Harvesting machine

Abstract

To provide a harvesting machine capable of reducing a likelihood that the capacity of a grain tank becomes constrained.SOLUTION: A harvesting machine is provided with a threshing device, a grain tank, a transport device 45, and a quality measuring device 1. The grain tank accumulates grains. The transport device 45 transports the grains from the threshing device to the grain tank and charges the grains into the grain tank. The quality measuring device 1 measures quality of the grains. The transport device 45 is provided with a vertical transport part 452. The vertical transport part 452 comprises multiple buckets 71 moving along a vertical direction D3 and transports the grains upward by scooping them with the multiple buckets 71. The quality measuring device 1 acquires a portion of the grains from the vertical transport part 452.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a harvesting machine equipped with a grain tank for storing grain. [Background technology]

[0002] As a related art, a harvesting machine (combine) equipped with a reaping section, a threshing device, a grain tank, etc. is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The harvesting machine according to the related art is equipped with a quality measuring device (moisture sensor unit) that measures the moisture content of harvested grains.

[0003] In the harvesting machine according to the above-mentioned related art, a quality measuring device for measuring the moisture content of grain is attached to the ceiling wall of the grain tank, and the power line and signal line of the quality measuring device are fixed to the outer surface of the rear wall of the grain tank using fixing devices and connected to the electrical unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-141843 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the configuration of the above-mentioned related technology, the quality measuring device is placed inside the grain tank, so the capacity of the grain tank is limited to prevent the quality measuring device from becoming buried in the grains and becoming unable to measure, which creates the problem of the grain tank's capacity becoming limited.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a harvesting machine in which the capacity of the grain tank is less likely to become limited. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A harvesting machine according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a threshing device, a grain tank, a conveying device, and a quality measuring device. The grain tank stores grains. The conveying device conveys the grains from the threshing device to the grain tank and deposits the grains into the grain tank. The quality measuring device measures the quality of the grains. The conveying device has a vertical conveying section. The vertical conveying section includes a plurality of buckets that move vertically, and scoops up the grains in each of the plurality of buckets and conveys them upward. The quality measuring device obtains some of the grains from the vertical conveying section.

[0008] A harvesting machine according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a threshing device, a grain tank, a conveying device, and a quality measuring device. The grain tank stores grains. The conveying device conveys the grains from the threshing device to the grain tank and deposits the grains into the grain tank. The quality measuring device measures the quality of the grains. The conveying device has a vertical conveying section that conveys the grains upward. The quality measuring device is positioned below the vertical conveying section and acquires a portion of the grains from the vertical conveying section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, a harvesting machine is provided in which the capacity of the grain tank is less likely to become limited. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic left side view of a harvesting machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the grain tank and the transport device and its surroundings of the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the periphery of the grain tank of the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment when the grain tank is in a closed position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the periphery of the grain tank of the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment when the grain tank is in the open position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment, and is a schematic plan view of the grain tank, the transport device, and the power unit as seen from above with the hatch of the ceiling panel of the grain tank removed. [Figure 8] 8 shows the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment, and is a schematic left side view of the grain tank and the transport device corresponding to the cross section taken along the line A1-A1 in FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a schematic plan view of the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment and the vicinity of the transport device, corresponding to the cross section taken along the line A1-A1 in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the quality measuring device for the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing the structure around the quality measuring device in the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment with the right side plate of the grain lifting bin removed. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the quality measuring device for the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic right side view showing the structure around the quality measuring device in the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment with the right side plate of the grain lifting bin removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following description will discuss preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) [1] Overall structure First, the overall configuration of a harvesting machine 4 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] The harvesting machine 4 according to this embodiment includes a traveling device 41, a reaping unit 42, a threshing device 43, a conveying device 45, a power unit 46, a driving unit 47, a straw processing unit 48, and a discharge device 49, all of which are mounted on a machine body 40 that is the main body of the harvesting machine 4. The harvesting machine 4 further includes a grain tank 2 for storing grains, a quality measuring device 1 (see FIG. 4) for measuring the quality of the grains, and other components mounted on the machine body 40. The conveying device 45 conveys grains from the threshing device 43 to the grain tank 2 and deposits the grains into the grain tank 2. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the harvesting machine 4 further includes an electrical unit 3, a control device 51, a communication terminal 52, a harvest yield sensor 53, a grain sensor 54, a fullness sensor 55, a fuel tank, a battery, and other components mounted on the machine body 40. The electrical unit 3 is electrically connected to sensors that detect information about the grains. The sensors connected to the electrical unit 3 include the quality measuring device 1 and the harvest yield sensor 53. That is, at least the quality measuring instrument 1 and the harvest yield sensor 53 are electrically connected to the electrical unit 3.

[0014] As described above, the harvesting machine 4 according to this embodiment is equipped with at least a threshing device 43, a grain tank 2, and a conveying device 45. The harvesting machine 4 according to this embodiment is further equipped with a quality measuring device 1. Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of the grain tank 2, the conveying device 45, the quality measuring device 1, and the electrical unit 3, and configurations other than the grain tank 2, the conveying device 45, the quality measuring device 1, and the electrical unit 3 are omitted as appropriate.

[0015] The term "harvesting machine" as used in this disclosure refers to a machine that harvests crops in a field, and includes, as an example, a combine harvester (combine harvester) that performs threshing and sorting in addition to harvesting. A combine harvester as the harvesting machine 4 is primarily used for harvesting grains, reaping crops while moving (traveling) within the field and harvesting the harvested crops. In particular, there are two types of combine harvesters: a standard (general-purpose) combine harvester that feeds the entire harvested crop into a thresher (thresher 43), and a head-feeding combine harvester that feeds only the tips of the harvested crop into the thresher. In this embodiment, a standard combine harvester will be described as an example of the harvesting machine 4. In this embodiment, as an example, the harvesting machine 4 is operated by a person (operator) (including remote operation). However, the harvesting machine 4 may also be an unmanned vehicle that operates autonomously. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the harvesting machine 4 is a "vehicle" that travels in a farm field using the traveling device 41, but the harvesting machine 4 is not limited to a "vehicle."

[0016] In the present disclosure, a "field" refers to an area where the harvesting machine 4 performs harvesting operations, and includes, for example, rice paddies, fields, orchards, and pastures where crops (agricultural products) to be harvested, such as rice, wheat, soybeans, or buckwheat, are grown. In this embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which the target to be harvested by the harvesting machine 4 is "rice" and the field is an outdoor rice paddy where rice is grown.

[0017] Also, in this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the vertical direction when the harvesting machine 4 is in a usable state is defined as the up-down direction D3. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2 , the left-right direction D1 and the front-rear direction D2 are defined based on the direction as seen by a person (operator) riding on the harvesting machine 4 (the driving unit 47 of the harvesting machine 4). In other words, each direction used in this embodiment is a direction defined based on the body 40 of the harvesting machine 4, and the direction in which the body 40 moves when the harvesting machine 4 moves forward is "forward," and the direction in which the body 40 moves when the harvesting machine 4 moves backward is "rear." Similarly, the direction in which the front end of the body 40 moves when the harvesting machine 4 turns right is "rightward," and the direction in which the front end of the body 40 moves when the harvesting machine 4 turns left is "leftward."

