Harvesting machine

Abstract

There was a demand for a system that would allow for easy and hassle-free maintenance of the power transmission belts. [Solution] The machine is equipped with an engine 20, a grain tank located behind the engine 20 for storing harvested grain, a discharge device for discharging the grain stored in the grain tank to the outside, a transmission belt 26 that transmits power from a pulley 23 driven by the engine 20 to the discharge device, and a cooling unit RU for cooling the engine 20. The cooling unit RU is oscillating around a vertical axis Y2 located near the front of the machine, and is positioned to be changed between a normal position adjacent to the pulley 23 and a maintenance position separated from the pulley 23.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a harvesting machine such as a combine or a corn harvester.

Background Art

[0002] In a combine as an example of a harvesting machine, an engine is provided below the operating section at the front of the machine body. A cooling unit for cooling the engine with a radiator, a dust-proof net, etc. is provided in a state of being located outside the machine body laterally with respect to the engine in order to take in cooling air. Also, a grain tank for storing harvested grains is provided behind the operating section, and the grain tank is provided with a discharging device for discharging the stored grains to the outside, and the power of the engine is transmitted to the discharging device via a transmission belt. The power of the engine is transmitted via a transmission belt to a fan for radiator cooling etc. in addition to the discharging device. Conventionally, when performing maintenance such as repair and replacement of the transmission belt, there was a case where the radiator was removed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above conventional configuration, when removing the radiator, it was troublesome work such as separating the circulation hose connected to circulate cooling water to the radiator and discharging the cooling water inside the radiator.

[0005] Therefore, there has been a demand to make the maintenance work of the transmission belt easy without hassle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The characteristic configuration of the harvesting machine according to the present invention is that it comprises an engine, a grain tank provided behind the engine for storing harvested grain, a discharge device for discharging the grain stored in the grain tank to the outside, a transmission belt that transmits power from a pulley driven by the engine to the discharge device, and a cooling unit including a radiator and a dustproof section, wherein the cooling unit is provided so as to be able to swing around a vertical axis near the front of the machine body and change its position between a normal position adjacent to the pulley and a maintenance position separated from the pulley.

[0007] According to the present invention, when performing maintenance work on the transmission belt, the cooling unit is repositioned to a maintenance position. This separates the cooling unit from the pulley, thus securing space for maintenance. At this time, the cooling unit can be moved by oscillating around its vertical axis, eliminating the need for procedures such as draining the coolant from inside the radiator, as is done when removing the radiator.

[0008] As a result, major work such as removing the radiator is unnecessary; only the position of the cooling unit needs to be changed, making it a simple and hassle-free operation. Therefore, maintenance work on the transmission belt can be performed easily and without hassle.

[0009] In the present invention, it is preferable that the oscillation angle of the cooling unit is 20 degrees or less.

[0010] With this configuration, since the oscillation angle is 20 degrees or less, problems caused by large oscillations of the cooling unit, such as the separation of the cooling water hose, do not occur, and can be addressed with simple work.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferable that the cooling unit is provided with a shaft member that supports the front lower part so as to be able to swing around the vertical axis.

[0012] In this configuration, the lower front part of the cooling unit is pivotably supported by the shaft member, allowing it to be switched to a maintenance position.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that a support member is provided to support the rear of the cooling unit.

[0014] In this configuration, when the cooling unit changes position between the normal position and the maintenance position, the rear end of the supporting cooling unit, which is the pivot end, is supported by the support member. As a result, the load on the pivot point of the cooling unit is easily reduced.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that the support member is provided with a stopper to prevent the cooling unit from swinging beyond the maintenance position.

[0016] With this configuration, the cooling unit is prevented from swinging excessively beyond its maintenance position, thus preventing damage to circulation hoses and other components, and allowing maintenance work to be performed smoothly. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a side view of the entire combine harvester. [Figure 2] This is an overall plan view of the combine harvester. [Figure 3] This is a rear view showing the internal structure of the power unit. [Figure 4] This is a plan view showing the cooling unit in its normal position. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing the cooling unit in its maintenance location. [Figure 6] This is a side view showing the transmission system for grain discharge. [Figure 7] This is a bottom view of the radiator frame. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of the pivot point of the shaft member. [Figure 9] This is a rear view of the stopper installation section. [Figure 10] It is a plan view of the stopper installation part. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing the restraint state by the stopper.

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the working machine according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings when applied to a normal combine as an example of a harvesting machine.

[0019] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction of arrow F in the figure is "front", the direction of arrow B is "rear", the direction of arrow L is "left", and the direction of arrow R is "right". The direction of arrow U in the figure is "up", and the direction of arrow D is "down".

