Round baler

Abstract

The present invention relates to a round baler (2) with a pressing chamber (3) arranged in a housing (4) of the round baler (2) for pressing round bales (5) from a harvested crop, a binding device (12) for providing a binding material (11) for binding a round bale (5) in the pressing chamber (3), wherein at least one feed slot (14) for feeding the binding material (11) into the pressing chamber (3) is formed circumferentially of the pressing chamber (3), wherein the binding device (12) comprises a separating device (16) which allows for a separation between a rest position (R) M ) and a working position (A M The round baler (2) has a reversibly movable knife (17) for cutting the binding material (11). The cutting device (16) has an adjusting device (18) coupled to the knife (17) with an actuator (19) for reversibly moving the knife (17) between the rest position (R) M) and the working position (A M ) includes.

Description

Round baler

[0001] The present invention relates to a round baler according to the preamble of independent patent claim 1.

[0002] Conventional round balers have so-called picking and conveying means which pick up the crop from the ground of an agricultural field and convey it into a baling chamber of the round baler, in which the crop is formed into a round bale. The press housing of the round baler has a fixed press housing section and an ejection flap pivotally mounted on the fixed press housing section. The press housing surrounds the baling chamber, which is defined by pressing means, in particular in the form of press rollers or press belts, in that these delimit the baling chamber on the circumference. By means of the pressing means, the crop conveyed into the baling chamber via the picking and conveying means is formed into a round bale. Before the crop formed or...When a pressed round bale is ejected from the round baler by opening the ejection flap, it is wrapped in the baling chamber with binding material located on a binding material supply roll arranged in a binding device outside the baling chamber. The binding material is fed into the baling chamber by means of the binding device via a feed gap and can be in the form of film, net, and / or the like.

[0003] Once the tying process of the round bale in the baling chamber is complete and the round bale can be ejected from the baling chamber, the binding material provided by the binding material supply roll must be cut. It is essential that the cutting is as clean as possible so that the binding material can be reliably fed into the baling chamber via the feed gap for the tying process of another round bale formed or pressed in the baling chamber. To enable this cutting process to take place, the tying device of a round baler includes a cutting device. The cutting device comprises a knife bar, also simply referred to as a knife, which can be moved between a rest position and a working position. The knife bar cuts through the binding material when moving from the rest position to the working position, particularly when the working position is reached.The cutting device can comprise a counterblade or an anvil, which the knife bar hits in the working position, thereby cutting the binding material. It is also possible for the binding device to tension the binding material in such a way that the knife bar can cut the binding material even without a counterblade or anvil.

[0004] In this context, for example, DE 34 18 681 C2 discloses a roll or round baler for agricultural stalk crops with a wrapping device for wrapping a roll or round bale with a wrapping web (binding material). The roll or round baler comprises a supply roll for the wrapping web arranged parallel to the central axis of a baling chamber (pressing chamber), an on / off switchable pull-off device for pulling the wrapping web from the supply roll and for inserting the wrapping web into the baling chamber, and a separating device (separating device) for severing the wrapping web between the supply roll and the baling chamber. The separating device can be actuated abruptly via a switching element and a stepping mechanism depending on the pull-off device, with the drive of the pull-off device being controlled directly or indirectly by the press drive.

[0005] Conventional separating devices for severing the binding material after completing the binding process of a round bale, as known, for example, from the aforementioned DE 34 18 681 C2, are therefore coupled to a driven working unit of the round baler, for example, the binding device, for moving the knife bar between the rest position and the working position. The knife bar can thus only be moved if the other working unit to which the separating device is coupled is also driven. In other words, the movement of the knife bar is always dependent on the operation of the other working unit of the round baler and can never occur independently of this working unit.

[0006] While coupling the cutting device and other working units in this way for the purpose of moving the knife bar does allow the binding material to be cut after the binding process has been completed, it does create certain challenges if problems arise during the binding process. One problem that may arise during the binding process, for example, is that the binding material has wrapped itself around a feed roller of the binding device or a pressing means of the baling chamber instead of around the bale. To resolve such a problem and subsequently bind the round bale properly, it is necessary to move the knife bar from the working position to the rest position without having to drive the other working unit. In particular, when the cutting device is coupled to the binding device, as disclosed, for example, in DE 34 18 681 C2, this is not possible or is only possible with manual intervention by the operator in the cutting device.

