Method for harvesting threshed grain and harvesting device for carrying out the method for harvesting threshed grain

Abstract

The invention, which relates to a method for harvesting threshing crops and a harvesting device (1) for carrying out the method for harvesting threshing crops, is based on the objective of providing a solution that enables the spatially in front of a carrier vehicle a mixture of all above-ground components of agricultural threshing crops, in particular grain, straw and chaff, which can be controlled in its proportional composition, wherein the carrier vehicle serves only to provide traction and drive power required for the harvesting device (1) and realizes the taking over and transfer of the harvested material for transport from the harvesting area.This task is accomplished procedurally by the steps of stripping threshed grain from the ears (25) of threshing plants (23) and generating a first partial material stream (5), conveying the first partial material stream (5) into a first collection container (10), cutting the stalks (24) of the threshing plants (23) that spring back from the ear stripper rotor (2) in a cutting plane of the harvesting device (1) and generating a second partial material stream (8), equalizing and accelerating the second partial material stream (8) in the transverse conveying device (11), chopping the second partial material stream (8) in the harvesting device (1) and transferring the second partial material stream (8) to a transport vehicle and discharging the first partial material stream (5) from the first collection container (10) of the harvesting device (1) into a further collection container of the transport vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for harvesting threshed crops.

[0002] The invention also relates to a harvesting device for carrying out the method for harvesting threshed crops.

[0003] The invention particularly relates to a method for harvesting threshed crops and a harvesting device or a harvesting header for harvesting threshed crops in front of a carrier vehicle. The carrier vehicle serves, on the one hand, to provide traction and drive power, and, on the other hand, the carrier vehicle handles the receiving and transfer of the harvested crop for transport from the harvesting area, with or without a bunker unit for intermediate collection of the harvested crop.

[0004] In the context of the present invention, the term harvest or harvested product includes a recovery of a mixture whose composition can be controlled from all above-ground components of agricultural threshed crops, in particular grain crops such as grain, straw and chaff.

[0005] Threshed crops are the fruits in the ears of a threshed plant. In the present invention, threshed plants are understood to mean the above-ground biomass of these threshed plants, including the ears and stalks of the threshed plant. Examples of such threshed plants are all major agricultural cereals of temperate climates, such as wheat, barley, rye, oats, and triticale, except maize.

[0006] Analogous to the worldwide climatic cultivation areas, the particular suitability for threshing rice should be emphasized in the same way as for the aforementioned main cereals within the meaning of the invention.

[0007] As an example of these possible applications, the description of the harvesting process refers to wheat, the crop with the largest cultivation area worldwide and the broadest suitability of the aforementioned crop components: grain, straw, and chaff. In this case, the grain is the threshed crop contained in the ears, and the straw corresponds to the stalks of the threshed wheat plant.

[0008] The general standard for conventional harvesting methods of cereal plants is to divide the threshed plants or cereal plants picked up by a harvester into three parts: stalks or a straw fraction, chaff or a chaff fraction, and threshed crops or a grain fraction. The aim of conventional harvesting methods is generally to harvest the threshed crops in a cleaned state. The stalks or the straw fraction are either laid in swaths on the field or harvested area for collection, or shredded and recovered in shredded form, or evenly distributed over the harvested area to maintain the humus stability of the soil. With conventional harvesting methods, the chaff or the chaff fraction is predominantly distributed evenly over the harvested area.

[0009] Harvesting devices such as a harvesting header for conventional combine harvesters perform the tasks of cutting the crop, merging it in an orderly manner in the center of the harvesting device, and feeding this compacted, whole-crop flow into the threshing, separating, and cleaning devices of the combine harvester itself. The wider such a harvesting device is designed, the more structurally complex, heavier, and energetically demanding the process of cutting the crop components and merging and feeding the whole-crop flow into the threshing, separating, and cleaning devices becomes.

[0010] This effort can be reduced by so-called ear stripper cutting units, which only comb the threshed crops, such as grains, from the ears of a well-planted crop, or separate the ears and ear parts and place them into a cross-collecting auger or conveyor auger. From there, the merging and transfer to the combine harvester continues as described above. This method enables high area performance while significantly reducing the energy consumption of the strawless process in the combine harvester.

[0011] A significant disadvantage of this method is that the straw from the threshing plant remains on the harvested area as stalks still firmly attached to the plant roots, resulting in considerable rework for subsequent processes. Furthermore, in the case of so-called "broken ears" or lodged grain, there are additional high grain losses.

[0012] A large number of solutions for harvesting devices, in particular harvesting attachments, are known from the prior art, in which the work of the threshing, separating and cleaning elements of the combine harvester has been transferred partially or entirely to the harvesting attachments of a carrier vehicle.

[0013] From EP 0 042 824 B1 a combine harvester is known in which an axial flow threshing and separating unit is carried transversely to the harvesting machine by a supporting structure which is detachably attached to the cutting table of the harvesting machine.

[0014] The header is designed as an axial-flow threshing and separating unit, in which the combine harvester's threshing elements are positioned forward as axially operating threshing rotors of a conventional design. Regardless of whether the rotors operate axially or tangentially, these, along with the necessary separating concaves, are among the heaviest combine harvester assemblies, requiring significant structural reinforcements for their bearings and the transfer of drive torque. Considering the high efficiency achieved by modern combine harvesters and their throughput and separation capacities, as well as the fact that such a combine harvester, in its basic design for grain cleaning and intermediate storage, remains necessary as a single-purpose machine with low annual utilization, such additional expenditure has not yet been established.

[0015] Such disadvantages also apply, in a broader sense, to visions that transfer the combine harvester's functions entirely to the header. Three representative solutions, differing in their means, are presented.

[0016] EP 1 298 979 B1 discloses a machine for harvesting grains or seeds, which comprises a cutting head mounted on a self-propelled vehicle.

[0017] The solution relies on tangentially operating threshing drum and separating concave elements arranged transversely to the direction of travel. In addition, the high cut of the stalks below the ears assumes that only a small amount of straw is removed. This leads to the assumption that a sufficiently high separation efficiency for the then separately collected grain can be achieved by only a thin mat of straw and ear in the drum-conceal combination. This is not the case due to the small wrap angle of the separating concaves and their resulting short effective length at high drum speeds across the circumference. In practice, however, combine harvesters with two or more drums (so-called tangential rotors) in various arrangements are more common. Even then, a clean separation of the grains from the straw and chaff still requires separation and cleaning areas of several square meters in the combine harvesters.In practical harvesting, this solution is just as unsuitable in the not uncommon case of overripe, drooping, and kinked ears or so-called lodged grain as it is in the case of straw collection. Furthermore, chaff cannot be collected.

[0018] DE 34 19 314 A1 discloses a harvesting machine with front-mounted comb tines and cutting means that extend across the working width of the machine. Furthermore, the harvesting machine has threshing and grain separating means arranged downstream.

[0019] This solution proposes a lighter construction. The rotor function is performed by a short, inclined belt equipped with wave-shaped ribs as threshing elements, which moves over a curved wire mesh as a separation element. Threshing of the ears and separation of the grains should take place in the flat space between them. Furthermore, the high cut below the ears eliminates the straw removal. This, in turn, results in the aforementioned problems and limitations. Technically, the combination of threshing belt and sieve mesh is known from the early 200-year history of combine harvesters (DE 245 458 A; DE 318 752 A; DE 358 558 A) and requires the orderly feeding of the harvested material by hand at low throughputs.

[0020] DE 10 2014 014 871 B3 describes a harvesting device for grain, rice, seeds, and other crops. The task to be solved is to ensure a favorable flow of the harvested crop from front to back without deflection.

[0021] For the separately operating harvesting header, a combination of ear stripper and post-threshing rotor is proposed. The functionality and performance of this solution are realistically feasible. The purity of the target product, grain, cannot be achieved based on the aforementioned evaluations of similar approaches. Furthermore, the proposed post-processing of the straw left in the field and on the stalk using a knife bar, as outlined, tends to limit the area output, and the aforementioned deficiencies regarding harvest quality, such as grain losses, rework, and separate straw collection when necessary, are fundamentally not within the scope of the present invention.

