FR3043525A1 - PROCESS FOR HARVESTING CEREAL PEAS, HARVESTING UNIT, HARVESTER AND HARVESTING MACHINE FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention aims at recovering cereal ears without cutting other parts of the cereal plants, namely the leaves and the stems, on the basis of a catch of the plants to drive them towards the ground, in connection with their passage simultaneous through an opening that separates the ears from the rest of the plants. A harvesting unit according to the invention comprises at least one pair of cylindrical collecting rollers (1a, 1b) of parallel axes (X'aXa, X'bXb) extended by a receiving head (2a, 2b), the rollers ( 1a, 1b) having a gap (E1) which defines a passage zone (Z2). The rollers (1a, 1b) have helical ribs (6a, 6b) of inverted pitches and defining substantially closed gaps (50). In addition, drive means against the rotation of the rollers (1a, 1b) are arranged in a housing (3). A meshing zone (Z3) in a rear portion (21a, 21b) of the rollers (1a, 1b) has means (7a, 7b) for gripping the shaft (31) of the plant (30) during this drive.

Description

PROCESS FOR HARVESTING CEREAL PEP, HARVESTING UNIT, HARVESTER AND HARVESTING MACHINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to a method of harvesting cereal ears during harvesting, a harvesting unit and a picker implementation of this method, and a harvesting machine equipped with such a picker.

The invention applies more particularly to the harvest of corncobs, but can extend to the collection of sunflower, sorghum, millet or equivalent. A harvester is mounted at the front of the harvesting machine, usually dedicated self-propelled machinery, combine harvesters or forage harvesters.

The collector generally comprises a series of parallel advances formed of tapered guide plates. Two adjacent advances define between them an elongated gap of treatment of a row of plants. As the machine advances, each row formed by the advances is driven by collection chains that align the plants along the interstices and bring them into contact with sharp picking plates. The chains and plates of each interstice constitute a separator assembly of the corncobs of maize plants, in particular their stems.

The tear plates are generally rotated by rollers along an axis parallel to each interstice and are arranged on each side of the gap to cut the rods down and separate the ears. The ears are then conveyed by a transverse conveyor screw and a conveyor to be collected in a container.

STATE OF THE ART

To improve the efficiency of the pickers, in particular the separation of the spikes of the stem, improvements have been developed.

For example, US Pat. No. 3,707,833 provides for the use of square-section pulling rollers on the sides of which blades are secured. Four blades per roll turn are thus operative to separate the ears of the plants by cutting between the sharp ends of the blades facing each other, protruding from two facing rollers. This approach does not properly separate the ears from the stems or leaves that are also severed by the blades and mixed with the ears. Under these conditions, machine jams occur and mixing the stem or leaf portions with the ears requires manual sorting prior to storage.

It is also known from the patent document US 2003172639 a harvesting head composed of dividers maize seedlings in rows comprising separator sets equipped with collection chains, scraping plates which have areas curved downwards. along the separation gap of the spikes, and rod-take-off rollers provided with longitudinal splines.

According to this document, the combination of the curved plates and grooves facing each pair of rollers at the gap separates the spikes at the plates, to guide the sheets by the plates to the rollers and pinch the stems that are pushed to the ground without being ripped off. However, these theoretical results are not obtained because the curved plates pass ears in the openings created, the leaves are generally partially torn off by these plates and the rollers can be blocked or damaged by the knots formed on the corn stalks.

In the solution recommended by the document US 6,412,259, the discharge rollers of the rods are frustoconical and are equipped with longitudinal blades. The axes of the heads of the set screws and the rollers are convergent in order to reduce the wear of the rollers and to save the parts in the frontal area of the passage gap. US 2011047949 also discloses rod-taking rollers provided with longitudinal blades and having a frustoconical portion.

These documents do not provide a solution to the problem of recovering the only ears without cutting other parts of the grain plants, namely the leaves and stems, which are mixed with the ears.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to remedy this problem on the basis of taking the cereal plants to drag them to the ground, in connection with their simultaneous passage through an opening that separates the ears of the rest of the plants.

More specifically, the subject of the present invention is a method for harvesting ears of cereal plants consisting, after dividing the plants of a field in rows by parallel advances, in channeling the rows of plants in interstices of seeds. a zone of passage between the forms of pairs of cylindrical shapes extending the projections, at least one helix being wound on the shapes of each pair with inverted and offset steps to substantially delimit lengths of interstices between two turns, the interstices being width adapted to the progression of the plants, to advance the plants in these interstices to a rear portion of the cylindrical shapes by a synchronized counter-rotation drive of the shapes of each pair, then to separate the ears of the rest of the plants in the portion rearward through a longitudinal slit of collection of width adjusted for the retention of ears, to evacuate s imultaneously plants without the ears through the slot by a pressure exerted on the rods driven to the ground, without being severed, by rotations cylindrical shapes of each pair sufficiently close together in a meshing zone of their rear portion, and recover the detached ears.

Thus, this harvest of ears without cutting the stems allows a high speed of harvest by a collection of ears and a simultaneous evacuation of plants, and a substantial time saving in subsequent stripping stations or even their suppression. In addition, a safe storage of mold is obtained, which limits maintenance operations and improves productivity.

According to preferred embodiments: - the helices are wound from the free end of the receiving heads of the cylindrical shapes to the meshing zone of these cylindrical shapes; the winding ends of each helix are diametrically opposed; the propellers close the interstices between the shapes of each pair with a predetermined clearance in order to allow the rotation of these forms without contact; the gap between the shapes of each pair is adapted by a predetermined clearance to allow the progression of the plants without hindrance; - Harvesting detached ears is performed by a transverse drive coupled to a storage; - The angular opening between the advances, the width of the collection slot, the height of the slot relative to the cylindrical shapes and / or the gap between these forms can be adjusted depending on the type of cereal to harvest.

The invention also relates to a harvesting unit capable of implementing such a method. This unit comprises at least one pair of cylindrical collecting rollers, parallel axes extended along the same axis by a tapered receiving head. The collecting rollers of each pair have a gap between them which defines a passage zone able to allow the progression of cereal plants. Each roll has on the surface at least one helical rib, the respective roll ribs having inverted pitches and defining in the passage zone substantially closed interstices. This harvesting unit also comprises, in a drive housing, synchronous counter-rotation drive means of the rollers of each pair, the rollers having a rear portion having means configured to produce a tapered engagement meshing zone. plant stem during this training. At least one collecting plate extends longitudinally over the rollers, this or these plate (s) defining a slot of greater width than an average size of the stems of the plants of said cereal while remaining substantially less than one dimension of average ear of these plants.

According to preferred embodiments: - the drive housing also comprises means for adjusting the spacing of the rollers of each pair so that the gap between the rollers has a predefined value; - Each receiving head has a frustoconical shape from the free end of which each helical rib is secured, in particular by welding or equivalent; the helical ribs are wound in the passage zone until they come to connect longitudinally on the rear portion of the rollers; the length of the passage zone and the pitch of the helical ribs are determined so that the winding ends of the helical ribs are diametrically opposed; - The means configured to produce a meshing zone consist of at least one longitudinal rib per roll, the helical ribs coming in continuous connection on a longitudinal rib of the same thickness; - The helical ribs and the longitudinal ribs have a same substantially circular section; alternatively, the rollers have in their rear portion a cylindrical configuration of diameter greater than that presented in the passage zone in order to produce the meshing zone, the increase in diameter being substantially equal to the thickness of the section helical ribs; substantially circular; - Each frustoconical receiving head is extended by an advance also frustoconical coupled to the arms assembling plants.

The invention also relates to a harvester equipped with a series of parallel mounted harvesting units, and to an agricultural machine comprising the harvester and a frame, the harvester being coupled to the frame of the agricultural machine via removable connection means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading detailed examples of nonlimiting embodiment hereinafter, with reference to the appended figures which represent, respectively: - Figure 1, a front view of an example of a pair of rollers of a harvesting unit according to the invention in connection with a setting and rotating drive housing, the pair of rollers comprising a gathering zone of a row of plants and a passage zone conveying these plants towards a zone of meshing; FIG. 2, a perspective view of an example of a harvesting unit according to the invention equipped with frustoconical gathering projections mounted on the harvesting rollers and picking plates of ears cooperating with these picking rollers, and FIG. 3, a sectional view along the plane III-III of FIG. 1, in the zone of engagement of the pair of rollers of the harvesting unit with a corn plant having a stem in evacuation towards the ground and a peel detached by picking plates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Identical reference signs in different figures refer to the same element presented in the passage of the description which refers to it. In the present text, the qualifier "above" refers to the position of the picking plates with respect to the cylindrical rollers in standard operating mode, and an extension in a "horizontal plane" refers to a plane perpendicular to the direction gravity forces in the place where the extension is located. Moreover, the "cylindrical" qualifier of a shape does not limit it to the cylindrical shape with a circular base (except when this precision is mentioned).

A picker according to the invention comprises a parallel series of pairs of pick-up rollers, such as the pair of rollers 1 of the front view of FIG. 1. The rollers 1a and 1b are cylindrical with a circular base of parallel axes. X'aXa and X'bXb and are extended, at one of their ends 11a and 11b, by respective frustoconical receiving heads 2a and 2b, of the same axes X'aXa and X'bXb, and forming between them a zone of meeting Z1.

The spacing Er between the rollers 1a and 1b defines a passage zone Z2 between these rollers with a gap E1 sufficient to allow the progression of plants of a given type of cereal, here maize plants. The gap E1 is adapted by a predetermined game to allow the progression of the plants without hindrance. Advantageously, adjustment means (not shown) are dedicated to adjusting the center distance ER.

In this passage zone Z2, each roller 1a, 1b has, on the outer surface 10a, 10b, a helical rib 6a, 6b consisting of a round-section log wound and welded to the surface of the roll 1a, 1b to from the free end 20a, 20b of each frustoconical receiving head 2a, 2b.

The helical ribs 6a, 6b are helically wound with steps oriented in opposite manner to one another (or in other words, propellers called "right" and "left"). In addition, these ribs 6a, 6b are offset so that two consecutive turns Sa, Sb in the passage zone Z2, respectively belonging to the two ribs 6a, 6b, define gaps 50 substantially closed in width. equal to the distance E1 between the rollers 1a, 1b.

At the other end 12a, 12b of each roll 1a, 1b, hexagonal shafts 3a and 3b are plugged into additional hubs of wheels 4a and 4b of a rotary drive housing 3. Advantageously, the housing 3 also houses the means for adjusting the spacing Er of the rollers 1a, 1b. A mechanical drive 40 is disposed in the housing 3 to drive the rollers 1a, 1b in synchronized counter-rotation, from the thermal energy source of the self-propelled driving the harvest via a suitable transmission (not shown). Alternatively, the energy source can be hydraulic or electric. The shafts 3a, 3b, the wheels 4a, 4b and the drive 40 are seen in transparency in the figure. In order to allow rotation of the rollers 1a, 1b without contact, the helical ribs 6a, 6b close the interstices 50 with a predetermined clearance J1.

In addition, the logs 7a, 7b are welded longitudinally in a rear portion 21a, 21b of the rollers 1a, 1b, to form longitudinal ribs. These longitudinal ribs 7a, 7b, which are substantially of the same diameter as the helical ribs 6a, 6b, are distributed on each roller 1a, 1b so as to respectively mesh with the surface 10b, 10a of the other roller 2b, 2a in a meshing zone Z3. The meshing width is adapted to a plant grip when driving the rollers 1a, 1b in counter-rotation.

So as to ensure continuity of material, the helical ribs 6a, 6b of each roller 1a, 1b are connected longitudinally by a curved connector C1 on a longitudinal rib 7a, 7b of the rear portion 21a, 21b of the rollers. In addition, the distribution of the lengths between the passage zones Z2 and meshing Z3, as well as the pitch value of the helical ribs 6a, 6b, are determined so that the winding ends of the helical ribs 6a, 6b are diametrically opposed on each roll 1a, 1b.

Alternatively, the rollers may have in their rear portion of the meshing zone Z3 a diameter greater than that presented in the passage zone Z2 in order to be able to effect meshing. The roll diameter increase is then substantially equal to the diameter of the ribs.

The perspective view of Figure 2 illustrates a harvester unit 100 comprising a pair of harvesting rollers such as the pair 1 of Figure 1 cooperating with a picking system of ears 5. The picking rollers 1a, 1b are equipped with frustoconical projections 8a, 8b respectively mounted at the end of the frustoconical receiving heads 2a, 2b and along the same axes X'aXa and X'bXb- [0029] The angle of conicity A1 (see FIG. Advanced 8a, 8b is adapted to the size of the seedlings of the type of cereal, corn in the example, which is harvested. These advances 8a, 8b are terminated by unifying arms 9a, 9b which deviate from one another by extending in the horizontal plane of the axes X'aXa and X'bXb- [0030] At a determined height of the pair of rollers 1a, 1b, the ear picking system 5 comprises two generally longitudinal picking plates 5a, 5b, positioned in the same horizontal plane, respectively above and parallel to the rollers 1a, 1b. The space between the longitudinal portions 50a, 50b of the plates 5a, 5b forms a slot 51 of width E2 calibrated according to the rods 31 of the corn plants 30 to harvest: this width E2 is greater than an average size of the corn stalks 31 in the lower part and substantially less than an average size of its ears 32.

The slot 51 opens in the gathering zone Z * \, above the advances 8a, 8b, by the rounded shape of the ends 52a, 52b of the plates 5a, 5b. The ends 52a, 52b then deviate substantially parallel to the arms 9a, 9b and perpendicular to the longitudinal portions 50a, 50b. The other ends 53a, 53b of the plates 5a, 5b also deviate perpendicularly to the linear portions 50a, 50b, substantially parallel to the drive housing 3. The width E2 of the slot 51 is calibrated according to the cereals to be harvested automatically or, alternatively, by mechanical adjustment, generated electrically or hydraulically. The adjustment is then adjusted on one or both plates 5a and 5b by the driver of the self-propelled machine dedicated to harvesting.

In operation, each harvesting unit 100 progresses in the field by the thrust of the self-propelled and on which is mounted a picker comprising a series of harvesting units 100 arranged in parallel, for example 6, 9 and 12 harvesting units (or more). The picker is connected to the self-propelled by a removable connection structure, adapted at its ends to the picker and the self-propelled.

By taking the example of a corn plant 30 to harvest, it appears that this plant 30 is first introduced into the collection zone Z1, between the advances 8a, 8b and parallel between the ends 52a, 52b plates 5a, 5b. Then the plant 30 advances in the passage zone Z2 of the rollers 1a, 1b between the successive turns Sa and Sb helical ribs 6a, 6b respectively, and parallel in the slot 51, between the picking plates 5a, 5b.

Arrived in the meshing zone Z3, the rod 31 and the sheets 33 are driven towards the ground by the pressure exerted on them by the longitudinal ribs 7a, 7b of the rollers 1a, 1b counter-rotating according to the arrows F1 and F2. Each of the spikes 32 is first stopped by the slot 51 of width E2 calibrated, and then detached from the rod 31 as the rod 31 continues its forced evacuation to the ground.

The cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 along the plane III-III in the meshing zone Z3 (see FIG. 1) illustrates more precisely the separation between a spike 32 and the remainder of the corn plant 30 by the forced evacuation of the rod 31. Thus, it appears in this figure that the rod 31 and leaves 33 of the plant 30 are inserted between a longitudinal rib 7a of the roll 1a and the outer surface 10b of the other roll 1b.

The rollers driven counter-rotation according to the arrows F1 and F2 discharge to the ground the rod 31 and the leaves 33, while the spike 32 is maintained, thanks to the adjustment of the width E2 of the slot 51 above this slot 51 between the picking plates 5a, 5b until its detachment from the rod 31.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown. In the picker, the collection system integrates the picking plates of the harvesting units in coupling with a transverse screw having two head-to-tail rolls of reversed pitch to recover the ears at their ends. This screw can be coupled to an ear storage tank via a conveyor or equivalent.

In addition, the drive units against the rotation of the rollers can be grouped into a common housing.

In addition, in the case where the picker comprises more than a pair of rollers, each pick roller is associated with each of the rollers adjacent thereto to form the pairs of pick rollers.

Moreover, the rollers and the ribs may be of other than circular section, for example of oblong or ovoid section. And several ribs of the same pitch can be joined to the same roll.

It is also possible to provide means for adjusting the angular opening between the advances, the width of the pickup slot, the height of the picking plates relative to the rollers and / or the gap between these rollers. depending on the type of cereal to harvest.

Instead of the two plates, it can be provided to use a collection system of ears with a single plate in which a slot is made to open in the assembly area with an open which widens so adapted.

Claims (19)

1. A method for harvesting ears (32) of plants (30) cereal characterized in that it consists, after division of plants (30) of a field in rows by parallel advances (8a, 8b), to channeling the rows of plants (30) in interstices (50) of a passage zone (Z2) between the shapes of pairs (1) of cylindrical shapes (1a, 1b) extending the projections (8a, 8b), at least a helix (6a, 6b) being wound on the shapes (1a, 1b) of each pair (1) with inverted and offset steps to substantially delimit interstice lengths (50) between two turns (Sa, Sb), the interstices (50) being of width (E1) adapted to the progression of the plants (30), to advance the plants (30) in these interstices (50) to a rear portion (21a, 21b) of the cylindrical shapes (1a, 1b ) by a synchronous counter-rotation drive (F1, F2) of the shapes (1a, 1b) of each pair (1), then to separate the ears (32) from the rest of the planes ts (30) in the rear portion (21a, 21b) by a longitudinal gathering slot (51) of width (E2) adjusted for the retention of ears (32), to simultaneously remove the plants (30) without the ears ( 32) through the slot (51) by a pressure exerted on the rods (31) driven towards the ground, without being severed, by the rotations (F1.F2) of the cylindrical shapes (1a, 1b) of each pair (1) sufficiently close together in a meshing zone (Z3) of their rear portion (21a, 21b), and recovering the loose ears (32). 2. Harvesting method according to claim 1, wherein the helices (6a, 6b) are wound from the free end of each receiving head (2a, 2b) cylindrical shapes (1a, 1b) to the zone d meshing (Z3) of these cylindrical shapes (1a, 1b). 3. Harvesting method according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the winding ends of each propeller (6a, 6b) are diametrically opposed. A harvesting method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the helices (6a, 6b) close the interstices (50) between the shapes (1a, 1b) of each pair (1) with a predetermined clearance to allow the rotation of these forms (1 a, 1 b) without contact. A harvesting method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gap (E1) between the shapes (1a, 1b) of each pair (1) is adapted by a predetermined clearance to allow the progression of the plants (30). ) without hindrance. A harvesting method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the harvesting of the detached cobs (32) is performed by a transverse drive coupled to a storage. Harvesting method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angular aperture between the projections (8a, 8b), the width (E2) of the pick-up slot (51), the height of the slot (51). ) relative to the cylindrical shapes (1a, 1b) and / or the difference (E1) between these forms are set according to the type of cereal to be harvested. 8. Harvester unit (100) for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one pair of cylindrical collecting rollers (1a, 1b) of parallel axes (X aXa, X'bXb) extended along the same axis by a tapered receiving head (2a, 2b), the collecting rollers (1a, 1b) of each pair (1) having a gap therebetween (E1) which defines a zone passage (Z2) adapted to allow the progression of cereal plants (30), in that each roller (1a, 1b) has at the surface (10a, 10b) at least one helical rib (6a, 6b), the ribs ( 6a, 6b) of respective rolls (1a, 1b) having inverted steps and defining in the passage region (Z2) substantially closed gaps (50), and that it also comprises, in a drive housing ( 3), synchronous counter-rotation drive means (F1, F2) of the rollers (1a, 1b) of each that torque (1), the rollers (1a, 1b) having a rear portion (21a, 21b) having means (7a, 7b) configured to realize a meshing zone (Z3) of the stem (31) of the plant (30) during this drive, as well as at least one pickup plate (5a, 5b) extending longitudinally over the rollers (1a, 1b), this or these plate (s) (5a, 5b) defining a slit (51) of width (E2) greater than an average size of the stems (31) of the plants (30) of said cereal while remaining substantially less than an average ear size of these plants (30). 9. Harvester unit according to the preceding claim, wherein the drive housing (3) also comprises means for adjusting the spacing (Er) of the rollers (1a, 1b) of each pair (1) so that the gap (E1) between the rollers (1a, 1b) has a predefined value. 10. Harvester unit according to one of claims 8 or 9, wherein each receiving head (2a, 2b) has a frustoconical shape from the free end of which each helical rib (6a, 6b) is secured. 11. Harvester unit according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the helical ribs (6a, 6b) are wound in the passage zone (Z2) to come connect longitudinally on the rear portion (21a, 21b). ) rollers (1a, 1b). A harvesting unit according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the length of the passage zone (Z2) and the pitch of the helical ribs (6a, 6b) are determined so that the winding ends of the ribs helical (6a, 6b) are diametrically opposed. 13. A harvesting unit according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the means configured to produce a meshing zone (Z3) consist of at least one longitudinal rib (7a, 7b) per roll (1a, 1b ), the helical ribs (6a, 6b) coming in continuous connection on a longitudinal rib (7a, 7b) of the same thickness. 14. Harvester unit according to the preceding claim, wherein the helical ribs (6a, 6b) and the longitudinal ribs (7a, 7b) have a same substantially circular section. 15. harvesting unit according to claim 13, wherein the rollers (1a, 1b) have in their rear portion (21a, 21b) a cylindrical configuration of diameter greater than that presented in the passage zone (Z2) to achieve the area meshing (Z3), the increase in diameter being substantially equal to the thickness of the helical ribs (6a, 6b) of substantially circular section. 16. Harvester unit according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein each frustoconical receiving head (2a, 2b) is extended by an advance (8a, 8b) also frustoconical coupled to the arms assembling plants (9a, 9b). ). 17. Harvester equipped with a series of harvesting units (100) according to any one of claims 8 to 16, these harvesting units being mounted in parallel, characterized in that it comprises a collection system incorporating the picking plates (5a , 5b) harvesting units (100) in coupling with a transverse screw having two reverse-pitched head-to-tail windings for recovering the spikes at their ends in cooperation with a storage tank via a conveyor. 18. The harvester according to the preceding claim, wherein the drive housing (3) against rotation (F1, F2) of each pair (1) of rollers (1a, 1b) of each harvesting unit (100) is common to all pairs of rollers (1). 19. Agricultural machine comprising a header according to any one of claims 17 to 19 and a frame, characterized in that the header is coupled to the frame of the agricultural machine via removable connection means.