vertically, as is the case in the hemp harvesting unit.

[0082] Figure 5 Further shown, in the defined embodiment, at least the upper part of the flax is again pressed by two pressure rollers 136, 137. In the defined embodiment, the seed portion (particularly the round pod, seed sac) is cut off again, while in other embodiments it is not cut off. These pressure rollers 136, 137 and / or the cutting unit are also optional, and in the defined embodiment they are therefore omitted.

[0083] Figure 3 and Figure 4 An embodiment of a harvesting unit (e.g., a hemp harvesting unit) for harvesting relatively long fibrous plants is shown. Figure 5A harvesting unit for picking relatively short fibrous plants is shown. However, these are merely specific examples of processing units that can be mounted on and removed from vehicle 2 in the simplified manner described above. Another example of such a processing unit is a pick-up unit. As mentioned above, the fibrous plants are laid flat on the ground behind the vehicle after being harvested and rotated. These fibrous plants are then left on the ground for a period of time for composting. However, in order to compost properly and evenly, the fibrous plants on the ground must be turned over periodically. This turning can also be done with the same processing machine 1, in which the so-called pick-up unit is arranged as processing unit 3. The previously used harvesting unit, such as a flax harvesting unit or a hemp harvesting unit, is replaced with a pick-up unit configured to pick up the crops laid flat on the ground, rotate them 180 degrees, and place them back on the ground behind the vehicle in a flipped state. These picked fibrous plants can again be turned over in a similar manner using a circular conveyor belt, in which the fibrous plants are held between the circular conveyor belts. Here, the conveyor belt is arranged such that the fibrous plants rotate half a turn instead of a quarter turn. The fibrous plants, in a rotated (half-turn) state, arrive at the vehicle and can be transported by the vehicle to the conveyor unit in a known manner. This application, in principle, does not require modification of vehicle 2 to make it suitable for picking and flipping fibrous plants. This means that the processing machine is not only suitable for picking fibrous plants of different lengths (i.e., relatively long fibrous plants (e.g., hemp) or relatively short fibrous plants (e.g., flax)), but also for picking up, completely flipping, and returning the fibrous plants to the ground after they have been picked and placed there. In other words, the proposed processing machine is not only a picking machine but also a flipping machine. Clearly, this allows for a significant limitation on the processing cost of fibrous plants and enables a processing machine with many functions.

[0084] Figure 7Another embodiment of a processing unit 113 for harvesting relatively long fibrous plants such as hemp is shown. The processing unit 113 has a pivotable upper harvesting element 123 and a pivotable lower harvesting element 125. The lower harvesting element 125 includes a frame 140, and the upper harvesting element 123 has a frame 148. The frame 140 of the lower harvesting element 125 has a first frame member 140a, which can be pivotally mounted on a vehicle chassis 6 in the manner described above using a fifth mounting device 32a. This first frame member 140a can be pivotally rotated in upward and downward directions using the aforementioned lifting unit including a plurality of lifting cylinders 36. A second frame member 140b is integrally formed on the frame member 140a. The second frame member 140b is here at an angle (typically about 45 degrees) relative to the first frame member 140a. A third frame member 140c is also formed between the first frame member 140a and the second frame member 140b. The third frame component 140c serves as a support for the first and second frame components, ensuring that both frame components maintain their extension at the stated angle even under heavy loads. The second frame component 140b also includes a plurality of support flanges 141 on which a plurality of lifting cylinders 142 are mounted. The lifting cylinders 142 are pivotally connected at their outer ends via corresponding hinges 144 and 145 to the second frame component 140b of the lower picking element 125 and the frame 148 of the upper picking element 123. The upper picking element 123 can pivot upwards and downwards, respectively, by increasing or decreasing the length of the lifting cylinders 142 (see arrows).

