BE1025022A1 - SELF-DRIVING DEVICE FOR PROCESSING FLAX WITH SEED RECUPERATION - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a self-propelled device for picking up a crop and forming a bale from the picked-up crop, comprising space in which a bale can be molded and a pick-up and transport device (11) for picking up a crop and transporting it into the direction of said space, wherein the device comprises all kinds of improvements.

Description

(71) Applicant (s):

VERHOEST MARC BVBA 8800, RUMBEKE Belgium (72) Inventor (s):

VERHOEST Mare 8800 RUMBEKE Belgium (54) SELF-PROPELLED DEVICE FOR PROCESSING FLAX WITH SEED RECOVERY (57) This invention relates to a self-propelled device provided for picking up a crop and forming a bale from the picked crop, comprising space in which a bale can be shaped is a pick-up and transport device (11) for picking up a crop and transporting it in the direction of said space, the device comprising all kinds of improvements.

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Fig. 1 ii

BE2017 / 5637

SELF-PROPELLED DEVICE FOR PROCESSING FLAX

WITH SEED RECOVERY

This invention relates to a self-propelled device provided for picking up a crop and forming a bale from the picked crop, comprising a pressing device in which a bale can be formed and a pick-up and transport device for picking up a crop and transporting it in the direction of said pressing device. The invention particularly relates to a self-propelled flax pick-up and bale forming apparatus from the picked-up flax.

In recent years, flax fiber has enjoyed growing interest as a functional raw material for innovative, often high-tech material applications (plastics, composite materials, ...). This interest is part of the economic and industrial shifts that are taking place worldwide, and where the awareness of the finite nature of the stocks of oil is prompting the search for sustainable, alternative and renewable raw materials.

The flax plant is used to the maximum and this in all kinds of applications, both in the textile field and others:

long fibers: textile application (clothing, upholstery fabrics, ropes, ...); non-textile (composite, reinforcement of plastics);

short fibers: textile application (yarn / fabrics); non-textile (parts of a car);

linseed: human food, health care, animal food, industrial oil; mud: animal bedding, chip boards, construction industry (insulation).

The current machines used in flax pick-up are trailed flax pick-ups. The known establishments are, however, not sufficiently suitable to meet the current demand from the sector.

BE2017 / 5637

The short season and the influence of the weather make fast work in flax cultivation crucial. As many hectares as possible must be finished in a short time. Therefore, a fast machine is required. In addition, an important share of the seeds is lost. When rolling the bales with the current towed machine, the circular motion causes the seed to fall too much along the plate on the ground. Due to this friction, the current machine loses (too) much seed (+/- 200 to 250 kg of linseed per hectare is lost). The price of line seed is +/- 300 € / ton. So this is of course also a big loss of yield.

The present invention therefore aims to provide a self-propelled device where seed loss is minimized.

The object of the invention is achieved by providing a self-propelled device for picking up a crop and forming a bale from the picked crop, comprising a press device in which a bale can be formed and a pick-up and transport device for picking up a crop and transporting it in the direction of said pressing device, said device further comprising a collecting system provided for collecting and returning seed from the picked-up crop back into the pressing device. In the device according to the invention, the collected seed is introduced back into the pressing device during the forming (rolling) of the bale.

In a preferred embodiment of the self-propelled device according to the invention, the collecting system comprises a collecting box for seed originating from the picked-up crop, which extends at least under the pick-up and transporting device. The receptacle in question also preferably extends under the pressing device, so that the seed which may be released during the rolling of the bale can also be collected and brought back into the bale. In an alternative embodiment, the receptacle can be replaced by a receptacle.

BE2017 / 5637

In a more preferred embodiment of the self-propelled device according to the invention, the collecting system comprises displacing means for moving the seed collected in the collecting bin to or in the direction of the pressing device. The moving means in particular comprise chains, one or more conveyor belts and / or a jack.

Air is also an option as a means of displacement (medium). In that case, a compressor must also be provided.

According to a special embodiment of the device according to the invention, the pick-up and transport device comprises star-shaped elements. More specifically, the pick-up and transport device further includes a pull-in roller.

Problems often arise during transport and stacking of the flax bales because the currently rolled bales are large and not easily stackable on trucks. In addition, problems often arise with incorrectly stacked bales on trucks that are subject to fines. As a result, there is a need for a machine that produces compact bales that are easier to stack and can have an adjustable width. In this way: are the transport costs lower, the environmental impact is lower and fines are avoided. To this end, the pressing device in a more special embodiment of the device according to the invention comprises a movable wall plate, whereby the width of the pressing device (pressing chamber) is adjustable. In this way, bales can be rolled to a pre-set width that matches the width of the truck, thus avoiding the previously described problems. Preferably, the pressing device comprises two opposite wall plates between which a bale can be formed, the two wall plates being movable towards and away from each other. With the pressing device according to the invention, the width of the bales formed is adjustable between 1000 mm and 1250 mm.

