Harvesting and conveying equipment and corn harvester

Abstract

To provide a harvesting / conveying device and corn harvester capable of preventing conveyance of a corn tuft body with cut stalks attached thereto.SOLUTION: A stalk roller 23 includes eight blade parts 63. The blade parts 63 engage with cornstalks, and with rotation of the stalk roller 23, the blade parts 63 pull the cornstalks downward. The blade parts 63 extend radially in the rotation radial direction of the stalk roller 23 at equal angular intervals so as to form 8-fold symmetry.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

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 provided with the same.

Background Art

[0002] In a corn harvester, 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) at the front end and conveying it rearward is provided. The corn ear-shaped body is conveyed from the harvesting and conveying device to a threshing device and undergoes threshing processing (husk peeling and grain extraction) 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). Further, the harvesting and conveying device is 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 provided rotatably 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 provided above the left and right deck plates respectively. The conveying chain is wound around a driving sprocket and a driven sprocket that are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction. The driving sprocket and the driven sprocket are each provided rotatably about a rotation axis extending in the vertical 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, the corn is planted in rows. When harvesting the corn, one row of corn planted in the field is introduced between adjacent dividers, and the corn stalks are introduced between the left and right deck plates, between the left and right stock rollers, and between the left and right transport chains. As the stock rollers rotate, the left and right stock rollers engage with the corn stalks, and the blades pull the stalks down. At this time, the corn cobs attached to the stalks are caught by the deck plates and separated from the stalks. The separated corn cobs are then transported backward along the deck plates by the transport chains. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 262610 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, it was found that with conventional harvesting and conveying devices, the corn cobs are conveyed with the cut stems still attached to them, and the stems that have detached from the corn cobs accumulate inside the harvesting and conveying device or the corn harvesting machine.

[0007] Therefore, the inventors of this invention investigated the cause of corn being transported with the cut stems still attached to the corn cob, and as a result, arrived at the present invention.

[0008] The present invention was made against this background, and its objective is to provide a harvesting and conveying device and a corn harvester that can prevent corn clusters from being transported with the cut stems still attached. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above objective, 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 corn in the form of corn stalks, and includes a frame and a roller whose shaft portion is supported by the frame so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction of the corn harvester, and in rotation about the rotation axis, a blade portion extending from the shaft portion engages with the corn stalk and pulls the corn stalk down, wherein the blade portion extends from the circumferential surface of the shaft portion in an 8-fold symmetry manner.

[0010] In this configuration, as the roller rotates, the blade portion of the roller engages with the corn stalk, causing the blade portion to pull the corn stalk downwards. At this time, the downward movement of the corn cob attached to the corn stalk is prevented, causing the corn cob to separate from the corn stalk.

[0011] Conventional harvesting and conveying devices sometimes transport corn cobs with severed stalks attached. The inventors of this invention investigated the cause and found that the blade cuts the corn stalk when pulling it down, and that whether or not the corn stalk is cut depends on the force applied to the corn stalk by the blade. The inventors then attempted to adjust the force applied to the corn stalk by the blade and found that by extending the blade from the shaft in an eight-fold symmetrical manner, it was possible to suppress the blade from cutting the corn stalk.

[0012] In configurations where the blade section is symmetrical six times or four times, adjusting the distance from the roller's axis of rotation (center) to the tip of the blade section (the roller's maximum diameter) does not prevent the blade section from cutting the corn stalk. In contrast, in configurations where the blade section is symmetrical eight times, adjusting the distance from the roller's axis of rotation to the tip of the blade section prevents the blade section from cutting the corn stalk.

[0013] Furthermore, in a configuration where a pair of rollers are provided on the left and right sides, and the blade portions of the left and right rollers are locked to the corn stalk from both sides, it is preferable to overlap a portion of the circular trajectory traced by the tip of the blade portion of one roller with a portion of the circular trajectory traced by the tip of the blade portion of the other roller. However, when the blade portions have rotational symmetry of 10 times or more, the angular spacing between the blade portions is small, making it difficult to secure clearance to avoid collision between the blade portions of one roller and the other roller. In contrast, in a configuration where the blade portions have 8 times symmetry, it is easy to secure clearance to avoid collision between the blade portions of one roller and the other roller.

[0014] By preventing the blade from cutting the corn stalks, it is possible to suppress the transport of corn clusters with cut stalks attached, and to suppress the accumulation of detached stalks within the harvesting and transporting device or the body of the corn harvester.

[0015] The harvesting and conveying device is preferably provided with a gap between the left and right receiving plates that allow corn stalks to enter in the left and right directions of the corn harvester, and that receive the corn clusters from below. The rollers are provided below each of the left and right receiving plates, and are designed so that two blade sections on each side engage with the corn stalks that have entered between the left and right receiving plates.

[0016] In this configuration, a total of four blades engage with the corn stalk, effectively distributing the force applied from the blades to the corn stalk while allowing the blades to effectively pull the corn stalk down. As a result, the corn clusters can be effectively separated from the corn stalks, further reducing the accumulation of detached stalks within the harvesting and conveying device or the corn harvester.

[0017] The blade portion may extend radially from the shaft portion at equal angular intervals in the radial direction of the shaft portion.

