GB2569888A - Conveyor assembly for a harvester - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a conveyor assembly for agricultural harvesting apparatus. The conveyor assembly comprising a trough along which chaff material is to be conveyed. The trough comprising a transfer surface 41. The transfer surface is defined by an upper run of an endless conveyor belt 63. The endless conveyor belt 63 is operable to move the upper run in a longitudinal direction, and alignment means for positively aligning the upper run for movement in the longitudinal direction. The alignment means may be in the form of a guide formation 83 which engages with channel 53 on a chaff deck or in rollers, 93, fig 11.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to conveyor assembly for an agricultural harvesting apparatus of the type commonly known as a combine harvester, and also known as either a combine or a harvester.

[0002] The agricultural harvesting apparatus to which the invention relates will hereinafter be referred to as a combine harvester.

BACKGROUND ART [0003] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0004] Combine harvesters are used in harvesting of agricultural crops, such as for example wheat and other grain crops. Combine harvesters have a head which cuts the crop and moves cut material to a transfer system which transfers the cut material to threshing and separation areas at which grain is separated from remnant material comprising chaff and stalk material. The separated grain is stored in a bin. The chaff and the stalk material are separated from each other and discharged separately from the combine harvester as it advances during a harvesting operation.

[0005] It is common to distribute the chaff onto the ground as it is discharged from the combine harvester. This may involve conveying chaff material along a conveyor assembly, commonly known as a chaff deck, from which it is discharged and distributed onto the ground. It is known to provide two chaff decks on opposed sides of the combine harvester such that chaff is distributed onto both sides.

[0006] A known chaff deck comprises an endless conveyor belt passing around two end rollers, at least one of which is driven to circulate the endless belt around an endless path. The endless belt has an upper run which provides a traveling surface for moving chaff material along the chaff deck. The chaff deck further comprises two opposed longitudinal side walls between which the upper run of the endless belt is disposed. The upper run has opposed longitudinal side edges disposed closely adjacent longitudinal side walls. With this arrangement, the upper run and the two side walls cooperate to define a trough along which the chaff material is conveyed, with the opposed longitudinal side walls functioning as skirts to prevent chaff material from spilling sidewardly from the traveling surface.

[0007] Such an arrangement has not proved to be altogether satisfactory, as misalignment between the upper run of the conveyor belt and the two opposed longitudinal side walls between which the upper run travels can be problematic, potentially leading to jamming of the circulating belt and also damage to the belt. Such misalignment may result from, for example, lateral drift of the circulating endless belt on the two end rollers.

[0008] It is against this background, and the problems and difficulties associated therewith, that the present invention has been developed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0009] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a conveyor assembly for agricultural harvesting apparatus, the conveyor assembly comprising a trough along which chaff material is to be conveyed, the trough comprising a transfer surface, the transfer surface being defined by an upper run of an endless conveyor belt, the endless conveyor belt being operable to move the upper run in a longitudinal direction, and alignment means for positively aligning the upper run for movement in the longitudinal direction.

[0010] The alignment means may comprise a guide formation on the endless conveyor belt adapted to cooperate with a guide system associated with the path about which the endless belt circulates.

[0011] The endless conveyor belt may comprise an outer belt surface and an inner belt surface, with the guide formation provided on the inner belt surface.

[0012] The guide formation may comprise a longitudinal guide element provided on the endless conveyor belt.

[0013] The guide element may be configured as a guide rib.

[0014] The guide formation may comprise a plurality of longitudinal guide elements provided on the endless conveyor belt in spaced apart relation.

[0015] In one arrangement there may be two longitudinal guide elements, one adjacent each longitudinal marginal edge portion of the belt.

[0016] The longitudinal guide element may be formed integrally with the endless conveyor belt, although it may be formed separately of the endless conveyor belt and attached thereto.

[0017] The longitudinal guide element may comprise a continuous element extending along the inner belt surface; for example, a rib extending continuously along the inner belt surface. Other arrangements are contemplated; for example, the longitudinal guide element may comprise a plurality of discrete sections which cooperate to provide a guiding function. For instance, the longitudinal guide element may comprise a plurality of cleats aligned longitudinally along the inner belt surface.

[0018] The guide system may comprise a guide track along which the guide formation can move, with cooperation between the guide track and the guide formation maintaining alignment of the upper run in the longitudinal direction.

[0019] The guide track may comprise a track element provided on a support structure over which the upper run is adapted to travel to provide the transfer surface.

[0020] The track element may define a guide channel for receiving and guiding the longitudinal guide element.

[0021] There may be a plurality of guide tracks in the case where there is a plurality of longitudinal guide elements, one guide track corresponding to each guide element.

[0022] The guide system may comprise a guide feature provided on at least one of two end rollers about which the endless conveyor belt is adapted to circulate, with cooperation between the guide feature of the roller and the guide formation maintaining alignment of the upper run in the longitudinal direction. The guide feature may comprise a circumferential groove provided in the roller for receiving and guiding the longitudinal guide element.

[0023] The roller may present a rolling surface about which the belt wraps, and the circumferential groove may be provided in the rolling surface.

[0024] Preferably, both end rollers have guide features.

[0025] There may be a plurality of guide features on one or both of the rollers in the case where there is a plurality of longitudinal guide elements, one guide corresponding to each guide element.

[0026] Preferably, the guide system comprises both: (i) a guide track along with the guide formation can move, with cooperation between the guide track and the guide formation maintaining alignment of the upper run in the longitudinal; and (ii) a guide feature provided on at least one of two end rollers about which the endless conveyor belt is adapted to circulate, with cooperation between the guide feature of the roller and the guide formation maintaining alignment of the upper run in the longitudinal direction.

[0027] With such an arrangement, the upper run would be positively guided as it passes around each roller and also as it travels from one roller to the other roller.

[0028] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a belt to form an endless conveyor belt according to the first aspect of the invention, the belt having a belt surface and a guide formation provided on the belt surface.

[0029] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided agricultural harvesting apparatus comprising a conveyor assembly according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0030] The agricultural harvesting apparatus may comprise two conveyor assemblies on opposed sides of the combine harvester.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0031] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a rear end section of a combine harvester incorporating two opposed chaff decks, each chaff deck comprising an embodiment of a conveyor assembly according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a rear view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a plan view of one of the chaff decks;

Figure 5 is a side view of the chaff deck shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an end view of the chaff trough deck shown in Figure 4;

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the chaff deck;

Figure 8 is a schematic view of a part of the chaff deck shown in Figure 7

Figure 9 is an end view of the arrangement shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a detailed view of part of the chaff deck shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of an end roller forming part of the chaff deck; and

Figure 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of an endless belt forming part of the chaff deck.

[0032] The drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present invention.

[0033] The figures depict an embodiment of the invention. The embodiment illustrates a certain configuration; however, it is to be appreciated that the invention can be implemented by way of many different configurations, as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art, whilst still embodying the present invention. These configurations are to be considered within the scope of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0034] In the following detailed description, the present invention is described in connection with a preferred embodiment. However, to the extent that the following description is specific to a particular embodiment or a particular use of the present techniques, it is intended to be illustrative only and merely provides a concise description of the exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described below, but rather the invention includes all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents falling within the true scope of the appended claims.

[0035] The description will be made with reference to a combine harvester having two chaff decks on opposed sides such that chaff is distributed onto both sides of the combine harvester. The two chaff decks are essentially the same, and so only one will be described in detail below.

[0036] The combine harvesters as a head (not shown) which cuts the crop and moves cut material to a transfer system (not shown) which transfers the cut material to threshing and separation areas (not shown) at which grain is separated from remnant material comprising chaff and stalk material. The separated grain is stored in a bin (not shown). The chaff and the stalk material are separated from each other and discharged separately of each other as the combine harvester advances during a harvesting operation. The chaff is distributed onto the ground as it is discharged from the combine harvester.

[0037] Referring to the drawings, chaff is distributed from two chaff decks 10 provided on opposed sides of the combine harvester at a rear end section 11 of the combine harvester (as best seen in Figures 1 and 2). Chaff is delivered to each chaff deck 10 via a sieve chute assembly 13 which is of known kind and which is bounded by a curtain assembly 15. The sieve chute assembly 13 has a chute entry end 17 to receive chaff material for delivery to the chaff decks 10.

[0038] Each chaff deck 10 comprises a trough structure 2, a part of which is covered by a hood assembly 23 and which terminates at a discharge zone 25 bounded by a hoop assembly 27. The hoop assembly 27 has an open bottom 29 through which chaff material received from the trough structure 21 can fall to the ground.

[0039] The trough structure 21 extends longitudinally between a first end 22a and an opposed second end 22b, and as such has a longitudinal extent defining a central longitudinal axis.

[0040] The trough structure 21 comprises a bottom 31 and two longitudinal side walls 33 upstanding from the bottom. Each longitudinal side walls 33 is parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the trough structure 21. In the arrangement shown, the two side walls 33 each has a lower section 35 which is substantially vertical and an upper section 37 which extends upwardly and outwardly from the lower section. A side shroud 39 is attached to the upper section 37 of each side wall 33.

[0041] The bottom 31 comprises a transfer surface 41 carried on a support structure 43.

[0042] The support structure 43 is configured as a frame assembly 45 comprising two longitudinal side members 47 and a plurality of spaced-apart cross members 49 extending between the two longitudinal side members 47. Each longitudinal side member 47 is parallel with central longitudinal axis of the trough structure 21.

[0043] The side walls 33 are mounted on the support structure 43. More particularly, the side walls 33 are each mounted on a respective one of the two longitudinal side members 47.

[0044] The support structure 43 includes two longitudinal guide tracks 51 mounted on the cross members 49. Each longitudinal guide track 51 is closely adjacent to, and also parallel with, a respective one of the two longitudinal side walls 33, as best seen in Figures 9 and 10. With this arrangement, each longitudinal guide track 51 is parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the trough structure 21.

[0045] In the arrangement shown, each longitudinal track 51 comprises an elongate track element 52 having a cross-section which defines a central longitudinal channel 53 and two flanks 55 on opposed sides of the channel, as best seen in Figure 10. The channel 53 is configured as an inwardly tapering groove, also as best seen in Figure 10.

[0046] The transfer surface 41 is defined by an upper run 61 of an endless belt 63 of an endless belt conveyor 64. The endless belt conveyor 64 is operable to move the upper run 61 of an endless belt 63 in a longitudinal direction aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the trough structure 21.

[0047] The endless belt conveyor 64 comprises two end rollers 65 about which the endless belt 63 is adapted to circulate. The two rollers 65 comprise head roller 65a and tail roller 65b. At least one of the rollers 65 is adapted to be drive to circulate the endless belt around an endless path. In the arrangement shown, head roller 65a is the driven roller.

[0048] The endless belt 63 comprises a belt portion 71 having an outer surface 73, an inner surface 75 and two opposed marginal edge portions 77 terminating at longitudinal side edges 79.

[0049] The upper run 61 of the endless belt 63 is supported on the support structure 43, including being slidably supported on the flanks 55 on the elongate track elements 53.

[0050] Along the upper run 61, the opposed longitudinal side edges 79 are disposed closely adjacent the lower sections 35 of the longitudinal side walls 33. With this arrangement, the opposed longitudinal side walls 33 function as skirts to prevent chaff material from spilling sidewardly from the upper run 61 (i.e. the transfer surface 41).

[0051] The chaff deck 10 further comprises alignment means for positively aligning the upper run 61 for movement in the longitudinal direction of the trough structure 21; that is, the upper run 61 is positively aligned for movement in a direction corresponding to the central longitudinal axis of the trough structure 21.

[0052] The alignment means comprises a guide formation 83 on the endless conveyor belt 63 adapted to cooperate with a guide system 85 associated with the path about which the endless belt 63 circulates.

[0053] In this embodiment, the guide formation 83 is provided on the inner surface 75 of the belt portion 71. In the arrangement shown, the guide formation 83 comprises two longitudinal guide elements 87 each configured as a guide rib 89, one on each marginal edge portions 77 of the belt portion 71. More particularly, each guide rib 89 is closely adjacent the respective longitudinal side edges 79.

[0054] The guide ribs 89 are of a cross-sectional configuration to match the inwardly tapering grooves provided by the channels 53 forming part of the guide system 85. In the arrangement shown, the guide ribs 89 are each of a trapezoidal configuration resembling a V-belt, and the tapering grooves provided by the channels 53 are of a complementary mating configuration.

[0055] The guide ribs 89 are formed integrally with the belt portion 71, although they may be formed separately of the belt portion and attached thereto.

[0056] In this embodiment, each guide rib 89 extends continuously along the inner belt surface 75. Other arrangements are, however, contemplated; for example, each guide rib 89 may comprise a plurality of discrete sections which cooperate to provide a guiding function; for example, the longitudinal guide element may comprise a plurality of cleats aligned longitudinally along the inner belt surface.

[0057] The guide system 85 comprises the two longitudinal guide tracks 51 mounted on the cross members 49 of the support structure 43. The central longitudinal channels 53 of the elongate track element 53 are configured to slidingly receive and guide the guide ribs 89 on the belt portion 71 of the endless belt 63 along the upper run 61, thereby maintaining alignment of the upper run in the longitudinal direction.

[0058] The guide system 85 further comprises a guide feature 91 provided on at least one of two end rollers 65 about which the endless conveyor belt 63 is adapted to circulate, with cooperation between the guide feature 91 on the roller 65 and the guide formation 83 also maintaining, or at least assisting to maintain, alignment of the upper run 61 in the longitudinal direction.

[0059] In this embodiment, the guide feature 91 comprises a circumferential groove 93 provided in the roller 65 for receiving and guiding the guide formation 83. The circumferential groove 93 is configured as an inwardly tapering groove (similar to the tapering grooves provided by the channels 53).

[0060] In the arrangement shown, each roller 65a, 65b is provided with two circumferential grooves 93, one closely adjacent each end. Each roller 65 presents a rolling surface 95 about which the endless conveyor belt 63 wraps, and the circumferential grooves 93 are provided in the rolling surface 95. With this arrangement, the circumferential grooves 93 receive and guide the guide ribs 89 on the belt portion 71 of the endless belt 63 as the belt turns about the end rollers 65, thereby maintaining alignment of the upper run 61 in the longitudinal direction.

[0061] With such an arrangement, the upper run 61 is positively guided as it passes around each end roller 65 and also as it travels over support structure 43 from tail end roller 65b to head end roller 65a. This positive guidance serves to maintain alignment of the upper run 61 in the longitudinal direction, thereby preventing lateral drift of the circulating belt 63 which might otherwise result in the longitudinal side edges 79 to contact the longitudinal side walls 33, potentially jamming or causing damage to the belt 63. Additionally, the upper run 61 is supported on the two longitudinal guide tracks 51 as it passes between the two end rollers 65.

[0062] From the foregoing, it is evident that the present embodiment provides a simple yet highly effective arrangement for positioning and maintaining the endless belt 63 of the endless belt conveyor 64 in correct alignment. Further, the arrangement is conducive to an unskilled operator being able to install and maintain the endless belt 63 correctly in position.

[0063] The foregoing disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use the particular embodiments described, rather than to limit the true, intended, and fair scope and spirit of the invention. The foregoing description is neither intended to be exhaustive, nor to be limited to the precise forms disclosed.

[0064] Further, it should be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Therefore, the invention should be understood to include all such modifications within its scope.

[0065] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing a particular example embodiment only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0066] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0067] The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0068] Reference to any positional descriptions, such as top”, “bottom and “side”, are to be taken in context of the embodiment described and illustrated, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by the skilled addressee.

[0069] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the apparatus in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the apparatus in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0070] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiment [0071] .When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0072] Additionally, where the terms “system”, “device”, and “apparatus are used in the context of the invention, they are to be understood as including reference to any group of functionally related or interacting, interrelated, interdependent or associated components or elements that may be located in proximity to, separate from, integrated with, or discrete from, each other.

[0073] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise or variations such as comprises or comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims (24)

1. A conveyor assembly for agricultural harvesting apparatus, the conveyor assembly comprising a trough along which chaff material is to be conveyed, the trough comprising a transfer surface, the transfer surface being defined by an upper run of an endless conveyor belt, the endless conveyor belt being operable to move the upper run in a longitudinal direction, and alignment means for positively aligning the upper run for movement in the longitudinal direction.

2. The conveyor assembly according to claim 1 wherein the alignment means comprises a guide formation on the endless conveyor belt adapted to cooperate with a guide system associated with the path about which the endless belt circulates.

3. The conveyor assembly according to claim 2 wherein the endless conveyor belt comprises an outer belt surface and an inner belt surface, with the guide formation provided on the inner belt surface.

4. The conveyor assembly according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the guide formation comprises a longitudinal guide element provided on the endless conveyor belt.

5. The conveyor assembly according to claim 4 wherein the guide element is configured as a guide rib.

6. The conveyor assembly according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the guide formation comprises a plurality of longitudinal guide elements provided on the endless conveyor belt in spaced apart relation.

7. The conveyor assembly according to claim 4, 5 or 6 wherein there are two longitudinal guide elements, one adjacent each longitudinal marginal edge portion of the belt.

8. The conveyor assembly according to claim 4, 5, 6 or 7 wherein the longitudinal guide element is formed integrally with the endless conveyor belt, or it is formed separately of the endless conveyor belt and attached thereto.

9. The conveyor assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein the longitudinal guide element comprises a continuous element extending along the inner belt surface;

10. The conveyor assembly according to claim 9 wherein the longitudinal guide element comprises a continuous element extending along the inner belt surface in the form of a rib extending continuously along the inner belt surface.

11. The conveyor assembly according to claim 9 wherein the longitudinal guide element comprises a plurality of discrete sections which cooperate to provide a guiding function, or the longitudinal guide element comprises a plurality of cleats aligned longitudinally along the inner belt surface.

12. The conveyor assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 11 wherein the guide system comprises a guide track along which the guide formation can move, with cooperation between the guide track and the guide formation maintaining alignment of the upper run in the longitudinal direction.

13. The conveyor assembly according to claim 12 wherein the guide track comprises a track element provided on a support structure over which the upper run is adapted to travel to provide the transfer surface.

14. The conveyor assembly according to claim 13 wherein the track element defines a guide channel for receiving and guiding the longitudinal guide element.

15. The conveyor assembly according to claim 12, 13 or 14 wherein there is a plurality of guide tracks in the case where there is a plurality of longitudinal guide elements, one guide track corresponding to each guide element.

16. The conveyor assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 15 wherein the guide system comprises a guide feature provided on at least one of two end rollers about which the endless conveyor belt is adapted to circulate, with cooperation between the guide feature of the roller and the guide formation maintaining alignment of the upper run in the longitudinal direction.

17. The conveyor assembly according to claim 16 wherein the guide feature comprises a circumferential groove provided in the roller for receiving and guiding the longitudinal guide element.

18. The conveyor assembly according to claim 16 or 17 wherein the roller presents a rolling surface about which the belt wraps, and the circumferential groove is provided in the rolling surface.

19. The conveyor assembly according to claim 16, 17 or 18 wherein both end rollers have guide features.

20. The conveyor assembly according to claim 19 wherein there is a plurality of guide features on one or both of the rollers in the case where there is a plurality of longitudinal guide elements, one guide corresponding to each guide element.

21. The conveyor assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 11 wherein the guide system comprises both: (i) a guide track along which the guide formation can move, with cooperation between the guide track and the guide formation maintaining alignment of the upper run in the longitudinal; and (ii) a guide feature provided on at least one of two end rollers about which the endless conveyor belt is adapted to circulate, with cooperation between the guide feature of the roller and the guide formation maintaining alignment of the upper run in the longitudinal direction.

22. A belt to form an endless conveyor belt according to any one of the preceding claims, the belt having a belt surface and a guide formation provided on the belt surface.

23. An agricultural harvesting apparatus comprising a conveyor assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

24. The agricultural harvesting according to claim 23 comprising two conveyor assemblies on opposed sides of the combine harvester.