harvester

Abstract

This invention provides a harvester capable of reversing the rotation of a cooling fan at an appropriate time. The harvester includes: an engine; a threshing device for threshing harvested rice stalks; a dustproof section, a cooling device disposed laterally on the outer side of the machine body relative to the cooling engine, which uses a dustproof net to prevent dust from passing through while allowing external air to circulate; a cooling fan that generates cooling air for cooling the cooling device; and a control device for controlling the rotation of the cooling fan; the control device is capable of switching the rotation of the cooling fan between forward rotation that draws external air into the cooling device and reverse rotation that exhausts internal air, and after a predetermined stop and standby time has elapsed since the threshing device stopped, the control device reverses the rotation of the cooling fan.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to combine harvesters, and more particularly to a combine harvester having: an engine located below the driver's cab; a radiator for cooling the engine; a cooling fan for drawing in external air for cooling the radiator through a dust screen; and a dust removal mechanism for removing dust adhering to the dust screen. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, a combine harvester was known to have an engine, a radiator for cooling the engine, and a cooling fan that draws in outside air for cooling the radiator through a dust screen in the power unit located below the driver's cab. Furthermore, such a combine harvester can remove dust adhering to the dust screen by reversing the rotation of the cooling fan at constant time intervals.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-140932

[0004] When dust adheres to the dust filter, the intake of outside air is obstructed, resulting in reduced cooling capacity. Therefore, from this perspective, it would be desirable to increase the frequency of the cooling fan's reverse rotation. However, when the cooling fan rotates in reverse, outside air is not supplied to the radiator, causing the coolant temperature to rise. Therefore, the frequency of reversal cannot be increased arbitrarily. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a combine harvester that can remove dust adhering to a dustproof net at an appropriate time, thereby enabling proper cooling using a cooling device.

[0006] The harvester of the present invention is characterized by having: a drive source; a threshing device for threshing harvested rice stalks; a dustproof section disposed laterally on the outer side of the machine body relative to a cooling device for cooling the drive source, which uses a dustproof net to prevent dust from passing through and allows external air to circulate; a cooling fan for generating cooling air for cooling the cooling device; and a control device for controlling the rotation of the cooling fan; the control device is capable of switching the rotation of the cooling fan between forward rotation that draws external air into the cooling device and reverse rotation that discharges internal air, and after a predetermined stop standby time has elapsed since the threshing device stopped, the control device causes the cooling fan to rotate in reverse.

[0007] When the threshing unit stops, the engine load decreases. If the cooling fan is reverse-rotated at this time, the temperature rise of the cooling unit during reverse rotation can be suppressed compared to when the threshing unit is running. Furthermore, dust around the engine block decreases after the threshing unit stops; therefore, less dust adheres after being removed by the reverse rotation of the cooling fan, and the intake of outside air is less obstructed. Therefore, according to the present invention, dust adhering to the dust filter can be removed at the appropriate time, thereby enabling proper cooling using the cooling unit.

[0008] In this invention, preferably, the cooling device cools the drive source by having coolant flow in the cooling path, and the harvester has a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the coolant. When the temperature of the coolant exceeds a temperature threshold after a predetermined temperature determination time has elapsed since the reverse rotation of the cooling fan, the control device causes the cooling fan to rotate in reverse.

[0009] A rise in coolant temperature indicates that the dust filter is clogged and insufficient intake of outside air.

[0010] In this structure, if the coolant temperature is above the temperature threshold after a temperature determination time, the cooling fan rotates in reverse. This eliminates clogging of the dust filter, thereby ensuring proper cooling performance of the cooling device.

[0011] In this invention, preferably, after a predetermined drive standby time has elapsed since the threshing device was started, the control device causes the cooling fan to rotate in reverse.

[0012] When threshing begins, dust accumulates around the machine, easily clogging the dust filter. In this design, the cooling fan rotates in reverse after a drive standby time following the start of the threshing operation. This removes dust from the dust filter earlier in the threshing process, thus maintaining higher cooling efficiency in the cooling system.