[0085] Figure 7An embodiment of the aforementioned root cutting unit 160 and the cutting or harvesting unit 55 on the front side of the upper harvesting element 123 is also shown. The root cutting unit 160 is positioned below the lower harvesting element 125 to cut off the root portion (h6) of the flax plant (h) pulled from the ground and transported by the annular belt conveyor 90. The root cutting unit 160 includes two supports 160, 160' interconnected with a support arm 166, wherein a horizontally placed cutting component (not shown) is arranged between the two supports 160, 160'. The cutting component is provided with two circular blades 168, 168', which can be rotated by their respective root cutting unit drive motors (not shown). In this embodiment, the roots cut off by the rotating circular blades 168, 168' fall directly downwards and eventually land on the ground. In other embodiments (not shown), measures are also taken to cause the cut-off root to fall to the ground at a specific lateral position, such as one or more lateral positions directly in front of at least one of the two front wheels 7. It is also shown that the height of the cutting component can be adjusted relative to the remainder of the first pickup element by controlling an actuator 165 (e.g., an electric motor or hydraulic lifting cylinder), wherein the actuator 165 drives a linkage system 167 on which the cutting component is mounted. A single actuator may be provided, for example, mounted on support 160 or support 160', although in other embodiments, the actuator is located at both outer ends of the cutting component. The rods of the linkage system 167 are rotatably mounted on the supports 160, 160', such that by pushing or pulling the upright of the linkage system, the rods are configured to rotate and move the cutting component upward and downward respectively in this manner.

[0086] Figure 7 It also shows the above reference Figure 3 The described cutting or harvesting unit 55. Figure 3 The cutting unit 55 is mounted on the lower side of the frame 33 of the upper picking element 26.

[0087] The cutting unit 55 includes two support cheek plates 57, 57' disposed on the underside of the frame member 148. Corresponding L-shaped supports 61, 61' are rotatably mounted (via a rotation shaft 58) on the two support cheek plates 57, 57'. The rotational movement of the two L-shaped supports is achieved by actuators 59, such as electric motors 58 mounted on the respective support cheek plates 57, 57'. The rotation of the L-shaped supports 61, 61' provides upward or downward movement of the elongated cutting element. The height of the cutting unit relative to the rest of the picking element, and thus the height of the cutting unit relative to the ground, can be adjusted as needed.

[0088] The actuator is preferably remotely controllable (e.g., from the driver's cab 23). Figure 3This allows the height of the cutting unit relative to the rest of the harvesting element to be remotely adjusted, for example, during vehicle travel or before harvesting a large quantity of fibrous plants of a defined length.

[0089] In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting element comprises a row of (horizontal) blades 60 that can reciprocate to each other, capable of cutting a large quantity of fibrous plants. This row extends over most or substantially the entire width of the upper harvesting element. The reciprocating movement of the blades in this cutting unit is driven by a motor 61, such as an electric motor and a suitable transmission mechanism.

[0090] Because in certain embodiments of the invention, the processing machine is capable of adjusting the position / orientation of the processing unit 3 (more specifically, adjusting the pivot position of the flax picking element of the flax picking unit, the pivot position of the upper and lower picking elements of the hemp picking unit, the pivot position of the pickup unit, the height of the cutting / harvesting unit 55, the position (height) of the root cutting unit 160, and / or the (lateral) position of the top cutting unit 38), and because this position adjustment (in both the height and lateral directions) preferably occurs during travel and processing of the fiber plant, local conditions in the field, such as different heights of the fiber plant, different orientations of the ground, etc., can be optimally predicted. This change in height and / or lateral cutting position can be manually controlled by suitable operating elements in the cab 23. However, in other embodiments, this is accomplished by an electronic control unit, such as a computer. It can be connected to one or more sensors, such as a camera, thereby allowing for, for example, measurement of the height of the fiber plant (and / or other parameters). The electronic control unit can then control one or more of the processing units (i.e., one or more of the flax picking element, upper picking element, lower picking element, and pickup element), root cutting unit, and top cutting unit based on measurement signals from one or more sensors and a predetermined control algorithm (before or during the processing of the fiber plant, and therefore while traveling). Adjustments can be made dynamically, meaning continuous or periodic control at short intervals, ensuring the processing machine is always in an optimal position during travel. Another advantage is that even when the height of the fiber plant changes, the control unit controls at least one of the flax picking element, upper picking element, lower picking element, pickup unit, root cutting unit, and / or top cutting unit, ensuring the strips at the rear of the vehicle are neatly aligned about the centerline. More specifically, the control unit can also be configured to match the centerlines of the two strips with the centerline of the picking element and control the cutting and / or picking units accordingly.

