阅读说明：本技术 具有改进的作物分离器组件的甘蔗收割机 (Sugarcane harvester with improved crop separator assembly ) 是由 考希克·阿尼尔巴伊·达马尼 于 2020-03-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种甘蔗收割机并且更具体地涉及一种具有改进的作物分离器组件的甘蔗收割机。一种改进的作物分离器组件包括：内蜗杆(2)、蜗杆安装冠部(1)、压倒蜗杆(3)、滑靴(4)、分离器下支架(5)、分离器上支架(6)、外蜗杆(9)、一对修剪刀(11)、用于修剪刀(11)的安装支架(7)、驱动或格洛勒马达(8、12)以及一对作物分离器刀片(10)。内蜗杆(2)配备有机械处理的扭力杆并且一对刀片(10)安装成刚好偏离作物分离器的内蜗杆的切线。内蜗杆(2)承载刀片(10)和机械处理的扭力杆的组,该组在旋转时由于内蜗杆与刀片之间的紧密接触和与杆接触而不会让废料缠绕在蜗杆上。(The present invention relates to a sugar cane harvester and more particularly to a sugar cane harvester having an improved crop separator assembly. An improved crop separator assembly comprising: an inner worm (2), a worm mounting crown (1), a holddown worm (3), a slipper (4), a separator lower bracket (5), a separator upper bracket (6), an outer worm (9), a pair of trimming knives (11), a mounting bracket (7) for the trimming knives (11), drive or gerotor motors (8, 12) and a pair of crop separator blades (10). The inner worm (2) is equipped with a mechanically treated torsion bar and a pair of blades (10) are mounted just off the tangent of the inner worm of the crop separator. The inner worm (2) carries a set of blades (10) and mechanically treated torsion bars which, when rotated, do not allow the waste material to wrap around the worm due to the close contact between the inner worm and the blades and with the bars.)

1. A sugar cane harvester having an improved crop separator assembly, the crop separator assembly comprising:

an inner worm (2) which rotates inwards to lift and centre the cane to be harvested;

a worm mounting crown (1) for mounting the inner worm (2);

a knock-down worm (3) mounted on an upper side of the crop separator assembly and for directing the cane towards a throat of the cane harvester;

-a skid shoe (4) for lifting the strewn sugar cane and feeding them to the harvester;

a separator lower frame (5) for supporting a lower portion of the crop separator;

a separator upper support (6) for supporting an upper portion of the crop separator;

an outer worm (9) counter-rotating outwardly relative to the inner worm (2) to push adjacent rows of cane away from the cane harvester;

a pair of pruning blades (11) located between said inner worm (2) and said outer worm (9) and adapted to cut the leaves or waste of the sugar cane deposited on the circumference of the worm;

a mounting bracket (7) retained on a mounting frame of a crop separator to mount the trimming blade (11); and

a pair of Graulor motors (8, 12) for rotating the inner worm (2) and the outer worm (9) in respective directions,

characterized in that the inner worm (2) is equipped with a mechanically treated torsion bar protruding on its circumference, and a pair of crop separator blades (10) mounted perpendicularly at the tangent of the inner worm (2).

2. The sugar cane harvester with an improved crop separator assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the inner worm (2) rotates in a helical motion, moves between rows of sugar cane, combs the sugar cane stalks crossing into adjacent rows back to their original rows and picks up the sugar cane towards the feed throat.

3. The sugar cane harvester with improved crop separator assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the geller motor assembly (12) is bolted on a housing unit (14) assembled at the worm mounting crown (1) and an internally splined flange adapter (15) is fastened on the larger end (2A) of the internal worm (2), the splines of which engage with the spline adapter (13) of the geller motor assembly (12).

4. The sugar cane harvester with improved crop separator assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the geller motor assembly (8) is bolted on a housing unit (20) assembled at the mounting bracket (7) and on the upper end (9A) of the outer worm (9) is fastened an internally splined flange adapter, the splines of which engage with a spline adapter (22) of the geller motor assembly (8).

5. The sugar cane harvester with improved crop separator assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the input power interface of the geluoler motor (8, 12) is coupled with the externally splined flange adapter (13, 22) and fastened on the motor shaft using a plurality of fastening means.

6. The sugar cane harvester with improved crop separator assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the overwhelming worm (3) is equipped with a hydraulically driven overwhelming worm motor (19) to move the sugar cane towards the feed zone or harvester throat.

