阅读说明：本技术 用于收割机器的气象站安装及其展开方法 (Weather station installation for harvesting machines and method for deploying same ) 是由 杰弗里·马萨克 盖瑞·奈普 于 2020-04-22 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种收割机器,包括：底盘、用于支撑所述底盘的地面接合机构和安装到所述底盘以用于储存农作物材料的箱组件。所述箱组件包括用于至少部分地覆盖形成在所述箱组件的顶部中的开口的可收缩门。移动式传感器组件包括：杆和用于检测天气状况的传感器,使得所述杆包括联接到所述可收缩门的第一端部和所述传感器联接到其的第二端部。所述可收缩门在打开位置与关闭位置之间可操作地移动,并且在所述门在所述打开位置与关闭位置之间移动时,所述移动式传感器组件分别在展开位置与收起位置之间可旋转地移动。(A harvesting machine comprising: a chassis, a ground engaging mechanism for supporting the chassis, and a tank assembly mounted to the chassis for storing crop material. The tank assembly includes a retractable door for at least partially covering an opening formed in a top of the tank assembly. The mobile sensor assembly includes: a lever and a sensor for detecting weather conditions, such that the lever includes a first end coupled to the retractable door and a second end to which the sensor is coupled. The retractable door is operably movable between an open position and a closed position, and the mobile sensor assembly is rotatably movable between a deployed position and a stowed position, respectively, as the door is moved between the open and closed positions.)

1. A harvesting machine comprising:

a chassis;

a ground engaging mechanism for supporting the chassis;

a tank assembly mounted to the chassis for storing crop material, the tank assembly including a retractable door for at least partially covering an opening formed in a top of the tank assembly; and

a mobile sensor assembly including a rod and a sensor for detecting weather conditions, the rod including a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the retractable door, the sensor coupled to the second end;

wherein the retractable door is operably movable between an open position and a closed position;

wherein the mobile sensor assembly is rotatably movable between deployed and stowed positions, respectively, as the door moves between the open and closed positions.

2. The harvesting machine of claim 1, wherein in the closed position, the mobile sensor assembly is located in the tank assembly.

3. The harvesting machine of claim 1, wherein the mobile sensor assembly rotatably moves between 60 ° and 120 ° between the deployed position and the stowed position.

4. The harvesting machine of claim 1, wherein the mobile sensor assembly includes an antenna, a camera, or a global positioning sensor.

5. The harvesting machine of claim 1, further comprising a shaft rotatably driven by a drive mechanism, the shaft operatively coupled to the door for rotating the door between its open and closed positions.

6. The harvesting machine of claim 5, wherein the mobile sensor assembly is coupled to the shaft, the mobile sensor assembly being rotatably driven by the shaft between deployed and stowed positions of the mobile sensor assembly.

7. The harvesting machine of claim 6, wherein the shaft rotates greater than 100 ° and the mobile sensor assembly rotates less than 100 ° when the retractable door is rotatably driven between its open and closed positions.

8. The harvesting machine of claim 5, further comprising a machine controller disposed in communication with the drive mechanism for operably controlling rotational movement of the shaft and for automatically moving the mobile sensor assembly between its deployed and stowed positions.

9. The harvesting machine of claim 5, further comprising a stop assembly including a first stop mechanism and a second stop mechanism;

wherein in the deployed position, the lever engages the first stop mechanism to prevent further rotational movement of the mobile sensor assembly;

wherein in the stowed position the lever engages the second stop mechanism to prevent further rotational movement of the mobile sensor assembly.

10. The harvesting machine of claim 9, further comprising a sleeve for receiving the rod in the deployed position.

11. The harvesting machine of claim 9, wherein:

the rod is coupled to a block member, the block member including a stopper block and an opening formed in the block member for receiving the shaft;

the mass member and the lever are pivotable relative to the shaft such that the shaft rotates a greater angular distance than the mobile sensor assembly.

12. The harvesting machine of claim 5, wherein the drive mechanism includes a hydraulic actuator or an electric motor.

13. The harvesting machine of claim 1, wherein the harvesting machine includes a maximum height defined between a ground surface on which the ground engaging mechanism contacts and an uppermost position on the harvesting machine;

wherein in the deployed position, the sensor is located at a height greater than the maximum height.

