Harvesting device for a beet harvester

Abstract

Harvesting device for a beet harvester with a sensing device (4) for row guidance of the beet harvester, wherein the tactile device (4) has at least one tactile unit (6), which is designed by means of at least one sensor element (8) for scanning the position of a crop in a horizontal plane and which is arranged in a height-variable manner to a device frame (14) via a height guide (12) during the operation of the harvesting device (2), characterized by the fact that The probe device (4) has, in addition to the height guide (12), a vertical positioning device (28) with at least one positioning means (26) by means of which the probe unit (6) can be variably positioned in height relative to the device frame (14) and by means of which an initial position of the height guide can be set.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting device for a beet harvesting machine, in particular a self-propelled beet harvester, wherein the lifting device has a sensing device for row guidance of the beet harvesting machine and wherein the sensing device comprises at least one sensing unit which is designed by means of at least one sensing element for sensing a position of a field crop in a horizontal plane and which, during operation of the lifting device, is arranged in a height-variable manner relative to a device frame of the lifting device via a height guide of the lifting device.

[0002] Particularly in self-propelled harvesters, a sensor device is installed at the front of the beet harvester, at the front end of the lifting device as viewed in the direction of travel. This sensor detects the horizontal row position of the crops. The lifting device or harvester is automatically controlled via this position detection. For optimal function, the sensor unit of the sensor device must be able to deflect vertically, for example, when encountering stones or other obstacles, which is why the lifting device is equipped with a height guide. The sensor element(s) must be held to the ground with appropriate contact pressure, and the position of the sensor unit must be adjusted vertically accordingly.

[0003] DE 94 13 431 U1 is known from the prior art. Changing the depth of the flail device also changes the vertical position of the sensing device or the contact pressure on the ground, which is undesirable. Furthermore, changing the contact pressure of the sensing element on the contact point in its lowest position also changes, which is also undesirable.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to keep the contact pressure of the sensing unit on the ground and in different height settings of the sensing element in the lowest position as constant as possible in a digging device.

[0005] The object is achieved by an article according to claim 1 and by a beet harvester according to claim 16. Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the subclaims and the following description.

[0006] According to the invention, in addition to the height guide, the sensing device has a vertical adjustment device with at least one adjustment means, by means of which the sensing unit can be variably positioned in height relative to the device frame and by means of which a starting position of the height guide can be set. As a result, if the height of the flail device changes, which is generally accompanied by a change in the height of a device frame that can be assigned to the flail device, the starting position of the height guide can be adjusted to a suitable level above the ground, so that the lowering of the device frame can be compensated for and the contact pressure on the ground by the sensing element remains constant. The vertical position of the sensing element relative to the ground remains the same with constant contact pressure on the contact point in the lowest position of the sensing unit.

[0007] The starting position is the position of the height guide at which operation is initially started. The starting position is set, for example, in relation to a flail mechanism of the lifting device. In an embodiment of the invention in which the sensing element(s) is / are initially in a lowest position and can only move upwards, the lowest position of the sensing element can be assumed as the starting position. However, this will often be a middle position, from which the sensing elements can move upwards or downwards.

[0008] The height guide, which allows the sensing unit to be positioned at a variable height relative to the fixture frame, does not need to be directly connected to the fixture frame. However, the vertical adjustment device can be positioned between the height guide and the fixture frame, so that the sensing unit and its associated height guide are height-adjustable via the vertical adjustment device of the sensing device.

[0009] The sensing element can be positioned vertically via the height guide or the vertical adjustment device if at least part of a movement occurs vertically to a horizontal surface.

[0010] For a lifting operation, the lowest position of the height guide of the sensing device, with which the lowest position of the sensing unit and thus of the sensing elements is defined, can thus be adjusted by the vertical adjustment device without changing the already appropriate contact pressure on the contact point in the lowest position.

[0011] Advantageously, the position of the flail device height relative to the ground can be automatically kept constant by means of a position query of the flail device height and a comparison with the lowest position of the sensing unit, so that a change in the height of the flail device and thus a change in the height of the device frame with respect to the position of the sensing unit can be compensated for without the otherwise already appropriate setting of the height guide having to be changed.

