DEVICE FOR SEPARATION AND CONVEYING ROOT CROPS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for conveying root crops, comprising a carrying device which rotates in a circumferential direction during operation. The carrying device forms at least one receiving area and is designed to carry the root crops. The device also comprises at least one transverse cutting device which extends at least partially in a transverse direction. This delimits the receiving area in the circumferential direction. From the outside, the receiving area borders on an interior space which extends within an interior shell surface. The interior shell surface extends parallel to the transverse direction and, in a side view, runs exclusively in the circumferential direction. At least one protruding part of the transverse cutting device is arranged outside the interior space in the side view.

[0002] During operation, root crops rest on the support device and circulate with the device in sections. The transverse cutting device forms a barrier for the at least one root crop arranged in the receiving area and prevents or impedes the root crop from escaping from the receiving area during operation. In the transverse direction, the receiving area generally extends at least substantially across the full width of the device. Movement of the at least one root crop is possible within the receiving area.

[0003] A disadvantage of known devices of this type is that, during operation, a large number of root crops in the same receiving area, which, for effective use of the device, is present cyclically in the receiving area, leads to the root crops being arranged in multiple layers on the support device. In particular, due to the inclinations of the device that typically occur during operation, the root crops in the receiving area are concentrated in one part of the receiving area and lie on top of one another, while another part of the receiving area is free of root crops. This phenomenon complicates the screening or inspection of the root crops and the detection of foreign objects that need to be sorted out.

[0004] US 3 679 050 A discloses a device having the features mentioned in the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a generic device which simplifies the inspection and control of root crops conveyed thereby.

[0006] The object is achieved by a device according to claim 1.

[0007] This design of the device creates more, each narrower, receiving areas in the transverse direction for the same width of the device, which can each receive a smaller number of root crops while maintaining the same conveying capacity. In particular, when the device is inclined at an angle or when the device is tilted about a tilt axis that is at least partially parallel to the conveying direction, the possibility of root crops accumulating on the support device is reduced by shifting them in the transverse direction. In contrast to an increase in the number of transverse cutting devices, which could potentially reduce the displacement of crop material in the direction of circulation, it is also ensured that root crops located on one side of the device or the longitudinal cutting device remain on this side during circulation and that inspection personnel positioned on the corresponding side have access to these root crops orany foreign bodies in it.

[0008] The device is designed to be circumferential, i.e. closed in the direction of rotation, wherein two respective end regions connected to one another in the direction of rotation can be detached from one another by complementary connecting elements, in particular for disassembly. The device is designed in particular as a belt or conveyor belt that is flexible about a bending axis parallel to the transverse direction. During normal operation, at least some of the transported root crops have direct contact with the carrying device. During operation, the carrying device preferably extends below the root crops. The transverse direction is a direction perpendicular to the direction of rotation, in which the width of the device is measured. The interior surface is an imaginary surface and extends in the transverse direction, in particular over the predominant or full width of the device. In the side view, which is oriented in the transverse direction, the interior surface is linear.When the device is under tension, i.e., when viewed from the side, it runs in a straight line in sections, for example, between two pulleys, the interior surface is flat in that section. The receiving areas, in which root crops are located during operation, border the interior in that they touch the interior surface but do not intersect it. In particular, the receiving areas touch the interior surface at points, lines, or across the entire area.

[0009] Viewed in the circumferential direction and / or in the transverse direction, the device preferably has at least three, particularly preferably at least five, and especially at least ten receiving areas adjacent to one another. These adjoin one another in the transverse direction and in the circumferential direction, respectively.

[0010] Preferably, at least one of the receiving areas is at least partially, in particular completely, tub-shaped or trough-shaped. This shape is in particular not continuous, i.e., closed, but rather formed by support points arranged along this shape and formed by the support device. The receiving area is open to the outside, starting from the interior. This design of the receiving area counteracts any movement of root crops located therein, in particular any rolling within the receiving area.