[0013] In this invention, preferably, the harvester has a timer for measuring the elapsed time of the cooling fan from the point of reverse rotation. When the measured value of the timer exceeds a time threshold, the control device causes the cooling fan to rotate in reverse. Before the measured value of the timer exceeds the time threshold, when the control device causes the cooling fan to rotate in reverse, the measured value of the timer is reset.

[0014] During reverse rotation of the cooling fan, the cooling efficiency of the cooling device tends to deteriorate. According to this structure, if the cooling fan rotates in reverse, the timer is reset, thus preventing continuous reverse rotation of the cooling fan. This prevents a decrease in the cooling efficiency of the cooling device due to excessive reverse rotation of the cooling fan. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a right-side view of the combine harvester.

[0016] Figure 2 This is an overall top view of the combine harvester.

[0017] Figure 3 This is the longitudinal sectional front view of the power unit.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a longitudinal sectional side view of the rotation state switching mechanism.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a longitudinal sectional front view of the rotation state switching mechanism.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a side view of the rotation state switching mechanism in the forward rotation state.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a side view of the rotation state switching mechanism in the reverse state.

[0022] Figure 8 It is a block diagram representing the control mechanism of the control device.

[0023] Figure 9 This is a flowchart representing the control mechanism of the control device.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 4: Threshing device 20: Cooling Fan 21: Dust Control Department 21a: Dustproof netting 70: Temperature sensor 71: Control device 72: Cooling device 74: Timer Detailed Implementation

[0025] In this embodiment, the forward / backward direction of the machine is defined along the machine's direction of travel in the operational state, and the left / right direction is defined based on the view from the machine's direction of travel. That is, Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The direction indicated by reference numeral (F) in the attached diagram is the front side of the aircraft. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The direction indicated by reference numeral (B) in the attached diagram is the rear side of the aircraft. Figure 2 The direction indicated by the reference numeral (L) in the attached diagram is the left side of the aircraft. Figure 2 The direction indicated by the reference numeral (R) in the attached figure is the right side of the aircraft.

[0026] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2As shown, the combine harvester of the present invention has an input section 7 for pulling in rice stalks and a harvesting section 6 for harvesting upright rice stalks at the front of the traveling body, which has a pair of tracked traveling devices 10 on the left and right sides. A driving section 5 is located on the right side of the front of the traveling body. At the rear of the traveling body, a threshing device 4 for threshing the rice stalks harvested by the harvesting section 6 and a grain hopper 9 for storing the threshed grains are arranged in a transverse arrangement. A power unit 2 is located below the driving section 5 of the traveling body. Furthermore, although not described in detail, it is... Figure 2 As shown, the grain container 9 is configured to swing around the longitudinal axis X1. This facilitates maintenance of the internal components of the grain container 9.

[0027] [Rotational state switching mechanism]

[0028] like Figure 3 As shown, the power unit 2 includes: an engine 13 (equivalent to the "drive source" of the present invention); a cooling device 72 for cooling the engine 13; a dustproof section 21 disposed on the lateral outer side of the fuselage relative to the cooling device 72, which uses a dustproof net 21a to prevent dust from passing through and allows the ventilation of outside air; and a cooling fan 20 for generating cooling air for cooling the cooling device 72. The cooling device 72 has a radiator 19, and the engine 13 is cooled by delivering the cooling air from the cooling fan 20 to the radiator 19.

[0029] like Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, a rotation state switching mechanism 26 is provided in the power unit 2. This rotation state switching mechanism 26 can switch between a forward state in which the cooling fan 20 is driven to rotate in the forward direction for cooling in order to remove dust attached to the dust filter 21a, and a reverse state in which the cooling fan 20 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction for dust removal.

[0030] The rotation state switching mechanism 26 includes: a first transmission belt 27, which is a ring-shaped rotating body on the drive side and is rotated by the power of the engine 13; a forward rotation pulley 28 that contacts the inner circumferential surface of the first transmission belt 27; a reverse rotation pulley 29 that contacts the outer circumferential surface of the first transmission belt 27; a second transmission belt 31 that is wound around the forward rotation pulley 28, the reverse rotation pulley 29 and the fan drive pulley 30 respectively; and a switching member 32 that supports the forward rotation pulley 28 and the reverse rotation pulley 29.