[0007] Furthermore, separating devices that are coupled to other working units of the round baler for the purpose of relocating the knife bar create a high level of mechanical system complexity, since, on the one hand, the movement of the additional working unit must be transferred to the separating device or the knife bar of the separating device, and, on the other hand, converted into the movement required for relocation, which is usually a pivoting movement. High system complexity is generally associated with high manufacturing costs and creates certain maintenance challenges.

[0008] Based on this, it is therefore the object of the present invention to eliminate the described disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide a round baler with a separating device which ensures reliable cutting of the binding material after completion of a binding process of a round bale in the baling chamber and is cost-effective, wherein a reversible displacement of the blade of the separating device between a rest position and a working position can always take place independently of other working units of the round baler and without manual intervention by an operator in the separating device.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of independent patent claim 1, wherein advantageous developments of the round baler according to the invention are the subject of the corresponding dependent patent claims 2 to 14.

[0010] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a round baler with a baling chamber arranged in a housing of the round baler for pressing round bales from a crop, a binding device for providing a binding material for binding a round bale in the baling chamber, wherein at least one feed gap for feeding the binding material into the baling chamber is formed on the circumference of the baling chamber. The binding device comprises a separating device which has a knife that can be reversibly moved between a rest position and a working position for severing the binding material. The round baler is characterized in that the separating device comprises an adjusting device coupled to the knife and having an actuator for reversibly moving the knife between the rest position and the working position.

[0011] It is preferably provided that the adjusting device comprises exactly one actuator.

[0012] The coupling of the knife to the adjustment device according to the invention allows the knife to be pivoted reversibly between the rest position and the working position at any time during operation of the round baler. Furthermore, the movement of the knife is not linked to the operation of other working units of the baler, so that the operation of the separating device and the operation of the other working units of the round baler can always be carried out independently of one another. If a problem occurs during the binding process, the operator no longer has to leave the tractor and go to the round baler to manually move the knife from the working position back to the rest position. Instead, the operator can easily initiate control of one actuator.The use of a single actuator, by means of which the knife can be reversibly moved, also ensures a very cost-effective and simple design of the mechanism for moving the knife. Since the adjustment device and thus the knife of the separating device are decoupled from the other working units of the round baler, no movements of the other working units need to be transferred to the separating device or the knife of the separating device, and thus converted into the movement required to move the knife. Furthermore, the use of several different actuators, each responsible for specific parts of the movement sequence during the knife relocation process, is eliminated.Since high system complexity and numerous actuators generally result in high manufacturing and acquisition costs, the inventive design of the adjustment device creates a cost-effective solution that always allows for reliable blade relocation in all operating situations of the round baler. Furthermore, the inventive adjustment device allows for uncomplicated maintenance.

[0013] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the adjusting device comprises a drive unit connected to the actuator and an adjusting unit connected to the knife in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein the drive unit and the adjusting unit are operatively connected to one another for the reversible displacement of the knife between the rest position and the working position.

[0014] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the drive unit comprises a holder fastened to the housing of the round baler, a first transmission element drivingly connected to the actuator, a second transmission element, a spring-loaded lever and a support element, wherein the first transmission element, the second transmission element and the spring-loaded lever are each rotatably mounted on the holder, wherein the first transmission element and the second transmission element are connected to one another so that they execute a common rotary movement when the first transmission element is driven by means of the actuator, wherein the first transmission element comprises an actuating element which is provided and configured to interact with the spring-loaded lever when the first transmission element is driven by means of the actuator.

[0015] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the adjusting unit comprises an adjusting disc which is pivotably mounted on the housing of the round baler between a first end position and a second end position and which is connected to the knife in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein the knife is in the rest position in the first end position of the adjusting disc and in the working position in the second end position of the adjusting disc, wherein the adjusting disc comprises at least one contact element which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner in an outer edge region of the adjusting disc, wherein the adjusting unit comprises a spring-loaded lever which is rotatably mounted on the adjusting disc.

