Harvesting and conveying device and corn harvester

Abstract

To provide a harvesting / conveying device and corn harvester capable of preventing cornstalks from winding around a roller.SOLUTION: A plate component 91 having a facing part 92 facing a blade part 63 from behind is provided at the rear of the blade part 63 of a stalk roller 23. This configuration can prevent cornstalks from winding around a part rearward the facing part 92 on a rear shaft of the stalk roller 23. Further, a mounting position of the plate component 91 relative to a harvesting-part frame 41 is adjustable, so as to appropriately adjust a distance between the facing part 92 of the plate component 91 and the blade part 63, and prevents the cornstalks from winding around the rear shaft between the facing part 92 and the blade part 63.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a harvesting and conveying device for harvesting and conveying corn ear-shaped bodies, and a corn harvester equipped with the same.

Background Art

[0002] In a corn harvester, at its front end, there is provided a harvesting and conveying device for harvesting a corn ear-shaped body (in which corn grains are connected in an ear shape and are wrapped by husks) and conveying it rearward. The corn ear-shaped body is conveyed from the harvesting and conveying device to a threshing device and undergoes threshing processing (husking of the husks and grain extraction of the grains) by the threshing device.

[0003] In the harvesting and conveying device, a plurality of dividers are arranged side by side in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction). The harvesting and conveying device is also provided with a pair of left and right deck plates, a pair of left and right stalk rollers, and a pair of left and right conveying chains between the respective dividers. There is a gap between the left and right deck plates. The left and right stalk rollers are each rotatably provided about a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction below the left and right deck plates. The left stalk roller is rotated clockwise when viewed from the front side, and the right stalk roller is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the front side. The left and right conveying chains are each provided above the left and right deck plates. The conveying chain is wound around a driving sprocket and a driven sprocket arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction. The driving sprocket and the driven sprocket are each rotatably provided about a rotation axis extending in the up-down direction. The left conveying chain is circulated clockwise when viewed from above, and the right conveying chain is circulated counterclockwise when viewed from above.

[0004] In the field, corn is planted in rows. When harvesting the corn, one row of the corn planted in the field is introduced between adjacent dividers, and the stalks of the corn are introduced between the left and right deck plates, between the left and right stalk rollers, and between the left and right conveying chains. As the stalk rollers rotate, the left and right stalk rollers lock onto the stalks of the corn, and the blade portions pull down the stalks. At this time, the corn ear bodies attached to the stalks are received by the deck plates, and the corn ear bodies are separated from the stalks. The corn ear bodies separated from the stalks are conveyed rearward on the deck plates by the conveying chains.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In such a configuration, the stalks of the corn may be wound around the rear end portion of the stalk roller. When the stalks are wound around the rear end portion of the stalk roller, the stalk roller may stop rotating, or the stalk roller may be pushed forward, and a thrust load (axial load) may be applied to the bearing that supports the front end portion of the stalk roller, which may reduce the durability of the bearing.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a harvesting and conveying device and a corn harvester that can prevent the stalks of the corn from being wound around the roller (stalk roller).

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] To achieve the above object, a harvesting and conveying device according to one aspect of the present invention is a harvesting and conveying device provided at the front end of a corn harvester for harvesting and conveying a corn ear-shaped body, and includes a frame and a roller rotatably supported by the frame about a rotation axis whose shaft portion extends in the front-rear direction of the corn harvester. By rotation about the rotation axis, a blade portion extending from the shaft portion locks onto a corn stalk and pulls down the corn stalk. The device also includes a plate component that is adjustably attached to the frame and has an opposing portion that faces the blade portion from the rear side in the front-rear direction.

[0009] According to this configuration, as the roller rotates, the blade portion of the roller locks onto the corn stalk, and the blade portion pulls down the corn stalk. At this time, the downward movement of the corn ear-shaped body attached to the corn stalk is blocked, so that the corn ear-shaped body separates from the corn stalk.

[0010] There is a portion without a blade portion at least at the root side end (rear end) of the shaft portion of the roller, and this portion is supported by the frame via a bearing or the like. Therefore, after the corn ear-shaped body separates from the corn stalk, the corn stalk may wrap around the root side end of the shaft portion, that is, the portion on the rear side in the front-rear direction with respect to the blade portion.

[0011] Therefore, a plate component having an opposing portion that faces the blade portion from the rear side in the front-rear direction is provided. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the corn stalk from wrapping around the portion of the shaft portion on the root side with respect to the opposing portion. Further, since the attachment position of the plate component to the frame is adjustable, by appropriately adjusting the distance between the opposing portion of the plate component and the blade portion, it is possible to suppress the corn stalk from wrapping around the shaft portion between the opposing portion and the blade portion.

[0012] Therefore, it is possible to satisfactorily suppress the wrapping of the corn stalks around the roller. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of poor rotation of the roller due to the wrapping of the corn stalks around the roller. Further, the blade portion is not pushed forward by the corn stalks wrapped around the roller, and it is possible to suppress the application of a thrust load (axial load) to bearings or the like that support the roller, thereby improving the durability of the bearings or the like.

[0013] The opposing portion has a plate shape extending in the left-right direction of the corn harvester, and the plate component has a plate shape extending from the left end in the left-right direction of the opposing portion to one side in the front-rear direction, and has a left mounting portion formed with a left mounting hole that is longer in the front-rear direction than in the up-down direction, and a plate shape extending from the right end in the left-right direction of the opposing portion to one side in the front-rear direction, and has a right mounting portion formed with a right mounting hole that is longer in the front-rear direction than in the up-down direction, and may be configured to be attached to the frame by bolts inserted into the left mounting hole and the right mounting hole, respectively.

[0014] With this configuration, the mounting position of the plate component with respect to the frame can be adjusted.

[0015] The plate component may have a plate-shaped first reinforcing portion that extends from the lower end in the up-down direction of the opposing portion to the side opposite to one side in the front-rear direction and extends in the left-right direction.

