Machine for collecting one or more windrows of fiber plants.

Abstract

A machine for collecting at least one swath of fiber plants such as flax laid in continuous sheets (4) comprising one or more collection means (3, 3') each capable of collecting one swath from the ground as the machine advances. At least one intermediate frame (11) is fixed, hitched or articulated to any structural part connected, articulated or integrated into the main frame (1) of the machine and carries one or more collection means (3, 3').

Description

Title of the invention: Device for collecting one or more windrows of fibre plants. technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a means of improving all self-propelled or towed machines dedicated to harvesting and processing flax and other fiber plants laid on the ground in the form of windrows. The invention will find its application in the fields of agriculture and agricultural equipment. Prior art

[0002] The harvesting of fibre plants is traditionally done in several stages: 1. Uprooting and windrowing 2. Gathering the windrows and uncapping 3. or uprooting / uncapping and windrowing 4. Gathering and turning the windrows 5. Baling

[0003] Each step is carried out by a machine dedicated to each task.

[0004] The purchase of agricultural harvesting equipment and its maintenance represents a very significant cost.

[0005] Furthermore, the harvesting periods are very short, and this equipment is only active for one to two months of the year; the rest of the time it is parked. When the harvesting machines have completed their task, the uncappers or turners come into play.

[0006] There are a very limited number of machines designed to perform multiple tasks.

[0007] Profitability is becoming increasingly difficult for operators of modern, and increasingly expensive, machinery. To improve profitability, it would be necessary to be able to perform several tasks with the same machine using interchangeable harvesting equipment; in this way, the machine can perform one task at the beginning of the season and another task later on, thus extending its operating time.

[0008] Furthermore, for operators, outside the harvest season, it is necessary to have sufficient infrastructure to park a large number of different types of machines year-round. A multi-tasking machine equipped with interchangeable attachments would require less storage space than two single-tasking machines.

[0009] Finally, the maintenance of a multi-task machine is less expensive than that of several single-task machines.

[0010] The structure of harvesting machines is currently designed specifically to receive the harvesting equipment dedicated to them, without versatility.

[0011] First example, a harvesting equipment can make one or more windrows and has two articulation points in front of the main chassis of the vehicle located generally at the ends on each side.

[0012] Second example, the swath collection systems are individually attached to the vehicle chassis and each processes a single swath. Their articulation points are located on the axis of each swath and not at the ends of the chassis.

[0013] It is therefore impossible to easily interchange the uprooting or collection equipment on the chassis of the same machine.

[0014] Furthermore, the working width of collection vehicles is limited by the number of collection systems that can be individually attached to the front of their chassis; this number is commonly one or two. To increase the working width of a collection vehicle, it is necessary to increase the number of collection systems. According to current technology, it is impossible to attach more than two collection systems individually to the chassis because the width of the vehicle would prevent it from traveling on the road. Description of the invention

[0015] The present invention aims in particular to provide a solution to these drawbacks.

[0016] To this end, the invention proposes to improve the collection equipment in order to make it interchangeable with the uprooting equipment on the chassis of harvesting machines which can become multi-tasking.

[0017] For this purpose, one or more individual windrow collection means, as described for example in documents FR2484768, Be897602, Fr2916603, FR2916604, or Ep4298889, are combined and articulated on an intermediate frame to form a collection unit. This intermediate frame is itself fixed or articulated to the main chassis of the machine. The attachment interface of said main chassis of the machine is then compatible with the attachment interface of said intermediate frame, as well as with the attachment interface of the lifting equipment and with any other harvesting equipment. The equipment is interchangeable on the same machine.

[0018] In specific work situations, said individual collection means must be able to be raised partially or completely independently. To this end, their connection to said intermediate frame may include a degree of rotational freedom about a horizontal axis, allowing their front part, which is in contact with the ground and participates in collecting the swath, to be raised. The movement of each means of Individual pickup is achieved by an actuation means such as a jack connecting it to the intermediate frame.

[0019] Similarly, the front portion of said individual collection means that participates in collecting the swath must be able to be moved independently or simultaneously to the left or right. To this end, their connection to said intermediate frame has a degree of rotational freedom about a vertical axis, allowing them to be moved laterally as needed. The movement of each collection means is achieved by an actuation means, such as a cylinder, connecting it to the intermediate frame.

[0020] Furthermore, when one of said individual collection means simultaneously possesses the two degrees of freedom allowing both lifting and laterally moving its front part that participates in collecting the swath, any lifting movement must not modify the fixing geometry of said collection means in such a way as to concomitantly cause its front part to move laterally, thus shifting it away from the axis of the swath to be collected. To this end, the cylinder used for the lateral movement is advantageously positioned so that the distance between the two closest points located on its sliding axis and on the horizontal pivoting axis used for lifting is close to zero and at most equal to 200 mm.

