WO2017199183A1

WO2017199183A1 - Improved plough

Info

Publication number: WO2017199183A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/052912
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio SCHIAVO
Original assignee: Schiavo Antonio
Priority date: 2016-05-18
Filing date: 2017-05-17
Publication date: 2017-11-23
Also published as: ITUA20163554A1

Abstract

A plough (1) comprising: a framework (2) provided with means (3) for connecting to a self-propelled drive vehicle (T); one or more working tool units (4) associated to the framework (2) and configured for working the ground (G). The plough (1) provides for that each of the working tool units (4) is sequentially provided - according to the advancement direction (V) of the plough (1) - with: a front cutting element (41 ) for cutting the ground (G); a rear rotary disc (42) for turning the ground (G) previously broken by the cutting element (41). Each rotary disc (42) has the rotation axis (Y₁) substantially parallel to the ground (G) and inclined with respect to the advancement direction (V). Each rotary disc (42) is operatively connected to and driven in rotation by a rotary motion generation unit (6) belonging to the plough (1).

Description

IMPROVED PLOUGH

DESCRIPTION

The invention regards a plough of the improved type.

It is known that the plough is a farming tool for ploughing the ground and preparing it for sowing, anciently wooden and drawn by man, today generally metallic and drawn by working animals or more often by self-propelled drive vehicles, referred to as "tractors" in the industry.

Even more precisely, ploughs may comprise a framework provided with means for connecting to a coupling element of the aforementioned self-propelled vehicle and possibly resting against the ground on one or more wheels. This type of ploughs is called drawn.

Alternatively, ploughs may be coupled, still through the aforementioned connection means, to a hydraulic lifter belonging to the same self-propelled drive vehicle. In the industry, these ploughs are referred to as carried ploughs, in that cantilevered with respect to the aforementioned self-propelled vehicle and without wheels.

Generally, various types of ploughs differ from each other depending on the type of system for coupling to the self-propelled vehicle, the type of working tool applied as well as the system for controlling and adjusting the working tools.

In particular, as regards the working tools, according to the prior art, a plough may comprise one or more coulters, one or more chisels, one or more ploughshares and one or more mouldboards, present alone or mutually combined with the aim of cutting the ground and overturning it.

In particular, the coulter just like the ploughshare serve for cutting the ground and the mouldboard serves for taking the previously cut ground and overturning it.

In the compact grounds, the presence of the chisel, a hard steel wedge positioned at the end of the ploughshare, which serves to facilitate the penetration of the plough into the ground at the beginning of the working furrow, is crucial.

However, this type of ploughs requires great effort by the self-propelled drive vehicle so as to overcome the friction force that the plough faces upon contact with the ground to be worked on.

This considerable effort disadvantageously determines high fuel consumption by the aforementioned vehicle.

Alternatively, ploughs with one or more concave discs associated to a carrying framework are known.

Such discs, in particular, are configured to be rotating and idle and they have the rotational axis thereof substantially parallel to the ground and inclined with respect to the advancement direction of the plough.

The edge of the disc cuts the ground and the resistance offered by the latter causes the rotation thereof. The rotation causes the ground to crumble and remix.

However, the tilting of the lumps is weak if not absent, in this case. The disc plough exerts a strong crumbling action but on soft grounds only. It is not suitable for working on resistant grounds.

The aim of the present invention is to overcome all the aforementioned drawbacks.

In particular, one of the objects of the invention is to provide a plough capable of optimally performing the ploughing action regardless of the type and condition of the ground.

More precisely, an object of the invention is to obtain greater crumbling of the lumps, thus facilitating the preparation of the sowing bed.

In addition, a further object of the invention is to provide a plough that can enable reducing the effort that the self-propelled drive vehicle is required to exert and thus the amount and the relative fuel expenses considering the same ploughing result with respect to the ploughs of the prior art.

The aforementioned objects are attained by providing a plough according to the main claim.

In particular, the plough of the invention provides for one or more working tool units and it is characterised in that each of such working tool units sequentially provide - according to the advancement direction of the plough - a ground cutting element followed by a rotary disc for turning the previously cut ground. Even more in detail, the plough is characterised in that the rotary disc of each of the working tool units is operatively connected to a rotary motion generation unit configured to drive such disc in rotation.

Further characteristics of the plough of the invention are outlined in the dependent claims.

