Vegetable harvester

Abstract

A vegetable harvester is provided with a rotating portion that rotates in order to switch the position of a storage container for storing a harvested object conveyed, and a structure for intermittently rotating the rotating portion can be realized at low cost and with a simple structure. The vegetable harvester for harvesting vegetables from soil is provided with a conveying portion that conveys the harvested vegetables, and a storage portion for storing the vegetables conveyed by the conveying portion in a harvesting bag (32). The storage portion has a turret (300) provided so as to be rotatable about a prescribed rotation axis (T1) and configured to support a plurality of harvesting bags (32), and a rotation locking device (400) that locks the rotation of the turret (300) at prescribed intervals in the rotation direction of the turret (300) by engaging with a recess (360) of the turret (300).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vegetable harvester for harvesting bulbous vegetables such as garlic, onions, and lily roots, as well as root vegetables such as carrots. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, harvesters for harvesting vegetables or bulbs such as garlic and root vegetables such as carrots had the following structure: the harvested material (the object to be harvested) pulled or dug from the soil was transported to the rear of the machine and the harvested material was collected in a storage bag placed in the storage section (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] As for the structure of the receiving section, Patent Document 1 describes a structure in which multiple supports for holding the storage bags are arranged along the circumference of a rotating plate (turntable) that can be rotated intermittently. One support is positioned at a location corresponding to the lower opening of a hopper into which bulbs, which are to be harvested, are fed, and is a predetermined feeding position for receiving the harvested material. With this structure, the rotating plate rotates to sequentially switch the storage bags in the feeding positions.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-157508 Summary of the Invention

[0007] In the containment section, in order to deal with the harvested materials that are transported from the front of the machine at a constant speed, the storage bags that receive the harvested materials are switched sequentially at constant intervals by the intermittent rotation of the rotating plate.

[0008] Regarding the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, a motor is used as the drive source, and the rotating plate is rotated intermittently using a control unit and based on the detection signal from a sensor used to detect the filling of the storage bag. According to this structure, the structure for intermittently rotating the rotating plate becomes complex and expensive.

[0009] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a vegetable harvester configured such that a receiving part for receiving the harvested object into a receiving container has a rotating part that rotates to switch the position of the receiving container, and the structure for intermittently rotating the rotating part can be realized with an inexpensive and simple structure.

[0010] The vegetable harvester of the present invention is used to harvest vegetables from soil and includes: a conveying section for conveying harvested vegetables; and a receiving section for receiving the vegetables conveyed by the conveying section into a storage container, the receiving section having: a rotating section configured to rotate about a predetermined rotation axis and to support a plurality of storage containers; and a rotation locking section that locks the rotation of the rotating section at predetermined intervals in the rotational direction of the rotating section by engaging with a locking section of the rotating section.

[0011] In other embodiments of the present invention, the vegetable harvester is based on the vegetable harvester, wherein the rotating locking part has a locking part that engages with the locking part, the locking part is provided at multiple locations at the predetermined intervals in the rotation direction, the locking part is either the roller part or the recess that causes the roller part to engage, and the locking part is either the roller part or the recess.

[0012] In other embodiments of the present invention, the vegetable harvester is based on the vegetable harvester, wherein the rotating locking part has a force-applying component for pressing the locking part against the locked part.

[0013] In other embodiments of the present invention, the vegetable harvester is based on the vegetable harvester, wherein the rotating locking part has a force adjustment part for adjusting the force applied by the force-applying component.

[0014] In other embodiments of the present invention, the vegetable harvester is based on the vegetable harvester in which the rotating part has a disc-shaped top plate portion having a plurality of intakes for vegetables fed into the storage container to pass through, and the intakes having a trapezoidal opening shape with the rotating shaft side as the upper bottom side and the outer periphery side of the top plate portion as the lower bottom side.

[0015] Invention Effects

[0016] According to the present invention, a structure in which a receiving part for receiving a transported harvested object into a receiving container has a rotating part that rotates to switch the position of the receiving container can be implemented in a cheap and simple way to make the rotating part rotate intermittently. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the vegetable harvester from the right front according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a left rear perspective view of a vegetable harvester according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3This is a top view of a vegetable harvester according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a left view of a vegetable harvester according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a right view of a vegetable harvester according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a left sectional view of a vegetable harvester according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the power transmission structure of a vegetable harvester according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a left view showing a conveying and cutting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 10 This is a left front perspective view showing the rear part of the conveying and cutting unit assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 11 This is a left rear perspective view showing the structure of the receiving portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 12 This is a left view showing the structure of the receiving part according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 13 This is a top view showing the structure of the receiving part according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 14 This is a top sectional view showing the structure of a turntable according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 15 This is a bottom view showing the structure of a turntable according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 16 This is a perspective view showing the locking structure of a harvesting bag on a turntable according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 17 This is a side sectional view showing the locking structure of a harvesting bag on a turntable according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 18This is a partially cut-away sectional view of the rear side of the structure of a turntable locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 19 This is a lower perspective view showing the structure of a turntable locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 20 This is an operational illustration of a turntable locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 21 This is an explanatory diagram of an example of the operation of a turntable according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0039] 1… Vegetable harvester, 2… Garlic (vegetable), 2a… Scale and stem part (vegetable body part), 7… Horizontal conveyor (conveying part), 8… Receiving part, 17… Longitudinal conveyor (conveying part), 32… Harvesting bag (storage container), 300… Turntable (rotating part), 303… Top plate part, 345… Inlet, 360… Recess, 400… Turntable locking device (rotation locking part), 401… Roller part, 402… Roller component, 420… Force adjustment part, 421… Force application spring (force application component), T1… Rotating shaft. Detailed Implementation

[0040] In the embodiments of the present invention described below, a garlic harvester, which harvests garlic as a bulbous vegetable, will be used as an example of the vegetable harvester according to the present invention. However, the vegetable harvester according to the present invention can be widely used as a vegetable harvester for harvesting other bulbous vegetables such as onions, root vegetables such as carrots, etc.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the vegetable harvester 1 involved in this embodiment is a garlic harvester: used for harvesting garlic 2 from the soil (see reference). Figure 6 The garlic 2 planted in the field is harvested by pulling it out of the soil. The garlic 2 is planted in continuous ridges along a straight line in the field. Furthermore, in the following description, the left side ( ) is positioned facing forward of the vegetable harvester 1. Figure 3 (lower side) and right side ( Figure 3 The upper side of the middle) is set as the left and right sides of the vegetable harvester 1.

[0042] The vegetable harvester 1 clamps and pulls the stems and leaves 2b extending from the bulb 2a in the soil onto the ground while the garlic 2 is planted in the soil. Maintaining the clamped stems and leaves 2b, the garlic 2 is transported upwards and backwards. During this transport, the stems and leaves 2b, along with the roots 2c (which are root hairs extending from the base of the bulb 2a), are cut off from the bulb 2a, thus harvesting the remaining bulb 2a. The cut stems and leaves 2b are discharged from the vegetable harvester 1 at a predetermined location.

[0043] The vegetable harvester 1 is a self-propelled harvester that continuously pulls, conveys, and harvests multiple rows of garlic 2 while traveling along the planting route of the garlic 2. The vegetable harvester 1 of this embodiment has a structure for simultaneously pulling, conveying, and harvesting six rows of garlic 2. The vegetable harvester 1 designates the bulb portion 2a of the garlic 2 as the harvested part, which corresponds to the main body of the vegetable.

[0044] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the vegetable harvester 1 includes: a traveling body 3, which has tracked traveling devices 4 as a pair of left and right traveling devices; a driving unit 5, which is used by the driver (operator) of the vegetable harvester 1 to perform various operations such as driving and harvesting; and a harvesting unit 6, which harvests garlic 2. The driving unit 5 and the harvesting unit 6 are provided on the traveling body 3.

[0045] In addition, the vegetable harvester 1 includes: a transverse conveyor 7 as a first conveyor and a longitudinal conveyor 17 as a second conveyor, which transport garlic 2 harvested by the harvesting section 6; a receiving section 8 for receiving the garlic 2 transported by the longitudinal conveyor 17 into a designated receiving container; and a leaf discharge conveyor 9 for discharging the stems and leaves 2b cut off from the bulb 2a into the field. Furthermore, Figure 6 yes Figure 3 Side sectional view at position AA.

[0046] The traveling body 3 has a frame 15 formed by multiple frame components in a three-dimensional manner, and tracked traveling devices 4 are arranged on the left and right sides of the frame 15. The frame 15 includes a chassis, which is the frame part constituting the frame 15, and is formed horizontally by frame components such as tubular components and plate components arranged in the front-back or left-right directions. A driving unit 5, a harvesting unit 6, a transverse conveyor 7, a longitudinal conveyor 17, a receiving unit 8, and a leaf discharge conveyor 9 are arranged relative to the frame 15.

[0047] The tracked traveling device 4 forms a tracked section within the traveling body 3 for moving the machine body. The tracked traveling device 4 includes: a drive wheel 4a located below the rear of the body frame 15; a driven wheel 4b located at the front end of the tracked traveling device 4; multiple rolling wheels 4c; and a track 4d wound around the aforementioned wheels. The left and right tracked traveling devices 4 are driven by power transmitted from the engine 10 of the vegetable harvester 1.

[0048] Engine 10 is mounted on the left side of the middle part of the traveling body 3 in the longitudinal direction (see reference). Figure 3 A gearbox 11 is provided between the rear ends of the left and right tracked traveling devices 4 (see reference). Figure 6 The transmission 11 is positioned above the chassis and is linked to the engine 10 to appropriately change the power from the engine 10 and transmit it to the left and right tracked travel devices 4.

[0049] The driving unit 5 is the part used for driving / operating the vegetable harvester 1, and is located on the right side of the middle part of the traveling body 3 in the longitudinal direction. The driving unit 5 is mounted on the extended frame part 19, which extends to the right side from the chassis of the body frame 15. The extended frame part 19 is a rectangular frame composed of multiple frame members extending in the longitudinal and lateral directions.

[0050] The driver's unit 5 includes: a driver's seat 12 for the operator of the vegetable harvester 1; and a front operating unit 13 and a side operating unit 16, which are respectively located in front of and to the left of the driver's seat 12 and operated by the operator seated in the driver's seat 12. The front operating unit 13 and the side operating unit 16 are equipped with various operating components such as levers and switches for controlling the movement of the traveling body 3 and the operation of the harvesting unit 6. The driver's seat 12 is mounted on a driver's seat support 18 mounted on the machine frame 15. A horizontal floor section 14 is provided below and in front of the driver's seat 12.

[0051] The harvesting section 6 includes a tiller 21, a lifting device 22, a digging device 23, a pulling and conveying device 24, a shoulder alignment device 25, a stem and leaf cutting device 26, a root cutting device 27, and a leaf removal device 28. The above devices are configured to be supported on the prescribed working frame 30 of the vegetable harvester 1 and driven by power transmitted from the engine 10.

[0052] The harvesting section 6 has multiple conveying and cutting units 40 (see reference) configured as unit structures including a pulling and conveying device 24, a shoulder alignment device 25, a stem and leaf cutting device 26, a root cutting device 27, and a leaf removal device 28. Figure 9The harvesting section 6 has six conveying and cutting units 40 arranged laterally in accordance with the structure for six rows. The six conveying and cutting units 40 are positioned in the front-to-back direction.

[0053] The conveying and cutting unit 40 is an example of a harvester conveying section for conveying garlic 2. As multiple harvester conveying sections arranged side-by-side with respect to the traveling body 3 in the left-right direction, the vegetable harvester 1 has six conveying and cutting units 40. The six conveying and cutting units 40 are configured to utilize the shaft support 20 (see reference 20) located below the leaf discharge device 28. Figure 6 , Figure 9 The front side rotates relative to the traveling body 3 by taking the lifting axis O1, which is the lifting axis with the left and right directions as the center.

[0054] The six conveying and cutting units 40 are configured to move up and down around the lifting rotation axis O1 via the working unit frame 30. That is, the six conveying and cutting units 40 are supported by the working unit frame 30, which is connected by two lifting cylinders 29 located on the left and right sides (see reference). Figure 6 The extension and retraction movement of the cylinders causes them to rotate relative to the body frame 15. Two lifting cylinders 29 are arranged between the front of the left and right track travel devices 4 and are mounted between a predetermined frame portion constituting the body frame 15 and a predetermined frame portion constituting the work unit frame 30.

[0055] The transverse conveyor 7 is an example of a conveying device for transporting the bulb portion 2a harvested by the harvesting section 6. The transverse conveyor 7 is configured to transport in the left-right direction of the machine body, receiving the garlic 2 transported by the pulling conveyor 24 and conveying it towards the right side of the machine body. The transverse conveyor 7 also receives the bulb portion 2a cut by the stem and leaf cutting device 26 from the stem and leaf portion 2b and conveys the bulb portion 2a to the right.

[0056] The transverse conveyor 7 is located below the rear of the conveying and cutting unit 40 group. The transverse conveyor 7 extends in the left-right direction over the entire or approximately entire area of ​​the six conveying and cutting units 40. The transverse conveyor 7 has a conveying surface that, when viewed from the side, is inclined, with a lower rear and a higher front (see reference). Figure 6 ).

[0057] The transverse conveyor 7 is a belt conveyor and includes: a drive roller 57 located at the right end of the conveying section; a driven roller 58 located at the left beginning of the conveying section; and a belt 59 wound around the rollers (see reference). Figure 7 The drive roller 57 and the driven roller 58 are configured such that the direction of the rotation axis is along the front-to-back direction when viewed from above, and the conveying surface of the transverse conveyor 7 is inclined with the back lower than the front.