[0016] With this configuration, the strength of the plate component can be increased. As a result, it is possible to suppress deformation of the plate component due to the opposing portion of the plate component being struck by the corn stalks.

[0017] The plate component may have a plate-shaped second reinforcing portion provided across the opposing portion and the first reinforcing portion.

[0018] With this configuration, the strength of the plate component can be further increased.

[0019] Also, in a configuration where the plate component has a second reinforcing portion, a mounting hole that is longer in the front-rear direction than in the vertical direction is formed through the second reinforcing portion, and the plate component may be attached to the frame by a bolt inserted through the mounting hole.

[0020] With this configuration, the mounting strength of the plate component to the frame can be increased.

[0021] Two second reinforcing portions may be provided at intervals in the left-right direction.

[0022] The plate component may further have a plate-shaped third reinforcing portion that is provided across the opposing portion and the first reinforcing portion at the center between the two second reinforcing portions.

[0023] With this configuration, the strength of the plate component can be further increased.

[0024] The roller may have a guiding portion on the tip side with respect to the blade portion, where a spiral ridge is formed on a conical circumferential surface that tapers toward the tip side, and guides the corn stalk to the blade portion.

[0025] By providing the guiding portion on the tip side with respect to the blade portion, it is possible to prevent the corn stalk from wrapping around the portion of the shaft portion that is on the tip side of the blade portion.

[0026] A corn harvester according to another aspect of the present invention includes a machine body, a pair of left and right traveling devices that support the machine body and are driven by the power of a power source provided in the machine body, and a harvesting and conveying device that is provided in front of the machine body and the traveling devices and harvests and conveys a corn ear-shaped body. The harvesting and conveying device includes a frame, a roller in which a shaft portion centered on a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction is rotatably supported by the frame, and by rotation centered on the rotation axis, a blade portion extending from the circumferential surface of the shaft portion locks to the corn stalk and pulls down the corn stalk, and a plate component that is detachably attached to the frame and has an opposing portion that opposes the blade portion from the rear side in the front-rear direction.

[0027] In this corn harvester, the same operational effects as those described for the harvesting and conveying device according to one aspect of the present invention can be achieved.

Effects of the Invention

[0028] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the wrapping of corn stalks around the rollers. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of poor rotation of the rollers due to the wrapping of corn stalks around them. In addition, it is possible to suppress the application of thrust loads to bearings that support the rollers, etc., and the durability of the bearings, etc., is improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] <Overall Configuration of the Corn Harvester> FIG. 1 is a right side view of a corn harvester 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the corn harvester 1.

[0032] The corn harvester 1 is an agricultural machine that harvests corn ear-shaped bodies (where corn grains are connected in an ear shape and are wrapped by husks) while traveling in the field and threshes the corn ear-shaped bodies (removes the husks and extracts the corn grains).

[0033] In the following description, the forward direction of the corn harvester 1 is taken as the front, and the reverse direction of the corn harvester 1 is taken as the rear. And when looking at the corn harvester 1 from the rear, the left side in the width direction is taken as the left, and the right side in the width direction is taken as the right.

[0034] As a traveling device having the ability to travel on rough ground such as a field, the corn harvester 1 employs a pair of left and right crawler traveling devices 2. The body frame 3 is supported by the left and right crawler traveling devices 2, and the power of the engine 4 provided on the body frame 3 is transmitted to the crawler traveling devices 2 via the transmission 5.

[0035] In addition, a cabin 6, a threshing device 7, and a grain tank 8 are provided on the machine body frame 3. In front of the crawler traveling device 2 and the machine body frame 3, a harvesting and conveying device 9 for harvesting the corn cob-shaped body and conveying it rearward is provided. Between the threshing device 7 and the harvesting and conveying device 9, a feeder 10 for conveying the corn cob-shaped body from the harvesting and conveying device 9 toward the threshing device 7 is provided.

[0036] The cabin 6 is arranged on the front end portion of the machine body frame 3. The cabin 6 provides a space inside for the driver to board, and in this space, for example, a driver's seat 11 on which the driver sits, an operation lever 12 operated by the driver, etc. are arranged. On the right side surface of the cabin 6, an openable and closable door 13 is provided, and the driver can open the door 13 and get into the cabin 6.

[0037] The threshing device 7 is arranged at the left rear of the cabin 6. The grain tank 8 is arranged behind the cabin 6 and to the right of the threshing device 7. In the threshing device 7, the husk is stripped from the corn cob-shaped body conveyed by the feeder 10, and the corn kernels (seed kernels) are removed from the corn cob-shaped body from which the husk has been stripped. The corn kernels are conveyed from the threshing device 7 to the grain tank 8 and stored in the grain tank 8. An unloader 14 is connected to the grain tank 8, and the corn kernels stored in the grain tank 8 can be discharged outside the machine by the unloader 14.

[0038] <Harvesting and Conveying Device> Figure 3 is a top view of the harvesting and conveying device 9. Figure 4 is a front view of the harvesting and conveying device 9 (viewed from the front). Figure 5 is a bottom view of the harvesting and conveying device 9.

[0039] The harvesting and conveying device 9 is provided with four dividers 21. The four dividers 21 are arranged side by side at intervals in the left - right direction. Further, the harvesting and conveying device 9 is provided, for each of the spaces between the left - right adjacent dividers 21 (hereinafter simply referred to as "between the dividers 21"), with a pair of left - right receiving plates 22, a pair of left - right stalk rollers 23, a pair of left - right conveying mechanisms 24, and an auger 25.

[0040] <Divider> The left - most divider 21, in plan view, has a left - end edge 31 extending in the front - rear direction and a right - end edge 32 extending obliquely with respect to the front - rear direction such that the right - end edge 32 approaches the left - end edge 31 toward the front. The right - most divider 21, in plan view, has a right - end edge 33 extending in the front - rear direction and a left - end edge 34 extending obliquely with respect to the front - rear direction such that the left - end edge 34 approaches the right - end edge 33 toward the front. The left - most divider 21 and the right - most divider 21 are symmetric with respect to a straight line extending in the front - rear direction passing through the center in the left - right direction of the harvesting and conveying device 9 in plan view.

