Agricultural machinery coupling and agricultural machinery

Abstract

Agricultural machinery coupling (1), with hub parts (2, 3) having drive cams (5, 6), and with an intermediate disk (4) arranged between the hub parts (2, 3) having recesses (7, 8) for the drive cams (5, 6), wherein a first hub part (3) with its drive cams (5) engages from a first side of the intermediate disk (4) and a second hub part (2) with its drive cams (6) engages from a second side of the intermediate disk (4) in corresponding recesses (7, 8) of the intermediate disk (4), wherein bushings (9) made of a plastic material are inserted into the recesses (7, 8) of the intermediate disk (4) into which the drive cams (5, 6) of the hub parts (2, 3) engage, characterized in that the intermediate disk (4) has first recesses (7) for the drive cams (5) of the first hub part (3) and has second recesses (8) for the drive cams (6) of the second hub part (2),wherein the first recesses (7) on the intermediate disk (4) are diametrically opposed to each other, and wherein the second recesses (8) on the intermediate disk (4) are also diametrically opposed to each other, and wherein there is an offset of 90° between the first recesses (7) and the second recesses (8).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an agricultural machinery coupling and an agricultural machinery.

[0002] In agricultural machinery, it is necessary to transmit torque between shafts while allowing for angular and axial misalignment. Agricultural machinery must transmit high torques under adverse environmental conditions, particularly with relatively high levels of dirt ingress, while offering limited installation space and typically requiring tighter component tolerances. Therefore, there is a need for an agricultural machinery coupling capable of transmitting high torques between shafts under harsh environmental conditions, while also allowing for angular and axial misalignment.

[0003] From DE 100 39 497 A1 a two-stage elastic shaft coupling is known, the coupling halves of which are provided with rotary-engaged drivers for torque transmission in the second torque stage, between which elastic pressure pieces are arranged in the engagement area with a rotational clearance corresponding to the angle of rotation of the first torque stage, wherein claws are provided as drivers on the end faces and alternately on the coupling halves, the elastic pressure pieces each have a window which receives one of the claws without play, and are combined into a central ring by means of flexural shear elements.

[0004] DE 10 2010 011 123 A1 discloses a cutting unit for a harvesting machine, comprising a support frame, at least one first knife movable in the support frame, a rotary-driven, rotatable drive train for the first knife and an eccentric for converting a rotation of the drive train into an oscillating movement of the first knife, wherein the drive train has a non-linear restoring characteristic and includes a backlash element between two stops.

[0005] Based on this, the present invention aims to create a novel agricultural machinery coupling. This objective is achieved by an agricultural machinery coupling according to claim 1.

[0006] Bushings made of a plastic material are inserted into the recesses of the intermediate disc, into which the drive cams of the hub parts engage. The intermediate disc allows for angular and axial misalignment between the hub parts and thus the shafts. This angular and axial misalignment is compensated for during rotation of the agricultural machinery coupling by the relative movement of the carrier disc, which is positioned between the hub parts. Because the intermediate disc, according to a first embodiment, is made of a metallic material, the agricultural machinery coupling can transmit high torques and effectively dissipate heat.

[0007] According to another embodiment, the intermediate disk consists of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer and can therefore advantageously dampen drive vibrations. The elastic material can advantageously be reinforced with woven material and / or fibers oriented in specific directions, thereby increasing its tensile strength – possibly in predetermined directions.

[0008] The plastic bushings inserted into the recesses of the intermediate disc provide excellent sliding properties. Thanks to their lubricating effect, these plastic bushings reduce friction. Therefore, the agricultural machinery clutch is not only capable of transmitting torque, but is also resistant to wear.

[0009] The intermediate disk has first recesses for the drive cams of the first hub part and second recesses for the drive cams of the second hub part, wherein the first recesses on the intermediate disk are diametrically opposed to each other, and wherein the second recesses on the intermediate disk are also diametrically opposed to each other, and wherein there is a 90° offset between the first and second recesses. This allows for the particularly advantageous transmission of high torques.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the recesses of the intermediate disk are designed as through-holes, with the bushings inserted into the recesses being open on both sides. This allows for a particularly advantageous, compact design of the agricultural machinery coupling.

