FR3069408A1 - SOIL WORKING MACHINE COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE ROLL WHICH HAS SEGMENTS HAVING AN IMPROVED GEOMETRY - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a tillage machine comprising at least one roller which has a shaft coaxial with an axis of rotation of the roller and a plurality of segments (32) each having a through hole (42) in which is positioned the shaft, characterized in that each segment (32) has a shape of a cylinder and comprises two end faces (36.1), a cylindrical peripheral face (38), a plurality of distributed growths (40) regularly over the entire peripheral face (38), separated by a distance greater than or equal to twice the height of the protuberances (40) and / or from about 10 to 18 centimeters.

Description

The present application relates to a machine for working the soil comprising at least one roller which comprises segments having an improved geometry.

In the field of agriculture, there is known for working the soil a machine connected to a tractor which comprises at least one free rotating roller, mobile on the ground.

This type of machine comprises a chassis, a hitch for connecting the chassis to a tractor or any other motorized vehicle moving in a direction of advance as well as at least one roller which has an axis of rotation oriented horizontally and perpendicular to the direction ahead. The roller comprises a shaft coaxial with the axis of rotation.

According to one configuration, the ends of the shaft are mounted in bearings secured to the chassis and the roller is secured to the shaft. Whatever the configuration, the roller can pivot freely around the axis of rotation. When in contact with the ground, the roller pivots according to the forward speed of the tractor.

According to a first application, the roller can be used to break up clods of earth. According to this application, the roller may comprise several segments distributed along the axis of rotation and mounted pivoting on the shaft with a clearance allowing no clearance but only a rotational movement of each segment relative to the shaft. This solution makes it possible to obtain different rotational speeds from one segment to another and to be able to follow curved and non-straight advance paths.

According to another application, the roller comprises blades distributed around its circumference and is used to press the vegetation on the ground and pinch it in order to crush and shear the fibers of the vegetation to slow its growth. Such an application is described in the document FR-3.036.019.

The document FR-3.036.019 proposes a machine with a plurality of rollers with a small working width (dimension taken in a direction perpendicular to the direction of advance). To crush and shear the fibers of vegetation, each roller comprises a plurality of blades oriented approximately radially and distributed around the circumference of the roller.

This tool, suitable for crushing and shearing the fibers of the vegetation, is not fully satisfactory for breaking up clods of earth.

In the opposite direction, the tools suitable for breaking up clods of earth are generally not suitable for crushing and shearing the fibers of the vegetation in the manner of the tool described in the document FR-3.036.019.

The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a versatile tool.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a machine for working the soil comprising at least one roller which comprises a shaft coaxial with the axis of rotation of the roller and a plurality of segments threaded onto the shaft and which each have two end faces, a peripheral face and a passage opening which opens on each end face and in which the shaft is positioned. According to the invention, each segment has the shape of a cylinder and comprises two end faces, a cylindrical peripheral face, a plurality of protrusions distributed regularly over the entire peripheral face and separated by a distance greater than or equal to two. times the height of the outgrowths and / or about 10 to 18 cm.

This geometry gives the segments great versatility. They can be used as well for breaking up clods of earth as for crushing and shearing the fibers of vegetation in the manner of the tool described in document FR-3.036.019. According to another particular feature, this geometry, combined with the fact that the segments can rotate around the tree independently of each other, also makes it possible to prevent the clay-type wet earth from agglomerating around the segments.

According to other characteristics taken individually or in combination, each protuberance has an approximately triangular cross section;

each protuberance comprises a first face, a second face which extend from the peripheral face to an end and which are substantially symmetrical with respect to a radial plane;

the end has a width less than 8 mm, preferably between 2 and 6 mm;

the first and second faces form an angle between 20 and 40 °, preferably of the order of 30 °;

the protrusions have a height of between 30 and 60 mm, preferably of the order of 40 mm.

Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description of the invention which follows, description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings among which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine for working the soil which illustrates an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a front view of a roller of the machine visible in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a cross section of the roller visible in FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of the roller visible in FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a segment of a roller which illustrates an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 6 is a side view of the segment visible in FIG. 5, and

Figure 7 is a half view of a segment equipped with knives which illustrates another embodiment.

According to one embodiment, a machine for working the soil 10 comprises a chassis 12, a coupling 14 and at least one roller 16 which has an axis of rotation A16.

For the remainder of the description, a direction of advance DA corresponds to the direction of movement of the machine in a tillage situation. The axis of rotation A16 of the roller 16 is generally disposed approximately perpendicular to the direction of advance DA. A longitudinal direction DL is parallel to the axis of rotation A16 of the roller 16. A longitudinal plane is a plane which passes through the axis of rotation A16 of the roller 16. A transverse plane is a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation A16 of the roller 16 and a radial direction is a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation A16 of the roller.

According to one configuration, the chassis 12 comprises at least one frame which has two crosspieces 18, 18 '(perpendicular to the direction of advance DA) and two longitudinal members 20, 20' connecting the crosspieces (parallel to the direction of advance DA) .

Of course, the invention is not limited to this configuration for the chassis 12. Thus, the chassis 12 may include several articulated or movable parts relative to each other so as for example to reduce the width of the machine during the transport and increase its width when working the soil.

According to one configuration, the coupling 14 is a three-point coupling intended to be fixed to the rear of a tractor. Of course, the invention is not limited to this configuration, the coupling being able to connect the chassis to any motorized vehicle, in different positions.

According to the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the machine for working the soil comprises three rollers 16. However, the invention is not limited to this number of rollers 16. At a minimum, the machine comprises a roller 16.

For each roller 16, the frame 12 comprises a yoke 22 which has a secondary cross-member 24 (parallel to the longitudinal direction) and two uprights 26.1, 26.2 provided at the ends of the cross-member 24 and positioned at each end of the roller 16.

Preferably, the yoke 22 is connected to one of the crosspieces 18 by at least one connection 28 configured to deform elastically so as to allow the roller 16 to move vertically. According to one embodiment, for each yoke 22, the machine comprises two connections 28, each in the form of a metal blade, a first end of which is connected to one of the crosspieces 18 of the chassis 12 and a second end of which is connected to the secondary crosspiece 24 of the yoke 22.

Other solutions can be envisaged for connecting each roller 16 to the chassis 12.

Each roller 16 comprises a shaft 30 which is coaxial with the axis A16 of the roller 16 and a plurality of segments 32 threaded on the shaft 30.

According to one configuration, the ends 30.1 and 30.2 of the shaft 30 are connected by pivoting connections 34.1, 34.2 to the uprights 26.1, 26.2. According to one embodiment, each upright 26.1, 26.2 comprises a bearing supporting one of the ends 30.1, 30.2 of the shaft 30.

According to another configuration, the ends 30.1 and 30.2 of the shaft 30 are connected by rigid connections to the uprights 26.1, 26.2.

The shaft 30 comprises a central cylindrical section 30C on which the segments 32 are positioned. To give an order of magnitude, this central section 30C has a diameter between 5 and 15 cm and a length of 0.2 to 4 m.

Each segment 32 has the shape of a cylinder with a thickness E (dimension taken in the longitudinal direction) reduced. Thus, the thickness E of each segment 32 is between and 20 cm. Preferably, the thickness E of each segment 32 is between 5 and 10 cm.

Each segment 32 comprises two end faces 36.1, 36.2 and a cylindrical peripheral face 38 having an axis A38.

With the exception of the two segments located at each end of the roller 16, the end faces 36.1 and 36.2 are planar and positioned in transverse planes.

To give an order of magnitude, the peripheral face 38 has a diameter between 25 and 60 cm.

Depending on the application, the peripheral face 38 comprises a plurality of protrusions 40.

Each segment 32 comprises a passage orifice 42 which opens on each end face 36.1 and 36.2 in which the shaft 30 is positioned. This passage orifice 42 is cylindrical and coaxial with the axis A38.

According to one type of assembly, for at least certain segments 32 and preferably all, the section of the passage orifice 42 is greater than the section of the shaft 30 so that there remains a clearance J of at least two centimeters between the shaft 30 and the passage orifice 42 in order to allow a vertical clearance of the segments 32, independently of each other, so that the segments 32 are always in contact with the ground despite possible irregularities in the soil.

Preferably, the clearance J is greater than five centimeters.

According to another characteristic, each segment 32 is made of a material having a high density. Each segment 32 has a mass greater than or equal to 20 kg, preferably greater than or equal to 30 kg.

In operation, each segment 32 can move vertically relative to the shaft 30 thanks to the play J. By gravity, due to their weight, the segments 32 translate downwards until each one is in contact with the ground. The segments 32 being able to move vertically, independently of each other, they are all in contact with the ground despite possible irregularities in the ground. The planar end faces 36.1 and 36.2 and arranged in transverse planes promote this movement.

According to another characteristic, the shaft 30 comprises two spaced stops 44.1 and 44.2, between which the segments 32 are positioned, the spacing between the stops 44.1 and 44.2 being determined so that the segments 32 are immobilized in translation along the longitudinal direction.

According to one embodiment, each stop 44.1 and 44.2 is in the form of a flange. The stops 44.1 and 44.2 define the central section 30C.

According to a preferred embodiment, the end segments 32.1 and 32.2 in contact with the stops 44.1 and 44.2 each include a countersink 46.1 and 46.2, the stops 44.1 and 44.2 being pressed against the bottoms 46.1F and 46.2F of the counterbores.

The counterbores 46.1 and 46.2 have a diameter greater than that of the flanges forming the stops

44.1 and 44.2 to allow vertical travel of the end segments 32.1 and 32.2.

The depth (dimension taken in the longitudinal direction) of the counterbores 46.1 and 46.2 is configured to accommodate the flanges and at least partially the pivoting connections 34.1 and 34.2.

Each flange offers a bearing surface oriented towards one of the substantially planar end segments and positioned in a transverse plane. In addition, the bottom 46.1F and 46.2F of each counterbore is flat and positioned in a transverse plane.

According to this arrangement, the bearing surface of each flange forms a guide surface making it possible to orient the movement of the end segments in transverse planes.

The flanges immobilizing the segments 32 in a longitudinal direction and all the end faces 36.1 and 36.2 of the segments 32 being positioned in transverse planes, the segments 32 can only move in a radial direction.

According to a characteristic of the invention, each protuberance 40 extends over the entire thickness E of the segment 32.

In a transverse plane (perpendicular to the axis A38), each protuberance 40 has an approximately triangular section, one of the sides of the triangle being positioned at the level of the peripheral face 38. Thus, each protuberance 40 comprises a first face 40.1, a second face 40.2 which extend from the peripheral face 38 to an end 50.

According to one configuration, the first and second faces 40.1 and 40.2 are substantially symmetrical with respect to a radial plane PR passing through the axis A38 and the end 50.

The end 50 may be in the form of an edge, a cylindrical or a flat.

According to an embodiment visible in Figures 5 and 6, the end 50 has a width d (dimension taken in a direction perpendicular to the radial plane PR) less than 8mm, preferably between 2 and 6 mm. The width d is determined to obtain a compromise between the resistance to wear and the cutting effect.

According to one configuration, each first or second face 40.1 and 40.2 is connected to the peripheral face 38 by a leave 52.

According to a characteristic of the invention, for each projection 40, the first and second faces 40.1 and 40.2 form an angle a of between 20 and 40 °. Preferably, the angle a is of the order of 30 °.

According to another characteristic, the protrusions 40 have a height H of between 30 and 60 mm. Preferably, the protrusions 40 have a height H of the order of 40 mm.

According to an embodiment visible in Figures 5 and 6, each segment 32 has a diameter at the ends 50 of the order of 350 mm or of the order of 420 mm and includes nine protrusions 40 which are distributed regularly all around of the peripheral face 38. This embodiment corresponds to a segment 32 having a mass of approximately 25 kg and a thickness of the order of 5 cm.

Whatever the embodiment, the protrusions 40 are distributed regularly over the entire peripheral face 38. The protrusions 40 are separated by a distance G greater than or equal to twice the height of the protrusions 40, and preferably approximately equal to three times the height of the protrusions 40. The protrusions 40 are separated by a distance G of between 10 and 18 cm, preferably of the order of 12 cm, the distance G being taken at the ends 50.

According to another embodiment, for a heavier segment, of the order of 50 kg, the segment has a diameter at the ends 50 of the order of 500 mm and a thickness E of the order of 5 cm. Such a segment includes twelve growths.

Depending on the configuration, the segments 32 can be mounted on the shaft 30 with or without play.

This geometry gives the segments 32 great versatility. They can be used as well for breaking up clods of earth as for crushing and shearing the fibers of vegetation in the manner of the tool described in document FR-3.036.019. According to another particular feature, this geometry combined with the fact that the segments can rotate around the shaft 30 independently of each other also makes it possible to prevent the clay-type wet earth from agglomerating around the segments 32.

According to another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the segment 32 comprises protuberances 40 which are distributed on the peripheral face 38 in the same manner as in FIGS. 5 and 6. However, according to this embodiment, the faces 40.1 , 40.2 of the protuberances 40 are not symmetrical with respect to a radial plane PR and each protuberance 40 comprises a removable knife 54 which is fixed to the face 40.2 of the protrusion 40 furthest forward according to the direction of work rotation 56 of segment 32 when the latter is working the soil.

Depending on the case, the faces 40.1 and 40.2 are arranged on either side of the radial plane PR or are arranged in the same half-space relative to the radial plane PR, the end 50 being oriented towards the front in the direction of working rotation 56, as illustrated in FIG. 7. According to another variant, the face 40.2 carrying the knife 54 is approximately coplanar with the radial plane PR. The inclination of the face 40.2 and / or of the knife 54 for each protuberance 40 is determined so as to obtain good resistance to wear of the knives 54 and / or good penetration into the ground.

Claims (12)

1. Machine for working the soil comprising at least one roller (16) which comprises a shaft (30) coaxial with an axis of rotation (A16) of the roller (16) and a plurality of segments (32) threaded on the shaft (30) and which each have two end faces (36.1, 36.2), a peripheral face (38) and a passage orifice (42) which opens on each end face (36.1, 36.2) and in which is positioned the shaft (30), characterized in that each segment (32) has the shape of a cylinder and comprises two end faces (36.1, 36.2), a cylindrical peripheral face (38), a plurality of protrusions ( 40) distributed regularly over the entire peripheral face (38), separated by a distance greater than or equal to twice the height of the protrusions (40), preferably approximately equal to three times the height of the protrusions (40), and / or from about 10 to 18 cm, preferably of the order of 12 cm. 2. Machine for working the soil according to claim 1, characterized in that each protuberance (40) has an approximately triangular cross section. 3. Machine for working the soil according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protuberances have a height between 30 and 60 mm, preferably of the order of 40 mm. 4. Machine for working the soil according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each segment (32) has a thickness of between 2 and 20 cm, preferably between 5 and 10 cm and in that each protuberance ( 40) extends over the entire thickness of the segment (32). 5. machine for working the soil according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each segment (32) has a diameter at the ends (50) of the protuberances (40) of the order of 350 mm and comprises nine growths (40). 6. machine for working the soil according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each segment (32) has a diameter at the ends (50) of the protuberances (40) of the order of 500 mm and includes twelve outgrowths (40). 7. machine for working the soil according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that each protuberance (40) comprises a first face (40.1) and a second face (40.2) which extend from the peripheral face ( 38) up to one end (50) and which are substantially symmetrical with respect to a radial plane (PR). 8. Machine for working the soil according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the end (50) has a width less than 8 mm, preferably between 2 and 6 mm. 9. machine for working the soil according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the first and second faces (40.1, 40.2) form an angle between 20 and 40 °, preferably of the order of 30 °. 10. machine for working the soil according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that each protuberance (40) comprises a knife (54) removable, which is fixed on the face (40.2) of the protuberance (40 ) the most forward according to the direction of work rotation (56) of the 10 segment (32). 11. machine for working the soil according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for at least certain segments (32), the section of the passage orifice (42) is greater than the section of the shaft (30) so that there is a clearance (J) of at least two centimeters between the shaft (30) and the passage orifice (42) to allow a 15 vertical movement of the segments (32), independently of each other.