14. A control method for controlling a mobile sensing device located on a harvesting machine to a deployed position for detecting weather conditions, comprising:

providing the harvesting machine with a controller, a chassis, and a tank assembly mounted to the chassis, the tank assembly including a retractable door to which the mobile sensing device is coupled;

determining that the harvesting machine is operating in field operating conditions;

opening the retractable door;

deploying the mobile sensing device from a stowed position to the deployed position at about the same time that the retractable door is opened to the open position of the retractable door.

15. The control method according to claim 14, further comprising: controllably rotating the shaft via the controller for automatically opening the retractable door and deploying the mobile sensing device.

16. The control method according to claim 14, further comprising:

closing the retractable door; and

moving the mobile sensing device rotatably from the deployed position to the stowed position.

17. The control method according to claim 16, further comprising: positioning the mobile sensing device within the tank assembly and at least partially enclosing the tank assembly when the retractable door is closed.

18. A harvesting machine comprising:

a chassis;

a ground engaging mechanism for supporting the chassis;

a tank assembly mounted to the chassis for storing crop material, the tank assembly including a plurality of retractable doors for at least partially enclosing the tank assembly;

a drive assembly including a shaft operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of retractable doors, the drive assembly operably driving the at least one retractable door between an open position and a closed position;

a mobile sensor assembly including a rod, a sensor for detecting weather conditions, and a stop assembly for limiting rotational movement of the mobile sensor assembly, the rod including a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the shaft, the sensor coupled to the second end;

wherein the mobile sensor assembly is rotatably movable between deployed and stowed positions, respectively, at about the same time that the retractable door is moved between the open and closed positions.

19. The harvesting machine of claim 18, wherein the shaft rotates greater than 100 ° and the mobile sensor assembly rotates less than 100 ° when the retractable door is rotatably driven between its open and closed positions.

20. The harvesting machine of claim 18, wherein:

the stop assembly includes a first stop mechanism and a second stop mechanism;

wherein in the deployed position, the lever engages the first stop mechanism to prevent further rotational movement of the mobile sensor assembly;

wherein in the stowed position the lever engages the second stop mechanism to prevent further rotational movement of the mobile sensor assembly.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to harvesting machines and, in particular, to a weather station installation for a machine and a method of deploying the same.

Background

Agricultural harvesting machines (e.g., combine harvesters) include various portions or sections for moving crop therethrough. For example, a conventional combine may include a cleaning screen or system located between the wheels of the combine, behind the cab, and below the engine. The design of the cleaning system is such that a large fan or blower provides the driving air upwardly therefrom. The cleaning system may include a grate in the form of a large cylindrical or semi-circular body through which the grain and other residue falls onto a cleaning screen (or sieve). Air from the blower is generated up through the flat grate and the cleaning screen and lifts material other than grain ("MOG") (e.g., straw) and carries the material by an air stream to the rear of the combine. Grain falling through the large flat screen of the cleaning system can collect near the bottom of the combine where it is lifted by the air flow and deposited into a grain bin. The MOG is further carried by the air flow across the top of the screen and to the rear of the combine where it is deposited onto the ground below. The MOG carried by the air stream to the rear of the combine may be spread over the ground or otherwise deposited in narrow piles or strips on the ground where it is subsequently picked up.

In the case where MOGs and other debris are stirred up by the machine, it may be desirable to be able to manage the debris. To do so, it is helpful to know the surrounding weather conditions, e.g., temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction. This is particularly helpful in managing the cooling performance of the work machine, and also better aware of what happens to the MOG after exiting the machine.

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a harvesting machine comprises: a chassis; a ground engaging mechanism for supporting the chassis; a tank assembly mounted to the chassis for storing crop material, the tank assembly including a retractable door for at least partially covering an opening formed in a top of the tank assembly; and a mobile sensor assembly including a rod and a sensor for detecting weather conditions, the rod including a first end coupled to the retractable door and a second end to which the sensor is coupled; wherein the retractable door is operably movable between an open position and a closed position; wherein the mobile sensor assembly is rotatably movable between deployed and stowed positions, respectively, as the door moves between the open and closed positions.