[0058] The transverse conveyor 7 is driven by motor 50 (see reference). Figure 7 That is, the output shaft of motor 50 is connected to the rotation shaft of drive roller 57, and the driving force of motor 50 drives drive roller 57 to rotate, thereby driving transverse conveyor 7. Motor 50 is located on the rear side of drive roller 57 (see reference). Figure 5 ).

[0059] The longitudinal conveyor 17 is an example of a second conveying device that receives and conveys the bulb portion 2a conveyed by the transverse conveyor 7. The longitudinal conveyor 17 is set to convey in the direction of the rear side of the machine body when viewed from above. The longitudinal conveyor 17 receives the bulb portion 2a conveyed by the transverse conveyor 7 and conveys it in a rearward and upward (rearward and obliquely upward) direction.

[0060] The longitudinal conveyor 17 is located on the right side of the conveying and cutting unit 40 group in the left-right direction of the machine body. The longitudinal conveyor 17 is arranged in a forward-backward direction such that the beginning of the conveying is located below the end of the conveying of the transverse conveyor 7 and the end of the conveying is located at the rear end of the traveling machine body 3, thus extending in an inclined manner with the rear higher than the front.

[0061] The longitudinal conveyor 17 forms a horizontal conveying path at the beginning of the conveying process, located below the end of the transverse conveyor 7, and forms a conveying path that extends obliquely upwards from the rear side of the horizontal conveying path portion. That is, the longitudinal conveyor 17 has: a horizontal conveying section that forms a horizontal conveying surface; and an inclined conveying section that constitutes a large portion of the longitudinal conveyor 17 and forms an inclined conveying surface that is higher at the rear and lower at the front. When viewed from the side, the conveying section forms a zigzag conveying surface shape (see reference). Figure 5 The conveying direction of the inclined conveying section of the longitudinal conveyor 17 is inclined at an angle of approximately 45° relative to the horizontal direction.

[0062] The longitudinal conveyor 17 is a rod-type conveyor having a plurality of rods 41 extending in the left-right direction. Each rod 41 includes a protruding rod having a plurality of protrusions 42 at predetermined intervals. The protrusions 42, when viewed from the side, are elongated, approximately triangular, and protrude approximately vertically relative to the conveying surface of the longitudinal conveyor 17. The two ends of each rod 41 are fixed to annular chains 44 disposed within chain boxes 43 located on the left and right sides of the longitudinal conveyor 17. The rods 41 are positioned between the left and right chains 44. Guide side plates 75 are provided on the left and right sides of the longitudinal conveyor 17, extending upwards from the chain boxes 43 and forming sidewalls relative to the conveying surface. The guide side plates 75 are composed of plate-like components mounted on the chain boxes 43, etc., and are provided throughout approximately the entire conveying range of the longitudinal conveyor 17.

[0063] The longitudinal conveyor 17 includes: a conveyor input shaft 45 disposed at the rear upper end of the conveyor and axially oriented in the left-right direction; and a conveyor driven shaft 46 disposed at the front lower end of the conveyor and axially oriented in the left-right direction (see reference). Figure 5 , Figure 7 The conveyor input shaft 45 receives rotational power from the engine 10 and is driven to rotate. An input pulley 47 for receiving the rotational power from the engine 10 is fixedly installed at the left end of the conveyor input shaft 45. The rotational power of the conveyor input shaft 45 is transmitted to the conveyor driven shaft 46 via left and right chains 44 that support multiple rods 41. Sprockets 48 and 49 (see reference) are fixedly installed on each shaft of the conveyor input shaft 45 and the conveyor driven shaft 46 to receive the left and right chains 44. Figure 7 ).

[0064] Regarding the longitudinal conveyor 17 with this structure, the rod 41 moves with the rotation of the left and right chains 44, thereby conveying the bulb portion 2a backward and upward while locking it with the multiple protrusions 42 of the protruding rod.

[0065] A receiving section 8 is provided at the rear of the longitudinal conveyor 17. The receiving section 8 is structured such that the bulb portion 2a falls from the conveying end of the longitudinal conveyor 17, and is used to receive the bulb portion 2a conveyed by the longitudinal conveyor 17 into a harvesting bag 32, such as a harvesting net, which serves as a storage container. The receiving section 8 has a guide 33 that serves as a guide for receiving the bulb portion 2a flowing downward from the end of the longitudinal conveyor 17 and guiding it towards the harvesting bag 32.

[0066] A guide 33 is formed on the rear side of the conveying end of the longitudinal conveyor 17 to allow the bulb portion 2a to pass through, and is composed of multiple plate-like portions in a surrounding shape. The guide 33 has an inlet having an opening width in the left-right direction that includes the entire conveying width of the longitudinal conveyor 17; and an outlet that allows the bulb portion 2a inserted from the inlet to fall off. The guide 33 opens downwards towards the outlet.

[0067] The harvest bags 32 are placed with their upper sides open, facing the outlet of the guide 33, using a bag holding device 34 located below the guide 33. The bag holding device 34 is configured to hold multiple (e.g., five) harvest bags 32. Furthermore, in Figures 1 to 6 The diagram shows the state in which one harvest bag 32 is held, with regard to the bag holding device 34.

[0068] Regarding the receiving section 8 of this structure, the bulb portion 2a, which is conveyed rearward and upward by the longitudinal conveyor 17 and falls rearward from the conveying end of the longitudinal conveyor 17, is fed into the guide 33 through the inlet and then stored in the harvesting bag 32. Alternatively, a container can be placed instead of the harvesting bag 32 as a storage container, and the bulb portion 2a falling from the guide 33 can be stored inside the container.

[0069] An auxiliary seat 64 is provided on the left side of the housing section 8 for an assistant operator to sit in during harvesting operations, together with the operator who sits in the driver's seat 12 and operates the machine. The auxiliary seat 64 is located behind the engine 10 and is positioned to face the right side of the housing section 8 while being supported by a predetermined frame portion that constitutes the machine frame 15.

[0070] A horizontal foot pedal 68 is provided on the lower right side of the auxiliary seat 64. The foot pedal 68 extends rearward from the chassis of the machine frame 15. The auxiliary operator sitting in the auxiliary seat 64 can perform tasks such as switching the bag holding device 34 to receive the harvesting bag 32 inserted into the bulb 2a via the guide 33.

[0071] The leaf-extruding conveyor 9 is an example of a leaf-extruding conveyor that transports the stems and leaves 2b cut off from the garlic 2 by the stem and leaf cutting device 26 and discharges them into the field. The leaf-extruding conveyor 9 is located behind the harvesting section 6 and diagonally above and behind the transverse conveyor 7. The leaf-extruding conveyor 9 is located below and behind the rear end of the conveying and cutting unit 40 group.

[0072] The leaf conveyor 9 is configured with the conveying direction being the left-right direction of the machine body. It receives the stem and leaf portions 2b that have been cut off from the bulb portion 2a by the stem and leaf cutting device 26 of each conveying and cutting unit 40 and discharged by the leaf discharge device 28, and conveys them to the right side, and discharges the stem and leaf portions 2b to the right side of the machine body. In addition, regarding the vegetable harvester 1, the right side of the machine body is the harvested and dug side in the garlic 2 harvesting operation.

[0073] The leaf discharge conveyor 9 extends horizontally in a manner that covers the entire area of ​​the six conveying and cutting units 40. The leaf discharge conveyor 9 has a conveying surface that, when viewed from the side, is inclined at the front and upward at the back, following the slope of the conveying and cutting units 40 (see reference). Figure 6 ).

[0074] The leaf conveyor 9 is a belt conveyor, comprising: a drive roller 36 disposed at the right end of the conveying section; a driven roller 37 disposed at the left beginning of the conveying section; and a belt 38 wound around the rollers (see reference). Figure 7The drive roller 36 and the driven roller 37 are configured such that the direction of the rotation axis is along the front-to-back direction when viewed from above, and forms an inclined direction with the front lower and the back higher along the conveying surface of the leaf conveyor 9. The drive roller 36 is driven to rotate by the conveyor drive shaft 39 located on its front side.

[0075] The end portion of the vane discharge conveyor 9 is located above the front portion of the inclined conveying section of the longitudinal conveyor 17. A vane discharge guide 67 is provided on the end portion side of the vane discharge conveyor 9 in a manner continuous with the conveying surface of the vane discharge conveyor 9. The vane discharge guide 67 has a guide surface that slopes downwards from left to right; and sidewall portions provided on both the front and rear sides of the guide surface (both sides in the longitudinal direction of the machine body), such that the end portion is located further to the right than the longitudinal conveyor 17 in the left-right direction.

[0076] The leaf guide 67 receives the stem and leaf portion 2b conveyed by the leaf guide 9 above the lower part of the longitudinal conveyor 17, and guides the stem and leaf portion 2b to a position further to the right of the longitudinal conveyor 17 and causes it to fall. Most of the stem and leaf portion 2b guided by the leaf guide 67 falls into the field from inside the frame of the protruding frame portion 19.

[0077] The following describes the various devices that make up the harvesting section 6.

[0078] The dividing body 21 is configured to protrude forward from near the front end of the conveying and cutting unit 40. The dividing body 21 is a so-called dividing device that divides the stems and leaves 2b of garlic 2 into rows while passing between them. Seven dividing bodies 21 are arranged to be inserted into each of the six consecutive rows in the left-right direction (see reference). Figure 3 That is, seven division bodies 21 are provided relative to the six conveying and cutting units 40 in a manner that they are located on the left and right sides of each conveying and cutting unit 40 in the left-right direction of the machine body. Each division body 21 is configured to be supported by a division body support 52, which is provided at the end of the pulling conveying device 24 of the conveying and cutting unit 40.

[0079] A gauge ring 69 is provided inside the tiller 21. The tiller 21 has a pointed end shape for obtaining tillering action, and is configured as a cover with a space that opens to the lower side, in which the gauge ring 69 is housed (see reference). Figure 6 The gauge ring 69 is located inside the dividing body 21 and is supported by a left-right rotation axis, allowing it to rotate freely.

[0080] As described above, the conveying and cutting unit 40 assembly, which is rotatable about the lifting and lowering axis O1, is supported by a gauge ring 69 on the field surface G1, which is the ground of the field. The gauge ring 69 is a grounding ring that determines the ground height (height of the conveying inlet) of the front end of the conveying and cutting unit 40 assembly. That is, the gauge ring 69 is a grounding ring for adjusting the vertical position as follows: it is configured to be height-adjustable relative to the conveying and cutting unit 40, and is used to set the clamping position (clamping height) of the pulling conveyor 24 for the stem and leaf portion 2b to an appropriate height. The gauge ring 69 is supported by the tiller support 52 on the pulling conveyor 24 in a manner that allows for vertical adjustment of the tiller 21.

[0081] The gauge ring 69 moves along the field surface G1, thereby maintaining the ground height of the conveying and cutting unit 40 group as it rotates up and down around the lifting rotation axis O1. That is, the conveying and cutting unit 40 group is configured to be floatingly supported on the field surface G1.

[0082] The lifting device 22 is a stem and leaf lifting device located at the front of the traveling body 3, which lifts the stems and leaves 2b of the garlic 2. The lifting device 22 is located at the rear of each tiller 21. Therefore, with respect to the harvesting section 6, the seven lifting devices 22 are arranged in a transverse manner. The lifting device 22 is a device that lifts (raks together) the stems and leaves 2b of the garlic 2 from the front of the machine body and transfers them to the pulling conveyor 24, thereby assisting the pulling conveyor 24 in pulling the garlic 2.

[0083] The lifting device 22 has a long, narrow frame 81 and a raised belt 83. The frame 81 has a slender, thick plate-like shape, with the plate surface facing forward and backward, and tilted in a backward-sloping, forward-sloping direction when viewed from the side. The raised belt 83 is wound around the two ends of the frame 81 along its length onto pulleys 84a and 84b (see reference 84a and 84b) whose rotation axis is set in a direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the frame 81. Figure 7 The protruding band 83 causes a plurality of protrusions, which are provided at predetermined intervals in the extending direction, to protrude outward from the periphery of the frame 81.

[0084] Five of the seven lifting devices 22, excluding the lifting devices 22 at the left and right ends, are provided with star-shaped wheels 86 at their lower ends as auxiliary rotating components to assist the lifting devices 22 in raking the stem and leaf portion 2b. The star-shaped wheels 86 are rotating bodies that cause multiple protrusions to protrude radially. They are located on the rear side of the lower end of the frame 81 and are configured to rotate parallel to the direction of the rotation axis relative to the pulleys 84a, etc.

[0085] The digging device 23 is located below the pull-out conveyor 24 of the conveying and cutting unit 40. The digging device 23 is a so-called deep loosening shovel, and is designed to easily pull the garlic 2 using the pull-out conveyor 24, by entering the underside of the garlic 2 to break up the soil. The digging device 23 has a soil-breaking blade 55, which is a plate-shaped digging blade extending in the left-right direction. The soil-breaking blade 55 is arranged in a left-right direction as an integral part of the six conveying and cutting units 40.

[0086] Regarding the excavating device 23, the soil-breaking blade 55 is configured to receive the excavating drive shaft 56 arranged in the left-right direction at a position below the middle of the front-rear direction of the conveying and cutting unit 40 (see reference). Figure 6 The digging drive shaft 56 receives power from the engine 10 and rotates. As the vegetable harvester 1 advances, the digging device 23 inserts the soil-breaking blade 55, which swings in the back-and-forth direction, into the soil and positions it below the bulb 2a of the garlic 2, softening the soil and digging six rows.

[0087] Regarding the harvesting section 6, the six conveying and cutting units 40 share a common structure. Utilizing... Figures 1 to 10 The various devices constituting the conveying and cutting unit 40 will be described.

