CN119213996A - Gathering chain assemblies, row units, headers and agricultural harvesters - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a collection chain assembly, a row unit, a header and an agricultural harvester. A collection chain assembly for use in a row unit of a header of an agricultural harvester includes a first collection chain extending around a first drive sprocket and a first driven sprocket and having a plurality of first paddles projecting outwardly of the first collection chain, a second collection chain disposed side-by-side and spaced apart from each other with respect to the first collection chain and extending around the second drive sprocket and the second driven sprocket and having a plurality of second paddles projecting outwardly of the second collection chain, the second collection chain and the first collection chain being disposed in the same plane with the first collection chain with facing surfaces of the first paddles and the second paddles in a vertical direction being staggered relative to each other such that the first paddles and the second paddles do not interfere with each other as the first collection chain moves around the first drive sprocket and the first driven sprocket and the second collection chain moves around the second drive sprocket and the second driven sprocket.

Description

Collecting chain assembly, row unit, header and agricultural harvester

Technical Field

The present invention relates to agricultural harvesters, and more particularly to a collection chain assembly for a row unit of a header of an agricultural harvester.

Background

It is known that agricultural harvesters (e.g. combine harvesters) have a header for harvesting crops planted in rows, such as corn, cotton, sorghum, sunflower, sugar cane, etc. The header has a plurality of row units, and every row unit has two collection chains, is equipped with the paddle that protrudes to the collection chain outside on every collection chain. The spacing between adjacent row units determines the crop row spacing that can be effectively harvested.

The crop row spacing may vary from region to region. Or the crop row spacing may be different in the same region. In recent years, narrow-row spacing or unequal-row spacing crops are common, which is beneficial to dense planting, thereby increasing yield.

In order to harvest narrow row spacing or non-equidistant crops, it is desirable to position adjacent row units as close to each other as possible.

In the prior art, a solution is known in which the two collecting chains in each row of units are in the same plane, the adjacent collecting chains of the adjacent row of units are also in the same plane, and the paddles on the collecting chains are arranged in bilateral symmetry. In this solution, if adjacent row units are arranged too close to each other, the paddles on the collection chains interfere with each other during the movement of the collection chains. This limits the reduction in row unit spacing and thus limits harvesting of narrow row spacing or non-equidistant row spacing crops.

As an alternative to the above solutions, it is known to arrange the paddles on each collecting chain in a laterally asymmetrical position, so that the row unit spacing can be reduced to a certain extent in comparison with the above solutions, while the paddles on each collecting chain do not interfere with each other during harvesting. However, during harvesting, crop or foreign matter (e.g. stones etc.) often gets stuck in the collecting chain or sprocket, resulting in so-called "jump chains or teeth", which can affect the collecting stability and the collecting effect of the collecting chain. Even if the paddles on each collecting chain are arranged at positions which are asymmetric left and right, the paddles on each adjacent collecting chain in the same row of units or the paddles on each adjacent collecting chain in adjacent row of units interfere with each other during the movement of the collecting chains due to chain jump or tooth jump after long-term or frequent use, so that the paddles are worn or even fail.

In the prior art, a solution is also known in which adjacent collecting chains in the same row of cells and/or adjacent collecting chains in adjacent rows of cells are arranged in different planes offset from each other in the vertical or oblique direction. In this way, the spacing between adjacent rows of units can be further reduced, and the paddles on adjacent collection chains are prevented from interfering with each other during the movement of the collection chains, whether or not the paddles on the collection chains are arranged at laterally symmetrical positions.

However, in the above technical solution, the structure and arrangement of each row unit are complicated, and the structure and arrangement of each adjacent row unit are also complicated, thereby affecting the degree of freedom of design of the structure and arrangement.

Furthermore, in the above solutions of the prior art, each adjacent collecting chain in the same row of units or each adjacent collecting chain in an adjacent row of units is separated by a distance which is greater than the sum of the widths of the two opposite paddles on the adjacent collecting chain or greater than 2 times the width of a single paddle. That is, the outer edge running trajectories of the paddles on each adjacent collection chain do not overlap each other. This also limits the minimum width of the row unit. Moreover, the paddles or the collection chains are not sufficiently aggressive for crop collection.

