阅读说明：本技术 用于农业联合收割机的作物植物切割刀 (Crop plant cutter for agricultural combine harvester ) 是由 马克·舒勒 施瑞亚斯·莫达克 于 2019-06-03 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种切割刀包括联接到农业联合收割机的割台单元的基部。切割刀包括远离所述基部延伸的刀片。刀片包括边缘和从所述边缘形成的多个切割齿。所述多个切割齿包括沿着所述边缘定位且具有第一齿距的第一组齿。所述多个切割齿还包括沿着所述边缘定位且具有比第一齿距小的第二齿距的第二组齿。所述第一组齿定位成比所述第二组齿更靠近所述刀片的与所述基部相对的一端。(A cutting knife includes a base coupled to a header unit of an agricultural combine. The cutting knife includes a blade extending away from the base. The blade includes an edge and a plurality of cutting teeth formed from the edge. The plurality of cutting teeth includes a first set of teeth positioned along the edge and having a first pitch. The plurality of cutting teeth also includes a second set of teeth positioned along the edge and having a second pitch that is less than the first pitch. The first set of teeth is positioned closer to an end of the blade opposite the base than the second set of teeth.)

1. a cutting knife configured to be coupled to an agricultural combine to cut crop plants from an agricultural field, the cutting knife comprising:

A base configured to be coupled to a header unit of an agricultural combine; and

A blade including a blade central axis extending away from the base, the blade including a plurality of cutting teeth, each cutting tooth of the plurality of cutting teeth having a tip, the blade including an edge tangent to each tip on a first side of the blade, the edge being oriented obliquely relative to the blade central axis, the plurality of cutting teeth including successive first, second, and third teeth positioned along the edge, wherein a first distance separates the tip of the first tooth and the tip of the second tooth, the first distance being measured parallel to the edge, the first distance also separating the tip of the second tooth and the tip of the third tooth, the plurality of cutting teeth further including successive fourth, fifth, and sixth teeth positioned along the edge, wherein a second distance different from the first distance separates the tip of the fourth tooth and the tip of the fifth tooth, the second distance is measured parallel to the edge, the second distance also separating the tip of the fifth tooth and the tip of the sixth tooth.

2. The cutting burr of claim 1, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance, and wherein the first, second, and third teeth are positioned closer to an end of the blade distal from the base than the fourth, fifth, and sixth teeth.

3. The cutting burr of claim 2, wherein the plurality of cutting teeth includes a first set of cutting teeth having the first, second, and third teeth, and wherein the first set of cutting teeth spans a first length parallel to the edge, wherein the plurality of cutting teeth includes a second set of cutting teeth having the fourth, fifth, and sixth teeth, and wherein the second set of cutting teeth spans a second length parallel to the edge, and wherein the first length is less than 45% of a total length of the edge, and the second length is greater than 45% of the total length of the edge.

4. The cutting burr of claim 2, wherein the plurality of cutting teeth further comprises consecutive seventh, eighth, and ninth teeth positioned along the edge, wherein a third distance different from the first and second distances separates a tip of the seventh tooth and a tip of the eighth tooth, and wherein the third distance is measured parallel to the edge, and wherein the third distance also separates a tip of the eighth tooth and a tip of the ninth tooth.

5. the cutting burr of claim 4, wherein the second distance is greater than the third distance, and wherein the fourth, fifth, and sixth teeth are positioned closer to the end of the blade than the seventh, eighth, and ninth teeth.

6. The cutting burr of claim 5, wherein the plurality of cutting teeth includes a first set of cutting teeth having the first, second, and third teeth, and wherein the first set of cutting teeth spans a first length parallel to the edge, wherein the plurality of cutting teeth includes a second set of cutting teeth having the fourth, fifth, and sixth teeth, and wherein the second set of cutting teeth spans a second length parallel to the edge, and wherein the plurality of cutting teeth includes a third set of cutting teeth having the seventh, eighth, and ninth teeth, and wherein the third set of cutting teeth spans a third length parallel to the edge, and wherein the first length is less than 40% of a total length of the edge, the second length is less than 30% of the total length of the edge, the third length is greater than 30% of the total length of the edge.

7. The cutting burr of claim 1, wherein the edge is a first edge, and wherein the blade includes a second edge opposite the first edge, the second edge having a plurality of cutting teeth, the plurality of cutting teeth on the second edge each having a tip positioned along the second edge, and wherein the second edge is tangent to each tip of the plurality of cutting teeth on a second side of the blade, and wherein the second edge is oriented obliquely with respect to a blade central axis.