[0088] The pulling and conveying device 24 is as follows: it pulls garlic 2 from the soil at the front of the device, while clamping the stem and leaf portion 2b of the pulled garlic 2 and conveying it backward and upward (slantedly upward). The pulling and conveying device 24 is located behind the lifting device 22, clamping the stem and leaf portion 2b that is lifted by the lifting device 22, and pulling the garlic 2 while conveying the stem and leaf portion 2b backward and upward, maintaining the upright posture while conveying the garlic 2 backward and upward. Multiple (6) pulling and conveying devices 24 are arranged side by side on the traveling body 3 in the left-right direction of the machine body.

[0089] The drawing conveyor 24 is inclined upwards and backwards from the lower end of the lifting device 22. The inclination angle of the drawing conveyor 24 relative to the horizontal direction is, for example, about 35°. The drawing conveyor 24 is arranged in an extending manner such that the straight conveying direction is along the front-back direction when viewed from above.

[0090] The drawing conveyor 24 has a structure in which a pair of conveyor chains 61, which are rotating in annular shapes, are respectively wound around a drive sprocket 62 located on the rear side of the conveyor serving as the downstream side, and a driven sprocket 63 located on the front side of the conveyor serving as the upstream side. That is, the drawing conveyor 24 is a chain conveyor with a pair of chain clamping bodies 60 on the left and right sides, which allow the conveyor chain 61 to be wound around the drive sprocket 62 and the driven sprocket 63, and is configured to clamp the conveyor stem and leaf portion 2b between the left and right chain clamping bodies 60.

[0091] The pulling and conveying device 24 uses the opposing surfaces of a pair of conveyor chains 61 to clamp the stem and leaf portion 2b at its front end, and pulls the garlic 2 from the soil by the rotation of the conveyor chains 61. The pair of conveyor chains 61 are driven by the rotation of the drive sprocket 62, causing the opposing sides to rotate in the direction of movement along the conveying direction. The drive sprocket 62 and the driven sprocket 63 are positioned in a direction orthogonal to the tilt direction of the pulling and conveying device 24 when viewed from the side as the axis of rotation. Multiple guide sprockets and other rotating bodies are provided on the conveyor chains 61.

[0092] The garlic 2 pulled out by the pulling and conveying device 24 is held in a state where the stem and leaf portion 2b is clamped by a pair of conveying chains 61 and conveyed to the rear and upward in a generally vertical suspended position. The pulling and conveying device 24 is extended such that the beginning end (front end) of the conveying is located in front of the tracked traveling device 4 in the front-rear direction, and the end end (rear end) of the conveying is located in the middle of the front-rear direction on the traveling body 3.

[0093] like Figure 7 As shown, the drive sprockets 62 of each chain clamp 60 are fixedly mounted on the upper end of the conveyor drive shaft 65, which rotates upon receiving power from the engine 10, and are integrally driven to rotate with the conveyor drive shaft 65. The conveyor drive shaft 65 extends obliquely downwards and rearwards from the rear end of the chain clamp 60 and is housed within a cylindrical conveyor drive shaft housing 66 (see reference 1) along the axial direction of the conveyor drive shaft 65. Figure 9 The drive sprocket 62 rotates, causing the driven sprocket 63 to rotate as the conveyor chain 61 rotates. Thus, the drawing conveyor 24 is configured to receive power from the conveyor drive shaft 65 and be driven.

[0094] The shoulder alignment device 25 is provided on the lower side of the rear part of the pulling conveyor 24. The shoulder alignment device 25 is an example of a position alignment device for aligning the height position of the bulb part 2a of the garlic 2 being conveyed by the pulling conveyor 24.

[0095] The shoulder alignment device 25 defines the upper part of the bulb portion 2a of the garlic 2 as a shoulder, and aligns the height of the shoulder of the garlic 2 with the rear portion of the pulling conveyor 24, located below the pulling conveyor 24. The shoulder alignment device 25, when viewed from the side, is arranged along an inclined plane that is gentler than the slope of the pulling conveyor 24, with the rear higher than the front. The inclination angle of the shoulder alignment device 25 relative to the horizontal direction is, for example, approximately 20°.

[0096] As a pair of left and right annular rotating members that position the stems and leaves 2b of garlic 2, which are conveyed by the pulling conveyor 24, between each other and rotate in an orientation that moves the opposite sides toward the conveying direction of garlic 2, the shoulder alignment device 25 has left and right shoulder alignment chains 71. The shoulder alignment device 25 has the following structure: the left and right pair of shoulder alignment chains 71 are respectively wound around a drive sprocket 72, which is a drive wheel located at the rear of the middle part of the conveying direction, and driven wheels, namely a front driven sprocket 73 and a rear driven sprocket 74, which are respectively located at the front side of the upstream side of the conveying and the rear side of the downstream side of the conveying. That is, the shoulder alignment device 25 has a pair of left and right chain conveyor bodies 70 in which the shoulder alignment chains 71 are wound around the drive sprocket 72 and the front and rear driven sprockets 73, 74, and is configured such that the stems and leaves 2b are located between the left and right chain conveyor bodies 70. The drive sprocket 72 is located on the inner circumferential side of the wound shape of the shoulder alignment chain 71, and is configured to engage from the inner circumferential side with respect to the shoulder alignment chain 71 and the left and right outer portions, that is, the portions opposite to the side of action of the stem and leaf portion 2b in the left and right directions.

[0097] A pair of shoulder alignment chains 71 form a movement path for the stem and leaf portion 2b using their opposing portions. Driven by the rotation of a drive sprocket 72, the opposing sides rotate in the direction in which the stem and leaf portion 2b is moved. When viewing the machine from the side, the drive sprocket 72 and the driven sprockets 73 and 74 are positioned in a direction orthogonal to the tilting direction of the shoulder alignment device 25, which is the axis of rotation. The spacing between the opposing surfaces of the pair of shoulder alignment chains 71 is set to be smaller than the width of the shoulder portion of the bulb portion 2a of a typical garlic clove.

[0098] The shoulder alignment device 25 positions the front end of each chain conveyor 70 directly below the front-to-back center of each chain clamp 60 of the pulling conveyor 24. When viewed from the side, the shoulder alignment device 25, due to the difference in its angle of inclination with the pulling conveyor 24, forms an approximate "V" shape together with the rear of the pulling conveyor 24, and the vertical distance between the shoulder alignment device 25 and the pulling conveyor 24 gradually increases from the front to the rear.

[0099] The shoulder alignment device 25 positions the stem and leaf portion 2b of the garlic 2, conveyed by the pull conveyor 24, between a pair of shoulder alignment chains 71. The pair of shoulder alignment chains 71 press down on the shoulders of the bulb portion 2a of the garlic 2, aligning the height of the bulb portion 2a with a predetermined height. Specifically, the shoulder alignment device 25 positions the bulb portion 2a below a pair of shoulder alignment chains 71 arranged at a gentle slope relative to the conveyor chain 61 of the pull conveyor 24. As the pull conveyor 24 conveys the garlic 2, the pair of shoulder alignment chains 71 abut against the two shoulders of the bulb portion 2a and move upwards, stopping the conveying movement of the garlic 2. This alignment, performed in conjunction with the pull conveyor 24, aligns the height of the garlic 2 (see reference). Figure 9 Arrow B1 in the diagram shows the movement of bulb part 2a.

[0100] The processing of garlic 2 is achieved by a pair of conveyor chains 61 and a pair of shoulder alignment chains 71 of the shoulder alignment device 25, namely, the locking action of the shoulder alignment device 25 on garlic 2. The garlic 2, which is aligned in height, is guided to the stem and leaf cutting device 26 at the rear.

[0101] The stem and leaf cutting device 26 is located above the rear end of the shoulder alignment device 25 and below the rear end of the pulling conveyor 24. The stem and leaf cutting device 26 is designed to cut the stem and leaf portion 2b of the garlic 2 being conveyed by the pulling conveyor 24, severing the stem and leaf portion 2b from the bulb portion 2a and causing the bulb portion 2a to fall off. The stem and leaf cutting device 26 cuts the stem and leaf portion 2b of the garlic 2, which has been aligned (shoulder height aligned) by the shoulder alignment device 25, such that the stem and leaf portion 2b remains at a substantially constant length on the side of the bulb portion 2a.

[0102] The stem and leaf cutting device 26 has a pair of circular rotating blades 88. The pair of rotating blades 88 are coaxially mounted relative to the rear driven sprockets 74 of the left and right chain conveyors 70 of the shoulder alignment device 25. The rotating blades 88 are supported by a support shaft fixed to the rear driven sprocket 74, and extend upwards from the rear driven sprocket 74, and are positioned parallel to the rear driven sprocket 74 above it. The rotating blades 88 rotate integrally with the rear driven sprocket 74. The pair of rotating blades 88 are arranged close together in the vertical direction with their outer edges overlapping each other, and are approximately symmetrically arranged in the horizontal direction around the movement path of the garlic 2 between the left and right chain conveyors 70.

[0103] The garlic 2, moving obliquely upwards and backwards as a conveyor in the pulling and conveying device 24, is guided to a position between the left and right rotating blades 88 while being stopped by the shoulder alignment device 25 and positioned in the vertical direction. The stem and leaf portion 2b, located between the pair of chain conveyors 70 of the shoulder alignment device 25, reaches the overlapping portion of the left and right rotating blades 88 and is cut off by the rotating blades 88. The bulb portion 2a, cut off from the stem and leaf portion 2b by the pair of rotating blades 88, falls off (see reference). Figure 9 (Arrow B2) The transverse conveyor 7 receives and transports the material toward the right side of the machine body. In addition, the leaf discharge device 28 discharges the stem and leaf parts 2b cut off from the bulb part 2a to the rear side.

[0104] The root cutting device 27 is located below each of the chain conveyors 70 that constitute the shoulder alignment device 25. The root cutting device 27 cuts the root 2c of the garlic 2, which is aligned by the shoulder alignment device 25. The root cutting device 27 has a pair of circular rotating blades 99 on the left and right sides.

[0105] A pair of rotating blades 99 are arranged close together in the vertical direction with their outer edges overlapping each other, and are arranged approximately symmetrically in the horizontal direction around the movement path of the garlic 2 between the left and right chain conveyors 70. Each rotating blade 99 is fixedly mounted on the support shaft of the drive sprocket 72 and aligns with the lower part of the shoulder-aligned drive shaft 85 extending downward from the drive sprocket 72. That is, the rotating blades 99 are mounted coaxially with respect to the drive sprocket 72 and rotate integrally with the drive sprocket 72 and the shoulder-aligned drive shaft 85. The rotating blades 99 are configured with a surface perpendicular to the axis relative to the shoulder-aligned drive shaft 85.

[0106] Regarding the above structure, the rotational power of the shoulder alignment drive shaft 85, which drives the shoulder alignment chain 71, causes the left and right rotating blades 99 of the root cutting device 27 to rotate. The garlic 2, which is being conveyed backward and upward as part of the pulling and conveying device 24, is guided to a position between the left and right rotating blades 99 while being stopped by the shoulder alignment device 25 and positioned vertically. Furthermore, the root 2c of the garlic 2 reaches the overlapping portion of the left and right rotating blades 99 and is cut off by the rotating blades 99. The root 2c, cut off from the bulb portion 2a by the pair of rotating blades 99, falls onto the field.

[0107] The leaf removal device 28 is a device for conveying and discharging the stem and leaf portions 2b cut from the garlic 2 by the stem and leaf cutting device 26 and conveyed by the pulling conveyor 24. The leaf removal device 28 conveys the stem and leaf portions 2b cut from the bulb portion 2a in the stem and leaf cutting device 26 rearward and discharges them onto the leaf removal conveyor 9. The leaf removal device 28 is configured to form an inclination approximately the same as that of the pulling conveyor 24 in a side view behind the pulling conveyor 24, thereby extending the pulling conveyor 24 rearward.

[0108] The leaf-discharging device 28 constitutes a chain conveying mechanism for conveying the stem and leaf portion 2b using a pair of left and right leaf-discharging chain conveyors 90. The leaf-discharging device 28 directs the conveying direction of the stem and leaf portion 2b along the conveying direction of the left and right chain clamps 60 of the drawing conveyor 24.

[0109] The leaf-discharge chain conveyor 90 includes: a drive sprocket 92 disposed at the rear end of the conveying process; a driven sprocket 93 disposed at the beginning end of the conveying process; and a leaf-discharge chain 91, which is an annular rotating component wound around the aforementioned sprockets (see reference). Figure 8 The leaf-discharging device 28 is configured such that the left and right leaf-discharging chains 91 rotate in an orientation that causes the opposing sides to move backward, and the leaf-discharging portion 2b is clamped between the left and right leaf-discharging chains 91.

[0110] According to the leaf-removing device 28 with this structure, the stem and leaf portion 2b, which is held by the pulling and conveying device 24, is transferred (replaced) to the leaf-removing device 28 and conveyed backward and upward while being held between a pair of leaf-removing chains 91. At the end of the leaf-removing device 28, the stem and leaf portion 2b conveyed by the leaf-removing device 28 is released. The stem and leaf portion 2b released by the leaf-removing device 28 falls onto the leaf-removing conveyor 9, which conveys it to the right and guides it to the field using the leaf-removing guide 67.

[0111] The pull-out conveying device 24 and the leaf-extrusion device 28 constituting each conveying and cutting unit 40 are configured such that a portion of the conveying range overlaps with each other.

[0112] like Figure 9 As shown, the vane discharge device 28 is arranged parallel to the drawing conveyor 24 on its lower (rear) side relative to the drawing conveyor 24, which is inclined with the rear higher than the front. The vane discharge device 28 is configured such that its front portion in the inclined extension direction overlaps with the rear portion (rear end) of the drawing conveyor 24 from below. Therefore, the vane discharge device 28 causes its rear portion in the extension direction to extend rearward and upward from the rear end of the drawing conveyor 24.