[0031] The first drive belt 27 is wound around a free-rotating pulley 34 supported by a rotating shaft 33 supported by the side of the engine 13, an output pulley 35 of the engine 13, and an input pulley 37 of the alternator 36. A tension pulley 38b is supported at the top of a tension arm 38a, which is supported to swing freely around a horizontal axis P1 on the upper part of the alternator 36 housing. Furthermore, a spring (not shown) is provided to apply force to the tension arm 38a toward the first drive belt 27, thus using the spring force to constantly press the tension pulley 38b against the outer surface of the first drive belt 27, applying tension to the first drive belt 27.

[0032] A fan drive pulley 30, wound with a second drive belt 31, is externally supported on a rotating shaft 33 and rotates freely relative to it. The base of a cooling fan 20 is mounted on the boss portion of the fan drive pulley 30. Therefore, the cooling fan 20 rotates integrally with the fan drive pulley 30.

[0033] The switching member 32 is formed into a roughly triangular flat plate shape when viewed from the side. One corner of the switching member 32 is supported by a rotating shaft 33 via a boss, allowing it to rotate freely. Furthermore, the forward rotation pulley 28 and the reverse rotation pulley 29 are supported by support shafts 39 and 40 located at the other two corners of the switching member 32, allowing them to rotate freely. Figure 5 As shown, the forward-rotating pulley 28 and the reverse-rotating pulley 29 are respectively integrally formed with first contact portions 28a and 29a that contact the first transmission belt 27 and second contact portions 28b and 29b that contact the second transmission belt 31.

[0034] like Figure 6 As shown, the output pulley 35 of the engine 13 rotates as the engine 13 operates, and the first transmission belt 27 is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Furthermore, when the switching member 32 is moved towards... Figure 6 When the swinging operation is performed at the forward rotation position A1 shown, it becomes a forward rotation state that drives the cooling fan 20 to rotate in the forward direction for cooling. That is, in Figure 5 In the process, the first contact portion 28a of the forward rotation pulley 28 is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the first transmission belt 27. The power of the first transmission belt 27 is transmitted to the fan drive pulley 30 as forward rotation power via the second contact portion 28b of the forward rotation pulley 28 and the second transmission belt 31. The cooling fan 20 then drives the fan towards the fan drive pulley 30. Figure 6 The clockwise direction shown is driven by forward rotation.

[0035] Thus, when the cooling fan 20 is driven in the forward direction, it becomes a normal ventilation state where outside air flows as cooling wind from the dust filter 21a through the radiator 19 to the engine 13 side by the suction of the cooling fan 20.

[0036] When the switching component 32 is oscillating, Figure 7When the reverse position A2 is shown, it becomes a reverse state in which the cooling fan 20 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction for dust removal. That is, in Figure 5 In the process, the first contact portion 29a of the reversing pulley 29 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the first transmission belt 27. The power of the first transmission belt 27 is transmitted to the fan drive pulley 30 as reversing power via the second contact portion 29b of the reversing pulley 29 and the second transmission belt 31. The cooling fan 20 then drives the fan towards the fan drive pulley 30. Figure 7 The counterclockwise direction shown is reversed.

[0037] In this way, when the cooling fan 20 is driven in reverse, the air flows in the opposite direction to the normal ventilation state through the blowing action of the cooling fan 20, thereby blowing away the debris and other debris attached to the surface of the radiator 19 and the dust filter 21a.

[0038] [Drive device]

[0039] It has a drive device 41 that can move the switching member 32 to change the position of the forward-rotating pulley 28 and the reverse-rotating pulley 29 as a single unit. Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, the drive unit 41 is located separately from the upper side of the switching member 32, and includes: an electric motor 42 as an actuator; a large-diameter driven gear 44 that meshes with and is driven by a small-diameter output gear 43 driven by the electric motor 42; a rotation operation member 45 that rotates integrally with the driven gear 44; and a mounting member 46 that supports them. The drive unit 41 is detachably mounted on a cover covering the upper part of the power unit 2 using the mounting member 46.

[0040] The gear housing portion 42a of the electric motor 42 is bolted to the longitudinal plate portion 48. The rotating shaft 42b of the electric motor 42 passes through the longitudinal plate portion 48 and protrudes to the opposite side, and an output gear 43 is provided on the protruding portion of the rotating shaft 42b. The large-diameter driven gear 44 meshing with the output gear 43 is supported by a left-right fixed shaft 50 and can rotate freely about the transverse axis P2. The fixed shaft 50 is fixed to the side of the longitudinal plate portion 48 of the mounting member 46 opposite to the side where the electric motor is mounted. Furthermore, a rotation operating member 45 that rotates integrally with the driven gear 44 is mounted on the transverse side of the driven gear 44.

[0041] like Figure 6 As shown, a generally fan-shaped winding member 58 is provided, which rotates integrally with the switching member 32, and a cable 59 connects the winding member 58 and the rotation operation member 45. One end of the cable 59 is connected to a pin 45a provided on the rotation operation member 45, and the other end is connected to a pin 58a provided on the winding member 58.

[0042] Although not shown, a cable guide is formed on the winding member 58, which guides the cable 59 in a wound state that meanders in an arc along the outer periphery of the rotation axis 33 as the switching member 32 swings. A pin 45b is provided at a position where the pin 45a for connecting to the cable on the rotation operating member 45 is separated in the circumferential direction. A connecting rod 60 with a stroke-absorbing spring is connected across the pin 45b and the pin 32a provided on the swing end side of the switching member 32.

[0043] When the electric motor 42 is driven, the rotating operating component 45 is moved to the forward rotation position. Figure 4 During clockwise rotation, the switching component 32 rotates clockwise in conjunction with the connecting rod 60. For example... Figure 6 As shown, when the switching member 32 is at the angle corresponding to the forward rotation position A1 and becomes a forward rotation state with appropriate tension for the first transmission belt 27, the pin 45b crosses the dead point and switches to a state in which the tension of the first transmission belt 27 is used to apply a pulling force through the connecting rod 60 in the opposite direction to the previous one, i.e., based on the rotation operation direction of the electric motor 42. The electric motor 42 stops working and remains in this state.

[0044] The electric motor 42 has a built-in worm gear reduction mechanism, which can stop rotation even without the driving force of the electric motor 42, by using the driving reaction force from the output side. Therefore, after the rotation of the electric motor 42 has stopped, even if a rotational force is applied from the driven gear 44 side due to the tension of the first transmission belt 27, the rotation can be stopped.

[0045] Next, when the electric motor 42 drives the rotating operating member 45 to rotate counterclockwise by approximately 180°, the cable 59 is pulled, and the switching member 32 also swings counterclockwise, swinging the switching member 32 to the reverse position A2. Then, as... Figure 7 As shown, when the switching member 32 is at an angle corresponding to the reverse position and becomes a reverse state with appropriate tension for the first drive belt 27, the pin 45a crosses the dead point and switches to a state in which the tension of the first drive belt 27 is applied via the cable 59 to act in the opposite direction to the previous one, i.e., based on the rotational operation direction of the electric motor 42. The electric motor 42 stops working and remains in this state.

[0046] In this situation, when the switching member 32 is swung from the forward position A1 to the reverse position A2, the connecting rod 60 is pulled towards the switching member 32 as the switching member 32 swings. Simultaneously, the pin 45a of the rotating operating member 45 connected to the connecting rod 60 also moves towards the switching member 32. Therefore, the connecting rod 60 does not pose a significant resistance during the swivel operation of the switching member 32 from the forward position A1 to the reverse position A2. In this way, by rotating the electric motor 42 in both directions, it is possible to alternate between the forward and reverse states.

[0047] A potentiometer-type operating position sensor 61 is provided, located below the alternator 36, to detect the swing position of the switching member 32. The operating position sensor 61 is configured to be connected by a linkage 62 and is freely swingable between the swing end of the operating arm 61b of the sensor body 61a and the swing end of the switching member 32, outputting a detection value corresponding to the swing position of the switching member 32.

