FR3031275A1 - CUTTING TOOL MOUNTED ON A ROTOR OF AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINE OR GREEN SPACES, METHODS OF MOUNTING / DISASSEMBLING SUCH TOOL AND AGRICULTURAL MACHINE OR CORRESPONDING GREEN SPACES - Google Patents

Abstract

The cutting tool mounted on a rotational shaft secured to a rotor of an agricultural machine or green space comprises at least one knife (50), a connecting link (55) between the knife (50). It comprises a mounting / dismounting member (57) comprising, on the one hand, a hole (56) for the free passage of said connecting link (55) and, on the other hand, a housing (59, 61) for receiving the rotation shaft. The housing (59, 61) is provided with means (62) for detachably holding the shaft in the housing (59, 61) during rotation of the rotor (1). The invention also relates to associated assembly / disassembly methods and a machine thus equipped.

Description

CUTTING TOOL ON A ROTOR OF AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINE OR ESR: GREEN ES, METHODS OF ASSEMBLING / DISASSEMBLING SUCH A TOOL AND AGRICULTURAL MECHANISM OR GREEN SPACES CORREE- C; The present invention relates to a cutting tool mounted on a rotor of an agricultural machine or green spaces. The invention also relates to methods of assembly / disassembly of such a tool and agricultural machine or corresponding green spaces. The term agricultural machine or green space here means any machine, towed or self-propelled, for mowing, brushing, crushing plants or scarification, whether grass, bramble or shrubs. Such machines are also used for the maintenance of green spaces and roadsides such as embankments and highways, dykes, courses banks or bodies of water or other vegetated areas requiring maintenance. .

Subsequently, the term agricultural machine will preferably be used, simpl simplification, to designate an agricultural machine or green space. These machines comprise a cutting member comprising a rotor on which are mounted cutting tools also called knives or flails. Subsequently, these terms will be used indistinctly to designate these constituent elements of the cutting tools. The knives are, for example, connected to the rotor by means of a rotational shaft integral with the rotor. Several rotation shafts are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the rotor, on tabs which extend radially relative to the latter. In general, two knives arranged back to back are rotatably mounted on each rotation shaft. For this they are provided with two holes for the passage of the rotation shaft. In a frequently encountered variant, the flails are connected to an intermediate coupling element, for example a pierced plate or a connecting link, which is connected to the rotation shaft integral with the rotor. In the two generally encountered configurations, when 3. the rotation of the rotor, therefore of the rotation, the centrifugal force causes the cutting of the knives, because of the freedom of movement in their connections with the rotor. In order to ensure cutting and / or grinding, the rotor rotates the knives. The impact of the latter on the plant to be cut and / or grinded as well as on the foreign bodies in the work area generates the wear of the knives. To change the knives, disassemble the rotation shaft on which they are positioned. The large number, frequently between 16 and 248, of knives on a rotor involves a time of intervention and therefore of immobilization of the important machine. To remedy this, it is known from FA-A-2 900 022 an intermediate coupling element formed by a shackle OF the street of a lateral slot of suitable dimensions to ensure the passage of a thinned zone of the suspension ring d 'a knife. Also known from FA-A-2 804 577 a similar solution, in fact a mirror solution, wherein the knife comprises a hooking hook of a shape complementary to that of a given zone of the shackle. If such devices can easily change a knife, they do not allow to easily change the entire cutting tool, so also the shackle. However, the latter ensures the free rotation of the knife and is also rotatable and, in fact, in contact with the product to be cut and / or grind during rotation of the rotor. It therefore undergoes shocks, resulting in the wear of the shackle and requires replacement, usually simultaneously with that of the knife. Under these conditions, the invention aims to nrc, dare an easy to use cutting tool and adapted to allow a quick change of the different wear parts of a cutting tool. For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a cutting tool mounted on a rotation shaft integral with a rotor of an agricultural machine or green spaces, said tool comprising at least one knife, an intermediate hooking element formed by a connecting link between the at least one knife and the shaft integral with the rotor, each knife being provided with a free passage opening of the solid part of the link, cari-ctér: é in that the tool of section comprises a mounting / disassembling member which provides the connection between the cutting tool and the rotation shaft, the mounting / dismounting member comprising, on the one hand, a free passage opening of said connecting link and, on the other hand, a housing for receiving the rotation shaft and in that the housing is provided with a means for removably holding the shaft in position, but in the housing during the rotation of the rotor.

In this way, it is possible to easily assemble and disassemble the cutting tool, the frame formed by the inter-linkage or linkage element and the knife or knives. The shaft secured to the rotor is thus remote from the cutting tool, which implies that its integrity is not, or very little, affected by the wear during the rotation of the rotor, among other things because it is relatively safe from knocks or knives (x) and / or u link on the rotor. According to some advantageous but non-compulsory advantages of the invention, such a tool may comprise one or more of the following features: the housing comprises a cutout formed in an edge of the assembly / disassembly member and whose bottom defines a housing for maintaining the position of the shaft during rotation of the rotor. - The holding means in position comprises at least one boss located at the end of the blank, the outlet of the housing formed by the bottom of the blank. - The holding means in position comprises two bosses located opposite each other, on the periphery of the circular housing at the junction with the bent end of the blank. - The déc''st non-circular cross section, for example square or rectangular, the housing defined by the end of the cutout being circular. - The locking means in position is formed the complementarity of the forms between the cutout, the housing and the cross section of the shaft. The invention also relates to a method of assembly / disassembly of a tool according to an embodiment of the invention according to some of the preceding features comprising at least the following steps: a) positioning the cutting tool on the shaft by inserting the shaft into the cutout until it abuts against the bosses, - b) striking the member at a striking zone so as to generate a spacing of one or more bosses allowing, in this same movement, to introduce the shaft into the housing and keep it locked in the housing when returning to the position or bosses, after the passage of the shaft. This method may comprise at least one additional step c), after step b), during which the member is struck at an area opposite to the striking zone --In causing the output of the shaft housing and its passage between the bosses e iartés.

The invention also relates to a method of mounting / dismounting a tool according to an embodiment of the invention according to some of the rrcs, denteentes features comprising at least the following steps: - a) introduce a rotation shaft in the cut by maintaining in position the shaft so that its face (s) plane (s) is (in) t in contact with one or the wall (s) of the cut of complementary shapes, that to housing - b) rotate the shaft a quarter of a turn in order to lock the shaft in position in the housing. This method may comprise a step of extracting the shaft from its housing by performing steps a) and b) in the reverse order.

The invention also relates to an agricultural machine or green space equipped on at least one shaft integral with a rotor of at least one cutting tool according to at least one of the preceding features. The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example of various embodiments of the invention and made with reference. in the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cutting tool according to a - 1c of embodiment of the invention comprising two knives, the rotor being partially shown, - Figure 2 is a plan view, on a larger scale of the mounting / dismounting member alone according to the embodiment of FIG. 1; - FIG. 3 is a perspective view, on the same scale, of the member illustrated in FIG. 2, - Figures 4 and 5 are respectively views, on the same scale, of front and side of a cutting tool comprising two knives, a link and the mounting / disassembling member illustrated in the preceding figures and - the Figures 6 and 7 are views of on another scale, the mounting / dismounting member alone according to two other embodiments of the invention.

The invention will be described with reference to a cutting tool comprising two knives also called flails. Such a configuration is the most common, the presence of two knives allows an optimal cut, each knife having its own rotational movement relative to the rotor. Of course, the invention applies to a corrective cutting tool with a different number of knives, for example a single knife. Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention. A rotor 1, cylindrical in shape with a circular base, is partially illustrated. It comprises several pairs 2 of fastening lugs 20, 21, regularly distributed over the entire length of the rotor 1, along the longitudinal axis Al G.1 _.later. The tabs 20, 21 extend radially with respect to the rotor 1. They are each provided, in the vicinity of their free ends, with an orifice allowing the passage of a rotation shaft 3. This shaft 3 is, in the for example, a threaded rod or a screw provided with a nut 4, so as to be disassembled, and exit the tabs 20, 21. Here, at least one of the orifices of the tabs 20, 21 is `: -, raudé, this which makes it possible to block the shaft 3 in rotation. Thus the rotational movement of each shaft 3 is identical to that of the rotor 1. In a variant not shown, the orifices of the lugs are not tapped, the shaft 3 then being free in rotation Its rotation follows that of rotor 1, without being identical. In another embodiment, it is not a threaded rod or a screw but a pin, for example free to rotate, which is mounted on at 20, 21.

The cutting tool 5 shown corrh: .3 here two knives 50, 51, in the example identical and known per se. The attachment portion of these knives 50, 51 comprises an orifice 52, 53 through which is inserted the solid portion 54 of a link 55 defining an intermediate fastening element. Here, the link, shaped like an oval ring, is fern by iudure.

The solid portion 54 of the link 55 also passes through an orifice 56 formed in a mounting / dismounting member 57 according to one embodiment of the invention. The orifices 52, 53 and 56 of the knives 50, 51 of the member 57 are of such dimensions that they allow a total freedom of movement, both in translation and in rotation, of the solid part 54 of the link 55. member 57 is connected to the shaft 3. Thus it provides the connection between the active part of the cutting tool, therefore the knives 50, 51 and the means for rotating the cutting tool, namely the rotor 1. Figure 2 illustrates the member 57 of Figure 1 alone. The latter is, here, of generally oval shape. Alternatively, it has another geometric shape. It is made of a rigid material, insensitive to external environmental conditions and having a high mechanical strength. Advantageously, it is made of steel or a steel alloy, preferably similar to the constituent material of the other elements of the cutting tool 5. Alternatively, it is made of polymers or composite. On an edge 58, the member 57 is provided with a housing 59 formed by a cut. This last extends, substantially perpendicular to the edge 58, about half the width L57 of the member 57. The end 60 of the cutout 59 is bent substantially at right angles. It forms a housing 61 of circular shape. The remainder of the cut E. crinning a means of access to the housing 61. The diameter D61 of the housing 61 is close, in fact slightly higher with a minimum clearance, the diameter D3 of the shaft 3. It is the same with the width L59 of the skirt, / ec such a configuration, the, 7.bre 3 can easily, without friction, be introduced into the cutout 59 and the housing 61. It should be noted that when the shaft 3 is in placed in the terminal housing 61, it is free in rotation in the latter. At the periphery of the circular housing 61 thus the junction zone between the housing 61 and the bent end 60 of the cutout 59, at least one, Iti: gally two, locking members in position 62, 63 of the shaft 3 in the housing are provided. In other non-illustrated embodiments, the number of blast organs is greater than two. In the illustrated example, it is r.411 bosses 62, 63 arranged face to face. The height of these bosses 62, 63 adapted to prevent accidental release of the housing shaft 61, in particular but not exclusively, when the rotor 1 is in motion. This locking in position is reversible: for this, the height cs bosses 62, 63 is limited so that the voluntary release of the shaft 3 of the housing 61 is possible and performed by a user. the height of the bosses 62, 63 makes it possible to reduce from 2 to 20%, preferably from 5 to 15% and advantageously by 15%, the width L61 of the housing 61. For example, for a cylindrical shaft 3 to circular base of outer diameter of 8 mm, the distance D between the free ends of the bosses 62, 63 is 6.84 mm and the diameter L59 of the cutout 59 is 8.5 mm. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the cutting tool 5 is inactive, that is to say either when the rotor 1 is stationary or before mounting the cutting tool on the rotor shaft (as shown in FIG. illustrated), there is an alignment of the orifices 52, 53 and 56 and the housing 61. In other words, the knives 50,51 have their non-cutting portions 500, 510 in mutual support and substantially coplanar with the faces 570, 571 of the member 57. In this configuration, the knives 50, 51 are connected to the member 57 by the link 55.

When the user wishes to mount such a cutting tool 5 on a rotor 1, in fact on a shaft 3 integral with the rotor 1, it positions, in a first step, the cutting tool on the shaft by inserting the shaft 3 in the cut-out 59. The insertion is carried out until the shaft 3 is in abutment against the bosses 62, 63. In a following step, the user freici:, e the organ 57 at the level of a strike zone 64. This zone is located on an edge Dre of the member 57, substantially in line with the housing 61. Thus, a strike according to the arrow F generates, due to the relative elasticity of the constituent material of the member 57 and / or its configuration gtorn.tric: a spacing of the bosses 62, 63 which allows, in this same motm7: 1t, to introduce the shaft 3 in lo - - ment 61. Due to the elasticity, therefore the shape memory of the constituent material of the member 57, the bosses 62, 63 resume their initial positions once the shaft 3 is in pla this in the housing 61. It is then no longer possible for the latter to exit PCCL:: ntellement. Indeed, when the user wishes to disassemble the cutting tool 5, he must perform the reverse maneuver to clear the shaft 3 of the housing 61. For this, the user makes a strike, according to the arrow Fi, on another striking zone 65 located opposite the zone 64. It is noted that a user can quickly mount or dismount the cutting tools 5 fitted to a shaft 3 fixed to a rotor 1, changing, when the same maneuver, all moving parts. Here, the shaft 3 is immobile in rotation, the dimensions of the housing 61 allowing free rotation of the member 57, so the cutting tool 5, around the shaft 3. In a variant not illustrated, the game between the shaft 3 and the housing 61 eL minimized and it is the shaft 3 which is movable in rotation in the orifices of the legs 20, 21. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate two other embodiments of the invention . The various elements common to the embodiment illustrated in the preceding figures are designated by the same references increased by 600 for the mode of FIG. 6 and gr. The fitting member 657 shown in FIG. 6 has substantially the same geometric shape as that shown in the preceding figures. It is conceivable that the external form of the organ may be d because it has little influence on the invention and its use. Here, the cutout 659 is not bent but rectilinear. In addition the cutout 659 is not circular in cross section but in square or rectangular cross section. The housing 661 is of circular shape and located in alignment with the opening of the cutout 659 which it constitutes the bottom. Here, the diameter D661 of the housing 661-st is equivalent to the maximum diameter D603 of the shaft 603. The groove 603 is not circular but provided, over at least a part of its length, with at least one flat, advantageously two flats 66, 67. It is conceivable that, in a variant not shown, the shaft 603 has a cross section of shape complementary to that of the decc - 659 that on a portion of its length, the can, for example,? circular cross section.

Thus, the shaft 603 generally has an oblong shape over at least part of its length. The distance C "1 between the two flats 66, 67 corresponds to the width L659 of the cutout 659. In this way, the insertion of the shaft 6 '3' '-', ns the cutout 659 can be done only in a given orientation, when the flats 66, 67 are facing the walls with the cutout 659. In other words, the holding mon in position of the shaft 603 in the housing 661 is here formed by the complementary shapes between the cross section of the cutout 659 and that of the shaft 603. Indeed, to insert the shaft 603 in the housing 661 from the cutout 659, this is possible only when the shaft 603 and the member 657 are stationary and maintained in the configuration where there is complementarity of the forms, this is the time necessary for the introduction of the shaft in the cutout 659 to the housing 661. Once this is done, it is sufficient to rotate the shaft in place in the nt 661 by a quarter turn so that the flats 66, 67 are orien The gaps are minimal to the walls of the cut-out 659. Since the gaps are minimal, it is not possible that, in the case of use of the machine, there is pivotal movement of the shaft 603 or the shaft member 657. so that the flats 66, 67 are facing the walls of the cutout 659 and this for a time sufficient to allow the output of the shaft of its housing 661. In other words, the disassembly can only be voluntary and performed by a user. Figure 7 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the invention. As previously, the means for maintaining the position of the shaft 703 in a housing defined by the bottom 761 of a cutout 759 is obtained by complementarity of the shapes. Here, the cross section: -1: the cut 759 is square or rectangular. The shaft 703 has a semi-circular or half-moon cross section. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 7, when it is in position in the housing 761 formed by the bottom of the cutout 759, and which is circular with a diameter D 761 substantially equal to twice the radius R 703 of the shaft 703, this last is held in position. Indeed, to introduce the shaft 703 into the housing 761, it is advisable, in a first step, to introduce the latter by holding it in position so that its planar face 68 is in contact with one of the walls of the cutout 759. until the housing 761. Once in place in the housing, and similarly to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the next step is a rotation of a quarter turn of This movement ensures the blocking in position thereof in the housing, by removing the face 68 of the walls of the cut 759. As preceded: r ::: - laugh, the minimum clearance between the various elements and the rotational movement of the roli: r prohibit all I accidentally, inadvertently cut the cutting tool when it is mounted on the shaft 703. It is easily understood that other u-mplementarities of form allow to maintain the tree in position in the loçj.31- 3nt while making its disassembly easy, this in the context of the invention. In modes c: ff; ures 6 and 7, if the introduction and exit of trees 603; 703 cutouts 659; 759 require a movement, the latter is performed manually or with a clamp-type tool, without the need to hit the body 657 or 757. It is also noted that the organs 657; 757 are respectively provided with an orifice 656; 756 similar to the orifice 56 and which allows the passage of the solid part of a link 55. In other words, the knives and the link of the cutting tool are identical in the various embodiments of the invention, only the mounting / dismounting member varies according to the embodiments of the invention. In other rr.c, de'a non-illustrated embodiment, the L cut is equipped, on an int: 2'ne face, of at least one member extending, removably, to the inside of the dc.oupe. This member, for example a retractable ball or a spring, is inserted into a correspondingly shaped housing formed in a wall of the rotation shaft when the latter is in place in the cutout. It will be understood that this implies, for example, a given orientation of the shaft when it is inserted into the cutout, unless the landmark in the shaft is made on the entire periphery of the latter, for example when acts of an annular groove. The mirror solution is also possible. In this case, the retractable member is mounted on the shaft, the housing being then formed in the wall of the cutout.

Claims (7)

REVENDICATIONS1. Cutting tool (5) mounted on a rotation shaft (3; 603; 703) integral with a rotor (1) of an agricultural machine or green spaces, said tool (5) comprising at least one knife (50 51), an intermediate catch element formed by a connecting link (55) between the at least one knife (50, 51) and the shaft (3; 603; 703) integral with the (1), each knife ( 50, 51) being provided with a hole (52, 53) for free passage of the solid part (54) of the link (55), characterized in that the cutting tool comprises a mounting / dismounting member (57). 657; 757) which provides the connection between the cutting tool (5) and the rotation shaft (3; 603; 703), the assembly / disassembly member (57; 657; 757) comprising on the one hand, a hole (,; 67; 756) for the free passage of said connecting link (55) and, on the other hand, a receiving housing (59, 61, 659, 661, 756, 761) of the rotation shaft (3; 603; 703) and that the housing (59, 61; 659, 661; 759, 761) is provided with a means n (62, 63) for holding in position, removably, the shaft (3; 603; 703) in the housing (59, 61, 659, 661, 756, 761) during rotation of the rotor (1). 2. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (59, 61; 659, 661; 756, 761) comprises a cutout (59; 659; 759) formed in an edge (58). assembly / disassembly (57; 657; 757) and whose bottom defines a bearing (61; 661; 761) for holding the shaft (3; 603; 703) in position during rotation of the rotor (1). 3. Tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position holding means comprises at least one boss (62, 63) located at the level of i? the end (60) of the cutout (59) at the outlet of the housing (61) formed by the bottom of the cutout (59). 4. Tool according to claim 3, characterized in that the means for holding in position comprises two bosses (62, 63) situated face to face on the periphery of the circular housing (61) at the junction with the end (60) bent of thecut (59). 5. Tool according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in cl e7.ue the cutout (659; 759) is of non-circular cross section, square eyelet or rectangle: 71-3, the housing (661; 761; ) defined by the end of the cutout (659; 759) being circular in shape. 6. Tool according to claim 5, characterized in that the means of ocage in position is formed by the complementarity of the shapes between the cutout (659; 759), the housing (661; 761) and the cross section of the shaft. (603; 703). 7. A method of assembly / disassembly of a tool according to an embodiment according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises at least the following: - a) position the cutting tool (5) on the rotation shaft (3) by inserting e (3) into the cutout (59) until it abuts against the bosses (62, 63), - b) striking the member (57) at a striking zone (64) so as to generate a spacing of one or more bosses (62, 63) allowing, in the same movement, to introduce the shaft (3) into the housing (61) and keep it locked in the housing (61) when returning to the position or bosses (62, 63), after the passage, the shaft (3). The method according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises, after step b), an additional step c), during which the member (57) is struck at a striking zone. (65) opposite to the striking zone (64) to cause the output of the shaft (3) of the housing (61) and its passage between the bosses (62, 63) spaced apart. 9. A method of assembly / disassembly of a tool according to an embodiment according to a de-2 claims 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises 2.0 minus the following steps: - a) introduce a rotation shaft ( 603; 703) in the cutout (659; 759) holding the shaft (603; 703) so that its plane face (s) (66, 67; 68) is t in contact with one or more of the walls (659; 759) of complementary shapes to the housing (661; 761); b) rotating a quarter turn of the shaft (603; 703) to lock in position therein in the housing (661; 761). 10. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that l comprises a step of extrcion of the shaft (603; 703) of its housing made by performing steps a) and b) in the reverse order. 11. - Ma-liine agricultural or green space equipped on at least one rotating shaft sclic'-ire a rotor of a minus a cutting tool according to at least one of claims 1 to 6.10