[0011] The agricultural machine according to the invention, which is preferably a forage harvester or a harvesting attachment, has an agricultural machine coupling according to the invention, preferably in the area of ​​the chopping unit in the case of a forage harvester.

[0012] 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. 1 a cross-section through an agricultural machinery coupling according to the invention; Fig. 2 a first exploded view of the agricultural machinery coupling according to the invention; Fig. 3 an exploded view of a detail of the Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a second exploded view of the agricultural machinery coupling according to the invention; Fig. 5 an exploded view of a detail of the Fig. 4; and Fig. 6a to 6e a tractor coupling according to the invention integrated into the drive train of a harvesting attachment.

[0013] The invention relates to an agricultural machinery coupling and an agricultural machinery.

[0014] Fig. Figure 1 shows a cross-section through an agricultural machinery coupling 1 according to the invention, wherein Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 show an exploded view of the agricultural machinery coupling 1, and wherein Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 5 shows an exploded view of a detail of the agricultural machinery coupling.

[0015] The agricultural machinery coupling 1 has hub parts 2, 3 and an intermediate disc 4 positioned between the hub parts 2, 3. Each of the hub parts 2, 3 has drive cams 5 and 6 respectively, which engage in recesses 7 and 8 of the intermediate disc 4.

[0016] In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown, the intermediate disk 4 has first recesses 7 for first drive cams 5 of a first hub part 3 and second recesses 8 for drive cams 6 of a second hub part 2, wherein the drive cams 6 of the hub part 2 and the drive cams 5 of the hub part 3 engage in the corresponding recesses of the intermediate disk 4 from different or opposite sides of the intermediate disk 4. Thus, the drive cams 5 of the first hub part 3 engage from a first side of the intermediate disk 4, and the drive cams 6 of the second hub part 2 engage from an opposite second side of the intermediate disk 4 into the respective recesses 7 and 8 of the intermediate disk 4.

[0017] Then, if, as in the illustrated embodiment according to the invention, each hub part 2, 3 has two drive cams 5, 6, the respective drive cams 5 and 6 are diametrically opposed on the respective hub part 2, 3, with the corresponding recesses 7 and 8 of the intermediate disk 4, into which the respective drive cams 5 and 6 engage, also being diametrically opposed. The first recesses 7 and the second recesses 8 each have an offset of 90°.

[0018] Bushings 9 are inserted, preferably pressed in, into the recesses 7, 8 of the intermediate disk 4, which serve to receive the drive cams 5 and 6 of the hub parts 2 and 3, respectively. The bushings 9 have an outer contour that is adapted to the inner contour of the recesses 7, 8. Preferably, for pressing the bushings 9 into the recesses 7, 8, the outer contour of the bushings 9 is slightly larger than the inner contour of the recesses 7, 8.

[0019] Additionally, the bushings 9 can be equipped with hooks that create a positive fit between the bushings 9 and the intermediate disk 4. This advantageously prevents the bushings 9 from easily coming loose from the recesses 7, 8 of the intermediate disk 4.

[0020] The bushings 9 each have a recess 10 with an inner contour that is adapted to the outer contour of the drive cams 5, 6 of the hub parts 2, 3. Preferably, the outer contour of the drive cams 5, 6 is slightly smaller than the inner contour of the bushings 9, so that there is clearance between the drive cams 5, 6 and the bushings 9.

[0021] The bushings 9 are therefore inserted into the recesses 7, 8 of the intermediate disk 4, preferably pressed in without play, wherein the drive cams 5, 6 of the hub parts 2, 3 preferably engage with play in the recesses 10 of the bushings 9 and thus also in the recesses 7, 8 of the intermediate disk 4 receiving the bushings 9.

