Agricultural machinery

Abstract

The invention relates to an agricultural machine (1), in particular a forage harvester (2), with a cab (3) and a wiper system (17) for cleaning several windows (12, 13, 16) of the cab (3), comprising a plurality of wiper blades (18, 19, 20) and a control device (22) which is provided and configured for controlling the wiper system (17) with different wiper states (27, 30, 32, 33), and an input unit (7) for setting at least one parameter of at least one of the wiper states (27, 30, 32, 33), wherein at least in a first wiper state (27) a parameter is a position to be approached by at least one of the wiper blades (18, 19, 20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an agricultural working machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] An agricultural machine can be, for example, a combine harvester, a forage harvester, or a tractor. Such machines include a cab from which an operator controls the machine. It is well known from the prior art that the cab has a wiper system for cleaning the windows in case of rain and / or dirt.

[0003] For example, EP 4 122 738 A1 describes a combine harvester with a cab and a wiper system. The combine harvester's cab includes an input unit designed as a display, which is used to activate or deactivate the wiper system. The input unit also allows the windshield wiper speed to be adjusted.

[0004] During field operations, the numerous working units of agricultural machinery demand the operator's attention. At the same time, the cab contains multiple windshield wipers for the side windows, rear window, and windshield. The movement of these wipers can be particularly disruptive when monitoring the working units. Furthermore, the wipers can obstruct the view of the working unit being monitored.

[0005] It is therefore the object of the invention to avoid the described disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to create a wiper system that enables more comfortable operation of an agricultural machine.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by the characterizing features of claim 1.

[0007] According to claim 1, an agricultural machine, in particular a forage harvester, is proposed, comprising a cab and a wiper system for cleaning several windows of the cab, wherein the wiper system comprises a plurality of wiper blades and a control device which is provided and configured for controlling the wiper system with different wiper blade states, further comprising an input unit for setting at least one parameter of at least one of the wiper blade states, wherein at least in a first wiper blade state a parameter is a position to be approached by at least one of the wiper blades.

[0008] The invention offers many advantages. Because the position of a windshield wiper, or the position it moves to, is an adjustable parameter, the operator can prevent the wiper from moving to inconvenient positions. This significantly improves operator comfort. Furthermore, it prevents a windshield wiper from obstructing the operator's view of work components that need to be monitored.

[0009] It is particularly advantageous if the initial wiper position is a resting state for at least one wiper and the desired position is a parked position. In the resting state, the wipers remain in the parked position. Therefore, it is especially advantageous if the operator can adjust the parked position so that the wipers are not in the operator's field of vision or in view of any work unit being monitored.

[0010] An advantageous further development provides that a second wiper state is a wiping operation of at least one wiper, wherein the control device controls the wiper system in such a way that at least one wiper oscillates between two end positions, the positions of which are adjustable parameters on the input unit. According to this further development, a wiping area of ​​the wiper can be set as needed to selectively wipe an area relevant for monitoring the machine.

[0011] A further advantageous embodiment provides that a third wiper state is an intermittent wiping operation of at least one wiper and an adjustable parameter is an interval length, wherein the interval length is preferably the duration of a pause between a wiping cycle.

[0012] In a particularly preferred manner, the control device for controlling at least one second windshield wiper in intermittent wiping mode can be provided and configured, wherein the control device is configured such that the at least two windshield wipers controlled in intermittent wiping mode are operated synchronously. Synchronous control of the windshield wipers causes them to reach and leave their end positions simultaneously. Such synchronous operation is perceived as less disruptive by an operator of the machine.

[0013] An advantageous embodiment provides that the cabin comprises a windshield with a windshield wiper, a rear window with a rear window wiper, and two opposing side windows, each with a side window wiper. In a fourth wiper state, the control device actuates the wiper system such that at least the side window wipers are activated and / or deactivated depending on the operating state of a working element. Preferably, the working element is a loading device of the machine, and the side window wipers are activated or deactivated depending on the position of the loading device. This ensures that only one wiper is automatically activated to clean a window located within the operator's field of vision of the working element.The other windshield wipers remain deactivated and therefore do not produce any noise generated by the wiping motion.