[0011] The longitudinal cutting device is particularly elongated. The longitudinal cutting device preferably extends at an angle to the transverse direction, particularly in the direction of rotation. The device preferably has a plurality of, in particular at least five, preferably at least ten, particularly preferably at least fifteen longitudinal cutting devices, which are locally spaced from one another in the transverse direction. In particular, the longitudinal cutting devices run in the direction of rotation. Due to this number of longitudinal cutting devices and the correspondingly high number of resulting receiving areas, the latter, with a conventional width of the device, have a width on which only one, or at most a few, root crops can be arranged next to one another in the direction of rotation. The width of the device is in particular 0.3 m to 3 m, preferably 0.5 m to 2.5 m, preferably 0.9 m or 2.4 m.

[0012] Preferably, the local spacing between two longitudinal separating devices in the transverse direction is between 20 mm and 150 mm, particularly preferably between 30 mm and 80 mm, and optimally between 40 mm and 60 mm. The width of the intermediate receiving area corresponding to these dimensions in turn optimally prevents the picking up of root crops lying next to each other within the receiving area, as viewed in the direction of rotation.

[0013] The transverse cutting device is in particular elongated. Preferably, the transverse cutting device extends elongated in the transverse direction, i.e. transversely to the direction of rotation. Alternatively, the transverse cutting device preferably extends both at an angle to the transverse direction and at an angle to the direction of rotation, wherein the direction of extension of the transverse cutting device encloses an angle with the transverse direction which is in particular less than 60°, preferably 45°. Preferably, the distance between two transverse cutting devices in the direction of rotation or orthogonal to the direction of their elongated extension is between 40 mm and 250 mm, particularly preferably between 70 mm and 130 mm, optimally between 90 mm and 110 mm. From the corresponding one in the direction of rotation orThe length of the receiving area defined by the two transverse cutting devices, measured transversely to the direction of extension, ensures that the receiving of root crops arranged next to one another in the transverse direction within the same receiving area is avoided as much as possible. Preferably, each receiving area is designed to receive exactly one normal-sized root crop, which, during operation, is oriented with its longitudinal axis as parallel as possible to the direction of extension of the longitudinal cutting device, or alternatively, to the direction of extension of the transverse cutting device.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, both the direction of extension of the transverse cutting device and the direction of extension of the longitudinal cutting device are oriented at an angle, one to the transverse direction and the other to the circumferential direction. In particular, the directions of extension are each angled by the same angle, but with different signs relative to the circumferential direction. Preferably, both directions of extension are oriented at an angle of 30° to 60°, in particular 45°, relative to the circumferential direction. In a plan view, the transverse cutting device and the longitudinal cutting device form, in particular, a checkered pattern.This design of the separating devices allows for automatic centering of the root crops arranged in the receiving areas during operation as the device slopes upwards. Gravity forces the root crops to roll toward the lowest node of the separating devices surrounding the respective receiving area. This allows for maximum spacing between the root crops and optimal visibility of any defects.

[0015] The transverse cutting device and / or the longitudinal cutting device extend in the specified directions insofar as they preferably run straight in these directions in a plan view. The specified directions thus represent the main direction of extension of the respective cutting device, without the latter having to be continuous in the main direction of extension. At least a partial extension, for example, in the transverse direction, means that the direction of extension and the transverse direction enclose an angle of less than 90°.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one longitudinal cutting device is designed such that it rotates with the support device during operation. In particular, the longitudinal cutting device is connected to the support device in a force-locking or form-locking manner and rotates at the same rotational frequency as the support device during operation. For this purpose, the longitudinal cutting device is, in particular, detachably connected to the support device, preferably by screw, locking, or clamping elements. The longitudinal cutting device is preferably guided by shackle or eyelets and is thus supported on the support device.

[0017] Preferably, the longitudinal cutting device is formed integrally with the support device. In particular, the side of the receiving area adjacent to the interior surface is formed by a thinner section of a conveyor belt, whereas the longitudinal cutting device is formed by an adjacent, thicker section of the same belt, extending further outward from the interior surface. This optimally prevents a relative movement between the support device and the longitudinal cutting device, which would cause movement of root crops located in the receiving area formed thereby.

[0018] Preferably, the support device and the longitudinal separation device are at least partly formed by at least one profiled sieve bar. The sieve bar has a cross-section that is at least substantially constant along its center line and is in particular rotationally symmetrical about the center line. The center line has a non-straight course. In particular, the center line runs in a plane and / or has a shape that repeats over the length of the sieve bar and is preferably wave-shaped. The at least one receiving area is preferably partly formed by a plurality of such sieve bars; in particular, the longitudinal separation device is formed exclusively by the at least one sieve bar. This design allows the invention to be implemented using a particularly small number of components, which has long been reliably used in the field of root crop harvesting technology.

