combine

Abstract

To provide a combine capable of satisfying a heat balance in a layout configuration of an electrical controller, suppressing an affection of heat generated from an engine on a front part of a travel machine body, and preventing a failure on the electrical controller.SOLUTION: A combine comprises: an engine provided on a front part of a travel machine body; a reaping base frame which is erected on one side part of the engine in a width direction of the travel machine body; a reaping part which is supported by the reaping base frame on a front side of the engine; and an electrical controller for controlling actuation of the combine. The electrical controller is provided on one side face on the reaping base frame opposite to the engine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a combine harvester provided with an electrical control unit disposed at a location that is less susceptible to the influence of exhaust air from an engine.

Background Art

[0002] Some combine harvesters are equipped with electrical control units for controlling the operation of the combine harvester, such as an ECU for controlling the operation of the engine and a cutting controller for controlling the operation of the cutting unit.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a combine harvester including an engine provided at the front part of a traveling body, and a pair of support bases provided on one side of the engine in the width direction of the traveling body for supporting a cutting unit on the front side of the engine, with an electrical control unit disposed between the same pair of support bases.

[0004] According to such a combine harvester having the layout configuration of the electrical control unit, the electrical control unit can be disposed near controlled members such as the engine and the cutting unit, so that the laying distance of the harness connecting these can be shortened.

[0005] However, the above layout configuration of the electrical control unit does not satisfy the heat balance as a thermal design.

[0006] The heat dissipation path of the engine at the front part of the traveling body is such that when the air blown by the cooling fan of the radiator passes around the outer periphery of the engine, it receives heat from the engine and becomes hot air, and as this hot air passes through each support base and is discharged to the outside, it becomes an exhaust air path along the width direction of the traveling body.

[0007] Therefore, in the above layout configuration where the electrical control unit is disposed between the pair of support bases, the electrical control unit is disposed on the heat dissipation path from the engine, and there is a risk that the exhaust air from the engine will inadvertently apply a heat load to the electrical control unit, causing an electrical trouble in the electrical control unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4276517 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a combine harvester in which the electrical controller is positioned in a location less susceptible to the effects of heat generated by the engine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The combine harvester according to the present invention comprises an engine disposed at the front of a traveling body, a harvesting base frame erected on one side of the engine in the width direction of the traveling body, a harvesting unit supported in front of the engine by the harvesting base frame, and an electrical controller for controlling the operation of the combine harvester, wherein the electrical controller is located on one side of the harvesting base frame opposite to the engine.

[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, the combine harvester has the electrical controller positioned entirely within the width of one side of the harvesting base frame.

[0012] In another aspect of the present invention, the combine harvester is configured such that the electrical controller is positioned inside the harvesting section in the width direction of the traveling machine body.

[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, the combine harvester is provided with a rope hook on one side of the harvesting base frame, and the electrical controller is positioned behind the rope hook.

[0014] The combine according to another aspect of the present invention is such that the electrical equipment controller is a cutting controller for controlling the operation of the cutting unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, in terms of thermal design, it is possible to satisfy the heat balance in the layout configuration of the electrical equipment controller, make it difficult to be affected by the heat generated from the engine at the front part of the traveling body, and prevent malfunctions from occurring in the electrical equipment controller.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] It is a left side view of a combine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a right side view of a combine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a plan view of a combine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a right side view of a cabin and an outside air introduction cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a left side view of a cabin according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a right side view of the interior of a cabin according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a left front perspective view showing the device configuration mounted on the front part of a traveling body according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a right rear perspective view showing the device configuration mounted on the front part of a traveling body according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a right side view showing the device configuration mounted on the front part of a traveling body according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a rear view showing the device configuration mounted on the front part of a traveling body according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a left side view showing a radiator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a left side view showing an intercooler according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] The rear perspective view showing the configurations of the support frame, the connecting frame, and the cutting base frame according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] The left front perspective view showing the arrangement configuration of the radiator, the engine, and the cutting base frame according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] The plan view showing the arrangement configuration of the radiator, the engine, and the cutting base frame according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] The left side view showing the arrangement configuration of the radiator, the engine, and the cutting base frame according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] The left front perspective view showing a partial enlargement of the support configuration by the cutting base frame according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] The left side view showing a partial enlargement of the support configuration by the cutting base frame according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] The system configuration diagram of the electrical controller according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] In a combine harvester in which an engine is disposed at the front part of a traveling body, the present invention aims to stabilize the control function of the combine harvester by the electrical controller by devising the layout of the electrical controller so as to keep it away from the influence of the exhaust heat from the engine. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] The configuration of the combine harvester 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 19. In the following description, the left side and the right side toward the front of the combine harvester 1 are respectively referred to as the left side and the right side in the combine harvester 1.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the combine harvester 1 is configured as a crawler-type running device having a pair of left and right crawler sections 3, 3, and a running body 4 supported by the running section 2.

[0020] On the traveling machine body 4, various harvesting equipment components are arranged in a row, including a cabin 30 in which the worker who will be harvesting the grain sits, an operating unit 12 for the worker to operate the combine harvester, a cutting unit 5 that performs the necessary operations for harvesting the grain, a threshing unit 6, a grain tank 7, a sorting unit 8, a discharge auger 9, and a straw discharge processing unit 10.

[0021] Each crawler section 3 constituting the running section 2 has a track frame 3a extending in the front-rear direction below the running body 4, various rotating bodies supported by the track frame 3a, and tracks 3b wrapped around these rotating bodies.

[0022] The crawler section 3 is a rotating body supported by the track frame 3a and includes a drive sprocket 3c supported at the front end of the track frame 3a, and is driven by power transmitted from the engine 11 mounted on the running body 4.

[0023] The harvesting unit 5 is located at the front of the traveling machine body 4 and extends over approximately the entire width of the combine harvester 1 to harvest and collect grain stalks in the field. The harvesting unit 5 is mounted on the traveling machine body 4 so as to be rotatable around a predetermined axis via a hydraulic cylinder for lifting and lowering, and its height can be adjusted by the rotational movement caused by the extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder.

[0024] The harvesting unit 5 has a harvesting frame 5a, on which a grass divider 5b, a lifting device 5c, a cutting blade device 5d, and a grain stalk conveying device 5e are supported. The harvesting unit 5 is supported in front of the engine 11 via the harvesting frame 5a by a harvesting base frame 700 provided at the front of the traveling machine body 4.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, each device in the harvesting section 5 is operated by power transmitted from the engine 11 of the combine harvester 1 via a counter case 120 located at the rear of the harvesting base frame 700.

[0026] This allows the grain stalks in the field to be separated by the weed divider 5b, the separated grain stalks to be lifted by the lifting device 5c, and the lifted grain stalks to be transported to the rear by the grain stalk conveying device 5e while being cut and harvested by the cutting blade device 5d.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, a threshing unit 6 for threshing the stalks of grain harvested by the harvesting unit 5, and a grain tank 7 for storing the grain removed from the threshing unit 6, are arranged side by side on the traveling machine body 4.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the threshing unit 6 includes a threshing cylinder 6a and a processing cylinder (not shown) with the front-to-back direction as the axis of rotation, and a stalk supply device provided to the left of the threshing cylinder 6a. The stalk supply device grips the base of the stalk and transports the stalk backward in a horizontal position with the ear facing the threshing cylinder 6a. The stalk supply device includes a feed chain wound around a plurality of sprockets with the left-to-right direction as the axis of rotation, and a stalk supply clamping body (not shown) that works in cooperation with the feed chain to grip the base of the stalk.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, a sorting unit 8 is provided below the threshing unit 6 on the traveling machine body 4 to sort the threshed material from the threshing unit 6. The sorting unit 8 comprises an oscillating sorting device 8a, an air sorting device, and a grain conveying device. The oscillating sorting device 8a sorts the material that has fallen from the threshing unit 6, and the air sorting device sorts the material after oscillating sorting.

[0030] The sorting unit 8 transports the grain from the processed material after air separation to the grain tank 7 to the right using a grain conveying device, while blowing away straw and dust to the rear using an air separation device and discharging them outside the machine. The grain that has been transported to the grain tank 7 by the grain conveying device is stored in the grain tank 7.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, a discharge auger 9 for discharging grain from the grain tank 7 to the outside is rotatably mounted on the right rear end of the traveling body 4 via a vertical take-off conveyor 9b located on the right rear side of the traveling body 4. In Figure 3, reference numeral 27 denotes an auger rest for supporting and storing the discharge auger 9, and is located on the left side of the rear of the cabin 30.

[0032] The grain stored in the grain tank 7 is transported by a discharge auger 9 equipped with a screw conveyor and discharged from a discharge port 9a located at the tip of the discharge auger 9. The grain discharged from the discharge port 9a is then loaded onto a truck bed, container, or the like.