[0041] The two inner dividers 21 arranged between the left - and right - most dividers 21 have the same configuration and are formed in a substantially isosceles triangle shape extending obliquely with respect to the front - rear direction such that the left - end edge 35 and the right - end edge 36 approach each other toward the front in plan view.

[0042] The tip portions of the four dividers 21 are arranged on a straight line extending in the left - right direction at equal intervals in the left - right direction. Except for the tip portions of the four dividers 21, the left - end edge 35 of the two inner dividers 21 is parallel to the left - end edge 34 of the right - most divider 21, and the right - end edge 36 of the two inner dividers 21 is parallel to the right - end edge 32 of the left - most divider 21. As a result, a guiding space 37 with a narrower width in the left - right direction toward the rear is formed between each pair of dividers 21.

[0043] <Deck plate> The pair of left and right receiving plates 22 are each plate-shaped and extend in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. They are arranged side by side in the left-right direction behind the guide space 37 and are supported by the harvesting frame 41 of the harvesting and conveying device 9. A stem entry path 42 extending linearly in the front-rear direction is provided with a space between the left and right receiving plates 22.

[0044] <Stalk roller> FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a pair of left and right stalk rollers 23.

[0045] The pair of left and right stalk rollers 23 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction below the pair of left and right receiving plates 22. That is, the left stalk roller 23 is provided below the left receiving plate 22, and the right stalk roller 23 paired with the left stalk roller 23 is provided at the same height as the left stalk roller 23 below the right receiving plate 22 paired with the left receiving plate 22.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the stalk roller 23.

[0047] The stalk roller 23 includes a front shaft portion 43 rotatably provided about a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction, a rear shaft portion 44 provided at a distance from the front shaft portion 43 in the front-rear direction and rotatably provided about a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction, a guide portion 45 provided to protrude forward from the front shaft portion 43, and eight blade component parts 46 installed between the front shaft portion 43 and the rear shaft portion 44 and arranged side by side in the rotation direction (circumferential direction) of the front shaft portion 43 and the rear shaft portion 44.

[0048] Note that FIG. 7 shows a state in which one blade component part 46 is removed.

[0049] The front shaft portion 43 integrally has a cylindrical portion 51, a flange portion 52, a large cylindrical portion 53, and a cylindrical column portion 54. The cylindrical portion 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the rotation axis of the front shaft portion 43 as the center line. The flange portion 52 is formed in a disk shape with the rotation axis of the front shaft portion 43 as the center line, is connected to the front end of the cylindrical portion 51, and its outer periphery protrudes around the circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 51. The large cylindrical portion 53 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending forward from the outer peripheral edge of the flange portion 52. The cylindrical column portion 54 is formed in a columnar shape with the rotation axis of the front shaft portion 43 as the center line and extends forward from the flange portion 52.

[0050] The rear shaft portion 44 integrally has a cylindrical portion 55 and a flange portion 56. The cylindrical portion 55 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the rotation axis of the front shaft portion 43 as the center line. The flange portion 56 is formed in an annular plate shape protruding around from the central portion in the front-rear direction of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 55.

[0051] The guide portion 45 is provided in front of the flange portion 52 of the front shaft portion 43. The guide portion 45 has a conical circumferential surface 57 with the rotation axis of the front shaft portion 43 as the center line. A spiral ridge 58 is formed on the circumferential surface 57. The cylindrical column portion 54 of the front shaft portion 43 is non-rotatably coupled to the guide portion 45, and the guide portion 45 rotates integrally with the front shaft portion 43.

[0052] The blade component 46 is provided straddling the cylindrical portion 51 of the front shaft portion 43 and the portion in front of the flange portion 56 in the cylindrical portion 55 of the rear shaft portion 44. The blade component 46 is formed in a rectangular plate shape extending long in the front-rear direction, and has a contact portion 61 that contacts the outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical portions 51 and 55, and plate-shaped overlapping portions 62 that extend in the radial direction of the cylindrical portions 51 and 55 from both ends in the short side direction of the contact portion 61 (both ends in the rotation direction of the front shaft portion 43 and the rear shaft portion 44). The overlapping portion 62 is formed over the entire length in the front-rear direction of the contact portion 61, and its front end portion is formed in a triangular plate shape that tapers toward the front.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a front view of a pair of left and right stalk rollers 23.

[0054] The blade component parts 46 adjacent to each other in the rotational direction of the front shaft part 43 and the rear shaft part 44 have their overlapping parts 62 overlapped. Then, the overlapped overlapping parts 62 are welded at a plurality of positions spaced apart in the front-rear direction, whereby the adjacent blade component parts 46 are connected in a state of being fixed to each other. The abutting part 61 of each blade component part 46 is fixed to the cylindrical part 51 of the front shaft part 43 and the cylindrical part 55 of the rear shaft part 44 by welding. As a result, the abutting parts 61 of the eight blade component parts 46 form a substantially octagonal column shape with the rotation axis of the front shaft part 43 and the rear shaft part 44 as the center line. Further, the overlapped overlapping part 62 constitutes a blade part 63 extending in the radial direction of the cylindrical parts 51, 55 from the cylindrical parts 51, 55, and the eight blade parts 63 extend radially in the radial direction of the cylindrical parts 51, 55 at equal angular intervals from the cylindrical parts 51, 55 so as to be octagonally symmetric.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 7, an inner ring of a bearing 64 is externally fitted to the cylindrical part 54 of the front shaft part 43 in a non-rotatable relative manner. As shown in FIG. 6, an outer ring of the bearing 64 is non-rotatably held by a holder 65 supported by the harvesting part frame 41. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, a collar 59 is externally fitted to a portion behind the flange part 56 in the cylindrical part 55 of the rear shaft part 44 in a relatively rotatable manner. As shown in FIG. 6, the collar 59 is non-rotatably held by a gear case 66 fixed to the harvesting part frame 41. As a result, the stalk roller 23 is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction, in other words, is supported by the harvesting part frame 41 so as to be rotatable with the center line of the front shaft part 43 and the rear shaft part 44 as the rotation axis.

