combine

Abstract

To enable cleaning and inspection of the drive blade to be performed quickly with fewer personnel. [Solution] The drive blade 34 is configured to be changeable between a working state in which both ends of the drive shaft 34a are supported by the left and right side walls 31L, 31R of the case 31, and an extended state in which one end of the drive shaft 34a is supported by one of the left and right side walls 31L, 31R, while the other end of the drive shaft 34a protrudes to the outside of the case 31. The case 31 is provided with a case body 31A with an open rear end and a rear cover 31B that closes the rear of the case body 31A. The rear cover 31B is configured to be changeable between a closed state that blocks the drive blade 34 from the rear and an open state that exposes the drive blade 34 to the rear.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a combine harvester provided with a threshing device for threshing harvested cereal straws, and a waste straw cutting device connected to the rear part of the threshing device for cutting the waste straw after threshing.

Background Art

[0002] As a waste straw cutting device in the above combine harvester, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is one including a cutting shaft as a drive shaft, a rotary cutter as a drive blade body having a plurality of cutting blades supported by the drive shaft, a supply shaft as a cutting shaft parallel to the drive shaft, and a rotary supply body as a receiving blade body having a plurality of receiving blades supported by the cutting shaft and corresponding to the cutting blades, and a cutter case as a case for housing the drive blade body and the receiving blade body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above waste straw cutting device, cleaning such as removing waste straws clogged between the cutting blades or entangled with the drive shaft may be required. Also, the drive shaft and the cutting blades may need to be inspected. Conventionally, in such cases, the drive blade body has to be taken out of the case, and at least two workers are required to support both ends of the drive shaft in order to take out the drive blade body. Also, it takes a lot of time.

[0005] The present invention provides a combine harvester that can quickly perform operations such as cleaning and inspection of the drive blade body with a small number of workers.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The combine harvester according to the present invention is The system includes a threshing device for threshing harvested grain stalks, and a straw cutting device connected to the rear of the threshing device for cutting the straw after threshing. The straw cutting device includes a drive shaft and a drive blade body having a plurality of cutting blades supported on the drive shaft, a cutting shaft parallel to the drive shaft and a receiving blade body supported on the cutting shaft and having a plurality of receiving blades corresponding to the cutting blades, and a case for housing the drive blade body and the receiving blade body. The drive blade is configured to be changeable between a working state in which both ends of the drive shaft are supported by the left and right side walls of the case, and an extended state in which one end of the drive shaft is supported by one of the left and right side walls, while the other end of the drive shaft protrudes outside the case. The case comprises a case body with an open rear end and a rear cover that closes the rear of the case body, and the rear cover blocks the drive blade from the rear. Close The state and the drive blade body to the rear Expose Open state toni It is configured to allow changes in state.

[0007] In the present invention, when the drive blade changes state to the extended state, it is preferable that one end of the drive shaft is supported by the side wall of the left and right side walls on the side where the mechanism for transmitting power to the drive shaft is provided, while the other end of the drive shaft protrudes to the outside of the case.

[0008] In the present invention, a rocking mechanism is provided on one of the left and right side walls, on the side wall to which one end of the drive shaft is supported when the drive blade changes state to the extended state. This rocking mechanism includes a vertically oriented support shaft rotatably supported on the side wall, and a rocking support connected to the support shaft and the drive shaft. The drive blade is preferably changed between the working state and the extended state via the rocking mechanism.

[0009] In the present invention, it is preferable that a horizontal holding mechanism is provided on one of the left and right side walls, on the side wall to which one end of the drive shaft is supported when the drive blade changes state to the extended state, to maintain the horizontal position of the drive shaft when the drive blade changes state.

[0010] In the present invention, it is preferable that a case-side member supported by the case and preventing tilting of the oscillating support has an elongated hole formed therein to set the range of oscillation of the drive shaft, the oscillating support is provided with a regulating pin that is movably inserted into the elongated hole, and that a regulating mechanism is provided by the elongated hole and the regulating pin to restrict the oscillation of the drive shaft when the drive blade changes state to the extended state.

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

[0017] [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a left side view showing the entire combine harvester. [Figure 2] It is a plan view showing the straw cutting device in the open state of the threshing device, the grain tank, and the rear cover and the extended state of the cutting blade body. [Figure 3] It is a longitudinal side view showing the threshing device. [Figure 4] It is a power transmission path diagram. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing the straw cutting device with the rear cover removed. [Figure 6] It is a rear view showing the straw cutting device and the straw dropper. [Figure 7] It is a side view showing the straw cutting device, the shredded straw discharging device, and the straw dropper. [Figure 8] It is a side view showing the right side wall. [Figure 9] It is a view taken in the direction of the arrow IX-IX of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] It is a plan view showing the support structure of the left end portion of the drive shaft in a state where a part of the left side wall is broken. [Figure 11] It is a plan view showing the swinging state of the left end portion of the drive shaft. [Figure 12] It is a side view showing the support structure of the left end portion of the drive shaft. [Figure 13] It is a plan view showing the support structure of the left end portion of the drive shaft. [Figure 14] It is an explanatory view of the connection process of the connection structure.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments, which are an example of the present invention, will be described based on the drawings. In the following description, regarding the body of the combine, the direction of the arrow F shown in FIG. 1 is defined as "front of the body", the direction of the arrow B as "rear of the body", the direction of the arrow U as "above the body", the direction of the arrow D as "below the body", the direction on the front side of the paper as "left side of the body", and the direction on the back side of the paper as "right side of the body".

