Harvesting machine

Abstract

To provide a harvesting machine equipped with a crop harvesting and conveying part for harvesting and conveying a crop in a field by nipping and conveying the crop by the side parts of a conveying path of right and left endless turning conveying belts, and capable of harvesting the crop while hardly causing the crop left behind after being pulled out, a disturbance of a posture, damage of the fruits, etc.SOLUTION: Rotary wheel bodies 35, 41 for supporting conveyance path side parts 34a, 34b from the inner peripheral side of the endless turning conveyance belts 30a,30b are provided at a plurality of positions in the conveyance direction of the conveyance path side parts 34a,34b of the right and left endless turning conveyance belts 30a,30b. The rotating wheel bodies 35 at a plurality of positions on one endless turning conveyor belt 30a of the left and right endless turning conveyor belts 30a, 30b and the rotating wheel bodies 41 at a plurality of positions on the other endless turning conveyor belt 30a of the left and right endless turning conveyor belts 30b, 30b are alternately arranged in a crop conveying direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a harvester. [Background Art]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a harvester (green soybean harvester) provided with a crop harvesting and conveying section. The crop harvesting and conveying section comprises left and right endless rotating conveying belts (conveying belts) arranged in a sloped-up backward posture that is positioned higher towards the downstream side in the conveying direction and aligned in the width direction of the machine body, and rotating wheel bodies (rollers) provided at a plurality of positions in the conveying direction on the conveying path side portions (clamping portions) of the respective left and right endless rotating conveying belts, and supporting the conveying path side portions from the inner peripheral side of the endless rotating conveying belts relative to the conveying path side portions, wherein the crop harvesting and conveying section harvests and conveys crops by clamping and conveying the crops in the field with the conveying path side portions of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.2022-173775 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] In the above-described harvester, crops are clamped and conveyed by the conveying path side portions of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts, so that the crops are pulled out from the field and harvested, and the harvested crops are clamped and conveyed by the left and right conveying path side portions. Conventionally, the crop clamping force varies in the crop conveying direction. If crops are pulled out at a portion with weak crop clamping force, un-pulled crops may remain. If crops are clamped and conveyed at a portion with weak crop clamping force, the conveying posture of the crops may be disturbed. If fruits are caught between the conveying path side portions at a portion with strong crop clamping force, the fruits may be damaged.

[0005] The present invention provides a harvesting machine that can harvest crops while minimizing the occurrence of problems such as crops being left behind after being pulled up, disruption of the posture of the transported crops, and damage to the fruit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The harvesting machine according to the present invention is The crop harvesting and transporting unit is provided, which includes a pre-crop harvesting and transporting unit that harvests and transports crops from the field, and a post-crop harvesting and transporting unit that takes over crops from the pre-crop harvesting and transporting unit and transports them to the rear, and the pre-crop harvesting and transporting unit is The machine is equipped with a rearward-rising posture, with the left and right endless rotating conveying belts positioned higher towards the left side in the conveying direction and aligned in the width direction of the machine body. It also has rotating wheels provided at multiple locations in the conveying direction on the sides of the conveying paths of each of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts, and supports the sides of the conveying paths from the inner circumference side of the endless rotating conveying belts. The machine harvests and conveys crops in the field by gripping and conveying them with the sides of the conveying paths of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts. Furthermore, in the aforementioned crop harvesting and transporting unit, The multiple rotating wheels on one of the left and right endless rotating conveyor belts, and the multiple rotating wheels on the other of the left and right endless rotating conveyor belts, are arranged alternately in the crop conveying direction. The subsequent crop harvesting and conveying unit is positioned in an upward-sloping posture, with the lower side of the conveying direction being higher. It comprises left and right endless rotating conveying belts aligned in the width direction of the machine body, and rotating wheels provided at multiple locations in the conveying direction on the sides of the conveying paths of each of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts, supporting the sides of the conveying paths from the inner circumference side of the endless rotating conveying belts. Crops from the previous crop harvesting and conveying unit are gripped and conveyed by the left and right endless rotating conveying belts, and in the subsequent crop harvesting and conveying unit, the rotating wheels of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts are arranged to face each other in the left-right direction.

[0007] In this configuration, the parts of the conveying path side of one endless rotary conveying belt supported by the rotating wheel and the parts of the conveying path side of the other endless rotary conveying belt are arranged alternately in the crop conveying direction. This allows the crop gripping force by the conveying path sides of the left and right endless rotary conveying belts to be made uniform and not change much in the crop conveying direction. Because the crop gripping force does not change much in the crop conveying direction, crops can be pulled out and conveyed with the appropriate gripping force at any part of the conveying path side, making it less likely for crops to be left behind or for the conveyed crops to be disturbed, thus enabling crop harvesting. Because no part of the conveying path side exerts excessive crop gripping force, crops can be harvested while being less likely to be damaged even if they get stuck between the conveying path sides.

