SELF-PROPELLED FIELD CHOPPER AND METHOD FOR ITS OPERATION

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a self-propelled forage harvester according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for operating the same according to claim 10.

[0002] The forage harvester is an agricultural machine used, for example, for collecting, shredding, and loading crops. As a "self-propelled forage harvester," it has its own drive and can therefore be used independently, i.e., independently of a tractor. While forage harvesters can essentially be divided into three main types based on the design of their cutting elements, this application primarily refers to drum forage harvesters. There are also flail forage harvesters and disc wheel forage harvesters.

[0003] Such a self-propelled forage harvester comprises a plurality of working elements and at least one treatment device. Here, at least one working element is formed by a chopping element and at least one further working element by a grinding device. The chopping element has a chopping drum that can be rotated about a rotational axis and a plurality of knives mounted on the chopping drum. Furthermore, a counter-blade is provided with which the knives mounted on the chopping drum interact. This is typically achieved in such a way that the knives mounted on the chopping drum are guided past the counter-blade as the chopping drum is rotated, and together with the counter-blade, they define a cutting gap. In this context, the chopping drum is accelerated about the rotational axis so that the knives mounted on the chopping drum are repeatedly guided along the counter-blade as part of a rotational movement.This causes wear, particularly on the blades mounted on the chopping drum, making it necessary to resharpen or replace the blades. Resharpening is performed using the grinding device.

[0004] For this purpose, the grinding device comprises at least one grinding element that is suitable for coming into grinding contact with the cutting edges of the knives during a grinding process and thus grinding the knife edges. Furthermore, the grinding element is designed to be movable relative to the chopping element, so that the grinding element can reach at least substantially all points of the knife edges during a grinding process. In this context, the grinding element is movable, in particular, along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation. During a grinding process, the chopping drum is driven in rotation and the knives mounted thereon are repeatedly guided past the grinding element and engage with it.In other words, the grinding element is moved in such a way that it is moved at least substantially along a width of the chopping drum, so that it continuously engages with all knives mounted on the chopping drum, provided that the chopping drum is driven in rotation during the grinding process, and thereby grinds them.

[0005] Furthermore, the treatment device comprises at least one container for holding a flowable treatment medium and at least one line for conducting the treatment medium from the container towards the grinding device. In addition, a plurality of nozzles are provided by means of which the treatment medium can be discharged. For this purpose, the nozzles are distributed along the chopping drum and arranged corresponding to a movement space of the grinding element, so that during a grinding process the treatment medium can be directed onto the grinding element by means of the nozzles. The treatment medium can, for example, be a coolant to dissipate the heat generated during the grinding process. In addition, the treatment medium can be an abrasive, which is used to achieve a particularly advantageous grinding result and / or particularly low wear, in particular of the knives.

[0006] Such forage harvesters are known in the prior art in a variety of configurations. For example, EP 1 537 770 B1 discloses a forage harvester comprising a storage device and several working elements, at least one working element being designed as a grinding device. The storage device comprises at least one liquid-receiving container, the liquid contained therein being able to be passed on, for example, to the grinding device and / or a counter-blade of another working element designed as a chopping drum. The liquid, which may be, for example, cooling liquid, is discharged from nozzles.

[0007] Furthermore, DE 103 45 251 B3 discloses a self-propelled forage harvester that has a device for supplying an at least approximately flowable medium. The fluid can be supplied, for example, by a container via a hose, which, after manual or automatic release, flows by gravity onto the grinding site. Targeted supply via pumps and nozzles is also conceivable. Furthermore, it is conceivable to achieve particularly uniform wetting by means of a spray mist.

[0008] Furthermore, EP 2 944 182 B1 discloses a field chopper having a flow generation device by means of which a fluid flow can be generated. In this case, it can be provided that the fluid flow comprises a mixture of air and a liquid, for example, water. Furthermore, it can be provided that the liquid or mixture is applied via nozzles, wherein the nozzles are designed with control valves. In this context, it is provided, for example, to control the valves in such a way that a pulsed fluid flow can be provided.

[0009] Another forage harvester is known from EP2620051 A1. 1f

[0010] A disadvantage of the aforementioned prior art is that the chopping drum and / or the counterblade are each continuously sprayed with a respective treatment medium, at least essentially across their entire width. This results in unnecessary application of treatment medium even in places where no grinding process is currently taking place. This is both unecological and disadvantageous, as the treatment medium must be carried on the forage harvester. This results in particularly large tanks or, in the case of smaller tanks, frequent stops for refilling.