[0019] According to the invention, the at least one transverse separating device and / or the at least one longitudinal separating device is / are at least co-constructed, in particular formed, by a plurality of separating elements lined up along their (main) direction of extent and extending outwards in side view. These separating elements are in particular not directly connected to one another. Preferably, a distance between adjacent separating elements is greater than an extension of the separating elements in the transverse direction or in the direction angled to the transverse direction. Particularly preferably, the separating elements extend from a separating element root, with which they are arranged on another component, in a direction orthogonal to the interior shell surface up to an upper, in particular blunt, end region.In particular, the separating elements are at least predominantly rotationally symmetrical about an axis of symmetry parallel to this orthogonal direction and / or are finger-shaped. In particular, the separating elements are made of a plastic or rubber, in particular cast therefrom around a metal, and / or are elastically deformable. The separating elements of the transverse separating device and the separating elements of the longitudinal separating device are, in particular, uniformly designed. The formation of the separating device(s) with these separating elements ensures gentle treatment of the root crops and the independence of the boundaries of the different receiving areas.

[0020] Preferably, adjacent separating elements are spaced apart from one another by a maximum of 40 mm, particularly preferably a maximum of 30 mm, and optimally by a maximum of 20 mm. Preferably, adjacent separating elements are additionally or alternatively spaced apart by at least 5 mm, particularly preferably at least 10 mm, and optimally at least 15 mm. These spacings create an optimal compromise between gentle treatment of the root crops and the best possible separation of the receiving areas from one another. The transverse separating device preferably has a transverse separating element extending in its (main) extension direction and / or in the transverse direction, which extends elongated in the transverse direction at least in sections outside the interior space and / or on which the separating elements are arranged. The transverse separating element is in particular a preferably offset sieve bar, on which in particular the separating elements are arranged with their separating element root.The transverse separating element is particularly rigid, preferably made of spring steel. In particular, at least a majority of the separating elements are formed integrally with a screen bar cover or a screen bar attachment, which is pushed or placed onto the transverse separating element. The transverse separating element directly achieves a separating effect in the circumferential direction, particularly with an upwardly directed device profile, and / or reliably supports the separating elements.

[0021] The separating elements preferably extend by at least 15 mm, preferably by at least 20 mm, particularly preferably by at least 25 mm in a direction perpendicular to the interior surface, and in particular from the interior surface. These dimensions correspond to the height of the separating elements from their separating element root to their end region facing away from the interior. In particular, a free space of the same height is left between two adjacent separating elements. In particular, when the device is designed for conveying beets, the height is up to 150 mm.These dimensions of the separating elements reliably ensure that root crops lying directly on the support device are separated and, at the same time, prevent any obstruction to the desired distribution of the root crops when they are placed on the device into the different receiving areas, in particular preventing root crops lying in a second layer on the support device from crossing over the separating elements.

[0022] Preferably, the longitudinal separation device is at least partly formed, in particular exclusively formed, by a longitudinal separation element that delimits a plurality of adjacent receiving areas in the direction of rotation. The longitudinal separation element has a greater extent in the direction of rotation than a receiving area delimited therefrom. In particular, the longitudinal separation element is designed to encircle the entire support device and / or is fastened thereto or formed integrally therewith. Preferably, the longitudinal separation element is a belt, which in particular has a round cross-section with a preferred diameter of 12 mm. This design makes the longitudinal separation device particularly robust during operation and gentle on the crop.

[0023] The receiving area is preferably formed by at least one shaped element extending outwards from the interior surface. The shaped element extends at right angles to the interior surface less far than the transverse cutting device and / or the longitudinal cutting device or their cutting elements. The shaped element preferably extends outwards from the interior surface by 5 mm to 20 mm, particularly preferably by 10 mm to 15 mm. The shaped element is in particular cup-shaped. Alternatively, the at least one shaped element is finger-shaped and preferably, apart from its extension or length, is designed in the same way as the cutting elements and forms a support point for a root crop arranged in the receiving area. The at least one shaped element creates a shape for the receiving area that prevents a root crop received therein from rolling.For example, the forming and separating elements are designed in the style of the protruding profile elements commonly found in hedgehog belts.