[0018] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the left-right direction D1 perpendicular to the up-down direction D3 is defined as the "first direction," and the front-rear direction D2 perpendicular to both the up-down direction D3 and the left-right direction D1 (first direction) is defined as the "second direction." In other words, the first direction (left-right direction D1) and the second direction (front-rear direction D2) are both directions along a horizontal plane and perpendicular to each other. However, these directions are not intended to limit the direction of use (direction during use) of the harvesting machine 4. For example, the front-rear direction D2 perpendicular to the up-down direction D3 may be defined as the "first direction," and the left-right direction D1 perpendicular to both the up-down direction D3 and the front-rear direction D2 (first direction) may be defined as the "first direction."

[0019] The traveling device 41 can move the harvesting machine 4 in the forward / backward direction D2 and the left / right direction D1. For example, the harvesting machine 4 performs harvesting work while meandering within a field such as a rice paddy or a farm. As an example, the harvesting machine 4 may move within the field while turning right (or left) from the outside to the inside, in which case the movement trajectory of the harvesting machine 4 will be a spiral path.

[0020] The reaping unit 42 reaps crops (rice, as an example, in this embodiment) in the field. The reaping unit 42 has a reel 421, a cutter 422, a raking auger 423, a transport conveyor 424, a rotor 425, a feeder house 426, and the like. The reel 421 guides the culms of the crops to the cutter 422 by rotating. The cutter 422 cuts the culms guided by the reel 421. As a result, the crops growing in the field are cut midway through the culms, and the culms, including at least the tips, are harvested by the harvesting machine 4.

[0021] The raking auger 423 raks the harvested stalks into the feeder house 426. Specifically, the raking auger 423 is a horizontal feed screw that transports the harvested stalks in the left-right direction D1 and collects them at a position in front of the feeder house 426.

[0022] The feeder house 426 forms the outer contour of a path for passing the harvested crops (grain stalks) between the harvesting unit 42 (the raking auger 423) and the threshing device 43. In this embodiment, the threshing device 43 is located diagonally above and rearward of the harvesting unit 42. The feeder house 426 is, for example, a hollow cylinder (square cylinder) with a rectangular cross section, and is arranged to extend diagonally upward from the harvesting unit 42 toward the threshing device 43. The grain stalks harvested by the harvesting unit 42 are raked into the feeder house 426 through an intake opening on the front side of the feeder house 426, and are sent to the threshing device 43 through the internal space of the feeder house 426.

[0023] The transport conveyor 424 is disposed inside the feeder house 426. The transport conveyor 424 is collected at a position in front of the intake of the feeder house 426 by the raking auger 423, and transports the stalks that have been raked into the feeder house 426 from the intake to the rotor 425 through the inside of the feeder house 426. The rotor 425 sends the stalks transported by the transport conveyor 424 to the threshing device 43.

[0024] The threshing device 43 performs a threshing process on the stalks cut by the reaping unit 42. In the threshing process, threshed grains containing grain grains are separated from the stalks. The threshing device 43 has a threshing unit 430 and a sorting unit 44. The threshing device 43 performs a threshing process on the stalks, for example, while transporting the stalks from the front to the rear of the threshing device 43. The threshed grains fall from the threshing unit 430 to the sorting unit 44 below. Similarly, the sorting unit 44 performs a sorting process on the threshed grains, for example, while transporting the threshed grains from the front to the rear of the sorting unit 44.

[0025] More specifically, the threshing section 430 has a threshing body with numerous threshing teeth and a receiving net. The threshing section 430 threshes the part of the stalk with the ear attached by rotating the threshing body. The receiving net is a semi-cylindrical net located below the threshing body. The receiving net allows only the threshed grains, which are the threshed grains by the threshing body, to leak through the mesh into the sorting section 44. In other words, the threshed grains fall from the receiving net into the sorting section 44. Meanwhile, the stalks (straw) after threshing are sent to the straw processing section 48.

[0026] The sorting unit 44 is disposed below the receiving net of the threshing unit 430. The sorting unit 44 performs a sorting process to sort grains from the threshing grains that drop from the receiving net of the threshing unit 430. In this embodiment, the sorting unit 44 has a vibration sorting function to sift out grains, and a wind sorting function to sort grains by wind (air current). In short, the sorting unit 44 sorts grains from the threshing grains, for example, by blowing wind obliquely downward onto the threshing grains and sieving them.

[0027] The conveying device 45 includes a horizontal conveying section 451 (see FIG. 4), a vertical conveying section 452, and an input section 453. The horizontal conveying section 451 is disposed in the first conveying chamber of the sorting section 44 and is a horizontal feed screw (first screw) that conveys the grains (first grains) stored in the first conveying chamber along the left-right direction D1. In the present embodiment, as an example, the horizontal conveying section 451 is a screw conveyor that conveys the grains threshed by the threshing device 43 to the entrance of the vertical conveying section 452. The vertical conveying section 452 connects the exit of the horizontal conveying section 451 to an input section 453 provided at the top of the grain tank 2 and conveys the grains along the up-down direction D3. In other words, the vertical conveying section 452 conveys the grains from its lower end connected to the exit of the horizontal conveying section 451 to its upper end connected to the input section 453, thereby further conveying the grains conveyed by the horizontal conveying section 451 upward along the up-down direction D3.

[0028] The feeding section 453 is connected to the outlet (upper end) of the vertical conveying section 452, and feeds the grains transported by the vertical conveying section 452 into the grain tank 2. In other words, the grains transported to the upper end of the vertical conveying section 452 are fed into the grain tank 2 by the feeding section 453. As a result, the grains are transported from the threshing device 43 (sorting section 44) to the feeding section 453 by the horizontal conveying section 451 and the vertical conveying section 452, and are fed into the grain tank 2 by the feeding section 453.

[0029] The grain tank 2 is a tank (container) that stores threshed grain (grain, etc.) obtained by the threshing and sorting processes in the threshing device 43. The grain tank 2 is arranged next to the threshing device 43 in the left-right direction D1, which is the width direction of the body 40. In this embodiment, as an example, when the body 40 is divided into approximately equal halves in the left-right direction D1, the threshing device 43 (threshing section 430 and sorting section 44) is located on the left side, and the grain tank 2 is located on the right side.

[0030] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the grain tank 2 is configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position by rotating in a horizontal plane around an opening / closing axis Ax1. Here, the opening / closing axis Ax1 is an imaginary axis that passes through the center of the hinge member 210 and extends in the vertical direction (up-down direction D3). In Figures 5 and 6, the outline of the left side portion of the machine body 40, including the threshing device 43, etc., is shown by an imaginary line (two-dot chain line). As shown in Figure 5, the closed position is a position where the grain tank 2 covers the right side of the left side portion of the machine body 40, including the threshing device 43, etc. As shown in Figure 6, the open position is a position where the right side of the left side portion of the machine body 40, including the threshing device 43, etc., is opened.

[0031] This allows the grain tank 2 to move (rotate) between the closed position and the open position, and for example, when performing maintenance on the swing bearing of the sorting section 44, the grain tank 2 can be moved to the open position as shown in Figure 6, making it easier to secure work space for maintenance, etc. Figure 2 etc. shows the grain tank 2 in the closed position.

