NL1037428C2

NL1037428C2 - Knotter mechanism having coupled knotter blower.

Info

Publication number: NL1037428C2
Application number: NL1037428A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Thomas Bergmann
Original assignee: Lely Patent Nv
Priority date: 2009-10-30
Filing date: 2009-10-30
Publication date: 2011-05-03
Also published as: FR2951904B1; FR2951904A1

Description

Title: Knotter mechanism having coupled knotter blower

The present invention relates to a pick-up baler for agricultural field crops, and more particularly to such balers comprising a main drive arranged in 5 the front part of a housing including a drive crank for the reciprocating ram of the baler. In particular the invention relates to square bale balers.

Pick-up balers of this type have been popular for a number of years, since the conventional drive from the PTO shaft on the tractor via a universal joint shaft and a flywheel on the front side of the baler housing provides the most 10 simple power connection between the tractor and the implement. The main drive has to drive various parts of the implement such as the baler ram, the conveyor, the knotter mechanism and the pick-up device. The conventional means of driving these components is by chains, V-belts and universal joint shafts of which there is usually a large number.

15 The knotter mechanism typically has a lot of complex shaped components which may move very fast during operation. The knotter mechanism is vulnerable to contamination. Entering dust and hay particles may disturb a knotter process and decrease the reliability. A knotter blower may be provided to keep the knotter mechanism free from dust and small particles. Typically, the 20 knotter blower comprises at least one driven fan which is positioned close to the knotter mechanism for a direct flow of air along the components. Driving means e.g. an electro or hydraulic driven motor may be connected directly to a fan shaft to drive the fan.

A draw back of known knotter mechanisms having knotter blowers is 25 that the driving means still increase production costs to much. To remain competitive in a strongly commercial market, a driving means is desired for driving the knotter blower which allows a reduction of production costs.

One aim of the invention is that of avoiding at least one of the disadvantages of known drive systems for pick-up balers and of simplifying the 30 assembly of the drive elements to reduce productional costs or at any rate to provide a useable alternative. Furthermore, drive parts arranged outside the baler housing should be avoided so that the danger of accidents may be avoided.

This aim is achieved by a pick-up baler as defined in claim 1.

1037428 2

According to the invention a pick-up baler for agricultural field crops is provided which comprises a baler housing, a main transmission arranged in a front part of the baler housing. The main transmission includes a main drive shaft connected to a knotter mechanism. The knotter mechanism has a drive train of a 5 knotter drive shaft as an input shaft which is connected to a knotter operating shaft for operating at least one knotter unit. At least one knotting unit may be beared on the knotter operating shaft. The knotter mechanism further comprises a knotter blower. The knotter blower has a knotter blower drive shaft for driving at least one fan which is connected to the knotter drive shaft. Herewith, the knotter blower is 10 drivable by the knotter drive shaft.

Advantageously, the knotter blower may be incorporated in the knotter mechanism to obtain one building unit. The knotter mechanism may have only one drive which also drives the knotter blower. This may result in a very compact configuration. No additional power source may be necessary to obtain a 15 high cleaning performance by the knotter blower. The connection of the knotter blower drive shaft to the knotter drive shaft may be simple and reliable and may result in inexpensive solution due to low wear and a minimum servicing may be required.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the knotter drive shaft 20 is directly connected to the knotter operating shaft. The knotter drive shaft may e.g. be connected to the knotter operating shaft by a crown wheel, a spur wheel. As a result, the total drive train for the knotter mechanism may be very short, wherein no other intermediate shafts are necessary. Advantageously, the connection of the knotter blower drive shaft to the knotter drive shaft may give a 25 short transmission length. The short drive train may result in a high blower performance. Due to the compact configuration air tubes or hoses from the knotter blower may be short which limits performance losses.

In an embodiment of the pick-up baler according to the invention, the knotter blower drive shaft is connected by at least one belt gear to a drive wheel of 30 the knotter drive shaft. Other couplings of the knotter blower shaft may require more gears and be more expensive. The main transmission of many previously proposed balers is adapted to provide a step-down from 540 to 100rpm. If the drive shafts engage a ring of teeth on a crown wheel of the main drive, they must necessarily rotate at 540rpm. A short power transmission length and favourable 3 ratios may be obtained when one of the first drive wheels of the knotter mechanism with a relative high speed is used. The knotter blower may be driven by at least one step up ratio. In particular, a first drive wheel in the drive train of the knotter mechanism may be used. The first wheel may advantageously have a high 5 speed to drive the knotter blower at a required speed. In comparison with this first wheel only the PTO from the tractor runs at a higher speed. Herewith, advantageously, the overall baler drive system may only make use of shafts and simple gearwheel drive units.

In an embodiment of the pick-up baler according to the invention a 10 freewheeling in the blower drive train may be provided to avoid damages to the blower/-drive at a sudden stop of the baler main drive.

In an embodiment of the pick-up baler according to the invention, wherein the knotter operating shaft is arranged transversal the baler housing substantially perpendicular to the knotter drive shaft the knotter operating shaft 15 may be connected to the knotter drive shaft by a crown wheel which may provide a rigid connection.

In an alternative embodiment of the pick-up baler, the knotter blower drive shaft may be arranged in parallel with the knotter drive wheel. Advantageously standard components may be used to obtain the blower drive 20 chain which may be cost effective.

Further embodiments are defined in dependent claims.

An embodiment of the pick-up baler according to the invention is 25 illustrated in the accompanying drawings which are appended as an exemplary embodiment, and which should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claims, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pick-up baler in accordance with the 30 invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a connected main, knotter and blower drive train according to the invention; and

Fig. 3a and 3b show orthogonal views of a pick-up baler according to the invention; and 4

Fig. 3c shows a belt transmission from a knotter drive shaft to a blower drive shaft in more detail.

The pick-up baler shown in the drawing comprises a baler housing 1 5 which has a rectangular cross-section and extends in the direction of travel. In the front part the drive of the pressing piston or ram 2 is accommodated while the part 3 serves as a baling chamber. Behind the drum-shaped pick-up device 4 arranged, on one side and provided with resilient tines, there is the transverse conveyor bed 5, over which an outer transverse conveyor 6 and an inner 10 transverse conveyor 7 transfer the material to the baling chamber in front of the ram. In this respect the operation of the outer and inner transverse conveyor 6 and 7 is such that the inner transverse conveyor 7 takes the material from the outer one. The inner transverse conveyor 7 is arranged to operate in synchronism with the ram movement so that a portion of crop is placed in front of the ram 2 on each 15 ram stroke through a lateral opening in the baler housing 1 when the ram is in its withdrawn position. The transverse conveyor 7 is withdrawn in good time from the ram channel when the ram is to move forwards. The two transverse conveyors are driven in the example shown by cranks 8 and 9 and their movements are guided by means of links 10 and 11 with fixed pivot points.

20 The pick-up baler is provided with a draw bar 12 for connection with a tractor. The transmission of power occurs via a tractor PTO shaft, a universal joint shaft (not shown) and a flywheel 13 which is mounted on a shaft 14 on the main transmission 15.

A first transmission shaft 22 leads within the housing 1 of the baler 25 and the cover 25 of the crank to an open bevel gearing unit 26 for driving a knotter drive shaft 24 which is extended by a further transverse extension shaft 27 within the housing 28 of the transverse conveyor. This extension is journalled in two open bevel gear transmissions 29 and 30 via which the transverse conveyor cranks 8 and 9 are driven. Furthermore, a spur wheel 31 is mounted on the knotter 30 drive shaft 24 and meshes with a second spur wheel 32 which serves to actuate a knotter operating shaft 33 via a one revolution clutch which is not shown.

As illustrated in Fig. 3 but not shown in Fig. 1 a knotter blower drive shaft may be connected to this knotter drive shaft 24. The knotter blower may be driven by the spur wheel 31 on the knotter drive shaft 24. Herewith, a direct 5 coupling of the knotter blower drive shaft to the knotter drive shaft may be achieved.

A second transmission shaft 23 running from the main transmission 15 leads through the baler housing 1 to an open bevel gearing transmission 34 5 from which the vertically adjustable pick-up device 4 is driven via a universal joint shaft 35.

The shaft 22, 23, 24 and 27 are in the embodiment shown in the form of drawn hexagonal shafting. The gear wheels mounted on them have hexagonal holes so as to ensure positive engagement and simplicity of assembly.

10 The advantages obtained with the invention reside more particularly in that as a main transmission use is made of simple drive means in the front part of the baler housing with a compact and simple construction. The accommodation of practically all transmission parts within the baler housing improves its appearance and reduces the danger of accidents. The construction of the overall 15 drive in the present form ensures a minimum need for attention and servicing. There is a low degree of wear and quiet running without causing any loss in synchronism of the various units of the baler. The use, made possible by the invention, of open bevel gearing, in conjunction with the simple main transmission and the hexagonal shafts, leads to an extremely favourable overall construction 20 from the price aspect.

Fig. 2 shows in a schematic view a drive train for a knotter mechanism 300 including a knotter blower. The drive train for the knotter blower is branched from a main drive 151. The main drive 151 is connected to the knotter drive shaft 24 which is an input shaft of the knotter mechanism 300. The knotter 25 drive shaft 24 typically has a speed of rotation of about 400rpm. As shown the knotter drive shaft 24 is connected by two gear wheels 240,330 of a transmission to a tranverse arranged knotter operating shaft 33. The speed of rotation of the knotter operating shaft 33 is typically 50rpm. The knotter operating shaft 33 bears for example four or six side by side arranged knotter units 331 from which one is 30 shown.

Aside the knotter units 331 a knotter blower 160 is arranged. The knotter blower is arranged close to the knotter units. The knotter blower 160 has a fan 161 inside a blower housing. The blower housing has a central air inlet duct and a tangential outlet duct towards the blower outlets 162. Each knotter unit is 6 provided with a corresponding blower outlet 162. The fan 161 is driven by a blower drive shaft 163. The blower drive shaft 163 is directly connected by a belt transmission 164 and a free running bearing 241 to the knotter drive shaft 24. A freewheeling in the blower drive train may be provided to avoid damages to the 5 drive of the blower at a sudden stop of the baler main drive. The belt transmission 164 has two stages 164a, 164b to convert the rotational speed of the knotter drive shaft from 400rpm to 3000rpm of the fan.

Fig. 3a-3c show subsequently a side, front and a detailed view of a knotter mechanism 300 of a pick-up baler according to the invention. Fig. 3a 10 shows a transverse knotter operating shaft 33 which is driven by a crown wheel. The crown wheel has an outer ring engaged with a drive pinion at an end of the knotter drive shaft 24. A blower 160 is connected to the knotter drive shaft 24 by a belt transmission.

Fig. 3b shows the knotter mechanism 300 in a corresponding front 15 view. The knotter blower has a blower housing comprising a central air inlet duct and a tangential air outlet duct. The tangential outlet duct is connected to a distributing casing which has six outlet ducts 162 corresponding with six knotter units 331.

Fig. 3c shows a belt transmission 164 having two stages 164a, 164b 20 to obtain a required rotational speed of the fan 161 to achieve a high blowing performance to keep the knotter units 331 free from dust.

Some embodiments of the pick-up baler according to the invention 25 are defined in the following clauses: 1. Pick-up baler for forming bales of agricultural field crops comprising • a baler housing, • a main transmission arranged in a front part of the baler housing, said main 30 transmission includes a main drive shaft; • a knotter mechanism including at least one knotter unit to bind balers wherein the knotter mechanism comprises a drive train of a knotter drive shaft which is connected to a knotter operating shaft for operating said at least one knotter unit 7 , wherein the main drive shaft is connected to the drive train of the knotter mechanism and , wherein the knotter mechanism further comprises a knotter blower having a knotter blower drive shaft which is connected to the knotter drive shaft.

5 2. Pick-up baler according to clause 1, wherein the knotter blower drive shaft (161) is arranged parallel to the knotter drive shaft (24).

3. Pick-up baler according to clause 1, wherein the knotter blower drive shaft 10 (161) is arranged substantially right angled to the knotter drive shaft (24).

4. Pick-up baler according to any of the preceding clauses wherein the knotter blower drive shaft (161) is driven by at least one step up ratio.

15 5. Pick-up baler according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the knotter drive shaft (24) is connected by at least one belt gear to the knotter blower drive shaft (161).

6. Pick-up baler according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein a 20 freewheeling in the drive train to the knotter blower drive shaft (161) is provided.

7. Pick-up baler according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the knotter drive shaft (24) is directly connected to the knotter operating shaft (33) for driving a plurality of knotter units (331).

25 8. Pick-up baler according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the knotter operating shaft (33) is arranged transversal to the baler housing (1) substantially perpendicular to the knotter drive shaft (24).

30 9. Pick-up baler according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the knotter operating shaft (33) is at one end provided with a crown plate having an outer ring engaged with a drive pinion at an end of the knotter drive shaft (24).

8 10. Pick-up baler according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the knotter blower (160) has a blower housing comprising a central air inlet duct and a tangential air outlet duct.

1 0 3 7 4 2 8

Claims

Pick-up baler for forming bales of agricultural field crops comprising • a baler housing (1); • a main transmission (15) arranged in a front part of the baler house (1). said main transmission (15) comprising a main drive shaft (22); A knot mechanism (300) with at least one bale binding unit, the knot mechanism (300) having a drive line with a knot drive shaft (24) connected to a knot working shaft (33) for operating the at least one button unit; Wherein the drive line of the button mechanism (300) is connected to the main drive shaft (22) and wherein the button mechanism (300) further comprises a button blower (160) for blowing air over the button mechanism (300), the button blower (160) comprises a button blower drive shaft (161) connected to the button drive shaft (24) of the button mechanism (300).

A pick-up baler according to claim 1, wherein the button drive shaft (24) is connected to the button blower drive shaft (161) by at least one belt transmission.

Pick-up baler according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the button blower drive shaft (161) is driven via at least one speed-increasing transmission.

4. Pick-up baler according to claim 3, wherein the button blower drive shaft (161) is driven via two (164a, 164b) speed-increasing transmissions.

A pick-up baler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a freewheel wheel is provided in the drive line to the button blower drive shaft (161). 1037428

Pick-up baler according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the button drive shaft (24) is directly connected to the button work shaft (33) for driving a plurality of button units (331).

A pick-up baler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the knot work shaft (33) is arranged transversely to the baler housing (1) and is substantially perpendicular to the knot drive shaft (24).

A pick-up baler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the knot work shaft (33) is provided at one end with a crown plate with an outer ring which engages a drive pin at an end 10 of the knot drive shaft (24).

A pick-up baler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the button blower (160) has a blow housing with a centrally located air inlet conduit and a tangentially located air outlet conduit. 1037428