[0020] 〔Regarding the overall configuration of the combine〕 As shown in Figure 1, the combine harvester has a machine frame 1 and a pair of left and right crawler tracks 2 mounted drivably on the lower part of the machine frame 1. The driver's compartment 3 is formed in the right front region of the machine body. The driver's compartment 3 is equipped with a cabin 4 that covers the passenger space. Below the driver's compartment 3 is the drive unit, which has an engine 5. A pre-harvesting section 6 is connected to the left front region of the machine frame 1, which cuts and transports grain stalks such as rice and wheat located in front of the machine during operation. The pre-harvesting section 6 is connected in a manner that allows it to swing up and down using the pivot axis P1, which faces left and right, as the fulcrum. The swinging up and down of the pre-harvesting section 6 is performed by the extension and retraction of a hydraulic lifting cylinder 8 that is installed across the machine frame 1 and the pre-harvesting section frame 7. A threshing device 9 is provided at the rear of the pre-harvesting section 6 of the machine frame 1. This device receives the harvested grain stalks transported by the pre-harvesting section 6, threshes them, and sorts the processed material after threshing. A straw cutting device 10 is connected to the rear of the threshing device 9 for cutting the straw after threshing. A straw dropper 11 is provided at the rear of the straw cutting device 10 for discharging the threshed straw in long straw form. A shredded straw discharge device 12 is provided below the straw cutting device 10, which uses a diffusion auger 12a to spread the shredded straw discharged from the straw cutting device 10 in the width direction of the machine and discharge it into the field. A grain tank 13 is provided at the rear of the operating section 3 of the machine frame 1 for collecting and storing the single-grained grains transported from the threshing device 9. As shown in Figure 2, the threshing device 9 and the grain tank 13 are mounted on the machine frame 1 in a side-by-side configuration, or so-called side-by-side arrangement, in the width direction of the machine. A grain discharge device 14 for discharging the stored grain is connected to the rear of the grain tank 13.

[0021] [Regarding the configuration of the pre-harvesting processing unit] In the pre-harvesting section 6, as the machine moves, the stalks to be harvested from the planted grain stalks are introduced to the lifting device 6b by the divider 6a and lifted. The base of the lifted planted grain stalks is cut by a clipper-type harvesting device 6c, and the stalks to be harvested are cut. The harvested grain stalks are supplied to the starting end of the threshing feed chain 15 (see Figure 2) of the threshing device 9 by a conveying device 6d located behind the harvesting device 6c.

[0022] [Regarding the configuration of the threshing machine] In describing the threshing device 9, the processing start end side of the threshing device 9 [the side where the grain stalks are input (left side of Figure 3)] will be referred to as the "front," and the processing end end side of the threshing device 9 [the side where the straw is discharged (right side of Figure 3)] will be referred to as the "rear."

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, the threshing device 9 is equipped with a threshing unit 9A for threshing harvested grain stalks, a sorting unit 9B for sorting the processed material after threshing, a recovery unit 9C for recovering the sorted processed material, and a straw conveying device 16 for transporting the threshed straw toward the straw cutting device 10. In this threshing device 9, the threshing direction in the threshing unit 9A and the sorting direction in the sorting unit 9B coincide with the front-to-back direction of the machine, and the upper side of the threshing direction and the upper side of the sorting direction are located toward the front of the machine.

[0024] In the threshing section 9A, as shown in Figure 3, the base of the harvested stalks supplied by the conveying device 6d (see Figure 1) of the pre-harvesting section 6 is gripped by the threshing feed chain 15 and conveyed towards the rear of the threshing device 9. The ear end of the harvested stalks conveyed by the threshing feed chain 15 is inserted into the threshing chamber 17 and threshed by the threshing drum 18 and receiving screen 19. The threshed material, such as grain obtained by the threshing process, leaks down from the receiving screen 19 to the sorting section 9B. The threshed straw is discharged from the dust outlet 20 at the rear of the threshing chamber to the rear of the threshing chamber 17 by the threshing feed chain 15. The discharged straw is loosened by the separation drum 21. The single grains obtained by the loosening process flow down to the sorting section 9B. The threshed straw is transferred from the threshing feed chain 15 to the straw conveying device 16, and then discharged to the rear outside of the threshing device 9 by the straw conveying device 16.

[0025] In the sorting section 9B, as shown in Figure 3, threshed material such as grains and dust that have leaked from the receiving screen 19, and grains that have flowed down from the separation drum 21, are received by the oscillating sorting device 22. The received threshed material is sorted into grains and dust by sieving sorting by the oscillating sorting device 22 and by air sorting using sorting air supplied by the winnowing machine 23, the first auxiliary winnowing machine 24, and the second auxiliary winnowing machine 25, respectively. The sorted grains flow down to the collection section 9C, and the sorted dust is sucked into the dust removal fan 26 along with the sorting air, and discharged from the dust removal fan 26 through the inside of the straw removal cutting device 10 and the inside of the shredded straw discharge device 12 to the rear of the threshing device 9.

[0026] In the recovery section C, the single-grain grains, which are the first batch of grains that have flowed down from the oscillating sorting device 22, are recovered by the first screw conveyor 27 and transported to the grain lifting device 28 connected to the transport end of the first screw conveyor 27. The grain lifting device 28 transports the single-grain grains received from the first screw conveyor 27 to the grain tank 13. The unprocessed grains, which are the second batch of grains that have flowed down from the oscillating sorting device 22, are recovered by the second screw conveyor 29 and transported to the reduction device 30 connected to the transport end of the second screw conveyor 29. The reduction device 30 returns the unprocessed grains received from the second screw conveyor 29 to the oscillating sorting device 22.

[0027] [Regarding the configuration of the straw removal and cutting device] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the straw cutting device 10 includes a case 31 located at the rear of the threshing device 9. The top of the case 31 is provided with a straw input port 32 and a guide member 33 for guiding the straw falling from the end of the straw conveying device 16. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the drive blade 34 and the receiving blade 35 are housed inside the case 31.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the guide member 33 is supported by the case 31 so as to be able to swing up and down behind the straw discharge port 32 and has a lid function to open and close the straw discharge port 32. When the guide member 33 changes its orientation to one that is standing upright relative to the top surface of the case 31, it enters a first guiding state that opens the straw discharge port 32, and the back side of the guide member 33 guides the straw falling from the straw discharge conveying device 16 to flow into the inside of the case 31 through the straw discharge port 32. When the guide member 33 changes its orientation to one that is aligned with the top surface of the case 31, it enters a second guiding state that closes the straw discharge port 32, and the front side of the guide member 33 guides the straw falling from the straw discharge conveying device 16 to flow out to the rear outside of the case 31 in the form of long straw.

