Collecting chain assembly, row unit, header and agricultural harvester

Abstract

The invention relates to a collection chain assembly, a row unit, a header and an agricultural harvester. A collection chain assembly for use in a row unit of a header of an agricultural harvester, the collection chain assembly comprising: a first collection chain extending around a first drive sprocket and a first driven sprocket having a plurality of first blades protruding outward of the first collection chain; a second collection chain arranged side by side with respect to the first collection chain and spaced apart from each other, extending around the second drive sprocket and the second driven sprocket, and having a plurality of second blades protruding toward the outside of the second collection chain; the second collecting chain and the first collecting chain are arranged in the same plane; and the opposite surfaces of the first paddle and the second paddle in the vertical direction are staggered up and down relative to each other, so that the first paddle and the second paddle do not interfere with each other when the first collecting chain moves around the first driving chain wheel and the first driven chain wheel and the second collecting chain moves around the second driving chain wheel and the second driven chain wheel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an agricultural harvester, and more particularly to a gathering chain assembly for a row unit of a header of an agricultural harvester. Background Art

[0002] As is known, agricultural harvesters (e.g., combine harvesters) have headers for harvesting crops planted in rows, such as corn, cotton, sorghum, sunflowers, sugar cane, etc. The header has a plurality of row units, each of which has two collecting chains, each of which is provided with a paddle protruding outward from the collecting chain. The spacing between adjacent row units determines the spacing of crop rows that can be effectively harvested.

[0003] The spacing between crop rows may vary from region to region. Alternatively, the spacing between crop rows may vary within the same region. In recent years, crops with narrow or unequal row spacing have become common, facilitating intensive planting and thus increasing yields.

[0004] In order to harvest crops with narrow or unequal row spacing, it is necessary to position adjacent row units as close to each other as possible.

[0005] A technical solution is known in the prior art, in which two collecting chains in each row unit are on the same plane, adjacent collecting chains of adjacent row units are also on the same plane, and the paddles on each collecting chain are arranged at left-right symmetrical positions. In this technical solution, if adjacent row units are arranged too close to each other, the paddles on each collecting chain will interfere with each other during the movement of the collecting chain. This limits the reduction of the row unit spacing, thereby limiting the harvesting of crops with narrow row spacing or unequal row spacing.

[0006] As an alternative to the above technical solution, it is known to arrange the blades on each collection chain at a left-right asymmetric position, which can reduce the row unit spacing to a certain extent compared with the above technical solution, and at the same time, the blades on each collection chain do not interfere with each other during the harvesting process. However, during the harvesting process, crops or foreign objects (such as stones, etc.) often get stuck in the collection chain or sprocket, resulting in the so-called "chain jump or tooth jump", which will affect the collection stability and collection effect of the collection chain. Even if the blades on each collection chain are arranged at a left-right asymmetric position, after long-term or frequent use, the blades on each adjacent collection chain in the same row unit or the blades on each adjacent collection chain in adjacent row units will interfere with each other during the movement of the collection chain due to "chain jump or tooth jump", thereby causing the blades to wear or even fail.

[0007] In the prior art, there is also a known technical solution, in which adjacent collection chains in the same row unit and / or adjacent collection chains in adjacent row units are arranged in different planes offset from each other in the vertical direction or the inclined direction. In this way, regardless of whether the paddles on the collection chains are arranged at left-right symmetrical positions, the spacing between adjacent row units can be further reduced, and the paddles on adjacent collection chains can be prevented from interfering with each other during the movement of the collection chains.

[0008] However, in the above technical solution, the structure and arrangement of each row unit are complicated, and the structure and arrangement of each adjacent row unit also become complicated, thereby affecting the design freedom of the structure and arrangement.

