HARVESTING FACILITY

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a harvesting device for fruit-bearing plants, in particular for vines planted in rows, mounted on a vehicle. The harvesting device is designed to be movable in the direction of travel and working along the fruit-bearing plants and has a plurality of shaking bars extending substantially horizontally parallel to the direction of travel and arranged at a distance from one another. The shaking bars are each connected at a first end in a rotationally fixed manner to a drive element, which in turn is mounted in the harvesting device for rotation about its longitudinal axis and extends vertically along a plurality of shaking bars.The drive element can be driven in an oscillating rotary movement around its longitudinal axis over a certain angular range, whereby the shaking rods, which are connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the drive element, carry out a back-and-forth shaking movement directed towards the plant in a horizontal plane and transversely to their longitudinal extension.

[0002] Various harvesting machines are known in the state of the art that act on plants with the help of shaking components and are intended to separate the fruits from the plants.

[0003] EP 0 267 829 A1 discloses a harvesting machine for crops planted in rows or lines. The harvesting machine has a gantry chassis that spans the respective row of plants and has a frame with opposing arrangements of horizontally aligned, elongated shaking rods on its inside. The elastic shaking rods of the respective arrangement are located to the left and right of a row of plants, are spaced one above the other in or parallel to a longitudinal direction of the harvesting machine, are each attached to the frame at their ends, and execute a reciprocating shaking movement directed toward the plant transversely to the direction of travel.

[0004] At its front end in the direction of travel, each shaking rod is attached to a shaking drive provided in the frame. At the rear end, the shaking rod is hinged to the frame by means of a movable bearing swing. To generate a shaking movement, the shaking drive consists of a vertical rod rotatably mounted in the frame, which performs an oscillating rotary movement over a specific angular range. Due to a rotationally fixed connection between the front end of the respective shaking rod and the vertical rod, the oscillating rotary movement causes the shaking rod to be bent towards the plant in a whip-like manner in the elastic range and then returned to its original position. The plant is thus shaken more or less vigorously by the bending of the shaking rods depending on the deflection and frequency of the rotary movement.The opposing shaker rods are coupled to each other on the drive side in such a way that when one shaker rod experiences maximum deflection or bending, its opposite counterpart experiences minimal deflection or bending.

[0005] If delicate fruits, such as grapes or vines, are to be harvested with such harvesting machines, it is essential that the strength of the shaking, i.e. the strength of the impact of the shaking components on the plants, can be varied, for example by adjusting the frequency, number and amplitude of the rod oscillations. Furthermore, it is desirable that the size of the plant area affected, or the size of the working range of the shaking components, can be changed. To do this, the impact of the shaking rods must be limited, for example by making their working range height adjustable. This then makes it possible to shake small plants or even just parts of plants. One possibility is that not all of the shaking components are always driven across the entire height of the harvesting machine's working range.There are state-of-the-art solutions that allow individual shaker rods to be separated from their drive and to run freely or to swing slightly without exerting any force on the plant.

[0006] EP 1 320 291 B1 discloses a harvesting machine in which two oppositely arranged sets of shaking components or shaking bars are provided in a pedestal wheel chassis of the type mentioned, which interact in a directed manner to shake bushes / plants passing between the shaking components and thus separate their fruit. In order to change the processing height of the working area of ​​the harvesting machine, it is proposed here to design the respective shaking components or shaking bars or their respective connections to the drive rods in such a way that they can be detached from the drive rods in a relatively simple manner. Furthermore, friction-reducing devices are provided on the attachment between the drive rod and the shaking bar.The design connects the drive rods to the plant by simple screw connections, allowing interlocking, complementary connecting elements to be released. This allows one or more shaker rods to be detached from the drive, allowing them to rotate freely around the drive rod with reduced friction. The shaker rods, once detached from the drive, no longer transmit any shaking motion to the plant.

[0007] The disadvantage is that even with this relatively simple connection between the shaker bar and the drive element or drive rod, it is necessary to perform a manual operation to loosen the shaker bars whenever the height of the harvester's working area needs to be changed. This requires tools, the machine must be shut down, and the harvester driver or other operating personnel must loosen or retighten the screw connections. Finally, they must ensure that all fastening devices have been collected and reloaded. While this provides an adjustment option for the working height, the associated adjustment is time-consuming and complex.

[0008] FR 2 862 481 A1 discloses a method for securing the shaker bars of a harvesting machine by clamping or clamping them. The shaker bars are firmly clamped to the drive element by interlocking mold plates. The bars are inserted or inserted into the interlocking mold plates. The tensioning or clamping of the mold plates or combs against each other is achieved by several cylinders.

[0009] The object of the present invention was therefore to provide a harvesting machine with driven shaking components whose working height, i.e. whose effective area of ​​action of the shaking components on the plant, can be easily adjusted. This should create the possibility of converting a harvesting device / harvesting machine within a very short time so that even small-growing plants or even just parts of plants can be shaken, without the need for manual intervention, without additional operating personnel, and without complex adjustment work during operation. The effort required to change the working area was to be reduced accordingly, and a harvesting device with devices for changing the working height that were as easy to operate as possible was to be provided.

