Silage compaction device with pull rope

Abstract

The present invention relates to a silage compaction device (2) comprising a frame (4), a compaction means (6) held on the frame (4) and a pull rope (10) which is held on a support frame (8) pivotably connected to the frame (4). To dampen force peaks that occur when another tractor is towed with the silage compaction device (2), the towing cable (10) is held on at least one drawbar (14) which is connected to the frame (4) of the silage compaction device (2) via a power storage unit (36) of variable length.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a silage compaction device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] It is known from the prior art to store green fodder for livestock or substrate for biogas plants in bunker silos after harvesting, where it is preserved through lactic acid fermentation. For an optimal fermentation process, it is necessary to keep the oxygen content in the silage as low as possible. This is achieved by further compacting the silage in the bunker silo using a silage compaction device. The silage compaction device is moved several times over the top layer of silage to reduce the volume of air pockets within the silage.

[0003] Silage compaction devices, particularly silage rollers, are known, as described by way of example in German patent applications DE 20 2013 006 860 U1 and DE 20 2010 006 957 U1. The silage roller is mounted on a carrier machine, such as a tractor, which moves it over the silage. The weight of the silage roller itself, as well as compaction tools mounted on its outer circumference and the weight of the tractor, reduce the voids in the silage. To achieve sufficient compaction, it is necessary to pass the silage over it several times with the silage roller.

[0004] The silage to be placed in the bunker silo is usually transported from the field to the silo using transport vehicles consisting of a tractor and a trailer. When the transport vehicles arrive at the bunker silo, they must drive onto the silage already inside to unload the silage from the trailer as the next layer. Driving onto the silage in the bunker often proves difficult because the trailer, filled with silage, is very heavy, the ramp onto the silage becomes increasingly steep as the bunker fills up, and the silage itself is moist and slippery.Even if the driving power of the tractor unit of the combination should theoretically be sufficient to pull the loaded trailer up onto the silage mass in the bunker silo, driving onto the silage mass fails due to excessive slippage of the tractor unit's drive wheels on the moist silage mass.

[0005] To enable the trailers to be unloaded onto the silage in the bunker silo, it is known to attach the tractor unit of the combination to the rear of the silage compaction device using a tow cable. The tractor unit then uses the additional drive power of the tractor to pull the combination up onto the silage in the bunker silo. It is also known to use tow cables that are permanently attached to the silage compaction device. These tow cables are held by a support frame that is movable back and forth between an operating position and a non-operating position.

[0006] A problem that has emerged in the practical use of tow ropes is that significant force peaks occur at the attachment points of the tow rope on the silage compactor and the tractor during operation. These force peaks lead to increased wear on the connecting elements or even to the breaking of the tow ropes. Since the tow rope is usually attached to the front hydraulics and drawbar of the tractor, and the front hydraulics and / or drawbar may not be designed to withstand the force peaks that occur during operation, significant damage can also occur, particularly to the tractor's front hydraulics, drawbar connections, and / or the tractor frame.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to reduce the peak forces occurring on the traction cables.

[0008] The problem is solved for a silage compaction device of the generic type by the characterizing features of claim 1.

[0009] The traction cable is held by at least one drawbar, which is connected to the frame of the silage compaction device via a variable-length energy storage device. The energy storage device may be supported by the frame. The drawbar is connected to the energy storage device and transmits the loads acting on the traction cable to the frame of the silage compaction device, to which the energy storage device is also connected. The energy storage device serves to compensate for load peaks by changing its length. The energy storage device can be designed as a form-elastic element that changes its shape under an applied force and thereby generates restoring forces that correspond at least approximately to the clipped load peaks, allowing the energy storage device to return to its original shape after the applied force is removed. Examples of such energy storage devices include mechanical springs or rubber blocks.However, it is also possible, for example, to provide support via a hydraulic cylinder whose hydraulic fluid is hydropneumatically supported by a gas bubble in a pressure vessel or an adjustable pressure relief valve.

[0010] For example, a power storage device can be designed to absorb a tractive force of 4 tons over an adjustment range of 140 mm until it reaches a stop and then transmits the tractive force positively. This prevents jerky accelerations, especially during acceleration, which can easily lead to the breaking of the towing cables or damage to other components to which the cables are attached. This significantly reduces wear on the force-absorbing components and the risk of major damage. The adjustable travel range of the power storage device also makes it easier to match the speeds of the towing and towed vehicles.

[0011] When the maximum adjustment range of the energy storage unit is exhausted under an applied load, the applied load is positively transferred to the frame of the silage compaction device. The energy storage unit should therefore not be too weak and should be designed to absorb at least a significant portion of the peak loads occurring during normal operation within its adjustment range.