[0022] With a combine harvester attachable to a tractor, DE 32 23 329 A1 revisits the development of system implement carriers from the 1960s, designing various harvesting systems for, for example, green fodder, potatoes, beets, and in this case, threshed crops as adapted modules for these system implement carriers. This was partly for cost reasons, and partly to enable larger working widths with compact dimensions for road transport through the proposed means of folding and pivoting individual combine harvester assemblies. This approach is no longer feasible due to the current power density of both the combine harvester assemblies and the engines used, which allow working widths of 9 m to 18 m, while maintaining the same legally permitted vehicle dimensions.Furthermore, the components of the combine harvester shown in this solution are classically conventional in their design and functional arrangement and do not achieve any advantage with regard to the objective of the present invention.

[0023] Another harvesting device that can be coupled as an adapter to a basic machine that can also be used for other purposes is described in DD 2 35 171 A1. Using angular, shovel-shaped tines, flowers and leaves are first stripped from the plant stems in the stand and collected and placed in a bunker or on a conveyor device. The stems are then separated by a downstream device, gathered together, and placed untreated or bent in a swath. Flowers and leaves represent the target products of the harvest, which, as in the case of the aforementioned crop alfalfa, should be collected as gently as possible without any loss of ingredients. The large diameter tine drum, for moderate circumferential and thus throwing speeds, takes this into account. The components and operating principle are not suitable for harvesting ripe threshed crops.The tine drum, positioned very far forward, and the adjustable cover plate underneath cause, in addition to losses from broken ears and lodged grain, high losses of grain before the actual stalk pickup. Harvesting a controllable mixture of grain, straw, and chaff is also not feasible with this solution.

[0024] In summary, with the means of the state of the art presented, neither a harvest of pure grain as the sole target product of the conventional combine harvester nor a harvest of the mixture of grain, straw and chaff that can be controlled with the concept of harvest introduced above can be achieved.

[0025] EP 2 547 194 B1 discloses a method for harvesting threshed crops.

[0026] For harvesting a mixture of grain, straw, and chaff, a combine harvester is proposed. This harvester comprises a threshing unit downstream of the threshing unit for separating the grain-chaff mixture from the straw, a chopper downstream of the threshing unit for shredding the straw and separating it into two straw fractions whose proportions can be controlled, and a blower for sucking in and mixing the grain-chaff mixture with the second, further shredded straw fraction to form a mixture of grain, straw, and chaff. This harvest mixture is temporarily stored in a bunker. The first straw fraction not required for the desired harvest product can be redistributed to the harvested area.

[0027] This harvest mixture or grain-chaff mixture corresponds in a variant for the threshed crop wheat to the target product of the present invention.

[0028] The combine harvester equipped for this purpose does not require technically, energy-, and spatially demanding grain cleaning systems, unlike conventional standard equipment. This allows for a compact design, which is also necessary for the intermediate storage of the large-volume mixture on the harvester. The harvested crop must be centrally cleaned and processed before separate use. For efficient implementation, this technology requires industrial-scale material requirements for the straw and chaff mixture components, which are collected in a single field pass, as agricultural residue biomass.

[0029] In the agricultural sector itself, for example, in biogas plants, or in new industrial technologies for decentralized intermediate and final product production based on straw and chaff, the question arises again due to the actual lower demand for a simplified, cost-effective harvesting header that can be operated from a carrier vehicle. A carrier vehicle such as a tractor with or without a reverse drive system, or an existing forage harvester that is not suitable for grain harvesting, would be advantageous.

[0030] Thus, there is a need for an improved method for harvesting threshed crops and an improved harvesting device.

[0031] The object of the invention is to propose a method for harvesting threshed crops and a harvesting device for carrying out the method for harvesting threshed crops, which enables the recovery of a mixture of all above-ground components of agricultural threshed crops, in particular grain (threshed crops from the ears), straw (stalks), and chaff, spatially in front of a carrier vehicle, wherein the carrier vehicle only serves to provide the traction and drive power required for the harvesting device. In this case, the carrier vehicle can take over and transfer the harvested crop for transport from the harvesting area. A further object of the invention is to design a harvesting device for this purpose as a harvesting attachment for producing and transferring the harvested crop, which can be removed from the carrier vehicle.

[0032] The problem is solved by a method for harvesting threshed crops having the features according to claim 1 of the independent patent claims. Further developments are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0033] The present invention makes it possible to transport the grain, straw, and chaff components of the threshing plants or the target harvest product, from the point of cutting the threshing plant, completely or partially separately from one another in partial crop streams in the harvesting device, to process them, and to mix them completely or partially after leaving the harvesting device for collection according to quantitative and qualitative criteria (chopped straw length, proportions of straw and chaff in the mixture, etc.). This also includes the proportional depositing or distribution of portions of the straw and / or chaff components that are not required or desired in the target harvest product into the harvested area.

[0034] The process for harvesting threshed crops includes the following steps - Stripping of threshed crops from the ears of threshed plants and producing a first crop stream consisting of threshed crops, chaff and completely or incompletely torn parts of the ears, - conveying the first partial crop stream into a first collecting container by means of an ear stripper rotor, the first collecting container being provided in a harvesting device, - Cutting off the stalks of the threshing plants that spring back from the ear stripper rotor in a cutting plane of the harvesting device and generating a second partial crop stream consisting of stalks of the threshing plants, - Pre-shredding the second partial crop flow, threshing any residual crops contained in the second partial crop flow and transferring the thus prepared second partial crop flow to a cross conveyor device, - equalising, accelerating and transporting the second partial crop flow in the transverse conveyor device transversely to a direction of movement of the harvesting device, wherein during the transport of the second partial crop flow to a central area of ​​the harvesting device, threshed residual crops from the second partial crop flow are returned to the first partial crop flow via at least one separating means, - chopping the second partial crop flow in the harvesting device and discharging the second partial crop flow from the harvesting device and - Discharge of the first partial crop stream with the threshed crops from the first collecting container of the harvesting device.

[0035] According to the concept of the invention, in the present method for harvesting threshed crops, in a first process step, threshed crops, such as grains, are removed from the ears of threshed plants, such as cereal plants, by stripping them from the threshed plant to produce a first crop stream. This first crop stream contains a grain-chaff mixture consisting of threshed crops and chaff from the threshed plant, as well as completely or incompletely torn-off ear parts of the threshed plant.

[0036] This first partial crop stream containing the threshed crops is transported into a first collection container in the harvesting device with the aid of an ear stripper rotor, which strips the threshed crops from the ears of the threshed plants. Such a first collection container is arranged in a partial area of ​​the harvesting device, which is picked up by a carrier vehicle and moved across the harvesting area for harvesting. This carrier vehicle accommodates the harvesting device for implementing the method according to the invention. In addition, this carrier vehicle serves to provide traction and drive power for the picked-up harvesting device. Furthermore, the carrier vehicle, for example, takes over the chopped second partial crop stream from the harvesting device into a second collection container of the carrier vehicle and / or transfers the crop to a transport vehicle on the harvesting area or transports the crop away from the harvesting area.

[0037] In a further process step, the stalks of the threshing plant, which spring back from the ear stripper rotor, are cut off in a cutting plane of the harvesting device, and a second partial crop stream consisting of the stalks of the threshing plant is created. This process is carried out by a mower in a cutting plane of the harvesting device located approximately 5 cm to 20 cm above the harvesting area. The second partial crop stream is transferred to a two-part cross conveyor device within the harvesting device, which conveys the second partial crop stream from the outside to the inside of the harvesting device in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the harvesting device over the harvesting area.During this transfer to the two-part cross-conveyor device, the second partial crop stream is transported from the cutting plane, for example by means of a rotating receiving rotor within the harvesting device, to a higher, lower conveyor plane, for example, in an upward, diagonal direction. The two-part cross-conveyor device is arranged in this lower conveyor plane. Each part of such a cross-conveyor device can be formed, for example, by one or preferably two conveyor screws, which have opposite directions of rotation. In this way, the second partial crop stream is conveyed to a central area of ​​the harvesting device.

[0038] When the second crop stream is conveyed within the harvesting device, it is straightened and accelerated in the cross conveyor. Remains of the threshed crop from the second crop stream are returned to the first crop stream. This is made possible by the fact that the second crop stream is transported to the cross conveyor by a receiving rotor equipped with flail elements. The action of the flail elements separates any remaining crops from the second crop stream, such as broken or torn ears, and transports them with the second crop stream to the cross conveyor.