Disclosure of Invention

By comprehensively considering the various factors, the application can simultaneously combine the harvesting of crops with narrow row spacing or unequal row spacing, improve the harvesting aggressiveness of crops and prevent the blades on the collecting chain from interfering with each other in the motion process of the collecting chain.

According to one aspect of the invention, a collection chain assembly for use in a row unit of a header of an agricultural harvester includes an endless first collection chain extending around a first drive sprocket and a first driven sprocket and having a plurality of first paddles projecting outwardly of the first collection chain, an endless second collection chain disposed side-by-side and spaced apart from each other with respect to the first collection chain, extending around a second drive sprocket and a second driven sprocket and having a plurality of second paddles projecting outwardly of the second collection chain, wherein the second collection chain is disposed in the same plane as the first collection chain and the first collection chain, and facing surfaces of the first paddles and the second paddles in a vertical direction are staggered up and down with respect to each other such that the first paddles and the second paddles do not interfere with each other as the first collection chain moves around the first drive sprocket and the first driven sprocket and the second collection chain around the second drive sprocket and the second driven sprocket.

According to one embodiment, a third idler sprocket is provided on the inner side of the first and second collection chains, respectively, adjacent to the first and second driven sprockets, the third idler sprocket abutting the first and second collection chains, respectively, to spread apart a portion of the first and second collection chains toward each other such that the outer edge running trace of the first blade of the first collection chain and the outer edge running trace of the second blade of the second collection chain partially overlap between the first and second collection chains.

According to one embodiment, the facing surfaces of the first blade on the first collecting chain and the second blade on the second collecting chain in the vertical direction are beveled or stepped shapes complementary to each other.

According to one embodiment, the beveled surface or stepped surface is a straight surface, a curved surface, or a combination of straight and curved surfaces.

According to one embodiment, compression elements connected to the first driven sprocket and the second driven sprocket are provided on the inner sides of the first collecting chain and the second collecting chain, respectively.

According to one embodiment, the compression element is a spring assembly.

According to one embodiment, the compression element is a telescopic cylinder.

According to one embodiment, a spring assembly includes an outer tube, an inner tube, and a spring disposed at one end of the outer tube, the outer tube being telescopically movable relative to the inner tube.

According to one embodiment, a stop is provided at the other end of the outer tube for limiting the travel of the outer tube.

According to one embodiment, a blocking member adjacent to the first and second drive sprocket wheels is also provided on the inner side of the first and second collection chains, respectively, for preventing crop or foreign matter from getting stuck in the first and second collection chains or the first and second drive sprocket wheels.

According to one embodiment, the second blade is arranged at a laterally symmetrical position with respect to the first blade.

According to one embodiment, the second blade is arranged at a laterally asymmetric position with respect to the first blade.

According to another aspect of the invention, a row unit for use in a header of an agricultural harvester includes a row unit frame including a pair of row unit arms configured for connection by a header chassis, and a collection chain assembly as described above, wherein an endless first collection chain and an endless second collection chain in the collection chain assembly are mounted longitudinally on each row unit arm.

According to another aspect of the invention, a header for use in an agricultural harvester, the header comprising a plurality of row units as described above, wherein each two adjacent row units are arranged such that the outer edge running trajectory of a blade on a collection chain in one row unit and the outer edge running trajectory of a blade on a collection chain in another row unit adjacent thereto at least partially overlap between the first row unit and the second row unit.

According to another aspect of the invention, an agricultural harvester includes a header as described above.

Drawings

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate various aspects of the inventive subject matter in a schematic manner, but it is to be understood that the inventive subject matter is not limited to the precise arrangements shown in the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a prior art agricultural harvester having a header.

Fig. 2 is a schematic top view of the prior art header shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view of one row unit of the prior art header shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a schematic top view of a row unit according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a top view of a row unit showing a comparison of the prior art blade running trajectory with the blade running trajectory of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a front view of a row unit according to the invention, showing the arrangement of the collecting chains and paddles.

