Harvester

Abstract

To provide a harvester capable of avoiding size increase of a transport belt, and capable of transporting crops which have relatively great weight.SOLUTION: A harvester 1 comprises a transport part 400. The transport part 400 includes: a transport conveyor 410; and a rod conveyor 420 which transports crops with the transport conveyor 410 while supporting the crops from a rear side of the crops in a transport direction of the transport conveyor 410. The transport conveyor 410 has a transport side upstream roller, a transport side downstream roller 412 and a transport belt. The rod conveyor 420 has a rod side upstream roller, a rod side downstream roller 422, a rod belt 423 and a plurality of rods 424. A distance between the respective rods 424 is set to a size for allowing passage of the crops. Each rod 424 supports the crops on the transport belt from a rear side in the transport direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a harvesting machine.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a harvesting machine for harvesting crops cultivated in a field has been known. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-175997 discloses a crop picking and harvesting machine including a lifting and conveying device arranged in a rearwardly rising inclined posture, a picking and conveying device, and a crop storage section. The picking and conveying device conveys the crop rearwardly and upwardly. The picking and conveying device has a plurality of conveying bars for placing and conveying the crop. The plurality of conveying bars are arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction. The conveying bar functions as a crosspiece for preventing the crop from falling.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the harvesting machine described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-175997, when harvesting a crop having a relatively large weight such as a pumpkin, in order to prevent the crop from falling during conveyance, it is necessary to increase the height of the conveying bar (crosspiece) from the conveying belt. Since the crosspiece becomes higher and supports a crop having a relatively large weight thereon, the strength (rigidity) required for the conveying belt supporting the crosspiece also increases. For this reason, it becomes inevitable to increase the size (thickness, etc.) of the conveying belt.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a harvesting machine capable of conveying a crop having a relatively large weight while avoiding an increase in the size of the conveying belt.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A harvester according to an aspect of the present invention includes a conveying unit that conveys a crop cultivated in a field toward a storage unit capable of storing the crop. The conveying unit includes a conveying conveyor that conveys the crop while supporting the crop from below, and a rod conveyor that conveys the crop together with the conveying conveyor while supporting the crop from behind in the conveying direction of the conveying conveyor. The conveying conveyor includes a conveying upstream roller disposed on the upstream side in the conveying direction, a conveying downstream roller disposed on the downstream side of the conveying upstream roller in the conveying direction and above the conveying upstream roller, and a conveying belt wound around the conveying upstream roller and the conveying downstream roller. The rod conveyor includes a rod upstream roller disposed on the upstream side in the conveying direction, a rod downstream roller disposed on the downstream side of the rod upstream roller in the conveying direction and above the rod upstream roller, a rod belt wound around the rod upstream roller and the rod downstream roller, and a plurality of rods held by the rod belt. The rods are spaced apart from each other in the conveying direction, and the distance between each pair of the plurality of rods is set to a size that allows the passage of the crop. Each of the rods supports the crop on the conveying belt from behind in the conveying direction.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a harvester capable of conveying a crop having a relatively large weight while avoiding an increase in the size of the conveying belt.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a harvester according to an embodiment of the present invention. This harvester 1 is a machine for harvesting crops (such as pumpkins) having a relatively large weight while traveling on a field F.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the harvester 1 includes a traveling machine 100, a body frame 200, a pickup unit 300, and a conveying unit 400.

[0012] The traveling machine 100 is composed of a pair of left and right crawlers capable of traveling on the field F.

[0013] The body frame 200 is mounted on the traveling machine 100. The body frame 200 is provided with a driver's seat 210 and a storage section 230. The driver's seat 210 is disposed at the front right side of the body frame 200 when facing the traveling direction of the harvester 1. A workbench is disposed behind the driver's seat 210. The storage section 230 is provided at the rear of the body frame 200. The storage section 230 can store the crop 10 (see FIG. 7). The body frame 200 is also mounted with an engine, a fuel tank, and the like.

[0014] The pickup unit 300 is provided in front of the airframe frame 200. The pickup unit 300 picks up the crop 10 from the field F and sends the crop to the conveying unit 400. In the present embodiment, the pickup unit 300 sends the picked-up crop 10 backward. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pickup unit 300 includes a pickup conveyor 310 and a clamping unit 320.

