combine

Abstract

Traditionally, during manual threshing operations, straw would accumulate at the bottom of the cutter cover, causing the cutter to clog and interrupting the manual threshing process. [Solution] The combine harvester is equipped with a normal operation mode in which the harvesting device 4 cuts the grain stalks and a manual mode in which the operator cuts the grain stalks by hand, and the skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17 surrounding the cutter 16 is provided so as to be able to rotate in the front-rear direction toward the machine body by a pivot axis 19 in the left-right direction at the upper part of the skirt portion 18, and the skirt portion 18 is configured to open automatically when a predetermined amount of straw debris accumulates inside the cutter cover 17 by a biasing means and / or motor 20.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a combine harvester.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a cutter for cutting straw is provided at the rear of a threshing device. The cutter cover of the cutter is configured to open during threshing work and close when the harvesting device is lifted upward. A configuration of a combine harvester in which a predetermined portion of the harvesting device and the cutter cover are connected and interlocked by a wire is known (Patent Document 1). Thus, in the harvesting work of cutting the cereal straw in the field, generally, the cereal straw at the four corners of the field is manually cut in advance, and a space for the combine harvester to enter and a space for changing the direction of the machine body during the harvesting work are secured. At this time, the manually cut cereal straw is collected at one place in the space, and a so-called manual handling operation of manually supplying the cereal straw to the threshing device is performed in a state where the running of the combine harvester is stopped.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-known example, during this manual handling operation, straw accumulates under the cutter cover of the cutter, resulting in clogging of the cutter and interruption of the manual handling operation. The present invention prevents straw debris from accumulating in the cutter cover of the cutter and clogging the cutter.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The invention of claim 1 is a combine harvester equipped with a normal operation mode in which the harvesting device 4 cuts the grain stalks and a manual mode in which the operator cuts the grain stalks by hand, wherein the skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17 surrounding the cutter 16 is provided so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction toward the machine body by a pivot axis 19 in the left-right direction at the upper part of the skirt portion 18, and the skirt portion 18 is configured to open automatically when a predetermined amount of straw debris accumulates inside the cutter cover 17 by a biasing means and / or motor 20. The invention of claim 2 is a combine harvester characterized in that the biasing means 100 for automatically opening the skirt portion 18 is composed of a spring 103 that constantly biases the skirt portion 18 in the closing direction, and the skirt portion 18 is configured to automatically open against the elasticity of the spring 103 of the biasing means 100 when a predetermined amount of straw debris accumulates inside the cutter cover 17. The invention of claim 3 is a combine harvester in which the skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17 is biased to rotate in the closing direction at all times by a spring 103 of a biasing means 100 provided between the skirt portion 18 and the fixed portion of the cutter cover 17. The invention of claim 4 is a combine harvester in which the upper part of a vertical plate-shaped skirt portion 18 in the left-right direction is mounted on the left and right side plates 102 of the cutter cover 17 by a pivot axis 19, the lower part of the skirt portion 18 is configured to be rotatable in the front-rear direction around the pivot axis 19, the rear end of a spring 103 in the front-rear direction that constitutes a biasing means 100 is locked at a predetermined position on the lower part of the skirt portion 18, and the front part of the spring 103 is locked to the side plate 102 of the cutter cover 17. The invention of claim 5 is a combine harvester in which the skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17 is biased to rotate in the closing direction at all times by a spring (coil spring) 105 provided on the pivot central axis 19. The invention of claim 6 is a combine harvester characterized in that the motor 20 for automatically opening the skirt portion 18 is configured to constantly pull in the closing direction by a wire 107 that is locked to the skirt portion 18, and when a predetermined amount of straw debris accumulates inside the cutter cover 17, the motor 20 is activated to release the pulling force of the wire 107 on the skirt portion 18 in the closing direction, thereby automatically opening the skirt portion 18. The invention of claim 7 is a combine harvester characterized in that a spring 104 is attached to the pivot central shaft 19 on which the skirt portion 18 is mounted, which constantly biases the skirt portion 18 in the opening direction. The invention of claim 8 is a combine harvester characterized in that the controller 70F is equipped with a motor control means 21 that opens the skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17 of the cutter 16 by the drive of the motor 20, and the controller 70F is configured to automatically open the skirt portion 18 by the motor control means 21 when in manual operation mode. The invention of claim 9 is a combine harvester configured such that when the controller 70F determines that it is in manual operation mode, the motor control means 21 automatically opens the skirt portion 18, and when it is in manual operation mode, the engine rotation speed is reduced to a rotation speed set to be lower than the rated rotation speed and higher than the idling rotation speed. The invention of claim 10 is a combine harvester characterized in that the skirt portion 18 is biased to rotate in the opening direction at all times by a spring 104 separately provided at a predetermined position, a motor 20 is provided at a predetermined position inside the skirt portion 18 to close the skirt portion 18 against the spring 104, the motor 20 is operated by a motor control means 21 to pull a wire 107 attached to the skirt portion 18 to open the skirt portion 18, and the motor control means 21 is configured to automatically open the skirt portion 18 when the controller 70F determines that it is in manual operation mode and the straw debris detection means 108 detects that a predetermined amount of straw debris has accumulated inside the cutter cover 17. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] In the invention of claim 1, the skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17 surrounding the cutter 16 is provided so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction toward the machine body by a pivot axis 19 in the left-right direction at the upper part of the skirt portion 18, and the skirt portion 18 is configured to open automatically when a predetermined amount of straw debris accumulates inside the cutter cover 17 by a biasing means and / or motor 20. In normal harvesting operations, the cutter 16 operates with the skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17 closed to suppress excessive scattering of straw debris and dust, thus improving the working environment. In manual harvesting operations, the skirt portion 18 is automatically opened by the biasing means and / or motor 20 when a predetermined amount of straw debris accumulates inside the cutter cover 17, thereby preventing the cutter 16 from becoming clogged. In the invention of claim 2, the biasing means 100 for automatically opening the skirt portion 18 is composed of a spring 103 that constantly biases the skirt portion 18 in the closing direction, and the skirt portion 18 is configured to automatically open against the elasticity of the spring 103 of the biasing means 100 when a predetermined amount of straw debris accumulates inside the cutter cover 17. In normal harvesting work, the cutter 16 operates with the skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17 closed to suppress the scattering of straw debris and dust more than necessary, improving the working environment. In manual harvesting work, the skirt portion 18 opens automatically when a predetermined amount of straw debris accumulates inside the cutter cover 17, preventing the cutter 16 from becoming clogged. In the invention of claim 3, the skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17 is biased to rotate in the closing direction at all times by a spring 103 of a biasing means 100 provided between the skirt portion 18 and the fixed portion of the cutter cover 17. Therefore, the skirt portion 18 can be automatically opened with a simple configuration of just providing the spring 103 of the biasing means 100, and the invention can be made inexpensively. In the invention of claim 4, the upper part of the vertical plate-shaped skirt portion 18 in the left-right direction is mounted on the left and right side plates 102 of the cutter cover 17 by a pivot axis 19, and the lower part of the skirt portion 18 is configured to be rotatable in the front-rear direction around the pivot axis 19, and the rear end of the front-rear spring 103 that constitutes the biasing means 100 is locked at a predetermined position on the lower part of the skirt portion 18, and the front part of the spring 103 is locked to the side plate 102 of the cutter cover 17, so that when discarded straw accumulates in the skirt portion 18, the weight of the straw pushes the skirt portion 18 open automatically, preventing the cutter 16 from getting clogged, and thus the skirt portion 18 can be automatically opened with a simple configuration of just providing the biasing means 100, and can be made inexpensively. In the invention of claim 5, the skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17 is biased to rotate in the closing direction at all times by a spring 105 provided on the pivot axis 19. Therefore, the spring 105 of the biasing means 100 can be installed without using special mounting fixtures, simplifying the installation configuration and making it inexpensive to manufacture. In the invention of claim 6, the motor 20 that automatically opens the skirt portion 18 is configured to constantly pull in the closing direction by a wire 107 that is locked to the skirt portion 18, and when a predetermined amount of straw debris accumulates inside the cutter cover 17, the motor 20 is activated to release the pulling force on the skirt portion 18 in the closing direction by the wire 107, thereby automatically opening the skirt portion 18. When discarded straw accumulates inside the skirt portion 18, its weight acts to open the skirt portion 18, so when the wire 107 is released, the weight of the discarded straw inside the skirt portion 18 opens the skirt portion 18, preventing the cutter 16 from clogging. In the invention of claim 7, a spring 104 is attached to the pivot central shaft 19 on which the skirt portion 18 is mounted, which constantly biases the skirt portion 18 in the opening direction. Therefore, the skirt portion 18 is acted to open not only by the weight of the discarded straw accumulated inside but also by the elasticity of the spring 104. When the wire 107 is loosened by the motor 20, the skirt portion 18 opens smoothly and reliably, preventing the cutter 16 from jamming. In the invention of claim 8, the cutter 16 is equipped with a motor control means 21 that opens the skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17 by the drive of a motor 20, and the controller 70F is configured to automatically open the skirt portion 18 when in manual operation mode. Therefore, in manual operation mode, the machine stops and the work is performed, and this work causes the discarded straw to be collected in one place, so the discarded straw tends to accumulate at the bottom of the cutter 16. However, in the present invention, the controller 70F is configured to automatically open the skirt portion 18 by the motor 20 when in manual operation mode, so the discarded straw does not accumulate at the bottom of the cutter 16 and cause clogging. In the invention of claim 9, when the controller 70F determines that it is in manual threshing mode, the motor control means 21 is configured to automatically open the skirt portion 18. Furthermore, in manual threshing mode, the engine rotation speed is reduced to a rotation speed set to be lower than the rated rotation speed and higher than the idling rotation speed. This allows the feed chain 13 to be stopped quickly while still providing sufficient threshing action to the hand-threshed grain stalks. In the invention of claim 10, the skirt portion 18 is biased to rotate in the opening direction at all times by a spring 104 separately provided at a predetermined position, a motor 20 is provided at a predetermined position within the skirt portion 18 to close the skirt portion 18 against the spring 104, the motor 20 is operated by a motor control means 21 to pull a wire 107 attached to the skirt portion 18 to open the skirt portion 18, the motor control means 21 is configured to automatically open the skirt portion 18 when the controller 70F determines that it is in manual operation mode and the straw debris detection means 108 detects that a predetermined amount of straw debris has accumulated in the cutter cover 17, so the biasing force of the spring 104 only needs to be such that the skirt portion 18 opens, eliminating the need for precise elasticity setting, making it easier to install the spring 104, and moreover, when the wire 107 detects the accumulation of straw debris, the motor 20 operates and the skirt portion 18 opens automatically, preventing the cutter 16 from getting clogged. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Side view of a combine harvester. [Figure 2] Schematic diagram of a transmission circuit. [Figure 3] Side view of a combine. [Figure 4] (A) Block diagram. (B) Block diagram. [Figure 5] Side view near the regulating member. [Figure 6] Side views of the skirt portion in the closed and open states of the cutter cover. [Figure 7] Side view of the skirt portion of the cutter cover of another embodiment. [Figure 8] Side view of the skirt portion of the cutter cover of another embodiment. [Figure 9] Side view of the skirt portion of the cutter cover of another embodiment. [Figure 10] Side view of the skirt portion of the cutter cover of another embodiment. [Figure 11] Perspective view of the skirt portion of the cutter cover. [Figure 12] Side views of the skirt portion of the cutter cover in the closed and open states. [Figure 13] Side view of the detection member. [Figure 14] Side view of the detection member of another embodiment.