[0039] This is further achieved by guiding the second crop stream containing the threshed residual crops in the lower conveyor level of the two-part cross-conveyor device over openings of a separating device. These openings are sized so that residual crops or threshed crops from the second crop stream can pass through these openings of the separating device. The other components of the second crop stream, such as stalks of the threshing plant, cannot pass through the openings. The threshed crop residues falling through the openings of the separating devices thus reach the first collection container, which also extends below the separating devices, and thus enter the first crop stream.

[0040] The second crop stream is then chopped in the harvesting device and discharged or removed from the harvesting device. The second crop stream is then transferred, for example, to the carrier vehicle. The chopped second crop stream is discharged, as required, in full or preferably only partially, into the carrier vehicle. This makes it possible, for example, for a portion of 25% straw to be mixed with grain and chaff, or with portions of grain and chaff, in the carrier vehicle and removed as a mixture. If the carrier vehicle has an additional discharge device, such as a discharge arch, the straw could also be collected and removed separately on a parallel vehicle.

[0041] The first crop stream containing the threshed crops is then discharged from the first collection bin of the harvesting device. For example, the first crop stream containing the threshed crops is discharged or transported to another collection bin on the carrier vehicle.

[0042] It is also intended that the conveying of the first partial crop flow with the threshed crops within the harvesting device into the first collecting container takes place by means of a throwing energy and an air flow generated by the ear stripper rotor via an upper conveying level.

[0043] The rotation of the ear stripper rotor with its radially arranged stripping means leads to the generation of an air flow within the harvesting device, which is guided by means of a substantially arcuate housing of the harvesting device, for example, via an upper conveyor level toward a first collecting container of the harvesting device. This arcuate shape of the housing is advantageously adapted to a natural trajectory of the threshed crop stripped, accelerated, and thrown by the ear stripper rotor and can, for example, have at least a substantially convex shape. The stripped threshed crop thus moves within the generated air flow in the harvesting device in the trajectory toward the first collecting container of the harvesting device.

[0044] Due to this air flow and the projectile energy of the threshed crops generated by the stripping means of the ear stripping rotor, they are conveyed along with the first partial crop flow into the first collection bin within the harvesting device. The threshed crops in the first partial crop flow thus reach the first collection bin through an area above the second partial crop flow within the harvesting device. Only in the first collection bin does the first partial crop flow, at least in part, run below the second partial crop flow, i.e., below the two-part cross-conveyor device, which allows residual crops in the second partial crop flow to fall through the openings of the separation means into the first partial crop flow or the first collection bin.

[0045] It is further provided that the conveying of the first partial crop flow with the threshed crops within the harvesting device into the first collecting container takes place against a direction of movement of the harvesting device and thus of the carrier vehicle into the first collecting container provided at the rear within the harvesting device.

[0046] The first crop stream containing the threshed crop is conveyed within the harvesting device along the housing, which is designed as a substantially curved guide surface, in the upper conveying plane of the harvesting device, opposite the direction of movement of the harvesting device that is usual during harvesting of the threshed crop, into the first collection container. The first collection container is located within the harvesting device in an area close to the transport vehicle.

[0047] According to the invention, the second partial material stream from the cutting plane is taken up, diluted and pre-shredded by a take-up rotor.

[0048] The second crop stream, consisting of stalks and residual crops not separated from the ears, is generated at the cutting level and collected from this cutting level by a receiving rotor extending longitudinally within the harvesting device. During this collection of the stalks from the second crop stream, they are also pre-shredded and thinned. The receiving rotor also re-threshes ears that were not captured by the stripper rotor and thus ended up in the second crop stream.

[0049] Using flail elements of the receiving rotor and counter knives arranged in the rotor housing, the stalks of the second crop stream are shredded, producing shredded stalks or shredded straw. In addition, the remaining crops contained in the second crop stream are threshed before the second crop stream reaches the cross conveyor.

[0050] It has also proven advantageous that the second partial crop stream is fed to a chopping device within the harvesting device for chopping.

[0051] The harvesting device has a centrally located chopping device. The second crop stream, from which the remaining crops have been largely removed, is conveyed by the augers to a chopping device located in a central area of ​​the harvesting device. This can then be picked up by the chopping device, shredded, and discharged from the harvesting device as a second crop stream containing chopped straw. For example, the second crop stream is transferred to the carrier vehicle.

[0052] It is further provided that the second partial crop flow is discharged from the harvesting device via a straw throwing channel and a straw distribution device.

[0053] The second partial crop stream comprising straw chopped downstream of the chopping device is discharged from the harvesting device. This can occur, for example, onto the harvesting area or onto the carrying vehicle. This discharge takes place via a straw throwing channel, which is, for example, a channel with a rectangular cross-section, the first end of which is arranged on the chopping device. This straw throwing channel preferably has a straw distribution device, which is arranged at the second end of the straw throwing channel and with which the second partial crop stream is divided into a first portion of the straw of the second partial crop stream, which is to be transferred, for example, to the carrying vehicle, and a second portion of the straw of the second partial crop stream, which is to be distributed onto the harvesting area.

[0054] Since the second partial crop flow is transported by means of the chopping device and the straw throwing channel to a level substantially above the harvesting device, it is possible to distribute the second partial crop flow over the entire width of the harvesting device, for example by using so-called finger rotors.

[0055] To this end, the straw distribution device is designed to divide the chopped second partial crop stream in a ratio of 75% to 25%, with 75% of the chopped straw from the second partial crop stream being redistributed to the harvested area to maintain soil fertility, so that 25% of the chopped straw from the second partial crop stream is transferred, for example, to the carrier vehicle. These portions, which can be divided by the straw distribution device, can advantageously be regulated within a range of 0% to 100% as a portion for the harvested area or from 100% to 0% as a portion for the carrier vehicle to shape the post-harvest processes.

[0056] According to the invention, it is also provided that the first partial material flow in the area of ​​the collecting container is subjected to a blower air flow from a compressed air blower, whereby chaff contained in the first partial material flow is swirled up, which is then sucked out of the collecting container by means of a suction air blower up to 90%.

[0057] Thus, according to the method, through a targeted interaction of the mechanical discharge device and the application of a blower air stream generated by a compressed air blower to the first partial crop stream, up to 90% of the chaff contained in the first partial crop stream can be swirled up and thus sucked or removed from the first partial crop stream or from the first collection container by means of a suction air blower. The sucked-off portion of the chaff is either transferred to the throwing path of finger rotors of a straw distribution device for distribution into the harvested area, or blown into the straw throwing channel upstream of the straw distribution device for proportional mixing of straw and chaff into the second partial crop stream, or transferred directly and in its entirety to the carrier vehicle. This allows, for example, a very fine adjustment of the straw-chaff ratio in the overall harvest product produced according to the method already in the harvesting device according to the invention.This eliminates the need for subsequent, time-consuming post-processing.

[0058] Furthermore, the invention provides that the threshed crops contained in the first partial crop flow are pre-dried by means of warm air, which is introduced into the first collecting container via at least one warm air supply, and in this way moisture on the surfaces of the threshed crops is at least reduced.

[0059] Unique compared to all known mobile harvesting methods, it is particularly intended to dry or pre-dry the threshed crops in the first partial crop stream, at least on their surface, by applying warm air introduced into the harvesting device via a warm air supply to the first partial crop stream, which has been separated from chaff, for example.

[0060] This type of pre-drying of the threshed crop can take place on its surface, such as the surface of a grain, over an exposure length of up to 10 m, for example. This exposure length results from a path traveled by the warm air in the harvesting device, along which the warm air can act on the threshed crop. This path begins on one side of the harvesting device and leads along the mechanical discharge devices in the first collection container to the central area of ​​the harvesting device. The warm air leaves the area of ​​the harvesting device via the grain-chaff channel, for example in the direction of the carrying vehicle. This option for drying the surfaces of the threshed crop within the harvesting device extends the harvesting window during daily use with regard to possible moisture from dew on the threshed plants and is advantageous in humid harvesting conditions.

[0061] Preferably, the energy for the warm air is not generated additionally, but is obtained via an exhaust gas heat exchanger, to which the hot exhaust gases from the engine of the carrier vehicle are fed.

