WO1999062325A1

WO1999062325A1 - Self-propelled harvester with adjustable lamellar sifter

Info

Publication number: WO1999062325A1
Application number: PCT/EP1999/003663
Authority: WO
Inventors: Franz Linder; Josef Ahle
Original assignee: Same Deutz-Fahr S.P.A.
Priority date: 1998-05-30
Filing date: 1999-05-27
Publication date: 1999-12-09
Also published as: DE19824462A1; EP1083784A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-propelled harvester having a lamellar sifter, whereby the lamellae of the sifter can automatically be brought to a closed position or to an open position using means provided to this end.

Description

SELF-DRIVING HARVEST WITH ADJUSTABLE SLATE SCREENS

The invention relates to a self-propelled harvesting machine, in particular a combine harvester, with a threshing device and an adjoining separating device for separating the grains, the separating device having an air-through sieve and the sieve being equipped with adjustable, in particular pivotably mounted slats, which are arranged in a sieve frame are arranged, which is removable from a sieve box.

It is known that combine harvesters generally have one or more threshing or deflecting and separating drums, which are partially enclosed by separating baskets. The crop to be harvested is threshed out and separated in these drums. Since the threshing unit usually only has an efficiency of 70 to 90%, not all of the grains are separated, so that a night separating device is usually required, which is provided after the threshing or deflecting and separating drums and in which the rest Grains should be separated. This night separator generally consists of several tray shakers arranged side by side, which rotate on crankshafts. The use of one or more separation rotors for residual grain separation is also possible. With the so-called axial flow principle, one or more separating rotors are used both for threshing and for grain separation incl. the residual grain separation.

In addition to the grain, the threshing and separating drums and the night separator also remove unwanted non-grain constituents (NKB), such as chaff, short straw, etc., which must be separated from the grain by cleaning, which is also in the combine. As a rule, two congruent, vibrating screens through which air flows are used. The airflow will usually generated by one or more fans. The grain-NKB mixture is separated by the simultaneous action of mechanical and pneumatic forces, which bring the items to be cleaned distributed on the sieve into a fluidized bed state. The light non-grain components are held in suspension above the sieve and removed from the machine, while the grains are separated out through the sieve surface and then conveyed into the grain tank.

The sieves used in the cleaning systems are usually designed as lamellar sieves to enable adaptation to different types of fruit. These lamella sieves have a large number of swiveling lamellae arranged next to one another. By opening the slats, the permeable surface of the sieve is enlarged and reduced by swinging it back. The adjustment is usually carried out using latchable hand levers that are attached directly to the sieve. The distance between the slats is used as a measure of the open position of the slat sieves. For certain types of fruit, i.e. Grain sizes, certain opening dimensions are recommended.

Combine harvesters are also known which have an adjusting device which enables the sieve opening to be adjusted from the driver's seat while driving. For this purpose, Bowden cables are attached to the corresponding levers of the sieve, which are pulled out and drawn in by means of electric spindle motors, whereby the lamellar sieve can be opened or closed.

A disadvantage of this adjustment device is seen in the Bowden cables inserted at the end of the sieve. If the sieves have to be disassembled, which could be necessary daily for cleaning in difficult corn applications, for example, the Bowden cables must be loosened both from the sieve and from their holder. Another disadvantage of this Systems lies in the natural game of Bowden cables. The sieves cannot be brought into the game, or only with difficulty, in defined opening positions.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a self-harvesting harvesting machine of the type mentioned at the outset, in which, on the one hand, Ausoau such lamellar sieves are possible quickly and easily and in which the lamellas of the lamellar sieves optionally have defined opening positions.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the slats are connected to one another via an adjustment rod, the adjustment rod can be displaced between an open position for the slats and a closed position for the slats, and the adjustment rod is automatically forced into one of the positions by a means.

The solution according to the invention therefore provides that a defined position for the slats is achieved in that these are automatically pushed either by m the open position or m the closed position by a suitable means. So if the sieve frame is removed from the combine, e.g. Removed for cleaning purposes and then reinstalled, the slats are automatically shifted either m the closed position or m the open position by these suitable means and therefore assume a defined position. It can be provided that the slats assume this defined position not only when the sieve frame is installed, but also when the sieve frame is removed.

