Conveying system with debris removal device for harvesting machines

Abstract

This invention relates to a conveying system for a harvesting machine (19), comprising a sprocket (404) having a plurality of sprocket teeth and a pair of adjacent belts having belt teeth (704) that mesh with the sprocket teeth, and the belts rotating about the sprocket to convey crop material. A debris removal device (804) is provided between the adjacent belts, which effectively prevents crop material from entering between the belts and the sprocket teeth. This reduces the risk of system blockage and damage, ensuring smooth and efficient operation of the conveying system in the harvesting machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to the field of harvesting machinery, and more specifically to the operation of belts and / or chains in the feeding chamber. Background Technology

[0002] This section provides background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of this disclosure. It should be understood that the statements in this document in this section should be read in this context and not as an admission of prior art.

[0003] Agricultural harvesting machines, such as combine harvesters, are used to harvest, thresh, and winnow grain crops such as wheat, rye, barley, corn, soybeans, oats, flax, sunflower, and rapeseed. More specifically, combine harvesters are used to cut grain crops at the bottom, separating the grain from the rest of the plant (husk), and picking the grain from the husk. These machines need to be specially tuned to adapt to specific crops, navigate field terrain, and withstand damage from crops, stones, and factors such as moisture and high temperatures, which can cause degradation of the machine's rubber parts.

[0004] Typically, harvesting machines use a header to collect the crop, which includes a crop separator that defines the gaps in the crop collection as the machine moves through the field. The collected crop is pushed into the cutter bar by a reel, which extends along the length of the header and is equipped with teeth made of metal or plastic to cut the crop at its base. Depending on operational needs and the crop being harvested, the header can have a rigid or flexible header platform. Flexible header platforms, or “bent headers,” have cutter bars that can bend over uneven terrain. Machines using bent headers are most often used for cutting soybeans, while conventional header platforms have rigid cutter bars and are most often used for cutting cereal crops. The freshly cut crop falls behind the cutter bar and is then placed on multiple side-by-side draper belts that are wound around parallel, spaced-apart rollers. The draper belts are primarily used to compact the crop and move it from the header toward the threshing drum. The crop is fed into the threshing drum by a auger pusher. Inside the threshing drum, the grain is shaken off the plant. The grain passes through a sieve and falls into a grain collection trough, while plant waste or chaff is moved to the back of the machine for disposal.

[0005] The feeding chamber uses multiple belts and / or chains to input crop material, aiding in feeding the material into the harvester using guide rods. The belts and / or chains run on sprockets having teeth that mesh with the belts and / or chains. However, it should be understood that the harvester can encounter various conditions that may cause the belts and / or chains to skip teeth, etc. This can lead to various problems, including damage to the machine, material loss, etc.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to improve the operation of the feeder's chain and / or belt. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Some embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals denote the same elements. However, it should be understood that the drawings illustrate various embodiments described herein, but are not intended to limit the scope of the various techniques described herein.

[0008] Figure 1 A general cross-sectional view of an agricultural harvesting machine is shown.

[0009] Figure 2 This shows another perspective view of the harvesting machine 19.

[0010] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a synchronizing sprocket within a feeding chamber 300 is shown according to one or more embodiments.

[0011] Figure 4 A front view of a feeding chamber 400 according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0012] Figure 5 A close-up view of a feeding chamber 500 according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0013] Figure 6 Another view 600 of the feeding chamber is shown, in which the conveying device 502 is shown.

[0014] Figure 7 Another view 700 of the feeding chamber is shown.

[0015] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a debris removal device 804 according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0016] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a debris removal device 904 according to one or more embodiments is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The following description of variations is illustrative in nature only and is in no way intended to limit the scope, application, or use of this disclosure. The descriptions and examples presented herein are for illustrating various embodiments of this disclosure only and should not be construed as limiting the scope and applicability of this disclosure. In the summary and detailed description of this disclosure, each numerical value should be understood to be modified once by the term “about” (unless explicitly stated otherwise), and then again to be understood not to be modified otherwise, unless otherwise stated in the context. Furthermore, in the summary and detailed description of this disclosure, it should be understood that ranges of numerical values ​​listed or described as useful, suitable, etc., are intended to represent any and every numerical value within that range, including endpoints, and should be considered as stated. For example, “the range of 1 to 10” should be interpreted as each and every possible numerical value along the continuous interval between about 1 and about 10. Therefore, even if a specific data point within the range is explicitly indicated, or if no data point within the range is explicitly indicated or only a few specific data points are mentioned, it should be understood that the inventor acknowledges and understands that any and all data points within the range should be considered as specified, and that the inventor owns the entire range and all points within that range.

[0018] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, "or" implies inclusion, not exclusivity. For example, any of the following conditions are considered to satisfy either A or B: A is true (or exists) and B is false (or does not exist); A is false (or does not exist) and B is true (or exists); and both A and B are true (or exist).

[0019] Furthermore, the term "a" is used herein to describe the elements and components of the embodiments. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general understanding of the concepts according to this disclosure. This description should be understood to include one or at least one, and the singular form also includes the plural case, unless otherwise stated.

[0020] The terms and wording used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope. For example, the language of “including,” “having,” “containing,” “comprising,” or “involving,” and its variations, is intended to have a broad meaning that covers the subjects listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subjects not mentioned.

[0021] Furthermore, as used herein, "one embodiment" or "a particular embodiment" means that a specific element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in relation to that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The phrase "in one embodiment" appearing in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0022] Feed chambers for harvesting machines are commonly used in agricultural operations to efficiently and effectively transport harvested crops from the field into the machine for further processing. These feed chambers typically include a drive shaft located at the chamber's entrance, which drives conveyor systems that move the crops along the chamber. The conveyor systems are usually in the form of belts or chains wound around the drive shaft, and are equipped with crossbars to facilitate crop movement.

[0023] One or more embodiments of chain and / or belt operation for facilitating the feeding chamber are disclosed herein.

[0024] Figure 1 A harvesting machine 19 according to one or more embodiments is described.

[0025] Harvesting machines typically include a cutter bar, a conveyor system, and a reel.

[0026] Cutting bar: A cutting bar is arranged in the front of the feed chamber, and the cutting bar is equipped with a series of cutting blades or cutting discs. As the harvester moves through the field, these blades cut upright crops, such as grains like wheat or corn, or other plants like soybeans.

[0027] Spiral pusher or conveyor system: Once the crop has been cut, it needs to be transported from the cutter bar to the inside of the harvester. This is typically achieved through a spiral pusher or conveyor system. A spiral pusher is a helical device that uses rotating helical blades to move the harvested material. A conveyor system involves a series of belts, chains, or rollers that move the cut crop toward the center of the machine.

[0028] Reel: Some feed chambers feature a reel located above the cutter bar, also known as a pick-up reel or crop lifter. The reel helps to lift lodged or tangled crop to ensure a uniform cut height. The reel also helps guide the cut crop toward the auger pusher or conveyor system.

[0029] Height control: The feeding chamber typically has a height control mechanism that allows the operator to adjust the height of the cutter bar above the ground. This is crucial for adapting to changing crop conditions and field topography.

[0030] Flexibility and contour-following operation: In modern harvesting machines, the feed chamber can be equipped with features capable of contour-following operations to match the shape of the ground. This ensures consistent contact between the cutter bar and the ground, thereby improving crop harvesting efficiency and minimizing losses.

[0031] Safety features: The feeding chamber is designed with safety features to prevent debris or foreign objects from entering the machine and causing damage. This may include protective screens, guards, and sensors to detect potential blockages.

[0032] Header width: The feed chamber is available in various widths to accommodate different field sizes and crop types. Wide headers are suitable for expansive and open fields, while narrower headers are used in more confined environments.

[0033] Integration: The feed chamber is seamlessly integrated with the control and automation systems of the entire harvester. The feed chamber is typically adjustable and can be easily connected or disassembled to accommodate various harvesting needs.

[0034] Durability: The feed chambers are constructed to withstand the harsh conditions of agricultural operations. These feed chambers are made of robust materials to withstand the stresses of cutting and harvesting crops.

[0035] The feed chamber is a crucial component of harvesting machinery, performing key tasks such as cutting, collecting, and transporting crops to the internal processing mechanisms. The feed chamber combines efficiency, adaptability, safety, and durability to optimize the harvesting process in various agricultural environments.

[0036] The feeding chamber has a conveying system, which typically includes a crossbeam between multiple chains and / or belts that rotate about a drive shaft having toothed sprockets for forward engagement with the belts and / or chains, thereby causing the system to rotate. The crossbeam facilitates the conveying of material around the conveying system. A non-drive shaft may be present, and this non-drive shaft may also include teeth to also forward engage with the belts and / or chains, thereby transmitting power, etc.

[0037] Figure 1 An example of a harvesting machine 19 is shown. Machine 19 includes a reel 1, a cutter bar 4, a threshing drum 2, and a grain elevator 3. The function of the reel 1 is to move the crop into the cutter bar 4, which cuts the crop at the bottom using metal or plastic teeth. The cut crop falls onto multiple side-by-side canvas strips that compact the crop and move it toward the threshing drum 2. The threshing drum 2 strikes and breaks the crop so that grain 5 is shaken off from the rest of the plant (also called husk 6). The grain 5 is collected in a grain collection trough, and the machine discards the husk 6 at the rear of machine 19, and the grain 5 is removed from the grain trough at the grain elevator 3.

[0038] Figure 1 The disassembled portion 110 shows a part of a harvesting machine having a reel 9, a feed roller 10, a cutter bar 11, a crop ramp 11a, and a canvas belt 8 with stop strips 7 on a support layer 14. The support layer 14 can be selected from a variety of rubber polymers having a combination of desired physical properties and chemical resistance.

[0039] At the position of the front roller 10, sprockets are used on each belt to keep the belt or chain synchronized.

[0040] Figure 2 This shows another perspective view of the harvesting machine 19.

[0041] The view also shows the feeding chamber / room 200 at the front of the machine.

[0042] Figure 3 A diagram is shown of a synchronizing sprocket within a feed chamber 300 according to one or more embodiments. It should be understood that the feed chamber 300 is provided for illustrative purposes and may be modified as appropriate.

[0043] In this example, the feed chamber 300 is shown to have two pairs of belts, which are wound around a sprocket on one side of the feed chamber 300.

[0044] The front of the feeding chamber 300 (left side in the figure) receives material, and the outlet of the feeding chamber supplies the received material to another component, such as a canvas belt.

[0045] Figure 4 This is a front view of a feeding chamber 400 according to one or more embodiments.

[0046] The sprocket 404 is shown with a rod 402 attached between the belts. Three belts are visible in this embodiment.

[0047] Figure 5 A close-up view of a feeding chamber 500 according to one or more embodiments is shown. It should be understood that appropriate modifications can be made.

[0048] Here, sprocket 506 is shown engaging with feeding conveyor 502. The conveyor may include belts, chains, elastomer belts, etc.

[0049] The crossbar or knife bar 404 is also shown.

[0050] Figure 6 Another view 600 of the feeding chamber is shown, in which the conveying device 502 is shown.

[0051] Figure 7 This is another view of the feeding room, 700°.

[0052] The outer side of sprocket 506 is shown, which has a cap for protecting the shaft.

[0053] In this example, the conveyor 502 is a belt with internal teeth 704 that mesh with the teeth of the sprocket 506.

[0054] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a debris removal device 804 according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0055] The debris removal device 802 is shown in a plow shape; however, it should be understood that other suitable shapes may also be considered.

[0056] The clearing device 804 is configured to remove material from the inner surface or teeth of the conveying device 502 so that the material does not clog or come into contact with the sprocket 506.

[0057] The cleaning device 804 can be attached to other parts of the harvester 19. In one example, the device 804 is attached to the structure of the feeding chamber 200.

[0058] The cleaning device 804 is located between two adjacent belts 502 and runs on a common sprocket 506.

[0059] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a debris removal device 904 according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0060] Device 904 is similar to device 804. However, device 904 includes an additional cleaning surface located near the conveying device 502.

[0061] The above description of embodiments has been provided for illustrative and descriptive purposes. Examples of embodiments have been provided so that this disclosure will convey the scope of the invention thoroughly and completely to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details, such as examples of specific components, apparatus, and methods, have been set forth to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of this disclosure, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. It should be understood that within the scope of this disclosure, individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but are interchangeable and can be used in selected embodiments as long as applicable, even if not specifically shown or described. Similarly, variations are possible. Such variations should not be considered as departing from this disclosure, and all such modifications should be included within the scope of this disclosure.

[0062] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a conveying system for a harvesting machine, the system comprising: a sprocket having a plurality of sprocket teeth; a pair of adjacent belts that mesh with the sprocket teeth and that rotate about the sprocket to convey crop material; and a debris removal device located between the adjacent belts to reduce crop material entering between the belts and the sprocket teeth.

[0063] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a system in which the debris removal device is fixed.

[0064] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a system in which a debris removal device is adjustable around a feeding chamber.

[0065] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a system in which the debris removal device comprises metal.

[0066] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a system in which a debris removal device has a plow-shaped section.

[0067] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a system in which the debris removal device further includes a removal device.

[0068] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a system in which a clearing device is configured to remove debris from the inner surface of an adjacent strip, and a plow-shaped section is configured to convey the removed debris from the harvester.

[0069] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a system in which a sprocket and a cleaning device are included in a feeding chamber.

[0070] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a system that also includes a second sprocket, a second adjacent belt, and a second debris removal device.

[0071] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a system in which a sprocket is included in a canvas belt system.

[0072] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a harvesting machine comprising: a feeding chamber having a plurality of feeding conveyors at a first end for feeding crop material into the harvesting machine and for conveying the crop material; a collection trough; a canvas belt for conveying the crop material from the feeder to the collection trough; and a debris removal device for removing debris from the inner surface of the feeding conveyors.

[0073] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a harvesting machine that also includes a sprocket near a debris removal device.

[0074] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a harvesting machine in which the conveying device comprises adjacent belts.

[0075] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a harvesting machine in which the conveying device comprises adjacent chains.

[0076] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a harvesting machine that also includes one or more additional debris removal devices.

[0077] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a feeding chamber for a harvesting machine, the feeding chamber comprising: a drive shaft located at the entrance of the feeding chamber and having a plurality of drive sprockets; a plurality of conveying devices wound around the drive shaft; a plurality of crossbars attached between a plurality of belts; and the plurality of drive sprockets having a plurality of teeth for engaging with the plurality of conveying devices and synchronizing the conveying devices.

[0078] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a feeding chamber in which a drive shaft transmits power to multiple conveying devices via a drive sprocket.

[0079] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a feeding chamber in which multiple conveying devices include an elastomer belt.

[0080] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a feeding chamber in which multiple conveying devices include chains.

[0081] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a feeding chamber that also includes a second shaft located at the outlet of the feeding chamber.

[0082] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a feeding chamber in which a second shaft has a plurality of second sprockets for engaging with a plurality of conveying devices.

[0083] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a feeding chamber in which the drive shaft has a hexagonal cross-section.

[0084] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a feeding chamber in which the drive shaft has a circular cross-section.

[0085] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a feeding chamber in which crossbars are respectively attached to at least two of the conveying devices.

[0086] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a feed chamber in which the shaft also includes a shield to reduce material entanglement around the shaft.

[0087] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a feeding chamber in which the crossbar has teeth to facilitate the conveying of material.

[0088] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a feeding chamber in which the teeth include cylindrical portions for engaging with a conveying device.

[0089] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a harvesting machine comprising: a feeding chamber having a plurality of feeding conveyors at a first end for feeding crop material into the harvesting machine and for conveying the crop material; a collection trough; a canvas belt for conveying the crop material from the feeder to the collection trough; and a plurality of sprockets for engaging with and synchronizing the feeding conveyors.

[0090] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a harvesting machine that also includes multiple second sprockets to engage with and synchronize the canvas belt.

[0091] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a harvesting machine in which the feeding conveyor includes multiple belts.

[0092] Although some embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A conveying system for a harvesting machine (19), the system comprising: The sprocket (404) has multiple sprocket teeth; A pair of adjacent belts (704) that mesh with sprocket teeth and rotate around the sprocket to transport crop material; and A debris removal device (804) is located between adjacent belts to reduce the entry of crop material between the belt and the sprocket teeth.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The debris removal device is fixed.

3. The system according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The debris removal device can be adjusted around the feeding chamber.

4. The system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The debris removal device includes metal.

5. The system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The debris removal device has a plow-shaped section.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein, The debris removal device also includes a removal device.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein, The cleaning device is configured to remove debris from the inner surface of adjacent belts, and the plow-shaped section is configured to convey the removed debris from the harvester.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The sprocket and cleaning device are included in the feeding chamber.

9. The system according to any one of claims 1-8, further comprising a second sprocket, a second adjacent belt, and a second debris removal device.

10. The system according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The sprocket is included in the canvas belt system.

11. A harvesting machine, comprising: The feeding chamber has multiple feeding conveying devices at its first end, which are used to feed crop material into the harvester and to convey the crop material. Collection trough; Canvas belts, used to transport crop material from the feeder to the collection trough; and A debris removal device is used to remove debris from the inner surface of the feeding conveyor.

12. The harvesting machine according to claim 11, further comprising a sprocket near the debris removal device.

13. The harvesting machine according to any one of claims 11-12, wherein, The conveyor system includes adjacent belts.

14. The harvesting machine according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein, The conveying device consists of adjacent chains.

15. The harvesting machine according to any one of claims 11-14, further comprising one or more additional debris removal devices.

Images