[0029] As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 12, case 31 includes a case body 31A having a guide member 33, and a rear cover 31B that forms the rear of the case body 31A. The rear cover 31B is provided across the left wall 31L and the right wall 31R of the case body 31A. The rear end portion of the left wall 31L and the rear end portion of the right wall 31R are connected by a frame 31C that extends in the lateral direction of the straw removal cutting device 10.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, the drive blade body 34 has a drive shaft 34a rotatably supported on the left wall 31L and the right wall 31R, and a plurality of cutting blades 34b supported on the drive shaft 34a so as not to rotate relative to it. The plurality of cutting blades 34b are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the drive shaft 34a. The drive blade body 34 is rotationally driven in the rotational direction indicated by arrow X (see Figure 3) by power transmitted from the threshing device 9.

[0031] The receiving blade body 35 has a cutting shaft 35a that is rotatably supported on the left wall 31L and the right wall 31R, positioned in front of the drive shaft 34a and parallel to the drive shaft 34a, and a plurality of receiving blades 35b that are supported so as not to rotate relative to the cutting shaft 35a and correspond to the cutting blade 34b. The receiving blade body 35 is rotationally driven in the rotational direction indicated by arrow Y (see Figure 3) by power transmitted from the threshing device 9. As shown in Figures 5, 9, and 10, scrapers 96 are provided so as not to rotate relative to both ends of the drive shaft 34a and the cutting shaft 35a to prevent straw debris from wrapping around the drive shaft 34a and the cutting shaft 35a.

[0032] In the straw discharge cutting device 10, when the guide member 33 is switched to the first guide state, the straw that has fallen from the straw discharge conveying device 16 flows into the case 31 from the straw discharge inlet 32. The incoming straw lies on the drive blade body 34 and the receiving blade body 35, and is cut by the cutting blade 34b and the receiving blade 35b while being scraped between the drive shaft 34a and the cutting shaft 35a, performing a shredding process that cuts the straw at multiple points in the direction of the straw. The shredded straw falls into the diffusion discharge case of the shredded straw discharge device 12, which is connected to the bottom of the case 31.

[0033] The rear cover 31B is configured to be changeable between a closed state, which blocks the drive blade 34 from the rear and enables cutting by the straw removal cutting device 10, and an open state, which opens the drive blade 34 to the rear. Specifically, it is configured as follows.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, the case body 31A is provided with an opening 36 formed at the rear of the case body 31A. The opening 36 extends from the left wall 31L to the right wall 31R of the case body 31A. As shown in Figure 6, the lateral end portion of the rear cover 31B on the grain tank side and the right wall 31R have a pivot axis P2 that is oriented vertically and are connected via a detachable connecting structure 37. The rear cover 31B is supported on the case body 31A in a state where it can be swung around the pivot axis P2 as a pivot point and is detachable.

[0035] By swinging the rear cover 31B toward the grain tank as shown in Figure 2, or by removing the rear cover 31B from the case body 31A as shown in Figure 5, the rear cover 31B opens to an open state, opening the opening 36 and releasing the drive blade body 34 to the rear. By attaching the rear cover 31B to the case body 31A as shown in Figure 12 and aligning it with the left wall 31L and the right wall 31R, the rear cover 31B closes the opening 36 and closes the drive blade body 34 from the rear, resulting in a closed state.

[0036] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a fixed handle 38 for swinging the rear cover 31B is provided at the free end of the rear cover 31B. When the rear cover 31B is in the closed position, as shown in Figures 6 and 12, the rear cover 31B can be held in the closed position by attaching lock bolts (bolts with knobs) 39, which serve as a locking mechanism, to the rear cover 31B and the left side wall 31L at two locations, upper and lower, on the free end of the rear cover 31B. In this embodiment, lock bolts 39 are used as the locking mechanism, but this is not the only option. For example, various locking members can be used, such as those using lobster fittings, bands or hooks, or handle locks using catchers. Alternatively, a hook-type mechanism may be used, which has a lock pin provided on the rear cover 31B, a hook provided on the case body side that can engage and disengage from the lock pin, a lock spring that biases the hook toward the engaging side, and a handle for disengaging the hook against the lock spring.

[0037] As shown in Figures 5 and 12, a rounded portion 31D is provided at the upper corner of the left wall 31L. Of the free end of the rear cover 31B, a rounded portion 31E is provided in the portion that overlaps with the rounded portion 31D on the wall side when the rear cover 31B is in the closed position. The rear cover 31B is configured such that when the rear cover 31B is in the open position and the rounded portion 31E on the cover side is in a free position, the radius of the rounded portion 31E on the cover side is smaller than the radius of the rounded portion 31D on the wall side. When the rear cover 31B is in the closed position and tightened to the left wall 31L by the lock bolt 39, the rounded portion 31E on the cover side elastically deforms to conform to the rounded portion 31D on the wall side, and the rear cover 31B acquires an elastic restoring force, which prevents the lock bolt 39 from loosening.

[0038] [Configuration of the rear cover's connecting structure] As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the connecting structure 37 is provided with pivot parts 40 located at two locations, upper and lower, on the rear cover 31B, each having a pivot shaft core P2. The upper pivot part 40 and the lower pivot part 40 are each provided with a pivot boss 40a supported by the right side wall 31R and a pivot shaft 40b supported by the rear cover 31B.

[0039] In the upper and lower pivot sections 40, the pivot shaft 40b is inserted into the pivot boss 40a from above, causing the pivot shaft 40b and the pivot boss 40a to engage in a relative rotational manner, and the rear cover 31B is pivotably supported by the case body 31A. By pulling the pivot shaft 40b upward from the pivot boss 40a, the engagement between the pivot shaft 40b and the pivot boss 40a can be released, and the rear cover 41B can be removed from the case body 31A.

