BAR

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a bar strip according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Belt conveyors for agricultural machinery are constructed, for example, as disclosed in DE 195 20 927 A1. Such belt conveyors have two or more parallel, tensile-resistant, elastic, and endless belts, which are connected to each other by a multitude of bars arranged transversely to the direction of travel of the belt and parallel to each other. To secure the bars to the belts, the bars have flattened and perforated bearing surfaces with which they rest on the belts. The connection of the bearing surfaces to the belts is made by rivets or similar fasteners that penetrate the bearing surface and the belts.

[0003] Further belt drives for agricultural machinery are disclosed in DE 27 15 108 A1, WO 95 / 23497 A1, DE 20 2007 015687 U1 and DE 37 37 066 A1. DE 200 11 436 U1 and EP 2 813 135 B1 also describe belt drives in which the bars are not directly connected to the belts at their ends, but rather via an end piece forged from round steel with sleeves or bushings welded to it, or via a fastening piece designed as a stamped and bent part. The fastening pieces have a flattened and perforated bearing area that transitions into an intermediate area in the form of a bend extending upwards from the top of the belt or an angled piece angled downwards. In DE 200 11 436 U1, a fastening area for receiving the rod ends in the form of a sleeve is attached at the bend, while in EP 2 813 135 B1 the angle piece serves directly as the fastening, with the rods being inserted through holes in the angle piece.The fasteners rest on the top of the straps with their contact areas and are attached to them by rivets. The rods are made of plastic and are secured to the respective fastening area by clamping or riveting.

[0004] A disadvantage of this design is that the production of the forged and bent end piece according to DE 200 11 436 U1 is very complex, and the upward bend results in a loss of screen area, with no lateral limitation of the screen area. Furthermore, a vertical bend for the forged round steel is not possible, resulting in a further loss of screen area. In EP 2 813 135 B1, another disadvantage is that the transition between the bar and the sheet metal angle bracket is not very stable, meaning that the bar cannot be securely held by the angle bracket under increased bending moments during operation of the belt. Overall, the stability of such a sheet metal component is therefore lower, jeopardizing its long-term operation. Additionally, elevated temperatures on the belt are directly transferred to the bars.

[0005] EP 0 664 074 A1 further specifies that the bars lie on top of each other and overlap at their ends in the area of ​​the inner belt, thereby forming a positive fit effective against transverse forces, for example by a complementary shape, such as convex and concave, or by stepped overlapping sections. A disadvantage of this is that the end-end processing of the bars is complex, and direct attachment of the bars to the belts is also complex and less stable.

[0006] Another bar conveyor is described in NL 2 012 826 C2, wherein several bar arrangements, each consisting of two bars, run between two belts, with the two bars of a bar arrangement being connected to each other centrally. To reinforce this central connection, a central fastening element is described, which extends parallel to the lateral conveyor belts across all central connections.

[0007] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a bar strip that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and also exhibits high stability or robustness in the connection.

[0008] This problem is solved by a bar belt according to claim 1. The dependent claims specify preferred embodiments.

[0009] Accordingly, a belt for agricultural machinery is provided with bars arranged transversely to the direction of travel and parallel to each other, each bar running between two belts. The ends of the bars are held by fasteners connected to the respective belts. These fasteners have a longitudinally extending bearing area, through which the respective fastener is attached to the respective belt of the belt. At least one hole is provided in the bearing area, into which a fastener, e.g., a rivet, projects, also penetrating the belts. The bearing area can be widened transversely in the area of ​​the hole. This ensures that the bearing area is not weakened in the area of ​​the hole, thus maintaining a nearly constant area moment of inertia across the bearing area.

[0010] The rods are held at an intermediate section that is integrally connected to the bearing surface of the respective fastener. One rod, or two, three, or more rods can be held at this intermediate section, allowing for a rod spacing between the rods of the belt that is smaller than the cam spacing between the lower and / or upper cams on the respective belt.

