AGRICULTURAL BALER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an agricultural baler. The baler comprises a press frame, a container device, and a transfer device. The transfer device is designed to transfer the container device relative to the press frame. The container device can be transferred from an operating position to a filling position. The transfer device has at least one actuator. Furthermore, the transfer device has at least one first link element, which is arranged at one end so as to be pivotable about a first link frame pivot axis on the press frame and at the other end so as to be pivotable about a first link container pivot axis on the container device. Furthermore, the transfer device has a link arrangement which is arranged on the container device so as to be pivotable about a second link container pivot axis.The handlebar arrangement comprises at least one second handlebar element which is arranged at one end pivotably about a second handlebar frame pivot axis on the press frame.

[0002] Such a baler is known from EP 2 407 024 B1. The transfer device of the known baler comprises a total of four linkage elements, each extending from the press frame to the container device, and a hydraulic cylinder, each of which is arranged on the press frame so that it can pivot about separate pivot axes. As a result, the transfer device requires a large amount of space, which limits the size of the container device. The object of the present invention is to improve the baler such that the transfer device is designed to be compact while ensuring its reliability.

[0003] According to the invention, the object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0004] According to the invention, the linkage assembly comprises at least one intermediate linkage element and at least one third linkage element. The second linkage element is arranged at one end pivotably about the second linkage frame pivot axis on the press frame and at the other end pivotably about a first intermediate linkage pivot axis on the intermediate linkage element. The intermediate linkage element is arranged at the first linkage element so as to be pivotable about a second intermediate linkage pivot axis. The third linkage element is arranged at one end pivotably about a third intermediate linkage pivot axis on the intermediate linkage element and at the other end pivotably about the second container pivot axis on the container device.

[0005] An agricultural baler is, in particular, a square baler or large square baler. To complete a pressed bale, the baler typically wraps it with a binding agent, such as twine. The required binding agent is carried by the baler in the form of binding agent rolls. The container device serves, in particular, to accommodate the binding agent rolls to be carried. For this purpose, the container device preferably forms an enclosed interior space with a plurality of locations for positioning one binding agent roll each.

[0006] In the operating position, the container device preferably forms a lateral flank of the baler. The baler particularly preferably has at least two container devices which are mounted mirror-symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal center plane of the baler. During operation of the baler, the at least one container device is in the operating position, in particular for providing the contained binding agent. In the operating position, the container device is preferably positioned at least partially above a wheel of the baler which is designed to roll on a contact plane which, during operation, corresponds in particular to the surface of the field being driven over. To refill the container device, in particular to add more binding agent rolls, the container device must be transferred to the filling position.In the filling position, the container device is closer to the support level than in the operating position and is located laterally offset from the wheel so that the baler operator has easy access to the container device.

[0007] The press frame is, in particular, a rigid structure on which various functional units of the baler are supported. The first link element and the second link element are preferably mounted on the press frame by means of pivot bearings. The other components that can pivot relative to one another are also preferably mounted to one another by means of pivot bearings. The pivot axes are to be understood as geometric axes that preferably extend parallel to one another and / or in the direction of travel of the baler. The link elements are preferably rigid and particularly preferably at least substantially elongated components. The actuator is, in particular, designed as a hydraulic cylinder. Apart from the pivotability of the aforementioned components, they are preferably not movable relative to one another.

[0008] Due to the inventive design of the linkage assembly, the transfer device is designed in particular as a Z-kinematic system. Specifically, the linkage assembly is preferably designed such that the second linkage element, the intermediate linkage element, and / or the third linkage element cross / cross the first linkage element in a front or rear view at least in the operating position, the filling position, or an intermediate position in which the container device is arranged during the transfer between the operating position and the filling position. The first intermediate linkage pivot axis is preferably positioned at one end of the intermediate linkage element. The third intermediate linkage pivot axis is preferably positioned at the other end of the intermediate linkage element.

[0009] The inventive design of the baler allows for reliable guidance of the container device relative to the press frame, whereby the container device is oriented at least substantially the same in the filling position as in the operating position. However, compared to the linkage arrangement known from the prior art, the Z-kinematics is particularly compact. This creates more space for the other functional units of the baler and the container device. Due to the larger space available for the container device, the baler can carry a larger supply of binding agent, thereby reducing the downtime of the baler required to fill the container device.

[0010] The actuator is preferably arranged on the press frame, particularly at one end, so that it can pivot about an actuator frame pivot axis. Alternatively, the actuator could be arranged pivotably on the container device or between two of the linkage elements, for example. Arranging the actuator on the press frame simplifies its power supply and thus increases the reliability of the transfer device.

[0011] Particularly preferably, the linkage arrangement is configured such that the actuator frame pivot axis is arranged coaxially with the second linkage frame pivot axis. This means that the actuator and the second linkage element are pivotably mounted on the press frame about the same axis. In particular, this axis and the first linkage frame pivot axis are the only axes about which the components of the transfer device are pivotably mounted on the press frame. Due to the coaxial arrangement of the actuator frame pivot axis and the second linkage frame pivot axis, the installation space required by the transfer device is significantly reduced, and the press frame can be structurally simpler with respect to the transfer device.

[0012] The first link frame pivot axis and the second link frame pivot axis are arranged in a first plane. The link arrangement is preferably designed such that the first plane is angled by at least 45°, preferably by at least 55°, particularly preferably by at least 65° to the support plane. This ensures, particularly when the actuator frame pivot axis and the second link frame pivot axis coincide, that the actuator is sufficiently strong to lift the container device from the filling position even with a relatively small force to be exerted directly, wherein the ratio of a pivot angle of the first link element to a path traveled by the container device in a vertical direction is particularly small. The first plane is in particular angled by less than 90° to the support plane.As a result, in the event of a coincidence of the actuator frame pivot axis and the second link frame pivot axis, the actuator can remove the container device from the operating position, even if the first link frame pivot axis and the first link container pivot axis lie in a plane perpendicular to the support plane in the operating position of the container device, whereby a further reduced installation space requirement of the transfer device is achieved, in particular in the operating position of the container device.

[0013] In the area of ​​the first link frame pivot axis, the press frame has its maximum width, in particular, with the second link frame pivot axis being closer to the longitudinal center plane than the first link frame pivot axis. The first link frame pivot axis is arranged, in particular, above the wheel of the baler. The distance of the first link frame pivot axis from the longitudinal center plane is, in particular, 60 mm greater than the distance of the second link frame pivot axis from the longitudinal center plane, with the distance of the second link frame pivot axis from the support plane being, in particular, 150 mm greater than the distance of the first link frame pivot axis from the support plane. The immediate distance between the link frame pivot axes is preferably smaller than the distance between the first link frame pivot axis and the second intermediate link pivot axis and / or the second link frame pivot axis and the first intermediate link pivot axis.This allows a relatively large distance between the container device in the filling position and the press frame to be achieved, even with the small installation space required.

[0014] Preferably, the actuator, particularly at the other end, is arranged on the first link element so that it can pivot about an actuator link pivot axis. Alternatively, the actuator could be arranged on one of the other link elements or on the container device. By arranging the actuator on the first link element, a large pivoting of the first link element can be achieved even with a short travel distance of the actuator, particularly with the previously described positioning of the link frame pivot axes relative to one another.

[0015] Particularly preferably, the linkage assembly is configured such that the actuator linkage pivot axis is arranged coaxially with the second intermediate linkage pivot axis. This means that the actuator and the intermediate linkage element are arranged so as to be pivotable about the same axis relative to the first linkage element. By combining the actuator linkage pivot axis and the second intermediate linkage pivot axis, the transfer device is particularly compact.

[0016] The link arrangement is preferably designed such that a distance between the second intermediate link pivot axis and the first link frame pivot axis is greater than a distance between the second intermediate link pivot axis and the first link container pivot axis. The second intermediate link pivot axis is preferably arranged slightly off-center on the first link element. This arrangement makes it possible to achieve a larger pivot angle of the first link element relative to the press frame when a conventional hydraulic cylinder is used as the actuator. Furthermore, the arrangement ensures that when the container device is designed to accommodate common binding agent rolls, the accommodation capacity is restricted as little as possible by the intermediate link element, which projects partially from the first link element to the container device, particularly in the operating position of the container device.