[0032] Here, the conveying device 45 is fixed to the left side portion of the machine body 40 including the threshing device 43 and the like. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the conveying device 45 is connected to the left side portion of the machine body 40 including the threshing device 43 and the like by a connecting member 454. The connecting member 454 is attached to the center portion in the up-down direction D3 of the vertical conveying section 452 of the conveying device 45, and is fixed to the left side portion of the machine body 40 including the threshing device 43 and the like by fasteners such as bolts. In other words, the connecting member 454 is a member that connects the conveying device 45 and the threshing device 43. This allows the machine body 40 to stably support the conveying device 45, which has a height in the up-down direction D3.

[0033] In this way, since the conveying device 45 is fixed to the left side portion of the machine body 40 including the threshing device 43 etc., the positional relationship between the conveying device 45 and the grain tank 2 changes when the grain tank 2 is opened or closed. That is, when the grain tank 2 is in the closed position, the conveying device 45 contacts the left side surface of the grain tank 2, whereas when the grain tank 2 is in the open position, the conveying device 45 is separated from the left side surface of the grain tank 2. In other words, the grain tank 2 is movable between a closed position (position shown in FIG. 5) in which it contacts the conveying device 45, and an open position (position shown in FIG. 6) in which it is separated from the conveying device 45.

[0034] The discharge device 49 discharges the grains in the grain tank 2 to any location around the harvesting machine 4. The discharge device 49 has a discharge conveying path 490 and a conveying mechanism 493. The discharge conveying path 490 is a path for discharging the stored material (grains) in the grain tank 2. The discharge conveying path 490 includes a vertical conveying path 491 extending in the vertical direction D3 and a horizontal conveying path 492 extending in a direction (horizontal direction) perpendicular to the vertical direction D3. The lower end of the vertical conveying path 491 is connected to the grain tank 2, and the upper end of the vertical conveying path 491 is connected to the horizontal conveying path 492. As a result, the stored material in the grain tank 2 is conveyed upward through the vertical conveying path 491, and further conveyed horizontally through the horizontal conveying path 492, and discharged from the tip of the horizontal conveying path 492.

[0035] The conveying mechanism 493 is, for example, a screw (auger) that rotates within the discharge conveying path 490 to convey the grains through the discharge conveying path 490. That is, within the vertical conveying path 491, the vertical auger serving as the conveying mechanism 493 rotates to convey the grains, and within the horizontal conveying path 492, the horizontal auger serving as the conveying mechanism 493 rotates to convey the grains.

[0036] The straw processing unit 48 discharges waste straw and other waste materials generated during the threshing process. In other words, the straw and other materials separated from the threshed grains (including grains) during the threshing process in the threshing device 43 are transported to the straw processing unit 48 as waste materials. The straw processing unit 48 has a discharge outlet 481 (see FIG. 1) for discharging the waste materials to the outside of the machine body 40. The straw processing unit 48 is disposed, for example, behind the threshing device 43, that is, at the left rear of the machine body 40, and the discharge outlet 481 opens toward the rear. The straw processing unit 48 has a straw cutter or the like, and performs cutting processes on the waste materials before discharging the waste materials from the discharge outlet 481. However, it is not essential that the straw processing unit 48 perform cutting processes or the like.

[0037] The power unit 46 is a drive source for the traveling device 41, the reaping device 42, the threshing device 43, the conveying device 45, the straw processing device 48, and the discharge device 49. The power unit 46 has an engine 461 (see FIG. 7), such as a diesel engine, as a power source. The power unit 46 may also have a hybrid power source including an engine and a motor (electric motor). The power unit 46 has a rotary screen 462 (see FIG. 5) for preventing clogging of the radiator and maintaining the cooling performance of the engine 461. The rotary screen 462 is located on the right side of the power unit 46.

[0038] The driving unit 47 is provided with a driver's seat where an operator sits, and operating devices such as a steering wheel, various operating levers, and various operating switches that are operated by the operator. In this embodiment, the driving unit 47 is disposed in front of the grain tank 2 on the right side of the body 40 of the harvesting machine 4 (see FIG. 2). Furthermore, the driving unit 47 is located behind the reaping unit 42.

[0039] Here, the types of the driving unit 47 of the harvesting machine 4 include a cabin type, a canopy type, and a floor type. The cabin-type driving unit 47 includes a cabin, and the operator sits in the cabin space inside the cabin. The canopy-type driving unit 47 includes a canopy (roof), and the operator sits in the space below the canopy. The floor-type driving unit 47 does not include a cabin or canopy, and the operator sits in a space that is open upward. In this embodiment, a case where the driving unit 47 is of the cabin type will be described as an example.

[0040] The control device 51 controls the traveling device 41, the reaping unit 42, the threshing device 43, the conveying device 45, the power unit 46, the straw processing device 48, the discharge device 49, etc. in accordance with operations received by the operating device. The control device 51 mainly comprises a computer system having one or more processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and one or more memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and executes various processes (information processing). In this embodiment, the control device 51 is an integrated controller that controls the entire harvesting machine 4, and is composed of, for example, an electronic control unit (ECU). However, the control device 51 may be provided separately from the integrated controller.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control device 51 is connected to the quality measuring device 1, the harvest yield sensor 53, the grain sensor 54, and the full quantity sensor 55 via the electrical component unit 3. That is, the quality measuring device 1, the harvest yield sensor 53, etc., which are sensors that detect information about grains, are electrically connected to the electrical component unit 3. The electrical component unit 3 acquires the detection results of the quality measuring device 1, the harvest yield sensor 53, etc., and performs appropriate pre-processing on the detection results. Furthermore, the electrical component unit 3 controls the quality measuring device 1, the harvest yield sensor 53, etc., according to instructions from the control device 51.

[0042] The electrical unit 3 is electrically connected to the control device 51, which can acquire the measurement results of the quality measuring device 1 and the detection results of the harvest quantity sensor 53, the grain sensor 54, and the full quantity sensor 55. In this embodiment, the quality measuring device 1 and the harvest quantity sensor 53 are attached to the transport device 45, and the grain sensor 54 and the full quantity sensor 55 are attached to the grain tank 2. Details of the arrangement of the quality measuring device 1, the harvest quantity sensor 53, the grain sensor 54, and the full quantity sensor 55 will be explained in the section "[2] Configuration around the grain tank and transport device."

[0043] The quality measuring device 1 is a device that measures the quality of grains threshed by the threshing device 43. In the present disclosure, "quality" includes internal quality such as the moisture content, protein content, or amylose content of the grains. The quality measuring device 1 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the quality of the grains as a measurement result to the control device 51. In this embodiment, as an example, the quality measuring device 1 includes a moisture meter that measures the moisture content (moisture content) of the grains. Specifically, the quality measuring device 1 has a pair of electrode rollers driven by motor power or the like, and measures the moisture content of the grains based on changes in the electrical resistance value between the pair of electrode rollers while crushing (crushing) the grains between the pair of electrode rollers.

