WO2023183999A1

WO2023183999A1 - Device and method for adjusting the cutting height of an agricultural implement

Info

Publication number: WO2023183999A1
Application number: PCT/BR2023/050020
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leandro RODRIGUES DE OLIVEIRA; Jorge Luiz FURLAN
Original assignee: Marchesan Implementos E Máquinas Agrícolas Tatu S/A
Priority date: 2022-03-28
Filing date: 2023-01-19
Publication date: 2023-10-05
Also published as: BR102022005908A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cutting height adjusting device (1) associated with a soil copier (30) of a base cutting disk (20) of an agricultural implement (100). The device (1) comprises a moving assembly (2) and a stationary assembly (3). The moving assembly (2) has at least two articulated profiles (4, 5), a copier profile (4) and a detection profile (5). Any movement of the copier profile (4) interacts with the detection profile (5). The detection profile (5) comprises at least one reading section (6), the stationary assembly (3) comprises at least one sensor (7, 8), and the detection profile (5) of the moving assembly (2) moves in the longitudinal direction in relation to the at least one sensor (7, 8), according to the movement of the soil copier (30). If the reading section (6) of the detection profile (5) moves past a sensor (7, 8), a control signal to adjust the height is generated by the latter and transmitted to a control panel (40) electronically connected to a mechanism for lifting the base cutting disk (20). The invention further relates to a method for adjusting the cutting height of an agricultural implement (100) that receives (E2) a signal at the control panel (40), as a result of the movement of the profile that interacts with a sensor (7, 8), and (E3.1) determines which chassis of the agricultural implement (100) must be lowered, or (E3.2) determines which chassis of the agricultural implement (100) must be lifted.

Description

Descriptive Report of the Invention Patent for "DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE CUTTING HEIGHT OF AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT".

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present invention relates to the technical field of devices and methods for adjusting the cutting height of agricultural implements and agricultural machinery.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

[002] Some agricultural products require certain specific cutting conditions when harvesting from a field. In the case of sugar cane, the agricultural implements commonly used for this purpose, for example, harvesters, normally have cutting instruments that make it possible to cut in an upper position and in a lower position, in order to remove only its sugar cane. most useful section. To this end, these agricultural implements feature a chassis that supports upper cutting discs and a lower cutting disc, this one at a height of centimeters from the ground, to cut the base of the sugar cane.

[003] However, the soils of crop fields are never perfectly flat, normally presenting several irregularities throughout the land that, invariably, affect the harvesting process. In order to compensate for such irregularities in the soil, it is common to use a device called a “soil copier”, associated with agricultural implements, which consists of a set of articulated arms and a wheel. The lower cutting disc is associated with the articulated arms in such a way that, when the wheel passes through an irregularity, a respective movement is generated in the articulated arms which, in turn, raises or lowers the height of the lower cutting disc in relation to to the ground, in order to try to maintain a relatively constant height of the cane base cutting point. [004] In this sense, document US 6,813,873 B2 discloses an adaptation device for attachment to agricultural implements aimed at adjusting the cutting height. Despite advancing in relation to traditional solutions, in this solution there is a need for a specific additional structure to identify differences in relief on the ground, to then act on the structure that you want to control the height of. It is, therefore, a complex, costly and difficult to install system.

[005] Although traditional ground copyers represent an advance in base cutting height adjustment, these purely mechanical mechanisms have demonstrated a series of important limitations when in operation. One of the biggest disadvantages of such purely mechanical mechanisms is the low precision of height adjustment, which translates into suboptimal base cuts in sugar cane. This causes losses in the yield and use of the harvest, which generates financial losses throughout the production chain. [006] Another disadvantage is the need to make manual adjustments and calibrations on floor copiers due to the wear of materials and gaps between parts that result from prolonged use. The disadvantage of more recent solutions can also be cited as they present high installation costs and complexity for the agricultural implement, normally requiring a system serving as a cutting structure and another system to copy the soil profile. Furthermore, mechanical structures generally present points of loss of precision in the movement, which impairs the sensor reading and, consequently, the action in correcting the height of the structure, thus compromising the final cut in the harvest.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[007] The present invention has as one of its objectives to provide a device for adjusting cutting height that is simple and easy to build and install, which, when associated with a copy machine, soil, will promote a more precise and reliable adjustment of the agricultural implement's base cutting height, allowing a more uniform cut of the crop, thus avoiding waste.