[0091] Figure 8A side view of a processing machine 1 including a processing unit 3 according to one embodiment is shown. The processing unit 3 includes two picking elements (lower picking element 125 and upper picking element 126, see also) Figure 7 The machine includes a picking unit, a removal unit 200, a separation unit 300, and a storage unit 400. In the illustrated embodiment, the picking unit is equipped with a third mounting device 201 for mounting the removal unit, which is disposed on the upper picking element. Preferably, the removal unit is releasably mounted on the picking unit. This ensures that the picking unit can be used with or without the removal unit, and that the two usage forms can be relatively easily alternated. Preferably, the separation unit 300 and the storage unit 400 are also releasably mounted, so that they can be removed or set as needed for the desired application of the processing machine 1.

[0092] Removal unit 200 is configured to remove portions of the fibrous plant located generally above the fibrous plant, namely the seed portion (e.g., pods) and possibly other portions (e.g., leaves). The removal unit shown is arranged to remove said plant portions before or substantially simultaneously with harvesting to achieve maximally predictable separation of the plant portions to be removed and the stems. In subsequent processing steps, the removed seed portion can, for example, be pressed into hemp oil for direct use as food, or used to obtain cannabidiol (CBD). Removing the seed portion further produces a purer product consisting of the stems (and optionally the roots) of the fibrous plant. These stems can be used to obtain the fibrous and / or woody parts.

[0093] In the illustrated embodiment, the removal unit 200 includes a seed removal unit frame 202 and a fourth mounting device 203 for releasably mounting the removal unit frame 200 onto the harvesting unit. In this embodiment, the removal unit is entirely supported by the harvesting unit. In other embodiments, the removal unit frame can be directly mounted on the vehicle chassis, such that the weight of the removal unit 200 is directly supported by the vehicle 1 itself.

[0094] The height of the seed partial removal unit frame 202 can be adjusted by pivoting the pivoting unit up and down. In the illustrated embodiment, this means, for example, pivoting the upper picking element 126 up and down by operating one or more of the aforementioned lifting cylinders 142. In a specific embodiment, the seed partial removal unit frame 202 is also implemented to pivot in the upward and downward directions. The fourth mounting device 203 may, for example, include a hinge 208, wherein the pivoting movement is driven by an actuator 209, for example, via a hydraulic lifting cylinder. The head 204, described further, can also be further pivotally mounted on the seed partial removal unit frame 202, wherein the pivoting movement can be driven by an actuator 216 (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder).

[0095] The height of the head 204 (described further) of the rotatable removal element of the removal unit 200 relative to the ground can be adjusted, for example, to the growth height of the fibrous plant to be harvested and from which a specific portion must be removed, or to a predetermined product with a defined tolerance, such as a defined ratio of material loss to the integrity of the removed seed portion.

[0096] Figure 8 A separating unit 300 is further shown, configured to separate different portions of the removed plant parts. A storage unit 400 (also referred to as a container or seed bin) is also shown, configured to store the removed plant parts, such as the removed seed portions. The head 204 of the removal unit 200 is connected to the separating unit 300 via a first transport device 500, and the separating unit 300 is connected to the storage unit 400 via a second transport device 600. These components will be further described below, particularly... Figures 12 to 1 5.

[0097] Figure 9 A side view of a processing machine 1 including a processing unit 3 according to another embodiment is shown. The processing unit 3 includes a single picking element (i.e., Figure 5 The flax picking element 129, and further removal unit 200, separation unit 300 and storage unit 400.

[0098] Figure 9 The illustrated embodiment has the same characteristics as Figure 8 The illustrated embodiment has most of the same components and features. The difference lies in... Figure 9 In this embodiment, the removal unit 200 is mounted on the picking unit 3, which comprises only a single picking element 129. In this case, the single picking element includes a third mounting device 201 for mounting the removal unit. This results in a more simplified embodiment in which the distance between the removal unit and the single picking element can be controlled in height.

[0099] Figure 10 A cross-section of the head 204 of an embodiment of the removal unit 200 is shown. The head includes a housing 210. In this case, the housing 210 includes a rear portion 211, a front portion 212, and two sidewalls 213. Figure 10 (Only one of them is shown in the image) and maintenance flap 214. The front 212 of the housing 210 is preferably adjustable for guiding the plant portion toward the removal device (e.g., the rotatable removal element 220 described below) or conversely away from the removal device.

[0100] In any case, the head 204 of the removal unit 200 must be equipped with a device for removing the seed portion (e.g., cutting or tearing off the seed portion), as well as a device for internally capturing and collecting the removed plant portion.

