AGRICULTURAL WORKING MACHINE, AGRICULTURAL WORKING TRAIN COMPRISING THE WORKING MACHINE, SEPARATOR UNIT FOR THE WORKING MACHINE, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SEPARATOR UNIT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an agricultural working machine in the form of a baler or bale wrapper, comprising a binding unit for providing a binding agent intended for wrapping a crop bale, and a cutting unit intended for cutting the binding agent. The present invention further relates to a work train comprising the agricultural working machine and a tractor to which the agricultural working machine is attached, the thermal cutting unit, and a method for controlling the thermal cutting unit.

[0002] To prevent a crop bale from falling apart after baling, it is regularly wrapped and bound with a binding agent. This involves using twine, tape, nets, and films, usually made of plastic. After wrapping the crop bale with the binding agent, the material is cut with a knife or scissors.

[0003] However, operational safety and cut quality when cutting the binding material depend on the tension applied to the binding material during cutting and / or on precise adjustment of the knife or scissors. If the binding material is not tensioned sufficiently, it may not be cut through, or at least not completely. Furthermore, such a binding material may stretch during cutting, preventing it from being completely cut through.

[0004] This can result in film residues that can get into the crop or onto the field. Neue Seiten 2 bis 11a (pure version)

[0005] If the binding agent cannot be cut through or is incompletely cut through, the operator must manually cut the film. This frequently requires leaving the driver's cab and is therefore time-consuming. This poses a high risk of injury due to the sharp knife or scissors. This risk of injury also exists during maintenance work, cleaning, or when replacing the binding agent. Furthermore, knives must be sharpened or replaced regularly.

[0006] EP 0 844 815 A1 discloses a method for producing round bales wrapped in film using a baler with a tying unit. The film can be severed with a hot wire after wrapping the crop bale.

[0007] The object of the invention is to improve such an agricultural working machine in such a way that the cutting of the binding agent can be carried out reliably, cleanly and without danger, and that less maintenance is required.

[0008] The object is achieved with a thermal separation unit having the features of independent patent claim 1, an agricultural working machine having the features of patent claim 2, a work train having the features of patent claim 11 and a method having the features of independent patent claim 12. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

[0009] For this purpose, a thermal separation unit is created for an agricultural machine in the form of a baler or bale wrapper.

[0010] The separation unit is intended for cutting through a binding agent and is designed as a thermal separation unit which comprises a heat source for cutting through the binding agent.

[0011] The task is still solved with an agricultural machine. The agricultural machine is a baler, in particular a round baler or a square baler, or a bale wrapper. It can be designed as a towed or self-propelled machine.

[0012] The agricultural work machine comprises a binding unit designed to provide a binding agent. The binding unit can also be designed to feed the binding agent into the baling chamber. The binding agent is designed to bind a crop bale. It is provided in the binding unit, for example, in the form of an unwindable binding agent roll. To bind the crop bale, it is wrapped with the binding agent. At least part of the crop bale is covered by the binding agent.

[0013] In the baler embodiment, the agricultural machine comprises a receiving rotor for receiving the crop from the ground and a baling chamber for compressing the crop into a bale. In this embodiment, the crop bale is tied in the baling chamber. For this purpose, the tying unit is preferably arranged in front of the baling chamber, in particular above the receiving rotor.

[0014] A baler may also include a wrapping unit in which the bale is wrapped, wrapped, or wrapped. In this embodiment, the binding unit or an additional binding unit may be arranged in the wrapping unit.

[0015] In the embodiment as a bale wrapper, this comprises a wrapping unit and a binding unit, which can be arranged inside or outside the wrapping unit.

[0016] The agricultural machine has a separating unit for cutting through the binding agent. The separating unit is designed as a thermal separating unit that includes a heat source for cutting through the binding agent. The thermal separating unit can be arranged in the binding unit, between the binding unit and the baling chamber, or in the wrapping unit. Furthermore, multiple separating units can be provided, in particular in the binding unit, between the binding unit and the baling chamber, and / or in the wrapping unit.

[0017] The thermal separation unit is characterized by the fact that it comprises a stabilizing body that has a tapered area at one working end and forms a linear contact surface for the binder at the working end, extending in a longitudinal direction. A heating conductor is integrated into the separation unit as a heat source. Furthermore, the heating conductor extends in a longitudinal direction at the working end and is inserted into the stabilizing body or applied to the stabilizing body.

[0018] The thermal separation unit has the advantage of cutting through the binding agent using heat. This ensures high operational reliability. The required power is low. The thermal separation unit is also comparatively easy to adjust and exhibits very little wear.

