JP3559521B2 - Spherical vegetable harvester - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a spherical vegetable harvester that travels in a field by a traveling means and harvests spherical vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional spherical vegetable harvester is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, and the spherical vegetable harvester will be described.
The spherical vegetable harvester 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as a harvester) has a configuration in which a driver's seat 14 and a harvesting device 15 are provided above a crawler 12 for traveling in a field. The harvesting device 15 is provided on the left side of the driver's seat 14 in the front-rear direction. A container 16 for storing the harvested spherical vegetables is disposed behind the harvesting device 15.
[0003]
In front of the harvesting device 15, a conveyor belt conveyor 17 provided to protrude forward from the crawler 12, and two disks 18 for taking in spherical vegetables provided at the tip of the belt conveyor 17. , 18.
The belt conveyor 17 is composed of an upper belt conveyor 17a and a lower belt conveyor 17b so that the harvested spherical vegetables are sandwiched between upper and lower sides and transported. Each disk 18 rotates in a direction in which spherical vegetables are taken into the belt conveyor 17 by driving means such as a motor on both sides of the end of the belt conveyor 17. By providing the rotating disk 18 in this manner, it is possible to raise and fall down the spherical vegetables falling or tilting reliably. In addition, a cutter (not shown) is provided on the rear side of the disks 18, 18, and cuts the roots of the spherical vegetables that are caused and taken in by the disks 18.
[0004]
The spherical vegetables whose roots have been cut are dressed like being sandwiched between the upper belt conveyor 17a and the lower belt conveyor 17b, and are conveyed backward.
Next to the transport device 15 on the crawler 12, another operator different from the driver is on board, and confirmation of a cut portion of the spherical vegetables transported to the transport device 15 and removal of outer leaves and the like are performed. After performing the work and preparing the spherical vegetables to a state where they can be shipped, they are stored in the container 16.
[0005]
A cylinder 19 is provided at the rear end side of the belt conveyor 17 so that the belt conveyor 17 and a cutter or disk 18 provided on the belt conveyor 17 move up and down with respect to the crawler 12. The operation of the cylinder 19 causes the belt conveyor 17 to rotate about the rotation shaft 9, and the disk 18 and the cutter provided at the tip of the belt conveyor 17 move up and down with respect to the ground. In other words, the ground of the field has irregularities, and the driver operates the cylinder 19 so that the position of the cutter or the disc 18 follows the irregularities of the ground so that the spherical vegetables can be reliably cut at the root.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the harvester described above, a rotating disk is provided to reliably take in the spherical vegetables in the part where the row has fallen or the row is not straight but the row is bent. The rotating disk has a problem that the spherical driving vegetables are damaged by the driving force of the rotation. Especially when harvesting lettuce or the like, which is a spherical vegetable with soft leaves, such a disk cannot be used.
In addition, there is a problem that the driver who drives the traveling vehicle must always drive while adjusting the vertical position of the conveyor so that the roots of the spherical vegetables come into contact with the cutter, and the driving operation is difficult.
Furthermore, since the harvesting device alone cannot move in the left-right direction with respect to the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle, if the row of spherical vegetables is bent, it must be driven according to the bent row. Did not. For this reason, the driving operation is difficult, and when capturing spherical vegetables that are slightly disturbed from the row, it is necessary to forcibly capture them by driving the disk, and in such a case, the spherical vegetables may be damaged. There is a problem that there is.
[0007]
Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the object thereof is to ensure that even a spherical vegetable that has fallen or that has grown out of line is not damaged. An object of the present invention is to provide a spherical vegetable harvesting machine that can cut and harvest at the root by an easy operation.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has the following configuration to achieve the above object.
That is, according to the spherical vegetable harvester according to the present invention, in a spherical vegetable harvester that travels in a field by traveling means and harvests spherical vegetables planted in the field, the forward side of the traveling means is relative to the traveling means. A frame provided to be swingable in the left-right direction and the up-down direction, a cutting blade attached to the frame to cut the root of the spherical vegetable, and two rotatable shafts extending in the up-down direction. The frame is provided in front of the cutting blade of the frame so as to oppose the spherical vegetable before being cut by the cutting blade, and is brought into contact with the outer periphery of the spherical vegetable by the force received from the spherical vegetable. Equipped with two disc-shaped guide discs that rotate freely to turn the frame in the direction where vegetables are presentThe rotation axis of each of the guide disks is provided so as to be able to be inclined forward and backward with respect to the traveling direction with respect to the frame.Features.