[008] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device for adjusting cutting height that can be implemented in existing machines without the need to substantially change the constructive arrangement of the equipment itself. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[009] The objectives of the present invention are achieved by means of a cutting height adjustment device configured to be associated with a ground copyer of a base cutting disc of an agricultural implement. The device for adjusting the cutting height is composed of a movable assembly and a stationary assembly, with the movable assembly comprising at least two profiles articulately associated with each other, one of which is a copying profile and the other is a detection profile, any movement of the copying profile interacts with the detection profile. The detection profile comprises at least a reading portion, the stationary assembly comprises at least one sensor, and the detection profile of the moving assembly moves longitudinally relative to the at least one sensor depending on the movement of the ground copier. When the reading portion of the detection profile passes the at least one sensor, the at least one sensor is respectively configured to generate and send a height adjustment command signal to a controller panel, which is electronically connected to a lifting mechanism. of the base cutting disc.

[0010] Advantageously, the at least one sensor consists of an upper sensor and a lower sensor. The upper sensor and the lower sensor are respectively provided with a longitudinal cutout, particularly a slit, which at least a reading portion of the detection profile can traverse longitudinally.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one reading portion of the detection profile is a protuberance.

[0012] Particularly, the mobile assembly further comprises at least one intermediate profile articulatedly interposed between the copying profile and the detection profile.

[0013] In another embodiment, the stationary assembly further comprises a structural support element, which is configured to be fixed to the agricultural implement, preferably by means of screws.

[0014] It can also be provided that the structural support element is provided with at least one flap, preferably two flaps, which are respectively provided with a recess, through which the detection profile of the mobile assembly can move longitudinally.

[0015] In another particular embodiment, the base cutting disc lifting mechanism comprises at least one solenoid valve, preferably two solenoid valves, each of which is configured to be activated by at least one sensor, and an associated hydraulic cylinder to the chassis of the agricultural implement. The solenoid valves are configured to activate the hydraulic cylinder to vertically move the chassis of the agricultural implement.

[0016] The objectives of the present invention are further achieved by a method for adjusting the cutting height of an agricultural implement by means of a device for adjusting the cutting height. The method comprises the steps of:

[0017] receive, by moving a profile that interacts with at least one sensor, a signal on a controller panel, and

[0018] if the received signal comes from at least one upper sensor, determine that the chassis of the agricultural implement must be downloaded, or

[0019] if the signal comes from at least one lower sensor 8, determine that the chassis of the agricultural implement must be raised.

[0020] Advantageously, the agricultural implement comprises a base cutting disc lifting mechanism, which comprises at least one solenoid valve, which is respectively configured to, when activated by the control panel, actuate a hydraulic cylinder to lower and/or raise the chassis of the agricultural implement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The present invention will now be described based on a preferred embodiment represented in the drawing.

[0022] Figure 1 schematically illustrates, in perspective, the cutting height adjustment device of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 illustrates the device for adjusting the cutting height associated with a soil copier, at the base of an agricultural implement;

[0024] Figure 3 illustrates the agricultural implement in its entirety, with the lower sensor of the device for adjusting the cutting height being activated;

[0025] Figure 4 illustrates the agricultural implement in its entirety, with the upper sensor of the device for adjusting the cutting height being activated;

[0026] Figure 5 represents a block diagram that illustrates some of the components involved in the agricultural implement lifting mechanism;

[0027] Figure 6 represents a flowchart indicating the steps involved in the cutting height adjustment method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0028] As can be seen in figure 1, the cutting height adjustment device 1 of the present invention has a very simplified and easy-to-manufacture construction, being composed of a mobile set 2 and a stationary set 3. The purpose of the set mobile 2 is to receive movements from a soil copier 30 of an agricultural implement 100, such as a harvester, as the agricultural machine (not illustrated) moves across uneven ground, such as a sugarcane field. sugar. The stationary assembly 3, in turn, is configured to be fixed to the agricultural implement 100, preferably in the region of its base, and to send signals to a controller panel 40, in order to carry out a more precise and reliable adjustment of the cutting height. of a base cutting disc 20 associated with the soil copier 30 of the agricultural implement 100.

[0029] The mobile assembly 2 is composed of at least two profiles articulated together, one of which is a copying profile 4 and the other is a detection profile 5. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in figure 1, the mobile assembly 2 is composed of exactly three profiles articulated together, with an intermediate profile 9 articulated between the copying profile 4 and the detection profile 5, preferably by means of screws. The person skilled in the art, however, will realize that other configurations are possible in addition to the preferred embodiment illustrated in figure 1, for example, with only the copying profiles 4 and detection profiles 5, associated with each other in an articulated manner by means of a screw, or with two or more intermediate profiles 9 pivotally associated between profiles 4, 5. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, all profiles 4, 5, 9 are made of a resistant material, such as steel.