[0012] When this description refers to a tractor, it means the tractor unit of the towed vehicle combination. When this description refers to the carrier machine, it means the self-propelled machine to which the silage compaction device is attached.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support frame has at least two pivot axes that allow pivoting movements in at least two different planes. If one of the two pivot axes is aligned in an at least approximately vertical direction, the support frame can automatically align itself in the lateral direction of the tractive force acting in a horizontal direction if, during a towing operation, the longitudinal axes of the carrier machine and the towing machine are not aligned in a straight line to each other, but are at an angle to each other.If one of the two pivot axes is aligned in an approximately horizontal direction, the support frame can automatically align itself vertically in the direction of the tensile force acting in a vertical direction, provided that during a towing operation the longitudinal axes of the carrier machine and the towing vehicle are not aligned in a straight line but are at an angle to each other. With at least two pivot axes, the pivoting movements about these axes can sum to form any desired pivoting movement, allowing the support frame to adapt to virtually any angular position in which the carrier machine and the towing vehicle can be positioned relative to each other. This prevents bending loads on the support frame and the connecting components, which could otherwise overload the support frame and / or the associated connecting components.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support structure is supported on the frame by mechanical springs, which hold the support structure in a neutral position in at least one pivot plane when no external forces act upon it. The neutral position refers to a pivot position of the support structure in which it should normally be located. The mechanical springs can, in particular, be arranged on opposite sides of the support structure and act in opposite directions such that the forces exerted on the support structure by the mechanical springs cancel each other out when the support structure is in its neutral position.When the support frame is moved from its neutral position under the influence of a force, restoring forces build up, at least in the mechanical spring located in the direction of rotation of the support frame. These restoring forces return the support frame to its neutral position when the force is removed. In the mechanical spring located on the side of the support frame opposite the direction of rotation, tensile forces can also build up during such a rotational movement. These tensile forces also return the support frame to its neutral position when the force is removed. In the described embodiment, both mechanical springs can therefore return the support frame to its neutral position after the force is removed and also hold it there. To achieve this, mechanical springs with a corresponding force profile are used.Thanks to the mechanical springs, it is no longer necessary to lock the support frame in its neutral position to prevent unwanted slapping movements during periods of non-use. The mechanical springs can also help to reduce or completely eliminate slapping movements of the support frame during towing operations.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support frame with a hydraulic cylinder can be pivoted back and forth between an operating position and a non-operating position, and the valve block, which controls the hydraulic cylinder, has a switching position in which the hydraulic cylinder is movable in a floating position. In the non-operating position, the support frame is preferably folded up into an at least approximately vertical position in order not to obstruct work with the silage compaction device and to avoid creating accident hazards if the support frame protrudes beyond the circumferential contours of the silage compaction device in an area that is difficult to visually inspect. In the operating position, the support frame is preferably folded down into an at least approximately horizontal position as the zero position for traction operation.The valve block, which controls the hydraulic cylinder, has switching positions by which the support frame is moved by the hydraulic cylinder into the operating position or into the non-operating position and held there.

[0016] To keep the support frame as close as possible to the line of force during towing operations, especially when encountering varying elevations and differing angular positions of the longitudinal axes of the carrier machine and the towing vehicle, it is advantageous if the support frame can follow these changing orientations of the line of force through its own movements without active control of the hydraulic cylinder. To enable these independent movements of the support frame during towing, the valve block has a switching position in which the hydraulic cylinder is held in a floating position and is movable.In this switching position, the valve block does not block the free flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the hydraulic cylinder, so that the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder can be pushed into or pulled out of the piston by the acting forces during the self-movements of the support frame, and the support frame is thus freely movable.