[0056] Although not shown, in the gear case 66, a drive transmission member is non-rotatably coupled to the cylindrical part 55 of the rear shaft part 44, and a driving force is transmitted from the drive transmission member. Due to the driving force transmitted to the cylindrical part 55, in the pair of left and right stalk rollers 23, the left stalk roller 23 is rotated clockwise, and the right stalk roller 23 is rotated counterclockwise.

[0057] <Conveying mechanism> FIG. 9 is a top view showing the configuration of the transport mechanism 24.

[0058] A pair of left and right transport mechanisms 24 are provided side by side in the left - right direction above a pair of left and right receiving plates 22. That is, the left transport mechanism 24 is provided above the left receiving plate 22, and the right stalk roller 23 that pairs with the left stalk roller 23 is provided above the right receiving plate 22 that pairs with the left receiving plate 22.

[0059] The transport mechanism 24 includes a drive sprocket 71, a driven sprocket 72, and a transport chain 73.

[0060] A drive shaft 74 to which a driving force is transmitted from a driving transmission member (not shown) is rotatably held in the gear case 66. The drive shaft 74 protrudes upward from the gear case 66, and the drive sprocket 71 is non - rotatably coupled to the portion of the drive shaft 74 that protrudes from the gear case 66.

[0061] A bracket 75 is fixed to the front end portion of the receiving plate 22, and a driven shaft 76 is rotatably held in the bracket 75 via a bearing (not shown). The driven shaft 76 is arranged at the same position as the drive shaft 74 in the left - right direction and at a position spaced in the front - rear direction from the drive shaft 74. The driven shaft 76 protrudes above the receiving plate 22, and the driven sprocket 72 is non - rotatably coupled to the portion of the driven shaft 76 that protrudes above the receiving plate 22.

[0062] The transport chain 73 is wound around the drive sprocket 71 and the driven sprocket 72. A plurality of locking portions 77 are provided at equal intervals on the transport chain 73. The locking portion 77 is formed in a substantially triangular plate shape protruding from the outer periphery of the transport chain 73. Specifically, the end face facing rearward between the pair of left and right transport mechanisms 24 is relatively largely inclined with respect to the front - rear direction, and the end face facing forward between the pair of left and right transport mechanisms 24 is relatively small inclined with respect to the front - rear direction, forming a substantially triangular plate shape.

[0063] Due to the driving force transmitted from the drive shaft 74 to the drive sprocket 71, in the pair of left and right conveying mechanisms 24, the conveying chain 73 of the left conveying mechanism 24 is circulated clockwise when viewed from above, and the conveying chain 73 of the right conveying mechanism 24 is circulated counterclockwise when viewed from above.

[0064] <Cover> As shown in FIG. 3, the conveying mechanism 24 is covered from above by a cover 81 provided behind each divider 21. The cover 81 provided behind the two inner dividers 21 in the left - right direction is configured to be openable and closable between a closed posture covering the conveying mechanism 24 and an open posture exposing the conveying mechanism 24 about a swing shaft 82 extending in the left - right direction at its rear part.

[0065] FIG. 10 is a cross - sectional view seen from the right when the front end of the harvesting and conveying device 9 is cut along a cross - section in the front - rear direction.

[0066] An opening and holding mechanism 83 is provided inside the cover 81 configured to be openable and closable. The opening and holding mechanism 83 includes a guide member 84 and a holding rod 85. The guide member 84 is fixed to the harvesting unit frame 41 and has a portion extending in the front - rear direction and the up - down direction, and a guide hole 86 extending in the front - rear direction is formed in that portion. One end of the holding rod 85 is rotatably (swingably) connected to the cover 81 about a rotation axis extending in the left - right direction. The other end of the holding rod 85 is inserted into the guide hole 86 and is held by the guide hole 86 so as to be movable along the guide hole 86.

[0067] When the cover 81 is in the closed position, the other end of the holding rod 85 is located at the rear end of the guide hole 86. When the cover 81 is rotationally displaced from the closed position to the open position, the other end of the holding rod 85 moves forward in the guide hole 86 along with the rotational displacement. At the front end of the guide hole 86, a lower locking portion 87 recessed downward in a semicircular shape from the guide hole 86 and an upper locking portion 88 recessed upward in a semicircular shape from the guide hole 86 are formed. When the cover 81 is in the open position, the other end (lower end) of the holding rod 85 fits into the lower locking portion 87, and the movement of the holding rod 85 is blocked. As a result, the cover 81 is held in the open position.

[0068] When the cover 81 is rotationally displaced from the open position to the closed position, the front end of the cover 81 is slightly lifted, and the other end of the holding rod 85 is disengaged from the lower locking portion 87. Then, the other end of the holding rod 85 is guided into the guide hole 86, and as the cover 81 is rotationally displaced from the open position to the closed position, the other end of the holding rod 85 moves backward in the guide hole 86. When the cover 81 is in the closed position, the other end of the holding rod 85 returns to the position at the rear end of the guide hole 86.

[0069] When the cover 81 is held in the closed position, if the operator's arm or shoulder hits the front end of the cover 81 from below, the front end of the cover 81 may be lifted unintentionally by the operator, and the other end of the holding rod 85 may be disengaged from the lower locking portion 87. At this time, if the other end of the holding rod 85 that has been disengaged from the lower locking portion 87 enters the guide hole 86, the cover 81 may be displaced by its own weight from the open position toward the closed position. Therefore, the upper locking portion 88 is formed. As a result, even if the front end of the cover 81 is lifted unintentionally by the operator and the other end of the holding rod 85 is disengaged from the lower locking portion 87, the other end of the holding rod 85 fits into the upper locking portion 88. Then, when the front end of the cover 81 drops by its own weight, the other end of the holding rod 85 fits into the lower locking portion 87 again. As a result, it is possible to suppress the cover 81 from being rotationally displaced from the open position to the closed position unintentionally by the operator.