[0020] 〔Overall Configuration〕 Figs. 1 and 2 show a normal combine. The traveling body of this combine is provided with a body frame 1 and a crawler traveling device 2. A harvesting unit 3 for harvesting the standing cereal straws in the field is provided in front of the traveling body. The harvesting unit 3 is provided with a raking reel 4 for raking in the standing cereal straws, a cutting blade 5 for cutting the standing cereal straws, and an auger 6 for laterally feeding the cut cereal straws in the cutting width direction, gathering them, and sending them out rearward.

[0021] An operation unit 7 is provided behind the harvesting unit 3. The operation unit 7 is covered by a cab 8. A grain tank 9 for storing the grains obtained by threshing is provided behind the operation unit 7. A threshing device 10 for threshing all the cut cereal straws is provided side by side with the grain tank 9. A feeder 11 for conveying all the cut cereal straws toward the threshing device 10 is provided across the harvesting unit 3 and the threshing device 10.

[0022] 〔Grain Discharge Device〕 A grain discharge device 16 is provided as a discharge device for discharging grain from the grain tank 9 to the outside. The grain discharge device 16 includes a bottom screw 17 for discharging grain at the bottom of the grain tank 9, a screw conveyor type vertical conveying section 18 for transporting the grain in the grain tank 9 upwards, and a screw conveyor type horizontal conveying section 19 for transporting the grain from the vertical conveying section 18 toward the outside of the machine.

[0023] The grain tank 9 is oscillating around the axis Z1 of the vertical conveying section 18, and is configured to switch between a normal working position, which is recessed towards the inside of the machine as shown by the solid line in Figure 2, and a maintenance position, which is extended outward to the side of the machine as shown by the dashed line in Figure 2.

[0024] [Grain discharge transmission structure] As shown in Figure 6, power from the engine 20 provided in the drive unit 15 is transmitted to the front of the bottom screw 17. The lower end of the vertical conveying unit 18 is interlocked with the rear end of the bottom screw 17, and the base end of the horizontal conveying unit 19 is interlocked with the upper end of the vertical conveying unit 18.

[0025] Power from the engine 20 is transmitted to the grain discharge device 16 via the belt drive mechanism 21. The belt drive mechanism 21 includes a transmission belt 26 wound around a pulley 23 provided on the output shaft 22 of the engine 20 and a pulley 25 provided on the intermediate shaft 24 at the front of the grain tank 9, and a tension mechanism 27 that acts on the transmission belt 26.

[0026] As shown in Figure 6, the tension mechanism 27 has a tension roller 28 rotatably supported at the swing end of a swing arm that is supported to swing around a horizontal axis. The swing arm is oscillated by the driving force of an electric motor (not shown) linked via an operating wire 29. When the operating wire 29 is pulled by the driving force of the electric motor, the swing arm swings upward, and the tension roller 28 applies tension to the transmission belt 26, switching to the power transmission on state. When the pulling operation of the operating wire 29 is released, the power transmission state by the transmission belt 26 is released. In other words, the belt transmission mechanism 21 constitutes a belt tension clutch that can switch power transmission on and off.

[0027] [Power unit] As shown in Figure 3, the drive unit 15 is equipped with an engine 20, a radiator 30 for cooling the engine, a cooling fan 31 that draws in outside air to cool the radiator 30, a fan shroud 32 that guides outside air from the radiator 30 to the cooling fan 31, and the like.

[0028] An engine bonnet 33 is provided to cover the top of the engine 20 and form the engine compartment. The engine bonnet 33 is supported by the drive frame 34 and supports the driver's seat 12 from below, and is open to the side and outward. The radiator 30 is located on the side and outside of the engine 20. The cooling fan 31 is located between the engine 20 and the radiator 30.

[0029] A dustproof section 35 is provided on the outer side of the radiator 30. The dustproof section 35 comprises a dustproof case 36 that surrounds the radiator and a dustproof mesh 37 that allows ventilation while preventing dust from passing through.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the dustproof section 35 is supported via a hinge so as to be able to swing around the front vertical axis Y1. The rear of the dustproof section 35 is fixed to the radiator frame 38 by a toggle spring type locking mechanism 39. By releasing the lock from the locking mechanism 39 and swinging around the vertical axis Y1, the dustproof section 35 can swing between a closed position that covers the outside of the radiator 30 and an open position that exposes the outside of the radiator 30.