In one example of this embodiment, the mobile sensor assembly is located in the tank assembly in the closed position. In a second example, the mobile sensor assembly is rotatably movable between 60 ° to 120 ° between the deployed position and the stowed position. In a third example, the moving assembly is rotatably moved less than 100 °. In another example, the mobile sensor assembly includes an antenna, a camera, or a global positioning sensor.

In a fourth example, a shaft is rotatably driven by a drive mechanism, the shaft being operatively coupled to the door for rotating the door between its open and closed positions. In a fifth example, the mobile sensor assembly is coupled to the shaft, the mobile sensor assembly being rotatably driven by the shaft between its deployed and stowed positions. In a sixth example, the shaft rotates more than 100 ° and the mobile sensor assembly rotates less than 100 ° when the retractable door is rotatably driven between its open and closed positions. In a seventh example, a machine controller is provided in communication with the drive mechanism for operatively controlling rotational movement of the shaft and automatically moving the mobile sensor assembly between its deployed and stowed positions.

In an eighth example, the stop assembly includes: a first stopper mechanism and a second stopper mechanism; wherein in the deployed position, the lever engages the first stop mechanism to prevent further rotational movement of the mobile sensor assembly; wherein in the stowed position the lever engages the second stop mechanism to prevent further rotational movement of the mobile sensor assembly. In a ninth example, the sleeve receives the rod in the deployed position. In another example, the rod is coupled to the block member, the block member including a stop block and an opening formed in the block member for receiving the shaft; the mass member and lever are pivotable relative to the shaft such that the shaft rotates a greater angular distance than the mobile sensor assembly. In another example, the drive mechanism includes a hydraulic actuator or an electric motor. In yet another example, the machine includes a maximum height defined between a ground surface on which the ground engaging mechanism contacts and an uppermost position on the machine; wherein, in the deployed position, the sensor is located at a height greater than the maximum height.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, a method of controlling a mobile sensing device located on a harvesting machine to a deployed position for detecting weather conditions includes: providing the harvesting machine with a controller, a chassis, and a tank assembly mounted to the chassis, the tank assembly including a retractable door to which the mobile sensing device is coupled; determining that the harvesting machine is operating in field operating conditions; opening the retractable door; deploying the mobile sensing device from a stowed position to the deployed position at about the same time as the retractable door is opened to its open position.

In one example of this embodiment, the method may comprise: controllably rotating, via the controller, a shaft for opening the retractable door and deploying the mobile sensing device in an automated manner. In another example, the method may include: closing the retractable door; and rotatably moving the mobile sensing device from the deployed position to the stowed position. In yet another example, the method may include: positioning the mobile sensing device within the tank assembly and at least partially enclosing the tank assembly when the retractable door is closed.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a harvesting machine includes: a chassis; a ground engaging mechanism for supporting the chassis; a tank assembly mounted to the chassis for storing crop material, the tank assembly including a plurality of retractable doors for at least partially enclosing the tank assembly; a drive assembly including a shaft operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of retractable doors, the drive assembly operably driving the at least one retractable door between an open position and a closed position; a mobile sensor assembly including a rod, a sensor for detecting weather conditions, and a stop assembly for limiting rotational movement of the mobile sensor assembly, the rod including a first end coupled to the shaft and a second end to which the sensor is coupled; wherein the mobile sensor assembly is rotatably movable between deployed and stowed positions, respectively, at about the same time that the door is moved between the open and closed positions.

In one example of this embodiment, the shaft rotates more than 100 ° and the mobile sensor assembly rotates less than 100 ° when the retractable door is rotatably driven between its open and closed positions. In another example, the stop assembly includes: a first stopper mechanism and a second stopper mechanism; wherein in the deployed position, the lever engages the first stop mechanism to prevent further rotational movement of the mobile sensor assembly; wherein in the stowed position the lever engages the second stop mechanism to prevent further rotational movement of the mobile sensor assembly.

Drawings

The above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent, and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

fig. 1 is a partial cross-section of a side view of a combine harvester;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a weather station mounting assembly;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the tank on the harvesting machine with the weather station mounting assembly of FIG. 2 in its deployed position;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a rotary drive of the weather station mounting assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective and exploded view of a portion of the rotary drive of the weather station mounting assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the tank on the harvesting machine with the weather station mounting assembly of FIG. 2 in its stowed position;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the rotational drive of the weather station mounting assembly in its stowed position;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a second embodiment of a weather sensing assembly coupled to a tank on the harvesting machine;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a drive mechanism for operatively controlling the weather sensing assembly of FIG. 8; and is

Fig. 10 is an exploded view of the drive mechanism of fig. 9.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Detailed Description

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and methods, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.

