DE102007054277A1 - Extendable grain tank for use in combine harvester, has side walls connected with front, rear and roof walls and base surface by inseparable and articulated connections, where roof walls are raised or folded up in rigid manner - Google Patents

Abstract

The tank has side walls (2) connected with a front wall (1), a rear wall (3), a base surface and roof walls by inseparable and articulated connections i.e. hinges, or foldable membranes and set in rigid trapezoidal shape. The roof walls are raised or folded up in rigid manner and are connected with wall surfaces by the membranes and joints. The roof walls form large volume in enclosed space. The membranes are made of flexible weatherproof material e.g. textile material. Side surfaces are connected with base side surfaces (5) by the hinges or joints and are outwardly and continuously displaced.

Description

The The invention relates to an expandable grain tank in combine harvesters according to the features of claim 1.

Of the Grain or grain tank of combines serves as a reservoir for the grain separated from the chaff, the grain tank size thus tuned to the processing power of the machine is and must be, that emptying the grain tank at the earliest after 30 min. necessary is. It is at very large and powerful machines the volume of within the Machine lying grain tank always a problem, since the aggregates For high machine performance also more space within need the machine. For limited external dimensions, as they are due to roadworthiness in particular limited in height and width, are limited, is in well-known solutions of the grain tank on the Field expanded to the top. It will be on the grain tank hinged rigid Elements that close the upper opening in the initial state, mostly hydraulically erected until they are collar-shaped enclose the open-side additional volume on the side, so that They thus produce an open grain tank extension at the top.

Farther Covers of grain tanks by means of two are well known or in hinges hinged lid, which in the folded state support each other, with an additional Enlargement still by means of fixed to the lid connected side panels, at rest in the Korntankinnerer peak, is reached.

In Both cases is disadvantageous in that the focus the entrained amount of grain at filling of the additional volume significantly shifted upwards, moreover the opening offers points of attack for weather conditions, like rain and wind.

In US 2003/0078085 A1 / B2 are flexible, rest-folded fasteners, which are preferably made of reinforced polymer materials or glass fibers and thus weather-resistant material, mounted between the walls so that they press these walls during deployment to the outside and thus increase the tank volume.

In US 5427572 A an extension of the tank is actually only upwards by multiply folded and foldable designed parts made of flexible, cotton-based materials that are attached to the upper edge of the tank, rise when a certain volume content is exceeded upwards, by means of the Corner mounted so-called Kontrollarme (struts) an increase in strength is ensured.

Also in the DE 4016319 A1 a grain tank is described in which at each rigid container wall in each case up another wall is connected. Since two of these additional walls are vertically displaceable and two pivotable about a horizontal joint, resulting in the extended or unfolded state, an enlargement of the container volume. Overall, it can be estimated that the vertical guide is very complex and thus very susceptible to interference, which is further enhanced by the fact that these guides are mounted inside the tank, where they are exposed to the back pressure of the influent grain.

DE 4320565 C2 describes a device for increasing the capacity of at least one solid container wall having grain tank, to which an additional wall, consisting of several interconnected via flexible connecting elements rigid surface elements, is attached. Other variants are that on the one hand these surface elements themselves from a flexible, yet tear-resistant material of different types, preferably with reinforcements made of metal or glass fibers, may exist and on the other hand, the additional wall is designed in the form of a bellows. This additional wall is mounted on the upper edge of the grain tank within a frame and extended upward, wherein to ensure the required height, depending on the current and / or required grain volume differently extendable actuating means are additionally provided. Also in this case, only an increase of the tank volume "upwards".

In the DE 4209841 A1 A membrane made of plastic film is attached to the side walls, which is subjected to the emptying of the grain tank from the outside with air, so that the entire tank contents is emptied, even the so-called dead corners, which means only an indirect Korntankvergrößerung.

In the DE 10051096 B4 An attachment device for increasing the capacity of an open-topped grain tank is described, wherein two opposing walls made of rigid material pivotally hinged to the top of the grain tank and the other two walls, consisting of flexible material and trapezoidal, also movable over deflected support elements , z. B. in the form of a frame, are attached to the top of the grain tank. The walls are also flexible with each other Material connected.

The DE 102004007673 A1 tries the disadvantages of in the DE 10051096 B4 described Korntankaufsatzes how to prevent the unsuitability of the flexible material for the two side walls by all 4 side walls of Korntankaufsatze are made of rigid materials each attachment by means of its own pivoting device from the flat closure position on the vertical position in a required according to the necessary volume filling position is brought.

Also in the US 20030232634 A1 a Korntankaufsatz is described where the side walls of the essay are each connected to foldable corner parts, preferably made of plastic, connected to each other. About hinges, angle joints or similar devices, the side walls of the Kornaufsatzes both in the horizontal position and in addition outwardly designed foldable. A similar device is used in the DE 4445933 A1 represented with an improvement in that each attachment part is individually pivotable by its own pivoting device.

The DE 4120731 A1 describes a Korntankaufsatz such that the container is provided on all sides with positionable via actuators and thus position variable elements that are formed as pivoting elements and connected by means of joints with the container top wall. In addition, vertically displaceable sliding elements are attached to the front and back wall. About appropriate actuators, the position of the individual pivoting and sliding elements can be adjusted continuously, so that a cover of the grain tank container is achieved.

The DE 1951498 A1 on the other hand describes a grain tank, in which the side walls are hinged outwards via hinges, which are respectively connected at the front and rear end by elastic material with the rigid front or rear wall of the grain tank.

All in all It can be estimated that in all technical solutions, in which used to increase the tank volume additional walls be, this only by using a variety of parts, what the susceptibility of the devices overall increased, is reached. Additional problems arise through the necessary seals on the edges, such as fastening this as well as material selection. Also, the achievable magnification limited tank volume.

at the increase in volume by unfolding tank container walls In addition to the problem of tightness, difficulties occur above all when resetting or reversing the outer walls in the starting position, which only by additional operating devices can be changed.

Of the Invention is the object of a variable extension the grain tank, the grain tank on the harvesting process the field in width and / or in height also over those permitted by road traffic regulations Dimensions extended, but this is not another Korntankaufsatz be developed. The extension in width and height opposite the initial state gives a potentially larger Capacity than conventional solutions. The center of gravity of the filled tank does not move as strong upward as in mere extension in the Height. The volume should be in the normal and expanded state be closed and protect the grain from weather influences. The universally closed shell also gives the opportunity to empty the tank pneumatically assisted.

According to the invention the task solved that the maximum in traffic possible width and height through a grain tank with trapezoidal and outward moving Side surfaces and upwardly movable or foldable Roofs is realized. They are stiff in themselves Sidewall and roof surfaces hinged to the front wall and / or connected to the ground. The ground itself consists of an inclined in the direction of travel middle part and the two bottom side surfaces, tilted both in the direction of travel and to the center of the vehicle are so that the grain for better emptying of the grain tank in the Center of converges. The swiveling apart of the side surfaces takes place either via rigid floor elements in the retracted Condition are inclined inwards, or over on the ground attached joints. Depending on your needs will be additional set up the roof surfaces.

By Attachment of foldable membranes becomes a self-contained System both in the ground state and in the state of grain tank enlargement guaranteed, so that the grain protected from the weather is.

The rigid wall and roof elements are articulated with the front and rear wall connected while the side panels either directly or by means of floor expansion elements, in addition are also extendable, with the bottom surface also are hingedly connected. The resulting columns become by flexible close to these wall elements Membranes closed, these membranes then fold when shrinking the tank volume inside.

The Action elements, on the other hand, are not with the back wall, but exclusively connected to the front wall.

On the field is then the grain tank by swiveling the side walls, the side walls not connected to the floor in case the unfolding of soil expansion elements is connected and / or extended by setting up the rigid roof elements.

The Position of the grain tank on the combine is on principle the same for all types, only the dimensions and internals and other devices, such as filler neck or drain pipe, differ from each other. The concrete dimensions for the device according to the invention are respectively depending on the concrete grain tank size, the combine harvester type as well as the frame dimensions.

According to the invention The rigid wall and roof elements are articulated with the Front and back wall joined while the side panels either directly or by means of floor expansion elements, in addition are also extendable, with the bottom surface also are hingedly connected. The resulting columns are by flexible, tightly connected to these wall elements membranes locked. These membranes then fold when shrinking the tank volume inside. The action elements against it are not with the back wall, but exclusively connected to the front wall.

The Drawings are for clarity of illustration of the invention technical solution not to scale and show attended:

1 a grain tank in the original size, variant A diagonally from the front,

1a a grain tank in extended position, variant A diagonally from the front,

2 a bottom and a left side wall in the starting position, variant A seen from the inside

2a a bottom and a left side wall in an extended position, variant A seen from the inside

3 a grain tank in the initial size, variant B diagonally from the front,

3a a grain tank in extended position, variant B at an angle from

1 and 3 each show the grain tank with at the front wall 1 hinged side walls 2 from the left in the folded state, as necessary for compliance with road traffic regulations. The grain tank itself consists of the side walls 2 , the machine-fixed, ie towards the frame not movable, front wall 1 , the machine-resistant back wall 3 , a three-part floor and, to cover two roof areas 4 , which form a closed flat surface in the basic position.

Option A:

Between the side surfaces 2 and the bottom side surfaces 5 are two different sized rigid triangular floor expansion elements 6 and 7 over joints 11 so interposed that they are in the contracted state perpendicular to the inside of the side wall 2 abut, as in 1 respectively. 2 shown.

1a shows the grain tank with its laterally and upwardly extended volume. The side walls 2 are extended by working cylinders and have the two bottom elements 6 and 7 so unfolded that they are the bottom surface 5 at the same level. Flexible membranes 8th on the side walls 2 and the roof areas 4 tightly fitting are attached and just such flexible membranes 12 between the side walls 2 and the back wall 3 as well as flexible membranes 13 between the side walls 2 and the front wall 1 close the expanded volume to the outside and form a closed container. Alternatively or additionally, the roof elements 4 around the joints on the front wall 1 be set up by working cylinders. They are also over a flexible membrane 9 with each other and across the membranes 8th (with the side walls 2 ) and 10 (with the back wall 3 ) connected. The material of the membranes must be weatherproof, stable and durable, but may also be flexible, with coated textile materials in particular having proven particularly suitable.

In the field, the grain tank can be extended by swinging the side walls and / or by setting up the rigid roof elements. This applies to the case of variant A ( 2 . 2a ), in which the side walls are not connected to the ground and the undersides of the spanning spaces are closed by hinged floor elements.

Variant B:

The side surfaces 2 and the roof areas rigidly connected with them 4 are with the ground 5 over joints 11 connected and can be extended by means of working cylinders.

3a shows the grain tank with its laterally and upwardly extended volume. Also in this case close flexible membranes 12 . 13 the at the movable side wall roof combinations 2 . 4 and the back wall 3 or the front wall 1 are tightly fitted and attached to this cover membrane 14 the expanded volume to the outside and form a closed container.

In both variants, by means of the drive elements, both the side walls 2 as well as the roof areas 4 returned to its original state after emptying and completion of the introduction of the grain.

1

Front wall, maschinenfest

2

Side wall, Side surface in basic position

2a

Side wall, Side surface in unfolded position

3

rear wall

4

Roofs, roof elements

5

Bottom side surfaces

5a

Bottom center area

6

Ground extension element, In the basic position

6a

Ground extension element in the unfolded state

7

Ground extension element, In the basic position

7a

Ground extension element in the unfolded state

8th

Membrane, flexible; (between side wall and roof)

9

Membrane, flexible; (between roof and roof)

10

Membrane, flexible; (rear connection between rear wall and roof or side wall)

11

joints

12

Membrane, flexible; (between side wall roof and rear wall)

13

Membrane, flexible; (between side wall roof and front wall)

14

Roof membrane; (between roof and roof, gives a closed volume)

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2003/0078085 A1 [0005]
• - US 5427572 A [0006]
• - DE 4016319 A1 [0007]
• - DE 4320565 C2 [0008]
• - DE 4209841 A1 [0009]
• - DE 10051096 B4 [0010, 0011]
• - DE 102004007673 A1 [0011]
• US 20030232634 A1 [0012]
• - DE 4445933 A1 [0012]
• DE 4120731 A1 [0013]
• - DE 1951498 A1 [0014]

Claims (10)

Expandable grain tank of combines, characterized in that for exhibiting in itself stiff trapezoidal and by insoluble, but inherently articulated connections or by means of foldable membranes with front wall, rear wall, floor space and roof walls connected side walls and / or high points or fold up stiff and by means of membranes and or hinges are provided with the wall surfaces connected roof walls, which form a self-contained space of larger volume. Expandable grain tank according to claim 1, characterized that the membranes are made of flexible, weatherproof material. Grain tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized that for better emptying the middle part in the direction of travel and the two bottom side surfaces both in the direction of travel as are also inclined to the tank center. Expandable grain tank according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rigid side walls can take different inclinations. Expandable grain tank according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that between the bottom side surface and the side surface each have two viable, different sized, rigid, triangular, over Joints interconnected and in collapsed condition perpendicular to the inside of the side wall adjacent soil expansion elements with infinitely adjustable extension width over joints so are interposed, that in the extended state, a uniform Floor surface arises. Expandable grain tank according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each over Hinges or joints connected to the bottom side surfaces Side surfaces infinitely adjustable to the outside are. Expandable grain tank according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the intrinsically articulated compounds are designed as hinges. Expandable grain tank according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that dense, but flexible and foldable membrane connections between roof element / roof element, between side wall / roof element, between rearward Connection to the rear wall, roof element and side wall, between Sidewall roof element and rear wall, between side wall roof and front roof and between the two roof elements attached are. Expandable grain tank according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that in addition the in the basic position an area forming two roof elements by means of cylinder over the front wall and Roof elements attached joints are placed. Expandable grain tank according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that all expansion elements retracted at rest by means of drive elements become.