Sugarcane harvester

Abstract

When the drive shafts of the right and left motors are connected to the rotating body by a spline structure, this prevents the rotating body from moving in the left-right direction along the drive shafts of the motors. [Solution] In a rotating body 32 with motors 38 on the right and left sides, there are protrusions 38a, 41 provided on the drive shaft 38a of the motor 38 and one side of the rotating body 32, and recesses 42, 44 provided on the other side of the drive shaft 38a of the motor 38 and the rotating body 32. The protrusions 38a, 41 fit into the recesses 42, 44, causing the protrusions 38a, 41 and the recesses 42, 44 to spline mesh, connecting the drive shaft 38a of the motor 38 and the rotating body 32. A spacer member 47 is provided in the gap between the protrusions 38a, 41 and the recesses 42, 44.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the configuration of a conveying device in a sugarcane harvester.

Background Art

[0002] In a sugarcane harvester, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a type equipped with a cutting unit for cutting crops in a field and a conveying device for conveying the crops cut by the cutting unit obliquely upward and rearward.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, in the conveying device, a plurality of rotators rotatable around an axis along the left - right direction are arranged side by side along the crop conveying direction. Motors are provided on the right or left part of each rotator, and the rotators are rotationally driven by the motors, and the crops are conveyed by the rotators. Among the plurality of rotators of the conveying device, for a rotator subjected to a large load, motors may be provided on the right and left parts of the rotator, and the rotator may be configured to be rotationally driven by two motors.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a sugarcane harvester having the configuration of Patent Document 1, in order to facilitate the removal of the motor for maintenance work, the drive shaft of the motor and the right (left) part of the rotator are often configured to be connected by a spline structure.

[0006] In this case, if a spline structure is used at both the connection point between the drive shaft of the right motor and the right side of the rotating body, and the connection point between the drive shaft of the left motor and the left side of the rotating body, in a rotating body equipped with two motors, there is a possibility that the rotating body will move in the left-right direction along the drive shafts of the motors. When the rotating body moves to one side, the right (or left) part of the rotating body separates significantly from the side plate of the conveying device. This creates a possibility that crop waste or other debris can enter through the separated area and become entangled in the motor's drive shaft or other components.

[0007] The present invention aims to suppress the movement of a rotating body along the drive shafts of motors in the left-right direction when the drive shafts of the right and left motors and the rotating body are connected by a spline structure in a conveying device for a sugarcane harvester. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The sugarcane harvester of the present invention comprises a harvesting unit for cutting crops in a field, and a conveying device for transporting the crops harvested by the harvesting unit diagonally upward and backward. The conveying device is rotatable around an axis along the left-right direction and comprises a plurality of rotating bodies arranged in line along the direction of crop transport, and each of the rotating bodies is provided with a motor for rotating the rotating body, thereby transporting the crops by the rotating bodies. In the rotating bodies, the motors are provided on the right and left sides of the rotating body, and the motors drive... The motor is provided with a protrusion on one of the shaft and the rotating body, and a recess on the other of the motor's drive shaft and the rotating body. The protrusion fits into the recess, causing the protrusion and the recess to spline mesh, connecting the motor's drive shaft and the rotating body. At least one of the connection portions between the right drive shaft of the motor and the right part of the rotating body, and the connection portion between the left drive shaft of the motor and the left part of the rotating body, is provided with a spacer member in the gap between the protrusion and the recess.

[0009] According to the present invention, in a rotating body in which motors are provided on the right and left sides, a convex portion is provided on the motor drive shaft and one of the rotating body, and a concave portion is provided on the motor drive shaft and the other of the rotating body. When the convex portion fits into the concave portion, the convex portion and the concave portion engage in spline meshing, connecting the motor drive shaft and the rotating body. As the convex portion moves along the concave portion in the left-right direction (and the concave portion moves along the convex portion in the left-right direction), the rotating body becomes able to move along the motor drive shaft in the left-right direction.

[0010] According to the present invention, a spacer member is provided in the gap between a convex portion and a concave portion at least one of the connection portions between the drive shaft of the right motor and the right part of the rotating body, and the connection portion between the drive shaft of the left motor and the left part of the rotating body. As a result, the range in which the rotating body can move left and right along the motor's drive shaft is reduced by the spacer member, thereby suppressing the movement of the rotating body left and right along the motor's drive shaft and preventing the right (left) part of the rotating body from separating significantly from the side plate of the conveying device. By suppressing the lateral movement of the rotating body, crop debris and other materials are less likely to become entangled in the motor's drive shaft, allowing the motor to smoothly drive the rotating body and thus enabling smoother transport of crops by the rotating body, thereby improving the transport performance of the transport device.

