BE1022891B1 - SYSTEM FOR CLAMPING THE DORSKORF OF A HARVESTING MACHINE - Google Patents

Abstract

A harvesting machine for use in agriculture (10) contains a chassis (12), and a threshing and separation section (24) is supported by the chassis (12), and contains at least one concave that contains a hook-on element (94), at least one sliding support (76,78) and a frame assembly (72) for carrying and coupling the concave (42) to it. The frame assembly (72) includes a support rod (74) so that the tightening element (94) can be hooked over the support scraper (74) to support one side of the concave (42). The other side of the concave (42) is also coupled to the frame assembly (72). The sliding support (76, 78) supports the concave (42) when the concave (42) is moved toward or away from the support rod (74).

Description

SYSTEM FOR CLAMPING THE DORSKORF OF ONE

QQGST MACHINE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to harvesting machines for use in agriculture, and more particularly to the installation of concave in the associated frames in harvesting machines.

A "combine harvester" is a harvesting machine that is used in agriculture. This term has grown historically because this machine performs multiple harvesting functions in a single eye unit, such as picking, threshing, separating and cleaning. A combine harvester contains a mower that removes the crop from a field and a feed house that transports the crop material to a threshing rotor. The threshing rotor rotates inside a perforated housing, which can take the form of adjustable threshing baskets and performs a threshing operation on the crop to remove the grain from it. Once the grain is thirsty, it falls on a grain dish through perforations in the concave. From the grain bowl the grain is cleaned using a cleaning system and is then transported to a grain tank on board the combine. A cleaning fan blows air through the sieves to transport chaff and other particles of dirt to the rear of the combine. Harvest material that is not grain, such as straw, proceeds from the threshing section to a residual system where a chopper can be used to process the material that does not contain grain and direct it to and from the rear of the combine. When the grain tank becomes full, the combine is positioned near a vehicle in which the grain is to be unloaded, such as a semi-trailer, a self-loader, a regular truck or the like, and a discharge system is operated on the combine to transfer the grain to the vehicle to transfer.

More specifically, a rotary threshing or separation system includes one or more rotors that can extend axially (from the front to the rear) or transversally within the main body of the combine and that are partially or completely surrounded by a perforated threshing basket. The harvest material is threshed and separated by turning the rotor inside the concave. Coarser non-grain harvesting material, such as stems and leaves, are transported to the rear of the combine and unloaded onto the field. The separated cereal grains, along with some finer non-grain harvesting material, such as husks, dust, straw and other harvest residues, are discharged by the concave and fall onto a grain dish where they are transported to a cleaning system. Alternatively, the grain and the finer non-grain crop material may also fall directly onto the cleaning system itself.

A cleaning system then separates the grain from the non-grain crop material and usually includes a fan that causes air to flow up and back through vertically arranged sieves that move back and forth from front to back. The air stream lifts the lighter non-grain crop material and carries it to the rear end of the combine to unload it in the field. Clean grain, which is heavier, and larger pieces of harvesting material that are not grain, that are not carried away by the air flow, fall on a surface of an upper sieve (also called short straw sieve) where some or all of the clean grain passes to a lower sieve (also called cleaning sieve). Cereal grains and harvesting material that is not grain that remains on the upper and lower sieves are physically separated by the reciprocating movements of the sieves as the material moves backwards. All grain and / or harvesting material that is not grain and that remains on the upper surface of the upper sieve is discharged at the rear of the combine. Grain falling through the lower sieve lands on a lower scale of the cleaning system, from where it is transported to a clean grain auger.

The clean grain auger transfers the grain to a grain tank for temporary storage. The grain accumulates when the grain tank is full and is unloaded in a neighboring vehicle such as a semi-trailer, a self-unloader, an ordinary truck or the like, by a discharge system on the combine that is operated to transfer grain to the vehicle.

The concaves are linked to parts of the frame and must be replaced due to wear or changes to the crop that is being harvested.

Patent EP 2514300 (US Patent No. 8,628,390) discloses a support system for separation grids of a harvesting machine. As can be seen in Figures 6-11, a grid is moved to an input location and one side of the grid is hooked onto a support bar and then the other side is turned up and hooked to another support bar. As can be seen in Figures 9-10, space is provided for the person who applies the grid to be able to access and support this grid when he applies it in the double hooked arrangement. The grid is then shifted in an axial direction and another grid is arranged in the input location. The double hook arrangement is shown in Figure 11, where the hooks are positioned so that the spaces 70 and 82 are made sufficiently small to prevent the grid from becoming detached. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the grid must be handled and supported by the person who applies it until it is hooked into position. Another drawback is that the hooking arrangement of the grid must be handled manually to minimize play to prevent the grid from being unhooked.