[0030] In the assembled state of the cutting height adjustment device 1 on the agricultural implement 100, the copying profile 4 is associated, preferably by means of screw(s), to one of the articulated arms of the soil copier 30. In this way, as the agricultural machine travels over uneven soils, the soil copier 30 reproduces variations in soil height and, consequently, its articulated arms are moved in a pivoting manner, thus generating a respective movement in the copying profile 4. Due to the way in which the copying profile 4 and the detection profile 5 (and, depending on the embodiment, the intermediate profile(s)( s) 9) are associated with each other, any movement of the copying profile 4 translates into a movement of the detection profile 5. In the preferred configuration of the invention illustrated in figure 1, the movement produced on the detection profile 5 is in the vertical direction . Therefore, the main objective of the copying profile 4 is to receive movements from the ground copying device 30 and transmit them to the detection profile 5, preferably through an intermediate profile 9.

[0031] The detection profile 5, in turn, is preferably straight and is arranged vertically. It has along its length, preferably in its upper half, a reading portion 6, which can be any geometric feature that projects from the detection profile 5, such as a protuberance or a protrusion. Due to the articulated configuration between the profiles, when the copying profile 4 is inclined in a direction such that the end associated with the ground copying 30 is raised, its other end is consequently lowered and, thus, the detection profile 5 also descends. Similarly, a tilt in the opposite direction generates an upward movement of the detection profile 5. Profiles 4, 5, 9 therefore function in the manner of articulated arms.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the copying profile 4 has elbows, the intermediate profile 9 is straight and short and the detection profile 5 is straight, however several other embodiments are possible, in which the angles formed between the profiles can be varied, your section cross section, its length, thickness, etc.

[0033] The stationary assembly 3, in turn, is composed of at least one sensor 7, 8, particularly an upper sensor 7 and a lower sensor 8, and a structural support element 10, which is configured to be fixed to the base of the agricultural implement 100, preferably by means of screws.

[0034] In the preferred embodiment, the structural support element 10 is made from a metal sheet and is provided with holes to allow the passage of fixing screws. The structural support element 10 is further provided with at least one flap 11, preferably two flaps 11, which project from its main face, which are respectively provided with recesses aligned with each other. The movable assembly 2 and the stationary assembly 3 are arranged relative to each other in such a way that the detection profile 5 moves vertically through these recesses during the movement of the agricultural machine on uneven ground. All profiles 4, 5, 9 are also preferably metallic.

[0035] The sensors 7, 8, in the embodiment illustrated in figure 1, are fixedly arranged in the stationary assembly 3, crossing one of its flaps 11, and are joined together by a rod, other configurations being possible. The sensors 7, 8 respectively have recesses aligned with each other, and are arranged in the stationary assembly 3 in such a way that, when the detection profile 5 moves vertically, its reading portion 6 can interact with them in the region of their recesses. For example, when the detection profile 5 moves downwards, at a certain moment its reading portion 6 passes through the recess of the lower sensor 8. When moving vertically upwards, the reading portion 6 passes through the recess of the upper sensor 7. Sensors 7, 8 are preferably inductive sensors of the ON/OFF type, but also They can be capacitive or angular.

[0036] Sensors 7, 8 are activated when the reading portion 6 passes through their recesses. This dynamic allows the activation of different sensors depending on the direction of movement (upward or downward) of the detection profile 5, which, in turn, is determined by the movement of the copying profile 4, which is associated with the ground copying device 30. Sensors 7, 8 remain activated as long as the reading portion 6 is in its activation region. Consequently, while the reading portion 6 is in the activation region of one of the sensors 7, 8, the chassis of the agricultural implement 100 is moved vertically (upwards or downwards, depending on which sensor is activated). When the reading portion 6 leaves the activation region of the sensors 7, 8, the vertical displacement of the chassis will cease. The total amplitude of vertical displacement movement of the chassis is preferably 180 mm.

[0037] The lifting mechanism responsible for adjusting the height of the base cutting disc 20 comprises solenoid valves 51, 52, a controller panel 40 and at least one hydraulic cylinder (not illustrated) associated with the chassis of the agricultural implement 100. When a of sensors 7, 8 is activated, a signal is generated that is sent to the controller panel 40, which is installed inside the agricultural machine operator's cabin. This controller panel 40, in turn, upon receiving the generated signal, activates one of the two valves 51, 52, preferably solenoid valves 51, 52, which are installed on the chassis of the agricultural implement 100, in association with the hydraulic cylinder. When activated, the solenoid valve 51, 52 activates the hydraulic cylinder, which will promote a vertical displacement of the chassis, which, consequently, will also move the ground copyer 30 and the base cutting disc 20. The solenoid valve 51 , 52 to be activated by the controller panel 40 will depend on which sensor 7, 8 is being activated by the reading portion 6, that is, from which sensor 7, 8 is generating and transmitting the signal to the controller panel 40. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, one of the two solenoid valves 51, 52 is respectively associated with one of the two sensors 7, 8. The operator can also activate the solenoid valves 51, 52 directly through buttons on the controller panel 40, allowing him to adjust the height of the base cutting disc 20 “manually”.

