U.S. patent application number 09/873004 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-07 for intake and plucking arrangement.
Invention is credited to Wolters, Norbert, Wubbels, Richard.
Application Number | 20020014064 09/873004 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7645435 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020014064 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wubbels, Richard ; et
al. |
February 7, 2002 |
Intake and plucking arrangement
Abstract
An intake and plucking arrangement comprises a rotatable intake
device that grasps a standing plant and directs it to a plucking
gap. The plucking gap is located above parallel first and second
stalk rolls that pull the stalk of the plant downwardly so that the
plucking gap can separate the useful parts of the plant from the
stalk. The upstream end of the first stalk roll is provided with a
lower screw conveyor. A conveyor element is drivingly connected to
the screw conveyor. The conveying element comprises an upper screw
conveyor that is located above the lower screw conveyor. Both screw
conveyors are located upstream from and above the inlet end of the
plucking slot. The conveying element working in conjunction with
the rotatable intake device direct standing plants into the
plucking slot.
Inventors: |
Wubbels, Richard; (Rhede,
DE) ; Wolters, Norbert; (Gescher, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kevin J. Moriarty
c/o Deere & Company
One John Deere Place
Moline
IL
61265-8098
US
|
Family ID: |
7645435 |
Appl. No.: |
09/873004 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
56/95 ; 56/110;
56/119 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01D 45/021
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
56/95 ; 56/110;
56/119 |
International
Class: |
A01D 045/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 10, 2000 |
DE |
100 28 887.1 |
Claims
1. An intake and plucking arrangement for a crop harvesting
arrangement, the intake and plucking arrangement being provided
with a rotating intake device that grasps standing plants, the
rotatable intake device directs the standing plants into a plucking
slot of the intake and plucking arrangement, the plucking slot
separates the useful portions of the standing plant, characterized
by a conveying element that is arranged upstream and above the
plucking slot and that conveys the standing plants in conjunction
with the intake device into the plucking slot.
2. An intake and plucking arrangement as defined by claim 1 wherein
the conveying element is an upper screw conveyor that extends over
a region upstream of the plucking slot and over at least a part of
the length of the plucking slot.
3. An intake and plucking arrangement as defined by claim 2 wherein
the conveying element is arranged on one side of the plucking slot
and the intake device is arranged on the other side of the plucking
slot.
4. An intake and plucking arrangement as defined by claim 3 further
comprising a rotatable first stalk roll located beneath the
plucking gap, the conveying element is driven by a gearbox arranged
on its front side which is driven by the first stalk roll.
5. An intake and plucking arrangement as defined by claim 4 wherein
the conveying element is supported only on the gearbox.
6. An intake and plucking arrangement as defined by claim 5 wherein
the conveying element is arranged above the intake device.
7. An intake and plucking arrangement as defined by claim 6 wherein
the first stalk roll is provided with a lower screw conveyor which
is driven synchronously with the conveying element, where the
conveying element is located above the lower screw conveyor.
8. An intake and plucking arrangement as defined by claim 7 wherein
the lower screw conveyor and the conveying element each have a
downstream end that are located above each other.
9. An intake and plucking arrangement as defined by claim 8 wherein
the rotatable intake device transports the plants through the
entire plucking slot.
10. An intake and plucking arrangement as defined by claim 9
wherein the rotatable intake device is provided with radially
extending fingers, the rotatable intake device is rotated about a
vertical axis which is located along side the plucking slot.
11. An intake and plucking arrangement as defined by claim 10
wherein the radially extending fingers of the rotatable intake
device are curved in a trailing configuration.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to an intake and plucking
arrangement, having a rotating intake device and an additional
conveying element driven by a first stalk roll for directing
standing plants into a plucking slot.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] DE 197 34 747 A describes a corn harvesting implement for
attachment to a self-propelled harvesting machine that mows plants
standing on a field independent of rows and plucks the ears of corn
from the plants. For grasping and mowing of the plants independent
of rows, the implement is equipped with a mower head with a
rotating drum provided on its outer circumference with recesses and
a knife rotating below it, as is known practice from corn heads.
The plants are conducted to conventional plucking assemblies
attached downstream of the mower head. Clean-up disks or points of
the plucking rolls penetrating into the operating area of the mower
head are provided, in order to remove the plants that are to be
processed from the mower head and to conduct them to the plucking
assembly. The ears of corn that have been removed from the plants
are transported away by two chain conveyors arranged above the
plucking slot. The disadvantage here is seen in the fact that the
transition of overripe and soft stalks into the plucking assembly
may prove to be problematic.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is an object of the present invention of making available
an improved intake and plucking arrangement for a crop harvesting
arrangement.
[0004] The present intake and plucking arrangement comprises a
rotatable intake device that grasps parts of the standing plants
and directs them into a plucking slot. The intake device is
preferably provided with a relatively broad operating width; it
thereby operates independent of rows. In addition to the intake
device, a driven conveying element is arranged upstream and above
the intake end of the plucking slot. The plants transported by the
intake device to the intake end of the plucking slot come into
contact with the conveying element, before they have reached the
plucking slot. The conveying element conveys the plants, in
conjunction with the intake device, into the plucking slot.
Preferably the direction of conveying of the conveying element and
the longitudinal direction of the plucking slot are parallel, so
that the conveying element can introduce the plants into the
plucking slot without any problems.
[0005] The conveying element facilitates the introduction of the
plants into the plucking slot. This is especially important
respecting plants having soft stalks as the conveying element
provides additional support and conveying action to the plants. Due
to the supporting effect of the conveying element, a buckling or
squashing of the plants between the intake device and the edge of
the plucking slot need not be feared.
[0006] The conveying element is preferably a screw conveyor that
extends over a region (with respect to the direction of movement of
the plants) upstream of the plucking slot and over at least a
portion of the length of the plucking slot. It would be conceivable
to let it extend over the entire length of the plucking slot in
order to transport the plants along the length of the plucking
slot, however, this is not absolutely necessary, since the
transport of the plants over the length of the plucking slot can be
performed by the intake device. For reasons of cost and weight, a
relatively short screw conveyor is therefore preferred, that covers
only the intake end of the plucking slot and a region (as seen in
the direction of movement of the plant) ahead and behind it. In
place of a screw conveyor, a chain conveyor with drivers of the
type used on corn pickers, but shortened in comparison and offset
opposite to the direction of movement of the plants (that is,
upstream) could be applied to the grasping and introduction of the
plants into the plucking slot.
[0007] An obvious solution is to arrange the conveying element on
the side of the plucking slot that is opposite to the intake
device. If the plants move outward relative to the intake device,
they come into contact with the conveying element. Then the
conveying element conducts them into the plucking slot.
[0008] To drive the conveying element, a gearbox can be used that
makes a drive connection between a driven stalk roll of the
plucking device and the conveying element. It is advantageous that
the gearbox be arranged on the upstream side of the stalk roll and
the conveying element. As a rule, this side is located in front in
the forward direction of operation of the intake and plucking
arrangement.
[0009] It would be conceivable to support the conveying element at
both ends on a stationary element (directly or indirectly). As a
rule, however, it is sufficient to support it at only one end and
to support it in bearings. Here the concern is appropriately the
end of the conveying element facing the gearbox.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment the conveying element is arranged
above the intake device, in particular, directly above it. This
leads to the result that the plants do not bend significantly
between the conveying element and the intake device, which would
make the introduction into the plucking slot more difficult.
[0011] In order to further improve the introduction of the plants
into the plucking slot it is proposed that the plucking device be
equipped with a stalk roll that is provided with a region arranged
upstream in the direction of movement of the plants in which a
screw conveyor is arranged, which also transports the plants that
come into contact with it into the plucking slot. The conveying
element is arranged above the screw conveyor. As a result, a plant
is conducted into the plucking slot by the screw conveyor of the
stalk roll, by the conveying element and by the intake device.