[0016] The design of the adjustment device, including the drive unit and adjustment unit, allows for particularly good integration of the adjustment device into the round baler. The various adjustment device units can be arranged laterally in the area of ​​the round baler's tying device in such a way that the round baler's installation space specifications regarding width can be met. This means that the other working units of the round baler do not need to be structurally modified to create additional space for the integration of the adjustment device. Furthermore, the design of the adjustment device allows for uncomplicated maintenance of the individual components, as they are easily accessible when the round baler's cover is removed.

[0017] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the adjusting disc is prestressed in its first end position by means of a spring element, wherein the spring-loaded lever of the adjusting unit rests on the support element of the drive unit in the first end position of the adjusting disc, so that the adjusting disc is locked in its first position.

[0018] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the actuating element of the first transmission element is provided and configured, when the first transmission element is driven by means of the actuator, to displace the spring-loaded lever of the drive unit in such a way that the spring-loaded lever of the adjusting unit is released from the support element due to contact with the spring-loaded lever of the drive unit, whereby the adjusting disc is displaced from its first end position to its second end position.

[0019] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the second transmission element is provided and configured to cooperate with the at least one contact element of the adjusting disc when the first transmission element is driven by means of the actuator, in such a way that the adjusting disc is displaced from the second end position into the first end position.

[0020] The design of the individual units of the adjustment device and the coupling of the elements of these units to one another ensures that the knife can be reliably locked in the respective positions during the repositioning process, preventing incorrect activation of the knife during operation of the round baler, especially during a tying process. At the same time, the coupling ensures that when a cutting process is triggered by activating the actuator, the knife is reliably accelerated in such a way that the binding material can be cleanly severed to complete the tying process of the round bale. The knife is also quickly returned to its rest position, clearing the path for the binding material during the tying process of a subsequent round bale.

[0021] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that a transmission element is arranged on a shaft extending from the actuator, which transmission element is operatively connected to the first transmission element of the drive unit.

[0022] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that a transmission ratio between the transmission element arranged on the shaft extending from the actuator and the first transmission element of the drive unit is selected such that upon a complete rotation of the first transmission element, the adjusting disc is moved from its first end position to its second end position and from its second end position back to its first end position.

[0023] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the first transmission element of the drive unit is designed as a spur gear, the second transmission element of the drive unit is designed as a partial chain wheel and the transmission element arranged on the shaft extending from the actuator is designed as a pinion.

[0024] The choice of the design of the individual transmission elements and the transmission ratio of the transmission elements ensured that, after the round bale has been tied in the baling chamber, the binding material can be quickly cut, allowing the tied round bale to be quickly ejected from the baling chamber and the pressing of a subsequent round bale to begin immediately. The adjustment device according to the invention, in particular the design of the transmission elements of the drive unit, which are coupled to the actuator, ensures that the round baler can be operated with high productivity and quality of the pressed and tied round bales.

[0025] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the adjusting device comprises a sensor which is provided and configured to detect the first end position of the adjusting disc.

[0026] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the round baler comprises a control device which is connected at least to the sensor and the actuator for transmitting data, wherein the control device is provided and configured to control the operation of the actuator, wherein the control device is provided and configured to stop the operation of the actuator upon detection of the first end position of the adjusting disc by means of the sensor.

[0027] The use of a sensor to determine when the adjusting disc has reached its first end position and thus when the knife's movement is complete is a particularly simple way to ensure precise control of the actuator. The control device, which receives data from the sensor and transmits the data or control signals to the actuator and, if necessary, is coupled to a control device located on a tractor in which the operator is located or to other sensors on the round baler for data transmission, ensures that the separating device is actuated at any time during operation of the round baler, without the operator having to manually intervene in the separating process.Rather, when the operator receives a signal that the round bale is fully tied, they can trigger the separating device and thus the separating process by issuing a command via an input unit in the tractor. This command is then sent from the tractor's control unit to the round baler's control unit to activate the actuator. Alternatively, the round baler's control unit can also receive information from the round baler's other sensors regarding the completion of the round bale's tying process and automatically trigger the separating process by controlling the actuator of the adjusting device.As soon as the sensor detects that the adjusting disc has reached its first end position, the control unit of the round baler receives corresponding information from the sensor and stops the operation of the actuator, whereby the separation process, i.e. the reversible movement of the knife between the rest position and the working position, is completed.