[0062] The problem is also solved by a harvesting device for carrying out the method for harvesting threshed crops with the features according to claim 9 of the independent patent claims. Further developments are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0063] It is intended that a harvesting device for carrying out the method for harvesting threshed crops, which is attached to a carrying vehicle, comprises: - an ear stripper rotor, which strips threshed crops from the ears of the threshed plants and conveys them in a first partial crop flow, - a first collecting container for receiving the first partial crop flow conveyed by the ear stripper rotor, - a mower arranged after the ear stripper rotor in a direction of movement of the harvesting device for cutting stalks of the threshed plants close to the ground and for generating a second crop flow, - a receiving rotor with flail elements for receiving, thinning, pre-shredding and threshing the second crop stream, - a cross conveyor device for conveying the second partial crop flow to a chopping device of the harvesting device, - Separation means, arranged at least partially in the lower region of the cross-conveying device, which have openings through which the threshed residual crops contained in the second partial crop flow pass from the cross-conveying device into the first collecting container, - the chopping device arranged in the harvesting device for chopping the stalks of the threshed plants contained in the second partial crop flow, - a straw throwing channel connected to the chopping device for transporting the chopped second part of the crop from the harvesting device, - a straw distribution device connected to the straw channel and - a means for discharging the first partial crop stream containing threshed crops, whereby the first partial crop stream containing threshed crops is discharged from the first collecting container.

[0064] It is intended that the drive of the moving elements of the harvesting device, such as the ear stripper rotor, the pickup rotor and the conveyor screws, is carried out via the carrier vehicle, which provides the appropriate traction and drive power for the harvesting device.

[0065] In particular, it is intended that the cutting elements of the mower be arranged at a distance of between 5 cm and 20 cm, in particular at a distance of 15 cm, above the harvested area. The so-called stubble length is regulated, for example, by means of guide shoes attached to the harvesting device within a range of between 5 cm and 20 cm.

[0066] According to the invention, the mower is a disc mower. Such a disc mower has the advantages of being robust and enabling a high movement speed of the harvesting device or a high travel speed of the carrier vehicle over the harvested area compared to other known mowers.

[0067] Furthermore, the two-part cross-conveyor device is provided with two pairs of counter-rotating augers. The paired augers have pitches in opposite directions, so that when used in the two-half cross-conveyor device, it is possible for the second partial crop stream to be conveyed from the edge areas of the harvesting device into a central area of ​​the harvesting device.

[0068] It has proven advantageous for the straw distribution device to have at least two pivoting, rotating finger rotors. These finger rotors are advantageously complemented by two lateral pivoting elements, which allow for the targeted influence of the throwing or spreading direction of the second crop stream. This allows the second crop stream to be distributed across the entire width of the harvesting device, either across the harvested area, or deposited centrally in swaths.

[0069] It is further provided that the means for discharging the first partial crop stream containing threshed crops from the harvesting device is a throwing rotor.

[0070] According to the concept of the invention, the harvesting device for carrying out the method for harvesting threshed crops is attached to a carrier vehicle and is both driven by the carrier vehicle and moved across the field or harvested area to be harvested. The harvesting device is arranged transversely in front of the carrier vehicle, as seen in the direction of travel of the carrier vehicle.

[0071] The harvesting device according to the invention has an ear stripper rotor which, functionally upstream, strips the threshed crops such as grains from the ears of the threshed crops during initial contact with the threshing plants and moves them, together with the chaff of the ears and completely or incompletely torn off ear parts, as a first partial crop stream in an upper conveying plane against the direction of movement of the harvesting device along a housing of the harvesting device, which is designed in the form of a substantially arcuate guide surface, within the harvesting device towards a first collecting container. The first partial crop stream with the threshed crops is at least temporarily received in the first collecting container. The first collecting container, which extends essentially across the entire width of the harvesting device, is arranged in the rear part of the harvesting device close to the carrier vehicle.

[0072] By means of a mower with associated cutting elements arranged in the direction of movement of the harvesting device immediately after and below the ear stripper rotor, which is preferably a disc mower for cutting the stalks of the threshed plants close to the ground, the stalks are cut close to the ground and a second crop stream is generated from them.

[0073] This second crop stream, which contains stalks of the threshed plants such as straw, is first drawn in flat or horizontally and parallel to the harvesting area and then collected and conveyed further by means of flail elements of a pickup rotor arranged directly after the mower.

[0074] This conveying of the second partial material flow takes place diagonally upwards along a rotor housing into a two-part cross conveyor device arranged in a lower conveying level, in which the second partial material flow is conveyed further in the lower conveying level.

[0075] Due to the design of the flail elements of the intake rotor and their high peripheral speed, as well as the resulting tangential-axial airflow, the second crop stream containing the stalks of the threshing plants is accelerated, thinned, and can be pre-shredded by additional counterblades arranged on the inside of the rotor housing in conjunction with the flail elements. At the same time, the flail elements of the intake rotor thresh the remaining crop from the ears or parts of the ears contained in the second crop stream. The second crop stream, containing shredded stalks and remaining crops, reaches the cross conveyor system on the lower conveyor level with these components.

[0076] Furthermore, the second partial crop stream may also contain incorrectly deflected spray grains from the ear stripper rotor.

[0077] In the cross-conveyor device, which is open at the top and consists of two pairs of rapidly and counter-rotating augers, separating means are arranged in the base area of ​​the cross-conveyor device, at least partially surrounding the augers. These separating means, which do not have to extend over the entire length of the base area of ​​the cross-conveyor device and can be arranged only in the central area of ​​the two-part cross-conveyor device, have openings. These openings are designed in such a way that the threshed crops intended for harvesting, such as residual grains, can pass through them.

[0078] The second crop stream reaching the conveyor screws of the two-part cross conveyor device is captured by the latter, deflected transversely to the direction of movement of the harvesting device, and then conveyed in the direction of a central connecting plane of the harvesting device. The conveyor screws, arranged in pairs in the two parts of the harvesting device, rotate at such a speed that the second crop stream containing straw and chaff is transported above the conveyor screws in a resulting air stream, as if in a plane, over the conveyor screws, without the second crop stream penetrating the windings of the conveyor screws. The threshed residual crops contained in the second crop stream pass through the windings of the conveyor screws to the ground area and are conveyed by the rotating conveyor screws in the direction of the central connecting plane of the harvesting device.In this way, the remaining crops reach the separation devices, which are arranged at the respective ends of the two-part cross conveyor devices directed towards the central connecting plane.

[0079] The transport of the second partial material stream above the screw conveyors is further promoted by, for example, two sliding elements per screw conveyor pair. These sliding elements are arranged in an area between the paired, counter-rotating screw conveyors above the screw conveyors and extend parallel to the screw conveyors over the entire length of the screw conveyor pairs.

[0080] Through this process step, which is combined with a further loosening, the threshed residual grains contained in the second partial material flow pass through the openings of the separating means in the bottom area of ​​the two-part cross conveyor device into an underlying area of ​​the first collection container and are thus transferred from the second partial material flow into the first partial material flow.

[0081] According to the invention, the harvesting device further comprises, for processing the second partial crop flow after the transverse conveying device, a chopping device arranged, for example, centrally or centrally in the harvesting device for a proper comminution of the partially pre-shredded stalks of the second partial crop flow.

[0082] The harvesting device also has a straw channel arranged on the chopping device after approximately 270° of wrap, parallel and opposite to the direction of movement of the harvesting device, for transporting the chopped second partial crop stream. This straw channel leads from the chopping device to a transfer area arranged above the harvesting device near the carrier vehicle, in which the second partial crop stream can, for example, be at least partially transferred or delivered to the carrier vehicle. A straw distribution device is advantageously arranged in this transfer area. This consists of two pivotally mounted finger rotors that can be pivoted into the cross-section of the, for example, rectangular straw channel or the chopped second partial crop stream from both sides until they completely overlap.In this way, it is possible to discharge the entire second crop flow from the harvesting device into the following carrier vehicle when the finger rotors are swung out.

[0083] Furthermore, it is possible to allow the second partial crop flow to pass through partially when the counter-rotating finger rotors are partially pivoted in and to distribute it proportionally, for example symmetrically, 90° to the direction of movement of the harvesting device and the carrier vehicle to both sides over part or the entire working width of the harvesting device into the harvesting area.