What is required compared to the prior art is a cost-effective and efficient way to replace concave in the harvesting machine, while at the same time minimizing effort by the person applying the grating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention ensures that the concave can be applied in a shorter period of time by one person in the confined space of a concave section.

In one form, the invention is directed to a harvesting machine and includes a frame and a threshing and separation section for threshing and separating cereal grains from harvested harvested material. The threshing and separation section is supported by the chassis and contains at least one concave that contains a hooking element, at least one sliding support and a frame assembly for carrying and connecting the concave. The frame assembly includes a support rod so that the hooking element can be hooked over the support rod to support one side of the concave. The other side of the concave is also coupled to the frame assembly. The sliding support supports the concave when it is moved to the support rod away from it.

An innovative element of the present invention that resolves prior art problems consists of the support that allows the concave to be shifted about and supported when maneuvered into its position. This allows the person applying the grid to use the position of the supports to guide the hook arrangement on the support bar. Another innovative element is the element in which a slot is provided which provides a sliding support for the concave when it is shifted in an axial direction relative to the rotor and then, after being securely attached, provides a positive attachment of the concave on the frame assembly.

An advantage of this invention is that the application of concave can be achieved even if there is little space under the concave.

Another advantage is that the concave is supported by two different supports that are required during the application / removal process, whereby different degrees of movement are possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of this invention and the way to achieve them will become more apparent and the invention may be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention together with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a harvesting machine in the form of a combine harvester utilizing frame assemblies and concaves of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a frame assembly according to the present invention for holding concaves according to the present invention in the combine harvester of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a concave according to the present invention to be retained by the frame assembly of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a schematic end view of a rotor showing a step for mounting the concave of Figure 3 into a frame assembly of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a schematic end view of the rotor showing another step of mounting the concave of Figure 3 in a frame assembly of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a schematic end view of the rotor showing yet another step of mounting the concave of Figure 3 in a frame assembly of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a schematic end view of the rotor illustrating yet another step of mounting the concave of Figure 3 in a frame assembly of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a schematic end view of the rotor illustrating yet another step of mounting the concave of Figure 3 in a frame assembly of Figure 2; and

Figure 9 is a schematic end view of the rotor illustrating yet another step in arranging the concave of Figure 3 in a frame assembly of Figure 2.

Corresponding references (numbers and / or letters) indicate corresponding parts throughout all the different views. The examples set forth herein illustrate embodiments of the invention and such examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terms "grain", "straw" and "non-threshed ears" are used throughout this specification primarily for convenience, but it is to be understood that these terms are not intended to be limiting. Thus, "grain" refers to that part of the harvest material that is threshed and separated from the part of the harvest material to be discarded, referred to as non-grain harvest material, or straw. Incomplete threshed harvest material becomes "non-threshed ears" Also the terms "forward", "backward", "left" and "right" when used in connection with the harvesting machine and / or parts thereof are usually defined with reference to the forward driving direction of the harvesting machine in operation, but again, they may not be interpreted as limiting terms, and the terms "in length", "length" and "transverse" are defined with respect to the length direction of the harvesting machine and may not be seen as limiting.

With reference now to the drawings and more particularly to Figure 1, a harvesting machine is shown in the form of a large combine harvester 10, which generally comprises a chassis 12, ground-contacting wheels 14 and 16, a mower 18, a supply housing 20, an operator booth 22, a threshing and separation system 24, a cleaning system 26, a grain tank 28 and a discharge conveyor 30. Discharge conveyor 30 is illustrated as a discharge auger, but can also be configured as a belt conveyor, a chain elevator etc.

The front wheels 14 are larger flotation-type wheels, and the rear wheels 16 are smaller steerable wheels. The driving force is selectively applied to the front wheels 14 by a power source in the form of a diesel engine 32 and a transmission (not shown). Although the combine harvester 10 is shown with wheels, it is also to be understood that the combine harvester 10 may also contain tracks, e.g., full or half tracks.

The mower 18 is mounted on the front of the combine harvester 10 and includes a cutter bar 34 for cutting crops from a field while advancing the combine harvester 10. A rotary reel 36 supplies crop to the mower 18, and a jack 38 feeds the crop laterally inwardly on each side of the feed housing 20. The feed housing 20 transports the cut crop to the threshing and separation system 24 and is selectively movable vertically with the aid of suitable actuators, e.g. hydraulic cylinders (not shown).

The threshing and separation system 24 is of the axial flow type and generally contains a rotor 40 that is at least partially enclosed by and rotatable within a corresponding perforated threshing basket 42. The cut crops are threshed and separated by the rotation of the rotor 40 inside concave 42, and larger elements such as stems, leaves and the like are discharged from the rear of combine harvester 10. Smaller elements of the harvest material, including grain and non-grain harvest material, including particles lighter than grain, such as husks, dust and straw, are discharged through the perforations in the concave 42. Although the threshing and separation system 24 is illustrated As an axial flow type with a rotor, it is also contemplated to use this invention with other conventional threshing systems.