[0038] Figure 2 illustrates the general configuration of the height adjustment device 1 of the present invention mounted on an agricultural implement 100. The device 1 is associated with the soil copyer 30, through the copying profile 4, and is fixed to the part bottom of the agricultural implement chassis 100 associated with an agricultural machine, such as a harvester. The base cutting disc 20, in turn, is associated with the ground copier 30.

[0039] Figure 3 allows a better visualization of the configuration described in the previous paragraph, schematically illustrating the ground copyer 30, with its wheel and articulated arms, the base cutting disc 20, the device for adjusting the cutting height 1 of the present invention and the agricultural implement 100.

[0040] In this figure, the direction of inclination of the articulated arms of the ground copier 30 indicates that the wheel is experiencing a positive variation in height on the ground, such as a small hill. In this illustrated state, the end of the copying profile 4 that is associated with the detection profile 5 is shifted downwards, so that the detection profile 5 is also pulled downwards. The reading portion 6 of the detection profile 5, as it descends, at a certain point interacts with the actuation region, through the recess, of the lower sensor 8, which means that the chassis of the agricultural implement 100 must be raised to compensate for the difference in ground height. That is, the rise of the cutting structure, due to the passage of the wheel over a hill on the ground, generates a consequent activation of the lower sensor 8. In this way, the chassis of the agricultural implement 100 must be raised to align the cutting structure, until the reading portion 6 of the detection profile 5 leaves to interact with the lower sensor actuation region 8.

[0041] On the other hand, figure 4 illustrates an opposite configuration, in which the direction of inclination of the articulated arms of the ground copier 30 indicates that the wheel is passing through a negative variation in height on the ground, such as a hole. Following the logic described in the previous paragraph, the reading portion 6 of the detection profile 5, in this case illustrated, interacts with the upper sensor 7, consequently generating a lowering response from the chassis of the agricultural implement 100, in order to align the structure with the height variation generated by the hole.

[0042] Figure 5 is a block diagram that allows a better visualization of the interaction between some of the components responsible for the lifting mechanism of the base cutting disc 20 and the method for adjusting the cutting height of the present invention. On the left in the figure, the upper sensor 7 and the lower sensor 8 are represented. When the reading portion 6 of the detection profile 5 interacts with the activation region of any of the sensors 7, 8, a respective signal (represented by arrows) is generated and sent to the controller panel 40. Depending on the sensor 7, 8 that generates the signal, the controller panel 40 will interpret whether the chassis of the agricultural implement should be raised or lowered. Then, the control panel 40 activates one of the two solenoid valves 51, 52, which respectively will activate the hydraulic cylinder to raise or lower the chassis of the agricultural implement 100, consequently causing a respective elevation or lowering of the soil copier 30 and the disc base 20 cutoff.

[0043] Figure 6 contains a flowchart indicating the main steps of the cutting height adjustment method of the present invention, in a preferred embodiment, to be implemented in conjunction with the cutting height adjustment device 1 described previously. E1 represents the beginning of the method, in a state in which the agricultural machine goes through a height variation that causes the activation of one of the sensors 7, 8. In step E2, the controller panel 40 receives the signal generated by the sensor 7, 8 activated in step E1. If the signal comes from the upper sensor 7 due to a positive variation in the height of the ground, step E3.1 of lowering the chassis 100 of the agricultural implement begins, which can be carried out, for example, through the controller panel 40 by activating the first solenoid valve 41, which actuates the hydraulic cylinder in order to lower the structure of the agricultural implement 100. On the other hand, if the signal comes from the lower sensor 8 due to a negative variation in the height of the ground, step E3 begins .2 of lifting the chassis 100 of the agricultural implement, which can be carried out, for example, through the controller panel 40 by activating the second solenoid valve 42, causing the hydraulic cylinder to raise the structure of the agricultural implement 100. After raising/lowering of agricultural implement 100, in step E4 it is checked whether any of the sensors 7, 8 are being activated. If so, return to step E2. If not, it is determined that the height of the agricultural implement 100 is at an appropriate value and the method ends at E5.

