combine

Abstract

To improve workability of transmission belt removing work in a combine in which a waste straw cutting device is provided behind a thresher.SOLUTION: A combine includes: a transmission mechanism 19 for transmitting power of a thresher 5 to a waste straw cutting device 7 by an endless rotation body 23; and a tension mechanism 31. The tension mechanism 31 includes: a swingable tension arm 32; a tension roller 33 rotatably supported at one end of the tension arm 32; a tension spring 34 connected to the other end of the tension arm 32; and a handle 35 provided at the one end of the tension arm 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a configuration of a straw cutting device that finely cuts straw discharged from a threshing device in a combine.

Background Art

[0002] A combine in which a straw cutting device is provided behind a threshing device is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, a transmission belt (corresponding to an endless rotating body) is provided across the left side of the threshing device and the left side of the straw cutting device, and power is transmitted to the straw cutting device through the transmission belt. A swingable tension arm, a tension roller supported on the upper part of the tension arm, and a tension spring connected to the lower part of the tension arm are provided for the transmission belt.

[0003] In a combine in which a straw cutting device is provided behind a threshing device, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, by removing the transmission belt, the straw cutting device can be operably separated rearward from the threshing device with the right side opposite to the transmission belt in the straw cutting device as a fulcrum. Thereby, an operator can perform maintenance work inside the threshing device and maintenance work on the straw cutting device.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the lower part of the tension arm extends downward, and the extended part of the tension arm serves as a handle. Thereby, when an operator removes the transmission belt, the operator extends one hand downward to hold the handle of the tension arm, operates the handle of the tension arm upward against the tension spring to separate the tension roller from the transmission belt, and removes the transmission belt with the other hand.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] In Patent Document 1, the handle of the tension arm is located on the opposite side of the tension roller that contacts the transmission belt, and the handle is positioned downwards from the transmission belt. As a result, the worker has to hold the handle of the tension arm, which is away from the transmission belt, with one hand while removing the transmission belt with the other, which leaves room for improvement in work efficiency.

[0007] The present invention aims to improve the workability of removing the transmission belt in a combine harvester in which the straw cutting device is located behind the threshing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The combine harvester of the present invention comprises a threshing device for threshing harvested grain stalks, a straw cutting device provided behind the threshing device for cutting the discarded straw, a transmission mechanism provided across one side of the threshing device in the left-right direction and one side of the straw cutting device in the left-right direction, which transmits power from the threshing device to the straw cutting device by an endless rotating body, and a tension mechanism that can be switched between a tension-applying state in which tension is applied to the endless rotating body and a tension-release state in which no tension is applied to the endless rotating body, wherein the tension mechanism is along the left-right direction of the machine body. The device comprises a tension arm that can swing around an extending pivot axis, a tension roller rotatably supported at one end of the tension arm and capable of contacting the endless rotating body, a tension spring connected to the other end of the tension arm and biasing the tension arm to swing around the pivot axis toward the side in which the tension roller contacts the endless rotating body, and a handle provided at the one end of the tension arm for operating the tension arm to swing around the pivot axis toward the side in which the tension roller moves away from the endless rotating body.

[0009] According to the present invention, a tension mechanism is provided for an endless rotating body that transmits power to a straw removal cutting device. The tension mechanism includes a swingable tension arm, a tension roller supported at one end of the tension arm, and a tension spring connected to the other end of the tension arm. A handle is provided at one end of the tension arm on the same side as the tension roller that contacts the endless rotating body, and the handle is provided close to the endless rotating body.

[0010] This allows the worker to easily grasp the tension arm handle with one hand without having to extend the other arm too far. Even if the operator uses one hand to move the tension arm handle toward the endless rotating body, the tension arm handle does not move far away from the endless rotating body. Therefore, the operator can easily remove the transmission belt with the other hand while holding the tension arm handle with one hand.

[0011] As described above, the ability for an operator to easily hold the tension arm handle with one hand, and the ability for an operator to easily remove the transmission belt with the other hand while holding the tension arm handle with one hand, improves the efficiency of the transmission belt removal process.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that the handle is located above the pivot axis when the tension mechanism is in the tension-applying state.