[0008] In the present invention, In the aforementioned crop harvesting and transporting unit, Preferably, the multiple rotating wheels on one of the left and right endless rotating conveyor belts are biased to press against the side of the conveyor path.

[0009] In this configuration, depending on the volume of crops being gripped and conveyed by the crop harvesting and conveying unit, the rotating wheel is pushed back against the biasing force exerted by the crops. This pushback of the rotating wheel makes it easier to avoid damage to the crops caused by being gripped too tightly.

[0010] In the present invention, In the aforementioned crop harvesting and transporting unit, Preferably, the rotating wheel is held so as to be swingable and biased to press against the side of the transport path by being biased to swing.

[0011] In this configuration, when the rotating wheel is pushed back against the pressing force by the crop being gripped and conveyed by the crop harvesting and conveying unit, the rotating wheel is smoothly pushed back by its oscillation. Because the rotating wheel is smoothly pushed back, it is easier to avoid the crop being strongly gripped and damaged.

[0012] In the present invention, A ride-on driver's unit is provided, and the crop harvesting and transporting unit is located on one side of the machine in the width direction relative to the driver's unit. In the aforementioned crop harvesting and transporting unit, Preferably, the multiple rotating wheels on the endless rotating conveyor belt furthest from the operating unit are biased to press against the side of the conveying path.

[0013] In this configuration, harvesting is performed with the unharvested field located on the opposite side of the operating unit from the crop harvesting and conveying unit. The crop to be harvested is pulled from the unharvested field into the crop harvesting and conveying unit, and the base of the plant may be tilted upwards from the field towards the side of the conveying path when viewed from the front and back. If the crop is gripped and conveyed in this tilted position and a strong tensile force is applied to the crop, the rotating wheels are returned against the pressing force due to the tensile force, and the tensile force applied to the crop is alleviated. Even if a strong tensile force is applied to the base of the crop being gripped and conveyed, the tensile force is alleviated, making it easier to avoid crop damage such as the stem breaking.

[0014] The harvesting machine according to the present invention is The machine is equipped with a crop harvesting and conveying unit that harvests and conveys crops by gripping and conveying crops in a field with the conveying path sides of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts, which are arranged in a rearward-upward position with the left side of the conveying direction positioned higher upward, and which are arranged in the width direction of the machine body, and which are equipped with multiple rotating wheels on the conveying path sides of each of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts, which are arranged alternately in the crop conveying direction, and the multiple rotating wheels on one of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts and the multiple rotating wheels on the other of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts, The crop harvesting and conveying unit has a starting end rotating wheel body around the conveying starting ends of each of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts, wherein the belt winding diameter of the starting end rotating wheel body of one of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts is set to be smaller than the belt winding diameter of the starting end rotating wheel body of the other of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts, and the front end of the rotating wheel body located closest to the conveying starting end among the multiple rotating wheels on the endless rotating conveying belt wound around the starting end rotating wheel body with the smaller belt winding diameter is located closer to the conveying starting end than the front end of the rotating wheel body located closest to the conveying starting end among the multiple rotating wheels on the endless rotating conveying belt wound around the starting end rotating wheel body with the larger belt winding diameter. ru.

[0015] In this configuration, the parts of the conveying path side of one endless rotary conveying belt supported by the rotating wheel and the parts of the conveying path side of the other endless rotary conveying belt are arranged alternately in the crop conveying direction. This allows the crop gripping force by the conveying path sides of the left and right endless rotary conveying belts to be made uniform and not change much in the crop conveying direction. Because the crop gripping force does not change much in the crop conveying direction, crops can be pulled out and conveyed with the appropriate gripping force at any part of the conveying path side, making it less likely for crops to be left behind or for the conveyed crops to be disturbed, thus enabling crop harvesting. Because no part of the conveying path side exerts excessive crop gripping force, crops can be harvested while being less likely to be damaged even if they get stuck between the conveying path sides. This study examines the positional relationship in the crop transport direction between the rotating wheel body adjacent to one of the starting end rotating wheels on the left and right sides of an endless rotary conveying belt, and between the rotating wheel body adjacent to the starting end rotating wheel body on the other side of the endless rotary conveying belt, in cases where the belt winding diameter of the starting end rotating wheel body on one side is set to be smaller than that of the starting end rotating wheel body on the other side, and cases where the belt winding diameters of both starting end rotating wheel bodies are set to be the same. The span between one of the starting end rotating rings and the adjacent rotating ring can be set to the same short length whether the belt winding diameters are set to different lengths or to the same length. However, the span between the other starting end rotating ring and the adjacent rotating ring can be set to a shorter length when the belt winding diameters are set to different lengths than when they are set to the same length. In other words, with this configuration, the rotating wheels adjacent to one of the starting end rotating wheels on the left or right, and the rotating wheels adjacent to the other starting end rotating wheel on the left or right, can be brought as close as possible to the starting end rotating wheel, thereby shortening the span between either starting end rotating wheel and the adjacent rotating wheel, and ensuring that crops are firmly held between the starting end rotating wheel and the adjacent rotating wheel.