[0017] The container device preferably has a recess into which the intermediate link element projects in the operating position of the container device such that the first intermediate link pivot axis intersects the container device. The size of the recess is in particular equal to the size of one of the binding agent roller positions within the container device. The recess is in particular arranged such that at least four binding agent roller positions are formed on each side in the direction of the first intermediate link pivot axis, offset from the recess. The recess allows a smaller distance between the container device in the operating position and the longitudinal center plane of the baler, whereby the width of the container device measured at right angles to the longitudinal center plane and thus its storage capacity can be increased.

[0018] Preferably, the intermediate link element is configured such that a distance between the first intermediate link pivot axis and the second intermediate link pivot axis is smaller than a distance between the second intermediate link pivot axis and the third intermediate link pivot axis. This allows, in particular, the installation space requirement in the direction of the container device and thus, if applicable, the necessary transverse extent of the recess to be reduced.

[0019] The linkage arrangement is preferably designed such that the container device is pivoted at least slightly relative to the press frame during its transfer. In particular, a lower end of the container device pivots away from the press frame during its transfer from the operating position to the filling position, optimally by an angle of 7.3°. This pivoting can be achieved at least partially by the different distances of the first intermediate link pivot axis and the third intermediate link pivot axis from the second intermediate link pivot axis. The pivoting facilitates the guidance of the lower end of the container device next to the wheel, which in the operating position is particularly located underneath it, so that the container device can be enlarged without colliding with the wheel during the transfer.

[0020] The first intermediate link pivot axis and the third intermediate link pivot axis are arranged in a second plane. The intermediate link element is preferably designed such that, at least in one position of the container device, in particular the operating position, the filling position, or the intermediate position, the second intermediate link pivot axis is offset from the second plane in a first direction, in which the second link frame pivot axis is also offset from the second plane.

[0021] In particular, the intermediate link element has two legs extending from the second intermediate link pivot axis, which, with respect to the intermediate link pivot axes, are designed so as to face away from the second link frame pivot axis that they enclose an angle of less than 180°. The first intermediate link pivot axis can thus be positioned particularly close to the first link element in the operating position. On the one hand, this in turn reduces the critical installation space requirement. On the other hand, this makes it possible to ensure that the container device is pivoted considerably relative to the press frame already in the first part of the transfer from the operating position in order to be able to avoid the wheel particularly far.

[0022] The first link element is preferably designed such that it has a length of at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, particularly preferably at least 100% of a height of the container device in its operating position. In particular, a distance of the first link frame pivot axis from the first link container pivot axis corresponds to at least 80%, preferably at least 90% of the height. In the operating position of the container device, the first link element preferably extends elongatedly at least substantially at right angles to the support plane. The greatest possible length of the first link element and the greatest possible axis distance result in a particularly large spacing of the container device from the press frame in the filling position. This makes access to the container device easier.Particularly preferably, the length of the first link element corresponds to the height of the container device in the operating position, since in the case of the presence of a maintenance platform of a baler above the container device in the operating position, the space between the maintenance platform and the wheel is optimally utilized.

[0023] The first link element is preferably mounted at an upper end of the container device. In the operating position of the container device, the first link container pivot axis is arranged in a third plane perpendicular to the support plane. Preferably, the link arrangement is configured such that the second link container pivot axis, the first link frame pivot axis, and / or the second intermediate link pivot axis are / are also arranged in the third plane in the operating position of the container device. This further reduces the installation space required by the transfer device, particularly transversely to the longitudinal center plane.

[0024] The linkage arrangement is preferably designed such that a distance between the first linkage container pivot axis and the second linkage container pivot axis is at most 50%, preferably at most 40%, particularly preferably at most 30% of a distance between the first linkage container pivot axis and the first linkage frame pivot axis. This means in particular that the second linkage container pivot axis is only relatively slightly spaced from the upper end of the container device. This makes it possible, on the one hand, to guide the container device particularly close to the support plane without the transfer device colliding with the wheel. In addition, a small distance between the linkage container pivot axes allows the distances between the intermediate linkage pivot axes to be reduced, which leads to an installation space advantage without jeopardizing the intended movement of the container device relative to the press frame.

[0025] The transfer device preferably has two first link elements that are spaced apart from one another in the direction of the pivot axes. The transfer device preferably has exactly one actuator that is arranged at least partially, preferably centrally, between the first link elements, at least in the operating position of the container device. The same preferably applies to the second link element, the intermediate link element, and / or the third link element. Particularly preferably, the transfer device is designed to be mirror-symmetrical to a mirror plane that is positioned at right angles to both the support plane and the longitudinal center plane. The wide link element and / or the intermediate link element preferably have two similarly designed sections, between which at least part of the actuator is arranged.In particular, a stiffening element extending in an arcuate manner to the intermediate link element is arranged in a fixed position on each of the two first link elements. Adjacent to the first link container pivot axis, the first link elements are preferably connected to one another by a stiffening beam extending parallel to the first link container pivot axis.

[0026] Preferably, the second link element and / or the third link element have / have a further actuator. As a result, the distance between the second link frame pivot axis and the first intermediate link pivot axis and / or the distance between the third intermediate link pivot axis and the second link container pivot axis is / are variable. The further actuator can preferably be controlled independently of the first-mentioned actuator. This allows a further degree of freedom of the transfer device to be achieved and, for example, the container device can initially be pivoted out of the operating position solely about the first link container pivot axis before being moved into the filling position towards the support plane. Alternatively or additionally, the second link element and / or the third link element are / are manually adjustable in length in order to adjust the transfer device before the baler is put into operation.

[0027] Further details and advantages of the invention can be found in the schematically illustrated embodiment described below; in the following: Fig. 1 shows an agricultural baler according to the invention in a partially sectioned front view; Fig. 2a shows a transfer device of the baler according to. Fig. 1 in an operating position in a front view; Fig. 2b the transfer device of the baler according to Fig. 1 in an intermediate position in a front view; Fig. 2c the transfer device of the baler according to Fig. 1 in a filling position in a front view; Fig. 3a the transfer device of the baler according to. Fig. 1 in the operating position in a perspective view; Fig. 3b the transfer device of the baler according to. Fig. 1 in the intermediate position in a perspective view; Fig. 3c the transfer device of the baler according to. Fig. 1in the filling position in a perspective view; Fig. 4a the transfer device of the baler according to. Fig. 1 in the operating position in a top view; Fig. 4b the transfer device of the baler according to. Fig. 1 in the intermediate position in a top view; Fig. 4c the transfer device of the baler according to. Fig. 1 in the filling position in a top view; Fig. 5 the transfer device of the baler according to. Fig. 1 in the intermediate position in a simplified front view.

[0028] The features of the exemplary embodiment according to the invention explained below can also be the subject of the invention individually or in combinations other than those shown or described, but always at least in combination with the features of claim 1. Where appropriate, parts with the same functional effect are provided with identical reference numerals.

[0029] The figures show an agricultural baler 10 according to the invention in whole or in part. Figure 1 shows the baler 10 as a whole. The baler 10 has a press frame 11 including a wheel axle and wheels 21 arranged thereon. With the edges 21, the baler 10 stands on a support plane AE. Above the Figure 1 The wheel 21 shown on the left shows a container device 12 in an operating position I. In addition to the Figure 1 The wheel 21 shown on the right shows another container device 12 in a filling position III. The two container devices 12 are arranged on the press frame 11 by means of similar transfer devices 13.

[0030] The formation of the above the in Figure 1 The transfer device 13 shown on the right of the wheel 21 is inserted into the Figures 2a to 5 shown in detail. The Figure 2a , 3a and 4athe container device 12 arranged on the transfer device 13 in the operating position I, the Figure 2b , 3b , 4b and 5 the container device 12 in an intermediate position II and the Figure 2c , 3c and 4c the container device 12 in the filling position III.