[0024] The shaping element is preferably arranged off-center, viewed in the direction of rotation, between two longitudinal separating devices adjacent in the transverse direction. In particular, no shaping element is arranged centrally between the longitudinal separating devices, so that a root crop arranged in the receiving area can rest directly on the support device in this zone. Preferably, at least one shaping element is arranged both adjacent to one of the two longitudinal separating devices and adjacent to the other of the two longitudinal separating devices in order to form a trough- or tub-shaped cross-section of the receiving area, viewed in the direction of rotation. In particular, a plurality of shaping elements offset in the direction of rotation are arranged adjacent to the longitudinal separating devices.Preferably, viewed in the direction of rotation, several shaped elements, particularly arranged on the same support element, are arranged between a longitudinal cutting device and the center of the receiving area defined thereby. These shaped elements preferably have a length that decreases with their distance from the nearest longitudinal cutting device in order to form the cross-section for protecting the root crop through a larger number of support points.

[0025] In a further development of a device according to the invention, the support device advantageously has recesses that extend transversely to the interior surface. According to the invention, the device is a sieve belt. This allows impurities to be effectively separated from the root crops during conveyance through the device.

[0026] Preferably, the support device is at least partly formed from a plurality of support elements, in particular rigid ones, which are movable relative to one another.

[0027] According to the invention, the carrying device has a plurality of transversely extending elongated sieve bars which are arranged adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction and parallel to one another. The ends of these sieve bars are arranged according to the invention on lateral endless supports such as plastic or rubber belts which are designed to run over deflection rollers and can be driven during operation. With this construction and a design of the longitudinal separating device using separating elements, at least one, in particular exactly one, separating element is arranged on each sieve bar. Any shaped elements are preferably also arranged directly on the sieve bars. An outward-facing upper side of the sieve bars forms in particular the receiving area. The sieve bars are preferably arranged within the interior space and border on the interior surface.

[0028] Preferably, two support elements, in particular screen bars, each form a one-piece support element unit. The support elements are made, in particular, of glass-fiber-reinforced plastic. Alternatively, the support elements are designed as grating segments that can be moved relative to one another, or the support device is designed as a hedgehog strip, with the end region of the shortest hedgehog or profile element preferably lying in the interior surface or touching it.

[0029] The support element is fastened to at least two endless supports, in particular by means of at least one, preferably two, fastening means such as a rivet or a screw. The endless supports extend in particular parallel to one another and / or are elastic and, at least over a predominant part of their circumference, are at least substantially integral and, in particular, homogeneous. The transverse cutting device (14) and / or the longitudinal cutting device (16) extend / extend at least partially in the region of at least one of the endless supports (4) in such a way that an imaginary auxiliary straight line perpendicular to the interior surface (10) intersects both the endless support (4) and the transverse cutting device (14) or the longitudinal cutting device (16). The auxiliary straight line is perpendicular to both the circumferential direction and the transverse direction. The transverse cutting device and / or the longitudinal cutting device therefore extend in particular (up to) at least one of the endless supports.At least some of the receiving areas preferably extend at least partially above the endless carrier, so that the endless carrier is arranged between some of the receiving areas and the interior. This makes the usable area of ​​the device for conveying particularly large.

[0030] The auxiliary straight line preferably intersects both the endless support and at least one separating element. More preferably, the auxiliary straight line additionally intersects at least one support element and / or a transverse separating element. The separating element is arranged in particular on the support element or the transverse separating element. The separating element is preferably arranged on the support element or the transverse separating element in such a way that the separating element is formed from a plastic with which the support element or the transverse separating element is in particular completely cast. A further straight line parallel to the auxiliary straight line preferably intersects the endless support and at least one of the shaped elements or an adjacent receiving area. The receiving areas can therefore be formed above the endless supports as well as between them.