According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the means is a mechanical spring, in particular a tension spring, which automatically pushes the slats into the closed position. Other variants provide that other mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic units are used instead of the spring. Such a hydraulic unit is For example, a hydraulic piston-cylinder unit that is volume controlled.

An advantageous embodiment provides that the agent acts on the adjusting rod and on the screen frame. This configuration creates the possibility that even when the sieve is removed, that is to say when the sieve frame is removed from the sieve box, the slats still maintain their closed position. On the one hand, defects in the lamellae can be detected much more easily, on the other hand, such sieves can be replaced much more easily, since each component occupies a defined position. In addition, there is no need to uncouple the adjusting means when installing the sieve or no installation when installing the sieve, so that these operations can also be carried out by inexperienced persons.

It is pointed out that the adjusting means can of course also act on one or more slats, provided that the slats are connected to one another via suitable connecting means. This configuration is considered equivalent to coupling the adjusting means to the adjusting rod.

According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the lamellae have a lamella shaft, to which they are rigidly attached and via which they can be pivoted. The free ends of the lamellar shafts are rotatably mounted in the sieve frame. In this way, the possibility is created that the individual slats can be pivoted by controlling the slat shafts. For this purpose, the lamella shafts each have an offset, via which they are connected to the adjusting rod. The adjusting rod is provided in the manner of a rake with grooves in which the cropping engages. By moving the adjustment rod, the slat shafts can now be rotated and the position of the individual slats can be adjusted. It is provided that an adjusting element is provided which engages the adjusting rod and exerts a force which is directed counter to the force of the means. For example, if the spring urges the individual slats in their closed position, the adjusting element exerts a force with which the slats can be moved into the open position. The rest position corresponds to the closed position and the working position is determined by the adjustment element. The greater the force exerted by the adjusting element, which is counter to the force exerted by the spring, the further the individual slats are adjusted in the direction of the fully open position.

The adjusting element preferably engages the adjusting rod via an adapter. With this adapter, different screens can be adapted to the adjustment device. In addition, the adapter can be provided with a fine adjustment, e.g. an adjusting screw with which a play between the adjusting element and the sieve is compensated. It should be noted that the lamellae within the sieve are still supported without play and are held by the adjusting means without play either in the closed position or in the open position. A play between the sieve and the adjusting device is compensated for with the adjusting screw.

The adjusting element is preferably a pivotable actuating arm which directly or indirectly acts on the adjusting rod with its free, pivotable end. This pivotable actuating arm shifts the adjusting rod or the adapter relative to the sieve frame, as a result of which the individual slats are adjusted. An actuating arm as an adjusting lever has the essential advantage that it can be actuated in a relatively simple manner via rotatable or displaceable elements. In addition, relatively large forces can be transmitted with an actuating arm. In one embodiment it is provided that the actuating arm is mounted on a shaft which can be rotated via a cable, a ^ servo drive, a hydraulic drive (rotating or linear in each case) or the like. One or more actuating arms can be actuated simultaneously via this shaft, so that the sieving force can be applied to several sieves or sieve sections lying next to one another. All that is required for this is a single drive which acts on the shaft. These can be conventional cable pulls, but servomotors or hydraulic drives, which are designed as linear drives or rotary drives, are also conceivable.

Another advantage is seen in the fact that the adjusting element acts on the adjusting rod in the removal direction of the screen frame. If the sieve frame is removed from the sieve box, the sieve frame is removed from the adjustment element. There is therefore no need to dismantle the spring, as this remains on the sieve frame. It is therefore not necessary to unhook, uncouple or otherwise dismantle the spring from the screen frame or the adjusting rod or the slats. The disassembly and thus the subsequent assembly is therefore very user-friendly.

A further advantage is considered that the adjusting element is designed as an element that exerts pressure forces. Such elements do not need to be coupled, since they can transmit the forces solely through the system.

The adjusting element is advantageously designed as an element which bears directly or indirectly on the adjusting rod. As already mentioned, the positioning of the adjusting element on the adjusting rod or on the elements of the sieve frame to be adjusted does not require any coupling and a play between the adjusting element and the adjusting rod can be compensated for by adjusting screws, adjusting washers or the like, for example. The adjusting means preferably engages the adjusting rod via an adapter. The sieve or different sieves can be adapted to the device via such adapters. For the sake of simplicity, the adapter is or are screwed to the adjusting rod. A screw hole grid can be provided for the screw connection, so that an adjustment can already be made by the screw connection.