[0113] The left and right chain clamping bodies 60 constituting the drawing conveyor 24 and the left and right leaf-exhausting chain conveyors 90 constituting the leaf-exhausting device 28 are configured such that the centers of the left and right chain conveyors of each device are aligned with each other, and the two devices are configured to be approximately symmetrical. Furthermore, the width dimensions (dimensions in the left-right direction) of the chain clamping bodies 60 and the leaf-exhausting chain conveyors 90 are approximately the same. Regarding this structure, the left and right leaf-exhausting chain conveyors 90 are configured such that the front half of each corresponding chain clamping body 60 overlaps with the rear part (rear end) of the chain clamping body 60 from below.

[0114] [Power transmission structure of a vegetable harvester]

[0115] use Figure 7 and Figure 8 The power transmission structure of the vegetable harvester 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Furthermore, Figure 8 yes Figure 7 The diagram shows a partial enlarged view, specifically illustrating the power transmission structure of the conveying and cutting unit 40. Furthermore, in the description of the power transmission structure, a "belt drive mechanism" is a drive mechanism comprising a pulley mounted on a rotating shaft and a belt wound around the pulley, while a "chain drive mechanism" is a drive mechanism comprising a sprocket mounted on a rotating shaft and a chain wound around the sprocket.

[0116] The power of engine 10 is divided into two types: power transmitted to the driving drive system that drives the tracked traveling device 4, and power transmitted to the speed-synchronized work drive system that drives the specified work unit by transmitting driving force synchronized with the vehicle speed; and power transmitted to the speed-dissynchronized work drive system that drives the specified work unit by transmitting driving force that is not synchronized with the vehicle speed (independent of vehicle speed). According to the speed-dissynchronized work drive system, a constant rotational driving force is transmitted based on the rated output of engine 10.

[0117] (Driving system)

[0118] Describe the driving system. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the rotational driving force of the output shaft 10a of the engine 10 is input to the transmission input shaft 102, which is axially positioned in the left-right direction, using the first belt drive mechanism 101. The first belt drive mechanism 101 is equipped with a travel clutch 103 that is operated by a travel clutch lever provided in the driver's compartment 5.

[0119] The rotational power of the transmission input shaft 102 is transmitted to the input shaft of the transmission 11 via the HST140. Here, "HST" refers to a hydraulic continuously variable transmission (CVT) that uses a hydraulic motor to convert the hydraulic pressure generated by driving a hydraulic pump back into rotational force. The HST140 has a variable displacement hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor that are interconnected via oil passages and form a common hydraulic circuit.

[0120] The rotational power input from the output shaft 141 of HST140 to the transmission 11 is transmitted to the left and right axles 11a of the transmission 11 via the transmission mechanism of the transmission 11. Drive wheels 4a of the tracked travel device 4 are mounted at the ends of the axles 11a.

[0121] The transmission 11 has an output shaft 104 protruding to the right. The output shaft 104 is linked to the output shaft 141 of the HST140 within the transmission housing of the transmission 11, and serves as a gearshift shaft for shifting gears using the HST140. The HST140 has an operating shaft, and the gearshift lever (main gearshift lever) located in the driver's section 5 is linked to this operating shaft via a shifting mechanism or the like. The rotation of the output shaft 141 is driven by the hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor of the HST140 through the operation of the gearshift lever.

[0122] The machine's travel speed (vehicle speed) is continuously variable due to the change in the rotational speed of the output shaft 141 of the HST140, and the rotational drive speed of the vehicle speed synchronization operation drive system changes synchronously with the vehicle speed. The output shaft 141 of the HST140 rotates in both directions by operating the gear lever or the like.

[0123] (Speed-synchronized operation drive system)

[0124] The vehicle speed synchronization operation drive system will be described. The rotational power of the output shaft 104 of the HST140 is input to the first transmission auxiliary shaft 107 in the axial direction via the second belt drive mechanism 106, which directs the rotational power to the left or right. Furthermore, a one-way clutch is used to transmit rotational power in only one direction to the pulley supported on the output shaft 104 in the second belt drive mechanism 106, which transmits the rotational power of the output shaft 104.

[0125] The rotational power of the first conveyor shaft 107 is transmitted to the second conveyor shaft 109 via a third belt drive mechanism 108 located on the left side of the machine body. The third belt drive mechanism 108 is equipped with a first working clutch 110 operated by a working clutch lever located on the driver's unit 5.

[0126] The rotational power of the second conveyor shaft 109 is input to the pre-processing input shaft 120, which is axially configured in the left-right direction, via a first chain drive mechanism 119 including a sprocket 118 fixedly mounted on the left end of the second conveyor shaft 109. Near the left end of the pre-processing input shaft 120, an input sprocket 121 of the first chain drive mechanism 119 is fixedly mounted, which, along with the sprocket 118, receives the winding of the chain.

[0127] The rotational power of the pre-processing input shaft 120 is transmitted to the conveying drive shafts 65 of the left and right chain clamps 60 of each of the six conveying and cutting units 40. The rotational power of the pre-processing input shaft 120 is transmitted to each conveying drive shaft 65 via an input-side bevel gear 122 fixedly mounted on the pre-processing input shaft 120 and an output-side bevel gear 123 fixedly mounted on the lower end of each conveying drive shaft 65. The pre-processing input shaft 120 is configured to rotatably support the harvesting unit 6 on the traveling body 3 via a shaft support 20.

[0128] Furthermore, the rotational power of the pretreatment input shaft 120 is transmitted to the conveyor drive shaft 39 via a bevel gear 126 fixedly disposed at the right end of the pretreatment input shaft 120 and a bevel gear 127 fixedly disposed at the front end of the conveyor drive shaft 39. As a result, the drive roller 36 is driven to rotate, thereby driving the leaf conveyor 9.

[0129] Regarding each conveying and cutting unit 40, the chain clamping body 60 of the pulling conveying device 24, the chain conveyor body 70 of the shoulder alignment device 25, the rotating blade 88 of the stem and leaf cutting device 26, the rotating blade 99 of the root cutting device 27, and the leaf discharge chain conveyor body 90 of the leaf discharge device 28 are driven by the rotational power of the left and right conveying drive shafts 65.

[0130] Furthermore, the rotational power of the pre-processing input shaft 120 is input to the lifting input shaft 113, which is axially configured in the left-right direction, via a second chain drive mechanism 112 including a sprocket 111 fixedly mounted on the left end of the pre-processing input shaft 120. An input sprocket 125, which receives chain winding along with the sprocket 111, is fixedly mounted on the left end of the lifting input shaft 113.

[0131] The rotational power of the lifting input shaft 113 is transmitted to the lifting drive shafts 136 of the seven lifting devices 22. The rotational power of the lifting input shaft 113 is transmitted to each lifting drive shaft 136 via an input-side bevel gear 137 fixedly mounted on the lifting input shaft 113 and an output-side bevel gear 138 fixedly mounted on each lifting drive shaft 136. A drive-side pulley 84a is fixedly mounted on the lifting drive shaft 136, receiving the winding of the raised belt 83 along with the driven-side pulley 84b. The drive-side pulley 84a is located near the upper end of the lifting device 22, and the driven-side pulley 84b is located near the lower end of the lifting device 22. The rotation of the lifting drive shaft 136 causes the raised belt 83 to rotate, thereby driving the lifting device 22.

[0132] As mentioned above, regarding the vegetable harvester 1, the working unit that receives power from the engine 10 and performs synchronous speed drive using the vehicle speed synchronous operation drive system includes the leaf conveyor 9, the pulling conveyor 24 constituting the conveying and cutting unit 40, and other devices such as the lifting device 22.

[0133] (Asynchronous operation drive system)

[0134] The asynchronous operation drive system for vehicle speed is described below. The rotational driving force of the output shaft 10a of the engine 10 is input to the first secondary shaft 139, which is set in the axial direction in the left and right directions, through the fourth belt transmission mechanism 128.

[0135] The fourth belt drive mechanism 128 is provided with a second working clutch 129 operated by a working clutch lever provided in the driver's unit 5. The second working clutch 129 and the first working clutch 110 are configured to be linked to each other, and the engagement (connection) / disengagement (cutoff) of the clutches is switched by the operation of the working clutch lever.

[0136] The rotational power of the first auxiliary shaft 139 is input to the conveyor input shaft 45 of the longitudinal conveyor 17 via a fifth belt drive mechanism 147, which includes a sprocket 146 fixedly mounted at the right end of the first auxiliary shaft 139. The fifth belt drive mechanism 147 has a conveyor auxiliary shaft 148 that supports a pulley on the left side that receives the belt winding together with the sprocket 146, and a pulley on the right side that receives the belt winding together with the input pulley 47. The rotational driving force of the conveyor input shaft 45 is transmitted to the conveyor driven shaft 46 via a chain drive mechanism including left and right chains 44, thereby driving the longitudinal conveyor 17.

[0137] On the other hand, the rotational power of the first auxiliary shaft 139 is transmitted to the double pulley 151 via a sixth belt drive mechanism 150, which includes a pulley 149 fixedly disposed at the left end of the first auxiliary shaft 139. The double pulley 151 is rotatably supported at the left end of a rotating support frame portion 152 coaxially disposed with respect to the second transmission auxiliary shaft 109.

[0138] The rotating support frame 152 is a straight frame section extending in the left-right direction. It is composed of a tubular component with a circular cross-sectional shape and is located at the rear end of the working section frame 30. The rotating support frame 152 is located behind the transverse conveyor 7 (see reference). Figure 6 The working frame 30 has the rotating support frame 152 fixedly positioned on the traveling body 3 as a shaft support, and is configured to support the front side in a way that allows it to rotate around a rotation axis that coincides with the central axis of the rotating support frame 152. This is achieved through two lifting cylinders 29 (see reference). Figure 6 The work unit frame 30 rotates due to the extension and retraction of the work unit.

[0139] The rotating support frame 152 supports the second conveying sub-shaft 109 at its left end. The second conveying sub-shaft 109 extends from the rotating support frame 152 toward the left and is supported in a rotatable manner by means of a bearing.

[0140] The double pulley 151 is an integral rotating body comprising a first pulley that receives the belt along with the pulley 149, and a second pulley that receives the belt in the seventh belt drive mechanism 153. The seventh belt drive mechanism 153 is a mechanism that transmits the rotational power of the first auxiliary shaft 139 to the digging drive shaft 56 via the double pulley 151, and includes: a second pulley of the double pulley 151; a pulley 154 fixedly disposed at the left end of the digging drive shaft 56; and a belt wound around the pulley. The rotational power of the digging drive shaft 56 drives the digging device 23.

[0141] As described above, regarding the vegetable harvester 1, the working parts that are driven at asynchronous speeds (constant speed) by receiving power from the engine 10 through a speed-asynchronous operation drive system are the longitudinal conveyor 17 and the digging device 23. Furthermore, regarding the drive of the transverse conveyor 7 driven by the motor 50, it is preferable to drive it at asynchronous speeds (constant speed) in the same way as the longitudinal conveyor 17, through the motion control of the motor 50. However, the conveying speed of the transverse conveyor 7 can be controlled independently through the motion control of the motor 50. Therefore, the conveying speed of the transverse conveyor 7 can, for example, be controlled to change in sync with the vehicle speed.

[0142] The power transmission structure for the vane discharge device 28 and the shoulder alignment device 25 will be described. The drive sprockets 92 of the left and right vane discharge chain conveyors 90 constituting the vane discharge device 28 are respectively fixedly mounted on the auxiliary shaft 155. The auxiliary shaft 155 is arranged parallel to the conveyor drive shaft 65 at the rear and above the conveyor drive shaft 65.

[0143] The upper end of the secondary shaft 155 is rotatably supported by a bearing 157 on a frame member 156 that constitutes the frame portion of the vane chain conveyor 90. The lower end of the secondary shaft 155 is rotatably supported by a bearing 159 on a frame member 158 that constitutes the frame portion extending rearward from the conveyor drive shaft housing 66 in the conveying direction. The secondary shaft 155 receives the rotational power of the conveyor drive shaft 65 through a vane drive chain mechanism 160 provided for each vane chain conveyor 90 and is driven to rotate together with the drive sprocket 92.

[0144] A vane discharge drive chain mechanism 160 is disposed on the lower side of the vane discharge chain conveyor bodies 90 on the left and right sides of the vane discharge device 28. The vane discharge drive chain mechanism 160 includes: a drive sprocket 161 fixedly disposed on the conveyor drive shaft 65; a driven sprocket 162 fixedly disposed on the secondary shaft 155; and a vane discharge drive chain 163 wound around the aforementioned sprockets. The drive sprocket 161 is disposed in the middle of the conveyor drive shaft 65. The driven sprocket 162 is disposed on the secondary shaft 155 below the drive sprocket 92. According to the above structure, each vane discharge chain conveyor body 90 receives power from the conveyor drive shaft 65 via the vane discharge drive chain mechanism 160 and is driven together with the drawing conveyor 24.

[0145] The shoulder alignment device 25 is driven by the rotational power transmitted from the left and right leaf conveyor chains 90. The driven sprockets 93 of each leaf conveyor chain 90 are fixedly mounted on the leaf driven shaft 165. The leaf driven shaft 165 is rotatably supported by bearings 167 on a predetermined frame component that constitutes the frame portion of the leaf conveyor chain 90.

[0146] The vane driven shaft 165 extends downward from the portion supporting the driven sprocket 93 and is connected to the shoulder-aligned drive shaft 85 via a universal joint 168. The drive sprocket 72 is fixedly mounted in the middle of the shoulder-aligned drive shaft 85. The shoulder-aligned drive shaft 85 is positioned such that its axis is parallel to the rotational axis of the front and rear driven sprockets 73 and 74.