[0010] This problem is solved by the features of the main claim. Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the subclaims.

[0011] The rotationally fixed connection between the drive element and the first end of the respective shaking rod is designed as a releasable locking or blocking of a rotatable bearing of the shaking rod about the longitudinal axis of the drive element, which can be remotely operated by means of hydraulically, electromechanically or electromagnetically driven actuators, wherein the shaking rod can be fixed, i.e. secured, relative to the drive element by means of the locking.

[0012] In this way, the locking mechanism blocks the inherently rotatable bearing of the shaking rod around the longitudinal axis of the drive element in such a way that a rotatable bearing creates a rotationally fixed connection between the shaking rod and the drive element, which is fixed and secured in such a way that drive forces or torques are transmitted from the drive element to the shaking rod.

[0013] Because the locking mechanism can be remotely locked and released, individual or multiple shaker bars can be easily switched on or off to adjust the working height or impact strength, even during operation and, for example, from the driver's seat. Manual work to loosen screw connections or fastening elements of shaker bars is eliminated, there's no need to carry tools, the machine doesn't have to be completely shut down, and no additional operating personnel are required.

[0014] Remotely operated hydraulic, electromechanical, or electromagnetic actuators are designed to lock the rotating bearings. Electrical energy, electrically operated devices, or even hydraulic devices are particularly easy to integrate into vehicles. Corresponding actuators such as hydraulic cylinders, electric linear drives, or linear actuators are capable of transmitting large actuating forces despite their compact design.

[0015] An advantageous design is that the rotationally fixed connection is designed as a locking mechanism, activated by actuators, of a retaining plate mounted rotatably around the longitudinal axis of the drive element and provided at the drive-side end of the shaker bar. The locking mechanism fixes the retaining plate and thus the shaker bar connected to it relative to the drive element. This simplifies the manufacture and construction of such harvesting machines in that identical parts—in this case, a retaining plate—are provided for all types and designs of shaker components. Thus, the associated connection and locking components can be adapted to a uniform retaining plate and designed identically or similarly for all harvesting devices.For example, instead of simple shaker bars, fan-shaped or freely swinging shaker bars could be equipped with a retaining element and installed in a harvesting machine adapted for this purpose. This also simplifies the replacement of shaker bars due to wear or damage.

[0016] The further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be assigned to three different principles of the structural design of the locking mechanism, which follow the general and common inventive idea of ​​blocking a mounting that is inherently provided for rotation. Thus, in one embodiment, the retaining plate as such can be driven by an actuator on the one hand and, on the other hand, locked directly with the drive element in an inventive manner. In an alternative embodiment, however, a locking mechanism is also provided between the retaining plate and an additional driven coupling element, in which the coupling element as such blocks the rotatable mounting of the retaining plate. Finally, a further embodiment is claimed in which a non-driven additional coupling element can also be provided, which merely blocks the rotatable mounting of the retaining plate.These three operating principles can be found in the following advantageous embodiments of the solution according to the invention and all lead to the blocking and locking of a bearing which is designed to be rotatable.

[0017] A further advantageous embodiment consists in providing an actuator articulated on the drive element and acting on the retaining plate in such a way that the retaining plate can be pivoted into a locking position that blocks its rotatable mounting and secured there, preferably pivoted into a positive and non-positive connection between the retaining plate and the drive element. The positive connection can be achieved by appropriately shaping parts of the retaining plate and parts of the drive element. Additionally, a releasable, locking, or snap-action function can also be provided between the retaining plate and the drive element.

[0018] Such a solution with an actuator acting directly on the holding plate and fixing it represents a very simple embodiment of the invention and can be realized in particular by a further advantageous embodiment, which consists in that the actuator is designed as a hydraulic cylinder hinged to the drive element, by whose piston the holding plate can be pivoted into a locking position blocking its rotatable mounting.

[0019] Such hydraulic cylinders transmit very high forces despite their small size and can therefore not only be used for pivoting the holding plate into a locking position, but at the same time, due to the high transmittable forces, also for the force-locking locking and fixing as such.

[0020] Of course, other linear drives that act directly on the holding plate and ultimately lock it are also possible.

[0021] A further advantageous embodiment, which follows the second operating principle, consists in providing an actuator that is articulated on the one hand to the drive element and on the other hand to a first end of a coupling member. The coupling member is also articulated on the drive element at its second end and can be pivoted by the actuator into a locking position that blocks the rotatable mounting of the retaining plate and fixes the retaining plate, preferably into an at least partially positive and / or non-positive connection between the retaining plate and the coupling member. The coupling member and the variable-length actuator, in conjunction with their linkages on the drive element, create a type of coupling mechanism.The inventive design with a coupling link allows lever transmissions to be used to lock and block the rotation of the retaining plate relative to the drive element even with relatively low forces, so that a transmission of drive forces is possible between the retaining plate and the drive element.