[0044] The harvest quantity sensor 53 is a sensor that detects the amount of grain harvested by the harvesting machine 4, that is, the harvest quantity (yield). This type of sensor includes, for example, an impact detection unit such as a strain gauge or a piezoelectric element, and detects the impact force when grains transported by the transporting device 45 toward the grain tank 2 collide with the impact detection unit. Of course, the method of obtaining the harvest quantity of the harvesting machine 4 is not limited to this. The grain sensor 54 and the full quantity sensor 55 are both sensors that detect the amount of grain stored in the grain tank 2. For example, the grain sensor 54 and the full quantity sensor 55 are attached to the inner surface of the grain tank 2 and detect the grains stored in the grain tank 2.

[0045] The control device 51 can output, by appropriate means, the acquired measurement results of the quality measuring device 1, as well as information on the detection results of the harvest yield sensor 53, the grain sensor 54, and the full quantity sensor 55. For example, the control device 51 outputs this information by displaying it on a display device installed in the driving unit 47, writing it to a recording medium, transmitting it to an external device (such as a server) via the communication terminal 52, or printing it. Furthermore, the control device 51 can also use this information to control, for example, the conveying device 45 and the quality measuring device 1.

[0046] For example, the control device 51 basically drives the quality measuring device 1 at all times and measures the quality of the grains as needed. In other words, the quality measuring device 1 is always ready to take in grains and measures the quality of the taken-in grains as needed. Details of the quality measuring device 1 will be explained in the section titled "[2] Configuration around the grain tank and conveying device."

[0047] Further, the full quantity sensor 55 is a sensor that detects when the grains in the grain tank 2 have reached their full capacity. Therefore, when the full quantity sensor 55 in the grain tank 2 detects grains, the control device 51 notifies the operator of this (that the full quantity has been reached). Alternatively, when the full quantity sensor 55 in the grain tank 2 detects grains, the control device 51 may stop the conveying device 45 and forcibly stop the input of grains into the grain tank 2.

[0048] The communication terminal 52 communicates with a server or the like external to the harvesting machine 4. Here, the communication terminal 52 appropriately transmits information related to the operating status of the harvesting machine 4, the current location of the harvesting machine 4, the harvest amount (yield) of the crop, the taste of the crop (including the moisture content or protein content, etc.), working time or working efficiency, etc. to the server or the like. In this embodiment, the communication terminal 52 is configured to be able to detect the current location of the harvesting machine 4 using a satellite positioning system such as the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). In addition, the communication terminal 52 may receive control information related to driving assistance or automatic driving of the harvesting machine 4 from the server or the like.

[0049] [2] Configuration of the grain tank and transport device Next, the configuration of the grain tank 2 and the transport device 45 in the harvesting machine 4 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 14. In the following, the directions will be described using the state in which the grain tank 2 is in the closed position.

[0050] Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of the grain tank 2, conveying device 45, and power unit 46 viewed from above with the hatch of the ceiling panel 206 of the grain tank 2 removed. Figure 8 is a schematic left side view of the grain tank 2 and conveying device 45 corresponding to the cross section along line A1-A1 in Figure 7. Figure 9 is a schematic plan view of the area around the conveying device 45 corresponding to the cross section along line A1-A1 in Figure 8. Figures 11 and 13 show the structure around the quality measuring device 1 with the right side panel of the grain lifting tube 72 of the vertical conveying unit 452 removed so that the inside of the vertical conveying unit 452 can be seen.

[0051] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the grain tank 2 has a bottom panel 201, a front panel 202, a rear panel 203, a left panel 204, a right panel 205, and a ceiling panel 206, and is roughly shaped like a flat rectangular parallelepiped in the left-right direction D1. In this embodiment, as an example, the constituent members of the grain tank 2 (bottom panel 201, front panel 202, rear panel 203, left panel 204, right panel 205, and ceiling panel 206) are made of metal with sufficient rigidity. However, this is not a limitation, and at least some of the constituent members of the grain tank 2 may be made of resin, etc.

[0052] The bottom panel 201 is a rectangular panel having a length in the front-to-rear direction D2 (second direction) in a plan view. The front panel 202 is a rectangular panel that rises upward from the front side of the outer periphery of the bottom panel 201. The rear panel 203 is a rectangular panel that rises upward from the rear side of the outer periphery of the bottom panel 201. The left panel 204 is a rectangular panel that rises upward from the left side of the outer periphery of the bottom panel 201. The right panel 205 is a rectangular panel that rises upward from the right side of the outer periphery of the bottom panel 201. As a result, the space above the bottom panel 201 is surrounded on all four sides (front, back, left, and right) by the front panel 202, rear panel 203, left panel 204, and right panel 205. Furthermore, the ceiling panel 206 is a panel formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, which covers the upper surface of the space surrounded by the front panel 202, the rear panel 203, the left panel 204, and the right panel 205.

[0053] That is, the grain tank 2 has an internal space Sp1 (see FIG. 7) surrounded by a bottom panel 201, a front panel 202, a rear panel 203, a left panel 204, a right panel 205, and a ceiling panel 206, and is configured to be able to store grain in this internal space Sp1. The front panel 202 and the rear panel 203 face each other in the front-to-back direction D2 (second direction). The left panel 204 and the right panel 205 face each other in the left-to-right direction D1 (first direction). The bottom panel 201 and the ceiling panel 206 face each other in the up-down direction D3.

[0054] Here, grains are fed into the internal space Sp1 of the grain tank 2 from an input section 453 provided above the outlet (upper end) of the vertical conveying section 452. In this embodiment, as an example, as shown in FIG. 6, an input port 21 is formed at the upper end near the front of the left panel 204 of the grain tank 2, and the input section 453 is positioned at a position corresponding to the input port 21 of the left panel 204 when the grain tank 2 is in the closed position. The input port 21 opens on the inner surface of the grain tank 2, and the input section 453 inputs grains into the grain tank 2 from the input port 21. In other words, the surface of the left panel 204 facing the internal space Sp1 of the grain tank 2 forms the inner surface of the grain tank 2, and grains are fed into the internal space Sp1 of the grain tank 2 from the input port 21 opening on this inner surface.

[0055] In this embodiment, the inlet 21 is formed in a rectangular shape having a length in the front-to-rear direction (see FIG. 6, etc.), and when the grain tank 2 is in the closed position, the inlet 453 contacts the grain tank 2 so as to cover the entire inlet 21 from the outside (left side) of the grain tank 2. In other words, the conveying device 45 including the inlet 453 is located on the left side of the grain tank 2 in the closed position. In other words, the conveying device 45 is located between the left panel 204 of the grain tank 2 and the left part of the body 40 including the threshing device 43, etc., in a plan view. As described above, the conveying device 45 is fixed (connected) to the left part of the body 40 including the threshing device 43, etc., by the connecting member 454. Therefore, the conveying device 45 is located in a fixed position on the body 40 regardless of whether the grain tank 2 is open or closed.

[0056] 8, the conveying device 45 has a vertical conveying section 452 and an input section 453, and the grains threshed by the threshing device 43 are conveyed upward in the vertical direction D3 by the vertical conveying section 452. Since the input section 453 is connected to the upper end of the vertical conveying section 452, the grains threshed (and sorted) by the threshing device 43 are conveyed (supplied) to the input section 453 through the horizontal conveying section 451 and the vertical conveying section 452. Therefore, the input section 453 inputs the grains threshed by the threshing device 43 into the grain tank 2 through the input port 21 that opens on the inner surface of the grain tank 2.

