A cutter head profiling device for a sugar cane harvester
The control system, composed of contour wheels and sensors, solved the problem of inconsistent cutting disc height in sugarcane harvesters, achieving stable distance between the disc and the ground, and improving harvesting efficiency and resource utilization.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GUANGXI ZHUANG AUTONOMOUS REGION ACAD OF AGRI SCI
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-03
Smart Images
Figure CN224439727U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to sugarcane harvesting equipment, and in particular to a cutter head contouring device for a sugarcane harvester. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, sugarcane harvesting generally involves manual harvesting and combine harvester harvesting. Manual harvesting involves cutting each sugarcane stalk individually, which is labor-intensive and inefficient, but the quality of manually harvested sugarcane is relatively consistent. Combine harvesters, on the other hand, typically use a harvesting device mounted in front of a motorized vehicle. A cutting disc is installed at the bottom of the harvesting device; the sugarcane is cut off at the root and falls to the ground after passing through the cutting disc, thus achieving automated harvesting.
[0003] However, due to the loose soil, uneven terrain, and undulating surface of farmland, coupled with the significant lag inherent in tracked vehicles, it is difficult for drivers to control the cutting height of the cutter head and maintain it at a constant level. Currently, sugarcane harvesters rely on drivers visually observing and drawing on experience to manually control the hydraulic cylinders that raise and lower the cutter head, making it challenging to ensure a consistent distance between the cutter head and the ground. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cutting disc contouring device for a sugarcane harvester, which solves the problem that the existing cutting mechanism of sugarcane harvesters cannot ensure that the distance between the cutting disc and the ground remains consistent.
[0005] The specific technical solution is as follows:
[0006] A cutter head contouring device for a sugarcane harvester includes:
[0007] Mounting bracket, used to connect to the front end of the frame of the sugarcane harvester;
[0008] The contour wheel is connected to the mounting bracket or cutter head mechanism via a swing arm;
[0009] The swing arm is connected to an encoder, and the encoder is connected to a PLC controller;
[0010] The contouring mechanism includes a swinging component, a swing frame, and a drive hydraulic cylinder. The swinging component is connected to the rotating disk, the swing frame is connected to the swinging component, the fixed end of the drive hydraulic cylinder is connected to the mounting frame or the frame of the sugarcane harvester, and the output shaft of the drive hydraulic cylinder is hinged to the swing frame.
[0011] The rotating mechanism includes a rotating disk and a rotating hydraulic cylinder. The fixed end of the rotating hydraulic cylinder is connected to a mounting bracket, and the output shaft of the rotating disk and the rotating hydraulic cylinder are connected.
[0012] The cutter head mechanism is mounted on the swing frame.
[0013] Preferably, the mounting frame includes a crossbeam, connecting columns, and connecting frames. There are two connecting columns and two connecting frames. One end of each connecting column is fixedly connected to both ends of the crossbeam, and the other end of each connecting column is inserted into the connecting frame. Both the connecting columns and the connecting frame have arrayed locking holes along their length. The locking holes of the connecting columns and the connecting frames are engaged by locking pins. Both ends of the locking pins are threaded and connected to nuts. The connecting frame is used to connect to the front end of the sugarcane harvester's frame. A swing arm is fixedly connected to a rotating shaft. When the contour wheel is connected to the mounting frame via the swing arm, the rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the crossbeam. The encoder's rotating shaft is connected to the rotating shaft, and the encoder is mounted on the crossbeam. A rotating hydraulic cylinder is mounted on the crossbeam, and the fixed end of the driving hydraulic cylinder is fixedly connected to the connecting frame.
[0014] Preferably, the cutter head mechanism includes a cutter head base, a drive motor, and a cutting cutter head. The cutter head base is fixedly connected to the swing frame, the drive motor is mounted on the cutter head base, the output shaft of the drive motor is connected to a coupling, and a connecting shaft is provided on the cutting cutter head. The coupling is connected to the connecting shaft.