[0070] <Harvesting operation> In the field, the corn is planted in rows. When harvesting the corn, the left - right position of the corn harvester 1 is adjusted so that one row of the corn stalks planted in the field enters the guide space 37 between the dividers 21, and the corn harvester 1 moves forward. As the corn harvester 1 moves forward, the corn stalks are guided by the dividers 21 and enter from the guide space 37 into the stalk entry path 42 between a pair of left - right receiving plates 22, between a pair of left - right stalk rollers 23, and between a pair of left - right conveying mechanisms 24. Then, when the corn stalks reach between the guide portions 45 of the left - right stalk rollers 23, the corn stalks are guided by the guide portions 45 and introduced between the blade portions 63 of the left - right stalk rollers 23.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 8, for a pair of left - right stalk rollers 23, the distance between their rotation axes, the outer diameters of the cylindrical portions 51, 55, and the length of the blade portions 63 are designed such that a part of the circular locus TL drawn by the blade portion 63 of the left stalk roller 23 overlaps with a part of the circular locus TR drawn by the blade portion 63 of the right stalk roller 23 when they rotate. Further, by adjusting the overlap amount between a part of the circular locus TL and a part of the circular locus TR, the pair of left - right stalk rollers 23 are designed such that a maximum of two blade portions 63 from each of the left and right sides lock to the corn stalks that enter between the left - right blade portions 63. Therefore, a total of up to four blade portions 63 lock to the corn stalks, and as the stalk rollers 23 rotate, the corn stalks are pulled downward by the blade portions 63.

[0072] The width of the stalk entry path 42 between the pair of left - right receiving plates 22 is set to a width through which the corn ear - like bodies cannot pass. Therefore, when the corn stalks are pulled downward, the corn ear - like bodies attached to the corn stalks are received by the receiving plates 22, and the corn ear - like bodies are separated from the corn stalks. The conveying chain 73 runs in a circular motion, and by the locking portion 77 of the circularly - running conveying chain 73 locking to the corn ear - like bodies separated from the corn stalks, the corn ear - like bodies are conveyed rearward on the receiving plates 22.

[0073] <Plate component> FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the rear end portion of the stalk roller 23 as viewed from the lower left front. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the rear end portion of the stalk roller 23 as viewed from the lower left rear.

[0074] After the corn cob is removed from the corn stalk, the corn stalk remains in the state of being planted in the field. Therefore, if the rear shaft portion 44 of the stalk roller 23 is exposed, after the corn stalk passes between the blade portions 63 of the left and right stalk rollers 23, the corn stalk may be wound around the rear shaft portion 44.

[0075] Therefore, a plate component 91 is provided behind the blade portion 63 of the stalk roller 23.

[0076] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the plate component 91 as viewed from the upper left rear. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the plate component 91 as viewed from the upper right rear.

[0077] The plate component 91 is formed, for example, by bending a metal plate into a plate shape extending in the left - right direction and the up - down direction, and has an opposing portion 92 that opposes the blade portions 63 of a pair of left and right stalk rollers 23 from the rear in a lump, a left attachment portion 93 formed in a plate shape extending forward from the left end of the opposing portion 92, a right attachment portion 94 formed in a plate shape extending forward from the right end of the opposing portion 92, and a first reinforcing portion 95 formed in a plate shape extending rearward in the left - right direction with a predetermined width from the lower end of the opposing portion 92.

[0078] Two left attachment holes 96 are formed through the left attachment portion 93. Two right attachment holes 97 are formed through the right attachment portion 94. Both the left attachment holes 96 and the right attachment holes 97 are long holes that are longer in the front - rear direction than in the up - down direction.

[0079] Further, the plate component 91 has two second reinforcing parts 98. One of the second reinforcing parts 98 is formed in a substantially triangular plate shape that extends in the front-rear direction straddling the opposing part 92 and the left end part of the first reinforcing part 95, and the other second reinforcing part 98 is formed in a substantially triangular plate shape that extends in the front-rear direction straddling the opposing part 92 and the right end part of the first reinforcing part 95. The second reinforcing part 98 is fixed to the opposing part 92 and the first reinforcing part 95 by welding. A mounting hole 99 formed of a long hole that is longer in the front-rear direction than in the vertical direction penetrates the second reinforcing part 98.

[0080] Furthermore, the plate component 91 has a third reinforcing part 101 at the center between the two second reinforcing parts 98. The third reinforcing part 101 is formed in a substantially triangular plate shape that extends in the front-rear direction straddling the opposing part 92 and the first reinforcing part 95, and is fixed to the opposing part 92 and the first reinforcing part 95 by welding.

[0081] Also, on the opposing part 92, a receiving part 102 for receiving the flange parts 56 of the rear shaft parts 44 of the left and right stalk rollers 23 is formed as a recess that is recessed downward from the upper end. The mounting position of the plate component 91 is adjusted so that the left and right flange parts 56 are received by the receiving part 102. By adjusting this mounting position, as shown in FIG. 11, the plate component 91 has the opposing part 92 oppose the blade part 63 of the stalk roller 23 without leaving a gap into which the corn stalk can enter. Then, in the state where the position of the plate component 91 is adjusted, the plate component 91 is fixed to the harvesting part frame 41 by bolts 103 that are respectively inserted into two left mounting holes 96, two right mounting holes 97, and two mounting holes 99.

[0082] <Carriage frame> FIG. 15 is a rear view (viewed from the rear) of the harvesting and conveying device 9.

