阅读说明：本技术 用于带式割台的损失捕获和再循环系统 (Loss capture and recirculation system for a belted header ) 是由 马修·R·怀特 丹尼尔·S·霍夫曼 柯文·M·普里克 贾斯汀·C·弗里希尔 施瑞亚斯·莫达克 于 2020-11-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开了一种用于农作物收割机的带式割台。示例性带式割台可以包括环形带式输送机和集料盘,该集料盘邻近环形带式输送机设置以收集农作物材料并限定在集料盘的至少一部分与环形带式输送机的环形带的邻近集料盘的一部分之间形成的均匀间隙。形成在环形带上的条板与集料盘协作,以将所收集的农作物材料运输到环形带上。集料盘可以包括成型端部,该成型端部与在环形带式输送机的端部处由环形带形成的形状相符。(A belt header for a crop harvester is disclosed. An exemplary belt header may include an endless belt conveyor and a collection tray disposed adjacent the endless belt conveyor to collect crop material and defining a uniform gap formed between at least a portion of the collection tray and a portion of an endless belt of the endless belt conveyor adjacent the collection tray. Flights formed on the endless belt cooperate with the catch tray to transport the collected crop material onto the endless belt. The collector tray may include a contoured end that conforms to the shape formed by the endless belt at the end of the endless belt conveyor.)

1. A belt header (102) for a crop harvester (100), the belt header comprising:

a frame (106);

a first endless belt conveyor (114), the first endless belt conveyor (114) coupled to the frame, the first endless belt conveyor comprising:

a first endless belt (120), the first endless belt (120) operable to circulate in a first direction, the first endless belt comprising:

a first portion (202); and

a second portion (204), the second portion (204) positioned adjacent to the first portion, the first and second portions attached to each other to form a continuous strip; and

at least one flight (206), the at least one flight (206) being located on and movable with the first endless belt;

a second endless belt conveyor (116), the second endless belt conveyor (116) coupled to the frame, the second endless belt conveyor operable to deposit crop material onto the second endless belt conveyor; and

a collection tray (214), the collection tray (214) disposed adjacent to the second portion of the first endless belt and comprising:

a planar portion (608) extending along a length of the first endless belt; and

a profiled portion (218) at an end of the planar portion, the profiled portion being configured to follow a shape of the first endless belt, the catch tray being offset relative to a surface of the second portion of the first endless belt and configured to collect crop material and, in cooperation with the at least one flight, to convey the collected crop material along at least a portion of the catch tray and deposit the collected crop material onto the first portion of the first endless belt.

2. The belt header (102) of claim 1, wherein the first endless belt conveyor (114) further comprises:

a first end;

a second end opposite the first end; and

a plurality of rollers (122),

wherein the first endless belt (120) is operable to circulate around the plurality of rollers,

wherein the first endless belt conforms to a shape of one of the rollers at the first end of the first endless belt conveyor, and

wherein the forming section of the collector tray (214) is configured to follow the shape of the first endless belt at the first end of the first endless belt conveyor.

3. The belt header (102) of claim 1, wherein the first annular belt defines a semi-circular shape at a first end of the first annular belt conveyor (114), and wherein the contoured portion of the manifold (214) is configured to follow the semi-circular shape along an angular range of 90 ° to 180 ° of the semi-circular shape.

4. The belt header (102) of claim 1, wherein the contoured portion (218) of the collection pan (214) extends along a portion of the first annular band (120) and a portion of the second portion of the first annular band.

5. The belt header (102) of claim 1, wherein the at least one flight (206) extends from a surface of the first annular belt (120), and wherein a gap formed between an end of the at least one flight and the catch tray is in a range of 0mm to 11 mm.

6. The belt header (102) of claim 1, wherein the planar portion (608) extends along an entire width of the first annular belt (120) and is parallel to a plane defined by the second portion of the first annular belt.

7. The belt header (102) of claim 1, wherein the planar portion (608) includes a first planar portion (610) and a second planar portion (612) angularly offset relative to the first planar portion.

8. The belt header (102) of claim 7, wherein the first planar portion (610) has an orientation parallel to a plane defined by the second portion of the first annular belt (120), and wherein the second planar portion (612) is not parallel to the plane defined by the second portion of the first annular belt.

9. The belt header (102) of claim 1, wherein the aggregate pan (214) further comprises at least one rib, wherein the at least one rib extends from an edge (506, 508) of the aggregate pan or from a location adjacent to the edge of the aggregate pan and defines an oblique angle relative to the edge of the aggregate pan.

10. The belt header (102) of claim 9, wherein the ribs (902, 1316) extend towards the first annular belt (120).

11. The belt header (102) of claim 1, wherein an end (216) of the collection pan (214) opposite the contoured portion (218) is disposed within a gap (210) formed between the first and second endless belt conveyors (114, 116).

12. The belt header (102) of claim 1, wherein the first annular belt (120) defines a semi-circular shape at an outboard end of the first annular belt conveyor (114), and wherein the contoured portion (218) of the aggregate tray (214) extends between 90 ° and 180 ° around the semi-circular shape.

13. The belt header of claim 1, wherein the catch tray (214) defines a uniform gap (300) between the catch tray (214) and the first annular belt (120) over at least a portion of a width of the first annular belt.

14. The belt header (102) of claim 1, wherein a first side of the first endless belt conveyor (114) extending in a lateral direction is located at a first height that is less than a second height of a second side of the first endless belt conveyor opposite the first side.

15. The belt header (102) of claim 14, wherein a distance between the first side and the second side defines a width of the first endless belt conveyor (114), and wherein the planar portion (608) of the tray further comprises:

a first planar portion (610), the first planar portion (610) extending from the first side of the first endless belt conveyor along a first portion of a width of the first endless belt conveyor; and

a second planar portion (612), the second planar portion (612) extending at an angle from the first planar portion along a second portion of the width of the first endless belt conveyor, the second planar portion being offset relative to the first endless belt (120) along the second portion of the width of the first endless belt conveyor.