[0040] In both the upper and lower pivot sections 40, as shown in Figures 8 and 14, the pivot boss 40a is supported by a support member 41 attached to the right side wall 31R. The pivot boss 40a is supported by the right side wall 31R via the support member 41. The portion of the right side wall 31R that pivots the rear cover 31B is reinforced by the support member 41. The upper support member 41 and the lower support member 41 are the same support member. The pivot boss 40a and the support member 41 are connected by welding. The support member 41 and the right side wall 31R are connected by connecting bolts. The upper part of the support member 41 is bolted to the mounting portion 42 of the right side wall 31R, as shown in Figure 8.

[0041] As shown in Figure 8, the engagement depth of the pivot shaft 40b in the upper pivot 40 with the pivot boss 40a is set to be deeper than the engagement depth of the pivot shaft 40b in the lower pivot 40 with the pivot boss 40a. When the rear cover 31B is supported by the case body 31A, that is, when the connecting structure 37 is connected, as shown in Figure 14, the pivot shaft 40b in the upper pivot 40 engages with the pivot boss 40a before the pivot shaft 40b in the lower pivot 40 engages with the pivot boss 40a. The guiding function provided by the engagement of the pivot shaft 40b and the pivot boss 40a in the upper pivot 40 makes it easier to align the pivot shaft 40b and the pivot boss 40a in the lower pivot 40, and makes it easier to operate the lower pivot 40 into the engaged state.

[0042] In this embodiment, the pivot portion 40 is provided in two locations, upper and lower, but it is not limited to this, and may be provided in three or more locations. Alternatively, contrary to the connecting structure 37 of this embodiment, the engagement depth of the pivot shaft 40b with the pivot boss 40a in the lower pivot portion 40 may be set to be deeper than the engagement depth of the pivot shaft 40b with the pivot boss 40a in the upper pivot portion 40, so that the pivot shaft 40b begins to engage with the pivot boss 40a in the lower pivot portion 40 before the upper pivot portion 40. In this embodiment, the pivot shaft 40b is configured to be inserted into the pivot boss 40a from above, but it may also be implemented with the pivot boss 40a fitting onto the pivot shaft 40b from above.

[0043] [Regarding the support structure of the drive blade] The drive blade 34 is configured to be changeable between a working state in which both ends of the drive shaft 34a are supported by the left wall 31L and the right wall 31R of the case 31, and an extended state in which the left end of the drive shaft 34a is supported by the left wall 31L, while the right end of the drive shaft 34a protrudes outside the case 31. Specifically, it is configured as follows.

[0044] As shown in Figure 9, a right-side bearing case 43 is mounted on the right end of the drive shaft 34a. The right-side bearing case 43 rotatably supports the drive shaft 34a via a bearing (not shown) housed within the right-side bearing case 43 and mounted on the drive shaft 34a. A locking portion 43a is provided on the lateral side of the right-side bearing case 43. As shown in Figure 8, a mounting hole 44 is provided in the right-side wall 31R. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the right-side bearing case 43 is engaged with the mounting hole 44 by the locking portion 43a, and the right-side bearing case 43 is fixed to the right-side wall 31R by a plurality of connecting bolts 45, thereby rotatably supporting the right end of the drive shaft 34a on the right-side wall 31R. As a result, the drive blade 34 is rotatably supported on the right-side wall 31R. By releasing the connection between the right bearing case 43 and the right wall 31R via the connecting bolt 45, the support of the right end of the drive shaft 34a to the right wall 31R can be released, and the right end of the drive shaft 34a can be guided by the guide groove 46, which communicates with the mounting hole 44, together with the right bearing case 43, allowing it to be inserted into and removed from the case body 31A.

[0045] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, a through hole 47 is opened in the lower part of the right side wall 31R below the mounting hole 44, allowing the drive shaft 34a to be removed. The through hole 47 communicates with the mounting hole 44. A cover 48 is detachably supported on the outer surface of the right side wall 31R to cover the through hole 47 and prevent shredded straw from leaking out. A recess 49 is formed on the inner surface of the right side wall 31R to allow the drive shaft 34a to be removed. The recess 49 is formed extending from the through hole 47 to the front end of the right side wall 31R.

[0046] As shown in Figure 10, a left-side bearing case 50 is mounted on the left end of the drive shaft 34a. The left-side bearing case 50 rotatably supports the drive shaft 34a via a bearing (not shown) that is housed within the left-side bearing case 50 and mounted on the drive shaft 34a. A plate-shaped connecting portion 51 is provided on the lateral side of the left-side bearing case 50. The connecting portion 51 is detachably connected to the left-side bearing case 50 by a plurality of connecting bolts 52 (see Figures 10 and 12). As shown in Figures 10 and 12, the connecting portion 51 is detachably connected to the outer surface of the left-side wall 31L by connecting bolts 53, thereby fixing the left-side bearing case 50 to the left-side wall 31L, rotatably supporting the left end of the drive shaft 34a to the left-side wall 31L, and rotatably supporting the left end of the drive blade 34 to the left-side wall 31L. As shown in Figure 10, when the drive shaft 34a is supported by the left wall 31L, the flange portion 50a of the left bearing case 50 that connects to the connecting portion 51 is inserted into the through hole 54 provided in the left wall 31L. As shown in Figure 11, by releasing the connection of the connecting portion 51 to the left wall 31L by the connecting bolt 53, the left bearing case 50 is released from its fixation to the left wall 31L, and the drive shaft 34a becomes oscillating.