[0031] The object described at the outset is further achieved by a separating device comprising a device as described above or below, a device frame and at least two deflection elements rotatably arranged on the device frame. In particular, the separating device comprises a drive; preferably, one of the deflection elements is designed as a drive element for transmitting a torque. The deflection elements are configured to guide the device in such a way that at least one conveying section of the device has an incline, at least in sections. The device therefore runs at least partially upwards in the conveying section. Alternatively, the conveying section has a decline, at least in sections, as a result of which the device runs at least partially downwards in the conveying section. In particular, the deflection elements are deflection rollers which are rotatably mounted on the device frame. As a result of the incline orThe gradient facilitates the intended arrangement of as few root crops as possible per receiving area, since root crops located in a second layer in a receiving area roll or slide into an adjacent, particularly subsequent, receiving area due to gravity. As an alternative to the previously described design of the conveyor section, at least one conveyor strand of the device has an at least substantially horizontal course for special applications of the singulation device.

[0032] Preferably, a first conveyor section of the device has a greater incline or a greater decline than a second conveyor section following in the direction of rotation. In particular, during operation, the device runs over a deflection element between the two conveyor sections. The second conveyor section runs in particular at least substantially horizontally. After the advantage of an ascending course of the device has been explained, the advantage of the subsequent, less steep or horizontal course is that the relative movement of root crops located in the receiving areas to the device is reduced. The less the root crops move on the device, the easier they are to control. The conveyor section or sections do not rotate with the device, but are stationary sections relative to the device frame, within which the device performs a corresponding function, e.g.a calming of the movement of the root crops is perceived.

[0033] The singling device preferably has at least one sliding element which does not rotate during operation and is arranged beneath at least part of the conveyor section or one of the conveyor sections. The sliding element is arranged, in particular, beneath the second conveyor section. The sliding element is preferably a sliding rail over which the device slides during operation, in particular between two deflection elements, thus preventing the device from sagging. The singling device preferably has a plurality of sliding elements spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction. The at least one sliding element prevents or at least reduces the introduction of impulses to the root crops which could trigger their movement.

[0034] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the singling device has at least one impact element which is movable, in particular rotating, during operation. The impact element is designed to generate impacts on at least part of the conveyor section or one of the conveyor sections. In particular, the impact element is arranged below the first conveyor section which rises during operation. During operation, the impact element generates force pulses on the device which are preferably not directed in the direction of rotation. As a result, the device is shaken, in particular in the first conveyor section, whereby a uniform distribution of the root crops to the receiving areas is created. In detail, the impact element is preferably designed as an element which rotates during operation and has an eccentric outer contour. Alternatively, and in particular in the case of a profiled underside of the device orof an endless carrier running over the impact element during operation, the impact element is designed as a rotating and at least substantially rotationally symmetrical element, i.e. preferably as a roller. During operation, the function of the at least one impact element is in particular automated. Preferably, during operation, at least one operating parameter of the impact element, in particular its rotational speed or its radius, depends on a user setting and / or on data relating to the material being conveyed, in particular a foreign body content in the material being conveyed, or the root crops, preferably originally recorded by at least one optical sensor on the device or on one of the machines described below.

[0035] Above the conveyor section or one of the conveyor sections, in particular the first conveyor section, there is in particular a stripping element which is spaced at a maximum of 20 cm, preferably at a maximum of 15 cm, from the interior shell surface and whose peripheral surface, in a side view, particularly borders the shaping elements during operation. Particularly preferably, the stripping element is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation oriented in particular parallel to the transverse direction. The stripping element is preferably an elastically deformable roller, in particular made of foam. Alternatively, the stripping element is designed as a retaining rubber or brush. The stripping element serves to hold root crops lying in a second layer on the support element or rolling back in or against the direction of rotation and to relocate them to subsequent, free receiving areas.

[0036] Furthermore, the object is achieved by a mobile root crop harvesting machine with a singling device as described above. The object is also achieved by a mobile or stationary transport or cleaning machine with a singling device as described above. Above the first conveyor section, in particular, a feed device for applying root crops to the device is arranged. Furthermore, the singling device, with a conveyor device following the device in the direction of crop flow, preferably forms a drop stage, on which a separating device is preferably arranged. The separating device comprises in particular a plurality of deflection elements arranged offset in the transverse direction, which at least corresponds to the number of receiving areas arranged one after the other in the transverse direction.The deflection elements are movable from a deflection position, in which they deflect a root crop discharged from an assigned receiving area so that it does not reach the following conveyor, to a starting position in which they are arranged outside the crop flow, and back again. In particular, the deflection elements are controlled depending on the information from at least one sensor arranged above the (second) conveyor section, in particular a camera, which optically detects root crops or foreign bodies to be deflected.