[0033] Furthermore, on the traveling machine body 4, a straw disposal unit 10 is provided behind the threshing unit 6, as shown in Figure 1, for processing the straw waste after threshing by the threshing unit 6. The straw disposal unit 10 consists of a straw transport device 10a for transporting the grain stalks (waste stalks) backward and discharging them outside the machine body, and a straw cutting device 10b for cutting the waste stalks transported from the straw transport device 10a and discharging them outside the machine body.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, each harvesting equipment component, such as the threshing unit 6 and sorting unit 8, which are arranged on the traveling machine body 4, is covered on the left side by a side cover 800. The side cover 800 is formed by a long, narrow cover body that makes up most of the left side of the combine harvester 1.

[0035] The side cover 800 covers the counter case 120, the sorting section 8, and the threshing section 6 above it from the outside, on one side in the width direction of the traveling machine 4, from front to rear, and can be opened and closed via a hinge on a support column (not shown) erected on the traveling machine 4.

[0036] In a side view, the side cover 800 covers the counter case 120, the threshing unit 6, and the sorting unit 8, while exposing one side surface 700a of the harvesting base frame 700, which is positioned between these components and the harvesting unit 5 and provides rotational support for the harvesting unit 5. As shown in Figure 1, the side cover 800 has a sloping shape that gradually narrows towards the front and upward at the front, exposing one side surface 700a of the harvesting base frame 700 to the outside below the front of the side cover 800.

[0037] Furthermore, on the traveling machine body 4, a cabin 30 is provided to the right of the harvesting unit 5 and in front of the grain tank 7, covering the driver's unit 12. In other words, the driver's unit 12 is located inside the cabin 30 provided at the front of the traveling machine body 4.

[0038] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the cabin 30 has a front section 31, a rear section 32, a left side section 33, a right side section 34, a roof section 35, and a floor section 36, forming four side walls, and is generally constructed in a box shape.

[0039] The front portion 31 of the cabin 30 has a forward-sloping front upper portion 31a that constitutes the upper majority of the front portion 31, and a forward-sloping front lower portion 31b that constitutes the roughly lower half of the front portion 31, and as a whole it is formed in a concave, bent shape towards the rear when viewed from the side. The front upper portion 31a is made of a rectangular transparent plate to form a transparent window, and the front lower portion 31b is made of a metal plate such as a steel plate to form the front lower side wall.

[0040] As shown in Figure 5, the left side wall 33 of the cabin 30 has a transparent window section in its upper half and a lower side section 41 made of sheet metal such as steel plate in its lower half. A left support column 42 is provided in the center of the left side wall 33 in the front-rear direction, extending linearly along the vertical direction, and a transparent left front window section 47 and a left rear window section 43 are provided on the front and rear sides of this left support column 42, respectively.

[0041] The left rear window section 43 is constructed by attaching a rectangular transparent plate 45 to a frame-shaped window frame section 44, which has the left support column 42 as its front edge, in the upper part of the lower side section 41. The left front window section 47 has a roughly inverted trapezoidal shape, with its front edge aligned with the forward-sloping incline of the front upper surface section 31a of the front section 31.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the right side wall 34 of the cabin 30 is composed of a door 51 for boarding and alighting, which makes up the majority of the wall, and a right front window 59 and a transparent window 70, which are located on the front and rear sides of the door 51, respectively.

[0043] The door 51 is rotatably mounted between the right front support column 49 and the right rear support column 50, which are erected at a fixed distance apart, and the right rear support column 50 is supported at two locations, upper and lower, by support parts 52. The upper half of the door 51 is an openable and closable window section 56, and the lower half is a lower wall section covered with a transparent plate 57, with a handle 58 provided on the front part of the lower wall section.

[0044] The right front support column 49 has its lower part aligned with the slope of the front lower surface 31b of the front section 31 in a side view, and its upper part extends vertically, and is erected at the right front position of the floor section 36. The right rear support column 50 is positioned parallel to the upper part of the right front support column 49 at approximately the same height, and is erected in the front-to-rear center of the right edge of the rear wall section 32, which slopes downward in a side view.

[0045] Furthermore, the right front window section 59 is roughly triangular in shape, with its front edge formed to follow the slope of the front section 31. The transparent window 70 is also roughly triangular in shape, with its rear edge formed to follow the slope of the rear wall section 32.

[0046] The rear wall portion 32 of the cabin 30 is provided as a sloping surface that slopes downwards at the front (upwards at the rear) from the bottom to the top from the front to the rear, and has a rearward-sloping shape when viewed from the side. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the rear wall portion 32 rises diagonally upwards and backwards from the rear of the seat support surface portion 65, and its upper end, which connects to the roof portion 35, is located near the rear end of the roof portion 35.

[0047] The roof portion 35 of the cabin 30 has a roughly rectangular shape with the front-to-rear direction as its longitudinal direction in a plan view, and its front and rear edges protrude in an overhang-like manner beyond the front portion 31 and the upper ends of the rear wall portion 32, respectively.

[0048] As shown in Figure 6, the floor 36 of the cabin 30 forms a horizontal floor surface 63 in front of and below the driver's seat 19. Behind the floor surface 63, a substantially horizontal seat support surface 65 is provided via a downward sloping surface 64. The driver's seat 19, which constitutes the driver's compartment 12, is installed on this seat support surface 65.

[0049] As shown in Figure 6, the driver's unit 12 is located inside the cabin 30 and includes a steering wheel 18 for driving operations, a driver's seat 19 located behind the steering wheel 18, and a side control unit 20 located to the left of the driver's seat 19. The side control unit 20 is configured by arranging various operating devices such as a main gear lever 21 and an auxiliary gear lever 22 on the side column 23.

[0050] As shown in Figure 3, a prime mover unit, including an engine 11 installed in an engine room 13, is provided below and rear of the driver's unit 12. The engine 11 is located below the driver's unit 12 and on the right side of the front of the traveling body 4. The engine 11 is a diesel engine, and its power is transmitted to various devices such as the traveling unit 2, harvesting unit 5, threshing unit 6, sorting unit 8, discharge auger 9, and straw processing unit 10 via a counter case 120 and other transmissions. The engine 11 is installed together with the threshing unit 6 and grain tank 7 on the machine base 25 that constitutes the traveling body 4.

[0051] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the engine 11 is connected in communication with a supercharger 340, which has a compressor turbine at both ends of its rotating shaft and is capable of coaxial rotational drive, to both the intake manifold on the air intake side and the exhaust manifold on the exhaust gas discharge side. The supercharger 340 is configured to rotate the turbine at one end of its rotating shaft and the compressor at the other end of its rotating shaft using the exhaust gas discharged from the engine 11, thereby forcibly sending air into the engine 11.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 to 10, the engine 11 is equipped with an air cleaner 561, an intake pipe 563, and a pre-cleaner 562, which constitute its intake system. The air cleaner 561 and the pre-cleaner 562 are connected to each other by the intake pipe 563.

[0053] The pre-cleaner 562 is located at the upstream end of the air intake path to the engine 11. It takes in air into the air intake path while removing dust and other particles, thereby purifying the air taken into the air intake path. The air cleaner 561 further purifies the air that has been purified by the pre-cleaner 562 and sent through the air intake pipe 563 before supplying it to the engine 11.

[0054] The air cleaner 561 has a roughly cylindrical shape and is positioned between the exhaust gas purification device 330 (described later) and the intercooler 500 with its cylindrical axis oriented in the front-to-back direction. As shown in Figure 7, a downstream intake pipe 565 extends from the air discharge side of the air cleaner 561, and the downstream side of the downstream intake pipe 565 is connected to an air intake section provided on the compressor side of the supercharger 340.

[0055] The air intake pipe 563 is supported by a straight rod-shaped pipe support rod 570 extending from the intercooler 500. The lower end of the pipe support rod 570 is fixedly supported to the upper part of the rear surface portion 501e of the case 501 by bolts or the like, and the upper end is fixedly supported to the middle part of the air intake pipe 563.

[0056] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the combine harvester 1 has a machine base 25 on the track frame 3a. The machine base 25 is horizontally constructed on the track frame 3a by frame members, plate-like members, etc., arranged in the front-rear or left-right direction. The rear side of the machine base 25 extends rearward from the rear end of the crawler section 3 in the front-rear direction.

[0057] The engine 11 is mounted on the front right side of the machine base 25, with the axial direction of its output shaft oriented left to right. The threshing unit 6 and grain tank 7 are located behind the engine 11. As shown in Figure 7, a transmission case 26 for transmitting power from the engine 11 to the crawler units 3 is positioned between the left and right crawler units 3 at the front of the machine base 25.

[0058] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, a step support frame 600 is provided below the floor 36 of the cabin 30, supporting the floor surface 63 of the floor 36 at the front end of the machine base 25. The step support frame 600 is assembled in a rectangular frame shape by multiple vertical and horizontal frame sections 601 and 602 and is provided on the lower front side of the driver's unit 12 (the front of the machine base 25). A battery 610 for power supply, a steering case (not shown), and a continuously variable transmission case are arranged in the space inside it.

[0059] A rectangular shielding plate 620 is installed on the front side of the step support frame 600, substantially closing the front opening of the step support frame 600. In this embodiment, a standard controller 630, which controls various functions such as the combine harvester's power supply, harvesting lifting and lowering, and hydraulic valves, is provided on the front side of the shielding plate 620.

[0060] Specifically, a battery 610 for power supply is mounted below the driver's unit 12 and behind the shielding plate 620. Below the driver's unit 12, in front of the engine 11, the standard controller 630, shielding plate 620, and battery 610 are arranged in a front-to-back direction from front to back.

[0061] As a result, the standard controller 630 and the engine 11 are positioned on the front and rear sides, respectively, centered around the inner space of the step support frame 600. Furthermore, the battery 610 and the shielding plate 620 are positioned between the standard controller 630 and the engine 11, so both the battery 610 and the shielding plate 620 block the heat dissipated from the engine 11 to the standard controller 630.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the cabin 30 is equipped with an air conditioning unit 80 that provides heating and cooling services to the interior of the cabin 30. The air conditioning unit 80 is operated by an air conditioning control unit (not shown) located in the operation unit 12. The air conditioning control unit includes, for example, switches to turn the air conditioning unit 80 on and off, and a dial to adjust the set temperature.

[0063] The air conditioning system 80 includes a condenser unit 81 installed on the rear wall 32 of the cabin 30 as an outdoor unit, and an air conditioning unit 82 installed inside the roof 35 of the cabin 30 as an indoor unit.

[0064] The air conditioning unit 82 includes a heat exchanger 95 that contains an evaporator and a heater, and a blower fan that blows air to the heat exchanger 95. The heat exchanger 95 and the blower fan are connected to each other and the unit is installed in the roof section 35 above the condenser unit 81.

[0065] The roof section 35 has a flattened outer shape and a hollow interior, and includes a lower panel section 97 and an upper panel section 98 provided above the lower panel section 97. A recessed section 97d protruding downward is formed at the rear of the lower panel section 97, and this recessed section 97d forms an air conditioner housing section 99 for housing the air conditioner unit 82.

[0066] Furthermore, within the roof section 35, a ventilation duct 105 is provided in front of the air conditioning unit 82 to send the conditioned air obtained by the air conditioning unit 82 into the cabin 30. The cool air generated by the heat exchanger 95 is pressurized and sent through the ventilation duct 105 and blown out from an outlet 106 provided for the cabin 30.

[0067] As shown in Figure 4, an outside air intake cover 15 is provided at the rear of the cabin 30 in this configuration, with its front portion inclined to follow the rear edge of the cabin 30 when viewed from the side.

[0068] The outside air intake cover 15 is substantially trapezoidal in shape and is flush with the right side surface of the grain tank 7 on the right side of the combine harvester 1, between the cabin 30 and the grain tank 7. In other words, the grain tank 7 is located behind the cabin 30 on the traveling body 4 and is positioned behind the outside air intake cover 15 in the front-rear direction. The outside air intake cover 15 is rotatably supported by a support column erected on the traveling body 4 along the rear edge of the cabin 30 via a hinge (not shown).

[0069] As shown in Figure 4, the outside air intake cover 15 and the cabin 30 overlap each other in a side view, with the front of the outside air intake cover 15 and the rear of the cabin 30 overlapping each other, and their opposing edges forming a boundary portion 67 along boundary line A1.

[0070] As shown in Figure 4, the upper and lower surfaces of the outside air intake cover 15 are provided with an intake port 503 for introducing outside air into the intercooler 500, which is the upper cooling device, and a rotary screen 16 for introducing outside air into the radiator 14, which is the lower cooling device.

[0071] In other words, inside the outside air intake cover 15, the upper cooling device intercooler 500 is positioned such that, in a right-side view, most of it overlaps with the intake port 503, and the lower cooling device radiator 14 is positioned such that, in a right-side view, most of it overlaps with the rotary screen 16.

[0072] The rotary screen 16 at the bottom of the outside air intake cover 15 is rotatably supported by an opening 16a formed in the outside air intake cover 15 and is configured to rotate by the drive of a motor (not shown).

[0073] Specifically, the rotary screen 16 consists of a rotating support that rotates at the center of a circular opening 16a, a circular dustproof mesh 16b stretched over the rotating support so as to close the opening 16a, and a suction device 17 that contacts the dustproof mesh 16b from the outside to suck up and remove the collected dust. This prevents dust from entering the engine room 13 along with the outside air.

[0074] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the intake port 503 at the top of the outside air intake cover 15 is constructed by stretching a dustproof mesh 503b over an opening 503a formed in the outside air intake cover 15. The opening 503a and the dustproof mesh 503b have an arc shape that follows the outer shape of the top of the outside air intake cover 15 and whose lower side follows the circular shape of the opening 16a of the rotary screen 16.

[0075] Furthermore, an upper cover portion 24 is provided on the upper side of the outside air intake cover 15. The upper cover portion 24 is in the shape of a roughly trapezoidal plate and is provided so as to form a right side surface that is flush with the outside air intake cover 15. The upper cover portion 24 is provided in a state where it is fixed to a predetermined frame or the like.

[0076] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, an intercooler 500 and a radiator 14, which serve as cooling devices for the engine 11, are arranged vertically side by side on the vehicle body 4 between the outside air intake cover 15 and the engine 11.

[0077] In other words, the cooling system for cooling the engine 11 consists of two parts, an intercooler 500 which is located on the upper side via a support frame 360 ​​(described later) to cool the air supplied to the engine 11, and a radiator 14 which is located on the lower side to cool the coolant of the engine 11.

[0078] The lower cooling device, the radiator 14, is installed in the middle of the coolant circulation path of the engine 11 and is configured to cool the coolant sent from the engine 11 through heat exchange with outside air drawn into the engine compartment 13 by the cooling fan 140.

[0079] As shown in Figure 11, the radiator 14 has a rectangular box-like outer shape and includes an upper tank 141 that temporarily stores coolant supplied from the engine 11, a lower tank 142 that temporarily stores cooled coolant, a plurality of tubes (not shown) that extend vertically between the upper tank 141 and the lower tank 142 and are arranged side by side horizontally, and a plurality of fins (not shown) that are fitted and fixed to the tubes.

[0080] Each tube is connected to the upper tank 141 and the lower tank 142 at their upper and lower ends, and the cooling air drawn in from the outside by the cooling fan 140 comes into contact with the fins, thereby exchanging heat with the cooling water flowing inside and cooling it.

[0081] Such a radiator 14 is erected between the engine 11 and the outside air intake cover 15, which serves as the engine cover for the engine compartment 13 that covers the right side of the engine 11, with the left-right direction being the thickness direction.

[0082] The cooling fan 140 is located on the right side of the engine 11, with the radiator 14 installed to its right. The cooling fan 140's rotation axis is directly connected to the drive shaft of the engine 11, and it rotates in the intake direction in conjunction with the engine 11's operation.

[0083] The radiator 14 has a rectangular frame-shaped radiator frame 143 when viewed from the side. The radiator 14 is attached to the radiator frame 143 so as to completely cover the rectangular exhaust-side opening of the radiator frame 143. In addition, a dustproof screen 143b for trapping dust and other particles is stretched over the intake-side opening 143a on the outside of the radiator frame 143.

[0084] A shroud 144 is provided between the radiator 14 and the cooling fan 140. By covering the cooling fan 140 with the shroud 144, the fan 140 promotes the intake of outside air, and the cooling air is efficiently blown onto the radiator 14.

[0085] The shroud 144 is a rectangular box-shaped member of roughly the same size as the radiator 14. The outer surface where the radiator 14 is placed is completely open, while the inner surface where the cooling fan 140 is placed has an intake hole 144a with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the cooling fan 140. The shroud 144 is fixed to the radiator frame 143 with fastening members such as bolts, with the radiator 14 interposed between the shroud 144 and the radiator frame 143.

[0086] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, a coolant inlet pipe 145 and a coolant outlet pipe 146, which form a coolant circulation path, are piped between the radiator 14 and the engine 11. The engine 11 has a cooler jacket (not shown) through which the coolant circulates.

[0087] The upstream end of the coolant inlet pipe 145 is connected to the outlet 142a of the lower tank 142 at the bottom of the radiator 14. The downstream end of the coolant inlet pipe 145 is connected to the inlet 110a of the cooler jacket of the engine 11. A pump (not shown) for circulating coolant is interposed between the coolant inlet pipe 145 and the cooler jacket.

[0088] Furthermore, the upstream end of the coolant outlet pipe 146 is connected to the outlet 110b of the cooler jacket 110 of the engine 11. The downstream end of the coolant outlet pipe 146 is connected to the inlet 141a of the upper tank 141 at the top of the radiator 14. The coolant outlet pipe 146 is also connected to a reservoir tank 147, to which coolant is supplied as needed, via a supply pipe 147a.

[0089] When the cooling fan 140 rotates, cooling air is drawn into the engine compartment 13 from the outside air intake cover 15 located on the right side of the radiator 14, and this outside air is used for the heat exchange of the coolant in the radiator 14. The cooling air generated in the engine compartment 13 by the cooling fan 140 drawing in outside air flows towards the engine 11, and cools the engine 11 directly by coming into contact with it on its outer circumference.

[0090] The upper cooling device, the intercooler 500, is located between the cabin 30 and the grain tank 7. The intercooler 500 is configured such that the entire case 501 is covered from the right by an outside air intake cover 15.

[0091] In other words, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the grain tank 7 is positioned such that its front portion 7a, which is a vertical planar portion, is located behind the intercooler 500 (case 501) and radiator 14, which are located at the rear and right side of the cabin 30.

[0092] Thus, the intercooler 500 and radiator 14, which serve as cooling devices, are positioned on the right side of the vehicle body 4 and are located between the cabin 30 and the grain tank 7 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 4.

[0093] The intercooler 500 functions as a heat exchanger that cools the air discharged from the compressor of the supercharger 340 of the engine 11. The air cooled by the intercooler 500 is supplied to the intake manifold of the engine 11 as supply air to the engine 11.

[0094] As shown in Figures 7, 10, and 12, an air inlet pipe 505 and an air outlet pipe 506 are routed between the intercooler 500 and the engine 11.

[0095] The upstream end of the air inlet pipe 505 is connected to the compressor side of the supercharger 340. As shown in Figures 7, 10, and 12, the downstream end of the air inlet pipe 505 is connected to an inlet 507 located at the front of the lower side of the lower surface portion 501a of the case 501. The air inlet pipe 505 is also positioned to pass under the front of the front lateral frame 361. The inlet 507 is a cylindrical projection located at the front of the duct portion 509, which is located on the lower side of the lower surface portion 501a of the case 501, and opens to the left.

[0096] The air inlet pipe 505 is positioned to the left from the inlet 507 and extends forward and downward on the right side of the engine 11, connecting to the supercharger 340 located at the front upper part of the engine 11 from the right. Through the air inlet pipe 505, air discharged from the compressor of the supercharger 340 is supplied to the intercooler 500. It is cooled as it passes through a predetermined air passage 504 having fins or the like, which is provided inside the case 501.

[0097] The upstream end of the air outlet pipe 506 is connected to an outlet 508 located at the rear of the lower surface portion 501a of the case 501. The outlet 508 is a cylindrical projection located at the rear of the duct portion 509, opening to the left. The downstream end of the air outlet pipe 506 is connected to the intake manifold of the engine 11.

[0098] The air outlet pipe 506 extends from the outlet 508 toward the lower left front and connects from the right to the intake manifold located at the upper rear of the engine 11. The air outlet pipe 506 supplies the air cooled within the case 501 to the intake manifold of the engine 11.

[0099] As shown in Figure 12, the intercooler 500 is enclosed in a box-shaped case 501 having a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. The case 501 is installed with its longitudinal direction oriented in the front-to-back direction when viewed from above, and its longitudinal direction oriented in the up-to-down direction when viewed from the front-to-back direction. The intercooler 500 is mounted on the machine base 25, in a position to the upper right of the engine 11, and is supported by a predetermined support member.

[0100] Furthermore, the intercooler 500 has a cooling fan 540 that can blow air towards the exhaust gas purification device 330, which will be described later.

[0101] The cooling fan 540 is an electric fan comprising a fan body and an electric fan motor as a drive source for driving the fan body. The fan body is configured to rotate in either the forward or reverse direction using the driving force of the fan motor.

[0102] The cooling fan 540 is positioned on the left side within the case 501, with the rotation axis of the fan body oriented in the left-right direction. A circular opening, or ventilation port 501f, is formed on the left side surface 501c of the case 501, concentric with the fan body. The ventilation port 501f is formed so as to expose almost the entire cooling fan 540 when viewed from the left side.

[0103] To the left of the intercooler 500, as shown in Figures 7 to 10, is an exhaust gas purification device 330 for purifying exhaust gas from the engine 11. The exhaust gas purification device 330 purifies the exhaust gas by removing particulate matter such as soot and nitrogen oxides (NOx) contained in the exhaust gas.

[0104] The exhaust gas purification device 330 has a roughly cylindrical DPF case 331 and an SCR case 332 of similar size, and the DPF case 331 and SCR case 332 are arranged vertically above the main body of the engine 11 with their longitudinal directions facing the front-to-back direction.

[0105] In other words, the exhaust gas purification device 330 is positioned directly behind the rear wall 32 of the cabin 30 in the front-rear direction (see Figures 1 and 2), and approximately in the center of the left-right direction of the traveling machine body 4 (between the threshing unit 6 and the grain tank 7) (see Figure 3). Furthermore, the exhaust gas purification device 330 is located below the roof 35 of the cabin 30 and is positioned on the left rear side of the cabin 30 (see Figures 1 and 3).

[0106] With the exhaust gas purification device 330 arranged as described above, the DPF case 331 and SCR case 332 are positioned vertically side by side with their longitudinal direction as the front-to-back direction, behind the operating unit 12 located above the engine 11 and on the right side, which is the inner left and right side of the threshing unit 6.

[0107] The DPF case 331 has a diesel particulate filter inside to remove particulate matter from the exhaust gas of the engine 11. The SCR case 332 has a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system using urea inside to remove nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gas of the engine 11.

[0108] Furthermore, one end (upstream side) of the exhaust pipe 341, which introduces exhaust gas from the engine 11 into the DPF case 331, is connected to the exhaust gas outlet side of the supercharger 340. The other end (downstream side) of the exhaust pipe 341 is connected to the exhaust gas inlet located on the lower front side of the DPF case 331.

[0109] A DPF outlet pipe 342 extends from the rear of the DPF case 331 to discharge exhaust gas from inside the DPF case 331. The DPF outlet pipe 342 is arranged in a folded manner, extending upward and to the left from the rear of the DPF case 331 before turning towards the front. The downstream side of an elbow-shaped SCR inlet pipe 343, which is arranged towards the rear, is connected to an exhaust gas inlet located on the lower left side of the front of the SCR case 332.

[0110] The downstream side of the DPF outlet pipe 342 and the upstream side of the SCR inlet pipe 343 are opposite each other in the front-to-back direction, and a urea mixing pipe (not shown) is provided between the DPF outlet pipe 342 and the SCR inlet pipe 343 to connect these pipes. The exhaust gas discharged from the rear of the DPF case 331 is redirected back to the front by the DPF outlet pipe 342 and introduced into the SCR case 332 via the urea mixing pipe and the SCR inlet pipe 343.

[0111] A urea injection unit 348 is provided in the DPF outlet pipe 342. Urea water stored in a urea water tank is sprayed into the urea injection unit 348 by a urea water supply device, and the urea water is mixed with the exhaust gas that is discharged from the DPF case 331 as ammonia and introduced into the SCR case 332.

[0112] An SCR outlet pipe 346 for discharging exhaust gas from inside the SCR case 332 is provided at the rear of the SCR case 332. A tailpipe 347 for discharging purified exhaust gas is attached to the other end (downstream side) of the SCR outlet pipe 346.

[0113] As described above, the exhaust gas purification device 330 removes particulate matter and nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gas discharged from the engine 11, and the exhaust gas is then discharged in a purified state.

[0114] Next, we will describe the support configuration for supporting the exhaust gas purification device 330, the radiator 14 as a cooling device, the intercooler 500, and the harvesting unit 5 on the traveling machine body 4.

[0115] The exhaust gas purification device 330 and the cooling devices, namely the radiator 14 and intercooler 500, are supported at the front of the machine base 25 by a support frame 360 ​​and a connecting frame 380 erected on the left half in the width direction of the traveling machine body 4.

[0116] As shown in Figure 13, the support frame 360 ​​and the connecting frame 380 are configured to surround the engine 11, which is installed at the front of the machine base 25, forming the engine room 13.

[0117] The exhaust gas purification device 330 is supported on the machine base 25 by a support frame 360 ​​and a connecting frame 380. The support frame 360 ​​is provided on the machine base 25 of the traveling machine body 4 and is a frame that supports the driver's unit 12. The connecting frame 380 is a frame that connects the support frame 360 ​​to the machine base 25 of the traveling machine body 4.

[0118] The support frame 360 ​​includes a front transverse frame 361 positioned horizontally above the front of the engine 11, a front-to-rear extension frame 362 positioned vertically to the right of the engine 11 at approximately the same height as the front transverse frame 361, and three support columns: a front left support column 363, a front right support column 364, and a rear right support column 365.

[0119] As shown in Figure 13, the front left support column 363 is erected on the harvesting base frame 700, which is located to the left of the engine 11 on the machine base 25. The lower end of the front left support column 363 is fixed to the horizontal support seat 713 of the inner support base 710, which forms the upper right surface of the harvesting base frame 700, by bolts or the like, and the support column 363 is erected vertically on the support seat 713.

[0120] The front right support 364 is located in front of the front left support 363 in the front-rear direction and is erected on the engine base 25 at a position to the right front of the engine 11. The rear right support 365 is located at approximately the same position in the left-right direction as the front right support 364 and is positioned behind the front right support 364, and is erected on the engine base 25 at a position to the right rear of the engine 11.

[0121] The front and rear extension frame 362 extends along the front-rear direction in a plan view and is supported on both the front and rear sides by the front right support column 364 and the rear right support column 365. The upper ends of the front right support column 364 and the rear right support column 365 are fixed to the front and rear extension frame 362 by welding or the like.

[0122] The front transverse frame 361 is horizontally installed between the front left support column 363 and the front and rear extension frame 362. The left end of the front transverse frame 361 is fixed to the front of the upper and lower intermediate section of the front left support column 363 by welding or the like. The right end of the front transverse frame 361 is positioned above the front of the front and rear extension frame 362 and is fixedly supported to the front and rear extension frame 362 via a predetermined support bracket or the like.

[0123] The front transverse frame 361 is a frame that supports the rear of the cabin 30 from below. On both the left and right sides of the front transverse frame 361, there are support bases 367, which are horizontal plate-shaped portions that protrude from the front transverse frame 361 toward the rear. The support bases 367 are the parts that receive the support legs (not shown) provided at the rear of the bottom surface of the cabin 30.

[0124] The cabin 30 is supported by the front lateral frame 361 with its support legs in contact with the left and right support bases 367 from above. With this configuration, the driver's unit 12 located inside the cabin 30 is supported by the support frame 360 ​​located on the machine base 25.

[0125] The connecting frame 380 has a central front-rear extension frame 381 positioned in the front-rear direction above the engine 11, and a rear central support column 382 provided behind the engine 11. Both the central front-rear extension frame 381 and the rear central support column 382 are formed from square steel pipes.

[0126] The rear central support 382 is erected on the engine base 25 at a position behind the left-right center of the engine 11. In the left-right direction, the rear central support 382 is located approximately in the center between the front left support 363 and the front right support 364, and in the front-rear direction, it is located behind the rear right support 365.

[0127] The central front-rear extension frame 381 extends horizontally along the front-rear direction and is supported at both the front and rear ends by the front transverse frame 361 and the rear central support column 382. The front end of the central front-rear extension frame 381 is located above the approximate center of the left-right portion of the front transverse frame 361 and is fixedly supported via support brackets or the like. The rear end of the central front-rear extension frame 381 is supported from below by the rear central support column 382.

[0128] Thus, an L-shaped frame section is formed by the central front and rear extension frame 381 and the rear central support column 382, ​​which form the connecting frame 380, with one end connected and supported to the front lateral frame 361 and the other end supported on the machine base section 25. A support frame 390 is provided on the central front and rear extension frame 381 relative to the connecting frame 380.

[0129] The support frame 390 is a fixing member that securely supports the DPF case 331 and SCR case 332 to the connecting frame 380. In other words, the DPF case 331 and SCR case 332 are mounted on the central front-rear extending frame 381 that constitutes the connecting frame 380, and are fixedly supported via the support frame 390.

[0130] The support frame 390 has a roughly rectangular plate-like outer shape and is fixedly supported to the central front-to-back extending frame 381 via predetermined support members, with the plate thickness direction oriented in the left-to-right direction.

[0131] The DPF case 331 and SCR case 332 are located on the threshing section 6 side, i.e., the left side, relative to the support frame 390, and are fixedly supported to the support frame 390 by predetermined fixing members. The support frame 390 is, for example, a cast part and has high rigidity.

[0132] Furthermore, the DPF case 331 and the SCR case 332 are covered by a cover support frame 420. The cover support frame 420 is fixedly supported on one side towards the threshing section 6 and fixedly supported on the other side towards the support frame 390, and is installed so as to straddle the top of the SCR case 332 from left to right.

[0133] The intercooler 500, which serves as the upper cooling device, is supported by the support frame 360, similar to the exhaust gas purification device 330, and is positioned above the radiator 14, which serves as the lower cooling device.

[0134] The intercooler 500 is mounted on the front and rear extension frames 362 that constitute the support frame 360. The intercooler 500 is supported on the front and rear extension frames 362 by fixing support stays 512 provided on the case 501 to support projections 511 provided on the front and rear extension frames 362 on both the front and rear sides of the case 501. The support portion 510, consisting of the support projections 511 and the support stays 512, is configured symmetrically in the front and rear direction.

[0135] The support projections 511 are provided at two locations, front and rear, separated by a distance greater than the front-to-rear dimension of the case 501. They are formed by fixing a bent plate-shaped metal fitting, which is roughly U-shaped in plan view, to the upper surface of the front-to-rear extending frame 362, in an upright position with the left side as the open side, by welding or the like.

[0136] The support stay 512 is a longitudinally bent plate-shaped member having a substantially L-shaped cross-section, and is fixed to the front portion 501d and the rear portion 501e of the case 501, respectively, with its longitudinal direction being the vertical direction. The support stay 512 is provided with the case 501 such that the upper fixing surface portion 512a is fixed to the front portion 501d or the rear portion 501e by welding or the like, and the lower part protrudes below the lower surface portion 501a.

[0137] Thus, the support stay 512 constitutes legs that protrude downward on both the front and rear sides of the case 501, and the lower ends of the legs are fixed to support projections 511 that protrude onto the front and rear extension frame 362.

[0138] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the intercooler 500 is connected to and supported by the support frame 390 that supports the exhaust gas purification device 330, by two support rods, a first support rod 521 and a second support rod 522, which are installed between the intercooler 500 and the support frame 390 that supports the exhaust gas purification device 330.

[0139] The first support rod 521 and the second support rod 522 are both straight pipe-shaped members with a circular cross-section, and are arranged in a roughly left-right direction with a slight downward slope to the right. The first support rod 521 is located behind the second support rod 522.

[0140] The first support rod 521 has one end, located on the left side, fixed by a bolt or the like to a predetermined fixing part provided in the middle of the front-to-rear upper edge of the support frame 390. The other end, located on the right side, of the first support rod 521 has been fixed by a bolt or the like to the upper left corner of the rear surface 501e of the case 501.

[0141] The second support rod 522 has one end, located on the left side, fixed by a bolt or the like to a predetermined fixing part provided at the rear end of the upper edge of the support frame 390. The other end, located on the right side, of the second support rod 522 has one end, located on the right side, fixed by a bolt or the like to a longitudinal support stay 529 fixed to the upper left corner of the front part 501d of the case 501.

[0142] A radiator 14 is positioned below the intercooler 500, which is supported by the front and rear extension frame 362. The radiator 14 is sandwiched between the front right support column 364 and the rear right support column 365 of the support frame 360 ​​and is erected along the right end edge of the machine base 25.

[0143] The front right support column 364 and the rear right support column 365 each protrude outward at regular intervals in the vertical direction and have multiple front and rear brackets 364a and 365a facing each other. In addition, the front right support column 364 and the rear right support column 365 have strip-shaped front and rear bases 364b and 365b that protrude outward horizontally from their lower edges.

[0144] As shown in Figures 11 and 13, the radiator 14 is fixed to the front right support column 364 and the rear right support column 365 by fastening members such as bolts, with the widthwise side wall portion facing the front and rear brackets 364a and 365a and the bottom side wall portion mounted on the front and rear bases 364b and 365b.

[0145] In this way, in the traveling body 4, the intercooler 500 is positioned and supported on the upper side by the support frame 360, and the radiator 14 is positioned and supported below the intercooler 500, allowing for effective use of the space on the base section 25, and enabling the intercooler 500 and radiator 14 to be compactly housed.

[0146] Furthermore, the harvesting unit 5 is supported in front of the machine base unit 25, as shown in Figure 10, by a harvesting base frame 700 located on the left half of the width direction of the traveling machine body 4, that is, to the left of the engine 11, thus being in front of the engine 11 (traveling machine body 4).

[0147] In other words, as shown in Figures 14 to 16, the radiator 14, engine 11, and harvesting base frame 700 are arranged in a sequential left-to-right horizontal configuration along the width direction of the traveling body 4 at the front of the machine base section 25 (traveling body 4). That is, at the front of the machine base section 25, the radiator 14 and engine 11 are arranged in the right half of the width direction of the traveling body 4, and the harvesting base frame 700 is arranged in the left half of the width direction of the traveling body 4.

[0148] As shown in Figures 14 to 16, the front of the machine base section 25 is formed by a pair of machine base lateral frames 250 and 251 that are arranged parallel to each other at a constant distance from front to back and extend along the width direction of the running machine body 4. Both the front and rear machine base lateral frames 250 and 251 are made of square steel pipes and extend over approximately the entire width of the running machine body 4.

[0149] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 to 10, the left and right ends of the machine base section 25 are arranged parallel to each other at a certain distance apart, and are formed by a pair of machine base front and rear frames 253 and 254 that run along the front-rear direction of the traveling machine body 4.

[0150] Between the pair of machine base lateral frames 250 and 251 that form the front of the machine base section 25, the radiator 14, engine 11, and harvesting base frame 700 are arranged sequentially in a horizontal line along the extension direction of the machine base lateral frames 250 and 251, as shown in Figures 14 to 16, and are supported downward.

[0151] In other words, the radiator 14 has the rotation axis of its cooling fan 140 parallel to the pair of machine base lateral frames 250 and 251, and its rotation axis is positioned in the center between the pair of machine base lateral frames 250 and 251, and is located near the right side of the right end of the machine base lateral frames 250 and 251. The engine 11 is positioned to the left of the radiator 14, straddling approximately the right half of the machine base lateral frames 250 and 251. The harvesting base frame 700 is positioned straddling approximately the left half of the machine base lateral frames 250 and 251.

[0152] In other words, the heat dissipation path R of the engine 11 (shown by a thick arrow in Figures 14 and 15) becomes an exhaust path that moves from right to left in the width direction of the combine harvester 1's traveling body 4, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, due to the rotation of the cooling fan 140 of the radiator 14.

[0153] Furthermore, on the machine base 25, a counter case 120 is positioned behind the harvesting base frame 700, as shown in Figures 17 and 18, to transmit power from the engine 11 to the various devices of the harvesting unit 5. The counter case 120 has a harvesting pulley 122 that is connected to the engine 11 and rotates vertically on the left side.

[0154] Furthermore, a harvesting input pulley 123, which rotates vertically via a harvesting input shaft (not shown), is pivotally supported on the left side of the harvesting base frame 700. In other words, the harvesting input pulley 123 is positioned in front of the harvesting pulley 122, and the harvesting belt 121 is endlessly suspended between the harvesting pulley 122 and the harvesting input pulley 123.

[0155] The harvesting input pulley 123 has an input shaft on a harvesting lateral support rod (not shown) that constitutes the harvesting frame 5a. The harvesting input pulley 123 rotates the input shaft via the harvesting pulley 122 of the counter case 120 and the harvesting belt 121, transmitting power from the engine 11 to each device of the harvesting unit 5.

[0156] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the harvesting base frame 700 includes an inner support base 710 located on the engine side and an outer support base 720 located outside the inner support base 710.

[0157] The inner support base 710 and the outer support base 720 each have a roughly trapezoidal shape when viewed from the side, and are connected by a connecting beam 730 that spans their upper ends. The inner support base 710 and the outer support base 720 are also erected between a pair of front and rear machine base lateral frames 250 and 251 that form the front part of the machine base 25.

[0158] The inner support base 710 includes a rectangular bar-shaped support column 711 erected on the machine base 25 close to the engine side, an inner base 712 which is approximately a right-angle trapezoidal in side view and erected to the left of the support column 711, and a flat plate-shaped support seat 713 which is horizontally supported between the upper ends of the support column 711 and the inner base 712.

[0159] The support column 711 and the inner base 712 are connected at their upper ends by a connecting beam 730 that extends from the inner base 712 and is connected to the outer support base 720, and the support seat 713 is fixed horizontally on the connecting beam 730.

[0160] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the support column 711 is erected midway along the front machine base lateral frame 250. The inner base 712, when viewed from the side, has its right-angled trapezoidal vertical side facing forward and is erected straddling the front and rear pair of machine base lateral frames 250 and 251.

[0161] The outer support base 720 is made of a rigid member and, when viewed from the front, has a vertically rectangular outer shape with a wide width and thick walls, and when viewed from the side, has a roughly right-angled trapezoidal shape with a wide lower base. The outer support base 720 is positioned with the vertical side of the right-angled trapezoid towards the front when viewed from the side, and is erected straddling the ends of the front and rear machine base lateral frames 250 and 251.

[0162] As shown in Figure 16 when viewed from the side, the outer support base 720 has a front support base portion 721 corresponding to the vertical rectangular portion of a right-angled trapezoid, and a support seat portion 722 corresponding to the triangular portion of a right-angled trapezoid, which extends from the rear side of the support base portion 721 and slopes downward toward the rear.

[0163] As shown in Figures 14 to 18, a belt cover 740 is attached to the inclined upper edge of the rear outer (left) side of the outer support base 720, which guides the lower surface of the harvesting belt 121 at a position below the harvesting belt 121.

[0164] The belt cover 740 has a flat plate-shaped fixing portion 741 that abuts against and is fixed to the outer surface of the support seat portion 722 of the outer support base 720, and a strip-shaped flange portion 742 that protrudes perpendicularly outward from the upper edge of the fixing portion 741.

[0165] The belt cover 740 is positioned such that the flange portion 742 protrudes outward by fixing the fixing portion 741 to the outer surface of the support seat portion 722 of the outer support base 720 along the inclined upper left edge of the support seat portion 722, and the upper surface of the flange portion 742 is positioned to face the lower surface of the harvesting belt 121 in close proximity.

[0166] Furthermore, the belt cover 740 has a strip-shaped web portion 743 that protrudes perpendicularly outward from the straight rear end edge of the fixing portion 741 and also protrudes perpendicularly downward from the rear middle portion of the lower surface of the flange portion 742.

[0167] With the belt cover 740 attached to the outer support base 720, the web portion 743 overlaps with the upper corner of the rear edge of the outer support base 720 (support column seat portion 722) in a side view, supporting the flange portion 742 downward, and also substantially closes the front space where one side 700a of the harvesting base frame 700 is located on the rear side.

[0168] In a side view, the web portion 743 has a thickness direction that is approximately perpendicular to the thickness direction of the flange portion 742, and in a plan view, its thickness direction is approximately perpendicular to the thickness direction of the fixing portion 741, with a width that is approximately the same as the width of the flange portion 742 and a length that is approximately the same as the length of the rear edge of the fixing portion 741.

[0169] Furthermore, the belt cover 740 extends its fixing portion 741 slightly rearward from the inclined upper left edge portion 720b (shown as a dashed line in Figures 16 and 18) which forms the outer shape of the left side portion 720a of the outer support base 720.

[0170] In other words, one side surface 700a of the harvesting base frame 700 is formed by the left side surface 720a of the outer support base 720 and the extended surface 740a of the belt cover 740, which is flush with the left side surface 720a and extends further rearward than the left side surface 720a.

[0171] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 17 and 18, the harvesting base frame 700 has an inner harvesting case 750 and an outer harvesting case 760 that are connected to the harvesting frame 5a that constitutes the harvesting section 5.

[0172] The inner harvesting case 750 and the outer harvesting case 760 are provided at the upper left and right ends of the harvesting base frame 700, respectively, and support both ends of the harvesting lateral support rods (not shown) that constitute the harvesting frame 5a.

[0173] As shown in Figure 17, the inner harvesting case 750 is provided on the upper surface of the support seat 713, in a position forward of the front left support column 363. The inner harvesting case 750 comprises a case seat 751 fixed to the upper surface of the support seat 713 at its lower end, and a horizontal cylindrical rod holder 752 that attaches to and detaches from the case seat 751 at its front and supports the other end of the harvesting horizontal support rod at its upper end.

[0174] The outer harvesting case 760 is pivotally supported so as to be horizontally rotatable at the top of the outer support base 720 of the harvesting base frame 700.

[0175] As shown in Figure 17, the outer support base 720 has an axial hole 723 formed in the center of the upper surface of the support column base 721. The axial hole 723 is a vertical hole extending vertically inside the support column base 721. The outer harvesting case 760 includes a rotating shaft 761 that is horizontally rotatable at its lower end and inserted into the axial hole 723 provided at the front of the outer support base 720, and a horizontal cylindrical rod holder 762 that is integrally connected to the rotating shaft 761 and supports one end of the harvesting horizontal support rod at its upper end.

[0176] In other words, the outer support base 720 is located on the front left side of the machine base 25 and functions as a pivot point that allows the harvesting unit 5 to be switched between a harvesting position and an open position in a plan view. In Figure 16, reference numeral 724 denotes a stopper positioned on the rotational track of the outer harvesting case 760 to restrict the horizontal rotation of the harvesting unit 5.

[0177] Thus, the combine harvester 1 comprises an engine 11 located at the front of the traveling body 4, a harvesting base frame 700 erected on one side of the engine 11 in the width direction of the traveling body 4, and a harvesting unit 5 supported by the harvesting base frame 700 in front of the engine 11 (traveling body 4).

[0178] The harvesting unit 5, supported in front of the engine 11 by the harvesting base frame 700 and positioned in a harvesting position, has a left-right width D1 (indicated by a dashed-dotted arrow in Figure 3) that is longer than the left-right width D2 (indicated by a double-dotted-dotted arrow in Figure 3) of the traveling machine body 4, as shown in Figure 3. Specifically, the left end 5f of the harvesting unit 5 is positioned to protrude to one side (to the left) from the harvesting base frame 700, which is located on the front left side of the machine base 25, in the width direction of the traveling machine body 4.

[0179] Next, the system configuration of the electrical controllers that control the operation of combine harvester 1 will be described. As shown in Figure 19, the multiple electrical controllers control various parts of combine harvester 1 based on input signals from various sensors and other devices provided by combine harvester 1.

[0180] Each controller comprises a configuration in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as an arithmetic processing unit that performs various calculations and control operations, storage devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), input / output devices (input / output circuits) such as input / output interfaces for data input / output, and peripheral circuits such as clock circuits are connected by a bus or the like. The controller's CPU performs calculations according to various programs stored in the ROM or the like.

[0181] As shown in Figure 19, the multiple electrical controllers include, for example, an ECU (Engine Control Unit) for controlling the operation of the engine 11, a DCU (Dosing Control Unit) for controlling the metering of urea in the exhaust gas purification device 330, a harvesting controller for controlling the operation of the harvesting unit 5, a threshing controller for controlling the operation of the threshing unit 6, a tank controller for controlling harvest information in the grain tank 7, a sorting controller for controlling the operation of the sorting unit 8, an auger controller for controlling the operation of the discharge auger 9, and a standard controller for controlling the power supply, work clutch, alarm, and hydraulic system. However, the configuration of each controller is not particularly limited.

[0182] Each of these electrical controllers is connected to each other via a first CAN (Controller Area Network), which serves as the main bus for each equipment component necessary for harvesting operations, and a second CAN, which serves as the travel bus for each equipment component necessary for driving operations.

[0183] The first CAN is connected to the threshing controller, auger controller, tank controller, sorting controller, and operation switches for inputting the operating conditions of each device. The second CAN is connected to the ECU, DCU, and harvesting controller.

[0184] Furthermore, the first CAN and the second CAN are connected via a standard controller. In this way, the parallel bus formed by the first CAN of the harvesting operation system and the second CAN of the travel operation system is communicated via each electrical controller to enable synchronous control of the engine 11, exhaust gas purification device 330, harvesting unit 5, threshing unit 6, grain tank 7, sorting unit 8, discharge auger 9, etc.

[0185] Next, the arrangement of the electrical controller 200 in the combine harvester 1 will be described. The electrical controller 200 for controlling the operation of the combine harvester 1 is located on one side 700a (left side) of the harvesting base frame 700 opposite to the engine 11, as shown in Figures 3 and 14 to 16. In other words, the electrical controller 200 is located on the harvesting base frame 700 in the width direction of the front of the traveling body 4, with the harvesting base frame 700 interposed between it and the engine 11.

[0186] In this embodiment, the electrical controller 200 is a harvesting controller that controls the operation of the harvesting unit 5, and as shown in Figures 1 and 3, it is exposed to the outside on the left front side of the combine harvester 1. That is, the electrical controller 200 is positioned on one side 700a of the harvesting base frame 700, which is exposed to the outside, between the harvesting unit 5 and the side cover 800 that covers the left side of the traveling body 4.

[0187] This makes it easier to access the electrical controller 200. Furthermore, it prevents thermal damage to the electrical controller 200 by keeping it away from the exhaust air of the engine 11 while keeping it constantly exposed to the outside air. Additionally, by using the electrical controller 200 as the harvesting controller, the distance of the harness connecting the harvesting controller to the counter case 120 and various other devices that drive the harvesting unit 5 can be shortened.

[0188] Furthermore, the electrical controller 200 is positioned so that its entirety is within the width of one side surface 700a of the harvesting base frame 700. That is, the area of ​​one side surface 700a of the harvesting base frame 700 is wider than the area of ​​the contact surface to which the electrical controller 200 is fixed, and the electrical controller 200 is positioned so that, when viewed from the left side, its entirety is within the outer dimensions of one side surface 700a of the harvesting base frame 700 (within the vertical and horizontal widths of one side surface 700a).

[0189] As shown in Figures 16 and 18, one side surface 700a of the harvesting base frame 700 is a flat vertical surface that is flush with the left side surface 720a of the outer support base 720 and the extended surface 740a of the flat fixing portion 741 of the belt cover 740.

[0190] One side surface 700a of the harvesting base frame 700 has an exposed surface portion that is not covered by the side cover 800, between the harvesting unit 5 and the side cover 800 that covers the left side of the traveling machine body 4, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 in a side view. The majority of this exposed surface portion is the left side surface 720a of the outer support base 720, where the electrical controller 200 is located.

[0191] The electrical controller 200 is positioned such that its entire shape fits within the outer periphery of the outer shape of one side surface 700a of the harvesting base frame 700 (the outer shape formed by the left side surface 720a of the outer support base 720 and the flat fixing portion 741 of the belt cover 740).

[0192] In particular, the electrical controller 200 is positioned across the left side portion 720a of the outer support base 720 which forms one side 700a of the harvesting base frame 700 and the flat plate-shaped fixing portion 741 of the belt cover 740.

[0193] Specifically, the electrical controller 200 is positioned such that, in a side view, the entire unit fits directly below the flange portion 742 of the belt cover 740, with one corner positioned on the fixing portion 741 of the belt cover 740 and the other three corners positioned on the left side portion 720a of the outer support base 720.

[0194] Furthermore, the electrical controller 200 is positioned forward of the web portion 743 of the belt cover 740, so that, in a side view, the web portion 743 of the belt cover 740 is in phase with the web portion 743 of the belt cover 740 at the rear end.

[0195] In other words, the electrical controller 200 is positioned in the inner region of the belt cover 740, which is formed by the fixing portion 741, the flange portion 742, and the web portion 743 (a position below the belt cover 740 and in front of the web portion 743).

[0196] As a result, there is no risk of the electrical controller 200 being directly exposed to the exhaust air from the engine 11. In other words, the inner support base 710 and the outer support base 720, which make up the harvesting base frame 700, are interposed in the heat dissipation path R between the engine 11 and the electrical controller 200, with their sides perpendicular to the path direction, and this pair of support bases performs a function of blocking the exhaust air.

[0197] Furthermore, even if exhaust air passes above or behind the harvesting base frame 700, the flange portion 742 and web portion 743 of the belt cover 740 allow the exhaust air to escape outwards without changing its direction, thereby protecting the electrical controller 200 located below the belt cover 740.

[0198] Furthermore, the harvesting base frame 700 is equipped with a rope hook 230 on one side 700a. The rope hook 230 is used to attach a towing rope that connects the combine harvester 1 to other harvesting machines, such as a towing trailer or truck, when the combine harvester 1 tows them forward or backward, and is provided on the left and right sides of the front and rear of the traveling machine body 4.

[0199] The rope hook 230 has a rectangular, flat hook base 231 and a key-shaped portion 232 that is fixed at its base to the hook base 231 and protrudes vertically from the seating surface of the hook base 231.

[0200] The key-shaped portion 232 is a part provided by fixing both ends of a roughly annular rod-shaped member to the hook seat 231 by welding or the like, and forms the main body of the rope hook 230. In a side view, the key-shaped portion 232 is linear along the longitudinal side in the center of the width direction of the hook seat 231, and in a plan view, it is roughly annular and is provided on the hook seat 231. The rope hook 230 is configured such that the protruding direction of the key-shaped portion 232 is outward in the width direction of the traveling machine body 4 by fixing the hook seat 231 to the left side of the support base portion 721 of the outer support base 720 of the harvesting base frame 700.

[0201] The rope hook 230 is mounted on the harvesting base frame 700 with its key-shaped portion 232 inclined downward from rear to front in a side view. In other words, when the rope hook 230 is attached to the harvesting base frame 700, the front part of the key-shaped portion 232 of the rope hook 230 is positioned lower than the rear part, and the front part of the key-shaped portion 232 functions as the central part that engages with the towing rope.

[0202] The electrical controller 200 is positioned behind the rope hook 230 and is installed on one side 700a of the harvesting base frame 700. The electrical controller 200 is installed on one side 700a of the harvesting base frame 700, below and behind the rope hook 230.

[0203] In other words, on one side 700a of the harvesting base frame 700, a rope hook 230 is placed on the upper part of the support base portion 721 of the outer support base 720, and an electrical controller 200 is placed on the support seat portion 722 of the outer support base 720 and the belt cover 740. This arrangement ensures that the electrical controller 200 and the rope hook 230 do not overlap when viewed from the side, and that the electrical controller 200 is positioned close to the side cover 800.

[0204] Furthermore, the electrical controller 200 and rope hook 230, which are positioned in close proximity to each other, are located in a position exposed from the side cover 800 that covers the harvesting unit 5, threshing unit 6, sorting unit 8, etc. from the side of the machine (see Figure 1). With this configuration, the electrical controller 200 and rope hook 230 can be easily accessed from the side of the machine during the normal operation of the combine harvester 1.

[0205] Furthermore, in the width direction of the traveling machine body 4, the protruding length of the rope hook 230 from one side 700a of the harvesting base frame 700 is longer than the thickness of the electrical controller 200.

[0206] In other words, with respect to the electrical controller 200 and rope hook 230 that are exposed to the outside between the harvesting unit 5 and the side cover 800, if one side surface 700a of the harvesting base frame 700 is used as the reference plane, the protruding heights of the rope hook 230, the side cover 800, and the electrical controller 200 positioned between them decrease in the order of side cover 800, rope hook 230, and electrical controller 200.

[0207] With this configuration, the towing rope attached to the rope hook 230 when the combine harvester 1 is towed will not get caught on or come into contact with the electrical controller 200, thus preventing accidental damage to the electrical controller 200. Furthermore, even if the front left side of the combine harvester 1 comes into contact with grain stalks or other objects in the field, the rope hook 230 and the side cover 800 will interfere with the grain stalks or other objects first, protecting the electrical controller 200, which is positioned between them, from physical damage.

[0208] Furthermore, in terms of its relative position to the harvesting unit 5, the electrical controller 200 is positioned inside the harvesting unit 5 in the width direction of the traveling machine body 4. In other words, of the two ends of the harvesting unit 5 in the harvesting work position supported in front of the engine 11 by the harvesting base frame 700, at least one end (left end 5f) located on the harvesting base frame 700 side is positioned outward from the electrical controller 200 located on one side 700a of the harvesting base frame 700.

[0209] In other words, the electrical controller 200 is positioned on one side 700a of the harvesting base frame 700, which is provided at one end of the machine base 25, so that it fits within the width range D1 of the harvesting unit 5 in the width direction of the traveling machine body 4.

[0210] As a result, in the width direction of the traveling machine body 4, the harvesting unit 5 is positioned outside the electric controller 200 located on the harvesting base frame 700. This allows the position of the electric controller 200 to be within the harvesting range of the grain stalks in the field, preventing the grain stalks from interfering with the electric controller 200.

[0211] The electrical controller 200 houses a control-centered circuit board in a circuit board housing case 201 having a rectangular, flattened outer shape. The bottom surface of the circuit board housing case 201 is in surface contact with one side surface 700a, and the controller is fixed at predetermined positions on the outer circumference of the circuit board housing case 201 by fixing members such as bolts.

[0212] The electrical controller 200 has a female coupler 203 into which a male coupler, provided at the end of a harness (not shown) connecting the engine 11 and the electrical controller 200, is inserted. The female coupler 203 is rectangular in shape, with its tip opening serving as an insertion port 203a for receiving the male coupler, and protrudes from one side wall of the circuit board housing case 201, with the axial direction of the cylinder perpendicular to the thickness direction of the circuit board housing case 201.

[0213] The electrical controller 200 is positioned vertically on the rear surface 501e of the harvesting base frame 700, with the insertion opening 203a of the female coupler 203 facing the rear side of the combine harvester 1, and with the front-to-back direction being the plate thickness direction.

[0214] Furthermore, the electrical controller 200 is positioned so that the cylindrical axis direction of the female coupler 203 faces the side cover 800. Specifically, the electrical controller 200 is installed on the harvesting base frame 700 with the flange portion 742 and web portion 743 of the belt cover 740 facing each other at a position behind the cylindrical axis G (shown as a dashed line in Figure 16) of the insertion opening 203a of the female coupler 203. In other words, as shown in Figure 10, the insertion opening 203a of the female coupler 203 of the electrical controller 200 is positioned so that it is closed off by the web portion 743 of the belt cover 740 in an axial view.

[0215] The outward protrusion lengths of the flange portion 742 and web portion 743 of the belt cover 740 from one side surface 700a of the harvesting base frame 700 are formed to be longer than the protrusion lengths of the rope hook 230 and the electrical controller 200 described above in the width direction of the traveling machine body 4. In other words, as shown in Figures 10 and 15, the electrical controller 200 fits within the width of the flange portion 742 and web portion 743 of the belt cover 740.

[0216] In this way, the electrical controller 200 can prevent dust accumulation by positioning its connection point towards the rear of the combine harvester 1, thus keeping the connection point away from the harvesting unit 5. Furthermore, the belt cover 740 positioned behind and above the electrical controller 200 blocks the heat dissipation path R between the electrical controller 200 and the engine 11, preventing the electrical controller 200 from being unintentionally exposed to exhaust air from the engine 11.

[0217] Furthermore, the electrical controller 200 is entirely covered on its outer surface by a cover body 202, except for the rear and bottom. The cover body 202 is a roughly rectangular, flattened box shape that conforms to the outer shape of the electrical controller 200. The cover body 202 is integrally fixed to the harvesting base frame 700 by fixing members such as bolts, with the electrical controller 200 nested inside the cover body 202.

[0218] The cover body 202 has a rear opening 202a that corresponds to the insertion opening 203a of the female coupler 203 of the electrical controller 200 housed inside, and this rear opening 202a functions as an insertion opening through which the harness connected to the electrical controller 200 inside the cover body 202 passes.

[0219] The cover body 202 is configured to completely cover the main body of the electrical controller 200 and the connection portion between the harness and the electrical controller 200 (the male coupler at the end of the harness and the female coupler 203 of the electrical controller 200, which are mated together) from the outside.

[0220] As described above, the electrical controller 200 is located behind the harvesting unit 5 in the longitudinal direction of the traveling machine body 4, and in the width direction of the traveling machine body 4, it is mounted on one side 700a of the harvesting base frame 700 as an outer surface exposed to the outside on the opposite side of the engine 11.

[0221] In other words, by improving the layout configuration of the electrical controller 200, which is a precision instrument and delicate to handle, with a thermal design that takes heat balance into account, malfunctions in the control of the harvesting operation system and the driving operation system are suppressed, and the lifespan of the electrical controller itself is extended, while achieving stable combine control.

[0222] In this way, the improved layout of the electrical controller 200 makes it easier to access the electrical controller 200 despite its proximity to the engine 11 compared to other locations. Furthermore, by keeping the electrical controller 200 constantly exposed to the outside air, a stable temperature environment is created, reducing the likelihood of malfunctions caused by heat in the electrical controller 200.

[0223] According to the combine harvester of this embodiment, which has the above configuration, the thermal design satisfies the heat balance in the layout configuration of the electrical controller, making it less susceptible to the effects of heat generated from the engine at the front of the traveling machine, and preventing malfunctions in the electrical controller.

[0224] The embodiments described above are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Therefore, even in embodiments other than those described above, various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as they do not depart from the technical spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the effects described in this disclosure are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also exist.

[0225] Furthermore, this technology can take the following configurations (1) to (4). (1) A combine harvester comprising: an engine disposed at the front of the traveling body; a harvesting base frame erected on one side of the engine in the width direction of the traveling body; a harvesting unit supported in front of the engine by the harvesting base frame; and an electrical controller for controlling the operation of the combine harvester, wherein the electrical controller is located on one side of the harvesting base frame opposite to the engine. (2) The combine harvester according to (1), characterized in that the electrical controller is positioned entirely within the width of one side of the harvesting base frame. (3) The combine harvester according to (1) or (2), characterized in that the electrical controller is positioned inside the harvesting section in the width direction of the traveling machine body. (4) The combine harvester according to any one of (1) to (3), characterized in that the harvesting base frame is provided with a rope hook on one side, and the electrical controller is positioned behind the rope hook. (5) The combine harvester according to any one of (1) to (4) above, characterized in that the electrical controller is a harvesting controller for controlling the operation of the harvesting unit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0226] 1 combine harvester 4. Mobile Unit 5 Reaping part 11 Engine 200 Electrical Controller 230 Rope Hooks 700 Harvesting base frame 700a one side

Claims

1. The engine is located at the front of the vehicle, A harvesting base frame erected on one side of the engine in the width direction of the aforementioned traveling machine, The harvesting section is supported by the harvesting base frame in front of the engine, It includes an electrical controller for controlling the operation of the combine harvester, The electrical controller is located on one side of the harvesting base frame opposite to the engine. A combine harvester characterized by the following features.

2. The electrical controller is positioned entirely within the width of one side of the harvesting base frame. The combine harvester as described in feature 1.

3. The aforementioned electrical controller is positioned inside the harvesting section in the width direction of the traveling machine body. A combine harvester as described in claim 1 or 2.

4. The harvesting base frame is equipped with a rope hook on one side, The electrical controller is positioned behind the rope hook. A combine harvester as described in claim 1 or 2.

5. The aforementioned electrical controller is a harvesting controller for controlling the operation of the harvesting unit. A combine harvester as described in claim 1 or 2.

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