[0008] When an embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings using an example of a combine, 1 is the body frame of the combine, 2 is the traveling device provided below the body frame 1, 3 is the threshing device provided above the body frame 1, 4 is the cutting device provided in front of the threshing device 3, 5 is the grain tank provided on the side of the threshing device 3, and 6 is the control unit provided in front of the grain tank 5. The cutting device 4 is provided with a weed separating device 8 that separates the standing grain straws at the forefront position to the left and right, a lifting device 9 that lifts the grain straws separated by the weed separating device 8 behind each weed separating device 8, a cutting blade 10 is provided behind the lifting device 9, and a cut grain straw transport device 11 that transports the cut grain straws cut by the cutting blade 10 to the rear threshing device 3 is provided behind the cutting blade 10 above. The grain straws conveyed to the end part by the cutting and conveying device 11 are taken over by the feed chain 13 of the threshing device 3 in an appropriate posture and then conveyed. The feed chain 13 is stretched along the feeding opening on the side of the handling chamber where the handling cylinder 14 is mounted on the internal shaft. The straws after threshing are conveyed backward by the straw discharge chain 15, cut by the cutter 16, and then carried out.

[0009] The rotational power from the engine 16A is transmitted to the traveling transmission device (not shown) via an HST (hydraulic continuously variable transmission device, not shown), and drives the traveling device 2. Power is transmitted to the cutting device 4 via a cutting clutch (not shown) to the cutting input shaft (not shown) of the cutting device 4, and power is also transmitted to the threshing device 3 via the threshing clutch 23. This threshing clutch 23 is turned on and off by manually operating the threshing and cutting clutch lever. In the on state of the threshing clutch 23, sorting devices such as the handling cylinder 14, the feed chain 13, the winnowing basket 25, and the dust exhaust fan 26 are driven. The feed chain 13 is provided with a transmission device 28 that can change the driving speed of the feed chain 13 in multiple steps or continuously in the transmission path from the engine 16A to the dust exhaust fan 26, and a chain clutch 30 that can cut off the power transmission to the feed chain 13.

[0010] In FIG. 2, 31 is a stepped transmission device, 32 is a driving sprocket, 32A is an input pulley, 33 is a transmission gear case, 34 is an input shaft, 35 is a driving shaft, and 36 is a clamping rod. Thus, for the cutting operation of cutting the grain straws in the field, generally, the grain straws at the four corners of the field are cut manually first, a space for the combine body to enter and a space for the combine body to change direction during the cutting operation are secured. At this time, the manually cut grain straws are collected at one place in the space, and in a state where the combine is stopped, a so-called manual handling operation of manually supplying the grain straws to the threshing device 3 is performed. However, in the past, during this manual shoveling process, the discarded straw would accumulate at the bottom of the cutter cover, and in the worst case, the cutter would become clogged, interrupting the manual shoveling process or causing the belt driving the cutter to burn. Therefore, the present invention provides a combine harvester equipped with a normal operation mode in which the harvesting device 4 cuts the grain stalks and a manual mode in which the operator cuts the grain stalks by hand. The skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17 surrounding the cutter 16 is rotatable in the front-rear direction toward the machine body by a pivot axis 19 in the left-right direction at the upper part of the skirt portion 18, and the skirt portion 18 is configured to open automatically when a predetermined amount of straw debris accumulates inside the cutter cover 17 by a biasing means 100 and / or a motor 20 (Figures 6-9).

[0011] Therefore, during normal harvesting operations, the cutter 16 operates with the skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17 closed to suppress excessive scattering of straw and dust, thus improving the working environment. During manual harvesting operations, the skirt portion 18 automatically opens when a certain amount of straw accumulates inside the cutter cover 17, preventing the cutter 16 from becoming clogged. The biasing means 100 for automatically opening the skirt portion 18 consists of a spring 103 that constantly biases the skirt portion 18 in the closing direction, and the skirt portion 18 is configured to automatically open against the elasticity of the spring 103 of the biasing means 100 when a predetermined amount of straw debris accumulates inside the cutter cover 17 (Figure 6). Therefore, during normal harvesting operations, the cutter 16 operates with the skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17 closed to suppress excessive scattering of straw and dust, thus improving the working environment. During manual harvesting operations, the skirt portion 18 automatically opens when a certain amount of straw accumulates inside the cutter cover 17, preventing the cutter 16 from becoming clogged.