Grain separated by the threshing and separating unit 24 falls onto a grain bowl 44 and is further transported to the cleaning system 26. The cleaning system 26 may contain an optional pre-cleaning screen 46, an upper screen 48 (also called short straw screen), a lower screen (also known as a cleaning sieve), and a cleaning fan 52. Grain on the sieves 46, 48 and 50 is subjected to a cleaning action by fan 52 which generates an air flow through the sieves to remove chaff and other impurities such as dust from the grain by causing that this material floats in the air to discharge it through the combine harvester straw cap 54. The grain bowl 44 and the pre-cleaning screen 46 move back and forth to bring the grain and finer harvesting material that is not grain to the upper surface of the upper screen 48 transport. The upper screen 48 and the lower screen 50 are arranged vertically relative to each other and move back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the machine to spread the grain over the screens 48, 50; so that clean grain can fall through the openings of the seven 48, 50 under the influence of gravity.

Clean grain falls on a clean grain auger 56 which is placed transversely below and in front of the lower sieve 50. The grain auger 56 receives clean grain from each screen 48, 50 and from the lower bowl 58 of the cleaning system 26. The clean grain auger 56 laterally transports the clean grain to a generally elevated grain elevator 60 to transport it to grain tank 28. Non-thinned ears fall from the cleaning system 26 onto a jack for non-thinned ears 62. The non-thinned ears are transported via the jack for non-thinned ears 64 and the return auger 66 to the upstream end of the cleaning system 26 for a repeated cleaning action. The transverse jacks 68 on the bottom of the grain tank 10 laterally transport the clean grain into the grain tank 28 to the discharge auger 30 to discharge it from the combine harvester 10.

The non-grain crop material continues through a remnant handling system 70. The remnant handling system 70 may include a forage harvester, counter blades, a windrow door, and a remnant spreader.

Now, with reference to Figure 2, a frame assembly 72 is shown and illustrated here that is a part of the threshing and separation section 24. This frame assembly 72 is configured to support two concaves 42 which may be identical or have different harvesting characteristics. The frame assembly 72 comprises a support rod 74, a sliding support 76, sliding supports 78, an inner support 80, two outer supports 82, and a support element 84 in which a slot 86 and holes 88 are provided. The frame assembly 72 is configured to be adjustably positioned relative to the rotor 40 by a control system, which is not shown for the sake of clarity.

The sliding supports 76 and 78 are shown as a rod and a bush bearing, both of which can be used at the two locations and are arranged on both the inner support and the inside of an outer support 82. The concave 42 is shifted in a direction 90, which is generally perpendicular to an axial direction 92. Slot 86 accommodates a fastening element that allows the concave 42 to be shifted in a direction 92 after being shifted in the frame assembly 72 in direction 90.

Referring now to Figure 3, a concave 42 is illustrated with hooking elements 94, a hole 96, a bottom 98 and an edge 104. The concave 42 is shifted in the frame assembly 72 in the direction 90, hooked onto the support rod 74, raised from the sliding support 76 and / or 78, coupled to the supporting element 84 in which a slot is arranged, shifted in direction 92 and secured to the frame assembly 72, all parts of which will be discussed in detail with reference to the other figures. A second concave 42 is then shifted in direction 90 and undergoes the same mounting procedure, but is not shifted in direction 92, since that location is occupied by the first concave 42. It can be envisaged that the frame assembly 72 can contain more than two concave 42, which each being shifted to their respective positions after being shifted in a non-axial direction toward the frame assembly 72.

Referring now also to Figures 4-9, a series of positions is shown for the concave 42 when it is positioned in the frame assembly 72. The removal of the concave 42 basically follows the reverse procedure to that discussed before application.

In Figure 4, the concave 42 is generally moved in direction 90, with the bottom 98 of the concave 42 contacting the sliding support 76 to thereby support part of the weight of the concave 42. In Figure 5, the concave is moved further in direction 90 as the bottom 98 rolls or slides over sliding support 76.

In Figure 6, the concave 42 is tilted slightly as it moves further in direction 90 to contact the sliding supports 78. Thereafter, as shown in Figure 7, the concave 42 is rolled / shifted along the supports 76 and 78 about the support rod 74 approaching, in this situation the supports 76 and 78 now carry the entire weight of the concave 42, and the operator is then able to apply the concave or baskets in an ergonomic manner. Supports 76 and 78 are positioned so that the forward edge of the concave 42 can release or run over support rod 74.

In Figure 8, the hook elements 94 of the concave 42 hook over the support rod 74 as the concave 42 is lifted on the left, while it is still supported by supports 78. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the concave 42 is lifted and coupled with a fastening element 100, so that the concave 42 is then held in place by the hook elements 94 and support rod 74 on one side and fastening elements 100 on the other side. The configuration of the hook element 94 and the edge 104 of the concave 42 and interaction with a beam 106 of the frame assembly when the concave 42 is arranged is such that the concave 42 is pressed down. In this case, forces generated during the harvesting operation will cause the concave 42 to be hooked in a more reliable manner to prevent the concave 42 from coming loose.

If the frame assembly 72 contains more than one concave 42, the fastening element 100 is inserted through the slot 86 and the hole 96, but not yet tightened. The concave 42 is then shifted in direction 92 with the concave sliding along the support rod 74 and the loosely coupled fastening element 100 supporting the weight of the concave 42. Once the concave 42 is positioned in the desired portion of the frame assembly 72, the securing element can be tightened and other securing elements can be provided through holes 102 of the concave 42 and slot 86, and a hole 88, and all securing elements are tightened around the to secure the first concave. A second concave 42 is then applied as discussed with reference to Figures 4-9, wherein the second concave 42 is bolted to its position without being shifted in direction 92, since the frame assembly 72 will contain all provided concave 42.

As a result of the fitting of the fastening elements 100, the concave baskets 42 become under tension. The components are constructed so that the resulting forces (the bias and the forces generated during the operation of the combine harvester 10) always point in a direction that prevents the concave 42 from coming loose.

This invention advantageously facilitates the task of applying and removing the concave 42 by providing the lower supports 76, 78 when the concave 42 is applied / pulled out. Another advantage is that this invention includes a slot 86 for displacing a fastening element 100 to serve as a support and for ease of mounting the concave 42 which is axially displaced in the threshing system from the entry position.

Claims (12)

CONCLUSIONS: A harvesting machine (10) comprising: a chassis (12); and a threshing and separating section (24) for threshing and separating grain from harvested harvested material, the threshing and separating section (24) being carried by the chassis (12), and the threshing and separating section containing the following: - at least one concave (42) containing a hook element (94); - at least one sliding support (76, 78), and - a frame assembly (72) for carrying and coupling the concave (42) to it, the frame assembly (72) including a support rod (74) so that the hooking element (94) over the support rod (74) can be hooked to support one side of the concave (42), and the other side of the concave (42) is coupled to the frame assembly (72), and the sliding support (76, 78) the concave (42) ) when it is moved towards or away from the support rod (74). Harvesting machine (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least one sliding support (76, 78) is attached to the frame assembly (72), and the sliding support (76, 78) supports a bottom (98) of the concave (42) when the concave (42) is arranged in the frame assembly (72) so that the concave (42) can be shifted and pivoted around the sliding support (76, 78), whereby the hooking element (94) can be coupled to the support rod (74). Harvesting machine (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the concave (42) does not come into contact with the sliding support (76, 78) once another side of the concave (42) is coupled to the frame assembly (72). A harvesting machine (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the frame unit (72) further comprises a support element (84) in which a slot is provided to which the other side of the concave (42) is fixedly connected. Harvesting machine (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the concave (42) and the frame assembly (72) are configured such that the concave (42) can be axially slid along the frame assembly (72), the concave (42) ) moves along the support rod (74) and along the (84) support element in which the slot is arranged. Harvesting machine (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one concave (42) is a series of concave (42), wherein another concave (42) is arranged in the frame assembly (72) after the concave (42) axially shifted. Harvesting machine (10) according to claims 4-6, characterized in that a fastening element (100) is coupled to the concave (42) via the support element (84) in which a slot is arranged and wherein the fastening element (100) together with the concave (42) is shifted. Harvesting machine (10) according to claims 2-7, characterized in that the frame assembly (72) has an inner support (80) which is coupled to the sliding support (76, 78) and the support rod (74). Harvesting machine (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the inner support (80) is arranged more downwards to enable the concave (42) to move over it. Harvesting machine (10) according to claims 4-9, characterized in that the slot (86) in the support element (84) has a length that is approximately half an axial length of the frame assembly (72), so that the slot ( 86) allows the fastening element (100) to slide into it. A method of applying the concave (42) in the frame assembly (72) of the harvesting machine (10) according to claims 1-10, the method comprising the steps of: shifting the concave (42) over the sliding support (76, 78) in a direction that is generally perpendicular to an axial direction (92) of the threshing and separation section (24); hooking the hook member (94) onto the support rod (74); lifting the concave (42) from the sliding support (76, 78); and coupling the concave (42) to the frame assembly (72). The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of shifting the concave in the axial direction (92) after the coupling step, the coupling step comprising coupling the concave (42) to an element (84) in which a slot is applied.