Mowing device for a carrier vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a mowing device (1) comprising a coupling element (2) for arranging the mowing device on a carrier vehicle coupling (3), a holding device (5) which is designed to be pivotal about a first axis (A1) relative to the coupling element by means of an actuator (4), a cutter bar (6) which is designed to be pivotal about a second axis (A2) relative to the holding device, wherein the first axis (A1) and the second axis (A2) are mutually spaced and are arranged parallel to the cutter bar, and a trigger unit (7) which is designed to detect a pivoting movement of the cutter bar relative to the holding device and to instruct the actuator to pivot the holding device in response to a detected pivoting movement, thus allowing a reliable obstacle evasion function of the cutter bar, and thus a prevention of collision damage.

Description

[0001] Mowing device for a carrier vehicle

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The invention relates to a mowing device for arranging on a carrier vehicle coupling.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Mowing devices, in particular mowers, cutter bars, cutter bar systems or rotary mowers, of the type according to the invention for cutting crops are known in agricultural technology as attachments for tractors or as components of self-propelled harvesting machines.

[0006] They are mounted in front of a tractor, behind a tractor, or on the side of a tractor. In the known mowing device, the individual cutting blades are fixedly arranged on a cutting bar. Mowers known from documents such as DE19541898A1 or DE2626073A1 have fixed fingers against which a bar equipped with blades moves back and forth. The edges of the fingers act as counter-blades for the cutting blades resting on the fingers. A blade holder arranged on top of the mowing device prevents the cutting blades from escaping upwards. The cutting blades, together with the cutting bar, form a cutting unit which is connected at one of its free ends to a drive rod of the crank drive.

[0007] Slightly modified from this principle, DE2004891 B shows a mowing device with counter-rotating upper and lower blades, which are attached to corresponding blade belts, thus forming an endless chain. Other mowing devices, however, have rotating blades, so-called rotary mowers, as shown, for example, in EP1348324B1.

[0008] Current mowing devices have the disadvantage of lacking suitable obstacle avoidance features. Collisions with stones, for example, can therefore damage the blade, the entire mowing device, or even the carrier vehicle. Collisions also endanger the mowing device operator and / or nearby third parties.

[0009] Description of the invention

[0010] The object of the invention is to provide a mowing device belonging to the technical field mentioned at the outset, which at least partially eliminates the problems mentioned.

[0011] The solution to the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the mowing device comprises: (a) a coupling element for arranging the mowing device to a carrier vehicle coupling, (b) a holding device which is designed to be pivotable about a first axis relative to the coupling element by means of an actuator, (c) a cutter bar which is designed to be pivotable about a second axis relative to the holding device, wherein the first axis and the second axis are spaced apart from one another and arranged parallel to the cutter bar, and a triggering unit which is designed to detect a pivoting movement of the cutter bar relative to the holding device and, in response to a detected pivoting movement, to instruct the actuator to pivot the holding device.

[0012] In particular, it is an advantage of the invention that the pivoting of the holding device by the actuator further amplifies the pivoting movement of the cutter bar because the distance between the first axis and the second axis is smaller than the distance between the first axis and a center of mass of the cutter bar. Thus, a pivoting movement of the cutter bar about the second axis upon impact with an obstacle is further amplified by the acceleration of the holding device, with the inertia of the cutter bar causing the cutter bar to experience an even greater rotation about the second axis.

[0013] The mower is suitable for carrier vehicles such as tractors, combine harvesters, ATVs, and similar vehicles. The mower can be attached to a front or rear hitch of the carrier vehicle. This makes the mower suitable for front-mounted, rear-mounted, or side-mounted applications.

[0014] In particular, the ability to pivot about the second axis is rarely used during normal operation because pivoting is only permitted in one direction (opposite the usual direction of travel) by providing a corresponding stop. However, this permitted pivoting is inhibited by the weight force acting on the holding device and the cutter bar, similar to an outstretched knee. The permitted pivoting occurs particularly when the cutter bar hits an obstacle. The force acting opposite to the direction of travel, which thus acts on the blade or cutter bar, generates a leverage force or torque about the second axis.

[0015] In particular, the pivoting movement of the cutter bar and the resulting active pivoting of the holding device provide an obstacle avoidance function for the cutter bar. The active pivoting of the holding device around the first axis is to be understood as a rotational lift.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, a distance between the first axis and the second axis is smaller than a distance between the first axis and a center of mass of the cutter bar.

[0017] In particular, the weight force acting on the center of mass with the distance to the first axis as a lever generates a moment which, once the actuator accelerates to a defined level, causes the cutter bar to rotate around the second axis.

[0018] According to a further preferred embodiment, in a cutting position of the mowing device, the second axis is located higher above the ground than a blade edge of the blade bar.

[0019] In particular, due to these axis positions, a horizontal impact force on the knife edge (e.g. by hitting the obstacle) creates a moment around the second axis and the knife bar therefore swings downwards against the direction of travel.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the actuator has a hydraulic system with at least one pressure accumulator.

[0021] In some embodiments, the actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder that is rotatably mounted at one end on the coupling element and at the other end on the holding device. According to an additional embodiment, the mowing device comprises (a) a first toggle lever element that is rotatably mounted on the holding device, (b) a second toggle lever element that is rotatably mounted at one end on the cutter bar and at the other end on the first toggle lever element, wherein the first toggle lever element and the second toggle lever element form a toggle lever, and (c) a return spring that is connected to the first toggle lever element and the holding device and is configured to return the pivoted-out cutter bar back into the cutting position.In particular, the pivoted cutter bar, especially during the obstacle avoidance function, is returned to its original position by the spring when the obstacle no longer strikes the cutter edge and the actuator no longer accelerates the holding device, i.e., when the obstacle has been overcome. In addition to the return spring, a damper can also be provided to prevent a stop jolt when the cutter bar is returned. The pivoting of the cutter bar is induced by an obstacle against which the cutter edge or cutter bar strikes.

[0022] This impact force acts directly on the second toggle lever element (e.g. a connecting rod), which is mounted eccentrically to the second axis on the cutter bar so that it can rotate. The second toggle lever element transmits the impact force to the first toggle lever element, opposite which the second toggle lever element is also mounted so that it can rotate. Since the first toggle lever element is mounted so that it can rotate at a different point on the holding device, the impact force causes the first toggle lever element to rotate. During this rotation, the return spring is subjected to a tensile force because the suspension points of the return spring move away from each other due to the rotation. The return when the obstacle is removed occurs because the tensile force of the return spring in turn exerts a lever force on the first toggle lever element, which pushes the second toggle lever element back. This pushing back is passed on to the cutter bar, which therefore rotates back around the second axis.This reset occurs until a stop is reached. In particular, the stop can be formed on the holding device, with the first toggle lever element abutting the stop when the desired home position is reached.

[0023] In some embodiments, the mowing device has a damper that interacts with the return spring to ensure that the return of the blade bar to the cutting position is damped. According to a particular embodiment, the second toggle lever element, in particular designed as a connecting rod, is rotatably mounted on the blade bar eccentrically to the second axis.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the second toggle lever element is designed to transmit an impact force acting on a knife edge of the knife bar to the first toggle lever element.

[0025] In some embodiments, the trigger unit comprises an optical, acoustic, or tactile measuring sensor. Such a measuring sensor can be arranged at various locations on the pivoting mechanism, e.g., on the second axis or on the measuring beam aligned with an element of the holding device, or on the holder aligned with an element of the measuring beam. In particular, the trigger unit or the measuring sensor can be arranged on a toggle lever element. Such an optionally provided toggle lever will be discussed further below.

[0026] According to a further preferred embodiment, the trigger unit is connected to the actuator, so that an electrical signal can be transmitted using a circuit provided for this purpose, which instructs the actuator to cause a pivoting of the holding device in the event of a detected pivoting movement of the knife bar.

[0027] According to an additional embodiment, the holding device and the cutter bar are configured such that pivoting the holding device about the first axis causes a rotational lifting of the cutter bar from the ground and an amplification of the pivoting movement of the cutter bar about the second axis. In other words, the pivotability of the cutter bar about the second axis and the pivotability of the holding device about the first axis are configured such that pivoting the holding device about the first axis as part of the obstacle avoidance function amplifies the pivoting movement of the cutter bar about the second axis.

[0028] In particular, the actuator pivot counteracts the inertia of the center of mass. In other words, the increased pivoting of the cutter bar (and thus an improvement in avoiding the obstacle due to the mechanism described above) is achieved in particular by the "top-heavy" nature of the cutter bar, as this also features at least the cutting actuator, particularly on the side, which is hydraulically or electrically operated and is comparatively heavy. The second axis is thus arranged in such a way that a large portion of the cutter bar's mass exerts a strong leverage effect. A rapid rotational lifting of the holding device therefore causes the cutter bar to buckle or pivot relative to the holding device.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the holding device and the cutter bar are designed such that the pivoting movement of the cutter bar about the second axis and the amplification of the pivoting movement reduces a distance between the coupling element and a knife edge of the cutter bar and this reduction in distance counteracts a travel speed of the carrier vehicle.

[0030] In particular, the distance between the coupling element and the knife edge is reduced very rapidly in the short term due to the rotational acceleration of the holding device, allowing the knife edge or knife bar to avoid the obstacle, even at a speed opposite to the travel speed. The retraction of the knife bar overcomes the travel speed, preventing the knife edge from catching or sticking to the obstacle but instead moving over it. This is achieved in particular by the rapid amplification of the pivoting movement of the knife bar, which in turn is achieved by the rapid pivoting of the holding device.

[0031] In some embodiments, the actuator is designed to pivot the holding device in such a way that the cutter bar is moved horizontally against the direction of travel by reducing the distance and is raised vertically in order to ultimately overcome an obstacle in an arcuate trajectory.

[0032] In particular, the speed of this distance reduction is higher than the travel speed of the host vehicle, in particular higher than a maximum travel speed of the host vehicle.

[0033] According to a further particularly preferred embodiment, the trigger unit is designed to automatically stop a cutting movement of the knife bar in response to a detected pivoting movement.

[0034] A raise-and-lower function is a standard feature on agricultural machinery, for example, for road travel or when the carrier vehicle with the mowing device crosses terrain that is not intended for mowing. The raise-and-lower function can be achieved by a relatively slow increase or decrease in the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder, while the obstacle avoidance function can be achieved by a comparatively rapid increase in the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder.

[0035] A load-relief function ensures, on the one hand, that the entire weight of the mowing device (or the holding device plus blade bar) does not rest on the ground. This means, for example, that the blade bar can be lifted manually, although this would require around half a ton of weight without the load-relief function. On the other hand, the load-relief function ensures the blade bar's adaptability to uneven terrain. In other words, the load-relief function creates a "floating mount" or floating position, which allows the mount a degree of freedom that allows relative poses between the carrier vehicle and the holding device or blade bar to be adjusted as a result of unevenness. In this way, the load-relief function permits not only relative pitching movements of the holding device (in relation to the carrier vehicle in the direction of travel), but also rolling movements.The load-relief function is implemented in such a way that a defined force or torque level is maintained on the actuator. This level ensures a constant torque acting on the holding device relative to the first axis, thus counteracting the weight of the holding device and the cutter bar.

[0036] Generally, the relief function can be achieved by maintaining pressure in the hydraulic system. This means that a hydraulic cylinder is filled with oil by a control valve, and the amount of oil required to relieve the mowing device is maintained by appropriate control.

[0037] In particular, the knife bar has a double-knife cutting system, wherein the double-knife cutting system comprises an upper cutting knife and a lower cutting knife, which are designed to be movable relative to one another.

[0038] In particular, the cutter bar has at least two sliding shoes or skids, which are arranged on the two outer edges of the cutter bar on the underside of the cutter bar and are designed to at least one of: (a) support the gravitational force acting on the mowing device that remains after activation of the relief function, and (b) ensure that the desired cutting height is achieved. In particular, the cutter bar has at least one cutting actuator on its side. This cutting actuator has, in particular, a cutting motor and a crankshaft gear. In particular, the cutting motor is designed to be operated hydraulically, for which purpose a hydraulic connection to an oil pump is provided, wherein the oil pump receives electrical energy from the carrier vehicle. However, the cutting motor can also have an electrically operated motor, wherein an electrical supply from the carrier vehicle is provided.

[0039] In particular, the lifting and lowering function is achieved by increasing or decreasing the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder and the obstacle avoidance function is achieved by increasing the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder more rapidly than the lifting and lowering function.

[0040] In particular, the pivotability of the holding device by means of the actuator relative to the coupling element about the first axis provides the lifting and lowering function of the holding device as well as the relief function of the lowered holding device.

[0041] In particular, the raising and lowering function, the relief function and the obstacle avoidance function are provided by means of a single pressure accumulator. This means that the hydraulic pressure required for all these functions is fed solely from a single, appropriately dimensioned pressure accumulator. Alternatively, the hydraulic system has two or more pressure accumulators, whereby, for example, the raising and lowering function and the relief function are provided by one of the pressure accumulators and the obstacle avoidance function is provided by another of the pressure accumulators. Other constellations or assignments of the pressure accumulators as well as the provision of more than two pressure accumulators are also possible. An advantage of this allocation of two or more separate pressure accumulators is that they can be specifically designed or adapted to their function.

[0042] In particular, the holding device is connected to the carrier vehicle coupling or to the coupling element via a relief spring, thereby reducing the forces required by the hydraulic system. In particular, the first and second axles, as well as the cutter bar, extend substantially transversely, in particular at right angles, to the direction of travel, i.e., in particular to straight-ahead travel.

[0043] A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a mowing device having a coupling element configured for arrangement on a carrier vehicle coupling. The mowing device further comprises an actuator and a holding device configured to be pivotable about a first axis relative to the coupling element by the actuator. Furthermore, the mowing device has a cutter bar configured to be pivotable about a second axis relative to the holding device, wherein the first axis and the second axis are parallel to the cutter bar. The mowing device also has a triggering unit configured to detect a pivoting of the cutter bar relative to the holding device and, in response to a detected pivoting, to instruct the actuator to pivot the holding device, wherein the pivoting of the holding device by the actuator additionally amplifies the pivoting of the cutter bar.

[0044] A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a mowing device having a coupling element configured for attachment to a carrier vehicle coupling. The mowing device further comprises an actuator and a holding device configured to be pivotable about a first axis relative to the coupling element by the actuator, wherein a first toggle lever element is mounted on the holding device. Furthermore, the mowing device has a cutter bar configured to be pivotable about a second axis relative to the holding device, wherein the first axis and the second axis are parallel to the cutter bar, and wherein a second toggle lever element is mounted on the cutter bar, which forms a toggle lever with the first toggle lever element.The mowing device also has a triggering unit which is designed to detect a pivoting of the blade bar relative to the holding device and, in response to a detected pivoting, to instruct the actuator to pivot the holding device.

[0045] A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a mowing device having a fastening device for fastening to a work machine, in particular a vehicle. The mowing device further comprises a holding device and an actuator which is designed to pivot the holding device relative to the fastening device about a first axis. In addition, the mowing device has a cutting device which is mounted on the holding device so as to be rotatable about a second axis. The fastening device can also be understood as a coupling element. Fastening can also be understood as arranging. The work machine can also be understood as a carrier vehicle. The cutting device can also be understood as a cutter bar.

[0046] It is expressly pointed out that the previously described further aspects of the present disclosure can be combined in any technically reasonable manner with any features or embodiments described herein.

[0047] Short description of the drawings

[0048] Further advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description and the drawings.

[0049] Fig. 1 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment of the mowing device according to the invention,

[0050] Fig. 2 shows a more detailed three-dimensional view of the hydraulic system with the first pressure accumulator and the second pressure accumulator, and

[0051] Fig. 3-5 show the timing of the obstacle avoidance function used.

[0052] Fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram of the holding device and the lever of the

[0053] Center of mass of the cutter bar around the second axis; and

[0054] Fig. 7-9 show schematic diagrams of the holding device in three positions during an obstacle avoidance movement.

[0055] Ways to implement the invention

[0056] Figure 1 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment 1 of the mowing device according to the invention. The mowing device 1 is arranged on the coupling 3 of a carrier vehicle 15, in particular a tractor, via a coupling element 2. The coupling 3 can be designed, for example, as a three-point linkage. The holding device 5 is pivotally mounted on the coupling element 2 about the first axis A1. In the case shown, the actuator 4 comprises a hydraulic system with a hydraulic cylinder 16, hydraulic valve 17, first pressure accumulator 8, and second pressure accumulator 9. The hydraulic system is designed and configured to raise the holding device 5 together with the cutter bar 6, pivoting about the first axis A1. The pivotability of the holding device 5 ensured by the actuator 4 achieves a raising and lowering function of the holding device as well as a load-relieving function for the lowered holding device 5.In the lowered state, as shown here, the holding device 5 rests on the ground via the sliding shoes 21. However, the entire weight of the mowing device 1 does not rest on these sliding shoes (or rather, not half the weight, since the mowing device 1 is mounted on the tractor at the other end), but the weight is actively counteracted by the actuator 4, so that only a small weight rests on the ground. This allows the mowing device 1 to adapt better to unevenness in the field. The raising and lowering function is used to raise the mowing device 1, for example when the lawn is not being mowed but is being driven by the tractor, and to lower the mowing device 1 when mowing is about to begin. In the exemplary embodiment shown, an obstacle avoidance function is also achieved, which will be discussed in more detail later.

[0057] In addition to the load-relief function, lateral rotation is also provided by the suspension 18, which can be implemented by the specialist in any desired manner, e.g., with a spring-damper system. This provides the necessary degrees of freedom of the measuring beam 6 relative to the tractor, allowing it to adapt laterally to uneven terrain.

[0058] The trigger unit 7 is arranged on the holding device 5 and monitors the pivoting of the cutter bar 6. The trigger unit 7 is connected to the hydraulic valve 17 via a contact line 19 and issues instructions to the valve if a pivoting of the cutter bar 6 has been detected. For example, a sensor of the trigger unit 7, as shown here, is located on the first toggle lever element 10 and is triggered upon loss of contact or upon detection of a change in distance. Triggering means that the hydraulic cylinder 16 pivots the holding device 5 upward.

[0059] The first toggle lever element 10 is a component of the toggle lever 12, which also includes the connecting rod as the second toggle lever element 11. This toggle lever 12 determines how the cutter bar 6 can pivot or swing out relative to the holding device 5. This pivoting occurs particularly initially when approaching an obstacle H.

[0060] The travel speed of the tractor 15 creates an impact force on the cutter bar 6, which acts eccentrically to the second axis A2 (namely, on the cutting edge 23) and thus causes a torque on the cutter bar. The impact force is transmitted to the second toggle lever element 11, which causes the first toggle lever element 10 to rotate about the third axis A3.

[0061] This rotation of the first toggle lever element 10 in turn causes the return spring 13 to expand and tension, because this is attached at a different point on the first toggle lever element 10 and on the holding device 5. The tensile stress of the return spring 13 causes the cutter bar 6 to be subsequently retracted back into its home position.

[0062] The reference numerals from Figure 1 can also be used to identify the individual components in the 3D views of Figures 3, 4 and 5.

[0063] Figure 2 shows a more detailed three-dimensional view of the hydraulic system with the first pressure accumulator 8 and the second pressure accumulator 9. The hydraulic cylinder 16 is supplied with oil pressure by the valve 17, which receives it from the pressure accumulators 8, 9 via hoses 20. Contraction of the cylinder 16 causes the holding device 5 to pivot upward via the lever 22. The lifting and lowering function, the relief function, and the obstacle avoidance function can each be implemented individually using either one or both pressure accumulators.

[0064] Figures 3, 4, and 5 again show the chronological sequence of the obstacle avoidance function in use. Figure 3 shows the normal travel of tractor 15 with mowing device 1, for example, across a field for grass cutting. The tractor is moving toward an obstacle H, e.g., a brick lying hidden in the field.

[0065] In Figure 4, the collision of the cutter bar 6 or the cutting edge 23 has already occurred; the cutter bar 6 has already pivoted outward relative to the holding device 5, and the holding device 5 has already been actively pivoted upward. This mechanism causes two things to happen: Firstly, the obstacle H is overcome vertically by raising the cutter bar 6. Secondly, the cutter bar is retracted slightly, i.e., against the direction of travel, so that the obstacle H can also be avoided horizontally and the cutter bar 6 does not "get stuck" there. This creates an overall curved evasive movement, and damage to the cutter bar 6 can be prevented.

[0066] Figure 5 shows the holding device 5 in its highest phase during the obstacle avoidance function. The cutter bar 6 has already been returned to its original position by the return spring 13, and the obstacle H has already been overcome. During the obstacle avoidance function, it is also possible to optionally lower the holding device 5 slowly, i.e., with dampening. For this purpose, the oil pressure in the hydraulic cylinder can be reduced in a defined manner until the level at which the holding device 5 is relieved during the relief function is reached again.

[0067] It is therefore advantageous to use the same actuator for at least two of the lifting and lowering functions, the relief function, and the obstacle avoidance function. In particular, the same accumulator can be used for these functions. However, it can also be advantageous to dedicate a separate accumulator to at least one of the functions, one specifically designed for the requirements.

[0068] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of the holding device 5 and the lever H1 of the center of mass M of the knife bar 6 about the second axis A2. For ease of illustration, the holding device 5 and the knife bar 6 are highly abstracted here and in particular shown by just a single line. The axes A1 and A2, shown as circles, allow a respective pivoting. The first lever H1 is effective due to a rotation of the holding device 5 about the first axis, i.e. the first lever H1 is perpendicular to the tangent of an orbit of the second axis A2 about the first axis A1 with the length of the holding device 5 as the radius. The knife edge K of the knife bar 6 is slightly below the center of gravity M. An impact force on the knife edge K acts with a second lever H2 about the second axis A2. Due to this impact force, a pivoting of the knife bar 6 about the second axis is triggered.Because the cutter bar 6 cannot be moved downwards due to the sliding shoes (not shown here) which rest on the ground B, it pushes the axis point A2 upwards, causing the holding device 5 to pivot about the first axis A1.

[0069] Figures 7 to 9 show different snapshots of a highly abstracted part of the mowing device while avoiding an obstacle. The two bold lines represent the holding device 5. Although it appears as if the third axis A3 provides pivoting between these two bold lines, this is not the case. The two bold lines are rigid relative to each other. The A3 axis is explained below.

[0070] The triangle drawn with double lines at the front represents the knife bar 6, which has the knife edge K at its tip. These three double lines are also rigid with respect to each other. The axis A2 enables relative pivoting between the knife bar 6 and the holding device 5. The fourth axis A4 enables relative pivoting between the knife bar 6 and the second toggle lever element 11.

[0071] As shown in Figure 8, the knife bar 6 pivots downward relative to the second axis A2 when the knife edge K strikes the obstacle H. In doing so, the second toggle lever element 11 is pushed backward. This, in turn, pushes the first toggle lever element 10 backward, which is rotatably mounted on the fifth axis A5 relative to the second toggle lever element 10. Since the first toggle lever element 10 is rotatably mounted on the third axis A3 relative to the holding device 5, the pivoting movements shown in Figures 8 and 9 occur.

[0072] Triggered by the impact force, a rapid and forceful torque is exerted on the holding device 5. This torque is provided by the control of the actuator described herein. The holding device 5 is thus quickly pulled upwards. The mass inertia of the cutter bar 6 (see center of mass M in Figure 6) causes the cutter bar 6 to bend backwards even further, i.e., it rotates even more strongly counterclockwise towards the carrier vehicle. Overall, this results in the cutter edge K avoiding the obstacle according to the trajectory T. The mass distribution and the arrangement of the axes of rotation thus ensure that the rapid intervention of the actuator allows an obstacle to be overcome without further collision, even though the carrier vehicle continues to move or still has residual speed.