[0011] According to the invention, two of the fastening elements, with their bearing areas, are positioned and fastened one above the other on an inner strap of the rod band such that the respective intermediate areas on the two superimposed bearing areas face opposite outer sides of the inner strap, and the rods held by them therefore extend in opposite directions from the inner strap. The term "inner strap" refers to each strap of the rod band that lies between the two outer straps. A rod band can therefore have more than one inner strap if more than three parallel straps are provided.

[0012] A central strap fastening system is provided for each bar, whereby the bars themselves are not directly attached to the inner strap at their ends, but rather via the fastening pieces. Therefore, the ends of the bars do not need to be machined or reshaped. This eliminates the need for a hot forging process at the bar ends, simplifying the manufacturing process. Furthermore, the attachment of the bars to the inner strap via the fastening pieces is more robust and flexible.

[0013] The superimposed arrangement of the fastening elements according to the invention, and the integrally manufactured intermediate sections, furthermore ensures that a nearly constant area moment of inertia is maintained, at least up to the transition area to the rods. This increases the robustness and stability in the area of ​​the inner belt of the rod band during operation. In addition, the manufacturing of the fastening elements is simplified, as each one only requires a single intermediate section to accommodate the respective rods.

[0014] Preferably, it is further provided that the longitudinal axes of the rods held directly and / or via the respective bushing on the respective intermediate area run below the bearing area of ​​the respective fastening piece and below a belt top surface of the belt, wherein the longitudinal axes of the respective held rods preferably run in the plane of a neutral fiber of the inner belt or above or below the plane of the neutral fiber of the inner belt, in particular in a range of + / - 2mm around the neutral fiber.

[0015] Shifting the bars to the neutral axis significantly increases the overall stability of the belt, as torsional moments on the bar ends and their rivets are avoided. Furthermore, the precise bar spacing, and thus the intended sieving effect, can be reliably maintained along the entire length of the belt, especially at the deflection points, and the jamming of plant material or foreign objects is prevented. The downward angle also creates an optimized sieve area between the belts, with the spaces between the fastenings, together with the inner belt, acting as lateral boundaries for the conveyed material.

[0016] Preferably, the intermediate sections of the two superimposed mounting pieces are arranged on the respective support area such that at least two of the bars held by them, extending in opposite directions, are approximately aligned with each other, with the longitudinal axes of the bars extending in opposite directions differing by a maximum of 3 mm to accommodate tolerances. This ensures an approximately identical installation position for both sides of the middle belt, guaranteeing reliable deflection of the bar belt and uniform screening across the entire belt.

[0017] Preferably, the facing surfaces of the two superimposed support areas touch, particularly precisely, so that any relative movement of the two fastening elements during operation of the bar belt can be avoided. This can be achieved by various measures, including the possibility that the facing surfaces of the superimposed support areas are complementary to each other, preferably curved transversely to the longitudinal direction, and / or a tongue-and-groove combination is formed on the facing surfaces to absorb force peaks, and / or the facing surfaces of the superimposed support areas taper conically to each other in the longitudinal direction and / or the facing surfaces of the superimposed support areas are stepped in a complementary manner to each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0018] The individual rods can be attached to the intermediate section by fixing the rod end axially and / or rotationally fixed to the intermediate section, for example, by a rivet connection, and / or by having a fastening area projecting longitudinally from the intermediate section. This fastening area is formed by at least one bushing with an insertion opening extending longitudinally over a certain insertion depth, into which the rod end is inserted. Thus, a direct connection to the intermediate section can be achieved by a simple rivet connection. An embodiment with a bushing (additionally or instead) offers the advantage of being able to withstand elevated temperatures and effectively absorb bending moments about the transverse axis or the longitudinal direction, as well as shear forces.

[0019] Preferably, the respective fastening element is manufactured partially or completely using a subtractive or additive manufacturing process, preferably using a metallic material or a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer, for example, by milling or 3D printing, or as a casting made of a metallic material or a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer. This allows for manufacturing with low effort and energy costs. However, it is also possible to manufacture it as a one-piece casting, thus eliminating the need for further manufacturing steps. Alternatively, an additional forming process can be provided, for example, to angle the intermediate section and / or to position the bushings in the desired plane relative to the belt.This invention makes it possible to switch from the hot process of forging the rod ends, as shown in the prior art, to a less complex, less energy-intensive assembly process.

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments. The figures shown are: Figs. 1, 2 Bar bands with several bars extending transversely to the direction of travel; Fig. 3 A schematic view of a bar arrangement with a fastening piece; Fig. 4 A first embodiment of the fastening piece for receiving three bars; Fig. 5 A second embodiment of the fastening piece for receiving three bars; Fig. 6 A third embodiment of the fastening piece for receiving one bar; Figs. 7A-7E Further embodiments of the transition between a bar end and the fastening piece; Figs. 8A, 8B Fastening pieces for different installation positions of the bars according to a first variant; Figs. 9A, 9B, 9C Fastening pieces for different installation positions of the bars according to a second variant; Fig. 10 Fastening pieces on an inner belt of the bar band; Figs. 10A, 10B, 10C Different embodiments of the fastening pieces according to Fig. 10 ; and Fig. 11, 11A, 11B further variants of the fastening pieces on an inner strap of the bar band.

[0021] In Figur 1 A bar band 1 is shown, consisting of two parallel, fabric-reinforced (outer) straps 2, between which several bars 3 run. Figur 2 An embodiment of the bar belt 1 is shown, in which an additional middle or inner belt 2 runs in the central area of ​​the bar belt 1. The belts 2 are each designed as cam belts with several lower cams 4 and diametrically opposed upper cams 5, which are spaced apart from each other at a defined cam pitch TN.

[0022] The lower cams 4 drive the belt 1 in a direction of travel R. For this purpose, drive elements (not shown) of drive wheels engage in the gaps between the lower cams 4. The upper cams 5 protect the fastening pieces 6 attached to the belt 2, which rest in a flat, preferably cuboid, bearing area 7a against the upper surface 2b of the belt between the upper cams 5. Such designs of belts 1 are known from the prior art and therefore do not require further explanation.

[0023] Fastening pieces 6 are provided for attaching the individual rods 3 to the respective straps 2, as shown in Fig. 3 The diagram schematically shows a support area 7 extending in a longitudinal direction L (with respect to the fastening element 6 or the rods 3), an intermediate area 8 angled relative to the support area 7 or extending in the vertical direction V, and a fastening area 9. The support area 7, which is preferably flat so that it does not project beyond the upper cams 5, serves to place and fasten the respective fastening element 6 onto a belt surface 2b of the respective belt 2. Fastening is effected by means of fasteners 10, for example rivets, or the like, which penetrate or pierce both the support area 7 through a hole 7c and the belt 2. The support area 7 can be widened in the transverse direction Q or running direction R in the area of ​​the hole 7c, as shown by way of example in the cutouts in Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 The dashed line indicates this. This ensures that the bearing area 7 is not weakened in the area of ​​the perforation 7c, resulting in a nearly constant area moment of inertia, at least over the bearing area 7. The design of the fastening pieces 6 described below allows such a nearly constant area moment of inertia to be maintained at least as far as the transition area to the rods 3.

[0024] The support area 7 merges seamlessly into the intermediate area 8, which is angled downwards in the vertical direction V towards the underside of a belt 2c. The intermediate area 8 is non-circular, i.e., it is eccentrically or off-center formed on the support area 7 with respect to a longitudinal axis. For the fastening element 6 to the outer belt 2 according to Fig. 1 oder 2 The support area 7 transitions into the intermediate area 8 only on one side, as only one-sided fastening of the rods 3 is provided. For the fastening piece 6 on the inner strap 2 according to Fig. 2 According to this design, an intermediate area 8 is provided on both sides of the support area 7, which is integrally connected to it.

[0025] The respective intermediate section 8 extends in the vertical direction V essentially perpendicular to the support area 7, so that it is aligned parallel to an outer side 2a of the belt. A side surface 8a of the intermediate section 8 points continuously in the longitudinal direction L from the support area 7, or rather, this side surface 8a extends essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The side surface 8a is assumed to be essentially flat.

[0026] A distance A between the intermediate section 8 and the outer surface of the belt 2a is preferably less than 10 mm, thus optimizing the sieve area on the belt 1. The intermediate section 8 can, for example, also be in direct contact with the outer surface of the belt 2a (A ≈ 0) to maximize the sieve area. Depending on the number of bars 3 per fastening element 6, the respective intermediate section 8, with its side surface 8a, extends transversely to the support area 7 or to the bars 3, i.e., in a transverse direction Q or in the running direction R of the respective belt 2.

[0027] The subsequent fastening area 9 can have different designs. As in Fig. 4 and 5As shown, the mounting area 9 is formed by several cylindrical sleeves or bushings 11, each connected to the intermediate area 8. The bushings 11 project perpendicularly from the side surface 8a in the longitudinal direction L. The bushings 11 and the flat support area 7 thus run parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction L and project in opposite directions from the intermediate area 8.

[0028] The bushings 11 are preferably manufactured in one piece with the intermediate section 8 and the bearing area 7, thus providing a single-piece fastening element 6. The fastening element 6 can be formed, for example, using a subtractive or additive manufacturing process, such as milling or 3D printing, using metallic materials or thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers. Alternatively, a casting process using the same materials can be employed to provide the fastening element 6 as a metallic casting. This design requires only one manufacturing operation, simplifying the overall production process. Furthermore, the hot forging process of the rod ends can be omitted, and a less complex and less energy-intensive assembly process can be used instead.

[0029] However, sockets 11 can be used as in Fig. 5 As shown in an exploded view, the bushings can also be inserted or placed into holes 12 in the intermediate section 8 and subsequently connected to the intermediate section 8 in a further joining process, for example, by riveting, screwing, gluing, welding, soldering, etc. A material-fit, force-fit, and / or form-fit connection between the intermediate section 8 and the bushings 11 can therefore also be provided. In this case, only the bearing area 7 and the intermediate section 8 are manufactured in one piece using one of the aforementioned manufacturing processes.

[0030] The mounting area 9 with the bushings 11 serves to accommodate one or more rods 3, depending on how many rods 3 are to be held per mounting piece 6, which depends on the use of the rod band 1. Accordingly, rod arrangements 20 with only one rod 3 (Single Rod, cf. Fig. 6 ), two rods 3 (Twin-Rod, not shown), three rods 3 (Triple-Rod, see below). Fig. 1-5 ) or more than three rods 3 per fastening piece 6 may be provided, with each rod 3 being held by a single bushing 11 on the intermediate section 8 of the fastening piece 6 and extending from there in the longitudinal direction L. It may also be provided that several such bushings 11 are combined to form a single bushing (not shown) and that the single bushing is attached to the intermediate section 8. Several rods 3 can then be received in this single bushing at intervals in the transverse direction Q (each via insertion openings 13 spaced apart in the transverse direction Q).

[0031] The intermediate section 8, which forms the transition between the support area 7 and the mounting area 9, is extended in a plate-like or strip-like manner over a larger area in the transverse direction Q or in the running direction R of the belt 2 when there are two or more rods 3, in order to hold several bushings 11 side by side and spaced apart from each other (or a larger overall bushing) in the transverse direction Q. With only one rod 3, however, the intermediate section 8 with its side surface 8a has an extension in the transverse direction Q that corresponds, for example, approximately to the bushing diameter D11 (outer diameter) of the bushing 11 (or slightly wider), as shown in Fig. 6 Shown as an example.

[0032] It follows that a steel division TS can be determined via the design of the strip-like intermediate area 8 and the fastening area 9. When two or more bars 3 are accommodated by such a fastening piece 6, a steel division TS between the individual bars 3 can be achieved which is smaller than the cam division TN between the individual upper (and lower) cams 4, 5 (cf. Fig. 1, 2 ). With only one rod 3 per fastening piece 6, the rod division TS corresponds to the cam division TN of the belt 2.

[0033] By using a bushing 11 in the fastening area 9, the transition to the rods 3 can be optimized, resulting in several advantages depending on the design of the rods 3 and the bushings 11: Firstly, the fastening of the rods 3 can be optimized. A bushing 11 (or the entire bushing) projecting longitudinally L from the intermediate area 8 offers a more robust and stable connection compared to fastening exclusively to the intermediate area 8 (as in the prior art), and thus better support under bending moments, especially with a bushing length L11 of, for example, between 5 mm and 30 mm, preferably 15 mm. The rod 3 can be inserted end-to-end into such a bushing 11 up to an insertion depth ET into an insertion opening 13 located therein. The insertion depth ET corresponds to at least half, preferably at least two-thirds of the bushing length L11, i.e., at least 2.5 mm, preferably at least 7.5 mm or more.

[0034] The rods 3 can also project at their ends into holes 12 in the intermediate area 8 with such a bushing 11 and be additionally fastened to the intermediate area 8, for example by a rivet connection or the like, as in Fig. 7B The dashed lines indicate the area. This also serves to fix the respective rod 3 axially and / or rotationally to the angled intermediate section 8. The bushing 11 then additionally ensures that bending moments on the rods 3 are efficiently absorbed and the fastening is therefore permanently secured.

[0035] Preferably, the inserted rod 3 is additionally secured in the insertion opening 13 of the bushing 11, particularly if no additional fastening is provided at the intermediate section 8. The fastening in the bushing 11 is achieved, for example, by clamping, pressing, crimping, gluing, welding, or the like. The rod 3 can also be screwed in, with the insertion opening 13 having a corresponding internal thread for this purpose.

[0036] Furthermore, such a bushing 11 can optimize the heat transfer between the rods 3 and the mounting piece 6 or the belt 2, since the bushing 11 can efficiently absorb and dissipate higher temperatures, thus reducing the heat generated by the inserted rods 3 and consequently the thermal stress they experience. This can influence the choice of material for the rods 3, with, for example, fiberglass or plastic being used as a weight-saving material. However, steel can also be used.

[0037] Furthermore, such a bushing 11 allows for a more variable transition between the fastening piece 6 and the respective rod 3 by manufacturing the bushing 11 to suit the application. As described above, the insertion depth ET or the bushing length L11 can be predetermined according to the application to achieve the desired stability or robustness of the transition. Additionally, the shape of the insertion opening 13 can also be adapted to the desired shape of the rod 3 or the rod end 3a.

[0038] In the simplest case, socket 11 can be used as shown in Fig. 4 , 5 oder 6 The insert opening 13 is depicted as being hollow and cylindrical, so that it has a uniform insertion diameter D13 along its length. The insertion diameter D13 corresponds approximately to the rod diameter D3 of the rod 3, or is only slightly larger to ensure frictional engagement between the two upon insertion. With this design, the rod 3, which, for example, has a rod diameter D3 between 5 mm and 18 mm, no longer needs to be adapted at its ends to be attached to the bushing 11 via the insertion opening 13, thus reducing manufacturing effort.

[0039] As in Fig. 7A As shown in a sectional view, the insertion opening 13 in the socket 11 can also have a different shape with a varying insertion diameter D13, for example, tapering to a point towards the intermediate area 8. In this embodiment, the rod 3 is correspondingly "tapered" at its rod end 3a, so that the rod diameter D3 decreases towards the end face in the insertion area. Other shapes of the insertion opening 13 and complementary shapes of the rod end 3a are also possible, for example, a cylindrical pin 14 at the rod end 3a, as shown in Fig. 7B oder 7C shown. This cylindrical pin 14 can, as shown in Fig. 7B indicated by dashed lines, also extend into holes 12 in the intermediate area 8, in order to then create a rivet connection at the end, by which the respective rod 3 is axially and rotationally secure to the angled intermediate area 8.

[0040] To enable secure fastening of the rod 3 in the socket 11, a recess 16 can also be formed in the cylindrical pin 14 at the rod end 3a, as shown in Fig. 7D and 7E The wall of the bushing 11 can be brought into engagement with this recess 16 by appropriate deformation in order to hold the rod 3 axially and, if necessary, also in a rotationally secure manner against the bushing 11.

[0041] Additionally, in Fig. 7A, 7C and 7E It is provided that the bushing diameter D11 of bushing 11 corresponds to the rod diameter D3 of rod 3 in the area outside the insertion opening 13. This allows rod 3 to transition directly into bushing 11, so that no edges or steps are formed between rod 3 and the fastening piece 6 where dirt or similar substances could accumulate during operation of the rod belt 1. This also creates the impression that the fastening piece 6 and the respective rod 3 are a single unit.

[0042] The described design of the fastening element 6 further facilitates the simple determination of the installation position of the rods 3, or rather, the plane in which the rods 3 are positioned on the finished rod strip 1. It is provided that the intermediate section 8 is angled downwards from the support area 7, so that the bushings 11 arranged thereon lie in a plane that is located below the support area 7, as exemplified in the Fig. 8A, 8B The rods 3, which are held in the bushings 11, are thereby positioned on the rod band 1 in a plane that lies below the top of the belt 2b.

[0043] According to Fig. 8A If the intermediate section 8 extends vertically V, for example, so far downwards towards the underside of the belt 2c, that the bushing(s) 11 in the mounting area 9 and thus also the longitudinal axes 3b of the respective rods 3 lie in the plane of the neutral fiber 15 of the belt 2, according to Fig. 8B The intermediate area 8 extends from the support area 7 in a vertical direction V downwards in such a way that the bushing(s) 11 or the longitudinal axes 3b of the rod(s) 3 lie in a plane below the neutral fiber 15 of the belt 2.

[0044] Another or further possibility for determining the installation position or the plane of the bars 3 on the bar band 1 is to deform or offset the bushing(s) 11 starting from the intermediate area 8, as shown in the Figuren 9A, 9B, 9C As illustrated by example, the bushing 11 continues to be perpendicular in the longitudinal direction L from the intermediate section 8 or from the side surface 8a, but then changes its direction to point again in the longitudinal direction L at its end. The intermediate section 8 can therefore always be angled downwards in the same way, and the course of the deformation or offset 17 is chosen such that the longitudinal axis 3b of a rod 3 inserted into the deformed or offset bushing 11 lies in the plane of the neutral fiber 15 of the belt 2 (see figure). Fig. 9A ) or about it (see above). Fig. 9B ) or below (see below). Fig. 9C ). This can also be achieved with a correspondingly adjusted extension and positioning of the intermediate area 8, for example according to the explanations of the Figuren 8A, 8B , can be combined.

[0045] The explanations in the Fig. 8A, 8B and 9A, 9B, 9C This has the advantage that the same rod 3 can always be used for each installation position, and therefore no adjustment or deformation of the rod 3 itself is necessary. This reduces manufacturing costs, as the fastening piece 6 is generally easier to manufacture than the rods 3. However, a deformed or bent rod 3 can also be used to define the respective installation position on the rod band 1.

[0046] According to Fig. 10 Another embodiment for attaching the rods 3 to an inner strap 2 is shown. In the previously described Fig. 2 The bearing area 7 is designed to transition seamlessly into an intermediate area 8 on both outer sides 2a of the inner belt 2. This allows the rods 3 to be securely held in their respective installation positions by the bushings 11 on both sides of the inner belt 2. Higher bending moments typically act in the area of ​​the inner belt 2, which are absorbed accordingly by the bushings 11. The aforementioned design features are also applied to this variant of the fastening elements 6.

[0047] In the modified version according to Fig. 10 The bearing surfaces 7 of two fastening pieces 6, each having only one intermediate section 8, are rotated relative to each other about their vertical axis and placed one above the other, and are together fastened to the inner belt 2 by suitable fastening means 10, for example rivets or the like. The fastening means 10 penetrate or pierce both perforated bearing surfaces 7 and also the inner belt 2.

[0048] The two fastening pieces 6 are placed one on top of the other in such a way that an intermediate section 8 is located parallel to each outer side 2a of the inner belt 2. The rods 3 can be attached to the bushings 11 on both sides of the inner belt 2 via this intermediate section. Thus, two of the fastening pieces 6 described above are combined. To achieve an approximately identical installation position of the rods 3 on both sides of the inner belt 2, or approximately aligned longitudinal axes 3b of the rods 3, the intermediate section 8 with the side surfaces 8a of the upper fastening piece 6 has a larger dimension in the vertical direction V than the intermediate section 8 of the lower fastening piece 6. This is because the upper fastening piece 6 is offset upwards in the vertical direction V by the thickness of the bearing area 7 of the lower fastening piece 6, which is achieved by a correspondingly larger vertical dimension of the intermediate section 8.The side surface 8a of the upper fastening piece 6 is ideally compensated. Tolerances of, for example, up to 3 mm between the longitudinal axes 3b of the oppositely oriented bars 3 can be permitted.

[0049] To prevent relative movement of the two superimposed fastening pieces 6 in the direction of travel R of the belt 2 and / or in the longitudinal direction L of the fastening pieces 6 or rods 3, the facing surfaces 7b of the two support areas 7 are non-planar. For example, the facing surfaces 7b of the two support areas 7 can be designed as shown in Fig. 10A shown in a sectional view, the belt 2 is curved in a complementary (concave / convex) direction of travel L and / or as shown in Fig. 10B shown in longitudinal direction L, tapered conically or as in Fig. 10C The representation may be graduated. Additionally, a mortise and tenon combination 18, which is only shown as representative in Fig. 10A The area shown is where force peaks are absorbed.

[0050] The in Fig. 10 , 10A, 10B, 10C The illustrated designs can also be used for bushings 11 manufactured in one piece with the intermediate area 8 (see below). Fig. 11A ), riveted rod ends 3b to the intermediate area 8 (see. Fig. 11B ) and also for other forms of rod ends 3a and bushings 11. The variants mentioned above are therefore also applicable to this superimposed design.

[0051] This type of fastening of rods 3 to an inner belt 2 is also conceivable for fastening pieces 6 that, unlike the previously described design, do not have a bushing 11. The rods are therefore attached as in Fig. 11 shown directly on the intermediate section 8, which is manufactured in one piece with the support area 7, for example by an end-face rivet connection. For such a variant, the fastening elements 6 can also be rotated relative to each other and, if necessary, combined with the previously described designs from the Fig. 10A, 10B, 10C , placed one on top of the other and attached together to the inner belt 2 using appropriate fastening means 10. Reference symbol list

[0052] 1 Bar 2 Belt 2a Belt outer side 2b Belt top side 2c Belt under side 3 Bar 3a Bar end 3b Longitudinal axis of the bar 3 4 Underside cam 5 Top side cam 6 Fastener 7 Bearing area 7a Bearing side 7b Facing surfaces 7c Hole 8 Intermediate area 8a Side surface 9 Fastening area 10 Fastener 11 Bushing 12 Holes 13 Insertion opening 14 Cylindrical pin 15 Neutral fiber of the belt 2 16 Recess 17 Offset 18 Tongue and groove combination 20 Bar arrangement A Spacing D3 Bar diameter D11 Bushing diameter D13 Insertion diameter E Insertion depth L Longitudinal direction L11 Bushing length Q Transverse direction RL Direction of travel TN Cam division TS St division Vertical direction

Claims

1. Rod belt (1) for agricultural machines having - at least three endless belts (2) running parallel to one another, which are tensile and elastic and are extended in a running direction (R) and each have a belt top side (2b) and a belt underside (2c), wherein an inner belt (2) runs between two outer belts (2), - fastening elements (6) which are connected to the belts (2), and - rods (3) arranged transversely to the running direction (R) and parallel to one another, which rods each extend between two of the belts (2), wherein the rods (3) are each held with their rod ends (3a) by fastening elements (6) connected to the respective belt (2), characterized in that the rods (3) themselves are not fastened with their rod ends (3a) directly to the inner belt (2), but are fastened to the inner belt (2) via the fastening elements (6), wherein the respective fastening element (6) comprises at least: - a support portion (7) extended in a longitudinal direction (L), via which the fastening element (6) is fastened to the respective belt (2) of the rod belt (1), and - an intermediate portion (8) manufactured in one piece with the support portion (7), on which at least one rod (3) is held via its rod end (3a) directly and / or via an additional bushing (11), wherein two of the fastening elements (6) are fastened on the inner belt (2) of the rod belt (1) with their support portions (7) lying one above the other such that the intermediate portions (8) on the two superposed support portions (7) are adjacent to different belt outer sides (2a) of the inner belt (2) and the rods (3) held thereby extend, starting from the inner belt (2), in opposite directions.

2. Rod belt (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate portions (8) of the two superposed fastening elements (6) are preferably of non-circular configuration and / or are formed eccentrically on the respective support portion (7) and, starting from the respective support portions (7) with which they are connected in one piece, are bent downward in a vertical direction (V) in the direction of the belt underside (2c), preferably perpendicularly.

3. Rod belt (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that longitudinal axes (3b) of the rods (3) held on the respective intermediate portion (8) directly and / or via the respective bushing (11), as seen from the belt top side (2b), extend in the vertical direction (V) below the support portion (7) of the respective fastening element (6) and also in the vertical direction (V) below the belt top side (2b) of the belt (2), wherein the longitudinal axes (3b) of the respectively held rods (3) preferably extend in the plane of a neutral fibre (15) of the inner belt (2) or above, in the vertical direction (V) in the direction of the belt top side (2b), or below, in the vertical direction (V) in the direction of the belt underside (2c), the plane of the neutral fibre (15) of the inner belt (2), in particular in a range of + / - 2 mm around the neutral fibre (15).

4. Rod belt (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate portions (8) of the two superposed fastening elements (6) are arranged on the respective support portion (7) in such a way that at least two of the rods (3) held thereby and extending in opposite directions approximately align with one another, wherein the longitudinal axes (3b) of the rods (3) extending in opposite directions deviate from one another by at most 3 mm.

5. Rod belt (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that mutually facing surfaces (7b) of the two superposed support portions (7) contact one another, preferably contact one another with a close fit.

6. Rod belt (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the mutually facing surfaces (7b) of the superposed support portions (7) are arched complementary to one another, preferably are arched transversely to the longitudinal direction (L).

7. Rod belt (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a groove-pin combination (18) is formed on the mutually facing surfaces (7b).

8. Rod belt (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the mutually facing surfaces (7b) of the superposed support portions (7) taper conically in the longitudinal direction (L) complementary to one another.

9. Rod belt (1) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the mutually facing surfaces (7b) of the superposed support portions (7) are stepped in the longitudinal direction (L) complementary to one another.

10. Rod belt (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the superposed support portions (7) of the two fastening elements (6) are arranged between two upper lugs (5) of the inner belt (2) projecting from the belt top side (2b) in the vertical direction (V) and are fastened on the inner belt (2) by fastening means (10), for example rivets, which pass through the two superposed support portions (7) and the inner belt (2).

11. Rod belt (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a distance (A) between the respective belt outer side (2a) of the inner belt (2) and at least one intermediate portion (8) of the two superposed fastening elements (6) is at most 10 mm or at least one intermediate portion (8) of the two superposed fastening elements (6) contacts the respective belt outer side (2a).

12. Rod belt (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rod end (3a) of the respective rod (3) is fixed axially and / or in a torsion-proof manner on the intermediate portion (8), for example by a rivet connection.

13. Rod belt (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fastening portion (9) projects from the intermediate portion (8) in the longitudinal direction (L), wherein the fastening portion (9) is formed by at least one bushing (11) having an insertion opening (13) extended in the longitudinal direction (L) over an insertion depth (ET), into which the rod end (3a) of the rod (3) is inserted.

14. Rod belt (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two rods (3), preferably at least three rods (3), are received on a fastening element (6) via the respective intermediate portion (8), wherein a distance between the received rods (3) is selected as a function of a predetermined rod pitch (TS) between the rods (3) on the rod belt (1), wherein the rod pitch (TS) is smaller than a lug pitch (TN) between lower lugs (4) and / or upper lugs (5) on the respective belt (2).

15. Rod belt (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective fastening element (6) is produced partially or completely in a subtractive or additive manufacturing process, preferably using a metallic material or a thermoplastic or a thermosetting polymer, for example in a milling process or 3D printing process, or is configured as a cast part, preferably made of a metallic material or a thermoplastic or a thermosetting polymer.