[0037] Further details and advantages of the invention can be found in the schematically illustrated embodiments described below; they show: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a section of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of a section of the first embodiment, Fig. 3 is a perspective detailed view of the first embodiment, Fig. 4a is a support element of the first embodiment viewed in the direction of rotation, Fig. 4b is a plan view of the support element of the first embodiment, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a section of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, Fig. 6 is a plan view of a section of the second embodiment, Fig. 7 is a perspective detailed view of the second embodiment, Fig. 8 is a section of the second embodiment viewed in the direction of rotation, Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a section of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention, Fig. 10 is a plan view of a section of the third embodiment, Fig.11 a perspective detailed view of the third embodiment, Fig. 12a a support element of the third embodiment viewed in the direction of rotation, Fig. 12b the support element of the third embodiment in a plan view, Fig. 13a a transverse cutting device of one of the first or third embodiment viewed in the direction of rotation, Fig. 13b the transverse cutting device according to. Fig. 13a in a plan view, Fig. 14 a schematic representation of a singling device according to the invention in a side view, Fig. 15 a perspective representation of a root crop harvesting machine according to the invention, Fig. 16 a perspective representation of a section of a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention, Fig. 17 a plan view of a section of the fourth embodiment, Fig. 18 a perspective detailed representation of the fourth embodiment, Fig. 19a a support element of the fourth embodiment viewed in the direction of rotation, Fig. 19b the support element of the fourth embodiment in a plan view.

[0038] The features of the exemplary embodiments according to the invention explained below can also be the subject of the invention individually or in combinations other than those shown or described, but always at least in combination with the features of claim 1. Where appropriate, parts with the same functional effect are provided with identical reference numerals.

[0039] The illustrated embodiments of the device 2 according to the invention are multi-part belts for conveying root crops. Fig. 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 9 and 10each show only a section of the respective embodiment, which is shown extending essentially flat. The end shown can be coupled to the opposite end (not shown) to form a closed, circulating belt. The embodiments comprise a support device 7 which rotates in a direction of rotation 8 during operation. This comprises a plurality of support elements 6 designed as sieve bars (cf. Fig. 4a, 4b , 8 , 12a und 12b ). The carrying device 7 forms a plurality of receiving areas 18, which are arranged offset from one another in the circumferential direction 8 and / or in a transverse direction 12. The carrying device 7 is designed to carry root crops.

[0040] The device 2 comprises a plurality of transverse separating devices 14 extending in the transverse direction 12, which delimit adjacent receiving areas 18 from one another in the direction of rotation 8. The transverse separating devices 14 serve to prevent a root crop resting on the support device 7 within the receiving area 18 from escaping from the receiving area 18.

[0041] The receiving areas 18 border on the outside on an interior space 11, which extends within an imaginary interior surface 10. The interior surface 10 extends parallel to the transverse direction 12 (cf. Fig. 4a , 8 and 12a) and runs in a side view exclusively in the direction of rotation 8. In particular, the lowest part of the receiving areas 18, which is formed by the support device 7, touches the interior surface 10 or the interior 11. The interior surface sections corresponding to the device sections shown are flat. The interior 11 of the Fig. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4b , 5 , 6 , 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 and 12b partially shown devices 2 extends in the respective perspectives mainly behind the shown support elements 6. In the plan views according to Fig. 2 , 6 , 10 the receiving areas 18 are essentially rectangular (see also Fig. 3 , 7 , 11 ).

[0042] At least one protruding part of the transverse cutting device 14 is arranged outside the interior 11 in the side view, ie, when conveying root crops, above the interior surface 10. In the first and third embodiments, this concerns the cutting elements 13 (cf. Fig. 13a und 13b ), in the second embodiment additionally a part of the transverse separation element 24 designed as a cross strut (cf. Fig. 8 ).

[0043] Three (first and third embodiments) or four (second embodiments) support elements 6 designed as sieve bars are arranged between two adjacent transverse cutting devices 14 in the direction of rotation 8. In the second embodiment, two successive support elements 6 in the direction of rotation 8 are formed in one piece. The support elements 6, like the transverse cutting elements 24, are laterally attached to two endless supports 4 of the device 2.

[0044] The illustrated embodiments of the device 2 comprise a plurality of longitudinal separating devices 16 extending in the direction of rotation 8, perpendicular to the transverse direction 12. These are arranged outside the interior space 11. The longitudinal separating devices 16 each delimit two receiving areas 18 adjacent in the transverse direction 12. During operation, the longitudinal separating devices 16 rotate with the support device 7.

[0045] In the first and third embodiments of the invention, both the transverse cutting devices 14 and the longitudinal cutting devices 16 are at least partly formed by a plurality of cutting elements 13, 15 arranged in a row along the transverse direction 12 or along the circumferential direction 8 and extending outwards in side view. The longitudinal cutting devices 16 are formed exclusively by the cutting elements 15. In addition to the cutting elements 13, the transverse cutting devices 14 are formed by transverse cutting elements 24 running parallel to the support elements 6. In the region of their ends, the transverse cutting devices 14 are arranged on the endless supports 4. In the second embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal cutting devices 16 are formed by belts running in the circumferential direction 8.In this embodiment, two separating elements are arranged between two adjacent longitudinal separating devices 16 per transverse separating device 14. In the other embodiments, one separating element is arranged between two adjacent longitudinal separating devices 16 per transverse separating device 14. The separating elements have a height of at least 25 mm, starting from the support element or the transverse separating element on which they are arranged.

[0046] The third embodiment of the device 2 according to the invention has trough-shaped receiving areas 18 (cf. in particular Fig. 12 ). These are formed by form elements 20, which in plan view according to Fig. 10 are arranged within the receiving areas 18 on the support device 7 and extend outward from the interior surface 10, but less far than the surrounding separating elements. The shaped elements are each arranged off-center, viewed in the circumferential direction, and adjacent to both longitudinal separating devices 16 delimiting the respective receiving areas 18. In particular, two shaped elements 20 are arranged on each support element 6 per receiving area 18.

[0047] The fourth embodiment of the device 2 according to the invention according to Fig. 16 bis 18 is largely similar to the first embodiment. In contrast to the first embodiment, the fourth embodiment has receiving areas 18 that extend predominantly above one of the endless supports 4. To form these, the fourth embodiment has separating elements 13, 15 also above the endless supports 4, through which the transverse separating device 14 extends over the endless supports 4 and through which a longitudinal separating device 16 extends completely over an endless support 4 and along an outer edge of the device 2. The Fig. 19a und 19b show the separating elements 15 which are also arranged at the ends of the supporting elements 6.

[0048] Fig. 14 shows a singling device 30 with a device 2. The singling device 30 has a rigid device frame (not shown) which does not rotate with the device during operation and a plurality of deflection elements 22 for guiding the device 2. The singling device 30 forms a first conveyor section 26 and a second conveyor section 28. In the first conveyor section 26, the device 2 has an incline, whereas the second conveyor section 28, which follows in the direction of rotation 8, runs horizontally. Below the second conveyor section 28, at least one sliding element 32 is arranged, on which the device 2 slides in the second conveyor section 28. Below the first conveyor section 26, at least one impact element 34 is arranged which rotates during operation and is designed to generate impacts on the device 2 in the first conveyor section.Both the sliding element 32 and the impact elements 34 are arranged within the interior space 11. A stripping element 36, which is rotatable during operation and designed to be elastically flexible during operation, is arranged above the first conveyor section 26. On a drop stage for the root crops following the device 2 in the direction of crop flow, there is arranged, in particular, a separating device 44 which has individually controllable deflection elements 42 arranged in a row in the transverse direction 12, the number of which corresponds at least to the number of receiving areas 18 arranged next to one another in the transverse direction 12. The deflection elements 42 are controlled depending on the information from an optical sensor 46 arranged above the second conveyor section 28, which optically detects root crops or foreign bodies to be deflected.

[0049] Fig. 15 shows a mobile root crop harvesting machine 40 with a previously described singling device 30.

