CN110894896A

CN110894896A - Hose tensioning system

Info

Publication number: CN110894896A
Application number: CN201910781072.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: N·S·谢恩; T·A·米克斯; M·J·霍列西
Original assignee: CNH China Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Keisnew Netherlands Industrial (Harbin) Machinery Co.,Ltd.
Priority date: 2018-09-12
Filing date: 2019-08-23
Publication date: 2020-03-20
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-23
Also published as: BR102019018862A2; CN110894896B

Abstract

The present invention relates to an agricultural system including a lift system that raises and lowers a harvesting bin. The system includes an actuator that expands and contracts to raise and lower a cover of the harvesting tank. The conduit powers the actuator. A hose tensioning system is coupled to the harvesting tank. The hose tensioning system includes a track coupled to the harvesting tank. The slider assembly is coupled to the track and moves relative to the track as the header is raised and lowered. The slider assembly lifts the conduit in a first direction when the harvesting bin is lowered. The conduit moves the slider assembly in the second direction when the harvesting bin is moved in the second direction.

Description

Hose tensioning system

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to agricultural equipment.

Background

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Agricultural equipment typically includes various actuators. These actuators can lift objects, open lids/doors, close lids/doors, tilt devices, rotate objects, and other operations. These actuators may be powered in various ways, including electrically or hydraulically. Because these actuators may be remote from a power source, such as a hydraulic pump or generator, the conduits may conduct electricity or hydraulic fluid from the power source to the actuators. Unfortunately, these conduits may interfere with the operation of the agricultural equipment.

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment, an agricultural system is provided that includes a lift system that raises and lowers a harvesting bin. The system includes an actuator that expands and contracts to raise and lower a cover of the harvesting tank. The conduit powers the actuator. A hose tensioning system is coupled to the harvesting tank. The hose tensioning system includes a track coupled to the harvesting tank. The slider assembly is coupled to the track and moves relative to the track as the header is raised and lowered. The slider assembly lifts the conduit in a first direction when the harvesting bin is lowered. The conduit moves the slider assembly in the second direction when the harvesting bin is moved in the second direction.

In another embodiment, a hose tensioning system is provided that is coupled to a harvesting tank. The hose tensioning system includes a track coupled to the harvesting tank. The slider assembly is coupled to the track and moves relative to the track as the header is raised and lowered. The slider assembly lifts the conduit in a first direction when the harvesting tank is lowered, and the conduit moves the slider assembly in a second direction when the harvesting tank is moved in the second direction.

In another embodiment, a harvester is provided that includes a harvesting tank. The harvesting tank includes a lid. The tank expansion system raises and lowers the cover to increase and decrease the size of the harvesting tank. The tank expansion system includes an actuator that expands and contracts to raise and lower a cover of the harvesting tank. The conduit powers the actuator. The lift system raises and lowers the harvesting bin. A hose tensioning system is coupled to the harvesting tank. The hose tensioning system includes a track coupled to the harvesting tank. The slider assembly is coupled to the track and moves relative to the track as the header is raised and lowered. The slider assembly lifts the conduit in a first direction when the harvesting bin is lowered. The conduit moves the slider assembly in the second direction when the harvesting bin is moved in the second direction.

Drawings

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a harvester configured to harvest a row of crop in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 2 is a rear view of a harvester according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with its harvesting tank in a lowered or retracted position;

fig. 3 is a rear view of a harvester according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with its harvesting tank in a raised or extended position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of a hose tensioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a hose tensioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a hose tensioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 7 is a front perspective view of a hose tensioning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

As the harvester traverses the field, the harvester collects the agricultural product and separates a portion of the agricultural product into harvested goods (e.g., cotton) and other agricultural materials (e.g., chaff, leaves, dirt). When the harvester is harvesting, the agricultural product is collected in a harvesting tank or basket. The harvested goods are then unloaded to another location. For example, the harvested goods may be transferred to another vehicle, such as a truck. However, to facilitate travel between harvesting positions, the cover on the bin or basket may be lowered to reduce the overall height of the harvester. The raising and lowering of the lid may be controlled by an actuator powered by hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid reaches the actuator through one or more conduits that couple the actuator to a hydraulic pressure source, such as a hydraulic pump. The length of these conduits is sized to accommodate movement of the basket when the basket and lid are lifted together to unload harvested material.

