Locking mechanism for suspension assembly of harvester

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of harvesters, in particular to a locking mechanism for a hanging assembly of a harvester, which comprises a telescopic rod and fixed rods, the telescopic rod is inserted into a gap between the two fixed rods, and the end part of the telescopic rod in the gap is connected with a limiting block; the two fixing rods are provided with limiting sleeves used for limiting the limiting blocks to slide in the gaps. The fixing rod is connected with a harvester body through a first fixing structure, and the telescopic rod is connected with a hanging assembly of the harvester through a second fixing structure. The fixing rods are provided with at least one limiting rod, and the limiting rods are used for being inserted into the locking holes in the two fixing rods to prevent the telescopic rods from moving towards one sides of the fixing rods in the locking state, so that descending of the harvester hanging assembly is limited. One end of the limiting rod is hinged to the electric push rod through a connecting plate, the other end of the electric push rod is hinged to the fixing rods, the other end of the limiting rod is inserted into a locking hole of one fixing rod in an unlocking state, and the electric push rod is used for driving the limiting rod to penetrate through a gap between the two fixing rods and be inserted into the gap between the two fixing rods at the same time to block the telescopic rod. Locking of the harvester suspension assembly is achieved. The device has multiple functions of graded locking, intelligent monitoring, emergency guarantee and the like, the core pain points that a traditional structure is poor in universality, insufficient in safety and tedious in operation are thoroughly solved, and the safety and efficiency of harvester maintenance operation are remarkably improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of harvesting machines, in particular to a locking mechanism for a suspension assembly of a harvesting machine. BACKGROUND

[0002] The harvesting machine suspension assembly locking mechanism is a core safety component of agricultural machinery maintenance work. Its core application scenario is to rigidly fix the detachable suspended agricultural implements such as the header, the field returning machine, and the baling machine during the field or workshop maintenance of the harvesting machine. The cutting tools and the conveying device, etc. need to be regularly overhauled after the harvesting machine is operated. The suspended agricultural implements need to be lifted to a safety height of 1.0-2.0 m during the overhaul. At this time, the temporary suspension relies on the hydraulic system and has a risk of leakage, which can easily cause the agricultural implements to accidentally drop and cause safety accidents such as bruising and crushing. Therefore, the locking mechanism needs to realize the core functions of “stable bearing during maintenance and preventing falling”, and adapt to the complex environment of field dust, mud, vibration, and limited maintenance space.

[0003] The existing traditional locking structure mainly adopts manual mechanical locking, and has many defects such as poor universality, insufficient safety, and complicated operation, etc. as follows:

[0004] Manual bolt type locking: the core structure is a single hole position of a lifting arm, and a rigid bolt is manually inserted to realize fixation. The defects are as follows: first, the adaptability is poor, the single hole position can only fix a single height, and cannot meet the height requirements of different maintenance scenarios; second, the operation is complicated, the maintenance personnel need to bend down to align the hole position and insert and pull out the bolt, which is difficult to operate and low in efficiency in the muddy environment in the field; third, the safety redundancy is insufficient, and only a single bolt is relied on for bearing, which is easy to fail after the bolt is worn out or vibrates loose.

[0005] Pawl type locking: the stepped locking is realized by the cooperation of a sector tooth plate and a pawl. The defects are as follows: the stepped gears are fixed and the number is small (usually 2-3 levels), which cannot accurately adapt to the maintenance height of different agricultural implements; the meshing part of the pawl and the tooth plate is easy to be jammed by dust, which causes unlocking difficulty; there is no overload protection, and the tooth plate is easy to break when the weight of the agricultural implement exceeds the bearing threshold.

[0006] Single hydraulic lock locking: the locking is realized by relying on the built-in locking valve of the hydraulic cylinder. The defects are as follows: excessive reliance on the hydraulic system, hydraulic leakage or valve group failure will directly cause locking failure; it cannot realize stepped locking and can only be locked at a fixed position; there is no mechanical redundancy protection, and the agricultural implement will directly fall if the hydraulic system fails, which is extremely poor in safety.

[0007] In view of the defects of the traditional structure, we propose a locking mechanism for a suspension assembly of a harvesting machine. SUMMARY

[0008] Based on the technical problems existing in the background technology, the present invention proposes a locking mechanism for the suspension assembly of a harvester, which has multiple functions such as graded locking, intelligent monitoring, and emergency protection. It completely solves the core pain points of poor versatility, insufficient safety, and cumbersome operation of traditional structures, and significantly improves the safety and efficiency of harvester maintenance operations.