[0073] The trigger unit 7 (see Figures 1 and 3-5) can further be configured to adjust a cutting operation of the blade of the blade bar and / or to decelerate a travel speed of the carrier vehicle in response to a detected pivoting movement of the cutter bar relative to the holding device. It is expressly pointed out that the obstacle avoidance function thus explained in detail is independent of the raising and lowering function and the relief function. In this respect, the embodiments shown in the figures can also be equipped solely with the obstacle avoidance function. Although the invention has been explained with reference to its preferred embodiment(s), many further changes and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims cover changes and variations that are within the actual scope of the invention.

[0074] List of reference symbols

Claims

Patent claims 1. Mowing device (1) comprising: a coupling element (2) for arranging the mowing device (1) on a carrier vehicle coupling (3), a holding device (5) which is designed to be pivotable about a first axis (A1) relative to the coupling element (2) by means of an actuator (4), a cutter bar (6) which is designed to be pivotable about a second axis (A2) relative to the holding device (5), wherein the first axis (A1) and the second axis (A2) are spaced apart from one another and arranged parallel to the cutter bar (6), and a triggering unit (7) which is designed to detect a pivoting movement of the cutter bar (6) relative to the holding device (5) and, in response to a detected pivoting movement, to instruct the actuator (4) to pivot the holding device (5).

2. Mowing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the first axis (A 1 ) and the second axis (A2) is smaller than a distance between the first axis (A1) and a center of mass (M) of the blade bar.

3. Mowing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a cutting position of the mowing device (1) the second axis (A2) is located higher above the ground (B) than a knife edge (K) of the knife bar (6).

4. Mowing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises the actuator, wherein the actuator (4) comprises a hydraulic system with at least one pressure accumulator (8).

5. Mowing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder which is rotatably mounted at one end on the coupling element (2) and at the other end on the holding device (5). Mowing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a first toggle lever element (10) which is rotatably mounted on the holding device (5), a second toggle lever element (11) which is rotatably mounted at one end on the cutter bar and at the other end on the first toggle lever element (10), wherein the first toggle lever element (10) and the second toggle lever element (11) form a toggle lever (12), and a return spring (13) which is connected to the first toggle lever element (10) and the holding device (5) and is designed to return the pivoted cutter bar (6) back into the cutting position. Mowing device (1) according to claim 6, comprising a damper which cooperates with the return spring (13) such that the return of the cutter bar (6) into the cutting position is damped.Mowing device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the second toggle lever element (11), in particular designed as a connecting rod, is rotatably mounted eccentrically to the second axis (A2) on the blade bar (6). Mowing device (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second toggle lever element (11) is designed to transmit an impact force acting on a blade edge (K) of the blade bar (6) to the first toggle lever element (10). Mowing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the. Trigger unit (7) has an optical, acoustic or tactile measuring sensor. Mowing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the The trigger unit (7) is connected to the actuator, so that an electrical signal can be transmitted using a circuit provided for this purpose, which instructs the actuator (4) to cause the holding device (5) to pivot in the event of a detected pivoting movement of the cutter bar (6).Mowing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding device (5) and the blade bar (6) are designed such that pivoting of the holding device (5) about the first axis (A1) causes a rotational lifting of the blade bar (6) from the ground (B) and an amplification of the pivoting movement of the blade bar (6) about the second axis (A2). Mowing device (1) according to claim 12, wherein the holding device (5) and the blade bar (6) are designed such that the pivoting movement of the blade bar (6) about the second axis (A2) and the amplification of the pivoting movement reduce a distance between the coupling element (2) and a blade edge of the blade bar, and this reduction in distance counteracts a travel speed of the carrier vehicle (15).Mowing device (1) according to claim 13, wherein the actuator (4) is configured to pivot the holding device (5) such that the blade bar (6) is moved horizontally counter to the direction of travel and raised vertically due to the distance reduction, thus ultimately overcoming an obstacle in an arcuate trajectory. Mowing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the trigger unit (7) is configured to automatically stop a cutting movement of the blade bar (6) in response to a detected pivoting movement.

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