[0047] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, a rocking mechanism 55 is provided on the lateral outer side of the left side wall 31L to support the left end of the drive shaft 34a. The rocking mechanism 55 comprises a support shaft 56 rotatably supported on the left side wall 31L and oriented vertically, and a rocking support body 55a connected to the support shaft 56 and the left end of the drive shaft 34a. The support shaft 56 and the rocking support body 55a are connected by welding. The rocking support body 55a is connected to a connecting part 51, and the rocking support body 55a is connected to the left end of the drive shaft 34a via the connecting part 51 and the left side bearing case 50. The rocking support body 55a and the connecting part 51 are connected by welding. The support of the left end of the drive shaft 34a by the rocking mechanism 55 is performed in a state in which the left end of the drive shaft 34a can rock around the vertical axis P3 of the support shaft 56 as the pivot point. The left end of the drive shaft 34a is supported by the left side wall 31L via the oscillating mechanism 55. When the connection of the connecting portion 51 to the left side wall 31L by the connecting bolt 53 is released, and the connection of the right side bearing case 43 to the right side wall 31R by the connecting bolt 45 is released, the support of the right end of the drive shaft 34a by the right side wall 31R is released, as shown in Figure 11. As a result, the drive shaft 34a can be oscillated relative to the case 31, with the axis P3 of the pivot shaft 56 as the pivot point, while the left end of the drive shaft 34a remains supported by the left side wall 31L via the oscillating support 55a and the pivot shaft 56. When the drive shaft 34a oscillates, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the front end portion of the connecting portion 51 passes through the through hole 54 and moves to the outside and inside of the left side wall 31L, and the rear end portion of the connecting portion 51 moves along the left side wall 31L or away from the left side wall 31L. In other words, the drive blade 34 can be changed between a usage state in which the left end of the drive shaft 34a is supported on the left wall 31L via the left bearing case 50 and the right end of the drive shaft 34a is supported on the right wall 31R via the right bearing case 43, and an extended state in which the left end of the drive shaft 34a is supported on the left wall 31L via the left bearing case 50 and the oscillating mechanism 55 (oscillating support 55a and pivot shaft 56), while the right end of the drive shaft 34a protrudes outside the case 31.

[0048] In this embodiment, a swing mechanism 55 is employed to support the left end of the drive shaft 34a in a state where the left end of the drive shaft 34a swings with the vertically oriented axis P3 as the pivot point. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and a swing mechanism may be employed in which the left end of the drive shaft 334a swings with the axis slightly inclined with respect to the vertically oriented axis as the pivot point.

[0049] As shown in Figure 12, the support shaft 56 is rotatably supported on the left side wall 31L via a support member 57 that is supported on the left side wall 31L and rotatably supports the upper end portion of the support shaft 56, and a support member 58 that is supported on the left side wall 31L and rotatably supports the lower end portion of the support shaft 56. The upper support member 57 is supported on the left side wall 31L via a connecting portion 60a, which will be described later. The upper support member 57 and the lower support member 58 are fitted onto the support shaft 56 so as to be rotatable relative to each other. If we define D1 as the outer diameter of the portion of the support shaft 56 that fits into the upper support member 57, D2 as the outer diameter of the portion of the support shaft 56 that fits into the lower support member 58, and D3 as the outer diameter of the portion of the support shaft 56 located between the upper support member 57 and the lower support member 58, then the outer diameter D3 is set to be larger than the outer diameter D1, and the outer diameter D3 is set to be larger than the outer diameter D2. The support shaft 56 is supported by the upper and lower support members 57 and 58 in such a way that upward displacement is prevented by the upper support member 57, and downward displacement is prevented by the lower support member 58.

[0050] [Regarding the horizontal holding mechanism] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, a horizontal holding mechanism 59 is provided on the lateral outer side of the left wall 31L to maintain the horizontal position of the drive shaft 34a when the drive blade body 34 changes state. The horizontal holding mechanism 59 comprises a swing support 55a as a drive shaft side member and a case side member 60 supported by the left wall 31L. The case side member 60 has a connecting portion 60a connected to its inner end, and is connected to the left wall 31L at the connecting portion 60a. The swing support 55a is connected to the left end of the drive shaft 34a via the left bearing case 50 and becomes a drive shaft side member that swings together with the drive shaft 34a. The case side member 60 is fixed to the left wall 31L in a state where it overlaps the swing support 55a.

[0051] In the horizontal holding mechanism 59, when the drive blade 34 changes state, the oscillating support 55a oscillates together with the drive shaft 34a, and the oscillating support 55a moves relative to the case side member 60 while the upper surface of the oscillating support 55a and the lower surface of the case side member 60 slide against each other. Although the oscillating support 55a is located below the case side member 60, the upper surface of the oscillating support 55a and the lower surface of the case side member 60 slide against each other at a point opposite to the side where the free end (right end) of the drive shaft 34a is located with respect to the pivot point (axis P3 of the support shaft 56) of the drive shaft 34a. Even if the drive shaft 34a tries to tilt, that is, even if the oscillating support 55a tries to tilt, the oscillating support 55a is supported from above by the case side member 60, preventing the oscillating support 55a from tilting, and horizontal holding is performed to maintain the horizontal position of the drive shaft 34a.

[0052] [Regarding regulatory bodies] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, a restricting mechanism 61 is provided on the lateral outer side of the left wall 31L to restrict the oscillation of the drive shaft 34a when the drive blade 34 changes state to an extended state. The restricting mechanism 61 is equipped with an oscillation support 55a and a case-side member 60. An elongated hole 62 is formed in the case-side member 60 to set the oscillation range of the drive shaft 34a. A restricting pin 63 that is movably inserted into the elongated hole 62 is provided on the oscillation support 55a.

[0053] As shown in Figures 7 and 10, an endless rotating chain 64 is wound around the drive shaft 34a on the lateral outer side of the left wall 31L. The endless rotating chain 64 is wound around an output sprocket 90 and an intermediate sprocket 91, which are mounted on the drive shaft 34a so as not to rotate relative to it. The intermediate sprocket 91 is linked to the blade body drive gear 93 via an intermediate gear 92. Power from the drive shaft 34a is transmitted to the blade body 35 via the endless rotating chain 64, the intermediate sprocket 91, and the intermediate gear 92. When the drive blade body 34 changes its state to an extended state, the endless rotating chain 64 twists due to the oscillation of the drive shaft 34a.