[0014] Another advantageous embodiment provides that the cabin includes a door, wherein the control device is arranged such that, when the door is opened, it deactivates at least one windshield wiper, preferably all windshield wipers.

[0015] Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of further dependent claims and are described below with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in several figures. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic and exemplary front view of a self-propelled agricultural machine in the form of a forage harvester; Fig. 2. A perspective view of the cabin of an agricultural machine; Fig. 3 A schematically represented control unit with an input unit and operating elements for controlling the wiper system of an agricultural machine.

[0016] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic and exemplary representation of an agricultural machine 1 in the form of a forage harvester 2, the basic structure of which is known. The agricultural machine 1 thus comprises a plurality of working units that serve to drive the agricultural machine 1, to harvest crops grown on agricultural land, and to process the harvested crops. For controlling and generally monitoring the operation of the agricultural machine 1, it includes a cabin 3 according to the invention, in which an operator – not shown in the figures – can sit on a driver's seat 4.The cabin 3 comprises, in addition to the driver's seat 4, a steering column 5 with a steering wheel 6 for controlling the agricultural machine 1 and an input unit 7 by means of which the operator can make inputs, in particular those relating to the operation of the agricultural machine 1. Furthermore, the cabin 3 comprises a support structure 8, of which in . Fig. Figure 1 shows a roof 9 and two support columns 10, 11, so-called A-pillars of the supporting structure 8. A windshield 12 extends transversely between the support columns 10, 11 of the agricultural harvesting machine 1, forming a front spatial boundary of the cabin 3. In addition to the windshield 12, the cabin 1 includes on each of its sides a - in Fig. 2 shown - side window 13 wherein the side windows 13 extend between a respective support column 10, 11 and an associated rear support column 14, 15, a so-called B-pillar of the support structure 8, and a rear window 16 wherein the rear window 16 extends between the rear support columns 14, 15.

[0017] Cabin 3 also includes a wiper system 17 for cleaning the windows 12, 13, 16 of cabin 3. As in the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the wiper system 17 comprises several windshield wipers 18, 19, 20, with a front windshield wiper 18 assigned to the windshield 12, a rear windshield wiper 20 to the rear windshield 16, and a side windshield wiper 19 to each side windshield 13. Fig. 2 the right side window wiper 19 and the rear window wiper 20, viewed in the forward direction of travel of the working machine 1, are hidden by the supporting structure 8 of the cabin 3.

[0018] In Fig. Figure 3 shows the input unit 7 arranged in the cabin 3. The input unit 7 preferably comprises a touchscreen display. A control device 22 is provided and configured for controlling the wiper system 17. The control device 22 can activate or deactivate a drive unit 23 assigned to the respective windshield wipers 18, 19, 20. In the activated state of a drive unit 23, a windshield wiper 18, 19, 20 assigned to the activated drive unit 23 performs a pivoting movement between two end positions 24, 25 and sweeps over a wiping area 26 to clean the respective windshield 12, 13, 16. The control device 22 is provided and configured, in a manner to be explained in more detail below, for controlling the windshield wipers 18, 19, 20 with different wiper states 27, 30, 32, 33.

[0019] A first wiper state 27 is, for example, a rest state, in which the respective wiper 18, 19, 20 in the rest state is in its park position 28, or is moved into the park position 28. According to the invention, the park position 28, in which the respective wiper 18, 19, 20 remains in the deactivated state, is adjustable in the input unit 7. Fig. Figure 3 shows this using the rear window wiper 20 as an example. A menu for setting the parking position 28 is stored in the input unit 7. When this menu is accessed, for example, a Fig. View 29, circled with a dashed line, shows the setting of the parking position 28. In this view 29, the operator can move the windshield wiper 20 within a swivel range reachable by the windshield wiper 20, preferably by touching the input unit 7 designed as a touch display, and thus set the parking position 28 to which the windshield wiper 20 should move when at rest.

[0020] A second wiper state 30 is a wiping operation of at least one wiper 18, 19, 20. Preferably, each of the wipers 18, 19, 20 can be operated in wiping mode. In wiping mode, the control unit 22 controls the wiper system 17 such that the at least one wiper 18, 19, 20 in wiping mode oscillates between two end positions 24, 25. The area between the end positions 24, 25 and swept by the wiper 18, 19, 20 forms the wiping area 26. The input unit 7 is provided and configured for setting the wiping area 26 of at least one wiper 18, 19, 20, preferably the side wiper 19, and more preferably the rear wiper 20. Furthermore, it may also be preferable if a wiping area 26 of the front windshield wiper 18 is adjustable. A menu for adjusting the wiping area 26 is stored in the input unit 7.For example, when this menu is accessed, a [menu item] is displayed. Fig. View 31, shown with a dashed circle, is for setting the wiper area 26. The in Fig. The dashed view 31 is an example of how to adjust a wiping area 26 of the rear window wiper 20. In this view 31, the operator can move the position of the end areas 24, 25 to adjust the wiping area 26 within a swivel range reachable by the window wiper 20, preferably by touching the input unit 7 designed as a touch display.

[0021] A third wiper state 32 is an intermittent wiping operation of at least one wiper 18, 19, 20. Particularly preferably, at least the side wipers 19 and the rear wiper 20 are operable in intermittent mode. A wiper 18, 19, 20 operating in intermittent mode is controlled by the control unit 22 such that it performs a wiping cycle and pauses after each cycle, the duration of which is an adjustable parameter. A wiping cycle is defined as a pivoting movement of a wiper 18, 19, 20 from one end position 25 to the opposite end position 24 and back again. The input unit 7 is provided and configured for setting the interval length, which corresponds to the duration of the pause.For this purpose, a menu (not shown in detail in the figures) can be accessed in input unit 7, in which a time duration can be selected or entered.

[0022] In addition to the input unit 7, the cabin 3 includes several control elements 21, which are designed as buttons. At least one windshield wiper state 27, 30, 32 can be activated or deactivated by means of the control elements 21. It is particularly preferred if the intermittent wiping function or the third windshield wiper state 23 of the side window wipers 19 and the rear window wiper 20 can each be activated and / or deactivated by means of a control element 21. It can be provided that a first intermittent operation is activated upon a single actuation of the respective control element 21, and a second intermittent operation is activated upon a second actuation of the respective control element 21, the first and second intermittent operation differing in the duration of the pause.

[0023] Here, and preferably, the control device 22 is provided and configured for the simultaneous control of at least two, preferably three, windshield wipers 19, 20 in the third windshield wiper state 32, wherein these are preferably the side windshield wipers 19 and the rear windshield wiper 20. The control device 22 synchronously controls all windshield wipers 19, 20 in the third windshield wiper state 32, so that they simultaneously reach and leave their respective end positions 24, 25.

[0024] Furthermore, a fourth wiper state 33 is stored in the control unit 22. In the fourth wiper state 33, the control unit 22 controls the wiper system 17 such that the side wipers 19 and preferably also the rear wiper 20 are actuated depending on the operating state of a working element. The operating state can include the orientation or position of the working element. The working element can preferably be a known unloading device of an agricultural machine 1 designed as a forage harvester 2, which is not shown in detail here. Such unloading devices are provided and configured for transferring the harvested crop picked up and processed by the forage harvester 2 onto a transfer vehicle.During unloading, the unloading vehicle can be located, for example, to the right or left of the forage harvester 2 or behind it, with the unloading device being aligned according to the position of the unloading vehicle. In the fourth wiper state 33, the control device 22 is designed and configured to automatically activate one of the wipers 19, 20, depending on the position or orientation of the unloading device, in order to wipe a disc 13, 16 located within the operator's field of vision of the unloading device. Furthermore, if the position of the unloading device changes, the control device 22 can automatically deactivate a wiper 19, 20 assigned to a disc 13, 16 if the disc 13, 16 is no longer within the operator's field of vision of the unloading device as a result of the change in position.To activate the fourth windscreen wiper state 33, a control element 21 designed as a button is arranged in the cabin 3.

[0025] Furthermore, one of the side windows 13 can be arranged in a door 34 for entering the cabin 3. The door 34 is in Fig. 3 is only indicated by the arrow with reference numeral 34 and is not shown in detail. The control device 22 is configured such that it automatically deactivates at least the door-side window wiper 19 when door 34 is opened. Furthermore, all window wipers 18, 19, 20 can also be automatically deactivated when door 34 is opened. Reference symbol list: 1 Agricultural work machine 2 forage harvesters 3 cabins 4 driver's seat 5 Steering column 6 Steering wheel 7 Input unit 8 Supporting structure 9 Roof 10 Support column 11 Support column 12 Windscreen 13 Side window 14 Support column 15 Support column 16 Rear window 17 Wiper system 18 windshield wipers 19 side window wipers 20 rear window wipers 21 Control element 22 Control unit 23 Drive unit 24 End position 25 End position 26 Wiping area 27 Initial wiper condition 28 Parking position View 29 30 Second wiper state 31 views 32 Third wiper condition 33 Fourth wiper condition 34 Door QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 4 122 738 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Agricultural working machine (1), in particular forage harvester (2), with a cabin (3) and a wiper system (17) for cleaning several windows (12, 13, 16) of the cabin (3), comprising a plurality of windscreen wipers (18, 19, 20) and a control device (22) which is provided and arranged to control the wiper system (17) with different windscreen wiping states (27, 30, 32, 33), and an input unit (7) for setting at least one parameter of at least one of the windscreen wiper states (27, 30, 32, 33), characterized by , that at least in a first windscreen wiper state (27) a parameter is a position to be approached by at least one of the windscreen wipers (18, 19, 20). [2] Agricultural working machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the first windscreen wiper state (27) is a rest state of the at least one windscreen wiper (18, 19, 20) and the position to be approached is a parking position (28). [3] Agricultural working machine (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that a second windscreen wiper state (30) is a wiping operation of at least one windscreen wiper (18, 19, 20), wherein the control device (22) controls the wiper system (17) in such a way that at least one windscreen wiper (18, 19, 20) oscillates between two end positions (24, 25), wherein the positions of the end positions (24, 25) form adjustable parameters in the input unit (7). [4] Agricultural working machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized byin that a third windscreen wiper state (32) is an interval wiping operation of at least one windscreen wiper (18, 19, 20) and an adjustable parameter is an interval length, wherein the interval length is preferably the duration of a pause between a wiping cycle. [5] Agricultural working machine (1) according to claim 4, characterized by in that the control device (22) is provided and configured to control at least one second windscreen wiper (18, 19, 20) in an interval wiping mode, wherein the control device (22) controls the wiper system (17) in such a way that the at least two windscreen wipers (18, 19, 20) controlled in the interval wiping mode are operated synchronously. [6] Agricultural working machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized byin that the cabin (3) comprises a front window (12) with a front window wiper (18), a rear window (16) with a rear window wiper (20) and two side windows (13) arranged opposite one another, each with a side window wiper (19), wherein in a fourth window wiper state (33) the control device (22) controls the wiper system (17) in such a way that at least the side window wipers (19) are activated and / or deactivated depending on an operating state of a working element, wherein preferably the working element is a transfer device of the working machine (1) and the side window wipers (19) are activated or deactivated depending on a position of the transfer device. [7] Agricultural working machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized bythat the cabin (3) comprises a door (34), wherein the control device (22) is designed such that when the door (34) is opened, it deactivates at least one windscreen wiper (18, 19, 20), preferably all windscreen wipers (18, 19, 20).

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