[0018] The roller includes eight blade component parts arranged around the shaft portion along the rotation direction of the shaft portion. The blade component parts integrally have a contact portion that contacts the shaft portion and a overlapping portion that is plate-shaped and extends in the radial direction of the shaft portion from both ends in the rotation direction of the contact portion. The blade portion may be configured by overlapping the overlapping portions of the blade component parts adjacent to each other in the rotation direction.

[0019] According to this configuration, the strength of the blade portion can be increased.

[0020] The 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 provided in front of the machine body and the traveling devices for harvesting and conveying a corn ear-shaped body. The harvesting and conveying device includes a frame, and a roller that is supported by the frame rotatably 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 to a corn stalk and pulls down the corn stalk. The blade portion extends from the shaft portion so as to be eight-fold symmetric.

[0021] 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

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the corn stalk from being cut by the blade portion. As a result, it is possible to suppress the conveyance of the corn ear-shaped body with the cut stalk attached thereto, and it is possible to suppress the retention of the stalk detached from the corn ear-shaped body inside the harvesting and conveying device or inside the machine body of the corn harvester.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a right side view of a corn harvester according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a plan view of the corn harvester. [Figure 3] It is a top view of the harvesting and conveying device. [Figure 4] It is a front view of a part of the harvesting and conveying device (viewed from the front). [Figure 5] It is a bottom view of the harvesting and conveying device. [Figure 6] It is a bottom view of a pair of left and right stalk rollers. [Figure 7] It is a bottom view of the stalk roller, showing a state where one blade component is removed. [Figure 8] It is a front view of a pair of left and right stalk rollers. [Figure 9] It is a top view showing the configuration of the conveying mechanism. [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view seen from the right when the front end portion of the harvesting and conveying device is cut along a cross-section in the front-rear direction. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view of the rear end portion of the stalk roller seen from the lower left front. [Figure 12] It is a perspective view of the rear end portion of the stalk roller seen from the lower left rear. [Figure 13] It is a perspective view of the plate part seen from the upper left rear. [Figure 14] It is a perspective view of the plate part seen from the upper right rear. [Figure 15] It is a rear view of the harvesting and conveying device (viewed from the rear). [Figure 16] It is a perspective view of the auger, the bottom plate portion, and the rear wall portion of the conveying unit frame seen from the upper right front.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] <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.

[0026] Corn harvester 1 is an agricultural machine that travels through a field to harvest corn cobs (corn kernels arranged in clusters and enclosed by bracts) and thresh the corn cobs (removing the bracts and separating the corn kernels).

[0027] In the following explanation, the forward direction of the corn harvester 1 is referred to as "forward," and the reverse direction of the corn harvester 1 is referred to as "rear." When viewing the corn harvester 1 from the rear, the left side in the width direction is referred to as "left," and the right side in the width direction is referred to as "right."

[0028] The corn harvester 1 employs a pair of crawler tracks 2 on the left and right sides as a running device capable of traversing uneven terrain such as fields. The machine frame 3 is supported by the left and right crawler tracks 2, and power from the engine 4 mounted on the machine frame 3 is transmitted to the crawler tracks 2 via the transmission 5.

[0029] Furthermore, a cabin 6, a threshing device 7, and a grain tank 8 are provided on the machine frame 3. A harvesting and conveying device 9 for harvesting corn cobs and transporting them to the rear is provided in front of the crawler running device 2 and the machine frame 3. A feeder 10 is provided between the threshing device 7 and the harvesting and conveying device 9 for transporting corn cobs from the harvesting and conveying device 9 towards the threshing device 7.

[0030] Cabin 6 is located on the front end of the aircraft frame 3. Cabin 6 provides a space for the pilot to sit inside, and within this space are, for example, a pilot's seat 11 where the pilot sits, and control levers 12 operated by the pilot. A retractable door 13 is provided on the right side of Cabin 6, and the pilot can open the door 13 and enter Cabin 6.

[0031] The threshing device 7 is located to the left rear of the cabin 6. The grain tank 8 is located behind the cabin 6 and to the right of the threshing device 7. In the threshing device 7, the husks are removed from the corn cobs transported by the feeder 10, and the corn kernels (seeds) are separated from the corn cobs from which the husks have been removed. The corn kernels are transported 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 from the grain tank 8 to the outside of the machine by the unloader 14.

[0032] <Harvesting and conveying equipment> Figure 3 is a top view of the harvesting and conveying device 9. Figure 4 is a front view (viewed from the front) of the harvesting and conveying device 9. Figure 5 is a bottom view of the harvesting and conveying device 9.

[0033] The harvesting and conveying device 9 is equipped with four dividers 21. The four dividers 21 are arranged side by side with spacing between them in the left-right direction. In addition, for each space between adjacent dividers 21 in the left-right direction (hereinafter simply referred to as "between dividers 21"), the harvesting and conveying device 9 is equipped with a pair of receiving plates 22, a pair of left-right stock rollers 23, a pair of left-right conveying mechanisms 24, and an auger 25.

[0034] <Divider> In a plan view, the leftmost divider 21 has its left edge 31 extending in the front-to-back direction, and its right edge 32 extending inclined with respect to the front-to-back direction such that it approaches the left edge 31 as it moves forward. In a plan view, the rightmost divider 21 has its right edge 33 extending in the front-to-back direction, and its left edge 34 extending inclined with respect to the front-to-back direction such that it approaches the right edge 33 as it moves forward. In a plan view, the leftmost and rightmost dividers 21 are symmetrical with respect to a straight line that passes through the center of the harvesting and conveying device 9 in the left-to-right direction and extends in the front-to-back direction.