[0044] With the device for adjusting the cutting height 1 of the present invention, as well as with its associated method, an automatic and precise adjustment of the cutting height of sugar cane is made possible, thus avoiding waste and a more efficient operation. made easier for the operator. Furthermore, the protection of the structure of the agricultural machine is improved, as following the soil profile prevents the base cutting disc 20 from coming into sudden contact with the ground, which could cause damage to the equipment. [0045] The description set out above illustrates preferred embodiments of the present invention, however its scope is not limited by the examples set out, nor by the figures accompanying the application. The person skilled in the art will realize that several other configurations are perfectly possible, maintaining the fundamental operating principles of each element described.

List of reference signals

1 - Device for adjusting cutting height

2 - Mobile set

3 - Stationary set

4 - Copy profile

5 - Detection profile

6 - Reading portion

7 - Upper sensor

8 - Lower sensor

9 - Intermediate profile

10 - Structural support element

11 - Tab

20 - Base cutting disc

30 - Solo copier

40 - Controller panel

51 - First solenoid valve

52 - Second solenoid valve

100 - Agricultural implement

E1 - Home

E2 - Determination of the state of sensors 7, 8

E3.1 - Lowering the agricultural implement structure 100

E3.2 - Raising the structure of the agricultural implement 100

E.4 - Determination of the state of the ground copier 30 E.5 - End

Claims

1. Device for adjusting cutting height (1) configured to be associated with a soil copier (30) of a base cutting disc (20) of an agricultural implement (100), characterized by the fact that it is composed of a mobile assembly (2) and a stationary assembly (3), with the mobile assembly (2) comprising at least two profiles (4, 5) articulately associated with each other, at least one of the profiles being a copying profile (4) and at least one other profile is a detection profile (5), wherein any movement of the copying profile (4) interacts with the detection profile (5), wherein the detection profile (5) comprises at least a reading portion (6), the stationary assembly (3) comprises at least one sensor (7, 8), with the detection profile (5) of the moving assembly (2) moving longitudinally in relation to the at least one sensor (7, 8 ) depending on the movement of the ground copyer (30), and when the reading portion (6) of the detection profile (5) passes at least one sensor (7, 8), the at least one sensor (7 , 8) is respectively configured to generate and send a height adjustment command signal to a controller panel (40), which is electronically connected to a base cutting disc lifting mechanism (20).

2. Device for adjusting cutting height (1), according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the at least one sensor (7, 8) consists of an upper sensor (7) and a lower sensor (8) .

3. Device for adjusting cutting height (1), according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the upper sensor (7) and the lower sensor (8) are respectively provided with a longitudinal cutout, particularly a slot, which at least a reading portion (6) of the detection profile (5) can traverse longitudinally.

4. Device for adjusting cutting height (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that at least one reading portion (6) of the detection profile (5) is a protuberance.

5. Device for adjusting cutting height (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the movable assembly (2) further comprises at least one intermediate profile (9) articulatedly interposed between the profile copier (4) and the detection profile (5).

6. Device for adjusting cutting height (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the stationary assembly (3) further comprises a structural support element (10), which is configured to be fixed to the agricultural implement (100), preferably using screws.

7. Device for adjusting cutting height (1), according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the structural support element (10) is provided with at least one flap (11), preferably two flaps (11) , which is respectively provided with a recess, through which the detection profile (5) of the moving assembly (2) can move longitudinally.

8. Device for adjusting the cutting height (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the mechanism for lifting the base cutting disc (20) comprises at least one solenoid valve (51, 52 ), preferably two solenoid valves (51, 52), each of which is configured to be activated by at least one sensor (7, 8), and a hydraulic cylinder associated with the chassis of the agricultural implement (100), the valves being solenoids (51, 52) are configured 16 to activate the hydraulic cylinder to vertically move the chassis of the agricultural implement (100).

9. Method for adjusting the cutting height of an agricultural implement (100) by means of a device for adjusting the cutting height (1), characterized by the fact that it comprises the following steps of: receiving (E2), by moving a profile that interacts with at least one sensor (7, 8), a signal on a controller panel (40), and if the received signal comes from at least one upper sensor (7), lower (E3.1) the chassis of the agricultural implement (100), or if the signal comes from at least one lower sensor (8), raise (E3.2) the chassis of the agricultural implement (100).

10. Method for adjusting cutting height, according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the agricultural implement (100) comprises a base cutting disc lifting mechanism (20), which comprises at least one valve solenoid (51, 52), which is respectively configured to, when activated by the control panel (40), activate a hydraulic cylinder to lower and/or raise the chassis of the agricultural implement (100).