To control the position of the conduit relative to the harvester, the harvester includes a hose tensioning system. The hose tensioning system provides tension on the conduits to control their position as the basket is raised and lowered relative to the harvester. By controlling the position of the conduit, the hose tensioning system can prevent or reduce interference of the conduit with the operation of the harvester.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a harvester 8 that harvests rows of crop in a field. As described below, the harvester includes a hose tensioning system 10 that controls the position of one or more conduits. In some embodiments, the hose tensioning system 10 may be located at the rear of the harvester 8. For ease of discussion, harvester 8 and its components may be described with reference to a longitudinal axis or direction 12, a vertical axis or direction 14, and a lateral axis or direction 16.

Harvester 8 includes a harvesting assembly 18. The harvesting assembly 18 includes a plurality of drum assemblies 19 (e.g., harvesting heads) and a plant lifter 21. In operation, the plant lifter 21 lifts stems, branches, etc. of the plant for harvesting by the drum assembly 19. The drum assembly 19 uses one or more rotors to harvest the cotton to separate the cotton from other agricultural materials (e.g., chaff, leaves, stalks, debris). It should be understood that although two harvesting assemblies 18 are shown in fig. 1, harvester 8 may have any suitable number of harvesting assemblies 18, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more harvesting assemblies 18.

The harvester 8 may include an air system including a blower 20 (e.g., a fan) that blows air to direct harvested goods through one or more conduits 22 to a bin 24 (e.g., a basket or baler). In operation, the bin 24 is lifted in the direction 14 to unload product from the bin 24, thereby transferring harvested goods from the bin 24 to another container or field. In some embodiments, other agricultural materials may be deposited on the field below and/or behind harvester 8. As will be discussed in more detail below, harvester 8 includes a tank dilation system 26. The bin expansion system 26 enables the harvester 8 to increase or decrease the size of the bin 24 between a transport position and a harvesting position. In the transport position, the box expansion system 26 lowers the cover 28 of the box 24 to facilitate movement of the harvester 8 under bridges, wires, and other obstructions. Once the harvester 8 reaches the harvesting position and is ready to harvest, the bin expansion system 26 raises the lid 28 of the bin 24 to the harvesting position, which increases the size of the bin 24 when harvesting (e.g., cotton).

Harvester 8 may include a drive system 30 that drives the plurality of drum assemblies 19, blower 20, and/or other components of harvester 8. Harvester 8 may also include a compartment 32 to support or house an operator. It should be understood that the cabin 32 may be an enclosed cabin (e.g., a climate controlled cabin), as shown, or the cabin 32 may be a platform (e.g., an open or non-enclosed platform) on which an operator may sit or stand, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, cabin 32 includes one or more operator interfaces and/or input devices 34 (e.g., switches, knobs, lights, displays, steering wheels, gear levers) that enable an operator to monitor and/or control various functions of harvester 8, such as ground speed, steering angle, transmission range and/or gear, operation of the HVAC system, operation of drive system 30, or the like. As shown, the tank 24 and the compartment 32 are supported on a chassis 36 (e.g., a harvester chassis or frame). Various other components (e.g., drum assembly 19, blower 20, one or more conduits 22, platform assembly 23, and drive system 30) may be supported by chassis 36 and/or coupled to chassis 36 to form harvester 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the chassis 36 supports or includes a cover assembly 38 (e.g., a cage assembly) configured to cover (e.g., surround or protect) various components supported on the chassis 36, such as the engine, transmission, HVAC system, radiator. In operation, front wheels 44 and rear wheels 46 may be used to drive harvester 8 through the field in direction of travel 42.

Fig. 2 and 3 show a rear view of the harvester 8. In fig. 2, the harvesting container 24 is shown in a retracted or lowered position, and fig. 3 shows the harvesting container 24 in a raised or extended position. Both fig. 2 and 3 show the lid 28 in a raised position. As mentioned above, harvester 8 includes tank expansion system 26. The bin expansion system 26 enables the harvester 8 to increase or decrease the size of the bin 24 between a transport position and a harvesting position. In the transport position, the bin expansion system 26 lowers the lid 28 of the bin 24 to facilitate movement of the harvester 8 under obstacles. More specifically, the hydraulic pressure of actuator 60 is released, enabling lid 28 to move in direction 62, thereby contracting the size of tank 24. After reaching the harvesting position, the lid 28 may be raised again to increase the size of the bin 24. In other words, the flow of hydraulic fluid, and thus the transfer of force, is transferred through conduit 64 to actuator 60 in order to raise and lower cap 28. In some embodiments, actuator 60 may be an electrical actuator that receives electrical power through conduit 64. The conduit 64 may also be used to power other equipment coupled to the tank 24. For example, one or more of the conduits 64 may carry hydraulic fluid or electrical power to drive the operation of the auger within the tank 24, the unloading mechanism motor, and the like.

As shown, the hose tensioning system 10 is coupled to the tank 24 and moves with the tank 24 between raised and lowered positions. The hose tensioning system 10 provides tension on the conduit 64 when the tank 24 is in the raised and lowered positions to control the position of the conduit 64. By controlling the position of the conduit 64, the hose tensioning system 10 can prevent or reduce interference of the conduit 64 with the operation of the harvester 8 while still providing power or pressure to actuate the actuator 60.

The hose tensioning system 10 includes a slider assembly 80 that slides on the track 82 between a first end 84 and a second end 86 of the track 82. The slider assembly 80 is coupled to a spring 88 that biases the slider assembly 80 toward the first end 84 of the track 82. The rollers 90 are coupled to the slider assembly 80 and support the conduit 64 and couple the conduit 64 to the slider assembly 80. In the retracted or lowered position, the spring 88 lifts the slider assembly 80 in the direction 14 to maintain tension on the guide tube 64, thereby preventing or reducing the ability of the guide tube 64 to wind and/or shift position. In other words, the spring 88 lifts the slider assembly 80 in the direction 14, the slider assembly 80 in turn lifting the roller 90 and thus the guide tube 64. In this manner, the hose tensioning system 10 controls the position of the conduit 64 when the tank 24 is in the lowered position.

As described above, harvester 8 may lift bin 24 with lift system 92 to unload harvested product. The lift system 92 includes one or more actuators 94 coupled to the bin 24 such that the bin can be raised and lowered in the

directions

14 and 62. For example, harvester 8 may lift bin 24 to discharge harvested product onto an adjacent truck. As the tank 24 is lifted in the direction 14, the hose tensioning system 10 continues to control the position of the conduit 64 relative to the tank 24 by maintaining tension on the conduit 64. More specifically, as tank 24 is lifted, the tension of conduit 64 in direction 62 exceeds the force of spring 88 in direction 14. In response, spring 88 expands so that slider assembly 80 can slide downward on track 82 in direction 62. In this manner, the hose tensioning system 10 maintains tension on the conduit 64 as the tank 24 moves in the direction 14. Thus, the hose tensioning system 10 is thereby able to control the position of the conduit 64 when the tank 24 is in the raised or lowered position.

Fig. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the hose tensioning system 10, and fig. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled hose tensioning system 10. As described above, the hose tensioning system 10 includes the track 82 that supports the slider assembly 80 as the slider assembly moves between the first and second ends 84, 86 of the track 82. The slider assembly 80 includes a first slider 100 and a second slider 102. In some embodiments, the first and

second sliders

100, 102 may include respective first and

second protrusions

104, 106 that enable the

sliders

100, 102 to contact each other through an aperture 108 in the track 82. The aperture 108 enables the

slides

100, 102 to slide between the first and second ends 84, 86 on opposing

surfaces

110 and 112 of the track 82. In some embodiments, the

sliders

100 and 102 may be made of a polymer or other material having a low coefficient of friction, which enables the

sliders

100, 102 to move freely relative to the track 82.

To support the springs 88 and rollers 90, the hose tensioning system 10 includes a first plate 114 and a second plate 116. In some embodiments, the first plate 114 and the second plate 116 may be made of metal. The first plate 114 and the second plate 116 are coupled to each other and to the first and

second sliders

100, 102 by one or more fasteners 118. The fastener 118 extends through a hole 120 in the first plate 114, a hole 122 in the first slider 100, a hole 124 in the second slider 102, and a hole 126 in the second plate 116. For example, the fastener 118 may be a bolt that extends through the first plate 114, the first slider 100, the second slider 102, and the second plate 116 before being coupled to the nut 127.

As shown, the first plate 114 includes a flange 128 that defines an aperture 130. The flange 128 is configured to be coupled to a first end 132 of the spring 88. More specifically, the aperture 130 is configured to receive a hook 134 on a first end 132 of the spring 88. This enables the spring 88 to maintain contact with the slider assembly 80 as it moves in the

directions

14 and 62. The second end 136 of the spring 88 also includes a hook 138. However, the hook 138 is not coupled to the slider assembly 80, but rather to the track 82. For example, the hook 138 may be coupled to the bracket 140. The bracket 140 may be coupled to the rail 82, or it may be formed of the same component as the rail 82 (e.g., one-piece). Bracket 140 includes an aperture 142 that receives hook 138.

As shown, bracket 140 is coupled to rail 82 by fasteners 144, with fasteners 144 passing through holes 146 on bracket 140 and through holes 148 on rail 82. In some embodiments, the fastener 144 may be a bolt coupled to the nut 150. In some embodiments, the bracket 140 may also enable the track 82 to be coupled to the harvester 8. For example, the bracket 140 may include a flange 152 that surrounds the track 82. The flange 152 defines an aperture 154, the aperture 154 enabling the bracket 140 to be coupled to the case 24 by fasteners (e.g., threaded fasteners). The track 82 is also coupled to the box 24 at a second end 86. As shown, the second end 86 of the rail 82 includes an aperture 156, the aperture 156 receiving a fastener 158 (e.g., a threaded fastener) to couple the rail 82 to the box 24.

The hose tensioning system 10 supports the conduit 64 on the slider assembly 80 by a pin or shaft 160 coupled to the second plate 116. The shaft 160 may be welded, threaded, or otherwise connected to the second plate 116. In some embodiments, the second plate 116 and the shaft 160 may be one-piece. Shaft 160 receives roller 90 by extending through aperture 162. In operation, as conduit 64 slides over roller 90, roller 90 rotates about shaft 160. To facilitate or maintain contact between the roller 90 and the conduit 64, the roller 90 defines a groove 164 that receives the conduit 64. In some embodiments, the hose tensioning system 10 may include a roller retainer 166 that also reduces and/or prevents the conduit 64 from separating from the hose tensioning system 10 (e.g., roller 90). Roller retainer 166 is coupled to second plate 116 about shaft 160 and roller 90. Roller retainer 166 may also support shaft 160 by receiving a portion of shaft 160 in bore 168. In this way, both ends of the shaft 160 are supported. In some embodiments, hose tensioning system 10 may include a washer 170 that reduces friction between roller 90 and second plate 116 and roller retainer 166.

Fig. 6 is a rear perspective view of the hose tensioning system 10. As described above, the hose tensioning system 10 is coupled to the tank 24. To provide a location for the spring 88 between the track 82 and the tank 24, the track 82 includes first and

second flanges

190 and 192 extending between the first and second ends 84 and 86 of the track 82. The

flanges

190 and 192 define a width 194 that is equal to or greater than the width of the spring 88. The flanges 190 and the rails 82 form a housing 196 such that the spring 88 is able to expand as the slider assembly 80 moves in the direction 62 and contract as the slider assembly 80 moves in the direction 14.

Fig. 7 is a front perspective view of the hose tensioning system 210. As shown, the hose tensioning system 210 may include the same components as the hose tensioning system 10 described above in fig. 2-6, except for the rollers 90. In other words, the hose tensioning system 210 enables the conduit 64 to rest directly on the shaft 160 rather than on a roller (e.g., roller 90). Thus, as the slider assembly 80 moves in the

directions

14 and 62, the guide tube 64 slides on the shaft 160.

While only certain features have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.

Claims

1. An agricultural system, comprising:

a lifting system configured to raise and lower the harvesting bin;

an actuator configured to expand and contract to raise and lower a lid of the harvesting box;

a conduit configured to power the actuator;

a hose tensioning system coupled to the harvesting bin, the hose tensioning system comprising:

a track coupled to the harvesting bin; and

a slider assembly coupled to the track and configured to move relative to the track as the harvesting tank is raised and lowered, wherein the slider assembly is configured to lift the conduit in a first direction as the harvesting tank is lowered, and wherein the conduit is configured to move the slider assembly in the second direction as the harvesting tank is moved in the first direction.

2. The agricultural system of claim 1, comprising a spring coupled to the slider assembly, wherein the spring is configured to move the slider assembly in the first direction.

3. The agricultural system of claim 2, comprising a bracket coupled to the track, wherein the spring is configured to be coupled to the bracket.

4. The agricultural system of claim 1, wherein the slider assembly comprises a first slider and a second slider, the first slider coupled to the second slider, wherein the first slider is configured to be coupled to a first side of the track and the second slider is configured to be coupled to a second side of the track.

5. The agricultural system of claim 4, wherein the first slider and the second slider comprise a polymer.

6. The agricultural system of claim 4, wherein the slider assembly comprises a first plate configured to contact the first slider and a second plate configured to contact the second slider, and wherein the first slider and the second slider are located between the first plate and the second plate.

7. The agricultural system of claim 6, wherein the first plate and the second plate comprise metal.

8. The agricultural system of claim 6, wherein the slider assembly comprises a shaft coupled to the second plate.

9. The agricultural system of claim 8, wherein the slider assembly comprises a roller coupled to the shaft, wherein the roller is configured to receive the catheter and rotate relative to the shaft.

10. The agricultural system of claim 9, comprising a retainer coupled to the second plate, wherein the retainer prevents removal of the roller from the hose tensioning system during operation.

11. The agricultural system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is an electrical actuator and the conduit includes electrical wires configured to deliver electrical power.

12. The agricultural system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator and the conduit is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid that powers the hydraulic actuator.

13. An agricultural system, comprising:

a hose tensioning system configured to be coupled to a harvesting bin, the hose tensioning system comprising:

a track configured to be coupled to the harvesting bin; and

a slider assembly coupled to the track and configured to move relative to the track as the harvesting tank is raised and lowered, wherein the slider assembly is configured to lift a conduit in a first direction as the harvesting tank is lowered, and wherein the conduit is configured to move the slider assembly in the second direction as the harvesting tank is moved in the first direction.

14. The agricultural system of claim 13, comprising a spring coupled to the slider assembly, wherein the spring is configured to move the slider assembly in the first direction.

15. The agricultural system of claim 13, wherein the slider assembly comprises a first slider and a second slider, the first slider coupled to the second slider, wherein the first slider is configured to be coupled to a first side of the track and the second slider is configured to be coupled to a second side of the track.

16. The agricultural system of claim 15, wherein the first slider and the second slider comprise a polymer.

17. The agricultural system of claim 15, wherein the slider assembly comprises a first plate configured to contact the first slider and a second plate configured to contact the second slider, and wherein the first slider and the second slider are positioned between the first plate and the second plate.

18. A harvester, comprising:

a harvesting tank comprising a lid;

a bin expansion system configured to raise and lower the cover to increase and decrease the size of the harvesting bin, the bin expansion system comprising:

a conduit configured to power the actuator; a lift system configured to raise and lower the harvesting bin; a hose tensioning system coupled to the harvesting bin, the hose tensioning system comprising:

a track configured to be coupled to the harvesting bin; and

19. The harvester of claim 18, comprising a spring coupled to the slider assembly, wherein the spring is configured to move the slider assembly in the first direction.

20. The harvester of claim 18, wherein the slider assembly includes a first slider and a second slider, the first slider coupled to the second slider, wherein the first slider is configured to be coupled to a first side of the track and the second slider is configured to be coupled to a second side of the track.