METHOD AND DEVICE FOR BALLASTING AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINE WHEEL WITH AN INTEGRATED SAFETY SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device (1) for ballasting a wheel of an agricultural machine, the device comprising a base (10) and at least a first weighting mass (11), said base and said mass respectively having a substantially disc shape, said base further having a first face (101) intended to be fixed to the wheel of the agricultural machine and a second face (102) opposite the first, while said mass further has a first face (111) intended to be fixed to said base and a second face (112) opposite the first, characterized in that the second face of said base (102) and the first face of said mass (111) are further configured to be assembled together by screwing or according to a bayonet mounting, said assembly comprising the coupling of said base and said mass then the rotation of one relative to the other to a locking position along the axis of the wheel. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: METHOD AND DEVICE FOR BALLASTING AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINE WHEEL WITH INTEGRATED SAFETY SYSTEM

[0001] The invention relates to the field of devices for ballasting the wheels of agricultural machinery, as well as to the associated ballasting methods.

[0002] Generally speaking, agricultural machinery, such as tractors, is designed to be versatile and is used to drive a wide variety of implements at varying speeds and on various surfaces such as roads, paths and fields.

[0003] In order to be able to transmit a tractive effort allowing the use of the available power, they must be sufficiently heavy when working at low speed, or for example on uneven terrain.

[0004] However, significant weight results in increased rolling resistance, particularly on soft ground, resulting in unnecessary power consumption, for example when traveling uphill.

[0005] Furthermore, the greater the load supported by the tires, the higher the inflation pressure must be, which results in a more pronounced compaction effect which generates difficulties in plant growth and higher energy consumption when it comes to loosening these compacted areas.

[0006] Finally, the total authorized rolling weight being limited in terms of regulations, if the ballast remains present on the tractor this results in a reduction in the transportable payload.

[0007] In order to comply with the technical rules of ballast and inflation, which depend in particular on speed, the practice consists of adding ballast only when necessary, so that the tractor can move forward with a given tool.

[0008] However, users tend to leave the ballast on the tractor, which causes the disadvantages described above, when it is not easy to remove said ballast.

[0009] For these same reasons, ballast optimization is not necessarily implemented and this results in losses of efficiency.

[0010] It is also known to add cast iron masses to the rim of the rear wheels.

[0011] When these masses are of the monobloc type, they are then difficult to handle and do not allow modulation of the ballast. They can be made up of an assembly of elementary masses, but the assembly and disassembly one by one is tedious. It is indeed necessary each time to align the holes to facilitate centering and use several fixing elements.

[0012] With a view to overcoming all or part of these drawbacks, document EP 3266622 B1 proposes a device and a method for very simply and very quickly assembling and disassembling one or more ballast masses on an axle of an agricultural machine.

[0013] The principle consists of fixing a base on the axle of the wheel of the agricultural machine, then, when the ballast is made necessary to mount by complementarity of shape, the number of masses necessary on the base. The assembly thus mounted is secured using a key adaptable to a retaining element of the base.

[0014] However, this device uses an additional element, the adaptable key, and does not solve the problem of breakage of the fixing elements. Indeed, in the event of breakage of the bolts, these masses can fall from the moving tractor, which can cause damage and risks, particularly on the road, for all the people who circulate there.

[0015] Therefore, the invention aims to integrate an additional safety feature, called a second level safety feature, in case the fixing bolts, which constitute the first level safety feature, break or in case these bolts unscrew for any reason. This additional safety feature ensures that the wheel weights cannot fall off the tractor, even when the tractor is moving.

[0016] The principle of the invention is to secure the elements together by fitting them together and rotating them relative to each other, without using fixing elements, before fixing them permanently with fixing elements (such as bolts for example).

[0017] The invention thus makes it possible to eliminate all or part of the drawbacks mentioned above by means of a ballasting method and device using weighting masses, adaptable to the number of masses used and simple to use.

[0018] The invention relates in particular to a device for ballasting a wheel of an agricultural machine, the device comprising a base and at least a first weighting mass, said base and said mass respectively having a substantially disc shape, said base further having a first face intended to be fixed against the wheel of the agricultural machine and a second face opposite the first, while said mass has a first face intended to be fixed against said base and a second face opposite the first, the second face of said base and the first face of said mass being further configured to be assembled together by screwing or according to a bayonet mounting, said assembly comprising the coupling of said base and said mass against each other, then the rotation of one relative to the other to a locking position along the axis of the wheel.

[0019] Optional features of the invention, complementary or substitutable are set out below.