[0054] In the regulating mechanism 61, when the drive blade 34 changes its state to an extended state, the swing support 55a swings together with the drive shaft 34a, and the regulating pin 63 moves inside the elongated hole 62. When the twist of the endless rotating chain 64 reaches or near the limit of the allowable range, the regulating pin 63 reaches the end of the elongated hole 62, and further swinging of the swing support 55a is prevented by the case-side member 60. In other words, swinging is restricted to prevent the drive shaft 34a from swinging beyond the swing angle range corresponding to the allowable range of twisting of the endless rotating chain 64. In this embodiment, a swing angle range of approximately 15 degrees is set as the swing angle range in which the drive shaft 34a can be operated from the operating state. In this embodiment, the elongated hole 62 is provided in the case-side member 60 and the regulating pin 63 is provided in the swing support 55a, but it may also be implemented by providing the elongated hole 62 in the swing support 55a and the regulating pin 63 in the case-side member 60.

[0055] [About the guide mechanism] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, a guide mechanism 65 is provided on the lateral outer side of the left wall 31L to guide the oscillation of the drive shaft 34a when the drive blade body 34 changes state. The guide mechanism 65 is composed of an oscillation support 55a and a case-side member 60.

[0056] In the guide mechanism 65, when the drive blade 34 changes state, the oscillating support 55a oscillates together with the drive shaft 34a, and the oscillating support 55a moves relative to the case side member 60 while the upper surface of the oscillating support 55a and the lower surface of the case side member 60 slide in contact, and the oscillating support 55a oscillates while being guided by the guide surface which is the lower surface of the case side member 60. In other words, the oscillating motion of the drive shaft 34a is guided so that the drive shaft 34a oscillates while being guided by the case side member 60.

[0057] The horizontal holding mechanism 59, the regulating mechanism 61, and the guide mechanism 65 are composed of a swinging support 55a and a case-side member 60 that are common to the horizontal holding mechanism 59, the regulating mechanism 61, and the guide mechanism 65.

[0058] [Regarding the configuration of the straw dropper] As shown in Figure 7, the straw discharge dropper 11 is located behind the straw discharge cutting device 10 and is configured to discharge the straw that has flowed out behind the straw discharge cutting device 10 into the field in long straw form in set amounts when the guide member 33 is switched to the second guide state.

[0059] More specifically, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the straw discharge dropper 11 includes a pair of left and right drop restricting rods 66 that restrict the dropping of straw so that the straw discharged from the rear side of the case 31 of the straw discharge cutting device 10 falls intermittently in set amounts, a straw discharge dropper body 68 that receives the straw that falls from the drop restricting rods 66 and drops it into the field in set amounts, a guide plate 69 that guides the straw that falls from the drop restricting rods 66 to fall into the straw discharge dropper body 68, and a pair of left and right guide rods 70 that form a path for the straw to fall from the drop restricting rods 66 to the straw discharge dropper body 68. The straw discharge dropper body 68 receives and retains the straw that falls from the drop restricting rods 66, and when the weight of the retained straw exceeds the set weight set by the dropper spring 67, it swings downward due to the weight of the straw and drops the retained straw into the field.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6, the upper ends of a pair of left and right fall-restricting rods 66 are supported by a support frame 71 located above the straw-discarding cutting device 10 via a rotating support shaft 72 in the lateral direction of the machine. The pair of left and right fall-restricting rods 66 are intermittently swung back and forth using the rotating support shaft 72 as a pivot point by power from an electric motor (not shown), opening and closing the upper part of the straw-discarding path. A pair of left and right guide rods 70 are supported by the support frame 71 via a support bar 73 in the lateral direction of the machine. The guide plate 69 and the straw-discarding dropper body 68 are supported by the rear cover 31B of the straw-discarding cutting device 10. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, mounting portions 74 capable of supporting the guide plate 69 and the straw-discarding dropper body 68 are provided at both lateral ends of the rear cover 31B. The upper end portion of the left support frame 75, which supports the left end of the guide plate 69, the left end of the rotating shaft 68a of the straw dropper body 68, and the dropper spring 67, is connected to the left mounting portion 74 of the rear cover 31B. The upper end portion of the right support frame 75, which supports the right end of the guide plate 69 and the right end of the rotating shaft 68a of the straw dropper body 68, is connected to the right mounting portion 74 of the rear cover 31B. As shown in Figure 6.14, the right support frame 75 is superimposed on the mounting member 40c that attaches the pivot shaft 40b to the rear cover 31b, and is connected to the rear cover 31B by fastening together with the mounting member 40c. The straw dropper body 68 and the guide plate 69 of the straw dropper 11 are supported by the rear cover 31B in such a state that they move together with the rear cover 31B when the rear cover 31B changes its state.

[0061] [Regarding the operation of the threshing machine and the straw cutting machine] As shown in Figure 4, the power from the engine 5 is transmitted to the threshing device 9, and from the threshing device 9 to the straw cutting device 10. More specifically, the power from the output shaft of the engine 5 is transmitted to the input case 77 of the threshing device 9 via a belt drive mechanism 76. The power input to the input case 77 is transmitted to the threshing drum 18 and the straw conveying device 16 via a belt drive mechanism 78. The power input to the input case 77 is transmitted by a belt drive mechanism 79 to the first auxiliary winnowing machine 24, winnowing machine 23, first screw conveyor 27, second auxiliary winnowing machine 25, second screw conveyor 29, oscillating sorting device 22, separation drum 21, dust removal fan 26, and threshing feed chain 15, respectively. The input shaft 26a of the dust removal fan 26 is linked to the input pulley 94 of the drive shaft 34a by an endless rotating belt 80. The power from the input shaft 26a of the dust removal fan 26 is transmitted to the drive blade 34. The power from the drive blade 34 is transmitted to the receiving blade 35 via the output sprocket 90, the endless rotating chain 64, the intermediate sprocket 91, the intermediate gear 92, and the receiving blade drive gear 93.

[0062] As shown in Figure 13, a detection unit 81 for detecting the open / closed state of the rear cover 31B is provided on the lateral outer side of the left wall 31L. The detection unit 81 is supported by a support member 87 extending from the left wall 31L. The detection unit 81 is configured to stop the operation of the threshing device 9 when it detects that the rear cover 31B is not in the closed state.