[0035] The two inner dividers 21 positioned between the left and right dividers 21 have the same configuration and are formed in a roughly isosceles triangular shape, with the left edge 35 and the right edge 36 extending inclined in the front-to-back direction so that they move closer to each other as they advance forward in a plan view.

[0036] The tips of the four dividers 21 are arranged on a straight line extending in the left-right direction, with equal spacing between them in the left-right direction. Excluding the tips of the four dividers 21, the left edge 35 of the two inner dividers 21 and the left edge 34 of the rightmost divider 21 are parallel, and the right edge 36 of the two inner dividers 21 and the right edge 32 of the leftmost divider 21 are parallel. As a result, a guide space 37 is created between each divider 21, which narrows in the left-right direction towards the rear.

[0037] <Deck Plate> The left and right receiving plates 22 are plate-shaped and extend in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions, respectively. They are arranged side-by-side in the left-to-right direction behind the guide space 37 and supported by the harvesting section frame 41 of the harvesting and conveying device 9. Between the left and right receiving plates 22, a stem entry passage 42 is provided, extending linearly in the front-to-back direction, with a gap between them.

[0038] <Storklora> Figure 6 is a bottom view of a pair of left and right stalk rollers 23.

[0039] The left and right pair of stalk rollers 23 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction below the left and right pair of receiving plates 22. That is, the left stalk roller 23 is located below the left receiving plate 22, and the right stalk roller 23, which is paired with the left stalk roller 23, is located below the right receiving plate 22, which is paired with the left stalk roller 22, at the same height as the left stalk roller 23.

[0040] Figure 7 is a bottom view of the stalk roller 23.

[0041] The stalk roller 23 includes a front shaft portion 43 that is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction, a rear shaft portion 44 that is spaced apart from the front shaft portion 43 in the front-rear direction and rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction, a guide portion 45 that protrudes forward from the front shaft portion 43, and eight blade components 46 that are mounted on the front shaft portion 43 and the rear shaft portion 44 and arranged in line with the rotation direction (circumferential direction) of the front shaft portion 43 and the rear shaft portion 44.

[0042] Figure 7 shows the state with one blade component 46 removed.

[0043] The front shaft portion 43 integrally comprises a cylindrical portion 51, a flange portion 52, a large cylindrical portion 53, and a cylindrical portion 54. The cylindrical portion 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the rotation axis of the front shaft portion 43 as its centerline. The flange portion 52 is formed in a disc shape with the rotation axis of the front shaft portion 43 as its centerline, and is connected to the front end of the cylindrical portion 51, with its outer circumference protruding outward from 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 portion 54 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the rotation axis of the front shaft portion 43 as its centerline, and extends forward from the flange portion 52.

[0044] The rear shaft portion 44 integrally comprises 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 its centerline. The flange portion 56 is formed in an annular plate shape that protrudes outward from the center of the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 55 in the front-rear direction.

[0045] 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 its centerline. A spiral projection 58 is formed on the circumferential surface 57. The cylindrical portion 54 of the front shaft portion 43 is coupled to the guide portion 45 so as not to rotate relative to it, and the guide portion 45 rotates integrally with the front shaft portion 43.

[0046] The blade component 46 is provided spanning the cylindrical portion 51 of the front shaft portion 43 and the portion of the cylindrical portion 55 of the rear shaft portion 44 that is forward of the flange portion 56. The blade component 46 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate that extends long in the front-rear direction and integrally has a contact portion 61 that abuts the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portions 51 and 55, and plate-shaped overlapping portions 62 that extend radially from both ends of the contact portion 61 in the short direction (both ends in the rotational direction of the front shaft portion 43 and the rear shaft portion 44). The overlapping portion 62 is formed along the entire length of the contact portion 61 in the front-rear direction, and its front end is formed in the shape of a triangular plate that tapers towards the front.

[0047] Figure 8 is a front view of a pair of left and right stalk rollers 23.

[0048] The blade components 46 adjacent to each other in the rotational direction of the front shaft 43 and the rear shaft 44 have their overlapping portions 62 superimposed. These overlapping portions 62 are welded at multiple points spaced apart in the front-rear direction, thereby connecting adjacent blade components 46 in a fixed state. The contact portions 61 of each blade component 46 are fixed to the cylindrical portion 51 of the front shaft 43 and the cylindrical portion 55 of the rear shaft 44 by welding. As a result, the contact portions 61 of the eight blade components 46 form a roughly octagonal prism shape with the rotational axes of the front shaft 43 and the rear shaft 44 as the centerlines. Furthermore, the overlapping portions 62 constitute blade portions 63 that extend radially from the cylindrical portions 51 and 55, and the eight blade portions 63 extend radially from the cylindrical portions 51 and 55 at equal angular intervals so as to be 8 times symmetrical.

[0049] As shown in Figure 7, the inner ring of a bearing 64 is fitted onto the cylindrical portion 54 of the front shaft portion 43 in a manner that prevents relative rotation. The outer ring of the bearing 64 is held in a manner that prevents rotation by a holder 65 supported by the harvesting frame 41, as shown in Figure 6. On the other hand, a collar 59 is fitted onto the portion of the cylindrical portion 55 of the rear shaft portion 44 that is rearward from the flange portion 56, as shown in Figure 7, in a manner that allows relative rotation. The collar 59 is held in a manner that prevents rotation by a gear case 66 fixed to the harvesting frame 41, as shown in Figure 6. As a result, the stalk roller 23 is supported by the harvesting frame 41 so that it can rotate around a rotation axis that extends in the front-rear direction, in other words, so that it can rotate around the centerlines of the front shaft portion 43 and the rear shaft portion 44 as the rotation axis.