[0147] Thus, the shoulder alignment device 25 is configured to receive the rotational power of the conveyor drive shaft 65 via the leaf-extension drive chain mechanism 160, the leaf-extension chain conveyor 90, the leaf-extension driven shaft 165, and the shoulder alignment drive shaft 85, and is driven together with the pulling conveyor 24. Regarding this structure, the leaf-extension chain 91 of the leaf-extension chain conveyor 90 functions as a shoulder alignment drive chain that transmits the rotational power received from the conveyor drive shaft 65 to the shoulder alignment device 25 via the leaf-extension drive chain mechanism 160 and drives the shoulder alignment device 25. That is, the left and right leaf-extension chains 91 that clamp and convey the stem and leaf portions 2b transferred from the pulling conveyor 24 in the leaf-extension device 28 also serve as shoulder alignment drive chains that drive the left and right chain conveyors 70 of the shoulder alignment device 25.

[0148] Regarding the above structure, the shoulder alignment device 25 is positioned further forward of the machine body than the conveyor drive shaft 65. That is, the shoulder alignment device 25 is configured such that the entire or substantially entire left and right chain conveyors 70 are located further forward than the conveyor drive shaft 65. Furthermore, the shoulder alignment device 25 is driven by receiving power from the left and right blade chains 91 constituting the blade discharge device 28, and aligns the height of the bulb portion 2a of the garlic 2 conveyed by the pull conveyor 24.

[0149] [Structure of the Containment Department]

[0150] use Figures 11 to 19 The structure of containment section 8 will be explained. Figure 14 yes Figure 12 Top sectional view of position XX. Figure 17 yes Figure 13 A cross-sectional view at the YY position. As a conveying unit for conveying garlic 2 harvested by the harvesting unit 6, the vegetable harvester 1 is equipped with a transverse conveyor 7 and a longitudinal conveyor 17 for conveying the scales 2a, and a receiving unit 8 is a device structure for receiving the scales 2a conveyed by the above-mentioned conveyors into a harvesting bag 32.

[0151] As described above, the receiving section 8 has: a guide 33 through which the scales 2a conveyed by the longitudinal conveyor 17 pass; and a bag holding device 34 disposed below the guide 33 and holding a plurality of harvest bags 32.

[0152] As the face constituting the surrounding shape, the guide 33 has a left face 201 and a right face 202, an upper surface portion 203, a left rear surface portion 204, a right rear surface portion 205, and a guide oblique face 206.

[0153] The left facet 201 and right facet 202 are arranged to extend rearward from the left and right guide side plate portions 75 of the longitudinal conveyor 17, such that the entire conveying portion of the longitudinal conveyor 17 is positioned between them in the left-right direction. The upper surface portion 203 is a horizontal facet located above the upper end of the longitudinal conveyor 17. Regarding the guide 33, the left facet 201, right facet 202, and upper surface portion 203 form a rectangular inlet 200 facing the conveying end portion of the longitudinal conveyor 17.

[0154] The left rear surface portion 204 is a face facing diagonally to the left rear, and is positioned behind the left face portion 201 at an obtuse angle together with the left face portion 201 when viewed from above. The right rear surface portion 205 is a face facing diagonally to the right rear, and is positioned behind the right face portion 202 at an obtuse angle together with the right face portion 202 when viewed from above. The left rear surface portion 204 and the right rear surface portion 205 form an obtuse angle when viewed from above, and as the rear end of the guide 33, they form a ridge portion along the vertical direction. Furthermore, the left face portion 201, the right face portion 202, the left rear surface portion 204, and the right rear surface portion 205 are all formed as vertical faces along the vertical direction.

[0155] The guide slope 206 is designed to have a lower rear and higher front slope, and is set to be continuous with the conveying surface of the longitudinal conveyor 17. For example... Figure 13 As shown, the guide slope portion 206 has: a centrally inclined portion 206a, which is approximately an isosceles triangle and gradually narrows in width from front to rear; a leftly inclined portion 206b, located to the left rear of the centrally inclined portion 206a; and a rightly inclined portion 206c, located to the right rear of the centrally inclined portion 206a, and portions formed into a buckled plate shape from the aforementioned portions. Multiple recesses 206d are formed on the front side of the guide slope portion 206 to avoid interference with the multiple protrusions 42 of the longitudinal conveyor 17. Furthermore, Figure 13 The upper surface portion 203 of the guide 33 is omitted from the illustration.

[0156] Regarding the guide 33, an outlet 210 is formed by the left rear surface portion 204, the right rear surface portion 205, and the guide slope portion 206, allowing the scale portion 2a to fall off. The outlet 210 is located behind the longitudinal conveyor 17 when viewed from above. The guide slope portion 206 forms a recess 206e on its rear side that is approximately V-shaped when viewed from above. The outlet 210 is formed by the rear edge of the guide slope portion 206 constituting the recess 206e and the lower edges of the left rear surface portion 204 and the right rear surface portion 205, creating an opening that is approximately trapezoidal when viewed from above (see reference). Figure 13 ).

[0157] A cylindrical guide plate section 211 is provided on the lower side of the outlet 210 such that the opening shape of the outlet 210 extends downward. The guide plate section 211 is formed of rubber plates or the like mounted on each surface of the guide 33. With respect to the guide 33 having the above structure, the scale section 2a conveyed by the longitudinal conveyor 17 is fed into the guide 33 from the inlet 200. The scale section 2a is guided by the guide inclined section 206 and falls from the outlet 210.

[0158] The bag holding device 34 will be described below. The bag holding device 34 has a turntable 300 as its main body, which is configured to rotate about a predetermined rotation axis T1 in the vertical direction and to support a plurality of harvest bags 32. Furthermore, the bag holding device 34 has a turntable locking device 400 as a rotation locking part, which locks the rotation of the turntable 300 at predetermined intervals in the rotational direction by engaging with a locking part of the turntable 300. The turntable 300 and the turntable locking device 400 are configured to be supported on the machine frame 15.

[0159] The turntable 300 will be described below. The turntable 300 has the following structure: a central shaft 301 supports upper and lower disc-shaped portions arranged such that their center position is located on the rotation axis T1. The turntable 300 has: a central shaft 301 as a support shaft for rotation about its rotation axis T1; a base plate portion 302 as the lower disc-shaped portion; a top plate portion 303 as the upper disc-shaped portion; and a plurality of support columns 305.

[0160] Hereinafter, the radial direction of the circular shape centered on the rotation axis T1 when viewed from above will be defined as the "rotary radial direction", and the circumferential direction of the circular shape will be defined as the "rotary circumferential direction". The radial and circumferential directions of the base plate portion 302 and the top plate portion 303 are respectively the rotary radial direction and the rotary circumferential direction.

[0161] The base plate portion 302 and the top plate portion 303 have the same or substantially the same outer diameter. The base plate portion 302 is located to the right of the pedal 68 and at approximately the same height as the pedal 68. An arc-shaped recess 68a is formed on the right side of the pedal 68, following the top view of the base plate portion 302. The top plate portion 303 is located at a height directly below the outlet 210 of the guide 33. The turntable 300 is configured to support a plurality of harvesting bags 32 between the base plate portion 302 and the top plate portion 303.

[0162] The central shaft 301 is constructed from a straight rod-shaped tubular component with a circular cross-section, and its central axis is aligned with the rotation axis T1. The central shaft 301 passes through the base plate portion 302, and its lower end protrudes downward from the base plate portion 302. The lower end of the central shaft 301 is supported by a turntable support frame portion, namely the lower support frame portion 310, located on the lower side of the chassis of the body frame 15.

[0163] The lower support frame portion 310 is a frame portion located below the base plate portion 302, arranged horizontally and in a straight line in the left-right direction, and is composed of square tube (angle steel tube) shaped components. The lower support frame portion 310 is a frame portion that constitutes the chassis, and is mounted between the rear ends of the left and right longitudinal frame portions 311 extending in the front-rear direction (only the right longitudinal frame portion 311 is shown in the figure).

[0164] The lower end of the central shaft 301 is supported by the lower bearing portion 315 of the support bracket 312 located approximately at the center of the lower support frame portion 310 in the left-right direction, allowing it to rotate. The support bracket 312 is composed of a buckled plate-shaped component fixed to the lower support frame portion 310 by welding or the like, and a horizontal support surface 312a is formed on the upper side of the lower support frame portion 310 (see reference). Figure 18 ).

[0165] The lower bearing portion 315 includes: a bearing body portion 315a, in which a bearing body 315c is housed within a cylindrical support sleeve portion 315b; and a rectangular plate-shaped flange portion 315d, which is formed to extend outward from the bearing body portion 315a (see reference). Figure 15 , Figure 18 The lower bearing portion 315 overlaps the flange portion 315d with the support portion 312a from above, and is fixed to the support bracket 312 at the four corners of the flange portion 315d using fasteners 316 such as bolts and nuts. The central shaft 301 is supported so that it can rotate with its lower end inserted and fitted into the bearing body 315c.

[0166] The central shaft 301 passes through the top plate portion 303 and its upper end protrudes upward from the top plate portion 303. The upper end of the central shaft 301 is located at a height higher than the top plate portion 303 and at the height of the lower end of the guide 33. The upper end of the central shaft 301 is supported by an upper bearing portion 325 and is rotatable. This upper bearing portion 325 is supported by a turntable support frame portion, i.e., an upper support frame portion 320, which is provided on the upper side of the body frame 15.

[0167] The upper support frame 320 includes: left and right longitudinal frame portions 323 that extend rearward from the upper ends of the left and right support frame portions 321 mounted on the chassis via support brackets 322; and a transverse frame portion 324 disposed between the rear ends of the left and right longitudinal frame portions 323. The left and right support frame portions 321 are configured to support the shaft support of the conveyor input shaft 45 of the longitudinal conveyor 17 at their upper ends, and are located on a predetermined support surface 326 mounted on the chassis (see reference). Figure 5 , Figure 12 Set up on top.

[0168] The left and right longitudinal frame portions 323 and transverse frame portions 324 are horizontally arranged straight frame portions and are composed of square tubular components. The upper support frame portion 320 is configured such that the lower end of the guide 33 is located between the left and right longitudinal frame portions 323, and the transverse frame portion 324 is located behind the guide 33, thereby surrounding the guide 33 when viewed from above. That is, the upper support frame portion 320 is configured such that the guide 33 is entirely or substantially entirely located within the frame when viewed from above. An upper bearing portion 325 is provided at the corner formed by the left longitudinal frame portion 323 and transverse frame portion 324.

[0169] The upper bearing portion 325 includes: a cylindrical support sleeve portion 325a; and a bearing body 325c, which is housed within the support sleeve portion 325a. The upper bearing portion 325 is fixed to the rear end of the left longitudinal frame portion 323 and the left end of the transverse frame portion 324 by welding or the like on the front and right sides of the support sleeve portion 325a. The central shaft 301 is supported so that it can rotate with its upper end inserted and fitted into the bearing body 325c.

[0170] The substrate portion 302 includes: a circular plate-shaped bottom plate portion 331; a lower peripheral wall portion 332 disposed on the lower side of the peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion 331; a plurality of partition plate portions 334; and a plurality of approximately fan-shaped partition bottom plate portions 335. The substrate portion 302 is a portion that is fixedly disposed on the central axis 301 and rotates integrally with the central axis 301.

[0171] The base plate portion 331 is a horizontal plate-shaped portion having an outer diameter that is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the disk-shaped base plate portion 302. The base plate portion 331 is fixed to a central shaft 301 that passes through its center by welding or the like. The lower peripheral wall portion 332 is a flat cylindrical portion that is provided all around the outer edge of the base plate portion 331.

[0172] The partition plate portion 334 forms a vertical surface relative to the horizontal base plate portion 331, with the direction orthogonal to the radial direction of the turntable when viewed from above set as the plate thickness direction, and is arranged along the radial direction of the turntable. The partition plate portion 334 is arranged radially over a generally entire area covering the radius of the base plate portion 331. A plurality of partition plate portions 334 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumference of the turntable, and are arranged radially with the central axis 301 as the center when viewed from above.

[0173] The partition plate portion 334 is disposed at a height range lower than the lower third of the portion between the base plate portion 302 and the top plate portion 303 in the central shaft 301 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the upper edge of the partition plate portion 334 is designed as an inclined edge, with the height gradually decreasing from the center side to the outer periphery of the base plate portion 331. The plate-shaped members constituting the partition plate portion 334 are fixed to the central shaft 301 and the base plate portion 331 respectively by welding or the like.

[0174] In this embodiment, five partition plates 334 are provided at equal angular intervals (72° intervals) in the circumferential direction of the turntable. Therefore, regarding the area when viewed from above, the base plate 302 divides five areas in the circumferential direction of the turntable using the five partition plates 334.

[0175] The segmented base plate portion 335 is composed of a nearly fan-shaped plate-like component that is thicker than the base plate portion 331. As the surface forming the nearly fan-shaped profile, it has side portions on both sides in the circumferential direction of the turntable and an arc-shaped outer peripheral surface. The segmented base plate portion 335 is configured to overlap the base plate portion 331 in such a way that it fits between adjacent segmented plate portions 334 in the circumferential direction of the turntable. In this embodiment, five segmented base plate portions 335 are provided.

[0176] The upper surface 335a of the dividing base plate portion 335 is the upper surface of the base plate portion 302 and also serves as the mounting surface of the harvesting bag 32. The five dividing base plate portions 335 are arranged in a disc-shaped form with approximately the same outer diameter as the base plate portion 331, with partition plate portions 334 sandwiched between the side surfaces of adjacent dividing base plate portions 335. The plate-shaped components constituting the dividing base plate portions 335 are fixed to the base plate portion 331, partition plate portions 334, etc., by welding or the like.

[0177] The turntable 300, having the base plate portion 302 as described above, is positioned such that each area separated by the partition plates 334 adjacent to it in the circumferential direction supports one harvesting bag 32. Therefore, the turntable 300 of this embodiment is configured to hold a maximum of five harvesting bags 32. Hereinafter, regarding the turntable 300, each area separated by the partition plates 334 and corresponding to one harvesting bag 32 in a top view will be referred to as a "bag placement area." The turntable 300 has five bag placement areas.