7. The sugar cane harvester with improved crop separator assembly of claim 6, characterized in that the overwhelming worm motor (19) is held within a motor mount (28) and is positioned inwardly in the overwhelming worm assembly (3) via a overwhelming worm hub (27).

8. The sugar cane harvester with improved crop separator assembly of claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of serrated blades (21) are attached at the tip of the trimming blade (11).

9. The sugar cane harvester with an improved crop separator assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the trimmer assembly (11) is driven by a hydraulic motor (18).

10. The sugar cane harvester with improved crop separator assembly of claim 9, characterized in that the conical shaft of the hydraulic motor (18) provides an input interface at a conical keyed adapter flange fastened on a plurality of serrated blades (21).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sugar cane harvester and more particularly to a sugar cane harvester having an improved crop separator assembly.

Background

There are various types of sugar cane harvesters in the art that harvest growing sugar cane stalks by cutting the cane at the root of the cane and then transferring the cut cane to a collection vehicle such as a cane carriage or cane cart. The sugar cane harvester may include different types of harvesting devices. Harvesting apparatus for a sugar cane harvester may include components for cutting, chopping, sorting, transporting, and collecting and processing sugar cane plants. Typically, harvesting devices include a shoot breaker assembly, a crop separator assembly, a knock down roller assembly, a base cutter assembly, a trash fan assembly, and the like.

For dynamic crop harvesting, a harvester having the above harvesting apparatus may be moved along a field, wherein the harvesting apparatus performs collection and processing of material from a crop plant train. The crop separator assembly is used to separate the crop to be cut from adjacent crop rows of sugar cane which may have lodging or tangling. The crop separator assembly includes an inner worm that rotates inwardly to direct the incoming cane toward the knock down roller and an outer worm that rotates in the opposite direction (i.e., outward direction) of the inner worm to push adjacent rows of cane away from the machine to simplify operation. Crop separators with large diameter worms gently lift and feed the cane at a much lower approach angle to the harvester throat.

Furthermore, conventional crop separators have implemented crop separator support modules configured to be individually and fixedly attached to the chassis at a plurality of mounting locations so as to support the individual crop separators in a plurality of discrete and laterally separated orientations. However, with prior art crop separators there is a simple butt welded circular worm which creates a build up of waste or leaves on the worm circumference during operation, making it heavy. Therefore, sometimes the operator has to manually remove the waste material, which in turn results in a reduction in the overall efficiency of the cane harvester.

Various prior art techniques have been disclosed describing crop separator assemblies for sugar cane harvesters. Document US6363700B1 describes a sugar cane combine harvester having: a crop stripper/topper mechanism preceding the crop separator mechanism, the crop separator mechanism having a crop separator to assist in moving the sugarcane to the topper feed roller; a base cutter; a feed roll system; a cutting system comprising a cleaning system; and a lifting system. The crop separator mechanism comprises a tapered barrel with a raised helical thread (flight) or worm. These worms move between the rows of cane and comb the cane stalks that cross adjacent rows back into the original row. They also began orienting the sugarcane stalks for introduction into the harvester collection system.

Another prior art document, US6745550B1, describes a self-propelled sectioned sugar cane harvester which is equipped with a front frame portion comprising opposed sides, wherein each side is mounted to pivot about a respective upright pivot axis. A front wheel and a line separator are mounted on opposite sides of the front frame portion, respectively. Further prior art document US8230669B2 describes a stalk-handling portion of a harvester for harvesting stalks of stalk-like plants, wherein the harvester has a main frame movably coupled to a chassis. The crop separator assembly is very simple and its surface has no helical structure.

However, the crop separator assembly of the above-described conventional sugarcane harvester is simple in construction, but elimination of the accumulation of waste around the separator worm is not clearly described. Accordingly, there is a significant need to invent a sugar cane harvester with an improved crop separator assembly to avoid the accumulation of waste material on the worm of the separator, which in turn results in proper harvesting in the field, reduces operator tasks and provides greater efficiency compared to the crop separator assembly of conventional sugar cane harvesters.