[0009] The present invention provides the following technical solution: a locking mechanism for a suspension assembly of a harvester, comprising a telescopic rod and fixed rods, wherein the telescopic rod is inserted into the gap between two fixed rods, and a limiting block is connected to the end of the telescopic rod located in the gap, and limiting sleeves are provided on the two fixed rods to limit the sliding of the limiting block inside the gap;

[0010] The fixed rod is connected to the body of the harvester through a fixed structure one, and the telescopic rod is connected to the suspension assembly of the harvester through a fixed structure two;

[0011] The fixed rod is provided with at least one limiting rod. The limiting rod is used to insert into the locking hole of the two fixed rods in the locked state to prevent the telescopic rod from moving to one side of the fixed rod, thereby limiting the descent of the harvester suspension assembly.

[0012] One end of the limiting rod is hinged to the electric push rod via a connecting plate, and the other end of the electric push rod is hinged to the fixed rod. In the unlocked state, the other end of the limiting rod is inserted into the locking hole of one of the fixed rods. The electric push rod is used to drive the limiting rod through the gap between the two fixed rods and simultaneously insert it into the gap between the two fixed rods, blocking the telescopic rod and realizing the locking of the harvester suspension assembly.

[0013] Preferably, the fixing rod includes a fixing rod one and a fixing rod two, a locking hole one is provided on the fixing rod one at the position corresponding to the limiting rod, and a locking hole two is provided on the fixing rod two at the position corresponding to the limiting rod;

[0014] A pressure sensor is installed on either the first or second locking hole, and the pressure sensor is used to detect the pressure borne by the limiting rod.

[0015] Preferably, a position sensor is installed in the locking hole of the second fixing rod, and the position sensor is used to detect whether the limiting rod passes through the gap between the two fixing rods and is inserted into the locking hole.

[0016] Preferably, a displacement monitoring mechanism is installed between the telescopic rod and the fixed rod to monitor the position of the telescopic rod relative to the fixed rod, thereby obtaining the height of the suspension assembly's lifting and lowering.

[0017] Preferably, a pull ring is installed on the connecting plate of the limiting rod.

[0018] Preferably, the fixing structure includes a fixing ring, two fixing rods are welded to the fixing ring, the fixing ring is rotatably connected to the locking ring via a hinge, the fixing ring and the locking ring are fixed by a locking bolt, the fixing ring and the locking ring are fixed to the body of the harvester, and an elastic gasket is provided between the body and the fixing structure.

[0019] Preferably, the second fixing structure includes a second fixing ring, the telescopic rod is welded to the second fixing ring, the second fixing ring is rotatably connected to the second locking ring via a second hinge, the second fixing ring and the second locking ring are fixed by a second locking bolt, the second fixing ring and the second locking ring are fixed to the suspension assembly of the harvester, and an elastic washer is provided between the suspension assembly and the second fixing structure.

[0020] Preferably, the fixed rod and the telescopic rod are covered with a dustproof protective cover. The protective cover is provided with a detachable sealing structure. A flexible sleeve is connected to the protective cover at the position corresponding to the telescopic rod. The telescopic rod passes through the flexible sleeve and is inserted into the gap of the fixed rod. The limiting rod and the electric push rod are both located inside the protective cover.

[0021] Preferably, it also includes an alarm device, which is equipped with a speaker, a locking indicator light and an alarm indicator light. The speaker is used to sound an alarm when the limit rod is not locked in place, the limit rod is overloaded, the limit rod is under insufficient pressure, or the telescopic rod is abnormally displaced, and the alarm indicator light is lit.

[0022] The locking indicator light is used to illuminate when the limit rod is locked in place and within the normal pressure range.

[0023] Preferably, it also includes a PLC controller, which is used to control the operation of the electric actuator to achieve locking and unlocking, and to control the alarm device to issue an alarm based on the information detected by the pressure sensor, position sensor, and displacement monitoring mechanism.