[0031] The upper connection point of the radiator 30 and the engine 20, and the lower connection point of the radiator 30 and the engine 20 are connected by a circulation hose 40. Coolant circulates through the circulation hose 40, and the coolant heated by the engine 20 is cooled in the radiator 30 by the airflow from the cooling fan 31.

[0032] The cooling fan 31 draws in outside air through the closed dustproof section 35 to cool the radiator 30. Between the radiator 30 and the cooling fan 31 is a fan shroud 32 that guides the cooling air from the cooling fan 31 to pass through the radiator 30 efficiently. The fan shroud 32 is installed to extend from the cooling fan 31 to the radiator 30, surrounding the outer periphery of the intake space between the cooling fan 31 and the radiator 30. The fan shroud 32 is fixed to the radiator 30 by screw connections.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, a transmission belt 45 is wound around a pulley 23 on the output shaft 22 of the engine 20 and a pulley 44 on the rotating shaft of the cooling fan 31, and power from the engine 20 is transmitted to the cooling fan 31 via the transmission belt 45. Although not described in detail, the transmission mechanism for the cooling fan 31 is equipped with a rotation direction switching mechanism that can switch the rotation direction of the transmission belt 45, i.e., the rotation direction of the cooling fan 31, in forward or reverse direction. In the forward rotation state, the cooling fan 31 draws in outside air through the dustproof section 35 to cool the radiator 30. In the reverse rotation state, the cooling fan 31 blows air outwards to the side, which can blow away dust adhering to the dustproof section 35.

[0034] The radiator 30 has a rectangular cooling surface 30A when viewed from the side, and outside air drawn in by the cooling fan 31 through the dustproof section 35 passes through the cooling surface 30A to exert a cooling effect. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, an intercooler 46 is provided near the cooling surface 30A of the radiator 30, which uses the cooling air to cool the combustion air supplied to the engine 20. The air cleaner 47, a supercharger (not shown) located on top of the engine 20, and the intercooler 46 are connected via a plurality of pipes 48.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, the engine 20 is equipped with an exhaust gas purification device 49 at its top that performs exhaust gas purification treatment to reduce diesel particulate matter contained in the exhaust of the engine 20 using a collection filter (not shown).

[0036] The support structure of the radiator 30 will be described below. The radiator 30 is supported by a radiator frame 38. The radiator frame 38 is formed in a rectangular frame shape along the outer circumference of the radiator 30 so as to cover the intake space between the radiator 30 and the dustproof section 35 and guide the outside air that has passed through the dustproof section 35 to the cooling surface 30A.

[0037] A mounting support section 50 is provided at the lower part of the radiator frame 38, protruding inward toward the side of the aircraft. The mounting support section 50 is composed of a horizontal plate-like body that is long in the front-rear direction and narrow in the left-right direction. The rear end of the mounting support section 50 is bent into an L-shape when viewed from the side, forming a vertical surface section 50a.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, the radiator 30 is equipped with two locking pins 51 that protrude downward from the bottom at two locations, front and rear. These locking pins 51 fit into engagement holes formed in the mounting support portion 50, preventing misalignment and allowing the radiator to be mounted and supported. The upper part of the radiator 30 is connected to the upper part of the radiator frame 38 at two locations, front and rear, via connecting brackets 52.

[0039] Therefore, the radiator 30, fan shroud 32, and dustproof section 35 are supported by the radiator frame 38, and these components constitute the cooling unit RU.

[0040] (Cooling unit oscillation configuration) The cooling unit RU is oscillating around the vertical axis Y2 located towards the front of the machine, and is positioned to be changeable between a normal position adjacent to the pulley 23 of the belt transmission mechanism 21 and a maintenance position separated from the pulley 23.

[0041] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 7, the radiator frame 38, which supports the entire cooling unit RU, is mounted and supported by front and rear support brackets 53 and 54 that are fixedly extended laterally from the main body frame 1. When the cooling unit RU is in its normal position, as shown in Figure 7, the front and rear support brackets 53 and 54 and the lower part of the radiator frame 38 are connected and fixed by a number of bolts Bo attached from below. Also, as shown in Figure 4, the upper part of the radiator frame 38 and the side portion 34a of the drive unit frame 34 are connected and fixed by a number of bolts Bo attached from the lateral outward side.

[0042] When performing maintenance, multiple bolts Bo are loosened to release the connection between the front and rear support brackets 53 and 54 and the lower part of the radiator frame 38, and multiple bolts Bo are also loosened to release the connection between the upper part of the radiator frame 38 and the side portion 34a of the drive unit frame 34.