[0011] According to the present invention, the convex portion and the concave portion rotate together with the motor's drive shaft and rotating body, and the spacer member provided in the gap between the convex portion and the concave portion also often rotates together with the motor's drive shaft and rotating body.

[0012] As a result, even if the spacer member comes into contact with the convex portion, friction between the spacer member and the convex portion along the direction of rotation is unlikely to occur. Similarly, even if the spacer member comes into contact with the concave portion, friction between the spacer member and the concave portion along the direction of rotation is unlikely to occur. Because friction between the spacer member and the convex and concave portions is unlikely, wear is less likely to occur, thus improving durability.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that the spacer member is provided at both the connection portion between the drive shaft of the right motor and the right part of the rotating body, and the connection portion between the drive shaft of the left motor and the left part of the rotating body.

[0014] According to the present invention, the range in which the rotating body can move in the left-right direction along the drive shaft of the motor is further reduced by the right and left spacer members. This is advantageous in terms of suppressing the left-right movement of the rotating body and is advantageous in terms of improving the conveying performance of the conveying device.

[0015] In the present invention, the protrusion has the drive shaft of the motor and a first spline member having a first spline formed on its outer circumference and attached to the drive shaft of the motor, and the recess has a mounting portion attached to the rotating body and a second spline member having a second spline formed on its inner circumference, and the protrusion fits into the recess so that the first spline and the second spline mesh, connecting the drive shaft of the motor and the rotating body, and the spacer member is preferably provided in the gap formed between the end of the first spline member opposite to the motor and the mounting portion.

[0016] According to the present invention, the convex portion (first spline member) fits into the concave portion (second spline member), causing the first spline of the convex portion (first spline member) and the second spline of the concave portion (second spline member) to mesh, thereby connecting the motor's drive shaft to the rotating body.

[0017] According to the present invention, a circular gap is created between the first spline member and the inner portion of the second spline member at the mounting portion of the rotating body, as viewed from the axial direction of the motor's drive shaft, so that the spacer member can be easily fitted into the aforementioned gap.

[0018] In the present invention, it is preferable that a blocking member is provided attached to the end of the drive shaft of the motor to prevent the first spline member from detaching from the drive shaft of the motor, and that the spacer member is formed in a ring shape into which the blocking member can fit.

[0019] When the first spline member is attached to the drive shaft of the motor, the blocking member may be attached to the end of the drive shaft of the motor so that the separation of the first spline member from the drive shaft of the motor is blocked by the blocking member.

[0020] According to the present invention, when the spacer member is configured in a ring shape and the first spline member enters the second spline member and the drive shaft of the motor and the rotating body are connected, the blocking member attached to the end of the drive shaft of the motor enters the ring-shaped spacer member.

[0021] As a result, the attachment portion between the drive shaft of the motor and the rotating body is less affected by the blocking member and can approach without difficulty, so the gap generated between the end portion of the first spline member on the opposite side of the motor and the attachment portion of the rotating body will not become larger than necessary. Since the above-mentioned gap does not become larger than necessary, the spacer member provided in this gap will not become larger than necessary, so the spacer member can be made more compact.

[0022] In the present invention, it is preferable that an opening into which the blocking member can enter is provided in the attachment portion.

[0023] According to the present invention, when the first spline member enters the second spline member and the drive shaft of the motor and the rotating body are connected, the blocking member enters the ring-shaped spacer member and enters the opening of the attachment portion of the rotating body. As a result, the attachment portion between the drive shaft of the motor and the rotating body is less affected by the blocking member and can approach without difficulty, so it is advantageous in terms of reducing the gap generated between the end portion of the first spline member on the opposite side of the motor and the attachment portion of the rotating body, and is advantageous in terms of making the spacer member more compact.

[0024] In the present invention, the convex portion has a drive shaft of the motor and a first spline member having a first spline formed on an outer peripheral portion thereof and attached to the drive shaft of the motor. The concave portion has a mounting portion attached to the rotating body and a second spline member having a second spline formed on an inner peripheral portion thereof. When the convex portion enters the concave portion, the first spline and the second spline engage with each other, and the drive shaft of the motor and the rotating body are connected. It is preferable that a flange portion is provided at an end portion on the motor side of the first spline member and extends outward with respect to the drive shaft of the motor.