[0028] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the actuator is an electric motor or a hydraulic motor.

[0029] The present invention is described in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the figures.

[0030] They show: Fig. 1: a schematic and exemplary representation of a round baler according to the invention; Fig. 2: various schematic and exemplary views of units of an adjusting device for a knife of a separating device of the round baler from Fig. 1; Fig. 3: a schematic and exemplary representation of the adjustment device mounted on the round baler from Fig. 2 in a first end position; Fig. 4: a schematic and exemplary representation of the adjustment device mounted on the round baler from Fig. 2 in a second end position; and Fig. 5: a schematic and exemplary representation of the adjustment device mounted on the round baler from Fig. 2 during a shift from the second end position back to the first end position.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a schematic and exemplary representation of an agricultural baler 1 in the form of a round baler 2, which has a pressing chamber 3 in a housing 4. The baler 1 or round baler 2 can be coupled to a towing vehicle not shown in the FIGS., preferably in the form of a tractor, wherein the tractor and thus the combination formed by the tractor and the baler 1 coupled thereto are controlled by an operator not shown in the FIGS. For pressing a round bale 5, the round baler 2 has at least one pressing means 6, which according to the Fig. 1, the round baler 2 is designed as a continuously rotating pressing means 7. The continuously rotating pressing means 7 can be formed from one or more pressing belts or chains. The continuously rotating pressing means 7 is guided by means of a plurality of rollers 8, wherein the rollers 8 can be arranged in a fixed position or variably. Alternatively, the at least one pressing means 6 can also be designed as a pressing roller. Harvested material is picked up by a receiving device 9, also referred to as a pick-up, guided along a rotating element 10 in the form of a rotor, whereby the harvested material can be shredded, and introduced into the pressing chamber 3, in which the harvested material is compacted and pressed or formed into a round bale 5.

[0032] A fully compressed round bale 5 is usually wrapped with a binding material 11, which can be in the form of film, net, or the like, before being ejected from the baling chamber 3, in order to stabilize the round bale 5 and prevent it from falling apart. For this purpose, the round baler 2 has a binding device 12, by means of which the binding material 11, which is stored on a binding material supply roll 13 arranged in the binding device 12, is fed into the baling chamber 3 via a feed gap 14 formed on the circumference of the baling chamber 3. The binding material 11 is brought into contact with a roller 15, which delimits the feed gap 14 on one side, and is conveyed into the baling chamber 3 by the rotating movement of the roller 15 in order to wrap the round bale 5 essentially radially on the outside and / or at the edges.To improve binding, the binding material 11 is usually pre-stretched and pre-tensioned and wrapped around the round bale 5. To pre-tension the binding material 5, a braking unit (not shown in the figures) is provided, which decelerates the binding material 11 before it is introduced into the baling chamber 3. After the round bale 5 has been wrapped with a desired amount of binding material 11, the binding material 11 is severed. To severe the binding material 11, the binding device 12 comprises a cutting device 16, which has a cutting blade 17 which can be moved between a rest position R. M and a working position A M reversibly movable knife 17 for cutting through the binding material 11.

[0033] It is now essential that the separating device 16 has an adjusting device 18 with an actuator 19 for reversibly moving the knife 17 between the rest position R M and the working position A M, wherein the adjusting device 18 is coupled to the blade 17 of the separating device 16. The actuator 19 can optionally be designed as an electric motor or as a hydraulic motor. According to the preferred embodiment shown in the FIGS., the adjusting device 18 comprises precisely one actuator 19 for reversibly displacing the blade 17 between the rest position R M and the working position A M .

[0034] Via the adjusting device 18 with the one actuator 19 it is therefore possible to reversibly move the knife 17 of the separating device 16 between the rest position R M and the working position A Mto be shifted without the need for a drive of further working units, for example the binding device 12, the receiving device 9, the rotating element 10 or the like, and / or manual intervention by the operator in the separating device 16. The knife 17 of the separating device 16 can thus be reversibly moved between the rest position R at any time during the operation of the round baler 2, detached from the other working units of the round baler 2, due to the actuator 19. M and the working position A M be relocated.

[0035] The details of the adjusting device 18 with the actuator 19 are described below with reference to the Fig. 2 to 5.

[0036] The adjusting device 18 comprises, in addition to the actuator 19, a drive unit 20 and an adjusting unit 21, which are used for the reversible displacement of the knife 17 of the separating device 16 between the rest position R Mand the working position A M are operatively connected to one another. The drive unit 20 is driven by the actuator 19. For this purpose, the actuator 19 is drive-connected to the drive unit 20. The adjustment unit 21 is rotationally fixedly connected to the blade 17 of the cutting device 16, so that the blade 17 and the adjustment unit 21 can move together.

[0037] The drive unit 20 comprises a bracket 22 fastened or mounted on the housing 4 of the round baler. The drive unit 20 further comprises a first transmission element 23 designed as a gear wheel and drivingly connected to the actuator 19, a second transmission element 24 designed as a partial sprocket, a spring-loaded lever 25, and a support element 26. The first transmission element 23, the second transmission element 24, and the spring-loaded lever 25 are all rotatably mounted on the bracket 22 so that they can each rotate about axes of rotation R relative to the bracket 22. The first transmission element 23 and the second transmission element 24 are further connected to one another so that both transmission elements 23, 24 rotate together about a common axis of rotation R1 when the first transmission element 23 is driven by the one actuator 19.Both transmission elements 23, 24 are positioned spaced apart from one another in the direction of their rotational axis R1, starting from the holder 22, with the first transmission element 23 and then the second transmission element 24 being arranged starting from the holder 22. The spring-loaded lever 25 is mounted on the holder 22 for rotation about a rotational axis R2 and is held in a rest position R by a spring element 27 fastened to the holder 22 and designed as a helical spring. H1,in which the spring element 27 is unloaded. The first transmission element 23 further comprises an actuating element 28, which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the first transmission element 23, so that when the first transmission element 23 is driven by means of the one actuator 19, the actuating element 28 rotates together with the first transmission element 23 about the rotation axis R1. The actuating element 28 is provided and configured to cooperate with the spring-loaded lever 25 when the first transmission element 23 is driven by means of the one actuator 19. The actuating element 28 is arranged on the first transmission element 23 in such a way that when the first transmission element 23 rotates about the rotation axis R1 by means of the one actuator 19, it moves the spring-loaded lever 25 from the rest position R against the spring force applied by the spring element 27. H1 into a working position A H1displaced, in which the spring-loaded lever 25 interacts with the adjustment unit 21 via a contact element 29 attached to its end. The support element 26 of the drive unit 20 is fastened to the holder 22 in a rotationally fixed manner or is connected to the holder 22 and is arranged adjacent to the two transmission elements 23, 24 on the holder 22. To drive the first transmission element 23, a transmission element 31 designed as a pinion is arranged on a shaft 30 extending from the one actuator 19, which transmission element 31 is operatively connected to the first transmission element 23, designed as a gear, for driving the same via a meshing engagement.

[0038] The adjustment unit 21 comprises an adjusting disc 32 pivotally mounted on the housing 4 of the round baler 2 between a first end position E1 and a second end position E2 about a rotation axis R3. The adjusting disc 32 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the blade 17 of the separating device 16, so that the blade 17 moves together with the adjusting disc 32 when the adjusting disc 32 moves about the rotation axis R3, or is displaced together with the adjusting disc 32. The blade 17 is in the first end position E1 of the adjusting disc 32 in the rest position R. M and in the second end position E2 of the adjusting disc 32 in the working position A M . A pivoting of the adjusting disc 32 from the first end position E1 to the second end position E2 causes a displacement of the knife 17 from the rest position R M into working position A M. Pivoting the adjusting disc 32 from the second end position E2 to the first end position E1 therefore causes the knife 17 to be displaced from the working position A M to the rest position R M . The adjusting disc 32 comprises in an outer edge region 33 a plurality of, here six, rotationally fixed contact elements 34, which are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction U of the adjusting disc 32. The adjusting disc 32 further comprises a spring-loaded lever 35, which is mounted on the adjusting disc 32 for rotation about a rotation axis R4 and is held in a rest position R by a spring element 36 fastened to the holder 22 and designed as a helical spring. H2 , in which the coil spring is unloaded. The adjusting disc 32 is further coupled to a spring element 37 designed as a coil spring, which is fastened to the housing 4 of the round baler 2 or another component of the round baler 2.