In fig. 1, an embodiment of an agricultural combine 10 having a chassis 12 is shown with wheels 14 in contact with the ground. Wheels 14 are coupled to the chassis 12 and are used to propel the combine 10 forward in a forward operating or travel direction. The forward operating direction is to the left in fig. 1. The operation of the combine harvester 10 is controlled by an operator cab 16. The operator cab 16 may include any number of controls (not shown) for controlling the operation of the combine harvester 10. A cutter header 18 is provided at a forward end of the combine harvester 10 and is used to harvest crop (e.g., corn) and direct it to a ramp conveyor 20. The harvested crop is directed through the ramp conveyor 20 and across the guide roller 22. The guide drum 22 guides the harvested crop through an inlet transition 24 to an axial harvested crop processing device 26, as shown in fig. 1.

The harvested crop treatment apparatus 26 may include a rotor housing 34 and a rotor 36 disposed therein. The rotor 36 comprises a hollow drum 38, to which hollow drum 38 crop processing elements are fastened for a loading section 40, a threshing section 42 and a separating section 44. The charging portion 40 is arranged at the front end of the axially harvested crop treatment apparatus 26. The threshing section 42 and the separating section 44 are located downstream in the longitudinal direction and at the rear of the charging section 40. The drum 38 may be in the form of a truncated cone located in the loading portion 40. The threshing portion 42 may comprise a forward portion in the form of a truncated cone and a cylindrical rear portion. The cylindrical separating portion 44 of the drum 38 is located at the rear or end of the axially harvested crop processing unit 26. Instead of an axial harvested crop processing unit 26, a tangential threshing cylinder or a straw chopper with a following axial threshing section may also be used.

Corn and chaff falling through a thresher basket associated with threshing portion 42 and through a separation grid associated with separation portion 44 may be directed to cleaning system 28 having blower 46 and screens 48, 50 with louvers. Screens 48, 50 may vibrate in a front-to-back direction. The cleaning system 28 removes chaff and directs the clean corn over a screw conveyor 52 to an elevator (not shown) for clean corn or grain. The elevator for clean corn deposits the clean corn in a corn or grain bin 30, as shown in fig. 1. Clean corn or grain in bin 30 can be discharged to a corn truck, trailer, or truck (not shown) by means of discharge screw conveyor 32. The harvested crop remaining at the lower end of the lower screen 50 is transported again to the harvested crop processing apparatus 26 by the screw conveyor 54 and an overhead conveyor (not shown). The harvested crop residue, consisting essentially of chaff and small straw particles, conveyed at the upper end of the upper screen 48 may be conveyed by means of a vibrating sheet conveyor 56 to the rear and lower inlets 58 of a chopper rotor assembly 60.

The aforementioned blower 46 generates an air flow that carries the majority of the chaff and small particles to the rear of the combine and to the chopper rotor assembly 60. The blower 46 can provide three or more air paths inside the combine. The first air or flow path may pass through a front portion of the combine harvester 10. The second air or flow path may be above lower screen 50 and below upper screen 48 or the screening machine. The third air or flow path may be below the lower screen 50. All three air or flow paths fill the combine body and can create a pressurized air flow to pick up straw, grain and other residue or particles and carry them to the rear of the combine 10.

The threshed straw exiting the separating portion 44 is discharged from the harvested crop processing apparatus 26 through an outlet 62 and directed to a discharge drum 64. The discharge drum 64 or discharge agitator interacts with a sheet 66 disposed below it to discharge the straw to the rear, and the grain and MOG are directed through the cleaning system 28. The wall 68 is located at the rear of the exit roller 64. The wall 68 directs the straw into an upper inlet 70 of the chopper rotor assembly 60.