[0025] According to the present invention, when the convex portion (first spline member) enters the concave portion (second spline member), the first spline of the convex portion (first spline member) and the second spline of the concave portion (second spline member) engage with each other, and the drive shaft of the motor and the rotating body are connected.

[0026] According to the present invention, even if crop debris or the like enters between the main body portion of the motor and the end portion on the motor side of the first spline member and tries to entangle the drive shaft of the motor or the like, the flange portion provided at the end portion on the motor side of the first spline member suppresses the entry of crop debris or the like. Thereby, it is possible to prevent crop debris or the like from entangling the drive shaft of the motor or the like, which is advantageous in terms of enabling the rotational drive of the rotating body by the motor to be performed smoothly and in terms of improving the conveying performance of the conveying device.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] It is a left side view of a sugarcane harvester. [Figure 2] It is a longitudinal left side view near a cutting portion and a first conveying device. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional plan view near an upper rotating body in a conveying device. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional plan view near a lower rotating body in a conveying device. [Figure 5]This is a longitudinal cross-sectional front view of the area near the left bearing in the lower rotating body, which has hydraulic motors installed on the right and left sides. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] Figures 1 to 5 show an example of a work vehicle, a sugarcane harvester. In Figures 1 to 5, F indicates the forward direction, B indicates the backward direction, U indicates the upward direction, D indicates the downward direction, R indicates the right direction, and L indicates the left direction.

[0029] (Overall configuration of a sugarcane harvesting machine) As shown in Figure 1, the harvesting unit 3 and the first conveying device 4 are connected to form the machine body 8, and the first conveying device 4 extends diagonally upward and backward from the rear of the harvesting unit 3.

[0030] The right and left front wheels 1 are located on the right and left sides of the harvesting unit 3. The upper cutting device 7 is located on the upper part of the harvesting unit 3 and positioned above and in front of the harvesting unit 3. The right and left rear wheels 2 are located on the lower rear part of the first conveying device 4, and the machine body 8 is supported by the front wheels 1 and rear wheels 2.

[0031] A sorting device 5 is provided vertically at the rear of the first conveying device 4, and a second conveying device 6 extends diagonally upward from the bottom of the sorting device 5. An operating unit 9 is provided on top of the harvesting unit 3, and an engine 10 is provided on the upper front of the first conveying device 4.

[0032] (Operating status of the sugarcane harvesting machine) As shown in Figure 1, as the machine 8 moves forward, the upper leaves of the crops in the field are cut by the upper cutting device 7, and the crops are introduced into the harvesting section 3. The crops introduced into the harvesting section 3 are bent forward, their bases are cut, and they are supplied from the base to the first conveying device 4. The crops supplied to the first conveying device 4 are transported diagonally upward and backward along the first conveying device 4, and are cut to a predetermined length at the rear end of the first conveying device 4 before being supplied to the top of the sorting device 5.

[0033] The crops supplied to the top of the sorting device 5 fall to the front of the second conveying device 6. A sorting fan (not shown) is provided at the top of the sorting device 5, and a sorting airflow is generated by the sorting fan and directed upwards inside the sorting device 5. Inside the sorting device 5, the crops fall to the front of the second conveying device 6 below, and impurities are separated from the crops by the sorting airflow and discharged from the top of the sorting device 5.

[0034] The crops that fall to the front of the second conveying device 6 are transported diagonally upward by the second conveying device 6. A transport vehicle (not shown) is running alongside the sugarcane harvester, and the crops are released from the rear of the second conveying device 6 onto the transport vehicle's loading platform.

[0035] (Configuration of harvesting unit 3) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the harvesting unit 3 includes right and left cutters 11, right and left dividers 12, lodging rollers 13 and 14, and right and left side walls 15.

[0036] Right and left side walls 15 are provided along the front-rear direction, and the rear of each side wall 15 is connected to the front of the first conveying device 4. Right and left front wheels 1 are provided on the side walls 15. Tilting rollers 13 and 14 are provided on the upper front part between the side walls 15 and are rotationally driven around an axis P1 along the left-right direction.