[0015] The pickup conveyor 310 conveys the crop 10 toward the conveying unit 400 while supporting the crop from below. The pickup conveyor 310 includes a first roller 311, a second roller 312 disposed behind the first roller 311, and a pickup belt 313 wound around the first roller 311 and the second roller 312. As shown in FIG. 3, the second roller 312 is disposed behind and above the first roller 311.

[0016] The clamping unit 320 sends the crop 10 to the conveying unit 400 together with the pickup conveyor 310 while clamping the crop from both sides. The clamping unit 320 includes a plurality of guide rollers 321 and a clamping belt 322 wound around the plurality of guide rollers 321. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the clamping unit 320 protrudes forward of the pickup conveyor 310.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the pickup conveyor 310 and the clamping unit 320 are in a posture inclined so as to gradually separate from the field F as they approach the conveying unit 400.

[0018] The conveying unit 400 conveys the crop 10 cultivated in the field F toward the storage unit 230. The conveying unit 400 is disposed behind the pickup unit 300. That is, the conveying unit 400 conveys the crop 10 received from the pickup unit 300 toward the storage unit 230. The conveying unit 400 includes a conveying conveyor 410, a rod conveyor 420, an intersecting conveyor 430, another intersecting conveyor 440, a roller 451, and another roller 452.

[0019] The conveying conveyor 410 conveys the crop 10 while supporting it from below. The conveying conveyor 410 has an upstream roller 411 on the conveying side, a downstream roller 412 on the conveying side, and a conveyor belt 413.

[0020] The upstream roller 411 on the conveying side is arranged on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the crop 10 (backward in this embodiment). As shown in FIG. 7, the upstream roller 411 on the conveying side is arranged behind and below the second roller 312.

[0021] The downstream roller 412 on the conveying side is arranged on the downstream side (rearward) of the upstream roller 411 on the conveying side in the conveying direction and above the upstream roller 411 on the conveying side.

[0022] The conveyor belt 413 (see FIG. 4) is wound around the upstream roller 411 on the conveying side and the downstream roller 412 on the conveying side. In FIGS. 1, 5 to 7, the illustration of the conveyor belt 413 is omitted.

[0023] The rod conveyor 420 conveys the crop 10 together with the conveying conveyor 410 while supporting the crop 10 from behind the crop 10 in the conveying direction of the conveying conveyor 410. The rod conveyor 420 has an upstream roller 421 on the rod side, a downstream roller 422 on the rod side, a rod belt 423, and a plurality of rods 424.

[0024] The upstream roller 421 on the rod side is arranged on the upstream side in the conveying direction. The upstream roller 421 on the rod side is arranged in the vicinity of the upstream roller 411 on the conveying side. The diameter of the upstream roller 421 on the rod side is larger than the diameter of the upstream roller 411 on the conveying side.

[0025] The downstream roller 422 on the rod side is arranged on the downstream side of the upstream roller 421 on the rod side in the conveying direction and above the upstream roller 421 on the rod side.

[0026] The rod belt 423 is wound around the upstream roller 421 on the rod side and the downstream roller 422 on the rod side.

[0027] The plurality of rods 424 are each arranged at intervals from each other in the conveying direction and are held by the rod belt 423. The distance between each rod 424 is set to a size that allows the passage of the crop 10. Each rod 424 supports the crop 10 on the conveying belt 413 from the rear in the conveying direction. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each rod 424 has a support shaft 424a fixed to the rod belt 423 and an elastic body 424b adhered to the support shaft 424a.

[0028] Here, with reference to FIG. 4, the positional relationship between the upstream roller 411 on the conveying side and the upstream roller 421 on the rod side will be described.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the rotation center axis A2 of the upstream roller 421 on the rod side is separated from the rotation center axis A1 of the upstream roller 411 on the conveying side. More specifically, the rotation center axis A1 of the upstream roller 411 on the conveying side is disposed above the lower end of the movement locus of the rod belt 423 and below the rotation center axis A2 of the upstream roller 421 on the rod side. That is, on the upstream side of the conveying conveyor 410, the distance between the portion of the conveying belt 413 that advances in the direction away from the upstream roller 411 on the conveying side and the portion of the rod belt 423 that advances in the direction away from the upstream roller 421 on the rod side is larger than the distance between the portion of the conveying belt 413 that advances in the direction approaching the upstream roller 411 on the conveying side and the portion of the rod belt 423 that advances in the direction approaching the upstream roller 421 on the rod side.