[0019] The use of heat to cut through the binding material also ensures a very high level of cutting reliability. The cut can be made in a straight line and is clean. No crop residue is created that could enter the crop or enter the field.

[0020] In addition, multiple layers of binding agent can be cut simultaneously. Furthermore, there is only a low risk of injury when using a thermal cutting unit.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the thermal separation unit is arranged in the wrapping unit. In this embodiment, the thermal separation unit can be positioned directly in front of or on the crop bale. This embodiment not only enables the cutting of multiple layers of binding material.

[0022] In this embodiment, the binding agent can also be welded to the cutting edge when cutting.

[0023] The binding agent is preferably a film made of a heat-resistant material, such as a plastic. However, the invention is also applicable to a heat-resistant net or tape.

[0024] The heat source of the thermal separation unit is designed as a heating conductor. Such a heating conductor can be operated from a low-voltage direct current source. The energy required for this is low. However, it can also be designed as an optical heat source, for example as an infrared radiator or a laser radiator. In these embodiments, the heat source can act on the binder at an edge or along a plane spanned by the binder. This severes the binder along part of its width or along its entire width. To reliably ensure complete severed binder even when the heat source acts on only part of the binder, it is preferred that the binder be taut. The part of the binder not severed by the heat source is then torn.This also means that no binding agent residues are produced that can get into the crop or onto the field.

[0025] In principle, the heating conductor can be used in the form of a wire in the work machine for cutting. In this embodiment, the required installation space is extremely small. However, such a wire is unprotected and can bend or break. Therefore, the heating conductor is preferably surrounded by a material or attached to a material that supports and / or protects it, particularly when cutting through the binding agent.

[0026] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the material is inert. The heating conductor is then at least partially surrounded by the inert material. Due to the inertness of the material at least partially surrounding the heating conductor, adhesion of parts of the binder as well as dust and dirt can be reduced or even prevented. In order to keep the energy required to sever the binder as low as possible, it is also preferred that the material at least partially surrounding the heating conductor is a good thermal conductor. The material at least partially surrounding the heating conductor is furthermore preferably electrically non-conductive. In addition, it preferably has a very high melting point.

[0027] The material that at least partially surrounds the heating conductor is preferably a plastic. Polytetrafluoroethylene is particularly preferred. However, other materials that exhibit the properties of good thermal conductivity, inertness, non-electrical conductivity, and a very high melting point can also be used. The material can be in the form of a strip and placed or wound around the heating conductor. Furthermore, the heating conductor can be at least partially or completely coated with the material.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the heating conductor is applied to the material or inserted into it, so that the material stabilizes the position of the heating conductor and this does not change, preferably even when the binder is applied to the thermal separation unit or when the binder is applied.

[0029] It is further preferred that the stabilizing body be partially formed from the material with good thermal conductivity and / or low reaction. The stabilizing body for the heating conductor is preferably dimensioned such that it does not bend during normal operation, particularly when applying the tensioned binding agent. This can prevent material fatigue and / or bending of the heating conductor.

[0030] In the embodiment in which the heating conductor is applied to the tapered end of the stabilizing body, it is particularly preferred that it be surrounded by the inert material in order to reduce or prevent the adhesion of parts of the binder and / or dust or dirt to the heating conductor. Furthermore, this reduces the risk of the heating conductor slipping. In this embodiment, the inert material is preferably formed as a strip material and placed or wound around the heating conductor. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the heating conductor is at least partially or completely coated with the material.

[0031] However, an embodiment is particularly preferred in which the tapered end of the stabilizing body is formed from the inert and / or highly thermally conductive material, and the heating conductor is inserted into the tapered end of the stabilizing body. As a result, the heating conductor is completely surrounded by the inert material, preventing it from changing its position and from bending or even breaking. Furthermore, since the heating conductor is arranged at the tapered end of the stabilizing body, the thickness of the surrounding material and the energy required to cut through the binding agent are minimal.

[0032] In the following, the part of the stabilizing body made of the inert and / or highly heat-conducting material into which the heating conductor is inserted is also referred to as the core.

[0033] A part of the stabilizing body surrounding the core can be made of a different, particularly less expensive, material such as polyethylene. This part of the stabilizing body is also referred to below as the sheath. In this embodiment, the stabilizing body therefore comprises the core with the heating conductor surrounded by the inert and / or highly thermally conductive material, as well as the sheath. This embodiment has the advantage that only a small amount of expensive, inert and / or highly thermally conductive material is required for the core. The stabilizing body can therefore be manufactured cost-effectively overall. In principle, however, the stabilizing body can also be made entirely from the inert and / or highly thermally conductive material.

[0034] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the core is inserted or pushed into the shell. In this embodiment, production of the core using an extrusion process is preferred. Depending on the materials used, the core and shell can also be manufactured as a single piece, for example, using a multi-component injection molding process.

[0035] The heating conductor preferably comprises a connection end and a conductor end, wherein a return conductor is electrically connected to the conductor end, and wherein an electrical connection means is arranged at the connection end, which is provided for connecting the heating conductor to an electrical voltage source and to which the return conductor and the connection end of the heating conductor are electrically connected. The electrical voltage source is preferably a direct voltage source. This embodiment requires a voltage of approximately 9-15V, preferably 12V, during operation. A current of approximately 2-4A, preferably approximately 3A, is then only required to cut through the binding agent. The heating conductor is preferably heated to no more than 150°C, particularly preferably to approximately 120°C. This temperature has been shown to be sufficient for cutting the binding agent.

[0036] In order to protect the return conductor, it is also preferred that a through-hole is provided in the stabilizing body to accommodate the return conductor.

[0037] End caps are preferably attached to the stabilizing body to protect the connection end and the conductor end of the heating conductor. It is further preferred that the electrical connection means be arranged in one of the end caps. In this embodiment, the thermal separator forms a compact, modular component with comparatively small dimensions. It can therefore be easily arranged at different positions on the agricultural machine.

[0038] The agricultural work machine preferably comprises a control unit for controlling the thermal separation unit. It is particularly preferred that the thermal separation unit comprises a sensor for detecting its temperature or the temperature of the heating conductor. In this embodiment, the thermal separation unit can be controlled or regulated depending on the detected temperature.

[0039] It is preferred that the thermal separation unit is heated to a separation temperature which is greater than a base temperature present in a ground state only in a separation state in which a binding agent intended for wrapping a crop bale is severed.

[0040] For this purpose, the thermal separation unit can be switched off in its basic state. In this embodiment, a bimetallic sensor can be used as the sensor, which is connected in series with the heating element in the electrical circuit of the thermal separation unit. The bimetallic sensor then acts like a thermal switch that opens at a predetermined or predeterminable temperature, thus switching off the heating element. When the circuit is switched on, the thermal switch is therefore cyclically opened and closed again. This determines the separation temperature based on the average value of the current flowing during this time.

[0041] In an alternative embodiment, the heating conductor is heated to a base temperature greater than 0°C even in the initial state. This embodiment has the advantage that the heating conductor no longer needs to be heated as much to reach the separation temperature. Switching to the separation state can therefore occur very quickly. In this embodiment, the base temperature is preferably selected so that it does not cause personal injury upon contact.

[0042] Furthermore, the agricultural work machine preferably comprises a thermal fuse that switches off the thermal separation unit when the temperature exceeds a threshold temperature. The thermal fuse can be arranged in the electrical circuit of the thermal separation unit. In this embodiment, it is designed to interrupt the circuit when the threshold temperature is exceeded. However, an embodiment is also preferred in which the thermal fuse is arranged outside the circuit of the thermal separation unit and is designed to detect an ambient temperature of the thermal separation unit. In this embodiment, the circuit of the thermal separation unit can be interrupted by the control unit.

[0043] In one embodiment of the agricultural work machine as a self-propelled agricultural work machine, a user interface can be provided in a driver's cab, which enables adjustment of the thermal separation unit, in particular adjustment of the binding agent used and / or the separation temperature of the heating conductor used to cut through the binding agent.

[0044] The object is further achieved with an agricultural work train comprising a tractor and such an agricultural work machine, wherein the tractor comprises a user interface provided for adjusting the thermal separation unit. In this embodiment of the agricultural work machine as an agricultural work machine pulled by a tractor, the user station is preferably arranged in a driver's cab of the tractor.

[0045] The thermal separation unit comprises an optical or electrical heat source. The heat source acts on an edge or surface of the binding material, causing it to be at least partially or completely severed by the heat. If the binding material is only partially severed by the heat, it is preferably otherwise severed by tearing.

[0046] When the heat source is designed as a heating conductor, it is protected by the stabilizing body. The tapered end forms a defined contact surface for the binder.

[0047] The thermal cutting unit offers high cutting reliability, is low-maintenance, and has a compact, modular design. This method of cutting through the binding agent also eliminates any binding agent residue that could enter the crop or enter the field.

[0048] The object is further achieved by a method for controlling such a thermal separation unit, in which a heat source of the thermal separation unit is not operated in a basic state or is operated only at a basic temperature, and in which the heat source is heated to a separation temperature which is greater than the basic temperature only in a separation state in which a binding agent intended for wrapping a crop bale is severed. Since the heat source is only heated to the separation temperature in the separation state, the energy required to severe the binding agent is low. The separation temperature is preferably no more than 150°C, particularly preferably about 120°C. In order to keep the risk of injury to an operator low, the basic temperature when using an electrical heat source is preferably no more than 70°C, particularly preferably no more than 60°C.

[0049] The heat source is a heating conductor, with at least a portion of the binding agent being applied to the heating conductor or a stabilizing body surrounding the heating conductor in the separated state. It is further preferred that the binding agent be tensioned, at least in the separated state. This allows the binding agent to be severed very quickly. If it is arranged directly on the crop bale in the separated state, not only can multiple layers of binding agent be severed simultaneously, but the binding agent can also be welded at the cut edge.

[0050] The thermal separation unit can be moved towards the binder, or the binder can be moved towards the thermal separation unit.

[0051] The invention is described below with reference to figures. These figures are merely exemplary and do not limit the general concept of the invention.

[0052] It shows Fig. 1 schematically shows a work train with a tractor and an agricultural working machine according to the invention pulled by the tractor; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a thermal separation unit for the agricultural working machine of the Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3in (a) a transparent representation of the separation unit from Fig. 2 , wherein one end cap of the separation unit is pushed onto it and another end cap of the separation unit is removed from it, in (b) the Fig. 3 (a) detached end cap in an enlarged transparent view, and in (c) a section of the separation unit of the Fig. 3 (a) in a non-transparent representation; Fig. 4 in (a) - (d) each schematically shows a sectional view through an embodiment of a thermal separation unit; Fig. 5 in (a) - (d) each schematically shows an arrangement comprising a thermal separation unit and a binder; and Figs. 6 and 7 each show a further embodiment of a thermal separation unit.

[0053] Fig. 1 schematically shows a work train 100 comprising a tractor 9 and an agricultural work machine 8 according to the invention. The agricultural work machine 8 is a baler, here a round baler with a bale wrapper that includes a wrapping unit 85. Alternatively, a bale wrapper with such a wrapping unit 85 can also be attached to the agricultural work machine. In the following, the terms agricultural work machine 8, baler, and round baler are used synonymously. However, the invention is not limited to round balers 8, but is also applicable to bale wrappers or other balers 8, such as square balers.

[0054] The round baler 8 is attached to the towing vehicle 100 by means of a drawbar 86. The round baler 8 is therefore a towed agricultural machine 8. However, the invention is also applicable to self-propelled agricultural machines 8, for example, to self-propelled balers 8.

[0055] The round baler 8 has a receiving device 82, here a pick-up, which includes a receiving rotor designed to collect crop material (not shown), such as hay or straw, from the ground. The terms receiving device 82 and pick-up are therefore used synonymously below.

[0056] The collected crop is pressed and formed into a crop bale 6 in a pressing chamber 84 of the baler 8. To prevent the crop bale 6 from disintegrating, the crop bale 6 is wrapped with a binding material 61, which is provided in a binding unit 83 in the form of an unwindable binding material roll 61. In the following, the terms binding material 61 and binding material roll 61 are used synonymously. Possible binding materials 61 are nets, yarns, tapes, or even films. After the crop bale 60 has been wrapped with binding material 61, the binding material 61 is severed from the binding material roll 61 by a cutting unit 1.

[0057] The separation unit 1 is designed here as a thermal separation unit 1. It therefore has a heat source in the form of a heating conductor. The heat generated by the heating conductor is used to cut through the binding agent 61.

[0058] There are various possibilities regarding the local arrangement of the binding unit 83, and thus the binding agent roll 61, and the separating unit 1. In Fig. 1 Various arrangements of the binding unit 83 and the separating unit 1 are shown schematically.

[0059] In a first variant, the binding unit 83 and the separating unit 1 are arranged in a direction of travel (not designated) of the work train 100 at the front in an area above the pick-up 82. In a second variant, the binding unit 83 and the separating unit 1 are arranged in the wrapping unit 85. In Fig. 1 Two embodiments are schematically illustrated for this variant, wherein the separating unit 1 in the first embodiment is oriented substantially vertically and arranged next to the crop bale 60, and wherein the separating unit 1 in the second embodiment is arranged below the crop bale 60 and oriented substantially horizontally. In a further variant, the separating unit 1 can also be arranged in an area near the baling chamber 84, in particular between the binding unit 83 and the baling chamber 84.

[0060] Depending on its location, the separation unit 1 for separating the binding material 61 can be controlled by a control unit 81 of either the round baler 8, if it is arranged in the round baler 8, or the wrapping unit 85, if it is arranged in the wrapping unit 85, of the agricultural work train 100. To control the separation unit 1, a job computer of the round baler 8 or the wrapping unit 85 is used as the control unit 81. For this purpose, the tractor 9 has a user interface 90, at which various settings relating to the separation of the binding material 61 can be made by an operator (not shown). Data exchange between the control unit 81 used and the user interface 90 can be wireless, for example via radio or WLAN, or wired, for example via an ISOBUS or CAN bus.

[0061] Due to the data exchange thus possible between the round baler 8, the wrapping unit 85 and / or the tractor 9, in principle any other control unit or job computer of the work train 100 can also be used to control the separating unit 1, in particular the control unit of the tractor 9, or if the separating unit 1 is arranged in the wrapping unit 85, that of the round baler 8, or if the separating unit 1 is arranged in the round baler 8, that of the wrapping unit 85.

[0062] The settings relate, for example, to the temperature of the separating unit 1 during the separation of the binding material 61 and / or the time required to sever the binding material 61. Known binding materials 61, such as bands, films, or nets, can have their own individual setting parameters, with which the control unit 91 controls the separating unit 1. Depending on the selected temperature and / or the selected time period, the separating unit 1 enables the welding of a binding material end (not designated) of the binding material 61 wrapping around the crop bale 60 to the latter after the severing.

[0063] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a thermal separation unit 1 for the agricultural working machine 8 of the Fig. 1 . The separating unit 1 is rod-shaped and extends in a longitudinal direction 42 from a front end 101 to a rear end 102. It has a length L in the longitudinal direction 42 which corresponds to a width B (see Fig. 5 ) of a tensioned binding agent 61. In a transverse direction 41 transverse to the longitudinal direction 42, it has a small thickness (not designated). To provide it with sufficient stability, it is also provided that it has a greater extension (not designated) than its thickness in an extension direction 43, which extends transverse to the longitudinal direction 42 and transverse to the transverse direction 41. In the extension direction 43, it extends from a lower end 104 to a working end 103.

[0064] A heating element 3 (see Fig. Fig. 3 (a) ) is integrated, which extends in the longitudinal direction 42 at the working end 103. The heating conductor 3 is embedded in a material that completely surrounds it. The material here is a plastic. It forms a stabilizing body 10 for the heating conductor 3.

[0065] The stabilizing body 10 has a tapered region 15 at its working end 103. At the working end 103, this forms a contact surface 14 for the binding agent 61, extending linearly in the longitudinal direction 42. The contact surface 14 is provided as a contact area for the binding agent 61 in a separation state in which the binding agent 61 intended for wrapping a crop bale 60 is severed. The binding agent 61 then rests against the contact surface 14.

[0066] End caps 21, 22 are attached to the front end 101 and the rear end 102 of the stabilizing body 10. The end caps 21, 22 each have an upper end 203 and a lower end 204. The end caps 21, 22 are provided to protect electrical connections of the thermal separation unit 1. In the following, the end cap 21 arranged at the front end 101 is also referred to as the connection cap, and the end cap 22 arranged at the rear end 102 is also referred to as the end cap.

[0067] Fig. 3 shows in (a) a transparent representation of the separation unit 1 from Fig. 2 , wherein the end cap 22 is pushed onto the rear end 102 of the separation unit 1. The connection cap 21 of the separation unit 1, which can be plugged onto the front end 101, is removed from the latter.

[0068] The connection cap 21 and the end cap 22 differ in their shape. In addition to a first receiving space 210 for inserting the stabilizing body 10 of the separating unit 1, the connection cap 21 also has a second receiving space 211 which is designed to accommodate an electrical

[0069] Connection means 38 (see Fig. 3 (b) ) is provided. The heating conductor 3 can be electrically connected to the electrical connection means 38. It is intended for connecting the heating conductor 3 to an electrical voltage source (not shown), in particular to a direct voltage source. The end cap 22, in contrast, only has the first receiving space 220.

[0070] The transparent representation makes the position of the heating conductor 3 in the stabilizing body 10 visible at the working end 103. The heating conductor 3 extends at the tapered end 15, here directly below the working end 14, of the stabilizing body 10 in the longitudinal direction 42. The heating conductor 3 has an open end 31, 32 at both the front end 101 and the rear end 102 of the stabilizing body 10, which open end extends out of the stabilizing body 10. The open end 31 of the heating conductor 3 extending out at the front end 101 is referred to below as the connection end 31. The open end 32 extending out at the rear end 102 of the stabilizing body 10 is referred to below as the conductor end 32. The connection end 31 and the conductor end 32 are provided for connecting the heating conductor 3 to the electrical connection means 38.