[0084] In addition, with complete overlap of the pivoted finger rotors, the second crop flow can be distributed completely to both sides across part or the entire working width of the harvesting device, without transferring any of the second crop flow to the carrier vehicle. For this purpose, an outlet valve located on the straw distribution device can also be closed.

[0085] In addition, by enclosing the finger rotors with two pivoting elements which are pivotably attached to the straw distribution device and which form two guide plates, it is possible to at least partially control the second partial material flow, which is deflected on both sides by 90° to the direction of travel, on both sides in a distribution width or to converge it centrally and to deposit it in the form of swaths.

[0086] The harvesting device further comprises means for transporting and discharging the first crop stream thrown into the first collection container by the ear stripper rotor via the upper conveyor level. For this purpose, this first collection container forms a wall of the harvesting device, which tapers forward toward the bottom and continues in an arc under the cross conveyor device. It is thus capable of collecting the residual crop from the second crop stream that passes through the openings of the separating means beneath the conveyor screws.

[0087] For this purpose, the first collection container is arranged transversely to the direction of travel, extending across the width of the harvesting device, and is formed at the bottom with two halves of a floor trough, each of which slopes downwards from an outer side of the harvesting device toward the central connecting plane. Each floor trough of the first collection container contains a means for transporting the first crop stream containing the threshed crop toward the central connecting plane of the harvesting device. These means, arranged on either side of the central connecting plane, are preferably formed by a rotating grain auger.

[0088] Utilizing the airflow from the ear stripper rotor introduced into the first collection container and the optional additional application of a blower airflow acting in the conveying direction of the first crop stream, the first crop stream is transported to the end of the floor chute. At the end of the floor chutes, in the central connecting plane, a throwing rotor is located for ejecting the first crop stream, for example, into the carrier vehicle. The first crop stream enters the working area of ​​the throwing rotor via the floor chutes and two discharge openings located on the sides of the throwing rotor. The throwing rotor discharges the threshed crops of the first crop stream via a grain and chaff channel separate from the straw discharge channel.

[0089] According to the invention, it is also provided that a compressed air blower is introduced into the outer sides of the collection container and the outer sides of the harvesting device in the longitudinal direction of the mechanical discharge devices, which ensures additional turbulence in the first partial crop flow. The blower air flows are each directed from an outer side or front side of the harvesting device to the central area of ​​the harvesting device. The aim of this turbulence is to remove up to 90% of the chaff particles from the first partial crop flow. The swirled-up chaff particles are sucked away by suction means arranged above the discharge opening at the inner end of the floor chutes and / or at the rear of the first collection container, thus removing up to 90% of the chaff from the first partial crop flow, which is then discharged from the harvesting device in a cleaned state.In a first variant, the chaff removed from the first collection container by the suction device is transferred into the throwing path of the aforementioned finger rotors of the straw distribution device for distribution into the harvested area. In a second variant, the chaff removed from the first collection container is blown into the straw throwing channel before the straw distribution device for proportional mixing of straw and chaff into the second partial crop stream. The second partial crop stream prepared in this way can then be partially or completely distributed over the harvested area in the straw distribution device using the finger rotors or partially or completely transferred to the carrying vehicle. In a third variant, the chaff removed from the first collection container is transferred directly and completely to the carrying vehicle.

[0090] According to the invention, the first partial crop stream is exposed to warm air introduced into the harvesting device via a warm air supply in order to dry or pre-dry the threshed crops in the first partial crop stream. For this purpose, hot exhaust gases from an exhaust system of the carrier vehicle are fed to an exhaust gas heat exchanger. The warm air generated by the exhaust gas heat exchanger is fed completely or partially to the harvesting device, passed over the first partial crop stream, and thus causes at least the surfaces of the threshed crops to be dried or pre-dried. In an alternative embodiment, the excessively hot warm air generated by the exhaust gas heat exchanger is partially cooled in a mixing device with the addition of fresh air. In this way, warm air is generated in the mixing device which has a predetermined constant temperature, regardless of the current exhaust gas temperature of the carrier vehicle.The temperature of the warm air generated is in a range of 50 °C to 80 °C, especially at a temperature of 65 °C.

[0091] Furthermore, the warm air generated in this way is compressed to a predetermined pressure in the mixing device. The warm air thus prepared, at its predetermined temperature and pressure, is introduced into the area of ​​the first crop stream via warm air inlets on the outside of the harvesting device. In this way, at least the surfaces of the threshed crops are dried or pre-dried. In a further alternative, the mixing device can have a heating means by which the required warm air can be generated, even if the temperature of the exhaust gases of the carrier vehicle is not yet sufficiently high during the start-up phase.

[0092] Combined with the separation of up to 90% of the chaff, the warm air can warm the threshed crops such as grains and the remaining chaff of the remaining first crop stream over a very long path through the harvesting device and optionally also the carrier vehicle and dry their surface.

[0093] A further embodiment of the invention is that the harvesting device in conjunction with a carrier vehicle for traction, drive, takeover and transfer of the harvested material for transport from the harvest area with or without a bunker unit for intermediate collection is designed so flexibly that the carrier vehicle remains usable outside of the grain harvest without complex modifications in accordance with its actual conception.

[0094] The significant advantages and features of the invention over the prior art are essentially: - Holistic combine harvesting process with only one field pass to collect a harvest mixture of threshed crops such as grains and an adjustable amount of chaff and chopped straw from the stalks of the threshed plants as the overall harvest target with a harvesting header and a carrier vehicle for the provision of traction and drive power as well as the takeover and transfer of the harvest mixture for transport from the harvested area without the need for a special harvesting machine. - The harvesting header generates two separate harvesting partial crop flows (grain / chaff and straw), which are continuously accelerated and diluted on their way through the harvesting device from the start of the harvesting process, thus making it possible to transfer a high proportion of the chaff from the first partial crop flow (grain / chaff) into the second partial crop flow of straw, and to separate the residual grains still contained in the second partial crop flow (straw) into the first partial crop flow (grain / chaff). - The transfer of two partial crop streams to a carrier vehicle at the end of the harvest process not only enables the simple solution of a complete harvest mixture for intermediate storage or transport, but also optionally enables further innovative process solutions for grain harvesting compared to the state of the art. Furthermore, after the maximum proportional transfer of chaff from the first to the second partial crop stream (straw) and its 100% distribution across the harvest area, it is possible, on the one hand, to recover a grain / chaff mixture with a very high grain content that is economical in terms of transport volume and very easy to separate. On the other hand, this creates the prerequisite for targeted surface drying of the threshed crop (harvest), especially the grain, over a longer path of exposure to a heated air flow in the mobile harvesting process. - The ear stripper rotor and mower (disc mower) are known to be very robust and powerful devices for their respective applications and can operate reliably even at very high driving speeds. Their combination thus enables a threshed crop harvesting process that allows harvesting speeds up to three times higher than conventional combine harvesting technology with standard finger cutters. This means that, under normal harvesting conditions, harvesting devices or headers with a narrower working width are at least equivalent to combine harvesters with very wide cutters for large harvested areas and superior for smaller areas with natural cuts. - The use of the harvesting device with a conventional combine harvester of the usual state of the art is not only possible, but is also advantageous when the amount of straw and chaff in the combine harvester is reduced, because it leads to lower energy expenditure for the threshing mechanism and cleaning and thus also enables higher area outputs. - The arrangement of the harvesting device according to the invention with all active functional elements and functional assemblies in the directly visible space in front of the carrier vehicle and its operator is a considerable advantage for increased work and fire safety, particularly in the grain harvesting process.

[0095] The above-explained features and advantages of this invention will be better understood and appreciated after careful study of the following detailed description of the preferred, non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the invention with the accompanying drawings, which show: Fig. 1: a schematic perspective view of a harvesting device according to the invention, Fig. 2: a sectional view of the harvesting device according to the invention along a section line A - A, Fig. 3: a sectional view of the harvesting device according to the invention along a section line B - B on an axis of symmetry of the harvesting device, Fig. 4: a schematic perspective rear view of the harvesting header, Fig. 5a: a schematic representation of the structure and operation of the straw distribution device in a first view, Fig. 5b: a schematic representation of the structure and operation of the straw distribution device in a second view and Fig. 6: a schematic representation of a warm air supply for the first partial material flow.

