Arrangement for an agricultural working machine and agricultural working system

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for an agricultural working machine, comprising: an attachment device (2); a pivot frame (5), which is arranged on the attachment device (2) so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis (6) in a proximal portion of the pivot frame (5), the pivot frame (5) thereby being movable into a lowered pivot frame position and out of the lowered pivot frame position; a support frame (8), which is arranged on the pivot frame (5) so as to be pivotable about a second pivot axis (9) in a distal portion (7) of the pivot frame (5), the support frame (8) thereby being movable into a lowered support frame position and out of the lowered support frame position; a working tool (10), which is arranged on the support frame (8) and is movable into a lowered working position and liftable out of the lowered working position by pivoting the support frame (8) about the second pivot axis (9); an actuator device (11), designed to pivot the pivot frame (5) about the first pivot axis (6) and the support frame (8) about the second pivot axis (9); a relief device (14), which is designed to provide a first preload force, which is directed against the pivoting of the pivot frame (5) into the lowered pivot frame position, and a second preload force, which is directed against the pivoting of the support frame (8) into the lowered support frame position; and a force-dividing device (16), which is designed to divide an overall preload force provided by an individual relief element (15) forming the relief device (14) into the first preload force, which is introduced onto the pivot frame (5), and the second preload force, which is introduced onto the support frame (8). Furthermore, an agricultural working system comprising a working vehicle and the arrangement is provided.

Description

[0001] Kverneland Group Kerteminde A / S K75329WO

[0002] Arrangement for an agricultural work machine and agricultural work system

[0003] The invention relates to an arrangement for an agricultural work machine and an agricultural work system.

[0004] background

[0005] In connection with agricultural machinery, it is known to attach devices designed to perform one or more agricultural tasks to agricultural vehicles, particularly tractors, in order to create an agricultural work system with a machine and attachment for a specific agricultural purpose. For example, mowers or mowing devices can be mounted at the rear or front of the vehicle to cut vegetation such as grass. Other devices or attachments can also be fitted to the vehicle, for example, for soil cultivation.

[0006] This often necessitates positioning work tools, such as cutting devices for mowing or soil cultivation tools, which are part of the arrangement mounted on the work vehicle, in different positions relative to the ground and / or the plant material being processed. In the context of agricultural mowers, for example, it is necessary to move a cutter bar, on which the cutting devices are mounted, into a lowered working position for cutting the plant material and into a transport position, in which the cutter bar is typically upright.

[0007] Document EP 2 901 841 A1 discloses a mower for front mounting on an agricultural tractor, comprising a mounting frame via which the mower can be coupled to a front linkage of the agricultural tractor, and a support frame to which a mowing unit is attached. The support frame and the mounting frame are coupled to each other via a pivoting frame and a linkage, respectively, forming a trapezoidal multi-link kinematic system such that the pivoting frame engages the support frame via a first pivot axis and the mounting frame via a second pivot axis, and the linkage engages the support frame via a third pivot axis and the mounting frame via a fourth pivot axis. BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT

[0008] - 2 - The trapezoidal four-bar linkage is designed such that a first straight line extending through the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis and a second straight line extending through the third pivot axis and the fourth pivot axis intersect at an instantaneous center of rotation, which, when the mower is coupled to a front attachment of an agricultural tractor, lies behind the mower and above a soil surface to be mowed in all positions of the four-bar linkage.

[0009] Summary

[0010] The object of the invention is to provide an arrangement for an agricultural machine and an agricultural working system in which a pivoting frame and a support frame pivotably connected thereto with a working tool can be moved flexibly and by means of efficient power transmission between different pivoting positions.

[0011] To solve this problem, an arrangement for an agricultural machine according to independent claim 1 and an agricultural working system according to dependent claim 15 have been provided. Further embodiments are the subject of dependent subclaims.

[0012] According to one aspect, an arrangement for an agricultural machine is created which comprises the following: a mounting device designed for attachment to a suspension of an agricultural vehicle; a pivoting frame which is pivotably arranged on the mounting device about a first pivot axis in a proximal section of the pivoting frame, wherein the pivoting frame can thereby be moved into a lowered pivoting frame position and out of the lowered pivoting frame position; a support frame which is pivotably arranged on the pivoting frame about a second pivot axis in a distal section of the pivoting frame, wherein the support frame can thereby be moved into a lowered support frame position and out of the lowered support frame position;a working tool which is arranged on the support frame and can be moved into a lowered working position and lifted out of the lowered working position by pivoting the support frame about the second pivot axis; an actuator device which is configured to pivot the pivoting frame about the first pivot axis and the support frame about the second pivot axis; a relief device which is configured to provide a first preload force directed against the pivoting of the pivoting frame into the lowered pivoting frame position, and a second preload force, BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT;

[0013] - 3 - which is directed against pivoting the support frame into the lowered support frame position; and a force-sharing device which is configured to divide a total preload force provided by a single relief element forming the relief device into the first preload force which is introduced onto the pivot frame and the second preload force which is introduced onto the support frame.

[0014] According to another aspect, an agricultural work system is created with a work vehicle and the aforementioned arrangement, which is mounted on a suspension of the work vehicle.

[0015] The proposed arrangement for the agricultural machine makes it possible, in different agricultural machines, to move one or more working tools arranged on the support frame between different positions by means of efficient force application. These positions may include, in addition to the lowered working position, one or more non-working or non-use positions in which the support frame with the working tool is raised out of the lowered working position.

[0016] The relief device absorbs the weight of the assembly, particularly the weight of the pivot frame and the support frame, to minimize the actual contact with the ground during agricultural work, especially when the implement is lowered into its working position by pivoting the support frame. The force distribution device divides the total preload force provided by the individual relief element to apply the first and second preload forces to the pivot frame and the support frame, effectively counteracting the contact force that could cause the implement to rest on the (field) ground during operation. Unlike relief devices with multiple relief elements, each contributing to the overall relief, this device uses only a single relief element to provide the total preload force.This results, for example, in a less complex relief device. The force distribution device then makes it possible to distribute the total preload force between the pivot frame and the support frame as desired. A simple mechanical structure is thus provided, which incorporates the individual relief element to provide the relief or support function when pivoting the pivot frame and support frame. BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT.

[0017] - 4 -

[0018] The actuator, which is part of the arrangement, can, for example, consist of an electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic cylinder configured to move pivot frames and support frames by changing its length. In one example, the cylinder can be a double-acting cylinder. The actuator can also be designed as a single actuator, which can be formed by such a (single) cylinder.

[0019] The arrangement, which in particular includes the actuator, can be designed as an arrangement for mounting, by means of the mounting device, on the suspension of a work vehicle, for example, for mounting on a three-point suspension of the work vehicle. The mounting device designed for mounting on the work vehicle can be configured for attachment to the suspension of the work vehicle of an agricultural work system.

[0020] Swivel frames and / or support frames can be swivelled in a respective vertical plane.

[0021] The support frame can be arranged at the end of the swivel frame, whereby an end of the support frame that is proximal to the mounting device can be pivotably mounted on the swivel frame.

[0022] The mounting device can be designed to be attached to the front or rear suspension of the work vehicle. The work vehicle could be, for example, a tractor or agricultural vehicle. The device can also be attached to a lifting device on the work vehicle.

[0023] The release device can be adjustable, such that an adjustable single release element is provided, with which different total preload forces can be provided depending on the setting.

[0024] The force distribution device can be configured to set a first force distribution and a second force distribution, which differ from the first force distribution, for dividing the total preload force between the first and second preload forces. BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT

[0025] - 5 -

[0026] This makes it possible to apply the total preload force to the pivot frame and the support frame in different proportions.

[0027] The individual relief element can be formed with a single spring element or a single cylinder element. The single spring element can, for example, be formed by means of a coil spring. In this case, the single spring element can be adjustable to provide different spring forces for the overall preload force. The single cylinder element can be formed with an electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic cylinder.

[0028] The actuator device can be configured to pivot the swivel frame about the first pivot axis and the support frame about the second pivot axis simultaneously. In this embodiment, the swivel frame and support frame can be moved simultaneously by means of the actuator device, for example, by means of a single actuator. It can be provided that the actuator device is connected only to the swivel frame or only to the support frame, and that a movement (pivoting) of the frame connected to the actuator device forces the movement (pivoting) of the other frame.

[0029] In the various configurations, the actuator device can be connected on the one hand to the swivel frame and / or the support frame and on the other hand to the mounting device, for example in opposite end areas of the actuator device.

[0030] When the total preload force is provided at an actuator-side force application point, the force distribution device can have a first force transmission chain, which connects the actuator-side force application point to a force application point on the pivot frame and is formed by a first force transmission element, and a second force transmission chain, which connects the actuator-side force application point to a force application point on the support frame and is formed by a second force transmission element, for transmitting the second preload force. The respective preload force is transmitted to the pivot frame / support frame by means of the respective force transmission chain.

[0031] The actuator-side point of force application can be displaced by means of linear movement, in particular such that the linear movement changes the distance of the actuator-side point of force application to the second pivot axis. The displacement of the actuator-side force- BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT

[0032] - 6 - The point of action can be executed simultaneously with the pivoting of the pivoting frame / support frame. The linear movement of the actuator-side force point can be executed essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pivoting frame.

[0033] The actuator-side force application point can be formed on a transmission component connected to the first and second force chains, wherein the transmission component can be displaced along a guide by means of linear movement. The guide can be provided by a guide device in which the transmission component is displaceably received in a guide slot. The guide device can be detachably or permanently attached to the pivot frame.

[0034] The first and / or second force transmission element can be non-rigid. The non-rigid design of the force transmission element allows it to reversibly change its length when the pivoting frame and / or support frame is rotated. This makes it possible to reduce the distance between the force application point on the actuator side and the first / second force application point during rotation.

[0035] The first force transmission element and / or the second force transmission element can include a rigid force transmission element. For example, a combination of non-rigid and rigid force transmission elements can be formed for the first force transmission element and / or the second force transmission element. In one embodiment, the non-rigid force transmission element can be connected to the force application point on the actuator side, whereas the rigid force transmission element is connected to the force application point on the pivot frame / support frame side.

[0036] The first force transmission element can be detachably connected to the single relief element and / or the swivel frame, and / or the second force transmission element can be detachably connected to the single relief element and / or the support frame. Alternatively or additionally, the first and / or the second force transmission element can be rotatably or movably connected to the single relief element and / or the swivel / support frame.

[0037] In one embodiment, the non-rigid power transmission element can be formed with a chain having chain links that are movable relative to each other, wherein such a chain- BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT

[0038] - 7 - The design allows for either a detachable or a non-detachable mounting on the actuator device and / or the swivel / support frame. At the end, a chain link can run through an eyelet on the actuator device and / or on the swivel / support frame.

[0039] A first force vector, representing the transmission of the first preload force along the first force chain, and a second force vector, representing the transmission of the second preload force along the second force chain, can form an angle between approximately 30 degrees and approximately 150 degrees, preferably between approximately 60 degrees and approximately 120 degrees. The force vectors pass through the actuator-side force application point and the pivot-frame-side or support-frame-side force application point, respectively. In one embodiment, the first and second force vectors form a substantially right angle.

[0040] The force application point on the pivot frame side and the force application point on the support frame side can be located on opposite sides with respect to the second pivot axis. The force application point on the pivot frame side and the force application point on the support frame side can also be located on opposite sides with respect to the second pivot axis in the longitudinal direction of the support frame if the frame is arranged in a substantially horizontal position.

[0041] A longitudinal axis of the support frame can run essentially horizontally when the support frame is in the lowered position. This allows the support frame, with one or more working tools, to be essentially parallel to the ground during agricultural operations.

[0042] The support frame can be lifted into a transport position by pivoting it around the second pivot axis, in which the longitudinal axis of the support frame is upright. The upright position of the support frame allows for a space-saving transport configuration, minimizing the width of the agricultural machine to which the assembly is mounted.

[0043] The swivel frame can be designed as a swivel arm and / or the support frame can be designed as a support arm. Several working tools can be arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the support arm, for example, several cutting devices for cutting BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT

[0044] - 8 - of plant material, raking tools for raking cut crops and I or soil cultivation tools.

[0045] The pivot frame can be designed as a pivot arm and the support frame as a support arm, with one longitudinal axis of the pivot arm and one longitudinal axis of the support arm running essentially parallel when viewed from above. In one embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the pivot arm and the longitudinal axis of the support arm may overlap (align).

[0046] An assembly for an agricultural mower with a mowing device or mower unit can be formed, comprising the mounting device, the pivoting frame, the support frame, the actuator device, the relief device, and the power distribution device, wherein the support frame forms a cutter bar on which one or more cutting devices are arranged. The assembly thus designed can be detachably mounted on the work vehicle to form an agricultural mower. By means of pivoting, the support frame, designed as a cutter bar, can be moved between the lowered working position for mowing grass and raised positions.

[0047] Description of exemplary implementations

[0048] Further examples of implementation are explained below with reference to figures in a drawing. These figures show:

[0049] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective representation of an arrangement for an agricultural mowing machine;

[0050] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the arrangement from Fig. 1 from the side;

[0051] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the arrangement from Fig. 1 from above and

[0052] Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective detail view of the arrangement from Fig. 1.

[0053] Figures 1 to 3 show schematic representations of an arrangement 1 for an agricultural mowing machine, which can also be referred to as a mowing device or mower unit. The arrangement 1 has a mounting device 2, which is designed to detachably mount the arrangement 1 to a suspension of an agricultural vehicle (not shown), for example, a tractor, for instance, at the rear or front. The suspension can, for example, be a three-point linkage. The attachment or mounting can be carried out, for example, on a lifting device of the agricultural vehicle. The mounting device 2 has BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT

[0054] - 9 - for this purpose, in the example shown, a mounting frame 3 and a power transmission device 4 are used, as is known per se for such mounting or coupling devices.

[0055] A swivel frame 5 is pivotably arranged on the mounting device 2 about a first pivot axis 6. In the example shown, the swivel frame 5 is designed as a swivel arm.

[0056] A support frame 8 is arranged on the pivoting frame 5 in the region of a distal end section 7 with respect to the mounting device 2. This support frame 8 is pivotable about a second pivot axis 9 (see Fig. 2). In the example shown, the support frame 8 is designed as a support arm. Several working tools 10 are arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the support frame 8. These working tools 10, which are designed in particular as cutting devices, can be used to cut plant material or crops, especially grass.

[0057] In Figures 1 to 3, the support frame 8 is arranged in a lowered working position, in which its longitudinal direction is horizontally aligned. Using an actuator 11, which in the example shown is a single actuator 12 and can alternatively be configured with multiple actuators, the pivot frame 5 and the support frame 8 can be moved in a respective horizontal plane into the lowered position shown in Figures 1 to 3, as well as into raised or extended pivot positions (not shown). For this purpose, the single actuator 12 is connected to the mounting frame 3 and, via a coupling device 13, to the support frame 8. If the support frame 8 is pivoted about the second pivot axis 9, this also forces a pivoting movement of the pivot frame 5. If the pivoting occurs from the lowered position shown in Figures 1 to 3, the support frame 8 and the pivot frame 5 are pivoted upwards.

[0058] The arrangement 1 further comprises a relief device 14, which is designed as a single relief element 15 and, in the example shown, is implemented with a spring relief element. The single relief element 15 is connected to the mounting frame 3 on one side. On the opposite side, the single relief element 15 is connected to both the support frame 8 and the pivot frame 5, such that a total preload force provided by the single relief element 15 can be introduced onto the support frame 8 and the pivot frame 5 via a force distribution device 16. A first preload force is transmitted to the pivot frame 5 by means of a first force transmission element 17, and a second preload force is transmitted to the support frame 8 by means of a second force transmission element 18 (see BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT).

[0059] - 10 -

[0060] (Fig. 4). The first force transmission element 17 connects an actuator-side force application point 19 with a first force application point 20 on the pivot frame 5. The second force transmission element 18 connects the actuator-side force application point 19 with a support frame-side force application point 21 on a connecting component 21a, which is rigidly and securely connected to the support frame 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the force vectors representing the first and second preload forces form an approximately right angle.

[0061] The actuator-side force point 19 can be displaced by means of a guide device 22 by means of linear movement of a force transmission component 23 in a guide slot 24, in the example shown essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the swivel frame 5, wherein the guide device 22 is arranged on the swivel frame 5 in the embodiment shown.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, a cover and protective frame 30 is optionally arranged above the support frame 8. This frame is designed to accommodate a top-side and / or side cover and protective device (not shown) for the support frame 8 with a cutting device 10. The cover and protective frame 30, which may be omitted in other embodiments, is pivotable together with the support frame 8.

[0063] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawing can be important for the realization of the various embodiments, both individually and in any combination.

Claims

Kverneland Group Kerteminde A / S K75329WO Claims 1. Arrangement for an agricultural work machine, with - an attachment device (2) designed for attachment to a suspension of a work vehicle; - a pivot frame (5) which is pivotably arranged on the mounting device (2) about a first pivot axis (6) in a proximal section of the pivot frame (5), wherein the pivot frame (5) can thereby be moved into a lowered pivot frame position and out of the lowered pivot frame position; - a support frame (8) which is pivotably arranged on the pivot frame (5) about a second pivot axis (9) in a distal section (7) of the pivot frame (5), wherein the support frame (8) can thereby be moved into a lowered support frame position and out of the lowered support frame position; - a working tool (10) which is arranged on the support frame (8) and can be moved into a lowered working position and lifted out of the lowered working position by pivoting the support frame (8) about the second pivot axis (9); - an actuator device (11) is set up to pivot the swivel frame (5) about the first pivot axis (6) and the support frame (8) about the second pivot axis (9); - a relief device (14) configured to provide a first preload force directed against pivoting the pivot frame (5) into the lowered pivot frame position, and a second preload force directed against pivoting the support frame (8) into the lowered support frame position; and - a force sharing device (16) which is configured to divide a total preload force provided by a single relief element (15) forming the relief device (14) into the first preload force which is applied to the pivot frame (5) and the second preload force which is applied to the support frame (8).

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the individual relief element (15) is formed with an individual spring element or an individual cylinder element. BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT -2- 3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuator device (11) is configured to pivot the pivoting frame (5) about the first pivoting axis (6) and the support frame (8) about the second pivoting axis (9) simultaneously.

4. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the total preload force is provided at an actuator-side force application point (19) and - the force distribution device (16) has a first force transmission chain which, for transmitting the first preload force, connects the actuator-side force action point (19) with a pivot frame-side force introduction point (20) on the pivot frame (5) and is formed with a first force transmission element (17), and a second force transmission chain which, for transmitting the second preload force, connects the actuator-side force action point (19) with a support frame-side force introduction point (21) on the support frame (8) and is formed with a second force transmission element (18).

5. Arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the first force transmission element (17) and / or the second force transmission element (18) comprise a non-rigid force transmission element.

6. Arrangement according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the first force transmission element (17) and / or the second force transmission element (18) comprise a rigid force transmission element.

7. Arrangement according to at least one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that - the first force transmission element (17) with the single relief element (15) and / or the pivot frame (5) and / or - the second force transmission element (18) is detachably connected to the single relief element (15) and / or the support frame (8).

8. Arrangement according to at least one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that a first force vector, which transmits the first preload force BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT - 3- along the first force chain, and a second force vector representing the transmission of the second preload force along the second force chain, enclosing an angle between about 30 degrees and about 150 degrees, preferably between about 60 degrees and about 120 degrees.

9. Arrangement according to at least one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the force application point (20) on the pivot frame side and the force application point (21) on the support frame side are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the second pivot axis (9).

10. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a longitudinal axis of the support frame (8) runs essentially horizontally when the support frame (8) is arranged in the lowered position.

11. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support frame (8) can be lifted into a transport position by pivoting about the second pivot axis (9) in which the longitudinal axis of the support frame (8) is arranged upright.

12. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot frame (5) is formed as a pivot arm and / or the support frame (8) is formed as a support arm.

13. Arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the pivot frame (5) is formed as a pivot arm and the support frame (8) as a support arm, wherein a longitudinal axis of the pivot arm (5) and a longitudinal axis of the support arm (8) run parallel when viewed from above.

14. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an arrangement for an agricultural mowing machine with a mowing device is formed, which comprises the mounting device, the pivoting frame (5), the support frame (8), the actuator device (11), the relief device (14) and the force sharing device (16), wherein a mower bar is formed with the support frame (8), on which one or more cutting devices are arranged. BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT - 4 - 15. Agricultural work system comprising a work vehicle and an arrangement (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, which is mounted on a suspension of the work vehicle.

Images