The aforementioned objects, alongside the advantages described hereinafter, shall be outlined in the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, provided solely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the following attached drawings wherein:

- figs. 1 a and 1 b respectively show a front axonometric view and a rear axonometric view of the plough of the invention;

- fig. 2 shows the top view of the plough of the invention;

- fig. 3 shows the front view of the plough of the invention;

- fig. 4 shows the top view of the plough of the invention associated to a self- propelled drive vehicle;

- figs. 5a and 5b show the use of the plough of the invention in the to- direction and in the from-direction on the ground to be worked;

- figs. 6a and 6b show a front axonometric view and a rear axonometric view of a working tool unit belonging to the plough of the invention;

- fig. 7 shows the front view of the working tool unit belonging to the plough of the invention;

- fig. 8 shows the top view of the working tool unit belonging to the plough of the invention.

The plough of the invention is represented according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in figs. 1 a and 1 b to 3 in a stand-alone manner and in fig. 4 associated to a self-propelled drive vehicle T, where it is indicated in its entirety with 1.

As observable in fig. 1 , the plough 1 comprises a framework 2 provided with means 3 for connecting to a self-propelled drive vehicle T, as represented in fig. 4, and one or more working tool units 4 associated to the aforementioned framework 2 and configured for working the ground G.

As regards the framework 2, preferably but not necessarily, it comprises a longitudinal beam 21 provided - at an end 21a thereof - with the aforementioned means 3 for connecting to the self-propelled drive vehicle T. As observable in fig. 2 and in fig. 4, the longitudinal beam 21 is configured to be positioned, when the plough 1 is connected to the self-propelled drive vehicle T, with the development axis X1 thereof arranged according to a diverging direction starting from the connection means 3 with respect to the advancement direction V of the plough 1.

Furthermore, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal beam 21 is connected to the connection means 3 through hinge means 5 configured to enable rotation around a vertical axis of the longitudinal beam 21 with respect to the connection means 3. Thus, such hinge means 5 enable varying the angle of incidence β of the longitudinal beam 21 with respect to the aforementioned advancement direction V when the plough 1 is connected to the self-propelled drive vehicle T.

Advantageously, the latter characteristic, as described in detail hereinafter, enables using the plough 1 of the invention for working the ground both during the to-movement on the aforementioned ground, and during the fro-movement, as schematised in figs. 5a and 5b.

As will be clearer hereinafter, the characteristics of the plough 1 of the invention enable the two-directional use thereof, but without having a complex structure, or even a double structure, as it instead occurs with the ploughs of the prior art.

However, according to a different embodiment of the invention, it cannot be ruled out that the framework 2 of the plough 1 can be obtained structurally different with respect to the one described up to now according to the preferred embodiment and that it can be without the aforementioned hinge means 5.

As regards the connection means 3, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention they are configured so that the plough 1 is of the drawn type. However, according to a different embodiment, it cannot be ruled out that such connection means 3 are configured so that the plough 1 is of the carried out type.

According to the invention, as observable in figs. 6a, 6b, 7 and 8, each working tool unit 4 associated to the aforementioned framework 2 is sequentially provided, according to the advancement direction V of the plough 1 , with a front cutting element 41 for cutting the ground G during the advancement of the plough 1 and with a rear rotary disc 42 for turning the ground previously broken by the cutting element 41.

In particular, according to the invention, the rotary disc 42 has the rotation axis Yi thereof substantially parallel to the ground G and inclined with respect to the aforementioned advancement direction V, as schematised in figs. 7 and 8. Furthermore, the invention provides for that the plough 1 comprises a rotary motion generation unit 6 operatively connected to the rotary disc 42 of each working tool unit 4. Thus, the rotary disc 42 is actively driven in rotation by the plough 1 and not, as provided for by the ploughs of the prior art instead, following the friction upon contact with the ground G to be worked.

Preferably, such rotary disc 42 is driven in rotation by means of the rotary motion generation unit 6 according to the direction that defines a peripheral speed at the greatest circumferential point of said rotary disc 42 having at least one component with direction and side corresponding to the advancement direction and side V.

Advantageously, such combination of characteristics enables working on the ground in much more efficient manner with respect to what can be obtained using ploughs of the prior art regardless of the type and condition of the ground.

Furthermore, the fact that the rotary disc 42 is a "driving" disc, i.e. actively driven by the aforementioned rotary motion generation unit 6, enables reducing the effort that the self-propelled drive vehicle T is required to exert to carry or draw the plough 1 with respect to those of the known type, considering the same ploughing result.

By way of example, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, as observable in figs. 1 to 4, the plough 1 comprises four working tool units 4 sequentially arranged along the aforementioned longitudinal beam 21.

However, according to different embodiments of the invention it cannot be ruled out that the number of working tool units 4 is smaller or greater than four, including the minimum condition of a single working tool unit 4.

In any case, regardless of the number of working tool units 4, each rotary disc 42 is concave-shaped.