The shredder rotor assembly 60 may include a housing 72 (i.e., shredder housing) in which a rotor 74 is disposed, the rotor 74 being rotatable in a counterclockwise direction about an axis extending horizontally and transverse to the operating direction. The rotor 74 may include a plurality of shredder blades 76 depending in pairs and distributed around the circumference of the rotor 74, the plurality of shredder blades 76 interacting with opposing blades 78 secured to the housing 72. Two impeller blowers 82 arranged side-by-side with each other may be disposed downstream of the outlet 80 of the chopper rotor assembly 60. Only a single blower 82 is shown in fig. 1. Impeller blower 82 may include a plurality of impeller blades 84, each of which is rigidly connected to an upper circular disk 86 that may rotate about a central axis 88. The disc 86 with the radially extending impeller blades 84 may be rotatably driven by a hydraulic motor 90, the hydraulic motor 90 being connected above a bottom sheet 102 connected to the housing 72 of the chopper rotor assembly 60. At its radially inner end, the impeller blades 84 are connected to a cylindrical central body 92, the cylindrical central body 92 transitioning into a cone 94, with a point on the end of the cone 94 facing away from the disk 86. The impeller blades 84 may be rectangular and the height of the body 92 (without the cone 94) may be equal to the height of the impeller blades 84. The body 92 and cone 94 may be circular in cross-section, but may also have a multi-faceted shape.

Harvesting machines and other work machines often desire to be able to collect and know the surrounding environment, including weather. For example, it may allow for improved machine performance, and the collected data may be used to adjust machine settings during operation. A weather monitoring system may be mounted on the harvesting machine to collect this type of data. While this technique is not new, conventional systems are fixedly attached to the machine at locations where the sensing elements cannot be damaged during field operations or road transport. Further, conventional systems require the operator of the machine to activate the sensing technology, and in most cases, require the operator of the machine to deploy a system for collecting data. However, this can be problematic because many operators either forget to deploy the system or refuse to do so.

In addition, many systems are positioned on the machine at locations where the machine may interfere with the techniques to collect accurate data. For example, if the system is installed in a location where the cab or other structure of the machine may partially block the wind, the sensing technology may not be able to detect an accurate reading of the wind speed or direction. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved weather detection system that may be automatic or semi-automatic and further disposed in a location where accurate data can be collected to improve machine performance.

Referring to FIG. 2, one embodiment of an environmental sensing assembly is illustrated. The environment sensing assembly 200 may be in the form of a weather station system capable of detecting temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, barometric pressure, and the like. The assembly 200 may include an elongated rod 202 formed of aluminum, plastic, steel, or other robust material. The rod 202 may include a first end 208 and a second end 210. In one example, the rod 202 may be substantially straight from the first end 208 to the second end 210. In another example, the rod 202 may include a plurality of bends. For example, in fig. 2, a rod 202 having a first bend 212 and a second bend 214 is shown. The number of bends is not relevant to the present disclosure and may be any number including zero.

The bar 202 may have a length that allows it to extend above the machine during field operations. In one non-limiting example, the rod 202 may have a length of between 1 and 12 feet. In another example, the rod 202 may have a length between 3 and 10 feet. In another example, the rod 202 may have a length between 5 and 8 feet. In yet another example, the rod 202 may include a length between 5 and 7 feet. In yet another example, the rod 202 may have a length of about 6 feet plus or minus a few inches. The exact length of the pole 202 is not important to the present disclosure as long as the sensor assembly 206 is able to detect the ambient environment including weather characteristics (e.g., temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed, wind direction, etc.) without any obstruction by the machine when it is in its deployed position.

The sensor assembly 206 may be coupled to a first end 208 of the rod 202. The sensor component 206 may be any type of sensor capable of detecting weather conditions. Additionally, the sensor assembly 206 may further include a transmitter for transmitting the detected weather conditions to a controller on the machine or to a control system remotely located with respect to the machine.

In an alternative embodiment, the sensor assembly 206 may include a radio antenna for receiving or transmitting signals. In another embodiment, the sensor assembly may include a camera that is capable of taking a picture of the machine or the area surrounding the machine, or taking a video and transmitting the video to a cab where an operator can visually observe the area on and around the machine. The sensor assembly may further include a global positioning sensor for detecting the position or transmitted position of the machine in a given area of the field.