[0015] Preferably, the swing component includes a rotating shaft and a rotating bushing, the rotating shaft and the rotating bushing are connected by a bearing, the rotating shaft is fixed on the rotating disk, and the swing frame is fixedly connected to the rotating bushing.
[0016] Preferably, the cutter head holder is equipped with a distance sensor, which is connected to the PLC controller.
[0017] Preferably, the drive hydraulic cylinder is equipped with a resistive stroke sensor, which is connected to the PLC controller.
[0018] Preferably, there are two contouring mechanisms, two rotating mechanisms, and two cutter head mechanisms. Both rotating mechanisms are connected to the mounting frame, the two contouring mechanisms are connected to the two rotating mechanisms respectively, and the two cutter head mechanisms are connected to the two contouring mechanisms respectively.
[0019] Preferably, when the contour wheel is connected to the cutter head mechanism via a rocker arm, there are two contour wheels, and the two cutter head mechanisms are respectively connected to the two contour wheels via rocker arms.
[0020] Compared with existing technologies, this utility model has the following beneficial effects:
[0021] This utility model's cutter head contouring device ensures that the distance between the cutter head mechanism and the ground remains consistent, making it suitable for harvesting sugarcane in various sugarcane fields and highly practical. Its principle is as follows: First, the height of the sugarcane ridge is preset in the PLC controller. The PLC controller then controls the start of the drive hydraulic cylinder, which extends and retracts according to the PLC controller's instructions, causing the swing frame to swing around the rotation axis, resetting the cutter head mechanism to the preset origin position. When the sugarcane harvester advances to the uneven ground, a distance sensor detects its distance from the ground, and an encoder detects the angle of rotation of the swing arm driven by the contouring wheel. Based on the height detected by the distance sensor and the angle detected by the encoder, the PLC controller then controls the extension and retraction of the drive hydraulic cylinder. A resistive stroke sensor detects the distance of the extension and retraction of the drive hydraulic cylinder, ensuring that the distance of the drive hydraulic cylinder corresponds to the height detected by the distance sensor and the angle detected by the encoder. This ensures that the distance between the cutter head mechanism and the ground remains consistent, avoiding inconsistent cutting heights of the sugarcane and preventing resource waste. Attached Figure Description
[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. In all the drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals. In the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0023] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional diagram of the cutter head contouring device.
[0024] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional view of the cutterhead contouring device from another perspective.
[0025] Figure 3 This is the left view of the cutter head contouring device.
[0026] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the swinging component.
[0027] Explanation of key figure labels:
[0028] 1 is the mounting bracket, 11 is the connecting frame, 12 is the locking hole, 13 is the connecting column, 14 is the crossbeam, 2 is the rotating mechanism, 21 is the connecting plate, 22 is the rotating hydraulic cylinder, 23 is the rotating disk, 3 is the cutter head mechanism, 31 is the cutting cutter head, 32 is the drive motor, 33 is the cutter head seat, 4 is the contour wheel, 41 is the swing arm, 5 is the encoder, 6 is the drive hydraulic cylinder, 7 is the swing component, 71 is the support plate, 72 is the rotating bushing, 73 is the rotating shaft, 74 is the bearing, and 8 is the swing frame. Detailed Implementation
[0029] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0030] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "top surface", "bottom surface", "inner", "outer", "inner side", "outer side", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.
[0031] In the description of this utility model, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. If the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used in the description, they are for descriptive purposes and to distinguish technical features, and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the sequential relationship of the indicated technical features.
[0032] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "setting" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances. The embodiments of this utility model will now be described based on its overall structure.
[0033] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the present embodiment provides a cutter head contouring device for a sugarcane harvester, comprising:
[0034] Mounting bracket 1 is used to connect to the front end of the frame of the sugarcane harvester;
[0035] The contour wheel 4 is connected to the mounting frame 1 or the cutter head mechanism 3 via the swing rod 41.