[0030] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the movement locus 424T of the rod 424 has an upstream arc portion T1 along the upstream roller 421 on the rod side and an upper straight portion T2 that is located above the conveying belt 413 and extends linearly from the upstream arc portion T1 toward the downstream side in the movement direction of the rod 424. The downstream end 313R of the pickup belt 313 is separated from the movement locus 424T of the rod 424 and is located above the boundary portion T3 between the upstream arc portion T1 and the upper straight portion T2 among the outer edge portions of the movement locus 424T.

[0031] The cross conveyor 430 is arranged on the downstream side of the conveyor 410 in the conveying direction. The cross conveyor 430 conveys the crop 10 received from the conveyor 410 in a direction intersecting the conveying direction (in this embodiment, a direction perpendicular to it). As shown in FIG. 7, the cross conveyor 430 is arranged at a position lower than the downstream end 410R of the conveyor 410.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upstream part of the cross conveyor 430 is arranged between the downstream roller 412 on the conveying side and the downstream roller 422 on the rod side, and below the rod belt 423. In other words, the rod belt 423 passes above the cross conveyor 430.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 7, the rod belt 423 is wound around the upstream roller 421 on the rod side and the downstream roller 422 on the rod side so that a region AR is formed where the distance H between the rod 424 in the vertical direction and the conveyor 410 or the cross conveyor 430 is equal to or greater than the size of the crop 10.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, an inclined plate 435 is provided between the conveyor 410 and the cross conveyor 430. The inclined plate 435 has a shape that inclines gradually downward from the downstream end 410R of the conveyor 410 toward the upstream part of the cross conveyor 430.

[0035] Another cross conveyor 440 is arranged on the downstream side of the cross conveyor in the conveying direction of the cross conveyor 430 (rightward in this embodiment). Another cross conveyor 440 conveys the crop 10 received from the cross conveyor 430 in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the cross conveyor 430 (in this embodiment, a direction perpendicular to it). Another cross conveyor 440 conveys the crop 10 toward the storage part 230. Another cross conveyor 440 is adjacent to the workbench 220. Therefore, the operator on the workbench 220 can perform operations on the crop 10 being conveyed by another cross conveyor 440.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the roller 451 is provided at the corner of the conveying conveyor 410 and the intersecting conveyor 430. The roller 451 rotates while contacting the crop 10 moving from the conveying conveyor 410 toward the intersecting conveyor 430.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the other roller 452 is provided at the corner of the intersecting conveyor 430 and the other intersecting conveyor 440. The other roller 452 rotates while contacting the crop 10 moving from the intersecting conveyor 430 toward the other intersecting conveyor 440.

[0038] Next, the method of harvesting the crop 10 by the harvester 1 will be described. First, the pickup unit 300 picks up the crop 10 cultivated in the field F and sends the crop 10 toward the conveying unit 400.

[0039] Then, the crop 10 falls onto the conveying belt 413 from the rear end of the pickup conveyor 310. In the present embodiment, since the downstream end 313R of the pickup belt 313 is separated from the movement locus 424T of the rod 424 and is located above the boundary portion T3 at the outer edge of the movement locus 424T, the crop 10 moving from the pickup conveyor 310 toward the conveying belt 413 is prevented from being pushed back by the rod 424. Further, since the rotation center axis A1 of the upstream roller 411 on the conveying side is disposed below the rotation center axis A2 of the upstream roller 421 on the rod side, the crop 10 can be received more reliably by the conveying belt 413.

[0040] The conveying conveyor 410 and the rod conveyor 420 convey the crop 10 received from the conveying belt 413 rearward and send it to the intersecting conveyor 430. In the present embodiment, since the rod belt 423 is wound around the upstream roller 421 on the rod side and the downstream roller 422 on the rod side so that the region AR is formed, the crop is transferred from the conveying conveyor 410 to the intersecting conveyor 430 in the region AR, while the vines of the crop 10 are conveyed to the downstream side (rearward) of the rod conveyor 420 by the rod 424 in the region AR. Therefore, the crop 10 and the vines are effectively separated in the region AR.

[0041] Further, since the roller 451 is provided at the corner of the conveying conveyor 410 and the intersecting conveyor 430, the stay of the crop 10 at this corner is suppressed.