By adopting this configuration, even if the row of spherical vegetables is disturbed, if one of the two guide disks comes into contact with the outer periphery of the spherical vegetable located at a position off the row, the guide disk Receives more force from the spherical vegetables, and moves a freely rotating shaft so that the entire frame faces the guide disk side. For this reason, even when the row of spherical vegetables is disturbed, it is possible to satisfactorily harvest without having to direct the traveling means each time in the disturbed direction. Then, if the driver drives almost straight along the row of spherical vegetables, the harvest can be surely made.Furthermore, since the rotation axis of each guide disk is provided so as to be tiltable back and forth with respect to the traveling direction with respect to the frame, the guide disks can be adjusted according to the inclination of the ground or the like.
[0009]
In addition, since each of the guide discs is provided so as to be inclined so that the opposing sides are respectively lowered downward, the guide discs do not enter between the outer leaves and the contents that are not necessary at the time of harvesting and do not damage the spherical vegetables. Can reliably guide the cutting blade.
In addition, if the distance between the guide disks is provided so as to be adjustable, it can be used for harvesting spherical vegetables of various sizes..
WhatIn addition, if each of the guide disks is provided so as to be vertically movable, it is possible to harvest spherical vegetables of various sizes.
If the cutting blade is provided so as to be vertically movable, it can harvest spherical vegetables of various sizes.
[0010]
Further, by providing the pressing force adjusting means capable of adjusting the pressing force with which the front side of the frame is pressed toward the ground, the force of pressing the ground of the guide disc can be adjusted by the hardness of the ground, It is easy to follow the unevenness of the ground without the guide disk going down the ground.
Furthermore, since the frame holds the guide disk so that the guide disk can always rotate in a plane parallel to the ground, even when the front side of the frame swings up and down. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably follow the row of the guide disk where the spherical vegetables are planted.
[0011]
Further, the cutting blade may be formed in an arc shape, and may be provided so that a sharp tip portion faces rearward in a traveling direction.
According to this configuration, adhesion of the debris and the like to the blade when the spherical vegetable is cut is reduced, and the sharpness at the time of cutting is also improved.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
First, the overall configuration of the spherical vegetable harvester will be described based on the overall perspective view of the spherical vegetable harvester of the present invention shown in FIG.
The spherical vegetable harvesting machine 30 according to the present invention is capable of continuously harvesting spherical vegetables 22 such as lettuce and cabbage planted on a ridge 20 in a field along a row of the ridge 20.
Reference numeral 32 denotes a traveling means such as a tractor. The traveling means 32 is not limited to a tractor as long as it can travel on a field, and may be, for example, a vehicle with a crawler.
[0013]
An attachment arm 35 is attached and fixed to the rear of the traveling means 32 to attach a spherical vegetable harvester body (hereinafter, simply referred to as a harvester body) 34. The mounting arm 35 is mounted so as to extend in a lateral direction of the traveling vehicle 32 (a direction orthogonal to a traveling direction indicated by an arrow).
Reference numeral 31 denotes a mounting member extending from the mounting arm 35 toward the traveling vehicle 32.
[0014]
The harvester main body 34 is provided so that a frame 37 including a cutting blade 40, a guide disk 38, a transfer device 36, and the like can swing freely in the left-right direction with respect to the traveling means 32 in front of the mounting arm 35. Consisting of The detailed configuration and operation of the harvester body 34 will be described later.
The worker 2 is arranged behind the harvester body 34. The worker 2 checks the cut end of the spherical vegetables that have been harvested and has come out of the transport path 71 of the transport device 36 of the harvester main body 34, removes the outer leaves if they are attached, and then attaches them. To a spherical vegetable processing device 39 provided on the rear side of the arm 35 for use.
[0015]
The spherical vegetable processing device 39 has a conveyor 43 rotating in a horizontal plane, and performs processing of the cut end of the root of the harvested spherical vegetable. That is, when the spherical vegetable is a lettuce, it is necessary to wash the juice in order to cause juice (milk) to come out of the cut and cause discoloration of the vegetable. The shower 21 is provided in the spherical vegetable processing device 39 in order to wash out the juice coming out of the cut.
The worker 3 is also arranged in the spherical vegetable processing device 39. The worker 3 uses the shower 21 to wash away the above-mentioned cuts and the like before packing the spherical vegetables into boxes, and packs the cut vegetables after the washing is completed.
Incidentally, the spherical vegetable processing apparatus is not limited to the conveyor as shown in the figure, and is configured such that a plurality of storage containers or the like having a size capable of storing spherical vegetables are connected and rotated on a horizontal plane. It may be a thing.
[0016]
(First embodiment of harvester body)
Next, based on FIGS. 2 to 5, the first embodiment of a portion of the harvester main body 34 except for the transport device 36 shown in FIG. 1 will be described in more detail. 2 to 5, the traveling vehicle 32 and the transport device 36 are not shown.
First, the frame 37 provided on the mounting arm 35 so as to be swingable in the left-right direction will be described.
Reference numeral 41 denotes a U-shaped rear frame member provided on the rear side and opening upward. The rear frame member 41 is composed of two vertical members 41a and 41b which are erected in the vertical direction, and a lower member 41c hung below the two vertical members 41a and 41b.
At the center of the lower surface of the lower member 41c, a rotating shaft 42 protruding downward is provided. The rotating shaft 42 is inserted into a bearing 44 provided on the mounting arm 35 so as to be freely rotatable. When the rotating shaft 42 freely rotates with respect to the mounting arm 35, the frame 37 can swing freely in the left-right direction with respect to the traveling means 32 (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2).
[0017]
An upper link 45 and a lower link 46 are provided at the upper and lower portions of the vertical members 41a and 41b, respectively, which extend toward the front side and are rotatable vertically. The front ends of the upper link 45 and the lower link 46 are attached to the front frame member 48 so as to be vertically rotatable. For this reason, the upper link 45 and the lower link 46 form parallel links on both the left and right sides.
The front frame member 48 is formed in a U-shape with a lower opening, and two vertical members 50a and 50b are provided on each of the left and right sides, and a horizontal member 51a connecting the vertical members 50a on the front side. And a horizontal member 51b connecting the rear vertical members 50b to each other.
Further, the lower ends of the front vertical members 50a and the rear vertical members 50b are connected by connecting members 52a and 52b, and the front vertical members 50a and the connecting members 52a and 52b are connected to the front vertical members. A shaft 50a is attached so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction about a rotation shaft 53.
[0018]
Numeral 40 is a cutting blade, which is attached to the lower end of the rear vertical member 50b. The cutting blade 40 is formed in an arc shape, and is provided such that a sharpened tip portion 40a faces rearward in the traveling direction. As described above, the cutting blade 40 is attached and fixed at the rear end portion with the sharp tip portion 40a facing rearward, so that there is less adhesion of the remnants and the like to the blade when cutting the spherical vegetables. Also, the sharpness at the time of cutting is improved.
[0019]
The cutting blade 40 can be moved up and down by rotating the handle 54. That is, the vertical member 50b on the rear side is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a thread groove is formed on the inner wall surface. A mandrel 56, which is a screw rod that can be screwed into the screw groove and has a lower end to which the cutting blade 40 is fixed, is inserted into the vertical member 50b. For this reason, by turning the handle 54 provided at the upper end of the mandrel 56, the mandrel 56 can be moved up and down to adjust the position of the cutting blade 40 in the vertical direction.
As described above, by providing the cutting blade 40 so that the vertical position of the cutting blade 40 can be adjusted, the cutting blade 40 is securely arranged in accordance with the position of the root of the spherical vegetable 22, and the root can be reliably harvested. It can be prevented that the blade is hit by the blade and is damaged.
[0020]
The guide disks 38, 38 are freely rotatable disks, and the rotating shaft 60 faces the lower end of the vertical member 50a on the front side in the vertical direction (neither vertically nor vertically). So that it is attached. That is, the guide discs 38 are provided on the front side of the cutting blade 40, and are provided on both left and right sides of the spherical vegetable immediately before being harvested by the cutting blade 40.
The distance between the guide disks 38 can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the vertical members 50a with respect to the horizontal member 51a. The spacing between the vertical members 50a can be adjusted by sliding the vertical members 50a along the axial direction of the horizontal member 51a.
[0021]
The guide disk 38 is provided to direct the frame 37 in a direction in which the planted spherical vegetables exist.
That is, even if the row of spherical vegetables is disturbed, if one of the two guide disks 38 abuts on the outer periphery of the spherical vegetable located at a position deviated from the row, the guide disk 38 is moved from the spherical vegetable. By receiving more force, the rotating shaft 42 that rotates freely is moved so that the entire frame 37 faces the guide disk 38 side.
For this reason, even when the row of spherical vegetables is disturbed, it is possible to satisfactorily harvest without having to turn the traveling means 32 in the disturbed direction each time. If the driver drives almost straight along the rows of spherical vegetables, the harvest can be assured. This is an effect that can be exhibited in combination with the configuration in which the entire frame 37 is swingably provided in the left-right direction.
[0022]
Further, the guide disk 38 can be tilted in the front-rear direction (arrow B in FIG. 5). That is, the front vertical member 50a is rotatable about the rotation shaft 53 of the connecting members 52a and 52b, so that the guide disk 38 has a rotation axis in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction. It inclines.
The tilt movement of the guide disk 38 is made possible by rotating the handle 62. The handle 62 is provided at the front end of the threaded rod 63.
The screw rod 63 has an intermediate portion screwed into a female screw portion 64 provided at an upper end portion of the front horizontal member 51a, and a distal end portion of the screw bar 63 provided at a fixing portion 65 provided at an upper end portion of the rear horizontal member 51b. Fixed.
[0023]
That is, when the handle 62 is rotated, the female screw portion 64 moves back and forth along the screw rod 63, whereby the front vertical member 50 a rotates about the rotation shaft 53 with respect to the rear vertical member 50 b. Thereby, the guide disk 38 can be inclined.
By inclining the guide disk 38 in the front-rear direction, when guiding the spherical vegetables to the cutting blade 40, the guide disks 38 can be inserted into the lower portion of the spherical vegetables to reliably guide without damage.
Further, the guide disk 38 may be inclined so that the front side is slightly raised. Thus, even when the ground surface has irregularities, it is possible to prevent the guide disk 38 from going under the ground.
[0024]
Further, between the lower side of the vertical member 50b on the rear side of the front frame member 48 and the upper side of the vertical members 41a and 41b of the rear frame member 41, the front frame member 48 on the front side of the frame 37 is provided. A spring 66 is provided, which is an urging member for urging the member to be constantly pulled up.
As described above, since the spring 66 is provided so as to lift the front side of the frame 37, the upper link 45 and the lower link 46, which are rotatable on the rear side, are lowered on the front side by the weight of the frame 37 itself. They do not touch or dive on the ground.
That is, even when there are irregularities on the ground surface, the front side of the frame 37 moves up and down in accordance with the irregularities, so that the cutting blade 40 and the guide disk 38 follow the ground. As a result, the cutting blade 40 and the guide disk 38 can be reliably positioned at the roots of the spherical vegetables, so that the vegetables can be reliably harvested without damaging the vegetables and without wasting the vegetables.
[0025]
(Second embodiment of harvester body)
Next, a second embodiment of the harvester body 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the cutting blade 40 is omitted.
In the second embodiment, a mechanism capable of adjusting the force of pressing the front end portion of the frame against the ground direction is employed. The pressing force referred to here is a force such that the front side is pressed against the ground by the weight of the frame provided so that the front side can freely swing.If this force is too large, the guide disk will sink into the ground. If it is too small, the guide disc will be located above the spherical vegetables, and it will not be possible to satisfactorily mow.
Further, in the present embodiment, the flat surface of the guide disk is held parallel to the ground, and the guide disk is always parallel to the ground even when the front side of the frame moves up and down. Configuration is adopted.
[0026]
The detailed structure of the present embodiment will be described.
Frames 94 having the guide disk 38 at the front end are provided on both left and right sides of a cutting blade not shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively. Each frame 94 is erected on a base 101 extending in a direction transverse to the traveling direction of the traveling means. The base 101 is provided so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction with respect to a fixed member 96 which is a columnar member fixed to the traveling vehicle and extending in the lateral direction with respect to the traveling direction of the traveling means. Have been.
[0027]
Reference numeral 104 denotes a rotation axis of the base 101. Since the base 101 is rotatably attached to the rotating shaft 104 having an axis in the lateral direction, the frame 94 rotates about the rotating shaft 104 so that the front side swings up and down. It moves.
[0028]
The frame 94 includes an upper and lower frame 94a extending vertically and a front and rear frame 94b extending forward from an upper end of the upper and lower frame 94a.
A guide disc mounting portion 98 is attached to a front end of the front and rear frames 94b. The guide disk 38 is freely rotatably mounted below the guide disk mounting portion 98.
The guide disk mounting portion 98 is attached to the front end of the front and rear frame 94b so as to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 99 extending in the lateral direction.
[0029]
The fixing member 96 is provided with a fixing arm 100 extending upward. A rotating arm 102 extending forward is attached to the upper end of the fixed arm 100.
The pivot arm 102 has a rear end portion attached to the mounting member 108 by a pin 109 so as to be rotatable up and down around the pin 109 with the mounting member 108 interposed therebetween. The attachment member 108 is attached to the upper end of the fixed arm 100 so as to be rotatable in the lateral direction.
Therefore, the rotating arm 102 is rotatable in the lateral and vertical directions at the rear end thereof, so that the front end of the rotating arm 102 swings vertically and horizontally.
[0030]
A mounting arm 110 extending upward from the guide disk mounting portion 98 is attached to the front end of the rotation arm so as to be rotatable up and down around a rotation shaft 112.
Further, the rotating arm 102 is configured to be divided into two in the front and rear at an intermediate part thereof, and the parts divided in the front and rear are connected by a screw rod 116. Therefore, the length of the rotating arm 102 can be adjusted by the screwing amount of the screw rod 116.
[0031]
As described above, the frame 94 is provided with a mechanism for adjusting the force pressing the front side of the frame 94 toward the ground.
In brief, this mechanism is such that a weight (weight) is arranged at a position opposite to the frame 94b extending forward on the frame 94 with the rotating shaft 104 interposed therebetween, and the weight of the frame is determined by the weight of the weight. It is intended to adjust the load applied to the front side of 94.
Specifically, a slide shaft 116 projecting rearward is provided substantially at the center of the base 101 in the width direction, and a weight 118 is provided on the shaft 116 in the length direction of the shaft 116. It is slidably provided along. The weight 118 can be fixed at a predetermined position on the shaft 116 by a screw 120.
[0032]
Subsequently, the mounting structure of the base 101 to the fixing member 96 via the rotating shaft 104 will be further described with reference to FIG.
The fixing member 96 is provided with two holding plates 122 for holding the pins 121 at both ends of the pins 121 constituting the rotating shaft 104, projecting rearward at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction. . The holding plate 122 has a hole 124 into which the pin 121 is inserted.
When the pin 121 is inserted into the hole 124, a horizontal pipe portion 126a extending in the horizontal direction of the cross pipe 126 attached to the base 101 is disposed between the two holding plates 122 and penetrates through the horizontal pipe portion 126a. The pin 121 is inserted.
For this reason, the cross pipe 126 can rotate about the pin 121 with respect to the fixing member 96 as an axis.
[0033]
The cross pipe 126 is configured by fixing the horizontal pipe portion 126a and a vertical pipe portion 126b which is an independent pipe to the horizontal pipe portion 126a. The attachment of the cross pipe 126 to the base 101 is performed in the same manner as the attachment to the fixing member 96.
That is, two holding plates 130 for fixing the pins 128 inserted into the vertical pipe portion 126b are provided at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction at the base portion 101 at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Each holding plate 130 has a hole 132 into which the pin 128 is inserted.
When the pin 128 is inserted into the hole 132, the vertical pipe portion 126b of the cross pipe 126 is disposed between the two holding plates 130, and the pin 128 is inserted through the vertical pipe portion 126b.
[0034]
As described above, by attaching the base 101 to the fixing member 96 by the cross pipe 126, the frame 94 can rotate vertically about the pin 121, and can rotate horizontally about the pin 128. It is made.
[0035]
Further, the structure of the harvester body described above includes a straight line x1 connecting the rotating shaft 104 of the frame and the rotating shaft 109 of the rotating arm, a rotating shaft 99 at the front end of the frame 94, and a rotating arm. The straight line x2 connecting the rotation axis 112 at the front end of the frame 102 forms a parallel link that is always parallel regardless of the rotation of the frame 94 about the rotation axis 104.
Therefore, even if the front end of the frame 94 moves up and down due to the rotation of the frame 94, the straight line x2 moves to a position parallel to the initial position, so that the guide disk 38 always stays parallel to the ground. It can be maintained.
[0036]
The broken line in FIG. 6 indicates that the frame 94 has been rotated about the rotation shaft 104 due to the guide disk 38 being pushed upward from the ground.
As described above, even when the ground has irregularities, the guide disk 38 can be rotated on a plane parallel to the ground by employing the parallel link structure as described above. In addition, since the weight 118 is provided on the rear side of the frame 94 to balance the front side and the rear side of the frame 94, the guide disk can follow the unevenness of the ground satisfactorily.
[0037]
Next, a transport device that transports the spherical vegetables cut by the cutting blade 40 to the container side will be described.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the transfer device, and FIGS. 9 and 10 are views showing a skeleton of the transfer device. The transport device 36 is configured such that a transport path 71 for transporting spherical vegetables is provided with two conical belt conveyors 79, 79 sandwiched between left and right sides.
The belt 70 constituting the belt conveyor 79 is fixed inside the frame 37.
Further, the fixed shaft 72 located at the center of the cone is provided so as to form an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. That is, the apex of the cone is also oriented at 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane.
Each belt 70 is provided so that its apex is rotatable with respect to the fixed shaft 72, and rotates around the fixed shaft 72.
[0038]
The shape of the belt 70 will be further described.
Each belt 70 has an umbrella shape, that is, a shape in which a cone formed so as to spread from one end side to the other end side of the fixed shaft 72 is crushed as if a force is applied from the lateral direction. It looks almost cylindrical when viewed from the front provided. In other words, each belt 70 has a shape in which a cone (umbrella shape) is crushed so that surfaces parallel to each other are formed along the front-rear direction. The parallel surfaces of the two belts 70 along the front-rear direction face each other to form the transport path 71.
[0039]
Each belt 70 is formed in a fan shape obtained by dividing a circle into quarters when viewed from the side.
Reference numeral 74 denotes an upper rotating shaft that is located above the belt 70 and extends in the horizontal direction. Reference numeral 76 denotes a front rotating shaft that is located in front of the front side of the belt 70 and extends vertically. The belt 70 rotates so as to be folded by the upper and front rotating shaft portions 74 and 76. The fixed shaft 72 is located at the center of such belt driving, and the fixed shaft 72 itself is provided without rotating.
[0040]
The fixed shaft 72 is fixed so as to protrude upward from the upper surface of the inclined frame 78 which is a frame constituting the transport device 36. The inclined frame 78 is provided so as to be located inside the open lower side of each belt 70.
Describing the inclined frame 78, the rear end portion of the inclined frame 78 is connected in the lateral direction by a connecting member 80 connecting the inclined frames 78 to each other. The connecting member 80 is formed in a U-shape whose front is open when viewed from above. The two arms of the U-shape are the mounting portions 80a provided to extend rearward from the rear end of the inclined frame 78. A pulley 82 as driving means for driving each belt 70 is mounted on the mounting portion 80a.
The connecting member 80 is fixed to the rear frame member 41 so as to connect the vertical members 41 a and 41 b of the rear frame member 41 of the frame 37.
[0041]
Reference numeral 82 denotes a pulley, which is provided horizontally on each mounting portion 80a so that the axial direction faces the front-back direction, and forms an upper rotation shaft portion 74. Each of the pulleys 82 is formed to have a diameter in close contact with the inner wall surface of the belt 70, and transmits a driving force to the belt 70 by rotating in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 9 to rotate the belt 70. A drive chain is hung on the rear side of the pulley 82, and a driving force from a driving device (not shown) is transmitted.
Further, a holding pulley 84 is provided so as to be inscribed inside the lower end portion of the front rotation shaft portion 76. That is, the holding pulley 84 is provided so that its axis is oriented vertically so as to protrude below the front end of the inclined frame 78. The holding pulley 84 does not drive by itself, but rotates freely as the belt 70 is driven by the pulley 82.
[0042]
On the lower surface of the inclined frame 78, not only the holding pulley 84 forming the front rotating shaft portion 76 as described above, but also a plurality of A holding pulley 86 is provided.
Each of the holding pulleys 86, 86,... Has a diameter that can be in close contact with the inner surface side of the belt 70, and rotates freely in the direction of arrow C in FIG.
As described above, since the plurality of holding pulleys 84 are provided, the belt 70 does not collapse when holding the spherical vegetables on the lower side, and can reliably hold the spherical vegetables. Can be.
[0043]
The surface of each of the belts 70, 70 is provided with a plurality of uneven portions 88 for securely holding the spherical vegetables. In the present embodiment, the uneven portion 88 is formed by forming urethane or the like into a rectangular parallelepiped and sticking it to the surface of the belt 70. By providing the uneven portions 88 in this way, the spherical vegetables are not damaged while the spherical vegetables are securely held during transportation.
[0044]
FIG. 11 shows the fixed shaft 72 and the cap 89.
The upper side of the fixed shaft 72 is formed as a threaded rod 72a, and at the threaded rod 72a, the fixed shaft 72 holds the vertex of the belt 70, that is, the intersection of the upper rotating shaft 74 and the front rotating shaft 76. A cap 89 is provided for causing the cap 89 to move.
The cap 89 is formed separately from the screw portion 89a formed at the center with a screw hole 90 into which the screw rod 72a can be screwed, and is formed rotatably with respect to the screw rod 72a. And a bearing 89b having an insertion hole 91 at the center.
The vertex of the belt 70 (the intersection between the upper rotation shaft 74 and the front rotation shaft 76) is fixed to the upper end of the bearing 89b, and the belt rotates about the fixed shaft 72.
Therefore, if a bearing 92 as a bearing is provided on the inner wall side of the insertion hole 91 as shown in FIG. 11, the rotation of the belt 70 will be performed more smoothly.
[0045]
Since the bearing portion 89b has a diameter that allows the insertion hole 91 to freely rotate with respect to the fixed shaft 72, the bearing portion 89b tends to descend along the axial direction of the fixed shaft 72 due to the weight of the belt 70 itself (see FIG. 11). Arrow E).
On the other hand, the inner wall surface of the lower end portion 85 formed in an arc shape of the belt 70 is in contact with the pulley 82. For this reason, even if the above-described bearing portion 89 b is going to descend, the pulley 82 aligned with the position of the inner wall surface of the lower end portion 85 of the belt 70 is in contact with the inner wall surface of the belt 70, and the force of the bearing portion 89 b going down. So as to face.
[0046]
The belt 70 tends to sag at all times because the bearing portion 89b attempts to descend due to the weight of the belt 70 itself, while the lower end is pressed by the pulley 82 so as not to descend.
However, since the threaded portion 89a to be screwed into the threaded rod 72a of the fixed shaft 72 is provided above the bearing portion 89b, if the belt 70 is slackened, the threaded portion 89a is loosened to relieve the elastic force of the belt 70 itself. When the belt 70 is extended and the distance between the belt 70 and the pulley 82 can be further reduced, the screw portion 89a is tightened to bring the belt 70 into close contact with the pulley 82. be able to.
Thus, by providing the cap 89 capable of adjusting the tension of the belt 70 at the position of the apex of the cone, even if the belt conveyor has pulleys that are not oriented in parallel to each other as in the present invention, the belt It is possible to prevent the slack or the belt from being excessively stretched, and it is possible to carry out the transfer operation satisfactorily.
[0047]
As described above, the transport device 36 removes the spherical vegetables along the arc located at the lower end portion 85 of the belt 70 formed in a side fan shape of a quarter of a circle (in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 10). Convey upward. Therefore, the spherical vegetables harvested at a steeper angle than the conventional transport device can be raised. By raising the spherical vegetables at a steep angle in this way, a longer distance was conventionally required to raise the same height, whereas in the present embodiment, the spherical vegetables were raised at a shorter distance H. Can be. For this reason, the transport device can be downsized.
[0048]
In this way, the belt holds the spherical vegetables in one place while rising at a steep angle, and the belt does not hold several different places, so it is best to avoid damaging the spherical vegetables. it can.
Also, since the transport path is short, for example, if the position of the cutting blade is poorly adjusted and the harvested spherical vegetables are damaged, if the harvesting operation is stopped when the Since the transport distance is shorter than that of the conventional apparatus having a longer distance, the number of damaged vegetables in the transport apparatus can be reduced, and the vegetables can be prevented from being wasted.
[0049]
When the spherical vegetables are cut and conveyed to the conveying device, they first come into contact with the belts 70 provided on both the left and right sides. If the rotating shaft portion 76 is provided so as to extend substantially in the vertical direction, since the belt hits the spherical vegetables perpendicularly, the spherical vegetables are securely held, and the force for suddenly transporting the spherical vegetables upward is reduced. It can be prevented from being worn, and the spherical vegetables can smoothly enter between the belts according to the progress of the traveling means.
Also, in such a transport device, belts are provided on both left and right sides of the transport path, and the bottom surface is open and the ground is visible, so that vegetable debris adhering to the spherical vegetables after cutting is removed from the lower ground surface. , It is possible to prevent such garbage such as vegetable waste from being transported.
[0050]
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it is a matter of course that many modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. .
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
According to the spherical vegetable harvester according to the present invention, even when the row of spherical vegetables is disturbed, if one of the two guide disks comes into contact with the outer periphery of the spherical vegetable at a position off the row. Then, the guide disk receives more force from the spherical vegetables and moves a rotating shaft that rotates freely so that the entire frame faces the guide disk side. For this reason, even when the row of spherical vegetables is disturbed, it is possible to satisfactorily harvest without having to direct the traveling means each time in the disturbed direction. Then, if the driver drives almost straight along the row of spherical vegetables, the harvest can be surely made.Furthermore, since the rotation axis of each guide disk is provided so as to be tiltable back and forth with respect to the traveling direction with respect to the frame, the guide disks can be adjusted according to the inclination of the ground or the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire spherical vegetable harvester according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the spherical vegetable harvesting machine shown in FIG. 1 from which a traveling unit, a transport device, and a spherical vegetable processing device are omitted.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the spherical vegetable harvester of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the spherical vegetable harvester of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view showing the vicinity of a front frame member.
FIG. 6 is a side view of another embodiment of the harvester main body.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an attachment structure of a frame of the harvester main body of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a transport device.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a skeleton of the transport device shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a side view of a skeleton of the transport device.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of a fixed shaft and a cap.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of a conventional spherical vegetable harvester.
FIG. 13 is a side view of a conventional spherical vegetable harvester.
[Explanation of symbols]
30 spherical vegetable harvester
31 Mounting member
32 running means
34 Spherical vegetable harvester body
35 Mounting arm
36 Transport device
37 frames
38 Guide disc
40 Cutting blade
41 Rear frame material
42 Rotation axis
44 bearing
45 upper link
46 Bottom link
48 Front frame material
50 vertical members
51 horizontal material
52,80 Connecting material
60 rotation axis
62 handle
63 screw rod
64 Female thread
70 belt
71 Transport path
72 fixed shaft
74 Upper rotating shaft
76 Front rotating shaft
78 Inclined frame
79 belt conveyor
80 Connecting materials
82 pulley
84,86 Holding pulley
89 cap
90 screw hole
91 insertion hole
94 frames
96 Fixing member
98 Guide disc mounting part
99,104, rotating shaft
100 fixed arm
101 base
102 Rotating arm
108 Mounting member
109, 121, 128 pins
110 Mounting arm
114 Screw Bar
116 axes
118 Weight
120 screw
121, 128 pins
122,130 holding plate
124,132 holes
126 Cross pipe

Claims (8)

In a spherical vegetable harvesting machine that travels in a field by traveling means and harvests spherical vegetables planted in the field,
A frame having a front side swingably provided in the left-right direction and the up-down direction with respect to the traveling means;
A cutting blade attached to the frame and cutting the root of the spherical vegetable,
The cutting blade of the frame is provided so as to be rotatable about two rotating shafts extending in the vertical direction, and is provided on the front side of the cutting blade of the frame so as to face the spherical vegetables before being cut by the cutting blade. A disk-shaped two guide discs that rotate freely to direct the frame in the direction in which the spherical vegetables exist by the force received from the spherical vegetables by contacting the outer periphery of the spherical vegetables ,
A spherical vegetable harvester , wherein a rotation axis of each of the guide discs is provided so as to be able to be inclined forward and backward with respect to the traveling direction with respect to the frame . 2. The spherical vegetable harvester according to claim 1, wherein opposing sides of each of the guide discs are provided so as to be inclined downwardly, respectively. 3. 3. The spherical vegetable harvester according to claim 1, wherein an interval between the guide disks is adjustable. The spherical vegetable harvester according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein each of the guide discs is provided to be vertically movable. The spherical vegetable harvester according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the cutting blade is provided to be vertically movable. The spherical vegetable harvester according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, further comprising a pressing force adjusting means capable of adjusting a pressing force by which the front side of the frame is pressed toward the ground. The frame holds the guide disk so that the guide disk is always rotatable in a plane parallel to the ground, even when the front side of the frame swings up and down. The spherical vegetable harvester according to claim 1, 3, 4, 5 or 6. The said cutting blade,
  The spherical vegetable harvester according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, which is formed in an arc shape, and is provided so that a sharp tip portion faces rearward in a traveling direction. .

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