[0101] Figure 10 The illustrated embodiment includes a removal rotor 220 for removing the seed portion, the removal rotor 220 comprising a plurality of rotor blades 221. Referring below... Figure 11 Further explanation of these rotor blades 221. A rotatable removal element 220 is preferably arranged in an opening positioned relative to the front and bottom of the housing 210 to optimally access the seed portion to be removed. The rotatable removal element 220 transports the removed seed portion into the interior of the housing. In an advantageous arrangement, the rotatable removal element 220 will throw the removed seed portion upwards to a certain extent during operation, so that it is positioned on or within a transfer device (i.e., a transport unit).

[0102] This embodiment also includes a conveyor belt 230 as a means for internal collection of the removed seed portions. The conveyor belt is arranged in the rear portion 211 of the housing 210. In this case, the conveyor belt 230 is arranged generally laterally to transport the removed seed portions to one side of the head 204, although other orientations are also possible. Multiple conveyor belts may also be used, preferably transporting the removed portions to the same collection point 231. Figure 12 Other transport devices, such as screw conveyors, can also be provided.

[0103] This embodiment also includes a variable actuator 240 (not specifically shown). The variable actuator 240 is arranged within the housing 210 and may be, for example, electrically or hydraulically powered. The variable actuator 240 can drive at least one of a rotatable removal element 220 and a discharge device for collecting and releasing the removed seed portions (e.g., a first seed portion conveyor 230 and / or a second seed portion conveyor). The variable actuator offers the advantage of being able to adjust the speed and / or force of the driven component to process different volumes of plant material or to prevent malfunction due to blockage.

[0104] In this configuration, the maintenance cover 214 is positioned on the upper side of the housing 210 and allows a maintenance engineer or driver to access the interior of the housing 210 for maintenance, repair, or troubleshooting. A cover plate 215 is provided within the housing 210 such that it abuts against the wall of the housing 210 during operation, in this case against the maintenance cover 214, and that when the maintenance cover 214 is opened, the cover plate 215 moves (in this case rotates) to obstruct the rotatable removal element 220. This prevents accidents and / or component damage.

[0105] Figure 11 Details of an embodiment of a rotatable removal element 220 with several teeth 221 (particularly generally sharp teeth with sharp sides and generally circular intermediate intervals or recesses 227 between the teeth) are shown. The details shown include a portion of a row of teeth 221 extending radially relative to the central rotor 223 of the rotatable removal element 220. The teeth 221 are interconnected via a strip 224 arranged directly on the rotor 223. The structure shown is particularly suitable for guiding and clamping seed portions, especially relatively large, sluggish pods and any material that may adhere to them, and is suitable for removing these seed portions from fibrous plants by rotation of the rotatable removal element 220, particularly by scraping, cutting, and / or tearing off these seed portions.

[0106] Figure 12 A perspective view of an embodiment of the removal unit 200 head 204 and the conveying device 500 (partial) is shown. For better understanding, schematic diagrams are provided. Figure 12 The diagram shows the different components and their relative positions. It can be seen that the rotatable removal element 220 is elongated and extends approximately across the entire width of the picking range of the processing unit 3. The rotatable removal element 220 delivers the removed seed portion to the conveyor belt 230, which extends over approximately the same width and transports the seed portion to the collection point 231, which in this case is located on one side of the head 204 of the removal unit 200.

[0107] A second seed portion conveyor 500 is provided on one side of the removal unit 200, where the collection point 231 is located, for transporting the seed portion from the removal unit 200 to the separation unit 300. This second seed portion conveyor 500 includes a second blower assembly 501 and a flexible hose 502 (i.e., a blowing hose), wherein the second blower assembly 501 is arranged to blow the seed portion through the flexible hose 502. The blower assembly 501 is mounted on the head 204. An extraction device may be provided at the other outer end of the flexible hose 502, or otherwise provided, to draw the seed portion through the flexible hose 502. The advantage of using the flexible hose 502 is that the placement of the removal unit 300 relative to other components of the processing machine 1 does not need to be very precise, thus eliminating the need for pre-setting and allowing for adjustment even during use.

[0108] Figure 13A cross-section of an embodiment of the separation unit 300, transport device 600, and storage unit 400 is shown. The outer end of the flexible hose 502 is also visible here. The separation unit 300 according to the invention is intended to separate different types of seed portions, particularly to separate the relatively heavy round pods from lighter portions (e.g., shells and / or dust). The separation unit is preferably releasably arranged on the vehicle chassis 6. For this purpose, the separation unit 300 can be configured in different ways. In a defined embodiment, the separation unit 300 includes a first cyclone separator 329 and a second cyclone separator 310. The separation device 300 may also include a crushing unit 320 for crushing the seed portions and / or a metering element for metering the discharge. This is Figure 13 The situation in the embodiments.