[0042] The intersecting conveyor 430 sends the crop 10 received from the conveying conveyor 410 toward another intersecting conveyor 440. Since another roller 452 is provided at the corner between the intersecting conveyor 430 and another intersecting conveyor 440, the stay of the crop 10 at this corner is suppressed.

[0043] Another intersecting conveyor 440 sends the crop 10 received from the intersecting conveyor 430 toward the storage section 230. In addition, the vines and the like that were not removed in the area AR are removed by the operator working on the workbench 220 during the conveyance of the crop 10 on another intersecting conveyor 440.

[0044] As described above, in the harvester 1 of the present embodiment, since the crop 10 is supported by the rod 424 configured separately from the conveying belt 413, it is possible to convey the crop 10 having a relatively large weight while avoiding an increase in the size of the conveying belt.

[0045] It is understood by those skilled in the art that the above-described exemplary embodiments are specific examples of the following aspects.

[0046] A harvester according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment includes a conveying unit that conveys a crop cultivated in a field toward a storage unit capable of storing the crop. The conveying unit includes a conveying conveyor that conveys the crop while supporting it from below, and a rod conveyor that conveys the crop together with the conveying conveyor while supporting the crop from behind in the conveying direction of the conveying conveyor. The conveying conveyor includes a conveying-side upstream roller disposed on the upstream side in the conveying direction, a conveying-side downstream roller disposed on the downstream side of the conveying-side upstream roller and above the conveying-side upstream roller in the conveying direction, and a conveying belt wound around the conveying-side upstream roller and the conveying-side downstream roller. The rod conveyor includes a rod-side upstream roller disposed on the upstream side in the conveying direction, a rod-side downstream roller disposed on the downstream side of the rod-side upstream roller and above the rod-side upstream roller in the conveying direction, a rod belt wound around the rod-side upstream roller and the rod-side downstream roller, and a plurality of rods held by the rod belt, each spaced apart from each other in the conveying direction. The distance between each of the plurality of rods is set to a size that allows the crop to pass through, and each of the rods supports the crop on the conveying belt from behind in the conveying direction.

[0047] In this harvester, since the crop is supported by rods configured separately from the conveying belt, it is possible to convey a crop of relatively large weight while avoiding an increase in the size of the conveying belt.

[0048] Further, it is preferable that the rotation center axis of the conveying-side upstream roller is disposed above the lower end portion of the locus of the rod belt and below the rotation center axis of the rod-side upstream roller.

[0049] In this way, without the locus of the rod conveyor approaching the field, the upstream end portion of the conveying belt approaches the field, so that a distance between the rod and the conveying belt is ensured on the upstream side in the conveying direction. Therefore, the receiving depth of the crop on the upstream side of the conveying conveyor is ensured.

[0050] Further, the conveying unit is disposed on the downstream side of the conveying conveyor in the conveying direction, and further includes an intersecting conveyor that conveys the crop received from the conveying conveyor in a direction intersecting the conveying direction. The rod belt passes above the intersecting conveyor, and it is preferable that the rod belt is wound around the rod-side upstream roller and the rod-side downstream roller so that a region where the distance between the rod and the conveying conveyor or the intersecting conveyor in the vertical direction is equal to or greater than the size of the crop is formed.

[0051] In this aspect, while the crop is transferred from the conveying conveyor to the intersecting conveyor, the vines of the crop are conveyed to the downstream side of the rod conveyor by the rod in the region, so that the crop and the vines are effectively separated.

[0052] Further, the conveying unit is provided at a corner between the conveying conveyor and the intersecting conveyor, and it is preferable that the conveying unit further includes a roller that rotates while contacting the crop moving from the conveying conveyor toward the intersecting conveyor.

[0053] In this way, the retention of the crop at the corner between the conveying conveyor and the intersecting conveyor is suppressed.

[0054] Further, the conveying unit is disposed on the downstream side of the intersecting conveyor in the conveying direction of the intersecting conveyor, and includes another intersecting conveyor that conveys the crop received from the intersecting conveyor in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the intersecting conveyor, and is provided at a corner between the intersecting conveyor and the other intersecting conveyor. It is preferable that the conveying unit further includes another roller that rotates while contacting the crop moving from the intersecting conveyor toward the other intersecting conveyor.