The assembly 200 may also include a stop assembly 204, which will be described in more detail below. However, the stop assembly 204 may be designed to limit rotational movement of the rod 202 between the first deployed position (fig. 3) and the second stowed position (fig. 6).

Turning to fig. 3, an environment sensing assembly 200 is shown coupled to a tank near the top of the harvesting machine. In fig. 1, for example, the environment sensing assembly 200 may be coupled to a corn or grain bin 300. The box is shown in an open configuration 300, which is typically the case when the machine is in a field operating condition. The bin may include a plurality of doors that may be disposed in an open or closed position. In fig. 3, the plurality of gates includes a first gate 302, a second gate 304, a third gate 306, and a fourth gate 308. Here, a plurality of doors are shown in their open positions.

In this embodiment, the environmental sensing assembly 200 is shown deployed in an extended or upright position. Although not shown due to the orientation of fig. 3, the sensor assembly 206 may be located at a higher elevation than the plurality of doors. Further, the sensor assembly 206 may be located at a peak height position relative to the rest of the machine. Of course, this may be desirable because the machine cannot block or obstruct the sensor assembly 206 from detecting actual measurements of weather and other environmental conditions. Sometimes, the grain or other material may completely fill the tank and extend above the tank. It may be desirable for the sensor assembly 206 to be located above the apex of the grain or corn disposed in the bin. Further, the air quality at this peak height location may be better, and thus the sensor assembly 206 is able to detect air characteristics including wind direction and wind speed for improved cooling pack performance.

As also shown in fig. 3, the environment sensing assembly 200 may be movably coupled to one of the plurality of doors of the cabinet. Here, the assembly 200 is coupled to a first door 302. In particular, the assembly 200 is coupled to a rocker or drive shaft 310 that is operable to drive the first door 302 between its open position (fig. 3) and its closed position. In one example, the shaft 310 may rotate between 45 ° and 225 °. In another example, the shaft 310 may rotate between 75 ° and 200 °. In another example, the shaft 310 may rotate between 100 ° and 175 °. In yet another example, the shaft 310 may rotate between 125 ° and 150 °. In yet another example, the shaft may rotate between 130 ° and 140 °.

A pair of links may be coupled to the shaft to assist in opening and closing the plurality of doors. In fig. 3, by way of example, a first link 312 and a second link 316 are shown. The first link 312 may be coupled to a support member 314 positioned on the first door 302. The second link 316 may be pivotally coupled to the first link 312. Further, the second link 316 may be rotatably coupled to the shaft 310. Although not shown, a drive mechanism (e.g., a hydraulic or electric actuator) may operably rotate the shaft 310 about the axis of rotation.

In fig. 3, the plurality of doors may also be referred to as covers. The door or cover may be automatically controlled between its open and closed positions by a machine controller that controls operation of the machine. For example, the controller may detect that the harvesting machine is operating in a field operation and trigger a number of doors or covers to open accordingly. For purposes of this disclosure, field operations may occur when a separator is engaged. The machine has begun to process grain, corn or other crops and in such a situation has opened a number of doors or covers. When the plurality of doors or covers are opened, the environment sensing assembly 200 will rotate to its deployed position 300 of FIG. 3. In contrast, the plurality of doors or covers may be automatically closed by the controller when the machine is operating in a transport condition. Thus, the operator need not enable or disable operation of the environment sensing assembly 200 — in this embodiment, it automatically deploys upon opening of multiple doors or covers.

Referring now to fig. 4 and 5, the stop assembly 204 is shown in greater detail. Here, the second link 316 is coupled to the drive shaft 310 via a plurality of fasteners 402, the fasteners 402 engaging a shaft coupling 400 attached to the shaft 310. In one embodiment, the second link 316 is pivotable or rotatable relative to the shaft 310. In an alternative embodiment, the shaft coupling 400 may be fixed to the shaft 310.

In the deployed position, the rod 202 may be located within the sleeve 404, as shown, the sleeve 404 supports the rod 202 and may limit its movement in the fore-aft direction. Further, in the deployed position 300 of fig. 3, the sleeve 404 receives the rod 202 and further restricts movement of the rod, regardless of whether the shaft 310 continues to rotate. The sleeve 404 may be formed from a plastic material and includes a defined opening 500 for receiving the rod 202. When viewed in the deployed position 300, the sleeve 404 may be coupled to the plate 502 at a location above the shaft 310. The C-shaped member 504 may be coupled to the plate 502 via one or more fasteners, and the C-shaped member 504 defines a shaft opening 506 as shown.

The rod 202 may be coupled to the block member 508. In one example, the rod 202 may be welded or adhered to the block member 508. In another example, a clamp or bracket may be used to couple the rod 202 to the block member 508. In any case, the cap 512 may be coupled to the block member 508 and define a shaft opening 514 through the cap 512 and the block member 508. As shown in fig. 5, the stop block 508 may be further coupled to a sidewall of the block member 508.

The stop assembly 204 may also include a foot member 518 to which the link 520 is attached. For example, one or more fasteners 526 may couple the coupler 520 to the foot member 518. The arm 522 may be coupled to the link 520, the foot member 518, or both via one or more fasteners (not shown). As shown in fig. 5, the stop 524 may be coupled to the arm 522 via a fastener 526. The stopper 524 may be formed of an elastic or rubber material. The type of material of the stop 524 may be any type of material used to limit the movement of the rod 206 in the stowed position.

When the stop assembly 204 is assembled, the washers 516 may be disposed between the foot member 518 and the coupler 520 and the cap 512 and the block member 508. A shaft opening 528 is formed between the coupler 520 and the foot member 518 such that the drive shaft 310 may be positioned within the shaft openings 506, 514, 528 shown in fig. 5.

For purposes of this embodiment, the foot member 518 may contact the stop block 510 to maintain the environment sensing assembly 200 in the deployed position 300. This is shown in fig. 4.

The present disclosure is not limited to the environment sensing assembly 200 being disposed in its deployed position. Sometimes, a harvesting machine may be in a transport mode in which it travels between fields or other locations where it is not processing grain or other crops. In such instances, it may be desirable to reduce the overall height and width of the machine to comply with government regulations. Likewise, the door or cover of the grain or corn bin may be closed during the transport mode. The environment sensing assembly 200 may also rotate with the drive shaft 310 to its folded or stowed position as the doors or covers rotate to their respective closed positions.

In fig. 6, the box is shown with the machine in its transport mode. For clarity, a plurality of doors or covers have been removed so that the interior components are more easily seen. Here, the environment sensing assembly 200 is shown rotated to its stowed position 600 via the drive shaft 310. In this position, the rod 202 is no longer received by the sleeve 404, but is received by a catch member 602 located inside the tank. In this stowed position 600, the environmental sensing assembly 200 is folded down and positioned under a plurality of doors or coverings so it is not exposed to power lines, trees, and the like while the harvesting machine is traveling in the transport mode.

As described above, in the deployed position, the stop block 510 engages the foot member 518 to limit any further rotation beyond the position shown in fig. 3. In fig. 6, and particularly in the stowed position, the stop block 510 engages the stop 524, which limits further rotational movement beyond the position shown in fig. 6 and 7. Thus, the stop assembly 204 may provide two limits to the rotational movement of the lever 202. Thus, in this embodiment, the cap 512 and the stop block 508 are free to pivot relative to the drive shaft 310 or about the drive shaft 310. In other words, even after the lever 202 reaches its limit via the foot member 518 and the stop 524, the drive shaft 310 may continue to rotate to further open or close the various doors or covers of the box.

In one embodiment, the controller automatically controls the opening and closing of the plurality of doors or covers of the cabinet. Likewise, the controller further controls the rotational movement of the environment sensing device 200 between its deployed 300 and stowed 600 positions. The controller can do this by controlling a drive mechanism (e.g., a hydraulic or electric actuator) that is operable to rotate the drive shaft 310. For example, in the deployed position 300, the controller may be operable to control the drive shaft 310 to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow 700 in fig. 7 to move the environment sensing assembly to its stowed position 600 of fig. 6.

In another embodiment, multiple doors or covers may be opened or closed semi-automatically or manually. In either case, the environment sensing assembly 200 can be deployed when the door or cover is open, and likewise, the assembly 200 can be stowed when the door or cover is closed. In this embodiment, an operator interface is required, but only with respect to opening or closing the door. There is no need for an operator to deploy or stow the environment sensing device 200, as this occurs automatically when the door or cover is moved to their respective orientations.

For example, in fig. 8, another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Here, a bin 800 is shown, for example, a grain bin, a corn bin, or any other bin on a harvesting machine. The case 800 may include one or more doors or covers that may be disposed in an open or closed position. In FIG. 8, the environment sensing assembly 200 includes a stem 202 and a stop assembly 204. A drive mechanism for controlling movement of the environment sensing assembly 200 between its deployed and stowed positions may include a drive shaft 802 and a drive assembly 804. For example, the drive assembly 804 may include a worm gear assembly. An electric motor or other electric mechanism may rotatably drive shaft 802. Alternatively, a hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic, or other known drive mechanism may be operable to rotate the shaft 802. The drive shaft or countershaft 802 of FIG. 8 may be shorter than the drive shaft 310 of FIG. 3, but this is not required.

In fig. 9 and 10, the drive assembly 804 is shown in greater detail. Here, the cradle 900 may be mounted to the case 800 such that the cradle 900 includes a bearing about which the drive shaft 802 rotates. As shown in fig. 10, the shaft 802 may rotate about a shaft axis 1010. The bracket 900 is configured to receive a threaded rod 906, the threaded rod 906 including a first end and a second end. At the first end, the threaded rod 906 may include a keyed end. As depicted in fig. 10, the keyed end may be a hexagonal end. Alternatively, the keyed end may be circular, triangular, square, pentagonal, octagonal, or any other type of shape.

A gear 904 having a plurality of teeth formed along its outer diameter may be provided. The gear 904 may be operably driven by an electric motor or similar type of drive mechanism. The gear 904 may include a key-shaped opening having a shape similar to the key-shaped end of the threaded rod. In fig. 10, for example, the gear 904 includes a hexagonally shaped opening that receives the hexagonally shaped end 1002 of the threaded rod 906. Likewise, gear 904 may be rotatably driven by a motor or other drive mechanism, and in effect, gear 904 may in turn rotate threaded rod 906. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the threaded rod 906 may be disposed along an axis substantially perpendicular to the shaft axis 1010. In another aspect, the threaded rod 906 may be disposed along an axis disposed at an angle relative to the shaft axis 1010.

At or near the second end of the threaded rod 906 is a threaded portion 1004. The threaded portion 1004 is configured to engage a plurality of teeth 1008 formed on the gear member 908. As threaded rod 906 is rotated by gear 904, threaded portion 1004 may in turn rotate gear member 908. The gear member 908 may be disposed about the drive shaft 802. As the gear member 908 is rotated by the threaded rod 906, the gear member 908 may, in turn, rotate the drive shaft 802.

Drive assembly 804 may also include a sleeve 902 and a support bearing 910, as shown in fig. 9 and 10. A plurality of fasteners 1006 may secure sleeve 902 to shaft 802 and gear member 908 to support bearing 910. Additional fasteners may be used to couple the support bearing to the shaft 802 as desired.

In the embodiment of fig. 8-10, the drive assembly 804 may be utilized when semi-automatically or manually opening or closing the various doors or covers of the enclosure 800. However, in other embodiments, the drive assembly 804 may be used in a fully automated process. Regardless of how the plurality of doors or covers are opened or closed, the environment sensing assembly 200 of the present disclosure may automatically rotate between its deployed and stowed positions as the doors or covers are opened or closed. Thus, the present disclosure avoids operator interaction to set or install the assembly 200 in its deployed position or to disassemble or remove the assembly during the mode of transport.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the lever 202 and the sensor assembly 206 may be rotated or pivoted by the drive shafts 310, 802 by less than the total amount of rotation of the drive shafts for opening or closing the respective door or cover. For example, the shaft 202 and the sensor assembly 206 may rotate less than 100 ° while the drive shaft rotates more than 100 °. In another example, the rod 202 and the sensor assembly 206 may rotate less than 90 ° when the drive shaft rotates more than 110 °. In another non-limiting example, the shaft 202 and the sensor assembly 206 can rotate between 80 ° and 90 °, and in one particular non-limiting example, the shaft 202 and the sensor assembly 206 can rotate approximately 85 ° to 88 °.

Although exemplary embodiments incorporating the principles of the present disclosure have been described herein, the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. On the contrary, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains.