Protective device of a mowing and intake unit of a harvesting machine and harvesting machine with such a protective device

Abstract

Protective device (7) of a mowing and intake unit (4) of a harvesting machine with several segments (8) which are articulated to each other in such a way that the segments (8) in a harvesting position of the mowing and intake unit (4) release the same at the front and sides, whereas in a transport position of the mowing and intake unit (4) limit and / or cover the same at the front and sides, characterized in that the segments (8) of the protective device (7) are kinematically coupled to an autopilot device in such a way that when the protective device (7) is moved between the harvesting position and the transport position, the front segments (8) of the protective device (7) automatically move the autopilot device between the harvesting position and the transport position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a protective device for a mowing and intake unit of a harvesting machine according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a harvesting machine with such a protective device.

[0002] From DE 10 2004 022 534 A1, a harvesting machine for harvesting stalk-like crops such as corn or the like is known. The harvesting machine has a mowing and intake unit comprising several mowing and intake units, each mowing and intake unit having several drum-like mowing and intake elements that are essentially rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation. The mowing and intake unit can be moved between a harvesting position and a transport position, and during this movement, the mowing and intake units of the mowing and intake unit can be displaced relative to each other. In the harvesting position, the mowing and intake unit can have a cutting width of more than 9 meters transverse to the direction of travel of a harvesting machine to which it belongs.In the transport position, the mowing and intake units of the mowing and intake unit are shifted relative to each other in such a way that the mowing and intake unit in the transport position has a width of approximately 3 meters perpendicular to the direction of travel of the harvesting machine that has the mowing and intake unit, in order to ensure trouble-free transport on a road.

[0003] From DE 10 2011 122 660 A1, a combination of an agricultural machine and a front attachment associated with the agricultural machine is known, wherein the attachment consists of a central part and at least two side parts that can be moved from a working position to a transport position, wherein the side parts assume a position at least partially above the central part in the transport position and, when unfolded and in contact with the ground in the working position, can receive crops, wherein the attachment includes a transport chassis which can be moved from a working position to a transport position and booms that hold a foldable protective device for road transport, which is automatically moved into its protective position when the transport chassis is changed from the working position to the transport position.

[0004] DE 10 2007 035 745 A1 discloses a harvesting attachment with a support frame comprising a central section and at least one side section articulated to the central section and movable by a hydraulic cylinder between a horizontal working position and a raised transport position, and elements attached to the central section and the side section for receiving and conveying plants, wherein a cover is pivotably articulated to the central section about a vertical axis and is in a drive connection with the side section such that the cover extends along the rear of the side section when it is in the working position and extends forward from the central section when it is in the transport position, covering the central section and its elements for receiving and conveying plants to the side.

[0005] From DE 10 2004 059 052 A1, a carriage for supporting a harvesting head is known, wherein the carriage has a frame and at least one wheel extending downwards from the frame, and the frame can be detachably attached to the harvesting head attached to the harvesting machine for supporting the harvesting head and relieving the weight of the front wheels of a self-propelled harvesting machine during road travel, and can be separated from the harvesting head for harvesting operations in a field, wherein a protective device for covering and / or illuminating the harvesting head during road travel is attached to the frame.

[0006] It is already common practice to cover the rotating mowing and intake components of the mower and intake unit with protective covers or tarpaulins when it is in the transport position, particularly to protect other road users. Such protective covers or tarpaulins allow for a limited degree of transport securing of the mowing and intake components of the mower and intake unit.

[0007] Based on this, the present invention aims to create a novel protective device for a mowing and intake unit of a harvesting machine, as well as a harvesting machine with such a protective device.

[0008] This problem is solved by a protective device according to claim 1. The protective device according to the invention has several segments that are articulated to one another in such a way that, in a harvesting position of the mower and intake unit, the segments expose the front and sides of the unit, whereas, in a transport position of the mower and intake unit, the segments limit or cover the front and sides of the unit. The invention proposes a completely novel protective device for the mower and intake unit of a harvesting machine. The protective device provides effective transport protection for all mower and intake components of the mower and intake unit. This prevents hazards to other road users during transport.

[0009] Preferably, adjacent plate-like segments are pivotable relative to each other at least about a vertical axis and preferably also about a horizontal axis. Such a protective device with several pivotable segments is structurally simple and allows for effective transport protection of the mowing and intake components of the mowing and intake system.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the protective device comprises two protective modules, each consisting of several plate-like segments, wherein adjacent segments within each protective module are pivotally connected to one another. In the harvesting position of the mower and intake unit, the plate-like segments of both protective modules can be pivoted behind the rotatable mowing and intake elements of the mower and intake unit in the direction of travel of the harvesting machine, thus exposing the rotatable mowing and intake elements at the front and sides. In the transport position of the mower and intake unit, the plate-like segments of each protective module limit the rotatable mowing and intake elements of the mower and intake unit on one narrow side and, in sections, on one longitudinal side of the mower and intake unit.