Fig. 7 is a partial front view of two adjacent row units according to the invention, showing the arrangement of the collection chain and paddles.

Fig. 8 shows an enlarged schematic front view of a blade of an adjacent collecting chain according to the present invention.

Fig. 9, 10 and 11 show a blade according to the invention.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail using examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. The size, material, shape, and relative positions of the members described in the embodiments can be appropriately changed according to the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In other words, the following examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The drawings illustrate aspects of the inventive subject matter.

Fig. 1 shows an agricultural harvester (e.g., a combine) 10 that includes a header 12. Header 12 is connected to the front of agricultural harvester 10 for harvesting crops planted in rows. In the following description, reference will sometimes be made generally to a header for harvesting corn, but it is to be understood that the header of the present invention is not limited to harvesting corn, and that other crops besides corn are within the scope of the present invention, such as cotton, sorghum, sunflower, sugarcane, and the like. The header conveys the harvested crop to a feeding chamber for further processing, such as receiving crop stubbles, cutting, chopping, pushing the stubbles back out of the agricultural harvester 10 and retaining the useful crop (e.g., corn ears and kernels), and the like. Such feeding chambers and harvesting operations are known in the art and further detailed description of their structure, function and operation is not necessary for a complete understanding of the inventive subject matter.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the header 12 includes a header frame 14 mounted to a forward end of the agricultural harvester 10 in a forward direction, a conveyor 16 (e.g., an auger) extending along the header frame 14 in a header frame length direction intersecting the forward direction of the agricultural harvester for conveying the crop to a feeding chamber (or portion) 18 of the agricultural harvester, and a plurality of row units 20 extending forward from the header frame 14 in the forward direction. As shown, the header frame 14 is preferably configured to be generally rectangular. However, the header frame 14 may be configured to fit any shape. As shown in fig. 2, the header frame 14 includes a rear wall 24, a bottom wall 26, and a pair of side walls 28, 30. Header frame 14 also includes a channel 32 defined by rear wall 24, bottom wall 26, and side walls 28, 30. Conveyor 16 conveys the harvested corn along channel 32 to a feeding chamber 18 located approximately at the midpoint of channel 32.

Conveyor 16 may be an auger conveyor, but alternatively may be any conveyor capable of conveying crops through channel 32, such as a paddle system, conveyor belt, pressure-based system, or any combination thereof. Such conveyors are also known in the art and further detailed description of their structure, function and operation is not necessary for a complete understanding of the inventive subject matter.

The conveyor 16 is connected to the header frame 14 at the side walls 28, 30 and rotates about axis a. The half of the conveyor 16 closest to the side wall 28 moves the harvested crop toward the opposite side wall 30 and the half of the conveyor 16 closest to the side wall 30 moves the harvested crop toward the opposite side wall 28. The conveyor 16 is mounted in front of or above the feeding chamber 18 and the harvested crop moves toward the middle of the conveyor 16 as the conveyor 16 rotates to feed the harvested crop to the feeding chamber 18.

Still referring to fig. 1 and 2, the corn header 10 further includes a plurality of dividers (or crop dividers) 34. A splitter 34 extends forwardly from the header frame 14, each splitter being connected to each row unit 20 (fig. 1), respectively. Such splitters 34 are known in the art and further detailed description of their structure, function and operation is not necessary for a complete understanding of the inventive subject matter. During a harvesting operation, the splitter 34 is used to guide rows of corn stalks toward the stripper plate 36 of the row unit. Snapping rolls (not shown) are located below the stripper plate and between adjacent splitters. As shown in fig. 3, stripper plate 36 defines a slot or gap 40 for receiving corn stalks, as is known, the snapping rolls pull the stalks downward to strip the corn ears as they strike stripper plate 36.

Fig. 3 shows one row unit 20 of a plurality of row units 20, similar to the prior art alternatives mentioned in the background section.