In particular, it is provided for that the rotation axis Yi of the rotary disc 42 of each of the tool units 4 is inclined with respect to the aforementioned advancement direction V by an angle a comprised between 30° and 60°.

Preferably, such angle a is established at approximately 45°.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is also provided for that the rotary disc 42 of each working tool unit 4 be rotatably connected to the longitudinal beam 21 through mechanical adjustment means 7 configured to enable the variation of the aforementioned angle a within the range comprised between 30° and 60°.

This advantageously enables adapting the inclination of each rotary disc 42, regardless of the possible or alongside other possible rotary discs 42 of different working tool units 4, depending on the type and conditions of the ground G and/or depending on the desired ploughing results.

In particular, the mechanical adjustment means 7 comprise pin means 71 fixedly connected to each rotary disc 42 and rotatably associated to the aforementioned longitudinal beam 21 so as to define a rotation axis Zi that is substantially vertical when the plough 1 is connected to a self-propelled drive vehicle T.

Evidently, the aforementioned mechanical adjustment means 7 are provided with a mechanical locking element, not shown in the figures, capable of hindering the movement and thus the inclination of the rotary disc 42 once adjusted, before beginning the ploughing operation.

Such mechanical adjustment means 7 are advantageously further exploited to change the inclination of the rotation axis Yi of the rotary disc 42 with respect to the advancement direction V, even upon changing the position assumed by the longitudinal beam 21 with respect to the advancement direction V.

In other words, with the plough 1 of the invention provided with the aforementioned hinge means 5, whenever there arises the need to change the position of the longitudinal beam 21 to move on the ground G in the opposite direction with respect to the previous one, there also arises the need to change the inclination of the rotary discs 42 with respect to the advancement direction V, otherwise the plough would not operate in the two directions of movement, as represented in figs. 5a and 5b. In particular, such mechanical adjustment means 7 are configured to enable changing the value of the angle a within the range between 30° and 60° for any position assumed by the longitudinal beam 21 with respect to the advancement direction V.

In addition, there arises the need to provide second mechanical adjustment means 8 operatively associated to the longitudinal beam 21 and to each cutting element 41 so that, upon changing the position of the longitudinal beam 21 with respect to the previous movement of the plough 1 on the ground, the aforementioned cutting elements 41 are still held in position so as to be able to cut the ground according to the aforementioned advancement direction V both during the to-movement and during the fro-movement of the plough 1. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, it cannot be ruled out that the aforementioned mechanical adjustment means 7 associated to each rotary disc 42 and the second mechanical adjustment means 8 associated to each cutting element 41 of the working tool unit/s 4, be also not provided for in case of absence of the hinge means 5.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotational axis Yi of each rotary disc 42 is inclined also with respect to the ground G, so as to advantageously facilitate the turning of the ground.

As regards the cutting element 41 of each of the aforementioned working tool units 4, as observable in figs. 6a and 6b, it preferably but not necessarily comprises a sort of chisel 411 suitable to be introduced into the ground G to be worked in an oblique direction with respect to the ground.

Furthermore, such chisel-like cutting element 41 has a greater height with respect to the rear rotary disc 42 belonging to the same working tool unit 4. Such latter characteristic enables the cutting of the ground G carried out by the cutting element 41 to be deeper with respect to the action level of the rotary disc 42 on the ground G. This enables obtaining a furrow beneath the area where sowing occurs after ploughing, thus improving water drainage beneath the aforementioned cultivated area of the ground G.

However, according to different embodiments of the plough 1 of the invention, it cannot be ruled out that the cutting element 41 be of any other per se known type, provided it is capable of creating a furrow on the ground G.

As regards the rotary motion generation unit 6, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, it comprises a hydraulic transmission unit 61 in turn provided with one or more hydraulic motors 611 , each of which is associated to a rotary disc 42 of each working tool unit 4.

Such hydraulic transmission unit 61 further comprises a hydraulic duct system configured for connecting each of the aforementioned hydraulic motors 611 to the hydraulic control system belonging to the aforementioned self-propelled drive vehicle T, so that the operator can activate the rotation of the aforementioned rotary discs 42 directly from the dashboard of the self- propelled drive vehicle T.

In particular, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotary motion generation unit 6 is configured for driving each of the aforementioned rotary discs 42 in rotation at a rotating speed directly proportional to the speed of advancement of the plough 1 on the ground.