[0011] When the protective device consists of two such protective modules, on the one hand, effective transport protection of the mowing and intake elements of the mower and intake unit is ensured in its transport position, and on the other hand, when transferring the mower and intake unit from the transport position to the harvesting position, both protective modules can be easily moved in such a way that the mowing and intake elements of the mower and intake unit are completely exposed from both the front and the sides in the harvesting position, in order to ensure unrestricted harvesting operation.

[0012] The harvesting machine according to the invention is defined in claim 14.

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, without being limited thereto. The drawing shows: Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b first perspective views of a harvesting machine with a mowing and intake unit and a protective device for the mowing and intake unit in a harvesting position of the mowing and intake unit and the protective device and in a transport position of the mowing and intake unit and the protective device; Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b Second perspective views of the harvesting machine of the Fig. 1 in a harvesting position and in a transport position of the mowing and intake unit and the protective device; Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b Top views of the harvesting machine of the Fig. 1 in a harvesting position and in a transport position of the mowing and intake unit and the protective device; Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b Side views of the harvesting machine Fig. 1 in a harvesting position and in a transport position of the mower and intake unit as well as the protective device; and Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b Front views of the harvesting machine of the Fig. 1 in a harvesting position and in a transport position of the mower and intake unit as well as the protective device.

[0014] Fig. 1a, Fig. 2a, Fig. 3a, Fig. 4a and Fig. Figure 5a shows a harvesting machine according to the invention with a protective device according to the invention for a mowing and intake unit of the harvesting machine in a harvesting position, whereas Fig. 1b, Fig. 2b, Fig. 3b, Fig. 4b and Fig. 5b Show the harvesting machine together with the protective device in a transport position. The harvesting position is also referred to as the working position.

[0015] The harvesting machine 1 depicted in the figures above comprises a header 2, which is coupled to a carrier vehicle 3 and moved by the carrier vehicle 3 for harvesting operations. In the illustrated embodiment, the header 2 is a mower and intake unit 4 for harvesting stalk-like crops such as corn, and such a header 2 is also referred to as a corn header. The mower and intake unit 4 has several mowing and intake units 5, each mowing and intake unit 5 having several mowing and intake elements 6 that are rotatable about a vertical axis. The mowing and intake units 5 and thus the mowing and intake elements 6 thereof are movable relative to each other for the transfer of the mowing and intake unit 4 between the harvesting position and the transport position, in order to adjust the width of the mowing and intake unit 4 seen transversely to the direction of travel of the carrier vehicle 3 in the transport position.

[0016] The basic structure of such a harvesting machine with mowing and intake units that can be moved relative to each other is known, for example, from DE 10 2004 022 534 A1.

[0017] In addition to the mowing and intake unit 4, the attachment 2 includes a protective device 7 for the mowing and intake unit 4, wherein the protective device 7, in the harvesting position of the mowing and intake unit 4, releases the same for harvesting operation, whereas, in the transport position of the mowing and intake unit 4, the protective device 7 limits or covers the same at the front and sides in order to protect other road users from hazards, for example during road transport.

[0018] The protective device 7 comprises several segments 8. The segments 8 are articulated together. The segments 8 are articulated together in such a way that, in the harvesting position of the mower and intake unit 4, the segments 8 expose the front and sides of the unit and, viewed in the direction of travel of the harvesting machine 1, are pivoted behind the mower and intake unit 4, whereas, in the transport position of the mower and intake unit 4, the segments 8 limit or cover the front and sides of the unit.

[0019] The segments 8 of the protective device 7 are pivotable relative to each other at least about vertically extending axes 9 and preferably additionally about horizontally extending axes 10. Adjacent segments 8 are pivotable relative to each other about a vertically extending axis 9, and optionally, superimposed segments 8 are also pivotable relative to each other about a horizontally extending axis 10, wherein these pivot axes 9 and 10 are formed by pivot joints or hinges between adjacent segments 8.

[0020] In the preferred embodiment shown, the protective device 7 comprises two protective modules 11 and 12, namely a first, left protective module 11 and a second, right protective module 12. Each of these two protective modules 11 and 12 comprises several, preferably plate-like, segments 8. Within each protective module 11, 12, adjacent segments 8 are pivotally connected to one another, namely about a vertically extending axis 9 and / or about a horizontally extending axis 10.

