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] For example, the publication EP 2 556 744 A1 discloses a continuously operating round baler with a press chamber and a storage space for the phased intermediate storage of harvested crops.

[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 that 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.

[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 chute 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 crop flow passes through the feed chute 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] According to the invention, the transfer rotor is configured to, in storage mode, rotate in a storage feed direction opposite to the chamber feed direction and guide harvested material from the feed channel towards the storage chamber for temporary storage. In pressing mode, it conveys harvested material discharged by the storage device through the feed channel towards the pressing chamber. Thus, the transfer rotor (or transfer device) essentially performs 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 deflects or redirects a crop flow coming from the intake device in relation to the pressing mode. In both modes, it is positioned within or adjacent to the crop flow. The third function is to at least assist the emptying of 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 mode, 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, which is then fed to the pressing chamber. The transfer rotor can perform its function in both pressing mode and storage mode by reversing its direction of rotation, i.e.,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".

[0013] 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).

[0014] The round baler according to the invention enables uninterrupted crop intake, thus eliminating the need to stop for tying and / or ejecting the bale. This offers a significant time advantage, as these processes account for 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 no longer necessary. Because the transfer rotor of the transfer device serves to guide and / or convey the crop flow in both operating modes, the number of required components can be reduced, and the overall design of the round baler can be simplified. This allows for a more compact design. The transfer rotor itself can also be implemented in a comparatively simple and mechanically robust manner.

[0015] 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.

[0016] The invention offers a variety of possibilities regarding the design of the storage device. In particular, it can have a storage wall that defines the outer boundaries of the storage space, as well as a driven conveyor for circulating the harvested material within the storage space. The storage wall is preferably rigid and fixedly connected 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 wheels of the round baler are also attached to the frame via a suitable suspension, as is a drawbar in the case of a trailed design. Furthermore, the frame typically has a housing that shields the internal components from the outside. The storage wall is typically made of metal, e.g., sheet steel.It limits the storage space externally and thus defines its outer dimensions, although this does not mean that it must completely enclose it. It ensures that harvested material cannot escape from the storage space uncontrollably, although partial escape may be acceptable depending on the design.

[0017] The storage conveyor can be driven, for example, mechanically, electrically, hydraulically, electrohydraulically, or in another way. It is designed to convey the harvested crop in a continuous loop, i.e., like a circulating or circular conveyor. In general, the harvested crop is conveyed through the storage space along a ring-shaped, closed path, although the exact path of individual pieces of the harvested crop may not be completely closed. Since the storage conveyor conveys the harvested crop within the storage space, it is itself at least partially located within the storage space. A preferred embodiment provides that the storage conveyor can be driven rotaryally around a storage axis, with the storage wall being at least predominantly rotationally symmetrical to the storage axis. The storage conveyor can also be referred to as a storage rotor.Furthermore, the storage conveyor can have an inner part with a conveyor wall that limits the storage space inwards, as well as storage tines projecting from the inner part of the storage conveyor towards the storage wall.

[0018] The transfer rotor is advantageously designed to engage with the storage chamber in pressing mode to convey harvested material out of it. This accelerates the emptying of the storage chamber, which is essential for the overall time required to form a new bale. Engagement with the storage chamber means that at least one part or parts of the transfer rotor are continuously or intermittently located within it. In particular, following the rotational movement of the transfer rotor, the relevant parts can alternately engage with or immerse themselves in the storage chamber and then exit it again, thereby extracting harvested material.

[0019] It is conceivable to design the system in which the transfer axis is stationary relative to the frame of the round baler. However, the functionality can generally be optimized by mounting the transfer rotor rotatably on a rotor carrier that is adjustable relative to the frame of the round baler. The transfer axis 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 adjusted by at least one actuator, e.g., electric, hydraulic, electro-hydraulic, or pneumatic.

[0020] Preferably, the transfer rotor engages the storage chamber through a storage opening, depending on the position of the rotor carrier. This can mean that the transfer rotor engages the storage chamber or not, depending on the position of the rotor carrier. Alternatively or additionally, it can mean that the transfer rotor engages the storage chamber to varying degrees depending on the position of the rotor carrier. In this way, the storage rotor can reach areas of the storage chamber 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 chamber and for conveying harvested material out.

[0021] The round baler can be configured to adjust the rotor carrier in baling mode so that the transfer rotor gradually engages the storage chamber. A control unit of the round baler can regulate the adjustment of the rotor carrier so that, after switching from storage mode to baling mode, the transfer rotor initially does not engage the storage chamber or only engages it minimally, and then gradually engages it further. In this way, the transfer rotor can first convey crop material from the areas near the opening of the storage chamber and then work its way further into the storage chamber. This design is particularly advantageous, however, when the storage device has a storage conveyor whose movement is opposed by the transfer rotor. By gradually moving the transfer rotor into the storage chamber as described, excessive torque on the transfer rotor can be avoided.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, the round baler can be configured to adjust the rotor carrier in storage mode so that the transfer rotor engages less in the storage chamber over time. This includes the possibility that, after switching from baling mode to storage mode, the transfer rotor initially engages in the storage chamber and is later guided out of it. It is also possible for the transfer rotor to initially engage deeply into the storage chamber and later less deeply. This allows the transfer rotor to initially deposit crop material in the areas furthest from the storage opening and then gradually closer to it.

[0023] Both the insertion and removal of the transfer rotor into the storage chamber can occur either according to a predetermined time sequence or depending on the fill level of the storage chamber. In the latter case, the storage device has at least one sensor by which the fill level can be determined. For example, a spring-loaded sensor (a lever, a flap, or the like) could be provided, which protrudes into the storage chamber and is deflected by the harvested crop. Alternatively, the required drive force and / or drive torque of the storage conveyor could also be used, which likewise represent a measure of the fill level.

[0024] One embodiment provides that the round baler is configured to reverse the direction of rotation of the transfer rotor when it is at least predominantly extended out of the storage chamber. In particular, the transfer rotor can be completely extended out of the storage chamber, i.e., positioned entirely outside of it. This ensures that the reversal of rotation occurs at a time when the transfer rotor cannot collide with crop material within the storage chamber, or only to a minimal extent. This can be particularly advantageous if the storage device has a continuously driven storage conveyor. Depending on the direction of rotation, the transfer rotor runs approximately in the direction of movement of the storage conveyor in one mode and approximately in the opposite direction in the other.Although the transfer rotor and storage conveyor do not come into direct contact, significant forces can still act between them via interposed harvested material. This could disrupt the change of direction of the transfer rotor, which is why it is more advantageous to perform this change outside the storage area.

[0025] Preferably, the transfer rotor has a plurality of transfer tines extending radially outwards with respect to the transfer axis. The transfer tines can be arranged on an inner transfer rotor part or a transfer rotor hub or shaft, which is located radially inwards with respect to the transfer axis. They can be rigidly connected to this inner transfer rotor part. A drive force and / or drive torque from the transfer rotor acts on the inner transfer rotor part, which in turn acts as a carrier for the storage tines and moves them. The transfer tines form conveying elements or conveying components that transmit the drive force of the transfer rotor to the crop. Conversely, a force can also be exerted on the transfer tines by the crop, allowing the transfer rotor to rotate passively. As a rule, each transfer tine is rigidly designed, although a certain degree of elasticity is possible.Transfer tines are typically made of metal, such as steel. The term "tine" is not to be interpreted restrictively with regard to shape. However, a typical design involves at least a portion of the transfer tine being formed flat, for example, from 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 an attachment is connected, for example, by welding. The attachment can itself be formed by a strip of sheet metal, the narrow side of which is oriented at an angle, for example, at a right angle, to the direction of movement. In this design, the attachment can, in effect, shield the base and protect it from wear. Furthermore, the attachment and base can mechanically stabilize each other, allowing for a more stable transfer tine to be achieved with less material.

[0026] Advantageously, the transfer rotor has 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. In addition, the tine rings are tangentially offset from one another, meaning that the tines of different tine rings have different tangential positions with respect to the transfer axis.The latter can be particularly advantageous because such offset tines typically interact with a specific quantity of crop at different times during rotation, 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 the transfer rotor, despite the described tangential attachment, may have pairs or groups of tine rings that are not offset from each other. However, these each constitute only a small fraction of the total number of tine rings. Preferably, axial gaps are formed between adjacent tine rings to allow the transfer rotor to engage in the storage space without a collision between the transfer tines and the conveying elements (e.g., storage tines) of a storage conveyor.Adjacent tine rings are spaced axially with respect to the transfer axis to such an extent that a gap is formed between them. This gap then extends tangentially around the storage axis. Within this gap, the conveying elements of the storage conveyor can move without risk of collision.

[0027] In most cases, it is necessary for the transfer rotor to be equipped with at least one scraper. This scraper, in conjunction with the transfer tines, ensures that any crop adhering to the transfer rotor is scraped off. If a rotor carrier is provided, it is preferred that at least one scraper for the transfer rotor be arranged on the rotor carrier. Since the transfer rotor is designed for two opposite directions of rotation, this must generally also apply to the scraper; that is, it must operate on both sides. This means that two scrapers must be provided on opposite sides of the rotor carrier. In a known manner, each scraper has recesses and / or gaps through which the transfer tines can pass during their rotation. The gaps are formed between scraper elements and / or scraper sections, which, for example,can engage in the aforementioned axial gaps between the tine rings.

[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 both a chamber feed side located at the front in the chamber feed direction and a storage feed side located at the front in the storage feed direction, so 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 chamber feed direction or storage 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] In particular, the transfer tines on the storage feed side can have a greater backward inclination than those on the chamber feed side. This is advantageous because the storage feed side conveys crop into the storage chamber, thus generating a radially outward force component on the crop. Conversely, the chamber feed side conveys crop out of the storage chamber, so a radially outward force component would be counterproductive here. The precise design of the transfer tines and / or their inclination also depends on the design of the conveying elements (e.g., storage tines) of a storage conveyor (if present), as the respective force component on the crop results from the combined action of the transfer tines and conveying elements.

[0030] Switching from baling mode to storage mode requires reversing the direction of rotation of the transfer rotor. This is difficult or even impossible to achieve if the transfer rotor drive is simply disengaged in storage mode, allowing the rotor to rotate freely. It is preferable for the round baler to be designed to drive the transfer rotor in storage mode, at least during a start-up phase. The start-up phase refers to a time interval after switching from baling mode to storage mode. Depending on the design, a significant portion of the incoming crop flow can be driven by the aforementioned storage conveyor, which is why the required drive force and / or torque for the transfer rotor may be lower than in baling mode. In other words, the corresponding drive essentially serves only to assist with the reversal of rotation. The length of the start-up phase can be selected differently, e.g.,It could amount to between 5 and 50% of the total duration of the storage mode (or the binding and ejection process).

[0031] Furthermore, it is preferred that the round baler be configured to allow the transfer rotor to rotate passively in storage mode, at least after the start-up phase. This means that the drive for the transfer rotor is disengaged, allowing the storage rotor to rotate freely due to external forces and / or torques. The intended arrangement is that the incoming crop flow to the storage device, which is normally driven by the aforementioned storage conveyor, exerts a corresponding torque on the transfer rotor and drives it along. Although a drive during the start-up phase is preferred, it is also conceivable to allow the transfer rotor to rotate passively throughout the storage mode.

[0032] Another embodiment provides that the round baler is configured to drive the transfer rotor at a higher speed in baling mode than in storage mode. A higher speed normally results in faster emptying of the storage chamber. Depending on the design, this can mean that the storage chamber is emptied faster than it is filled in storage mode, but this is not necessarily the case. In any event, the period during which two crop flows—the intake crop flow from the intake device and the storage crop flow from the storage device—merge in the feed channel is shortened.

[0033] The invention also provides a transfer device for a round baler, which has a feed channel leading to a press chamber 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, and which transfer device has a transfer rotor which can be driven about 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.

[0034] According to the invention, the transfer rotor is configured to guide harvested material from the feed channel towards the storage space in a storage mode while rotating in a storage feed direction opposite to the chamber feed direction, and in press mode to convey harvested material discharged from the storage device through the feed channel towards the press chamber.

[0035] The aforementioned terms have already been explained in connection with the round baler according to the invention and are therefore not explained again. Advantageous embodiments of the transfer device according to the invention correspond to those of the round baler according to the invention.

[0036] 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 transfer device 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 a storage device of the round baler and the transfer device made of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 6 a perspective view of the storage device and the transfer device made of Fig. 5 ; and Fig. 7 a rear view of the storage device and the transfer device from Fig. 5 .

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] The incoming crop flow EA then passes through an arc-shaped rotor bottom section 9, where it is conveyed by a transfer rotor 21. The transfer rotor 21 is part of a transfer device 20 and 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 close to the edge of the storage wall 31, which delimits 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 shown in the overview of [reference missing]. 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 the transfer tines 24 engages in the spaces 41 and thus through the storage opening 33 into the storage space 32. A front section of the rotor base 9 is guided on the frame 2 via a second cam guide 14 and connected there to the shaft 22 via first connecting links 12, whereby the shaft can rotate freely relative to the connecting link 12. In this way, the front section, 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 9 and the transfer tines 24. Thus, the transfer tines 24 can move over the rotor base 9 at a comparatively small distance and thus optimally capture the harvested crop in the feed channel 6.

[0040] 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°.

[0041] 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.

[0042] The feeding process is further supported by the fact that, in storage mode, the speeds of the storage conveyor 34 and the transfer rotor 21 are coordinated such that the conveying speed of the storage conveyor 34, at which it can convey the harvested material (i.e., the tangential speed of the storage tines 38), is greater than the conveying speed of the transfer rotor 21 (i.e., the tangential speed of the transfer tines 24). Thus, the storage tines 38 actively draw the harvested material away from the transfer tines. In contrast, in baling mode, the conveying speed of the transfer rotor 21 can at least equal the conveying speed of the storage conveyor 34.

[0043] 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 of the rotor base 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.

[0044] 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 into the compression chamber 55. The diagram shows a state in which the crop bale 60 has reached its predetermined size, i.e., an end phase of the compression mode. Subsequently, the crop bale 60 must be bound with binding material via a binding device (not shown) and then ejected from the compression chamber 55. During this period, no crop can be processed in the compression 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. 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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 chamber 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., between 80 and 120 rpm. During discharge, the front faces 38.1 of the storage tines 38 and the chamber feed faces 24.2 of the transfer tines 24, which are opposite the storage feed faces 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 face 24.2; that is, they are aligned so that the crop can be discharged instead of being pushed back into the storage chamber 32.

[0047] 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.4This shows a state in which the storage tines 24 already extend far into the storage space 32, while a bale 60 of increasing size is already being formed in the pressing chamber 55. As described above, the rotor bottom section 9 follows all adjustments of the storage rotor 21, resulting in a predetermined, approximately constant distance to the storage rotor 21. A larger distance can also be set in the rear section of the rotor bottom section 9, for example, at the beginning of the pressing cycle, in order to convey the overall larger crop flow EG more efficiently. For this purpose, the starter roller 51 is lowered, which necessitates a synchronous lowering of the rear section of the rotor bottom section 9.

[0048] 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 baling chamber (55), a transfer device (20) having a transfer rotor (21) which can be driven about a transfer axis (B) in a chamber feed direction (K) and which has a plurality of transfer tines (24) which extend radially outward with respect to the transfer axis (B) in order, in a baling mode, to convey harvested material through the feed channel (6) toward the baling chamber (55), and a storage device (30) having a storage room (32) for temporarily receiving the harvested material, which storage space is connected to the feed channel (6) via at least one storage opening (33), characterized in that the transfer rotor (21) is designed, in a storage mode, to feed the harvested material from the feed channel (6) toward the storage space (32), for intermediate storage, while rotating in a storage feed direction (S) which is counter to the chamber feed direction (K) and, in the baling mode, to engage in the storage space and to convey the harvested material discharged from the storage device (30) through the feed channel (6) toward the baling chamber (55).

2. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer rotor (21) is designed, in the baling mode, to engage in the storage space (32) in order to convey the harvested material out of the storage space.

3. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer device (20) comprises a rotor carrier (26) which is adjustable relative to a frame (2) of the round baler (1) and on which the transfer rotor (21) is rotatably mounted.

4. 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).

5. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the round baler is designed, in the baling mode, to adjust the rotor carrier (26) such that the transfer rotor (21) increasingly engages in the storage space (32) over time.

6. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the round baler is designed, in the storage mode, to adjust the rotor carrier (26) such that the transfer rotor (21) decreasingly engages in the storage space (32) over time.

7. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the round baler is designed to reverse the direction of rotation of the transfer rotor (21) when the transfer rotor has been at least predominantly guided out of the storage space (32).

8. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one scraper (27) for the transfer rotor (21) is arranged on the rotor carrier (26).

9. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer tines (24) are inclined backward both on a chamber feed side (24.1) arranged at the front in the chamber feed direction (K) and on a storage feed side (24.2) arranged at the front in a storage feed direction (S), so that the relevant edge of the transfer tine (24) moves back radially outward in a tangential manner.

10. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer tines (24) are inclined further backward on the storage feed side (24.1) than on the chamber feed side (24.2).

11. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the round baler is designed to drive the transfer rotor (21) in the storage mode at least during a start-up phase.

12. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the round baler is designed to allow the transfer rotor (21) to rotate passively through the harvested material flow in the storage mode at least after the end of the start-up phase.

13. Round baler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the round baler is designed to drive the transfer rotor (21) at a higher speed in the baling mode than in the storage mode.