[0013] According to the present invention, when tension is applied, the handle of the tension arm is positioned closer to the worker's upper body and closer to the worker's hand, which is advantageous in terms of improving the workability of removing the transmission belt.

[0014] In the present invention, it is preferable that the handle is positioned behind the boundary between the threshing device and the straw cutting device in the front-rear direction of the machine body.

[0015] According to the present invention, when an operator stands beside the straw removal cutting device to remove the transmission belt, the handle of the tension arm is positioned close to the operator, which is advantageous in terms of improving the workability of the transmission belt removal operation.

[0016] In the present invention, it is preferable that the one side of the straw cutting device is covered from the outside in the left-right direction of the machine body, and that the handle is positioned between the one side of the straw cutting device and the side cover.

[0017] According to the present invention, the handle of the tension arm is covered by the side cover during harvesting, so the handle of the tension arm does not affect the harvesting operation. When the operator needs to remove the transmission belt, they only need to open or remove the side cover.

[0018] In the present invention, it is preferable that the handle extends outward in the left - right direction of the machine body from the tension arm.

[0019] According to the present invention, since it is easier for an operator to hold the handle of the tension arm, it is advantageous in terms of improving the workability of the operation of removing the transmission belt.

[0020] In the present invention, the handle is preferably connected to the one end portion of the tension arm and has a first portion that extends along the tension arm on the side opposite to the swing axis, and a second portion that is connected to the tip of the first portion and extends outward in the left - right direction of the machine body from the tip of the first portion.

[0021] According to the present invention, since the handle of the tension arm has the first portion and the second portion, a configuration in which the handle of the tension arm extends outward in the left - right direction of the machine body from the tension arm can be easily obtained, which is advantageous in terms of simplifying the structure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a left - side view of a combine. [Figure 2] It is a plan view of the vicinity of the straw - discharging cutting device. [Figure 3] It is a left - side view of the vicinity of the transmission mechanism. [Figure 4] It is a plan view of the vicinity of the transmission mechanism.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Figs. 1 to 4 show a self - threshing combine. In Figs. 1 to 4, F indicates the forward direction, B indicates the rearward direction, U indicates the upward direction, D indicates the downward direction, R indicates the right direction, and L indicates the left direction.

[0024] (Overall Configuration of the Combine) As shown in Figure 1, the right and left crawler-type running gears 2 are attached to the machine body 1, and the machine body 1 is supported by the running gears 2. The harvesting unit 3 and the driving unit 4 are located at the front of the machine body 1, the threshing device 5 and the grain tank 6 are located at the rear of the machine body 1, and the straw cutting device 7 is attached to the rear of the threshing device 5.

[0025] As the machine 1 moves forward, the stalks in the field are cut by the cutting unit 3, and the cut stalks are transported backward while changing their orientation to a sideways position. The base of the stalks is then handed over to the feed chain 8 of the threshing device 5 and transported backward. As the base of the stalks is transported backward by the feed chain 8, the ears of the stalks are threshed by the threshing device 5, the grains are collected and stored in the grain tank 6.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the stalks after threshing are fed from the threshing device 5 to the straw cutting device 7 in a horizontal position by the straw conveying device 9, where they are finely cut and released into the field. Alternatively, the stalks after threshing are passed over the straw cutting device 7 in a horizontal position and released into the field.

[0027] The grain discharge device 10 extends upward from the lower rear of the grain tank 6. When the grain tank 6 is full, the grain stored in the grain tank 6 is discharged by the grain discharge device 10 and transferred to another truck (not shown).

[0028] (Structure of the straw removal and cutting device) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the straw removal cutting device 7 has a cutting rotating body 12 and a supply rotating body 13 rotatably mounted inside a box-shaped case 11.

[0029] Case 11 is provided with a right side section 14, a left side section 15 (corresponding to one side of the machine in the left-right direction of the straw removal cutting device 7), a rear section 16, and a top plate section 17, with the front and lower sections of case 11 being open. The rear of the top plate section 17 is attached to the upper part of the rear section 16 so as to be able to swing up and down around an axis P1 along the left-right direction of the machine, and the top plate section 17 can be operated to a closed position (see Figure 3) and an open position swung upward from the closed position.