[0083] The harvesting and conveying device 9 includes a conveying unit frame 111. As shown in FIG. 5, the conveying unit frame 111 is provided behind the harvesting unit frame 41. As shown in FIG. 15, the conveying unit frame 111 includes a left wall portion 112, a bottom plate portion 113, and a rear wall portion 114. Although not shown in the figure, the conveying unit frame 111 also includes a right wall portion that is disposed opposite to the left wall portion 112 with a space therebetween on the right side. The bottom plate portion 113 is provided so as to span between the left wall portion 112 and the right wall portion. The rear wall portion 114 extends upward continuously from the rear end of the bottom plate portion 113.

[0084] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the auger 25, the bottom plate portion 113, and the rear wall portion 114 of the conveying unit frame 111 as viewed from the upper right front.

[0085] The bottom plate portion 113 has an arc shape in which a cross section cut along a cutting plane in the front-rear direction bulges downward.

[0086] A rectangular opening 115 is formed through the left end portion of the rear wall portion 114. A part below the opening 115 is blocked by the bottom plate portion 113, and the opening 115 functions as a discharge port for discharging the corn cob-shaped body at the portion not blocked by the bottom plate portion 113. Hereinafter, the portion that functions as the discharge port in the opening 115 is referred to as "discharge port 115".

[0087] The auger 25 is disposed above the bottom plate portion 113 and in front of the rear wall portion 114. The auger 25 includes an auger shaft 116 extending in the left-right direction and auger blades 117 provided around the auger shaft 116.

[0088] The auger shaft 116 is installed on the left wall portion 112 and the right wall portion of the conveying unit frame 111 and is rotatably supported by the left wall portion 112 and the right wall portion.

[0089] The auger blade 117 is configured to be divided into a left auger blade 118 and a right auger blade 119. The left auger blade 118 is formed in a left-handed spiral shape around the auger shaft 116 over a left opposing position that faces forward with respect to the central portion in the left-right direction of the discharge port 115 and the left end portion of the auger shaft 116. The right auger blade 119 is formed in a right-handed spiral shape around the auger shaft 116 over a right opposing position that faces forward with respect to the central portion in the left-right direction of the discharge port 115 and the right end portion of the auger shaft 116.

[0090] In the configuration shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the left opposing position where the right end of the left auger blade 118 is located and the right opposing position where the left end of the right auger blade 119 is located are the same position in the left-right direction and are the same as the central position of the discharge port 115 in the left-right direction. And the right end of the left auger blade 118 and the left end of the right auger blade 119 are in the same position in the left-right direction and are different in position in the rotation direction of the auger shaft 116.

[0091] Also, on the auger 25, a locking projection 121 is provided straddling the peripheral surface of the auger shaft 116 and the auger blade 117. A plurality of locking projections 121 are formed in a triangular plate shape straddling the peripheral surface of the auger shaft 116 and the right auger blade 119, and each locking projection 121 extends in the rotation axis direction of the auger shaft 116, that is, in the left-right direction. Also, one locking projection 121 is formed in a triangular plate shape straddling the peripheral surface of the auger shaft 116 and the left auger blade 118, and that locking projection 121 extends in the left-right direction. By providing the locking projection 121, the strength of the auger blade 117 (left auger blade 118 and right auger blade 119) is increased.

[0092] A driving force is transmitted to the auger shaft 116 from a drive transmission mechanism (not shown). The auger shaft 116 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the right by that driving force.

[0093] <Conveying operation> The corn cob-shaped body conveyed rearward by the pair of left and right conveying mechanisms 24 drops rearward from above the receiving plate 22 and is received by the bottom plate portion 113 of the conveying unit frame 111. The corn cob-shaped body received by the bottom plate portion 113 at a position to the left of the discharge port 115 is conveyed rightward by the left auger blade 118, and the corn cob-shaped body received by the bottom plate portion 113 at a position to the right of the discharge port 115 is conveyed leftward by the right auger blade 119. Then, the corn cob-shaped body conveyed to a position facing the discharge port 115 from the front is sandwiched between the left auger blade 118 and the right auger blade 119, and is discharged through the discharge port 115 by the rotation of the left auger blade 118 and the right auger blade 119. The corn cob-shaped body discharged from the discharge port 115 is conveyed by the feeder 10 toward the threshing device 7.

[0094] <Effect 1> As described above, a plate member 91 having an opposing portion 92 that opposes the blade portion 63 of the stalk roller 23 from the rear is provided behind the blade portion 63 of the stalk roller 23. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the corn stalk from winding around the portion of the rear shaft portion 44 of the stalk roller 23 that is behind the opposing portion 92. Further, since the mounting position of the plate member 91 with respect to the harvesting unit frame 41 is adjustable, the distance between the opposing portion 92 of the plate member 91 and the blade portion 63 can be appropriately adjusted, and it is possible to suppress the corn stalk from winding around the rear shaft portion 44 between the opposing portion 92 and the blade portion 63.

[0095] Therefore, it is possible to satisfactorily suppress the corn stalk from winding around the stalk roller 23 (the entire rear shaft portion 44). As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of poor rotation of the stalk roller 23 due to the corn stalk winding around the stalk roller 23. Further, the blade portion 63 is not pushed forward by the corn stalk wound around the stalk roller 23, and it is possible to suppress the application of a thrust load (axial load) to the bearing 64 that supports the stalk roller 23, etc., and the durability of the bearing 64, etc. is improved.

[0096] The opposing part 92 is in the shape of a plate extending in the left - right direction of the corn harvester 1. The plate component 91 is in the shape of a plate extending forward from the left end of the opposing part 92, and has a left mounting part 93 in which a left mounting hole 96 that is longer in the front - rear direction than in the up - down direction is formed therethrough, and a right mounting part 94 in the shape of a plate extending forward from the right end of the opposing part 92, in which a right mounting hole 97 that is longer in the front - rear direction than in the up - down direction is formed therethrough. The plate component 91 is attached to the harvesting part frame 41 by bolts 103 respectively inserted into the left mounting hole 96 and the right mounting hole 97. With such a configuration, the mounting position of the plate component 91 with respect to the harvesting part frame 41 can be adjusted.