[0016] In the present invention, It is preferable that the front end of the starting end rotating wheel body with the smaller belt winding diameter is located further forward of the machine than the front end of the starting end rotating wheel body with the larger belt winding diameter.

[0017] In this configuration, the endless rotating conveyor belt wound around the starting end rotating wheel with a smaller belt winding diameter pulls the crops to be harvested towards the space between the left and right sides of the conveyor path at a position further forward than the endless rotating conveyor belt wound around the starting end rotating wheel with a larger belt winding diameter. Therefore, the crops to be harvested are more easily introduced between the left and right sides of the conveyor path. When the starting end rotating body with a small belt winding diameter is located on the opposite side to the operating unit side with respect to the starting end rotating body with a large belt winding diameter, harvesting work is performed in a state where the starting end rotating body with a small belt winding diameter among the left and right starting end rotating bodies is located on the uncut crop side. Then, the endless rotating conveying belt wound around the starting end rotating body with a small belt winding diameter pulls the target crops from the uncut crop side toward between the side parts of the left and right conveying paths, so the target crops are easily introduced between the side parts of the left and right conveying paths. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a side view of the edamame harvester viewed from the left lateral side. [Figure 2] It is a plan view of the edamame harvester. [Figure 3] It is a side view of the front crop harvesting and conveying unit. [Figure 4] It is a plan view of the front crop harvesting and conveying unit. [Figure 5] It is an explanatory diagram of edamame harvesting by the front crop harvesting and conveying unit. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment which is an example of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In the following description, regarding the traveling body of an edamame harvester (an example of a "harvester"), the direction of arrow F shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is defined as the "front side of the body", the direction of arrow B is defined as the "rear side of the body", the direction of arrow U shown in Fig. 1 is defined as the "upper side of the body", the direction of arrow D is defined as the "lower side of the body", the direction of arrow L shown in Fig. 2 is defined as the "left side of the body", and the direction of arrow R is defined as the "right side of the body". The left-right direction of the body corresponds to the width direction of the body.

[0020] [Overall Configuration of Edamame Harvester] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the edamame harvester comprises a machine frame 1 constructed by connecting multiple steel materials such as square pipes, and a mobile body 3 having a pair of left and right crawler-type mobile devices 2 located at the bottom of the machine frame 1. A ride-on driver's unit 4 is provided on the right side of the front of the mobile body 3. The driver's unit 4 is equipped with a driver's seat 5, a control tower 6 located in front of the driver's seat 5, and a side panel 7 located to the left of the driver's seat 5. To the left of the driver's unit 4 is a crop harvesting and transporting unit 8 that harvests edamame 15 as a crop to be planted in the field and transports the harvested edamame 15 to a predetermined location on the mobile body 3. Behind the crop harvesting and transporting unit 8 is a separation unit 9 that receives the edamame 15 from the crop harvesting and transporting unit 8 and separates the beans A from the stems of the supplied edamame 15. A storage unit 10 is provided on the right side of the mobile body 3 for collecting and storing the beans A obtained by the separation unit 9.

[0021] [Regarding the harvesting and transporting department] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the crop harvesting and transporting unit 8 is equipped with a divider 11 located at the front of the unit to separate the edamame beans 15 to be harvested from the edamame beans 15 planted in the field, a pre-crop harvesting and transporting unit 8A that pulls the edamame beans 15 separated by the divider 11 out of the field for harvesting and transports them upward and rearward to an intermediate point on the crop harvesting and transporting unit 8, and a post-crop harvesting and transporting unit 8B that takes over the edamame beans 15 from the pre-crop harvesting and transporting unit 8A and transports them upward and rearward to a predetermined location on the traveling unit 3. The crop harvesting and transporting unit 8 is equipped with left and right upper covers 14. The left and right upper covers 14 are located from the front of the pre-crop harvesting and transporting unit 8A to the rear of the post-crop harvesting and transporting unit 8B. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, below the pre-crop harvesting and transporting unit 8A, a mulch cutter 12 is provided to cut the mulch laid on the field before the edamame beans 15 are pulled out, so that it does not rise along with the edamame beans 15 being pulled out. A skid body 13 for holding down the mulch is provided on both sides of the multi-cutter 12.

[0022] [Regarding the previous crop harvesting and transportation section] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pre-crop harvesting and conveying section 8A is equipped with left and right endless rotating conveying belts 30 aligned in the lateral direction of the traveling machine body 3. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the left and right endless rotating conveying belts 30 are positioned in a rearward-upward orientation, with the lower side in the conveying direction being higher. The left and right endless rotating conveying belts 30 are made of elastic conveying belts (for example, sponge conveying belts).

[0023] More specifically, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the left endless rotating conveyor belt 30a of the left and right endless rotating conveyor belts 30 is wound around the left starting end rotating wheel 31a of the left and right starting end rotating wheel bodies 31 located at the starting end of the conveying section 8A, and the left ending end rotating wheel 32a of the left and right ending end rotating wheel bodies 32 located at the end of the conveying section 8A. The left starting end rotating wheel 31a is held at the front end of the left conveying section frame 33a so as to be rotatable around an inclined axis P1, and the left ending end rotating wheel 32a is held at a point midway along the front-rear direction of the left conveying section frame 33a, behind and above the left starting end rotating wheel 31a, so as to be rotatable around an inclined axis P2.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the right endless rotating conveyor belt 30b is wound around the right starting end rotating wheel 31b of the left and right starting end rotating wheel bodies 31, and the right end rotating wheel 32b of the left and right end rotating wheel bodies 32. As shown in Figure 4, the right starting end rotating wheel 31b is held at the front end of the right conveyor frame 33b so as to be rotatable around an inclined axis P3. The right end rotating wheel 32b is held at a point midway along the front-rear direction of the right conveyor frame 33b, behind and above the right starting end rotating wheel 31b, so as to be rotatable around an inclined axis P4.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, the left endless rotating conveyor belt 30a is provided with three left-side rotating wheels 35 at three locations along the conveyor path side 34a that are aligned with the crop conveying path, and these wheels support the conveyor path side 34a from the inner circumference side of the endless rotating conveyor belt 30a. As shown in Figure 4, each of the three left-side rotating wheels 35 is held by a support arm 36 extending from the left conveyor frame 33a via a wheel support shaft 35a, and is supported by the left conveyor frame 33a via a support arm 26 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the wheel support shaft 35a.

[0026] The return path side portion 37a of the left endless rotating conveyor belt 30a is wound around the first left guide wheel 38 and the second left guide wheel 39. The first left guide wheel 38 is located on the inner circumference side of the endless rotating conveyor belt 30a relative to the return path side portion 37a. The second left guide wheel 39 is located on the outer circumference side of the endless rotating conveyor belt 30a relative to the return path side portion 37a, between the first left guide wheel 38 and the terminal rotating wheel 32a. The first left guide wheel 38 and the second left guide wheel 39 are rotatably held by a support portion 40 provided on the left conveyor frame 33a.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the right-hand endless rotating conveyor belt 30b is provided with three right-hand rotating wheels 41 at three locations along the conveyor path side 34b that are aligned with the crop conveying path, supporting the conveyor path side 34b from the inner circumference side of the endless rotating conveyor belt 30b. The three right-hand rotating wheels 41 are rotatably held by a first support part 42 provided on the right conveyor frame 33b via a wheel support shaft 41a. The three right-hand rotating wheels 41 are fixed to the first support part 42 in their predetermined positions and are not biased against the conveyor path side 34b.

[0028] The return path side 37b of the right-hand endless rotating conveyor belt 30b is wound around the first right guide ring 43 and two second right guide rings 44. The first right guide ring 43 is located on the inner circumference side of the endless rotating conveyor belt 30b with respect to the return path side 37b. One of the two second right guide rings 44 is located on the outer circumference side of the endless rotating conveyor belt 30b with respect to the return path side 37b, between the first right guide ring 43 and the end rotating ring 32b. The other second right guide ring 44 is located on the outer circumference side of the endless rotating conveyor belt 30b with respect to the return path side 37b, between the first right guide ring 43 and the start end rotating ring 31b. The first right guide wheel 43 and the two second right guide wheels 44 are rotatably held by a second support 45 provided on the right transport section frame 33b.

[0029] In the previous crop harvesting and conveying section 8A, as shown in Figure 3, the support shaft 46 of the left end rotating wheel 32a is connected to the left starting end rotating wheel 47 of the subsequent crop harvesting and conveying section 8B. The driving force of the left endless rotating conveying belt 16 of the subsequent crop harvesting and conveying section 8B is transmitted to the left starting end rotating wheel 47, and the power of this starting end rotating wheel 47 is transmitted to the left end rotating wheel 32a via the support shaft 46. As a result, the left end rotating wheel 32a is driven by the driving force of the left endless rotating conveying belt 16 of the subsequent crop harvesting and conveying section 8B. The support shaft 49 of the right end rotating wheel 32 is connected to the right start rotating wheel 47 of the subsequent crop harvesting and conveying unit 8B. The driving force of the right endless rotating conveying belt 16 of the subsequent crop harvesting and conveying unit 8B is transmitted to the right start rotating wheel 47, and the power of this start rotating wheel 47 is transmitted to the right end rotating wheel 32b via the support shaft 49. As a result, the right end rotating wheel 32b is driven by the driving force of the right endless rotating conveying belt 16 of the subsequent crop harvesting and conveying unit 8B.

[0030] The left endless rotating conveyor belt 30a is driven by the left end rotating wheel 32a, and the conveying path side portion 34a of the left endless rotating conveyor belt 30a is moved from the left starting end rotating wheel 31a toward the left end rotating wheel 32a. The right endless rotating conveyor belt 30b is driven by the right end rotating wheel 32b, and the conveying path side portion 34b of the right endless rotating conveyor belt 30b is moved from the right starting end rotating wheel 31b toward the right end rotating wheel 32b. The edamame beans 15 from the divider 11 are gripped and lifted by the left side of the transport path 34a and the right side of the transport path 34b, thereby pulling the edamame beans 15 out of the field. The pulled-out edamame beans 15 are then gripped by the left side of the transport path 34a and the right side of the transport path 34b and transported in a vertical position further upward and backward toward the subsequent crop harvesting transport section 8B.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, the three left-hand rotating wheels 35 on the left endless rotating conveyor belt 30a and the three right-hand rotating wheels 41 on the right endless rotating conveyor belt 30b are arranged alternately in the crop conveying direction, in a so-called staggered arrangement. The portion of the left conveying path side 34a supported by the left-hand rotating wheels 35 and the portion of the right conveying path side 34b supported by the right-hand rotating wheels 41 are arranged alternately in the crop conveying direction, making it possible to equalize the crop gripping force by the left conveying path side 34a and the right conveying path side 34b so that it does not change much in the crop conveying direction.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, the belt winding diameter R1 of the left starting end rotating wheel 31a is set to be smaller than the belt winding diameter R2 of the right starting end rotating wheel 31b. The previous crop harvesting and conveying section 8A is configured such that the front end of the left rotating wheel 35, which is the closest to the conveying start end among the three left rotating wheels 35 on the left endless rotating conveying belt 30a, is located closer to the conveying start end than the front end of the right rotating wheel 41, which is the closest to the conveying start end among the three right rotating wheels 41 on the right endless rotating conveying belt 30b. Compared to the case where the belt winding diameter R1 of the left starting end rotating wheel 31a and the belt winding diameter R2 of the right starting end rotating wheel 31b are set to be the same, by arranging the three left-side rotating wheels 35 and the three right-side rotating wheels 41 in a staggered pattern, the span between the left starting end rotating wheel 31a and the left-side rotating wheel 35 adjacent to it, and the span between the right starting end rotating wheel 31b and the right-side rotating wheel 41 adjacent to it, can be shortened.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the previous crop harvesting and conveying section 8A is configured such that the front end F1 of the starting end rotating wheel 31a with the smaller belt winding diameter R1 is located further forward than the front end F2 of the starting end rotating wheel 31b with the larger belt winding diameter R2. The front end of the endless rotating conveying belt 30a wound around the starting end rotating wheel 31a with the smaller belt winding diameter R1 is located forward of the front end of the endless rotating conveying belt 30b wound around the starting end rotating wheel 31b with the larger belt winding diameter R2 by a distance S. The endless rotating conveying belt 30a is positioned in front of the endless rotating conveying belt 30b, pulling the edamame beans 15 to be harvested towards the space between the left conveying path side 34a and the right conveying path side 34b, making it easier for the edamame beans 15 to be harvested to be introduced between the left conveying path side 34a and the right conveying path side 34b.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4, the three left-facing rotating wheels 35 on the left endless rotating conveyor belt 30a are biased against the side of the conveyor path 34a.

[0035] More specifically, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, three support arms 36, each holding one of the three left-hand rotating wheels 35, are pivotably held on the left transport section frame 33a via arm support shafts 50. A spring 51 is connected to each support arm 36 to bias the support arm 36 into a pivoting motion. The end of the spring 51 opposite the support arm is connected to a stay 53 via an adjustment shaft 52. The stay 53 is connected to a support section 40 provided on the left transport section frame 33a and is held by the left transport section frame 33a. The stay 53 is connected to the support section 40 by welding. Each of the three left-hand rotating wheels 35 is pivotably held on the left transport section frame 33a via the support arm 36, and the support arm 36 is biased to press against the transport path side section 34a by the pivoting motion biased by the spring 51.

[0036] The adjustment shaft 52 is made up of a screw shaft. By rotating the screw hole member 54 (for example, a nut) that is engaged with the adjustment shaft 52, the connection position of the adjustment shaft 52 with respect to the stay 53 is changed, and the adjustment shaft 52 adjusts the biasing force of the spring 51. By rotating the screw hole member 54, the pressing force of the left-hand rotating wheel 35 against the side of the transport path 34a can be adjusted.

[0037] In this edamame harvester, harvesting is performed by traveling with the unharvested field on the side opposite to the side where the driver unit 4 is located relative to the crop harvesting and conveying unit 8. Of the left endless rotating conveying belt 30a and the right endless rotating conveying belt 30b, the left endless rotating conveying belt 30a is located further away from the driver unit 4. As shown in Figure 5, the edamame 15 to be harvested are pulled from the unharvested field into the previous crop harvesting and conveying unit 8A. When viewed in the front-rear direction, the base side 15a of the edamame 15 is tilted upward from the field towards the conveying path sides 34a and 34b, and the edamame 15 are gripped and conveyed upward and backward, which can result in a strong tensile force being applied to the base side 15a. In this case, the tensile force causes the left rotating wheel 35 to return against the pushing bias (spring 51), thereby alleviating the tensile force applied to the base side 15a.

[0038] [Regarding the crop harvesting and transportation section] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the crop harvesting and conveying section 8B is equipped with left and right endless rotating conveying belts 16 aligned in the lateral direction of the traveling machine body 3. As shown in Figure 1, the left and right endless rotating conveying belts 16 are positioned in a rearward-upward orientation, with the lower side in the conveying direction being higher. The left and right endless rotating conveying belts 16 are made of elastic conveying belts (for example, sponge conveying belts).

[0039] More specifically, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the left and right endless rotating conveyor belts 16 are wound around a starting end rotating wheel 47 located below the terminal rotating wheels 32a and 32b of the previous crop harvesting conveyor unit 8A at the starting end of the subsequent crop harvesting conveyor unit 8B, and a terminal rotating wheel 55 located at the end of the conveying section of the subsequent crop harvesting conveyor unit 8B. The terminal rotating wheel 55 is located behind and above the starting end rotating wheel 47.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2, each of the left and right endless rotating conveyor belts 16 is provided with multiple rotating wheel bodies 17 at various locations in the conveying direction on the conveying path side portion 16a, supporting the conveying path side portion 16a from the inner circumference side of the endless rotating conveyor belt 16.

[0041] In the subsequent crop harvesting and conveying section 8B, the end rotating wheels 55 of each of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts 16 are driven by power from an engine (not shown), and each of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts 16 is driven by the end rotating wheels 55, so that the conveying path sides 16a of each of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts 16 are transported from the starting end rotating wheel 47 toward the end rotating wheel 55. The edamame from the previous crop harvesting and conveying section 8A are taken over by the conveying path sides 16a of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts 16, gripped, and transported in a vertical position upward and backward to the end of the crop harvesting and conveying section 8.

[0042] [Regarding the separation section] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a crop introduction path 18 is provided behind the crop harvesting and conveying section 8 to introduce edamame 15 from the crop harvesting and conveying section 8 into the crop receiving inlet 9a of the separation section 9. The crop introduction path 18 is equipped with a supply device 20 that changes the orientation of the vertically oriented edamame from the crop harvesting and conveying section 8 to a horizontally oriented position and supplies it to the conveying start end of the endless rotating conveyor body 19 of the separation section 9. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the crop introduction path 18 is covered by an introduction path cover 21. The introduction path cover 21 prevents dust generated from the edamame 15 whose orientation is changed by the supply device 20 from scattering.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the crop introduction path 18, the edamame 15 from the crop harvesting and conveying section 8 are changed in orientation from vertical to horizontal by the supply device 20, and the base of the edamame 15 in the horizontal position is supplied by the supply device 20 to the conveying start end of the endless rotating conveyor 19 of the separation section 9. The horizontally positioned edamame 15 are conveyed toward the rear of the separation section 9 by the endless rotating conveyor 19, and the tip of the edamame 15 is introduced into the separation chamber from the crop receiving inlet 9a and supplied to the pre-separation processing section 22 and the post-separation processing section 23. In the pre-separation processing section 22 and the post-separation processing section 23, the tip passes between the vertically aligned separation rotating bodies 22a and 23a, and the beans A are separated from the stem by the separation rotating bodies 22a and 23a.

[0044] [Regarding the storage section] The storage unit 10 receives the fruit A obtained by the separation unit 9 via a lateral conveyor belt 24 extending from the rear and below the separation unit 9 to the rear of the storage unit 10, and collects and stores the supplied fruit A. The storage unit 10 is composed of a belt conveyor that extends along the front-rear direction of the traveling machine body 3. During harvesting travel, the belt conveyor is driven in the forward direction, so that the collected fruit A is sequentially transported to the front of the storage unit 10, and the fruit A is stored along the entire length of the storage unit 10. When the belt conveyor is driven in the backward direction, the stored fruit A is discharged from the storage unit 10 to the rear, and the fruit A can be collected in a container installed behind the storage unit 10.

[0045] [Another embodiment] (1) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the rotating wheels 35 and 41 are provided at three locations on the sides of the transport path 34a and 34b, but they may also be provided at two locations or four or more locations.

[0046] (2) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the left rotating wheel 35 is located closer to the start of transport than the right rotating wheel 41, and the left and right rotating wheels 35 and 41 are arranged alternately in the transport direction. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and an arrangement may be adopted in which the right rotating wheel 41 is located closer to the start of transport than the left rotating wheel 35, and the left and right rotating wheels 35 and 41 are arranged alternately in the transport direction.

[0047] (3) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the crop harvesting and conveying unit 8 is provided on the left side of the driving unit 4. However, the driving unit 4 may be provided on the left side of the traveling machine body 3, and the crop harvesting and conveying unit 8 may be provided on the right side of the driving unit 4. It is sufficient that the crop harvesting and conveying unit 8 is provided on one side in the width direction of the machine body relative to the driving unit 4.

[0048] (4) In the embodiment described above, the rotating wheel 35 on the endless rotating conveyor belt 30a that is further from the driver unit 4 is biased to press against the conveying path side 34a, while the rotating wheel 41 on the endless rotating conveyor belt 30b that is closer to the driver unit 4 is not biased to press against the conveying path side 34b. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and it is also possible that the rotating wheel 41 on the endless rotating conveyor belt 30b that is closer to the driver unit 4 is biased to press against the conveying path side 34b, while the rotating wheel 35 on the endless rotating conveyor belt 30a that is further from the driver unit 4 is not biased to press against the conveying path side 34a, or that the rotating wheels 35 and 41 on both the left and right endless rotating conveyor belts 30 are biased to press against the conveying path sides 34a and 34b. Furthermore, the rotating wheels 35 and 41 on both the left and right endless rotating conveyor belts 30 may not be biased against the sides of the conveyor path 34a and 34b.

[0049] (5) In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the rotating wheel 35 is biased to press against the side of the transport path 34a by being biased to swing. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the rotating wheel 35 may be held in a slidable manner and biased to press against the side of the transport path 34a by being biased to slide.

[0050] (6) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the belt winding diameter R1 of the starting end rotating wheel 31a of the endless rotating conveyor belt 30a that is further from the driver unit 4 is set to be smaller than the belt winding diameter R2 of the starting end rotating wheel 31b of the endless rotating conveyor belt 30b that is closer to the driver unit 4. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the belt winding diameters of the starting end rotating wheels 31a and 31b of both the left and right endless rotating conveyor belts 30 may be the same. Furthermore, in the case where the belt winding diameters of the starting end rotating wheels 31a and 31b of the left and right endless rotating conveyor belts 30 are different, the belt winding diameter of the starting end rotating wheel 31b of the endless rotating conveyor belt 30b that is closer to the driver unit 4 may be set to be smaller than the belt winding diameter of the starting end rotating wheel 31a of the endless rotating conveyor belt 30a that is further from the driver unit 4.

[0051] (7) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the front end F1 of the starting end rotating wheel 31a with a smaller belt winding diameter R1 is located further forward of the machine than the front end F2 of the starting end rotating wheel 31b with a larger belt winding diameter R2. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the front ends of both starting end rotating wheels 31a and 31b may be located at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the machine.

[0052] (8) In the above-described embodiment, the crop harvesting and conveying section 8 is divided into a pre-crop harvesting and conveying section 8A and a post-crop harvesting and conveying section 8B, and in the pre-crop harvesting and conveying section 8A, an example is shown in which multiple rotating wheels 35, 41 on the left and right endless rotating conveying belts 30 are arranged alternately in the crop conveying direction. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the crop harvesting and conveying section 8 may not be divided into a pre-crop harvesting and conveying section 8A and a post-crop harvesting and conveying section 8B, and the crop harvesting and conveying section 8 may be configured so that multiple rotating wheels on the left and right endless rotating conveying belts are arranged alternately in the crop conveying direction throughout the entire crop harvesting and conveying section 8. [Industrial applicability]

[0053] The present invention can be applied to a harvesting machine equipped with a crop harvesting and conveying unit that harvests and conveys crops by gripping and conveying them with the sides of the conveying paths of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts, which are aligned in the width direction of the machine body, at multiple locations in the conveying direction on the sides of the conveying paths of each belt, and supporting the sides of the conveying paths from the inner circumference of the endless rotating conveying belts. In addition to edamame harvesting machines, it can also be applied to vegetable harvesting machines such as carrot harvesting machines and radish harvesting machines. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 8. Crop harvesting and transport section 8A Previous crop harvesting and transport section 8B Post-crop harvesting and transport section 16 Endless Rotary Conveyor Belt 17 Rotating Wheel 30a Endless Rotary Conveyor Belt 30b Endless Rotary Conveyor Belt 31a Starting end rotating wheel 31b Starting end rotating wheel 34a Side of the transport path 34b Side of the transport path 35 Rotating Wheels 41 Rotating Wheel F1 front end F2 front end R1 Belt winding diameter R2 Belt winding diameter

Claims

1. A crop harvesting and transporting unit is provided, having a pre-crop harvesting and transporting unit for harvesting and transporting crops from a field, and a post-crop harvesting and transporting unit for receiving crops from the pre-crop harvesting and transporting unit and transporting them to the rear. The aforementioned crop harvesting and conveying unit is provided in a rearward-upward position, with the left and right sides positioned higher towards the left in the conveying direction, and comprises left and right endless rotating conveying belts aligned in the width direction of the machine body, and rotating wheels provided at multiple locations in the conveying direction on the sides of the conveying paths of each of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts, supporting the sides of the conveying paths from the inner circumference side of the endless rotating conveying belts, and harvests and conveys crops in the field by gripping and conveying them with the sides of the conveying paths of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts. In the aforementioned crop harvesting and conveying section, the multiple rotating wheels on one of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts and the multiple rotating wheels on the other of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts are arranged alternately in the crop conveying direction. The aforementioned rear crop harvesting and conveying unit is positioned in a rearward-upward orientation, with the lower side of the conveying direction being higher. It comprises left and right endless rotating conveying belts aligned in the width direction of the machine body, and rotating wheels provided at multiple locations in the conveying direction on the sides of the conveying paths of each of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts, supporting the sides of the conveying paths from the inner circumference side of the endless rotating conveying belts. The crops from the front crop harvesting and conveying unit are gripped and conveyed by the left and right endless rotating conveying belts. In the aforementioned crop harvesting and conveying section, the rotating wheels of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts are arranged to face each other in the left-right direction.

2. The harvesting machine according to claim 1, wherein in the crop harvesting and conveying section, the plurality of rotating wheels on one of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts are biased to press against the side of the conveying path.

3. The harvesting machine according to claim 2, wherein in the pre-crop harvesting and conveying section, the rotating wheel is held so as to be swingable and biased to press against the side of the conveying path by being swingable.

4. It is equipped with a boarding-type driver's compartment. The crop harvesting and conveying unit is located on one side of the machine in the width direction relative to the operating unit. The harvesting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the aforementioned crop harvesting and conveying section, the plurality of rotating wheels on the endless rotating conveying belt that is further away from the operating section of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts are biased to press against the side of the conveying path.

5. A crop harvesting and conveying unit is provided, comprising: left and right endless rotating conveying belts arranged in the width direction of the machine body, positioned in a rearward-upward position with the left and right endless rotating conveying belts positioned higher towards the left and right, and rotating wheels provided at multiple locations in the conveying direction on the conveying path sides of each of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts, and supporting the conveying path sides from the inner circumference side of the endless rotating conveying belts with respect to the conveying path sides, wherein crops in a field are harvested and conveyed by being gripped and conveyed by the conveying path sides of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts, The multiple rotating wheels on one of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts, and the multiple rotating wheels on the other of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts, are arranged alternately in the crop conveying direction. The crop harvesting and conveying unit has a starting end rotating wheel body around the conveying starting ends of each of the left and right endless rotating conveying belts, The belt winding diameter of the starting end rotating ring of one of the left and right endless rotating conveyor belts is set to be smaller than the belt winding diameter of the starting end rotating ring of the other of the left and right endless rotating conveyor belts. A harvesting machine in which the front end of the rotating wheel located closest to the conveying start end among the multiple rotating wheels in the endless rotating conveying belt wound around the starting end rotating wheel with the smaller belt winding diameter is located closer to the conveying start end than the front end of the rotating wheel located closest to the conveying start end among the multiple rotating wheels in the endless rotating conveying belt wound around the starting end rotating wheel with the larger belt winding diameter.

6. The harvesting machine according to claim 5, wherein the front end of the starting end rotating wheel body with the smaller belt winding diameter is located further forward of the machine body than the front end of the starting end rotating wheel body with the larger belt winding diameter.

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