[0043] Between the front support bracket 53 and the lower part of the radiator frame 38, there is a shaft member 55 that supports the lower front part of the cooling unit RU so that it can pivot around the vertical axis Y2. The shaft member 55 is made of a stepped bolt. As shown in Figure 8, the shaft member 55 is provided in a state where it is inserted across the front support bracket 53 and the lower part of the radiator frame 38, and is fixed by tightening the stepped portion 55a and the lower nut 56. The outer circumference of the shaft member 55 has no threads formed on the part that is inserted through the lower part of the radiator frame 38 and is a smooth cylindrical shape, and functions as a pivot point axis that supports the lower front part of the cooling unit RU so that it can pivot around the vertical axis Y2.

[0044] As described above, with the connection between the front and rear support brackets 53 and 54 and the radiator frame 38 released by multiple bolts Bo, the cooling unit RU can be swung around the vertical axis Y2 of the shaft member 55, as shown in Figure 5.

[0045] The oscillation angle θ between the normal position (Figure 4) and the maintenance position (Figure 5) of the cooling unit RU is 20 degrees or less. Specifically, the oscillation angle is set to approximately 15 degrees. A stopper 57 is provided on the rear support bracket 54, which serves as a support member, to prevent the cooling unit RU from oscillating beyond the maintenance position.

[0046] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, a locking device 58, made by bending a round bar into an L-shape in side view, is welded to the vertical surface portion 50a provided at the rear end of the mounting support portion 50. A stopper 57, also made by bending a round bar into an L-shape in side view, is welded to the extended end of the rear support bracket 54.

[0047] When the cooling unit RU swings outward from its normal position as shown in Figure 4, and the locking device 58 contacts the stopper 57, further outward swinging is restricted, as shown in Figure 11. This position becomes the maintenance position (see Figure 5). In other words, the cooling unit RU is prevented from swinging beyond the maintenance position.

[0048] When the cooling unit RU is switched to the maintenance position, a working gap is created between the cooling unit RU and the transmission belt 26. This makes it possible to perform work such as replacing the transmission belt 26. At this time, since the amount of movement of the cooling unit RU is not very large, it is not necessary to remove the circulation hose 40 for circulating the coolant, and troublesome work such as draining the coolant is unnecessary, making maintenance easy.

[0049] [Another embodiment] (1) In the above embodiment, the oscillation angle of the cooling unit RU is set to 20 degrees or less, specifically about 15 degrees, but it may be set to an oscillation angle of 15 degrees or more and 20 degrees or less, or it may be set to an oscillation angle greater than 20 degrees.

[0050] (2) In the above embodiment, the front lower part of the cooling unit RU is supported so as to be swingable by the shaft member 55. However, the cooling unit RU may also be supported so as to be swingable around the vertical axis by another shaft member not only at the front lower part but also at the front upper part.

[0051] (3) In the above embodiment, the stopper 57 is provided on the rear support bracket 54, but the stopper 57 may also be fixed to a location other than the support bracket 54, for example, to the aircraft frame 1, etc.

[0052] (4) In the above embodiment, a rear support bracket 54 is provided as a support member for supporting the rear of the cooling unit RU, but the rear of the cooling unit RU may also be supported by the machine frame 1. [Industrial applicability]

[0053] This invention can be applied not only to conventional combine harvesters but also to other harvesting machines such as self-propelled combine harvesters and sugarcane harvesters. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 9 grain tanks 16 Ejection device 20 Engine 23 Pulley 26 Transmission belts 30 radiator 35 Dustproof section 54 Support bracket (support member) 57 Stopper RU Cooling Unit Y2 vertical axis center

Claims

1. The engine and A grain tank is provided at the rear of the engine for storing harvested grain, A discharge device for discharging the grain stored in the grain tank to the outside, A transmission belt that transmits power from a pulley driven by the engine to the discharge device, A cooling unit including a radiator and a dustproof section is provided, The cooling unit is provided in a harvesting machine that can swing around a vertical axis near the front of the machine body, allowing it to be repositioned between a normal position adjacent to the pulley and a maintenance position separated from the pulley.

2. The harvesting machine according to claim 1, wherein the oscillation angle of the cooling unit is 20 degrees or less.

3. The harvesting machine according to claim 1, further comprising a shaft member that supports the front lower part of the cooling unit so as to be able to swing around the vertical axis.

4. The harvesting machine according to claim 1, further comprising a support member for supporting the rear of the cooling unit.

5. The harvesting machine according to claim 4, wherein a stopper is provided on the support member to prevent the cooling unit from swinging beyond the maintenance position.

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