[0048] A control device 71 is provided to control the operation of the electric motor 42. The control device 71 controls the operation of the electric motor 42 based on the detection information of the operation position sensor 61. As a result, the control device 71 controls the rotation of the cooling fan 20 by controlling the rotation state switching mechanism 26. That is, the control device 71 can switch the rotation of the cooling fan 20 between forward rotation that draws in external air to the cooling device 72 and reverse rotation that exhausts internal air.

[0049] [Cooling device]

[0050] like Figure 3 As shown, the cooling device 72 cools the engine 13 by the flow of coolant within the cooling path. The cooling device 72 is located on the right side of the engine block. The radiator 19 receives cooling air from the cooling fan 20, thereby releasing the heat of the coolant to the outside air. In this embodiment, a water-cooled cooling device 72 using the radiator 19 is provided, but it is not limited to this. For example, an oil-cooled type with lubricating oil circulation could also be used.

[0051] like Figure 8 As shown, a temperature sensor 70 is installed on the cooling device 72 to detect the temperature of the coolant. The temperature of the coolant detected by the temperature sensor 70 is input to the control device 71.

[0052] [Control device]

[0053] Under specified conditions, control device 71 causes cooling fan 20 to rotate in reverse. Hereinafter, it will be used... Figure 8 and Figure 9 The control flow of control device 71 is explained.

[0054] First, the vehicle body has a timer 74 that measures the elapsed time since the cooling fan 20 began to rotate in reverse. The control device 71 performs the following control based on the measured value input from the timer 74.

[0055] like Figure 9 As shown, in step S01, the control device 71 determines whether a time threshold has elapsed since the cooling fan 20 began to reverse its rotation. If the measured value of the timer 74 exceeds the time threshold (step S01: Yes), the control device 71 reverses the rotation of the cooling fan 20 and resets the timer 74 (step S06). The time threshold is a predetermined time; in this embodiment, the time threshold is a few minutes. That is, regardless of whether there is operation of the machine or a change in driving state, the control device 71 reverses the rotation of the cooling fan 20 at least every few minutes, which is the time threshold. When the cooling fan 20 reverses, the control flow ends, and the control device 71 controls the rotation state switching mechanism 26 again according to the same control flow. If the measured value of the timer 74 does not exceed the time threshold (step S01: No), proceed to step S02.

[0056] In step S02, the control device 71 determines whether a temperature determination time has elapsed since the cooling fan 20 began to rotate in reverse. If the measured value of the timer 74 exceeds the temperature determination time (step S02: Yes), the process proceeds to step S03; if the temperature determination time is not exceeded (step S02: No), the process proceeds to step S04. Furthermore, the temperature determination time is several tens of seconds, which is shorter than the time threshold.

[0057] In step S03, the control device 71 obtains the temperature of the coolant from the temperature sensor 70. If the detected coolant temperature exceeds a temperature threshold after a predetermined temperature determination time has elapsed since the cooling fan 20 began to reverse its rotation (step S03: Yes), the control device 71 reverses the rotation of the cooling fan 20 (step S06). If the coolant temperature is below the temperature threshold (step S03: No), the cooling fan 20 does not reverse its rotation, and the process proceeds to step S04. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the temperature determination time is several minutes, and the temperature threshold is 105°C. That is, if the coolant temperature exceeds 105°C after the cooling fan 20 has reversed its rotation for several minutes, the cooling fan 20 reverses its rotation again. Additionally, as... Figure 9 As shown, when the cooling fan 20 rotates in reverse (step S06), it returns to the beginning. Therefore, this action is repeated until the temperature of the coolant drops.

[0058] In step S04, the control device 71 determines whether a drive standby time has elapsed since the threshing device 4 was started. If the drive standby time has elapsed (step S04: Yes), the control device 71 causes the cooling fan 20 to rotate in reverse (step S06). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the drive standby time is a few seconds, which is shorter than a time threshold. That is, when the threshing device 4 is started, the cooling fan 20 rotates in reverse a few seconds later. The timing of the start of drive of the threshing device 4 refers to the moment when the threshing device 4 changes from a stopped state to a driven state. Therefore, in step S04, the timing of the start of drive of the threshing device 4 refers, for example, the moment when a threshing clutch for transmitting power from the engine 13 is connected to the threshing device 4. The yes / no determination in step S04 and the accompanying reverse rotation of the cooling fan 20 (step S06) occur only once after the threshing device 4 is started. In step S04, if the determination is no, proceed to step S05.