[0036] The swing arm 41 is connected to the encoder 5, and the encoder 5 is connected to the PLC controller;
[0037] The contouring mechanism includes a swing component 7, a swing frame 8, and a drive hydraulic cylinder 6. The swing component 7 is connected to the rotating disk 23, and the swing frame 8 is connected to the swing component 7. The fixed end of the drive hydraulic cylinder 6 is connected to the mounting frame 1 or the frame of the sugarcane harvester. The output shaft of the drive hydraulic cylinder 6 is hinged to the swing frame 8. The drive hydraulic cylinder 6 drives the swing frame 8 to swing relative to the rotating disk 23, thereby realizing the contouring of the cutter head mechanism 3 in the height direction.
[0038] The rotating mechanism 2 includes a rotating disk 23 and a rotating hydraulic cylinder 22. The fixed end of the rotating hydraulic cylinder 22 is connected to the mounting bracket 1 through a connecting plate 21. The output shafts of the rotating disk 23 and the rotating hydraulic cylinder 22 are connected. With this arrangement, the swing frame 8 can be rotated, thereby adjusting the working range of the cutter head mechanism 3.
[0039] The cutter head mechanism 3 is mounted on the swing frame 8.
[0040] Mounting frame 1 includes a crossbeam 14, connecting columns 13, and connecting frames 11. There are two connecting columns 13 and two connecting frames 11. One end of each connecting column 13 is fixedly connected to both ends of the crossbeam 14, and the other end of each connecting column 13 is inserted into the connecting frame 11. Both the connecting columns 13 and the connecting frame 11 have arrayed locking holes 12 along their length. The locking holes 12 of the connecting columns 13 and the connecting frame 11 are engaged by locking pins. Both ends of the locking pins are threaded and connected to nuts. The connecting frame 11 is used to connect to the front end of the sugarcane harvester's frame. A swing arm 41 is fixedly connected to a rotating shaft. When the contour wheel 4 is connected to the mounting frame 1 via the swing arm 41, the rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the crossbeam 14. The rotating shaft of the encoder 5 is connected to the rotating shaft, and the encoder 5 is mounted on the crossbeam 14. A rotating hydraulic cylinder 22 is mounted on the crossbeam 14, and the fixed end of the driving hydraulic cylinder 6 is fixedly connected to the connecting frame 11. By setting up this mounting frame 1, the working height of the entire cutter head contouring device can be adjusted.
[0041] The cutter head mechanism 3 includes a cutter head seat 33, a drive motor 32, and a cutting cutter head 31. The cutter head seat 33 is fixedly connected to the swing frame 8. The drive motor 32 is mounted on the cutter head seat 33. The output shaft of the drive motor 32 is connected to a coupling. The cutting cutter head 31 is provided with a connecting shaft, and the coupling is connected to the connecting shaft.
[0042] The swing component 7 includes a rotating shaft 73 and a rotating bushing 72. The rotating shaft 73 and the rotating bushing 72 are connected by a bearing 74. The rotating shaft 73 is fixed on the rotating disk 23, and the swing frame 8 is fixedly connected to the rotating bushing 72. Specifically, the rotating disk 23 is provided with two spaced-apart support plates 71. The two ends of the rotating shaft 73 are fixedly connected to the two support plates 71 respectively. The rotating bushing 72 is sleeved on the outside of the rotating shaft 73, and the two support plates 71 restrict the axial movement of the rotating bushing 72 along the rotating shaft 73.
[0043] A distance sensor is installed on the cutter head holder 33, and the distance sensor is connected to the PLC controller. Specifically, the distance sensor can be an existing ultrasonic sensor or a laser sensor. In this embodiment, a laser sensor is used to measure the distance by calculating the round-trip time of the laser beam. Laser sensors have higher accuracy and are suitable for scenarios with high measurement accuracy requirements. By installing the distance sensor on the cutter head holder 33, the distance between the cutter head mechanism 3 and the ground is accurately detected. The detected distance is then fed back to the PLC controller. The PLC controller compares the rotation angle of the encoder 5, the stroke data detected by the resistive stroke sensor, and the height detected by the distance sensor to ensure that the three sets of data correspond, so that the distance between the cutter head mechanism 3 and the ground remains consistent.