[0012] The skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17 is configured to be constantly biased to rotate in the closing direction by a spring 103 of a biasing means 100 provided between the skirt portion 18 and the fixed portion of the cutter cover 17 (Figure 6). Therefore, the skirt portion 18 can be automatically opened with a simple configuration, such as by providing a biasing means 100, and the configuration can be made inexpensively. In this case, the shape of the cutter cover 17 is arbitrary, and it is sufficient that a part of the cutter cover 17 can be opened to prevent the accumulation of straw debris inside the cutter cover 17. In this embodiment, the upper part of the vertical plate-shaped skirt portion 18 in the left-right direction is mounted on the left and right side plates 102 of the cutter cover 17 by a pivot axis 19, and the lower part of the skirt portion 18 is configured to be able to rotate freely in the front-rear direction around the pivot axis 19 (Figure 11). Then, the rear end of the spring 103, which constitutes the biasing means 100 and is oriented in the front-rear direction, is locked to a predetermined position at the lower part of the skirt portion 18, and the front portion of the spring 103 is locked to the side plate 102 of the skirt portion 18. Although not shown in the illustration, a pair of springs 103 may be provided on the left and right sides.

[0013] The upper part of the vertically oriented skirt portion 18 is mounted on the left and right side plates 102 of the cutter cover 17 by a pivot axis 19, and the lower part of the skirt portion 18 is configured to rotate freely in the front-rear direction around the pivot axis 19. The rear end of a spring 103 that forms the biasing means 100 is locked at a predetermined position on the lower part of the skirt portion 18, and the front part of the spring 103 is locked to the side plate 102 of the cutter cover 17 (Figure 6). Therefore, when discarded straw accumulates inside the skirt portion 18, its weight pushes the skirt portion 18 open automatically, preventing the cutter 16 from clogging. This allows for an inexpensive configuration in which the skirt portion 18 can be automatically opened with a simple configuration, such as providing a biasing means 100. The combine harvester (Figure 7) has a configuration in which the skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17 is biased to rotate in the closing direction at all times by a spring (coil spring) 105 provided on the pivot axis 19.

[0014] Therefore, the spring 105 of the biasing means 100 can be installed without using special mounting fixtures, simplifying the installation configuration and resulting in an inexpensive design. In this case, the spring 105 is made of a coil spring, with the coil portion inserted through the pivot axis 19, one end of the spring 105 being secured to the fixing part of the cutter cover 17, and the other end of the spring 105 being secured to the skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17, thereby biasing the skirt portion 18 to rotate in the closing direction at all times. The motor 20 that automatically opens the skirt portion 18 is configured to constantly pull it in the closing direction by a wire 107 that is attached to the skirt portion 18. When a predetermined amount of straw debris accumulates inside the cutter cover 17, the motor 20 is activated to release the pulling force on the skirt portion 18 in the closing direction by the wire 107, and the skirt portion 18 opens automatically (Figure 8).

[0015] Therefore, when discarded straw accumulates inside the skirt section 18, its weight acts to open the skirt section 18. When the wire 107 is loosened, the weight of the discarded straw inside the skirt section 18 opens the skirt section 18, preventing the cutter 16 from becoming clogged. The configuration for unwinding the wire 107 using the motor 20 is arbitrary, but in this embodiment, the motor 20 is driven to unwind the wire 107 by detecting the discharge of straw using a detection member 113 provided at a predetermined position within the skirt portion 18. 20A is a reel mechanism for extending and retracting wire 107. A spring 104 is attached to the pivot axis 19, on which the skirt portion 18 is mounted, to constantly bias the skirt portion 18 in the opening direction (Figure 9). Therefore, the skirt portion 18 is opened not only by the weight of the straw accumulated inside but also by the elasticity of the spring 104, so when the motor 20 loosens the wire 107, the skirt portion 18 opens smoothly and reliably, preventing the cutter 16 from jamming.

[0016] The controller 70F is equipped with a motor control means 21 that opens the skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17 of the cutter 16 by driving the motor 20, and the controller 70F is configured to automatically open the skirt portion 18 by the motor control means 21 when in manual operation mode (Figure 9). Therefore, in manual handling mode, the machine stops and the grain stalks are manually supplied to the feed chain 13. This process causes the discarded straw to be collected in one place, making it easy for the discarded straw to accumulate at the bottom of the cutter 16. However, in this invention, the controller 70F is configured to automatically open the skirt portion 18 by the motor control means 21 when in manual handling mode, thus preventing the discarded straw from accumulating at the bottom of the cutter 16 and causing clogging. The mounting configuration of the spring 104 shown in Figure 9 is arbitrary, but one end of the spring 104 is locked and fixed to the side plate 102 of the cutter cover 17, and the other end of the spring 104 is in contact with or locked to the inner surface of the skirt portion 18, thereby biasing the skirt portion 18 to stay open. Also, in Figure 9, the cutter 16 and the motor 20 are positioned opposite each other in the left-right direction so as not to interfere with each other.

[0017] When the controller 70F detects that the manual mode switch 73 is set to "ON", the controller 70F reduces the rotational speed (rotational speed) of the engine 16A for safety reasons so that manual operation can be performed, and controls the motor 20 to open the skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17. Furthermore, the manual threshing mode may be enabled when the restriction on the supply of manually threshed grain stalks by the restricting member 77 is released. The controller 70F determines whether the manual threshing mode is enabled or not based on the state of the manual threshing mode switch 73 and the restricting member 77, and opens the skirt portion 18 of the cutter cover 17 using the motor control means 21. When the controller 70F determines that it is in manual operation mode, the motor control means 21 is configured to automatically open the skirt portion 18, In the aforementioned manual operation mode, the engine speed is configured to be reduced to a speed set to be lower than the rated speed but higher than the idling speed.