[0059] In step S05, the control device 71 determines whether a standby time has elapsed since the threshing device 4 stopped. If the standby time has elapsed (step S05: Yes), the control device 71 reverses the rotation of the cooling fan 20 (step S06). The stopping of the threshing device 4 refers to the transition from the driven state to the stopped state, including, for example, the moment when the threshing clutch is disengaged. In this embodiment, the standby time is a few tens of seconds, which is shorter than a time threshold. The "yes" determination in step S05 and the accompanying reverse rotation of the cooling fan 20 (step S06) occur only once after the threshing device 4 stops.

[0060] As described above, in this embodiment, before the measured value or time threshold of timer 74 is exceeded (step S01: no), there is a case where the cooling fan 20 rotates in reverse (step S03: yes, step S04: yes, step S05: yes), at which time the measured value of timer 74 is reset (step S06).

[0061] According to the above processing procedure, the control device 71 causes the cooling fan 20 to rotate in reverse.

[0062] [Other Implementation Methods]

[0063] (1) After the temperature determination time has elapsed, the control device 71 may also prevent the cooling fan 20 from rotating in reverse.

[0064] (2) After the drive standby time has elapsed, the control device 71 may also prevent the cooling fan 20 from rotating in reverse.

[0065] (3) The timer 74 may not be present. For example, in step S03, when the temperature of the coolant becomes above the temperature threshold, the control device 71 can cause the cooling fan 20 to rotate in reverse.

[0066] (4) The rotation state switching mechanism 26 may not be present. In this embodiment, a structure is shown that uses pulleys or the like to change the rotation direction of the cooling fan 20, but for example, a structure that changes the working oil supply state by using a hydraulic motor and a control valve can also be used to switch the rotation direction. Any structure can be adopted as long as the direction of air supply can be switched.

[0067] (5) The timer 74 can also measure the elapsed time from the start of the engine 13, and measure the timing of the elapsed time measurement in steps S01 to S05, such as the driving of the threshing device 4, the reverse rotation of the cooling fan 20, etc., as a single lap time.

[0068] Furthermore, the structures disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same below) can be combined with structures disclosed in other embodiments as long as they do not create contradictions. Additionally, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are illustrative, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the purpose of the present invention.

[0069] Industrial availability

[0070] In addition to conventional combine harvesters, this invention can also be applied to harvesters such as self-tapping combine harvesters.

Claims

1. A harvester, wherein, have: Driver source; The threshing device is used to thresh the harvested rice stalks. The dustproof section, relative to the cooling device that cools the drive source, is located on the outer side of the machine body. It uses a dustproof net to prevent dust from passing through while allowing the ventilation of outside air. A cooling fan generates cooling air to cool the cooling device. as well as A control device that controls the rotation of the cooling fan; The control device can switch the rotation of the cooling fan between forward rotation, which draws in external air to the cooling device, and reverse rotation, which exhausts internal air. After a predetermined standby time has elapsed since the threshing device was stopped, the control device causes the cooling fan to rotate in reverse.

2. The harvester according to claim 1, wherein, The cooling device cools the drive source by allowing coolant to flow within the cooling path. The harvester has a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the coolant. When the temperature of the coolant exceeds a temperature threshold after a predetermined temperature determination time has elapsed since the cooling fan began to rotate in reverse, the control device causes the cooling fan to rotate in reverse.

3. The harvester according to claim 1, wherein, After a predetermined drive standby time has elapsed since the threshing device was started, the control device causes the cooling fan to rotate in reverse.

4. The harvester according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The harvester has a timer for measuring the elapsed time since the cooling fan began to rotate in reverse. When the timer's measured value exceeds a time threshold, the control device causes the cooling fan to rotate in reverse. The timer's measured value is reset when the control device reverses the rotation of the cooling fan before the measured value of the timer exceeds the time threshold.

Images