[0031] The transfer device 13 has two first link elements 14, which are arranged at one end pivotably about a first link frame pivot axis 3 on the press frame 11. At the other end, the first link elements 14 are arranged at the container device 12 pivotably about a first link container pivot axis 4. Furthermore, the transfer device 13 comprises a link arrangement 19, which includes a second link element 15, an intermediate link element 17, and a third link element 18 (see FIG. Fig. 2b). The second link element 15 is arranged at one end pivotably about a second link frame pivot axis 5 on the press frame 11. The second link element 15 is arranged at the other end pivotably about a first intermediate link pivot axis 7 on the intermediate link element 17. The intermediate link element 17 is arranged at the first link element 14 so as to be pivotable about a second intermediate link pivot axis 8. The third link element 18 is arranged at one end pivotably about a third intermediate link pivot axis 9 on the intermediate link element 17. The other end of the third link element is arranged at the container device 12 so as to be pivotable about a second link container pivot axis 6.

[0032] The transfer device 13 has an actuator 16 designed as a hydraulic cylinder. The actuator 16 is pivotally mounted at one end on the press frame 11 about an actuator frame pivot axis 1, which is arranged coaxially with the second link frame pivot axis 5. At the other end, the actuator 16 is pivotally mounted at the first link element 14 about an actuator link pivot axis 2, which is arranged coaxially with the second intermediate link pivot axis 8.

[0033] The first handlebar frame pivot axis 3 and the second handlebar frame pivot axis 5 are arranged in a first plane E1 (see Fig. 2c ). The first plane E1 is angled by more than 65° to the support plane AE, which in Figure 2cto improve clarity, it is shown shifted to the transfer device 13. There is a distance A1 between the second intermediate link pivot axis 8 and the first link frame pivot axis 3. There is a distance A2 between the second intermediate link pivot axis 8 and the first link container pivot axis 4. The distance A1 is greater than the distance A2 (see Fig. 2c ). There is a distance A3 between the first intermediate link pivot axis 7 and the second intermediate link pivot axis 8. There is a distance A4 between the second intermediate link pivot axis 8 and the third intermediate link pivot axis 9. The distance A3 is smaller than the distance A3 (see Fig. 2c ). There is a distance A5 between the first handlebar container pivot axis 4 and the second handlebar container pivot axis 6. There is a distance A6 between the first handlebar container pivot axis 4 and the first handlebar frame pivot axis 3. The distance A5 is at most 30% of the distance A6 (see Fig. 2c ).

[0034] The first intermediate link pivot axis 7 and the third intermediate link pivot axis 9 are arranged in a second plane E2. The second intermediate link pivot axis 8 is offset from the second plane E2 in a first direction R1. The second link frame pivot axis 5 is also offset from the second plane E2 in the first direction R1 (see. Fig. 2b ). A length L of the first link element 14 is equal to a height H of the container device 12 in its operating position I (see Fig. 2a ). The first steering container pivot axis 4 and the second steering container pivot axis 6 are arranged in a third plane E3 in the operating position I of the container device 12. The third plane E3 is arranged at right angles to the support plane AE.

[0035] In the third level E3, in the operating position I of the container device 12, the first link frame pivot axis 3 and the second intermediate link pivot axis 8 are also located (see Fig. 2a ).

[0036] The container device 12 has a recess 20. In the operating position 1 of the container device 12, the intermediate link element 17 projects into the recess 20 such that the first intermediate link pivot axis 7 intersects the container device 12 (see Fig. 1 , 2a and 3c ). The transfer devices 13 of the baler 10 are arranged mirror-symmetrically to one another with respect to a longitudinal center plane LMA of the baler 10 (see Fig. 1 ). The transfer devices 13 are each mirror-symmetrical with respect to a mirror plane SE (see Fig. 4c ).