[0021] In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown, each protective module 11, 12 comprises four, preferably plate-like, segments 8, arranged in an array-like fashion as two segments 8 positioned one above the other and two segments 8 positioned side by side. The segments 8 positioned one above the other of each protective module 11, 12 are pivotable relative to each other about a horizontal pivot axis 10. The segments 8 positioned side by side of the lower segment rows of each protective module 11, 12 are further pivotable relative to each other about a vertical axis 9. In the embodiment shown, the vertical axis 9 does not extend into the region of the upper segment rows.

[0022] Each protection module 11, 12 can also have more than four segments 8, for example six segments 8 or nine segments 8 and three segments 8 positioned next to each other and two or three segments 8 positioned one above the other.

[0023] Furthermore, it is possible that each protective module 11, 12 has only one row of segments consisting of two or three segments 8 positioned one above the other, with only vertically extending axes 9 being formed for pivoting the segments 8.

[0024] Furthermore, at least one of the segments 8 of the respective lower segment row is pivotally connected to the mowing and intake unit 4 about a vertically extending axis 9 in each protective module 11, 12, wherein the protective device 7 together with the mowing and intake unit 4 forms a common attachment device 2 for the carrier vehicle 3.

[0025] In the harvesting position of the mower and intake unit 4 or the protective device 7, the segments 8 of both protective modules 11, 12 of the protective device 7 are pivoted behind the mower and intake unit 4 or the rotatable mower and intake elements 6 of the mower and intake unit 4, as seen in the direction of movement of the harvesting machine 1, and release the rotatable mower and intake elements 6 at the front and side.

[0026] In the transport position of the mower and intake unit 4 or the protective device 7, the segments 8 of both protective modules 11, 12 of the protective device 7 are positioned such that each protective module 11, 12 limits or covers the mower and intake unit 4, which has been moved into the transport position, on one narrow side of the mower and intake unit 4 and partially, namely approximately half of, one long side of the mower and intake unit 4. In the transport position, abutting edges 13 of the segments 8 of the different protective modules 11 and 12, which limit the mower and intake unit 4 at the front, can be connected to each other to prevent relative movement of the protective modules 11, 12 during transport.

[0027] According to a first advantageous embodiment of the invention, the segments 8 of the guard 7 or of the two guard modules 11, 12 are kinematically coupled to the mower and intake unit 4 such that, when the mower and intake unit 4 is moved between its harvesting position and its transport position, the plate-like segments 8 of the guard 7 can be moved automatically together with the mower and intake unit 4. This kinematic coupling can be achieved via connecting rods, Bowden cables, actuating levers, shafts, or the like, in order to couple the movement of the segments 8 of the guard 7 to the movement of the mower and intake units 5 of the mower and intake unit 4 during its transfer between the harvesting position and the transport position.

[0028] In contrast, according to an alternative further development of the invention, it can be provided that the segments 8 of the protective device 7 or of the two protective modules 11, 12 are kinematically decoupled from the mowing and intake mechanism 4.

[0029] In this case, the segments 8 of the protective device 7 can therefore be moved independently of, or decoupled from, the movement of the mower and intake unit 4 between its harvesting position and its transport position. In this case, it is possible to kinematically couple both protective modules 11, 12 to each other, so that a single drive is sufficient to move both protective modules 11, 12 of the protective device 7.

[0030] The segments 8 are preferably plate-like segments 8, which can be designed as full-surface plates made of a metallic material or a plastic. In contrast, however, it is also possible for the plate-like segments 8 to have a grid-like, rust-like, or perforated structure.

[0031] Preferably, the plate-like segments 8 are designed in a sandwich construction to provide, for example, a high penetration resistance in the event of an accident.

[0032] The protective device 7 can carry lighting devices such as position lights, indicator lights, driving lights or reflectors, which can perform their lighting function in the transport position of the mower and intake unit 4 as well as in the transport position of the protective device 7.

[0033] According to the invention, the guard 7 is designed such that it also serves to automatically actuate an autopilot device. The segments 8 of the guard 7 are kinematically coupled to an autopilot device in such a way that, when the guard 7 is moved between the harvesting position and the transport position, the front segments 8 of the guard 7 automatically move the autopilot device between the harvesting and transport positions. Such an autopilot device is typically positioned centrally on the mower and intake unit 4 and projects forward in the harvesting position. The autopilot device scans the central rows of plants to be harvested and, in the harvesting position, ensures that the harvester 1 travels centrally through the rows of plants to be harvested.Then, when the guard 7 is moved into the transport position, the front segments 8 of the guard 7 automatically push the autopilot device backward into its transport position, thus protecting it from damage. The transfer of the autopilot device from the transport position to the harvesting position can also be carried out automatically via a kinematic coupling with the guard 7 or manually.