[0178] The top plate portion 303 has: a circular plate-shaped top surface portion 341; a peripheral wall portion 342 disposed on the upper side of the periphery of the top surface portion 341; and a plurality of support frame portions 343. The top plate portion 303 is a portion that is fixedly disposed on the central axis 301 and rotates integrally with the central axis 301.

[0179] The top surface portion 341 is a horizontal plate-shaped portion with an outer diameter approximately the same as that of the disc-shaped top plate portion 303. A circular opening 341a is formed at the center of the top surface portion 341, through which the central axis 301 passes. The circumferential wall portion 342 is a flattened cylindrical portion that extends along the entire circumference of the outer edge of the top surface portion 341. The top plate portion 303 is configured to form a petri dish shape from the top surface portion 341 and the circumferential wall portion 342.

[0180] The support frame portion 343 is a frame portion composed of square tubular components, located below the top surface portion 341, and arranged horizontally along the radial direction of the turntable. The support frame portion 343 is provided in the radial direction of the turntable over a substantially entire area covering the radius of the top surface portion 341. In this embodiment, the five support frame portions 343 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the turntable, overlapping the partition plate portion 334 when viewed from above.

[0181] The frame members constituting the support frame portion 343 fix the radial inner side (center side) of the turntable to the central shaft 301 by welding or the like, and fix the upper surface to the lower surface 341b of the top portion 341 by welding or the like. That is, the top portion 341 is fixedly provided to the lower support frame portion 310 by means of five support frame portions 343.

[0182] Multiple inlets 345 are formed on the top surface 341 to allow the scale portion 2a, which is inserted into the harvesting bag 32, to pass through. The inlets 345 are holes formed through the top surface 341, which is a plate-like portion.

[0183] The scales 2a, conveyed by the longitudinal conveyor 17 and falling from the outlet 210 of the guide 33, are fed into the harvest bag 32 supported on the lower side of the top surface 341 through the inlet 345. Thus, the top plate portion 303 is configured as a disc-shaped portion concentrically arranged with respect to the rotation axis T1 and formed with a plurality of inlets 345 through which the scales 2a fed into the harvest bag 32 pass.

[0184] Regarding the formation of the inlet 345, one inlet 345 is formed on the top surface 341, specifically in the portion corresponding to one bag placement area. The inlets 345 are formed in the same manner in the portions corresponding to each bag placement area. Therefore, in this embodiment, five inlets 345 are formed at equal intervals on the top surface 341 in the circumferential direction of the turntable. The inlets 345 are formed in the middle of the fan-shaped portion of the top surface 341 such that their opening area is approximately 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the area of ​​the fan-shaped portion corresponding to one bag placement area.

[0185] The inlet 345 has a trapezoidal opening shape in the radial direction of the turntable, with the side of the rotation axis T1 as the upper bottom side and the outer periphery of the top plate portion 303 as the lower bottom side. The trapezoidal opening shape of the inlet 345 has a shape that is symmetrical about the center line passing through the rotation axis T1 when viewed from above (isosceles trapezoid) in the portion corresponding to each bag placement area.

[0186] That is, the intake 345 has a trapezoidal opening shape that gradually narrows in width from the radially outer side to the radially inner side (center side) of the turntable in a fan-shaped manner along the portion corresponding to each bag placement area. As the sides constituting the trapezoidal opening shape, the intake 345 has: a set of waist sides 345a along the radial direction of the turntable when viewed from above; and an upper base side 345b and a lower base side 345c along a direction orthogonal to the radial direction of the turntable when viewed from above. Furthermore, the opening shape of the intake 345 is a rounded trapezoid with rounded corners forming arcs at the four corners.

[0187] The inlet 345 is formed such that its trapezoidal opening shape roughly matches the approximate trapezoidal opening shape of the outlet 210 of the guide 33 when viewed from above. That is, the inlet 345 in the bag placement area below the guide 33 and the outlet 210 of the guide 33 are formed such that their opening ranges overlap entirely or substantially entirely when viewed from above (see reference). Figure 13 ).

[0188] The support column 305 is composed of a straight rod-shaped tubular component with a circular cross-section. The support column 305 is mounted between the base plate portion 302 and the top plate portion 303, and is positioned at the periphery of both the base plate portion 302 and the top plate portion 303. In this embodiment, five support columns 305 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumference of the turntable at positions corresponding to the partition plate portion 334 and the support frame portion 343.

[0189] The upper end of the support column 305 is fixed to the lower surface 341b of the top surface 341 by welding or the like. The lower end of the support column 305 is fixed to the base plate 331 by welding or the like, with the base plate 331 extending through it. Furthermore, chamfered portions are formed at the corners of the outer periphery of the dividing base plate 335 to ensure space for the placement of the support column 305. Additionally, the support column 305 is fixed at its upper end by welding or the like at the end of the support frame 343, and at its lower end by welding or the like at the end of the dividing plate 334.

[0190] As a locking part for securing and supporting the harvester bag 32, two fixed hooks 351 and two movable hooks 352 are provided on the lower side of the top plate portion 303. These four hooks are located near the four corners of the trapezoidal intake 345. Specifically, fixed hooks 351 are provided near the corners of both ends of the upper bottom edge 345b of the intake 345, and movable hooks 352 are provided near the corners of both ends of the lower bottom edge 345c (see reference). Figure 13 The aforementioned fixed hook 351 and movable hook 352 are provided in the same manner in each bag placement area.

[0191] The fixing hook 351 is provided by fixing a rod-shaped member having a prescribed bend shape to the top part 341. As part constituting the bend shape, the fixing hook 351 has: a fixing edge 351a; a longitudinal edge 351b, which is a right-angled part together with the fixing hook 351 and extends along the vertical direction; and a locking piece 351c, which is a right-angled part together with the longitudinal edge 351b (see reference). Figure 16 , Figure 17 The end portion of the locking piece 351c is formed into a tapered portion.

[0192] The rod-shaped component constituting the fixing hook 351 is fixed to the top surface 341 by welding or the like, thereby fixing the fixing edge 351a to the lower surface 341b of the top surface 341. The fixing hook 351 is configured such that, when viewed from above, the protruding direction of the locking piece 351c is generally opposite to the side of the inlet 345 or the side of the rotation axis T1.

[0193] The movable hook 352 is composed of a rod-shaped member having a defined bent shape. As part constituting the bent shape, the movable hook 352 has: a longitudinal edge 352b along the vertical direction; and a locking piece 352c, which, together with the longitudinal edge 352b, forms an acute angle (see reference). Figure 16 , Figure 17 (This is just one example, but the angle formed by the longitudinal edge 352b and the locking piece 352c is about 60°. The end of the locking piece 352c is formed into a tapered part.)

[0194] Two movable hooks 352 are fixed to a hook support arm 353 that is rotatably supported on the top surface 341. The hook support arm 353 is positioned radially outward of the turntable relative to the intake 345. The hook support arm 353 is composed of a bent rod-shaped component with a circular cross-section and an L-shaped bending form, and includes: a main arm portion 353a that supports the two movable hooks 352; and an operating arm portion 353b that forms a right angle with the main arm portion 353a. All of the above arm portions are straight.

[0195] The hook support arm 353 is configured such that, when viewed from above, the extension direction of the main arm portion 353a is orthogonal to the radial direction of the turntable, and the main arm portion 353a is along the lower bottom edge 345c of the inlet 345. The main arm portion 353a has a length in its extension direction such that both ends extend to a position further outward than the opening range of the inlet 345, and the two ends are located at the periphery of the top surface portion 341.

[0196] The hook support arm 353 is supported near both ends of the main arm portion 353a by support plates 355 that protrude vertically from the lower surface 341b of the top portion 341. With the main arm portion 353a passing through the support plates 355 at both locations, the hook support arm 353 is supported by the support plates 355 at both locations and can rotate freely about the axis of the main arm portion 353a. The support plates 355 have circular holes 355a through which the main arm portion 353a passes.

[0197] When viewed from above, rotate clockwise (or turn right, see reference). Figure 13 When arrow S1) is set as the rotation direction of turntable 300 (forward rotation direction, hereinafter referred to as "turntable rotation direction"), for the front end of the main body arm 353a in the turntable rotation direction, locking components such as a stop ring 356 that passes through the main body arm 353a relative to a support plate 355 and a nut 357 that engages with the end of the main body arm 353a are used to prevent disengagement (see reference). Figure 16 On the other hand, the rear end of the turntable rotation direction at both ends of the main arm 353a passes through another support plate 355, so that the operating arm 353b is located outside the support plate 355.

[0198] In a support structure that allows free rotation of the support plate 355 at two locations, the hook support arm 353 is naturally positioned such that the operating arm 353b droops due to its own weight. A gripping part 353c is provided at the end of the operating arm 353b, forming an expanded diameter portion relative to the main body of the hook support arm 353. An operator, holding the gripping part 353c, allows the hook support arm 353 to be rotated about the axis of the main arm 353a.

[0199] For the hook support arm 353 described above, movable hooks 352 are provided near both ends of the portion between the two support plates 355 in the main arm portion 353a. The rod-shaped member constituting the movable hook 352 is fixed to the hook support arm 353 by welding or the like, with the upper end of the longitudinal edge portion 352b fixed to the lower side of the main arm portion 353a. The movable hook 352 is configured such that, when viewed from above, the locking piece portion 352c is approximately facing the opposite side to the extension direction of the locking piece portion 351c of the fixed hook 351.

[0200] The two movable hooks 352 are integral parts that rotate with the hook support arm 353, which receives rotational operation about the axis of the main body arm 353a. The tilt angle of the two movable hooks 352 about the axis of the main body arm 353a changes due to the rotational operation of the hook support arm 353.

[0201] For the four hooks mentioned above, the harvesting bag 32 is configured to engage and hold the hooks in a manner where the opening side is on top and the locking portions 351c and 352c of each hook pass through from the inside of the bag to the outside (see reference). Figure 17 In the case of a harvesting net, the harvesting bag 32 is secured to the hook in such a state that the locking plates 351c and 352c pass through the mesh at the opening end of the bag. Alternatively, if the harvesting bag 32 has a locking hole at the opening end of the bag, the locking plates 351c and 352c pass through that hole to secure it to the hook.

[0202] Based on the arrangement of four hooks located near the four corners of the trapezoidal inlet 345, the harvest bag 32 is formed such that the upper opening is opened in an approximately trapezoidal manner when viewed from above. Furthermore, the four hooks are located outside the opening range of the inlet 345 when viewed from above; therefore, the harvest bag 32, secured by the hooks, is formed such that its opening is entirely or substantially entirely within the opening range of the inlet 345. The lower side (bottom side) of the harvest bag 32 is, for example, formed to contact the upper surface 335a of the dividing bottom plate 335 due to the weight of the scale portion 2a inserted into the harvest bag 32.

[0203] When the harvest bag 32 is installed on the turntable 300, for example, firstly, the harvest bag 32 is secured to the two fixed hooks 351 located radially inside (inner side) of the turntable, and then the harvest bag 32 is secured to the two movable hooks 352 located radially outside (near the front side) of the turntable. When the harvest bag 32 is removed, for example, the two movable hooks 352 on the near front side are released in the reverse order of installation, and then the harvest bag 32 is removed from the two fixed hooks 351 on the inner side. When the harvest bag 32 is secured or released relative to the two movable hooks 352, the two movable hooks 352 are tilted appropriately by rotating the hook support arm 353.

[0204] Regarding the rotation of the turntable 300 around the rotation axis T1, the turntable 300 receives the scales 2a falling from the outlet 210 of the guide 33 into the harvest bags 32 placed in the bag placement area below the guide 33. Therefore, the turntable 300, through its intermittent rotation, causes the harvest bags 32 in each bag placement area to stop sequentially at predetermined intake positions below the outlet 210 of the guide 33. Figure 13 As shown, the bag placement area is positioned such that the trapezoidal openings of the guide 33 outlet 210 and the turntable 300 side inlet 345 are approximately aligned when viewed from above. This intermittent rotation of the turntable 300 is achieved using the turntable locking device 400.

[0205] The turntable locking device 400 will be described. The turntable locking device 400 is located below the base plate portion 302 relative to the turntable 300 and is configured to engage with the base plate portion 302. The turntable locking device 400 is configured to be supported on the lower support frame portion 310 that supports the central shaft 301.

[0206] The turntable locking device 400 has a roller portion 401 as an engaging portion that engages with the recess 360 of the engaging portion provided on the base plate portion 302. The roller portion 401 is composed of a roller component 402. In this embodiment, the roller component 402 is a bearing having a cylindrical inner ring 402a and an outer ring 402b, and multiple rolling elements such as balls and rollers between them.

[0207] The turntable locking device 400 includes: a roller component 402; a roller support shaft 403 that supports the roller component 402; a roller support plate 404 that is integral with the roller support shaft 403; a support shaft 405 that supports the roller support plate 404 so that it can rotate; a shaft support plate 406 that supports the support shaft 405; and a base plate 407 that is fixedly disposed on the lower support frame portion 310 and receives the shaft support plate 406.

[0208] The roller assembly 402 is positioned to the right of the central shaft 301 in the left-right direction of the machine body, and directly behind the lower support frame 310 in the front-rear direction of the machine body. The roller assembly 402 is positioned near the outer periphery at the center of the turntable's radial direction relative to the radius of the turntable 300. When viewed from above, the rotation axis of the roller assembly 402 is set to the left-right direction of the machine body.

[0209] The roller support shaft 403 is a component with a cylindrical shape and a shaft length that is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the roller component 402, and is concentrically arranged relative to the roller component 402. The roller support shaft 403 supports the roller component 402 at its right end and causes most of it to protrude to the left from the roller component 402.