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to a belt header (draper head).

Background

Agricultural headers for harvesting non-row crops include a belt header for cutting the crop using reciprocating knives. The cut crop falls onto the endless belt conveyor towards the belt header. The belt conveyor moves laterally from opposite ends of the belt header toward a central area of the belt header, and the cut crop material is then deposited onto a central conveyor that conveys the crop material back into a feeder mechanism on the agricultural combine that supports the belt header.

Disclosure of Invention

A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a belt header for a crop harvester. The belt header may include: a frame; a first endless belt conveyor coupled to the frame; a second endless belt conveyor coupled to the frame; and a material collecting tray. The first endless belt conveyor may include a first endless belt operable to circulate in a first direction. The first annular band may include a first portion and a second portion located adjacent to the first portion. The first and second portions may be attached to each other to form a continuous strip. The first endless belt conveyor may further comprise at least one flight (clean) located on and movable with the first endless belt. The first endless belt conveyor is operable to deposit crop material onto the second endless belt conveyor. The collection tray may include a planar portion extending along the length of the first endless belt and a shaped portion (a contoured portion) located at an end of the planar portion. The forming section may be configured to follow the shape of the second endless belt. The catch tray may be offset relative to a surface of the second portion of the first endless belt and configured to collect crop material and, in cooperation with the at least one flight, transport the collected crop material along at least a portion of the catch tray and deposit the collected crop material onto the first portion of the endless belt.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a belt header for a crop harvester. The belt header may include: a frame extending transversely relative to a first direction, wherein the belt header moves in the first direction during a harvesting operation; a first transverse endless belt conveyor coupled to the frame and extending transversely outward in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a material collecting disc; a second transverse endless belt conveyor coupled to the frame and extending transversely outward in a third direction opposite the second direction; and a central endless belt located between the first and second transverse endless belt conveyors. The first transverse endless belt conveyor may include a plurality of rollers and a first endless belt arranged to encircle the plurality of rollers. The first endless belt may include: a first portion extending along a first side of the plurality of rollers; a second portion extending along a second side of the plurality of rollers; and at least one flight extending from an outer surface of the first endless belt. The first portion and the second portion may be joined to form a continuous strip. The catch tray may include a planar portion and a contoured portion. The forming section may be configured to follow the contour of the first endless belt at an outboard end of the first endless belt conveyor. The catch tray and the at least one flight may be configured to cooperate to convey crop material located on the catch tray between the catch tray and the second portion of the first endless belt and deposit the crop material onto the first portion of the first endless belt.

Various aspects may include one or more of the following features. The first endless belt conveyor may further include: a first end; a second end opposite the first end; and a plurality of rollers. The first endless belt is operable to circulate around a plurality of rollers. The first endless belt may conform to the shape of one of the rollers at a first end of the first endless belt conveyor. The forming section of the collector tray is configured to follow the shape of the first endless belt at the first end of the first endless belt conveyor. The first endless belt may define a semi-circular shape at the first end of the first endless belt conveyor, and the forming portion of the collection tray may be configured to follow the semi-circular shape along an angular range of 90 ° to 180 ° of the semi-circular shape. The forming portion of the collector tray may extend along a portion of the first endless belt and a portion of the second portion of the first endless belt. The at least one flight may extend from a surface of the first endless belt, and a gap formed between an end of the at least one flight and the catch tray may be in a range of 0 millimeters (mm) to 11 mm. The planar portion may extend along the entire width of the first endless belt conveyor and may be parallel to a plane defined by the second portion of the first endless belt. The planar portion may include a first planar portion and a second planar portion angularly offset relative to the first planar portion. The first planar portion may have an orientation parallel to a plane defined by the second portion of the first annular band, and the second planar portion may not be parallel to the plane defined by the second portion of the first annular band. The catch tray may further comprise at least one rib. At least one rib may extend from or adjacent to an edge of the collection tray and define an oblique angle relative to the edge of the collection tray. The rib may extend toward the first annular band. The end of the collector tray opposite the forming section may be disposed within a gap formed between the first endless belt conveyor and the second endless belt conveyor.

Aspects can also include one or more of the following features. The endless belt may define a semi-circular shape at an outboard end of the first endless belt conveyor, and the forming portion of the collection tray may extend between 90 ° and 180 ° around the semi-circular shape. The collection tray may define a uniform gap between the collection tray and the endless belt over at least a portion of the width of the first endless belt. A first side of the first endless belt conveyor extending in the transverse direction may be located at a first height which is smaller than a second height of a second side of the first endless belt conveyor opposite the first side. The collection tray may further include at least one rib extending from a surface of the collection tray adjacent the first annular band. At least one rib may extend toward the first annular band. The distance between the first side and the second side may define a width of the first endless belt conveyor. The plane part of the collecting tray can also comprise: a first planar portion extending from a first side of the first endless belt conveyor along a first portion of a width of the first endless belt; and a second planar portion extending at an angle from the first planar portion along a second portion of the width of the first endless belt conveyor. The second planar portion may be offset relative to the first endless belt along a second portion of the width of the first endless belt conveyor. The first planar portion may be oriented parallel to a plane defined by the second portion of the first endless belt. The first planar portion and the second portion of the first annular band may define a uniform gap formed between the first planar portion and the second portion of the first annular band. The first planar portion may include a plurality of ribs extending toward the first endless belt from a location adjacent a first edge corresponding to a first side of the first endless belt conveyor toward an outboard end of the first endless belt conveyor. The inboard end of the first transverse endless belt conveyor may overlap a portion of the central endless belt conveyor to define a gap, and the inboard end of the collection tray may be located within the gap.