[0018] The skirt portion 18 is biased to rotate in the open direction at all times by a spring 104 separately provided at a predetermined position, and a motor 20 is provided at a predetermined position inside the skirt portion 18 to close the skirt portion 18 against the spring 104, and the motor 20 is operated by a motor control means 21 to pull a wire 107 attached to the skirt portion 18 to open the skirt portion 18, and the motor control means 21 is configured to automatically open the skirt portion 18 when the controller 70F determines that it is in manual operation mode and the straw debris detection means 108 detects that a predetermined amount of straw debris has accumulated inside the cutter cover 17 (Figure 10). Therefore, the biasing force of the spring 104 only needs to be such that it opens the skirt portion 18, eliminating the need for precise elasticity setting, which simplifies the installation of the spring 104. Moreover, when the wire 107 detects the accumulation of straw debris, the motor 20 activates and automatically opens the skirt portion 18, preventing the cutter 16 from becoming clogged.

[0019] In other words, although the mounting configuration of the spring 104 is arbitrary, one end of the spring 104 is locked and fixed to the side plate 102 of the cutter cover 17, and the other end of the spring 104 is in contact with the inner surface of the skirt portion 18, thereby biasing the skirt portion 18 to stay open at all times. In this case, the straw debris detection means 108 is configured to detect straw debris that has accumulated from below upwards, as the straw accumulates upwards from the field surface (ground). In other words, the configuration of the straw debris detection means 108 is arbitrary, but as an example, a horizontal shaft 121 is mounted on a box 120 fixed to the skirt portion 18, the base of a detection arm 122 is fixed to the horizontal shaft 121, a rotating body (not shown) is provided inside the box 120, and the position of the rotating body is sensed by a switch 123 or position sensor 124 provided inside the box 120, thereby detecting the discarded straw inside the skirt portion 18 (Figures 13 and 14).

[0020] The opening and closing of the skirt portion 18 is performed by a position sensor 110 that detects the rotational position of the motor 20 and the motor 20 itself. The position of the skirt portion 18 is determined by the rotational position of the motor 20 detected by the position sensor 110, and the opening angle of the skirt portion 18 is controlled accordingly (Figure 10). In this case, the rotational position of the horizontal axis 121 or the rotating body is detected by a position sensor 124 within the box 120 of the straw debris detection means 108, and the opening amount of the skirt portion 18 is automatically adjusted according to the amount of straw discharged. Alternatively, the rotational position of the motor 20 is detected by a position sensor 110, and the opening amount of the skirt portion 18 is automatically adjusted. The opening amount is configured to open by rotating within a range of 10 to 30 degrees with respect to a virtual vertical line passing through the rotation center axis 19 (Figure 12).

[0021] The cutter cover 17 of the cutter 16 is configured to allow the skirt portion 18 to be opened and closed automatically. Therefore, even if the amount of straw debris in the skirt section 18 increases when the combine harvester is stopped in one place and manually handled, the skirt section 18 is automatically rotated upward, allowing for good and even bundling of the straw debris inside the skirt section 18. This prevents the straw debris from clogging the skirt section 18, eliminates interruptions to manual handling, and improves work efficiency. In addition, although the belt that transmits the driving force to the cutter 16 may occasionally burn due to clogging of the skirt section 18 with straw debris, this can be prevented by preventing clogging of the skirt section 18, thereby preventing damage to the machine. The opening and closing of the skirt section 18 is performed by the motor 20. Therefore, the opening and closing of the skirt portion 18 can be automatically controlled by driving the motor 20 according to the amount of discarded straw detected by the straw debris detection means 108.

[0022] The opening and closing of the skirt portion 18 is performed by a position sensor 110 and a motor 20, and the opening angle of the skirt portion 18 is controlled according to the position of the skirt portion 18 detected by the position sensor 110 of the straw debris detection means 108. In other words, the skirt portion 18 is closed at a position of 10 degrees with respect to a virtual vertical line passing through the rotation center axis 19, and can be opened up to a maximum of 30 degrees (Figure 12). The motor 20 is driven when the detection means 91 detects the manual handling position of the clamping rod (regulating member 77) 36 of the feed chain 13. Therefore, the motor 20 can only be automatically opened during manual operation. Furthermore, the motor 20 is driven when the straw debris detection means 108, which is provided inside the skirt portion 18, is ON (when straw debris is detected).

[0023] Therefore, the skirt portion 18 can be reliably opened when a predetermined amount of straw debris accumulates inside the cutter cover 17. If the straw debris detection means 108 remains ON for a specified period of time after being turned ON, the system is configured to issue an alarm via monitor display, voice, buzzer 114, etc. Therefore, since there is a risk of damage to various parts of the machine, including the straw debris detection means 108, the abnormal condition of the straw debris detection means 108 can be alerted to the worker by an alarm, thereby raising awareness of the situation. In this case, even if the key 115 is turned off and the engine 16A is stopped, if the straw debris detection means 108 is ON when the key 115 is turned on again, the buzzer 114 will immediately output an output. Therefore, even if the key 115 is turned off and the engine is stopped to deactivate the alarm, when the key 115 is turned on again, the straw debris detection means 108 will be turned on, meaning that the discarded straw has accumulated inside the cutter cover 17. There is a risk of damage to the machine due to the discarded straw clogging the cutter 16, but the situation can be informed and cautioned by issuing an alarm to the operator.

[0024] Furthermore, if the straw debris detection means 108 remains ON for a specified period of time after being turned ON, the drive of the feed chain 13 is stopped. Therefore, when the straw debris detection means 108 remains ON, the discarded straw continues to accumulate inside the cutter cover 17, which could lead to damage to the machine due to the straw clogging the cutter 16. However, the drive of the feed chain 13 is stopped, and the manual handling operation is temporarily interrupted to prevent clogging of the cutter 16. If key 115 is turned off, and the straw debris detection means 108 is turned on when key 115 is turned on again, the feed chain 13 will be stopped immediately. If the straw debris detection means 108 remains ON for a specified time after being turned ON, the engine 16A is stopped (emergency stop).

[0025] When the straw debris detection means 108 remains ON, it indicates that the discarded straw continues to accumulate inside the cutter cover 17, potentially causing damage to the machine due to the straw clogging the cutter 16. In such cases, the engine 16A is stopped, work is interrupted, and the operator is notified that it is an emergency. If key 115 is turned off, and the engine 16A is restarted, if the straw debris detection means 108 is ON, the engine 16A will be stopped immediately. In the automatic opening configuration of the skirt portion 18, a spring 103 of a biasing means 100 is attached to the skirt portion 18, which biases the skirt portion 18 in a direction that keeps it closed at all times. Therefore, the skirt portion 18 is normally closed by the elasticity of the spring 103, but when the amount of accumulated straw increases, it opens against the elasticity of the spring 103.

[0026] The configuration is such that the state in which the skirt portion 18 is fully open is detected by the switch 117. Specifically, the motor 20 is equipped with two position detection switches (not shown in the diagram), each of which is configured to detect the end or start position of the motor 20's rotation, and the opening and closing of the skirt portion 18 is detected when either position detection switch is turned on. The configuration includes a switch inside the motor 20 to detect when the skirt portion 18 is fully open. In other words, the motor 20 is configured such that one of the two position detection switches detects the closed state of the skirt portion 18, and the other detects the open state of the skirt portion 18. When the position detection switch that detects the open state of the skirt portion 18 is turned on, the fully open state of the skirt portion 18 is detected.

[0027] If the straw debris detection means 108 remains ON for a specified period of time after being turned ON, the buzzer 114 will sound an alarm. In this case, if the straw debris detection means 108 is ON when the key 115 is turned off and then turned on again, the buzzer 114 will immediately output an signal. When the straw debris detection means 108 remains ON, it indicates that the discarded straw continues to accumulate inside the cutter cover 17, which could lead to damage to the machine due to the straw clogging the cutter 106. Therefore, an alarm can be issued to the operator to allow them to take appropriate action. If key 115 is turned off, and the straw debris detection means 108 is turned on when key 115 is turned on again, the feed chain 13 will be stopped immediately.

[0028] In this case, if key 115 is turned off, and the straw debris detection means 108 is turned on when key 115 is turned on again, the feed chain 13 will be stopped immediately. If the straw debris detection means 108 remains ON for a specified time after being turned ON, the engine 16A is stopped (emergency stop). If key 115 is turned off, and the engine 16A is restarted, if the straw debris detection means 108 is ON, the engine 16A will be stopped immediately. The system includes a control means 70 that executes a manual choke mode, which automatically reduces the rotational speed of the engine 16A to a set rotational speed, and a mode switching means (for example, a manual choke mode switch 73, a regulating member 77) 71 that switches this manual choke mode between an enabled state and an disabled state. The manual mode switch 73 is not shown in the diagram, but it can be installed in any location, such as inside the control unit 6 or around the clamping rod 36.

[0029] The control means 70 is configured, for example, as shown in Figure 4, by connecting a main switch 70A, a threshing clutch sensor 70B, a threshing lever sensor 70C, an engine stop means 70D, and an engine start deterrent means 70E to the controller 70F. In Figure 4, 70G is the engine automatic control switch of the control means 70, 70H is the main transmission lever sensor, 70J is the vehicle speed sensor, 70K is the parking brake sensor, 70L is the hand-throwing mode lamp, 70M is the winnowing motor, 70N is the sheave motor, and 70P is the harvesting clutch motor. The control means 70 automatically switches the manual operation mode of the mode switching means 71 to the enabled state when at least one of the conditions that enable manual operation is met. When the controller 70F detects that the manual mode is activated by turning on the manual mode switch 73, it automatically switches the feed chain 13 to low-speed drive via the feed chain clutch motor and reduces the rotational speed of the engine 16A to the set rotational speed.

[0030] When manual operation mode is activated, the controller 70F automatically reduces the engine speed to a set speed (usually 1500 rpm to 2000 rpm) that is lower than the rated speed but higher than the idling speed. Therefore, the feed chain 13 can be stopped quickly while still providing sufficient threshing action to the hand-threshed grain stalks. The control unit 6 is equipped with a parking brake pedal (not shown) for activating the parking brake (not shown), and when the parking brake detection means 75 detects the activation of the parking brake or the pressing of the parking brake pedal, it is configured to automatically switch the manual mode to an enabled state. The starting end of the feed chain 13 is provided with a restricting member 77 that restricts the supply of hand-threshed grain stalks to the feed chain 13 (Figure 5). The restricting member 77 is formed from a rod-shaped member and is positioned above the feed chain 13. It acts as a clamping body that grips and guides the grain stalks from above and below, and also serves as a restricting body that prevents hand-harvested grain stalks from being placed on and supplied to the feed chain 13.