[0096] For better understanding, the following description of the harvesting header according to the invention is presented from the perspective of a functional longitudinal section. It should be noted that the entire harvesting header can be designed with single or multiple symmetrical or asymmetrical sections, depending on the performance targets or the working width and performance capability of the carrier vehicle. In this case, the individual crop streams and partial streams are combined from the outer side(s) in such a way that they are transferred to the carrier vehicle for the formation and forwarding of the target product.

[0097] The Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a harvesting device 1 according to the invention.

[0098] The harvesting device 1 is in the Fig. 1 without a carrier vehicle, on the front of which the harvesting device 1 is arranged. The harvesting device 1 has a rotating ear stripper rotor 2, whose rotational axis 3 is arranged aligned in the longitudinal extension of the harvesting device 1. To illustrate the ear stripper rotor 2 and further components of the harvesting device 1, a housing 4 of the harvesting device 1, which is designed as a substantially arcuate guide surface, is shown partially open. The ear stripper rotor 2 has the task of stripping threshed crops of the threshing plants 23 (not shown) from the threshing plants 23, for example from an ear of a wheat plant, and thus generating a first partial crop flow 5 with threshed crops in the harvesting device 1. The first partial crop flow 5 is in the Fig. 1 not shown.

[0099] Viewed in a direction of movement 6 of the harvesting device 1, a mower 7 for mowing the stalks 24 (not shown) of the threshing plants 23 is arranged behind the ear stripper rotor 2. For this purpose, the mower 7 has cutting elements which are arranged at a short distance above the ground, for example at a distance of approximately 5 cm to 20 cm, and cut the stalks 24 close to the ground. These cut stalks 24 form a second crop flow 8 in the harvesting device 1, which in the Fig. 1 is also not shown.

[0100] Downstream of the mower 7 is a collecting rotor 9, which collects, thins, and pre-chops the stalks 24 of the threshing plants 23 cut by the mower 7. During this process, residual crops from the second crop flow 8 are also threshed.

[0101] Essentially arranged downstream of the mower 7, a first collecting container 10 is arranged in the harvesting device 1, in which the threshed crops stripped by the ear stripper rotor 2 are received.

[0102] The harvesting device 1 further comprises a cross conveyor device 11, which in the embodiment of the Fig. 1 comprises a pair of conveyor screws 12 and 13 on the right and left side of the harvesting device 1. Each pair includes a first rotating conveyor screw 12 and a counter-rotating second conveyor screw 13. In the Fig. 1, the pair of screw conveyors 12 and 13 arranged on the left side is shown, while the pair of screw conveyors 12 and 13 arranged on the right side is shown almost completely hidden by the housing 4.

[0103] In a central area, in the middle of the harvesting device 1, a chopping device 14 is arranged, which chops the pre-shredded stalks of the threshing plant 23, which have been pre-shredded by the receiving rotor 9 and conveyed in the second partial crop flow 8 via the cross conveyor device 11 to the chopping device 14. In the area of ​​the chopping device 14, a first end of a straw throwing channel 15 is arranged, via which the chopped second partial crop flow 8 is transported further. At the second end of the straw throwing channel 15, a straw distribution device 16 is arranged. Via this straw distribution device 16, the chopped second partial crop flow 8 can be conveyed, for example, to the carrier vehicle or distributed over the harvesting area, which Fig. 1 does not show.

[0104] At the outer ends of the harvesting device 1, right and left, compressed air blowers 17 are shown, via which air can be introduced into the harvesting device 1, for example to separate the chaff contained in the first partial crop flow 8 from the threshed crops of the first partial crop flow 8.

[0105] In addition, the Fig. 1 two mechanical discharge devices 18, via which the first partial crop stream 8 in the first collection container 10 is conveyed to a grain-chaff channel 19 (not shown) for discharging the first partial crop stream 8 from the first collection container 10. One such mechanical discharge device 18 is a grain auger, which transports the threshed crops in the first partial crop stream in the bottom trough 33 of the first collection container 10 toward the central region of the harvesting device 1. The harvesting device 1 has two mechanical discharge devices 18, which are arranged on both sides of the central region of the harvesting device 1.

[0106] On a side of the harvesting device 1 facing the carrier vehicle (not shown), two suction means 20 are shown, each with suction air blowers 21 arranged centrally on the suction means 20. Using these suction air blowers 21 and optionally also the compressed air blowers 17, it is possible to generate an air flow in the harvesting device 1, particularly in the area of ​​the first collecting container 8, which air flow is used to separate the chaff contained in the first partial crop flow 8 from the threshed crop.

[0107] Adjacent to the compressed air blower 17 is in the Fig. 1 a warm air supply 34 is arranged, by means of which warm air 50 (not shown) can be introduced into the harvesting device 1 for drying the surfaces of the threshed crops.

[0108] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the harvesting device 1 according to the invention along a section line A - A, which in the Fig. 1 is shown.

[0109] The harvesting device 1 has, as viewed in the direction of movement 6, a forward-facing opening 22 in the front area. During the harvesting process, a threshing plant 23 (illustrated as an example), which comprises a stalk 24 and an ear 25, passes through this opening 22 into the working area of ​​the ear stripper rotor 2 with its stripping means 26. The ear stripper rotor 2, with its stripping means 26, strips at least threshed crops from the ears 25 of the threshing plant 23 during rotation about the rotation axis 3 and generates a movement of the stripped threshed crops in the first crop flow 5 within the harvesting device 1.

[0110] The first crop stream 5 runs in the harvesting device 1 from the ear stripper rotor 2 along the housing 4, which is designed in the form of a substantially arcuate guide surface, to the first collecting container 10. Due to the rotation of the ear stripper rotor 2, the threshed crops of the first crop stream 5 are conveyed or thrown over the upper conveyor level 32 in the direction indicated by several arrows of the first crop stream 5 and thus reach the first collecting container 10.

[0111] After the threshed crop has been stripped from the ears 25 of the threshing plants 23 by the ear stripper rotor 2 during the movement of the harvesting device 1 in the direction of movement 6, the mower 7 reaches the stalks 24 of the threshing plants 23 that have been freed of the threshed crop. The cutting elements of the mower 7 cut the stalks 24 of the threshing plants 23 near the ground. These stalks 24 are conveyed in the second partial crop flow 8 essentially horizontally to the pickup rotor 9. The flail elements 27 of the pickup rotor 9 grasp the cut stalks 24 of the second partial crop flow 8 and convey the second partial crop flow 8 diagonally upwards into the cross conveyor device 11. This conveying guides the second partial crop flow 8 along a rotor housing 28, on which counter knives 29 are arranged.During the movement of the second partial crop flow 8 along the rotor housing 28, the stalks 24 of the second partial crop flow 8 are at least partially pre-shredded by the counter knives 29 and residual crops are threshed from the ears or ear parts still contained in the second partial crop flow 8.

[0112] The second partial product stream 8, thus processed, reaches the conveyor screws 12 and 13 of the cross conveyor device 11, which are arranged in pairs on a lower conveyor level 30. Separating means 31 with openings are arranged in the lower area of ​​this cross conveyor device 11. Threshed residual crops still contained in the second partial product stream 8 can pass through the openings of the separating means 31 and thus pass from the second partial product stream 8 into the first partial product stream 5. These residual crops are thus transferred from the cross conveyor device 11 into the first collection container 10, which is indicated by an arrow on the separating means 31 with a dashed line.

[0113] The threshed crops of the first partial crop flow 5 are first conveyed counter to the direction of movement 6 via an upper conveyor level 32 located above the lower conveyor level 30 and separately from this into the first collection container 10. Subsequently, the threshed crops of the first partial crop flow 5 are conveyed transversely to the direction of movement 6 along the floor troughs 33 below the lower conveyor level 30 toward the central area, in the middle of the harvesting device 1.

[0114] In the bottom channels 33 of the first collecting container 10 arranged on both sides of the central area of ​​the harvesting device 1, mechanical discharge devices 18 are arranged, by means of which the threshed crops of the first partial crop flow 5 are discharged to a Fig. 2, arranged in the central area. The threshed crops of the first partial crop stream 5 are discharged from the harvesting device 1 via this grain-chaff channel 19.