Because the width of the bale with the device is continuously adjustable, there will also be less seed loss.

BE2017 / 5637

In a most special embodiment of the device according to the invention, the collecting system comprises a sieve element for removing stones and the like from the collected seed. The possibility of removing any stones that have been picked up avoids the risk of damage to the device.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the device comprises a binding mechanism for binding the bale formed in the pressing device.

To further clarify the features of this invention and to indicate additional advantages and details thereof, a more detailed description of the self-propelled device according to the invention follows. It is to be understood that nothing in the description below can be interpreted as a limitation of the protection claimed in the claims.

In this description reference is made by reference numerals to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- figure 1: is a principle representation of the collecting system for the self-propelled device according to the invention;

- figure 2: is a schematic representation of the pick-up and transport system;

- figure 3: shows a withdrawal role;

- figure 4: shows schematically the adjustable width of the pressing device, during which during the start (figure 4.1) of the bale formation first wraps are carried out at the maximum width (1200 to 12500 mm.) to form the core in an easy way and then the core is compressed (figure 4.2) to arrive at the desired width (up to about 1000 mm.) of the bale and thereby creating a solid core in the bale;

figure 5: shows part of the pick-up device;

- figures 6 to 8: show the operation of the cord system;

- figure 9: shows the knife system to cut the cord after tying the formed bale.

BE2017 / 5637

The self-propelled device according to this invention is provided for picking up a crop and forming a bale from the picked up crop. The crop absorbed is preferably flax. The device according to this invention comprises a pressing device (10) in which a bale can be formed and also a pick-up and transport device (11) for picking up a crop and transporting it in the direction of said pressing device (10). Furthermore, said device has provided a collecting system (12) for collecting and returning seed from the picked-up crop back into the pressing device (10).

The device according to the invention will avoid or at least minimize linseed losses due to the presence of the collection system (12). Without losses, 1250 kg of linseed per hectare (ha) could be harvested. With the known establishments, up to 200 to 250 kg / ha is lost during rolling up and pressing (that is up to 20% loss). In the device according to this invention, this loss no longer occurs because the seeds will be collected and recovered.

The device also has the following features and advantages:

• continuously adjustable flax bales width: the new machine can make more compact bales with a width ranging between 1000 and 1250 mm. This is continuously adjustable. In this way, the machine can automatically adjust for shorter or longer flax. This will make stacking safer and more efficient and the maximum permitted height during transport will no longer be exceeded.

• Avoidance of blockages: the higher driving speeds and the adjustable widths increase the chance of blockages occurring. Blockage is avoided in this new facility.

• less loss of time - continuous operation: at the known establishments much (more than 3 minutes) time is lost by cutting the cords. In this establishment, this time is limited to 1 minute.

BE2017 / 5637 • self-propelled on 3 wheels: the driving speed when rolling up and pressing flax must be increased from 15 km / h to 18 to 19 km / h. By driving on three wheels, a higher driving speed can be achieved because we have greater maneuverability.

The innovations are discussed in more detail below:

The new device has an improved pick-up and transport device (11) with star-shaped elements (13) (see fig. 1) (star-pass system). The existing other models on the market have an eccentric transfer system with a front pick-up, while existing models use a straw pick-up as a pick-up and inter-pass transfer system, sometimes with one for pick-up. This system achieved good results, but requires a lot of driver experience. Such drivers are virtually impossible to find. The eccentric system adds too much flax in separate packages (discontinuous). This leads to a lower quality of the bale.

An additional problem with the eccentric is that during tying the bale, this eccentric is mechanically (too) heavily loaded by the higher speed of the machine (2000 rpm instead of 1400 rpm) during tying. Especially the occurring vibrations are a problem. It is precisely for this reason that many of the existing machines have already been modified by users (eg shortening the fingers to reduce the mass, which in turn can lead to other problems).

With the proposed star system, the bale can be built continuously and the problems with the eccentric are avoided.

Flaxseed recovery.

The collection of the linseed can be done with a collection plate, but afterwards the linseed still has to be added back to the bale. It is not the intention to store the seed in a tank because this will give you a discontinuous process with

BE2017 / 5637 in other words the seed can be put back into the bale. Various solutions are possible for this.

Adjustable width

The device according to the invention can process both short and long flax, the continuous adjustment of the width is a huge technological innovation. A perfect synchronization in the different process steps of the rolling and pressing is necessary here and for this the core making has to start at the right time. That will determine whether blockages can be avoided. The core will be compressed with one or two vertical wall-shaped elements (plates) (14, 15) driven by hydraulic cylinders.

Belt tension

With the device according to the invention the belt will never be tensioned, so that the belt on the side of the seed is prevented from tensioning too much. This prevents conical bales from being formed. Measuring means are provided with the device according to the invention which allow the bale pressure to be measured continuously (varies between 100 and 110 bar).

Binding mechanism

In the known installations, important time is lost (2.5 to 3 minutes) during the baling of the bales. In the device according to the invention this is avoided by cutting the cords without having to lose time as a result = time-saving effect! The cords are also rolled from the core.

In the binding mechanism provided in the device according to the invention, in the last three turns, two extra ropes are added by two extra needles. That way time is saved. Too often it happens that the ropes do not go well

BE2017 / 5637 in the bale, or that at the end of the stock there is simply no rope available. In the current situation, the driver either does not notice this or much too late. There is also an option to notify the driver if something goes wrong during tying.

Driving on three wheels

The device according to the invention is provided with three wheels, these three wheels are designed to be steerable. For example, it is possible to correctly pick up the flax and roll it up from the swath right next to the plot edge. The weight distribution has a crucial role in avoiding the risk of tipping over on a hill. The baler center of gravity must be taken into account in the construction of the baler.

Networking within flax machine

By integrating various electronic modules in flax machines such as GPS, PLC and telemonitoring, a lot of problems can be avoided and / or detected in the device according to the invention.

The withdrawal role:

The retracting pick-up known to date has been replaced by a retracting roller in the device according to the invention. The take-up roll serves to guide the flax between the take-up belts and the pressing device where the effective bale is made.

As shown in figure 3, this retraction roller consists of star discs which are distributed distributed over a cylindrical tube. The star discs consist of teeth that pull the flax along. The teeth of the star discs are mounted staggered together which allows the flax to be drawn in evenly. In addition, this roller ensures no additional vibrations and wear during binding due to these high speeds.

BE2017 / 5637

Cord system:

The cord system (binding mechanism) (see figures 6 to 8) is located just above the pull-in roller, which ensures that the roller is provided with cords. When making the core, the cords must have a lot of end to be pulled along by the flax. This is done on the one hand at the top of the two needle guides which pulls at the end, creating a loose loop at the top of the needle guides which thus allows the cord to be pulled along easily. On the other hand, the cord is held from below when cutting until the needles are closed, creating a 500mm loop along the sides.

Rear wheel steering:

First row stocking:

The rear wheels would be constructed so that they can be placed sideways so that they can pick up the first row.

Pick-up and transport device

The pick-up and transport device includes a tubular pick-up device (see figure 5) which will pick up the flax from the ground and bring it to the belts (which are part of the transport device and which guide the flax to the pressing device. The pick-up device comprises teeth. Teeth come out more at the bottom than at the top This is because the flax is picked up by the teeth at the bottom and will be released at the top.

It is very important to note that the pick-up spindle is stationary and the tube is rotating. The teeth rotate because the tube rotates. This is how the teeth also rotate.

BE2017 / 5637

The pick-up device is formed from a flat plate with several holes in it, which is rolled in the shape of a cylinder. The large rectangular holes in the tube of the pick-up device are made for easy access to the discs when new teeth have to be inserted. This eliminates the need to disassemble the bearings and the shaft. These holes are covered with plates. The small holes in line with the large holes are used to fix these cover plates.

The small rectangular holes are the holes for the teeth. The tooth moves up and down through these holes. The round long holes next to the small rectangular holes are for the plastic / iron band to hold.

The pick-up device consists of a large rolled tube (No. 1). There are 3 rings on this tube (no. 6). These rings allow the flax to be released at the top through the teeth. The teeth hardly come out at the top. They even reach below the rings and therefore the teeth no longer touch the flax because the flax goes over these rings.

Discs are placed on the shaft that will hold the teeth. The teeth are held in place by bolts. The teeth pick up the flax. These are held in place by bolts. You can use both bolts and rivets to fix the teeth.

The device further comprises a precursor, the precursor ensures that the teeth of the pick-up device do not go too deep into the ground to pick up the flax. The precursor therefore stands for the pick-up device. The precursor preferably has double wheels. The 2 wheels can be easily adjusted in height. The adjustment of this is very important because the front wheels ensure that the pick-up device does not go deep into the ground. If the pick-up device goes too deep into the ground, this is not good. You get way too much dust and you see less well. The hydraulic motor that rotates the pick-up device must also supply too much and unnecessary force. If the pick-up device does not go into the ground, the flax will not be picked up either

BE2017 / 5637 is therefore not good at all. We use a kind of rotary spindle to adjust the height of the wheels of the predecessor.

Binding mechanism - cord system (fis. 6 to 8)

When making the flax roll on land, two cords are always added. So we also need a cord system that adds the cords. When the flax roll is full, strings should also be laid along the outside. So you need a movable system. After the roll has been tied, he also has to cut the cord.

At the beginning of the roll, the hands (arms) are next to each other and ensure that two cords are brought into the flax roll. During tying, the cord system gradually opens until it reaches the outer position.

The cord is cut at the end of the binding. This will happen when the hands are completely wide. The blades for cutting are located on the inner plate of the press device (press cage).

Now when the cord system returns to its starting position, you get a loop at the top. This is because the cord remains in the same place, but the hands open again.

Because you now have a loop at the top, the cord is no longer under tension and the flax at the bottom can more easily take the cord with you in the roll.

Knife system (17)

The cord cutting system has been modified. The previous system only uses a knife. The cord passed over this blade, and the cord was cut. When starting to make the roll, it is the intention that the cord is pulled in. This is because the cord falls on the layer of flax that is in the roll

BE2017 / 5637 goes. Because in the device according to the invention the distance between the end of the tube from which the cord exits and the access opening (charter disc) where the flax is introduced into the pressing device is too great, a new system has been developed by the patent holder.

In accordance with the blade system (17) according to the invention, the cord is retaining means retained after it has been cut The cord is then retained on the side of the cage as the hands (arms) of the tying mechanism retract. Because the hands go back in, a loop is formed again. After a few meters of flax have entered the roll, we let go of the cord and the cord can fall on the layer of flax entering the pressing device. The cord is not yet tensioned and will therefore easily be pulled in.

Figure 9 shows the blade system (17). The system consists of several parts. The blade system is attached to the pressing device with the back plate No. 9. A cylinder (No. 3) is mounted on it. This cylinder pushes the block No. 5 forward. You can see that block no. 5 is fixed in 2 guides no. 4. This is so that the block can move straight forward. The number 5 block also has a plate number 6 attached behind the number 6 plate. At rest, the system is as in the picture above. The picture is slightly extended. The blade (No. 2) is located under the image no. 6. The movement can continue until picture no 6 goes against block no 1. The cord thus passes between plate no. 6 and block no. 1.

The blade system is now closed because the cylinder extends. The cord is now between the plate No. 6 and the block No. 1. At the bottom, the blade No. 2 just barely touches the cord. The cylinder will now push even more. The force of the springs behind plate no. 6 is less than the pushing force of the cylinder, so plate no. 6 will slide into the block. This releases the blade at the bottom and the blade goes over block no. 1

BE2017 / 5637 blade is released, the cord will be cut at the bottom. The cord remains clamped between plate no. 6 and block no. 1.

Now the hands of the cord system will go back to the center. Because the 5 cord is held, you get a loop between the hands of the cord system and the knife system. You can see that the pointer of the cord system is on the end and the blade system is closed. The cord is now clamped in the blade system.

So if the hands go back to the center, you get a loop between the pointer and the blade system. This will be done on both sides. The knife system is opened as soon as a few meters of flax have been supplied. There are two cords that go with the flax in the cage.

With the above-described device according to the invention it is possible to work faster, deliver a higher quality, have less losses and moreover it is easier to operate.

BE2017 / 5637

Claims (10)

CONCLUSIONS Self-propelled device provided for picking up a crop and forming a bale from the picked crop, comprising a pressing device (10) in which a bale can be molded and a pick-up and transport device (11) for picking up a crop and the transporting it in the direction of said pressing device (10), characterized in that said device further comprises a collecting system (12) provided for collecting and returning seed from the collected crop into the pressing device (10). Self-propelled device according to claim 1, characterized in that the collecting system (12) comprises a seed collecting tray from the collected crop, which extends at least under the pick-up and transporting device (11). Self-propelled device according to claim 2, characterized in that the collecting system (12) comprises displacing means for moving the seed collected in the collecting bin to the pressing device (10). Self-propelled device according to claim 3, characterized in that the displacing means comprise chains, one or more conveyor belts and / or a jack. Self-propelled device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pick-up and transport device (11) comprises star-shaped elements (13). Self-propelled device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pick-up and transport device (11) further comprises a retracting roller. BE2017 / 5637 Self-propelled device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressing device (10) comprises a movable wall plate (14, 15), whereby the width of the pressing device (10) is adjustable. 5 Self-propelled device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collecting system (12) comprises a sieve element for removing stones and the like from the collected seed. Self-propelled device according to one of the preceding claims, with the 10 characterized in that the device comprises a binding mechanism (16) for binding the bale formed in the pressing device (10). BE2017 / 5637 BE2017 / 5637