[0109] like Figure 13 As shown, the separation unit 300 may include a first receiving space 341 for temporarily holding a large amount of accumulated seed fraction. This receiving space 341 may be implemented to collect and temporarily store only a mixture of air and seed fraction from the stripper, but in the illustrated embodiment, the receiving space 341 is implemented as a separating cyclone separator for the initial separation of the feed mixture.

[0110] In embodiments where the second seed section conveyor includes a flexible hose 502, this hose is preferably releasably fastened to the head 204 and on the other side to the first receiving space 341. In embodiments where the receiving space 341 forms a cyclone separator, the mixture supplied via the second seed section conveyor 500 is introduced into the cylindrical housing of the cyclone separator 329 through a tangential inlet 33, causing the mixture to rotate (see arrow 333). The relatively lighter portion of the mixture (i.e., air and light dust particles) moves to the center of the cyclone separator and forms a first stream 334, which is carried to the outside via an outlet 339. The relatively heavier portion of the mixture (primarily the seed portion) is discharged downwards as a second stream 336 toward the combined crushing and metering feed element 320, which will be described in more detail below.

[0111] The crushing unit 320 is configured to crush seed portions (e.g., round pods) and includes a drive (not shown, although it may be, for example, an electric motor or a hydraulic motor) and a rotatable crushing element 324 (e.g., a combined roller), driven by the drive and housed in a suitable crushing element housing 321, for crushing the round pods into smaller portions. The crushing element 324 may, for example, comprise a roller with a large number of radial protrusions on its outer surface, such that during rotation the protrusions slide along the housing 321, while the seed portions located between the protrusions and the inner side of the housing are compressed.

[0112] As described above, a metering feed unit can be provided as a supplement to or replacement for the crushing unit 320. The metering feed unit enables the discharge of a desired amount of seed fraction in a controlled manner within a desired time period. Here, the metering feed unit can be a separate unit from the crushing unit. However, in certain embodiments, the crushing unit and the metering feed unit are combined, such as the combined crushing / metering feed unit indicated by reference numeral 320 in the figures. Figure 13 In the illustrated embodiment, the rotatable crushing element 324 of the crushing unit 320 is also suitable, for example, for discharging crushed seed portions quantitatively by rotating the crushing element, thereby causing the seed portions to flow downwards, or conversely, for stopping the seed portions, thereby interrupting the flow. In other words, the rotatable crushing / quantitative feeding element 320 can process the supply of seed portions from or accumulation of seed portions in space 341 at a defined desired speed, wherein this speed does not necessarily correspond to the supply speed from the second seed portion conveyor 500.

[0113] As an alternative to or supplement to the cyclone separator 329, the separation unit 300 may include a screen 330, particularly a vibrating screen, also known as a vibrating screen. Figure 13 In the illustrated embodiment, the separation unit includes, for example, a vibrating screen, the vibration of which can be set by a vibrating device (not shown). The purpose of this screen is to allow small, heavy portions of the seed fraction to pass downwards and to agitate larger and / or lighter portions. The vibrating screen 330 is further arranged at a slight inclination to convey portions that are not allowed to pass through toward the generally upright separation space 331. The vibrating screen 330 is provided with, for example, an electric or hydraulic actuator 332, thereby allowing the screen to be agitated and also allowing adjustment of the screen to set the size of the metering feed opening 345 toward the separation space 331. The vibrating screen 330 can also be used as a metering device for distributing material in space and / or metering it over time.

[0114] Figure 13The diagram shows crushed plant parts (particularly crushed seed parts) descending from a combined crushing and metering feed element 320 via a pipe 342 to a vibrating screen 330. The vibrating screen 330 is located within a screening space 335. The screening space is arranged adjacent to an upright separation space 331. A metering feed opening 345 is provided in the wall 343 between the screening space 335 and the upright separation space 331. The size of this metering feed opening 345 is adjustable. The drive 332 of the vibrating screen 330 (which can be used to set the screen to vibrate) can also be used to move the vibrating screen upwards to reduce the size of the metering feed opening 345 leading to the upright separation space 331, or to move the vibrating screen downwards to increase the size of the metering feed opening 345 leading to the upright separation space 331 for metered discharge. The portions located on the vibrating screen 330 can be agitated to distribute them within the space and to move heavier portions downwards. The portion that falls through the opening in the grid of the vibrating screen 330 is located at the bottom of the upright separation space 331.