A further development of the invention provides that the adjusting rod or at least one adjustable element, e.g. a lamella with a position measuring element, e.g. a longitudinal potentiometer or the like is provided. The position of the adjustable element and thus the position of the slats can be determined via this potentiometer. If the position element is part of an automatic machine setting device, then this signal can be used as a control signal for the machine setting device, so that the machine can be set automatically to different types of fruit and grain sizes. The adjustment can therefore be done manually and automatically. In addition to setting the slat position of the slat sieves, e.g. the speed of the fan, the threshing drum speed, the speed of the other drums, the position of the deburring flaps, etc. can also be set.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the following description, in which a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment is shown with reference to the drawing. The features shown in the drawing and mentioned in the claims and in the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination.

The drawing shows: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the threshing and cleaning device of a combine harvester;

2 shows a longitudinal section through a preferred embodiment of a vane sieve having an adjustment device, ^•

Figure 3 is a plan view of a lamella; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of a lamella shaft.

At the inlet (arrow 1) there is the threshing drum 2 with threshing basket 3, to which a turning drum 4 as well as two separating drums 5 and 6 and a separating basket 7 are connected. This is followed by several tray shakers 8, which are driven by crankshafts 9. Below this tray shaker 8 there is a return floor 11 and lamellar sieves 10. Below the threshing drum 2 there is also a blower 12, via which air is blown in the direction of the drop stage and the sieves 10.

A longitudinal section through the lamellar sieve 10 is shown in FIG. The reference numeral 13 denotes a sieve frame, which is held with its front side 14 in the direction of travel in a receptacle 15 of a sieve box 16. In the longitudinally extending side parts 17 of the sieve frame 13 there are bearings 18 in which lamella shafts 19 are rotatably mounted. A lamella 20 is rigidly attached to each of these lamella shafts 19, the lamella 20 having a lamella tip 21 and a slat 22. The lamella tip 21 and the slat 22 form an obtuse angle. The degree of open position of the lamellar screen 10 is determined by the distance 23 between two adjacent lamella tips 21. The lamellar screen 10 shown in Figure 2 is thus partially open. The slat 22 serves as an air baffle for the wind generated by the fan 12, which flows through the lamellar screen 10 from bottom to top.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of such a lamella 20, the lamella tips 21 and the slat 22 being clearly visible.

FIG. 4 shows a section of the lamella shaft 19 in the region of the side part 17 of the screen frame 13, the lamella shaft 19 having a U-shaped cranking 24 in this region. An adjustment rod 25, which can be displaced perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, acts on this cropping 24. In this way, the lamella shaft 19 can be rotated in the bearing 18.

In FIG. 2, both the cranking 24 and the adjusting rod 25 are indicated. To accommodate the cropping 24, the adjusting rod 25 has a plurality of receiving grooves 26 in the manner of a comb. In these receiving grooves 26, the crooks 24 are suspended. If the adjusting rod 25 is now in the direction of travel, i.e. moved from left to right or vice versa in FIG. 2, then the lamella shafts 19 are rotated in the bearings 18 and the lamellae 20 are adjusted. The distance 23 between adjacent lamella tips 21 changes. A displacement of the adjusting rod 25 to the left results in a reduction in the distance 23 and thus a closing of the lamellar sieve 10, whereas a displacement of the adjusting rod 25 to the right causes the lamella tips 21 to be opened and thus opens the Lamellar sieve 10 causes.

An adapter 27 is screwed onto the adjusting rod 25, a tension spring 29 being attached to the free end 28 of the adapter 27 pointing in the direction of travel. The other end of the tension spring 29 is fixed to a retaining lug of the screen frame 13. In this way, the tension spring 29 exerts a tensile force on the adapter 27 and thus on the adjusting rod 25 in the direction of travel, this tensile force causing the displacement of the slats 20 in their closed position.

A further adapter 31 is screwed onto the adjusting rod 25, the end 32 thereof pointing in the direction of travel is equipped with an adjusting screw 33. An actuating arm 34, which is fastened to a shaft 35, bears against this adjusting screw 33. An actuating lever 36 also acts on this shaft 35, by means of which the shaft 35 can be rotated about its axis of rotation 37. A piston-cylinder unit 38 is shown purely schematically for actuating the actuating lever 36, but other setting means 39, e.g. Cables, servo motors and the like are conceivable. The setting means 39 can be operated manually and automatically.