Therefore the plant is supported at three points so that a buckling
even of soft plants need not be feared. As a rule, the conveying
speed of the conveying arrangement, of the screw conveyor and of
the intake device coincide, so that the plant is conveyed in a
vertical position and is not bent due to differing conveying
speeds.
[0012] The screw conveyor in the upstream region of the plucking
roll and the conveying element are preferably located directly
above one another. At this location the plucking rolls begin to act
upon the plants and to draw them in downward.
[0013] The intake device can also be utilized to transport the
plants over the effective length of the plucking device, that is,
that part of the length of the plucking device in which the
plucking device processes the plant, that is, draws it in and
separates the useful components from the remainder of the
plant.
[0014] The intake device can rotate about an approximately vertical
axis and be equipped with radially extending fingers that are used
to grasp and transport parts of the plants, particularly
stalks.
[0015] The fingers of the intake device are preferably provided
with leading surfaces with rejecting conveying performance, that
is, they have a trailing configuration. This conveying performance
can be attained by a curvature of the fingers of the intake device
that is trailing, opposite to the direction of rotation. Thereby
this results in the stalks of the plants being forced outward by
the intake device and prevents the stalk from being drawn inward
aggressively and becoming clamped between the edge of the sheet
metal stripper plate and the finger.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a top view of an intake and plucking arrangement
of a crop harvesting arrangement.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of the intake and plucking arrangement
of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a front view of the intake and plucking
arrangement of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] FIG. 1 shows an intake and plucking arrangement 10 of a crop
harvesting arrangement. Typically, a full crop harvesting
arrangement is provided with a multitude of intake and plucking
arrangements 10. However, it is conceivable that a crop harvesting
arrangement could be provided with only a single intake and
plucking arrangement 10. If several intake and plucking
arrangements 10 are applied, they may be configured identically or
symmetrically about the longitudinal center plane of the crop
harvesting arrangement.
[0020] The intake and plucking arrangement 10 is provided with an
upper intake device 12, that is used for grasping and drawing in
the plants that are to be harvested, a rotating chopper knife 14, a
first stalk roll 16, a second stalk roll 18 and a sheet metal
stripper plate 20 having a plucking slot 22 formed therein. Both
stalk rolls 16 and 18 are located below the plucking slot 22.
[0021] The upper intake device 12 is arranged so as to rotate about
a vertical axis and is rotated by a drive, not shown. The upper
intake device is driven in a clockwise direction when viewing FIG.
1. The intake device 12 is arranged above the sheet metal stripper
plate 20 and has an axis of rotation that is inclined slightly to
the front. Line B in FIG. 1 corresponds to the surface of the
ground. In its basic configuration the intake device 12 comprises a
central disk 24 with radially extending fingers 26 distributed
around its circumference. The fingers 26 are also curved in the
plane of the disk 24 opposite to the direction of rotation, in a
trailing configuration. Therefore the fingers 26 have a rejecting
conveying performance. Alternatively or in addition to the
curvature of the fingers 26, a controlled, radial or azimuth-like
movement of the fingers 26 relative to the disk 24 would be
possible, as is known from harvesting reels or screw conveyors of
mower heads, and can be attained by an eccentric drive, in order to
attain a rejecting conveying performance.
[0022] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the intake and plucking
arrangement 10 is further provided with stalk dividers 28 and 30
that are arranged ahead of the intake devices 12 and 16 in the
direction of forward movement V of the crop harvesting arrangement.