[0063] Specifically, when the rear cover 31B is changed to the closed state, the detection target part 82, which is located on the free end side of the rear cover 31B, enters the interior of the side cover 83 through a through hole in the side cover 83 that covers the endless rotating chain 64, etc., and approaches the detection unit 81. The detection unit 81 switches to the ON state when the detection target part 82 approaches the detection unit 81 to a set distance, and switches to the OFF state when the detection target part 82 moves away from the detection unit 81 beyond the set distance. When the detection unit 81 switches to the ON state, it detects that the rear cover 31B is in the closed state, and when it switches to the OFF state, it detects that the rear cover 31B is not in the closed state.

[0064] As shown in Figure 12, the detection unit 81 and the control device 84 are linked, and the control device 84 is linked to the engine stop device 85. The control device 84 is equipped with an engine stop control unit 86. When the detection unit 81 detects that the rear cover 31B is not in the closed position, the engine stop control unit 86 controls the engine stop device 85 to operate by outputting a signal to the engine stop device 85 to stop the engine 5 based on the detection information from the detection unit 81.

[0065] When removing straw jams from the drive blade 34 or inspecting the drive blade 34, each of the pair of left and right drop restricting rods 66 of the straw discharge dropper 11 is moved to a retracted position by swinging upward around the connecting shaft between the drop restricting rod 66 and the rotation support shaft 72 as the pivot point, as shown by the dashed lines in Figure 6. Similarly, each of the pair of left and right guide rods 70 of the straw discharge dropper 11 is moved to a retracted position by swinging upward around the connecting shaft between the guide rod 70 and the support bar 73 as the pivot point, as shown by the dashed lines in Figure 6, to secure space on the rear side of the case 31 to open the rear cover 31B. Once space is secured, the lock bolt 39 that holds the rear cover 31B in the closed position is released, and the rear cover 31B is opened. In other words, the rear cover 31B is opened by swinging it towards the grain tank side as shown in Figure 2, or by removing the upper and lower pivot shafts 40b in the connecting structure 37 from the pivot boss 40a and detaching the rear cover 31B from the case body 31A. The rear cover 31B can be opened even with the entire shredded straw discharge device 12 still attached. Even if the rear cover 31B is opened while the threshing device 9 is still running, the detection unit 81 detects that the rear cover 31B is not in the closed state, causing the engine 5 to stop, the threshing device 9 to stop running, and the straw cutting device 10 to stop running. When the rear cover 31B is opened, the drive blade 34 is exposed to the rear, and the drive blade 34 can be cleaned or inspected from the rear through the opening 36 without having to remove the drive blade 34 from the case 31. When the rear cover 31B is opened, the guide plate 69 and the straw dropper body 68 of the straw dropper 11 move together with the rear cover 31B, allowing the guide plate 69 and the straw dropper body 68 to move out of the way and work on the drive blade 34. Opening the rear cover 31B also makes it easy to clean dust and debris adhering to the frame 31C.

[0066] When replacing the cutting blade 34b of the drive blade body 34, the rear cover 31B is opened to open the opening 36, similar to when cleaning or inspecting the drive blade body 34. The connection of the right bearing case 43 to the right wall 31R by the connecting bolt 45 is released, and the connection of the connecting part 51 to the left wall 31L by the connecting bolt 53 is released, thereby releasing the connection of the left bearing case 50 to the left wall 31L. Once the right bearing case 43 and the left bearing case 50 are released, the right end of the drive shaft 34a is pulled out from the right wall 31R together with the right bearing case 43. Then the swing support 55a swings, and with the left end of the drive shaft 34a still supported by the left wall 31L via the swing support 55a and the pivot shaft 56, the drive shaft 34a swings around the axis P3 of the pivot shaft 56 as the pivot point, and the drive blade body 34 extends. At this time, the drive shaft 34a is held in a horizontal position by the horizontal holding mechanism 59 while it swings, and the drive shaft 34a is guided by the guide mechanism 65 while it swings, allowing the drive shaft 34a to be swung smoothly and easily. Furthermore, even if the drive shaft 34a is swung while the endless rotating chain 64 is still wound around it, the swing of the drive shaft 34a is restricted by the regulating mechanism 61 to prevent excessive swinging of the drive shaft 34a and the twisting of the endless rotating chain 64 from exceeding the allowable range, thus preventing damage to the endless rotating chain 64. Also, even if the drive shaft 34a is swung without removing the endless rotating belt 80, the regulating mechanism 61 prevents the endless rotating belt 80 from twisting excessively. When the drive blade 34 is extended, the right end of the drive shaft 34a protrudes from the opening 36 to the rear outside of the case 31. Therefore, without removing the drive blade 34 from the case 31, the cutting blade 34b to be replaced can be removed from the right end of the drive shaft 34a outside the case 31, and the new cutting blade 34b to be installed can be attached to the drive shaft 34a from the right end.

[0067] To remove the drive blade 34 from the case 31, the connecting portion 51 is removed from the left bearing case 50 to allow the drive shaft 34a to be removed from the left wall 31L, and the connection of the right bearing case 43 to the right wall 31R is released to allow the drive shaft 34a to be removed from the right wall 31R. When the drive shaft 34a is ready to be removed, the cover 48 is removed to open the through hole 47. Once the through hole 47 is open, the right end of the drive shaft 34a is lowered from the mounting hole 44 through the through hole 47 into the recessed portion 49. This causes the drive shaft 34a to be in a downward-sloping position, creating a gap between the drive shaft 34a and the bottom of the recessed portion 49. Once the gap is created, the drive blade 34 can be removed from the case 31 by moving the drive shaft 34a towards the right wall and moving the drive shaft 34a so that its right end passes through the recessed portion 49 and comes out of the case 31.

[0068] [Another embodiment] (1) In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the drive blade 34 is supported so as to be able to change between a working state and an extended state. However, the embodiment may be implemented without a configuration that allows the drive blade 34 to change between a working state and an extended state.