[0050] Although not shown in the diagram, within the gear case 66, a drive transmission member is coupled to the cylindrical portion 55 of the rear shaft portion 44 in a manner that prevents relative rotation, and driving force is transmitted from the drive transmission member. Due to the driving force transmitted to the cylindrical portion 55, the left of the pair of left and right stock rollers 23 rotates clockwise, and the right stock roller 23 rotates counterclockwise.

[0051] <Conveying mechanism> Figure 9 is a top view showing the configuration of the transport mechanism 24.

[0052] The left and right pairs of conveying mechanisms 24 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction above the left and right pairs of receiving plates 22. That is, the left conveying mechanism 24 is provided above the left receiving plate 22, and the right stock roller 23, which is paired with the left stock roller 23, is provided above the right receiving plate 22, which is paired with the left receiving plate 22.

[0053] The conveying mechanism 24 includes a drive sprocket 71, a driven sprocket 72, and a conveying chain 73.

[0054] A drive shaft 74, to which driving force is transmitted from a drive 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 coupled to the portion of the drive shaft 74 that protrudes from the gear case 66 in a manner that prevents relative rotation.

[0055] A bracket 75 is fixed to the front end 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 positioned at the same location as the drive shaft 74 in the left-right direction, and spaced apart from the drive shaft 74 in the front-rear direction. The driven shaft 76 protrudes above the receiving plate 22, and the driven sprocket 72 is coupled to the portion of the driven shaft 76 that protrudes above the receiving plate 22 in a manner that prevents relative rotation.

[0056] The conveyor chain 73 is wrapped around the drive sprocket 71 and the driven sprocket 72. The conveyor chain 73 is provided with a plurality of locking parts 77 at equal intervals. The locking parts 77 are formed in the shape of a roughly triangular plate that protrudes from the outer circumference of the conveyor chain 73. Specifically, the end face facing rearward between the pair of left and right conveying mechanisms 24 is inclined relatively sharply with respect to the front-to-back direction, and the end face facing forward between the pair of left and right conveying mechanisms 24 is inclined relatively less sharply with respect to the front-to-back direction.

[0057] The driving force transmitted from the drive shaft 74 to the drive sprocket 71 causes the conveying chain 73 of the left conveying mechanism 24 to rotate clockwise when viewed from above, while the conveying chain 73 of the right conveying mechanism 24 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from above, due to the driving force transmitted from the drive shaft 74 to the drive sprocket 71.

[0058] <Cover> As shown in Figure 3, the transport mechanism 24 is covered from above by a cover 81 located behind each divider 21. The cover 81, located behind the two inner dividers 21 in the left-right direction, is configured to open and close between a closed position that covers the transport mechanism 24 and an open position that exposes the transport mechanism 24, around a pivot axis 82 that extends in the left-right direction at its rear.

[0059] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view from the right of the front end of the harvesting and conveying device 9, when it is cut along a cross-sectional plane in the front-to-back direction.

[0060] An open-holding mechanism 83 is provided inside the cover 81, which is configured to be openable and closable. The open-holding mechanism 83 includes a guide member 84 and a holding rod 85. The guide member 84 has a portion that is fixed to the harvesting frame 41 and extends in the front-rear and up-down directions, and a guide hole 86 extending in the front-rear direction is formed in that portion. One end of the holding rod 85 is connected to the cover 81 so as to be rotatable (swingable) around a pivot axis that extends in the left-right direction. The other end of the holding rod 85 is inserted into the guide hole 86 and held in the guide hole 86 so as to be movable along the guide hole 86.

[0061] When the cover 81 is in the closed position, the other end of the retaining rod 85 is located at the rear end of the guide hole 86. When the cover 81 is rotated from the closed position to the open position, the other end of the retaining rod 85 moves forward in the guide hole 86 as a result of the rotation. At the front end of the guide hole 86, there is a lower locking portion 87 that is recessed in a semicircular shape downward from the guide hole 86, and an upper locking portion 88 that is recessed in a semicircular shape upward from the guide hole 86. When the cover 81 is in the open position, the other end (lower end) of the retaining rod 85 fits into the lower locking portion 87, preventing the retaining rod 85 from moving. As a result, the cover 81 is held in the open position.

[0062] When the cover 81 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the front end of the cover 81 is slightly lifted, and the other end of the retaining rod 85 is released from the lower locking portion 87. Then, the other end of the retaining rod 85 is guided into the guide hole 86, and as the cover 81 rotates from the open position to the closed position, the other end of the retaining rod 85 moves backward through the guide hole 86. When the cover 81 is in the closed position, the other end of the retaining rod 85 returns to its position at the rear end of the guide hole 86.

[0063] When the cover 81 is held in the closed position, the worker's arm or shoulder may strike the front end of the cover 81 from below, causing the front end of the cover 81 to lift unintentionally, and the other end of the retaining rod 85 to detach from the lower locking portion 87. At this time, if the other end of the retaining rod 85 that has detached from the lower locking portion 87 enters the guide hole 86, the cover 81 may be displaced from the open position to the closed position due to its own weight. For this reason, an upper locking portion 88 is formed. As a result, even if the front end of the cover 81 lifts unintentionally and the other end of the retaining rod 85 detaches from the lower locking portion 87, the other end of the retaining rod 85 will fit into the upper locking portion 88, and then, when the front end of the cover 81 lowers due to its own weight, the other end of the retaining rod 85 will fit back into the lower locking portion 87. As a result, it is possible to suppress the cover 81 from rotating and displacing from the open position to the closed position unintentionally.

[0064] <Harvesting process> In the field, the corn is planted in rows. When harvesting the corn, the lateral position of the corn harvester 1 is adjusted so that one row of corn stalks (culms) 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 the stalk entry path 42 between the left and right pair of receiving plates 22, between the left and right pair of stalk rollers 23, and between the left and right pair of conveying mechanisms 24. After that, when the corn stalks reach the guide section 45 of the left and right stalk rollers 23, they are guided by the guide section 45 and introduced between the blade sections 63 of the left and right stalk rollers 23.

[0065] As shown in Figure 8, the pair of left and right stalk rollers 23 are designed such that a portion of the circular trajectory TL traced by the blade portion 63 of the left stalk roller 23 and a portion of the circular trajectory TR traced by the blade portion 63 of the right stalk roller 23 overlap when they rotate. The distance between their rotational axes, the outer diameters of the cylindrical portions 51 and 55, and the length of the blade portion 63 are designed accordingly. Furthermore, by adjusting the amount of overlap between the portion of the circular trajectory TL and the portion of the circular trajectory TR, the pair of left and right stalk rollers 23 are designed so that a maximum of two blade portions 63 on each side engage with the corn stalk that enters between the left and right blade portions 63. Therefore, a total of up to four blade portions 63 engage with the corn stalk, and as the stalk rollers 23 rotate, the blade portions 63 pull the corn stalk downwards.

[0066] The width of the stem entry path 42 between the pair of receiving plates 22 on the left and right is set to a width that prevents corn cobs from passing through. Therefore, when the corn stalk is pulled down, the corn cobs attached to the stalk are caught by the receiving plates 22, and the corn cobs are separated from the stalk. The transport chain 73 travels in a circular motion, and the locking part 77 of the transport chain 73 locks onto the corn cobs that have been separated from the stalk, thereby transporting the corn cobs backward on the receiving plates 22.

[0067] <Plate parts> Figure 11 is a perspective view of the rear end of the stalk roller 23, seen from the lower left front. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the rear end of the stalk roller 23, seen from the lower left rear.

[0068] After the corn cob is removed from the corn stalk, the corn stalk remains planted in the field. Therefore, if the rear shaft portion 44 of the stalk roller 23 is exposed, there is a risk that the corn stalk may wrap around the rear shaft portion 44 after it has come out from between the blade portions 63 of the left and right stalk rollers 23.

[0069] Therefore, a plate component 91 is provided behind the blade portion 63 of the stalk roller 23.

[0070] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the plate component 91 from the upper left rear. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the plate component 91 from the upper right rear.

[0071] The plate component 91 is formed by bending a metal plate, for example, and has a plate shape extending in the left-right and up-down directions. It has an opposing portion 92 that faces the blade portions 63 of a pair of left and right stock rollers 23 from the rear, a plate-shaped left mounting portion 93 that extends forward from the left end of the opposing portion 92, a plate-shaped right mounting portion 94 that extends forward from the right end of the opposing portion 92, and a first reinforcing portion 95 that extends rearward from the lower end of the opposing portion 92 with a predetermined width in the left-right direction.

[0072] The left mounting section 93 has two left mounting holes 96 that pass through it. The right mounting section 94 has two right mounting holes 97 that pass through it. Both the left mounting holes 96 and the right mounting holes 97 are elongated holes that are longer in the front-to-back direction than in the up-to-down direction.

[0073] Furthermore, the plate component 91 has two second reinforcing portions 98. One second reinforcing portion 98 is formed in the shape of a roughly triangular plate that extends in the front-rear direction, straddling the opposing portion 92 and the left end of the first reinforcing portion 95, while the other second reinforcing portion 98 is also formed in the shape of a roughly triangular plate that extends in the front-rear direction, straddling the opposing portion 92 and the right end of the first reinforcing portion 95. The second reinforcing portions 98 are fixed to the opposing portion 92 and the first reinforcing portion 95 by welding. A mounting hole 99, which is an elongated hole that is longer in the front-rear direction than in the vertical direction, is formed through the second reinforcing portion 98.

[0074] Furthermore, the plate component 91 has a third reinforcing portion 101 in the center between the two second reinforcing portions 98. The third reinforcing portion 101 is formed in a substantially triangular plate shape that extends in the front-rear direction, straddling the opposing portion 92 and the first reinforcing portion 95, and is fixed to the opposing portion 92 and the first reinforcing portion 95 by welding.