Claims

1. An apparatus (2) for conveying root crops, which is configured as a screening belt for separating admixtures from the root crops during conveying, comprising a carrying device (7) which circulates in a circulation direction (8) during operation and is at least partly formed by a plurality of in particular rigid carrying elements (6) which are movable relative to one another, partly forms at least one receiving region (18) and is configured to carry the root crops, and at least one transverse separating device (14) which extends at least partially in a transverse direction (12) and delimits the receiving region (18) in the circulation direction (8), wherein the receiving region (18) from the outside adjoins an interior space (11) which is bordered by an interior space surface (10) extending parallel to the transverse direction (12) and, in side view, running exclusively in the circulation direction (8) and at least one protruding part of the transverse separating device (14) is arranged, in side view, outside the interior space (11), wherein the apparatus comprises at least one longitudinal separating device (16) which extends at an angle, in particular at right angles, to the extent direction of the transverse separating device (14) and parallel to the interior space surface (10), of which at least one protruding part is arranged, in side view, outside the interior space (11) and which delimits two receiving regions (18) adjacent to one another in the transverse direction (12), wherein the at least one transverse separating device (14) and / or the at least one longitudinal separating device (16) is at least partly formed by a plurality of separating elements (13, 15), which are arranged in a row along the transverse direction (12) or along a direction at an angle to the transverse direction (12) and extend towards the outside in side view, characterized in that the carrying device (7) has a plurality of screening bars which run linearly in the transverse direction (12) and are arranged adjacent and parallel to one another in the circulation direction (8) and are arranged with their ends on lateral endless carriers (4), which are configured to run over deflecting rollers and may be driven during operation.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the receiving region (18) is formed at least partially as a trough or dish.

3. The apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one longitudinal separating device (16) is configured such that it circulates with the carrying device (7) in operation.

4. The apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims 4, characterized in that the separating elements (13, 15) extend by at least 15 mm, preferably by at least 20 mm, particularly preferably by at least 25 mm in a direction at right angles to the interior space surface (10) and in particular away from the interior space surface (10).

5. The apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transverse separating device (14) has a transverse separating element (24) which extends linearly in the transverse direction and at least partially outside the interior (11) and / or is arranged on the separating elements (13, 15).

6. The apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal separating device (16) comprises a longitudinal separating element (15) delimiting several receiving regions (18) which are adjacent in the circulation direction (12).

7. The apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving region (18) is partly formed by at least one forming element (20) which extends outward from the interior space surface (10), and does not extend as far at right angles to the interior space surface (10) as the transverse separating device (14) and / or the longitudinal separating device (16).

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, viewed in the circulation direction (8), the forming element (20) is arranged eccentrically between two longitudinal separating devices (16) which are adjacent in the transverse direction (12).

9. The apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrying device (7) is at least partly formed by a plurality of in particular rigid carrying elements (6) which are movable relative to one another.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, characterized by at least two endless carriers (4) which extend in the circulation direction (8), in particular parallel to one another, and on which the carrying elements (6) are attached, wherein the transverse separating device (14) and / or the longitudinal separating device (16) extends at least partially in the region of at least one of the endless carriers (4), such that a theoretical straight line at right angles to the interior space surface (10) intersects both the endless carrier (4) and also the transverse separating device (14) or the longitudinal separating device (16).

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 with the inclusion of claim 4, characterized in that the theoretical straight line intersects both the endless carrier (4) and also at least one separating element (13, 15), and in particular at least one carrying element (6) and / or at least one transverse separating element (24).

12. A separating apparatus (30) comprising an apparatus (2) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, an apparatus frame and at least two deflecting elements (22) arranged thereon, which mount the apparatus (2) such that at least one conveying portion (26) of the apparatus at least partially has an upward or downward slope.

13. The separating apparatus as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that a first conveying portion (26) of the apparatus has a steeper upward or downward slope than a second conveying portion (28) which is adjacent thereto in the circulation direction (8).

14. The separating apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 13, characterized by at least one slide element (32), which does not circulate in operation and is arranged below at least a part of the conveying portion or the second conveying portion (28), for guiding the apparatus (2).

15. The separating apparatus as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14, characterized by at least one movable impact element (34), in particular rotating during operation, which is configured to generate impacts on at least a part of the conveying portion (24) or the first conveying portion (24).

16. The separating apparatus as claimed in any of claims 12 to 15, characterized by at least one rotatably mounted scraper element (36) which is arranged above the conveying portion (26) or the first conveying portion (26).

17. A mobile root crop harvesting machine (40) with a separating apparatus (30) as claimed in any of claims 12 to 16.