[0030] The cutting rotary body 12 has numerous disc-shaped cutting blades 12a attached to its shaft portion 12b. The shaft portion 12b of the cutting rotary body 12 is mounted across the right side 14 and left side 15 of the case 11 so as to be rotatable around an axis P2 along the left-right direction of the machine body, and the cutting rotary body 12 is driven to rotate counterclockwise as shown in Figure 3.

[0031] The supply rotating body 13 has numerous disc-shaped supply bodies 13a attached to its shaft portion 13b. The shaft portion 13b of the supply rotating body 13 is mounted across the right side 14 and left side 15 of the case 11 so as to be rotatable around an axis P3 along the left-right direction of the machine body, and the supply rotating body 13 is driven to rotate at a lower speed than the cutting rotating body 12 in the clockwise direction of Figure 3.

[0032] In the straw cutting device 7, when the top plate portion 17 of the case 11 is operated to the open position, the straw being transported by the straw conveying device 9 falls from the end of the straw conveying device 9 and is supplied into the straw cutting device 7. The straw is sent downward by the supply rotating body 13, cut into smaller pieces by the cutting rotating body 12, and released into the field.

[0033] In the straw cutting device 7, when the top plate portion 17 of the case 11 is operated to the closed position, the straw being transported by the straw transport device 9 falls from the end of the straw transport device 9 onto the top plate portion 17 of the case 11, slides downward and backward along the top plate portion 17 of the case 11, and is released into the field.

[0034] (Working and non-working positions of the straw cutting device) As shown in Figure 2, a frame 18 supporting the lower part of the grain discharge device 10 is provided along the vertical direction of the machine, and the right side portion 14 of the case 11 is attached to the frame 18 so as to be able to swing around an axis P4 along the vertical direction of the machine. The state shown in Figures 2 and 3 is when the straw cutting device 7 is operated to a working position connected to the rear side of the threshing device 5.

[0035] As will be described later, the straw cutting device 7 is swung backward around the axis P4 and moved away from the rear side of the threshing device 5, thereby being operated to a non-working position, which allows for maintenance work on the inside of the threshing device 5 and maintenance work on the straw cutting device 7.

[0036] (Overview of the power transmission mechanism that transmits power to the straw cutting device) As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the transmission mechanism 19 is provided across the left side 5a of the threshing device 5 (corresponding to one side of the machine in the left-right direction) and the left side 15 of the straw cutting device 7 (case 11).

[0037] The transmission mechanism 19 includes transmission pulleys 21, 22, a transmission belt 23 (corresponding to an endless rotating body), a cylindrical shaft 25, transmission sprockets 26, 27, a transmission chain 28, and transmission gears 29, 30, etc.

[0038] The side cover 36 is attached across the left side 5a of the threshing device 5 and the left side 15 of the straw cutting device 7 (case 11). The transmission mechanism 19 is covered by the side cover 36, and in a plan view, the transmission mechanism 19 is located between the left side 15 of the straw cutting device 7 (case 11) and the side cover 36.

[0039] (Details of the power transmission mechanism that transmits power to the straw cutting device) As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, a drive mechanism 20 for driving the feed chain 8 is provided at the rear of the left side 5a of the threshing device 5. A transmission pulley 21, which is rotationally driven by the power driving the feed chain 8, is provided on the drive mechanism 20, and the transmission pulley 21 is rotationally driven in the counterclockwise direction as shown in Figure 3.

[0040] In the straw removal cutting device 7, a transmission pulley 22 having approximately the same diameter as the transmission pulley 21 is connected to the shaft portion 12b of the cutting rotating body 12, and a transmission belt 23 is attached across the transmission pulleys 21 and 22.

[0041] A pivot shaft 24 is connected to the lower part of the shaft portion 13b of the supply rotating body 13 on the left side 15 of the case 11, and a cylindrical shaft 25 is rotatably mounted on the pivot shaft 24. A transmission sprocket 26 is connected to the shaft portion 12b of the cutting rotating body 12, and a transmission sprocket 27, which has a larger diameter than the transmission sprocket 26, is connected to the cylindrical shaft 25. A transmission chain 28 is attached across the transmission sprockets 26 and 27.

[0042] A transmission gear 29 is connected to a cylindrical shaft 25, and a transmission gear 30, which has a larger diameter than the transmission gear 29, is connected to the shaft portion 13b of the supply rotating body 13, so that the transmission gear 29 and the transmission gear 30 mesh together.

[0043] The power from the transmission pulley 21 is transmitted to the shaft 12b of the cutting rotary body 12 via the transmission belt 23 and transmission pulley 22, causing the cutting rotary body 12 to rotate counterclockwise as shown in Figure 3. The power transmitted to the shaft 12b of the cutting rotary body 12 is reduced in speed via the transmission sprockets 26, 27 and transmission chain 28 and then transmitted to the cylindrical shaft 25.

[0044] The power transmitted to the cylindrical shaft 25 is reduced and reversed via the transmission gears 29 and 30 and transmitted to the shaft portion 13b of the supply rotating body 13, causing the supply rotating body 13 to rotate at a lower speed than the cutting rotating body 12 in the clockwise direction shown in Figure 3.

[0045] (Correspondence with claims in a power transmission mechanism for a straw cutting device) With the above configuration, a threshing device 5 for threshing harvested grain stalks is provided. A straw cutting device 7 is provided behind the threshing device 5 for cutting the discarded straw. A transmission mechanism 19 is provided that extends from one side of the threshing device 5 (left side 5a) in the left-right direction of the machine body to one side of the straw cutting device 7 (left side 15) in the left-right direction of the machine body, and transmits power from the threshing device 5 to the straw cutting device 7 by an endless rotating body (transmission belt 23).

[0046] (Configuration of the tension mechanism for the transmission belt) As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, a tension mechanism 31 is provided for the transmission belt 23 of the transmission mechanism 19. The tension mechanism 31 includes a tension arm 32, a tension roller 33, a tension spring 34, and a handle 35, etc.

[0047] The tension mechanism 31 is located below the lower portion of the transmission belt 23 of the transmission mechanism 19. The tension mechanism 31 is covered by the side cover 36, and in a plan view, the tension mechanism 31 is located between the left side portion 15 of the straw removal cutting device 7 (case 11) and the side cover 36.

[0048] The tension arm 32 is attached to the pivot shaft 24 so as to be able to swing around an axis P5 (corresponding to the pivot axis) that runs in the left-right direction of the machine body. The tension arm 32 has an upper portion 32a that extends diagonally forward and upward from the axis P5, and a lower portion 32b that extends diagonally backward and downward from the axis P5.

[0049] A tension roller 33 is rotatably attached to the end of the upper portion 32a of the tension arm 32 (corresponding to one end of the tension arm 32). A tension spring 34 is attached across the end of the lower portion 32b of the tension arm 32 (corresponding to the other end of the tension arm 32) and the lower front part of the left side 15 of the case 11. The tension spring 34 biases the tension arm 32 in the clockwise direction as shown in Figure 3.

[0050] (Handle configuration in tension mechanism) As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the handle 35 is connected to the upper portion 32a of the tension arm 32. The handle 35 has a first portion 35a and a second portion 35b and is formed in an angle shape.

[0051] The first portion 35a of the handle 35 is connected to the end of the upper portion 32a of the tension arm 32 and extends diagonally downward and forward from the upper portion 32a of the tension arm 32 along the upper portion 32a of the tension arm 32, on the opposite side of the axis P5.

[0052] The second portion 35b of the handle 35 extends from the tip of the first portion 35a of the handle 35, passing underneath the lower portion of the transmission belt 23 of the transmission mechanism 19, and toward the left, which is the outward direction in the left-right direction of the machine body.

[0053] (Tensioning state of the tensioning mechanism) The state shown by the solid line in Figure 3 is the tension-applying state of the tension mechanism 31, in which the tension arm 32 is biased clockwise in Figure 3 by the tension spring 34, and the tension roller 33 is pressed from below upward against the lower portion of the transmission belt 23. In the tension-applying state of the tension mechanism 31, tension is generated in the transmission belt 23, and the power of the transmission pulley 21 is transmitted to the transmission pulley 22 via the transmission belt 23.

[0054] In the tensioned state of the tension mechanism 31, the upper portion 32a of the tension arm 32 extends diagonally forward and upward from the axis P5, and the tension roller 33 and handle 35 are located above the axis P5 in a side view.

[0055] The tension roller 33 and handle 35 are located behind the rear end of the left side portion 5a of the threshing device 5 (corresponding to the boundary between the threshing device 5 and the straw cutting device 7 in the longitudinal direction of the machine) when viewed from the side, and behind the front end of the left side portion 15 of the (case 11) of the straw cutting device 7 (corresponding to the boundary between the threshing device 5 and the straw cutting device 7 in the longitudinal direction of the machine).

[0056] Because the first portion 35a of the handle 35 extends diagonally downward and forward from the upper portion 32a of the tension arm 32, the handle 35 (second portion 35b) does not come into contact with the transmission belt 23.

[0057] (Tension mechanism released state) As shown in Figures 1 to 4, when the side cover 36 is removed and the transmission belt 23 is removed from the transmission pulley 22, the straw cutting device 7 can be swung backward around the axis P4 from the working position shown in Figure 2, and can be operated to a non-working position away from the rear side of the threshing device 5.

[0058] When the operator operates the straw cutting device 7 to a non-working position, the operator removes the side cover 36 from the threshing device 5 and the straw cutting device 7. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the worker holds the second part 35b of the handle 35 with one hand and applies their body weight from above to operate the handle 35 downwards, swinging the tension arm 32 counterclockwise in Figure 3, thereby moving the tension roller 33 away from the lower part of the transmission belt 23 (see dashed line in Figure 3). This releases the tension mechanism 31.

[0059] When the tension mechanism 31 is operated to the tension release state, the tension in the transmission belt 23 is lost, allowing the worker to remove the transmission belt 23 from the transmission pulley 22 with their other hand. This allows the worker to operate the straw removal cutting device 7 to a non-working position.

[0060] In the tension release state of the tension mechanism 31 (see dashed line in Figure 3), the upper portion 32a of the tension arm 32 extends forward from the axis P5 in a substantially horizontal position. In a side view, the tension roller 33 is located at approximately the same height as the axis P5, and the handle 35 (second part 35b) is located slightly lower than the axis P5 in a side view. In a side view, the tension roller 33 and the handle 35 are located behind the rear end of the left side 5a of the threshing device 5 and the front end of the left side 15 of the (case 11) of the straw cutting device 7.

[0061] (Correspondence with claims in tension mechanisms) With the above configuration, a tension mechanism 31 is provided that can switch between a tension-applied state in which tension is applied to the endless rotating body (transmission belt 23) and a tension-release state in which no tension is applied to the endless rotating body (transmission belt 23).

[0062] The tension mechanism 31 includes a tension arm 32 that can swing around a pivot axis (axis P5) extending along the left-right direction of the machine body, a tension roller 33 rotatably supported at one end of the tension arm 32 and capable of contacting an endless rotating body (transmission belt 23), a tension spring 34 connected to the other end of the tension arm 32 that biases the tension arm 32 to swing around the pivot axis (axis P5) toward the side where the tension roller 33 contacts the endless rotating body (transmission belt 23), and a handle 35 provided at one end of the tension arm 32 for operating the tension arm 32 to swing toward the side where the tension roller 33 moves away from the endless rotating body (transmission belt 23) around the pivot axis (axis P5).

[0063] The handle 35 is positioned above the pivot axis (axis P5) when the tension mechanism 31 is in the tensioned state. The handle 35 is positioned behind the boundary between the threshing device 5 and the straw cutting device 7 in the longitudinal direction of the machine.

[0064] A side cover 36 is provided that covers one side (left side 15) of the straw removal cutting device 7 from the outside in the left-right direction of the machine. The handle 35 is positioned between one side (left side 15) of the straw removal cutting device 7 and the side cover 36. The handle 35 extends outward from the tension arm 32 in the left-right direction of the machine.

[0065] The handle 35 is connected to one end of the tension arm 32 and has a first portion 35a that extends along the tension arm 32 on the opposite side from the pivot axis (axis P5), and a second portion 35b that is connected to the tip of the first portion 35a and extends outward from the tip of the first portion 35a in the left-right direction of the machine.

[0066] (First alternative embodiment of the invention) When the threshing device 5 is located on the right side of the rear of the machine body 1, and the feed chain 8 is located on the right side of the threshing device 5, the straw cutting device 7 is configured to be operated to a non-working position located behind the rear of the threshing device 5, around the axis P4 set on the left side 15 of the straw cutting device 7 (case 11).

[0067] According to the above configuration, the transmission mechanism 19 is provided across the right side of the threshing device 5 and the right side 14 of the straw cutting device 7 (case 11), and the tension mechanism 31 is provided on the right side 14 of the straw cutting device 7 (case 11). The right side of the threshing device 5 becomes one side of the machine in the left-right direction, and the right side 14 of the straw cutting device 7 (case 11) becomes one side of the machine in the left-right direction.

[0068] (Second alternative embodiment of the invention) The pivot shaft 24 (axis P5) may be located in front of the position shown in Figure 3 on the left side 15 of the straw removal cutting device 7.

[0069] According to the above configuration, when tension is applied by the tension mechanism 31, the upper portion 32a of the tension arm 32 extends diagonally upward and backward from the axis P5, and when tension is released from the tension mechanism 31, the upper portion 32a of the tension arm 32 extends backward from the axis P5 in a substantially horizontal position. The tension spring 34 should be configured to bias the tension arm 32 in the counterclockwise direction as shown in Figure 3.

[0070] (Third alternative form of the invention) In the handle 35, the first part 35a and the second part 35b may be made of separate components, and the first part 35a and the second part 35b may be connected by welding, bolts, or the like.

[0071] (Fourth alternative embodiment of the invention) In the transmission mechanism 19, a transmission chain (not shown) may be used as an endless rotating body instead of the transmission belt 23. [Industrial applicability]

[0072] This invention can be applied to self-propelled combine harvesters. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 5. Threshing device 5a Left side (one side) 7 Straw cutting device 15 Left side (one side) 19 Transmission mechanism 23 Endless Rotating Body 31 Tension Mechanism 32 Tension Arms 32a first part 32b Second part 33 Tension Roller 34 Tension Springs 35 Handle 36 Side Cover P5 Swing axis center

Claims

1. A threshing device for threshing harvested grain stalks, A straw cutting device is provided behind the aforementioned threshing device to cut the discarded straw, A transmission mechanism is provided that extends across one side of the threshing device in the left-right direction and across one side of the straw cutting device in the left-right direction, and transmits power from the threshing device to the straw cutting device by an endless rotating body, The system includes a tension mechanism that can switch between a tension-applying state in which tension is applied to the endless rotating body and a tension-release state in which tension is not applied to the endless rotating body. The tension mechanism of the combine harvester includes a tension arm that can swing around a pivot axis extending along the left-right direction of the machine body, a tension roller rotatably supported at one end of the tension arm and capable of contacting the endless rotating body, a tension spring connected to the other end of the tension arm and biasing the tension arm to swing around the pivot axis toward the side in which the tension roller contacts the endless rotating body, and a handle provided at the one end of the tension arm for operating the tension arm to swing around the pivot axis toward the side in which the tension roller moves away from the endless rotating body.

2. The combine harvester according to claim 1, wherein the handle is located above the pivot axis when the tension mechanism is in the tension-applying state.

3. The combine harvester according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the handle is positioned behind the boundary between the threshing device and the straw cutting device in the longitudinal direction of the machine body.

4. The aforementioned straw removal cutting device is equipped with a side cover that covers one side of the machine from the outside in the left-right direction, The combine harvester according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the handle is positioned between the one side of the straw cutting device and the side cover.

5. The combine harvester according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the handle extends outward from the tension arm in the left-right direction of the machine body.

6. The combine harvester according to claim 5, wherein the handle has a first portion connected to one end of the tension arm and extending along the tension arm in the direction opposite to the pivot axis, and a second portion connected to the tip of the first portion and extending outward from the tip of the first portion in the left-right direction of the machine body.

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