[0069] (2) In the above embodiment, the rear cover 31B is configured to open and close by swinging and detaching, but it may also be implemented with a configuration that opens and closes by either swinging or detaching alone. Also, although an example was shown in which the rear cover 31B is supported so as to be swingable on the grain tank side, it may also be implemented with a configuration in which the rear cover 31B is supported so as to be swingable on the opposite side from the grain tank. Furthermore, it may also be implemented in which the rear cover 31B opens and closes by sliding.

[0070] (3) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the pivot 40 is provided in two locations, upper and lower, but it may be provided in three or more locations. Also, an example was shown in which the pivot shaft 40b is supported by the rear cover 31B and the pivot boss 40a is supported by the case body 31A, but it may also be implemented in which the pivot shaft 40b is supported by the case body 31A and the pivot boss 40a is supported by the rear cover 31B. Also, an example was shown in which the engagement depth of the pivot shaft 40b with the pivot boss 40a in the upper pivot 40 is deeper than the engagement depth of the pivot shaft 40b with the pivot boss 40a in the lower pivot 40, but it may also be implemented in which the engagement depth of the pivot shaft 40b in the lower pivot 40 is deeper than the engagement depth of the pivot shaft 40b in the upper pivot 40.

[0071] (4) In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which a straw discharge dropper 11 and a shredded straw discharge device 12 are provided. However, the system may be implemented with only one of the straw discharge dropper 11 or the shredded straw discharge device 12 provided. Alternatively, the system may be implemented without providing either the straw discharge dropper 11 or the shredded straw discharge device 12. Furthermore, when a straw discharge dropper 11 is provided, instead of supporting only the guide plate 69 and the straw discharge dropper body 68 on the rear cover 31B, the system may be implemented with all of the guide plate 69, the straw discharge dropper body 68, the fall restriction rod 66, and the guide rod 70 supported on the rear cover 31B.

[0072] (5) In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the drive blade 34 is changed to a state in which the right end of the drive shaft 34a is supported by the left side wall 31L and the right end of the drive shaft 34a protrudes to the outside of the case 31. However, it is also possible to implement this by changing the state of the drive blade 34 to a state in which the right end of the drive shaft 34a is supported by the right side wall 31R and the left end of the drive shaft 34a protrudes to the outside of the case 31, and inserting and removing the cutting blade 34b from the left end of the drive shaft 34a.

[0073] (6) In the above-described embodiment, the horizontal holding mechanism 59, the regulating mechanism 61, and the guide mechanism 65 were shown to be composed of common members (rocking support 55a, case-side member 60), but they may also be composed of dedicated members for each.

[0074] (7) In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the horizontal holding mechanism 59, the regulating mechanism 61, and the guide mechanism 65 are provided. However, it is also possible to implement the system with only one of the horizontal holding mechanism 59, the regulating mechanism 61, and the guide mechanism 65, or with only two of them. Furthermore, it is also possible to implement the system without providing any of the horizontal holding mechanism 59, the regulating mechanism 61, and the guide mechanism 65.

[0075] (8) In the above embodiment, an example in which a through hole 47 is provided is shown, but it may also be carried out without providing a through hole 47.

[0076] (9) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a detection unit 81 is provided is shown, but the embodiment may also be carried out without providing the detection unit 81. [Industrial applicability]

[0077] This invention can be applied to combine harvesters in which the threshing device is set to face forward and backward, as well as to combine harvesters in which the threshing device is set to face sideways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 9. Threshing machine 10 Waste straw cutting equipment Place 3 1 case 31A Case Body 31B Rear Cover 31L Left side wall 31R Right side wall 34 Drive blade 34a Drive shaft 34b cutting blade 35 Receiving blade body 35a cutting axis 35b Ukeblade 55. Oscillating mechanism 55a Oscillating support 56 Spindle 59 Horizontal holding mechanism 60 Case side members 61 Regulatory body 62 Slotted holes 63 Regulator pins

Claims

1. A threshing device for processing harvested grain stalks, The threshing apparatus is equipped with a straw cutting device connected to the rear of the threshing apparatus for cutting the straw after threshing, The straw removal cutting device comprises a drive shaft and a drive blade body having a plurality of cutting blades supported on the drive shaft, a cutting shaft parallel to the drive shaft and a receiving blade body supported on the cutting shaft and having a plurality of receiving blades corresponding to the cutting blades, and a case housing the drive blade body and the receiving blade body. The drive blade is configured to be changeable between a working state in which both ends of the drive shaft are supported by the left and right side walls of the case, and an extended state in which one end of the drive shaft is supported by one of the left and right side walls, while the other end of the drive shaft protrudes outside the case. The aforementioned case comprises a case body with an open rear end and a rear cover that closes the rear end of the case body. The rear cover of the combine harvester is configured to be changeable between a closed state that blocks the drive blades from the rear and an open state that exposes the drive blades to the rear.

2. The combine harvester according to claim 1, wherein when the drive blade changes state to the extended state, one end of the drive shaft is supported by the side wall of the left and right side walls on the side where a mechanism for transmitting power to the drive shaft is provided, and the other end of the drive shaft protrudes to the outside of the case.

3. A rocking mechanism is provided on one of the left and right side walls, the side wall on which the drive shaft is supported when the drive blade changes to the extended state, the side wall being supported by the drive shaft, the side wall being supported by the drive shaft, the side wall being rotatably supported by the drive shaft, and the rocking support being connected to the drive shaft. The combine harvester according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive blade is changed between the working state and the extended state via the oscillating mechanism.

4. The combine harvester according to claim 3, wherein a horizontal holding mechanism is provided on one of the left and right side walls, on which one end of the drive shaft is supported when the drive blade changes state to the extended state, to maintain the horizontal position of the drive shaft when the drive blade changes state.

5. A case-side member, supported by the case and preventing tilting of the swing support, has an elongated hole formed in it to set the swing range of the drive shaft. The rocking support is provided with a regulating pin that is movably inserted into the elongated hole, The combine harvester according to claim 4, further comprising a restricting mechanism that restricts the oscillation of the drive shaft when the drive blade changes state to the extended state, using the elongated hole and the restricting pin.

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