[0020] According to an improvement, the device comprises a second weighting mass, similar to the first mass, the second face of said first mass being configured to be assembled by screwing or else according to a bayonet mounting with the first face of the second weighting mass, said assembly comprising the coupling of the first mass with the second mass against each other, then the rotation of one relative to the other to a locking position along the axis of the wheel.

[0021] According to a particular embodiment, one of the second faces of said base or first face of said mass comprises a substantially tubular recess, with an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, and provided with at least one rib, projecting radially inwards, while the other of the first faces of said mass or second faces of said base comprises a substantially cylindrical portion, with an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, which can be fitted into said recess and provided with at least one rib projecting radially outwards, so that after insertion of said substantially cylindrical portion into said recess and rotation of said base and said mass relative to each other until said ribs are juxtaposed along the axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, said base and said mass are locked against each other.

[0022] Advantageously, the recess and the substantially cylindrical portion of the base or of the first mass are each provided with two diametrically opposed ribs.

[0023] According to an improvement of the particular embodiment, one of the second or first faces of the first and second masses comprises a substantially tubular recess with an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, and provided with at least one rib projecting radially inwards, while the other of the first or second faces of the first and second masses comprises a substantially cylindrical portion, with an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, which can be fitted into said recess and provided with at least one rib projecting radially outwards, so that after insertion of said substantially cylindrical portion into said recess and rotation of the two masses relative to each other until said ribs are juxtaposed along the axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, said masses are locked against each other.

[0024] Advantageously, the recess and the substantially cylindrical portion of the first and second masses are each provided with two diametrically opposed ribs.

[0025] Preferably, the base and the mass(es) comprise a stop surface, making it possible to define the locking position along the axis of the wheel during bayonet mounting.

[0026] The device advantageously comprises means, such as bolts by

[0027]

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[0031]

[0032]

[0033] example, to fix the first mass on the base and to fix the masses together. According to a particular configuration of the device, the base is a weighting mass similar to the at least one first mass, and intended to be fixed directly on the wheel of the agricultural machine. The invention also relates to a method for ballasting a wheel of an agricultural machine, by means of a device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: - The provision of a base and at least a first weighting mass, and optionally a second mass, similar to the first mass, - The fixing of a first face of the base on the wheel of the agricultural machine, - The coupling of a second face of the base with a first face of said mass, - Rotating the base and the first mass relative to each other to a locking position along the wheel axis, using a bayonet mount or a screwing operation, - Fixing F of the first mass on the base in said locking position along the axis of the wheel. Optional, complementary or substitutive features of the invention are set forth below. The method further comprises the following steps: - Coupling a second face of the first mass with a first face of the second mass, similar to the first weighting mass, - Rotating the first and second masses relative to each other to a locking position along the wheel axis, using a bayonet mount or a screwing operation, - Fixing F of the second mass on the first mass in the locking position according to the wheel axis. Preferably, for a wheel on the right side of the agricultural machine, the rotation of the first mass relative to the base, or of the second mass relative to the first mass during screwing or bayonet mounting, is carried out in the opposite direction to the trigonometric direction. Preferably, for a wheel on the left side of the agricultural machine, the rotation of the first mass relative to the base, or of the second mass relative to the first mass during screwing or bayonet mounting, is carried out in the trigonometric direction. Other advantages and particularities of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of implementations and embodiments which are in no way limiting, and the following appended drawings:

[0034] [Fig.l] This figure schematically illustrates a side view along a cross-section of a ballasting device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0035] [Fig.2] This figure schematically illustrates a front side view of a device of ballast according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0036] [Fig.3] This figure schematically illustrates a perspective view following a cross-section of a ballasting device according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0037] [Fig.4] This figure schematically illustrates a perspective view of a base according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0038] [Fig.5] This figure schematically illustrates a front view of a base according to a embodiment of the invention.

[0039] [Fig.6] This figure schematically illustrates a front view of a mass weighting according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0040] [Fig.7] This figure schematically illustrates a side view following a section transverse of a weighting mass according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0041] For the sake of clarity and conciseness, the references in the figures correspond to the same elements.

[0042] The embodiments described below being in no way limiting, it will be possible in particular to consider variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described, isolated from the other characteristics described even if this selection is isolated within a sentence comprising these other characteristics, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art. This selection comprises at least one characteristic, preferably functional without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if this part only is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art.

[0043] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a side view cross-section of a ballasting device according to one embodiment.

[0044] The principle of the invention is to secure the base against a weighting mass without using fixing elements, before fixing them permanently with fixing elements (such as bolts for example). The invention amounts to adding a second level of security to the first level of security provided by the fixing elements.