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

Drawings

The detailed description of the drawings refers to the accompanying drawings in which:

fig. 1 is a plan view of a crop harvester including a belt header according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a partial schematic view of a belt header showing first and second transverse endless belt conveyors and a central endless belt conveyor according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is a detailed view showing a portion of the bottom of an endless belt and a collection tray adjacent thereto, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is a detailed view of an end of an exemplary endless belt conveyor, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of an exemplary belt header according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7, 8, and 9 are top views of exemplary endless belts on which exemplary arrangements of flights are respectively formed, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 is a top view of another exemplary endless belt, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11 is a detailed view of a portion of the example endless belt of fig. 10, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 12 is another detailed view of a portion of the example endless belt of fig. 10, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 13 is a top view of an exemplary tray according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 14 is a top view of another exemplary tray according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 15 is a top view of another exemplary tray according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 16 and 17 are cross-sectional views of exemplary recesses formed in a collection tray, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the organizer of FIG. 15 taken along line F-F.

Fig. 19 and 20 are cross-sectional views of exemplary ribs formed in a collection tray according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, 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. Any alterations and further modifications in the described devices, apparatus, and methods, and any further applications of the principles of the disclosure as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. It is fully contemplated that the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be combined with the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to other embodiments.

During crop harvesting using a belt header, a portion of the harvested crop is lost to the ground. For example, a portion of the cut crop material falls from the belt header onto the ground due to, for example, the crop adhering to the feeder belt or due to vibrations during harvesting. Crop material adhered to the cross-feed belt falls onto the ground when the portion of the feed belt to which crop material is adhered is located adjacent the ground. A portion of the crop material may also be lost when transferring crop material from one conveyor to another, such as from a cross belt conveyor to a center belt conveyor. To reduce or eliminate such crop material loss and increase crop yield, the present disclosure describes an improved belt header with crop material retention and collection features.

Fig. 1 is a top view of an exemplary agricultural harvester 100. In the illustrated example, the agricultural harvester 100 is in the form of a combine harvester. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not so limited, and the present disclosure is intended to cover other types of harvesters as well. Agricultural harvester 100 supports a row of independent headers in the form of a belt header 102. Belt header 102 is supported on a feed mechanism 104. The feeding mechanism 104 is coupled to the end 101 of the agricultural harvester 100 and extends from the end 101. End 101 defines the forward end of agricultural harvester 100 during harvesting when agricultural harvester 100 is propelled in the direction of arrow 103. That is, during harvesting of the crop, the agricultural harvester 100 travels in the direction of arrow 103.

The belt header 102 includes a frame 106, the frame 106 extending laterally in the direction of the double arrow 98 and perpendicular to the arrow 103. Thus, arrow 98 represents the lateral direction of the agricultural harvester 100 and arrow 103 represents the longitudinal direction of the agricultural harvester 100. The frame 106 includes a first cross member 108 disposed at a first end 109 of the frame 106 and a second cross member 110 disposed at a second end 111 of the frame 106 opposite the first end 109. Each of the crossbeams 108 and 110 extends the entire width of the belt header 102, except for the side covers 113. Belt header 102 also includes a reciprocating knife 112 positioned along a second end 111 of frame 106 and extending from second end 111. Again, reciprocating knife 112 extends along the entire width of belt header 102, except for side covers 113.

The belt header 102 also includes a first transverse endless belt conveyor 114, a second transverse endless belt conveyor 116, and a central endless belt conveyor 118. The first and second transverse endless belt conveyors 114, 116 operate to convey the cut crop material in a transverse direction towards the central endless belt conveyor 118. The first transverse endless belt conveyor 114 includes an endless belt 120 and a plurality of rollers 122, the endless belt 120 circulating around the plurality of rollers 122. At least one of the rollers 122 is driven, for example by a motor or other motive means, to cause the endless belt 120 to travel in the direction of arrow 123 such that cut crop material on the endless belt 120 is conveyed inwardly towards the central endless belt conveyor 118. The second transverse endless belt conveyor 116 includes an endless belt 124 and a plurality of rollers 126, the endless belt 124 circulating around the plurality of rollers 126. At least one of the rollers 126 is driven, for example by a motor or other motive means, to advance the endless belt 124 in the direction of arrow 125 so that cut crop material on the endless belt 124 is conveyed inwardly towards the central endless belt conveyor 118.

Although the first and second transverse endless belt conveyors 114, 116 are shown as including a single endless belt, i.e., endless belt 120 and endless belt 124, respectively, the present disclosure encompasses transverse endless belt conveyors having multiple endless belts. For example, transverse endless belt conveyors comprising two or more endless belts are within the scope of the present disclosure, and the features described for an endless belt of a transverse endless belt conveyor having a single endless belt apply to all endless belts of a multi-belt transverse endless belt conveyor. Further, one or more features of the endless belt may be applied to one or more endless belts of a multi-belt transverse endless belt conveyor, and one or more features may be omitted from one or more other endless belts. Thus, while the embodiments described herein are performed in the context of a transverse endless belt conveyor having a single endless belt, a transverse endless belt conveyor having multiple endless belts is also within the scope of the present disclosure.

The central endless belt conveyor 118 includes an endless belt 128, the endless belt 128 being supported on rollers (not shown) for effecting an endless movement such that cut crop material on the endless belt 128 moves in the direction of arrow 127.