[0022] The recesses 7 and 8 of the intermediate disk 4 are each designed as through-holes, thus extending through the entire thickness or axial extent of the intermediate disk 4. The thickness of the bushings 9 inserted into the recesses 7 and 8 of the intermediate disk 4 is adapted to the thickness of the intermediate disk 4. Furthermore, the recesses 10 of the bushings 9 are designed as through-holes, i.e., open on both sides.

[0023] The hub parts 2, 3 with their drive cams 5, 6 are made of a metallic material that has good heat-dissipating properties. Steel or aluminum, for example, can be used as the metallic material.

[0024] According to a first embodiment, the intermediate disk 4 is also made of a metallic material that has good heat-dissipating properties, in particular again of steel or aluminium.

[0025] The bushings 9 inserted into the recesses 7, 8 of the intermediate disk 4 are made of a plastic material which has good sliding properties to minimize friction.

[0026] By combining the intermediate disk 4 made of metallic material with the bushings 9 made of a plastic material inserted into the recesses 7, 8 of the intermediate disk 4, several properties can be simultaneously achieved that are particularly advantageous for agricultural machinery couplings where high torques must be transmitted under adverse environmental conditions. The intermediate disk 4 made of metallic material enables both the transmission of high torques and good heat dissipation. The bushings 9 made of plastic material reduce friction due to the good sliding properties, especially dry sliding properties, of the plastic material. The agricultural machinery coupling according to the invention therefore enables the transmission of high torques with low friction and good heat dissipation, whereby the low friction and high heat dissipation ensure good wear resistance of the agricultural machinery coupling.Even when using the agricultural machinery coupling under adverse environmental conditions, such as large temperature fluctuations and high levels of contamination, it can transmit a high torque with low susceptibility to wear, while ensuring compensation for angular and axial misalignment between the hub parts or shafts.

[0027] The agricultural machinery coupling 1 according to the invention is a component of an agricultural machine. If the agricultural machine is a forage harvester, the agricultural machinery coupling according to the invention is preferably installed in the area of ​​a chopping unit of the forage harvester.

[0028] Due to its compact design, an agricultural machinery coupling according to the invention can be particularly advantageously integrated into a drive train. The hub parts 2, 3 and / or the drive cams 5, 6 can be particularly advantageously integrally formed or arranged on adjacent components, thereby potentially eliminating the need for separate hub parts and reducing weight and rotational mass.

[0029] In the Fig. Figures 6a to 6e show an exemplary agricultural machinery coupling according to the invention, which is integrated into the drive train of a harvesting attachment.

[0030] The Fig. Figure 6a shows a housing 15 for receiving gear or drive elements of a harvesting attachment designed as a corn header, which also serves as a console or mount for a mowing and intake drum (not shown). The housing 15 is attached on one side to a base frame of the corn header and is shown in section. The hub part 2 of the agricultural machinery coupling 1 is arranged on a shaft 16 via a shaft-hub connection 14, with the associated drive cams located in front of and behind the plane of the section and therefore not visible in this view. The intermediate disk 4 is also visible, into which the additional drive cams 5 of the other coupling side engage, lying in the plane of the section. These drive cams 5 are arranged directly on an unspecified component of an overload coupling 17, e.g., integrally formed on it, which transmits the drive torque to a bevel gear 18.Finally, a bevel gear 19 drives the mowing and intake drum (not shown) via a shaft 20. Naturally, the power flow can also be reversed.

[0031] The agricultural machinery coupling 1 according to the invention can compensate for any angular and / or axial misalignment that may arise, for example, due to manufacturing tolerances, e.g., due to welding distortion. The overload coupling 17 allows the drive to be interrupted in the event of an overload to protect the components from damage.

[0032] As an alternative to an intermediate disk 4 made of a metallic material, the intermediate disk 4 can be made of an elastic material, such as rubber or elastomer. In this further embodiment, an agricultural machinery coupling 1 according to the invention can, in addition to compensating for angular and / or axial misalignment, also dampen drive vibrations.