[0031] The restricting member 77 is mounted on the threshing device 3 side so as to be able to rotate up and down around the mounting shaft 79, and is configured to move between a restricting position above the feed chain 13 and a manual harvesting position that is retracted from above. When the restricting member 77 is positioned above the starting end of the feed chain 13, manual handling is not possible. When the restricting member 77 is moved away from above the starting end of the feed chain 13, manual handling becomes possible. The system is configured to automatically switch to the manual threshing mode when the detection means 91 releases the restriction on the supply of hand-threshed grain by the restriction member 77. The manual firing mode is controlled to function only when the HST lever is in the neutral position, and to be canceled otherwise.

[0032] Therefore, safety can be ensured and malfunctions caused by incorrect operation can be prevented. The threshing device 3 is equipped with a restricting member 77 in front of it, which also functions as a hand-threshing lever 93. The device is configured such that hand-threshing cannot be performed unless the restricting member 77, which is operated by the hand-threshing lever 93, is opened. Therefore, safety can be ensured during manual handling. Furthermore, if the system is configured so that manual operation is activated by either the operation of the manual lever 93 (regulating member 77) or the operation of the manual mode switch 73, then it is possible to switch to manual mode even when away from the manual mode switch 73, thereby improving operability and work efficiency.

[0033] (Effect of the embodiment) As the machine is moved forward by the traveling device 2, the grass is separated by each grass-separating body 5. The grain stalks separated by the grass-separating body 5 are then lifted by the lifting device 6 and cut by the cutting blade 9. The cut grain stalks are then transported by the base-side transport device and the ear-tip transport device. The transported grain stalks are then taken over by the grain stalk supply and transport device 15, which supplies them to the threshing device 3 for threshing. In this case, generally, the four corners of the field are first cut by hand to create an open space where the combine harvester can enter, and the combine harvester is then driven through this open space to cut and thresh the grain stalks in the field. Once the harvesting and threshing of the field is complete, the machine is stopped, the stalk supply and conveying device 15 and the threshing device 3 are driven, and the hand-harvested stalks are manually supplied to the stalk supply and conveying device 15 for threshing.

[0034] In this case, the system includes a control means 70 that executes a manual steering mode that automatically reduces the rotational speed of the engine 16A to a set rotational speed, and a mode switching means 71 that switches this manual steering mode between an enabled state and an disabled state. The control means 70 is configured to automatically switch the manual steering mode of the mode switching means 71 to the enabled state when at least one of the conditions that enable manual steering is met. Furthermore, when the manual mode switch 73 is turned on to activate manual mode, the feed chain 13 is automatically switched to low-speed drive, and the rotational speed of the engine 16A is reduced to the set rotational speed.

[0035] When the feed chain 13 is automatically switched to low-speed drive, the set rotational speed of the engine 16A is set to be lower than the rated rotational speed of the engine 16A, but higher than the idling rotational speed. Therefore, when the manual operation mode is activated, the engine rotational speed automatically decreases to the rotational speed set to be lower than the rated rotational speed and higher than the idling rotational speed. Therefore, the feed chain 13 can be stopped quickly while still providing sufficient threshing action to the hand-threshed grain stalks. The control unit 6 is equipped with a parking brake pedal for activating the parking brake, and is configured to automatically switch to the manual operation mode when the activation of the parking brake or the pressing of the parking brake pedal is detected. Therefore, when the parking brake is activated to stop the machine or when the parking brake pedal is pressed, the engine speed is reduced, which automatically reduces the drive speed of the feed chain 13 to a low speed, putting the machine into a manual operation start state and initiating manual operation.

[0036] The system is configured to automatically switch the manual handling mode from enabled to disabled when the release of the parking brake or the release of the parking brake pedal is detected. Therefore, when the parking brake is released or the parking brake pedal is released at the end of the manual handling operation, the drive speed of the feed chain 13 is increased.

[0037] However, the starting end of the feed chain 13 is equipped with a restricting member 77 that restricts the supply of hand-threshed grain stalks to the feed chain 13. The restricting member 77 is made of a rod-shaped member and is positioned above the feed chain 13 to act as a clamping body that grips and guides the grain stalks from above and below. It is also configured to serve as a restricting body that prevents hand-cut grain stalks from being placed and supplied onto the feed chain 13. Therefore, during normal harvesting operations, the restricting member 77 is positioned above the feed chain 13 to act as a restricting position, and during hand-cutting operations, it is moved away from above the feed chain 13 to act as a hand-cutting position. Furthermore, the system is configured to automatically switch to the hand-throwing mode when the restriction on the supply of hand-thrown grain stalks by the regulating member 77 is released. Therefore, when the supply restriction by the regulating member 77 is released in order to supply hand-thrown grain stalks to the feed chain 13, the drive speed of the feed chain 13 is automatically reduced, and the hand-thrown grain stalks are supplied to the feed chain 13 in this state.

