attachment

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a front attachment for harvesting cereal crops, typically maize, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such attachments comprise picking units with a picking gap formed between picking plates and picking rollers arranged in pairs below the picking gap, driven in opposite directions. Cutting or chopping devices may be provided below the picking units, which have at least one knife that rotates about a substantially vertical axis of rotation and whose radial extent is arranged in a plane below the picking rollers.

[0003] Harvesting grain maize involves using a combine harvester, in which the kernels are threshed from the cob by a threshing unit and then separated from further impurities in a kernel processor. A combine harvester used for this purpose is equipped with a maize header instead of the usual header used for grain or rapeseed harvesting. This header ensures the controlled intake of the entire maize plant into the picking unit, where the cobs are separated from the stalks and then fed to the combine's threshing unit via a cross conveyor and an inclined conveyor. Depending on its overall working width, a suitable header has a specific number of picking units. During harvesting, the maize stalks are conveyed by a pair of picking rollers both axially and perpendicularly between them.In this process, the corn plant is simultaneously pulled through the picking slot. The picking slot is dimensioned such that the stalk can be pulled through it, but the ears, due to their size, are separated from the stalk and remain above the picking plates.

[0004] A front attachment of the above type is known, for example, from US 9,668,413 B2. US 9,668,413 B2 further discloses a gap adjustment mechanism for moving the picking plates. The gap adjustment mechanism allows the picking plates to be adjusted so that the picking gap can be adapted to different piston sizes.

[0005] A disadvantage of US 9,668,413 B2 is that the picking plates are guided parallel to each other, so the picking gap formed between the plates has a constant width along its length. This can increasingly lead to the accumulation of contaminants and plant debris on the plates and in the gap. Such contaminants and plant debris can accumulate between the picking plates and the frame on which the picking plates are guided, blocking the gap adjustment mechanism.

[0006] Documents DE 10 2015 116375 A1 and US 5 680 750 A disclose attachment devices for harvesting cereal crops, in particular maize, according to the preamble of the attached claim 1.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to avoid the described disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to improve the picking units of an attachment device in such a way that accumulations of impurities and plant residues in the area of ​​the picking plates are reduced.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by the characterizing features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] According to claim 1, a header for harvesting cereal crops, in particular maize, is proposed, which has at least one picking unit, wherein the picking unit comprises at least a frame, a first and second picking plate forming a picking gap, each attached to the frame, a gap adjustment mechanism for adjusting the size of the picking gap, and picking rollers arranged in pairs below the picking gap, wherein the gap adjustment mechanism is provided and configured for adjusting an angle of attack of at least one of the picking plates, wherein the gap adjustment mechanism has a first adjustment arrangement comprising a first adjusting element extending substantially parallel to the first picking plate, a first deflection lever and a second deflection lever, wherein the first and second deflection levers each connect the first adjusting element to the first picking plate.wherein the first actuating element is guided laterally next to the frame on a side facing away from the picking gap.

[0010] The invention has many advantages. The adjustable angle of attack allows the picking plates to be set for all gap sizes so that the picking plates extend essentially parallel to each other. Additionally, gap divergence can be adjusted. The picking plates can be aligned so that the picking gap becomes progressively wider in the opposite direction of travel of the attachment. This counteracts the accumulation of contaminants and plant residue on the plates and in the gap.

[0011] The first claimed adjustment arrangement also has the advantage of creating a particularly advantageous adjustment mechanism for setting the size of the picking gap. Guiding the adjusting element on a side facing away from the picking gap, laterally next to the frame, allows for a flatter design of the top of the frame, so that any contaminants or plant residues accumulating in the area of ​​the picking plates can slide off the picking units laterally.

[0012] A further advantageous development provides that the first adjusting element is adjustable in its longitudinal extent to set the angle of attack of the first picking plate. This allows the alignment of the first and second deflection levers relative to each other to be adjusted by changing the length of the adjusting element. A change in the position of the first and second deflection levers relative to each other results in a change in the alignment of the first picking plate and thus a change in the angle of attack of the first picking plate.

[0013] A further advantageous embodiment provides that the gap adjustment mechanism has a second adjustment arrangement comprising a second adjusting element extending essentially parallel to the second picking plate, a third deflection lever, and a fourth deflection lever, wherein the third and fourth deflection levers each connect the second adjusting element to the second picking plate. A second adjustment arrangement is particularly advantageous because it allows the picking plates of a picking unit to be adjusted symmetrically, and the picking gap can thus be aligned centrally over a gap located between the picking rollers.

