GB2582202A - Hedge and grass cutter device and motorised wheeled machine equipped with such a device - Google Patents

Abstract

A hedge and grass cutter device 1 suitable for being carried by a vehicle, particularly for being mounted on a three-point linkage to the rear of a tractor. The device comprises a support frame 4 connected to the linkage, a jointed arm 5 comprising a boom 5’ and a swinging arm 5”, and an implement 6 coupled by means of a jointed link 7 with three axes of rotation 7’, 7’’, 7’’’ to the free end of the swinging arm 5’’ which is opposite the boom 5’, these axes being perpendicular to each other in twos. The device comprises detection, management and actuation means 8, 9, 10 configured to servo-control, in use, one of the three aforementioned axes of rotation 7” to a direction which is vertical or perpendicular to the ground. The detection, management and actuation means may comprise an inclinometer 8’ associated with the vertical axis of rotation to servo-control the orientation of the axis. Also disclosed is a motorised wheeled vehicle equipped with the afore described device.

Description

Hedge and grass cutter device and motorised wheeled mat time equipped wills such a device [0001 The present invention concerns the field of annittiltural equipintin t, (fl maintenance Of public spaces-and highways, in particular that Of mien:a:patent fir the treatment of vegetation andilor sod carried by a vehiele, and 161 jeS -to a hedge and &ass tharitestextromsh) cutter devic.e and a motorised wheeled machine compnaingtsuch a device..

110002j Typically, devices (if the al irementioned type, particularly cutting machines-for-ideating and or cutting roadside verges, ditches and hedges, easentiady comprise a support frame coupled to the carder vehicle, an thin jOinted in at least two parts, namely a boom and a swinging. arm,. and an implenient, generally a cutting heart with discs or rotor, The imPlernerd is mounted by Means, of a jointed link (with one or more degrees-of freedom) on the lkacQatlectcd end of the swinging arm (free end of the arm) and the afill itself Metalted pivotably (WM one or rnme degrees of freedom) on the.ilimpoil frame, 000>] Documents FR 3 050 955 and FR, a 930 tin-disclosmsuch machines, which however have limitations in use, taking into account the readmit number of mtary joints (only one or two a esh [0004]. in fact, taking into account the highly varied configurations (f soils arid vegetation, inecestiary inarianitment Of obstimies and rot:linttinnier quality die struts cowed out there a demand on the poet Of the operators who dritie harvesters/brush cutters-to move the innalethent in the form of a cutting head.-with three degrees of freedom m rotation, relative to the Wan; order u, he able to position it Witlithe most suitable orientation for the work to be carried out: for example, to work behind the tractor Wheel, come as close as possible to the tractor on. a. narrow road. CiTCUMVIalt a sign, work in reverse,.etc.

[00051 This triple-jointed link connectidg the implement to the.arin comprises three axes (axes 1 2, 3) perpendicular to cath other M twos iindtogether defining a.coordinate ir!6tem.

[000161 In praetice, terrain flillowing is ensured by moans of a -first irXis (axis and allows upkeep or the ditehes and hedges, 'Cleaning round road signs is made prisSible by it second axis taxis 2). Rotation abouf the third axis (axis 3) *enables yotking on a narrow toad with, the ending head en vertically, 10007 At preseith different kinematics, with varied degrees' of sophistication. and 'economy, arc available on the market in relation to such machines.

[0008] The commonest and simplest cons nation proposes steering only axis 1, However, this first soltition does not make it possible to 614mm:fent a sign Or work behind the wheel, of the trader (the head is then tilted) when the arm is advanced en semi-achatneed.

1000f1 A second existing solution, less limited than the aforementioned first solution,.

%mid-Items a jointed arm of wind, the kinematics allow modification of the prisitiOnforientation of the implement relative to the traeuir: the arm has a variable geometry. Aithough this solution, with a complex arm construction, makes it possible to work with the iMplenient. positioned in front or behind, it.does not allow.au obstacle to be circumvented Obr example, a 100:101 A third trikiating, sblittitim more 'sophisticated than the. two above, consists of iniplementinit 'x jointed link with two.axes of rotation. Such.il eons-Midion of the machine makes' it possible to take into aCOULia.aild manage the movements, of the implement relative to the ground (going round obstacles; working behind the wheel <if the tractor; Ivorking in reverse). Nevertheless, the implement cannot be raised in the vertical position when the second axis is necessary tin working behind the tractor Wheel and therefore it is not possible to work on a narrow road.

[0:011]. The most optimised siiiinion ditiontly implemented comprises the tripliatitiiintart rotational Oa mentioned above (pivoting possible about the three tikes 1,, 2 and 3.

perpendicular to each other in two's). in thia the implement can be otiented and positioned in order to adapt to all situations encountered on the terrain and therefore theoretically allow effective and careful work, whatever the existing cotifig-nratai, or topology, registered a 12j As an ton, the one tnarkete f yin czlsun hedge and grass miler the tltiri1le. TWiCiA iv Spearhead may be momMiled as an example, [0013]ovv eve the -operator, even wh.vadiattS rotations is tedious problematic t ls;exp rienced and has an.ergontimie control that. the position and..orientation of the implement, for example a. eatting. hat -a a managed thus the implement is frequently poorly positioned and/or poorb.... orientate h to [0014] Rut uthen the iniplementis no i/und, the it a height I,e l een the front and rear of the impiernenti andibr between side, [001.c in this et he main i riaject of the invent is to provide a hedge and grass c the' implement can be positioned and oriented span whiledisplaying ergonomic contro tnd providing. position imanageine be implemem tear regular working, for example with it cutting h i good at4iit to the soil and o2 vegetation to be treated.

mi.,. ise,,the liar enticen relates to a hedge =n gr s,cutter device 1 and crag: carried liy a St, partici arty for bomb m oun Cep on a titatec--point of a tractor m Cfn an adapted automotive vehicle, the. device amp:id:sing a: support frame arranged to be cortriemed to the MI:Lige:4.a joitnted ant. 'comprising a boom and a swinging ann.and in implement coupled by means:of a jointed link with three axes of rotation-to the free end of the swinging arm winch is opposite the boom, the axes being pc:rpm/he to each other in twos,. wherein the device comprises detection, management and acinatiot means configured to sersmeontrol, 10 use, tne Of rotation to a direction whicit it I er. al car perpendicalat to the ground.

1100 inVentio a pieterrod embodim ed u>ith reference the att el rstood owhi, as an es:ample withou 33. fits 171f;ti, in emboditne several types [NW [Figurs to the hive is IFigtere 3 act:o:rdin ta ention roar _actor erten ',eta with a invention (the angle deliberately visible in this draw th tau t invent of deft- a hedge an esigned to he aeredidir 1 and grass et -tope of [00211 1, [003:21 LItige cifil and s.

oriented in three quip I cvitb the de? iee of 11 100231 41.11 rq Figure 3, th ating boa 100241 [Figure 5 el 1111/02.5-1 s 5B: are partialperspective the racier equippd with Figure 3, the tiding head beingpositioned and prienta tl in ttitixi diff-ralt sv, 10026 Figero 1 to 5 o' the dr device inid en a (three automotive C 1.b devisee erallpriSe ainl. 5 comprise LLPM 5" and a swinueny, arm 5:" arid. an hapiern a jointed link 7 Li: the which is opposite t I Ot those:ax /brush) cutter nod fh i7 tang earned by.:a vehicle ar of a tractor, The veins Lath a hedge and grass cutter r°' frame 4 designed to he eon uxige an variant:not shown). linkage 3, -A jointed ouplea S by means of swinging tiro 5" particularly for being mounted 3t; in the form of an [0027] In relation to this triplejointed link 7 Shown in the attached drawings (coupling link nicht:ding three axes of rotation perpendicular in in between the swinging aim 5" and We implemcnt.61, the person skilled in the art:nUt unders,tand that fol lowing the terraill.1s ensured by. means of the first axis.7' which alle'sirs the Maintenance of ditches and 1A"dges. Cleaning round toad signs is made possible-by the second axis 7-, Rotation about the third axi T's enables working on a. narrow road withthe cutting head -oriented vertically.

[0028] According to the itWOW-inn, this device I comprises detection, manageinent and actuation means 8, 9, 10 configured to servo-etibtrol, in use one of the threeiafetementned asmo of totatiOn 7', 7", 7" to a direction which is vertical orpergendieular to the mound: [00291 Owing to this servo-control to the vertical of one axis among the three axes of 3: multi-axis link, not only is the e.omplexitv of guiding the position and orientation of the implement 6 reduced (one less degree of freedom to be managed Mr the operator -while preserving the option of adjustment *about the three axes of rotation 7', 7 7"), but maintaining the implement 6 in a plane parallel to the plane of the ground can further be guaranteed during use.

[003t" In accordance with a preferred -embodiment of the invention, the triple-jointed link 7 comprises three rotational joints I I, 12, 13 which are consecutive or kinematically in series between the arm 5 and the implemen" 6 and, in this case, the axis 7° which is servo -controlled to-tbei -vertical. is' advaniageettsiy the axis of the second.rotational Joint or intermediate joint 12 of the triple-jointed link 7. Thus the third., and. last axis of rotation 7'0 Ofthriltincinatie chain formed by the triplejeinted link 7 is necessarily situated in it plane parallel to the p1 in of the gmund PS, [0031] According to an advantageous structural characteristic, at least a part of the boom. 5' and.at ktett:a part of the swinging arm 5". Of the..lei:Med arm logethot,,aelin& A plane PH, of are Sititated in Manes parallel to' each other, and are connected to &telt other by an axis of rotation 5--perpendicular to the plane or pilineS, the limit 'motional joint 11 of the triple-jointed link'? being parallel to the tuns ofrotation inChided in the jointed arra 5, 00321 The jointed a.rm ma c)mpri sr-16. I level of its end op:win id at a 1 *' parallel tr.

on D '.

[0033 This base Ira is. itS coup d by a jointed link an a rof itlian t4' to) support Kithe 4.

[0034] A, tor ge:Ott. tharattei comprises a tutting head timing a =Llttil'tk,tand the axis of icution 7" of.0)<; jointed. link 7 which is servo-controlled to the v is p 'Mar to this cutting Plane * aplexi enY 6 tiiay comp-Rpupal-MI to the tl 0036] According to: st varian detection, rnanager -monied on or fort-nth, " of the triple-join tom:mist inelinometer hoction, the measurement management unit 10) to out (Mr orientation of the axis 7".

ith the axis of rartatian: processed (for:exitrim, e, by an on-board mlale, using actuation means 9) servo-control of the ardi:11.tr, ontantra meni andau a * varjan 1 * elude rotary and/or line sensors, 8' at the lev<el of dial} .):r joint au tainted: arm nt t'hetriple-jointed link the jointed arm 5 and the support me 4 respectively, as well art priss aly at the linkage. 3. of the vehicle 2 currying the.device I. The...information provided by the afferent sensots IV' is processed by a management unit 10 Configuted to -control, or as ist the control: of the actuatingmeans 9; which are for example hydraulic or electric assatrated aferenietititaned joints, this n Servo-Otantral to a vertical odei the vehicle 2 is moving) of the as: partly automatically! while electronically performing ion;axis perpendicular to the plane of the ground on which -is a rotation 7-of ore 12 of the joints 11, :I ir d link 7.

10038 gement 10 sd actuation 9 meant, can 1>e pre device (e Pigott 1 da telt ier oth) {trt t1,e. vehicle 2.

[00391 Sitch. m:st a, 9, 0 are for exat,ii 1e described hi the applicants document. FR 3 030 955, [00401 In tic rticula y Fi ompri se, 1 nitty S god With an addi tig the ergon of the joiilfed nn is ciat3sieeted to the support ink 14 with an a. Jr-tented vertically or de plane ofthe ground in the mounted state of the levicel, means 8, ri 10.

1tcll: pnatal servoi-control of the positions in:rotation,. en the one of the arm -5.

abo Et the axis 14' of the primary -rotary link 14 and" on the -other:hand, of 1 pleinth,tt ti ilia., kc -oi. out 12) of the triple-jointed link 7 ofnititel orientation is servo-control" to the v [0041] .1' 10 i freciprocal servo:outrot in the angular' position alio:et:the axeir of rotation 7" and 14' compt ',astir on the primary. axis 14' and an an rle sensor 8"' on the axis 7" of file ary joint 'the triple-jointed link 7, and advantageously act it Si in& pin form servo-control.

the.iforani ngular 0 Figure 4A (tsar ve tEr the median plane a pie,. a parallel orientation), .1 OtteaSiOti arises, as shown by the tatter drawing, the ax 1 primary rotary link 14 can be situated in the median plane of the carrier vehicle 2, t 4i.. a the angle between the ax 14 itt servo rolled tti a tihitt a o 1 I: is.perrnat -ntly positioned as indicated in Pigure 4A (rotor:04n alicular. to duection thiS configtiratiot a ind the rear wheel of,toi, lieriztatt; lly dr verftealiti-I- ledge on ti narrow role! for

example).

00441 ten the, -tont3aslect tiz I8(1 at r3; tl s:l>I to wLotk in reverse.

[0045] it la.also possible to I. k. sot:so-co es in ti ratio (about toe axes:: 7 and 14") is corned Out b' .0. -.1.1.15 4,tlide4: i:.)17:the; angular ctsf 3. v.ettiA, 0: ors(orrisnit/king itspOSS1 ali fOnC,/.. e, to go wand an oh tttele with the 't lot:01 00461 he atoiuneniioned 8, 9, 10 are, its srhemativally theF11 tics, tietati.1 mUi ck.

8i: istelinerne, etermili inclination fl of of thishiplejoto. . ..... k 7 relative the vertical: 7; single poii Eon. ors at the s bet Mi',CT1 V 4/between boom 5".anti swina.;l£i,s ann 5. t of this link sc.1r4 t sr sensing s 14' auk.

beings et FiMtirC, [00471 T 0 1: p tor :oilcans, as shown Figures 2-to 5,.11 11 lisCiii the ti atmet of 4, if occasion arises, vstuking tho ?itinti) thig: d: vehicle 2, pad i adapted kuteknotive Vehicle t turkinn an treatment device untied, slipplier t and, to occasion,k, controlled b earrics vein F00481 Ti aehtx) ,char the tvclrl 1 as describe( a 1:0049] Naturally, the. ia14S.titt Ttf is not co embodiment described s in the at cations are still possible, particularly frcan the point of viet the make-up of the vinous elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, iv however departing from the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the appeI lad