[0009] In addition, in the above technical solutions of the prior art, the spacing between adjacent collection chains in the same row unit or adjacent collection chains in adjacent row units is greater than the sum of the widths of two opposing paddles on the adjacent collection chains or greater than twice the width of a single paddle. In other words, the outer edge running tracks of the paddles on the adjacent collection chains do not overlap each other. This also limits the minimum width of the row unit. Moreover, the paddles or collection chains are not aggressive enough in crop collection. Summary of the invention

[0010] Taking all the above factors into consideration, the present application can simultaneously take into account the application of harvesting crops with narrow row spacing or unequal row spacing, improving the aggressiveness of crop harvesting, and preventing the blades on the collection chain from interfering with each other during the movement of the collection chain.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a collecting chain assembly is used in a row unit of a harvester of an agricultural harvester, the collecting chain assembly comprising: an annular first collecting chain, extending around a first driving sprocket and a first driven sprocket, and having a plurality of first blades protruding to the outside of the first collecting chain; an annular second collecting chain, arranged side by side and spaced apart from each other relative to the first collecting chain, extending around a second driving sprocket and a second driven sprocket, and having a plurality of second blades protruding to the outside of the second collecting chain; wherein the second collecting chain is arranged in the same plane as the first collecting chain, and the facing surfaces of the first blade and the second blade in the vertical direction are staggered up and down relative to each other so that the first blade and the second blade do not interfere with each other when the first collecting chain moves around the first driving sprocket and the first driven sprocket and the second collecting chain moves around the second driving sprocket and the second driven sprocket.

[0012] According to one embodiment, third idle sprockets are provided on the inner sides of the first collecting chain and the second collecting chain, respectively, and are arranged adjacent to the first driven sprocket and the second driven sprocket. The third idle sprockets abut the first collecting chain and the second collecting chain, respectively, to spread a part of the first collecting chain and a part of the second collecting chain toward each other, so that the outer edge running trajectory of the first blade of the first collecting chain and the outer edge running trajectory of the second blade of the second collecting chain partially overlap between the first collecting chain and the second collecting chain.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the facing surfaces of the first blade on the first collecting chain and the second blade on the second collecting chain in the vertical direction are beveled or stepped with shapes complementary to each other.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the beveled surface or the stepped surface is a straight surface, a curved surface, or a combination of a straight surface and a curved surface.

[0015] According to one embodiment, compression elements connected to the first driven sprocket and the second driven sprocket are respectively provided on the inner sides of the first collecting chain and the second collecting chain.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the compression element is a spring assembly.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the compression element is a telescopic cylinder.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the spring assembly includes an outer tube, an inner tube and a spring arranged at one end of the outer tube, and the outer tube can move telescopically relative to the inner tube.

[0019] According to one embodiment, a limiter is provided at the other end of the outer tube for limiting the travel of the outer tube.

[0020] According to one embodiment, blocking members adjacent to the first drive sprocket and the second drive sprocket are respectively provided on the inner sides of the first collection chain and the second collection chain to prevent crops or foreign objects from getting stuck in the first collection chain and the second collection chain or the first drive sprocket and the second drive sprocket.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the second blade is arranged at a left-right symmetrical position relative to the first blade.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the second blade is arranged at a left-right asymmetric position relative to the first blade.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, a row unit is used in a header of an agricultural harvester, the row unit comprising: a row unit frame, the row unit frame comprising a pair of row unit arms configured to be connected through a header chassis; and a collecting chain assembly as described above; wherein a first annular collecting chain and a second annular collecting chain in the collecting chain assembly are longitudinally mounted on each row unit arm.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, a harvesting table is used in an agricultural harvester, the harvesting table comprising a plurality of row units as described above, wherein every two adjacent row units are arranged so that the outer edge running trajectory of the blades on the collecting chain in one row unit and the outer edge running trajectory of the blades on the collecting chain in another adjacent row unit at least partially overlap between the first row unit and the second row unit.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, an agricultural harvester comprises the header as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate various aspects of the inventive subject matter in a schematic manner, but it should be understood that the inventive subject matter is not limited to the precise arrangements shown in the drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an agricultural harvester with a header in the prior art.

[0028] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic top view of a prior art header is shown.

[0029] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view of a portion of a row unit of a prior art header is shown.

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic top view of a row unit according to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 It is a top view of a row unit, showing the comparison between the blade running track of the prior art and the blade running track of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 6 is a front view of a row unit according to the invention, showing the arrangement of the collecting chain and the paddles.

[0033] Figure 7 is a partial front view of two adjacent row units according to the present invention, showing the arrangement of the collecting chains and the paddles.