[0017] The mounting device for the hydraulic cylinder and / or the hydraulic system for controlling the hydraulic cylinder may include overload protection in case the hydraulic cylinder is at risk of being overloaded. For example, the hydraulic cylinder may be secured using shear bolts, or the hydraulic system may have a pressure relief valve that releases excess hydraulic fluid in the event of overpressure in the hydraulic system.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support structure is connected to the frame of the silage compaction device via a hinged eye. Connecting the support structure to the frame via a hinged eye eliminates any play in the joint. By minimizing play between the components, the impact loads on the components are also reduced, as they no longer collide with each other under the influence of the tensile load during towing movements.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pull rope is held in a loop on the support frame, both ends of the pull rope are connected via at least one drawbar to a first spring plate which rests on at least one mechanical spring which forms the energy storage device with a variable length, the at least one mechanical spring is aligned in the extension direction of the pull rope, the at least one mechanical spring is held at its end facing away from the first spring plate by a second spring plate at this end at a fixed distance to the frame of the silage compaction device, and the first spring plate and the at least one mechanical spring are arranged in a tubular body which limits the spring travel in which the first spring plate and the mechanical spring move under load.The end of the loop pointing towards the tractor can be easily inserted into a drawbar coupling and secured there with a bolt to create a towing connection. When a tensile force acts on the towing cable, it is transmitted via the two ends of the cable to the first spring plate, which in turn transmits the tensile force to the at least one mechanical spring. Since the at least one mechanical spring is aligned with the direction of extension of the towing cable, the spring contracts in the direction of extension when a force is applied. This avoids force redirections that could place excessive stress on components. The adjustment movement of the first spring plate and the at least one mechanical spring is guided by the tubular body. The tubular body does not need to be closed on its circumference.At least one mechanical spring is supported against the frame of the silage compaction device via the second spring plate and held at a fixed distance from the frame. This spring absorbs peak forces by being compressed against the second spring plate from the side facing the first. The pull cable can act on a single mechanical spring. To achieve a desired spring characteristic that only compresses significantly under higher tensile loads when higher peak forces are reached, it is also possible to use several mechanical springs as a spring assembly that absorbs the applied loads.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, each end of the pull rope is assigned its own tubular body, in which at least one mechanical spring and a first and second spring plate are arranged, which transmit the acting forces. By assigning at least one mechanical spring to each end of the pull rope in its own tubular body, this design allows high tensile loads to be absorbed by the at least one mechanical spring with a comparatively small overall volume. Each end of the pull rope can transmit the tensile load acting on it directly to the at least one mechanical spring in the direction of pull without further force redirection.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support frame has a central beam on which the tubular bodies are arranged on opposite sides. The central beam has a receiving space for a telescopic rod, which is rigidly connected to the tension cable at its end projecting from the receiving space via a cross brace. The arrangement of the tubular bodies on opposite sides of the support frame results in an advantageous distribution and dissipation of the acting forces within the support frame. The tension cable can be guided and held in a loop during compression and retraction movements via the telescopic rod, whose movements are transmitted from the tension cable to the telescopic rod via the cross brace. The extension and retraction movements of the telescopic rod are guided by the shape and internal cross-sectional form of the receiving space.Twisting of the loop is prevented if the receiving space and the telescopic rod have a matching non-circular cross-section, which blocks rotational movement of the telescopic rod within the receiving space. The pull rope then moves in only one plane relative to the supporting structure during compression and rebound movements of at least one mechanical spring.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tension cable, the support frame, and the tubular body(s) are arranged in a common spatial plane. The flat arrangement of these components in one plane results in a compact, space-saving design and efficient absorption and dissipation of the acting forces.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, a load sensor is arranged on the support frame. This sensor detects a load acting on the towing cable and generates a signal when a threshold is exceeded. The load sensor can be designed, for example, as a proximity sensor or a strain gauge. The threshold can be reached when a tensile load begins to act on the towing cable. Such a threshold can signal to the drivers involved that the carrier machine is beginning to pull. Another or additional threshold can also indicate that the energy storage device has reached its limit and is being towed in a positive-locking manner. It is also possible to provide thresholds for load situations that lie between the two aforementioned thresholds.The reaching of the threshold values ​​can be indicated by means of a display signal in a suitable display device in the driver's cab(s), or a light signal device such as a traffic light is arranged on the silage compaction device, which indicates to the drivers involved via light signals which threshold value has been reached when the energy storage system is loaded.

[0024] Further modifications and embodiments of the invention can be found in the following description, claims and drawings.

[0025] The invention will now be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment. The figures shown are: Fig. 1: A view of a silage compaction device from a front oblique angle, with the support frame and the pull rope in the operating position, Fig. 2: A top view of the support structure with the pull rope, Fig. 3: A side view of the support frame with the pull rope, Fig. 4: a sectional view through the supporting structure along line BB in Fig. 3, Fig. 5: A top view of the support structure with the pull rope, and Fig. 6: a sectional view through the support structure along line CC in Fig. 5.

[0026] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows a silage compaction device 2 from a front oblique angle. The silage compaction device 2 has a frame 4 and a compaction element 6 held on the frame 4, in this embodiment in the form of a silage roller. The silage compaction device 2 is equipped with a pull cable 10, which is held on a support frame 8 pivotally connected to the frame 4. The support frame 8 and the pull cable 10 are shown in the illustration. Fig. 1 in the downward-folded operating position. In the non-operating position, the support frame 8 can, for example, be folded upwards by approximately 90°. The towing cable 10 is placed in a loop 22 and inserted with the loop 22 into a drawbar 12 of a tractor (not shown in detail). When the silage compaction device 2 is attached with its front to a carrier machine (not shown in detail) and this machine moves forward in the direction of pull P, the tractor attached via the towing cable 10 is pulled along. In this process, the towing cable 10 transmits a tractive force F to the drawbar 12 of the tractor.

[0027] Depending on the spatial relationship between the central longitudinal axes of the silage compaction device 2 and the tractor in a towing situation, the central longitudinal axes and the force vector of the tractive force F are not collinear. To allow the spatial position of the support frame 8 to adapt to the orientation of the force vector of the tractive force F, the support frame 8 has at least two pivot axes 16a, 16b. The pivot axes 16a, 16b are in Fig. 1 indicated by dashed lines. The pivot axes 16a and 16b allow pivoting movements of the support frame 8 in at least two different planes. While pivot axis 16a allows pivoting of the support frame 8 in a plane that is at least approximately horizontal, pivot axis 16b allows pivoting of the support frame 8 in a vertical plane.

[0028] The traction cable 10 is held on at least one drawbar 14, which is connected to the frame 4 of the silage compaction device 2 via a variable-length energy storage device 36. The energy storage device 36 is located inside the tubular body 28. Under the influence of a tensile force F, the energy storage device 36 can change its length inside the tubular body 28 depending on the load. For this purpose, the energy storage device 36 is connected at one end to the frame 4 and at the other end to the drawbar 14.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the support frame 8 has a central beam 30, on which a tubular body 28 is arranged on each of opposite sides. Each end 26 of the haul rope 10 is assigned its own tubular body 28, into which the pull rod 14 associated with the respective end 26 of the haul rope 10 opens and is connected to the energy storage device 36.

[0030] The support frame 8 can be pivoted back and forth between the shown operating position and a non-operating position by means of the hydraulic cylinder 18. Fig. Figure 2 shows a top view of the support frame 8 with the tension cable 10. In the Fig. Figure 2 also shows a valve block 20, via which the hydraulic cylinder 18 can be controlled. The hydraulic cylinder 18 has a switching position in which it is movable in a float position. In the Fig. As can also be seen in the view shown in Figure 2, the support structure 8 is supported on the frame 4 by mechanical springs 24 – in this embodiment designed as coil springs. The mechanical springs 24 hold the support structure 8 in the horizontal pivot plane in the neutral position shown when no external forces act on it. If a lateral force acts on the support structure 8, it can pivot against the forces of the mechanical springs 24 in one of the directions indicated by the double arrow around the pivot axis 16a. When the acting lateral force ceases, the mechanical springs 24 return the support structure 8 to its neutral position.

[0031] From the in the Fig. In the top view shown in Figure 2, the loop 22, in which the pull rope 10 is held, is clearly visible. The pull rope 10 is held in the loop 22, in particular by the crossbar 34. The crossbar 34 is attached to the telescopic rod 32, which can be extended from the central beam 30 and, depending on the applied force, moves together with the pull rope 10 and the pull rods 14 in the direction of pull or against the direction of pull force F, as indicated by the double arrows. A scale S is located on the telescopic rod 32, indicating how far the telescopic rod 32 is extended from the central beam 30. Using the scale S, a user can determine whether the pull rope 10 is still under tension, for example, to release the pull rope 10 from the pull jaw 12.

[0032] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a side view of the support frame 8 with the haul rope 10. This side view shows that the haul rope 10, the support frame 8, and the tubular body(s) 28 are arranged in a common spatial plane corresponding to section BB. Due to this flat design, the entire structure occupies only a comparatively small installation space when not in use. The support frame 8 is connected to the frame 4 of the silage compaction device 2 via a hinge eye 38.

[0033] The Fig. Figure 4 shows a sectional view through the support structure 8 along line BB in Fig. 3. in Fig. 4 can be seen that the central beam 30 has a receiving space 42 for the telescopic rod 32, which is firmly connected to the pull rope 10 at its end protruding from the receiving space 42 via the crossbar 34.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the variable-length energy storage device 36 is designed as a spring assembly 40. Within the spring assembly 40, two mechanical springs 40a, 40b and a first spring plate 44 and a second spring plate 46 are arranged. The two ends 26 of the draw rope 10 are connected via at least one draw rod 14 to a first spring plate 44, which rests on at least one mechanical spring 40a, 40b that forms the variable-length energy storage device 36. The at least one mechanical spring 40a, 40b is aligned in the direction of extension of the draw rope 10. The at least one mechanical spring 40a, 40b is held at its end furthest from the first spring plate 44 by a second spring plate 46 at this end at a fixed distance from the frame 4 of the silage compaction device 2.The first spring plate 44 and the at least one mechanical spring 40a, 40b are arranged in the tubular body 28, which limits the spring travel in which the first spring plate 44 and the mechanical spring 40a, 40b move under load.

[0035] A load sensor 48 is arranged on the support frame 8. This sensor detects a load acting on the tension cable 10 and generates a display signal when a threshold value is exceeded. In the exemplary embodiment, the load sensor 48 is designed as a strain gauge attached to the pivot axis 16a to measure the forces occurring there.

[0036] The Fig. Figure 5 shows a top view of the support structure 8 with the haul rope 10, and the Fig. Figure 6 shows a sectional view through the support structure along line CC in Fig.5. In these two views, the central beam 30 with the receiving chamber 42 can be seen, in which the telescopic rod 32 is now in a fully retracted state. The end 50 of the telescopic rod 32 protruding from the receiving chamber 42 is firmly connected to the pull rope 10 via the cross brace 34.

[0037] The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. It will be easy for a person skilled in the art to modify this embodiment in a way that appears suitable to them in order to adapt it to specific functional requirements. Reference symbol list 2 Silage compaction device 4 frames 6 Compaction agents 8 Support frame 10 tow rope 12 Tow hitch 14 pull rod 16 swivel axes 18 hydraulic cylinders 20 Valve block 22 loops 24 springs 26 End of the pull rope 28 tubular bodies 30 central spar 32 telescopic poles 34 Cross brace 36 energy storage units 38 Joint eye 40 spring pack 42 Recording room 44 first spring plate 46 second spring plate 48 load sensor 50 End of the telescopic pole F tractive force P Direction of travel 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 20 2013 006 860 U1

[0003] DE 20 2010 006 957 U1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Silage compaction device (2) comprising a frame (4), a compaction means (6) held on the frame (4) and a pull rope (10) which is held on a support frame (8) pivotably connected to the frame (4), characterized by , that the pull rope (10) is held on at least one pull rod (14) which is connected to the frame (4) of the silage compaction device (2) via a power storage unit (36) of variable length. [2] Silage compaction device (2) according to claim 1, characterized by that the support structure (8) has at least two pivot axes (16) which allow pivoting movements in at least two different planes. [3] Silage compaction device (2) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the support structure (8) is supported on the frame (4) by mechanical springs (24) by which the support structure (8) is held in a zero position in at least one pivot plane when no external forces act on the support structure (8). [4] Silage compaction device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the support frame (8) can be pivoted back and forth between a working position and a non-working position with a hydraulic cylinder (18) and a valve block (20), via which the hydraulic cylinder (18) can be controlled, has a switching position in which the hydraulic cylinder (18) is movable in a floating position. [5] Silage compaction device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the support structure (8) is connected to the frame (4) of the silage compaction device (2) via a hinge eye (38). [6] Silage compaction device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the pull rope (10) is held in a loop (22) on the support frame (8), both ends (26) of the pull rope (10) are connected via at least one drawbar (14) to a first spring plate (44) which rests on at least one mechanical spring (40a, 40b) which forms the energy storage device (36) of variable length, which at least one mechanical spring (40a, 40b) is aligned in the extension direction of the pull rope (10), which at least one mechanical spring (40a, 40b) is held at its end furthest from the first spring plate (44) via a second spring plate (46) at this end at a fixed distance from the frame (4) of the silage compaction device (2), and the first spring plate (44) and the at least one mechanical spring (40a, 40b) are arranged in a tubular body (28) which limits the spring travel in which the first spring plate (44) and move the mechanical spring (40a, 40b) under load. [7] Silage compaction device (2) according to claim 6, characterized by , that each end of the pull rope (10) is assigned its own tubular body (28) in which at least one mechanical spring (40a, 40b) and a first and second spring plate (44, 46) are arranged. [8] Silage compaction device (2) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the support frame (8) has a central beam (30) on which the tubular bodies (28) are arranged on opposite sides, and the central beam (30) has a receiving space (42) for a telescopic rod (32) which is firmly connected to the pull rope (10) at its end (50) projecting from the receiving space (42) via a crossbar (34). [9] Silage compaction device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 6 to 8, characterized by , that the traction cable (10), the support frame (8) and the tubular body(s) (28) are arranged in a common spatial plane. [10] Silage compaction device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a load sensor (48) is arranged on the support structure (8) which detects a load acting on the haul rope (10) and generates a display signal when a threshold value is exceeded.

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