[0039] The operation of the adjusting device 18 is explained below, in particular with reference to the Fig. 3 to 5, in which, however, the separating device 16 or the knife 17 of the separating device 16 is covered by the elements of the adjusting device 18 and the housing 4 of the round baler 2.

[0040] In the first end position E1 of the adjusting disc 32, i.e. in the position of the adjusting disc 32 in which the knife 17 of the separating device 16 is in the rest position R Mis positioned, the adjusting disc 32 is pre-tensioned by means of the spring element 37, wherein the spring-loaded lever 35 rests on the support element 26 of the drive unit 20, so that the adjusting disc 32 cannot move from its first end position E1, the adjusting disc 32 is thus locked in the first end position E1. If the one actuator 19 is now put into operation and the first transmission element 23 of the drive unit 20 is driven, the actuating element 28 arranged on the first transmission element 23 in a rotationally fixed manner comes into contact with the spring-loaded lever 25 of the drive unit 20, whereby the latter is moved from the rest position R against the spring force applied by means of the spring element 27 H1 into working position A H1is moved. During this movement, the spring-loaded lever 25 with its contact element 29 comes into contact with the spring-loaded lever 35 of the adjustment unit 21, whereby the spring-loaded lever 35 of the adjustment unit 21 resting on the support element 26 of the drive unit 20 is moved from the rest position R against the spring force applied by the spring element 36 H2 is moved and detaches from the support element 26. The adjusting disc 32 thereby moves abruptly from the first end position E1 to the second end position E2 due to the pretension acting by the spring element 37, whereby the knife 17 of the separating device 16 also moves abruptly from the rest position R M into working position A Mis displaced and the binding material 11 is severed by means of the knife 17. As soon as the spring-loaded lever 35 of the adjusting unit 21 has released itself from the support element 26 of the drive unit 20 and the adjusting disc 32 is in motion, the spring-loaded lever 35 of the adjusting unit 20 is returned to the rest position R due to the spring force acting by means of the spring element 36. H2 moved.

[0041] Meanwhile, one actuator 19 continuously drives the first transmission element 23, whereby the actuating element 28 and the spring-loaded lever 25 initially come out of contact again and the spring-loaded lever 25 returns to the rest position R H1moves. Due to the coupling of the first transmission element 23 and the second transmission element 24, both transmission elements 23, 24 rotate synchronously with one another. Due to the angular position of the second transmission element 24 relative to the first transmission element 23, the second transmission element 24 then comes into contact with the first contact element 34 of the adjusting disc 32, whereby the two elements 24, 34 interact. Due to the continuous drive of the first transmission element 23 by means of the one actuator 19, the second transmission element 24 moves the adjusting disc 32 via the interaction with the contact elements 34 spaced apart in the circumferential direction U of the adjusting disc 32, so that the adjusting disc 32 moves against the spring force applied by the spring element 37 from the second end position E2 back into the first end position E1, whereby the knife 17 of the separating device 16 moves back from the working position A M to the rest position RM relocated.

[0042] As soon as the adjusting disc 32 is again in the first end position E1, the actuator 19 is stopped, so that the first transmission element 23 of the drive unit 20 is no longer driven. The spring-loaded lever 35 of the adjusting unit 21 thereby comes into contact with the support element 26 of the drive unit 20, whereby the adjusting disc is in the first end position E1 and thus the knife 17 of the separating device 16 is in the rest position R M is locked.

[0043] The transmission ratio of the transmission element 31 arranged on the shaft 30 extending from the one actuator 19 and the first transmission element 23 of the drive unit 20 is selected such that upon a complete rotation of the first transmission element 23, the adjusting disc 32 is moved from the first end position E1 into the second end position E2 and from the second end position E2 back into the first end position E1, whereby the knife 17 of the separating device 16 is moved from the rest position R M into working position A M and from working position A M back to the rest position R M is relocated.

[0044] In order to detect when the adjusting disc 32 has reached the first end position E1, the adjusting device 18 comprises a sensor 38. In other words, the adjusting device 18 comprises the sensor 38, which is provided and configured to detect the first end position E1 of the adjusting disc 32. The sensor 38 is preferably designed as a contactless sensor, wherein the reaching of the first end position E1 by the adjusting disc 32 is detected by the adjusting disc 32 entering the detection range of the sensor 38. Alternatively, the sensor 38 can also be designed as a contact-operating sensor, wherein the reaching of the first end position E1 by the adjusting disc 32 is detected in such a configuration by the adjusting disc 32 contacting the sensor 38.

[0045] The round baler 2 further comprises a control device 39, which is connected to the sensor 38 and the one actuator 19 for transmitting data. The control device 39 is further provided and configured to communicate with a control device for transmitting data present on a tractor, preferably designed as a tractor, in particular to receive control signals from this control device, and / or to communicate with other sensors of the round baler 2 for transmitting data. The control device 39 of the round baler 2 is provided and configured to control the operation of the one actuator 19.For this purpose, the control device 39 receives information, optionally from a sensor of the round baler 2 and / or by means of a control signal sent by the control device of the tractor, which is based on an input from the operator of the tractor unit, that the binding process of a round bale 5 in the baling chamber 3 of the round baler 2 has been completed. The control device 39 then controls one actuator 19, whereby the actuator drives the first transmission element 23 of the drive unit 20 for the reversible displacement of the blade 17 of the separating device 16.As soon as the sensor 38 detects that the actuating element 32 is again in the first end position E1, and the reversible displacement process of the knife 17 is thus completed, the control device 39 then controls the one actuator 19 based on the sensor signal provided by the sensor 38 in such a way that the actuator 19 and thus the drive of the first transmission element 23 of the drive unit 20 is stopped.

[0046] Finally, it should be noted that the embodiments described above serve only to describe the claimed teaching, but are in no way to be regarded as limiting or exhaustive. List of reference symbols 1 baler 2 round balers 3 Press chamber 4 housings 5 round bales 6 Pressing agents 7 Endlessly rotating pressing means 8 rolls 9 Mounting device 10 rotating element 11 Binding material 12 Binding device 13 Binding material supply roll 14 Feed gap 15 rolls 16 Separator 17 knives 18 Adjustment device 19 Actuator 20 drive unit 21 Adjustment unit 22 Bracket 23 Transmission element 24 transmission element 25 levers 26 Support element 27 Spring element 28 Actuating element 29 Contact element 30 wave 31 transmission element 32 adjusting disc 33 Marginal area 34 Contact element 35 levers 36 spring element 37 spring element 38 Sensor 39 Control device R M Knife rest position A M Working position knife R H1 Rest position lever A H1Working position lever R H2 Rest position lever E1 end position E2 end position R rotation axis R1 rotation axis R2 rotation axis R3 rotation axis R4 rotation axis QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 34 18 681 C2 [0004, 0005, 0006]