[0014] A further advantageous development provides that the second adjusting element is adjustable in its longitudinal extent to set the angle of attack of the second picking plate. This allows the alignment of the third and fourth deflection levers relative to each other to be adjusted by changing the length of the second adjusting element. A change in the position of the third and fourth deflection levers relative to each other results in a change in the alignment of the second picking plate and thus a change in the angle of attack of the second picking plate.

[0015] A further advantageous development provides that the second actuating element is guided laterally next to the frame on a side facing away from the picking gap.

[0016] A further advantageous improvement involves guiding the first and second picking plates on projections spaced apart from a main surface of the frame, with the projections being integrally formed with the main surface. The reduced contact area of ​​the projections prevents the picking plates from seizing on the frame during extended periods of inactivity of the header. Furthermore, water can drain away from under the picking plates. The projections can be embossed into the frame so that they are integrally formed with it. This reduces the manufacturing costs of the frame.

[0017] A further advantageous improvement involves the main surface being beveled in sections on the side facing away from the picking gap. This beveling can cause any impurities or crop residue accumulating on the main surface to slide off the side of the frame.

[0018] A further advantageous development provides that the picking unit includes a support bearing at the end of the picking gap, wherein the first picking plate and the second picking plate are supported at their ends to absorb forces acting in the longitudinal direction of the respective first and second picking plates.

[0019] A further advantageous development provides that the column adjustment mechanism includes a control arm connected to the first and second adjustment arrangements for moving them. The first and second adjustment arrangements can thus be adjusted synchronously by means of a control arm.

[0020] A further advantageous development provides that the attachment device has several picking units, wherein the control arms are connected to each other in a force-transmitting manner by means of connecting elements, so that a single actuator is sufficient to adjust the size of the picking gap of several picking units.

[0021] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the drawings. Figure 1: a schematic side view of a harvesting attachment mounted on a combine harvester; Figure 2: a schematic detail front view of a picking unit with a straw chopper; Figure 3: a picking unit in a top view.

[0022] Fig. 1Figure 1 schematically shows a header 1 according to the invention for harvesting cereal crops, which is adapted at the rear to a carrier vehicle 2 (not shown in detail), preferably a combine harvester or forage harvester. The header 1 has several picking units 17 in a front area (FR) in the direction of travel (see Figure 1). Fig. 2) with a picking gap 3 between the first and second picking plates 4a, 4b, each with a picking gap 3 forming between them, wherein pairs of cylindrical or conical picking rollers 5, arranged in one or more parts, are assigned to the underside of each picking gap 3, the latter having profile segments 6, 7 on their circumference. The counter-rotating drive of the picking rollers (direction of arrow 8, 9) draws a straw stem 10, gripped by the profile segments 6, 7, downwards in a vertical direction, stripping off the fruit heads 11 in the area of ​​the picking gap 3. The straw stem 10 undergoes deformations that promote decomposition, but retains its stem-like shape. Below the picking rollers 5, each picking gap 3 is assigned a stem chopper 13 rotating around a vertical axis 12, the output shaft 14 of which has adapter flanges 15 that can detachably hold the chopping knives 16.

[0023] Fig. 3Figure 1 shows a picking unit 17 in a top view. The picking unit 17 comprises a frame 18, wherein the first and second picking plates 4a, 4b are arranged on the top of the frame 18, forming the picking gap 3 located between the picking plates 4a, 4b.

[0024] To adjust the size of the picking gap 3 or the distance between the picking plates 4a, 4b, the picking unit 17 includes a gap adjustment mechanism 19. To adjust the size of the picking gap 3, the picking plates 4a, 4b are moved towards or away from each other. Additionally, the gap adjustment mechanism 19 is designed and configured, in a manner to be explained in more detail later, to adjust an angle of attack 20 of the respective picking plates 4a, 4b. The angle of attack 20 is understood to be the angle of the respective picking plate 4a, 4b relative to a center line 46 of the picking gap 3. To adjust the angle of attack 20, the respective picking plate 4a, 4b is pivotable about an axis 21 extending vertically by means of the gap adjustment mechanism 19. An axis 21 extending in a vertical direction is exemplary for the first picking plate in Fig. 3 depicted.