8. The cutting burr of claim 7, wherein the blade is a first blade including a first blade central axis, and wherein the cutting burr includes a second blade including a second blade central axis extending away from the base, and wherein the base includes a base central axis oriented substantially transverse to the first and second blade central axes.

9. The cutting burr of claim 8, wherein the second blade includes a third edge opposite a fourth edge, the third edge and the fourth edge each having a plurality of cutting teeth, the plurality of cutting teeth on the third edge each having a tip positioned along the third edge, the plurality of cutting teeth on the fourth edge each having a tip positioned along the fourth edge, and wherein the third edge is tangent to each tip of the plurality of cutting teeth on a third side of the second blade and the fourth edge is tangent to each tip of the plurality of cutting teeth on a fourth side of the second blade, wherein the third edge and the fourth edge are oriented obliquely relative to the second blade central axis.

10. A cutting knife configured to be coupled to an agricultural combine to cut crop plants from an agricultural field, the cutting knife comprising:

A base configured to be coupled to a header unit of an agricultural combine; and

A blade including a blade central axis extending away from the base, the blade including a plurality of cutting teeth, each cutting tooth of the plurality of cutting teeth having a tip, the blade including an edge tangent to each tip on a first side of the blade, the edge being oriented obliquely with respect to the blade central axis, the plurality of cutting teeth including successive first, second, third, and fourth teeth positioned along the edge, wherein a first distance separates a tip of the first tooth from a tip of a second tooth, a second distance different from the first distance separates the tip of the second tooth from a tip of the third tooth, a third distance substantially the same as the first distance separates the tips of the third and fourth teeth, the first distance, the second distance, and the third distance are measured parallel to the edge.

11. The cutting burr of claim 10, wherein the plurality of cutting teeth includes a fifth tooth having a tip positioned along the edge and continuous with the fourth tooth, and wherein a fourth distance substantially the same as the third distance separates the tip of the fourth tooth and the tip of the fifth tooth, and wherein the fourth distance is measured parallel to the edge.

12. the cutting burr of claim 10, wherein the edge is a first edge, and wherein the blade includes a second edge opposite the first edge, the second edge having a plurality of cutting teeth, the plurality of cutting teeth on the second edge each having a tip positioned along the second edge, and wherein the second edge is tangent to each tip of the plurality of cutting teeth on a second side of the blade, and wherein the second edge is oriented obliquely with respect to the blade central axis.

13. The cutting burr of claim 12, wherein the blade is a first blade including a first blade central axis, and wherein the cutting burr includes a second blade including a second blade central axis extending away from the base, and wherein the base includes a base central axis oriented substantially transverse to the first and second blade central axes.

14. The cutting burr of claim 13, wherein the second blade includes a third edge opposite a fourth edge, the third edge and the fourth edge each having a plurality of cutting teeth, the plurality of cutting teeth on the third edge each having a tip positioned along the third edge, the plurality of cutting teeth on the fourth edge each having a tip positioned along the fourth edge, and wherein the third edge is tangent to each tip of the plurality of cutting teeth on the third side of the second blade, the fourth edge is tangent to each tip of the plurality of cutting teeth on the fourth side of the second blade, and wherein the third edge and the fourth edge are oriented obliquely with respect to the second blade central axis.

15. A cutting knife configured to be coupled to an agricultural combine to cut crop plants from an agricultural field, the cutting knife comprising:

A base configured to be coupled to a header unit of an agricultural combine; and

A blade extending away from the base, the blade comprising:

An edge, and

A plurality of cutting teeth formed from the edge, the plurality of cutting teeth including a first set of teeth positioned along the edge and having a first pitch, the plurality of cutting teeth further including a second set of teeth positioned along the edge and having a second pitch that is less than the first pitch;

wherein the first set of teeth is positioned closer to an end of the blade opposite the base than the second set of teeth.

16. The cutting burr of claim 15, wherein the first set of teeth includes a first, second, and third tooth that are continuous, and wherein the first pitch separates a tip of the first tooth from a tip of the second tooth and the first pitch separates a tip of the second tooth from a tip of the third tooth, and wherein the second set of teeth includes a fourth, fifth, and sixth tooth that are continuous, and wherein the second pitch separates a tip of the fourth tooth from a tip of the fifth tooth and the second pitch separates a tip of the fifth tooth from a tip of the sixth tooth.

17. The cutting burr of claim 16, wherein the plurality of cutting teeth further comprises a third set of teeth positioned along the edge, the third set of teeth having a third pitch that is less than the second pitch, and wherein the third set of teeth includes consecutive seventh, eighth, and ninth teeth, and wherein the third pitch separates a tip of the seventh tooth from a tip of the eighth tooth, the third pitch separates a tip of the eighth tooth from a tip of the ninth tooth.