[0075] Furthermore, the opposing portion 92 has a receiving portion 102 formed as a recess that extends downward from the upper end to receive the flange portions 56 of the rear shaft portions 44 of the left and right stock rollers 23. The mounting position of the plate component 91 is adjusted so that the left and right flange portions 56 are received by the receiving portion 102. With this adjustment of the mounting position, the plate component 91 faces the opposing portion 92 of the stock roller 23 without leaving a gap that allows corn stalks to enter, as shown in Figure 11. Then, with the plate component 91 in the adjusted position, the plate component 91 is fixed to the harvesting frame 41 by bolts 103 that are inserted through the two left mounting holes 96, the two right mounting holes 97, and the two mounting holes 99, respectively.

[0076] <Conveyor frame> Figure 15 is a rear view (viewed from the rear) of the harvesting and conveying device 9.

[0077] The harvesting and conveying device 9 includes a conveying section frame 111. The conveying section frame 111 is located behind the harvesting section frame 41, as shown in Figure 5. The conveying section frame 111 includes a left wall section 112, a bottom plate section 113, and a rear wall section 114, as shown in Figure 15. The conveying section frame 111 also includes a right wall section, which is located opposite the left wall section 112 to the right at a distance. The bottom plate section 113 spans between the left wall section 112 and the right wall section. The rear wall section 114 extends upward in a continuous manner from the rear end of the bottom plate section 113.

[0078] Figure 16 is a perspective view of the auger 25 and the bottom plate portion 113 and rear wall portion 114 of the transport section frame 111, viewed from the upper right front.

[0079] The bottom plate portion 113 has an arc shape in which the cross-section cut along the front-to-back direction bulges downwards.

[0080] A rectangular opening 115 is formed through the rear wall 114 at its left end. A portion of the lower part of the opening 115 is closed by the bottom plate 113, and the portion of the opening 115 not closed by the bottom plate 113 functions as an outlet for discharging corn-like material. Hereafter, the portion of the opening 115 that functions as an outlet will be referred to as "outlet 115".

[0081] The auger 25 is positioned above the bottom plate 113 and in front of the rear wall 114. The auger 25 comprises an auger shaft 116 extending in the left-right direction and auger blades 117 provided around the auger shaft 116.

[0082] The auger shaft 116 is mounted on the left wall 112 and the right wall of the transport section frame 111 and is rotatably supported on the left wall 112 and the right wall.

[0083] The auger blade 117 is composed of a left auger blade 118 and a right auger blade 119. The left auger blade 118 is formed in a left-handed spiral around the auger shaft 116, extending from a left opposing position facing the center of the discharge port 115 from the front to the left end of the auger shaft 116. The right auger blade 119 is formed in a right-handed spiral around the auger shaft 116, extending from a right opposing position facing the center of the discharge port 115 from the front to the right end of the auger shaft 116.

[0084] In the configurations shown in Figures 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 in the same position in the left-right direction, and are the same position as the center of the discharge port 115 in the left-right direction. 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, but their positions differ in the direction of rotation of the auger shaft 116.

[0085] Furthermore, the auger 25 is provided with locking projections 121 that straddle the circumferential surface of the auger shaft 116 and the auger blades 117. Multiple locking projections 121 are formed in a triangular plate shape that straddles the circumferential surface of the auger shaft 116 and the right auger blade 119, with each locking projection 121 extending in the direction of the rotational axis of the auger shaft 116, i.e., in the left-right direction. In addition, one locking projection 121 is formed in a triangular plate shape that straddles the circumferential surface of the auger shaft 116 and the left auger blade 118, with this locking projection 121 extending in the left-right direction. The provision of locking projections 121 increases the strength of the auger blades 117 (left auger blade 118 and right auger blade 119).

[0086] The auger shaft 116 receives driving force from a drive transmission mechanism (not shown). This driving force causes the auger shaft 116 to rotate clockwise when viewed from the right.

[0087] <Transportation Operation> The corn cobs, transported backward by a pair of left and right transport mechanisms 24, fall backward from the receiving plate 22 and are received by the bottom plate 113 of the transport frame 111. Corn cobs received by the bottom plate 113 at a position to the left of the discharge port 115 are transported to the right by the left auger blade 118, and corn cobs received by the bottom plate 113 at a position to the right of the discharge port 115 are transported to the left by the right auger blade 119. Corn cobs transported to a position opposite the front of the discharge port 115 are then sandwiched between the left auger blade 118 and the right auger blade 119 and discharged through the discharge port 115 by the rotation of the left auger blade 118 and the right auger blade 119. The corn cobs discharged from the discharge port 115 are transported by the feeder 10 towards the threshing device 7.

[0088] <Effect 1> As described above, a plate component 91 having an opposing portion 92 that faces the blade portion 63 from the rear is provided behind the blade portion 63 of the stalk roller 23. This prevents corn stalks from wrapping around the portion of the rear shaft portion 44 of the stalk roller 23 that is behind the opposing portion 92. Furthermore, since the mounting position of the plate component 91 on the harvesting frame 41 is adjustable, the distance between the opposing portion 92 of the plate component 91 and the blade portion 63 can be appropriately adjusted, thereby preventing corn stalks from wrapping around the rear shaft portion 44 between the opposing portion 92 and the blade portion 63.

[0089] Therefore, the wrapping of corn stalks around the stock roller 23 (the entire rear shaft section 44) can be effectively suppressed. As a result, the occurrence of rotational malfunctions of the stock roller 23 due to corn stalks wrapping around it can be suppressed. In addition, the blade section 63 will no longer be pushed forward by the corn stalks wrapped around the stock roller 23, and thrust loads (axial loads) on the bearings 64 and other components supporting the stock roller 23 can be suppressed, thereby improving the durability of the bearings 64 and other components.