[0044] A resistive stroke sensor is installed on the drive hydraulic cylinder 6, and the resistive stroke sensor is connected to the PLC controller. Specifically, the resistive stroke sensor measures position based on the change in resistance of a conductive material. When an object moves, the resistance value of the conductive material changes, and the position of the object is determined by measuring the change in resistance value. It is commonly used for simple linear displacement measurement, such as position feedback of hydraulic cylinders. The resistive stroke sensor in this embodiment is an existing product, and will not be described in detail here. The resistive stroke sensor is used only to detect the piston rod stroke of the drive hydraulic cylinder 6, so as to compare it with the data converted by the encoder 5 and ensure that the stroke of the drive hydraulic cylinder 6 corresponds to the data detected by the encoder 5.
[0045] The device comprises two contouring mechanisms, two rotating mechanisms 2, and two cutter head mechanisms 3. Both rotating mechanisms 2 are connected to the mounting frame 1, and the two contouring mechanisms are each connected to one of the two rotating mechanisms 2. The two cutter head mechanisms 3 are each connected to one of the two contouring mechanisms. This configuration allows the cutter head contouring device to be used with sugarcane harvesters equipped with two cutter head mechanisms 3. It not only ensures that the distance between the cutter head mechanism 3 and the ground remains consistent but also allows for adjustment of the width between the two cutter head mechanisms 3 according to the spacing between two rows of sugarcane, thus improving versatility.
[0046] When the contouring wheel 4 is connected to the cutter head mechanism 3 via the rocker arm 41, there are two contouring wheels 4, and the two cutter head mechanisms 3 are each connected to the two contouring wheels 4 via the rocker arm 41. With this configuration, and in conjunction with the two drive hydraulic cylinders 6 driving the two swing frames 8 respectively, each cutter head mechanism 3 can achieve independent contouring.
[0047] In some embodiments, when the two cutter head mechanisms 3 need to be raised and lowered synchronously, a telescopic frame can be connected to the two swing frame 8 supports. Specifically, the telescopic frame consists of two rectangular steel tubes. A through hole is machined on the side of one of the steel tubes, and a sliding rod is fixed to the other steel tube. The sliding rod is slidably connected to the through hole. The two steel tubes have different cross-sectional areas. One end of the steel tube with the smaller cross-sectional area is inserted into the steel tube with the larger cross-sectional area. The sliding rod is fixed to the end of the steel tube with the smaller cross-sectional area, and a spring connects the end of the steel tube with the smaller cross-sectional area to the steel tube with the larger cross-sectional area. It should be noted that there can be multiple telescopic frames. By setting up telescopic frames, the swing frame 8 can move synchronously with the drive hydraulic cylinder 6.
[0048] The principle is as follows: First, the height of the sugarcane ridge is preset in the PLC controller. The PLC controller then controls the start of the drive hydraulic cylinder 6. The drive hydraulic cylinder 6 extends and retracts according to the instructions of the PLC controller, causing the swing frame 8 to swing around the rotation axis 73, so that the cutter head mechanism 3 returns to the preset origin position. When the sugarcane harvester advances to the uneven ground, the distance sensor detects its distance from the ground, and the encoder 5 detects the angle of rotation of the pendulum 41 driven by the contour wheel 4. Based on the height detected by the distance sensor and the angle detected by the encoder 5, the PLC controller then controls the extension and retraction of the drive hydraulic cylinder 6. The resistive stroke sensor detects the extension and retraction distance of the drive hydraulic cylinder 6, ensuring that the extension and retraction distance of the drive hydraulic cylinder 6 corresponds to the height detected by the distance sensor and the angle detected by the encoder 5. This ensures that the distance between the cutter head mechanism 3 and the ground remains consistent, avoiding inconsistent cutting heights of the sugarcane by the cutter head mechanism 3 and preventing resource waste.