[0071] It is also visible that a first through-bore 12 and a second through-bore 13 extend in the longitudinal direction 42 in the stabilizing body 10, which are spaced apart from each other and from the heating conductor 3 in the extension direction 43. The second through-bore 13 is for passing through a return conductor 33 (see Fig. 3 (c) ) is provided, which is electrically connected to the conductor end 32 of the heating conductor. The return conductor 33 is thus surrounded by the stabilizing body 10 and protected from damage. The first through-hole 12 can be used to attach connecting means (not shown) with which the conductor end 32 can be electrically connected to the return means 33, or the conductor end 32 or the connection end 31 can be electrically connected to the electrical connection means 38.

[0072] In the tapered region 15, a temperature sensor 30 is shown schematically, which measures the temperature of the heating conductor 3 and transmits the measured data to the control unit 91. This allows the temperature of the heating conductor 3 to be controlled or regulated depending on the detected temperature.

[0073] Fig. 3 shows in (b) the Fig. 3 (a) Connection cap 21 detached from the stabilizing body 10 in an enlarged, transparent view. The first receiving space 210 is accessible from the outside through a first insertion opening 212 provided on a rear side 201 of the connection cap 21. The second receiving space 211 is accessible from the outside through a second insertion opening 213 provided at the lower end 204 of the connection cap 21. A recess 224, which extends from the first receiving space 210 to the second receiving space 211, enables the connection of the connection end 31 and the return conductor 33 to the electrical connection means 38 inserted into the second receiving space 221. The insertion of the electrical connection means 38 in the extension direction 43 into the second receiving space 211 is in Fig. 3 (b) shown schematically. For this purpose, two terminals (not labeled) are arranged on the electrical connection means 38, which can be electrically connected to the connection end 31 of the heating conductor 3 and the return conductor 33.

[0074] Fig. 3 shows in (c) a section of the separation unit 1 of the Fig. 3 (a) in a non-transparent representation. The return conductor 33 is inserted into the second through-hole 13 of the separation unit 1. The connection end 31 of the heating conductor 3 is also visible.

[0075] Fig. 4 (a) - (d) each schematically shows a sectional view through an embodiment of a thermal separation unit 1. In all embodiments, the thermal separation unit 1 comprises the stabilizing body 10 and the heating conductor 3. The stabilizing body 10 is formed entirely from the highly thermally conductive and / or inert material. This is represented here by the reference numeral 50.

[0076] However, in Fig. 4 (a) A dashed line also schematically indicates an embodiment of the stabilizing body 10, in which the latter comprises a core 111 made of the reactive and / or highly thermally conductive material 50 and a jacket 112 made of a less expensive material 53. This embodiment can be produced more cost-effectively than an embodiment of the stabilizing body 10 in which the latter is formed entirely of the reactive and / or highly thermally conductive material 50. Such a design is also possible for the other Fig. 4 shown embodiments are possible.

[0077] All versions of the Fig. 4 What they have in common is that the stabilizing body 10 has the tapered region 15 at its working end 103. However, the embodiments differ in the arrangement of the heating conductor 3.

[0078] In Fig. 4 (a) The heating conductor 3 is inserted into the stabilizing body 10. For this purpose, a through-bore 17 is provided in the tapered region 15, in particular here directly below the working end 103, through which the heating conductor 3 extends.

[0079] In Fig. 4 (b) The stabilizing body 10 has a notch 18 at the working end, which extends from the front end 101 to the rear end 102 of the stabilizing body 10. The heating conductor 3 is inserted into the notch 18. As a result, it is applied to the stabilizing body 10. The notch 18 secures its position. In addition, the heating conductor 3 is covered here by a material coating 51, which is made of an inert and / or highly thermally conductive material 51. The material coating 51 can be made of the same material 50 as the stabilizing body 10. A part of the tapered region 15 and the heating conductor 3 are coated here with this material 51. Instead of a coating, the part of the tapered region 15 and the heating conductor 3 can also be covered by a material strip 52 (see Fig. 4 (c) ) be covered with such a material.

[0080] In Fig. 4 (c) Such a material band 52 is used to wrap the heating conductor 3. Here, too, the heating conductor 3 is arranged at the working end 103 of the stabilizing body 10 and extends over its entire length L. To secure the heating conductor 3 in its position, the ends (not labeled) of the material band 52 are inserted into a receiving slot 19 which extends in the longitudinal direction 42 over the entire length L of the stabilizing body 10.