[0055] In this way, the retention of the crop at the corner between the intersecting conveyor and the other intersecting conveyor is suppressed.

[0056] Further, a pickup unit is provided upstream of the conveying unit in the conveying direction, which picks up the crop from the field and sends the crop to the conveying unit. The pickup unit includes a pickup conveyor that conveys the crop toward the conveying unit while supporting the crop from below, and a clamping unit that clamps the crop from both sides and sends the crop to the conveying unit together with the pickup conveyor. It is preferable that the pickup conveyor and the clamping unit are inclined so as to gradually separate from the field as they approach the conveying conveyor.

[0057] In this case, the movement locus of the rod has an upstream arc portion along the rod-side upstream roller, and an upper straight portion located above the conveying belt and extending linearly from the upstream arc portion toward the downstream side in the moving direction of the rod. It is preferable that the downstream end of the pickup conveyor is separated from the movement locus of the rod and is located above the boundary between the upstream arc portion and the upper straight portion of the outer edge of the movement locus of the rod.

[0058] In this way, it is possible to prevent the crop sent from the pickup conveyor to the conveying belt from being pushed back by the rod.

[0059] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the description of the above embodiments, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0060] 1 Harvester, 10 Crops, 100 Traveling Machine, 200 Machine Frame, 210 Driver's Seat, 220 Workbench, 230 Storage Section, 300 Pickup Section, 310 Pickup Conveyor, 320 Clamping Section, 400 Conveyor Section, 410 Conveyor Belt, 411 Upstream Roller on Conveyor Side, 412 Downstream Roller on Conveyor Side, 413 Conveyor Belt, 420 Rod Conveyor, 421 Upstream Roller on Rod Side, 422 Downstream Roller on Rod Side, 423 Rod Belt, 424T Movement Locus, 424 Rod, 430 Intersection Conveyor, 435 Inclined Plate, 440 Other Intersection Conveyor, 451 Roller, 452 Other Roller, AR Region, T1 Upstream Arc Portion, T2 Upper Straight Portion.

Claims

1. A conveying unit is provided to convey crops cultivated in a farm field to a storage unit capable of storing the crops, The conveying unit is a conveyor that conveys the crop while supporting it from below; a rod conveyor that supports the crop from behind the crop in the conveying direction of the conveyor and conveys the crop together with the conveyor, The transport conveyor is a conveying-side upstream roller disposed on the upstream side in the conveying direction; a downstream roller disposed downstream of the upstream roller in the conveying direction and above the upstream roller; a conveyor belt wound around the conveyor-side upstream roller and the conveyor-side downstream roller, The rod conveyor is a rod-side upstream roller disposed on the upstream side in the conveying direction; a rod-side downstream roller disposed downstream of the rod-side upstream roller in the conveying direction and above the rod-side upstream roller; a rod belt wound around the rod side upstream roller and the rod side downstream roller; a plurality of rods each spaced apart from one another in the conveying direction and held by the rod belt; a distance between each of the rods is set to a value that allows the passage of the crops; Each rod supports the crop on the conveyor belt from behind in the conveying direction, a rotation direction of the rod-side upstream roller and the rod-side downstream roller is the same as a rotation direction of the conveying-side upstream roller and the conveying-side downstream roller, A harvester, wherein a rotation center axis of the transport-side upstream roller is disposed above a lower end of a trajectory of the rod belt and below a rotation center axis of the rod-side upstream roller.

2. A pickup unit is provided upstream of the conveying unit in the conveying direction, and the pickup unit picks up the crop from the field and sends the crop to the conveying unit. The pickup unit includes: a pickup conveyor that supports the crop from below and transports the crop toward the transport section; a clamping unit that clamps the crop from both sides and sends it to the conveying unit together with the pickup conveyor, The harvester according to claim 1 , wherein the pickup conveyor and the clamping unit are inclined so as to be gradually moved away from the field as they approach the transport conveyor.

3. The movement trajectory of the rod is an upstream arc portion along the rod-side upstream roller; an upper straight portion located above the conveyor belt and extending in a straight line from the upstream arc portion toward a downstream side in the moving direction of the rod, A harvester as described in claim 2, wherein the downstream end of the pickup conveyor is spaced from the movement trajectory of the rod and is located above the boundary portion between the upstream arc portion and the upper straight portion of the outer edge of the movement trajectory of the rod.

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