[0021] Furthermore, said intermediate frame is rotationally articulated to any structure of the vehicle's main chassis along a substantially horizontal and transverse axis. This articulation may be integrated into the main chassis, a chassis portion, or a structure assembled or articulated onto the main chassis. The articulation allows the entire collection equipment, consisting of said intermediate frame and collection means, to be raised. The movement is achieved using controlled actuation means such as hydraulic cylinders. These actuation means are connected to the main chassis or its structures. This lifting system will be particularly useful for raising the entire collection equipment during road travel phases of the harvesting vehicle.

[0022] Furthermore, it is useful to increase the working width by increasing the number of collection devices with which the machine is equipped. However, to comply with road transport regulations when the harvesting vehicle is traveling on roads, mechanisms capable of folding the collection devices are used. In this case, several intermediate frames, each carrying one or more collection devices, are fixed or hinged to the vehicle, not only at the front, but also on the sides, at the rear of the vehicle, or at any other location. Each intermediate frame carries one or more collection devices and is moved by one or more controlled actuating means to move or raise it from a working position to a folded position.

[0023] A notable feature of the invention is that several intermediate frames, each carrying one or more collection means, are moved by controlled actuation means and articulated by means of unfolding / folding mechanisms whose geometry allows said intermediate frames to be positioned so that said collection means are in an adjacent position for operation. This feature is particularly advantageous for giving the machine operator perfect visibility of all the collection means during operation.

[0024] Another variant consists in the intermediate frames all being located at the front of the machine, their folding / unfolding mechanisms having at least one axis parallel to the longitudinal plane of said machine, thus allowing them to be positioned in the folded position so that part of the collection means is partially or totally above other collection means. This makes it easy to reduce the width of the machine to facilitate its movement on roads.

[0025] Furthermore, the vehicle has at least one interface system comprising, among other things, a pivot point, a hook-shaped mechanism, manual locks, and pilot-operated locks allowing for quick and easy attachment and detachment of the harvesting equipment, and also allowing the interchange of another harvesting tool with a compatible interface, such as a harvester. The interface system may include mechanical linkages and joints, as well as hydraulic line connections, electrical wiring, and mechanical power transmissions.

[0026] Finally, an intermediate frame carries at least one means for working and / or transporting the swath, such as crusher rollers or conveyor belts, into which one of said collection means can discharge its windrow. In this way, when an intermediate frame is folded into position for road travel, collection means and means for working or transporting the swath can be simultaneously positioned within the vehicle's road dimensions. Brief description of the drawings

[0027] [Fig.1] Fig.1 presents a way of carrying out the invention; it is a perspective view of a self-propelled machine equipped with two collection means linked to an intermediate frame.

[0028] [Fig.2] Fig.2 presents a perspective view of a collection equipment showing the degrees of freedom of the collection means linked to the intermediate frame.

[0029] [Fig.3] Fig.3 represents a machine according to the invention equipped with several intermediate frames each carrying one or more collection means, one of which is not articulated on the front face of the vehicle.

[0030] [Fig.4] Fig.4 represents the same machine with several intermediate frames arranged adjacent to the work.

[0031] [Fig.5] Fig.5 represents a view of the same machine with several intermediate frames that can fold along an axis parallel to the longitudinal plane, as well as a detailed rear view of the pickup equipment. Detailed description of the invention

[0032] Fig. 1 shows how the self-propelled machine comprises a main chassis (1), a driver's station (2), and various equipment adapted to the harvesting mode of the machine which perform their function during the advance of the machine: - means of collection (3-3') capable of lifting sheets of stems (4) placed on the ground, comprising for example finger rollers (5) and a pulley (6) around which circulates a spiked belt (7) which transports the sheet. - means of transporting the swaths equipped for example with belts (8), - and / or means of harvesting allowing for example the collection of seeds during the transport of the swaths (not shown), - and / or rollers for crushing seeds or stems (9), - and / or depositing means equipped with belts (10) capable of redepositing the tablecloths on the ground (4').

[0033] According to the embodiment shown, the two collection means (3) and (3') are linked to an intermediate frame (11) itself fixed to the main frame (1) by means of one or more fixing points (12-12'). Each collection means is arranged on the intermediate frame so that it can easily discharge the stalk bundle towards its rear into the belts of the transport means (8) or into the working means or rollers (9) or the depositing means (10).

