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BR-112021026054-B1 - Cutting system for a combine harvester.

BR112021026054B1BR 112021026054 B1BR112021026054 B1BR 112021026054B1BR-112021026054-B1

Abstract

CUTTING SYSTEM FOR A COMBINE HARVESTER. The invention relates to a cutting system (1) for a combine harvester (2), which has a support structure (3) for a cutting table (4) that has, on the cutting side, a cutting bar (6) that is fixed in an articulated manner to the support structure (3), is flexible transversely to the cutting direction (5) and can be adjusted in height relative to the support structure (3) by means of a plurality of shaft levers (7) that are arranged distributed along the width of the cutting system and couple at one end to the cutting bar (6) and at the other end to the support structure (3), wherein the actuators (8) and therefore the shaft levers (7) with the cutting bar (6) can be actuated by a controller (12). In order to create advantageous cutting conditions, it is proposed that the cutter bar (6) be assigned a plurality of sensors (11) which are arranged in a distributed manner along the width of the cutting system, register the distance to the ground of the cutter bar (6) and are provided in the cutting direction (5) in front of each axis lever (7) on the cutter bar (6), where the sensors (11) are ramps (13) arranged (...).

Inventors

  • Franz Schrattenecker

Assignees

  • FRANZ SCHRATTENECKER

Dates

Publication Date
20260310
Application Date
20200624
Priority Date
20190627

Claims (9)