[0115] The Fig. Figure 2 also shows a compressed air blower 17 on the front side of the harvesting device 1, the suction means 20, and a suction air blower 21 arranged on the suction means 20. Furthermore, a warm air supply 34 and an associated warm air baffle 35 are also shown in the area of ​​the first collecting container 10. Warm air, or warm air 50, for drying the threshed crops is introduced into the first collecting container 10 via the warm air supply 34 and is directed in a corresponding direction by means of the warm air baffle 35.

[0116] In the area of ​​the cross conveyor device 11, two sliding elements 36 are arranged, which support the transport of the second partial material flow 8 above the conveyor screws 12 and 13.

[0117] The Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the harvesting device 1 according to the invention along a section line B - B or an axis of symmetry of the harvesting device 1 in the central area of ​​the harvesting device 1. The section line B - B is in the Fig. 1 shown.

[0118] In contrast to Fig. 2 is in the Fig. 3 in a central area of ​​the harvesting device 1 by selecting the cutting line B - B, the chopping device 14 can be seen. The second partial crop stream 8, which is pre-shredded by the receiving rotor 9 by means of the counter knives 29 and contains pre-shredded stalks of the threshed plants and threshed residual crops, reaches an inlet area 53 of the chopping device 14 via the cross conveyor device 11. In the chopping device 14, the pre-shredded second partial crop stream 8 is further shredded or chopped, accelerated and passed on into a straw throwing channel 15 arranged at the outlet area 54 of the chopping device 14.

[0119] The first end of the straw throwing channel 15 is arranged on the chopping device 14 at the exit area 54. A straw distribution device 16 is arranged at the second end of the straw throwing channel 15. Via this straw distribution device 16, the chopped second crop stream 8 can be transported, for example, to the carrier vehicle (not shown) or distributed over the harvested area.

[0120] The straw distribution device 16 has, for example, two rotating finger rotors 37, each of which rotates about its second rotation axis 38. In the Fig. One of the finger rotors 37 can be seen in Figure 3; the second finger rotor 37 is arranged behind the first, as will be shown later. These pivoting finger rotors 37 influence the path of the chopped second partial crop stream 8 at the outlet of the straw throwing channel 15. The second partial crop stream 8 can, for example, be transferred completely or partially to the carrier vehicle or completely or partially discharged onto the harvested area via openings (not shown) of the straw distribution device 16. Furthermore, an outlet slide 39 is arranged at the outlet of the straw distribution device 16, with which the outlet of the straw distribution device 16 can be closed.

[0121] The throwing rotor 40, located in the central area of ​​the harvesting device 1, is shown in the area of ​​the bottom trough 33 of the first collecting container 10. The third rotation axis 41 coincides with the rotation axes of the mechanical discharge devices 18, which are grain augers (not shown). The mechanical discharge devices 18 are arranged on both sides of the throwing rotor 40.

[0122] These mechanical discharge devices 18 convey the first partial crop stream 5 containing the threshed crops in the first collecting container 10 via the floor troughs 33 into the central area where the throwing rotor 40 is located. From the areas of the mechanical discharge devices 18, the first partial crop stream 5 enters the effective area of ​​the throwing rotor 40 via two discharge openings 52.

[0123] In order to discharge the first partial crop stream 5 from the first collecting container 10, the first partial crop stream 5 is accelerated by the throwing rotor 40 in the direction of the grain-chaff channel 19 and is discharged via this from the harvesting device 1, for example into the carrying vehicle (not shown).

[0124] Others in the Fig. 3 elements shown, please refer to the description of Fig. 2 to avoid unnecessary repetition.

[0125] The Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective rear view of the harvesting header 1.

[0126] For a better understanding of the harvesting device 1 according to the invention, this is shown in the Fig. 4 is shown in a view from the rear, where the section plane along the section line BB is also shown for the Fig. 3 is clearly visible.

[0127] In the lower area of ​​the harvesting device 1, the throwing rotor 40 is shown, which is arranged in the central area of ​​the harvesting device 1. To the right and left of the throwing rotor 40, the two mechanical discharge devices 18 can be seen, via which the threshed crops of the first partial crop flow 5 are conveyed within the first collecting container 10 along the bottom channel 33 and via the discharge openings 52 to the throwing rotor 40. The grain-chaff channel 19 arranged on the throwing rotor 40, via which the first partial crop flow 5 is discharged from the first collecting container 10 of the harvesting device 1, has in the embodiment of the Fig. 4 has a rectangular shape.

[0128] The paths of the first partial crop flow 5, starting at the ear stripper rotor 2 via the first collecting container 10, the mechanical discharge devices 18, the throwing rotor 40 and the grain-chaff channel 19 are shown in the Fig. 4 at least on the Fig. 4 can be seen on the right side of the harvesting device 1.

[0129] The Fig. 4 also shows that the ear stripper rotor 2 extends in the front area of ​​the harvesting device 1 over the entire width of the harvesting device 1 and that the first collecting container 10 is divided in its middle by the throwing rotor 40 arranged in the central area of ​​the harvesting device 1 into a left and a right area, in each of which associated mechanical discharge devices 18 are arranged.

[0130] Others in the Fig. 4 elements shown, please refer to the description of Fig. 1 to avoid unnecessary repetition.

[0131] The Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b shows schematic representations of the structure and function of the straw distribution device.

[0132] In the Fig. 5a is the straw distribution device 16 in a first view along the second rotation axis 38 and in the Fig. 5b in a second view in the direction of the second rotation axis 38.

[0133] The straw throwing channel 15 is arranged on the inlet side of the straw distribution device 16. The second partial crop stream 8, chopped and accelerated by the chopping device 14, reaches the straw distribution device 16 via this straw throwing channel 15. The straw distribution device 16 has pivotally mounted, rotating finger rotors 37, each of which rotates about its second rotational axis 38. The finger rotors 37 are each attached to a holder 42 and are thus arranged so as to be pivotable about a respective pivot point 43. This pivotability is represented by two double arrows on the holders 42. Mounted or attached in this way, the finger rotors 37 can engage more or less in the cross-section of the opening of the straw distribution device 16 and thus influence the further transport path of the second partial crop stream 8 to a greater or lesser extent.

[0134] This makes it possible, for example, to direct the transport path of the second partial crop flow 8 through the straw distribution device 16 in such a way that the chopped stalks 24 of the threshing plants 32, i.e. the second partial crop flow 8, are spread in swaths 44 on the harvested area, as shown in the Fig. 5b. Here, the transport of the second partial material flow 8 to the transport vehicle (not shown) can be prevented by means of the outlet slide 39, since the outlet slide 39 is movable in the directions shown by the double arrow. In addition, the shape or width of the swaths 44 can be influenced by means of two pivoting elements 45. This is made possible by the pivoting elements 45 each being pivotably mounted on a further pivot point 46, which is shown in the Fig. 5b by means of the double arrows shown on the pivoting elements 45. In the event that the two pivoting elements 45 are essentially in their horizontal positions or are further open, the second partial crop stream 8 is captured by the two rotating finger rotors 37 and distributed across the entire width of the harvesting device 1 onto the harvesting area.

[0135] The Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of a generation of warm air 50 for supply to the first partial crop flow 5 in the harvesting device 1.

[0136] Hot exhaust gases 48, for example, from the engine of a carrier vehicle (not shown), are fed to an exhaust heat exchanger 47. Furthermore, first fresh air 49 is fed to the exhaust heat exchanger 47, which is heated in the exhaust heat exchanger 47 by the heat exchange process with the hot exhaust gases 48. Hot air 55 is thus discharged from the heat exchanger 47, with cooled exhaust gases 51 also leaving the heat exchanger 47.

[0137] The hot air 55, which typically has a fluctuating temperature that is too high for the intended drying of the surfaces of the threshed crops, is fed to a mixing device 56. The task of this mixing device 56 is to generate warm air 50, which has a nearly constant and predetermined temperature suitable for drying the surfaces of the threshed crops. This predetermined temperature can have different values ​​for different threshed crops.