[0034] Figure 8 An enlarged schematic front view of a paddle of an adjacent collecting chain according to the invention is shown.

[0035] Fig. 9 , Fig.10 and Fig.11 A paddle according to the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail using examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. Depending on the configuration and various conditions of the equipment to which the present invention is applicable, the size, material, shape and relative position of the components described in the embodiments may be appropriately changed. In other words, the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0037] The accompanying drawings illustrate various aspects of the inventive subject matter.

[0038] Figure 1 An agricultural harvester (e.g., a combine harvester) 10 is shown, which includes a header 12. The header 12 is connected to the front of the agricultural harvester 10 and is used to harvest crops planted in rows. In the following description, sometimes generally reference is made to a header for harvesting corn, but it should be understood that the header of the present invention is not limited to harvesting corn, and other crops besides corn are also within the scope of the present invention, such as cotton, sorghum, sunflower, sugarcane, etc. The header transports the harvested crops to a feeder house for further processing, such as receiving crop residues, cutting, chopping, pushing the residues backwards out of the agricultural harvester 10 and retaining useful crops (e.g., corn cobs and corn kernels), etc. Such feeder houses and harvesting operations are known in the art, and further detailed description of their structure, function, and operation is not necessary for a complete understanding of the subject matter of the present invention.

[0039] according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The header 12 includes: a header frame 14, mounted to the front end of the agricultural harvester 10 in the forward direction; a conveyor 16 (such as a screw conveyor), extending along the header frame 14 in the length direction of the header frame intersecting the forward direction of the agricultural harvester, for conveying crops to the feeding chamber (or feeding part) 18 of the agricultural harvester; and a plurality of row units 20, extending forward from the header frame 14 in the forward direction. As shown in the figure, the header frame 14 is preferably configured to be roughly rectangular. However, the header frame 14 can be configured to be suitable for any shape. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the header frame 14 includes a rear wall 24, a bottom wall 26, and a pair of side walls 28, 30. The header frame 14 also includes a channel 32 defined by the rear wall 24, the bottom wall 26, and the side walls 28, 30. The conveyor 16 conveys the harvested corn along the channel 32 to the feeder room 18 located approximately at the midpoint of the channel 32.

[0040] The conveyor 16 may be an auger, but may alternatively be any conveyor capable of conveying crops through the trough 32, such as a paddle system, a conveyor belt, a pressure-based system, or any combination thereof. Such conveyors are also known in the art, and further detailed description of their structure, function, and operation is not necessary for a complete understanding of the subject matter of the present invention.

[0041] The conveyor 16 is connected to the side walls 28, 30 of the header frame 14 and rotates about the axis A. The half of the conveyor 16 closest to the side wall 28 moves the harvested crops toward the opposite side wall 30, and the half of the conveyor 16 closest to the side wall 30 moves the harvested crops toward the opposite side wall 28. The conveyor 16 is installed in front of or above the feeder house 18, and the harvested crops move toward the middle of the conveyor 16 when the conveyor 16 rotates to supply the harvested crops to the feeder house 18.

[0042] Still based on Figure 1 and Figure 2 The corn header 10 further includes a plurality of row dividers (or crop dividers) 34. The row dividers 34 extend forward from the header frame 14, and each row divider is connected to each row unit 20 ( Figure 1 ). Such row dividers 34 are known in the art, and further detailed description of their structure, function, and operation is not necessary for a complete understanding of the subject matter of the present invention. During harvesting operations, the row dividers 34 are used to guide rows of corn stalks toward the stripping plates 36 of the row units. The ear rollers (not shown) are located below the stripping plates and between adjacent row dividers. Figure 3 As shown, the stripper plate 36 defines a slot or gap 40 for receiving the corn stalks, and as is known, the ear rollers pull the stalks downwardly to strip the corn ears when they impact the stripper plate 36.

[0043] Figure 3 One row unit 20 of a plurality of row units 20 is shown, similar to the prior art alternatives mentioned in the background section.

[0044] Each row unit 20 includes a row unit frame 42, which includes a pair of row unit arms 44 connected by a header chassis. An annular collection chain 48 is mounted longitudinally on each row unit arm 44, and the paddles 50 on each collection chain 48 are arranged at asymmetric positions on the left and right and protrude outward from the collection chain, and are used to guide the corn stalks to the rear end of the row unit 20 so as to remove the corn ears from the stalks through the stripping plate 36. In operation, the ears are stripped from the stalks and then conveyed through the breast plate 46 to the chute 32. Since the action of the collection chain 48 causes the harvested crop material to flow continuously backward, the crop stripped from the stalks is pushed backward to the chute 32.

[0045] Each collection chain 48 is arranged to surround a drive sprocket 52 at the rear end of the corresponding row unit arm 44 and a driven sprocket 54 at the front end of the corresponding row unit. As is known, the drive sprocket 52 is rotated by a gear (not shown) connected to the drive system of the agricultural harvester, and the rotation of the drive sprocket 52 causes a corresponding rotation of the driven sprocket 54. In operation, a compression element 56 (such as a spring, a telescopic cylinder or the like) applies a forward force to the driven sprocket 54 to maintain the tension of the collection chain 48 during the operation of the header.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, the spacing between two adjacent collection chains is greater than the sum of the widths of the two opposite blades on the collection chain or greater than 2 times the width of a single blade on each collection chain. In other words, the outer edge running tracks of the blades on the two adjacent collection chains do not overlap each other.

[0047] Figure 4 A top view of a single row unit according to the invention is shown.

[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, the row unit includes a collection chain assembly. The collection chain assembly includes a first collection chain 1 and a second collection chain 8 arranged side by side and spaced apart from each other. The first annular collection chain 1 is arranged around the first drive sprocket 52 at the rear end and the first driven sprocket 54 at the front end, and the first drive sprocket and the first driven sprocket are both fixed. The second annular collection chain 8 is arranged around the second drive sprocket at the rear end and the second driven sprocket at the front end, and the second drive sprocket and the second driven sprocket are both fixed. A plurality of first paddles 50 are provided on the first collection chain 1, and a plurality of second paddles are provided on the second collection chain 8. The first paddles and the second paddles are arranged at left-right asymmetric positions relative to each other.

[0049] On the inner side of the first collection chain 1 and the second collection chain 8, adjacent to the front end, there are respectively provided compression elements connected to the first driven sprocket and the second driven sprocket. Figure 3 As described, the compression element may be a spring, a telescopic cylinder or the like. Figure 4 In the embodiment of the present invention, the compression element is a spring assembly. The spring assembly includes an outer tube 3, an inner tube 5, and a spring arranged at the rear end of the outer tube. During the harvesting process, the outer tube 3 can move telescopically relative to the inner tube 5 by the elastic force of the spring to provide buffering and shock absorption. In addition, a stopper 4 is provided at the front end of the outer tube 3 to limit the stroke of the outer tube 3.

[0050] In addition, blocking members 9 adjacent to the first drive sprocket 52 and the second drive sprocket are respectively provided on the inner sides of the first collection chain 1 and the second collection chain 8 to prevent crops or foreign objects (such as stones, etc.) from getting stuck in the collection chain or the drive sprocket, thereby avoiding the so-called "chain jumping or tooth jumping".

[0051] Compared with the double-sprocket collection chain structure of the prior art, according to the present invention, a third idle sprocket 6 is provided on the inner side of the first collection chain 1 and the second collection chain 8, respectively, adjacent to the first driven sprocket 54 and the second driven sprocket. The third idle sprocket 6 is arranged adjacent to the front end to abut against the first collection chain 1 and the second collection chain 8, respectively, so as to spread a part of the first collection chain 1 and a part of the second collection chain 8 toward each other, so as to make a part of the first collection chain 1 and a part of the second collection chain 8 closer to each other. This also makes the outer edge running track 2 of the first blade of the first collection chain 1 and the outer edge running track 7 of the second blade of the second collection chain 8 partially overlap between the first collection chain 1 and the second collection chain 8.

[0052] Figure 5 The figure shows the comparison between the outer edge running track of the blade of the prior art (as shown by the dotted line on the inner side) and the outer edge running track of the blade of the present invention (as shown by the dotted line on the outer side). Figure 5 In the figure, for the convenience of comparison, the double-sprocket type collecting chain structure of the prior art and the three-sprocket type collecting chain structure of the present invention are shown superimposed on each other, so as to clearly show the difference in the running tracks of the outer edges of the blades of the two.