[0022] A further advantageous design is that the actuator is designed as a motor articulated on the drive element and acting linearly on the coupling link, allowing the coupling link to pivot into the locking position. The linear effect can be achieved, for example, by a threaded rod driven by the motor, although other known designs can also achieve a linear effect. Electrically driven linear motors are a very cost-effective alternative to hydraulic cylinders and do not require an additional hydraulic oil supply system. This offers advantages in terms of environmental compatibility. Of course, any other designs of electric actuators are also possible.

[0023] A further advantageous embodiment is that the actuator and coupling element form a coupling mechanism, and the locking position can be generated by the coupling element being pressed against the retaining plate via the actuator, e.g., partial surfaces of the coupling element or a joint connected to the coupling element and the retaining plate are in contact with one another. This allows a relatively low pressure force from the actuator and a correspondingly designed linkage of the coupling element, actuator, and retaining plate to create a type of self-locking mechanism, which effectively locks the retaining plate and prevents the retaining plate from being released from its fixation due to driving forces.

[0024] A further advantageous embodiment consists in providing a coupling member which is hinged at its first end to the holding plate, pivotable in the direction of the drive element, and fixable at its second end to the drive element in a locking position, wherein in the locking position of the coupling member the rotatable mounting of the holding plate can be blocked and the holding plate can thus be fixed. This implements the third operating principle, in which an additional coupling element blocks the rotatable mounting of the holding plate. The coupling element is not driven here, but can also be designed as a driven coupling element. The key feature of this design is that a very simply constructed option for remotely actuated locking is realized by simply providing a very secure locking and blocking of the rotary movement of the holding plate.The locking position can be approached in any way when the coupling element is not driven, for example by means of curved guides on the harvesting device.

[0025] An advantageous embodiment of such a locking or blocking mechanism by a coupling element is that the coupling member can be fixed in the locking position by a locking or holding element engaging the coupling member, which can be actuated by an actuator arranged on the drive element. This is particularly advantageous and simple if the locking or holding element is designed as a locking bolt engaging the coupling member, which can be actuated by the tension or pressure armature of an electromagnet arranged on the drive element.

[0026] It is possible that simple standard components, such as smaller pull or push armature magnets, can be arranged on the drive element, which do not necessarily have to cause a required pivoting movement of the holding plate and thus of the shaking rod, but only drive a locking bolt into a position that fixes the locking position.

[0027] A further advantageous embodiment consists in the drive element mounted in the harvesting device being designed as an elongated profile extending substantially across the height of the harvesting device and across all the shaking bars. At one end, it can be driven in an oscillating rotary or pivoting motion over a specific angular range via a coupling lever or connecting rod with an eccentric drive. This provides a simple and reliable drive for an oscillating movement that can be implemented using standard components.

[0028] A further advantageous design is that the vibrating rods are elastic and flexible and mounted on both sides of the harvesting device. The rod end opposite the drive element is mounted in the harvesting device via a coupling link or a coupling rod in the form of a movable link. Such a coupling link, also known as a "bearing rocker," at the non-driven end of the vibrating rod, in conjunction with the retaining plate and the vibrating rod, creates a construction that allows for pre-adjustment of the amplitude of the rod vibrations through appropriate design of its dimensions and rod elasticity. The bearing rocker can also be designed with variable length for this purpose, for example.

[0029] Another advantageous design is that the drive element is rotatably mounted at the front end of the harvesting system, in the direction of travel or working. In the harvesting systems considered here, mounted on vehicles with gantry chassis, the drive, driver's cab, and center of gravity are often located at the front of the vehicle. Locating the drive element at the front end of the harvesting system, in the direction of travel or working, i.e., close to the vehicle's center of gravity, prevents significant vibration in the harvesting system.

[0030] A further advantageous embodiment consists in the harvesting device and the chassis of the receiving vehicle being designed in the form of a portal spanning the respective row of plants to be processed. The harvesting device is equipped with opposing arrangements of horizontally aligned, elongated shaking bars. The latter are located to the left and right of a row of plants and execute a back-and-forth horizontal shaking movement directed at the plants perpendicular to the direction of travel, i.e., in a horizontal or transverse plane whose normal is formed by the vertical axis of the harvesting device. Such two-sided processing of the plant leads to very good harvest results even with lower shaking movement amplitudes. Embodiment / Detailed description of the invention

