Sugarcane harvester

Abstract

The present invention provides a sugarcane harvesting machine that reduces the entry of foreign matter, dust, and other debris into the space between the cylindrical portion of the separation section and the cylindrical portion of the hood section. [Solution] The hood portion has a swinging mechanism that supports it so that it can swing around a pivot axis, the hood portion is located above the separation portion in the vertical direction, and the swinging mechanism has a first cylindrical portion 47 provided at the upper end portion in the vertical direction of the separation portion and configured to be cylindrical, and a second cylindrical portion 46 provided at the lower end portion in the vertical direction of the hood portion and configured to extend in a direction along the circumferential direction of the first cylindrical portion 47, and a protruding portion 49a is provided that protrudes in the vertical direction from the upper end of one of the first cylindrical portion 47 or the second cylindrical portion 46 toward the vertically extending vertical surface (46b, 47b) of the other of the first cylindrical portion 47 or the second cylindrical portion 46, and closes the space between the first cylindrical portion 47 and the second cylindrical portion 46 from above by contacting the vertical surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sugarcane harvester equipped with a separation device for separating harvested crops into impurities and harvested products.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional sugarcane harvester, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, there is one equipped with a separation unit (referred to as a "case unit" in Patent Document 1) for separating harvested crops into impurities and harvested products, and a hood unit capable of changing the discharge direction of the impurities.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In addition, in the separation device of the sugarcane harvester described in Patent Document 1, the hood unit is supported so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis above the separation unit.

[0005] In such a separation device, there is one having a cylindrical portion formed in a cylindrical shape at the upper end portion of the separation unit and a cylindrical portion of the hood unit configured to extend in a direction along the circumferential direction of the portion. There is a space (gap) between the cylindrical portion of the separation unit and the cylindrical portion of the hood unit, and there is a disadvantage that impurities, dust, etc. enter the gap from above.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sugarcane harvester capable of reducing the entry of impurities, dust, etc. into the space between the cylindrical portion of the separation unit and the cylindrical portion of the hood unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The sugarcane harvester of the present invention comprises a mobile vehicle body and a separation device provided on the mobile vehicle body for separating harvested crops into impurities and harvested crops, the separation device having a separation section for separating crops into impurities and harvested crops, a hood section for guiding the impurities separated by the separation section to the outside of the mobile vehicle body, and a swinging mechanism for supporting the hood section so as to be swingable around a pivot axis, the hood section being located above the separation section in the vertical direction when the direction in which the pivot axis extends is the vertical direction, and the swinging mechanism being located above the separation section The hood has a first cylindrical portion provided at the upper end in the vertical direction and configured in a cylindrical shape, and a second cylindrical portion provided at the lower end in the vertical direction of the hood and configured to extend in a direction along the circumferential direction of the first cylindrical portion. In the vertical direction, a projection is provided that protrudes from the upper end of one of the first or second cylindrical portions toward the vertically extending vertical surface of the other of the first or second cylindrical portion, and closes the space between the first and second cylindrical portions from above by contacting the vertical surface.

[0008] According to this invention, since the space between the first cylindrical part of the separation part and the second cylindrical part of the hood part is blocked from above by the protruding part, it is possible to reduce the amount of foreign matter, dust, etc. that enters between the first cylindrical part and the second cylindrical part.

[0009] In the present invention, it is preferable that a gland packing is provided below the protruding portion in the vertical direction within the space.

[0010] In this configuration, a gland packing is provided in the space between the first cylindrical part of the separation section and the second cylindrical part of the hood section. The protruding part and the gland packing prevent foreign matter and dust from entering this space. As a result, it becomes possible to more effectively reduce the amount of foreign matter and dust that enters the space between the first cylindrical part and the second cylindrical part.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferable that the space is filled with grease.

[0012] When the hood section is oscillated, the first cylindrical section of the separation section and the second cylindrical section of the hood section slide against each other in the oscillating mechanism. The presence of grease between the first cylindrical section of the separation section and the second cylindrical section of the hood section allows the hood section to oscillate smoothly.

[0013] In the present invention, the second cylindrical portion is configured to be located on the outer circumference of the first cylindrical portion, and the protruding portion preferably protrudes in the vertical direction from the upper end of the second cylindrical portion toward the first cylindrical portion.

[0014] In this configuration, in a swing mechanism where the second cylindrical portion of the hood is located on the outer circumference of the first cylindrical portion of the separation portion, the protruding portion is configured to protrude from the upper end of the second cylindrical portion toward the first cylindrical portion, thereby reducing the entry of foreign matter, dust, etc., between the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that the protruding portion is composed of an annular member attached to the upper part of the second cylindrical portion in the vertical direction.

[0016] The space between the first cylindrical part of the separation section and the second cylindrical part of the hood section is configured in an annular shape. Since the protruding part is made of an annular-shaped member, it is possible to close the space between the first cylindrical part and the second cylindrical part from above with a simple configuration using an annular-shaped member.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that a reinforcing member is attached to the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion.

[0018] This configuration makes it possible to improve the strength of the first cylindrical section with the reinforcing member.

[0019] In the present invention, it is preferable that the reinforcing member is located below the upper end of the first cylindrical portion in the vertical direction.

[0020] When the upper end of the reinforcing member is provided so as to be located above the upper end of the first cylindrical portion, there may occur an inconvenience that foreign matters, dust, etc. accumulate in the space formed by the upper end of the first cylindrical portion and the reinforcing member. However, with the configuration in which the reinforcing member is located below the upper end of the first cylindrical portion, it becomes possible to avoid such an inconvenience.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a side view of a sugarcane harvester. [Figure 2] It is a plan view of a sugarcane harvester. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a conveying device and a separating device. [Figure 4] It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a swing mechanism. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an annular member. [Figure 6] It is an exploded view showing the configuration of a swing mechanism and an annular member.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction of arrow F in the drawings is “front”, the direction of arrow B is “rear”, the direction of arrow L is “left”, and the direction of arrow R is “right”. Also, the direction of arrow U in the drawings is “up” and the direction of arrow D is “down”.

[0023] 〔Overall Configuration of Sugarcane Harvester〕 As shown in FIG. 1, a sugarcane harvester includes a traveling body, and left and right front wheels 1 provided on the traveling body and capable of steering operation, and left and right rear wheels 2 that are not steerable and are rotationally driven. The traveling body can travel by driving the rear wheels 2.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the traveling machine is equipped with an operating unit 3, a harvesting unit 4, a topper 5, a conveying device 6, a separation device 7, a conveying conveyor 8, an engine 9, and the like.

[0025] The harvesting unit 4 cuts the crop (sugarcane) planted in the field. The topper 5 cuts the upper leaf portion of the crop. The conveying device 6 conveys the crop harvested by the harvesting unit 4 upwards and rearwards. The separation device 7 is located at the rear of the traveling machine and separates the crop being conveyed by the conveying device 6 into impurities and harvested material (sugarcane). The conveying conveyor 8 is connected to the rear of the traveling machine and is capable of swiveling around the vertical axis X1 with its lower end as a pivot point. It receives the harvested material from the separation device 7 and conveys it diagonally upwards to discharge it outside the machine. The engine 9, which is the drive source, supplies power to various parts of the machine.

[0026] The driver's unit 3 is located high up at the front of the vehicle and is surrounded by the cabin 10. Inside the cabin 10 are the driver's seat, steering wheel, control panel, etc. There are openable doors on both the left and right sides of the cabin 10.

[0027] [Configuration of the harvesting unit and conveying device] As shown in Figure 1, the harvesting unit 4 is located at the front lower part of the traveling machine. The harvesting unit 4 is equipped with left and right grass dividers 11 and a harvesting header 12. The left and right grass dividers 11 separate and guide the crops to be harvested from the planted crops. The harvesting header 12 cuts the crops to be planted in the field and sends them to the rear. The left and right grass dividers 11 are equipped with vertically oriented grass divider rotating bodies 13 that are rotationally driven.

[0028] The harvesting header 12 is positioned behind the left and right weed dividers 11. Rollers are located within the area enclosed by the left and right side walls of the harvesting header 12. The rollers push the crops forward and then sweep them in backward. The harvesting header 12 is also equipped with a cutting device 15 for cutting the base of the crop plants. The cutting device 15 is located behind the left and right weed dividers 11. The cutting device 15 is equipped with a pair of rotary cutters on the left and right sides. The rotary cutters rotate around an upper and lower axis to cut the base of the crop plants.

[0029] The starting end of the conveying device 6 is connected to the rear of the cutting device 15. The conveying device 6 is positioned in an upward-sloping position at the rear so as to convey the crops toward the rear and upward of the machine. The conveying device 6 has a conveying path formed by a roughly rectangular cylindrical structure. The conveying device 6 is equipped with scraping rotating bodies 16 on both the upper and lower sides of the transport path. The scraping rotating bodies 16 are provided at appropriate intervals in the conveying direction. The scraping rotating bodies 16 on both the upper and lower sides are driven to rotate in opposite directions. The long crops cut by the harvesting unit 4 are conveyed to the rear while being held between the scraping rotating bodies 16 on both the upper and lower sides.

[0030] The conveying device 6 is equipped with a pair of upper and lower cutting rollers 16C at the end of the conveying process, and the cutting rollers 16C are equipped with cutting blades that extend radially outward. Long crops are cut to a predetermined length by being sandwiched between the cutting blades of the pair of cutting rollers 16C at the end of the conveying process. The "predetermined length" is, for example, a length that is easy to handle in subsequent transport and processing processes.

[0031] [Configuration of the separation device] As shown in Figure 3, the separation device 7 separates and discharges to the outside fine stem fragments, leaf fragments, and other impurities contained in the crops discharged from the transport terminal of the transport device 6 by the ventilation action of a fan 43 that rotates around the vertical axis X1. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction in which the vertical axis X1 extends will be referred to as the vertical direction.

[0032] A hopper 19 is provided directly below the separation device 7 and behind and below the rear end of the conveying device 6 to receive the crops discharged downward from the conveying device 6. The crops received in the hopper 19 are guided to the starting end of the conveying conveyor 8.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the conveyor belt 8 is supported by a conveyor support frame 17 located at the rear of the mobile unit and extends upward and outward from the rear of the mobile unit. The conveyor belt 8 locks and transports the crops and discharges them outward from the end of the conveyor belt.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the separation device 7 is equipped with a separation unit 41 that separates the crop into impurities and harvested crops, a hood unit 42 provided above the separation unit 41 that guides the impurities separated by the separation unit 41 to the outside of the traveling machine, and a fan 43 that generates wind for wind separation.

[0035] The separation section 41 is formed in a cylindrical shape in a plan view. The lower end of the separation section 41 is open downwards. The separation section 41 separates the harvested crop into impurities and harvested crop, guiding the impurities upwards and the harvested crop downwards.

[0036] The hood section 42 is equipped with an outlet 42a for discharging (guiding) the foreign matter separated by the separation section 41 to the outside of the traveling machine.

[0037] The fan 43 is installed inside the separation unit 41 and rotates around the vertical axis X1 by the power of the hydraulic motor 43M (see Figure 2) to generate a sorting airflow. The vertical axis X1 is the rotation axis of the fan 43. The sorting airflow rises while swirling upwards. The crops introduced into the separation unit 41 are sucked upwards by the fan 43, and relatively light impurities such as fine stems and leaf fragments are drawn upwards. The impurities then pass through the fan 43 and are discharged to the outside through the outlet 42a from the hood unit 42.

[0038] The hood section 42 is provided above the separation section 41 so as to be able to swing around a vertical axis X1 by a swing mechanism 44, which will be described later, and the direction of discharge of foreign matter can be changed. The vertical axis X1 is also the swing axis of the hood section 42. The hood section 42 is provided with left and right contact members 31. When the hood section 42 swings, the contact members 31 swing together with the hood section 42. When the contact members 31 come into contact with the restricting member 32, further swinging of the hood section 42 is restricted. A follow member (not shown) that moves in conjunction with the rotation of the conveyor belt 8 comes into contact with the contact members 31 provided on the hood section 42, so that the hood section 42 is configured to swing in accordance with the rotation of the conveyor belt 8.

[0039] The harvested material, being heavier than the impurities, falls downwards without being sucked up by the fan 43. As described above, the fallen harvested material is caught in the hopper 19 and guided to the starting end of the conveyor belt 8.

[0040] [Configuration of the rocking mechanism] As shown in Figure 3, the swing mechanism 44 is provided at the upper end of the separation section 41 and supports the hood section 42 so that it can swing around the vertical axis X1, which is the vertical rotation axis.

[0041] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a cylindrical outer cylinder portion 46 (corresponding to the "second cylindrical portion" of the present invention) is formed at the lower end of the hood portion 42. A first flange 46a is formed at the lower end of the outer cylinder portion 46, extending outward from the outer cylinder portion 46. Specifically, the first flange 46a is provided at the lower end of the outer cylinder portion 46 and is configured to extend outward. The outer cylinder portion 46 has a vertical surface 46b formed on its inner side, extending in the direction in which the vertical axis X1 extends. A horizontal portion 46c is provided at the upper end of the outer cylinder portion 46, extending outward from the outer cylinder portion 46. The portion of the hood portion 42 above the outer cylinder portion 46 is wider than the outer cylinder portion 46.