[0011] The present invention is based on the object of providing a self-propelled forage harvester that consumes less treatment medium.

[0012] The object is achieved by a self-propelled forage harvester according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 10. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0013] The invention provides that the nozzles can be alternately activated and deactivated depending on the current position of the grinding element during a grinding process. The nozzles are activated or deactivated in such a way that, in particular in the immediate vicinity of a current grinding point at which the grinding element interacts with the knives, the respective nozzle(s) is / are activated and thus directs treatment medium to the grinding point. In other words, the respective nozzle(s) is / are only activated and discharges treatment medium where the grinding element is currently located and thus a grinding process is taking place at this grinding point. All nozzles that are not in the immediate vicinity of the current grinding point are / are switched off and therefore do not discharge any treatment medium.In this way, the treatment medium is applied only locally to the grinding element, rather than continuously across at least essentially the entire width of the chopper drum, as is usual with the current technology. This offers the advantage that the treatment medium can be applied in a particularly targeted manner, thus requiring very small quantities. This advantageously enables particularly environmentally friendly and efficient operation of the forage harvester.

[0014] A further advantage is that the introduction of large quantities of a treatment medium, which can harm the crop, is reduced. Thus, the treatment medium, which is applied during a grinding process, regularly comes into contact with the crop being processed by the forage harvester. Depending on the type of treatment medium, the crop may, for example, spoil more quickly if it is moist. Furthermore, the crop may become inedible for animals as a result of an excessive introduction of a treatment medium, particularly in the form of a cooling liquid. With a reduced introduction of the treatment medium, which is achieved by the forage harvester according to the invention, these risks are minimized.

[0015] Furthermore, the forage harvester according to the invention minimizes the risk of material deposits forming, which could lead to clogging of the chopper drum and thus disrupt the operation of the forage harvester. The reduced input of treatment medium, which is achievable due to the inclusion of the nozzle with the grinding element compared to the prior art, helps to prevent this.

[0016] Finally, the lower input of the treatment medium has the advantage of avoiding the risk of fire from flying sparks during the grinding process. This is particularly true when the treatment medium is flammable. The lower input of the treatment medium therefore leads to lower fire loads than is the case with the state of the art.

[0017] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the nozzles each interact with a valve, whereby the valves can be controlled separately, allowing the nozzles to be activated and deactivated alternately. This allows the individual nozzles to be controlled particularly easily, making the forage harvester particularly simple and straightforward to operate.

[0018] In a further particularly advantageous embodiment, the treatment device is designed to activate, at any given time during a respective grinding process, only those nozzles which, depending on the position of the grinding element, are suitable for directing the treatment medium directly onto the grinding element. This can be a single nozzle or a plurality of nozzles located in the immediate vicinity of the grinding point. Advantageously, no treatment medium is thus applied where no grinding process is currently taking place. In other words, the treatment medium is only used where it is necessary, namely at or in the immediate vicinity of the grinding point. Advantageously, this requires a very small amount of treatment medium, so that the forage harvester can be operated particularly economically and in a resource-saving manner.In addition, this means that the containers can be dimensioned with a smaller volume compared to the state of the art, which makes the design of the forage harvester particularly simple.

[0019] Furthermore, according to a particularly advantageous embodiment, a control system is provided by which a supply of at least one treatment medium held by the treatment device to the grinding element can be controlled. In this context, it is conceivable, for example, for the control system to control a volume flow, thereby controlling how much treatment medium is discharged per unit of time. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the control system to control the respective valves of the respective nozzles, thus enabling them to be activated or deactivated. This offers the advantage that the forage harvester can be operated in a particularly customized and needs-based manner.

[0020] A further advantage arises when the grinding element can be moved parallel to the rotational axis of the chopping drum during a grinding process. This type of guiding of the grinding element is particularly easy to implement, and grinding contact of the grinding element with all points of the cutting edges of all knives can be ensured, in addition to the movement of the grinding element, by rotating the chopping drum, thus repeatedly guiding the knives past the grinding element.

[0021] Advantageously, a further embodiment provides for at least one treatment medium to be formed by a cooling liquid or a grinding emulsion. During the grinding process and in connection with chopping, significant forces and heat are generated in the area of ​​the knife edges. The cooling liquid and / or the grinding emulsion can be used to reduce these forces, for example by reducing friction between the knife edge and the grinding element. Furthermore, the treatment medium in the form of the cooling liquid and / or the grinding emulsion can dissipate the generated heat. This has the advantage that the knife edges can be ground with particular precision and can also be operated with particular care, thus extending their service life.Furthermore, tests have shown that the cooling fluid and / or the grinding emulsion have noise and vibration dampening properties, so that the forage harvester can be operated particularly quietly and comfortably.

[0022] Furthermore, the invention is particularly advantageous if the treatment device has at least one further container which is designed to hold a further flowable treatment medium, wherein the treatment device comprises at least one further line for conducting the further treatment medium from the further container in the direction of the grinding device. In this way, a plurality of different treatment media can be held in stock. In this context, it is conceivable, for example, for one container to contain a cooling liquid and the other container to contain a grinding emulsion. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the two treatment media to be dispensed alternately through the nozzle, or for the two treatment media to be mixed and then directed as a mixture onto the grinding element by means of the nozzle.It is also conceivable for a container to contain a maintenance agent that can be applied to the grinding element and / or the blades after the grinding process is completed. This advantageously allows for a particularly customized and needs-based operation of the forage harvester.

[0023] In a further particularly advantageous embodiment, the treatment device is configured to alternately supply the first or the second treatment medium, or both treatment media simultaneously, to the grinding element during a grinding process. This allows the treatment media to be advantageously mixed and thus tailored to specific needs.

[0024] A further particularly advantageous embodiment results from a controller by means of which a supply of at least one treatment medium held by the treatment device to the grinding element can be controlled. In this context, it is conceivable, for example, to introduce the treatment medium at specific time intervals or at specific positions. This advantageously allows the treatment medium to be used particularly economically and effectively. Furthermore, it is possible to switch, at least temporarily, between wet grinding and dry grinding. This allows a grinding mode to be adapted as needed depending on the knife edges, for example with regard to their material and / or condition. This advantageously makes it possible to achieve a particularly good grinding pattern.

[0025] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating the aforementioned self-propelled forage harvester. The above description and advantages apply equally to the method and vice versa.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, at any given time during a respective grinding process, only those nozzles are activated that, depending on the position of the grinding element, are suitable for directing the treatment medium directly onto the grinding element. This embodiment of the method minimizes the consumption of the treatment medium, as it ensures that it reaches the grinding element and can thus achieve its intended purpose. Discharge of treatment medium that does not provide any immediate benefit is at least substantially avoided.

[0027] The method can be used particularly advantageously if the supply of at least one treatment medium, in particular a cooling medium or a grinding emulsion, is controlled by means of a controller depending on machine data of the forage harvester, a volume of the respective treatment medium applied during a grinding process, and / or depending on the moisture content of the respective crop. The machine data can be, for example, a torque or a speed of the chopper drum. In this context, it is conceivable, for example, that the faster the chopper drum rotates, the more treatment medium is provided. Furthermore, depending on the crop, it may be necessary to prevent it from becoming too moist.Accordingly, it may be possible, for example, to reduce the amount of treatment agent used as soon as the moisture content of the crop exceeds a defined limit. This advantageously makes it possible to operate the forage harvester in a particularly customized and needs-based manner, while also treating the crop particularly gently.

[0028] Advantageously, a further embodiment of the method provides for the volume flow of the respective treatment medium to be changed during a grinding process or between different grinding processes. During the grinding process, wear occurs on both the grinding element and the blades. Therefore, it may be necessary to adjust the volume flow, for example, depending on this wear, in such a way that the grinding element and blades are optimally supplied with treatment medium, regardless of their current condition. These optimal settings can be determined in advance through empirical tests.

[0029] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures. It shows: Fig. 1: a schematic overview view of a self-propelled forage harvester according to the invention from the side; Fig. 2: a schematic view of the forage harvester from the rear, showing a chopper drum; Fig. 3: a schematic side view of the chopper drum with a detailed view of the grinding element; and Fig. 4: a schematic representation of the treatment device and the chopper drum, as well as a counter-blade.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a self-propelled forage harvester according to the invention 1. The forage harvester 1 is designed to drive across a field and collect the crops there and then chop them up. For this purpose, the forage harvester includes 1 a plurality of working elements and at least one treatment device 4, wherein at least one working element is a chopping element 2 and at least one working element from a grinding device3 are formed. The forage harvester 1 In the example shown, it includes a corn head 17, by means of which the crop in the form of maize is cut off in the field and then fed to the chopping device 2 As can be seen from the summary of Figures 2 and 3 can be seen, the chopping organ 2 one around a rotation axis 5 rotary chopping drum 6 on.

[0031] In addition, the chopping organ includes 2 a majority of the chopper drum 6 stored knives 7, each with at least one knife edge 9 Furthermore, a counter-blade 19 provided, whereby the counter blade 19 and the knives 7 interact in such a way that they engage with each other and can thus chop the introduced crop. In other words, the chopping drum rotates 6around the axis of rotation 5, so that the 6 stored knives 7 During this rotation, the blade repeatedly engages with the counter blade 19 come.

[0032] Furthermore, the grinding device 3 in this case a grinding element 8 which is suitable for grinding contact with the knife edges during a grinding process 9 the knife 7 to kick and the knife edges 9 to grind in this way. The grinding element 8 can be formed in particular by a grindstone. How Figure 2 clearly shows, the chopping drum 6 a slide rail 18 which extends at least substantially over the entire width of the chopping drum 6 and on which a carriage 13 is arranged movably. In this case, the grinding element 8 on the carriage13 arranged, which - as in summary of the Figures 2 and 4 is visible - including the grinding element 8 in the direction of the arrow 23 and thus over the entire width of the chopping drum 6 on or along the slide rail 18 This allows the grinding element 8 during a grinding process, at least essentially those parts of the knife edges 9 which are worn out during operation.

[0033] In addition, the treatment device includes 4 present two containers 10, 14 - as in Figure 1 is recognizable - to provide a flowable treatment medium, a line 11 for directing the treatment medium from the container 10 in the direction of the grinding device 3 and in this case a plurality of nozzles 12, of those in Figure 4only two are shown as examples. Using the nozzles 12 The treatment medium can be applied. The treatment medium in the first container 10 is stored, in this case it is a cooling liquid and the further treatment medium, which is stored in the further container 14 is stored to a grinding emulsion. The other container 14 is by means of another line 15 in a fluidic manner with the grinding device 3 tied together.

[0034] The treatment device 4 is designed to apply one or both treatment media to the grinding element during a grinding process 8 To this end, the treatment device includes 4 according to Figure 4 present pumps 21, which by means of a drive shaft 22 The drive shaft 22 is presently equipped with a drive of the forage harvester1 In addition, a measuring device 20 provided to the pumps 21 In other words, the measuring device 20 the container 11 downstream and the pumps 21 upstream, whereby by means of the measuring device 20 For example, a volume flow and / or a temperature and / or a composition of the treatment medium can be determined. In this context, it is conceivable, for example, to remove the treatment media from the containers 10, 14 either alternately or simultaneously, i.e. mixed. In addition, a control 16 By means of the control 16 can be measured by the measuring device 20 The data collected is evaluated and signals are sent to the pumps 21 transmitted so that they can be operated in the desired manner.

[0035] As in Figure 4As can be seen, the nozzles 12 arranged at a distance from each other, with the nozzles 12 in the example shown over a width of the chopping drum 6 are arranged in a distributed manner, preferably equidistantly. During the grinding process, the grinding element moves 8 at least essentially across the entire width of the chopping drum 6 and thus temporarily comes into the respective effective range of the nozzles 12, in which a discharge of treatment medium by means of the respective nozzle 12 preferably directly onto the grinding element 8 In this context, it is intended that the nozzle(s) 12 is or are activated and thus applies or apply treatment medium, which is in the immediate vicinity of the grinding point where the grindstone 8 currently in grinding engagement with the knives 7 In this case, the nozzles 12one valve each 24 which can be opened or closed in such a way that the nozzles 12 can be activated or deactivated alternately. The valves 24 can be controlled separately, so that the control 16 the directing of a treatment medium onto the grindstone 8 particularly easy depending on the current position of the grindstone 8 relative to the chopper drum 6 is adjustable. List of reference symbols

[0036] 1Forage harvester 2Chopping unit 3Grinding device 4Treatment device 5Rotary axis 6Chopping drum 7Blade 8Grinding element 9Blade edge 10Container 11Line 12Nozzle 13Carriage 14Container 15Line 16Control system 17Maize header 18Sliding rail 19Counter blade 20Measuring device 21Pump 22Drive shaft 23Arrow 24Valve

Claims

1. A self-propelled forage harvester (1), comprising - a plurality of working units, as well as - at least one treatment device (4), wherein at least one working unit is formed by a chopping unit (2) and at least one further working unit is formed by a sharpening means (3), wherein the chopping unit (2) has a chopping drum (6) which can be driven in rotation about an axis of rotation (5) as well as a plurality of knives (7) mounted on the chopping drum (6), wherein the sharpening means (3) comprises at least one sharpening element (8) which is suitable for coming into sharpening contact with knife edges (9) of the knives (7) during a sharpening procedure and for sharpening the knife edges (9) in this manner, wherein the sharpening element (8) is configured so as to be movable relative to the chopping unit (2), so that the sharpening element (8) can reach at least substantially all points of the knife edges (9) during a sharpening procedure, wherein the treatment device (4) comprises at least one container (10, 14) for holding a flowable treatment medium, at least one line (11, 15) for guiding the treatment medium from the container (10, 14) in the direction of the sharpening means (3), as well as a plurality of nozzles (12), by means of which the treatment medium can be dispensed, wherein the nozzles (12) are spaced along the chopping drum (6) as well as being disposed so as to correspond to a range of movement of the sharpening element (8), so that during a sharpening procedure, the treatment medium can be guided onto the sharpening element (8) by means of the nozzles (12), characterized in that the nozzles (12) can be activated and deactivated in alternation during a sharpening procedure as a function of a current position of the sharpening element (8).

2. The forage harvester (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzles (12) respectively cooperate with a valve (24), wherein the valves (24) can be separately controlled and in this manner, the nozzles (12) can be activated and deactivated in alternation.

3. The forage harvester (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment device (4) is configured such that, at any time of a respective sharpening procedure, only those nozzles (12) are activated which, as a function of a position of the sharpening element (8), are suitable for guiding the treatment medium directly onto the sharpening element (8).

4. The forage harvester (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a controller (16), by means of which a supply of at least one treatment medium held in the treatment device (4) to the sharpening element (8) can be controlled.

5. The forage harvester (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during a sharpening procedure, the sharpening element (8) can be moved parallel to the axis of rotation (5) of the chopping drum (8).

6. The forage harvester (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one treatment medium is formed by a cooling liquid or by a sharpening emulsion.

7. The forage harvester (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment device (4) has at least one further container (14) which is configured to hold a further flowable treatment medium, wherein the treatment device (4) comprises at least one line (15) for guiding the further treatment medium from the further container (14) in the direction of the sharpening device (3).

8. The forage harvester (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the treatment device (4) is configured to supply the sharpening element (8) alternately with the first or the further treatment medium or with both treatment media at the same time during a sharpening procedure.

9. A method for operating a self-propelled forage harvester (1), the forage harvester (1) comprising: - a plurality of working units, as well as - at least one treatment device (4), wherein at least one working unit is formed by a chopping unit (2) and at least one further working unit is formed by a sharpening means (3), wherein the chopping unit (2) has a chopping drum (6) which can be driven in rotation about an axis of rotation (5) as well as a plurality of knives (7) mounted on the chopping drum (6), wherein the sharpening means (3) comprises at least one sharpening element (8) which is suitable for coming into sharpening contact with knife edges (9) of the knives (7) during a sharpening procedure and for sharpening the knife edges (9) in this manner, wherein the sharpening element (8) is configured so as to be movable relative to the chopping unit (2), so that the sharpening element (8) can reach at least substantially all points of the knife edges (9) during a sharpening procedure, wherein the treatment device (4) comprises at least one container (10, 14) for holding a flowable treatment medium, at least one line (11, 15) for guiding the treatment medium from the container (10, 14) in the direction of the sharpening means (3), as well as a plurality of nozzles (12), by means of which the treatment medium can be dispensed, wherein the nozzles (12) are spaced along the chopping drum (6) as well as being disposed so as to correspond to a range of movement of the sharpening element (8), so that during a sharpening procedure, the treatment medium can be guided onto the sharpening element (8) by means of the nozzles (12), characterized in that the nozzles (12) are activated and deactivated in alternation during a sharpening procedure as a function of a current position of the sharpening element (8).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that at any time of a respective sharpening procedure, only those nozzles (12) are activated which, as a function of a position of the sharpening element (8), are suitable for guiding the treatment medium directly onto the sharpening element (8).

11. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply of at least one treatment medium, in particular a cooling medium or a sharpening emulsion, is controlled by means of a controller (16) as a function of - machine data of the forage harvester (1), - a quantity of the respective volume of treatment medium dispensed during a sharpening procedure, and / or - a moisture content of the respective harvested material.

12. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a volumetric flow of the respective treatment medium is varied during a sharpening procedure or between different sharpening procedures.