[0034] The invention further relates to a harvesting machine 1 with a mowing and intake unit 4 and a protective device 7 for the mowing and intake unit 4, wherein the mowing and intake unit 4 and the protective device 7 are typically designed as a common attachment 2 or alternatively as separate attachments for a carrier vehicle 3. Reference symbol list 1 harvesting machine 2 attachments 3 Carrier vehicle 4 Mowing and intake unit 5 mowing and intake unit 6 Mowing and intake mechanism 7 Protective device 8 segment 9-axis 10-axis 11 Protection module 12 Protection module 13th edge

Claims

[1] Protective device (7) of a mowing and intake mechanism (4) of a harvesting machine with a plurality of segments (8) which are connected to one another in an articulated manner in such a way that the segments (8) in a harvesting position of the mowing and intake mechanism (4) release the same at the front and sides, whereas in a transport position of the mowing and intake mechanism (4) the segments (8) limit and / or cover the same at the front and sides, characterized by that the segments (8) of the protective device (7) are kinematically coupled to an autopilot device in such a way that when the protective device (7) is moved between the harvesting position and the transport position, front segments (8) of the protective device (7) automatically move the autopilot device between the harvesting position and the transport position in the transport position. [2] Protective device (7) according to claim 1, characterized by that adjacent segments (8) can be pivoted relative to one another about a vertically extending axis (9). [3] Protective device (7) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that adjacent segments (8) can be pivoted relative to one another about a horizontally extending axis (10). [4] Protective device (7) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the segments (8) in the harvesting position of the mower and intake mechanism (4) are pivoted behind the mower and intake mechanism (4) in the direction of travel of the harvesting machine having the mower and intake mechanism (4). [5] Protective device (7) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the segments (8) of the protective device (7) are kinematically coupled to the mowing and intake mechanism (4), so that when the mowing and intake mechanism (4) is moved between the harvesting position of the mowing and intake mechanism (4) and the transport position of the mowing and intake mechanism (4), the segments (8) of the protective device (7) can be moved automatically together with the mowing and intake mechanism (4). [6] Protective device (7) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the segments (8) of the protective device (7) are kinematically decoupled from the mowing and intake mechanism (4), so that the segments (8) of the protective device (7) can be displaced between the harvesting position of the mowing and intake mechanism (4) and the transport position of the mowing and intake mechanism (4) independently of the displacement of the mowing and intake mechanism (4). [7] Protective device (7) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that it has two protective modules (11, 12) each consisting of a plurality of plate-like segments (8), wherein within each protective module (11, 12) adjacent segments (8) are connected to one another in an articulated manner. [8] Protective device (7) according to claim 7, characterized bythat the plate-like segments (8) of both protective modules (11, 12) in the harvesting position of the mower and intake mechanism (4) can be pivoted behind rotatable mower and intake elements (6) of the mower and intake mechanism (4) in the direction of travel of the harvesting machine having the mower and intake mechanism (4) and thus release the rotatable mower and intake elements (6) at the front and to the side. [9] Protective device (7) according to claim 8, characterized by that the plate-like segments (8) of each protective module (11, 12) in the transport position of the mowing and intake mechanism (4) delimit and / or cover the rotatable mowing and intake elements (6) of the same on a lateral narrow side of the mowing and intake mechanism (4) and in sections on a front longitudinal side of the mowing and intake mechanism (4). [10] Protective device (7) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized bythat adjacent, juxtaposed segments (8) of each protection module (11, 12) can be pivoted relative to one another about a vertically extending axis (9). [11] Protective device (7) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized by that adjacent, superimposed segments (8) of each protection module (11, 12) can be pivoted relative to one another about a horizontally extending axis (10). [12] Protective device (7) according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized by that the segments (8) of both protection modules (11, 12) are kinematically coupled to one another in such a way that the displacement of the segments (8) of one protection module (11, 12) causes the displacement of the segments (8) of the other protection module (11, 12). [13] Protective device (7) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized bythat segments (8) of the protective device (7) carry lighting devices which provide a lighting function in the transport position of the protective device (7). [14] Harvesting machine for harvesting stalk-like crops such as maize, comprising a mowing and intake mechanism (4) comprising a plurality of mowing and intake units (5), each mowing and intake unit (5) comprising rotatable mowing and intake members (6), and the mowing and intake units (5) of the mowing and intake mechanism (4) being displaceable relative to one another during the transfer of the mowing and intake mechanism (4) between a harvesting position of the mowing and intake mechanism (4) and a transport position of the mowing and intake mechanism (4), characterized by a protective device (7) according to one of claims 1 to 13.

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