[0024] This invention provides a locking mechanism for a harvester's suspension assembly. It achieves a sliding fit by nesting a telescopic rod within a fixed rod. The fixed rod has multiple levels of limiting holes spaced along its length. An electric push rod drives the limiting rods to extend and retract, inserting them into the corresponding limiting holes to achieve graded locking. In the locked state, only the descent of the suspension assembly is restricted, without hindering its ascent. During ascent, the next-level limiting rod automatically extends and locks, forming multiple layers of protection. The graded locking provides multiple layers of protection, with automatic locking during ascent to prevent missed locks. Combined with a monitoring and alarm system, it can provide real-time warnings of risks such as overload and loosening. Furthermore, the mechanical locking system is independent of the hydraulic system, eliminating safety accidents caused by single malfunctions. It has wide versatility; through a modular connection design, it can be adapted to the suspension assemblies of different harvester models without customized modifications, reducing application costs. This invention completely solves the core pain points of traditional structures—poor versatility, insufficient safety, and cumbersome operation—significantly improving the safety and efficiency of harvester maintenance. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the unlocked state structure of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the locked state structure of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the displacement monitoring mechanism of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention with a protective cover;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention with an alarm device.

[0030] In the diagram: 1. Telescopic rod; 2. Fixed rod one; 3. Fixed rod two; 4. Limiting block; 5. Limiting sleeve; 6. Limiting rod one; 7. Connecting plate; 8. Electric push rod; 9. Locking hole one; 10. Locking hole two; 11. Pressure sensor; 12. Position sensor; 13. Displacement monitoring mechanism; 14. Limiting rod two; 15. Limiting rod three; 16. Limiting rod four; 17. Limiting rod five; 18. Pull ring; 19. Fixed ring one; 20. Hinge one; 21. Locking ring one; 22. Locking bolt one; 23. Elastic washer one; 24. Fixed ring two; 25. Hinge two; 26. Locking ring two; 27. Locking bolt two; 28. Elastic washer two; 29. ​​Protective cover; 30. Sealing structure; 31. Flexible sleeve; 32. Alarm device; 33. Speaker; 34. Locking indicator light; 35. Alarm indicator light. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a technical solution: a locking mechanism for a suspension assembly of a harvester, comprising a telescopic rod 1 and fixed rods. The telescopic rod 1 is inserted into the gap between two fixed rods, and a limiting block 4 is connected to the end of the telescopic rod 1 located in the gap. Limiting sleeves 5 are provided on the two fixed rods to restrict the sliding of the limiting block 4 within the gap. The gap fit design between the double fixed rods and the telescopic rod 1, combined with the guiding and limiting functions of the limiting block 4 and the limiting sleeves 5, significantly improves the stability of the overall structure and avoids problems such as displacement and jamming during sliding.

[0033] The fixed rod is connected to the harvester's body through a fixed structure one, and the telescopic rod 1 is connected to the harvester's suspension assembly through a fixed structure two, specifically installed on components such as the pull rod and lifting arm of the suspension assembly.

[0034] At least one limiting rod is provided on the fixed rod. The limiting rod is used to prevent the telescopic rod 1 from moving towards the fixed rod 2 when it is locked and inserted into the locking hole of the two fixed rods, thereby limiting the descent of the harvester suspension assembly. The design of limiting descent only and not hindering ascent in the locked state takes into account both maintenance safety and height adjustment needs during operation, making it more flexible to use.

[0035] One end of the limiting rod is hinged to the electric push rod 8 via the connecting plate 7, and the other end of the electric push rod 8 is hinged to the fixed rod. In the unlocked state, the other end of the limiting rod is inserted into the locking hole of one of the fixed rods. The electric push rod 8 is used to drive the limiting rod through the gap between the two fixed rods and simultaneously insert it into the gap between the two fixed rods, blocking the telescopic rod 1 and locking the harvester suspension assembly. Using the electric push rod 8 to drive the limiting rod action replaces traditional manual operation, adapts to complex field maintenance environments, reduces labor intensity, and provides precise and controllable locking / unlocking actions. When locked, the limiting rod simultaneously passes through the locking holes of the two fixed rods, forming a bidirectional rigid block, resulting in stronger locking reliability and effectively preventing the risk of accidental descent of the suspension assembly.