[0057] In this embodiment, the vertical conveying section 452 that conveys grains from the outlet of the horizontal conveying section 451 to the feeding section 453 is a bucket-type grain lifting conveyor (bucket conveyor) that includes a plurality of buckets 71, as shown in Fig. 8. In short, the vertical conveying section 452 includes a plurality of buckets 71 that move in the up-down direction D3, and scoops up grains with each of the plurality of buckets 71 and conveys them upward. This makes it less likely that the vertical conveying section 452 will damage the grains during conveyance.

[0058] Specifically, the vertical conveying section 452 includes, in addition to multiple buckets 71, a long grain lifting tube 72 in the vertical direction D3, sprockets 73 and 74 arranged at the lower and upper ends of the grain lifting tube 72, and an endless chain 75 looped around the pair of sprockets 73 and 74.

[0059] The grain lifting duct 72 is a rectangular tube, and the multiple buckets 71 move inside the grain lifting duct 72. In other words, the grain lifting duct 72 forms a case that houses the multiple buckets 71. In this embodiment, as an example, the grain lifting duct 72 is formed in a rectangular shape that has a length in the front-to-rear direction D2 when viewed from above.

[0060] The rotation shaft of the lower sprocket 73 is connected to the rotation shaft of the screw-type horizontal conveying section 451. Therefore, the lower sprocket 73 rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the horizontal conveying section 451. As the lower sprocket 73 rotates, the upper sprocket 74 is driven, and the chain 75 rotates (circulates) in conjunction with the rotation of the pair of sprockets 73, 74. Below the lower sprocket 73, there is provided a receiving section 76 where the grains conveyed by the horizontal conveying section 451 arrive. The receiving section 76 is a space where the bucket 71 scoops up the grains.

[0061] A plurality of buckets 71 are attached to the chain 75 at equal intervals with almost no gaps between them. The buckets 71 are deep containers with one open side, and can store grains inside. As the chain 75 rotates (circulates) in one direction (counterclockwise in the example of Figure 8) R1, the buckets 71 connected to the chain 75 rotate in accordance with the rotation of the chain 75, transporting grains. The openings of the buckets 71 face in the direction in which the chain 75 rotates (one direction R1).

[0062] In the vertical conveying section 452 having this structure, the bucket 71 scoops up grains at the receiving section 76 and conveys the grains upward as it rises. Then, when the bucket 71 turns back from the upward direction to the downward direction above the upper sprocket 74, it throws out the grains toward the feeding section 453. The position from which the bucket 71 throws out the grains is defined as the feeding operation position P1. The range of the feeding operation position P1 is from the position where the bucket 71 starts to throw the grains (for example, the position when the bucket 71 reaches the top of its movable range) to the position where the bucket 71 finishes throwing the grains. After throwing out the grains, the empty bucket 71 descends and scoops up grains again at the receiving section 76. The vertical conveying section 452 repeats the above operation to feed the grains upward.

[0063] Here, the inlet 21 formed in the grain tank 2 is located diagonally downward when viewed from the loading operation position P1 of the bucket 71. The loading section 453 is located in a position facing the inlet 21 of the grain tank 2. The loading section 453 loads the grains thrown out from the bucket 71 of the vertical conveying section 452 into the grain tank 2 through the inlet 21.

[0064] The feeding section 453 has a leveling disc 455, a drive unit 456, and a cover 457. As shown in FIG. 9, the leveling disc 455 includes a plurality of (four in this example) blades 458 arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The drive unit 456 rotates the leveling disc 455 around a rotation axis Ax2 along the vertical direction D3. The cover 457 forms the outer shell of the feeding section 453 and defines a space therein that accommodates the rotation area of the leveling disc 455. The cover 457 has openings at least on its upper surface and at positions facing the internal space Sp1 of the grain tank 2. Therefore, grains thrown from the bucket 71 of the vertical conveying section 452 fall onto the leveling disc 455 through the openings in the upper surface of the cover 457.

[0065] In this embodiment, the drive unit 456 is configured to be interlocked with the upper sprocket 74 by a pulley, a belt, etc. In other words, when the sprocket 74 of the vertical conveyor 452 rotates, the drive unit 456 rotates the leveling disc 455. The grains thrown from the vertical conveyor 452 onto the leveling disc 455 are dispersed in the horizontal direction (direction perpendicular to the vertical direction D3) by the blades 458 of the leveling disc 455 rotating in this manner, and are then thrown into the grain tank 2.

[0066] That is, as shown in Fig. 9, the feeding unit 453 throws grains by pushing the grains out into the internal space Sp1 of the grain tank 2 with the leveling disc 455 as it rotates in one direction (clockwise in the example of Fig. 9) R2. Because the rotation area of the leveling disc 455 is covered with a cover 457, the scattering range of the grains thrown by the leveling disc 455 is narrowed to the feeding port 21 side by the cover 457. As a result, the feeding unit 453 can feed the grains from the feeding port 21 into the grain tank 2.

[0067] 9, in plan view, the opening of the cover 457 facing the internal space Sp1 of the grain tank 2 is formed diagonally rearward to the right. Therefore, in the feeding section 453 according to this embodiment, the grains fed into the grain tank 2 from the feeding port 21 are mainly thrown diagonally rearward to the right from the feeding port 21.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a harvest quantity sensor 53 is disposed above the feeding section 453. As a result, the harvest quantity sensor 53 detects the amount of grains that the feeding section 453 feeds into the grain tank 2 based on the amount of grains thrown from the vertical conveyor section 452 to the feeding section 453. In other words, the harvest quantity sensor 53 detects the amount of grains harvested by the harvesting machine 4, that is, the harvest quantity (yield).

[0069] More specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, the harvest yield sensor 53 includes a first sensor 531 and a second sensor 532. The first sensor 531 and the second sensor 532 are both plate-shaped sensors with a flat detection surface on one side. The first sensor 531 and the second sensor 532 are sensors that measure the magnitude of the impact when a grain collides with each detection surface. The second sensor 532 is located closer to the loading operation position P1 than the first sensor 531.

[0070] In this embodiment, a guide plate 77 that guides the grain feeding path is disposed above the feeding operation position P1 at the upper end of the vertical conveying section 452. The guide plate 77 has a curved shape that convex upward, and grains that are forcefully thrown out of the bucket 71 at the feeding operation position P1 are thrown forward along the underside of the guide plate 77. The first sensor 531 is disposed at the front end of the guide plate 77 (the leading end in the grain feeding direction). The second sensor 532 is disposed behind the first sensor 531, near the movement path of the bucket 71 that moves as the chain 75 rotates.

[0071] The detection surface of the first sensor 531 faces toward the feeding operation position P1 (rearward). On the other hand, the detection surface of the second sensor 532 faces upward. As a result, as the chain 75 rotates, the bucket 71, which reaches the feeding operation position P1, throws out the grains horizontally. Here, "horizontal" includes diagonally upward and diagonally downward. Most of the grains thrown out from the bucket 71 tend to fly far away due to centrifugal force and are guided to the first sensor 531 along the underside of the guide plate 77 (see arrow Y1 in Figure 8). As a result, some of the grains are detected by the first sensor 531, and the grains that collide with the first sensor 531 fall onto the leveling disc 455 of the feeding section 453. The first sensor 531 is disposed on an extension of the guide plate 77 and plays a role in guiding the grains to the feeding section 453.

[0072] However, even when bucket 71 starts the throwing operation, it does not immediately empty, and grains continue to be discharged from bucket 71 while bucket 71 revolves around sprocket 74 at throwing operation position P1. Grains that remain in bucket 71 until the end are thrown downward toward second sensor 532 when bucket 71 reaches near the end of throwing operation position P1 and assumes an upside-down position (see arrow Y2 in FIG. 8). As a result, some of the grains are detected by second sensor 532, and the grains that collide with second sensor 532 move above second sensor 532 or bounce above second sensor 532 and fall onto leveling disk 455 of throwing section 453.

[0073] As described above, the harvesting machine 4 according to this embodiment is also provided with the electrical unit 3 electrically connected to sensors that detect information about grains. The electrical unit 3 is supported by the transport device 45. The "sensor" here includes the quality measuring device 1, the harvest yield sensor 53, and other sensors. That is, in this embodiment, the electrical unit 3 electrically connected to sensors such as the quality measuring device 1 and the harvest yield sensor 53 is not supported by the grain tank 2, but is supported by the transport device 45 located between the grain tank 2 and the threshing device 43.

[0074] With this configuration, for example, the cable (harness) connected to the electrical unit 3 can be set relatively short while still being able to accommodate the rotation (opening and closing) of the grain tank 2, and the cable can be relatively easily handled. In other words, compared to when the electrical unit 3 is attached to the grain tank 2, the cable is shorter and easier to handle, which has the advantage of making it less likely for the reliability of the quality measuring device 1 to decrease. As a result, it is possible to provide a harvesting machine 4 in which the reliability of the electrical unit 3 is less likely to decrease.

[0075] More specifically, in this embodiment, the conveying device 45 has a vertical conveying section 452 that conveys grains in the vertical direction. The electrical unit 3 is supported by the vertical conveying section 452. In this way, by supporting the electrical unit 3 on the vertical conveying section 452 that extends in the vertical direction D3, it becomes possible to place the electrical unit 3 at a relatively high position rather than at the lower end of the grain tank 2.

[0076] Particularly in this embodiment, the electrical unit 3 is attached to a connecting member 454 as shown in Fig. 6 etc. In other words, the electrical unit 3 is supported on the vertical conveying section 452 by being fixed to the connecting member 454. The connecting member 454 is a robust member that connects the conveying device 45 and the threshing device 43, and therefore, by attaching the electrical unit 3 to such a connecting member 454, the electrical unit 3 can be firmly fixed without using a dedicated bracket for attaching the electrical unit 3.

[0077] In the harvesting machine 4 according to this embodiment, the quality measuring instrument 1 acquires some of the grains from the vertical conveying section 452 of the conveying device 45. That is, the quality measuring instrument 1 acquires some of the grains from the vertical conveying section 452, which is a bucket-type grain lifting conveyor (bucket conveyor) including a plurality of buckets 71, and measures the quality of the grains.

[0078] In short, in this embodiment, a portion of the grains is conveyed horizontally to the quality measuring instrument 1 from the vertical conveying section 452 of the conveying device 45, which conveys the grains from the threshing device 43 to the grain tank 2. As a result, the quality measuring instrument 1 acquires the grains from the vertical conveying section 452 of the conveying device 45.

[0079] Thus, in the harvesting machine 4 according to this embodiment, the quality measuring device 1 that measures the quality of the grains does not acquire grains from the grain tank 2, but acquires grains from the vertical conveying section 452 of the conveying device 45. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the quality measuring device 1 is disposed inside the grain tank 2, the capacity of the grain tank 2 is less likely to be constrained even when the quality measuring device 1 is provided. As a result, it is possible to provide a harvesting machine 4 in which the capacity of the grain tank 2 is less likely to be constrained.

[0080] Furthermore, the quality measuring device 1 is disposed below the vertical conveying section 452. In other words, the quality measuring device 1 is disposed below the vertical conveying section 452 and acquires some of the grains from the vertical conveying section 452. The "lower part of the vertical conveying section 452" here refers to a range of 1 / 3 or less from the lower end of the entire length of the vertical conveying section 452 in the vertical direction D3, and more preferably a range of 1 / 4 or less of the entire length. In other words, the quality measuring device 1 is disposed at least below the center of the vertical conveying section 452 in the vertical direction D3. As a result, the quality measuring device 1 is disposed in a position surrounded by the grain tank 2 and the threshing device 43.

[0081] According to this configuration, the quality measuring device 1 can be installed by utilizing the dead space between the threshing device 43 and the grain tank 2. Therefore, problems such as the harvesting machine 4 becoming larger due to the installation of the quality measuring device 1 are unlikely to occur. Furthermore, by placing the quality measuring device 1 between the threshing device 43 and the grain tank 2, the quality measuring device 1 is less likely to come into contact with obstacles while the harvesting machine 4 is traveling, and the quality measuring device 1 is less likely to malfunction.

[0082] More specifically, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, the quality measuring device 1 is disposed behind a sprocket 73 disposed at the lower end of the grain lifting can 72. Here, the quality measuring device 1 is disposed adjacent to the rear surface of the lower part of the grain lifting can 72 so as to obtain grains from the lower part of the grain lifting can 72.

[0083] As shown in Figures 10 to 13, the quality measuring device 1 has a case 11, and the main body of the quality measuring device 1 (electrode rollers, etc.) is housed inside the case 11. The case 11 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having a length in the vertical direction D3, and forms the outer shell of the quality measuring device 1. An intake port 12 and a discharge port 13 are formed on a side surface (front surface) 111 of the case 11 that faces the vertical conveying section 452 when the quality measuring device 1 is mounted on the harvesting machine 4.

[0084] The inlet 12 is located at the top of the side surface 111, and the outlet 13 is located at the bottom of the side surface 111. The inlet 12 is an opening for taking in grains into the quality measuring device 1. The outlet 13 is an opening for discharging grains whose quality has been measured. In this embodiment, the quality measuring device 1 measures the quality of the grains by crushing the grains therein, so the grains taken in from the inlet 12 are crushed inside the quality measuring device 1, and the crushed grains are discharged from the outlet 13.

[0085] The quality measuring device 1 has an intake section 14 that protrudes from the side surface (front surface) 111 of the case 11. When the quality measuring device 1 is mounted on the harvesting machine 4, the intake section 14 protrudes toward the vertical conveying section 452, that is, forward.

[0086] The intake unit 14 has a pair of intake rollers 141. The pair of intake rollers 141 are located directly below the intake port 12, and are driven to rotate so as to take in grains into the intake port 12. In other words, the quality measuring instrument 1 rotates the pair of intake rollers 141 to take in grains and measure their quality.

[0087] Specifically, spiral ribs are formed on the outer circumferential surface of each intake roller 141. When the pair of intake rollers 141 rotates with grains placed above them, the ribs of each intake roller 141 cause the grains to move on the pair of intake rollers 141 toward the intake port 12 (i.e., rearward). As a result, when the pair of intake rollers 141 rotates, grains are taken in from the intake port 12 into the quality measuring device 1, and when the pair of intake rollers 141 stops, the taking of grains into the quality measuring device 1 stops.

[0088] As shown in Figure 11, the quality measuring device 1 configured in this manner is disposed at the lower rear of the vertical conveying section 452 with the side surface (front surface) 111 of the case 11 facing (forward) toward the vertical conveying section 452. In this embodiment, the quality measuring device 1 is supported by the lifting tube 72 of the vertical conveying section 452. In this disclosure, "supported" means that one member is mechanically connected to another member directly or indirectly (using a connector, etc.) by various methods such as fixing with fasteners such as bolts, welding, or adhesive bonding. In other words, the quality measuring device 1 is fixed (connected) to the vertical conveying section 452 by being attached to the lifting tube 72 of the vertical conveying section 452 by an appropriate method, and is supported by the vertical conveying section 452.

[0089] The configuration by which the quality measuring instrument 1 acquires kernels from the vertical conveyor section 452 will be described in more detail below.

[0090] The vertical conveying section 452 has an opening 61 (see Figure 11) in the lifting tube 72. That is, the vertical conveying section 452 has a lifting tube 72 that houses a plurality of buckets 71, and the lifting tube 72 has an opening 61 formed therein. The quality measuring device 1 acquires some of the grains through the opening 61 formed in the lifting tube 72. This makes it possible for some of the grains being conveyed by the vertical conveying section 452 to be passed across to the quality measuring device 1. Therefore, in the vertical conveying section 452, by simply providing the opening 61 in the lifting tube 72, it is possible to provide some of the grains to the quality measuring device 1.

[0091] Here, the opening 61 for passing the grains horizontally from the vertical conveying section 452 to the quality measuring device 1 is formed on the side (back) of the grain lifting can 72 that faces the quality measuring device 1, as shown in Figure 11. In other words, the opening 61 is formed on the side plate that constitutes the side of the grain lifting can 72. The opening 61 is a hole that penetrates the side plate of the grain lifting can 72 in the thickness direction (front-to-back direction D2), and in this embodiment, for example, is formed in a rectangular shape. By forming the opening 61 on the side plate of the grain lifting can 72, the grains inside the grain lifting can 72 can be removed from the side (back) of the grain lifting can 72.

[0092] The quality measuring instrument 1 has an intake unit 14 at a position corresponding to the opening 61, and acquires some of the grains at the intake unit 14. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11 , the quality measuring instrument 1 is arranged so that the intake unit 14, which is provided on the side (front) 111 facing the vertical conveying section 452, is exposed inside the grain lifting tube 72 through the opening 61. This allows the grains that fly out of the grain lifting tube 72 through the opening 61 to be caught by the pair of intake rollers 141 of the intake unit 14 and taken into the quality measuring instrument 1.

[0093] In particular, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 13, the vertical conveying section 452 raises and lowers multiple buckets 71 by rotating them, and the quality measuring device 1 is positioned adjacent to one of the multiple buckets 71 that is currently rising. Specifically, two rows of multiple buckets 71 that move in the vertical direction D3 are formed inside the grain lifting tube 72. In this embodiment, the front row is the row that lowers the buckets 71, and the rear row is the row that lifts the buckets 71. The quality measuring device 1 is positioned behind the grain lifting tube 72, and is therefore positioned adjacent to the row that lifts the buckets 71.

[0094] Then, when bucket 71 turns back from a downward direction to an upward direction below lower sprocket 73, it scoops up grains in receiving portion 76 and rises toward feeding portion 453. Therefore, by arranging quality measuring device 1 adjacent to bucket 71 as it rises, when grains scooped up vigorously by receiving portion 76 are scattered diagonally upward along the rotation (circulation) trajectory of bucket 71 (see arrow Y1 in FIG. 13), these scattered grains can be acquired by quality measuring device 1. Furthermore, grains that spill from bucket 71 as it rises can also be acquired by quality measuring device 1 (see arrow Y2 in FIG. 13).

[0095] 11 to 13, the harvesting machine 4 according to this embodiment is further provided with a guard member 62. The guard member 62 is configured to surround the periphery of the intake section 14 between the opening 61 and the quality measuring instrument 1. By providing such a guard member 62, scattering of grains from the opening 61 is suppressed, and the grains removed from the opening 61 can be efficiently taken into the quality measuring instrument 1.

[0096] 12, in this embodiment, the guard member 62 is, for example, a rectangular cylindrical resin member in a front view, with both end faces in the front-rear direction D2 open. The guard member 62 fills the gap between the case 11 of the quality measuring device 1 and the grain lifting tube 72 of the vertical conveying section 452, thereby forming a passage for passing grains between the opening 61 and the intake section 14.

[0097] Here, the guard member 62 has inclined surfaces 621, 622 so that the opening area becomes smaller toward the quality measuring instrument 1 side (rear side). In other words, the space outside the opening 61 is narrowed by the guard member 62, so that the kernels that fly out from the opening 61 are more likely to be collected toward the intake unit 14 of the quality measuring instrument 1. As a result, the quality measuring instrument 1 can more easily acquire the kernels.

[0098] In particular, the upper inclined surface 621 has the function of dropping the grains scattered diagonally upward along the rotational (circular) trajectory of the bucket 71 when the bucket 71 scoops up the grains with the receiving portion 76 (see arrow Y1 in FIG. 13 ) toward the intake portion 14. In other words, the grains thrown diagonally upward from the bucket 71 bounce off the upper inclined surface 621 and fall onto the intake portion 14, whereby they can be taken into the quality measuring instrument 1.

[0099] The lower inclined surface 622 also functions as a return section that guides excess grains supplied from the vertical conveying section 452 to the quality measuring device 1 back to the vertical conveying section 452. In other words, grains that spill over from the intake section 14 bounce off the inclined surface 622 toward the opening 61, and are returned to the inside of the grain lifting tube 72 through the opening 61. In other words, grains that are supplied from the vertical conveying section 452 and spill over from the intake section 14 are returned into the vertical conveying section 452 by the inclined surface 622 that functions as a return section. As a result, grains that are supplied from the vertical conveying section 452 but not taken into the quality measuring device 1 are returned to the vertical conveying section 452, making it possible to reduce grain loss.

[0100] The harvesting machine 4 according to this embodiment is further provided with a guide member 63. The guide member 63 is a member that guides grains that have spilled out of each of the multiple buckets 71 to the quality measuring instrument 1. By providing such a guide member 63, it becomes possible to efficiently collect grains that have spilled out of the buckets 71 into the quality measuring instrument 1.

[0101] As an example of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 11 to 13, the guide member 63, together with the side walls of the grain lifting bin 72, forms a grain path having a length in the vertical direction D3. The guide member 63 is open at both ends in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction D3). The lower end of the guide member 63 protrudes outside the grain lifting bin 72 through the opening 61. The guide member 63 is positioned so that its lower open surface faces a pair of intake rollers 141 serving as the intake section 14.

[0102] As a result, the upper opening surface of the guide member 63 forms an "entrance" for introducing grains that have spilled out of the rising bucket 71 (see arrow Y2 in Figure 13), and the lower opening surface of the guide member 63 forms an "exit" for discharging the grains to the intake unit 14 of the quality measuring instrument 1. In other words, the guide member 63 guides the grains introduced from the entrance (upper opening surface) through its interior to the exit (lower opening surface), and discharges them from the exit onto the intake unit 14 (pair of intake rollers 141).