[0012] It is understood that the lifting device has further functional units for its lifting operation, such as a flail device, a topping device and, of course, lifting shares, via which any beets are transferred to a transport unit in the form of, for example, a roller table or a sieve belt.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment, the vertical adjustment device can be arranged between the height guide and the scanning unit, and thus can be moved along with the height guide of the lifting device during operation. More advantageously, the vertical adjustment device is arranged between a device frame and the height guide of the scanning unit. Accordingly, the scanning unit can be positioned vertically relative to the device frame, and the weight of the adjustment device does not have to be moved by the height guide.

[0014] Preferably, the sensing device and in particular the adjusting device comprises an adjusting frame which can be positioned vertically by means of the adjusting means, so that the adjusting means, which is arranged in particular on the device frame, can fix the adjusting frame in different height positions relative to the device frame.

[0015] In particular, the height guide has at least one link mounted on the assembly frame. Advantageously, the height guide is formed by at least two links that form a parallelogram guide and, in particular, both are mounted on the assembly frame, so that by positioning the assembly frame relative to the device frame, the height guide and thus the two links can be adjusted in height, in particular pivoted relative to the assembly frame. Preferably, the pivot axis is an axis transverse to the main direction of travel and horizontal to the ground. The height guide can also be formed by at least two links that are part of a 4-link system.

[0016] A structurally simple variant of a vertical adjusting device is formed by an adjusting frame which has a vertical guide, in particular by one or more recesses formed in the vertical direction on the adjusting frame. Advantageously, the adjusting means is arranged in the vertical guide at a variable height, wherein furthermore, the fixing of the adjusting means to the adjusting frame is preferably improved if the adjusting means is designed to overlap the edges of the vertical guide. For example, the adjusting frame can thus be clamped against the device frame or against the adjusting means located on the device frame. Advantageously, the vertical guide forms a grid for arranging the adjusting means(s). This grid enables the adjusting frame to be securely fixed to the adjusting means and is not susceptible to contamination.

[0017] Preferably, at least two links, particularly those connected to a cross member and designed as upper and lower links, are pivotably mounted on the mounting frame. These links form the height guide and thus also a parallelogram guide. The upper and lower links are arranged at least partially above one another and thus vertically spaced. They provide a structurally simple and reliable height guide for the sensing unit.

[0018] The push button unit is formed in particular at least by the push button element and frame parts located thereon, on which, for example, any handlebars or actuators for height control can be arranged.

[0019] Advantageously, the adjusting frame comprises two frame elements configured transversely to the direction of travel of the beet harvester and, in particular, provided as side plates. At least one guide for the adjusting means is arranged in each of these to form the vertical guide. This achieves a structurally secure solution, wherein, for example, a bolt-like adjusting means can penetrate two recesses in the respective frame or side plates and is secured there, in particular, in a grid, wherein the adjusting means simultaneously penetrates the device frame or the adjusting means is mounted on the device frame. In particular, the two frame elements located next to one another as viewed in the direction of travel are provided with recesses arranged one above the other so that any torques about a horizontal axis are absorbed.Accordingly, two vertical guides in the form of recesses arranged at least partially one above the other are advantageous per frame plate.

[0020] In particular, the adjusting means is arranged on the device frame, wherein the adjusting means can also be a preferably automatically movable cylinder, a linear motor or a particularly motor-driven threaded rod, via which a height adjustment can be carried out automatically and / or with mechanical assistance depending on a height of the device frame, in particular on a height of the device frame to be assigned to the flail device to the ground or to the crown height of the beet.

[0021] In particular, a relief device is provided to compensate for the weight of the sensing unit, by means of which the weight of the sensing unit on the floor is reduced. It is particularly advantageous if the sensing element rests on the floor with no or only minimal contact pressure. Such a relief device can be implemented, for example, via an elastomer spring in the parallelogram bearing, via a tension spring or a leg spring. Viewed from the device frame, such a relief device is in particular arranged downstream of the vertical adjustment device, so that the adjustment carried out by the vertical adjustment device takes place independently of the relief. The contact pressure is therefore not changed by the vertical adjustment if the lowest position of the sensing unit is initially predetermined by the vertical adjustment device and the contact pressure is then adjusted by the relief device.In the case of subsequent adjustments due to changes in the height of the flail device, only the vertical adjustment device needs to be adjusted, without the need for complex adjustment of the relief device due to changed kinematics of the height guide.