[0031] The invention will be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 1a, 1b agricultural vehicle with a harvesting device according to the invention, Fig. 2 the harvesting device according to Fig. 1 with two shaking devices extending parallel to the direction of travel to the left and right of a symmetrical axis, all of whose shaking rods are locked, Fig. 3 the harvesting device according to Fig. 2 , but with shaking devices in which the two upper shaking bars are unlocked / released, Fig. 4 a top view of the harvesting device according to Fig. 2 , in which the opposing shaking bars are shown in the different positions created by locking or releasing their bearings on the drive element, Fig. 5 a general plan view of a shaking bar of the harvesting device with a bearing locked by a hydraulically driven actuator, Fig. 6 a section of the Fig. 5in an enlarged view of the locking position, Fig. 7 a general plan view of a shaking bar of the harvesting device according to Fig.5 , but with an unlocked, loosened mounting of the holding plate or the shaking rod, Fig. 8 a section of the Fig. 7 in an enlarged view of the unlocked position, Fig. 9 a sectional view of a locking of the bearing of a holding plate with the aid of an arcuate coupling member driven by an actuator, in the locking position, but without an actuator, Fig. 10 the locking according to. Fig. 9 , with an actuator designed as a linear motor, but in the unlocked, released position of the holding plate or the shaking rod, Fig. 11 a perspective view of the Figs. 9 and 10 described version in locking position, Fig. 12, which in the Fig. 9 in principle and in the Fig. 11perspective view of the locking situation in a plan view, Fig. 13, which in the Fig. 10 shown position of the unlocked, released holding plate without sections in a plan view, Fig. 14 the design of a locking of the holding plate with coupling element and linear drive in the assembly including shaking rod, in the upper illustration in the locked state, in the lower illustration in the unlocked, released state Fig. 15 a sectional view of a locking of a rotatable bearing of a holding plate with the aid of a locking or holding element that can be activated by an actuator and engages in a coupling member, in the locked state of the holding plate Fig. 16 the sectional view of a locking according to. Fig. 15 , but in the unlocked, released state of the retaining plate, Fig. 17 a perspective view of the Fig. 15 described version in locking position Fig. 18 a top view of the perspective representation of the Fig. 17 , also in the locked state, but with a tension spring acting on the coupling element, Fig. 19 the top view according to Fig. 18 , but in the unlocked, released state of the holding plate or the shaking rod, Fig. 20 the design of a locking of the holding plate according to. Fig. 18 in the assembly including shaking rod, in the upper illustration in the locked state, in the lower illustration in the unlocked, released state.

[0032] The Fig. 1a and 1b show an agricultural vehicle 1 on which a harvesting device 2 according to the invention is arranged, e.g. for vines on vines planted in rows. Fig. 1a shows a perspective view of the vehicle, while Fig. 1b which shows a view from the front.

[0033] It can be clearly seen that the vehicle is equipped with a portal chassis 3, also called a stilt chassis. With the help of the portal chassis 3, it is possible to drive over a row of fruit-bearing plants (not shown in detail here), e.g. vines. The wheels 4 of the portal chassis 3 run to the left and right of the row of plants, so that the latter is located approximately in the middle of the vehicle, within the portal 5 and in the axis of symmetry 6 of the harvesting device 2. This assumes that the plants have a height that does not exceed the portal height 7. The vehicle therefore drives astride the plants over the rows of plants, with the entire vehicle operation being carried out by a driver in the driver's cab 8.

[0034] The harvesting device 2 is arranged in the portal chassis 3 of the vehicle 1 in such a way that it can be guided and driven in the travel and working direction 9 along the plants bearing the fruit.

[0035] In the harvesting device 2, two shaking devices 10 extending parallel to the direction of travel, each with eight shaking rods 20, are provided to the left and right of the symmetry axis 6, as shown in Fig. 2 is shown more clearly. The shaking bars 20 are arranged spaced apart one above the other and extend essentially horizontally and along the direction of travel 9 of the vehicle 1 or the harvesting device 2. The shaking bars 20 are each connected at a first end 21 in a rotationally fixed manner to a drive element 22.

[0036] The respective drive element 22 is in turn - in a manner not shown in detail here - mounted rotatably about its respective longitudinal axis 23 in the harvesting device 2 and extends vertically over all eight shaking bars 20 provided here, i.e. over the height of the harvesting device and over all shaking bars of a shaking device.

[0037] The drive element 22 can be driven in a rotary motion 24 oscillating around its longitudinal axis over a specific angular range, whereby the shaking rods 20, which are connected to the drive element in a rotationally fixed manner, execute a reciprocating shaking motion 25 directed toward the plant in a horizontal plane and transverse to their longitudinal extension. The drive elements 22 are driven here by an eccentric drive (not shown in detail), the connecting rod of which engages the respective eccentric flange 26 in the upper region of the drive elements.

[0038] As already described above, the shaking rods 20 are each connected at a first end 21 in a rotationally fixed manner to a drive element 22. However, according to the invention, this rotationally fixed connection is only created by the fact that a mounting of the shaking rod 20, which is rotatable per se about the longitudinal axis 23 of the drive element 22, can be locked and blocked by actuation such that a rotationally fixed connection is created. The rotationally fixed connection between the drive element and the first end of the respective shaking rod is therefore a locked rotary connection, namely a remotely actuated, i.e. switchable and releasable locking or blocking of a mounting of the shaking rod, which is rotatable per se about the longitudinal axis of the drive element. This fixes the respective shaking rod relative to the drive element.

[0039] Fig. 2shows a state in which all shaker bars are locked, recognizable by the forced deflection or bending of the individual shaker bars directed inward toward the plane of symmetry of the harvesting device, which is caused by the torque or rotation transmitted to the latter via the "switched on" rotationally fixed connection between the drive element and the shaker bar. During an oscillating rotational movement 24 of the drive element 22, the respective shaker bar 20 oscillates in a reciprocating shaking movement 25 transverse to the direction of travel in a horizontal transverse plane.