[0033] The elastic material can advantageously be interspersed with woven material or fibers running in predetermined directions, thereby increasing its tensile strength - possibly in predetermined directions.

[0034] The arrangement of the agricultural machinery coupling 1 on the overload coupling 17 according to the invention results in a compact design, so that a coupling arrangement according to the invention can be integrated even into confined installation spaces. Furthermore, a coupling arrangement according to the invention enables simple and preferably tool-free assembly and disassembly of the overload coupling 17 and / or the agricultural machinery coupling 1.

[0035] In Fig. Figure 6b shows how, after loosening the shaft-hub connection 14, the hub part 2 can be moved to the right on the drive shaft 16. This creates axial clearance for the intermediate disc 4, allowing it to be pulled off the drive cams 5 of the overload clutch 17 and removed through an opening in the housing 15 – as shown in Fig. 6c is shown.

[0036] After removing the intermediate disk 4, a further gap is created, which makes it possible to pull the complete overload clutch 17 off a shaft of the bevel gear 18 - as shown in the diagram. Fig. 6d emerges - and can be removed through the opening of the housing 15 ( Fig. 6e).

[0037] The overload coupling 17 and the agricultural machinery coupling 1 are assembled in reverse order, with the shaft-hub connection 14 only needing to be secured against axial displacement at the end. Reference symbol list 1 Agricultural machinery coupling 2 Hub part 3 Hub part 4 Intermediate disc 5 drive cam 6 drive cam 7 Exclusion 8 Exclusion 9 socket 10 Exclusion 14 Shaft-hub connection 15 cases 16 wave 17 Overload clutch 18 bevel gears 19 bevel gear 20th wave

Claims

[1] Agricultural machinery coupling (1), with hub parts (2, 3) having drive cams (5, 6), and with an intermediate disk (4) arranged between the hub parts (2, 3) having recesses (7, 8) for the drive cams (5, 6), wherein a first hub part (3) with its drive cams (5) engages from a first side of the intermediate disk (4) and a second hub part (2) with its drive cams (6) engages from a second side of the intermediate disk (4) in corresponding recesses (7, 8) of the intermediate disk (4), wherein bushings (9) made of a plastic material are inserted into the recesses (7, 8) of the intermediate disk (4), into which the drive cams (5, 6) of the hub parts (2, 3) engage, characterized by, that the intermediate disk (4) has first recesses (7) for the drive cams (5) of the first hub part (3) and second recesses (8) for the drive cams (6) of the second hub part (2), wherein the first recesses (7) on the intermediate disk (4) are diametrically opposed to each other, and wherein the second recesses (8) on the intermediate disk (4) are also diametrically opposed to each other, and wherein there is an offset of 90° between the first recesses (7) and the second recesses (8). [2] Agricultural machinery coupling according to claim 1, characterized by that the intermediate disk is made of a metallic material or an elastic material. [3] Agricultural machinery coupling according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the hub parts (2, 3) and the drive cams (5, 6) thereof are made of a metallic material. [4] Agricultural machinery coupling according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that the recesses (7, 8) of the intermediate disk (4) are designed as openings. [5] Agricultural machinery coupling according to claim 4, characterized by , that the bushings (9) inserted into the recesses (7, 8) are open on both sides. [6] Agricultural machinery coupling according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the bushings (9) are positively inserted into the recesses (7, 8) of the intermediate disk (4). [7] Agricultural machine with an agricultural machine coupling according to one of claims 1 to 6. [8] Agricultural machine according to claim 7, characterized by that the agricultural machinery coupling is part of a chopping plant. [9] Agricultural machine according to claim 7, characterized by, that the agricultural machinery coupling (1) is part of a drive train of a harvesting attachment and forms a unit with an overload coupling (17), wherein the drive cams (5) of one coupling side of the agricultural machinery coupling (1) are arranged directly on a component of the overload coupling (17).

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