Fig. 2 is a partial schematic view of a forward end of belt header 102 of fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows first 114 and second 116 transverse endless belt conveyors and a central endless belt conveyor 118. Fig. 2 illustrates the orientation of belt header 102, as belt header 102 is generally oriented on water-tight ground 200 during normal operation. The orientation shown is used to describe the relative orientation of the components of belt header 102 shown in fig. 2 (e.g., top or bottom or left or right), but it should be understood that this positional design may be different in cases where the orientation of belt header 102 is different than the orientation shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 2 illustrates a forward end of belt header 102, as may also be seen when viewed in the direction of arrow 127, adjacent to second end 111 shown in fig. 1. As shown in fig. 2, each of the endless belts 120 and 124 includes a top portion 202 and a bottom portion 204. Top portion 202 is separated from bottom portion 204 by roller 122 and roller 126, respectively. During operation, the cut crop material is deposited on the top 202 of the endless belts 120 and 124. The endless belt 120 rotates in the direction of arrow 125 and the endless belt 124 rotates in the direction of arrow 123. Each of the endless belts 120 and 124 includes a plurality of flights (clean) 206 formed on an outer surface 208 of the endless belts 120 and 124. The flights 206 are used to assist in transporting the cut crop material deposited on the top 202 of the endless belts 120 and 124.

In operation, the endless belts 120 and 124 rotate in respective directions 123 and 125. Thus, the cut crop material deposited on the top portion 202 of the endless belts 120 and 124 is delivered to the central endless belt conveyor 118 where the endless belt 128 delivers the cut crop material to the feeder mechanism 104 (shown in fig. 1).

However, with conventional belt headers, a portion of the cut crop material is lost to the ground 200, for example, through the gap 210 between the inboard ends 219 of the endless belts 120 and 124 and the central endless belt conveyor 118. Crop loss also occurs at the outboard ends 212 of the endless belt conveyors 114 and 116. Crop loss can also occur due to temporary adhesion of crop material to the endless belts 120 and 124. As crop material travels laterally outward in the direction of the outboard end 212 and adjacent the ground 200, at least a portion of the adhered crop material exits the endless belts 120 and 124. A belted header within the scope of the present disclosure avoids such losses by recapturing all or a portion of the lost crop using a header 214. In the context of fig. 2, a catch tray 214 is located below the endless belts 120 and 124 to collect crop material that is separated from the endless belts 120 and 124 or that is around the endless belts 120 and 124 and is otherwise lost to the ground 200. Crop material is collected on the collection surface 222 of the collection tray 214.

The collection trays 214 are positioned on the belt header 102 such that one of the collection trays 214 is disposed below each of the endless belts 120 and 124. The manifold 214 includes an inboard end 216 and an outboard end 218. In some embodiments, the inboard end 216 terminates in the gap 210 formed between the respective endless belts 120 and 124 and the endless belt 128 to capture crop material that may otherwise be dropped onto the ground as it passes from the endless belts 120 and 124 to the endless belt 128 of the central endless belt conveyor 118. In some embodiments, outer ends 218 are contoured to follow the curved shape of endless belts 120 and 124, as the endless belts conform to outermost rollers 122 and 126, respectively. Thus, in some embodiments, the outboard ends conform to the semi-circular shape of the endless belts 120 and 124 at the outboard ends 212 of the endless belt conveyors 114 and 116, respectively. The contoured outboard end 218 is used, for example, to transport crop material captured by the collection tray 214 to the top 202 of the endless belts 120 and 124.

The catch tray 214 and flights 206 cooperate to transport captured crop material collected on the catch tray 214. Due to the direction of rotation of the endless belts 120 and 124, the captured crop material is delivered to the contoured outer ends 218 of the catch tray 214 where the flights cooperate with the contoured outer ends 218 to lift and deposit the collected crop material onto the top 202 of the endless belts 120 and 124.

In some embodiments, the collection tray 214 and rollers 122 and 126 are coupled to a common structure of the belt header 102, such as the frame 106, such that relative movement between the collection tray 214 and the first and second transverse endless belt conveyors 114 and 116 is minimized or eliminated. By minimizing or eliminating relative movement between the endless belts 120 and 124 and the respective collection tray 214, the gap 220 formed between the endless belts 120 and 124 and the respective collection tray 214 remains constant. The constant gap size receives flights of constant height to pass therealong and move the collected crop material along the catch tray 214.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view showing a portion of the bottom 204 of the endless belt 120 and the catch tray 214 adjacent thereto. The flights 206 of the endless belt 120 are also shown extending toward the catch tray 214. In some embodiments, a gap 300 may be formed between the end 302 of the flight 206 and the collection tray 214. In some embodiments, the gap 300 may be in the range of 0 millimeters (mm) to 11 mm. More specifically, the gap 300 may be 0mm, 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, or 11 mm. The gap 300 may have a gap greater than 0mm to avoid excessive wear of the flights 206 and thus extend the life of the endless belts 120 and 124. For example, the size of the gap 300 may depend on the crop being harvested. Accordingly, the size of the gap 300 may vary with crop type, and in some embodiments, the gap 300 may have a size greater than 11 mm.

During operation, when an agricultural harvester carrying a belt header (e.g., agricultural combine 100) moves over the ground, gap 300 may change due to vibrations. Therefore, a gap 300 greater than zero may be desired. On the other hand, a gap 300 greater than a particular amount may reduce the overall effectiveness of the cooperation between the flights 206 and the catch tray 214 or render the recovery of crop material collected by the catch tray 214 ineffective. For example, if the gap 300 exceeds a certain amount, the flights 206 may not be able to effectively engage and transport the crop material deposited on the collection tray 214. Thus, the gap 300 is selected to enable effective engagement between the flights 206 and the collected crop material on the collection tray 214 and transport of the collected crop material along the collection tray 214 to deposit crop material onto the tops 202 of the endless belts 120 and 124 at the outer ends 212 of the endless belt conveyors 114 and 116, respectively.