[0025] The gap adjustment mechanism 19 has a first adjustment arrangement 22 comprising a first adjusting element 23 extending substantially parallel to the first picking plate 4a, a first deflection lever 24, and a second deflection lever 25, wherein the first and second deflection levers 24 and 25 each connect the first adjusting element 23 to the first picking plate 4a. The first and second deflection levers 24 and 25 are each rotatably arranged about a first axis 26 on the frame 18. Furthermore, the first and second deflection levers 24 and 25 are each rotatably arranged about a second axis 27 at the ends of the first adjusting element 23, spaced apart from the respective first axis 26. Furthermore, the first and second deflection levers 24 and 25 are each rotatably arranged about a third axis 28 on the picking plate 4a, spaced apart from the respective axes 26 and 27.The arrangement of the first adjustment arrangement 22 causes a movement of the first actuating element 23 in the longitudinal direction of the first actuating element to simultaneously cause a movement of the first picking plate 4a towards the second picking plate 4b or away from the second picking plate 4b and changes the size of the picking gap 3.

[0026] The first adjusting element 23 is designed as a two-part telescopic adjusting rod, allowing its longitudinal extension to be adjusted. For this purpose, a first part 29 of the first adjusting element 23 is connected to a second part 30 of the first adjusting element 23 by a screw connection 31. The screw connection 31 allows the first part 29 to be screwed in or out of the second part 30. A change in the longitudinal extension of the first adjusting element 23 alters the orientation of the first and second deflection levers 24, 25 relative to each other and consequently rotates the first picking plate 4a about the vertically extending axis 21. Therefore, the angle of attack 20 of the first picking plate 4a can be adjusted by means of the first adjusting element 23, which is adjustable in its longitudinal extension.The third axis 28 of a deflection lever 24, 25, here and preferably of the first deflection lever 24, is guided in an elongated hole 36 on the first picking plate 4a to allow an adjustable alignment of the deflection levers 24, 25 relative to each other.

[0027] Here, the first actuating element 23 is arranged laterally next to the frame 18 on a side facing away from the picking gap 3.

[0028] Furthermore, the gap adjustment mechanism 19 comprises a second adjustment arrangement 32, which includes a second adjusting element 33 extending substantially parallel to the second picking plate 4b, a third deflection lever 34, and a fourth deflection lever 35, wherein the third and fourth deflection levers 34 and 35, respectively, connect the second adjusting element 33 to the second picking plate 4b. The deflection levers 34 and 35 of the second adjustment arrangement 32 are connected to the second picking plate 4b and the second adjusting element 33 by means of first, second, and third axes 26, 27, and 28, respectively, just as the deflection levers 24 and 25 of the first adjustment arrangement 32 are. The second adjusting element 33 of the second adjustment arrangement 32, like the first adjusting element 23, is designed as a two-part assembly with a first part 37 and a second part 38, allowing for longitudinal adjustment.Thus, the second adjustment arrangement 32 also makes it possible to adjust the size of the picking gap 3 and to change the angle of attack 22 of the second picking plate 4b.

[0029] Here, and preferably, the second actuating element 33 is arranged laterally next to the frame 18 on a side facing away from the picking gap 3.

[0030] Here, and preferably, the first and second picking plates 4a, 4b are guided on projections 40 spaced apart from a main surface 39 of the frame 18, the projections 40 being integrally formed with the main surface 39. Furthermore, the main surface 39 is chamfered in sections on a side facing away from the picking gap 3. The chamfer 41 causes any impurities or crop residue accumulating on the main surface 39 to slide laterally off the frame 18.

[0031] A support bearing 42 is arranged at the end of the picking gap 3 to support the picking plates 4a, 4b. The first and second picking plates 4a, 4b are each supported at their end faces by the support bearing 42 to absorb forces acting in the longitudinal direction of the respective first and second picking plates 4a, 4b. For this purpose, the support bearing 42 comprises a sliding surface 43 extending section by section along the respective end face of each picking plate 4a, 4b.