[0037] The right and left cutters 11 are constructed by attaching multiple cutting blades to the outer circumference of a disc-shaped member. The cutters 11 are arranged side by side along the left-right direction at the lower rear portion between the side wall portions 15 and are rotationally driven around an axis P2 along the vertical direction. The right and left dividers 12 are provided at the front of the side wall portion 15 and are rotationally driven around an axis (not shown) along the longitudinal direction of the dividers 12.

[0038] With the above configuration, as the machine 8 moves forward, the upper leaves of the crops in the field are cut by the upper cutting device 7, and the crops in the field are separated into those to be harvested and other crops by the right and left dividers 12, and the crops to be harvested are guided between the dividers 12.

[0039] The crops guided between the dividers 12 are guided between the side walls 15 while being tilted forward by the lodging rollers 13 and 14, and the base of the crops is cut by the cutter 11. The crops with their bases cut are supplied from the base to the first conveying device 4 and are conveyed diagonally upward and backward along the first conveying device 4.

[0040] (Overall configuration of the first transport device 4) As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the first conveying device 4 is provided with right and left side plates 16, a plurality of frames 17 are connected across the right and left side plates 16, and a bottom plate 18 is connected across the lower part of the right and left side plates 16. The side plates 16, frames 17, and bottom plate 18 constitute a box-shaped structure.

[0041] Inside the aforementioned box-shaped structure, six upper rotating bodies 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 are arranged in line along the direction of crop transport. Six lower rotating bodies 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 are also arranged in line along the direction of crop transport.

[0042] Rotating bodies 21-26 are driven to rotate counterclockwise in Figure 2 around the axis P21 which runs in the left-right direction. Rotating bodies 31-36 are driven to rotate clockwise in Figure 2 around the axis P31 which runs in the left-right direction, so rotating bodies 21-26 and rotating bodies 31-36 are driven to rotate in opposite directions to each other.

[0043] The rotating bodies 21-25 and 32-35 are cylindrical in shape, and a plurality of groove members 19, whose ends are formed in an uneven shape, are attached radially to the outer circumference of the rotating bodies 21-25 and 32-35.

[0044] A scraping member 20, which is radially longer than the scraping member 19, is radially attached to the outer circumference of a rotating body 31 located at the starting end of the first conveying device 4. Multiple horizontally elongated cutting blades 27 are radially attached to the outer circumferences of rotating bodies 26 and 36 located at the end of the first conveying device 4.

[0045] With the above configuration, when the base of the crops cut in the harvesting section 3 is supplied to the first conveying device 4, the base of the crops is pulled between the rotating bodies 21 and 31. The crops are transported while being held between the rotating bodies 21-25 and 31-35, with the base of the crops leading the upper part of the crops. When the crops reach the end of the first conveying device 4, they are held between the rotating bodies 26 and 36, shredded by the cutting blades 27 of the rotating bodies 26 and 36, and supplied to the top of the sorting device 5.

[0046] (Support and drive structure for rotating bodies 21-25 in the first conveying device 4) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a swing support member 28 is provided to support the rotating bodies 21 to 25 so that they can swing up and down. The swing support member 28 is constructed by connecting flat right and left support plates 28b to the right and left ends of a support shaft 28a. The swing support member 28 (support shaft 28a) is attached to the side plate 16 so that it can swing around an axis P22 along the left-right direction.

[0047] The right and left bearing portions 29 are attached to the support plates 28b of the swing support member 28, and the rotating bodies 21-25 are attached to the bearing portions 29 so as to be rotatable around the axis P21. The rotating bodies 21-25 and the swing support member 28 swing up and down together around the axis P22, and the rotating bodies 21-25 and the swing support member 28 swing downward due to the weight of the rotating bodies 21-25, the swing support member 28 and the hydraulic motor 30 described later.

[0048] Oval-shaped openings 16a are provided in the right and left side plates 16, and the bearing portion 29 fits into the openings 16a of the side plates 16. The position where the bearing portion 29 contacts the lower end of the opening 16a of the side plate 16 is the lower limit position of the vertical oscillation of the rotating bodies 21-25 and the swing support member 28, and is the position where the rotating bodies 21-25 are closest to the rotating bodies 31-35.

[0049] The position where the bearing portion 29 contacts the upper end of the opening 16a of the side plate 16 is the upper limit position for the vertical oscillation of the rotating bodies 21-25 and the swing support member 28, and is the position where the rotating bodies 21-25 are furthest from the rotating bodies 31-35.

[0050] In rotating bodies 21, 23, and 25, a hydraulic motor 30 is attached to the right bearing portion 29. In rotating bodies 22 and 24, a hydraulic motor 30 is attached to the left bearing portion 29. Rotating bodies 21 to 25 are driven to rotate in the counterclockwise direction shown in Figure 2 by a single hydraulic motor 30.

[0051] (Support and drive structure for rotating bodies 31-35 in the first conveying device 4) As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the right and left bearing portions 37 are attached to the side plate 16, and the rotating bodies 31 to 35 are attached to the bearing portions 37 so as to be rotatable around the axis P31.

[0052] In the rotating body 31, a hydraulic motor 38 is attached to the left bearing portion 37. In the rotating bodies 33 and 34, a hydraulic motor 38 is attached to the right bearing portion 37. The rotating bodies 31, 33, and 34 are driven to rotate in the clockwise direction shown in Figure 2 by a single hydraulic motor 38.

[0053] In the rotating bodies 32 and 35, hydraulic motors 38 are attached to the right and left bearing portions 37. The rotating bodies 32 and 35 are driven to rotate in the clockwise direction shown in Figure 2 by the two hydraulic motors 38.

[0054] (Drive structure of rotating bodies 26, 36 in the first conveying device 4) As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, a hydraulic motor 39 is attached to the left side plate 16, and the rotating body 26 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in Figure 2 by the hydraulic motor 39. A hydraulic motor 40 is attached to the left side plate 16, and the rotating body 36 is driven to rotate clockwise in Figure 2 by the hydraulic motor 40.

[0055] Gear 26a is connected to the right side of the rotating body 26, and gear 36a is connected to the right side of the rotating body 36, with gear 26a of rotating body 26 and gear 36a of rotating body 36 meshing together. Due to the meshing of gears 26a and 36a of rotating bodies 26 and 36, their rotational phases do not shift relative to each other, and they are driven to rotate while maintaining their relative rotational phases.

[0056] The flywheel 43 is mounted on the right side plate 16 so as to be rotatable around an axis P32 in the left-right direction, and the gear 43a of the flywheel 43 meshes with the gear 36a of the rotating body 36. The flywheel 43 is rotated as the rotating bodies 26 and 36 are rotated, and the flywheel 43 suppresses rotational irregularities of the rotating bodies 26 and 36.

[0057] (Support structure at the bearing portion 37 of the rotating bodies 32 and 35 in the first conveying device 4) - 1 Figure 5 shows the vicinity of the left bearing portion 37 of the rotating bodies 32 and 35. The same structure as shown in Figure 5 is used in the right bearing portion 37 of the rotating body 35, and the structures of the right and left bearing portions 37 of the rotating bodies 32 and 35 are symmetrical.

[0058] As shown in Figure 5, a flat mounting portion 44 is attached inside the rotating body 32, and an opening 44a is located at the position of the axis P31 in the mounting portion 44. A ring-shaped second spline member 42 is provided, and a second spline 42a is formed on the inner circumference of the second spline member 42. The second spline member 42 is bolted to the outer portion of the mounting portion 44, concentrically with the opening 44a of the mounting portion 44.

[0059] The bearing portion 37 is cylindrical in shape. The hydraulic motor 38 is inserted into the bearing portion 37 and bolted to the disc-shaped connecting portion 37b of the bearing portion 37, with the drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38 protruding from the opening 37c of the connecting portion 37b of the bearing portion 37.

[0060] A cylindrical first spline member 41 is provided, and a first spline 41a is formed on the outer circumference of the first spline member 41. The first spline member 41 is attached to the drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38 in a spline structure.

[0061] A ring-shaped flange portion 41b is provided at the end of the first spline member 41 on the hydraulic motor 38 side. The flange portion 41b of the first spline member 41 is provided at the opening 37c of the bearing portion 37, extends radially outward with respect to the drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38, and is close to the outer circumference of the opening 37c of the bearing portion 37.

[0062] A disc-shaped stopper 45 is attached to the end of the drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38 by a bolt 46, and the stopper 45 and bolt 46 prevent the first spline member 41 from detaching from the drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38.

[0063] (Support structure at the bearing portion 37 of the rotating bodies 32 and 35 in the first conveying device 4) - 2 The process of attaching the bearing portion 37 and the hydraulic motor 38 to the side plate 16, and connecting the drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38 to the rotating body 32, will be described below.