[0053] like Figure 5 As shown, in the double-sprocket collection chain structure of the prior art, the running tracks of the outer edges of the blades on two adjacent collection chains do not overlap each other between the two adjacent collection chains. On the contrary, in the three-sprocket collection chain structure of the present invention, the running tracks of the outer edges of the blades on two adjacent collection chains partially overlap each other between the two adjacent collection chains. In this way, the collection chain assembly according to the present invention can reduce the spacing between adjacent collection chains in the same row unit, and can also reduce the spacing between adjacent collection chains in adjacent row units, thereby being better suitable for harvesting crops with narrow row spacing or unequal row spacing. At the same time, compared with the prior art, the crop harvesting effect of the collection chain of the present invention is more aggressive.

[0054] Figure 6 The arrangement of the collecting chain and the paddles in a row unit according to the present invention is shown. Figure 7 The arrangement of the collecting chains and the paddles in two adjacent row units according to the present invention is shown.

[0055] like Figure 6 As shown, according to the present invention, the first collecting chain 1 and the second collecting chain 8 of the collecting chain assembly in one row unit are arranged in the same plane.

[0056] like Figure 7As shown, according to the present invention, two adjacent collection chains of the collection chain assembly in two adjacent row units are also arranged in the same plane. For example, the first collection chain 1 in the first row unit and the second collection chain 8 in the adjacent second row unit are arranged in the same plane. In addition, the first row unit and the second row unit are arranged close to each other so that the outer edge running track 2 of the first blade of the first collection chain 1 in the first row unit and the outer edge running track 7 of the second blade of the second collection chain 8 in the adjacent second row unit overlap at least partially between the first collection chain 1 in the first row unit and the second collection chain 8 in the second row unit.

[0057] That is to say, even if the first collecting chain 1 and the second collecting chain 8 of the collecting chain assembly in the same row unit are arranged in the same plane or the two adjacent collecting chains of the collecting chain assemblies in two adjacent row units are arranged in the same plane, the present invention can make the operating trajectory of the outer edge of the blade partially overlap between adjacent collecting chains, thereby reducing the spacing between adjacent collecting chains in the same row unit and the spacing between adjacent collecting chains in adjacent row units, and at the same time improving the crop harvesting aggressiveness of the collecting chain.

[0058] Furthermore, according to the present invention, Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, no matter in the same row unit or in adjacent different row units, the paddles 50 on each adjacent collection chain are arranged relative to each other so that their facing surfaces in the vertical direction are staggered up and down with respect to each other, so that when the first collection chain moves around the first driving sprocket and the first driven sprocket and the second collection chain moves around the second driving sprocket and the second driven sprocket, the first paddle and the second paddle do not interfere with each other.

[0059] It should be pointed out that although Figure 4 It is shown that the first blade and the second blade are arranged at left-right asymmetric positions relative to each other, but the present invention is also applicable to the case where the first blade and the second blade are arranged at left-right symmetric positions relative to each other.

[0060] Figure 8 The arrangement relationship of the paddles 50 of adjacent collecting chains in the vertical direction is more clearly shown.

[0061] Therefore, even if Figure 4 and Figure 5 The outer edge running tracks of the paddles on the adjacent collection chains shown partially overlap each other, and the paddles will not interfere with each other during the process of running with the circular motion of the collection chain. Moreover, even if crops or foreign objects (such as stones, etc.) get stuck in the collection chain or "chain jumping or tooth jumping" occurs after long-term or frequent use as described above, the paddles on the adjacent collection chains will not interfere with each other, thereby preventing the paddles from being worn or even failing.

[0062] Fig. 9, Fig.10 and Fig.11 Several possible forms of the blades according to the present invention are shown. After being installed on the collection chain, the facing surfaces of the blades on adjacent collection chains in the vertical direction can be beveled or stepped. Fig. 9 As shown, the beveled surface of the blade can be a straight surface. Fig.10 As shown, the beveled surface of the blade may be curved. Fig.11 As shown, the facing surfaces of the blades are stepped by a combination of straight surfaces; or, as an alternative, they can be stepped by a combination of curved surfaces. Fig. 9 , Fig.10 and Fig.11 The beveled surface or step surface shown may be a combination of a straight surface and a curved surface. It should be noted that the blade of the present invention is not limited to the several forms shown in the figure. Other forms are also achievable for those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0063] As mentioned above, by adopting Figure 9-11 The blade shape shown, such as Figures 6 to 8 The paddles on the adjacent collection chains shown can be arranged to complement each other in shape, so that the paddles can be prevented from interfering with each other during the movement of the collection chains. Compared with the prior art technical solution of arranging adjacent collection chains in different planes, the present invention can simplify the overall arrangement of the collection chains and improve the design freedom and arrangement freedom by designing the paddle parts on the collection chains.

[0064] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A collection chain assembly for use in a row unit of a header of an agricultural harvester, the collection chain assembly comprising: an annular first collecting chain extending around the first driving sprocket and the first driven sprocket and having a plurality of first blades protruding toward the outside of the first collecting chain; an annular second collection chain, arranged side by side and spaced apart from the first collection chain, extending around the second drive sprocket and the second driven sprocket, and having a plurality of second blades protruding toward the outside of the second collection chain; In which, the second collection chain is arranged in the same plane as the first collection chain, and the facing surfaces of the first blade and the second blade in the vertical direction are staggered up and down relative to each other so that the first blade and the second blade do not interfere with each other when the first collection chain moves around the first driving sprocket and the first driven sprocket and the second collection chain moves around the second driving sprocket and the second driven sprocket.

2. The collection chain assembly according to claim 1, wherein: A third idle sprocket is provided on the inner side of the first collecting chain and the second collecting chain, respectively, and is arranged adjacent to the first driven sprocket and the second driven sprocket. The third idle sprocket abuts against the first collecting chain and the second collecting chain, respectively, to spread a part of the first collecting chain and a part of the second collecting chain toward each other, so that the outer edge running trajectory of the first blade of the first collecting chain and the outer edge running trajectory of the second blade of the second collecting chain partially overlap between the first collecting chain and the second collecting chain.

3. The collection chain assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The facing surfaces of the first blade on the first collecting chain and the second blade on the second collecting chain in the vertical direction are beveled or stepped in shapes complementary to each other.

4. The collection chain assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The beveled or stepped surface is a straight surface, a curved surface, or a combination of straight and curved surfaces.

5. The collection chain assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: Compression elements connected to the first driven sprocket and the second driven sprocket are respectively provided on the inner sides of the first collecting chain and the second collecting chain.

6. The collection chain assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The compression element is a spring assembly.

7. The collection chain assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The compression element is a telescopic cylinder.

8. The collection chain assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The spring assembly comprises an outer tube, an inner tube and a spring arranged at one end of the outer tube. The outer tube can move telescopically relative to the inner tube.

9. The collection chain assembly according to claim 8, wherein: A limiter is arranged at the other end of the outer tube for limiting the travel of the outer tube.

10. The collection chain assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: Blocking members adjacent to the first drive sprocket and the second drive sprocket are respectively provided on the inner sides of the first collection chain and the second collection chain to prevent crops or foreign objects from getting stuck in the first collection chain and the second collection chain or the first drive sprocket and the second drive sprocket.

11. The collection chain assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The second blade is arranged at a left-right symmetrical position with respect to the first blade.

12. The collection chain assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The second blade is arranged at a left-right asymmetric position with respect to the first blade.

13. A row unit for use in a header of an agricultural harvester, the row unit comprising: a row unit frame including a pair of row unit arms configured for connection via a header chassis; and The collection chain assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12; The annular first collecting chain and the annular second collecting chain in the collecting chain assembly are installed on each row unit arm along the longitudinal direction.

14. A header for use in an agricultural harvester, the header comprising a plurality of row units according to claim 13, wherein: Every two adjacent row units are arranged so that the outer edge running track of the paddles on the collecting chain in one row unit and the outer edge running track of the paddles on the collecting chain in another adjacent row unit at least partially overlap between the first row unit and the second row unit.

15. An agricultural harvester comprising a header according to claim 14.

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