[0022] The relief device is preferably adjusted in height together with the height guide by the vertical adjustment device.

[0023] Instead of a parallelogram guide, the height guide could generally also be designed as a simple rocker arm. As an alternative to the adjustment mechanism described below, this can also be achieved by a hole pattern, a spindle adjustment, a parallelogram guide, an eccentric adjustment, a rack, a hydraulic drive, or other mechanical support.

[0024] The vertical adjustment can be expanded to an automatic height adjustment using mechanical adjustment and position sensing devices.

[0025] The task posed at the beginning is also solved by a beet harvester which has a lifting device as described above or below with the corresponding advantages.

[0026] Further advantages and details of the invention can be found in the following description of the figures. Schematically shown: Fig. 1 a representation of a lifting device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a detailed view of a sensing device, Fig. 3 a detailed view of the vertical adjustment device, Fig. 4 a side view of the sensing device in a first, middle position of the vertical adjustment device, Fig. 5 a view after Fig. 4 in another position of the vertical adjustment device, Fig. 6 a view after Fig. 4 in a further position of the vertical adjustment device, Fig. 7 shows a further object according to the invention.

[0027] Individual technical features of the exemplary embodiments described below can also be combined with previously described exemplary embodiments as well as the features of an independent claim and, if applicable, further claims to form subject matter according to the invention. Where appropriate, elements that are at least partially functionally equivalent are provided with identical reference numerals.

[0028] A lifting device 2 according to the invention has a sensing device 4, which comprises a sensing unit 6 with sensing elements 8 arranged on a sensing frame 7. These sensing elements 8 are used to sense the position of a crop, namely a beet, in a horizontal plane, which in this case is perpendicular to the plane of the figure and is indicated by a dot-dash line 10. The sensing device 4 has a height guide 12, via which the sensing elements 8 are arranged at variable heights relative to a device frame 14.

[0029] In addition, the lifting device 2 generally comprises functional units such as a topping device 16, a flail device 18 and, of course, lifting shares 20, via which any beets are transferred to a transport unit 22 in the form of, for example, a roller table ( Fig. 1). The entire lifting device 2 represents the front structure of a beet harvesting machine, for example, a self-propelled beet harvester, the further development of which is known from the prior art.

[0030] The sensing device 4 is in Fig. 2 is shown in somewhat more detail. The device frame 14 holds a first upper adjusting means 26 of a vertical adjusting device 28 in a block 24. Furthermore, the vertical adjusting device 28 has a further, lower adjusting means 26, which is also held in a receptacle of the device frame 14 (not shown in further detail).

[0031] Both adjusting means 26 extend through vertical guides 30 in the form of recesses in an adjusting frame of the vertical adjusting device 28 formed by side plates 32. The vertical guides 30 extend essentially vertically. The adjusting means 26 clamp the adjusting frame in the respective position relative to the device frame 14 or relative to the adjusting means themselves held on the device frame 14. By releasing the adjusting means 26, the side plates can be moved and positioned vertically relative to the device frame 14, so that the links 36 and 38, which are mounted on cross members 34 and are in the form of upper and lower links, are moved vertically. This vertical movement defines a lower position of the sensing elements 8. The adjusting frame of the vertical adjustment device 28 comprises, in addition to the side plates 32, cross members 34.

[0032] The vertical adjustment device according to the invention specifies the lowest position of the sensing elements 8. This position is specified independently of a relief device 40 if the latter is arranged, as shown, between the vertical adjustment device and the sensing elements 8. In the present case, the relief device 40 is formed by an elastomer spring in the upper link bearing. This elastomer spring largely compensates for the weight of the sensing unit 6, including the height guide, thus enabling optimal scanning. The relief device 40 is thus independent of the vertical positioning of the sensing elements 8 by means of the vertical adjustment device. Changing the position of the links 36 and 38 for the purpose of compensating for a change in the height of the flail device would lead to an undesired change in the kinematics and to suboptimal relief.This is no longer the case due to the inventive design of the lifting device 2, since the height guidance and the position of the handlebars can remain the same due to the vertical adjustment device.