This advantageously enables suitably adapting the work carried out by the aforementioned rotary discs 42 depending on the advancement thereof on the ground. According to a different embodiment of the invention, not represented in the figures, it cannot be ruled out that the rotary motion generation unit 6 comprises a hydraulic transmission unit comprising the aforementioned hydraulic motors connected through hydraulic ducts to a hydraulic pump belonging to the same plough 1. In particular, the aforementioned hydraulic pump may comprise means for connecting to a power take-off of the self- propelled drive vehicle T.

Furthermore, a different embodiment of the invention could provide for that the rotary motion generation unit 6 comprises - instead of a hydraulic transmission unit - a mechanical transmission unit in turn operatively associated - on one side - to each of the aforementioned rotary discs 42 and - on the other - to a variable-speed motor unit provided with an input for receiving a mechanical power generated by external motion generation means.

In particular, according to such alternative embodiment, such input is an input connector configured to be connected to rotary motion generation means, in particular a power take-off, belonging to the self-propelled drive vehicle T.

Thus, in light of the above, the improved plough of the invention attains all the pre-set objects.

In particular, the object of providing a plough capable of optimally performing the ploughing action regardless of the type and condition of the ground, is attained.

More precisely, the object of obtaining greater crumbling of the lumps, thus facilitating the preparation of the sowing bed, is attained.

The object of obtaining a plough that can enable reducing the effort that the self-propelled drive vehicle is required to exert and thus the amount and the relative fuel expenses considering the same ploughing result with respect to the ploughs of the prior art, is also attained.

Claims

1 ) Plough (1 ) comprising:

- a framework (2) provided with means (3) for connecting to a self-propelled drive vehicle (T);

- one or more working tool units (4) associated to said framework (2) and configured for working the ground (G);

characterised in that each of said one or more working tool units (4) is sequentially provided, according to the advancement direction (V) of said plough (1 ), with:

- a front cutting element (41 ) for cutting said ground (G) during the advancement of said plough (1 );

- a rear rotary disc (42) for turning said ground (G) previously broken by said cutting element (41 ), said rotary disc (42) having the rotation axis (Y-i) substantially parallel to said ground (G) and inclined with respect to said advancement direction (V), said rotary disc (42) being operatively connected to and driven in rotation by a rotary motion generation unit (6) belonging to said plough (1 );

said cutting element (41 ) having a greater height with respect to said rear rotary disc (42) belonging to the same working tool unit (4) so that the cutting of said ground (G) carried out by said cutting element (41 ) is deeper with respect to the action level of said rotary disc (42) on said ground (G).

2) Plough (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterised in that each of said rotary discs (42) is concave-shaped.

3) Plough (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said rotary motion generation unit (6) comprises a mechanical transmission unit configured for connecting the rotary disc (42) of each of said one or more working tool units (4) to a variable-speed motor unit provided with an input for receiving a mechanical power generated by external motion generation means or means belonging to said plough (1 ).

4) Plough (1 ) according to claim 3, characterised in that said input is an input connector configured to be connected to rotary motion generation means, in particular a power take-off, of said self-propelled drive vehicle (T).

5) Plough (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said rotation axis (Y-i) of said rotary disc (42) of each of said one or more working tool units (4) is inclined with respect to said advancement direction (V) by an angle (a) comprised between 30° and 60°, preferably said angle (a) is established at approximately 45°.

6) Plough (1 ) according to claim 5, characterised in that said rotary disc (42) of each of said one or more working tools units (4) is rotatably connected to said framework (2) by means of mechanical adjustment means (7) configured to enable the variation of said angle (a) within said range comprised between 30° and 60°.

7) Plough (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said rotation axis (Y-i) of said rotary disc (42) of each of said working tool units (4) is inclined with respect to said ground (G).

8) Plough (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said framework (2) comprises a longitudinal beam (21 ) provided at an end (21 a) thereof with said means (3) for connecting to said self-propelled drive vehicle (T), said longitudinal beam (21 ) being configured to be positioned - when said plough (1 ) is connected to said self-propelled drive vehicle (T) - with the development axis thereof according to a diverging direction starting from said connection means (3) with respect to said advancement direction (V).

9) Plough (1 ) according to claim 8, characterised in that it comprises hinge means (5) interposed between said connection means (3) and said longitudinal beam (21 ), said hinge means (5) enabling the rotation of said longitudinal beam (21 ) with respect to said connection means (3) so as to vary the angle of incidence of said longitudinal beam (21 ) with respect to said advancement direction (V) when said plough (1 ) is connected to said self- propelled drive vehicle (T).

10) Plough (1 ) according to claim 9 combined with claim 6, characterised in that said adjustment means (7) are configured to enable the variation of the value of said angle (a) within said range comprised between 30° and 60° regardless of the position assumed by said longitudinal beam (21 ) with respect to said advancement direction (V).