[0032] Furthermore, the gap adjustment mechanism 19 comprises a control arm 44, which is connected to the first and second adjustment arrangements 22, 32 for moving them. The control arm 44 extends transversely to the picking gap 3 and is rotatably connected at each end to a deflection lever 25, 35 of the respective adjustment arrangement 22, 32, such that a movement of the control arm 44 in its longitudinal direction causes a pivoting movement of the deflection lever 25, 35 connected to the control arm 44. This pivoting movement is transmitted, firstly, directly from the deflection levers 25, 34 to the respective picking plate 4a, 4b, and secondly, via the respective actuating elements 23, 33, to the respective deflection levers 24, 34, and from these in turn to the respective picking plate 4a, 4b.Here, and preferably, the attachment device 1 has several picking units 17, wherein the control arms 44 of the picking units 17 are connected to each other in a force-transmitting manner by means of connecting elements 45, so that an actuator, not shown in detail here, is sufficient to adjust the size of the picking gap 3 of several picking units 17. Reference symbol list:

[0033] 1 attachment 33 Second actuating element 2 Carrier vehicle 34 Third deflection lever 3 Picking gap 35 Fourth deflection lever 4a First picking plate 36 Slotted hole 4b Second picking plate 37 Part One 5 Picking roller 38 Part Two 6 Profile segment 39 Main area 7 Profile segment 40 projection 8 Arrow direction 41 chamfer 9 Arrow direction 42 support bearing 10 Straw stems 43 sliding surface 11 Fruit clusters 44 control arm 12 Vertical axis 45 Connecting element 13 stem shredder 46 center line 14 Output shaft 15 Adapting flanges 16 Shredder blade 17 Picking unit 18 Frame 19 gap adjustment mechanism 20 angle of attack 21 axis 22 First setup 23 First actuating element 24 First deflection lever 25 Second deflection lever 26 axis 27 axis 28 axis 29 Part One 30 Part Two 31 screw connection 32 Second setting arrangement

Claims

1. A front attachment (1) for harvesting cereal crops, in particular maize, which is provided with at least one picking unit (17) the picking unit (17) comprising at least: - a frame (18), - a first and second picking plate (4a, 4b) forming a picking gap (3), which are respectively attached to the frame (18), - a gap adjustment mechanism (19) for the adjustment of a size of the picking gap (3), - picking rollers (5) disposed in pairs below the picking gap (3), wherein the gap adjustment mechanism (19) is provided and configured for the adjustment of an angle of attack (20) of at least one of the picking plates (4a, 4b), wherein the gap adjustment mechanism (19) has a first adjustment assembly (22) which comprises a first positioning element (23) extending substantially parallel to the first picking plate (4a), a first deflecting lever (24) and a second deflecting lever (25), wherein the first and second deflecting levers (24, 25) respectively connect the first positioning element (23) to the first picking plate (4a), characterized in that the first positioning element (23) is guided laterally next to the frame (18) on a side which faces away from the picking gap (3).

2. The front attachment (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, in order to adjust the angle of attack (20) of the first picking plate (4a), the longitudinal extent of the first positioning element (23) can be adjusted.

3. The front attachment (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gap adjustment mechanism (19) has a second adjustment assembly (32) which comprises a second positioning element (33) extending substantially parallel to the second picking plate (4b), a third deflecting lever (34) and a fourth deflecting lever (35), wherein the third and fourth deflecting levers (34, 35) respectively connect the second positioning element (33) to the second picking plate (4b).

4. The front attachment (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, in order to adjust the angle of attack (20) of the second picking plate (4b), the longitudinal extent of the second positioning element (33) can be adjusted.

5. The front attachment (1) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the second positioning element (33) is guided laterally next to the frame (18) on a side which faces away from the picking gap (3).

6. The front attachment (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second picking plates (4a, 4b) are spaced apart from a main surface (39) of the frame (18), guided on projections (40), wherein the projections (40) are integrally formed with the main surface (39).

7. The front attachment (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the main surface (39) is chamfered in sections on a side facing away from the picking gap (3).

8. The front attachment (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the picking unit (17) comprises a support bearing (42) at the end of the picking gap (3), wherein the first picking plate (4a) and the second picking plate (4b) are supported at their ends in order to take up forces acting in the longitudinal direction of the respective first and second picking plate (4a, 4b).

9. The front attachment (1) according to one of claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the gap adjustment mechanism (19) comprises a control arm (44) which is connected to the first and second adjustment assembly (22, 32) in order to move the first and second adjustment assembly (22, 32).

10. The front attachment (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the front attachment (1) is provided with a plurality of picking units (17), wherein the control arms (44) are connected to each other in a force-transmitting manner by means of connecting elements (45).