[0049] The foregoing description of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention is for illustrative and explanatory purposes. These descriptions are not intended to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and it is obvious that many changes and variations can be made based on the above teachings. Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, these specific embodiments are merely explanations of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. The specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. The purpose of selecting and describing exemplary embodiments is to explain the specific principles of the present invention and its practical application, so that those skilled in the art, after reading this specification, can make modifications, substitutions, variations, and various choices and changes to the embodiments as needed without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, provided that such modifications, substitutions, variations, and choices and changes are within the scope of the claims of the present invention and are protected by patent law.
Claims
1. A cutterbar profiling device for a sugarcane harvester, characterised in that, include: Mounting bracket, used to connect to the front end of the frame of the sugarcane harvester; The contour wheel is connected to the mounting bracket or cutter head mechanism via a swing arm; The swing arm is connected to an encoder, and the encoder is connected to a PLC controller; The contouring mechanism includes a swinging component, a swing frame, and a drive hydraulic cylinder. The swinging component is connected to the rotating disk, the swing frame is connected to the swinging component, the fixed end of the drive hydraulic cylinder is connected to the mounting frame or the frame of the sugarcane harvester, and the output shaft of the drive hydraulic cylinder is hinged to the swing frame. The rotating mechanism includes a rotating disk and a rotating hydraulic cylinder. The fixed end of the rotating hydraulic cylinder is connected to a mounting bracket, and the output shaft of the rotating disk and the rotating hydraulic cylinder are connected. The cutter head mechanism is mounted on the swing frame.
2. A knife disc profiling device for a sugar cane harvester as claimed in claim 1 wherein, The mounting frame includes a crossbeam, connecting columns, and connecting frames. There are two connecting columns and two connecting frames. One end of each connecting column is fixedly connected to both ends of the crossbeam, and the other end of each connecting column is inserted into the connecting frame. Both the connecting columns and the connecting frames have an array of locking holes along their length. The locking holes of the connecting columns and the connecting frames are engaged by locking pins. Both ends of the locking pins are threaded and connected to nuts. The connecting frame is used to connect to the front end of the sugarcane harvester's frame. A swing arm is fixedly connected to a rotating shaft. When the contour wheel is connected to the mounting frame through the swing arm, the rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the crossbeam. The encoder's rotating shaft is connected to the rotating shaft, and the encoder is mounted on the crossbeam. A rotating hydraulic cylinder is mounted on the crossbeam, and the fixed end of the driving hydraulic cylinder is fixedly connected to the connecting frame.
3. A profiling device for a cutterhead of a sugar cane harvester as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that, The cutter head mechanism includes a cutter head base, a drive motor, and a cutting cutter head. The cutter head base is fixedly connected to the swing frame. The drive motor is mounted on the cutter head base. The output shaft of the drive motor is connected to a coupling. The cutting cutter head is provided with a connecting shaft, and the coupling is connected to the connecting shaft.
4. A profiling device for a cutterhead of a sugar cane harvester as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that, The swing component includes a rotating shaft and a rotating bushing. The rotating shaft and the rotating bushing are connected by a bearing. The rotating shaft is fixed on the rotating disk, and the swing frame is fixedly connected to the rotating bushing.
5. A profiling device for a cutterhead of a sugar cane harvester according to claim 3, characterised in that, The cutter head holder is equipped with a distance sensor, which is connected to the PLC controller.
6. The cutter head contouring device for a sugarcane harvester according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydraulic cylinder is equipped with a resistive stroke sensor, which is connected to the PLC controller.
7. A knife disc profiling device for a sugar cane harvester as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, There are two contouring mechanisms, two rotating mechanisms, and two cutter head mechanisms. Both rotating mechanisms are connected to the mounting frame, the two contouring mechanisms are connected to the two rotating mechanisms respectively, and the two cutter head mechanisms are connected to the two contouring mechanisms respectively.
8. A cane harvester cutter drum profiling device according to claim 7, characterised in that, When the contour wheel is connected to the cutter head mechanism via the rocker arm, there are two contour wheels, and the two cutter head mechanisms are connected to the two contour wheels via the rocker arm respectively.