[0090] The opposing portion 92 is plate-shaped and extends in the left-right direction of the corn harvester 1. The plate component 91 is plate-shaped and extends forward from the left end of the opposing portion 92, and has a left mounting portion 93 formed by a left mounting hole 96 that is longer in the front-rear direction than in the up-down direction. The plate component 91 is plate-shaped and extends forward from the right end of the opposing portion 92, and has a right mounting portion 94 formed by a right mounting hole 97 that is longer in the front-rear direction than in the up-down direction. The plate component 91 is attached to the harvesting frame 41 by bolts 103 that are inserted through the left mounting hole 96 and the right mounting hole 97, respectively. With this configuration, the mounting position of the plate component 91 on the harvesting frame 41 can be adjusted.

[0091] Furthermore, the plate component 91 has a first reinforcing portion 95 that extends rearward from the lower end of the opposing portion 92 in the left-right direction by a predetermined width. This configuration increases the strength of the plate component 91. As a result, deformation of the plate component 91 caused by the opposing portion 92 of the plate component 91 being struck by a corn stalk can be suppressed.

[0092] The plate component 91 has a plate-shaped second reinforcing portion 98 that spans the opposing portion 92 and the first reinforcing portion 95. This configuration further increases the strength of the plate component 91.

[0093] Furthermore, a mounting hole 99 is formed through the second reinforcing portion 98, which is longer in the front-to-back direction than in the vertical direction. In addition to the bolts 103 inserted through the left mounting hole 96 and the right mounting hole 97, the plate component 91 is attached to the harvesting section frame 41 by a bolt 103 inserted through the mounting hole 99. This configuration increases the mounting strength of the plate component 91 to the harvesting section frame 41.

[0094] The plate component 91 further has a plate-shaped third reinforcing portion 101 that spans the opposing portion 92 and the first reinforcing portion 95, located in the center between the two second reinforcing portions 98. This configuration further increases the strength of the plate component 91.

[0095] The stalk roller 23 has a guide portion 45 on the tip side relative to the blade portion 63, which has a conical circumferential surface 57 that tapers towards the tip and has spiral ridges 58 formed on it, guiding the corn stalks to the blade portion 63. The presence of the guide portion 45 prevents the corn stalks from wrapping around the front shaft portion 43 of the stalk roller 23.

[0096] <Effects and Effects 2> The blade portion 63 of the stalk roller 23 is symmetrical by 8 times. The distance between the rotation axes of the left and right stalk rollers 23, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portions 51 and 55, and the length of the blade portion 63 are designed so that when the left stalk roller 23's blade portion 63 rotates, a portion of the circular trajectory TL drawn by the left stalk roller 23's blade portion 63 overlaps with a portion of the circular trajectory TR drawn by the right stalk roller 23. This prevents the blade portion 63 from cutting the corn stalks.

[0097] Furthermore, in a configuration where the blade portion 63 is symmetrical eight times, it is easy to secure clearance to avoid collision between the blade portion 63 of the left stalk roller 23 and the blade portion 63 of the right stalk roller 23.

[0098] By preventing the cutting of corn stalks by the blade section 63, it is possible to suppress the transport of corn clusters with cut stalks attached, and to suppress the accumulation of stalks detached from corn clusters inside the harvesting and transporting device 9 or the body of the corn harvester 1.

[0099] The left and right pair of stalk rollers 23 are positioned below each of the left and right pair of receiving plates 22, and are designed so that two blade sections 63 on each side engage with the corn stalk that has entered between the receiving plates 22. In this configuration, a total of four blade sections 63 engage with the corn stalk, so that the force applied from the blade sections 63 to the corn stalk is well distributed, and the corn stalk can be effectively pulled down by the blade sections 63. As a result, the corn clusters can be well separated from the corn stalks, and the accumulation of stalks detached from the corn clusters within the harvesting and conveying device 9 or the body of the corn harvester 1 can be further suppressed.

[0100] The blade portion 63 may extend radially from the rear shaft portion 44 at equal angular intervals in the radial direction of the rear shaft portion 44.

[0101] Furthermore, the stalk roller 23 is equipped with eight blade components 46 arranged around the rear shaft 44 in the direction of rotation of the rear shaft 44. Each blade component 46 integrally has a contact portion 61 that abuts against the rear shaft 44 and plate-shaped overlapping portions 62 that extend radially from both ends of the contact portion 61 in the direction of rotation of the rear shaft 44. The blade portion 63 is formed by overlapping the overlapping portions 62 of adjacent blade components 46 in the direction of rotation. This configuration increases the strength of the blade portion 63.

[0102] <Effects and Effects 3> The conveying section frame 111 comprises a bottom plate portion 113 and a rear wall portion 114 that extends upward in a continuous manner from the rear end of the bottom plate portion 113. An outlet 115 is formed through 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 mounted around a rotation axis that extends in the left-right direction. The corn cob-like material conveyed to the rear by the conveying mechanism 24 is received by the bottom plate portion 113 of the conveying section frame 111. The corn cob-like material received by the bottom plate portion 113 is then conveyed along the bottom plate portion 113 toward the outlet 115 as the auger 25 rotates, and is discharged through the outlet 115.