Each row unit 20 includes a row unit frame 42, the row unit frame 42 including a pair of row unit arms 44 connected by a header chassis. An endless collecting chain 48 is longitudinally mounted on each row unit arm 44, and paddles 50 on each collecting chain 48 are disposed at laterally asymmetric positions and project outwardly of the collecting chain for guiding corn stalks toward the rear ends of the row units 20 for removing corn ears from the stalks by the stripper plate 36. In operation, the ears are peeled from the stalks and then transported through the chest plate 46 to the channel 32. The crop peeled from the stalks is propelled rearwardly into the channel 32 as a result of the action of the collection chain 48 causing the harvested crop material to continue rearwardly.

Each collection chain 48 is arranged to wrap around a drive sprocket 52 at the rear end of a respective row of unit arms 44 and a driven sprocket 54 at the front end of a respective row of units. As is known, the drive sprocket 52 is rotated by a gear (not shown) connected to the drive system of the agricultural harvester, and rotation of the drive sprocket 52 causes corresponding rotation of the driven sprocket 54. In operation, a compression element 56 (e.g., a spring, telescoping cylinder, or the like) applies a forward force to the driven sprocket 54 to maintain tension in the gathering chain 48 during header operation.

As shown in fig. 3, two adjacent collection chains are separated by a distance greater than the sum of the widths of the opposing paddles on the collection chains or greater than 2 times the width of a single paddle on each collection chain. That is, the outer edge running trajectories of the paddles on two adjacent collection chains do not overlap each other.

Fig. 4 shows a top view of a single row unit according to the invention.

As shown in fig. 4, the row unit includes a collection chain assembly. The collection chain assembly comprises a first collection chain 1 and a second collection chain 8 arranged side by side and spaced apart from each other. The annular first collecting chain 1 is arranged around a first driving sprocket 52 at the rear end and a first driven sprocket 54 at the front end, and the first driving sprocket and the first driven sprocket are fixedly arranged. The annular second collecting chain 8 is arranged around the second driving sprocket at the rear end and the second driven sprocket at the front end, and the second driving sprocket and the second driven sprocket are fixedly arranged. The first collecting chain 1 is provided with a plurality of first paddles 50, and the second collecting chain 8 is provided with a plurality of second paddles. The first blade and the second blade are arranged at laterally asymmetric positions with respect to each other.

Inside the first collecting chain 1 and the second collecting chain 8, compression elements connected to the first driven sprocket and the second driven sprocket are provided, respectively, adjacent to the front ends. As described above with reference to fig. 3, the compression element may be a spring, a telescopic cylinder or the like. In the embodiment of fig. 4, the compression element is a spring assembly. The spring assembly comprises an outer tube 3, an inner tube 5 and a spring arranged at the rear end of the outer tube. During harvesting, the outer tube 3 can be moved telescopically relative to the inner tube 5 by the spring force of the spring to provide cushioning. Further, a stopper 4 for restricting the stroke of the outer tube 3 is provided at the front end of the outer tube 3.

Furthermore, inside the first and second collecting chains 1,8, there are also provided, adjacent to the first and second drive sprockets 52, 9, respectively, for preventing crops or foreign bodies (e.g. stones etc.) from getting stuck in the collecting chains or drive sprockets, thus avoiding the occurrence of so-called "jump chains or teeth".

In contrast to the double-chain-type collecting chain structure of the prior art, according to the invention, a third idler sprocket 6 is also provided adjacent to the first driven sprocket 54 and the second driven sprocket, respectively, on the inner side of the first collecting chain 1 and the second collecting chain 8. The third idler sprocket 6 is disposed adjacent the front end to abut the first and second collection chains 1,8, respectively, to spread a portion of the first collection chain 1 and a portion of the second collection chain 8 toward each other, thereby bringing a portion of the first collection chain 1 and a portion of the second collection chain 8 closer to each other. This also causes the outer edge running trajectory 2 of the first blade of the first collecting chain 1 and the outer edge running trajectory 7 of the second blade of the second collecting chain 8 to overlap partially between the first collecting chain 1 and the second collecting chain 8.

Fig. 5 shows a comparison of the prior art blade outer edge trajectory (shown by the inner dashed line) with the blade outer edge trajectory of the present invention (shown by the outer dashed line). In fig. 5, for convenience of comparison, the prior art double-chain wheel type collecting chain structure and the three-chain wheel type collecting chain structure of the present invention are shown superimposed on each other so as to clearly show the difference in the outer edge running trajectories of the two paddles.

As shown in fig. 5, in the related art double-chain type collection chain structure, the outer edge running trajectories of the paddles on two adjacent collection chains do not overlap each other between the two adjacent collection chains. In contrast, in the three-sprocket type collection chain structure of the present invention, the outer edge running trajectories of paddles on two adjacent collection chains partially overlap each other between the two adjacent collection chains. In this way, the collection chain assembly according to the invention enables the spacing between adjacent collection chains in the same row of units to be reduced and also enables the spacing between adjacent collection chains in adjacent row of units to be reduced, thereby being better suited for harvesting narrow row spacing or non-equirow spacing crops. Meanwhile, compared with the prior art, the crop harvesting effect of the collecting chain is more aggressive.

Fig. 6 shows the arrangement of the collecting chains and paddles in one row unit according to the invention, and fig. 7 shows the arrangement of the collecting chains and paddles in two adjacent row units according to the invention.

As shown in fig. 6, according to the present invention, the first collecting chain 1 and the second collecting chain 8 of the collecting chain assembly in one row unit are arranged in the same plane.

As shown in fig. 7, according to the invention, the two adjacent collecting chains of the collecting chain assemblies in the two adjacent row units are also arranged in the same plane. For example, the first collecting chain 1 in a first row of cells and the second collecting chain 8 in an adjacent second row of cells are arranged in the same plane. Furthermore, the first row of units and the second row of units are arranged close to each other such that the outer edge running trajectory 2 of the first blade of the first collecting chain 1 in the first row of units and the outer edge running trajectory 7 of the second blade of the second collecting chain 8 in the adjacent second row of units at least partly overlap between the first collecting chain 1 in the first row of units and the second collecting chain 8 in the second row of units.

That is, even if the first collecting chain 1 and the second collecting chain 8 of the collecting chain assembly in the same row unit are arranged in the same plane or the two adjacent collecting chains of the collecting chain assembly in two adjacent row units are arranged in the same plane, by the present invention, the blade outer edge running trajectories are partially overlapped between the adjacent collecting chains, the pitch between each adjacent collecting chain in the same row unit and the pitch between each adjacent collecting chain in the adjacent row unit can be reduced, while also improving the crop harvesting aggressiveness of the collecting chains.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, as shown in fig. 6 and 7, the paddles 50 on each adjacent collection chain are disposed relative to each other such that their facing surfaces in the vertical direction are staggered up and down from each other, either in the same row unit or in adjacent different row units, such that the first and second paddles do not interfere with each other as the first collection chain moves around the first drive sprocket and the first driven sprocket and the second collection chain moves around the second drive sprocket and the second driven sprocket.

It is noted that although fig. 4 shows the first blade and the second blade being arranged at laterally asymmetric positions with respect to each other, the present invention is equally applicable to the case where the first blade and the second blade are arranged at laterally symmetric positions with respect to each other.

Fig. 8 more clearly shows the arrangement of the paddles 50 of adjacent collection chains in the vertical direction.

Therefore, even if the outer edge running trajectories of the paddles on adjacent collecting chains are partially overlapped with each other as shown in fig. 4 and 5, the paddles do not interfere with each other during running with the circulating action of the collecting chains. Moreover, even if "chain jump or tooth jump" occurs due to the crop or foreign matter (e.g., rocks, etc.) getting stuck in the collection chain or after long-term or frequent use as described above, the paddles on each adjacent collection chain do not interfere with each other, thereby preventing the paddles from wearing or even failing.

Fig. 9, 10 and 11 show several possible forms of blade according to the invention. The vertically facing surfaces of the paddles on adjacent collection chains may be beveled or stepped after being mounted to the collection chains. As shown in fig. 9, the beveled surface of the blade may be straight. As shown in fig. 10, the beveled surface of the blade may be curved. As shown in fig. 11, the facing surfaces of the blades may be stepped in combination of straight surfaces, or alternatively, may be stepped in combination of curved surfaces. Alternatively, the chamfer or step faces shown in fig. 9, 10 and 11 may be a combination of straight and curved faces. It is noted that the blade of the present invention is not limited to the several forms illustrated. Other forms may be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

As described above, by adopting the blade shapes shown in fig. 9 to 11, the blades on adjacent collecting chains as shown in fig. 6 to 8 can be arranged to be shaped complementarily to each other, so that the blades can be prevented from interfering with each other during the movement of the collecting chains. Compared with the technical scheme of arranging the adjacent collecting chains in different planes in the prior art, the invention can simplify the overall arrangement mode of the collecting chains and improve the design freedom degree and the arrangement freedom degree by designing the blade parts on the collecting chains.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims (15)

1. A collection chain assembly for use in a row unit of a header of an agricultural harvester, the collection chain assembly comprising:

An endless first collecting chain extending around the first driving sprocket and the first driven sprocket and having a plurality of first paddles protruding to an outside of the first collecting chain;

An endless second collection chain disposed side by side with respect to the first collection chain and spaced apart from each other, extending around the second drive sprocket and the second driven sprocket, and having a plurality of second paddles protruding outward of the second collection chain;

Wherein the second collecting chain is arranged in the same plane as the first collecting chain, and facing surfaces of the first paddle and the second paddle in the vertical direction are staggered up and down with respect to each other such that the first paddle and the second paddle do not interfere with each other when the first collecting chain moves around the first driving sprocket and the first driven sprocket and the second collecting chain moves around the second driving sprocket and the second driven sprocket.

2. The collection chain assembly according to claim 1, wherein a third idler sprocket disposed adjacent the first and second driven sprockets is provided inboard of the first and second collection chains, respectively, the third idler sprocket abutting the first and second collection chains, respectively, to spread a portion of the first and second collection chains toward each other such that an outer edge running trace of the first blade of the first collection chain and an outer edge running trace of the second blade of the second collection chain partially overlap between the first and second collection chains.

3. The collection chain assembly according to claim 1, wherein facing surfaces of the first blade on the first collection chain and the second blade on the second collection chain in the vertical direction are tapered or stepped shapes complementary to each other.

4. The collection chain assembly of claim 3, wherein the beveled surface or stepped surface is a straight surface, a curved surface, or a combination of straight and curved surfaces.

5. A collecting chain assembly according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein compression elements connected to the first and second driven sprockets are provided on the inner sides of the first and second collecting chains, respectively.

6. The collection chain assembly of claim 5, wherein the compression element is a spring assembly.

7. The collection chain assembly of claim 5, wherein the compression element is a telescoping cylinder.

8. The collection chain assembly of claim 6, wherein the spring assembly comprises an outer tube, an inner tube, and a spring disposed at one end of the outer tube, the outer tube being telescopically movable relative to the inner tube.

9. The collection chain assembly according to claim 8, wherein a stopper is provided at the other end of the outer tube for limiting the travel of the outer tube.

10. A collecting chain assembly according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein a blocking member adjacent to the first and second drive sprocket wheels is further provided on the inner side of the first and second collecting chains, respectively, for preventing crop or foreign matter from getting stuck in the first and second collecting chains or the first and second drive sprocket wheels.

11. A collection chain assembly according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the second paddles are arranged at a laterally symmetrical position with respect to the first paddles.

12. A collection chain assembly according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the second blade is arranged at a laterally asymmetric position with respect to the first blade.

13. A row unit for use in a header of an agricultural harvester, the row unit comprising:

a row unit frame including a pair of row unit arms configured for connection by a header chassis, and

The collection chain assembly according to any one of claims 1-12;

wherein an endless first collection chain and an endless second collection chain in the collection chain assembly are mounted longitudinally on each row unit arm.

14. A header for use in an agricultural harvester, the header comprising a plurality of row units according to claim 13, wherein each two adjacent row units are arranged such that the outer edge running trajectory of a blade on a collection chain in one row unit and the outer edge running trajectory of a blade on a collection chain in another row unit adjacent thereto at least partially overlap between the first row unit and the second row unit.

15. An agricultural harvester comprising the header of claim 14.