[0064] As shown in Figure 5, before the bearing portion 37 and the hydraulic motor 38 are attached to the side plate 16, the spacer member 47 is inserted into the rotating body 32 through the opening 16b of the side plate 16, into the second spline member 42, and pressed against the mounting portion 44 of the rotating body 32. The spacer member 47 has a square cross-section and is configured in a ring shape, with a diameter larger than the opening 44a of the mounting portion 44 of the rotating body 32.

[0065] Next, the bearing portion 37 and the hydraulic motor 38 are inserted into the rotating body 32 through the opening 16b of the side plate 16, and the drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38 and the first spline member 41 are inserted into the second spline member 42. The stopper 45 and bolt 46 enter into the spacer member 47 and then into the opening 44a of the mounting portion 44 of the rotating body 32, and the flange portion 37a of the bearing portion 37 is bolted to the side plate 16.

[0066] As a result, the first spline 41a of the first spline member 41 and the second spline 42a of the second spline member 42 engage, connecting the drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38 to the rotating body 32. The end of the first spline member 41 is in close proximity to or in contact with the spacer member 47.

[0067] When the bearing portion 37 and hydraulic motor 38 are to be removed, the reverse operation is performed, and the bearing portion 37 and hydraulic motor 38 are pulled out to the right in Figure 5, separating the first spline 41a of the first spline member 41 and the second spline 42a of the second spline member 42. This makes the spacer member 47 removable from the opening 16b of the side plate 16.

[0068] (Support state of rotating bodies 21-26 and 31-36 in the first conveying device 4) In the structure shown in Figure 5, if the spacer member 47 is not present, the first spline 41a of the first spline member 41 can move left and right along the second spline 42a of the second spline member 42.

[0069] In the structure shown in Figure 5, if the spacer member 47 is absent, the rotating bodies 32 and 35 can move along the left-right direction, potentially approaching the right side plate 16 and moving away from the left side plate 16, or approaching the left side plate 16 and moving away from the right side plate 16.

[0070] In the structure shown in Figure 5, a spacer member 47 is provided in the gap between the end of the first spline member 41 and the mounting portion 44 of the rotating bodies 32 and 35. In the rotating bodies 32 and 35, the spacer member 47 shown in Figure 5 is provided in the right and left bearing portions 37.

[0071] The structure shown in Figure 5, in which the spacer member 47 is provided, is adopted for the right and left bearing portions 37 of the rotating bodies 32 and 35, so that the rotating bodies 32 and 35 cannot move in the left-right direction (or move only by a small amount).

[0072] In the rotating bodies 21-26, 31, 33, 34, and 36, each equipped with a single hydraulic motor 30, 38, 39, or 40 on the right or left bearing section 29 or 37, the structure shown in Figure 5 is adopted in the bearing section 29 or 37 where the hydraulic motor 30, 38, 39, or 40 is mounted, but no spacer member 47 is provided.

[0073] In the bearing sections 29 and 37 where hydraulic motors 30, 38, 39, and 40 are not provided, the rotating bodies 21-26, 31, 33, 34, and 36 are mounted to the bearing sections 29 and 37 so as to be rotatable around the axes P21 and P31. In addition, stopper members (not shown) that restrict the lateral movement of the rotating bodies 21-26, 31, 33, 34, and 36 are provided in the bearing sections 29 and 37. As a result, the rotating bodies 21-26, 31, 33, 34, and 36 are unable to move in the lateral direction (or move only by a small amount).

[0074] (First alternative embodiment of the invention) In the rotating bodies 32 and 35, a spacer member 47 may be provided in one of the bearing portions 37, either the right or the left, while a spacer member 47 may not be provided in the other bearing portion 37, either the right or the left. In the configuration described above, if the width of the spacer member 47 shown in Figure 5 is set to approximately twice its original width, the rotating bodies 32 and 35 will be unable to move in the left-right direction (or will only move by a small amount).

[0075] (Second alternative embodiment of the invention) The first spline member 41 may be omitted. In this configuration, the protrusion is formed solely by the drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 30, and the spline formed on the outer circumference of the drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 30 becomes the first spline 41a.

[0076] (Third alternative embodiment of the invention) The opening 44a of the mounting portion 44 of the rotating body 32 may be eliminated, and the mounting portion 44 of the rotating body 32 may be configured in a disc shape.

[0077] In the above-described configuration, the spacer member 47 may be configured in the shape of a pipe and provided in the gap between the end (stopper 45) of the drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38 and the mounting portion 44 of the rotating body 32. The spacer member 47 may be configured in a disc shape and provided in the gap between the end (bolt 46) of the drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38 and the mounting portion 44 of the rotating body 32.

[0078] (Fourth alternative embodiment of the invention) The first spline member 41 may be attached to the mounting portion 44 of the rotating body 32, and the second spline member 42 may be attached to the drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38.

[0079] According to the above configuration, the first spline member 41 becomes a convex portion, and the second spline member 42 and the drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38 become concave portions. The spacer member 47 is provided in the gap between the end of the first spline member 41 and the inner part of the second spline member 42, or in the gap between the end of the first spline member 41 and the end of the drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38.

[0080] (Fifth alternative embodiment of the invention) Electric motors (not shown) may be provided instead of hydraulic motors 30, 38, 39, and 40.

[0081] (Sixth alternative embodiment of the invention) In the rotating bodies 21-26, 31, 33, 34, and 36 other than rotating bodies 32 and 35, two hydraulic motors 30, 38, 39, and 40 may be provided, and the structure shown in Figure 5 (spacer member 47) may be adopted in the right and left parts of the rotating bodies 21-26, 31, 33, 34, and 36. In the rotating bodies 21-26, 31, 33, 34, and 36 other than rotating bodies 32 and 35, two hydraulic motors 30, 38, 39, and 40 are provided, and the configurations described in (First Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) to (Fourth Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) above may be adopted.

[0082] (Correspondence with claims) - 1 The first conveying device 4 corresponds to the conveying device. The hydraulic motor 38 corresponds to the motor. The drive shaft 38a and the first spline member 41 of the hydraulic motor 38 correspond to the convex portion. The second spline member 42 and the mounting portion 44 correspond to the concave portion. The stopper 45 and the bolt 46 correspond to the blocking member.

[0083] (Correspondence with claims) - 2 It is equipped with a harvesting unit 3 for cutting crops in the field. The machine is equipped with a conveying device (first conveying device 4) that transports the crops harvested by the harvesting unit 3 diagonally upward and backward.

[0084] The conveying device (first conveying device 4) is configured to convey crops using the rotating bodies 21-26, 31-36, and has multiple rotating bodies 21-26, 31-36 arranged in line with the direction of crop transport, which are rotatable around axes P21, P31 along the left-right direction, and motors (hydraulic motors 30, 38, 39, 40) provided on each of the rotating bodies 21-26, 31-36 to rotate them.

[0085] In rotating bodies 32 and 35, where motors (hydraulic motors 38) are provided on the right and left sides of the rotating bodies 21-26 and 31-36, a protrusion (drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38, first spline member 41) is provided on the drive shaft 38a of the motor (hydraulic motor 38) and one of the rotating bodies 32 and 35, and a recess (mounting portion 44, second spline member) is provided on the drive shaft 38a of the motor (hydraulic motor 38) and the other of the rotating bodies 32 and 35. The mounting portion 44 and the second spline member 42 are provided, and when the convex portion (drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38, first spline member 41) fits into the concave portion (mounting portion 44, second spline member 42), the convex portion (drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38, first spline member 41) and the concave portion (mounting portion 44, second spline member 42) engage in spline meshing, connecting the drive shaft 38a of the motor (hydraulic motor 38) to the rotating bodies 32 and 35.

[0086] At least one of the connection portions between the drive shaft 38a of the right motor (hydraulic motor 38) and the right side of the rotating bodies 32, 35, and the connection portion between the drive shaft 38a of the left motor (hydraulic motor 38) and the left side of the rotating bodies 32, 35, is provided with a spacer member 47 in the gap between the convex portion (drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38, first spline member 41) and the concave portion (mounting portion 44, second spline member 42).

[0087] (Correspondence with claims) - 3 Spacer members 47 are provided at both the connection point between the drive shaft 38a of the right motor (hydraulic motor 38) and the right side of the rotating bodies 32 and 35, and at the connection point between the drive shaft 38a of the left motor (hydraulic motor 38) and the left side of the rotating bodies 32 and 35.

[0088] (Correspondence with claims) - 4 The protruding portion (drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38, first spline member 41) has the drive shaft 38a of the motor (hydraulic motor 38) and the first spline member 41 which has a first spline 41a formed on its outer circumference and is attached to the drive shaft 38a of the motor (hydraulic motor 38). The recess (mounting portion 44, second spline member 42) has a mounting portion 44 attached to the rotating bodies 32, 35 and a second spline member 42 having a second spline 42a formed on its inner circumference.