[0103] Furthermore, guide member 63 functions as a "return" that prevents grains thrown from bucket 71 and passing through intake section 14 from returning into lifting tube 72 through opening 61. In other words, by positioning guide member 63 directly above intake section 14, when bucket 71 scoops up grains in receiving section 76, grains that are scattered diagonally upward along the rotational (circular) trajectory of bucket 71 (see arrow Y1 in Figure 13) hit guide member 63 and are prevented from passing through opening 61.

[0104] As described above, the harvesting machine 4 according to this embodiment further includes a partition member (guide member 63 in this embodiment) that separates the area directly above the intake section 14 from the internal space of the vertical conveying section 452. This prevents grains thrown from the bucket 71 from passing through the intake section 14 and returning to the grain lifting tube 72 of the vertical conveying section 452, making it possible to efficiently take in the grains into the quality measuring device 1.

[0105] [3] Variation Below, we will list some modified examples of embodiment 1. The modified examples explained below can be applied in appropriate combinations.

[0106] The opening 61 may be configured so that at least one of the shape and size is adjustable. By adjusting at least one of the shape and size of the opening 61, it becomes possible to adjust the amount of grains supplied to the quality measuring device 1 through the opening 61. As a result, the quality measuring device 1 can obtain a more appropriate amount of grains.

[0107] Furthermore, the harvesting machine 4 is not limited to a normal combine harvester, but may be a head-feeding combine harvester, or may be a harvesting machine other than a combine harvester.

[0108] Furthermore, when the machine body 40 is divided into approximately equal halves in the left-right direction D1, it is not essential that the threshing device 43 be located on the left side and the grain tank 2 be located on the right side. For example, the grain tank 2 may be located on the left side of the machine body 40 and the threshing device 43 may be located on the right side.

[0109] Furthermore, the guard member 62 is not an essential component and can be omitted as appropriate. Similarly, the guide member 63 is not an essential component and can be omitted as appropriate.

[0110] Furthermore, the vertical conveying section 452 is not limited to a bucket type grain lifting conveyor (bucket conveyor), and may be, for example, a screw type.

[0111] Furthermore, the driving section 47 is not limited to a cabin type, but may be, for example, a canopy type or a floor type.

[0112] (Embodiment 2) The harvesting machine 4 according to this embodiment differs from the harvesting machine 4 according to the first embodiment in that the quality measuring instrument 1 measures the protein content of grains. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0113] In the harvesting machine 4 according to this embodiment, the quality measuring instrument 1 takes in grains from the vertical conveying section 452 and measures the protein content of the grains. In this embodiment as well, the quality measuring instrument 1 acquires grains from the opening 61 formed in the grain lifting tube 72.

[0114] The quality measuring device 1 may be any device that measures the quality of grains, and the quality to be measured is not limited to the moisture content (embodiment 1) and protein content (embodiment 2) of the grains, but may also be, for example, the amylose content, or a combination of these.

[0115] The configuration of the second embodiment (including the modified examples) can be adopted in appropriate combination with the various configurations (including the modified examples) described in the first embodiment.

[0116] [Appendix to the invention] The following is a summary of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiment. Note that the configurations and processing functions described in the following supplementary notes can be selected and combined as desired.

[0117] <Appendix 1> threshing equipment; A grain tank for storing grains, A conveying device that conveys the grains from the threshing device to the grain tank and deposits the grains into the grain tank; a quality measuring device for measuring the quality of the grain, The conveying device has a vertical conveying unit that includes a plurality of buckets that move in a vertical direction and scoops up the grains with each of the plurality of buckets and conveys them upward, The quality measuring instrument acquires a portion of the kernels from the vertical conveying section. Harvesting machinery.

[0118] <Appendix 2> The quality measuring device is disposed below the vertical conveying section. 1. A harvesting machine as described in Appendix 1.

[0119] <Appendix 3> The vertical conveying section has a grain lifting bin that accommodates the plurality of buckets, The quality measuring device acquires a portion of the grains through an opening formed in the grain lifting tube. 1. A harvesting machine according to claim 1 or 2.

[0120] <Appendix 4> The quality measuring instrument has an intake unit at a position corresponding to the opening, and acquires a portion of the grains at the intake unit. 1. Harvesting machinery as described in Appendix 3.

[0121] <Appendix 5> a guard member surrounding the intake portion between the opening and the quality measuring device; 1. A harvesting machine as described in Appendix 4.

[0122] <Appendix 6> a partition member that separates an area directly above the intake section from an internal space of the vertical conveying section; 6. A harvesting machine according to any one of appendix 4 or 5.

[0123] <Appendix 7> The apparatus further includes a guide member that guides the grains that have spilled out of each of the plurality of buckets to the quality measuring device. 7. The harvesting machine according to any one of appendices 1 to 6.

[0124] <Appendix 8> the vertical conveying unit moves the plurality of buckets up and down by circulating the buckets, the quality measuring device is disposed adjacent to a rising bucket among the plurality of buckets; 8. The harvesting machine according to any one of appendices 1 to 7. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 1 Quality measuring instrument 2 Glentank 4. Harvesting Machines 14 Intake section 61 Opening 62 Guard member 63 Guide member (partition member) 43 Threshing equipment 45 Transport equipment 71 Bucket 72 Fried grain cylinder 452 Vertical conveying section D3 Up and down direction

Claims

1. threshing equipment; A grain tank for storing grains, A conveying device that conveys the grains from the threshing device to the grain tank and deposits the grains into the grain tank; a quality measuring device for measuring the quality of the grain, The conveying device has a vertical conveying unit that includes a plurality of buckets that move in a vertical direction and scoops up the grains with each of the plurality of buckets and conveys them upward, The quality measuring instrument acquires a portion of the kernels from the vertical conveying section. Harvesting machinery.

2. The quality measuring device is disposed below the vertical conveying section.

2. The harvesting machine of claim 1.

3. The vertical conveying section has a grain lifting bin that accommodates the plurality of buckets, The quality measuring device acquires a portion of the grains through an opening formed in the grain lifting tube. A harvesting machine according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The quality measuring instrument has an intake unit at a position corresponding to the opening, and acquires a portion of the grains at the intake unit.

4. A harvesting machine according to claim 3.

5. a guard member surrounding the intake portion between the opening and the quality measuring device; 5. A harvesting machine according to claim 4.

6. a partition member that separates an area directly above the intake section from an internal space of the vertical conveying section; 5. A harvesting machine according to claim 4.

7. The apparatus further includes a guide member that guides the grains that have spilled out of each of the plurality of buckets to the quality measuring device. A harvesting machine according to claim 1 or 2.

8. the vertical conveying unit moves the plurality of buckets up and down by circulating the buckets, the quality measuring device is disposed adjacent to a rising bucket among the plurality of buckets; A harvesting machine according to claim 1 or 2.

9. threshing equipment; A grain tank for storing grains, A conveying device that conveys the grains from the threshing device to the grain tank and deposits the grains into the grain tank; a quality measuring device for measuring the quality of the grain, The conveying device has a vertical conveying section that conveys the grains upward, The quality measuring device is disposed below the vertical conveying section and acquires a portion of the grains from the vertical conveying section. Harvesting machinery.

Images