ROUND BALER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a round baler according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Round balers are used in agriculture to collect crops such as hay or straw and compress them into bales. The crop is picked up from the ground (e.g., by a pick-up), conveyed, usually shredded (e.g., by a cutting rotor), and finally compressed into round bales in a baling chamber. Inside, pressing elements act on the crop, also serving as conveying elements and creating a circular motion. The finished bale is then wrapped with binding material. This material can be twine, netting, or (e.g., in the case of grass) film, the latter of which can also be applied outside the round baler in a separate bale wrapper. After binding within the baling chamber, the bale is ejected. Only then can the baling chamber be used again to form a new bale.This results in a significant period during which no crop can be processed. This usually means that crop intake must be interrupted for that duration. In other words, the round baler must stop for the binding and ejection process, which typically takes up about a third of the total operating time, significantly impacting productivity.

[0003] It has therefore been proposed in the prior art to provide an intermediate storage unit for harvested material, which is filled when no harvested material can be processed and emptied again during the next baling process. However, the proposed solutions were either not developed to series production readiness or failed to gain traction. The underlying mechanisms are, in some cases, too complex.

[0004] The publication EP 2 196 082 B1 discloses a continuously operating round baler which has a storage chamber that is bounded at the bottom by a floor conveyor. The floor conveyor has several conveying elements designed as conveyor belts, which can be driven at different speeds across the width of the baling chamber if it is unevenly filled.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide improved means that enable a round baler to continuously take in harvested crops.

[0006] The problem is solved with a round baler having the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

[0007] For this purpose, a round baler is created, comprising a feed channel leading to a press chamber, a transfer device with a transfer rotor which can be driven around a transfer axis in a chamber feed direction in order to convey harvested material through the feed channel towards the press chamber in a press mode, and a storage device with a storage space for the temporary storage of harvested material, which is connected to the feed channel via at least one storage opening.

[0008] A round baler is designed for pressing agricultural crops into round bales, with the actual pressing process taking place in a baling chamber. The agricultural crop can be, in particular, straw such as grass, straw, or hay. The term "round baler" explicitly includes machines that, in addition to pressing the crop into bales, also tie and / or package the bales. The crop can be picked up by a receiving device, especially a pick-up, and conveyed through the feed channel towards the baling chamber. For conveying, the round baler can have at least one conveying device, such as a feed rotor or a cutting rotor that not only conveys the crop but also cuts it. In any case, the flow of crop passes through the feed channel before reaching the baling chamber.The feed channel is designed to guide the harvested crop, although it does not necessarily have to be completely closed.

[0009] The design of the press chamber is not specified within the scope of the invention. It can be a press chamber of fixed or variable size. In the former case, the round baler can have a plurality of press rollers that are rotatable about stationary axes of rotation with respect to a frame. In the latter case, the press chamber is at least partially defined by an endless, continuously driven pressing element, which can be one or more endless press belts or, for example, a chain conveyor.

[0010] The round baler has a transfer device with a transfer rotor, although this term is not to be interpreted restrictively. The transfer rotor is driven around a transfer axis, and is driven at least intermittently during baling. The corresponding direction of rotation of the transfer rotor is referred to here as the "chamber feed direction." The drive force can be generated, for example, mechanically, electrically, hydraulically, electro-hydraulically, or in another way. The transfer axis generally runs parallel to the transverse axis or Y-axis of the round baler. In general, the transfer device serves, at least during baling, to transfer crop material to the baling chamber by conveying it through the feed channel towards the baling chamber via the transfer rotor. In this respect, the transfer device can also be considered a conveying device.The pressing mode can also be called bale formation mode and characterizes the working mode of the round baler in which crop material is successively fed into the pressing chamber, whereby a bale of crop material is formed and pressed.

[0011] Furthermore, the round baler features a storage device with a storage chamber for temporarily storing crop material, which is connected to the feed chute via at least one opening. The storage chamber thus serves to temporarily hold crop material. As will be explained below, this is particularly useful when a bale has been completed. Before the next bale can be formed, the completed bale must be tied and ejected. Instead of interrupting the crop intake during this time, crop material can be temporarily stored in the storage chamber of the device and then released and fed back into the baling chamber for the next bale formation. The storage chamber is connected to the feed chute via at least one opening. The connection to the feed chute does not have to be direct, i.e.,The feed channel need not connect directly to the storage chamber beyond the storage opening; an intermediate connecting channel could also be provided. In any case, the at least one storage opening allows for the exchange of harvested material between the feed channel and the storage chamber. The respective storage opening can be closable, but preferably it is permanently open. Preferably, exactly one storage opening is provided.

[0012] The storage device and the transfer device can be considered parts of a storage arrangement of the round baler.

[0013] The storage device has a storage wall that externally defines the storage space, as well as a driven storage conveyor. According to the invention, the storage conveyor is designed for the circulating conveyance of harvested material within the storage space.

[0014] The storage wall is preferably rigid and fixed in position to the frame of the round baler. Here and in the following, "frame" refers to the part of the round baler that essentially forms its basic structure and provides overall stability. The baler's wheels are also attached to the frame via a suitable suspension, as is a drawbar in the case of a trailed design. The frame also typically includes a housing that shields the internal components from the outside. The storage wall is typically made of metal, e.g., sheet steel. It forms the outer boundary of the storage space and thus defines its external dimensions, although this does not mean that it completely, and especially not without gaps, surrounds it. It ensures that crop material cannot escape uncontrollably from the storage space, although some partial escape may be acceptable depending on the design.

[0015] Furthermore, the storage device includes a driven storage conveyor designed for the circulating conveyance of harvested material within the storage space. The storage conveyor can be driven, for example, mechanically, electrically, hydraulically, electrohydraulically, or in another manner. It is designed to convey the harvested material circulating, i.e., in the manner of a circulating or circular conveyor. In general, the harvested material is conveyed through the storage space in a ring-shaped, closed path, although the exact path of movement of individual pieces of the harvested material may not be completely closed. Since the storage conveyor conveys the harvested material within the storage space, it is itself at least partially located within the storage space.

[0016] The transfer rotor is designed to convey harvested material discharged from the storage device through the feed channel towards the press chamber in press mode.

[0017] According to the invention, the transfer rotor is also configured to guide harvested material from the feed channel towards the storage chamber for temporary storage while rotating in a storage feed direction opposite to the chamber feed direction in a storage feed direction. Thus, the transfer rotor (or transfer device) has a threefold function. Firstly, in pressing mode, it serves to support, and in particular maintain, the normal flow of harvested material (from the receiving device) through the feed channel to the pressing chamber. Secondly, in storage mode, it guides (actively and / or passively) harvested material towards the storage chamber, which includes the possibility of guiding it all the way into the storage chamber. It can be said that it at least partially, and usually completely, redirects or diverts the flow of harvested material coming from the receiving device compared to the pressing mode. In both modes, it is arranged in or on the flow of harvested material.The third function is to at least assist in emptying the storage chamber by having the transfer rotor take crop from the storage chamber and convey it through the feed channel to the pressing chamber. During pressing, the crop flow coming from the intake device and a crop flow coming from the storage chamber can at least temporarily combine to form a single crop flow that is fed into the pressing chamber. The transfer rotor can perform its function in both pressing and storage modes by reversing its direction of rotation; that is, in storage mode, the transfer rotor rotates in the opposite direction to the chamber feed direction, which in this context is referred to as the "storage feed direction."

[0018] The storage device is designed to receive crop material from the feed channel through at least one storage opening in storage mode and to discharge crop material into the feed channel through at least one storage opening in baling mode. The storage mode could also be called binding mode, ejection mode, or bind-and-eject mode, since this mode can be selected while the crop bale is being bound and / or ejected, thus preventing any crop material from being fed into the baling chamber. In this storage mode, crop material from the feed channel enters the storage space of the device through at least one storage opening (preferably the storage opening), where it can be temporarily stored. Once the binding and ejection process is complete, crop material can again be fed into the baling chamber, and the round baler can return to baling mode.The previously temporarily stored harvested material can then be discharged to the feed channel via at least one storage opening (preferably: the storage opening).

[0019] The round baler according to the invention enables uninterrupted crop intake, thus eliminating the need to stop for tying and / or ejecting the bale. Above all, this represents a significant time saving, as these processes consume a substantial portion of the total time required to produce a bale (e.g., approximately one-third, while the remaining two-thirds are needed for bale formation). Energy consumption can also be reduced, as stopping and restarting for each tying process is eliminated. The design of the storage device with a storage conveyor operating like a recirculating conveyor offers particular advantages. The crop can be introduced into the storage chamber at one point, in the area of ​​a storage opening, and is then immediately transported onward by the storage conveyor, thereby creating space for subsequent crops.If a relatively small amount of harvested crop is present at a particular point on the storage conveyor, more crop can be added after the conveyor completes a full rotation, allowing the storage space to be filled optimally. The storage conveyor can be implemented mechanically simply and with few moving parts, as will be explained below. Furthermore, the outer boundary of the storage space is preferably defined by a rigid storage wall of fixed dimensions. This wall can act as a counterweight for the compression of the harvested crop by the conveyor. It can be designed to be robust and without moving parts. When emptying the storage space, the closed conveyor path of the storage conveyor is again advantageous, as crop can be dispensed (i.e., removed) at a point adjacent to the storage opening, after which the conveyor immediately transports more crop to that point.If not all the harvested crop has been removed from the storage conveyor at one point, this can be done on the next cycle. The removal and discharge of the harvested crop can thus be carried out successively, for example, in layers. Because the transfer rotor of the transfer device serves to guide and / or convey the flow of harvested crop in both operating modes, the number of necessary components can be reduced and the overall design of the round baler simplified. It can therefore be designed more compactly. The transfer rotor itself can also be implemented in a comparatively simple and mechanically robust manner.

[0020] As explained above, the round baler is preferably designed to combine, at least temporarily in baling mode, a crop flow coming from a receiving device with a crop flow coming from a storage device to form a single crop flow and feed this into the baling chamber. The receiving device (e.g., a pick-up) is designed to collect crop from a field and feed it into the feed channel.

[0021] In general, the storage conveyor can be driven in a continuous motion, which allows for fundamentally different designs and associated movement paths. A preferred design provides that the storage conveyor can be driven rotationally around a storage axis, with the storage wall being at least predominantly rotationally symmetrical to the storage axis. The storage conveyor thus rotates around the storage axis, which can, for example, run centrally through the aforementioned inner part of the storage conveyor. It can therefore also be referred to as a storage rotor. If the storage conveyor is rigidly designed, all parts and / or sections of it move in circular paths around the storage axis. This applies in particular to the outermost points of the storage tines, which can thus be guided past the storage wall at close intervals if the wall is also rotationally symmetrical to the storage axis.In particular, the storage wall can be cylindrical and / or cylindrical in shape, at least in sections, with the at least one storage opening forming a cutout in the cylindrical shell.

[0022] Furthermore, it is preferred, particularly in combination with the aforementioned embodiment, that the storage conveyor has an inner storage conveyor section with a conveyor wall that defines the storage space on the inside, as well as storage tines projecting from the inner storage conveyor section towards the storage wall. A drive force and / or drive torque of the storage conveyor generally acts on the inner storage conveyor section, which in turn acts as a carrier for the storage tines and moves them. The conveyor wall of the inner storage conveyor section is, in a sense, opposite the storage wall and together they define the storage space available for the harvested crop. The storage tines form conveying elements or conveying components that transmit the drive force of the storage conveyor to the harvested crop and propel it into circulating motion. One could also say that the storage tines push the harvested crop ahead of them.As a rule, each storage tine is rigidly constructed, although a certain degree of elasticity is possible. Storage tines are typically made of metal, such as steel. The term "tine" should not be interpreted restrictively with regard to shape. However, a typical design involves at least a flat portion of the storage tine, for example, made of sheet metal, with the narrow side of the tine pointing in the direction of movement. Such an oriented sheet metal section can also form the base of the tine, to which a cap is attached, for example, by welding. The cap can itself be formed by a strip of sheet metal, the narrow side of which is oriented at an angle, for example, a right angle, to the direction of movement. In this configuration, the cap can, in effect, shield the base and protect it from wear.Furthermore, the top and base sections can mechanically stabilize each other, so that a more stable storage tine can be achieved with less material overall.

[0023] To keep the design of the storage conveyor simple and robust, the storage tines are preferably rigidly connected to the inner part of the storage conveyor. Accordingly, the movement of the inner part of the storage conveyor – apart from any possible elasticity of the storage tines – is transmitted directly to the storage tines.

[0024] It is conceivable to design the transfer rotor in a stationary position relative to the round baler frame. However, the functionality can generally be optimized by mounting the transfer rotor rotatably on a rotor carrier that is adjustable relative to the round baler frame. The transfer rotor runs through the rotor carrier and changes its position when the rotor carrier is adjusted. This allows for optimal positioning of the transfer rotor depending on the operating mode or phase of the operating mode. The rotor carrier is, of course, adjusted by at least one actuator, e.g., electric, hydraulic, electro-hydraulic, or pneumatic.

[0025] It is preferably provided that the transfer rotor engages the storage space through a storage opening, depending on the position of the rotor carrier. This can mean that the transfer rotor engages the storage space or not, depending on the position of the rotor carrier. Alternatively or additionally, it can mean that the transfer rotor engages the storage space to varying degrees depending on the position of the rotor carrier. In this way, the storage rotor can reach areas of the storage space that are located near or further away from the storage opening, as needed. This can be advantageous for both conveying harvested material into the storage space and for conveying harvested material out.

[0026] It is possible that the rotor carrier, in at least one position, at least partially closes a storage opening, thereby forming an extension of the storage wall. This could particularly be a position in which the storage rotor engages maximally with the storage space. That is, in the corresponding position, the rotor carrier and / or a section of its wall effectively forms a continuation of the storage wall. In the case of a storage wall that is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the storage axis, the corresponding section of the rotor carrier wall can be shaped like a circular arc and thus complement the storage wall.

[0027] The engagement of the transfer tines can be adjusted depending on the crop being harvested. The type of crop, its condition (e.g., moisture content), or other properties can be used as parameters. Depending on these factors, the transfer tines can engage more or less deeply into the storage space.

[0028] To enable effective interaction with a scraper (regardless of whether it is mounted on a rotor carrier or, for example, stationary on the frame), it is preferred that the transfer tines have a backward inclination on a chamber feed side located at the front in the chamber feed direction and / or on a storage feed side located at the front in the storage feed direction, such that the respective edge of the transfer tine recedes radially outwards tangentially. The storage feed side corresponds, in the tangential direction, to the side that, during rotation in the storage feed direction, lies in the direction of movement of the transfer tines, while the chamber feed side lies in the direction of movement of the transfer tines during rotation in the chamber feed direction. The terms "forward inclination" and "backward inclination" here refer to an inclination relative to the axial-radial plane.A backward tilt refers to an inclination where the edge, as described, recedes tangentially outwards (i.e., towards a radially outer end). A forward tilt, correspondingly, would be one where the edge projects tangentially outwards. This always refers to the direction in which the respective edge points tangentially, in this case, the storage feed direction or chamber feed direction. The backward tilt, in conjunction with the scraper, makes it possible to generate a radially outward force component on the crop, causing it to be scraped off outwards.

[0029] The storage tines on the conveying side can have a backward tilt, and the transfer tines on the chamber feed side can have a backward tilt that is less pronounced than that of the storage tines. When the storage rotor engages the storage chamber, both the storage tines and the transfer tines act on the crop. The design described here ensures that an overall force component directed radially outwards with respect to the storage axis is exerted on the crop, thus conveying it radially outwards from the storage chamber.

[0030] To facilitate the feeding of harvested crop and to prevent excessive crushing of the crop between the transfer tines and the storage tines, it is preferred that the transfer tines on a storage feed side located at the front in the direction of storage feed have a backward inclination that is greater than the inclination exhibited by the storage tines on a rear side opposite the conveying side. The inclination on the rear side opposite the conveying side can be a smaller backward inclination, a forward inclination, or it can be zero, meaning the rear side of the storage tines can run parallel to the axial-radial plane.

[0031] As previously explained, in baling mode, the incoming crop flow, picked up directly from the field, and the crop flow from the storage unit combine and are conveyed together to the baling chamber. This results in a considerable total crop flow. This can be managed, on the one hand, by increasing the conveying speed of the transfer rotor. Alternatively or additionally, the cross-section through which the crop flow moves can be locally adjusted. One embodiment provides that the round baler is equipped to move a starter roller, located at the transition from the feed channel to the baling chamber, from an upper roller position to a lower roller position in baling mode and hold it in this position at least until the storage chamber is empty. Such starter rollers in round balers generally serve, together with other baling elements, to compress the crop bale.At the beginning of bale formation, the crop is conveyed directly against a rotating pressing element (e.g., the press belts) and subsequently against the progressively growing bale. The crop flow enters the press chamber above the starter roller. The aforementioned upper roller position corresponds to a smaller cross-section through which the crop flow can pass, while the lower roller position corresponds to a larger cross-section, which is advantageous for the pressing process, at least as long as the storage space has not been emptied.

[0032] Advantageously, the feed channel below the transfer rotor has a rotor floor section, with the round baler being designed to adjust at least one front section of the rotor floor section downwards when the transfer rotor is moved out of the storage area, and upwards when the transfer rotor is moved into the storage area. By adjusting the front section (or optionally the entire rotor floor section), the floor profile of the feed channel can be adapted to the changing position of the transfer rotor, so that the distance between the transfer rotor (e.g., its transfer tines) and the front section does not change too drastically. This means the distance does not become too large, which could potentially cause problems.The crop could no longer be effectively captured, nor could it be too small, which would restrict the effective cross-section of the feed channel or even pose a risk of collision between the transfer rotor and the rotor base section. The front section can be connected to the transfer device, in particular via at least one coupling element (e.g., at least one coupling strut). In this way, its adjustment is positively coupled to the adjustment of the transfer device, usually the adjustment of the rotor carrier. Additionally, the front section can be guided relative to the frame, e.g., by a cam guide.

[0033] Furthermore, it is advantageous for the round baler to be configured to adjust at least one rearward section of the rotor base, relative to the crop flow, downwards during baling to empty the storage chamber, and upwards after emptying. The rearward section is generally located adjacent to, or at least facing, a starter roller. Adjusting the rearward section can be synchronized with the adjustment of the starter roller. If the front section is adjustable as described above, the front and rear sections are preferably adjustable independently of each other. Like the adjustment of the starter roller, the adjustment of the rearward section primarily serves to adapt the effective cross-section of the feed channel to the crop flow being conveyed. The rearward section can, in particular, be connected to the starter roller via at least one coupling element (e.g., at least one second coupling strut).Thus, its adjustment is inextricably linked to the adjustment of the starter roller.

[0034] Advantageously, the storage conveyor has a plurality of storage tine rings arranged axially offset from one another with respect to the storage axis, each storage tine ring having a plurality of storage tines arranged tangentially offset from one another. The storage tines assigned to a storage tine ring typically have the same or only slightly different axial positions with respect to the storage axis. The number of storage tines in a storage tine ring can vary; typically, between 3 and 10 storage tines are provided per storage tine ring. A plurality of storage tine rings are provided, each of which generally has the same number of storage tines. The storage tine rings are axially offset from one another.Advantageously, the transfer rotor also features a plurality of tine rings arranged axially and tangentially offset from one another with respect to the transfer axis, each tine ring having a plurality of transfer tines arranged tangentially offset from one another. The transfer tines assigned to a tine ring typically have the same or only slightly different axial positions with respect to the transfer axis. The number of transfer tines in a tine ring can vary; usually, between 3 and 6 transfer tines are provided per tine ring. A plurality of tine rings are provided, each of which generally has the same number of transfer tines. The tine rings are axially offset from one another.

[0035] Additionally, the storage tine rings and / or the transfer tine rings can preferably be tangentially offset from one another, meaning that the tines of different tine rings have different tangential positions with respect to the storage axis and / or the transfer axis. This can be particularly advantageous because, during rotation, tines offset in this way typically interact with a specific quantity of crop at different times, for example, by penetrating the crop. This avoids short-term peaks in force and / or torque. Especially with a large number of tine rings, it is possible that, despite the described tangential offset, the storage conveyor and / or the transfer rotor may also have pairs or groups of tine rings that are not offset from one another. However, these each constitute only a small fraction of the total number of tine rings.

[0036] It is preferred that the transfer rotor has a plurality of transfer tine rings axially spaced apart from each other with respect to the transfer axis by first spaces, and that the storage conveyor has a plurality of storage tine rings axially spaced apart from each other with respect to the storage axis by second spaces, wherein, when the transfer rotor engages the storage space, the storage tine rings engage in first spaces and the transfer tine rings engage in second spaces. That is, adjacent transfer tine rings are spaced axially with respect to the storage axis such that a first space is formed between each of them. This space then extends tangentially around the storage axis. Each transfer tine ring engages in this first space, which is located within the storage space.Accordingly, adjacent transfer tine rings are spaced axially with respect to the transfer axis to such an extent that a second gap is formed between them. This gap then extends tangentially around the transfer axis. A storage tine ring engages in this second gap. This arrangement allows the transfer tines and storage tines to move in opposite directions without colliding. Furthermore, it allows them to move at different speeds when moving in the same direction, which can also be advantageous.

[0037] Preferably, the round baler is configured to drive the storage conveyor continuously in a constant conveying direction, both in pressing and storage modes. This means the storage conveyor is neither stopped nor is the drive direction reversed (in the case of a rotary-driven storage conveyor, this also means the direction of rotation). This simplifies the control of the storage conveyor and the transmission of drive force to it. A motor and any power transmission means can always operate in one direction. Furthermore, with storage tines, a side can be defined that is always at the front in the direction of movement and can therefore be adapted for stability and shape. The round baler is also preferably configured to drive the storage conveyor continuously at a constant speed.The actual speed of the storage conveyor can fluctuate even in this configuration, although these fluctuations are usually minor (e.g., less than 10% or less than 5%). However, the round baler, for example, its control unit, is designed to maintain a constant speed, such as the rotational speed. This further simplifies the control, generation, and / or transmission of the drive force for the storage conveyor.

[0038] The round baler is advantageously designed such that the conveying speed of the transfer rotor in baling mode corresponds at least to the conveying speed of the storage conveyor. This means the round baler is configured to drive the transfer rotor and the storage conveyor in baling mode in such a way that the aforementioned speed ratio applies. The conveying speeds are the speeds at which the conveying elements (e.g., storage tines, transfer tines) move. Generally, the conveying speed is therefore the maximum speed at which crop material can be conveyed. If, as in the case of the transfer rotor or the storage rotor, not all parts of the conveying element move at the same speed (due to the rotational movement), the speed of a radially central part of the conveying element can be considered. In baling mode, the transfer rotor conveys crop material out of the storage chamber, whereby, for example...The storage tines and transfer tines can pass each other through the aforementioned gaps. In this state, a rapidly rotating transfer rotor can accelerate the conveying process. The relative speed at which the conveying elements of the transfer rotor strike the harvested crop being moved by the storage conveyor is approximately equal to the sum of the conveying speeds, since the transfer rotor is moving in the opposite direction to the storage conveyor.

[0039] It is also advantageous that the round baler is designed such that the conveying speed of the transfer rotor in storage mode is lower than the conveying speed of the storage conveyor. In this state, the relative speed at which the conveying elements of the storage conveyor encounter the crop brought by the transfer rotor corresponds approximately to the difference in conveying speeds, since the transfer rotor rotates in the same direction as the storage conveyor. Because the storage conveyor moves faster than the transfer rotor, crop can be drawn off the transfer rotor and / or the storage tines, if present, can strip the crop from the slower-moving transfer tines.

[0040] The invention further provides a storage arrangement for a round baler, which has a feed channel leading to a press chamber, wherein the storage arrangement has a transfer device with a transfer rotor which can be driven about a transfer axis in a chamber feed direction in order to convey crop material through the feed channel towards the press chamber in a press mode, and a storage device with a storage space for temporarily receiving crop material, which has at least one storage opening for connection with the feed channel.

[0041] According to the invention, the storage device has a storage wall that limits the storage space to the outside, as well as a driven storage conveyor for circulating the harvested material within the storage space, wherein the transfer rotor is configured to, in a storage mode, rotate in a storage feed direction opposite to the chamber feed direction, guide harvested material from the feed channel for intermediate storage towards the storage space and, in press mode, convey harvested material discharged by the storage device through the feed channel towards the press chamber.

[0042] The aforementioned terms have already been explained in connection with the round baler according to the invention and therefore will not be explained again. Advantageous embodiments of the storage arrangement according to the invention correspond to those of the round baler according to the invention.

[0043] The invention is described below with reference to figures. The figures are merely exemplary and do not limit the general concept of the invention. They show Fig. 1 a side view of a sectional representation of a round baler according to the invention, with a storage arrangement according to the invention, in a pressing mode; Fig. 2 a side view of a sectional representation of the round baler made of Fig.1 in a storage mode; Fig. 3 another side view of a sectional representation of the round baler made of Fig.1 in press mode; Fig. 4 another side view of a sectional representation of the round baler made of Fig.1 in press mode; Fig. 5 a side view of the storage arrangement of the round baler made of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 6 a perspective view of the storage arrangement made of Fig. 5 ; and Fig. 7 a rear view of the storage arrangement from Fig. 5 .

[0044] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a round baler 1 according to the present invention. A longitudinal axis X of the round baler 1 points rearward opposite to the direction of travel F, and a vertical axis Z points upward. Wheels 3 are rotatably mounted on a frame 2 of the round baler 1, and the round baler 1 rests on these wheels. The round baler 1 is designed, in a known manner, to be pulled by a towing vehicle, in particular a tractor (not shown), for which purpose it has a drawbar 4. However, the invention is not limited to towed or carried round balers 1, but also includes self-propelled round balers 1. A pick-up 5 is visible at the front in the direction of travel F, which, during operation (relative to Fig. 1 The pick-up 5 rotates clockwise. Its purpose is to pick up harvested material, more precisely straw, hay, or grass, from the ground and convey it as a harvested material stream EA into a feed channel 6, which leads to a press chamber 55. From the pick-up 5, the harvested material passes through the feed channel 6 to a cutting rotor 7, which rotates counterclockwise. It has multiple tines that grip the harvested material, cut it in conjunction with stationary knives (without reference numerals), and transport it further against the direction of travel F and slightly upwards through the feed channel 6. A conveying rotor could also be used instead of the cutting rotor 7; this would only convey the harvested material and not chop it.

[0045] On its way to the press chamber 55, the intake crop stream EA passes an upwardly inclined guide floor section 8 below a storage opening 33. Above the storage opening 33, a storage device 30 is attached, with a storage wall 31 that externally delimits a storage space 32. The storage wall 31 is predominantly rotationally symmetrical about a storage axis A. The storage space 32 is connected to the feed channel 6 via the storage opening 33. A storage conveyor 34, designed as a storage rotor, can be driven rotationally about the storage axis A. It has a predominantly cylindrical storage conveyor inner part 35 with a conveyor wall 36 that internally delimits the storage space 32. A plurality of storage tines 38 project from the storage conveyor inner part 35 towards the storage wall 31. As in Fig. 5 bis 7 As can be seen, the storage tines 38 are grouped in storage tine rings 37a-37d, which are axially spaced and tangentially offset with respect to the storage axis A. In the present example, each storage tine ring 37a-37d has six storage tines 38, and axially adjacent storage tine rings 37a-37d are each tangentially offset by 15°. Axial gaps 41 are formed between adjacent storage tine rings 37a-37d. The individual storage tine 38 has a radially-tangentially extending base section 39 and an axially extending extension 40 connected to it, both of which can be made of sheet steel. As in Fig. 1 bis 4 As indicated, the storage conveyor is driven in a storage conveying direction R (counterclockwise in the figures). A conveying side 38.1 of the storage tines 38 located at the front of the storage conveying direction R has a backward inclination, i.e., the edge of the respective storage tine 38 recedes radially outwards tangentially. In the example shown, the inclination relative to the radial direction is approximately 29°. On a rear side 38.2 opposite the conveying side 38.1, the storage tines 38, however, have no inclination, i.e., they run radially.

[0046] The crop flow then passes through an arc-shaped rotor base section 9, where it is conveyed by a transfer rotor 21. The transfer rotor 21 is part of a transfer device 20, which, together with the storage device 30, forms a storage arrangement 10 of the round baler 1. It is rotatably mounted on a rotor carrier 26 that is adjustable relative to the frame 2; more precisely, it is driven about a transfer axis B running parallel to the transverse axis Y. The rotor carrier 26 is adjustable along a circular path in the area of ​​the transfer rotor 21, which is centered on the axis of the cutting rotor 7. In a region spaced apart from the transfer rotor 21, the rotor carrier 26 is guided in an arc relative to the frame 2 by a first cam guide 11, such that it is always guided closely along the edge of the storage wall 31, which defines the storage opening 33. It thus forms an extension of the storage wall 31.The adjustment of the rotor carrier 26 is effected by an actuator not shown here. The transfer rotor 21 has a shaft 22 to which a plurality of transfer tine rings 23a-23c are attached. Each transfer tine ring 23a-23c has a plurality of transfer tines 24, in this example three each, which are arranged tangentially offset with respect to the transfer axis B. As in the overview of . Fig. 5 bis 7 As can be clearly seen, adjacent transfer tine rings 23a-23c are axially spaced and tangentially offset to each other, in this case by 30° each. Fig. 1 Figures 3 to 5 show a state in which the rotor carrier 26 is positioned relative to the frame 2 such that the transfer rotor 21, with its transfer tines 24, engages in the spaces 41 and thus through the storage opening 33 into the storage space 32. A front section 9.1 of the rotor base section 9 is guided on the frame 2 via a second cam guide 14 and connected there to the shaft 22 via first connecting struts 12, whereby the shaft can rotate freely relative to the first connecting struts 12. In this way, the front section 9.1, guided by the second cam guide 14, moves up and down synchronously with the shaft 22, thereby ensuring at least an approximately constant distance between the rotor base section 9 and the transfer tines 24. This allows the transfer tines 24 to move across the rotor bottom section 9 at a comparatively small distance and thus optimally capture the harvested crop in the feed channel 6.

[0047] The rotor carrier 26 forms a scraper 27 on each side for the transfer rotor 21. For this purpose, it has slots and / or recesses 29 through which the transfer tines 24 are guided. The recesses 29 are formed between scraper sections 28, which serve to retain at least the majority of the harvested crop when a transfer tine 24 moves through a recess 29. The transfer tines 24 have a greater backward inclination on a storage feed side 24.1 located at the front in the storage feed direction S than on a chamber feed side 24.2 located at the front in the chamber feed direction K. In the present example, the inclination on the storage feed side 24.1 is approximately 20° relative to the radial direction, while it is only about 17° on the opposite chamber feed side 24.2. On both sides 24.1, 24.2 The edge must recede tangentially outwards, as otherwise it would not be possible to strip harvested material from the respective scraper 27. In the example shown here, the angle between the scraper 27 and the edge of the transfer tine 24 (relative to a position in which the transfer tine is almost completely immersed in a recess 29) is approximately 50°, both with respect to the storage feed side 24.1 and the chamber feed side 24.2. Advantageously, the scraper 27 could be modified to produce an even larger angle, e.g., over 60° or over 70°.

[0048] The steeper incline on the storage feed side 24.1 is advantageous because it conveys harvested crop into the storage chamber 32, making a radially outward force component on the harvested crop beneficial with respect to the transfer axis B. Conversely, the chamber feed side 24.2 is intended to convey harvested crop out of the storage chamber 32, so a radially outward force component is rather counterproductive here. In particular, the interaction of the transfer tines 24 with the storage tines 38 must also be considered, as this is intended to ensure conveying in one case and conveying out the crop in the other.

[0049] The conveying process is further supported by the fact that the speeds of the storage conveyor 34 and the transfer rotor 21 are coordinated in storage mode such that the tangential speed of the storage tines 38 is greater than the tangential speed of the transfer tines 24, with respect to areas of the tines 24 and 38 that interact indirectly. Thus, the storage tines 38 actively draw the harvested crop away from the transfer tines.

[0050] In the pressing chamber 55, the actual bale formation and compression of the harvested crop into a bale 60 take place. For this purpose, a starter roller 51, two pressing rollers 52, and a plurality of (arranged side by side perpendicular to the plane of the drawing) endless pressing elements 50 (in this case, press belts) are provided, which define the pressing chamber 55 and allow for its variable size. Instead of the press belts, however, a chain conveyor could also be used, for example, or a pressing chamber 55 with a fixed size could be provided. The starter roller 51 is adjustable relative to the frame 2 in order to enlarge the cross-section of the access to the pressing chamber 55 if necessary. A rear section 9.2 of the rotor base section 9 is connected to the axis of the starter roller 51 via second connecting struts 13, so that it follows its movement when the roller is adjusted.

[0051] Fig.1 Figure 1 shows the round baler 1 in a pressing mode in which the transfer rotor 21 conveys the crop through the feed channel 6 towards the pressing chamber 55. In pressing mode, the transfer rotor 21 rotates in a chamber feed direction K, with respect to Fig.1 counterclockwise. The storage device 30 is completely emptied. A crop flow EA from the pick-up 5 is fed to the press chamber 55. The illustration shows a state in which the crop bale 60 has reached its predetermined size, i.e., a final phase of the press operation. The starter roller 51, which is adjustable relative to the frame 2, is in an upper roller position. The front section 9.1 and the rear section 9.2 of the rotor floor section 9 are both in upper positions.

[0052] Once completed, the harvested crop bale 60 must be bound with binding material via a binding device (not shown) and then ejected from the pressing chamber 55. During this time, no harvested crop can be processed in the pressing chamber 55. Therefore, the round baler 1 switches to a storage mode, which is Fig. 2 is shown. The essential point here is that the transfer rotor 21 changes its direction of rotation and is now driven in a storage feed direction S, with reference to Fig. 2 that is, clockwise. The intake crop flow EA coming from the pick-up 5 and the cutting rotor 7 is thereby no longer directed towards the press chamber 55, but upwards through the storage opening 33 into the storage space 32. This movement is supported by the upward inclination of the guide floor section 8. At the beginning of the storage mode, the transfer device 20 is in a position that Fig. 1 This allows the transfer tines 24 to engage deeply into the storage space 32, thus transporting the harvested crop to an area near the conveyor wall 36. Subsequently, the transfer rotor 21 can be successively extended out of the storage space 32 while the storage space 32 is filled from the inside out. Due to the connection via the first coupling struts 12, the front section 9.1 is adjusted downwards synchronously and thus follows the movement of the transfer rotor 21, guided by the second cam guide 14. Normally, the transfer rotor 21 is intended to be driven throughout the entire storage mode; however, it could also be driven only during a start-up phase to initiate the reversal of movement, and then passively rotated by the incoming harvested crop flow EA. In this case, the indirect engagement of the driven storage rotor 34 via the carried harvested crop is of crucial importance.

[0053] The inclination of the storage tines 37 on the rear side 38.2 is aligned with the inclination of the transfer tines 24 on the storage feed side 24.1 such that the transfer tines 24 can push the harvested crop along the storage tines 38 into the storage space. The adjustment of the transfer device 20 continues until the transfer tines 24 no longer engage, or only engage minimally, in the spaces 41, as shown in Fig. 2 The storage space 32 is dimensioned so that it can normally hold harvested crops until the harvested crop bale 60 has been bound and can be ejected, as shown in Fig. 2 depicted.

[0054] Since the press chamber 55 is now ready to form a new bale of harvested crop 60, the round baler switches back into press mode, for which the transfer rotor 21 is again driven in the chamber feed direction K. Fig.3 This represents the state of the round baler 1 at the beginning of the pressing mode. The transfer tines 21 engage only minimally or not at all in the storage chamber 32. This prevents the storage rotor 21 from having to convey an excessive amount of crop material against the conveying motion of the continuously rotating storage rotor 34. Initially, only a thin layer, radially outermost with respect to the storage axis A, is captured. The crop from this layer is conveyed downwards through the storage opening 33 into the feed channel 6 and further along the rotor base section 9 to the pressing chamber 55. This crop flow from the storage chamber 32 combines with the intake crop flow EA, which comes from the pick-up 5 and the cutting rotor 7, to form a total crop flow EG.To quickly empty the storage space 32 and efficiently guide the combined crop flows to the press chamber 55, the transfer rotor 21 operates at a higher speed than in storage mode, e.g., 100 rpm, normally between 80 and 150 rpm. The transfer tines 24 should generally achieve a conveying speed of at least 3 m / s. Furthermore, the starter roller 51, and thus the rear section 9.2 of the rotor base 9 coupled to it, is adjusted downwards to locally increase the effective cross-section of the feed channel 6. During discharge, the front faces 38.1 of the storage tines 38 and the chamber feed sides 24.2 of the transfer tines 24, opposite the storage feed sides 24.1, act against each other on the intermediate crop. The backward inclination on the front face 38.1 is greater than that on the chamber feed side 24.2, i.e.,These are designed so that the harvested crop can be conveyed out instead of being pushed back into storage space 32.

[0055] During the pressing mode, the transfer device 20 is successively adjusted so that the transfer rotor 21 gradually engages further into the storage space 32 and the stored harvested material is successively captured from the outside in. Fig.4 This shows a state in which the storage tines 24 already engage far into the storage space 32, while a bale 60 of increasing size is already being formed in the press chamber 55. Here too, the front section 9.1 of the rotor base section 9 is adjusted synchronously according to the forced coupling, namely upwards, so that the distance to the storage rotor 21 does not increase too much.

[0056] When the storage rotor 21 engages maximally in the storage space 32, as in Fig.1 and 4As shown, the rotor carrier 26 partially closes the storage opening 33, forming an extension of the storage wall 32, as described above. More precisely, a section of its wall forms a continuation of the storage wall 32, which is why this section is shaped like a circular arc.

[0057] The transfer rotor 21 is driven at a lower speed in the storage feed direction S in storage mode, while in pressing mode it is driven at a higher speed in the chamber feed direction K. The necessary reversal of direction is carried out while the storage tines 24 do not engage in the storage chamber 32. In contrast, the storage rotor 34 is driven continuously at a constant speed in the storage conveying direction R, which significantly simplifies its control as well as the overall control of the round baler 1.

Claims

1. Round baler (1) comprising a feed channel (6) leading to a pressing chamber (55), a transfer device (20) having a transfer rotor (21) which is drivable about a transfer axis (B) in a chamber feed direction (K) in order to convey harvested material through the feed channel (6) toward the pressing chamber (55) in a pressing mode, a storage device (30) having a storage space (32) for temporarily receiving harvested material, which storage space is connected to the feed channel (6) via at least one storage opening (33), the storage device (30) having a storage wall (31) which limits the storage space (32) to the outside, and a drivable storage conveyor (34), the transfer rotor (21) being designed, in the pressing mode, to convey harvested material discharged from the storage device (30) through the feed channel (6) toward the pressing chamber (55), characterized in that the storage conveyor (34) is designed for rotationally conveying harvested material within the storage space (32), the transfer rotor (21) also being designed, in a storage mode, to guide harvested material from the feed channel (6) toward the storage space (32) for intermediate storage by rotating in a storage feed direction (S) counter to the chamber feed direction (K).

2. Round baler (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said baler is designed, in the pressing mode, to combine, at least temporarily, a receiving harvested material flow (EA) coming from a receiving device (5) with a storage harvested material flow (Es) coming from the storage device (30) to form a total harvested material flow (EG) and to feed this to the pressing chamber (55).

3. Round baler (1) according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage conveyor (34) is rotatably driven about a storage axis (A) and has a storage conveyor inner part (35) having a conveyor wall (36), which limits the storage space inwardly, and storage tines (38) projecting from this conveyor wall to the storage wall (31), the storage wall (31) being at least predominantly rotationally symmetrical to the storage axis (A).

4. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer rotor (21) has a plurality of transfer tines (24) which extend radially outward with respect to the transfer axis (B).

5. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer rotor (21) is rotatably mounted on a rotor carrier (26) which is adjustable relative to a frame (2) of the round baler (1).

6. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer rotor (21) engages in the storage space (32) through a storage opening (33) depending on the position of the rotor carrier (26).

7. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage tines (38), on a conveying side (38.1), have a backward inclination such that the edge of the storage tine (38) recedes radially outward tangentially, and the transfer tines (24), on a chamber feed side (24.2) arranged at the front in the chamber feed direction (K), have a backward inclination which is less than that of the storage tines (38).

8. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer tines (24), on a storage feed side (24.1) arranged at the front in the storage feed direction (S), have a backward inclination which is greater than an inclination which the storage tines (38) have on a rear side (38.2) opposite the conveying side (38.1).

9. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said baler is designed, in the pressing mode, to adjust a starter roller (51) located at the transition from the feed channel (6) to the pressing chamber (55) from an upper roller position to a lower roller position and to hold it in this position at least until the storage space (32) is emptied.

10. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed channel (6) has a rotor base portion (9) below the transfer rotor (21), the round baler (1) being designed to adjust at least one front region (9.1) of the rotor base portion (9), with respect to the material flow, downward when the transfer rotor (21) is moved out of the storage space (32), and upward when the transfer rotor (21) is moved into the storage space (32).

11. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the round baler (1) is designed, in the pressing mode, to adjust at least one rear region (9.2) of the rotor base portion (9), with respect to the material flow, downward in order to empty the storage space (32) and upward after emptying the storage space (32).

12. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer rotor (21) has a plurality of transfer tine rings (23a-23c) axially spaced apart from one other with respect to the transfer axis (B) by first spaces (25), and the storage conveyor (34) has a plurality of storage tine rings (37a-37d) axially spaced apart from one other with respect to the storage axis (A) by second spaces (41), the storage tine rings (37a-37d) engaging in first intermediate spaces (25) and the transfer tine rings (23a-23c) engaging in second intermediate spaces (41) when the transfer rotor (21) engages in the storage space (32).

13. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a conveying speed of the transfer rotor (21) in the pressing mode corresponds at least to a conveying speed of the storage conveyor (34).

14. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a conveying speed of the transfer rotor (21) in the storage mode is less than a conveying speed of the storage conveyor (34).