[0034] In [Fig. 2], the attachment of the pickup means (3-3') to the intermediate frame (11) allows for rotational movement (13-13') about a transverse axis (14-14'), enabling the height of their front section to be raised or adjusted to adapt to harvesting conditions and follow ground irregularities. This movement can be achieved if each pickup means (3-3') is driven by a cylinder (15-15') connected to the intermediate frame (11). Each cylinder (15-15') is preferably located in the longitudinal plane of each pickup means (3-3').

[0035] The attachment of the collection means (3-3') to the intermediate frame (11) allows for rotational movement (16-16') about a vertical axis (17-17'), enabling their front part to be moved laterally or oriented to precisely follow the axis of the sheet to be collected (4), regardless of the machine's position. This movement can be achieved if each collection means (3-3') is driven by a Cylinder (18-18') connected to the intermediate frame (11). The vertical axis (17-17') does not necessarily intersect the transverse axis (14-14').

[0036] Each cylinder (18-18') is preferably arranged so that its sliding axis is as close as possible to the pivot axis (14-14') of each pickup means (3-3') on the intermediate frame (11). Ideally, the smallest distance (19) between the sliding axis of the cylinder (18-18') and the transverse axis (14-14') is less than 200 mm.

[0037] In the embodiment shown, each pickup means (3-3') is linked to the intermediate frame (11) by a ball joint (20-20') allowing the two movements to be combined. The ball joint is located at the intersection of the axes of the movements (14) and (17) or (14') and (17') and ideally as close as possible to the point where the web exits the pickup means (3-3') to be sent into the belt of the transport means (8).

[0038] In [Fig. 1], the attachment points (12-12') are pivots that connect the intermediate frame (11) to the main chassis (1) of the machine around a transverse axis (21). Rotating the intermediate frame (11) around this axis allows the front of the assembly, consisting of the intermediate frame and its collection means, to be raised, thus configuring the machine for movement during maneuvers or on the road with the collection means raised to a considerable height to prevent them from striking the ground or the road. In the embodiment shown, two articulated cylinders (22-22') between the front part of the chassis (1) and the transverse frame (11) provide the movement.

[0039] Figure 3 presents a harvesting machine remarkable for the fact that it has of several intermediate frames (11-11') each capable of carrying one or more collection means (3-3'-3"-3'"). In the configuration shown here, the intermediate frame (11) is shown articulated, as before, to the main chassis (1) along the transverse axis (21), while the intermediate frame (11') is shown in a variant in which it is articulated along a transverse axis (21') to a structural part forming an arm (23) pivoting on the chassis around an axis (24). Here, the axis (24) passes through articulation pivots (25 and 25') located in an area other than the front face of the main chassis (1), more specifically on its side face. In this configuration shown in the working position, the collection means (3" and 3'") are located furthest outside the vehicle's dimensions, and the machine's working width has been increased.Furthermore, thanks to a motor or a controlled cylinder, the arm (23), shown here in its horizontal working position, pivots around the axis (24) to a substantially vertical position, allowing the collection means (3” and 3”) to be moved so that they are within the vehicle's road clearance when traveling on the road. In addition, conveyor belts, crusher rollers, harvesting means, or depositing means are also installed. so that the collection means (3” and 3”') can deposit their stalk bundles. According to the configuration shown here, only belt-driven deposit means (26-26’) are fixed or articulated to the arm (23) and are thus folded by the rotating movement of the arm (23) during road travel.

[0040] Figure 4 presents a particular case where several intermediate frames (11-11'-11") are arranged and articulated so that the collection means (3-3'-3"-3'") are positioned adjacently when in the working position. This allows the driver to have perfect visibility of all the collection means (3-3'-3"-3'") from the driver's seat (2). In the configuration shown here, the intermediate frames are distributed so that the four collection means are symmetrically distributed on each side of the machine's longitudinal plane. The central intermediate frame (11) carries two collection means (3 and 3'). The arm-shaped intermediate frames (11') and (11") are articulated on the left and right faces of the main chassis and each carry a single collection means (3" and 3").The view shown shows the articulation of the intermediate frame (11') passing through pivots (27 and 27'), as well as the pilot-operated cylinder (28) articulated between the chassis (1) and the intermediate frame (11'). The pilot-operated cylinder (28) allows the intermediate frame (11') to be moved from the position shown, unfolded for work, to a folded position for road transport.