In some embodiments, the gap 300 remains constant between the flights 206 and the collection tray 214 over at least a portion of the width of the endless belts 120 and 124. In addition, the gap 300 remains constant between the flights 206 and the collection tray 214, including along the contoured outer ends 218 of the collection tray 214. Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of the outboard end 212 of the endless belt conveyor 114. At the outboard end 212, the endless belt 120 conforms to the roller 122 to define a semi-circular shape. Fig. 4 shows that the gap 300 remains constant along the contoured outer end 218 of the collector tray 214. As shown, the shaped end 218 of the collector tray 214 extends around the semi-circular shape of the outboard end 212 of the endless belt conveyor 114 by an angle θ of 180 °. In other embodiments, the angle θ may be different. For example, in some embodiments, the angle θ may be 90 °. In some embodiments, the angle θ may be between 90 ° and 180 °. For example, in some embodiments, the angle θ may be 90 °, 95 °, 100 °, 105 °, 110 °, 115 °, 120 °, 125 °, 130 °, 135 °, 140 °, 145 °, 150 °, 155 °, 160 °, 165 °, 170 °, 175 °, 180 °, or any angle therebetween. Likewise, the cooperation between the flights 206 and the collection tray 214, including along the contoured outer ends 218, results in the crop material 400 collected on the collection tray 214 being transported and deposited onto the top 202 of the endless belts 120 and 124.

However, in other embodiments, the endless belt 120 may define other shapes at the outboard end of the endless belt conveyor 114 that are not semi-circular. In other embodiments, the outer end 218 of the collection tray 214 may conform to the shape of the endless belt 120 along the outer end 212 of the endless belt conveyor 114. The outboard end 218 of the aggregate tray 214 may define a uniform gap 402 between the annular belt 120 and the outboard end 218 of the aggregate tray 214 at the outboard end 212 of the annular belt conveyor 114.

Fig. 5 and 6 illustrate cross-sectional views of different embodiments of belt header 102, showing some of the components of belt header 102. The cross-sectional views shown in fig. 5 and 6 are taken along the line a-a shown in fig. 1. Although the cross-sectional views of fig. 5 and 6 show the orientation of the endless belt 120 and associated collection tray 214, the endless belt 124 and associated collection tray 214 may be similarly configured.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the agricultural harvester with the belt header 102 attached is on level ground, and the belt header 102 is in a crop harvesting configuration. In this configuration and referring to fig. 5, the annular band 120 is angled relative to the ground 500 such that the front end 502 is positioned closer to the ground 500 than the rear end 504. As shown in fig. 5, the collection tray 214 has a leading edge 506 and a trailing edge 508, the leading edge 506 and the trailing edge 508 being parallel to the bottom 204 of the endless belt 120 (or a plane defined by the bottom 204 of the endless belt 120) along the entire width W of the endless belt 120. In this configuration, the gap 510 formed between the endless belt 120 and the collection tray 214, for example, along the lower portion 204 of the endless belt 120, is constant across the width W of the endless belt. Thus, flights (not shown in fig. 5, but which may be similar to the flights 206 previously described) formed on the endless belt 120 and extending a constant distance from the endless belt 120 define end surfaces (corresponding to the ends 320 shown in fig. 3) that are also parallel to the collection tray 214. Thus, the entire such flight may be used to transport crop material deposited on the catch tray 214 and deposit the crop material onto the top 202 of the endless belt 120. Arrow 512 illustrates the direction of travel of belt header 102 when belt header 102 is used to harvest crop.

Fig. 6 shows another exemplary arrangement of the endless belt 120 and associated collection tray 214. Likewise, the annular band 120 is angled relative to the ground 600 such that the front end 602 of the annular band 120 is closer to the ground 600 than the rear end 604. The manifold 214 includes a front edge 606 and a back edge 608. In this example, the manifold 214 includes a first portion 610 and a second portion 612, the first portion 610 extending parallel to the endless belt 120 (e.g., the lower portion 204 or a plane defined by the lower portion 204) along a portion of the width W of the endless belt 120, and the second portion 612 forming an oblique angle α with respect to the endless belt 120 in the longitudinal direction (i.e., the direction of arrow 103 in fig. 1). Arrow 614 illustrates the direction of travel of belt header 102 when belt header 102 is used to harvest crop.

A gap 616 is formed between the first portion 610 of the manifold 214 and the lower portion 204 of the endless belt 120. The gap 616 is constant throughout the first portion 610 of the manifold plate 214. The distance between the second portion 612 of the manifold 214 and the lower portion 204 of the endless belt 120 varies. In the example shown, the second portion 608 of the collection tray 214 is flat. In other embodiments, the second portion 608 of the collection tray 214 can have other shapes. In other embodiments, the collection tray 214 may have more than two portions, where two or more portions of the collection tray 214 may be parallel to the endless belt 120 and one or more other portions are not parallel to the endless belt 120.

In the example shown in fig. 6, the endless belt 120 may include flights (which may be similar to flights 206) that extend a uniform distance from the surface of the endless belt 120, effectively transporting crop material deposited on the collection tray 214 along the collection tray 214 and depositing the crop material onto the top 202 of the endless belt 120. However, the portion of such flights extending beyond the first portion 610 along the width W of the endless belt 120 and adjacent the second portion 608 may have a reduced ability to transport crop material collected on the second portion 608 of the collection tray 214. However, as shown, the second portion 608 of the collection tray 214 is angled with respect to the horizontal floor 600. Thus, gravity and vibrations caused by crop harvesting and operation of the belt header cause crop material collected on the second portion 608 to move onto the first portion 610 where the flights effectively transport the collected crop material.