[0081] In the design of the Fig. 4 (d) The heating conductor 3 is analogous to the Fig. 4 (a) inserted into the stabilizing body 10. It therefore also extends from the front end 101 of the stabilizing body 10 to its rear end 102. The two embodiments differ in that in the Fig. 4 (d) In the embodiment shown, the heating conductor 3 is incorporated into the stabilizing body 10 during its manufacture. This is possible, for example, during production using an extrusion process or an injection molding process.

[0082] Compared to the embodiment of the thermal separation unit 1 of Fig. 4 (a) has the embodiment of the Fig. 4 (d) the advantage that there is no air layer (not shown) between the stabilizing body 10 and the heating conductor 3, by which the heat conduction is reduced.

[0083] Fig. 5 shows in (a) - (d) each schematically an arrangement of an embodiment of a thermal separation unit 1 on a binder 61. Since the binder 61 is merely unwound from the binder roll 61, the same reference numeral is used here for the unwound binder 61 and the binder roll 61. For the purpose of explanation, the binder 61 unwound from the binder roll 61 is shown here such that it extends flatly along a plane E. It is wound onto a crop bale 60 at an open end (not shown). For this purpose, the binder 61 is tensioned. This is schematically visible here in that a width B of the unwound binder 61 is smaller than a height H of the binder roll 61.

[0084] The thermal separation unit 1 of the Fig. 5 (a) over an entire width B of the unwound binder 61. As a result, the binder 61 can be severed in one work step by means of the thermal separation unit 1 along its entire width B, in particular in a straight line.

[0085] To sever the binding agent 61, the thermal separation unit 1 is briefly switched from a basic state to a separation state in which the temperature of the heating conductor 3 is higher than in the basic state. For this purpose, the thermal separation unit 1 is placed against the binding agent 61 with its contact surface 14 at the working end 103 of the stabilizing body 10. For this purpose, it is moved toward the binding agent 61, or the binding agent 61 can be moved toward the thermal separation unit 1 until the contact surface 14 and the binding agent 61 are in contact with one another. In this embodiment, the thermal separation unit 1 therefore acts on the surface of the binding agent roller 61 extending along the plane E.

[0086] Due to the heat effect, the binding agent 61 is melted along the contact surface 14. This separates the binding agent roll 61 from the crop bale 60.

[0087] Compared to the design of the Fig. 5 (a) is used in the design of the Fig. 5 (b) only a part of the binding agent 61 is severed by the action of heat. The thermal separation unit 1 comprises two sub-units (not designated), one of which is arranged at an upper edge 611 of the binding agent 61 and the other at a lower edge 612 of the binding agent 61. In this embodiment, the sub-units are aligned such that they are analogous to the embodiment of the Fig. 5 (a) in the separation state, act flatly on the plane E spanned by the binding means 61. The binding means 61 is thereby severed in the separation state at its upper edge 611 and at its lower edge 612. Due to the tension in the binding means 61, which exists between the binding roller 61 and the crop bale 60, the binding means 61 is torn through in between and thus also severed there.

[0088] The design of the Fig. 5 (c) differs in the design of the Fig. 5 (b) in that the sub-units of the thermal separation unit 1 of the Fig. 5 (c) by a right angle to the sub-units of the thermal separation unit 1 of the Fig. 5 (b) are rotated. They are therefore also arranged at the upper edge 611 and the lower edge 612 of the binder 61. However, the heat generated by their heating conductors acts directly on the edges 611, 612 of the binder 61 in the separated state. In this case, the binder 61 is also only severed at the edges 611, 612. The remaining part (not labeled) of the binder 61 is also torn through in this embodiment.

[0089] Fig. 5 shows in (d) schematically an arrangement of the embodiment of the thermal separation unit 1 of the Fig. 5 (a) on the crop bale 60. This arrangement allows multiple layers of binding material 61 to be severed directly on the crop bale 60. In addition, the cut edge (not shown) of the binding material 61 arranged on the crop bale 60 can thereby be directly welded to a lower layer (not shown) of the binding material 61, so that the binding material 61 can no longer detach from the crop bale 60.

[0090] Fig. 6 and 7 each show a further embodiment of a separation unit 1 according to the invention. Fig. 6 and 7 in (a) the separation unit 1 in a perspective view, the Fig. 6 and 7 in (b) a narrow side (not labelled) of the separating unit 1 in a side view, and the Fig. 6 and 7 in (c) each section A from (a).

[0091] The embodiments of the Fig. 6 and 7 differ in that the heating conductor 3 of the embodiment of the Fig. 6 as a wire, and the heating conductor 3 of the embodiment of the Fig. 7 are formed as a band.