[0097] Also, the plate component 91 has a first reinforcing part 95 that extends rearward in the left - right direction with a predetermined width from the lower end of the opposing part 92. With this configuration, the strength of the plate component 91 can be increased. As a result, deformation of the plate component 91 due to the opposing part 92 of the plate component 91 being struck by the corn stalk can be suppressed.

[0098] The plate component 91 has a plate - shaped second reinforcing part 98 provided straddling the opposing part 92 and the first reinforcing part 95. With this configuration, the strength of the plate component 91 can be further increased.

[0099] Also, a mounting hole 99 that is longer in the front - rear direction than in the up - down direction is formed through the second reinforcing part 98. In addition to the bolts 103 inserted into the left mounting hole 96 and the right mounting hole 97, the plate component 91 is attached to the harvesting part frame 41 by bolts 103 inserted into the mounting hole 99. With this configuration, the mounting strength of the plate component 91 with respect to the harvesting part frame 41 can be increased.

[0100] The plate component 91 further has a plate - shaped third reinforcing part 101 provided straddling the opposing part 92 and the first reinforcing part 95 at the center between the two second reinforcing parts 98. With this configuration, the strength of the plate component 91 can be further increased.

[0101] The stalk roller 23 has a guide portion 45 that guides the corn stalk to the blade portion 63. A spiral ridge 58 is formed on a conical peripheral surface 57 that tapers towards the tip side with respect to the blade portion 63. By providing the guide portion 45, it is possible to prevent the corn stalk from winding around the front shaft portion 43 of the stalk roller 23.

[0102] <Effect 2> The blade portion 63 of the stalk roller 23 is octagonally symmetric. The distance between the rotation axes of the pair of left and right stalk rollers 23, the outer diameters of the cylindrical portions 51 and 55, and the length of the blade portion 63 are designed such that a part of the circular locus TL drawn by the blade portion 63 of the left stalk roller 23 overlaps with a part of the circular locus TR drawn by the blade portion 63 of the right stalk roller 23 during their rotation. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the blade portion 63 from cutting the corn stalk.

[0103] Also, in the configuration where the blade portion 63 is octagonally symmetric, it is easy to ensure a clearance for avoiding a collision between the blade portion 63 of the left stalk roller 23 and the blade portion 63 of the right stalk roller 23.

[0104] By preventing the blade portion 63 from cutting the corn stalk, it is possible to suppress the conveyance of the corn cobs in a state where the stalks are cut, and to suppress the retention of the stalks detached from the corn cobs inside the harvesting conveyance device 9 or inside the body of the corn harvester 1.

[0105] A pair of left and right stalk rollers 23 are provided below each of a pair of left and right receiving plates 22, and are designed such that two blade portions 63 each engage the corn stalks that have entered between the receiving plates 22 from both the left and right sides. In this configuration, since a total of four blade portions 63 engage the corn stalks, the force applied to the corn stalks from the blade portions 63 can be well dispersed, and the blade portions 63 can well pull down the corn stalks. As a result, the corn ear bodies can be well separated from the corn stalks, and it is possible to further suppress the remaining of the stalks detached from the corn ear bodies inside the harvesting and conveying device 9 or inside the body of the corn harvester 1.

[0106] The blade portions 63 may radially extend in the radial direction of the rear shaft portion 44 at equal angular intervals from the rear shaft portion 44.

[0107] Also, the stalk roller 23 includes eight blade component parts 46 arranged in the rotational direction of the rear shaft portion 44 around the rear shaft portion 44. The blade component parts 46 integrally have a contact portion 61 that contacts the rear shaft portion 44 and a overlapping portion 62 that is plate-shaped and extends in the radial direction of the rear shaft portion 44 from both ends in the rotational direction of the contact portion 61. And the blade portion 63 is configured by overlapping the overlapping portions 62 of the blade component parts 46 adjacent to each other in the rotational direction. With this configuration, the strength of the blade portion 63 can be increased.

[0108] <Function and Effect 3> The conveying unit frame 111 includes a bottom plate portion 113 and a rear wall portion 114 that continuously extends upward at the rear end of the bottom plate portion 113. A discharge port 115 is formed to penetrate the rear wall portion 114. Above the bottom plate portion 113 and in front of the rear wall portion 114, an auger 25 is rotatably provided about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction. The corn ear bodies conveyed rearward by the conveying mechanism 24 are received by the bottom plate portion 113 of the conveying unit frame 111. And the corn ear bodies received by the bottom plate portion 113 are conveyed on the bottom plate portion 113 toward the discharge port 115 along with the rotation of the auger 25, and are discharged through the discharge port 115.

[0109] The auger 25 includes an auger shaft 116 rotatably supported by a conveyance unit frame 111. Around the auger shaft 116, a left auger blade 118 and a right auger blade 119 are formed in a spiral shape that winds in opposite directions to each other. When the auger shaft 116 is rotated, the left auger blade 118 and the right auger blade 119 rotate integrally with the auger shaft 116. The corn cob-shaped body received by the bottom plate portion 113 at a position to the left of the discharge port 115 is conveyed rightward by the left auger blade 118, and the corn cob-shaped body received by the bottom plate portion 113 at a position to the right of the discharge port 115 is conveyed leftward by the right auger blade 119. And, since the left auger blade 118 is formed up to a left facing position that faces the central portion in the left-right direction of the discharge port 115 from the front, and the right auger blade 119 is formed up to a right facing position that faces the central portion of the discharge port 115 from the front, the corn cob-shaped body conveyed to a position between the left facing position and the right facing position is in a state of being sandwiched between the left auger blade 118 and the right auger blade 119, and is discharged through the discharge port 115 by the rotation of the left auger blade 118 and the right auger blade 119.