[0210] The roller support shaft 403 is fixed to the inner ring 402a by pressing or the like, so that the reduced diameter portion at its right end is inserted into and fitted into the inner ring 402a of the roller component 402. The roller support shaft 403 is secured to the inner ring 402a by a retaining ring 411 provided at its end (see reference). Figure 20 A) and is locked and fixed to the roller component 402. Regarding the roller portion 401, the outer ring 402b of the roller component 402 functions as a roller that rotates coaxially with respect to the roller support shaft 403.

[0211] The roller support plate 404 is an approximately triangular plate-shaped component with its thickness direction oriented in the front-rear direction of the machine body. A roller support shaft 403 is fixedly mounted on the top right side of the roller support plate 404. A right-angled cutout 404a is formed on the top right side of the roller support plate 404, allowing the roller support shaft 403 to fit into it. The roller support shaft 403 is fixed to the roller support plate 404 by welding or the like, such that its protruding portion from the roller component 402 to the left fits into the cutout 404a.

[0212] A support cylinder portion 412, which is a cylindrical part with the front-to-back direction as its central axis, is provided near the top of the lower side of the roller support plate 404. The support cylinder portion 412 is provided to fix the cylindrical component to the roller support plate 404 by welding or the like. The roller support plate 404 is rotatably supported on the support shaft 405 by means of the support cylinder portion 412.

[0213] The support shaft 405 is a shaft with a circular cross-section and an axial direction that is forward and backward, and is located on the rear side of the lower support frame portion 310. The support shaft 405 is inserted into the support cylinder portion 412 and is locked and fixed to the support cylinder portion 412 by a stop ring 413 provided at its end. According to this structure, the roller support plate 404 is configured to have the support shaft 405 as the support shaft and a rotation axis P1 (see reference) that is aligned with the axis of the support shaft 405. Figure 18 It rotates around the center.

[0214] The support shaft 405 is mounted on the base plate 407 via a shaft support plate 406. The shaft support plate 406 is a rectangular plate-shaped component with its thickness along the front-to-back direction of the machine body. It has a vertical dimension larger than that of the lower support frame portion 310, and its upper and lower sides protrude from the lower support frame portion 310. The support shaft 405 protrudes rearward from the center of the shaft support plate 406.

[0215] The substrate 407 has a main body plate portion 407a, which is a plate-shaped portion with its thickness in the front-to-back direction of the body and its length in the left-to-right direction of the body. The substrate 407 overlaps the main body plate portion 407a with the lower support frame portion 310 from the rear surface side and is fixed to the lower support frame portion 310 by welding or the like. The substrate 407 has a dimension in the vertical direction that is larger than the vertical dimension of the lower support frame portion 310, and the upper and lower sides are exposed from the lower support frame portion 310.

[0216] The substrate 407 has locking tabs 407b on the upper and lower sides of the right end of the main body plate 407a, which are bent at right angles relative to the main body plate 407a when viewed from above. The upper and lower locking tabs 407b are plate-shaped portions with the thickness direction of the plate in the left-right direction of the machine body. The locking tabs 407b are locking portions of the substrate 407 relative to the lower support frame 310, for example, fixed portions that are fixed to the lower support frame 310 by welding or the like.

[0217] A shaft support plate 406, which forms an integral part of the support shaft 405, overlaps with the right side of the main body plate portion 407a of the base plate 407 from the rear side and is fixed to the base plate 407 using bolts 414 or the like. The bolts 414 pass through the shaft support plate 406 and the main body plate portion 407a and are screwed with nuts on the front side of the main body plate portion 407a. Fixing portions based on the bolts 414 are provided at the four corners of the shaft support plate 406. In this way, the support shaft 405 is fixed to the lower support frame portion 310 by means of the base plate 407 and the shaft support plate 406, and is set as a fixed shaft relative to the lower support frame portion 310.

[0218] Based on the above structure, the integral structure including the roller portion 401, the roller support shaft 403, and the roller support plate 404 is configured to be supported by the support shaft 405 and be able to rotate about the rotation axis P1. Furthermore, the structure of the roller portion 401 is not limited to this embodiment; the roller portion 401 may be any roller that rotates around a predetermined rotation axis.

[0219] The turntable locking device 400 includes a force-applying spring 421, which acts as a force-applying component for pressing the roller 401 toward the recess 360 on the turntable 300 side. Specifically, the force-applying spring 421 is used in the rotational direction that causes the roller 401 to move upward, i.e., the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the rear (referring to the leftward rotation direction). Figure 18 Force is applied to the rotating body, including the roller 401 which is supported and can rotate about the rotation axis P1, as indicated by arrow Q1.

[0220] The force-applying spring 421 is a helical spring with hooks at both ends, located on the left side of the roller support plate 404, and is positioned with its extension direction tilted to the right and lower than the left. The force-applying spring 421 causes one hook to engage with the top of the left side of the roller support plate 404. A locking hole 404b is formed at the top of the left side of the roller support plate 404, through which the hook passes.

[0221] The force-applying spring 421 causes another hook to engage with the force adjustment part 420 provided on the left side of the force-applying spring 421. The force adjustment part 420 has the following structure: a straight rod-shaped adjustment rod 422 is supported by two positioning nuts 423 on a support wall part 407c provided as part of the base plate 407.

[0222] The support wall portion 407c is formed such that it bends rearward relative to the left side of the main plate portion 407a, with the plate thickness direction aligned with the extension and contraction direction of the force spring 421. An adjusting rod 422 passes through the support wall portion 407c perpendicularly to the plate surface and is secured to the support wall portion 407c by two positioning nuts 423 that are screwed onto the adjusting rod 422.

[0223] The axial position of the adjusting rod 422 relative to the support wall 407c is adjusted based on the fixed position of the adjusting rod 422 relative to the support wall 407c based on the two positioning nuts 423. A large portion of the adjusting rod 422 becomes an externally threaded portion with a threaded portion 422a formed on its outer circumferential surface (see reference). Figure 18 ).

[0224] The adjusting rod 422 sets the end of the force spring 421 into a plate-shaped locking portion 422b, and causes another hook of the force spring 421 to lock into this locking portion 422b. A locking hole 422c is formed in the locking portion 422b, through which the hook passes. The axial direction of the adjusting rod 422 is consistent with or approximately consistent with the extension / retraction direction of the force spring 421.

[0225] The force-applying spring 421 applies a stretching force to the roller support plate 404 such that the top left side of the roller support plate 404 approaches the support wall 407c side. This force of the force-applying spring 421 is a rotational force that causes the roller component 402 to move upward about the support shaft 405 via the roller support plate 404 and the roller support shaft 403 (see reference). Figure 18 The force of arrow Q1) causes the roller component 402 to press against the substrate 302 from below.

[0226] The setting length of the force-applying spring 421, i.e., the force (tension force) exerted by the force-applying spring 421 on the roller support plate 404, is adjusted by adjusting the position of the adjusting rod 422 relative to the support wall portion 407c based on the front and rear positioning nuts 423. This adjusts the pressing pressure of the roller component 402 on the base plate portion 302 side. Thus, the turntable locking device 400 has a force adjustment section 420 for adjusting the force of the force-applying spring 421.

[0227] The recess 360 will be described. A recess 360 is provided at one location corresponding to each bag placement area of ​​the base plate portion 302. The recess 360 is formed in the same manner in each bag placement area. Therefore, the five recesses 360 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the turntable on the base plate portion 302. Thus, in this embodiment, depending on the number of bag placement areas, the recesses 360 are provided at five locations at predetermined intervals (72° intervals) in the rotation direction of the turntable 300.

[0228] The recess 360 is provided in the radial direction of the turntable at a position corresponding to the roller member 402. The recess 360 is provided by fixing a recess forming plate 370, which is a plate-shaped member having a buckling shape constituting a concave portion, to the bottom plate portion 331 of the base plate portion 302.

[0229] The recess forming plate 370, as part constituting its buckling shape, has: a pair of beveled surfaces 371 that bend in a V-shape to form straight ridge portions 373 along the radial direction of the turntable when viewed from above; and fixed surfaces 372 that extend from each beveled surface 371 to the opposite side of the ridge portion 373. The two fixed surfaces 372 are formed along a common imaginary plane. The recess forming plate 370 has a linearly symmetrical shape with the ridge portion 373 as the centerline portion.

[0230] A recess forming plate 370 is fixedly disposed on the upper side of the base plate portion 331. Two fixing faces 372 are fixed to the upper surface 331a of the base plate portion 331 by welding or the like. In the recess forming plate 370, regarding the pair of inclined faces 371, there is a shape that causes the ridge portion 373 to slope upwards from the inside to the outside in the radial direction of the turntable (see reference). Figure 18 Therefore, the pair of inclined surfaces 371 have an approximately trapezoidal shape when viewed from above, with the inner and outer sides of the turntable's radial direction respectively set as the upper bottom side and the lower bottom side.

[0231] A through-hole 331c is formed in the base plate portion 331, such that the entire surface of a pair of inclined surfaces 371 in the recess forming plate 370 faces downward. The base plate portion 331 has an approximately trapezoidal opening shape based on the top view shape of the pair of inclined surfaces 371. Each segmented base plate portion 335, which overlaps with the through-hole 335c used to ensure the arrangement space of the recess forming plate 370 on the base plate portion 331, is formed to be continuous with the opening 331c of the base plate portion 331.

[0232] According to the above structure, a V-shaped recess 360 formed by a pair of beveled portions 371 is formed on the lower surface 331b of the base plate portion 331. The depth of the recess 360 gradually increases from the inner side to the outer side of the turntable radially according to the slope of the ridge portion 373 (see reference). Figure 18 ).

[0233] According to the above structure, as the turntable 300 rotates in the turntable rotation direction, whenever the recess 360 reaches the roller 401, the roller 401 engages with the recess 360 to stop the turntable 300, thereby automatically stopping the rotation of the turntable 300. Applying a force to the turntable 300 to rotate it from the state where it is stopped by the engagement of the roller 401 automatically releases the engagement of the roller 401 with the recess 360, causing the turntable 300 to rotate.

[0234] In each bag placement area, regarding the rotation direction of the turntable 300, the recess 360 is positioned such that the engagement position between the roller 401 and the recess 360 is such that the trapezoidal opening shape of the inlet 345 approximately matches the approximate trapezoidal opening shape of the outlet 210 of the guide 33 when viewed from above. That is, during intermittent rotation, the engagement of the roller 401 with the recess 360 in each bag placement area automatically positions the turntable 300 so that the inlet 345 on the turntable 300 side matches the outlet 210 of the guide 33.

[0235] For example, the turntable 300 is rotated manually by an assistant operator sitting in the auxiliary seat 64. The turntable 300 is rotated by applying a force (operating force) in the direction of rotation to the turntable 300 by setting the support column 305, the top plate 303, etc. as a holding part.

[0236] The engagement and disengagement of the roller 401 relative to the recess 360 are achieved through the operation of the turntable locking device 400, which accompanies the rotation of the turntable 300. Utilizing... Figure 20 The engagement and disengagement of the roller 401 relative to the recess 360 as the turntable 300 rotates will be explained. Figure 20 The figures are side views taken from the right side of the aircraft.

[0237] Figure 20Figure A shows the state of the turntable 300 rotating in the turntable rotation direction (refer to arrow S1), and is the state just before the recess 360 reaches the roller component 402 of the roller section 401. Figure 20 As shown in A, in the non-engaged state of the roller member 402 relative to the recess 360 (of the roller member 401), the roller member 402 is configured such that its outer peripheral surface 402c contacts the lower surface 331b of the base plate 331. Here, the roller member 402 is configured to exert a pressing effect on the base plate 331 using the force of the force-applying spring 421.

[0238] Thus, the roller component 402 is configured such that, in the non-engaged state, while its outer ring 402b rotates with the rotation of the turntable 300, it also exerts a contact (pressing) action on the lower surface 331b of the base plate portion 331. In the non-engaged state, the roller component 402 has its central axis direction set horizontally or approximately horizontally. Furthermore, Figure 18 The non-engaged state of roller component 402 is indicated by a double-dotted line.

[0239] like Figure 20 As shown in B, if turntable 300 from Figure 20 If the state shown in A is further rotated so that the recess 360 reaches the roller component 402, then the force of the force-applying spring 421 causes the roller component 402 to rotate around the rotation axis P1 (refer to...). Figure 18 The roller component 402 rotates and rises (refer to arrow R1), thereby engaging with the recess 360. That is, the roller component 402 automatically engages with the recess 360, which has reached the upper position of the roller component 402 due to the rotation of the turntable 300. The engagement of the roller component 402 with the recess 360 stops the rotating turntable 300, thereby stopping the rotation of the turntable 300.

[0240] The roller member 402 is fitted into the recess 360 at its upper part or upper end to form a engaged state with the recess 360. In this engaged state relative to the recess 360, the roller member 402 is configured such that its outer peripheral surface 402c contacts the inner (lower) surfaces of a pair of inclined surfaces 371. Furthermore, in the engaged state, the roller member 402 is inclined in a direction with its central axis higher on the right and lower on the left. The inclined direction of the roller member 402 in the engaged state is approximately consistent with the inclined direction of the ridge portion 373 of the recess forming plate 370 constituting the recess 360 (see reference). Figure 18 ).

[0241] like Figure 20As shown in C, if a force (operating force) of a specified magnitude or greater is applied to the force in the rotation direction of the turntable 300 from the state where the roller component 402 is engaged with the recess 360, the roller component 402 is pressed down by the force of the force-applying spring 421 along the slope of the inclined surface 371 against the pressing action of the inclined surface 371 on the rear side of the turntable rotation direction (refer to arrow R2).

