JPS5841767Y2 - automatic straight combine harvester - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to a combine harvester equipped with an automatic straight-travel control function (hereinafter referred to as an automatic straight-travel combine).

Automatic straight-travel combine harvesters are designed to reduce the labor burden on the combine operator by moving left and right in the direction of movement of the combine with respect to rows of culms to be harvested (hereinafter referred to as culm rows), which are usually arranged in a straight line. This is a combine harvester that detects deviations in the direction and thereby automatically moves straight along the rows of shell culms. This feature is characterized by detection using a non-contact switch.

To correct the traveling direction of the combine in order to make the combine move straight, the approach and separation of the weed dividing plate of the combine from the row of culms adjacent to the weed dividing plate is detected, and based on this detection signal, a control device is installed in the hydraulic circuit. The positions of the two electromagnetic control valves are changed,
This is done by turning on and off the left or right side clutch and/or applying the left or right brake to rotate only one rubber crawler.

Conventional automatic straight-travel combine harvesters that adjust the direction of travel use contact-type switches such as limit switches to detect the approach and separation from the rows of culms adjacent to the dividing board.

However, there is a lot of dust in the field, which may cause poor contact, and since the switch has movable contacts, it has disadvantages such as a relatively small number of opening/closing operations and a short lifespan.

The present invention was developed in view of the above circumstances, and is an automatic sensor equipped with a function of detecting the approach and separation of the culm rows adjacent to the weed cutting board using a non-contact switch such as a photo interrupter or a proximity switch. A straight-travel combine harvester is provided, and an embodiment thereof will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a steering sensor provided on a connecting shaft 32 of a left side grass dividing plate 31, and a long right-facing detection arm 2 fixed to the connecting shaft 32 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction. ,
A rank 5 connected to the detection arm 2, slidably held by guides 3, 3 so as to move rearward and forward in response to rotation of the detection arm 2 in the front-rear direction, and biased rearward by a spring 4. , a pinion 6 that is rotatably fixed between the guides 3 and 3 and engages with the rack 5, and a sensor cam 7 that is mounted coaxially with the pinion 6 and has two cutouts. It consists of two sensor boxes 8 and 8' each containing a non-contact type switch that separately detects the signals.

The sensor cam 7 and the sensor boxes 8, 8' are assembled as shown in FIG.
．． A predetermined gap is formed in 8', and the light emitting diodes D, D are connected.
It has a built-in non-contact type switch 9, 9' equipped with a photointerrupter in which phototransistors PT and PT' face each other. A sensor cam 7 is provided.

The sensor cam 7 has two cutouts s 7 a and 7 b.
A cutout part 7a of the sensor cam 7 is formed,
7b is located in the sensor box 8, 8', the light from the light emitting diodes D, D' enters the phototransistor PT, PT', the non-contact type switch 9, 9' is closed, and the cutout part 7a is closed.

When the parts other than 7b are located in the sensor boxes 8 and 8', the light from the light emitting diodes D and D' is blocked by the sensor cam T and the phototransistor P T
, P T', and the non-contact switch 9°9' is closed.

Two cutouts 7a and 7b formed in the sensor cam 7
When the detection arm 2 rotates backward, the separation dimension of
When moving forward to correct the traveling direction of the combine to the left, the cutout i7a is located inside the sensor box 8, and the cutout 7b is not located inside either of the sensor boxes 8 and 8'. Also, when the detection arm 2 rotates forward and the rack 5 moves rearward to correct the traveling direction of the combine to the right, the cutout 7b is located inside the sensor box 8' and the other cutout is 7a is selected so that it is not located inside either of the sensor boxes 8, 8'.

When the direction of movement of the combine is parallel to the culm row, the cutouts 7a, 7b of the sensor cam 7 are not located inside either of the sensor boxes 8, 8'.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a travel prevention sensor provided on a connecting shaft 34 of the central grass divider plate 33, which is rotatably fixed to the left side on the connecting shaft 34, and is connected to a detection lever 11 shorter than the detection arm 2. ,
A spring 12 that biases the detection lever 11 forward, a stopper 13 provided in the middle of the rotation path of the detection lever 11 to stop the forward rotation due to the bias of the spring 12 to a predetermined amount; The limit switch 14 includes a normally open contact 14a that is closed when the lever 11 is rotated rearward. s and 17rs are energized at the same time.

15t and 15r are left and right side clutch levers, respectively, and the side clutch lever 15t is located near each rotation axis.
, 15r are provided with normally closed contacts 16tb and 16rb, respectively, which open when the side flange cutoff positions are present.

17t and 17r are six-point/two-position switching type directional control valves, and a side clutch lever 15t.

The operation rods 17to and 17ro connected to the side clutch lever 15r and the renoids 17ts and 17rs respectively are
Shutdown operation with 5t, 15r or solenoid γ7s, 1
The structure is such that the position is switched in the direction of the arrow by being pulled or pressed by energizing 7rs.

18 is a hydraulic pump, 19 is a relief valve, and the relief spring 19s of the relief valve 19 has a relief amount when either one of the operating rods 17to or 17ro is suppressed or pulled, and when both are suppressed or pulled In some cases, it is connected to the operating rods 17to and 17ro so as to be small.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hydraulic circuit includes a directional control valve 17t,
17r is switched in the direction of the arrow, the left and right side clutches 20t and 20r are disconnected by transmitting the hydraulic pressure, and the left and right brakes 21t and 21r are activated to operate the left and right rubber crawlers 22t and 22r. They are configured to stop their respective rotations.

On the other hand, the electric circuit is as shown in Fig. 3, and on the positive electrode side of the pantry 23 whose negative electrode is body grounded, the combine key switch 24, the normally open contact 14a of the limit switch 14, and the limit switch 167.16r. Normally closed contacts 16tb and 16rb are connected in series to turn on and off the power.

Resistors Ro and Ro' and light emitting diodes D and D' of a non-contact switch 9°9' are connected in series L to the positive electrode side line which is turned on and off by this series circuit, and one end of the diodes D and D' is connected in series. The body is grounded.

Further, one end of the resistors R, , R,' and one end of the solenoids 17ts, 17rs are connected to the positive electrode side line, and photointerrupters 9, 9' are connected to the other ends of the resistors R1, R1'.
The collectors of phototransistors PT and PT' are connected, and this phototransistor PT.

PT' and the solenoids 177s and 17rs are connected to switching circuits sc and sc' each formed by connecting two transistors in a Darlington connection so that the solenoids 171s and 17rs are energized by conduction of the phototransistors PT and PT', respectively. ing.

A surge absorbing diode D1. is installed at both ends of the solenoids 17/Ls and 17rs. D1' is connected.

Next, the operation of the automatic straight-travel combine harvester according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

The automatic straight-travel combine of the present invention is started by turning on the key switch 24, and when the side clutch levers 15t and 15r are in the clutch engagement position, the combine is moved to the grass dividing plate 31.
Start going straight along grain flFIJ 40 located between and 33.

In this case, the side clutch lever 157.15r is in the clutch engagement position, so the normally closed contacts 16tb and 16r
b is closed, and since the detection lever 11 comes into contact with the culm row 40, the normally open contact 14a is closed.

On the other hand, since the detection arm 2 of the steering sensor 1 is in an appropriate rotational position as shown in the figure in opposition to the culm row 40, the cutouts 7a and -7b of the sensor cam 7 are located in either of the sensor boxes 8 and 8'. Since the non-contact switches 9, 9' are not located inside the sensor boxes 8, 8' and only move slightly in the intermediate position between the two sensor boxes 8, 8', both non-contact switches 9, 9' are open.

Therefore, the solenoids 17ts and 17rs are not energized and the direction control valve 171.17r is in the normal position shown, so the side clutches 20t and 20r remain connected and the brake 217.21r remains inactive. As a result, the combine continues to move straight.

Now, when the traveling direction of the combine according to the present invention is biased to the left (right) due to irregularities in the ground surface, etc., the grass dividing plate 31 moves in a direction away from (approaching) the culm row 40. , the detection arm 2 is pulled by the spring 4 (forced by the shell culm row 40) and rotates forward (backward) as shown by the arrow.

Therefore, the rank 5 moves rearward (forward), and the sensor cam 7 rotates clockwise (counterclockwise), so that the cutout 7b
, 7a are located in the sensor boxes 8', 8, and the non-contact type switches 9', 9 are closed.

This makes the switching circuits sc' and sc conductive, and the solenoid 17rs.

17ts is energized via the key switch 24,
The directional control valves 17r and 177 are switched in position in the direction of the arrow.

Therefore, the side clutches 20r, 20/: are disconnected and the brakes 21r, 21t are activated, so that the combine corrects its traveling direction to the right.

As a result, when the combine resumes straight movement along the culm row 40, the weeding plate 31 approaches (separates from) the culm row 40.
The cutout 7b of the sensor cam 7
, 7a are exposed outward from the sensor boxes 8', 8,
The power to the solenoids 17rs and 17ts is cut off, and the directional control valves 17r and 17t return to their normal positions, allowing the combine to continue moving straight.

In addition, when the combine reaches the front end of the shell culm row 40 or when there is a missing plant in the shell culm row 40, the detection lever 11 of the rotation prevention sensor 10 will move forward because there is no shell culm to contact. , the normally open contact 14a is opened, and the solenoid 17rs is not energized regardless of the movement of the detection arm 2, which simultaneously rotates forward, thereby preventing the combine from turning to the right. Prevented.

If there is no need to automatically correct the direction of movement of the combine, use the side clutch lever 1st or 15.
If r is manually operated to the clutch disconnection position, the normally closed contact 167b or 16r of the rim switch 161 or 16r
b opens, solenoid 17/, s.

Manual directional control valve 1 without energizing 17rs
By changing the position of 7 or 17r, the direction of movement of the combine harvester can be adjusted as desired.

In this embodiment, a photointerrupter was used as a non-contact switch, but it is of course possible to use a proximity switch that detects the approach of a wire mesh instead to achieve the same purpose. In this case, the sensor collar must be made of metal.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the solenoid is energized when the phototransistor is exposed to light, but if the disc of the sensor cam is made small in diameter and a protrusion is provided at a position corresponding to the cut plate, the solenoid will be energized when the phototransistor is exposed to light. It is also possible to configure an electric circuit to energize.

As explained above, in the automatic straight-moving combine harvester according to the present invention, the proximity and separation of the culm rows adjacent to each other on the grass dividing plate is detected by a non-contact switch such as a photo interrupter or a proximity switch, so that the switch has a movable contact. Therefore, there is no risk of causing poor contact.

Since the opening and closing operations are performed by electronic circuits, the number of opening and closing operations is semi-permanent.

Therefore, there are practical benefits such as significantly increasing the reliability of the automatic straight-travel function of the combine harvester and extending the life of the combine harvester.

In addition, since the sensor arm of the steering sensor and the sensor cam are connected via a rank and pinion, the sensor box containing the sensor cam, non-contact switch, etc. can be installed at a location away from the sensor arm. The degree of freedom in mounting the sensor arm is increased, and the rotation of the sensor arm is reliably transmitted to the sensor cam.

Furthermore, since the rotation of the sensor arm is slightly restrained by the rack and pinion, there is no risk of the sensor arm rotating unnecessarily, and the control is stabilized.This invention has excellent effects.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the automatic straight-travel combine harvester according to the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic hydraulic circuit diagram of the main parts of the invention together with a grass divider plate, etc., and Fig. 2 shows the main parts of the invention. FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a non-contact type switch, and FIG. 3 is an electrical circuit diagram of a main part of an automatic straight-travel combine according to the present invention. 1...Steering sensor, 7...Sensor cam, 8゜8'...Sensor box, 9,9'
...Non-contact switch, 1-0... Rotation prevention sensor, 17t, 17r... Directional control valve, 177s, 17rs... Solenoid, 20t
, 20r...Side clutch, 21t. 21r...brake, D...light emitting diode, PT...phototransistor.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. Using a steering sensor that detects deviation in the direction of travel of the combine with respect to the culm row and performs control operations, the energization of the solenoid of the directional control valve installed in the hydraulic circuit is controlled, and the position of the directional control valve is changed. By doing this, the left or right side clutch is engaged/disengaged and/or the left or right brake is newly engaged to enable automatic straight-ahead movement along the culm row. A sensor cam that is attached to a pinion that rotates in conjunction with a steering sensor, and has two cutouts or protrusions formed on a disc that rotates in conjunction with a steering sensor, and that makes it possible to identify left and right deviations of the culm row. and two non-contact switches that individually detect each cutout or protrusion of the directional control valve, and energization of the solenoid of the directional control valve is controlled by opening and closing the non-contact switches. Automatic straight combine harvester. 2. The automatic straight-travel combine harvester according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact switch is a photointerrupter. 3. The automatic straight-travel combine harvester according to claim 1, wherein the sensor cam is made of metal and the non-contact switch is a proximity switch.