18. The cutting burr of claim 15, wherein the first and second sets of teeth comprise consecutive first, second, third, and fourth teeth, and wherein the first pitch separates a tip of the first tooth from a tip of the second tooth, the second pitch separates a tip of the second tooth from a tip of the third tooth, and the first pitch separates a tip of the third tooth from a tip of the fourth tooth.

19. The cutting burr of claim 18, wherein the first and second sets of teeth each include a fifth tooth having a tip and being continuous with the fourth tooth, and wherein the first pitch separates the tips of the fourth and fifth teeth.

20. The cutting burr of claim 15, wherein the edge is a first edge oriented obliquely with respect to a blade central axis of the blade, and wherein the blade includes a second edge opposite the first edge, and wherein the second edge is oriented obliquely with respect to the blade central axis, and wherein the plurality of cutting teeth are formed from the second edge.

21. A crop cutting assembly for a header unit of an agricultural combine harvester, the crop cutting assembly configured to cut crop plants from an agricultural field, the crop cutting assembly comprising:

A drive link configured to reciprocate along an axis; and

a cutting blade, said cutting blade comprising

A base configured to be selectively coupled to the drive link; and

a blade extending away from the base, the blade including an edge and a plurality of cutting teeth formed from the edge, the plurality of cutting teeth including a first set of teeth positioned along the edge and having a first pitch, the plurality of cutting teeth further including a second set of teeth positioned along the edge and having a second pitch that is less than the first pitch;

Wherein the first set of teeth is positioned closer to an end of the blade opposite the base than the second set of teeth.

Technical Field

The invention relates to an agricultural combine harvester, in particular to a crop plant cutter on a header unit of the agricultural combine harvester.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, a cutting knife is configured to be coupled to an agricultural combine to cut crop plants from an agricultural field. The cutting knife includes a base configured to be coupled to a header unit of an agricultural combine. The cutting burr further includes a blade having a blade central axis extending away from the base. The blade includes a plurality of cutting teeth. Each cutting tooth of the plurality of cutting teeth has a tip. The blade includes an edge tangent to each tip on a first side of the blade. The edge is oriented obliquely with respect to the blade central axis. The plurality of cutting teeth includes consecutive first, second, and third teeth positioned along the edge, wherein a first distance separates a tip of the first tooth and a tip of the second tooth. The first distance is measured parallel to the edge. The first distance also separates a tip of the second tooth and a tip of the third tooth. The plurality of cutting teeth further includes consecutive fourth, fifth, and sixth teeth positioned along the edge, wherein a second distance, different from the first distance, separates a tip of the fourth tooth and a tip of the fifth tooth. The second distance is measured parallel to the edge. The second distance also separates the tips of the fifth and sixth teeth.

In another aspect, a cutting knife is configured to be coupled to an agricultural combine to cut crop plants from an agricultural field. The cutting knife includes a base configured to be coupled to a header unit of an agricultural combine. The cutting burr also includes a blade having a blade central axis extending away from the base. The blade includes a plurality of cutting teeth. Each cutting tooth of the plurality of cutting teeth has a tip. The blade includes an edge tangent to each tip on a first side of the blade. The edge is oriented obliquely with respect to the blade central axis. The plurality of cutting teeth includes consecutive first, second, third, and fourth teeth positioned along the edge, wherein a first distance separates a tip of the first tooth from a tip of the second tooth, a second distance different from the first distance separates a tip of the second tooth from a tip of the third tooth, and a third distance substantially the same as the first distance separates a tip of the third tooth from a tip of the fourth tooth. The first distance, the second distance, and the third distance are measured parallel to the edge.

In another aspect, a cutting knife is configured to be coupled to an agricultural combine to cut crop plants from an agricultural field. The cutting knife includes a base configured to be coupled to a header unit of an agricultural combine. The cutting burr further includes a blade extending away from the base. The blade includes an edge and a plurality of cutting teeth formed from the edge. The plurality of cutting teeth includes a first set of teeth positioned along the edge and having a first pitch. The plurality of cutting teeth also includes a second set of teeth positioned along the edge and having a second pitch that is less than the first pitch. The first set of teeth is positioned closer to an end of the blade opposite the base than the second set of teeth.

In another aspect, a crop cutting assembly for a header unit of an agricultural combine. The crop cutting assembly is configured to cut crop plants from an agricultural field. The crop cutting assembly comprises: a drive link configured to reciprocate along an axis; and a cutting knife. The cutting knife includes: a base configured to be selectively coupled to the drive link; and a blade extending away from the base. The blade includes an edge and a plurality of cutting teeth formed from the edge. The plurality of cutting teeth includes a first set of teeth positioned along the edge and having a first pitch. The plurality of cutting teeth also includes a second set of teeth positioned along the edge and having a second pitch that is less than the first pitch. The first set of teeth is positioned closer to an end of the blade opposite the base than the second set of teeth.

Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an agricultural combine.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a header unit of the agricultural combine of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detailed view of a portion of the header unit of fig. 2 including a plurality of cutting knives.

Fig. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the plurality of cutting knives of fig. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of the plurality of cutting blades of FIG. 3

Fig. 6 is a top view of another set of multiple cutting knives of fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a top view of another set of multiple cutting knives of fig. 3.

Detailed Description

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand terms of degree (e.g., "substantially," "about," etc.) to refer to reasonable ranges outside the stated values, e.g., general tolerances associated with manufacturing, assembly, and use of the described embodiments.

Fig. 1 illustrates an agricultural combine harvester 10 that is movable over a field to harvest crop plants (e.g., legumes, wheat, a combination of corn and wheat, etc.) therefrom. The harvester 10 includes a chassis 15, wheels 20 coupled to the chassis 15, a prime mover 25 (e.g., an internal combustion engine) supported by the chassis 15, and a cab 30 also supported by the chassis 15. The wheels 20 are driven by a prime mover 25 to move the harvester 10 across a field. The prime mover 25 also provides mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical power to other components and features of the harvester 10. The cab 30 is configured to support an operator of the harvester 10.

With continued reference to fig. 1, the harvester 10 also includes a grain tank 35, a threshing unit 40, and a header unit 45. The header unit 45 is operable by the prime mover 25 to cut crop plants from the field and to convey the crop plants to the threshing unit 40 by a conveyor 50 located between the header unit 45 and the threshing unit 40. The threshing unit 40 is then operable to separate the crop plants into: crop parts, which are collected in grain bin 35; and a residue portion that is discharged from the harvester 10 onto the field.

The illustrated header unit 45 is a dump-bucket header unit (tractor head unit) including a frame 55, the frame 55 having a longitudinal axis 60 oriented substantially transverse to a direction of travel of the harvester 10. The frame 55 supports: a spool 65, the spool 65 being rotatably extendable between opposite sides of the frame 55; and a crop cutting assembly 75 including a drive unit 80 (fig. 2) located on one side of the frame 55. In other embodiments, the header unit 45 may be configured differently depending on the particular crop plants being harvested.

Referring to fig. 2, the driving unit 80 includes: a reciprocator 85 coupled to a drive shaft 90, the drive shaft 90 in operable communication with the prime mover 25; and a drive link 95 (e.g., a drive plate) coupled to the plurality of cutting knives 100 of the crop cutting assembly 75. In the illustrated embodiment, the reciprocator 85 is a slider-crank mechanism that receives rotational motion from the drive shaft 90 and converts the rotational motion into a substantially linear reciprocating motion of the drive link 95 along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 60 of the header unit 45. In other embodiments, the reciprocator 85 may be variously configured to linearly reciprocate the drive link 95.

As best shown in fig. 2 and 3, the cutting knife 100 is located on the underside of the header unit 45 near the field and is coupled (e.g., selectively fixed) to the drive link 95 for movement therewith. The crop cutting assembly 75 further comprises a fixed support 105 (e.g. a transverse subframe) which supports the cutting knife 100 during the reciprocating movement of the cutting knife 100. In particular, the fixed support 105 includes protrusions 110 extending in a forward direction (relative to the travel of the harvester 10), with some of the protrusions 110a having slots 115, the slots 115 being sized to receive the cutting knives 100 and configured such that a portion of each of the protrusions 110a is located above the cutting knives 100 and another portion of each of the protrusions 110a is located below the cutting knives 100. The protrusion 110a is also configured to extend forward beyond the cutting burr 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the distance 118 between adjacent projections 110a (i.e., the linear distance between the tips of adjacent projections 110a parallel to the longitudinal axis 60, fig. 2) may be between about 3 inches and about 4 inches. The illustrated protrusions 110b, which do not include the grooves 115, are located below the cutting blade 100 between adjacent protrusions 110 a. The protrusions 110b are configured such that a portion of each of the cutting knives 100 extends forward beyond the protrusions 110 b.

The fixed support 105 also includes a hold down member 120, the hold down member 12 engaging with the top surface of the cutting blade 100 to help guide the cutting blade 100 into the groove 115 and prevent the cutting blade 100 from rotating upward away from the field as the cutting blade 100 reciprocates. In some embodiments, the compression member 120 may always engage the cutting burr 100, or may be spaced slightly above the cutting burr 100 to selectively engage the cutting burr 100 if the cutting burr 100 begins to move out of alignment with the groove 115. In other embodiments, the protrusion 110 may be omitted and replaced with another series of cutting knives 100, such that the at least one reciprocating mechanism 85 may move the two separate series of cutting knives 100 relative to each other.

Referring to fig. 4, each cutting blade 100 includes: a base 125, the base 125 having a first central axis 130, the first central axis 130 being oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 60 of the header unit 45 when the cutting knife 100 is assembled to the header unit 45; and two blades 135, the two blades 135 extending away from the base 125 in a forward direction such that each blade includes a second central axis 140 that is substantially transverse to the first axis 130.

The illustrated base 125 includes a plurality of fastening holes 142, each fastening hole 142 sized to receive a fastener (e.g., a bolt, etc.) to couple the cutting knife 100 to the drive link 95. In the illustrated embodiment, the first central axis 130 extends centrally through the fastening bore 142. Each illustrated blade 135 includes a first angled edge 145 and a second angled edge 150 (relative to the first central axis 130 and the second central axis 140) such that each blade 135 is generally triangular in shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the edges 145, 150 are positioned on opposite sides 152, 154 of the blade 135 and are oriented greater than 45 degrees (e.g., between about 50 degrees and about 70 degrees) with respect to the first central axis 130 and less than 45 degrees (e.g., between about 40 degrees and about 20 degrees) with respect to the second central axis 140. The second central axis 140 of the insert 135 is oriented substantially parallel to the central axis of the protrusion 110. Cutting teeth 155 are positioned along each edge 145, 150 between an end 160 of each blade 135 and the base 125. The edges 145, 150 are linear edges that are tangent to all the tips 170 of the cutting teeth 155 on a particular side 152, 154 of the blade 135. In some embodiments, all of the tips 170 may not be aligned tangentially to the corresponding edges 145, 150, such that each edge 145, 150 is tangent to at least two tips 170 of the cutting tooth 155 (e.g., a linear line between one tip 170 proximate the end 160 and one tip 170 proximate the base 125) due to, for example, manufacturing tolerances in forming/shaping the cutting tooth 155. As shown in fig. 4, each edge 145, 150 includes three distinct sets of teeth 165a, 165b, 165c, each set 165a, 165b, 165c having a unique pitch. The pitch of the cutting teeth 155 is defined by the linear distance (parallel to the corresponding edges 145, 150) separating the tips 170 of adjacent cutting teeth 155. For example, as the pitch between adjacent cutting teeth 155 increases, the number of Teeth Per Inch (TPI) of the cutting teeth 155 decreases. Conversely, as the pitch between adjacent cutting teeth 155 decreases, the TPI of the cutting teeth 155 increases. The first set of teeth 165a is shown positioned closer to the end 160 of each blade 135 than the other two sets 165b, 165c, the second set of teeth 165b is positioned between the first and third sets 165a, 165c, and the third set of teeth 165c is positioned closer to the base 125 than the other two sets 165a, 165 b. In other embodiments, sets of teeth 165a, 165b, 165c may be arranged differently along each edge 145, 150 (e.g., third set 165c may be positioned closest to end 160, second set 165b may be positioned closest to end 160, any of sets 165a, 165b, 165c may be positioned between the other two sets 165a, 165b, 165c, etc.), and/or blade 135 may include more than three sets of teeth to have more than three different pitches.

The first set of teeth 165a shown includes at least three teeth having a first pitch 175 measured parallel to the corresponding edges 145, 150; the second set of teeth 165b shown includes at least three teeth 180 having a second pitch 180 different from the first pitch 175 and measured parallel to the corresponding edge 145, 150; and the third set of teeth 165c includes at least three teeth having a third pitch 185 different from at least one of the first and second pitches 175, 180 and measured parallel to the corresponding edge 145, 150. In the illustrated embodiment, the first pitch 175 is greater than the second pitch 180, and the second pitch 180 is greater than the third pitch 185. For example, the first pitch 175 may be about 7TPI, the second pitch 180 may be about 10TPI, and the third pitch 185 may be about 14 TPI. In other embodiments, first pitch 175 may be less than or equal to about 8.5TPI, second pitch 180 may be greater than or equal to about 8.5TPI but less than or equal to about 12TPI, and third pitch 185 may be greater than or equal to about 12 TPI. In other embodiments, the first set of teeth 165a may include more or less than three teeth having the first pitch 175, the second set of teeth 165b may include more or less than three teeth having the second pitch 180, and/or the third set of teeth 165c may include more or less than three teeth having the third pitch 185.

In addition, the first set of teeth 165a includes a first linear length 190 (along each edge 145, 150, starting from the outermost tip 170 of the first set 165 a), the second set of teeth 165b includes a second linear length 195 (along each edge 145, 150, starting from the outermost tip 170 of the second set 165 b), and the third set of teeth 165c includes a third linear length 200 (along each edge 145, 150, starting from the outermost tip 170 of the third set 165 c). In the illustrated embodiment, the third linear length 200 is greater than the first and second linear lengths 190, 195, and the first linear length 190 is greater than the second linear length 195. For example, the first linear length 190 is between about 30% and about 40% of the total length of each edge 145, 150, the second linear length 195 is between about 15% and about 25% of the total length of each edge 145, 150, and the third linear length 200 is about 35% and about 45% of the total length of each edge 145, 150. In other embodiments, the first linear length 190 is less than 40% of the total length of each edge 145, 150, the second linear length 195 is less than 30% of the total length of each edge 145, 150, and the third linear length 200 is greater than 30% of the total length of each edge 145, 150.

in the illustrated embodiment, the two blades 135 include similar cutting teeth 155, but in other embodiments, the two blades 135 may include different cutting teeth 155 (e.g., different groupings and arrangements of cutting teeth, different pitches, different linear lengths, etc.).

as the harvester 10 moves through the field, the stalk or stalk of each crop plant is received between adjacent projections 110 of the crop cutting assembly 75 such that as the reciprocating mechanism 85 moves the cutting knife 100 back and forth, the cutting knife 100 clamps the stalk of the crop plant against one of the projections 110 to shear the stalk from the crop portion of the crop plant. In the illustrated embodiment, the reciprocator 85 is configured to move the cutting blade 100 along a cutting length that is generally the same as the pitch 118 of the projections 110 a. For example, the reciprocating mechanism 85 moves each cutting blade 100 in two reciprocating directions from about 3 inches to about 4 inches. Thus, some of the cutting knives 100 move from one groove 115 of a first projection 110a, past a projection 110b, and to another groove 115 of an adjacent projection 110a, thereby cutting stalks from the crop portion of the crop plant. In addition, the other cutting knives 100 move through the slot 115, starting from the first projection 110b, to move to the adjacent projection 110b, thereby cutting stalks from the crop portion of the crop plant. In other embodiments, the cutting length of the cutting blade 100 may be different than the spacing 118. Once the crop portions are cut from the stalks, the crop portions are advanced via the reel 65 to the conveyor 50 and then transferred to the threshing unit 40 as described above.

the disclosed illustrated cutting knife 100 with variable pitch functions to effectively cut crop plants of different sizes, thereby avoiding the continuous replacement of a particular cutting knife cutting a particular crop plant, which can be time consuming. Generally, the third small pitch 185 of the third set of cutting teeth 165c is effective in cutting smaller size/less rigid crop plants (e.g., wheat, barley, rice, oats, etc.), but is less effective in cutting larger size/more rigid crop plants (e.g., corn, etc.); the first larger pitch 175 of the first set of cutting teeth 165a is effective in cutting larger size crop plants, but less effective in cutting smaller size crop plants; while the second pitch 180 of the second set of cutting teeth 165b is effective in cutting medium size/medium rigidity crop plants (e.g., soybean, canola, rape, etc.). Moreover, smaller size crop plants are typically planted closer together (e.g., higher population density) than medium size crop plants and larger size crop plants (including lower population density). By including first, second and third sets of cutting teeth 165a, 165b, 165c on each edge 145, 150 of the blade 135, the illustrated cutting knife 100 can effectively cut a variety of different types of crop plants.

For example, when the harvester 10 harvests wheat (relatively smaller size/less rigid crop plants), the wheat straw is typically moved into alignment with the third set of cutting teeth 165c to be gripped by the projections 110, thereby shearing the wheat straw from the crop portion of wheat. In other embodiments, the second and first sets of cutting teeth 165b, 165a may also shear wheat straw, albeit less efficiently than the third set of cutting teeth 165 c. When the harvester 10 harvests beans (relatively medium size/medium rigidity crop plants), the cutting knife 100 is configured such that the beans are generally moved into alignment with the second set of cutting teeth 165b to be gripped by the projections 100, thereby cutting the beans from the crop portion of the beans. In other words, the size of the soybean straw is generally too large to align with the third set of cutting teeth 165c such that the third set of cutting teeth 165c cut the soybean straw. In other embodiments, a portion of the straw is first cut by the third set of cutting teeth 165c before the second set of cutting teeth 165b cuts the straw. In a further embodiment, the first set of cutting teeth 165a may also shear the beans, although less efficiently than the second set of cutting teeth 165 b. When the harvester 10 harvests crop plants (e.g., wheat) with crop plants (e.g., corn or cotton) remaining from a previous harvest and dispersed throughout the field (corn/cotton is a relatively large size/rigid crop plant), the cutter 100 is configured such that the corn/cotton stalks are generally moved into alignment with the first set of cutting teeth 165a to be gripped by the projections 100 so that the corn/cotton stalks are sheared in close proximity to the field. In other words, the size of the corn/cotton stalk is generally too large to align with the second and third sets of cutting teeth 165b, 165c for cutting by the second and third sets of cutting teeth 165b, 165 c. In other embodiments, a portion of the corn/cotton stalk is first cut by the second set of cutting teeth 165b before the first set of cutting teeth 165a cuts the corn/cotton stalk.

Fig. 5 shows a cutting blade 400 according to another embodiment. The cutting knife 400 is similar to the cutting knife 100; accordingly, like parts are indicated with like reference numerals increased by 300. At least some of the differences and/or at least some of the similarities between the cutting knives 100, 400 will be discussed in detail below. In addition, the features described with respect to the cutting burr 100 are equally applicable to the features described with respect to the cutting burr 400.

the illustrated cutting burr 400 includes a base 425, the base 425 having a fastening bore 442 and a first central axis 430. The cutting burr 400 further comprises two blades 435, each having a second central axis 440. Each blade 435 includes: a first beveled edge 445 positioned on the first side 452 of the blade 435; and a second beveled edge 450 positioned on a second side 454 of the blade 435, wherein a cutting tooth 455 is positioned along each edge 445, 450 between an end 460 and a base 425 of each blade 435. The cutting teeth 455 include two different sets of teeth 465a, 465b, a first set 465a having a first pitch 475 between adjacent tines 470 and a second set 465b having a second pitch 480 between adjacent tines 470. The second pitch 480 is less than the first pitch 475. For example, the first pitch 475 is about 7TPI and the second pitch 480 is about 14 TPI. In other embodiments, the first pitch 475 may be less than or equal to about 10TPI and the second pitch 480 may be greater than or equal to about 10 TPI. In further embodiments, the first and second tooth spaces 475, 480 may be between about 7TPI and about 15 TPI. In addition, the first set of teeth 465a includes a first linear length 490 measured parallel to the corresponding edge 145, 150, and the second set of teeth 465b includes a second linear length 495 measured parallel to the corresponding edge 145, 150. In the illustrated embodiment, the second linear length 495 is greater than the first linear length 490. For example, the first linear length 490 is between about 30% and about 40% of the total length of each edge 445, 450, and the second linear length 495 is between about 60% and about 70% of the total length of each edge 445, 450. In another embodiment, the first linear length 490 is less than 45% of the total length of each edge 445, 450, and the second linear length 495 is greater than 45% of the total length of each edge 445, 450.

The adjacent pairs of second teeth 465b effectively cut wheat straw as the harvester 10 moves through the field to harvest crop plants of relatively small size (e.g., wheat). In contrast, when the harvester 10 is moved through a field to harvest relatively large sized crop plants (e.g., corn), the adjacent pairs of first tines 465a effectively cut the cornstalks. However, as the harvester 10 moves through the field to harvest relatively medium sized crop plants (e.g., beans), the combination of the first and second teeth 465a, 465b effectively cut the beans. In other embodiments, the first tooth 465a may assist in cutting wheat straw, and the second tooth 465b may assist in cutting corn straw.

Fig. 6 shows a cutting knife 700 according to another embodiment. The cutting knife 700 is similar to the cutting knife 100; accordingly, like parts are indicated by like reference numerals increased by 600. At least some of the differences and/or at least some of the similarities between the cutting knives 100, 700 will be discussed in detail below. In addition, features described with respect to the cutting burr 100 and/or the cutting burr 400 are equally applicable to features described with respect to the cutting burr 700.

The illustrated cutting burr 700 includes a base 725 having a fastening hole 742 and a first central axis 730. The cutting burr 700 also includes two blades 735, each having a second central axis 740. Each blade 735 includes: a first beveled edge 745 positioned on a first side 752 of the blade 735; and a second beveled edge 750 positioned on the second side 754 of the blades 735, wherein a cutting tooth 755 is positioned along each edge 750, 755 between the end 760 and the base 725 of each blade 735. An adjacent pair of first teeth 765a includes a first tooth pitch 775 and an adjacent pair of second teeth 765b includes a second tooth pitch 780 that is different than the first tooth pitch 775. The first pitch 775 is greater than the second pitch 780. The first and second teeth 765a, 765b share a tip 770 of the cutting tooth 755. As such, consecutive adjacent cutting teeth 755 reciprocate between the first tooth spacing 775 and the second tooth spacing 780 such that a series of four adjacent cutting teeth 755 includes the second tooth spacing 780 twice and the first tooth spacing 775 once (e.g., beginning with the second tooth spacing 780 adjacent the tip 760 and extending toward the base 725).

The adjacent pairs of second teeth 765b effectively cut wheat straw as the harvester 10 moves through the field to harvest crop plants (e.g., wheat) of relatively small size. In contrast, adjacent pairs of first tines 765a are effective to cut cornstalks as harvester 10 moves through a field to harvest relatively large sized crop plants (e.g., corn). However, the combination of the first and second teeth 765a, 765b effectively cut the beans as the harvester 10 moves through the field to harvest relatively medium sized crop plants (e.g., legumes). In other embodiments, the first tooth 765a can aid in cutting wheat straw and the second tooth 765b can aid in cutting corn straw.

Fig. 7 shows a cutting knife 1000 according to another embodiment. Cutter 1000 is similar to cutter 100; accordingly, like parts are indicated with like reference numerals increased by 900. At least some of the differences and/or at least some of the similarities between the cutting knives 100, 1000 will be discussed in detail below. In addition, features described with respect to the cutting burr 100, the cutting burr 400, and/or the cutting burr 700 are equally applicable to features described with respect to the cutting burr 1000.

The illustrated cutting knife 1000 includes a base 1025, the base 1025 having a fastening hole 1042 and a first central axis 1030. The cutting burr 1000 also includes two blades 1035, each having a second central axis 1040. Each blade 1035 includes: a first beveled edge 1045 positioned on a first side 1052 of the blade 1035; and a second beveled edge 1050 positioned on the second side 1054 of the blade 1035, wherein a cutting tooth 1055 is positioned along each edge 1045, 1050 between the end 1060 and the base 1025 of each blade 1035. An adjacent pair of first teeth 1065a includes a first pitch 1075 and an adjacent pair of second teeth 1065b includes a second pitch 1080 that is different from the first pitch 1075. The first pitch 1075 is greater than the second pitch 1080. The first tooth 1065a and the second tooth 1065b share a tip 1070 of the cutting tooth 1055. As such, successive adjacent cutting teeth 1055 reciprocate between the first pitch 1075 and the second pitch 1080, such that a series of four adjacent cutting teeth 1055 includes two times the first pitch 1075 and one time the second pitch 1080 (e.g., beginning at the first pitch 1075 adjacent the end portion 1060 and extending toward the base portion 1025). The cutting burr 1000 also includes a series of five adjacent cutting teeth 1055, the five adjacent cutting teeth 1055 including a first pitch 1075 three times and a second pitch 1080 one time.

the adjacent pairs of second teeth 1065b effectively cut the wheat straw as the harvester 10 moves through the field to harvest relatively small sized crop plants (e.g., wheat). In contrast, when the harvester 10 is moved through a field to harvest relatively large sized crop plants (e.g., corn), the adjacent pairs of first tines 1065a effectively cut cornstalks. However, the combination of the first and second teeth 1065a, 1065b effectively cut the stalks as the harvester 10 moves through the field to harvest relatively medium sized crop plants (e.g., beans). In other embodiments, the first tooth 1065a may assist in cutting wheat straw and the second tooth 1065b may assist in cutting corn straw.

In the embodiment shown in the figures. As shown in fig. 4-7, the base 125, 425, 725, 1025 comprises a width (along the first central axis 130, 430, 730, 1030) that accommodates two blades 135, 435, 735, 1035 so that the cutting knife 100, 400, 700, 1000 may be easily replaced on the header unit 45 (e.g., the cutting knife 100, 400, 700, 1000 is not so wide as to reduce the serviceability of the cutting knife 100, 400, 700, 1000), while keeping the cost of manufacturing the cutting knife 100, 400, 700, 1000 relatively low. In other embodiments, each cutting knife 100, 400, 700, 1000 may comprise one of the blades 135, 435, 735, 1035, or each cutting knife 100, 400, 700, 1000 may comprise more than two blades 135, 435, 735. In further embodiments, at least one of the blades 135, 435, 735, 1035 may be different in size (e.g., a smaller triangular blade) from another blade 135, 435, 735, 1035 on the same base 125, 425, 725, 1025.

Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the present disclosure as described. Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.