[0041] Figure 5 shows a special embodiment of the invention in which several intermediate frames (11, 11', 11") are articulated to each other or to an intermediate structure, allowing them to unfold and fold in the same plane. For this purpose, the lateral intermediate frames (11' and 11") are articulated to the central intermediate frame (11) by means of arms (29 and 29') whose U-shaped geometry enables the unfolding / folding movement. Controlled cylinders (30, 30') ensure the movement of the arms (29 and 29'). To illustrate the two configurations, Figure 5 shows the left lateral intermediate frame (11') in the working position, and the right lateral intermediate frame (11") in the folded position after a 90° pivot of the arm (29').The figure shows that the right-side collection means (3"), articulated to the intermediate frame (11"), is partially positioned above the collection means (3) when in this transport position, thus reducing the overall width of the machine when traveling on the road. Furthermore, [Fig. 5] shows the left-side intermediate frame (11') in its unfolded position, which positions the collection means (3") for operation. The figure shows that the left-side collection means (3"), articulated to the intermediate frame (11'), is positioned adjacent to the other collection means (3, 3') in this working position.

[0042] For this purpose the arms (29, 29') are articulated on the central intermediate frame (11) along two axes (31, 31') substantially parallel to the longitudinal plane of the machine. In other embodiments, the axes (31 and 31') shown here horizontally can also be inclined forwards or backwards. Similarly, in other embodiments not shown, other arms or connecting rods forming parallelograms with the arms (29, 29'), or other motors or controlled cylinders, can be used and form part of the folding / unfolding mechanisms. In another embodiment, the intermediate lateral frames (11', 11") can be articulated directly on the axes (31 and 31') without the arms (29, 29').

Claims

Demands

1. Self-propelled or towed machine for harvesting fiber plants such as flax comprising one or more pickup means(3-3') capable of collecting each a swath on the ground in the form of a continuous sheet (4) during the advance of the machine, characterized in that at least one intermediate frame (11) carries one or more of said pickup means (3-3') and is fixed, hitched or articulated to any structural part linked, articulated or integrated into the main frame (1) of said machine.

2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that at least one pickup means (3-3') is fixed to said intermediate frame (11) in a movable way in rotation about a substantially horizontal axis (14-14') and moved by means of a piloted actuation means, for example a motor or a cylinder (18-18'), also connected to the intermediate frame allowing the height to be adjusted or the pickup means to be raised.

3. A device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that at least one pickup means (3-3') is fixed to said intermediate frame (11) in a movable way in rotation about a substantially vertical axis (17-17') and moved by means of a piloted actuation means, for example a motor or a cylinder (15-15'), also connected to said intermediate frame (11) allowing said pickup means to be moved or oriented laterally.

4. Device according to claims 2 and 3 characterized in that said pickup means (3-3') is oriented or moved by means of a cylinder (18-18') whose sliding axis is located less than 200mm from said horizontal axis of rotation (14-14') allowing said pickup means to be raised.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that at least one of said intermediate frames (11) is articulated to any structure linked, articulated or integrated into the main chassis of the vehicle along a substantially transverse axis (21) and moved by at least one piloted actuation means, for example a motor or a cylinder (22), enabling the entire collection equipment formed by said intermediate frame (11) and said collection means (3-3') to be lifted.

6. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that at least one of said intermediate frames (11') is fixed, coupled or articulated to any structure linked, articulated or integrated to said main frame(1) of the machine and in an area other than the front face of said machine.

7. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that several intermediate frames (ll-ll'-ll") are articulated by means of unfolding-folding mechanisms comprising, for example, pivots, arms, connecting rods, ball joints, slides and are moved by means of one or more piloted actuation means, for example a motor or a cylinder (22-28), so that all said pickup means (3-3'-3"-3'") carried by said intermediate frames (ll-ll'-ll") are arranged so as to be substantially adjacent when brought into position for work.

8. Machine according to claim 7 characterized in that at least one intermediate frame (11'-11") is articulated by means of a folding-unfolding mechanism comprising at least one axis of rotation (31-31') located in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal plane of said machine so that a part of one or more of said collection means (3"-3'") can be positioned totally or partially above other of said collection means (3-3').

9. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that at least one of said intermediate frames (ll-ll'-ll”) is coupled to said machine by means of a coupling interface system having, for example: • mechanical linkage parts comprising, among other things, a pivot pin, a hook-shaped coupling mechanism, a manual lock, a pilot-operated lock, allowing the quick coupling and detachment of at least one collection unit for replacement by any other type of harvesting equipment having a compatible interface system, for example, a harvester. • hydraulic line connections, electrical wiring, and mechanical power transmission parts allowing the transfer to any harvesting equipment coupled to said machine of the energy necessary for its operation.

10. Machine according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that at least one of said intermediate frames (11-11') carries at least one means for working and / or transporting the sheet comprising for example crushing rollers (9), one or more smooth or studded belts (26).

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