[0040] Fig. 3in contrast, shows a state in which only the lower six shaking bars 20a on each side are locked and the rotationally fixed connection of the two upper shaking bars 20b is released. This can be seen in the case of the two upper shaking bars 20b in that there is no deflection or bending of the individual shaking bars caused by the drive elements 22. The two upper shaking bars 20b are freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis 23 of the drive elements, cannot absorb any torque and therefore cannot perform any shaking movement, and are therefore stationary. The effect of the shaking bars and thus the working range of the harvesting device is therefore limited in height, so that smaller plants or even just parts of plants can be shaken.

[0041] For the sake of clarity, here and in the following, the shaking rod 20 is designated in its locked position by the reference number 20a and in its unlocked, released position by the reference number 20b.

[0042] Fig. 4 shows, for clarification, a plan view of the harvesting device, in which the opposing shaking bars are shown again in the different positions created by locking or releasing their bearings on the drive element, namely the shaking bars 20a with locked bearing on the drive element 22 and the shaking bars 20b with open, rotatable bearing released from the locking.

[0043] At their second end, ie at the end 27 opposite the drive element 22, the shaking bars are mounted in the harvesting device via a coupling link or coupling lever or rod in the form of a bearing rocker 28.

[0044] Fig. 5 to 20now show in detail the inventive embodiments of the remotely operable, releasable locking of the rotatable mounting of a shaking rod or its holding plate on the drive element.

[0045] Fig. 5 shows a general plan view of a shaking bar 20a of the harvesting device with locked bearing on the drive element 22.

[0046] Fig. 6 shows an excerpt from the Fig. 5 in an enlarged view of the locking position at the drive-side end of the shaking rod 20, i.e. where the shaking rod 20 or 20a is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the drive element 22 via a remotely operable, releasable lock.

[0047] In this embodiment, the locking of the rotary bearing of the shaking rod 20 is achieved with a remotely operated, hydraulically driven actuator, namely a hydraulic cylinder 30 attached to the drive element 22. The hydraulic cylinder 30 is firmly connected to the drive element 22 by a screw connection 31 and a bracket 32. The shaking rod 20 is connected to the drive element 22 via a retaining plate 29 attached to its drive-side end in such a way that the retaining plate is rotatably mounted about the longitudinal axis 23 of the drive element 22, which is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The connection between the shaking rod 20 or 20a and the retaining plate 29 is achieved via correspondingly designed connecting components and flanges 34 and 35, which are not described in detail here.

[0048] To achieve the Figs. 5 and 6In the locking position shown, the actuator is actuated, namely the hydraulic cylinder 30. This is subjected to internal pressure, so that the piston 33 is extended. The piston 33 presses on the holding plate 29 and pivots it about the longitudinal axis 23 into a locking position in which the holding plate 29, under pressure / hydraulic pressure, rests with its base region 36 against a contact flange 22a of the drive element 22. The holding plate is thus non-positively fixed relative to the drive element, and any rotation or movement of both the holding plate 29 and the shaking rod 20 or 20a relative to the drive element 22 is completely blocked.

[0049] In the Figs. 5 and 6In the locking position shown, the shaking rod 20a is thus connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the drive element 22, so that during an oscillating rotational movement 24 of the drive element 22, the shaking rod 20a oscillates in a reciprocating shaking movement 25 in a horizontal transverse plane.

[0050] It should be noted here that the retaining plate can also be locked in the same way by other actuators linked to the drive element in a comparable manner, for example by an electrically driven linear motor.

[0051] Fig. 7 shows a general plan view of a shaking bar 20b of the harvesting device, the holding plate 29 of which is not locked and which can therefore rotate freely relative to the drive element 22 or can be freely pivoted about the longitudinal axis 23 of the drive element which is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

[0052] Fig. 8 shows an excerpt from the Fig. 7, namely an enlarged view of the position at the drive-side end of the shaking rod 20, in which the shaking rod, or rather the holding plate, is unlocked relative to the drive element, i.e. is released and can be rotated about the axis 23, so that no torque and thus no back-and-forth shaking movement can be transmitted from the drive element 22 to the shaking rod.

[0053] The locking of the rotary bearing of the shaker rod 20 or the retaining plate 29 is described above. To achieve a Figs. 7 and 8In the unlocked, released position shown, the actuator is again actuated, but now in such a way that the hydraulic cylinder 30 is relieved of internal pressure or the piston 33 is pressurized so that the piston 33 is retracted into the cylinder 30. The piston 33 then no longer presses on the holding plate 29, whereby the latter pivots back about the longitudinal axis 23 due to the restoring force of the shaking rod and / or due to additional spring loading into a loose position in which the holding plate 29 no longer rests with its foot region 36 on the contact flange 22a of the drive element 22. This removes the force-fitting fixation of the holding plate and rotation or movement of both the holding plate 29 and the shaking rod 20b relative to the drive element 22 is again possible.