[0045] The device 1 comprises a base 10 as well as a first weighting mass 11, and a second weighting mass 11' similar to the first in terms of geometry (but not necessarily in terms of weight).

[0046] The base and the masses respectively have a substantially disc shape.

[0047] The reference represents the axis (y) of the wheel of the agricultural machine, the vertical axis (z) as well as the axis (x) of the trajectory of the agricultural machine.

[0048] The base further has a first face 101 intended to be fixed against the wheel of the agricultural machine, and more particularly on the axle 2 of the wheel (as shown in [Fig.2]) and a second face 102 opposite the first.

[0049] The first mass 11 has a first face 111 intended to be fixed against the second face 102 of the base and a second face 112 opposite the first, while the second mass 11' has a first face 111' intended to be fixed against the second face 112 of the first mass, and a second face 112' opposite the first and intended to be fixed against the first face of another mass (not shown).

[0050] According to the invention, the second face of the base 102 and the first face of the mass 111 are further configured to be assembled together by screwing or by bayonet mounting.

[0051] The assembly therefore comprises coupling said base and said mass against each other, then rotating one relative to the other to a locking position along the axis of the wheel.

[0052] Thus, whether by a screwing operation or by a bayonet mounting operation, it is necessary to press the second face of the base 102 against the first face 11 of the mass 11 against each other and then to rotate them relative to each other to reach a locking position along the axis of the wheel in which it is no longer possible to separate them from each other.

[0053] The term "bayonet assembly" means an assembly in which one of the two parts to be assembled is pushed against the other part and then turned, so as to lock the assembly.

[0054] This locking position along the axis of the wheel corresponds to the position in which it is no longer possible to separate the base from the first mass.

[0055] According to an improvement and as shown in [Fig. 3], the first mass 11 is configured to be assembled by screwing or by bayonet mounting with the first face 111' of the second weighting mass 11'.

[0056] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, the second face of the base 102 comprises a substantially tubular recess 105 with an axis (y) substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, and provided with at least one rib 103 projecting radially inwards, i.e. in the direction of the axis y.

[0057] The first face of the mass 112 comprises a substantially cylindrical portion 116, with an axis (y) substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, which can be fitted into said recess 105 and is provided with at least one rib 117 projecting radially outwards, i.e. in the direction opposite to the axis (y). The substantially cylindrical portion 116 may, for example, take the form of a tube or the shape of a longitudinally truncated tube.

[0058] Thus, after inserting the substantially cylindrical portion 116 into the recess 105 and rotating the base 10 and the mass 11 relative to each other, a locking position is obtained along the axis of the wheel in which the ribs 103 and 117 are juxtaposed, that is to say aligned side by side along the axis (y) substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel.

[0059] Thus, the base 10 and the mass 11 are blocked against each other.

[0060] Advantageously, to secure the bayonet mounting, the recess 115 and the substantially cylindrical portion 116 of the base 10 and of the first mass 11 are each provided with two diametrically opposed ribs.

[0061] It would be possible to provide more ribs with a suitable circumferential distribution.

[0062] Thus, according to an alternative not shown in the figures, the base could be provided with a substantially cylindrical portion on which one or more ribs pointing outwards would be arranged, and the first face of the mass could comprise a recess provided with one or more ribs pointing inwards.

[0063] According to a variant not shown in the figures, the substantially cylindrical portion 116 could comprise a helical thread and the recess 105 a corresponding helical groove.

[0064] Thus, the assembly of the first face 111 of the mass 11 and the second face 102 of the base 10 is carried out in this variant by screwing.

[0065] According to an improvement, the masses are also secured by means of a definitive fixing with fixing elements (such as bolts for example).

[0066] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, the second face 112, 112' of the first and second masses 11, 11' comprises a substantially tubular recess 115 with an axis (y) substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, and is provided with at least one rib 113, 113' projecting radially inwards.

[0067] The first face 111, 111' of the first and second masses comprises a substantially cylindrical portion 116, 116', with an axis (y) substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, which can be fitted into said recess 115, 115' and is provided with at least one rib 117, 117' projecting radially outwards.

[0068] After inserting the substantially cylindrical portion into the recess and rotating the two masses relative to each other, the juxtaposition of the ribs is obtained, i.e. an alignment along the axis (y) substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel.

[0069] The masses 11, 11' are thus blocked against each other.

[0070] It is understood that the recesses 105, 115 and 115' of the base and the masses are similar in order to allow the assembly of the masses both on the base and between they.

[0071] Advantageously, to further secure the assembly, the recess 115, 115' and the substantially cylindrical portion 116, 116' of the first and second masses 11, 11' are each provided with two diametrically opposite ribs.

[0072] It would be possible to provide more ribs with a suitable circumferential distribution.

[0073] According to a variant not shown in the figures, the substantially cylindrical portion 116, 116' could comprise a helical thread and the recess 115, 115' a corresponding helical groove.

[0074] Thus, the assembly of the second face 112 of the first mass 11 and the first face 111' of the second mass 11' is carried out in this variant by screwing.

[0075] Advantageously, the base 10 and the mass(es) 11 comprise a stop surface making it possible to define the locking position along the axis of the wheel during bayonet mounting or screwing. This stop surface is provided inside the recesses 105, 115, 115', and is in the form of an excess thickness. This excess thickness makes it possible, during bayonet mounting, to stop the rotation of the parts relative to each other in the locking position along the axis of the wheel, i.e. when the ribs are juxtaposed.

[0076] The device advantageously comprises means 3, such as bolts for example, for fixing the first mass 11 on the base and for fixing the masses together. The base and the masses have for this purpose holes allowing, when they are aligned, the insertion of bolts or any other equivalent.

[0077] According to a particular configuration of the device, the base is a weighting mass similar to the at least one first mass 11, intended to be fixed directly to the wheel of the agricultural machine. This device then does not require a particular part to mount the masses on the wheel. These masses are in fact adapted to be fixed directly, by means of fixing elements 3, of the bolt type, on the axle 2 of the wheel.

[0078] The weighting masses that can be used in the invention are foundry parts that do not require precise dimensions since they are simply intended to be mounted on the base and fitted into each other.

[0079] These cast iron masses can weigh a few dozen kilos for small tractors, for example 25kg, 50kg and 125kg, or for larger tractors a few hundred kilos, for example 200 kg. Their assembly can allow ballasts greater than one ton per wheel.

[0080] Now concerning the method of ballasting a wheel of an agricultural machine, by means of a device according to the invention, the steps described below should be carried out.

[0081] It is appropriate to provide a base 10 and at least a first weighting mass 11, and optionally a second mass 11' similar to the first mass.

[0082] Then the first face 101 of the base is fixed to the wheel of the agricultural machine.

[0083] Then the second face 102 of the base is coupled with the first face 111 of said mass.

[0084] Then the base and the first mass are rotated relative to each other until they reach a locking position along the axis of the wheel, using a bayonet mounting or a screwing operation.

[0085] Finally, the first mass is fixed F on the base in said locking position along the axis of the wheel, by means of the fixing elements 3.

[0086] The method further comprises the following steps, consisting of assembling the masses together.

[0087] The second face 112 of the first mass is then coupled with the first face 111' of the second mass 11' similar to the first weighting mass 11.

[0088] Then, the first and second masses are rotated relative to each other until they reach a locking position along the axis of the wheel, using a bayonet mounting or a screwing operation.

[0089] Finally, the second mass is fixed F to the first mass in the locking position along the axis of the wheel, by means of the fixing elements 3.

[0090] Preferably, for a wheel on the right side of the agricultural machine, the rotation of the first mass relative to the base, or of the second mass relative to the first mass, is carried out in the opposite direction to the trigonometric direction.

[0091] Thus, in the event of breakage of the fixing means 3, the driving of the wheel in the direction of advancement of the agricultural machine, maintains the masses in the locking position along the axis of the wheel.

[0092] Preferably, for a wheel on the left side of the agricultural machine, the rotation of the first mass relative to the base, or of the second mass relative to the first mass, is carried out in the trigonometric direction.

[0093] Thus, in the event of breakage of the fixing means 3, the driving of the wheel in the direction of advancement of the agricultural machine, maintains the masses in the locking position along the axis of the wheel.

[0094] Note that the various features, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0095] List of references:

[0096] 1 Ballasting device

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[0110] [YES]

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[0117] 10 Base 11 First mass 11' Second mass 101 first face of the base 102 second face of the base 103 base rib 105 base recess 111 first face of the first mass 111' first face of the second mass 112 second face of the first mass 112' second face of the second mass 113 rib in the recess of the first mass 113' rib in the recess of the second mass 115 hollowing of the first mass 115' hollowing of the second mass 116 substantially cylindrical portion of the first mass 116' substantially cylindrical portion of the second mass 117 rib of the cylindrical portion of the first mass 117' rib of the cylindrical portion of the second mass 2 wheel axle 3 fixing methods (bolts)

Claims

Claims

1. Device (1) for ballasting a wheel of an agricultural machine, the device comprising a base (10) and at least a first weighting mass (11), said base and said mass respectively having a substantially disc shape, said base further having a first face (101) intended to be fixed against the wheel of the agricultural machine and a second face (102) opposite the first, while said mass has a first face (111) intended to be fixed against said base and a second face (112) opposite the first, characterized in that the second face (102) of said base and the first face (111) of said mass are further configured to be assembled together by screwing or according to a bayonet mounting, said assembly comprising the coupling of said base and said mass against each other, then the rotation of one relative to the other to a locking position along the axis of the wheel.

2. Device (1) for ballasting a wheel of an agricultural machine, according to claim 1, the device comprising a second weighting mass (11') similar to the first mass, characterized in that the second face (112) of said first mass (11) is configured to be assembled by screwing or according to a bayonet mounting with the first face (111') of the second weighting mass (11'), said assembly comprising the coupling of the first mass with the second mass against each other, then the rotation of one relative to the other to a locking position along the axis of the wheel.

3. Device (1) for ballasting a wheel of an agricultural machine, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one of the second faces (102) of said base or first face (111) of said mass comprises a substantially tubular recess (105, 115) with an axis (y) substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, and provided with at least one rib (103, 113) projecting radially inwards, while the other of the first faces of said mass (111) or second faces of said base (102) comprises a substantially cylindrical portion (116), with an axis (y) substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, which can be fitted into said recess and provided with at least one rib (117) projecting radially outwards, so that after insertion of said substantially cylindrical portion into said recess and rotation of said base (10) and said mass (11) relative to each other until said ribs are juxtaposed along the axis (y) substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, said base (10) and said mass (11) are locked against each other.

4. Device for ballasting a wheel of an agricultural machine, according to claim 3, characterized in that the recess (115) and the substantially cylindrical portion (116) of the base (10) or of the first mass (11) are each provided with two diametrically opposed ribs.

5. A device for ballasting a wheel of an agricultural machine, according to any one of claims 2 to 4 taken in combination with claim 2, characterized in that one of the second or first faces of the first and second masses (11, 11') comprises a substantially tubular recess (115) with an axis (y) substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, and provided with at least one rib (113) projecting radially inwards, while the other of the first or second faces of the first and second masses comprises a substantially cylindrical portion (116), with an axis (y) substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, which can be fitted into said recess (115) and provided with at least one rib (117) projecting radially outwards,so that after inserting said substantially cylindrical portion into said recess and rotating the two masses relative to each other until said ribs are juxtaposed along the axis (y) substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, said masses (11, 11') are locked against each other.

6. Device for ballasting a wheel of an agricultural machine, according to claim 5, characterized in that the recess (115) and the substantially cylindrical portion (116) of the first and second masses (11, 11') are each provided with two diametrically opposite ribs.

7. Device (1) for ballasting a wheel of an agricultural machine, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (10) and the mass(es) (11) comprise a stop surface making it possible to define the locking position along the axis of the wheel during bayonet mounting.

8. Device (1) for ballasting a wheel of an agricultural machine, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (3), such as bolts for example, for fixing the first mass (11) on the base and for fixing the masses together.

9. Device (1) for ballasting a wheel of an agricultural machine, according to one any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base is a weighting mass similar to the at least one first mass (11), intended to be fixed directly to the wheel of the agricultural machine.

10. Method for ballasting a wheel of an agricultural machine, by means of a device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: - The provision of a base (10) and at least a first weighting mass (11), incidentally a second mass (11') similar to the first mass, - The fixing of a first face (101) of the base on the wheel of the agricultural machine, - The coupling of a second face (102) of the base with a first face (111) of said mass, - The rotation of the base and the first mass relative to each other to a locking position along the axis of the wheel, according to a bayonet mounting or a screwing operation, - The fixing (F) of the first mass on the base in said locking position along the axis of the wheel.

11. Method for ballasting a wheel of an agricultural machine, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it further comprises the following steps: - Coupling a second face (112) of the first mass with a first face (111') of the second mass (11') similar to the first weighting mass (11), - Rotating the first and second masses relative to each other to a locking position along the axis of the wheel, according to a bayonet mounting or a screwing operation, - Fixing (F) the second mass on the first mass in the locking position along the axis of the wheel.

12. Method for ballasting a wheel of an agricultural machine, according to one of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that, for a wheel on the right side of the agricultural machine, the rotation of the first mass relative to the base, or of the second mass relative to the first mass, is carried out in the opposite direction to the trigonometric direction.

13. Method for ballasting a wheel of an agricultural machine, according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, for a wheel on the left side of the agricultural machine, the rotation of the first mass relative to the base, or of the second mass relative to the first mass, is carried out in the trigonometric direction.

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