Fig. 7, 8, and 9 illustrate exemplary arrangements of flights extending from an exemplary endless belt within the scope of the present disclosure. In fig. 7, the endless belt 700 includes a plurality of flights 702 extending across the entire width 704 of the endless belt 700. As shown in fig. 7, the flights 702 are arranged evenly on the endless belt 700 such that the distance 706 between adjacent flights 702 is constant. However, in other embodiments, the distance separating adjacent flights 702 may vary along the length 708 of the endless belt 700.

FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of an endless belt 800 in which flights 802 extend across less than the entire width 804 of the endless belt 800. In some embodiments, the flights 802 extend across the width 804 of the endless belt 800 by an amount corresponding to the span of the first portion of the collection tray (e.g., the first portion 610 of the collection tray 214 shown in fig. 6) extending across the width 804 of the endless belt 800. Because the portion of the flights that may otherwise extend above the second portion of the catch tray 214 (e.g., a portion similar to the second portion 608 shown in fig. 6) may reduce the effectiveness of transporting crop material due to the angular relationship with respect to the endless belt 800, flights 802 having a span corresponding to the first portion of the catch tray may be used. In the example shown, the slats 802 extend across a portion 810 of the width 804 of the endless belt 800. The flights 802 are evenly arranged on the endless belt 800 such that the distance 806 between adjacent flights 802 is constant. However, in other embodiments, the distance separating adjacent flights 802 may vary along the length 808 of the endless belt 800.

Fig. 9 shows another endless belt 900. The flights 902 formed on the endless belt 900 have varying lengths. Some of the ribs 902 extend across a portion 910 of the width 904 of the annular band 900, while other slats 902 extend across the entire width 904 of the annular band 900. Fig. 9 shows two different length slats. In other embodiments, a plurality of flights 902 having a plurality of different lengths may be included on the endless belt 900. Further, flights 902 are shown as being uniformly arranged on endless belt 900 such that the distance 906 between adjacent flights 802 is constant. However, in other embodiments, the distance separating adjacent flights 902 may vary along the length 908 of the endless belt 900.

Fig. 10 shows another exemplary annular band 1000, and fig. 11 and 12 are detailed views of an edge 1002 of the annular band 1000 taken at 1004 in fig. 10. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the end 1100 of slat 1102 is offset a distance 1104 relative to edge 1002 of endless belt 1000. Although fig. 11 shows all of the slats 1102 including ends 1100 offset relative to the edge 1002 of the endless belt 1000, in other embodiments, one or more of the slats 1102 may extend to the edge 1002 of the endless belt 1000. In some embodiments, the end of slat 1102 opposite end 1100 may be offset from edge 1006 of endless belt 1000 by a distance that may be the same or different than distance 1104. As shown in FIG. 12, in other embodiments, the end 1200 of the flight 1202 extends to the edge 1004 of the endless belt 1000. Similarly, the end of the flight 1202 opposite the end 1200 may extend to the edge 1006 of the endless belt 1000. Further, although fig. 7-12 show the flights having an orientation extending perpendicular to the edges of the endless belt, in other embodiments, one or more flights may define an oblique angle relative to one or both edges of the endless belt.

Fig. 13 is a top view of an exemplary tray 1300. The location of the collection tray 1300 on the belt header may be similar to the location of the collection tray 214, as shown in fig. 2. Thus, the collection tray 1300 may be positioned adjacent to the endless belt conveyor in a manner similar to the manner in which the collection tray 214 is positioned relative to the endless belt conveyor 114. The collection tray 1300 includes a collection surface 1302, a front edge 1304, and a back edge 1306 that correspond to the collection surface 222 shown in fig. 2. Arrow 1308 indicates the direction of travel of the header 1300 (and associated belt header) during a crop harvesting operation. The position of the endless belt 1310 of the central endless belt conveyor 1312 is schematically shown adjacent to the collection tray 1300. Arrow 1314 indicates the direction of movement of the flights of adjacent endless belts of a transverse endless belt conveyor (which may be similar to transverse endless belt conveyor 114) relative to the collecting surface 1302, as well as the general direction of movement of the collected crop material along the collecting surface 1302. Another catch tray similar to catch tray 1300 may be provided on the opposite side of the endless belt conveyor 1312 from the catch tray 1300. Thus, the location of the additional collection trays on the belt header may be similar to the location of the collection tray 214 adjacent to the endless belt conveyor 116, as shown in fig. 2. The additional collection tray may be configured as a mirror image of the collection tray 1300 reflected relative to the centerline of the endless belt conveyor 1312. The construction of the aggregate tray 1300 and the construction of additional aggregate trays are described in more detail below.

The manifold 1300 includes a first set of ribs 1316 and a second set of ribs 1318. Ribs 1316 and ribs 1318 may be formed in manifold 1300 or otherwise attached to manifold 1300. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of ribs 1316 and ribs 1318 may be formed as raised indentations (indentations) formed in the tray 1300. For example, fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the collection tray 1300 taken along line J-J in fig. 13. The ribs 1316 define elongated indentations formed in the tray 1300. In other embodiments, one or more of ribs 1316 and ribs 1318 may be formed from a component that is attached to collection surface 1302, for example, by welding, adhesives, fasteners, or other joining methods or implements. Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the collection tray 1300 taken along the line J-J, wherein the ribs 1316 are in the form of strips of material added to or formed on the collection tray 1300. The ribs 1316 shown in fig. 19 and 20 are oriented such that the ribs 1316 extend toward the annular band adjacent thereto.