[0054] In the Figs. 7 and 8In the unlocked position shown, even with an oscillating rotary movement 24 of the drive element 22, no transmission of torque to the shaking rod 20b is possible, so that no back-and-forth shaking movement occurs and the shaking rod lies essentially still.

[0055] The Fig. 9 to 14 show an embodiment of a harvesting device with an alternative type of locking and blocking of a rotatable connection between the holding plate and the drive element, which can be activated by means of an actuator via a coupling element. In the sectional view of the Fig. 9 However, the actuator used here is not shown for the sake of clarity, in the Fig. 10 to 14 the actuator is included.

[0056] The basic functionality of the inventive embodiment provided here can best be understood by reference to the Figs. 9 and 10explain. There, too, one can first recognize a holding plate 37 which is mounted rotatably or pivotably about the longitudinal axis 23 of a drive element 22, which is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, and is provided at the drive-side end of the shaking rod. Although this holding plate is designed differently than in the embodiment described above, it can also be fixed relative to the drive element 22 by means of its locking mechanism.

[0057] In the sectional view of the Fig. 9 one can also see an arcuate coupling member 38, which is articulated via a joint connection 39 on the drive element 22 and via a further joint connection 40 on the push rod 42 of an actuator designed as a linear motor 41, as can be seen in conjunction with the Fig. 10 further results.

[0058] The actuator or the linearly acting motor 41 is in turn articulated via the articulated connection / bearing 43 on the drive element 22 and on the other hand via the articulated connection 40 on the coupling member.

[0059] By actuating the linear motor 41 and thus extending the push rod 42, the curved coupling member 38 is pivoted about the articulated connection 39 at its second end and brought into a locking position that blocks the rotatable mounting of the holding plate and fixes the holding plate 37. In this locking position, self-explanatory shown in Fig. 9 , the coupling member 38 and the retaining plate 37 form a positive and non-positive connection between the retaining plate 37 and the coupling member 38 due to the pressure-loaded contact of their two contact surfaces or complementary shapes 44 and 45 as well as the contact of the bolt of the articulated connection 40 in the recess of the retaining plate 37.

[0060] The Fig. 9shows the locking position of the holding plate 37 and the Fig. 10 the position of the released retaining plate. The interaction between the actuator / linear motor 41, coupling member 38, and retaining plate 37 primarily serves to lock the rotatably mounted retaining plate; moving or pivoting the retaining plate into this lockable position may require additional pivoting movements or force applications, depending on the design of the contact surfaces or complementary shapes interacting for locking. Because the linear motor 41 is designed to be variable in length, namely through the extendable push rod 42, the linear motor 41 and the coupling member 38, with their respective linkage to the drive element, form a type of coupling gear, with which the locking position can be achieved by a pressure-loaded contact of the coupling member with the retaining plate generated by the linear motor.

[0061] It should also be noted that other actuators can also be used in this version, such as hydraulic or pneumatic actuators.

[0062] Fig. 11 to 14 illustrate the training of the Figs. 9 and 10 shown locking mechanism with a coupling link 38. Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of the connection to the drive element, Fig. 12 and 13 a view in locked and released state. Fig. 14 shows a representation including the shaking rod in its upper part in the locked state and in its lower part in the released state.

[0063] Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of the Figs. 9 and 10 described version in the locking position. For this purpose, the push rod 42 of the linear-acting motor 41 is extended and presses the coupling element 38 into a pressure-loaded contact against the holding plate 37, as can be seen from Fig. 9The shaking rod 20a, which is thus rotationally locked to the drive element 22 via the fixed holding plate 37 and the connecting parts 34, 35, can thus oscillate in a reciprocating shaking movement 25 in a horizontal transverse plane during an oscillating rotational movement 24 of the drive element 22 about the rotation axis 23.

[0064] Fig. 12 shows the Fig. 9 in principle and in the Fig. 11 perspective view of the locking situation again in a top view.

[0065] Fig. 13 shows, however, the Fig. 10The position of the released retaining plate 37 is shown in a plan view without any sections. In this position, even with an oscillating rotary movement of the drive element 22, no torque can be transmitted to the shaking rod 20b, so that no reciprocating shaking movement occurs and the shaking rod remains essentially stationary.

[0066] Fig. 14 For the sake of clarity, shows once again a representation of the design with coupling element and linear drive in the assembly including shaking rod, namely in the upper representation in the locked state of the shaking rod and the holding plate and in the lower representation in the released state without transferable rotary or shaking movement between the drive element and the holding plate or shaking rod.

[0067] The Fig. 15 to 20show a further embodiment of a harvesting device with a differently designed type of locking and blocking mechanism, which can be activated by means of an actuator, of a rotatable connection between the holding plate and the drive element. In the perspective view of the Fig. 17 The actuator, designed here as a pressure armature magnet 49, is best seen.

[0068] The basic functionality of this inventive design is best understood from the Fig. 15 to 17In summary, a holding plate 46 is provided here as well, which is mounted rotatably or pivotably about the longitudinal axis 23 of a drive element 22, which is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, and is located at the drive-side end of the shaker rod. This holding plate 46 can be locked or blocked in its rotational movement by means of a locking or holding element 48 that interacts with a coupling element 47 and is rigidly connected to the drive element 22. The coupling element 47 can be locked to the locking or holding element 48 by a pressure armature magnet 49 arranged on the drive element 22.

[0069] In the overview of the sectional view of the Fig. 15 and the perspective representation of the Fig. 17It can be seen that the coupling link 47, which is articulated to the holding plate 46 via a joint 50, consists of an upper and lower plate, which are firmly connected to one another via pins 51 and bolts 52 to form a coupling link 47 that can pivot about the joint 50. A leaf spring 53 attached to the drive element generates an additional force 54 acting on the coupling link 47 via the pin 51, which force presses the coupling link into its locking position or pivots it towards the detent position.

[0070] The actuator, designed here as a pressure armature magnet 49, as such, causes neither a pivoting movement of the coupling member 47 nor of the retaining plate 46 hinged thereto. The pressure armature magnet 49 provided here merely drives a locking element into a designated bore in the upper plate of the coupling member 47 when the coupling member 47 with the latching or retaining element 48 is in a locked position, whereby the locking position is fixed after it has been reached by the application of external force. Alternatively, the locking element can engage in a bore in the lower plate. The bore and latching or retaining element / latching bolt are not shown in detail in the drawing here, but are known to those skilled in the art in a variety of structural designs.The external force required to achieve the locking position can be supported by the leaf spring 53 or by a strong tension spring 55, as used, for example, in the . Fig. 18 and 19 is sketched as an alternative design of a spring.

[0071] The Fig. 15 , 17 and 18 show the locking position of the holding plate 46 and the Fig. 16 and 19 the position of the released, unlocked retaining plate.

[0072] Fig. 18 shows a top view of the perspective representation of the Fig. 17, i.e., the locking state. Here, as in the previously described embodiments, the shaking rod 20a is connected to the drive element 22 via a retaining plate 46 attached to its drive-side end. The retaining plate is rotatably mounted about the longitudinal axis 23 of the drive element 22, which is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The connection between the shaking rod 20a and the retaining plate 46 is also established here via the correspondingly designed connecting components and flanges 34 and 35.

[0073] In contrast to the Fig. 18 shows the Fig. 19A top view of the same design with the retaining plate 46 in an unlocked, released position. In this position, even with an oscillating rotary movement of the drive element 22, no torque can be transmitted to the shaking rod 20b, since the coupling member 47 can be moved out of the locking position by resetting the pressure armature magnet 49 and the locking element. The retaining plate 46 and the shaking rod 20b then no longer have a rotationally fixed connection to the drive element 22, so that no reciprocating shaking movement occurs and the shaking rod remains essentially stationary.

[0074] Fig. 20 shows the locked state in the upper illustration in a combination including the shaking rod, while the lower illustration shows the unlocked, released state without any transferable rotational or shaking movement between the drive element and the holding plate or shaking rod. List of reference symbols (part of the description)

[0075] 1agricultural vehicle 2harvesting device 3portal chassis 4vehicle wheels 5portal 6axis of symmetry of the harvesting device 7portal height 8driver's cab 9direction of travel 10shaking device 20shaking bar 20ashaking bar, rotationally locked 20bshaking bar,unlocked 21First end of the shaking rod 22Drive element 22aSupport flange of the driving element 23Longitudinal axis of the driving element 24Oscillating rotary movement 25Reciprocating shaking movement 26Eccentric flange 27Second end of the shaking rod 28Bearing swing arm / movable link 29Retaining plate of the shaking rod 30Hydraulic driven actuator / hydraulic cylinder 31Screw connection 32Tab 33Piston 34Connecting component 35Connecting component 36Foot area of ​​the retaining plate 37Retaining plate of the shaking rod 38Coupling link 39Joint connection 40Joint connection 41Linear drive 42Push rod of the linear drive 43Joint connection / bearing 44Contact surface or complementary shape (retaining plate) 45Contact surface or complementary shape (Coupling link) 46Retaining plate of the shaking rod 47Coupling link 48Locking or holding element 49Pressure armature magnet 50Joint connection 51Pin / connecting pin 52Bolt / connecting bolt 53Leaf spring 54Force line of action 55Tension spring,

Claims

1. Harvesting device (2), which is intended for arranging on a vehicle (1), for fruit-bearing plants, in particular for grapes on vines planted in rows, wherein the harvesting device (2) is designed to be movable along the fruit-bearing plants in the direction of travel and working direction and has a plurality of shaking rods (20, 20a, 20b) extending parallel to the direction of travel (9) and arranged spaced apart one above another, wherein the shaking rods are in each case connected at a first end for conjoint rotation to a drive element (22), which, in turn, is rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis (23) in the harvesting device (2) and extends vertically along a plurality of shaking rods (20, 20a, 20b), wherein the drive element (22) is drivable in a rotational movement (24) oscillating over a certain angular range about its longitudinal axis (23), as a result of which the shaking rods (20, 20a, 20b), which are connected to the drive element (22) for conjoint rotation, perform a reciprocating shaking movement (25), which is directed at the plants, in a horizontal plane and transversely to its longitudinal extent, characterized in that the connection for conjoint rotation between the drive element (22) and the first end of the respective shaking rod (20, 20a, 20b) is designed as a releasable locking mechanism, which is remotely actuable by means of hydraulically, electromechanically or electromagnetically driven actuators (30, 41, 49), of a rotatable mounting of the shaking rod (20, 20a, 20b) about the longitudinal axis (23) of the drive element (22), the shaking rod (20, 20a, 20b) being fixable relative to the drive element (22).

2. Harvesting device (2) according to Claim 1, in which the connection for conjoint rotation is designed as a locking mechanism, which is activatable by means of actuators (30, 41, 49), of a holding plate (29, 37, 46), which is rotatably or pivotably mounted about the longitudinal axis (23) of the drive element (22) and is provided at the drive-side end of the shaking rod (20, 20a, 20b), the locking mechanism enabling the holding plate (29, 37, 46) to be fixable relative to the drive element (22).

3. Harvesting device (2) according to Claim 2, in which an actuator (30, 41, 49) is provided which is coupled to the drive element (22) and acts on the holding plate (29, 37, 46) in such a way that the holding plate (29, 37, 46) is pivotable by the actuator (30, 41, 49) into a locking position blocking its rotatable mounting and is fixable there, preferably is pivotable into a form fit and / or force fit between the holding plate (29, 37, 46) and drive element (22).

4. Harvesting device (2) according to Claim 3, in which the actuator (30, 41, 49) is designed as a hydraulic cylinder (30) which is coupled to the drive element (22) and by means of the piston (33) of which the holding plate (29, 37, 46) is pivotable into a locking position blocking its rotatable mounting.

5. Harvesting device (2) according to Claim 2, in which an actuator (30, 41, 49) is provided which is coupled at one end to the drive element (22) and at the other end to a first end of a coupling member (38, 47), wherein the coupling member (38, 47) at its second end is also coupled to the drive element (22) and the coupling member (38, 47) or part of a joint connection (40) between the drive element (22) and the coupling member (38, 47), which part is connected to the coupling member, is pivotable by the actuator (30, 41, 49) into a locking position blocking the rotatable mounting of the holding plate (29, 37, 46) and fixing the holding plate (29, 37, 46), preferably into a form fit and / or force fit between the holding plate (29, 37, 46) and the coupling member (38, 47) or that part of the joint connection (40) which is connected to the drive element (22).

6. Harvesting device (2) according to Claim 5, in which the actuator (30, 41, 49) is designed as a motor (41) which is coupled to the drive element (22) and acts linearly on the coupling member (38, 47), as a result of which the coupling member (38, 47) is pivotable into the locking position.

7. Harvesting device (2) according to Claim 5 or 6, in which the fixing of the holding plate (29, 37, 46) in the locking position can be produced by the coupling member (38, 47) bearing under compression loading via the actuator (30, 41, 49) against the holding plate (29, 37, 46) .

8. Harvesting device (2) according to Claim 2, in which a coupling member (38, 47) is provided which is coupled at its first end to a holding plate (29, 37, 46), is pivotable in the direction of the drive element (22) and at its second end is fixable in a locking position to the drive element (22), wherein, in the locking position of the coupling member (38, 47), the rotatable mounting of the holding plate (29, 37, 46) is blockable and the holding plate (29, 37, 46) is fixable.

9. Harvesting device (2) according to Claim 8, in which the coupling member (38, 47) is fixable in the locking position by a latching or holding element (48) which engages in the coupling member (38, 47) and is actuable by an actuator (30, 41, 49) arranged on the drive element.

10. Harvesting device (2) according to Claim 8 or 9, in which the latching or holding element (48) is designed as a latching bolt which is actuable by the tension or pressure rod of an electromagnet (49) arranged on the drive element (22) and which engages in the coupling member (38, 47).

11. Harvesting device (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, in which the drive element (22) is designed as an elongate profile extending over all the shaking rods (20, 20a, 20b) and is drivable at one end in an oscillating rotational movement (24) over a certain angular range by an eccentric drive via a coupling lever or connecting rod.

12. Harvesting device (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, in which the shaking rods (20, 20a, 20b) are elastically flexible and are mounted on both sides in the harvesting device (2), wherein the rod end (27) opposite the drive element (22) is mounted in the frame via a coupling rod in the form of a movable handlebar (28).

13. Harvesting device (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, in which, at the front end of the harvesting device (2) in the direction of travel or working direction (9), the drive element (22) is mounted rotatably in said harvesting device.

14. Harvesting device (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, in which the harvesting device (2) and the chassis of the receiving vehicle are designed in the form of a gantry (3) which extends over the respective row of plants to be processed, and the harvesting device is provided with mutually opposite arrangements of horizontally oriented elongate shaking rods (20, 20a, 20b) in such a way that the latter are located on the left and right of a row of plants and perform a reciprocating horizontal shaking movement (25), which is directed at the plant(s), transversely to the direction of travel.