[0089] As the protrusion (drive shaft 38a of the hydraulic motor 38, first spline member 41) fits into the recess (mounting portion 44, second spline member 42), the first spline 41a and the second spline 42a engage, connecting the drive shaft 38a of the motor (hydraulic motor 38) to the rotating bodies 32 and 35. The spacer member 47 is provided in the gap formed between the end of the first spline member 41 opposite to the motor (hydraulic motor 38) and the mounting portion 44.

[0090] (Correspondence with claims) - 5 A stopper (stopper 45, bolt 46) is attached to the end of the drive shaft 38a of the motor (hydraulic motor 38) and is provided to prevent the first spline member 41 from detaching from the drive shaft 38a of the motor (hydraulic motor 38).

[0091] The spacer member 47 is formed in a ring shape into which the blocking members (stopper 45, bolt 46) can be inserted. An opening 44a into which a blocking member (stopper 45, bolt 46) can be inserted is provided in the mounting portion 44. The first spline member 41 is provided with a flange portion 41b that is located at the end on the motor (hydraulic motor 38) side and extends outward relative to the drive shaft 38a of the motor (hydraulic motor 38). [Industrial applicability]

[0092] This invention can be applied to sugarcane harvesters. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 3 Reaping part 4. First conveying device (conveying device) 21-26 Solids of revolution 30 Hydraulic motor (motor) 31-36 Solids of revolution 38. Hydraulic motor (motor) 38a Drive shaft (protrusion) 39. Hydraulic motor (motor) 40 Hydraulic motor (motor) 41. First spline member (protrusion) 41a First spline 41b Flange section 42 Second spline member (recess) 42a Second spline 44 Mounting part (recess) 44a opening 45 Stopper (blocking member) 46 Bolts (blocking members) 47 Spacer member P21 Axial center P31 Axial center

Claims

1. The harvesting section cuts the crops in the field, The system is equipped with a conveying device that transports the crops harvested by the harvesting unit diagonally upward and backward. The conveying device is configured to convey crops by having a plurality of rotating bodies that are rotatable around an axis along the left-right direction and arranged in line along the direction of crop transport, and a motor provided on each of the rotating bodies to rotate it. In the rotating body, the motors are provided on the right and left sides of the rotating body, a protrusion is provided on the drive shaft of the motor and on one side of the rotating body, and a recess is provided on the drive shaft of the motor and on the other side of the rotating body, and when the protrusion fits into the recess, the protrusion and the recess engage in spline meshing, thereby connecting the drive shaft of the motor and the rotating body. A sugarcane harvester is provided with a spacer member in the gap between the convex portion and the concave portion at least one of the connection portions between the drive shaft of the right motor and the right part of the rotating body, and the connection portion between the drive shaft of the left motor and the left part of the rotating body.

2. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 1, wherein the spacer member is provided at both the connection portion between the drive shaft of the right motor and the right part of the rotating body, and the connection portion between the drive shaft of the left motor and the left part of the rotating body.

3. The aforementioned protrusion has the drive shaft of the motor and a first spline member having a first spline formed on its outer circumference and attached to the drive shaft of the motor. The recess has a mounting portion attached to the rotating body and a second spline member having a second spline formed on its inner circumference. As the convex portion fits into the recess, the first spline and the second spline engage, connecting the drive shaft of the motor and the rotating body. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 1, wherein the spacer member is provided in the gap formed between the end of the first spline member opposite to the motor and the mounting portion.

4. A blocking member is attached to the end of the drive shaft of the motor and is provided to prevent the first spline member from detaching from the drive shaft of the motor. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 3, wherein the spacer member is formed in a ring shape into which the blocking member can be inserted.

5. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 4, wherein an opening into which the blocking member can enter is provided in the mounting portion.

6. The aforementioned protrusion has the drive shaft of the motor and a first spline member having a first spline formed on its outer circumference and attached to the drive shaft of the motor. The recess has a mounting portion attached to the rotating body and a second spline member having a second spline formed on its inner circumference. As the convex portion fits into the recess, the first spline and the second spline engage, connecting the drive shaft of the motor and the rotating body. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 1, wherein a flange portion is provided at the motor-side end of the first spline member and extends outward with respect to the drive shaft of the motor.

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