  1. 1. Cutting system (1) for a combine harvester (2), which has a support structure (3) for a cutting table (4) that has, on the cutting side, a cutting bar (6) that is fixed in an articulated manner to the support structure (3), is flexible transversely to the cutting direction (5) and can be adjusted in height relative to the support structure (3) by means of a plurality of axle levers (7) that are arranged distributed along the width of the cutting system and couple at one end to the cutting bar (6) and at the other end to the support structure (3), for which purpose actuators (8) are associated with the axle levers (7) in order to define a distance to the ground, wherein the actuators (8) and therefore the axle levers (7) with the cutting bar (6) are controllable by a controller (12) to maintain a predetermined distance to the ground of the cutting bar (6) along the width of the cutting bar, characterized in that the cutting bar (6) is assigned a A plurality of sensors (11) that are arranged in a distributed manner along the width of the cutting system, record the distance to the ground of the cutter bar (6) and are provided in the cutting direction (5) in front of each axle lever (7) on the cutter bar (6), wherein the sensors (11) are ramps (13) arranged on the underside of the cutter bar (6) to measure the contact pressure with the ground of the respective ramp (13) or to measure the distance between the ramp (13) and the cutter bar (6).
  2. 2. Cutting system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the axis levers (7) are designed as articulated parallelograms that couple at one end to the cutting bar (6) and at the other end to the support structure (3).
  3. 3. Cutting system, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shaft levers (7) are coupled to the cutting bar (6) by means of compensating bearings (14) with a pivot shaft parallel to the cutting direction (5).
  4. 4. Cutting system, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the actuators (8) are coupled on one side to the support structure (3) and on the other side to the shaft lever (7).
  5. 5. Cutting system, as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, with a cut material input reel (16), the distance of which from the cutting bar (6) can be adjusted by means of a height adjustment (17), characterized in that a position sensor (18) is associated with the cut material input reel (16), and in that the controller (12) controls the height adjustment (17) and therefore the cut material input reel (16) in such a way that a predetermined minimum distance is maintained between the cutting bar (6) and the cut material input reel (16).
  6. 6. Cutting system, according to claim 5, characterized in that the height adjustment (17) consists of two hydraulic cylinders connected in series to each side of the cut material input reel.
  7. 7. Cutting system, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the support structure (3) with the cutting bar (6) and actuators (8) is longitudinally displaceable in the cutting direction on a base structure that carries the cut material input device (9) for the purpose of establishing a cutting table length.
  8. 8. Cutting system, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the actuators (8) are formed in particular by pneumatic cylinders or pneumatic bellows which are supported on one side in the support structure (3) and which are coupled on the other side to the shaft lever (7) between a bearing of the support structure of the shaft lever (7) and the cutting bar (6).
  9. 9. Cutting system according to claim 8, characterized in that the actuators (8) are provided on both sides of the shaft levers (7) and are coupled via a bridge that passes through the shaft levers (7), wherein the bridge is coupled to the associated shaft lever.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [001] The invention relates to a cutting system for a combine harvester, which has a support structure for a cutting table, which on the cutting side has a cutting bar that is fixed to the structure in an articulated manner, is flexible transversely to the cutting direction and can be adjusted in height relative to the structure by means of a plurality of axle levers that are arranged distributed over the width of the cutting system and couple at one end to the cutting bar and at the other end to the structure, for which purpose actuators are associated with the axle levers in order to define a distance to the ground, wherein the actuators and therefore the axle levers can be actuated with the cutting bar by a controller in order to maintain a predetermined distance to the ground of the cutting bar along the width of the cutting system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART [002] Such a cutting system is known, for example, from AT 520 625 A2. For harvesting various types of fruit, it is often of great advantage or necessary to provide flexible cutting bars which, if necessary, can also be converted into a rigid cutting bar. A flexible cutting bar is understood to mean a cutting bar which at least substantially conforms to the contour of the surface to be mowed transversely to the direction of travel of the combine harvester and which, for this purpose, is generally held on the structure of the cutting system by means of spring plates or longitudinal links. Through the spring plates, the mowed crop is transported for further processing by means of a reel and a screw conveyor. In contrast, a rigid cutting bar is essentially mounted on the structure in a fixed, i.e., immobile manner. Flexible cutting bars are specifically required for crops such as soybeans, peas and the like, or for poor harvesting conditions such as stored grain, i.e., grain knocked down by the action of the wind, and particularly for large widths of cutting systems. A cutter bar that slides on the ground is naturally subject to increased wear, which is why a flexible cutting system should, if possible, only be used when harvesting conditions absolutely demand it. In order to create a cutting system for a combine harvester that allows for quick and easy adaptation of the cutting system to given harvesting conditions, i.e., an uncomplicated change between flexible and rigid cutting systems, it has already been proposed (AT 501 588 A) to provide at least one means of traction between the frame and the cutter bar, whereby the cutter bar can be moved relative to the frame, by overcoming the spring force, from its flexible working position relative to the frame to a rigid working position relative to the frame, in which the rigid working position of the cutter bar is fixed to the frame. [003] WO 2019111069 A1 discloses a conveyor belt cutting system that transports cut material from the edge of the cutting system to the center of the cutting system. To maintain ground clearance, a plurality of weighing cells are provided that measure the weight of the cut material resting on the cutting system. Any bending of the cutting system as a result of the load can be compensated for by the actuators. An active adjustment of ground clearance is not provided. The cutting system can slide on the ground and compensate for the force of the weight at rest. A similar device is known from EP 0160823 A2. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [004] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a cutting system for a combine harvester of the type described above, which allows the cutter bar to be easily and quickly adjusted to the prevailing harvesting conditions and at the same time ensures an approximately constant cutting height above the ground. [005] The invention solves the stated objective by the fact that the cutter bar is assigned a plurality of sensors which are arranged in a distributed manner along the width of the cutting system, register the distance to the ground of the cutter bar and are provided on the cutter bar in front of each axis lever in the cutting direction, wherein the sensors are ramps arranged on the lower side of the cutter bar to measure the contact pressure with the ground of the respective ramp or to measure the distance between ramp and cutter bar. [006] With this measure, a quick and easy adjustment of the cutter bar to the respective harvesting conditions is possible, whereby a nearly constant cutting height above the ground can be maintained along the entire width of the cutting system. This means that soil can be reliably prevented from being pushed into the ground as a result of insufficient clearance during the harvesting process or uneven ground. The sensors should naturally be positioned as far forward as possible in the cutting system. It is also conceivable to have ramps projecting forward over the cutting system, to which the sensors are attached. According to the invention, the cutter bar, which is fl