[0115] Figure 13 A vertical separation space 331 is further shown located between a second cyclone separator 310 and a lower outlet 346 on the upper side of the separation unit 300. The cyclone separator 310 is equipped with a fan that draws in the flow supplied through a metering feed opening 345. The drawn-in mixture is discharged into the outside air through an outlet 356 (direction 357). The undrawn portion of the mixture, i.e., the relatively heavier portion, particularly the seed portion, falls downwards under gravity and is discharged into a collection element 344 through the lower outlet 346 (direction 358). In the separation space, the lighter portion is carried upwards by the airflow generated by the cyclone separator 310, while the heavier portion (e.g., pod material) moves downwards and leaves the separation space through the lower outlet 346. The material located in the collection element 344 can be transported to, for example, a collection unit 400 using a transport device.

[0116] Figure 13 The storage unit 400 is implemented to store relevant seed portions and is preferably releasably arranged on the vehicle chassis 6. In different embodiments, very different proportions and sizes of the storage unit 400 can be selected.

[0117] exist Figure 13 The diagram also shows a transport device 600, which is preferably releasably arranged on a vehicle chassis 6, and optionally not directly connected to the vehicle chassis, but rather, for example, fixedly connected to a storage unit 400. These transport devices 600 are configured and arranged to transport pods and crushed pod material from a separation unit 300 to a storage unit 400. Figure 13 In one embodiment, this begins with container 344, and the conveying device 600 includes a screw conveyor.

[0118] Figures 14 and 15 show cross-sections of alternative embodiments of the separation units 700 and 800. In the embodiment of Figure 14, a combined crushing and metering feed element 320 and a vibrating screen 330 are also provided, but... Figure 13 In contrast to the previous embodiment, in this embodiment, the removed portion first passes through a vibrating screen 330, and then optionally through a combined crushing and metering feed element 320.

[0119] It can be seen that the first receiving space 341 is directly connected to the vibrating screen 330, and the wall 343 that defines the quantitative feeding opening 345 leading to the vertical separation space 331 is also the wall of the receiving space 341.

[0120] Air is supplied to the upright separation space 331 through at least one first vent 349. In the illustrated embodiment, the first vent 349 is located below the vibrating screen 330, but it can also be located in other positions. A first separation step is performed in the upright separation space 331, in which relatively large and heavy portions (e.g., pods) exit the separation unit 700 downwards toward the lower outlet 346 of the upright separation space 331. A container 344 (not shown in FIG. 14) may be provided here, or the portion exiting the separation unit 700 may be directly sent to the storage unit 400 or the surrounding area. In this case, smaller and / or lighter materials exit the separation space 331 via the upper outlet 347 and enter the second receiving space 348.

[0121] A cyclone separator 301 is installed on the other side of the second receiving space 348, in which case the cyclone separator 301 can draw material generally horizontally through the second receiving space 348. A deflector plate 355 is provided in the second receiving space 348, which deflects the material downwards, causing the material to pass through a combined roller 320, which in this case is located at the bottom of the second receiving space 348. The relatively heavy portions of the material reach the combined roller 320, which breaks them up and discharges them downwards. A collection element (not shown in FIG. 14) can also be provided in the lower outlet 346 of the upright separation space 331, or the material can be transported directly to the storage unit 400 or to the surrounding area. The material can be discharged to the same location in the same manner as the material discharged through the lower outlet 346 of the upright separation space 331, or in a different manner and / or to a different location. At least a majority of the lighter portion of the material will be carried to the outside by the combined crushing and metering feed elements 320 and the airflow of the cyclone separator 301. Figure 14 further illustrates at least a second ventilation opening 350 located in the second receiving space. In the illustrated embodiment, the second ventilation opening 350 is located on the upper side of the second receiving space 348, but it may also be located in other locations.

[0122] Figure 15 illustrates another embodiment of the separation unit 800. Here, the separation unit tapers towards the cyclone separator 301 on the upper side and widens on the lower side, with the housing generally having the form of an upright cone. Here, the removed portion is supplied to the center of the separation unit 800 via a pipe 351. The supplied portion is located in a first receiving space 341 in the radial center of the housing, with a radial metering feed opening 345 on the lower side of the first receiving space, the radial metering feed opening 345 being adjustablely closed by a closing element 352. Preferably, the closing element 352 can be driven to control the degree of closure of the metering feed opening 345 and / or to rock and / or rotate for the same purpose discussed above with respect to the vibrating screen 330.

[0123] The portion passing through the metering feed opening 345 enters the airflow generated by the cyclone separator 301. A lower guide element 353 is located below the metering feed opening and serves to prevent the portion leaving the first receiving space 341 from falling directly down. The lower guide element 353 can be connected to and can be driven by the closing element 352. In this case, an upright separation space 331 is formed inside the housing outside the receiving space 341, radially outward from the separation unit 800. Due to the relatively narrow lower guide element 353 in the upright separation space 331, a generally upright portion is formed, along which the airflow and any light portions that may be entrained are discharged upward toward the cyclone separator 301. Heavier portions (e.g., pods) are guided downward, where they exit the separation unit 800 through the lower outlet 361. One or more vents 360, 350, 359 are provided in the housing, particularly adjacent to and / or below the lower guide element 353.

[0124] Regardless of the exact embodiment of the separation unit 800, it is advantageously configured to be operatively coupled to the vehicle 2 in use, such that the driven and / or controllable components of the separation unit can be controlled by the cab 23, for example, via a fixed or wireless electronic communication connection.

[0125] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The sought rights are defined by the appended claims, within which various modifications are contemplated. Therefore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that different combinations can be assembled as described herein. Figures 13 to 1Different components of the embodiments of separation units 300, 700, and 800 shown in Figure 5 are used to efficiently achieve the same operation. It is also clear that it is possible to use transport devices other than the illustrated embodiments of the first transport device 500 and the second transport device 600, and to directly connect the removal unit 200, separation units 300, 700, 800, and / or storage unit 400 to each other without a transport device. Furthermore, the separation unit can be omitted, and the removal unit 200 can be directly connected to the storage unit 400, or the storage unit 400 can be omitted, and the pod can be discharged elsewhere, for example, to another vehicle in motion.

[0126] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The rights sought are defined by the appended claims, and various modifications are contemplated within the scope of those claims.

Claims

1. A processing machine for processing fibrous plants, the processing machine comprising: - A self-propelled vehicle comprising a vehicle chassis on which a plurality of wheels are arranged and a drive motor for driving at least one wheel, wherein the vehicle chassis is provided with: at least one fiber plant conveyor configured to transport at least a portion of the fiber plant from a first outer end of the vehicle chassis to an opposite second outer end. and at least one conveying unit, said at least one conveying unit being disposed at or near the second outer end and configured to convey fiber plants from at least one conveyor and place them on the ground; - A seed portion removal unit, which is mounted or can be mounted on the self-propelled vehicle and is configured to remove seed portions from a fibrous plant to be harvested, wherein the seed portion removal unit includes a peeler for removing the seed portions from the fibrous plant at the free outer end of the fibrous plant. - A harvesting unit, which is mounted on the self-propelled vehicle and configured to harvest fibrous plants from which the seed portion has been removed, wherein the harvesting unit is also configured to transport the harvested fibrous plants to the conveyor of the self-propelled vehicle.

2. The processing machine of claim 1, further comprising a separation unit, wherein the separation unit is configured to separate the removed seed portion into a first stream and a second stream, wherein the first stream comprises air, shell particles, and dust particles, and the second stream comprises the seed portion. The separation unit is releasable and / or the separation unit is disposed on the vehicle chassis.

3. The processing machine according to claim 1, wherein, The seed portion is a round pod, and the seed portion removal unit is configured to remove the round pod from the free outer end of the fiber plant.

4. The processing machine according to claim 1, wherein, The seed removal unit includes a rotatable removal element provided with radial fingers for removing the seed portion from the fibrous plant when the removal element is rotated.

5. The processing machine according to claim 4, wherein, The rotatable removal element is configured to cut off and / or tear off the seed portion.

6. The processing machine according to claim 4, comprising a discharge device for collecting and discharging the removed seed portions.

7. The processing machine according to claim 6, wherein, The discharge device includes: - A first seed portion conveyor for receiving and laterally displacing the seed portion removed by the rotatable removal element of the seed portion removal unit; and / or - A second seed section conveyor for transporting the seed section carried by the first seed section conveyor to the vehicle chassis.

8. The processing machine according to claim 7, wherein, The first seed section conveyor includes a transverse conveyor belt that extends substantially parallel to the rotatable removal element.

9. The processing machine according to claim 7, wherein, The second seed portion conveyor includes a flexible tube and a fan, wherein the fan is configured to displace a seed portion supplied by the first seed portion conveyor through the flexible tube.

10. The processing machine according to claim 2, wherein, The separation unit includes a first outlet for discharging the first stream and a second outlet for discharging the second stream.

11. The processing machine according to claim 10, wherein, The separation unit includes at least one of a separating cyclone separator, a crushing unit, and a metering feed element. The separating cyclone separator is used to separate the supplied seed portion into a first stream and a second stream by rotation. The crushing unit is configured to crush the supplied seed portion. The metering feed element is used to meter the supplied potentially crushable seed portion.

12. The processing machine according to claim 2, wherein, The separation unit includes a screen.

13. The processing machine according to claim 2, wherein, The separation unit includes a vibrating screen.

14. The processing machine according to claim 1, wherein, The self-propelled vehicle also includes a releasable storage unit, which is a seed portion container.

15. The processing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a transport device for transporting separated and / or crushed seed portions from a separation unit to a storage unit, wherein the transport device comprises a screw conveyor.

16. The processing machine according to claim 1, wherein, The harvesting unit includes a harvesting element that is pivotable in an upward and downward direction, wherein the harvesting element includes at least one pair of driven annular conveyor belts configured to hold fibrous plants and transport them to the fibrous plant conveyor on the vehicle chassis.

17. The processing machine according to claim 16, wherein, The harvesting unit includes another harvesting element pivotable in an upward and downward direction, wherein the other harvesting element includes at least one pair of driven annular conveyor belts configured to clamp and transport the fiber plant to the fiber plant conveyor on the vehicle chassis, wherein the free outer end of the harvesting element is located at a higher height than the free outer end of the other harvesting element to engage the fiber plant at two different heights.

18. The processing machine of claim 17, further comprising a cutting device for cutting the fibrous plant to be harvested into a lower fibrous plant portion and an upper fibrous plant portion, wherein the other harvesting element is configured to engage the lower fibrous plant portion and the harvesting element is configured to engage the upper fibrous plant portion.

19. The processing machine of claim 1, further comprising a top cutting unit configured to cut off a corresponding top portion from the fibrous plant.

20. The processing machine according to claim 19, wherein, The top cutting unit is configured to cut off the top portion of a fibrous plant from which the seed portion has been removed, and the top cutting unit is also configured to cut off the top portion of a fibrous plant from which it has already been harvested, or to cut off the top portion of a fibrous plant from which it has first been cut into an upper fibrous plant portion and a lower fibrous plant portion and subsequently harvested.

21. The processing machine according to claim 16 or 17, comprising a removal unit frame for supporting the removal unit, wherein the removal unit frame is mounted on the vehicle chassis, the picking element, or the other picking element.

22. The processing machine according to claim 21, wherein, The removal unit frame is pivotally implemented relative to the vehicle chassis.

23. The processing machine according to claim 17, wherein, The conveyor belt and / or additional conveyor belts are configured to tilt the joined fibrous plants during transport.

24. The processing machine according to claim 17, wherein, The conveyor belt and / or additional conveyor belts are configured to tilt the joined fibrous plants from a generally upright position to a generally flat position during transport.

25. The processing machine according to claim 1, wherein, The height of the seed removal unit relative to the vehicle chassis can be adjusted using at least one actuator.

26. The processing machine of claim 18, comprising one or more lifting units, the one or more lifting units being used to pivot at least one of the picking element, another picking element, and seed removal unit frame relative to the ground.

27. The processing machine according to claim 16 or 17, comprising a mounting device for releasably mounting a picking element on the vehicle chassis.

28. The processing machine according to claim 27, wherein the mounting device is further configured to releasably mount another picking element and / or seed removal unit on the vehicle chassis.

29. A seed partial removal unit comprising a separation unit, the seed partial removal unit being the seed partial removal unit as defined in claim 1.

30. A method for processing a fibrous plant, the method utilizing a processing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 28, the method comprising removing the seed portion from the fibrous plant and then harvesting the fibrous plant.

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