As shown in fig. 13, the first set of ribs 1316 extends from the front edge 1304 toward the central portion 1320 of the collection tray 1300. A second set of ribs 1318 extend from the rear edge 1306 toward the central portion 1320. The ribs 1316 are angled with respect to the front edge 1304 and extend toward the outboard end 1322 of the collection tray 1300. The rib 1316 forms an angle B with the front edge 1304. Similarly, ribs 1318 form an angle C with respect to rear edge 1306 and extend toward outboard end 1322. In some embodiments, angle B and angle C may be in the range of 10 ° to 70 °. For example, the angle B and the angle C may be 10 °, 15 °, 20 °, 25 °, 30 °, 35 °, 40 °, 45 °, 50 °, 55 °, 60 °, 65 °, or 70 °. In some embodiments, angles B and C may be less than 10 °. In other embodiments, angles B and C may be greater than 70 °. Further, in some embodiments, angle B and angle C may be the same. In other embodiments, angle B and angle C may be different. Further, in some embodiments, the angles B and C may vary along the length 1323 of the collection tray 1300. For example, one or both of angle B and angle C may have a smaller angle at an inboard position (i.e., at a position near the center endless belt conveyor 1312) and a larger angle toward an outboard position (i.e., near the outboard end 1322). Alternatively, in other embodiments, one or both of the angles B and C may decrease along the length 1323 of the manifold 1300. Thus, one or both of angles B and C may have a larger angle at the more inboard position and a smaller angle at the more outboard position. In some embodiments, one or more of the ribs 1600 and 1800 may be curved to define a curved path along the collection surface 1302 of the collection tray 1300.

The ribs 1316 and ribs 1318 cooperate with flights of an adjacent endless belt to move collected crop material toward the central portion 1320, as indicated by arrow 1324. Although the rib 1316 and the rib 1318 are shown as extending to the respective front edge 1304 and rear edge 1306, in other embodiments, one or more of the rib 1316 and the rib 1318 may be offset relative to the front edge 1304 and rear edge 1306. Thus, in some embodiments, there may be a gap between the end 1326 of one or more of the ribs 1316 and the rib 1318 and the respective front edge 1304 and rear edge 1306. Further, the length of the ribs 1316 and ribs 1318 may vary along the length 1323 of the manifold 1300. For example, the length of rib 1316 or rib 1318, or both, may decrease toward an inboard location (i.e., at a location near center endless belt conveyor 1312) and increase toward an outboard end 1322. In other embodiments, the length of the ribs 1316 or the ribs 1318, or both, may decrease from a medial position to a lateral position. In some embodiments, a set of ribs 1316 and a set of ribs 1318 may be aligned in the direction of arrow 1314. In other embodiments, the set of ribs 1316 and the set of ribs 1318 may be offset relative to each other in the direction of arrow 1314.

Fig. 14 shows another exemplary collection tray 1400, the collection tray 1400 including a collection surface 1402, the collection surface 1402 collecting crop material during a harvesting operation. The location of the collection tray 1400 on the belt header may be similar to the location of the collection tray 214, as shown in fig. 2. Thus, the collection tray 1400 may be positioned adjacent to the endless belt conveyor 114 in a manner similar to the manner in which the collection tray 214 is positioned relative to the endless belt conveyor 114. The aggregate tray 1400 includes a leading edge 1404 and a trailing edge 1406. Arrow 1408 indicates the direction of travel of the collection tray 1400 (and associated belt header) during a crop harvesting operation. The location of the endless belt 1410 of the central endless belt conveyor 1412 is schematically shown adjacent to the collection tray 1400. Arrow 1414 indicates the direction of movement of the flights of adjacent endless belts of a transverse endless belt conveyor (which may be similar to transverse endless belt conveyor 114) relative to the collection surface 1402, and the general direction of movement of the collected crop material along the collection surface 1402. Another collection tray similar to collection tray 1400 may be provided on the opposite side of endless belt conveyor 1412 from collection tray 1400. Thus, the location of the additional collection trays on the belt header may be similar to the location of the collection tray 214 adjacent to the endless belt conveyor 116, as shown in fig. 2. The additional collection tray may be configured as a mirror image of the collection tray 1400 as reflected with respect to the centerline of the endless belt conveyor 1412. The construction of the aggregate tray 1400 and the construction of additional aggregate trays are described in more detail below.

The collector tray 1400 also includes a first portion 1416 and a second portion 1418, the first portion 1416 being parallel to a plane defined by a portion of an adjacent endless belt of the transverse endless belt conveyor, and the second portion 1418 being non-parallel to the plane of the adjacent endless belt. The first portion 1416 may be similar to the first portion 610 shown in fig. 6, and the second portion 1418 may be similar to the second portion 612 also shown in fig. 6. The first portion 1416 includes a plurality of ribs 1420 that extend from the front edge 1404 to a boundary 1422 between the first portion 1416 and the second portion 1418. In some embodiments, the inboard end of rib 1420 may be offset relative to boundary 1422. In some embodiments, the boundary 1422 corresponds to a bend in the collection tray 1400 formed between the first portion 1416 and the second portion 1418. Although two sections 1416 and 1418 are shown, the collection tray 1400 may include more than two sections. For example, in some embodiments, the collection tray 1400 may have two or more portions that are parallel to the adjacent annular band (or a plane defined by a portion of the adjacent annular band) and one or more portions that are not parallel to the adjacent annular band (or a plane defined by a portion of the adjacent annular band).

As shown, a set of ribs 1420 extend over first portion 1416 and define an angle D relative to front edge 1404. The ribs 1420 extend from the front edge 1404 toward the outboard end 1421 of the collection tray 1400. The ribs 1420 may be similar to the ribs 1316 and ribs 1318 described above. In some embodiments, angle D may be in the range of 10 ° to 70 °. For example, the angle D may be 10 °, 15 °, 20 °, 25 °, 30 °, 35 °, 40 °, 45 °, 50 °, 55 °, 60 °, 65 °, or 70 °. In some embodiments, angle D may be less than 10 °. In other embodiments, angle D may be greater than 70 °. Further, in some embodiments, the angle D may vary along the length 1425 of the collection tray 1400. For example, angle D may have a smaller angle at an inboard position (i.e., at a position near center endless belt conveyor 1412) and a larger angle toward an outboard position (i.e., near outboard end 1421). Alternatively, in other embodiments, the angle D may decrease along the length 1425 of the collection tray 1400. Thus, angle D may have a larger angle at the more medial position and a smaller angle at the more lateral position.