Claims

[1] Round baler (2) with a pressing chamber (3) arranged in a housing (4) of the round baler (2) for pressing round bales (5) from a harvested crop, a binding device (12) for providing a binding material (11) for binding a round bale (5) in the pressing chamber (3), wherein at least one feed gap (14) for feeding the binding material (11) into the pressing chamber (3) is formed on the circumference of the pressing chamber (3), wherein the binding device (12) comprises a separating device (16) which can be arranged between a rest position (R M ) and a working position (A M ) reversibly movable knife (17) for cutting through the binding material (11), characterized by that the separating device (16) has an adjusting device (18) coupled to the knife (17) with an actuator (19) for reversibly displacing the knife (17) between the rest position (R M ) and the working position (A M ) includes. [2] Round baler (2) according to claim 1, characterized by that the adjusting device (18) comprises exactly one actuator (19). [3] Round baler (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the adjusting device (18) comprises a drive unit (20) connected to the actuator (19) and an adjusting unit (21) connected to the knife (17) in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein the drive unit (20) and the adjusting unit (21) are arranged for reversibly displacing the knife (17) between the rest position (R M ) and the working position (A M ) are effectively connected to each other. [4] Round baler (2) according to claim 3, characterized bythat the drive unit (20) comprises a holder (22) fastened to the housing (4) of the round baler (2), a first transmission element (23) drivingly connected to the actuator (19), a second transmission element (24), a spring-loaded lever (25) and a support element (26), wherein the first transmission element (23), the second transmission element (24) and the spring-loaded lever (25) are each rotatably mounted on the holder (22), wherein the first transmission element (23) and the second transmission element (24) are connected to one another so that they execute a common rotary movement when the first transmission element (23) is driven by means of the actuator (19), wherein the first transmission element (23) comprises an actuating element (28) which is provided and designed to cooperate with the spring-loaded lever (25) when the first transmission element (23) is driven by means of of the actuator (19). [5] Round baler (2) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the adjusting unit (21) comprises an adjusting disc (32) which is pivotally mounted on the housing (4) of the round baler (2) between a first end position (E1) and a second end position (E2), which is connected to the knife (17) in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein the knife (17) is in the first end position (E1) of the adjusting disc (32) in the rest position (R M ) and in the second end position (E2) of the adjusting disc (32) in the working position (A M ), wherein the adjusting disc (32) comprises at least one contact element (34) arranged in a rotationally fixed manner in an outer edge region (33) of the adjusting disc (32), wherein the adjusting unit (21) comprises a spring-loaded lever (35) which is rotatably mounted on the adjusting disc (32). [6] Round baler (2) according to claim 4 in combination with claim 5, characterized bythat the adjusting disc (32) is prestressed in its first end position (E1) by means of a spring element (37), wherein the spring-loaded lever (35) of the adjusting unit (21) rests on the support element (26) of the drive unit (20) in the first end position (E1) of the adjusting disc (32), so that the adjusting disc (32) is locked in its first position (E1). [7] Round baler (2) according to claim 6, characterized by that the actuating element (28) of the first transmission element (23) is provided and designed, when the first transmission element (23) is driven by means of the actuator (19), to displace the spring-loaded lever (25) of the drive unit (20) in such a way that the spring-loaded lever (35) of the adjusting unit (21) is released from the support element (26) due to contact with the spring-loaded lever (25) of the drive unit (20), whereby the adjusting disc (32) is displaced from its first end position (E1) to its second end position (E2). [8] Round baler (2) according to claim 4 in combination with one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by that the second transmission element (24) is provided and designed to cooperate with the at least one contact element (34) of the adjusting disc (32) when the first transmission element (23) is driven by means of the actuator (19), in such a way that the adjusting disc (32) is displaced from the second end position (E2) into the first end position (E1). [9] Round baler (2) according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized by that a transmission element (31) is arranged on a shaft (30) extending from the actuator (19), which transmission element is operatively connected to the first transmission element (23) of the drive unit (20). [10] Round baler (2) according to claim 9, characterized bythat a transmission ratio between the transmission element (31) arranged on the shaft (30) extending from the actuator (19) and the first transmission element (23) of the drive unit (20) is selected such that with a complete rotation of the first transmission element (23), the adjusting disc (32) is moved from its first end position (E1) to its second end position (E2) and from its second end position (E2) back to its first end position (E1). [11] Round baler (2) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by that the first transmission element (23) of the drive unit (20) is designed as a spur gear, the second transmission element (24) of the drive unit (20) is designed as a partial chain wheel and the transmission element (31) arranged on the shaft (30) extending from the actuator (19) is designed as a pinion. [12] Round baler (2) according to one of claims 5 to 11, characterized bythat the adjusting device (18) comprises a sensor (38) which is provided and configured to detect the first end position (E1) of the adjusting disc (32). [13] Round baler (2) according to claim 12, characterized by in that the round baler (2) comprises a control device (39) which is connected at least to the sensor (38) and the actuator (19) for transmitting data, wherein the control device (29) is provided and configured to control the operation of the actuator (19), wherein the control device (39) is provided and configured to stop the operation of the actuator (19) upon detection of the first end position (E1) of the adjusting disc (32) by means of the sensor (38). [14] Round baler (2) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by that the actuator (19) is an electric motor or a hydraulic motor.

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