Intake devices 12 of the intake and plucking arrangement 10 direct
or bend the stalks of plants 32 into the intake 23 of the plucking
slot 22 as the crop harvesting arrangement moves in the forward
direction V across a field. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the leading
edge of the sheet metal stripper plate 20 in the forward operating
direction is curved in such a way that the stalks of the plants 32
are directed into the operating region of the intake device 12. The
operating region of the intake device 12 is so large that the
intake and plucking arrangement 10 interacting with the curved
leading edge of the sheet metal stripper plate 20, and/or the stalk
dividers 28 and 30, allows the intake and plucking arrangement 10
to operate independently of rows. Hence the operating width of the
intake and plucking arrangement corresponds to the sideways
distance between the points of the stalk dividers 28 and 30.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the stalk of a standing plant 32 comes
into contact with a finger 26 of the intake device 12 (independent
of its sideways position). The stalk of the standing plant 32 is
directed by the finger 26 towards the plucking slot 22. If
necessary the finger 26 is assisted by the stalk dividers 28 and 30
and/or the leading edge of the sheet metal stripper plate 20. The
stalk is carried along by the leading surface of the finger 26 and
is forced outwardly because of the trailing configuration of the
finger 26. In this way the stalk of the plant 32 is directed by the
finger 26 into the plucking slot 22. The plucking slot 22 extends
approximately parallel to the forward operating direction V and is
formed into the sheet metal stripper plate 20 between the first
plucking roll 16 and the intake device 12.
[0024] The first stalk roll 16 is arranged on the side of the
plucking slot 22 away from the intake device 12 and is inclined
slightly to the front and downward when viewed from the side. The
first stalk roll 16 is oriented parallel to the forward direction
of operation V when viewed from the top. In the vertical direction
the first stalk roll 16 is arranged underneath the sheet metal
stripper plate 20. In the forward region of the first stalk roll
16, located upstream relative to the direction of movement of the
plants 32, a screw conveyor 34 is located that draws in the stalk
of the plant 32 into the plucking slot 22, interacting with the
intake device 12. The inlet end 23 of the plucking slot 22 is
located ahead of the axis of rotation of the intake device 12. The
plucking gap 22 initially narrows and then has takes on a constant
gap over the length of the plucking slot 22. The rearmost end
region of the plucking slot 22 is curved in the direction towards
the axis of rotation for the intake device 12.
[0025] When the plant 32 enters the plucking slot 22, the fingers
26 form an acute angle with the edge of the plucking gap 22 (that
is shown at the bottom in FIG. 1). By reason of this acute angle
between the edge of the plucking gap 22 and the fingers 26, the
stalk of the plant 32 can be squashed, particularly if the stalks
of the corn plants are strongly overripe and therefore soft. In
this case, the plant 32 is not transported further and the intake
and plucking arrangement 10 becomes jammed.
[0026] To solve this problem a conveying element 52 in the form of
a screw conveyor is arranged above the inlet end 23 of the plucking
slot 22 and above the intake device 12. The longitudinal direction
and the direction of conveying of the conveying element 52 extends
parallel to the first stalk roll 16. The conveying element 52 has
approximately one-third the length of the first stalk roll 16 and
is brought into rotation by a gearbox 54 which establishes a drive
connection with the forward end face of the first stalk roll 16.
Hence the first stalk roll 16 transmits the driving torque from the
shaft 46 to the conveying element 52. The housing of the gearbox 54
is fastened to the sheet metal stripper plate 20. The conveying
element 52 is supported in bearings only on its forward end face,
as seen in the forward operating direction V, on the gearbox 54,
but it is not supported or provided with bearings on its rear end
face.
[0027] The stalk of a plant 32 grasped by the finger 26 of the
intake device 12 is pressed against the conveying element 52. The
conveying speed of the conveying element 52 conforms to the
conveying speed of the screw conveyor 34 and the intake device 12,
so that the plant 32 is conducted synchronously into the plucking
slot 22 by the screw conveyors 34 and 52 and the intake device 12.
The conveying element 52 provides support and conveying above the
finger 26 of the intake device 12. Due to the interaction of the
two screw conveyors and the finger 26 the plant 32 is held securely
and conducted in a straight line into the plucking slot 22 and
between the stalk rolls 16 and 18. The plant is supported at three
points so that a buckling or squashing is not to be feared. In
addition, due to the action of the conveying element 52, the intake
performance of the intake and plucking arrangement 10 has become
considerably more aggressive.
[0028] The screw conveyor 34, the conveying element 52 and the
intake device 12 direct the stalk of the standing plant 32 into the
operating region of the second stalk roll 18. The forward point of
the second stalk roll 18 lies ahead of the axis of rotation of the
intake device 12. The second stalk roll 18 is parallel to the first
stalk roll 16 and is arranged between the latter and the axis of
rotation of the intake device 12. The slot defined between the
first stalk roll 16 and the second stalk roll 18 is located
vertically underneath the plucking slot 22. The rear region 36 of
the first stalk roll 16, whose length corresponds to the length of
the second stalk roll 18. Both stalk rolls 16 and 18 are equipped
radially extending drivers 38, which are best illustrated in FIG.
3. As seen in FIG. 3, the first stalk roll 16 rotates in clockwise
direction and the second stalk roll 18 rotates in counterclockwise
direction. The first stalk roll 16 and the rear region 36 of the
second plucking roll 18 draw in the stalk of the plant 32 downward.
At the same time the sheet metal stripper plate 20 on both sides of
the plucking slot 22 is used to strip off useful components of the
plant 32.
[0029] The conveying element 52 ends precisely above the forward
end of the second stalk roll 18 and the beginning of the rear
region 36 of the first stalk roll 16. As soon as the plant 32 is
drawn downwardly by the stalk rolls 16 and 18, the conveying action
by the conveying element 52 and the screw conveyor 34 of the first
stalk roll 16 ceases.
[0030] During the plucking process the fingers 26 of the intake
device 12 provide assurance that the plant 32 is transported over
the length of the plucking slot 22. The rotational speeds of the
stalk rolls 16 and 18 and the intake device 12 are preferably
designed in such a way that the entire plant 32 has been drawn
downwardly into the plucking slot 22 when the end of the plucking
slot 22 is reached.
[0031] The useful components of the plant 32, ears of corn,
sunflower heads, etc., are separated from the plant 32 by the
plucking device. The useful components are conveyed by the intake
device 12 into a trough 40 arranged at the rear of the intake and
plucking arrangement 10. A cover 42 on both sides of the plucking
slot 22 defines a channel leading to the trough 40, through which
the useful components of the plants 32 are conveyed. The cover 42
partially covers the intake device 12 and the conveying element 52
and due to its shielding effect enhances the performance and
operating safety of the intake and plucking arrangement 10. The
trough 40 may be a one-piece unit with the sheet metal stripper
plate 20, or it may be a separate element. A transverse screw
conveyor 44 is arranged above the trough 40 and transports the
useful components to a harvesting machine (for example, a combine
or forage harvester) or to a trailer. A shaft 46 extends beneath
the trough 40 and provides a drive for the two stalk rolls 16 and
18, the chopper knife 14, the conveying element 52 and the intake
device 12. The shaft 46 is driven by the engine propelling the crop
harvesting arrangement. A frame 48 carries the intake and plucking
arrangement 10 of the crop harvesting arrangement, all of which are
driven by the shaft 46.
[0032] The remainder of the plants 32, that are transported away
downward by the stalk rolls 16 and 18, reach the operating region
of the rotating, four-armed chopper knife 14 and are cut by this
into individual pieces. Hence chopped plant remains are deposited
on the field. During the chopping, the stalk rolls 16 and 18 hold
the plant 32. The chopper knife 14 rotates about a vertical axis of
rotation 50. The vertical axis 50 is located between the axis of
rotation of the intake device 12 and the screw conveyor 44, as can
be seen in FIG. 2. The chopper knife 14 is driven by the shaft 46
through an angular gearbox 56. As seen in FIG. 1, the chopper knife
14 is positioned beneath the stalk rolls 16 and 18. The direction
of rotation of the chopper knife 14 is clockwise, so that the
chopped crop is thrown to the side and the rear.
[0033] Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become
apparent that various modifications can be made without departing
from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *