WO1996015657A1

WO1996015657A1 - A rotor rake

Info

Publication number: WO1996015657A1
Application number: PCT/DK1995/000465
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jens Chr. Hansen
Original assignee: Kverneland Taarup As
Priority date: 1994-11-23
Filing date: 1995-11-23
Publication date: 1996-05-30
Also published as: AU3924295A

Abstract

A rotor rake (1) comprising rake assemblies (16) which are adapted to perform a horizontal displacement transversely to the travelling direction of the rotor rake (1), and which are adapted to forcibly displace one rake assembly (16) as a consequence of a given displacement of the other rake assembly (16) by a corresponding distance and in the opposite direction. The rotor rake (1) ensures that the horizontal position of the individual rakes may be changed steplessly, and that the distance of the rake assemblies (16) to the central line of the rotor rake (1) is always the same.

Description

A rotor rake

The present invention concerns a rotor rake comprising a frame which is provided with a carrier assembly at each side of the frame, each carrier assembly being secured at its one end with respect to the frame and carrying a rake assembly at its outermost end away from the frame, said carrier assembly being adapted to perform a horizontal displacement of its outermost end and thus the rake as- sembly transversely to the travelling direction of the rotor rake seen in relation to the working position of the rotor rake, said carrier assembly being adapted to pivot about a substantially horizontal axis and thus to move between a working position in which the carrier as- sembly extends laterally, and a transport position in which the carrier assembly extends upwardly.

Rotor rakes of this type are known. EP 2 675 979 and DEGM G 91 14 315,2, for instance, disclose a rotor rake corre- sponding to the one mentioned above. However, in the use of these known rotor rakes, the rakes can just be posi¬ tioned in either a completely extended position or a com¬ pletely retracted position. The reason is that the hori¬ zontal position of the rake assemblies is controlled by respective linear actuators, so that no synchronous con¬ trol of the rake assemblies is achieved, which results in imbalance in the structure in use. Only in the extreme positions of the linear actuator is synchronous position¬ ing of the rake assemblies certain, for which reason the rake assemblies can just be positioned in either a com¬ pletely extended position or a completely retracted posi¬ tion. Furthermore, as mentioned, these rake rotors employ two actuators for the control of the horizontal position of the rake, which makes the structure expensive and com- plicated. The object of the invention is to provide a rotor rake of the type mentioned in the opening paragraph, which en¬ ables stepless adjustment of the horizontal position of the rakes in an inexpensive and simple manner, and which ensures that the rake assemblies are symmetrical about the central line of the frame.

The rotor rake of the present invention is characterized in that it is provided with a synchronization device which is adapted to forcibly displace one rake assembly as a consequence of a given displacement of the other rake assembly by a corresponding distance and in an oppo¬ site direction. A rotor rake is hereby provided, ensuring that the horizontal position of the rake assemblies may be changed steplessly and symmetrically about a reference point.

When the linear actuator of the rotor rake is activated, the horizontal position of the rake assemblies may be changed steplessly via carrier assemblies. Furthermore, in expedient embodiments, the rake assemblies may be moved from a horizontal working position to a vertical transport position by activation of telescopic devices.

Claim 2 defines a simple synchronization device compris¬ ing a mechanism consisting of two outer links and an in¬ termediate link. This results in a particularly simple synchronization.

As defined in claims 3 and 4, each rake assembly com¬ prises first and second upper and first and second lower arms, which ensure reliable positioning of the outer end of the carrier assembly.

Claim 5 makes is possible to arrange the rake assemblies in the transport position - in an easy and simple manner merely by retracting the telescopic devices - which is necessary when driving on small roads and for storage purposes.

When a linear actuator is arranged between the support frame and at least one first lower arm, the horizontal position of the rake assembly may be changed steplessly merely by activating the actuator. Further, the horizon¬ tal position may be maintained by maintaining the setting of the actuator.

Claim 7 provides the advantage that the linear actuator and the telescopic devices are constructed in a simple manner, which is necessary because the rotor rake is used in a dirty environment.

According to claim 8, the telescopic device of the rotor rake may be controlled individually, which makes it pos¬ sible to arrange just one rotor assembly in the transport position, thereby also making it possible to use just one rake assembly on e.g. narrow fields and the like.

Finally, claim 9 provides the advantage that the tele¬ scopic devices are retracted/extended synchronously, which results in easy and steady handling of the rake as¬ semblies.

In another expedient embodiment of the rotor rake of the invention, the synchronization device comprises a threaded bar which is arranged transversely to the travelling direction of the rotor rake, and which com¬ prises two oppositely directed threaded parts which en¬ gage two complementary threaded parts secured to their respective carrier assemblies. This provides a simple synchronization device, where rotational movement of the threaded bar is converted into mutual displacement of the carrier assemblies. Thus, the threaded bar ensures syn¬ chronization of the rake assemblies, while rotation of the threaded bar causes displacement of the rake assem¬ blies.

The threaded bar may advantageously have right-handed threads at one end and left-handed threads at the other end. This ensures in a simple manner that the carrier as¬ semblies are displaced in different directions.

Two expedient embodiments of the invention will be ex¬ plained more fully below with reference to the drawing, in which

fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a rotor rake of the inven¬ tion, without rake assemblies, in the outermost working position,

fig. 2 shows the rotor rake of fig. 2 in the innermost working position,

fig. 3 shows the rotor rake of fig. 1 in the transport position,

fig. 4 is a view of the rotor rake, where one rake assem¬ bly is shown both in the working position and the trans¬ port position,

fig. 5 is a top view of the rotor rake, with one rake as- sembly just shown in broken line,

fig. 6 is a lateral view of the rotor rake of fig. 1,

fig. 7 shows a second embodiment of a rotor rake of the invention, without rake assemblies in the outermost work¬ ing position. fig. 8 shows the rotor rake of fig. 7 in the transport position,

fig. 9 shows a third embodiment of a rotor rake of the invention, without rake assemblies, shown with one car¬ rier arm in two different transport positions and in a working position.

The rotor rake 1 shown in figs. 1-3 comprises a frame 2 which mounts a support framework 3, which is mounted per¬ pendicularly to the travelling direction of the rotor rake 1, two travelling wheels 5 and an attachment point 6 for a tractor.

Further, a carrier assembly 4 and a synchronization de¬ vice 7 are mounted at each end of the support framework 3, said device 7 comprising a tripartite arm whose cen¬ tral part 8 is pivotally suspended from the support framework. The two other outer links 21, 22 of the syn- chronization device 7 are secured to the carrier assembly 4 at their extreme ends.

In the embodiment shown, the carrier assembly 4 comprises an upper articulated structure comprising a first 9 and a second 10 upper arm, as well as a lower articulated structure comprising a first 11 and a second 12 lower arm. Furthermore, the carrier assembly 4 comprises a telescopic device 13 which, in the embodiment shown, is formed by a cylinder 14 and a piston rod 15 which consti- tute a hydraulic cylinder. The first and second arms 9, 10 and 11, 12, respectively, are connected via pivotable links.

The first upper arm 9 is attached to the support frame- work 3 at its one end, while the second upper arm 10 is attached to the piston rod 15, the second lower arm 12 and a rake assembly 16 (not shown) .

The first lower arm 11 is attached at its one end to a linear actuator 17 in the form of a hydraulic cylinder which is attached at its other end to the first lower arm 11 of the other carrier assembly 4. The first lower arm 11 is moreover attached to the support framework 3 and the outer links 21, 22 of the synchronization device 7. The second lower arm 12 is attached with respect to the piston rod 15.

The carrier assemblies 4 are capable of pivoting about a horizontal axis which extends in the travelling direction of the rotor rake and thus of moving between a working position shown in figs. 1 and 2 in which the carrier as¬ semblies extend laterally, and a transport position shown in fig. 3 in which the carrier assemblies extend substan¬ tially vertically upwards.

Fig. 4 shows the rotor rake 1 mounted with the rake as¬ semblies 16. The rake assembly 16 comprises rakes 20 which rotate about an axis of rotation 18. The rake as¬ sembly 16 is moreover provided with travelling wheels 19.

Fig. 5 shows the structure from above, it being noted that the travelling wheels 5 are pivotally suspended.

Fig. 6 is a lateral view of the frame, showing an attach- ment point as well as a travelling wheel.

In the embodiment shown, the telescopic device 13 com¬ prises a cylinder 14 in which a piston mounted in a pis¬ ton rod 15 can reciprocate. Alternatively, the telescopic device 13 may be constructed e.g. as a rack or the like. Finally, the telescopic rods may be controlled individu¬ ally, thereby making it possible to move just one rake up to the vertical position and thus the transport position, or jointly.

Like the telescopic devices 13, the linear actuator 17 may be constructed in other ways than the one described here. Likewise, several actuators may be used.

In the embodiment shown, the horizontal position of the rake assemblies 16 diminishes when the linear actuator 17 is activated, so that the upper ends of the first lower arms are urged apart. Thus, stepless adjustment of the linear actuator 17 permits stepless adjustment of the rake width.

Retraction of the telescopic device 13 causes the rake assembly 16 to assume a vertical position, i.e. transport position. The carrier assemblies 4 are moreover con- structed such that the transport height is always ap¬ proximately the same and always as low as possible.

In the embodiment shown, the rake assembly 16 is attached to the second upper arm 10. In another embodiment, the rake assembly 16 might be attached to the second lower arm 12 or to the outer end of the telescopic device 13.

Figs. 7 and 8 show a second advantageous embodiment of the rotor rake of the invention. The operation of the ro- tor rake is substantially the same as the in the embodi¬ ment described above; merely the synchronization mecha¬ nism and the structure and operation of the first lower arms are changed, there being added a hydraulic cylinder to the linear actuator, whose positions are changed. This embodiment ensures that just rod forces occur in the arms of the synchronization device, which is not the case in the embodiment of figs. 1-6. Since the rest of the struc¬ ture has not been changed, the same reference numerals are used for the unchanged constructional details.

The rotor rake 1 is shown in its outermost working posi¬ tion in fig. 7. The attachment of the first lower arms 23, 24 with respect to the support framework 3 is differ¬ ent, since one lower arm 23 is pivotally secured to the support framework at its one end, while the other lower arm 24 is pivotally secured to the support framework 3 at the central portion of the arm.

The synchronization device 25 comprises three arms 26, 27, 28 which are pivotally secured with respect to each other at one end of each of the arms. The central arm 26 in the synchronization device 25 is pivotally secured at its other end with respect to the support framework 3, while the two other arms are pivotally secured at their other end with respect to the first lower arms 23, 24. At one side of the rotor rake 1, the arm is pivotally se¬ cured with respect to the upper end of the first lower arm 23, while the arm is pivotally secured at the other side with respect to a central portion of the first lower arm 24.

Finally, an additional linear actuator 29 has been added, and the positions of the actuators 29, 30 have been changed so that they are now arranged below the frame 2. The linear actuators 29, 30 are secured at one end to the frame 2 and are secured at the other end to a central portion of the first lower arms 23, 24.

Fig. 8 shows the second advantageous embodiment of the rotor rake in the transport position. Fig. 9 shows still another advantageous embodiment of the rotor rake of the invention. For clarity, just the car¬ rier assemblies 4 and the synchronization device 39 are shown in fig. 9, as frame, rake assemblies, wheels, etc. are omitted. In the embodiment shown, the synchronization device 39 is formed by a threaded bar 30, which is ar¬ ranged transversely to the travelling direction of the rotor rake 1, and which is secured with respect to the frame 2. The threaded bar 30 has right-handed threads at one end 31 and left-handed threads 32 at the other end. Each of the threads 31, 32 of the threaded bar 30 engages two complementary threaded parts formed by threaded bolts 33, 34, which are secured to the first lower arms 40, 41 of the carrier assembly 4, as shown in fig. 8.

Rotation of the threaded bar causes the carrier assem¬ blies 4 to be displaced either in a direction away from each other or in a direction toward each other, said threaded bolts 33, 34 being displaced. The translatory movement of the threaded bar 30 is thus converted to a linear displacement of the first lower arms 40, 41 of the carrier assemblies, and thus also the rake assemblies which are carried at the outermost end of the carrier as¬ semblies 4.

The threaded bar 30 may be rotated either manually or e.g. by means of a motor.

It is moreover shown in fig. 9 how the first lower arms 40, 41 of the carrier assembly are secured to the threaded bar via a threaded bolt 33, 34, and how the car¬ rier assembly 4 may be arranged in two different posi¬ tions during transport of the rotor rake.

When the rake assemblies are to be moved from working po¬ sition to transport position, the carrier assemblies 4 are pivoted about the horizontal axes 35, 36, 37, 38, which extend in the travelling direction of the rotor rake, and thus moved between a working position in which the carrier assembly 4 extends laterally, and a transport position in which the carrier assembly 4 extends upwards with respect to the frame 2.

The structure of the linear actuator may be varied in several ways. Thus, the linear actuator shown in fig. 7 may be formed by a cylinder alone, which, however, neces¬ sitates a greater strength of it. Further, the linear ac¬ tuator does not have to be secured to the frame 2, as shown in fig. 7.

Many modifications may be made without departing from the idea of the invention. In the embodiments shown, the outer ends of the synchronization device are attached to the first lower arm 11. This might also be attached to one of the second arms 9, 10, 12 or e.g. the telescopic device 13.

Further, the synchronization device of the invention may be used in connection with other types of rotor rakes, such as e.g. those known from EP 0 465 393 Al, FR 2 677 213, DE GM G87 06 3166, EP 0 381 970, FR 2 675 979, and DE GM G91 14 315,2.

Claims

P a t e n t C l a i m s

1. A rotor rake (1) comprising a frame (2) which is pro- vided with a carrier assembly (4) at each side of the frame (2), each carrier assembly (4) being attached at its one end with respect to the frame (2) and carrying a rake assembly (16) at is outermost end away from the frame (2), said carrier assembly (4) being adapted to perform a horizontal displacement of its outermost end and thus the rake assembly transversely to the travelling direction of the rotor rake (1) seen in relation to the working position of the rotor rake (1), said carrier as¬ sembly (4) being adapted to pivot about a substantially horizontal axis and thus to move between a working posi¬ tion in which the carrier assembly (4) extends laterally, and a transport position in which the carrier assembly (4) extends upwards with respect to the frame (2) , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the rotor rake (1) is provided with a synchronization device (7; 25; 39), which is adapted to forcibly displace one rake assembly (16) as a consequence of a displacement of the other rake assem¬ bly (16) by a corresponding distance and in an opposite direction.

2. A rotor rake (1) according to claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the synchronization device (7; 25) comprises a mechanism (25) having an intermediate link (26) and two outer links (27, 28), said intermediate link (26) being suspended at its one end with respect to the frame (2) and pivotally connected at its other end with the outer links (27, 28) at one end of the outer links (27, 28), said outer links (27, 28) being pivotally con¬ nected at their other end with respect to a portion of the carrier assembly which moves kinematically forcibly substantially in proportion to the outer end of the car¬ rier assembly (4).

3. A rotor rake (1) according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r - a c t e r i z e d in that each carrier assembly (4) com¬ prises a first (23, 24) and a second (12) lower arm con¬ nected via a link, said first lower arm (23, 24) being connected with respect to one outer link, said other lower arm (12) being connected with respect to the outer end of the carrier assembly (4) at the opposite end of the link, said first lower arm (23, 24) being attached with respect to a support framework (3) which is posi¬ tioned transversely to the travelling direction and in parallel with it and which is secured with respect to the frame (2).

4. A rotor rake (1) according to claim 3, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that each carrier assembly (4) com¬ prises an upper articulated structure which comprises a first (9) and a second (10) upper arm connected via a link, said first upper arm (9) being connected with re¬ spect to one end of the support framework (3) at the op¬ posite end of the link, said second upper arm (10) being connected with respect to the outer end of the carrier assembly (4) at the opposite end of the link.

5. A rotor rake (1) according to claim 4, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that each carrier assembly (4) com¬ prises a telescopic device (13), which is secured at its one end with respect to the support framework (4) and is secured at its other end with respect to the outer end of the carrier assembly (4).

6. A carrier assembly (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a linear actuator (17; 29, 30) is provided between the support framework (4) and at least one first lower arm (11; 23, 24).

7. A rotor rake (1) according to one or more of the pre- ceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the telescopic devices (13) and the linear actuator (17; 29, 30) are formed by hydraulic cylinders with pistons.

8. A rotor rake (1) according to one or more of the pre- ceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the telescopic devices (13) are controlled individually.

9. A rotor rake (1) according to one or more of the pre¬ ceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the telescopic devices (13) are controlled jointly.

10. A rotor rake (1) according to claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the synchronization device (39) comprises a threaded bar (30) which is arranged trans- versely to the travelling direction of the rotor rake (1), and which is secured with respect to the frame (2) and comprises two oppositely directed threaded parts (31, 32) engaging two complementary threaded parts (33, 34) which are secured to their respective carrier assemblies (4), said threaded bar (30) being adapted to displace the carrier assemblies (4) away from each other upon rotation in one direction and to displace the carrier assemblies (4) toward each other upon rotation in the other direc¬ tion.

11. A rotor rake (1) according to claim 10, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the threaded bar (30) has right- handed threads at one end and left-handed threads at the other end.