[0092] Compared to the design of the Fig. 2 and 3 The thermal separation units 1 of the Fig. 6 and 7Each has a stabilizing body 10 with a core 111 made of the reactive and / or highly thermally conductive material 50 and a sheath 112 made of a more cost-effective material 53. The core 111 is preferably made of silicone. However, it can also be made of another reactive and / or highly thermally conductive material 50, such as polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0093] The core formed from the inert and / or highly thermally conductive material 50 has a tapered end 15. The heating conductor 3 is inserted into the core at the tapered end 15. It extends below the working end in the longitudinal direction 42 of the separation unit 1.

[0094] The band-shaped heating conductor of the embodiment of the Fig. 7 here against the direction of extension 43 into the jacket 112. However, it can also be fully integrated into the core 111.

[0095] The core 111 and the sheath 112 are connected to each other by a tongue and groove connection. The tongue and groove connection is dovetail-shaped. Therefore, the core and the sheath can be inserted into each other after their manufacture. However, the core 111 and the sheath 112 can also be manufactured as a single piece using a multi-component injection molding process. In this case, the heating conductor 3 can be integrated into the core 111, or as in the case of the Fig. 7 , in core and cladding.

[0096] In both versions of the Fig. 6 and 7 However, the heating conductor 3 can also be inserted into the stabilizing body 10 after it has been produced, in particular pushed or pulled in.

[0097] The embodiments of the Fig. 6 and 7have the advantage that only a small part of the separation unit 1 is made of the reactive and / or highly thermally conductive material 50, and the separation unit 1 can therefore be produced cost-effectively overall.

Claims

1. Thermal separation unit (1) for an agricultural working machine in the form of a baling press or a bale wrapper, which thermal separation unit is provided for cutting through a binding means (61) and comprises a heat source for cutting through the binding means (61), characterized in that the thermal separation unit (1) comprises a stabilizing body (10) which has a tapering region (15) at a working end (103) and forms a contact surface (14) for the binding means (61) at the working end (103), which contact surface extends linearly in a longitudinal direction (42), a heating conductor (3) being integrated into the separation unit (1) as a heat source, the heating conductor (3) extending in the longitudinal direction (42) at the working end (103) and being inserted into the stabilizing body (10) or being attached to the stabilizing body (10).

2. Agricultural working machine (8) in the form of a baling press or a bale wrapper, comprising a binding unit (83) for supplying a binding means (61) which is provided for wrapping a crop bale (60), and comprising a thermal separation unit (1) according to claim 1.

3. Agricultural working machine (8) according to claim 2, characterized in that the thermal separation unit (1) is arranged in the binding unit (83), between the binding unit (83) and a pressing chamber (84), and / or in a wrapping unit (85).

4. Agricultural working machine (8) according to either of claims 2 - 3, characterized in that the heating conductor (3) is at least partially surrounded by polytetrafluoroethylene (50, 51, 52).

5. Agricultural working machine (8) according to any of claims 2 - 4, characterized in that the stabilizing body (10) is at least partially formed from polytetrafluoroethylene (50, 51, 52).

6. Agricultural working machine (8) according to any of claims 2 - 5, characterized in that the tapering end (15) of the stabilizing body (10) is formed from polytetrafluoroethylene (50), and the heating conductor (3) is inserted into the stabilizing body (10) at the tapering end (15) thereof.

7. Agricultural working machine according to any of claims 2 - 6, characterized in that the thermal separation unit (1) comprises a sensor (30) for detecting the temperature of the thermal separation unit or the temperature of the heating conductor (3).

8. Agricultural working machine according to any of claims 2 - 7, characterized in that it comprises a control unit (81) for controlling the thermal separation unit (1), in particular depending on the detected temperature.

9. Agricultural working machine according to either of claims 7 - 8, characterized in that the sensor (30) is a bimetal sensor and is arranged in an electrical circuit of the thermal separation unit (1).

10. Agricultural working machine according to any of claims 7 - 9, characterized in that it comprises a thermal fuse which switches off the thermal separation unit (1) when the temperature exceeds a limit temperature.

11. Agricultural work train (100) comprising a tractor (9) and an agricultural work machine (8) according to any of claims 2 - 10 which is attached to the tractor, wherein the tractor (9) comprises a user interface (90) which is provided for adjusting the thermal separation unit (1).

12. Method for controlling a thermal separation unit (1) according to claim 1, in which a heat source of the thermal separation unit (1) is not operated in a basic state or is only operated at a basic temperature, and in which the heat source is only heated to a separation temperature, which is greater than the basic temperature, in a separation state, in which a binding means (61) provided for wrapping a crop bale (60) is cut through.