[0038] Therefore, when the supply restriction by the restricting member 77 is released, the drive speed of the feed chain 13 is automatically reduced to manual mode, improving operability. Furthermore, when the chain clutch 30 is disconnected due to the emergency stop switch 72 being ON, the chain clutch 30 is automatically reconnected when the threshing clutch 23 is disconnected and then reconnected. Therefore, by operating the emergency stop switch 72, the engine 16A and feed chain 13 are stopped, and then the threshing clutch 23 is disconnected to remove any grain stalks or foreign objects stuck in the feed chain 13. Next, when the threshing clutch 23 is reconnected, the feed chain 13 automatically returns to a drivable state, allowing for the resumption of manual threshing or transition to harvesting. Furthermore, although the embodiments described above are illustrated or explained individually or in combination for ease of understanding, they can be combined in various ways, and their configurations and functions are not limited by these representations. Of course, there are also cases where synergistic effects are achieved. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 1...Machine frame, 2...Traction mechanism, 3...Threshing device, 4...Cutting device, 5...Grain tank, 6...Control unit, 8...Grass separator, 9...Lifting device, 10...Cutting blade, 11...Grain stalk conveying device, 13...Feed chain, 14...Threshing drum, 16A...Engine, 117...Switch, 23...Threshing clutch, 25...Winnowing machine, 26...Dust removal fan, 28...Transmission device, 30...Chain clutch, 31...Stepped transmission, 32...Drive system 32A…Input pulley, 33…Transmission gear case, 34…Input shaft, 35…Drive shaft, 36…Clamping rod, 70…Control means, 70A…Main switch, 70B…Threshing clutch sensor, 70C…Threshing lever sensor, 70D…Engine stop means, 70E…Engine start deterrent means, 70F…Controller, 70G…Automatic engine control switch, 70H…Main transmission lever sensor, 70J…Vehicle speed sensor, 70K…Parking brake sensor, 70L…Manual mode lamp, 70M…Winnowing motor, 70N…Sheave motor, 70P…Harvesting clutch motor, 70R…Grain stalk sensor, 71…Mode switching means (manual mode switch), 72…Emergency stop switch, 73…Manual mode switch, 74…Sheave, 75…Parking brake detection means, 77…Regulating member, 78…Mounting member, 79…Mounting Shaft, 80...HST (Hypersteel Speed ​​Control) for feed chain, 81...Threshing chamber, 82...Receiving net, 86...Oscillating rack, 88...Mounting frame, 91...Speed ​​reduction switch, 93...Hand threshing lever, 100...Biasing means, 102...Side plate, 103...Spring, 104...Spring, 105...Spring, 107...Wire, 108...Straw debris detection means, 110...Position sensor, 113...Detection means, 114...Buzzer, 115...Key.

Claims

1. The combine harvester is equipped with a normal operation mode in which the harvesting device (4) cuts the grain stalks and a manual mode in which the operator cuts the grain stalks by hand, and the skirt portion (18) of the cutter cover (17) surrounding the cutter (16) is provided so as to be able to rotate in the front-rear direction toward the machine body by a pivot axis (19) in the left-right direction at the upper part of the skirt portion (18), and the skirt portion (18) is configured to open automatically when a predetermined amount of straw debris accumulates inside the cutter cover (17) by a biasing means and / or motor (20).

2. A combine harvester according to claim 1, wherein the biasing means (100) for automatically opening the skirt portion (18) is composed of a spring (103) that constantly biases the skirt portion (18) in the closing direction, and the skirt portion (18) is configured to automatically open against the elasticity of the spring (103) of the biasing means (100) when a predetermined amount of straw debris accumulates inside the cutter cover (17).

3. The combine harvester according to claim 2, wherein the skirt portion (18) of the cutter cover (17) is biased to rotate in the closing direction at all times by a spring (103) of a biasing means (100) provided between the skirt portion (18) and the fixing portion of the cutter cover (17).

4. A combine harvester according to claim 3, wherein the upper part of a vertical plate-shaped skirt portion (18) in the left-right direction is mounted on the left and right side plates (102) of the cutter cover (17) by a pivot axis (19), the lower part of the skirt portion (18) is configured to be rotatable in the front-rear direction around the pivot axis (19), the rear end of a spring (103) in the front-rear direction that constitutes a biasing means (100) is locked at a predetermined position on the lower part of the skirt portion (18), and the front part of the spring (103) is locked to the side plate (102) of the cutter cover (17).

5. The combine harvester according to claim 1, wherein the skirt portion (18) of the cutter cover (17) is biased to rotate in the closing direction at all times by a spring (105) provided on the pivot axis (19).

6. The combine harvester according to claim 1, wherein the motor (20) for automatically opening the skirt portion (18) is configured to constantly pull in the closing direction by a wire (107) that is locked to the skirt portion (18), and when a predetermined amount of straw debris accumulates inside the cutter cover (17), the motor (20) is activated to release the pulling force of the wire (107) in the closing direction of the skirt portion (18), thereby automatically opening the skirt portion (18).

7. The combine harvester according to claim 6, characterized in that a spring (104) is attached to the pivot central shaft (19) on which the skirt portion (18) is mounted, the spring that constantly biases the skirt portion (18) in the opening direction.

8. A combine harvester according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the controller (70F) includes a motor control means (21) that opens the skirt portion (18) of the cutter cover (17) of the cutter (16) by the drive of a motor (20), and the controller (70F) is configured to automatically open the skirt portion (18) by the motor control means (21) when in manual operation mode.

9. The combine harvester according to claim 8, wherein when the controller (70F) determines that it is in manual operation mode, the motor control means (21) is configured to automatically open the skirt portion (18), and when it is in manual operation mode, the engine rotation speed is reduced to a rotation speed set to be lower than the rated rotation speed and higher than the idling rotation speed.

10. The combine harvester according to claim 6, wherein the skirt portion (18) is biased to rotate in the opening direction at all times by a spring (104) separately provided at a predetermined position, a motor (20) is provided at a predetermined position within the skirt portion (18) to close the skirt portion (18) against the spring (104), the motor (20) is configured to open the skirt portion (18) by pulling a wire (107) attached to the skirt portion (18) with a motor control means (21), and the motor control means (21) is configured to automatically open the skirt portion (18) when the controller (70F) determines that it is in manual operation mode and the straw debris detection means (108) detects that a predetermined amount of straw debris has accumulated inside the cutter cover (17).

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