[0138] For this purpose, the mixing device 56 has an inlet for a second fresh air 57. This second fresh air 57 is used in the mixing device 56 to cool the hot air 55 to the predetermined temperature through a mixing process, so that the mixing device 56 can output the desired warm air 50. The temperature difference between the supplied hot air 55 and the output warm air 50 corresponds to a temperature difference ΔT.

[0139] Furthermore, the generated warm air 50 is compressed in the mixing device 56, so that the generated warm air 50 is introduced into the harvesting device 1 at an overpressure. The pressure difference between the generated warm air 50 and the ambient pressure is Δp.

[0140] The warm air 50 thus generated at a predetermined temperature and a predetermined pressure is introduced into the area of ​​the first collecting container 10 of the harvesting device 1 via the warm air inlets 34, which are arranged on the two outer sides or front sides of the harvesting device 1. The direction of the introduced warm air 50 in the first collecting container 10 is guided or controlled by means of the Fig. 6 warm air baffles 35, represented by dashed lines. Thus, the generated warm air 50 can be used to dry the surfaces of the threshed crops of the first partial crop stream 5 in the harvesting device 1. Thus, a harvesting or threshing process is possible even when moisture or residual moisture occurs in or on the threshing plant 23, which significantly expands the possible applications of the harvesting device 1.

[0141] The area in which the drying process takes place in the first collecting container 10 extends from the warm air inlets 34 on the outside of the harvesting device 1 over the area of ​​the mechanical discharge devices 18, which are arranged in the Fig. 6 are not shown, at least up to the grain-chaff channel 19 and can thus, for example, comprise an impact length of 10 m.

[0142] These paths are in the Fig. 6 is shown by two dash-dash lines in the harvesting device 1.

[0143] Along with the pre-dried first crop stream 5 discharged from the harvesting device 1 via the grain-chaff channel 19, the warm air 50 is also discharged and forwarded, for example, to a carrier vehicle (not shown). The area in which an inventive drying process of the threshed crops of the first crop stream 5 takes place can also extend into the area of ​​the carrier vehicle up to a bunker of the carrier vehicle. The exposure length over which the threshed crops in the first crop stream 5 come into contact with the warm air 50 increases accordingly. List of reference symbols 1 harvesting device 2 ear stripper rotors 3 rotation axis 4 Enclosure (guiding surface) 5 first partial goods flow 6 Direction of movement 7 Mower 8 second partial goods flow 9 Pick-up rotor 10 first collection container 11 Cross conveyor device 12 first conveyor screw 13 second conveyor screw 14 Chopping device 15 straw throwing channel 16 Straw distribution device 17 compressed air blowers 18 mechanical discharge device 19 Grain-Chaff Canal 20 suction agents 21 Suction air blower 22 Opening 23 threshing plant 24 stalks 25 ears of corn 26 stripping agents 27 flail elements 28 Rotor housing 29 counter knives 30 lower conveyor level 31 Separation agents 32 upper conveyor level 33 floor gutter 34 Warm air supply 35 Warm air baffle 36 sliding element 37 Finger rotor 38 second axis of rotation 39 exhaust valve 40 throwing rotor 41 third axis of rotation 42 recording 43 Pivot point 44 swaths 45 Swivel element 46 further pivot point 47 exhaust gas heat exchangers 48 hot exhaust gases 49 first fresh air 50 warm air 51 cooled exhaust gases 52 discharge opening 53 Entrance area 54 Exit area 55 hot air 56 Mixing device 57 second fresh air

Claims

[1] Method for harvesting threshed crops, comprising the steps of - stripping threshed crops from the ears (25) of threshed plants (23) and producing a first partial crop stream (5) consisting of threshed crops, chaff and completely or incompletely torn off parts of the ears, - conveying the first partial crop flow (5) with the threshed crops into a first collecting container (10) by means of an ear stripper rotor (2), the first collecting container (10) being provided in a harvesting device (1), - cutting off the stalks (24) of the threshing plants (23) which spring back from the ear stripper rotor (2) in a cutting plane of the harvesting device (1) and generating a second partial crop flow (8) consisting of stalks (24) of the threshing plants (23), - Pre-shredding the second partial crop stream (8), threshing residual crops contained in the second partial crop stream (8) and transferring the thus prepared second partial crop stream (8) to a transverse conveyor device (11), - equalising, accelerating and transporting the second partial crop flow (8) in the transverse conveying device (11) transversely to a direction of movement (6) of the harvesting device (1), wherein during the transport of the second partial crop flow (8) to a central area of ​​the harvesting device (1), threshed residual crops from the second partial crop flow (8) are returned to the first partial crop flow (5) via at least one separating means (31), - chopping the second partial crop flow (8) in the harvesting device (1) and discharging the second partial crop flow (8) from the harvesting device (1) and - Discharge of the first partial crop flow (5) with the threshed crops from the first collecting container (10) of the harvesting device (1). [2] Method according to claim 1,characterized by that the conveying of the first partial crop flow (5) with the threshed crops within the harvesting device (1) into the first collecting container (10) takes place by means of a throwing energy and a generated air flow of the ear stripper rotor (2) via an upper conveying level (32). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the conveying of the first partial crop flow (5) with the threshed crops within the harvesting device (1) into the first collecting container (10) takes place against a direction of movement (6) of the harvesting device (1) into the first collecting container (10) provided at the rear within the harvesting device (1). [4] Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the second partial material flow (8) from the cutting plane is taken up, diluted and pre-shredded by a take-up rotor (9). [5] Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized bythat the second partial material flow (8) is fed to a chopping device (14) within the harvesting device (1) for chopping. [6] Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the second partial material flow (8) is discharged from the harvesting device (1) via a straw throwing channel (15) and a straw distribution device (16). [7] Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the threshed crops contained in the first partial crop flow (5) are pre-dried by means of warm air (50), which is introduced into the first collecting container (10) via at least one warm air supply (34), and in this way moisture on the surfaces of the threshed crops is at least reduced. [8] Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the first partial material flow (5) in the region of the collecting container (10) is subjected to a blower air flow from a compressed air blower (17), whereby chaff contained in the first partial material flow (5) is whirled up, which is sucked out of the collecting container (10) by means of a suction air blower (21) up to 90%. [9] Harvesting device (1) for carrying out a method for harvesting threshed crops, which is attached to a carrying vehicle, comprising - an ear stripper rotor (2) which strips threshed crops from the ears (25) of threshing plants (23) and conveys them in a first partial crop flow (5), - a first collecting container (10) for receiving the first partial material flow (5) conveyed by the ear stripper rotor (2), - a mower (7) arranged downstream of the ear stripper rotor (2) in a direction of movement (6) of the harvesting device (1) for cutting stalks (24) of the threshing plants (23) close to the ground and for generating a second crop flow (8), - a receiving rotor (9) with flail elements (27) for receiving, thinning, pre-shredding and threshing the second material stream (8), - a transverse conveyor device (11) for conveying the second partial material flow (8) to a chopping device (14) of the harvesting device (1), - separating means (31), arranged at least partially in the lower region of the transverse conveyor device (11), which have openings through which the threshed residual crops contained in the second partial crop flow (8) pass from the transverse conveyor device (11) into the first collecting container (10), - the chopping device (14) arranged in the harvesting device (1) for chopping the stalks (24) of the threshing plants (23) contained in the second partial crop flow (8), - a straw throwing channel (15) connected to the chopping device (14) for transporting the chopped second partial material stream (8) from the harvesting device (1), - a straw distribution device (16) connected to the straw throwing channel (15) and - a means for discharging the first partial crop stream (5) containing threshed crops, whereby the first partial crop stream (5) containing threshed crops is discharged from the first collecting container (10). [10] Harvesting device (1) according to claim 9, characterized by that cutting elements of the mower (7) are arranged at a distance between 5 cm and 20 cm, in particular at a distance of 15 cm, above a harvested area. [11] Harvesting device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by that the mower (7) is a disc mower. [12] Harvesting device (1) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by that the transverse conveyor device (11) has two pairs of counter-rotating conveyor screws (12, 13). [13] Harvesting device (1) according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized by that the straw distribution device (16) has at least two pivotally mounted, rotating finger rotors (37). [14] Harvesting device (1) according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized by that the means for discharging the first partial crop stream (5) containing threshed crops from the harvesting device (1) is a throwing rotor (40).

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