[0110] Therefore, with such a configuration, the scraping blade that was required to discharge the corn cob-shaped body from the discharge port in the conventional configuration is unnecessary. Since there is no scraping blade, it is possible to suppress the corn cob-shaped body from being flung forward by the auger 25. As a result, it is possible to reduce the head loss caused by the corn cob-shaped body being flung forward and falling onto the field.

[0111] The auger 25 further includes a plate-shaped locking projection 121 provided across the peripheral surface of the auger shaft 116 and the right auger blade 119.

[0112] In the configuration where the discharge port 115 is formed at a position offset to the left from the center in the left - right direction on the rear wall portion 114, the conveying distance of the corn cob - shaped body by the right auger blade 119 becomes longer than that in the configuration where the discharge port 115 is formed at the center in the left - right direction on the rear wall portion 114. Since the plate - shaped locking projection 121 is formed across the circumferential surface of the auger shaft 116 and the right auger blade 119, the locking projection 121 locks onto the corn cob - shaped body, and as the right auger blade 119 rotates, the corn cob - shaped body is conveyed smoothly without slipping relative to the right auger blade 119. As a result, the conveying performance of the corn cob - shaped body by the auger 25 can be improved.

[0113] <Modification example> As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been explained, but the present invention can also be implemented in other forms.

[0114] For example, in the above - mentioned embodiment, the left opposing position where the right end of the left auger blade 118 is located and the right opposing position where the left end of the right auger blade 119 is located are in the same position in the left - right direction, and also in the same position as the center position of the discharge port 115 in the left - right direction. However, in the left - right direction, the left opposing position and the right opposing position may be in the same position, and that position may be different from the center position of the discharge port 115. Also, the left opposing position may be located to the left of the center position of the discharge port 115 in the left - right direction, and the right opposing position may be located to the right of the center position of the discharge port 115 in the left - right direction.

[0115] Also, the configuration where the blade portion 63 of the stalk roller 23 extends in the radial direction of the rotation of the stalk roller 23 has been taken up, but the blade portion 63 may extend in a direction inclined with respect to the radial direction of the rotation of the stalk roller 23.

[0116] The blade portion 63 of the stalk roller 23 preferably has an octagonal symmetry, but may have a rotational symmetry of a four - fold symmetry, a six - fold symmetry, or a ten - fold symmetry or more.

[0117] Also, similar to the conventional configuration, the auger 25 may be provided with a scraping blade for discharging the corn cobs from the discharge port 115 between the left auger blade 118 and the right auger blade 119.

[0118] In addition, various design changes can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0119] 1: Corn Harvester 2: Crawler Traveling Device (Traveling Device) 4: Engine (Power Source) 9: Harvesting and Conveying Device 41: Harvesting Unit Frame (Frame) 43: Front Shaft Portion (Shaft Portion) 44: Rear Shaft Portion (Shaft Portion) 45: Guide 57: Peripheral Surface 58: Ridge 63: Blade Portion 91: Plate Component 92: Opposing Portion 93: Left Mounting Portion 94: Right Mounting Portion 95: First Reinforcing Portion 96: Left Mounting Hole 97: Right Mounting Hole 98: Second Reinforcing Portion 99: Mounting Hole 101: Third Reinforcing Portion 103: Bolt

Claims

1. A harvesting and conveying device provided at the front end of a corn harvester for harvesting and conveying corn ear-shaped bodies, comprising: a frame; a roller rotatably supported by the frame about a rotation axis whose shaft portion extends in the front-rear direction of the corn harvester, and by rotation about the rotation axis, a blade portion extending from the shaft portion locks onto a corn stalk and pulls down the corn stalk; a plate component adjustably mounted on the frame and having an opposing portion that opposes the blade portion from the rear side in the front-rear direction.

2. The opposing portion is plate-shaped and extends in the left-right direction of the corn harvester. The plate component has a left mounting portion that is plate-shaped and extends from the left end of the opposing portion in the left-right direction to one side in the front-rear direction, and a long left mounting hole in the front-rear direction rather than in the up-down direction is formed therethrough; has a right mounting portion that is plate-shaped and extends from the right end of the opposing portion in the left-right direction to the one side in the front-rear direction, and a long right mounting hole in the front-rear direction rather than in the up-down direction is formed therethrough, and is attached to the frame by bolts respectively inserted into the left mounting hole and the right mounting hole. The harvesting and conveying device according to claim 1.

3. The plate component has a plate-shaped first reinforcing portion that extends from the lower end of the opposing portion in the up-down direction to the side opposite to the one side in the front-rear direction and extends in the left-right direction. The harvesting and conveying device according to claim 2.

4. The plate component has a plate-shaped second reinforcing portion provided straddling the opposing portion and the first reinforcing portion. The harvesting and conveying device according to claim 3.

5. A long mounting hole in the front-rear direction rather than in the up-down direction is formed through the second reinforcing portion, and the plate component is attached to the frame by a bolt inserted into the mounting hole. The harvesting and conveying device according to claim 4.

6. Two second reinforcing portions are provided at intervals in the left-right direction. The harvesting and conveying device according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The plate component has a plate-shaped third reinforcing portion provided straddling the opposing portion and the first reinforcing portion at the center between the two second reinforcing portions. The harvesting and conveying device according to claim 6.

8. The roller according to claim 1, wherein a conical circumferential surface that tapers toward the tip side is formed on the tip side with respect to the blade portion, and a guide portion for guiding the corn stalk to the blade portion is formed with spiral ridges.

9. A machine body, A pair of left and right traveling devices that support the machine body and are driven by the power of a power source provided in the machine body, A harvesting and conveying device that is provided in front of the machine body and the traveling device and harvests and conveys corn cobs, The harvesting and conveying device includes A frame, A roller that is rotatably supported by the frame about a rotation axis whose shaft portion extends in the front-rear direction, and by rotation about the rotation axis, a blade portion extending from the shaft portion locks onto the corn stalk and pulls down the corn stalk, A corn harvester including a plate component that is adjustably attached to the frame and has an opposing portion that opposes the blade portion from the rear side in the front-rear direction.

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