Conveyor device for use in a cutting unit of an agricultural harvesting machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a conveying device (1) for use in a cutting unit (2) of an agricultural harvesting machine according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a cutting unit (2) of an agricultural harvesting machine according to the preamble of claim 10 and to an agricultural working machine according to the preamble of claim 15. In order to provide a cutting unit (2) in which the replacement of the rollers (3) of the conveying device (1) is simplified, it is proposed according to the invention that at least one of the rollers (3) of the conveying device (1) has a roller body (4) and at least one roller body end piece (5) arranged at the end and detachably connected to the roller body (4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device for use in a cutting unit of an agricultural harvesting machine according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a cutting unit of an agricultural harvesting machine according to the preamble of claim 10 and to an agricultural working machine according to the preamble of claim 15.

[0002] The conveying device features an endless conveyor belt and two parallel rollers. The conveyor belt wraps around the rollers, so that when the belt rotates, it moves around them. The term "conveyor belt" refers to the endless belt used in the conveying device, which rotates around the rollers to transport the cut plants. The term "roller" refers to the cylindrical component used in the conveying device around which the conveyor belt is stretched. The conveying device is suitable for use in the cutting unit of an agricultural harvesting machine. It can be used as a center-mounted or side-mounted conveyor.

[0003] The cutting unit comprises a cutter bar that extends essentially across the entire width of the cutting unit. Furthermore, the cutting unit has at least one conveying device located behind the cutter bar. This conveying device serves to transport crop cut by the cutter bar. For this purpose, the conveying device includes at least one central conveying unit with an endlessly circulating conveyor belt, which is assigned to a central section of the cutting unit. The central conveying unit serves to transport crop along a first transport direction. The conveying device also includes a first lateral conveying unit with an endlessly circulating conveyor belt for transporting crop along a second transport direction, and a second lateral conveying unit with an endlessly circulating conveyor belt for transporting crop along a third transport direction.The two side conveyors are assigned to a side section of the cutting unit. The conveying directions of the conveyors are oriented such that the second conveying direction is opposite to the third, while the first conveying direction is at an angle of less than or equal to 90° to the second and third conveying directions. In this way, the cut crop can be transported by the first and second conveyors along the second and third conveying directions, respectively, towards the central conveyor.

[0004] Through an opening provided in the base frame of the cutting unit in the area of ​​the central section, the harvested crop is conveyed and transferred to a harvesting machine carrying the cutting unit for further processing.

[0005] Cutting units of the type mentioned above are also known as belt cutters (or "draper cutters"). They are characterized by a high degree of flexibility in adapting to the contours of the area being processed. This is achieved by eliminating the rigid cutter table typically found in grain cutters. Instead, the cutter has at least one conveying system with an endlessly circulating conveyor belt, which in turn is supported by a multitude of pivoting arms on each side section of the cutter.

[0006] A cutting unit of the type described above is described in German patent application DE 10 2016 118 174 A1. The cutting unit described therein has a V-arrangement of two central conveyor devices arranged in the middle section. A frame for holding the rollers that drive and deflect the central conveyor devices is generally manufactured as a welded construction.

[0007] A problem with the previously known cutting systems has been found to be that the rollers of the conveyor systems typically need to be replaced at regular intervals due to wear. This is because manufacturing tolerances of the frame can lead to tension in the roller bearings and thus cause additional wear.

[0008] Based on the aforementioned prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a conveying device in which the replacement of the conveying device's rollers is simplified. The aforementioned object applies analogously to a cutting unit and an agricultural harvesting machine.

[0009] This problem is solved according to the invention by the characterizing features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the related dependent claims.

[0010] According to claim 1, it is proposed that at least one of the rollers of the conveying devices has a roller body and at least one roller body end piece arranged at the end and detachably connected to the roller body.

[0011] It has been found that the rollers used to drive and deflect the conveyor system are subject to particular stresses during operation. Specifically, it has been shown that the end sections of the roller body, which serve as bearings, wear out sooner than the significantly more expensive rest of the roller body. Fortunately, it is now possible to replace only the end sections, as these are designed as detachable roller body end pieces. Therefore, it is not necessary to disassemble the entire roller when the bearings are damaged. It is sufficient to replace only the roller body end pieces.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the rollers has two roller body end pieces arranged at opposite ends of the roller body and detachably connected to the roller body. In this way, both bearing points of the roller can be easily replaced.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a first roller of the conveying device is driven by a motor, and a second roller of the conveying device is freely mounted. Typically, the conveying device is driven by a motor, usually a hydraulic motor. It has proven particularly advantageous to drive the first roller with a hydraulic motor and to mount the second roller freely. The driving roller can then drive the conveying device via friction. However, this requires sufficient tension in the conveying device. This tension can be set and maintained by means of a (linearly) displaceable roller. Preferably, the freely rotating roller is used as a tensioning roller for the conveying device.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the roller body end piece can be connected to the roller body by means of a plug connection or a screw connection. The two aforementioned detachable connections have the advantage that the roller body end piece can be replaced particularly easily and quickly.

[0015] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the roller body end piece is designed in the form of a sleeve, preferably a sleeve made of metal. The design as a sleeve, i.e., as a component with a hollow interior, has proven particularly advantageous with regard to accommodating a bearing.

[0016] An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the roller body end piece accommodates at least one bearing. If the roller body end piece is designed in the form of a sleeve, this sleeve can accommodate the bearing. In particular, the sleeve can be hollow, i.e., have an interior space in which the bearing can be arranged. A particularly advantageous further development of the conveyor device according to the invention provides that the bearing is an angular compensating bearing. Advantageously, manufacturing tolerances of the frame can thus be compensated for.

[0017] Preferably, the roller body end piece can be designed and suitable for being coupled to a motor by means of a coupling, so that torque provided by the motor can be transmitted to the roller. The motor thus serves to drive the roller and thereby cause movement of the conveyor belt of the conveying device in order to transport the harvested crop.

[0018] A further embodiment of the invention provides that the roller body has a coating, preferably a rubber coating. The rubber coating improves the frictional connection between the conveyor belt and the roller body.

[0019] The aforementioned problem is further solved by a cutting device with the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of claims 11 to 14.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, "extending essentially over the entire width of the cutting unit" is understood to mean a width of the cutter bar that, on the one hand, can correspond exactly to the width of the cutting unit, in particular to a frame of the cutting unit. On the other hand, it also includes slight deviations from the width, such as a deviation of up to 10% of the width of the cutting unit.

[0021] For the purposes of the present invention, a "side conveyor" is not simply a conveyor that is oriented at a right angle to a central conveyor. Rather, the side conveyor can also be oriented at an angle of less than 90° to the central conveyor.

[0022] The cutting unit according to the invention is characterized in that at least one of the conveying device used is designed according to one of claims 1 to 9. The advantages mentioned with regard to the conveying device according to the invention apply accordingly to the cutting unit according to the invention.

[0023] Preferably, it can be provided that both the central conveying device and the two side conveying devices are designed according to one of claims 1 to 9, i.e., in particular, have two rollers arranged parallel to each other, wherein at least one of the rollers of the conveying device has a roller body and at least one roller body end piece arranged at the end, detachably connected to the roller body.

[0024] An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that a second central conveying device associated with the central section, comprising an endlessly circulating conveyor belt, transports the harvested crop along a fourth transport direction. According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second central conveying devices are arranged in a V-shape relative to each other. The two central conveying devices are thus arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the central section. In this V-shaped arrangement, the central conveying devices can therefore be arranged converging towards each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Each central conveying device can form an angle with the longitudinal axis of the central section that is greater than or equal to 5°.This arrangement has the advantage that the harvested crop coming from the side conveyors does not have to be deflected by a 90° angle when transitioning to the central section. Instead, the V-shaped arrangement of the conveyors leads to a concentration of the harvested crop in the central area of ​​the middle section, thus reducing the risk of crop backing up towards the side conveyors in the middle section.

[0025] According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one motor is provided for driving at least one conveying device, preferably a hydraulic motor, wherein the motor can be coupled to at least one of the roller body ends of the conveying device by means of at least one coupling. The motor serves to transmit a drive torque generated by it to the roller body end and thus cause a rotation of the roller, which, due to the frictional engagement with the associated conveyor belt, causes a circular movement of the conveying device.

[0026] Preferably, the coupling may include a deformable, preferably reversibly deformable, element for damping vibrations and forces. The element is preferably reversibly deformable. An advantage of using such an element is its ability to absorb vibrations and forces that, due to imbalances in the rollers, can be adversely transmitted to a stub bearing of the motor and / or to the motor itself, causing lasting damage to these components.

[0027] Finally, the aforementioned problem is solved by an agricultural harvesting machine, in particular a combine harvester. The harvesting machine according to the invention is characterized by a cutting unit according to one of claims 10 to 14. The advantages mentioned with regard to the cutting unit according to the invention apply accordingly to the agricultural harvesting machine according to the invention.

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the figures. These show: Fig. 1: A top view of a cutting device according to the invention. Fig. 2: A perspective view of a conveying device according to the invention of a conveying device of the cutting unit made of Fig. 1. Fig. 3: A cross-section through a roller of the conveyor system made of Fig. 2 in the area of ​​a first roller body end piece. Fig. 4: A cross-section through a roller of the conveying device made of Fig. 2 in the area of ​​a second roller body end piece. Fig. 5: A detailed cross-sectional view of the area of ​​the second roller body end piece made of Fig. 4.

[0029] A cutting unit 2 according to the invention is in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. Figure 5 shows the cutting unit 2. It is suitable for use on an agricultural harvesting machine, in particular a combine harvester. The cutting unit 2 is designed as a so-called belt cutting unit, which is characterized by a high degree of flexibility in adapting to the ground contours of the area to be cultivated or harvested.

[0030] The cutting unit 2 has a base frame 23 and can be divided into a central section 13 and at least two side sections 21 arranged adjacent to the central section 13. A cutter bar 11 is arranged on the front side of the central section 13 and the side sections 21, opposite the base frame 23, and extends substantially across the entire width 24 of the cutting unit 2. Reels (not shown) are also arranged on the base frame 23 of the cutting unit 2, extending across the width of one side section 21 and partially across the width of the central section 13. The reels serve to improve the intake of the crop by the cutter bar 11.

[0031] The harvested crop separated by the cutter bar 11 is fed to a conveying device 12 located behind the cutter bar 11. The conveying device 12 has four conveying units 1, each with endlessly circulating conveyor belts 35. Two of the conveying units 14, 20, which are hereinafter referred to as "central conveying units", are assigned to the central section 13, while the other two conveying units 16, 18 are each assigned to the two side sections 21 and are hereinafter referred to as "side conveying units".

[0032] The continuously circulating conveyor belts 35 of the side devices 16, 18 assigned to the side sections 21 are arranged adjacent to the central conveyor devices 14, 20 assigned to the central section 13 in order to transport the crop cut by the cutter bar 11 parallel to a longitudinal axis 25 of the cutting unit 2 in the direction of the central section 13. For this purpose, the respective transport directions 17, 19 are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis 25 of the cutting unit 2 and opposite to each other.

[0033] In the area of ​​the central section 13, the crop is fed to a feed device 26. The feed device 26 is designed as a driven feed roller 27, which is mounted on the base frame 23. The feed roller 27 has retractable fingers 28. The feed device 26 guides the crop, which is fed laterally to the central section 13 by the endless conveyor belts 35 of the side conveyors 16, 18, to an opening provided in the base frame 23, located behind the feed roller 27. Through this opening, the cut crop is transferred to the combine harvester for further processing via a feed channel 29 (shown only in outline), to which the header 2 can be attached.

[0034] Arrows marked with reference numerals 15 and 22 indicate the transport directions of the two central conveyors 14 and 20. The two central conveyors 14 and 20 are arranged inclined to a longitudinal axis 25 of the cutting unit 2. The adjacent side conveyors 16 and 18, located on the side sections 21, overlap the respective central conveyors 14 and 20 section by section. The arrangement of the central conveyors 14 and 20 is such that they are essentially V-shaped. For this purpose, the two central conveyors 14 and 20 are arranged converging towards each other in their respective transport directions 15 and 22. Each central conveyor 14 and 20 forms an angle α greater than or equal to 5° with the longitudinal axis 30 of the central section 13. The two transport directions 17, 19 each enclose an angle of 90°- α with respect to the first transport direction 15 and the fourth transport direction 22.The V-shaped arrangement of the central conveying devices 14, 20 leads to a merging of the harvested crop into a central area of ​​the central section 13, so that a backflow of harvested crop on the central section 13 towards the side conveying devices 16, 18 is reduced.

[0035] Each of the conveying devices 1 has two rollers 3 arranged at their ends inside, which are arranged parallel to each other. One roller 3 of each conveying device 1 is driven by a motor 6, which is designed as a hydraulic motor 6, of the cutting unit 2, while the other roller 3 of each conveying device 1 is mounted freely rotating, as shown in Fig. 2 is recognizable. One roller 3 is driven by the hydraulic motor 6, and the other roller 3 is freely rotating. The driving roller 3 drives the conveyor 1 via friction. Sufficient tension on the conveyor 1 is required for this. This tension is set and maintained by a (linearly) displaceable roller 3. The freely rotating roller 3 is used as a tensioning roller for the conveyor 1.

[0036] Each roller 3 is formed from a roller body 4 and two roller body end pieces 5 in the form of metallic sleeves 7, arranged at opposite ends of the roller body 4. The latter are detachably connected to the roller body 4. For this purpose, a screw connection 36 is provided between the roller body 4 and the respective roller body end piece 5, so that the roller body end pieces 5 can be unscrewed from the roller body 4. The sleeve 7 forming the roller body end piece 5 has a bore 32 concentric to the axis of rotation of the roller 4. The roller 4 has a further bore 33 concentric to the axis of rotation of the roller 4 with an internal thread. A screw 37 extends through the bores 32 and 33 and thus holds the roller body end piece 5 to the roller body, as well as shown in Fig. 3 is recognizable. The concentric alignment of the screw 37 to the axis of rotation of the roller makes it possible that only one screw 37 is required to create a reliable fastening of the roller body end piece 5 to the roller body 4.

[0037] The roller body 4 itself is provided with a rubber coating 10. This serves to improve the frictional engagement between the rollers 3 and the conveyor belt 35.

[0038] The screw connection 36 described above is provided for both roller body end pieces 5. During operation of the conveyor 1, a first roller body end piece 5 is in operative connection with the conveyor belt 35 of the conveyor 1 – which is preferably designed as a crawler belt (see below). Fig. 3) A second roller body end piece 5 has a receptacle for a coupling 9 of the hydraulic motor 6, as shown in Fig. 4 is recognizable.

[0039] Furthermore, the roller body end piece 5, which is in operative connection with the conveyor belt 35, is hollow, i.e., it has an interior space 34. A bearing 8 is arranged in this interior space 34. The bearing 8 is an angular displacement compensating bearing, as described in Fig. 3 is recognizable. This makes it possible to compensate for manufacturing tolerances of the base frame 23.

[0040] The roller body end piece 5, which is to be brought into operative contact with the hydraulic motor 6, can also have a bearing 8 as described above. The bearing 8 is arranged radially on the outside of this roller body end piece 5. Furthermore, the roller body end piece 5 is designed and configured to be coupled to the hydraulic motor 6 by means of the coupling 9. The coupling 9 includes a reversibly deformable element 31, as shown in Fig.5 is recognizable. This is intended to dampen vibrations and forces in the area of ​​the functional connection. These can occur particularly if there is an imbalance in the roller 3 and have a damaging effect on a bearing stub of the hydraulic motor 6 and / or the hydraulic motor 6 itself.

[0041] Analogous to the connection of the roller body end piece 5, which is in operative connection with the conveyor belt 35, the roller body end piece 5, which is in operative connection with the hydraulic motor 6, can be connected to the roller body 4 via a screw connection 36, which includes a screw 37 arranged on the roller body end piece 5 and a bore 33 arranged in the roller body 4 with an internal thread. Reference symbol list 1 funding facility 2 cutting unit 3 rolls 4 roller bodies 5 Roller body end piece 6 engine 7 Sleeve 8 bearings 9 Clutch 10 coating 11 cutter bars 12 Conveyor device 13 Middle section 14 Central conveying device 15 first direction of transport 16 first side conveyor device 17 second transport direction 18 second side conveyor device 19 third direction of transport 20 second central funding facility Section 21 22 fourth direction of transport 23 Basic frame 24 width 25 Longitudinal axis of the cutting unit 26 Feed device 27 Feed roller 28 fingers 29 Inlet channel 30 Longitudinal axis of the central section 31 deformable element 32 bore 33 bore 34 Interior 35 Conveyor belt 36 screw connection 37 screw α angle QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2016 118 174 A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Conveyor device (1) for use in a cutting unit (2) of an agricultural harvesting machine, comprising an endless conveyor belt (35) and two rollers (3) arranged parallel to each other, wherein the conveyor belt (35) spans the rollers (3) so that the conveyor belt (35) rotates around the rollers (3), characterized by , that at least one of the rollers (3) of the conveying device (1) has a roller body (4) and at least one roller body end piece (5) arranged at the end and detachably connected to the roller body (4). [2] Conveying device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that at least one of the rollers (3) has two roller body end pieces (5) arranged at opposite ends of the roller body (4) and detachably connected to the roller body (4). [3] Conveying device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that a first roller (3) of the conveying device (1) can be driven by a motor (6) and a second roller (3) of the conveying device (1) is mounted freely around the perimeter. [4] Conveying device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the roller body end piece (5) can be connected to the roller body (4) by means of a plug connection or a screw connection (36). [5] Conveying device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the roller body end piece (5) is designed in the form of a sleeve (7), preferably a sleeve made of metal. [6] Conveying device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the roller body end piece (5) accommodates at least one bearing (8). [7] Conveying device (1) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the bearing (8) is an angle compensation bearing. [8] Conveyor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the roller body end piece (5) is designed and suitable to be coupled to a motor (6) by means of a coupling (9) so that a torque generated by the motor (6) can be transmitted to the roller (3). [9] Conveying device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the roller body (4) has a coating (10), preferably a rubber coating. [10] Cutting unit (2) for use on an agricultural harvesting machine, comprising - a cutter bar (11) extending essentially over the entire width (24) of the cutting unit (2) as well as - at least one conveying device (12) arranged behind the cutter bar (11), ▪ wherein the conveying device (12) includes at least one central conveying device (14) associated with a central section (13) of the cutting unit (2) with an endlessly circulating conveyor belt (35) for conveying harvested material along a first transport direction (15), ▪ a first side conveyor device (16) with an endlessly circulating conveyor belt (35) for conveying harvested crops along a second transport direction (17) as well as ▪ a second side conveyor device (18) with an endlessly circulating conveyor belt (35) for conveying harvested crops along a third transport direction (19), ▪ wherein the first and second side devices (16, 18) are each assigned to a side section (21) of the cutting unit (2), ▪ wherein the second transport direction (17) is oriented opposite to the third transport direction (19), ▪ wherein the first transport direction (15) is aligned at an angle of less than or equal to 90° to the second transport direction (17) and to the third transport direction (19), ▪ wherein the conveying device (12) transports crop material cut from the cutter bar (11) by means of the first side conveying device (16) and the second side conveying device (18) along the second and third transport directions (17, 19) in the direction of the central conveying device (14), characterized by , that at least one of the conveying devices (14, 16, 18) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 9. [11] Cutting unit (2) according to claim 10, characterized by a second central conveying device (20) associated with the central section (13) with an endlessly circulating conveyor belt (35) for conveying harvested crops along a fourth transport direction (22), wherein the second central conveying device (20) is also designed according to one of claims 1 to 9. [12] Cutting unit (2) according to claim 11, characterized by , that the first and the second central conveying device (14, 20) are arranged in a V-shape relative to each other. [13] Cutting unit (2) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by at least one motor (6), preferably a hydraulic motor, for driving at least one conveying device (1, 14, 16, 18, 20), wherein the motor (6) can be coupled to at least one of the roller body end pieces (5) of the conveying devices (1, 14, 16, 18, 20) by means of at least one coupling (9). [14] Cutting unit (2) according to claim 13, characterized by , that the coupling (9) has a deformable element (31) for damping vibrations and forces. [15] Agricultural harvesting machine, especially combine harvester, characterized by at least one cutting unit (2) according to one of claims 10 to 14.

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