[0103] The auger 25 is equipped with an auger shaft 116 that is rotatably supported by the conveying frame 111. Around the auger shaft 116, a left auger blade 118 and a right auger blade 119 are formed in a spiral shape, each wound in opposite directions. When the auger shaft 116 rotates, the left auger blade 118 and the right auger blade 119 rotate together with the auger shaft 116. Corn cobs received by the bottom plate 113 at a position to the left of the discharge port 115 are conveyed to the right by the left auger blade 118, and corn cobs received by the bottom plate 113 at a position to the right of the discharge port 115 are conveyed to the left by the right auger blade 119. Then, the left auger blade 118 is formed in the left-right central part of the discharge port 115, facing from the front to the left opposite position, and the right auger blade 119 is formed in the right central part of the discharge port 115, facing from the front to the right opposite position. As a result, the corn cob-like material that has been transported to a position between the left opposite position and the right opposite position 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.

[0104] Therefore, in this configuration, the scraping blades that were necessary in conventional configurations to discharge the corn cobs from the outlet are unnecessary. Because there are no scraping blades, the corn cobs are prevented from being thrown forward by the auger 25. As a result, head loss (loss of the heads) caused by corn cobs being thrown forward and falling into the field can be reduced.

[0105] The auger 25 further includes a plate-shaped locking projection 121 that spans the circumferential surface of the auger shaft 116 and the right auger blade 119.

[0106] In the configuration where the discharge port 115 is formed to the left of the center in the left-right direction on the rear wall portion 114, the distance the right auger blade 119 carries the corn cob is longer than in the configuration where the discharge port 115 is formed in the center in the left-right direction on the rear wall portion 114. Because the plate-shaped locking projection 121 is formed spanning the circumferential surface of the auger shaft 116 and the right auger blade 119, the locking projection 121 locks onto the corn cob, and as the right auger blade 119 rotates, the corn cob is carried smoothly without slipping against the right auger blade 119. As a result, the conveying performance of the corn cob by the auger 25 can be improved.

[0107] <Variation> Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can also be implemented in other forms.

[0108] For example, in the embodiment described above, 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 are also the same position as the center of the discharge port 115 in the left-right direction. However, the left opposing position and the right opposing position may be in the same position in the left-right direction, but their positions may differ from the center of the discharge port 115. Also, the left opposing position may be located to the left of the center of the discharge port 115 in the left-right direction, and the right opposing position may be located to the right of the center of the discharge port 115 in the left-right direction.

[0109] Furthermore, similar to conventional configurations, the auger 25 may be provided with scraping blades between the left auger blade 118 and the right auger blade 119 for discharging the corn cob-like material from the discharge port 115.

[0110] Although we have described a configuration in which the blade portion 63 of the stock roller 23 extends in the direction of rotational diameter of the stock roller 23, the blade portion 63 may also extend in a direction inclined with respect to the direction of rotational diameter of the stock roller 23.

[0111] Furthermore, the plate component 91 may be omitted.

[0112] Furthermore, various design modifications can be made to the aforementioned configuration within the scope of the matters described in the patent claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0113] 1: Corn harvester 2: Crawler track system (running gear) 4: Engine (power source) 9: Harvesting and conveying device 22: Receiving plate 23: Storklora (Laura) 41: Harvesting section frame (frame) 43: Front shaft (shaft) 44: Rear shaft part (shaft part) 46: Blade components 61: Contact part 62: Polymerization section 63: Blade section

Claims

1. A harvesting and conveying device installed at the front end of a corn harvester, which harvests and conveys corn in the form of ears of corn, Frame and, The shaft portion is supported by the frame so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis that extends in the front-rear direction of the corn harvester, and by rotating about the rotation axis, a plate-shaped blade portion extending radially from the shaft portion engages with the corn stalk, pulling down the corn stalk, and The blade portion extends from the shaft portion so as to be symmetrical eight times, The aforementioned roller is designed so that two of the blade sections engage with the corn stalk from both the left and right sides, in a harvesting and conveying device.

2. The corn harvester further includes left and right receiving plates, which are provided at intervals allowing corn stalks to enter in the left and right directions, and which receive the corn clusters from below. The harvesting and conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the rollers are provided below each of the left and right receiving plates.

3. The harvesting and conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blade portion extends radially from the shaft portion at equal angular intervals in the radial direction of the shaft portion.

4. The roller comprises eight blade components arranged around the shaft in the direction of rotation of the shaft, The aforementioned blade components are A contact portion that contacts the shaft portion, It integrally comprises a plate-shaped overlapping portion extending radially from both ends of the contact portion in the rotational direction to the shaft portion, The harvesting and conveying device according to claim 3, wherein the blade portion is formed by overlapping the overlapping portions of the blade components adjacent to each other in the rotational direction.

5. The aircraft and, A pair of left and right running gears that support the aforementioned aircraft and are driven by the power of a power source provided in the aircraft, The machine body and the traveling device are provided in front of each other and include a harvesting and conveying device for harvesting and transporting corn-like clusters, The harvesting and conveying device is Frame and, The roller includes a shaft portion supported by the frame so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction, and a plate-shaped blade portion extending radially from the shaft portion that engages with the corn stalk and pulls the corn stalk down as it rotates about the rotation axis, The blade portion extends from the shaft portion so as to be symmetrical eight times, The roller is designed so that two blade sections engage with the corn stalk from both the left and right sides, in a corn harvesting machine.

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