[0042] An inner cylinder portion 47 (corresponding to the "first cylindrical portion" of the present invention) is formed in a cylindrical shape at the upper end of the separation portion 41. The outer cylinder portion 46 is located on the outer circumference of the inner cylinder portion 47 and is configured to extend in a direction along the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder portion 47. Furthermore, a second flange 47a is formed extending outward from the inner cylinder portion 47. Specifically, the inner cylinder portion 47 has a vertical surface 47b on its outer side that extends in the direction in which the vertical axis X1 extends, and the second flange 47a is configured to extend outward from the vertical surface 47b. The first flange 46a is configured to abut against the upper surface of the second flange 47a.

[0043] The inner surface of the inner cylinder portion 47 is provided with a reinforcing member 52 made of a plate-like material. The reinforcing member 52 is located below the upper end of the inner cylinder portion 47 (vertical surface 47b).

[0044] In this embodiment, the inner cylinder portion 47 is provided on the vertical surface 47b and has a strip-shaped steel strip 48 that extends along the outer circumference of the inner cylinder portion 47 (vertical surface 47b).

[0045] In this embodiment, the steel strip 48 is configured to be able to contact the outer cylindrical portion 46 of the hood portion 42. Although Figure 4 shows a state where there is a gap between the steel strip 48 and the outer cylindrical portion 46, for example, when the hood portion 42 swings, the hood portion 42 may move slightly relative to the steel strip 48 in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the traveling machine. As a result, a part of the steel strip 48 will come into contact with the outer cylindrical portion 46.

[0046] With the above configuration, when the hood portion 42 swings around the vertical axis X1, the steel strip 48 slides along the inner surface of the outer cylinder portion 46, and the first flange 46a slides along the upper surface of the second flange 47a. As a result, the hood portion 42 can swing while being supported by the inner cylinder portion 47 and the second flange 47a. With the above configuration, the swing mechanism 44 supports the hood portion 42 so that it can swing around the vertical axis X1, which is the vertical swing axis.

[0047] [Configuration of the space between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder] As shown in Figure 4, the steel strip 48 is provided on the upper part of the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder portion 47 and is positioned at a certain distance above the second flange 47a. Furthermore, the steel strip 48 is also positioned at a certain distance from the upper end of the inner cylinder portion 47. With this configuration, a space G (gap) is formed between the inner cylinder portion 47 and the outer cylinder portion 46, between the portion above and below the steel strip 48, enclosed by the outer cylinder portion 46 and the inner cylinder portion 47.

[0048] A bolt (not shown) inserted through a hole in the outer cylinder portion 46 is placed in the space G below the steel strip 48, thereby preventing the outer cylinder portion 46 from coming out of the inner cylinder portion 47. In this embodiment, the space G is filled with grease.

[0049] An annular member 49, consisting of a ring-shaped plate-like member, is attached to the upper part of the outer cylinder portion 46 so as to cover the space G from above. The annular member 49 has a projection 49a that protrudes from the upper end of the outer cylinder portion 46 toward the vertical surface 47b of the inner cylinder portion 47 and contacts the vertical surface 47b, thereby closing the space G between the outer cylinder portion 46 and the inner cylinder portion 47 from above. The projection 49a is located at a height position corresponding to the height position of the upper end portion of the inner cylinder portion 47 (vertical surface 47b).

[0050] The annular member 49 is bolted to the horizontal portion 46c using bolts Bo at a point further away from the vertical axis X1 than the protruding portion 49a of the annular member 49. In this embodiment, the annular member 49 is composed of members that divide the annular shape into six equal parts in the circumferential direction.

[0051] As shown in Figure 6, the bolt Bo is fastened and secured by being inserted through the bolt hole 49b formed in the annular member 49 and the bolt hole 46d formed in the horizontal portion 46c.

[0052] As shown in Figure 4, a gland packing 53 is provided in space G above the steel strip 48, extending circumferentially between the outer cylinder portion 46 and the inner cylinder portion 47. The gland packing 53 is located below the protruding portion 49a in space G. The gland packing 53 is provided so as to abut both the vertical surface 46b of the outer cylinder portion 46 and the vertical surface 47b of the inner cylinder portion 47.

[0053] The gland packing 53 and the protruding portion 49a of the annular member 49 close off the space G between the outer cylinder portion 46 and the inner cylinder portion 47, thereby preventing foreign matter, dust, and other debris from entering the space G.

[0054] [Another embodiment] The following are examples of alternative embodiments that modify the above embodiments.

[0055] (1) In the above embodiment, an annular member 49 is provided on the upper part of the outer cylinder portion 46 so as to cover the space G from above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, an annular member 49 may be provided on the upper part of the inner cylinder portion 47. In this case, the annular member 49 has a projection 49a that protrudes from the upper end of the inner cylinder portion 47 toward the vertical surface 46b of the outer cylinder portion 46 that extends in the vertical direction, and contacts the vertical surface 46b, thereby closing the space G between the outer cylinder portion 46 and the inner cylinder portion 47 from above.

[0056] (2) In the above embodiment, a configuration including a gland packing 53 was described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and a configuration without a gland packing 53 may also be used.

[0057] (3) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the space G surrounded by the outer cylinder portion 46 and the inner cylinder portion 47 is filled with grease was described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and a configuration in which the space G surrounded by the inner cylinder portion 47 and the outer cylinder portion 46 is not filled with grease is also possible.

[0058] (4) In the above embodiment, the outer cylinder portion 46, which is formed in a cylindrical shape at the lower end of the hood portion 42, is located on the outer circumference of the inner cylinder portion 47, which is formed in a cylindrical shape at the upper end of the separation portion 41, and is configured to extend in a direction along the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder portion 47. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the portion formed in a cylindrical shape at the upper end of the separation portion 41 may be configured to be located on the outer circumference of the portion formed in a cylindrical shape at the lower end of the hood portion 42.

[0059] (5) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which a steel strip 48 is provided on the outer circumference of the inner cylinder portion 47 was described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the steel strip 48 may not be provided, and the inner cylinder portion 47 may slide on the inner surface of the outer cylinder portion 46.

[0060] (6) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which a reinforcing member 52 is provided on the inner surface of the inner cylinder portion 47 was described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and a configuration in which the reinforcing member 52 is not provided is also possible.

[0061] (7) In the above embodiment, the annular member 49 was described as being composed of members that divide the annular shape into six equal parts in the circumferential direction, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the annular member 49 may be composed of members that divide the annular shape into four equal parts in the circumferential direction, or it may be composed of a single annular member.

[0062] Furthermore, the configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no inconsistencies arise. In addition, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the object of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0063] The present invention can be used in a sugarcane harvester equipped with a separation device that separates harvested crops into impurities and harvested material. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 7: Separation device 41: Separation part 42: Food Department 44: Oscillating mechanism 46: Outer cylinder section (second cylindrical section) 46b: Vertical surface 47: Inner cylinder section (first cylindrical section) 47b: Vertical surface 49a:Protrusion 52: Reinforcement member 53: Gland packing G: Space X1: Vertical axis (oscillating axis)

Claims

1. A mobile vehicle capable of moving, The aforementioned traveling machine is equipped with a separation device that separates the harvested crops into impurities and harvested material, The separation device is A separation unit that separates the crop into impurities and harvested material, A hood section that guides the foreign matter separated in the separation section to the outside of the traveling machine, It has a swinging mechanism that supports the hood portion so that it can swing around the pivot axis, When the direction in which the pivot axis extends is defined as the vertical direction, the hood portion is located above the separation portion in the vertical direction. The aforementioned rocking mechanism is, A first cylindrical portion is provided at the upper end portion in the vertical direction of the separation portion and is configured in a cylindrical shape, The hood portion is provided at the lower end in the vertical direction and has a second cylindrical portion that extends in a direction along the circumferential direction of the first cylindrical portion, A sugarcane harvester is provided with a projection that, in the vertical direction, protrudes from the upper end of one of the first cylindrical portion or the second cylindrical portion toward the vertical surface of the other of the first cylindrical portion or the second cylindrical portion that extends in the vertical direction, and that contacts the vertical surface to close the space between the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion from above.

2. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 1, wherein a gland packing is provided below the protruding portion in the vertical direction within the space.

3. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 1, wherein the space is filled with grease.

4. The second cylindrical portion is configured to be located on the outer circumference of the first cylindrical portion. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion protrudes in the vertical direction from the upper end of the second cylindrical portion toward the first cylindrical portion.

5. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 4, wherein the protruding portion is an annular member attached to the upper part of the second cylindrical portion in the vertical direction.

6. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 4, wherein a reinforcing member is attached to the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion.

7. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 6, wherein the reinforcing member is located below the upper end of the first cylindrical portion in the vertical direction.

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