Object of the Invention

It is a primary object of the present invention to overcome the problems associated with crop separator assemblies of conventional sugar cane harvesters by providing an improved crop separator assembly for proper harvesting in the field.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved crop separator assembly for avoiding the accumulation of waste material at the separator worm.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved crop separator assembly for allowing fine adjustment of the crop separator.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved crop separator assembly for harvesting long, heavy and fallen sugar cane.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a sugar cane harvester, and more particularly, it relates to a sugar cane harvester having an improved crop separator assembly. An improved crop separator assembly comprising: an inner worm, a worm mounting crown, a holddown worm, a slipper, a separator lower bracket, a separator upper bracket, an outer worm, a pair of trimming knives, a mounting bracket for a trimming knife, a drive or gerotor motor, and a pair of crop separator blades. The inner worm is equipped with a mechanically treated torsion bar protruding on the surface of the inner worm, and a pair of crop separator blades are mounted vertically offset from the tangent of the inner worm of the crop separator. This allows free movement of the crop separator worm. The inner worm carries a set of crop separator blades and mechanically treated torsion bars which, due to the close contact between the inner worm and the crop separator blades and the mechanical treatment torsion bars, do not allow the waste material to wrap around the crop separator inner worm when rotated.

The crop separator assembly of the present invention provides multiple benefits, which are described in the pages of the following specification.

Drawings

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of an improved crop separator assembly of a sugar cane harvester according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the structural features of the inner worm of the improved crop separator assembly of a sugar cane harvester according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows the structural features of the side trimming blade, outer worm and overwhelming worm of the improved crop separator assembly of a sugar cane harvester according to the present invention.

Figure 4 shows structural features of the overwhelming worm motor of the crop separator assembly of the improved sugar cane harvester according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

Before the present invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments than those described and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

It is also to be understood that the term "comprising" and its grammatical equivalents are used herein to indicate the optional presence of other elements, components, steps, etc. For example, an article that "includes" components A, B and C may consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B and C, or may contain not only components A, B and C but one or more other components.

A sugar cane harvester having an improved crop separator assembly is disclosed. The sugarcane combine harvester comprises: a detabber assembly for cutting leafy material of sugarcane stalks; an improved crop separator assembly for lifting and spanning a row of sugarcane stalks; a modular knock down roller and fin roller for helping to align the plant for feeding into the harvester throat; a root cutter for cutting sugarcane stalks from a field; a feed roller system for further moving the cut sugarcane stalks in a rearward and upward direction without damaging or crushing the sugarcane; a cutting system for cutting the sugarcane stalks into small pieces in the form of short segments; cleaning means (i.e. a primary shaker) for removing dirt and foreign material in the short section by blowing air onto the short section; and a lifting system comprising a secondary cleaning device (i.e. a secondary shaker) for removing remaining loose material as the sugar cane falls from the transport end.

Now, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the sugar cane harvester is particularly directed to improving the functional overview of the crop separator as shown in fig. 1. In fig. 1, there is shown a crop separator assembly comprising: an inner worm (2) for rotating inwards to lift and centre the cane to be harvested; a worm mounting crown (1) for mounting an inner worm (2); a knock-down worm (3) mounted on an upper side of the crop separator assembly and for directing the sugarcane towards the throat of the sugarcane harvester; a slipper (4) for lifting the strewn canes and feeding them into the harvester towards a knock-down roller (not shown); a separator lower frame (5) for supporting the lower part of the crop separator; a separator upper support (6) for supporting an upper portion of the crop separator; an outer worm (9) counter-rotating outwardly relative to the inner worm (2) to push adjacent rows of cane away from the cane harvester; a pair of pruning blades (11) located between the inner worm (2) and the outer worm (9) and adapted to cut the leaves or waste of the sugar cane deposited on the circumference of the worm; a mounting bracket (7) for mounting a trimming blade (11), a pair of drive or gerotor motors (8, 12) for rotating the inner worm (2) and the outer worm (9) in respective directions; and a pair of crop separator blades (10) mounted at a tangent to the inner worm. The inner worm (2) is equipped with a mechanically treated torsion bar protruding on its circumference and a pair of crop separator blades (10) are mounted vertically offset from the tangent of the inner worm of the crop separator. This allows free movement and fine adjustment of the crop separator worm (2, 9). The inner worm (2) carries a set of crop separator blades (10) and a mechanically treated torsion bar which, due to the close contact between the inner worm (2) and the crop separator blades (10) and the mechanical treatment torsion bar, does not allow the waste material to wrap around the crop separator inner worm (2) when rotated.