[0036] like Figure 2As shown, during assembly, the telescopic rod 1 is embedded in the gap between the two fixed rods. Its end within the gap engages with the limiting sleeve 5 via the limiting block 4, enabling stable sliding of the telescopic rod 1 within the gap between the fixed rods. The fixed rods are securely connected to the vehicle body via a first fixing structure, while the telescopic rod 1 is mounted on components such as the pull-down rod and lift arm of the suspension assembly via a second fixing structure. In the locked state, the electric push rod 8 drives the limiting rod to move via the connecting plate 7, causing the limiting rod to pass through the gap between the two fixed rods and simultaneously insert into the locking holes of the two fixed rods, forming a rigid block against the movement of the telescopic rod 1 towards the fixed rod 2, thereby limiting the descent of the suspension assembly. In the unlocked state, the electric push rod 8 reverses and drives the limiting rod to reset, leaving only one end of the limiting rod in the locking hole of one of the fixed rods, releasing the obstruction to the telescopic rod 1, allowing the suspension assembly to rise and fall normally.

[0037] The mechanism adopts a split-type fixed rod design, specifically including fixed rod 2 and fixed rod 3, which are arranged opposite each other to form a gap. The telescopic rod 1 is embedded in this gap, and the end of the telescopic rod 1 located in the gap is connected to the limiting block 4, which works in conjunction with the limiting sleeve 5 on the fixed rod to achieve stable sliding guidance. During assembly, the fixed rod is connected to the harvester body through fixed structure 1, and the telescopic rod 1 is assembled to the lower rod, lifting arm and other components of the suspension assembly through fixed structure 2. Corresponding to the movement path of the limiting rod, fixed rod 2 has a locking hole 9, and fixed rod 3 has a locking hole 10. In the locked state, the electric push rod 8 drives the limiting rod to move through the gap between the two fixed rods and simultaneously inserts into the locking hole 9 and the locking hole 10, forming a rigid blocking structure, restricting the telescopic rod 1 from moving towards the fixed rod 2, thereby preventing the suspension assembly from descending; in the unlocked state, the electric push rod 8 drives the limiting rod to reset in the opposite direction, leaving only the end of the limiting rod 6 in one of the locking holes, releasing the constraint on the telescopic rod 1. Meanwhile, a pressure sensor 11 is embedded in the end of the limit rod, specifically a miniature pressure sensor (range 0-10kN, accuracy ±0.1kN). The miniature pressure sensor is specifically installed in the locking hole 9 or the locking hole 10, which can detect the pressure on the limit rod in real time and transmit the data to the PLC controller. When the detected pressure value exceeds the threshold preset according to the weight of the suspension component (e.g., 8kN, set according to the weight of the suspension component), the PLC controller immediately triggers an audible and visual alarm and simultaneously broadcasts an overload risk warning through the speaker 33 to remind the staff to check the suspension load.

[0038] A position sensor 12 is installed inside the locking hole 10 of the second fixed rod 3. The position sensor 12 is used to detect whether the limit rod has passed through the gap between the two fixed rods and inserted into the locking hole 10. Each limit rod is equipped with a corresponding Hall position sensor 12 (embedded in the fixed rod) to detect the extension and locking states and retraction and unlocking states of the limit rod in real time. The signal is transmitted to the PLC controller and displayed intuitively through the locking indicator 34 and the alarm indicator 35. A green locking indicator 34 indicates that the lock is in place, and a red alarm indicator 35 indicates that the lock is not in place or has failed. The dual position sensor collaborative monitoring design accurately determines whether the limit rod is inserted in place through the position sensor 12 in the second locking hole 10, and also tracks the overall extension and retraction state of the limit rod in real time through the Hall position sensor 12, avoiding misjudgments caused by the failure of a single sensor, making the locking status monitoring more accurate and reliable. Both the cab and the locking mechanism adopt an intuitive light feedback design. The green locking light and the red alarm light clearly distinguish the working status, eliminating the need for close-range inspection by personnel and adapting to the long-distance observation needs during field maintenance, thus improving the ease of operation.

[0039] During locking, the electric push rod 8 drives the limit rod through the connecting plate 7, causing it to pass through the gap between the two fixed rods and simultaneously insert into locking hole 1 9 and locking hole 2 10. At this time, the position sensor 12 in locking hole 2 10 detects that the limit rod is inserted in place, and the Hall position sensor 12 simultaneously feeds back a "extend and lock" signal. After the two signals are transmitted to the PLC controller, the green locking indicator light 34 lights up, indicating that the lock is in place. During unlocking, the electric push rod 8 reverses and drives the limit rod to reset. The limit rod disengages from locking hole 2 10 and remains only in one of the locking holes. Both the position sensor 12 and the Hall position sensor 12 feed back a "retract and unlock" signal, and the controller controls the indicator light to turn off. If the limit rod is not fully inserted into locking hole 2 10, or if there is a failure such as extension or jamming, the sensor feeds back an abnormal signal, and the controller triggers the red alarm indicator light 35 to light up, indicating that the lock has failed. At the same time, the miniature pressure sensor embedded at the end of the limit rod can monitor the bearing pressure in real time, forming a double protection with the position sensor monitoring.

[0040] Graded locking adaptive gears: Based on the common maintenance height of the harvester (such as 0.8m, 1.2m, 1.6m), 3-5 locking gears are preset according to the common maintenance height of the harvester. The corresponding limit rods 1-6 to 5-17 are set at intervals. The fixed rod 1-2 and fixed rod 2-3 are provided with matching locking holes at the corresponding positions of each limit rod. The default spacing of the locking holes is 200-300mm, which can be flexibly adjusted according to different maintenance scenarios. During assembly, the fixed rod is connected to the vehicle body via a fixed structure one, and the telescopic rod 1 is adapted to and installed on components such as the pull rod and lifting arm of the suspension assembly via a fixed structure two. During locking operations, the controller drives the corresponding gear limit rod to move according to the required maintenance height, so that the limit rod passes through the gap between the two fixed rods and simultaneously inserts into the corresponding locking hole 9 and locking hole 10, forming a rigid block to limit the descent of the suspension assembly. When it is necessary to raise the suspension assembly to a higher gear, there is no need to unlock the current limit rod; the suspension assembly is directly driven to rise. When it rises to the next gear height, the corresponding gear limit rod will automatically extend and insert into the locking hole to complete the locking, achieving graded protection of locking at each level of elevation. During unlocking, the controller drives the electric push rod 8 of the corresponding gear to move in the opposite direction, causing the limit rod to reset and disengage from the locking hole, releasing the constraint on the telescopic rod 1. The graded locking adaptive gear design covers a variety of commonly used maintenance heights, and the spacing between the locking holes can be adjusted as needed, accurately adapting to the maintenance needs of different suspended agricultural implements such as headers and reamers, completely solving the problems of fixed gears and limited application scenarios in traditional locking mechanisms.

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, a displacement monitoring mechanism 13, specifically a linear displacement sensor, is installed between the telescopic rod 1 and the fixed rod to monitor the position of the telescopic rod 1 relative to the fixed rod, thereby obtaining the height of the suspension assembly's lifting and lowering. A linear displacement sensor is installed at the mating point between the telescopic rod 1 and the fixed rod to collect the real-time lifting and lowering height of the suspension assembly, triggering the limit rod to prevent missed or incorrect locking. For example, when the height reaches a preset height of 1.2m, the first-level limit rod locking is automatically triggered; when it reaches 1.4m, the second-level limit rod locking is triggered; when it reaches 1.6m, the third-level limit rod locking is triggered; when it reaches 1.8m, the fourth-level limit rod locking is triggered; and when it reaches 2.0m, the fifth-level limit rod locking is triggered.

[0042] A pull ring 18 is installed on the connecting plate 7 of the limit rod. The pull ring 18 is an additional mechanical emergency unlocking mechanism. When the electric push rod 8 malfunctions and cannot move, the maintenance personnel can pull the pull ring 18 on the connecting plate 7 of the limit rod through the emergency pull rope preset on the side of the machine body, manually drive the limit rod of the corresponding position to retract and disengage from the locking hole, forcibly release the locking constraint, and avoid the predicament of the suspension component being unable to unlock due to the failure of the electric mechanism.

[0043] The first fixed structure includes a fixed ring 19, two fixed rods are welded to the fixed ring 19, the fixed ring 19 is rotatably connected to the locking ring 21 through a hinge 20, the fixed ring 19 and the locking ring 21 are fixed by a locking bolt 22, the fixed ring 19 and the locking ring 21 are fixed to the body of the harvester, and an elastic gasket 23 is provided between the body and the first fixed structure.

[0044] The second fixed structure includes a second fixed ring 24, and a telescopic rod 1 is welded to the second fixed ring 24. The second fixed ring 24 is rotatably connected to the second locking ring 26 via a second hinge 25. The second fixed ring 24 and the second locking ring 26 are fixed by a second locking bolt 27. The second fixed ring 24 and the second locking ring 26 are fixed to the suspension assembly of the harvester, and an elastic washer 28 is provided between the suspension assembly and the second fixed structure.