[0242] The pressed roller component 402 causes the contact object to move from the inner side of the inclined portion 371 on the rear side of the turntable in the rotation direction to the lower surface 331b of the base plate portion 331, thus forming a non-engaged state. In this way, when a force is applied to the turntable 300 to make it rotate from the state where the rotation of the turntable 300 is stopped by the engagement of the roller component 402 with respect to the recess 360, the turntable 300 starts to rotate and automatically releases the engagement of the roller component 402 with respect to the recess 360.

[0243] As an example of the operation mode of the turntable 300, the state in which the rotation of the turntable 300 stops when the roller component 402 changes to the engaged state ( Figure 20 (As shown in state B) the turntable 300 is rotated to release the engagement of the roller component 402. Then, when the roller component 402 engages with the recess 360 again, the operation force in the direction of rotation of the turntable 300 is released. That is, when the roller component 402 engages with the recess 360, the rotation of the turntable 300 is formed as an inertial rotation state, and the turntable 300 can be automatically stopped by engaging the roller component 402 with the recess 360 when the operator's hand is removed.

[0244] use Figure 21 An example of the operation method and sequence performed on the receiving section 8 during the harvesting of garlic 2 will be explained. For example... Figure 21 As shown, in this work example, the work is performed by an assistant worker 501 seated in the auxiliary seat 64 and a walking worker 502 who follows the machine body moving forward behind the vegetable harvester 1. Furthermore, the work described here is a harvesting operation performed by a worker (driver) seated in the driver's seat 12, who moves the machine body forward based on various operations of the vegetable harvester 1.

[0245] like Figure 21 As shown, in the five bag placement areas of the turntable 300, the assistant operator 501 places empty harvest bags 32 in the bag placement area located on the left side of the machine (refer to arrow U1). The harvest bags 32 are hooked onto two fixed hooks 351 and two movable hooks 352, and the opening shape of the upper part is approximately trapezoidal when viewed from above and installed in a downward-hanging state. In addition, for example, multiple harvest bags 32 are pre-prepared at designated locations on the machine body for placement on the turntable 300.

[0246] In the following description, the stopping position of each bag placement area during the intermittent rotation of the turntable 300 is designated as the first position W1, where the auxiliary operator 501 accepts the installation of the harvest bag 32, and is designated as the first to fifth positions W1 to W5 in the order of the turntable rotation direction.

[0247] The third position W3 is where the harvest bag 32 receives the scale portion 2a group that falls from the guide 33. The scale portion 2a group is stored in the harvest bag 32 through a trapezoidal inlet 345 formed on the top surface 341 (see arrow V1). When the harvest bag 32 is filled with scale portion 2a in the third position W3, the assistant operator 501 rotates the turntable 300 in the turntable rotation direction (see arrow S1) corresponding to one bag placement area (approximately 72°). As a result, the harvest bag 32 filled in the third position W3 moves to the fourth position W4, and the harvest bag 32 that was empty in the second position W2 moves to the third position W3. Furthermore, the harvest bag 32 at the first position W1 is installed after the turntable 300 is rotated until the harvest bag 32 that has moved to the third position W3 is filled with scale portion 2a. Additionally, harvesting bags 32 can be installed in the bag placement area of ​​the second position W2.

[0248] The empty harvest bag 32, moved to the third position W3, receives the feed of the scale section 2a group, which is continuously supplied by the guide 33, from the full harvest bag 32, which has been moved to the fourth position W4. Meanwhile, the full harvest bag 32 is output to the designated location by the walking operator 502 at the fourth position W4 (refer to arrow U2). Furthermore, depending on the work status, the full harvest bag 32 is output at either the fourth position W4 or the fifth position W5. When the harvest bag 32 is output at the fourth position W4, the bag placement area at the fifth position W5 becomes an unoccupied state, i.e., awaiting the installation of the harvest bag 32 at the first position W1.

[0249] Thus, the third position W3 is used to receive the scale portion 2a conveyed by the longitudinal conveyor 17, the fourth position W4 and the fifth position W5 are used to remove the full harvest bag 32, and the first position W1 and the second position W2 are used to install the harvest bag 32. Therefore, as the turntable 300 rotates, the installation of the harvest bag 32, the reception of the scale portion 2a relative to the harvest bag 32, and the removal of the full harvest bag 32 can be performed simultaneously, thereby enabling continuous harvesting operations.

[0250] The turntable 300 rotates intermittently at a constant rhythm, continuously performing operations on the bag placement areas at various positions on the turntable 300. For example, the switching of harvest bags 32 receiving the scale 2a group from the guide 33 at intervals of 20-30 seconds corresponds to the rotation operation of the turntable 300 for each bag placement area. In this case, the 20-30 second timeframe corresponds to the time until the empty harvest bags 32 are filled at the third position W3.

[0251] As described above, the receiving section 8 receives the scale section 2a group delivered from the front of the machine at a constant speed. Therefore, the harvesting bag 32 that receives the scale section 2a group is switched sequentially at a constant interval by the intermittent rotation operation of the turntable 300 based on the operator's manual method.

[0252] According to the vegetable harvester 1 of this embodiment with the above structure, the structure of the receiving part 8 for receiving the conveyed scale part 2a into the harvesting bag 32 is provided with a turntable 300 that rotates to switch the position of the harvesting bag 32. The structure for intermittently rotating the turntable 300 can be realized with a cheap and simple structure.

[0253] The receiving section 8 includes: a turntable 300, which is configured to rotate about a rotation axis T1 using a central shaft 301 and to support a plurality of harvest bags 32; and a turntable locking device 400, which engages with a recess 360 of the turntable 300 to lock the rotation of the turntable 300 in the rotational direction at predetermined intervals. With this structure, the turntable 300 can be rotated intermittently at constant intervals using a simple structure.

[0254] For example, structures that utilize actuators such as motors as a power source for the intermittent rotation of the turntable 300, or those that use sensors to detect the storage status of the scale portion 2a relative to the harvest bag 32, become complex and expensive. Therefore, by using a structure in which the turntable locking device 400 engages with a plurality of recesses 360 provided on the turntable 300, as in the bag holding device 34 of this embodiment, a structure for intermittently rotating the turntable 300 can be implemented in a cheap and simple manner without the use of actuators, sensors, or similar devices.

[0255] Furthermore, in structures where an actuator is used as the power source to rotate the turntable 300, and the rotation / stopping of the turntable 300 is operated by a predetermined operating part, the location for rotating the turntable 300 is limited. In this respect, according to the bag holding device 34 of this embodiment, the rotation operation of the turntable 300 is an operation of manually applying a force in the direction of rotation to the turntable 300; therefore, the operator is not restricted by the operating position and can rotate the turntable 300.

[0256] exist Figure 21 In the example shown, either the assistant operator 501 or the walking operator 502 can rotate the turntable 300 without moving the site. Therefore, the switching operation of the harvesting bag 32 can be easily completed by multiple operators complementing each other, thus reducing the workload of each operator and achieving good workability.

[0257] Furthermore, as a structure for locking the rotation of the turntable 300, the turntable 300 has a plurality of recesses 360 arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the turntable, and the turntable locking device 400 has a roller portion 401 that engages with the recesses 360. According to this structure, a structure for locking the rotation of the turntable 300 can be implemented with an inexpensive and simple structure as a positioning mechanism for the stop position of the turntable 300. The turntable 300 is positioned appropriately relative to the guide 33, thereby preventing the scale portion 2a from overflowing due to misalignment between the inlet 345 and the outlet 210 of the guide 33. Furthermore, regarding the structure that continuously supplies the scale portion 2a group to the turntable 300 using the longitudinal conveyor 17, the switching of the inlet 345, i.e., the switching of the harvesting bag 32, achieved by rotating the turntable 300, can be performed smoothly.

[0258] Furthermore, the turntable locking device 400 includes a force spring 421 for pressing the roller 401 against the recess 360. With this structure, the force of the force spring 421 enhances the locking action of the roller 401 against the recess 360. Therefore, good operability is ensured during the rotation of the turntable 300, and the release of the roller 401 from the lock due to the rotational inertia of the turntable 300 is suppressed, thus improving the reliability of the turntable 300's positioning.

[0259] Furthermore, the turntable locking device 400 includes a force adjustment section 420 for adjusting the force of the force-applying spring 421. With this structure, the magnitude of the pressing action of the roller component 402 against the recess 360 can be adjusted according to the harvesting conditions of the garlic 2, the size of the garlic 2 being harvested, the size of the harvesting bag 32, etc. This ensures good operability of the turntable 300's rotation operation and good positioning of the turntable 300.

[0260] Furthermore, the turntable 300 has a top plate portion 303, and the intake 345 formed in the top plate portion 303 has a trapezoidal opening shape whose width gradually decreases from the outside to the inside in the radial direction of the turntable. According to this structure, for example, compared to a structure where the intake 345's opening shape is formed as a square or rectangle, the opening area of ​​the intake 345 can be ensured and the outer diameter of the turntable 300 can be reduced, thus achieving a compact structure for the turntable 300. From the viewpoint of suppressing the increase in the size of the machine body and from the viewpoint of balancing the weight of the machine body, a compact turntable 300 is preferred.

[0261] Furthermore, the outlet 210 of the guide 33 above the turntable 300, which allows the scale portion 2a group to fall, has an approximately trapezoidal opening shape that, when viewed from above, roughly matches the opening shape of the inlet 345. This structure allows for efficient supply of the scale portion 2a group falling from the guide 33 to the inlet 345, enabling the scale portion 2a to be efficiently and smoothly stored in the harvesting bag 32.

[0262] In addition, regarding the trapezoidal structure of the inlet 345, two fixed hooks 351 and two movable hooks 352 for attaching the harvest bag 32 are arranged near the four corners of the inlet 345 so that the opening shape of the harvest bag 32 is trapezoidal.

[0263] According to this structure, the two fixed hooks 351 located on the inner side of the turntable's radial direction and the two movable hooks 352 located on the near-front side of the turntable's radial direction can be staggered in their arrangement in a direction orthogonal to the turntable's radial direction when viewed from above. Therefore, when locking and releasing the harvesting bag 32 relative to the two inner fixed hooks 351, the two near-front movable hooks 352 will not cause obstruction. Thus, compared to structures such as those where the opening shape of the inlet 345 is square, the safety and operability of assembling and disassembling the harvesting bag 32 relative to the turntable 300 can be improved.

[0264] Furthermore, two of the four hooks that engage the harvest bag 32 are positioned as movable hooks 352, capable of tilting via the rotation of the hook support arm 353. This configuration improves operability for assembling and disassembling the harvest bag 32 relative to the turntable 300. Specifically, when removing a full harvest bag 32 from the hook, the movable hook 352 is moved sideways by rotating the hook support arm 353, releasing the engagement of the harvest bag 32 without stretching or lifting the heavier bag. This ensures excellent operability.

[0265] Furthermore, in the top plate portion 303 constituting the turntable 300, an upper surrounding wall portion 342 is provided around the top surface portion 341 that opens the intake 345. According to this structure, even if a scale portion 2a falling from the guide 33 is unable to pass through the intake 345, the upper surrounding wall portion 342 can act as a barrier to prevent the scale portion 2a from falling into the field.

[0266] The vegetable harvester described above using the embodiments is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be used in various ways within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

[0267] Regarding the engagement structure of the turntable 300 and the turntable locking device 400, in the above embodiment, the turntable 300 has a recess 360, and the turntable locking device 400 has a roller portion 401. However, it can also be structured as follows: the turntable 300 has a roller portion as the locked portion, and the turntable locking device 400 has a recess that allows the roller portion to engage as the engaging portion. That is, the engaging portion of the turntable locking device 400 is either the roller portion or the recess, and the locked portion of the turntable 300 is either the roller portion or the recess.

[0268] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the turntable 300 has five bag placement areas. The number of bag placement areas in the turntable 300 is not limited; for example, it can have four or six. However, regarding the relationship with the conveying speed of the garlic 2 based on the conveying device such as the longitudinal conveyor 17, the size of the harvesting bags 32, etc., from the viewpoint of making the workload of the operator performing the installation and output operations of the harvesting bags 32 relative to the turntable 300 appropriate and realizing the compactness of the turntable 300, a structure with five bag placement areas as described in the above embodiment is preferred.

Claims

1. A vegetable harvester for harvesting vegetables from soil, characterized in that, The vegetable harvester is equipped with: The conveyor section, which transports the harvested vegetables; and A receiving section is used to receive vegetables transported by the conveying section into a storage container. The receiving section has: A rotating part, configured to rotate about a predetermined axis of rotation, and configured to support multiple storage containers; and A rotating locking part, which locks the rotation of the rotating part at predetermined intervals in the rotational direction of the rotating part by engaging with the locking part of the rotating part.

2. The vegetable harvester according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating locking part has a locking part that engages with the locking part. The engaging portion is provided at multiple locations at the specified intervals in the rotational direction. The engaging portion can be either the roller portion or the recessed portion that causes the roller portion to engage. The engaging portion is either the roller portion or the recessed portion.

3. The vegetable harvester according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rotating locking part has a force-applying component for pressing the engaging part against the engaged part.

4. The vegetable harvester according to claim 3, characterized in that, The rotating locking part has a force adjustment part for adjusting the force applied by the force-applying component.

5. The vegetable harvester according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The rotating part has a disc-shaped top plate portion with multiple inlets for vegetables to pass through when they are put into the storage container. The inlet has a trapezoidal opening shape with the rotation axis side as the upper bottom side and the outer periphery of the top plate portion as the lower bottom side.

6. The vegetable harvester according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the operator overcomes the pressing action of the force-applying component and causes the rotating part to rotate, the engagement of the engaging part and the engaged part disengages, allowing the rotating part to rotate.

7. The vegetable harvester according to claim 6, characterized in that, For the rotating part, the engagement part and the engaged part disengage and engage with the adjacent engaged part to stop the rotation.

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