Claims

1. Agricultural baler (10) comprising a press frame (11), a container device (12), and a transfer means (13), which is designed to transfer the container device (12) relative to the press frame (11) from an operating position (I) into a filling position (III) and has at least one actuator (16), at least one first link element (14), one end of which is arranged on the press frame (11) so as to be pivotable about a first link-frame pivot axis (3) and the other end of which is arranged on the container device (12) so as to be pivotable about a first link-container pivot axis (4), and a link arrangement (19), which is arranged on the container device (12) so as to be pivotable about a second link-container pivot axis (6) and has at least one second link element (15), one end of which is arranged on the press frame (11) so as to be pivotable about a second link-frame pivot axis (5), characterized in that the link arrangement (19) comprises at least one intermediate link element (17) and at least one third link element (18), the other end of which second link element (15) is arranged on the intermediate link element (17) so as to be pivotable about a first intermediate link pivot axis (7), the intermediate link element (17) is arranged on the first link element (14) so as to be pivotable about a second intermediate link pivot axis (8), and one end of the third link element (18) is arranged on the intermediate link element (17) so as to be pivotable about a third intermediate link pivot axis (9) and the other end is arranged on the container device (12) so as to be pivotable about the second container pivot axis (6).

2. Baler according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (16) is arranged on the press frame (11) so as to be pivotable about an actuator-frame pivot axis (1).

3. Baler according to either of the preceding claims, characterized by a design of the link arrangement (19) such that the actuator-frame pivot axis (1) is arranged coaxially with the second link-frame pivot axis (5).

4. Baler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a design of the link arrangement (19) such that a first plane (E1), in which the first link-frame pivot axis (3) and the second link-frame pivot axis (5) are arranged, is angled by at least 45°, preferably by at least 55°, particularly preferably by at least 65° to a contact plane (AE).

5. Baler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (16) is arranged on the first link element (14) so as to be pivotable about an actuator-link pivot axis (2).

6. Baler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a design of the link arrangement (19) such that the actuator-link pivot axis (2) is arranged coaxially with the second intermediate link pivot axis (8).

7. Baler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a design of the link arrangement (19) such that a distance (A1) between the second intermediate link pivot axis (8) and the first link-frame pivot axis (3) is greater than a distance (A2) between the second intermediate link pivot axis (8) and the first link-container pivot axis (4).

8. Baler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container device (12) has a recess (20) into which the intermediate link element (17) projects in the operating position (I) of the container device (12) such that the first intermediate link pivot axis (7) intersects the container device (12).

9. Baler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a design of the intermediate link element (17) such that a distance (A3) between the first intermediate link pivot axis (7) and the second intermediate link pivot axis (8) is smaller than a distance (A4) between the second intermediate link pivot axis (8) and the third intermediate link pivot axis (9).

10. Baler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a design of the intermediate link element (17) such that the second intermediate link pivot axis (8) is arranged, at least in one position of the container device (12), offset in a first direction (R1) from a second plane (E2) in which the first intermediate link pivot axis (7) and the third intermediate link pivot axis (9) are arranged, in which direction the second link-frame pivot axis (5) is also arranged offset from the second plane (E2).

11. Baler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a design of the first link element (14) such that its length (L) corresponds to at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, particularly preferably at least 100% of a height (H) of the container device (12) in its operating position (I).

12. Baler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a design of the link arrangement (19) such that a third plane (E3), in which the first link-container pivot axis (4) and the second link-container pivot axis (6) are arranged in the operating position (I) of the container device (12), is arranged at a right angle to a contact plane (AE) of the baler (10).

13. Baler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a design of the link arrangement (19) such that the first link-frame pivot axis (3) and / or the second intermediate link pivot axis (8) are / is arranged in the third plane (E3) in the operating position (I) of the container device (12).

14. Baler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a design of the link arrangement (19) such that a distance (A5) between the first link-container pivot axis (4) and the second link-container pivot axis (6) is at most 50%, preferably at most 40%, particularly preferably at most 30%, of a distance (A6) between the first link-container pivot axis (4) and the first link-frame pivot axis (3).

15. Baler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by two first link elements (14), the actuator (16), the second link element (15), the intermediate link element (17) and / or the third link element (18) being arranged at least in part between the first link elements (14) in the operating position (I) of the container device (12).

16. Baler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second link element (15) and / or the third link element (18) have / has a further actuator.