With further reference to FIG. 2, structural features of a cohesive worm are described according to embodiments of the invention. The inner worm (2) rotates in a spiral motion, moves between the rows of sugarcane, combs the sugarcane stalks crossed into adjacent rows back to their original rows, and picks up the sugarcane toward the feed throat. The larger diameter internal worm (2) minimizes the approach angle when feeding the cane to the harvester throat. The worm mounting crown (1) is retained on an assembly member which then retains the larger diameter side (2A) of the inner worm (2). The reduced diameter side (2B) of the inner worm (2) rests on its mounting pad (not shown). There is a shaft (16) which is screwed on the reduced diameter side (2B) of the inner worm (2) and rests on an assembly component mounting pad (not shown). Upon rotation, the inner worm (2) distributes the dynamic load through a central flange type UC209 bearing (not shown). The inner worm (2) is powered and driven by means of a disc-type gerotor motor (12). The input power interface of the gerotor motor (12) is coupled to an externally splined flange adapter (13) and is fastened to the motor shaft using a plurality of fastening means, i.e., cap screws and washers. The gerotor motor assembly (12) is bolted to the housing unit (14). The housing unit (14) is assembled on the worm mounting crown (1). Furthermore, an internally splined flange adapter (15) is fastened on the larger end (2A) of the internal worm screw (2), the splines of which are in engagement with a spline adapter (13) of the gerotor motor assembly (12). This arrangement allows the gerotor motor assembly (12) to rotate the inner worm (2) further in the throat feed direction.

Structural features of the side trimming blade are described and shown in FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In fig. 3, the mounting bracket (7) is retained on the assembled frame of the crop separator to mount the trimming blade (11). The tapered shaft of the hydraulic motor (18) provides an input interface at a tapered keyed adapter flange that is fastened to a plurality of serrated blades (21), the plurality of serrated blades (21) being attached at the tip of the trimming blade (11). A hydraulic motor (18) drives the trimmer assembly (11). The side pruning shears prevent waste or sugarcane leaves from accumulating on the crop separator worm (2, 9) to reduce its weight and simplify the operation of the sugarcane harvester.

The present embodiment also describes the structural features of the outer worm and the overwhelming worm, as shown in fig. 3. An outer worm (9) mounted on the mounting structure (25) rotates in a counter-rotating helical motion relative to the inner worm (2). The outer worm (9) separates lodging (dodges) and tangled cane from adjacent rows being harvested. The mounting bracket (7) further extends to retain the upper diameter end (9A) of the outer worm (9). The lower diameter end (9B) of the outer worm (9) rests on its mounting pad (not shown). There is a shaft (24) which is screwed onto the lower diameter end (9B) of the outer worm (9) and bears against the assembly member mounting pad. When rotating, the outer worm (9) distributes the dynamic load through the centered flange type UC209 bearing. The outer worm (9) is powered and driven with the aid of a disc-type gerotor motor (8). The input power interface of the gerotor motor (8) is coupled to an externally splined flange adapter (22) and is fastened to the motor shaft using a plurality of fastening means, i.e., cap screws and washers. The gerotor motor assembly (8) is bolted to the housing unit (20). The housing unit (20) is assembled to a mounting bracket (7) of the trimmer blade assembly (11). Furthermore, an internally splined flange adapter (23) is fastened to the upper end (9A) of the external worm (9), the splines of the internally splined flange adapter (23) meshing with an externally splined adapter (22) of the gerotor motor assembly (8). This configuration allows the gerotor motor (8) to rotate the outer worm (9) further in the throat feed direction.

Another embodiment of the present invention describes the structural features of the overwhelming worm shown in figure 3. The overwhelming worm (3) is independently installed on the upper side of the crop separator assembly. The overwhelming worm (3) is equipped with a hydraulically driven overwhelming worm motor (19) to move the cane toward the feed zone or the harvester throat. As shown in fig. 4, the overwhelming worm motor (19) is held within the motor mount (28) and is positioned inwardly in the overwhelming worm assembly (3) via the overwhelming worm hub (27) shown in fig. 4. The overwhelming worm hub (27) holds and rotates the overwhelming worm (3) by the hydraulic power provided by the overwhelming worm motor (19). The overwhelming worm (3) slowly directs the long wrapped cane to the center of the cane harvester throat, thereby minimizing the accumulation of cane on top of the crop separator assembly.

The crop separator assembly of the present invention is superior to conventional crop separator assemblies. The large diameter crop separator worm (2, 9) of the present invention lifts the cane slowly at a much lower approach angle and feeds into the harvester throat, avoiding the pinching effect seen with other cane harvesters. A standard twin worm with side pruning blades (11) facilitates harvesting of long, heavy and fallen canes. The standard internal worm (2) rotates to lift and centre the cane as it is being harvested. The outer worm (9) and the inner worm (2) are opposite in rotating direction, and the sugarcane in the adjacent row is pushed away from the sugarcane harvester. Furthermore, the sugar cane stalks that are not separated when they reach the standard side pruning shears (11) are cut before the harvester pulls them out of the ground.

The invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments. It is to be understood that the above description is only illustrative of the present invention and is not intended to limit or restrict the present invention thereto. Many other specific embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing disclosure. All alternatives, modifications and variations of the present invention are readily acceptable within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

List of reference numerals

1 worm mounting crown

2 inner worm

Larger diameter side of worm in 2A

Reduced diameter side of worm in 2B

3 pressing down worm

4 sliding boots

5 lower support of separator

6 separator upper bracket

7 mounting bracket

8. 12-drive or gerotor motors

9 outer worm

Upper diameter end of 9A outer worm

Lower diameter end of 9B outer worm

10 crop separator blade

11 pruning shear

13. 22 external spline flange adapter

14. 20 housing unit

15. 23 internal spline flange adapter

16. 24 shaft

18 hydraulic motor

19-pressure worm motor

21 sawtooth blade

25 outer worm mounting structure

27 pressing down worm hub

28-fold-down worm motor mounting

The claims (modification according to treaty clause 19)

1. A sugar cane harvester having an improved crop separator assembly, the crop separator assembly comprising:

an inner worm (2) which rotates inwards to lift and centre the cane to be harvested;

a worm mounting crown (1) for mounting the inner worm (2);

a knock-down worm (3) mounted on an upper side of the crop separator assembly and for directing the cane towards a throat of the cane harvester;

-a skid shoe (4) for lifting the strewn sugar cane and feeding them to the harvester;

a separator lower frame (5) for supporting a lower portion of the crop separator;

a separator upper support (6) for supporting an upper portion of the crop separator;

an outer worm (9) counter-rotating outwardly relative to the inner worm (2) to push adjacent rows of cane away from the cane harvester;

a pair of pruning blades (11) located between said inner worm (2) and said outer worm (9) and adapted to cut the leaves or waste of the sugar cane deposited on the circumference of the worm;

a mounting bracket (7) retained on a mounting frame of a crop separator to mount the trimming blade (11); and

a pair of Graulor motors (8, 12) for rotating the inner worm (2) and the outer worm (9) in respective directions,

the inner worm (2) is equipped with a mechanically treated torsion bar protruding on its circumference, and a pair of crop separator blades (10) mounted perpendicularly at the tangent of the inner worm (2),

characterized in that the geller motor assembly (12) is bolted on a housing unit (14) assembled at the worm mounting crown (1) and an internally splined flange adapter (15) is fastened on the larger end (2A) of the internal worm (2), the splines of which are in mesh with a spline adapter (13) of the geller motor assembly (12),

the gerotor motor assembly (8) is bolted to a housing unit (20) assembled at the mounting bracket (7), and an internally splined flange adapter is fastened on the upper end (9A) of the outer worm (9), the splines of which are in engagement with a spline adapter (22) of the gerotor motor assembly (8).

2. The sugar cane harvester with an improved crop separator assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the inner worm (2) rotates in a helical motion, moves between rows of sugar cane, combs the sugar cane stalks crossing into adjacent rows back to their original rows and picks up the sugar cane towards the feed throat.

3. The sugar cane harvester with improved crop separator assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the input power interface of the geluoler motor (8, 12) is coupled with the externally splined flange adapter (13, 22) and fastened on the motor shaft using a plurality of fastening means.

4. The sugar cane harvester with improved crop separator assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the overwhelming worm (3) is equipped with a hydraulically driven overwhelming worm motor (19) to move the sugar cane towards the feed zone or harvester throat.

5. The sugar cane harvester with improved crop separator assembly of claim 4, characterized in that the overwhelming worm motor (19) is held within a motor mount (28) and is positioned inwardly in the overwhelming worm assembly (3) via a overwhelming worm hub (27).

6. The sugar cane harvester with improved crop separator assembly of claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of serrated blades (21) are attached at the tip of the trimming blade (11).

7. The sugar cane harvester with an improved crop separator assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the trimmer assembly (11) is driven by a hydraulic motor (18).

8. The sugar cane harvester with improved crop separator assembly of claim 7, characterized in that the conical shaft of the hydraulic motor (18) provides an input interface at a conical keyed adapter flange fastened on the plurality of serrated blades (21).