An actuation of the piston-cylinder unit 38, as already mentioned, causes a rotation of the shaft 35 and thus a displacement of the actuating arm 34 e.g. counter to the direction of travel in the direction of the adjusting screw 33, as a result of which the adjusting rod 25 is displaced to the right against the force of the spring 29 and the lamella tips 21 are thus set up. Since, due to the force of the tension spring 29, the adjusting screw 33 is permanently in contact with the actuating arm 34, the individual slats 20 assume a position free of play.

A displacement of the piston-cylinder unit 39 in the other direction causes the force of the actuating arm 34 on the adjusting screw 33 to be reduced, so that the tensile force of the tension spring 29 causes the adjusting rod 25 to shift to the left and thus closes the slats 20 .

If the screen frame 13 is to be removed from the screen box 16 for repair, revision or cleaning purposes, then only a rear, schematically illustrated holding element 40 has to be removed from the frame level, so that the screen frame 13 can be pulled out of the receptacle 16, which also receives the side parts 17, to the rear. The adjusting rod 25 and the adapters 27 and 31 with the adjusting screw 33 are also removed with the sieve frame 13. This is easily possible since the adjusting screw 33 only rests on the actuating arm 34 and is not connected to it. When the sieve frame 13 is pulled out of the receptacle 15, the individual slats 20 assume their closed positions due to the force of the tension spring 29.

The lamellae 20 of the lamellar sieve 11 can thus be adjusted by means of a hand-operated lever as a simple version or by means of a remote-controlled automatic closing adjustment. Electrical energy or hydraulic or pneumatic media can be used to drive the adjusting means 39. In any case, any play is eliminated within the lamellar sieve and the actuating arm 34 abuts the lamellar sieve 10 without play using the adjusting screw 33. Defined positions of the lamellas 22 can thus be set.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Self-propelled harvesting machine, in particular a combine harvester with a threshing device and an adjoining separating device for separating the grains, the separating device having an air-flowed sieve and the sieve being equipped with adjustable, in particular pivotably mounted slats (20) which are arranged in a sieve frame (13 ) are arranged, which can be removed from a sieve box (16), characterized in that the slats (20) are connected to one another via an adjusting rod (25), the adjusting rod (25) between an open position for the slats (20) and a closed position for the slats (20) is displaceable and the adjusting rod (25) is automatically pushed into one of the positions by a means (29).

2. Harvester according to claim 1, characterized in that the means is a mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic spring (29).

3. Harvester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lamellae (20) over the agent

(29) are automatically pushed into the closed position.

4. Harvester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (29) on the adjusting rod (25) and on the sieve frame (13) acts.

5. Harvester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lamellae (20) each have a lamella shaft (19), to which they are rigidly attached and via which they can be pivoted.

6. Harvester according to claim 5, characterized in that the lamella shaft (19) is rotatably mounted in the sieve frame (13).

7. Harvesting machine according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the lamella shaft (19) is an offset

(24), via which it is connected to the adjusting rod (25).

8. Harvester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an adjusting element (34) is provided which acts on the adjusting rod (25) and exerts a force directed in the opposite direction to the force of the means (29).

9. Harvester according to claim 8, characterized in that the adjusting element (34) engages on the adjusting rod (25) via an adapter (31).

10. Harvester according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the adjusting element is a pivotable actuating arm (34) which engages directly or indirectly with its free, pivotable end on the adjusting rod (25).

11. Harvester according to claim 10, characterized in that the actuating arm (34) is mounted on a shaft (35) which is rotatable via a cable, a servo drive, a hydraulic drive or other means (39).

12. Harvester according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the adjusting element (34) in the removal direction of the sieve frame (13) on the adjusting rod

(25) works.

13. Harvester according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the adjusting element (34) is designed as an element which exerts compressive forces.

14. Harvester according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the adjusting element (34) than at the Adjustment rod (25) is formed directly or indirectly adjacent element.

15. Harvester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (39) engages on the adjusting rod (25) via an adapter (27).

16. Harvester according to claim 9 or 15, characterized in that the adapter (27 or 31) is screwed to the adjusting rod (25).

17. Harvester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting rod (25) or at least one lamella (20) with a position measuring element, e.g. a length potentiometer or the like is provided.

18. Harvester according to claim 17, characterized in that the position measuring element is part of an automatic machine setting device.