[0045] The fixing ring and locking ring are opened and closed by hinges (hinge 1 20, hinge 2 25), which can be quickly fitted into the mounting parts of the vehicle body or suspension components (such as the vehicle body suspension frame, suspension component pull rod / lift arm) without additional welding or drilling at the mounting parts; closing the fixing ring and locking ring makes them fit against the surface of the mounting part, forming a wrap-around enclosure; tightening the free ends of the fixing ring and locking ring with locking bolts (locking bolt 1 22, locking bolt 2 27) locks them into a complete ring, achieving rigid fixation to the mounting part; adding elastic washers between the fixed structure and the mounting part (vehicle body / suspension component) completes the final assembly.

[0046] like Figure 4 As shown, a dustproof protective cover 29 is fitted over the fixed rod and telescopic rod 1. The protective cover 29 has a detachable sealing structure 30. A flexible sleeve 31 is connected to the protective cover 29 at the position corresponding to the telescopic rod 1. The telescopic rod 1 passes through the flexible sleeve 31 and is inserted into the gap of the fixed rod. The limiting rod and the electric push rod 8 are both located inside the protective cover 29. The protective cover 29 is the core protective component of the locking mechanism, adapting to harsh field environments. Its core function is to isolate dust, mud, straw debris, and other impurities, protecting the internal limiting rod, electric push rod 8, sensors, and other core components for normal operation, while also ensuring ease of maintenance. The protective principle combines overall wrapping, dynamic sealing, and detachable closure: the entire cover is fitted over the fixed rod and telescopic rod 1, completely enclosing the core components to form physical isolation; a flexible sleeve 31 is provided at the joint to meet the sliding requirements of the telescopic rod 1, achieving dynamic sealing without hindering movement; and the detachable sealing structure 30 ensures both protective integrity and ease of maintenance.

[0047] The sealing interface is preferably made of industrial-grade waterproof zipper, which forms a reliable waterproof and dustproof seal after closing. It can be quickly opened and closed without tools, improving maintenance efficiency. In dusty environments, it can be replaced with a structure that combines quick-release buckles and sealing strips. The flexible sleeve 31 is made of wear-resistant elastic rubber material (such as nitrile rubber), which fits tightly against the telescopic rod 1. When sliding, it can scrape off surface dust and form a sealing barrier to prevent dust from entering the interior of the protective cover 29, achieving a dual dustproof effect of active impurity removal and passive barrier.

[0048] like Figure 5 As shown, it also includes an alarm device 32, which is equipped with a speaker 33, a locking indicator light 34 and an alarm indicator light 35. The speaker 33 is used to sound an alarm when the limit rod is not locked in place, the limit rod is overloaded, the limit rod is under insufficient pressure, or the telescopic rod 1 is abnormally displaced, and the alarm indicator light 35 lights up.

[0049] The locking indicator light 34 is used to illuminate when the limit rod is locked in place and within the normal pressure range.

[0050] It also includes a PLC controller, which controls the operation of the electric push rod 8 to achieve locking and unlocking, and controls the alarm device 32 to issue an alarm based on the information detected by the pressure sensor 11, the position sensor 12, and the displacement monitoring mechanism 13.

[0051] The PLC controller is the core control unit of the locking mechanism, responsible for coordinating the locking / unlocking actions of the electric push rod 8. It also receives real-time detection data from the pressure sensor, position sensor 12, and displacement monitoring mechanism 13, accurately determining the operating status and triggering the alarm device 32 (including speaker 33, locking indicator light 34, and alarm indicator light 35) to provide feedback. The following are the specific operating processes and results under different scenarios:

[0052] Limit rod locked in place and under normal pressure scenario

[0053] Position sensor 12 detects that the limit rod is fully inserted into the locking hole, and the pressure sensor feedback value is within the safety threshold. Both signals are transmitted synchronously to the PLC controller. The PLC determines that it is in a "safe locked state," does not trigger an alarm, and simultaneously outputs a command to illuminate the green locking indicator 34, indicating to the staff that it is safe to carry out maintenance work.

[0054] Scenarios where the limit lever is not locked in place

[0055] Position sensor 12 did not detect the limit rod insertion signal (for 2 seconds). After the signal was transmitted to the PLC, the PLC determined that "locking failed" and immediately output an alarm command: the red alarm indicator 35 flashed at high frequency, and the speaker 33 repeatedly broadcast "Warning! The limit rod is not locked in place. Please check and operate again." At the same time, the suspension assembly was prohibited from descending to avoid accidental risks.

[0056] Limiting rod under compression overload scenario

[0057] The pressure sensor detects that the load pressure exceeds the preset threshold and sends a signal to the PLC. The PLC determines that there is an "overload risk" and quickly triggers an alarm: the red alarm indicator 35 remains constantly lit, and the speaker 33 broadcasts "Emergency warning! The limit rod is under overload, stop the operation immediately and check the load." At the same time, the electric push rod 8 is linked to prevent further locking action to prevent component breakage.

[0058] Scenario of insufficient pressure on the limit rod

[0059] The pressure sensor detects that the pressure is below the effective load threshold (for 3 seconds) and transmits the signal to the PLC. The PLC determines that the support is "unstable" and triggers an alarm: the red alarm indicator 35 flashes slowly, and the speaker 33 announces "Warning! Insufficient support pressure, risk of slippage, please adjust the load or relock," reminding staff to investigate the problem.

[0060] Abnormal displacement scenario of telescopic pole

[0061] The displacement monitoring mechanism 13 detected that the telescopic rod 1, in the non-unlocked state, descended beyond the set value within 1 second, and the signal was fed back to the PLC. The PLC determined that there was a "fall risk" and immediately executed three commands: the red alarm indicator 35 flashed at high frequency, and the speaker 33 urgently broadcast "Emergency warning! The suspension component has descended abnormally and the emergency lock has been triggered. Please evacuate the danger zone." At the same time, all the non-extended limit rods were driven to extend and lock again, and the descent function of the hydraulic lifting system was cut off to stop the downward trend.

[0062] This invention features multiple functions including graded locking, intelligent monitoring, and emergency protection, constructing a comprehensive, multi-dimensional safety protection system. It employs a graded locking design with multiple levels to adapt to different maintenance heights, automatically locking again during the ascent process to form multiple rigid supports. Combined with dual position sensors 12 and a pressure sensor for collaborative monitoring, it accurately determines the locking status and load pressure, and uses displacement monitoring to provide early warning of abnormal displacement. In hazardous scenarios, the PLC controller, in conjunction with the audible and visual alarm device 32, accurately reports the risk type and triggers emergency locking, hydraulic descent cutoff, and other protective actions, along with a mechanical emergency unlocking mechanism, completely avoiding safety hazards such as electric failure and unstable locking.

[0063] In terms of operation and adaptability, convenience and versatility are both considered. The electric push rod 8-drive system replaces traditional manual operation, and with the cab lighting status feedback, close-range inspection is unnecessary, significantly reducing labor intensity in complex field environments. The clamp-type fixing structure, through hinge opening and bolt locking, adapts to different cross-section installation locations, eliminating the need for additional welding and drilling. Elastic gaskets compensate for installation errors, improving assembly efficiency and connection stability. The modular design allows for flexible adaptation to different machine model suspension components, eliminating the need for extensive customization modifications.

[0064] In terms of durability and environmental adaptability, protective performance has been specifically enhanced. The protective cover 29 completely encloses the core components, and is equipped with a waterproof zipper seal and a flexible sleeve 31 dynamic dustproof structure, which effectively isolates field dust and mud erosion, protects the accuracy of sensors and transmission components, and extends service life; each component is made of wear-resistant and vibration-resistant materials, which are suitable for harsh working conditions such as bumps and temperature changes, and ensure long-term stable operation.

[0065] In summary, this mechanism comprehensively addresses the pain points of traditional locking mechanisms, such as insufficient security, cumbersome operation, and poor adaptability. It balances maintenance safety, ease of operation, and environmental adaptability, significantly improving the reliability and efficiency of harvester maintenance operations.

[0066] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism for a suspension assembly of a harvester, characterized by: The utility model relates to a kind of agricultural machinery, including telescopic rod (1) and fixed rod, the telescopic rod (1) is inserted into the gap of two fixed rods, and the end of telescopic rod (1) in gap is connected with limit block (4), two fixed rods are provided with the limit sleeve (5) for limiting limit block (4) inside the sliding of gap; The fixed rod is connected with the vehicle body of the harvester by the fixed structure one, and the telescopic rod (1) is connected with the suspension assembly of the harvester by the fixed structure two; The fixed rod is provided with at least one limit rod, which is used to block the telescopic rod (1) from moving to the side of the fixed rod by being inserted into the locking hole in the two fixed rods in the locked state, thereby limiting the descent of the suspension assembly of the harvester. One end of the limit rod is hinged with the electric push rod (8) through the connecting plate (7), and the other end of the electric push rod (8) is hinged with the fixed rod. In the unlocked state, the other end of the limit rod is inserted into the locking hole of one of the fixed rods. The electric push rod (8) is used to drive the limit rod to pass through the gap between the two fixed rods and be inserted into the gap between the two fixed rods at the same time, block the telescopic rod (1), and realize the locking of the suspension assembly of the harvester.

2. A locking mechanism for a suspension assembly of a harvester as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The fixed rod includes fixed rod one (2) and fixed rod two (3). The fixed rod one (2) is provided with a locking hole one (9) corresponding to the position of the limit rod. The fixed rod two (3) is provided with a locking hole two (10) corresponding to the position of the limit rod. The locking hole one (9) or the locking hole two (10) is provided with a pressure sensor (11). The pressure sensor (11) is used to detect the pressure borne by the limit rod.

3. A locking mechanism for a suspension assembly of a harvesting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The locking hole two (10) of the fixed rod two (3) is provided with a position sensor (12). The position sensor (12) is used to detect whether the limit rod passes through the gap between the two fixed rods and is inserted into the locking hole two (10).

4. A locking mechanism for a suspension assembly of a harvester as claimed in claim 3, wherein: The displacement monitoring mechanism (13) is installed between the telescopic rod (1) and the fixed rod, which is used to monitor the position of the telescopic rod (1) relative to the fixed rod, and thereby obtain the height of the suspension assembly lifting.

5. A locking mechanism for a suspension assembly of a harvester as claimed in claim 4, wherein: The connecting plate (7) of the limit rod is provided with a pull ring (18).

6. A locking mechanism for a suspension assembly of a harvester as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The fixed structure one includes a fixed ring one (19). The two fixed rods are welded on the fixed ring one (19). The fixed ring one (19) is rotationally connected with a locking ring one (21) through a hinge one (20). The fixed ring one (19) and the locking ring one (21) are fixed by a locking bolt one (22). The fixed ring one (19) and the locking ring one (21) are cooperatively fixed on the vehicle body of the harvester, and an elastic gasket one (23) is arranged between the vehicle body and the fixed structure one.

7. A locking mechanism for a suspension assembly of a harvester as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The fixed structure two includes a fixed ring two (24). The telescopic rod (1) is welded on the fixed ring two (24). The fixed ring two (24) is rotationally connected with a locking ring two (26) through a hinge two (25). The fixed ring two (24) and the locking ring two (26) are fixed by a locking bolt two (27). The fixed ring two (24) and the locking ring two (26) are cooperatively fixed on the suspension assembly of the harvester, and an elastic gasket two (28) is arranged between the suspension assembly and the fixed structure two.

8. A locking mechanism for a suspension assembly of a harvester as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The fixed rod and telescopic rod (1) are externally sleeved with a protective cover (29) for dust prevention, the protective cover (29) is provided with a detachable sealing structure (30), the protective cover (29) is connected with a flexible sleeve (31) at a position corresponding to the telescopic rod (1), the telescopic rod (1) is inserted into the gap of the fixed rod through the flexible sleeve (31), and the limiting rod and the electric push rod (8) are located inside the protective cover (29).

9. A locking mechanism for a suspension assembly of a harvesting machine according to claim 8, characterized in that: Further comprising an alarm device (32), the alarm device (32) is provided with a loudspeaker (33), a locking indicator light (34) and an alarm indicator light (35), the loudspeaker (33) is used for issuing an alarm when the limiting rod is not locked in place, the limiting rod is overloaded, the limiting rod is insufficiently pressed, or the telescopic rod (1) is abnormally displaced, and the alarm indicator light (35) is lit; The locking indicator light (34) is used for being lit when the limiting rod is locked in place and is in a normal pressure range.

10. A locking mechanism for a suspension assembly of a harvester as claimed in claim 9, wherein: Further comprising a PLC controller, the PLC controller is used for controlling the electric push rod (8) to run to realize locking and unlocking, and issuing an alarm by the alarm device (32) according to the information detected by the pressure sensor (11), the position sensor (12) and the displacement monitoring mechanism (13).

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