In some embodiments, one or more ribs 1420 may be offset relative to the front edge 1404 such that a gap is formed between the front edge 1404 and an end 1424 of the rib 1420. In the example shown, the ribs 1420 extend to the boundary 1422. In other embodiments, the ends 1423 of one or more ribs may be offset relative to the boundaries 1422. In some embodiments, second portion 1418 may include one or more ribs extending between trailing edge 1406 and boundary 1422. For example, ribs formed on second portion 1418 can extend in a direction toward lateral end 1421 from rear edge 1406 or a location offset from rear edge 1406 to boundary 1422 or a location offset from boundary 1422. The ends of one or more ribs formed on second portion 1418 at locations adjacent to rear edge 1406 may be offset relative to rear edge 1406, and one or more ribs formed on second portion 1418 may extend to boundary 1422 or be offset relative to boundary 1422. The ribs formed on the second portion 1418 may be arranged in a manner similar to the arrangement of the ribs 1420 described above. Further, in some embodiments, one or more of the ribs 1420 may be curved to define a curved path along the collection surface of the collection tray 1400.

Flights of the endless belt of the transverse endless belt conveyor adjacent the collecting surface 1402 of the collecting tray 1400 cooperate with the ribs 1420 to move the collected crop material in the direction of arrows 1426 towards the central portion 1428 of the collecting surface 1402. Similarly, flights formed on the endless belt positioned adjacent to the collection surface 1402 can cooperate with ribs formed on the second portion 1418 to transport the collected crop material in a direction toward the outer ends 1421 and toward the central portion 1428.

Fig. 13 and 14 show ribs, namely ribs 1316, 1318 and 1420, which are each evenly spaced relative to adjacent ribs. That is, the distance between the ribs is constant. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Rather, in some embodiments, the spacing between adjacent ribs may be non-uniform. That is, the spacing separating adjacent ribs may vary along the length of the collection tray.

Fig. 15 shows another exemplary collection tray 1500, the collection tray 1500 including a collection surface 1502, the collection surface 1502 collecting crop material during a harvesting operation. The tray 1500 includes a front edge 1504 and a rear edge 1506. Arrow 1508 indicates the direction of travel of the collection tray 1500 (and associated belt header) during a crop harvesting operation. The position of the endless belt 1510 of the central endless belt conveyor 1512 is schematically shown adjacent to the collection tray 1500. Arrow 1514 indicates the direction of movement of the flights of adjacent endless belts of a transverse endless belt conveyor (which may be similar to the transverse endless belt conveyor 114) relative to the collection surface 1502, as well as the general direction of movement of the collected crop material along the collection surface 1502.

The manifold tray 1500 also includes a plurality of recesses 1516 formed therein. The recess 1516 extends from the leading edge 1504 or a location offset from the leading edge 1504 toward the central portion 1518 of the collection tray 1500 and in a direction toward the outboard end 1520 of the collection tray 1500. Although not shown, in some embodiments, one or more recesses may be formed in the collection tray 1500 and extend from the trailing edge 1506 or a location offset from the trailing edge 1506 in the direction of the outer end 1520 toward the central portion 1518. In some embodiments, one or more of the ribs 1516 can be curved to define a curved path along the collection surface 1502 of the collection tray 1500.

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the collection tray 1500 taken along line E-E in fig. 15. Fig. 16 shows a recess 1516 formed as an indentation formed in the collection tray 1500. In other embodiments, as shown in fig. 17, the recess 1516 may be formed as a groove formed in the collection tray 1500, such as by a machining operation. Flights of the endless belt of the transverse endless belt conveyor adjacent the collection surface 1502 of the collection tray 1500 cooperate with the recesses 1516 to move the collected crop material in the direction of arrow 1522 towards the leading edge 1504 of the collection tray 1500.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the collection tray 1500 taken along line F-F in FIG. 15. Fig. 18 shows a detail of the recess 1516. The recess 1516 is displaced relative to the front edge 1504 by a gap 1600. In other embodiments, the recess 1516 may extend to the front edge 1504. Recess 1516 includes a first transition sloped portion 1602, a constant depth portion 1604, and a second transition sloped portion 1606. For the recess 1516 extending to the front edge 1504, the sloped portion 1602 may extend from the front edge 1504 to the constant depth portion 1604.

In some embodiments, the slope of the first transition slope portion 1602 (as measured by angle G relative to the constant depth portion 1604) is less than the slope of the second transition slope portion 1606 (as measured by angle H relative to the constant depth portion 1604). That is, in some embodiments, angle G is less than angle H. In other embodiments, the slope of the first transition sloped portion 1602 and the second transition sloped portion 1606 may be the same. That is, in some embodiments, angle G and angle H are equal. In other embodiments, the slope of the second transition sloped portion 1606 can be less than the slope of the first transition sloped portion 1602. That is, in some embodiments, angle H is less than angle G.

In the context of fig. 15, the recess 1516 serves to convey crop material collected on the collection surface 1502 in a direction toward the outboard end 1520 toward the central portion 1518 of the collection tray 1500. In this orientation, the recess 1516 operates in conjunction with the flights of the adjacent endless belt to move the collected crop material in the direction of arrow 1522 toward the central portion 1518 of the collection surface 1502.

Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is to increase the amount of crop material collected during crop harvesting, and thus increase crop yield. Other technical effects will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure.

While the above describes example embodiments of the present disclosure, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as defined in the following claims.