[0033] In a side view ( Fig. 3) shows how the recesses of the vertical adjustment device run perpendicular to a substrate in its longitudinal direction. The recesses can alternatively run diagonally and thus not perpendicular to the substrate, depending on the structural conditions of the device, in which case a horizontal guide is present in addition to the vertical guide. Other designs of the recesses 30 are also conceivable. For example, locking recesses 42 indicated by dashed lines can be provided, allowing a grid of the vertical adjustments.

[0034] Furthermore, the relief device 40 is implemented not only on the upper link but also on the lower link 38 by means of elastomer springs on the bearing side.

[0035] The vertical adjustment device is located in the Fig. 4 shown position in a middle position, by which a lowest position of the sensing elements is also specified with a distance A to the ground or floor 44. When the lifting depth is increased, the vertical adjustment device 28 in the Fig. 5, the sensing unit is raised without changing the alignment of the upper and lower links. The distance A to the ground or floor 44 remains the same. Therefore, the relief of the sensing elements caused by the relief device is unaffected by the upward adjustment. The same applies to the Fig. 6 shows the downward adjustment of the sensing unit 6 when the device frame 14 was raised due to a reduction in the hammer height.

[0036] A lifting device 2 represents the Fig. 7 illustrates the front attachment of a beet harvester 50. The beet harvester 50 is designed as a self-propelled beet harvester. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 94 13 431 U1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Lifting device for a beet harvester with a sensing device (4) for row guidance of the beet harvester, wherein the sensing device (4) has at least one sensing unit (6), which is designed by means of at least one sensing element (8) for sensing a position of a field crop in a horizontal plane and which, during operation of the lifting device (2), is arranged in a height-variable manner relative to a device frame (14) via a height guide (12), characterized by , that the sensing device (4) has, in addition to the height guide (12), a vertical adjusting device (28) with at least one adjusting means (26), by means of which the sensing unit (6) can be variably positioned in height relative to the device frame (14) and by means of which an initial position of the height guide can be set. [2] Harvesting device according to claim 1, characterized bythat the vertical adjustment device (28) is arranged between the height guide (12) and the sensing unit (6). [3] Harvesting device according to claim 1, characterized by that the vertical adjustment device (28) is arranged between the device frame (14) and the height guide (12). [4] Harvesting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sensing device (4) and in particular the adjusting device (28) has an adjusting frame which can be positioned vertically by means of the adjusting means (26). [5] Harvesting device according to claim 4, characterized by that the height guide (12) has at least one link (36, 38) which is mounted on the adjusting frame. [6] Harvesting device according to claim 5, characterized by that the height guide (12) has at least two links (36, 38) which form a parallelogram guide or which are part of a 4-link system. [7] Harvesting device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized bythat the adjustment frame has a vertical guide (30). [8] Harvesting device according to claim 7, characterized by that the adjusting means (26) is arranged in the vertical guide (30) in a height-variable manner. [9] Harvesting device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by that the adjusting means (26) is designed to overlap the edges of the vertical guide (30). [10] Harvesting device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by that the vertical guide (30) forms a grid for arranging the adjusting means. [11] Harvesting device according to one of claims 4 to 10, characterized by that at least two links (36, 38), which are connected in particular to a cross member and are designed as upper or lower links, are pivotably mounted on the positioning frame. [12] Harvesting device according to one of claims 4 to 11, characterized bythat the positioning frame comprises two frame elements designed transversely to the direction of travel (F) of the beet harvesting device and in particular designed as side plates (32). [13] Harvesting device according to claim 12, characterized by that the frame elements each have two vertical guides 30. [14] Harvesting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the adjusting means (26) is arranged on the device frame (14). [15] Harvesting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a relief device (40) is provided for weight compensation of the key unit (6). [16] Beet harvester, characterized by a digging device (2) according to one of the preceding claims.

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