JP7654498B2 - Harvesting Machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a harvesting machine equipped with a grain tank for storing grain.

As a related art, a harvesting machine (combine) equipped with a reaping section, a threshing section, a grain tank, etc. is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the harvesting machine according to the related art, grains are stored in the grain tank, and the grains in the grain tank can be transported outside the machine by an auger.

The harvesting machine according to the related art is equipped with a quality measuring device (grain internal quality measuring device) that measures the internal quality of grains put into the grain tank. The quality measuring device is inserted into the grain tank through an opening formed in the ceiling panel of the grain tank, and is disposed inside the grain tank while being suspended from the ceiling panel. The position of the quality measuring device inside the grain tank is on the grain input trajectory, and when grains are input from the front side of the left side wall to the rear side of the right side wall in a plan view, the quality measuring device is disposed in the right rear corner inside the grain tank.

JP 2019-97502 A

In the configuration of the related technology described above, the grains put into the grain tank hit the quality measuring device directly, so the quality measuring device is constantly subjected to shocks and vibrations. If the harvesting machine is used for a long period of time, this could lead to a decrease in the reliability of the quality measuring device.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a harvesting machine in which the reliability of the quality measuring device is less likely to deteriorate.

A harvesting machine according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a threshing section, a grain tank, a quality measuring device, and an input section. The grain tank stores grains. The quality measuring device is disposed in a position facing the internal space of the grain tank and measures the quality of the grains. The input section inputs the grains threshed by the threshing section into the grain tank through an input port that opens on the inner side of the grain tank. The quality measuring device is disposed on the same side as the input port when viewed from the center of the grain tank in a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

The present invention provides a harvesting machine in which the reliability of the quality measuring device is less likely to deteriorate.

FIG. 1 is a schematic left side view of a harvesting machine according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the grain tank and its surroundings of the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 shows the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment, and is a schematic plan view of the internal space of the grain tank as viewed from above with the upper portion of the grain tank broken away. FIG. 6 shows the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment and is an enlarged view of area Z1 in FIG. FIG. 7 shows the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment, and is a schematic perspective view of the left panel as seen from inside the grain tank with the ceiling panel of the grain tank removed. FIG. 8 shows the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment, and is a schematic perspective view of the left side panel as viewed from inside the grain tank with the ceiling panel of the grain tank removed. FIG. 9 shows the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment, and is a side view of the left panel of the grain tank as viewed from inside the grain tank with the ceiling panel of the grain tank removed. FIG. 10 shows the harvesting machine according to the first embodiment, and is a view taken along the line A1-A1 of FIG. FIG. 11 shows a harvesting machine according to the second embodiment, and is a side view of the left panel of the grain tank as viewed from inside the grain tank with the ceiling panel of the grain tank removed.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. The following embodiment is an example of the present invention and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

(Embodiment 1)
[1] Overall Configuration First, the overall configuration of a harvesting machine 4 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

The harvesting machine 4 according to this embodiment is provided with a traveling device 41, a reaping unit 42, a threshing unit 43, a sorting unit 44, a storage device 45, a power unit 46, a driving unit 47, a straw processing unit 48, and a discharge device 49, etc., in a machine body 40, which is the main body of the harvesting machine 4. The storage device 45 includes a grain tank 2 for storing grains, and an input unit 3 (see FIG. 4) for inputting grains into the grain tank 2. In this embodiment, the harvesting machine 4 further includes a quality measuring device 1 (see FIG. 4) for measuring the quality of the grains. In this embodiment, the harvesting machine 4 further includes a control device 51, a communication terminal 52, a harvest amount sensor 53, a grain sensor 54, a full amount sensor 55, a fuel tank, a battery, etc., in the machine body 40, as shown in FIG. 3. That is, the harvesting machine 4 is provided with at least a threshing unit 43, a grain tank 2, a quality measuring device 1, and an input unit 3. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of a storage device 45 including a grain tank 2, with the illustration of components other than the storage device 45 omitted as appropriate.

The "harvesting machine" in this disclosure is a machine that harvests crops in a field, and includes, as an example, a combine harvester (combine harvester) that performs threshing and sorting in addition to harvesting. The combine harvester as the harvesting machine 4 is mainly used for harvesting grains, and while moving (traveling) in the field, it harvests the crops and harvests the harvested crops. In particular, there are normal (general-purpose) combine harvesters that send the entire harvested crop to a thresher (thresher section 43), and self-feeding combine harvesters that send only the tips of the harvested crops to the thresher. In this embodiment, a normal combine harvester will be described as an example of the harvesting machine 4. In addition, in this embodiment, as an example, the harvesting machine 4 is operated by a person (operator) (including remote operation), but the harvesting machine 4 may be an unmanned machine that operates by automatic driving. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the harvesting machine 4 is a "vehicle" that travels in a field using the traveling device 41, but the harvesting machine 4 is not limited to a "vehicle."

In this disclosure, the "field" refers to an area in which the harvesting machine 4 performs harvesting operations, and includes, for example, rice fields, fields, orchards, and pastures in which crops (agricultural products) to be harvested, such as rice, wheat, soybeans, or buckwheat, are grown. In this embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which the target to be harvested by the harvesting machine 4 is "rice" and the field is an outdoor rice field in which rice is grown.

In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the vertical direction when the harvesting machine 4 is in a usable state is defined as the up-down direction D3. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the left-right direction D1 and the front-rear direction D2 are defined based on the direction as seen by a person (operator) riding on the harvesting machine 4 (the driving part 47 of the harvesting machine 4). In other words, each direction used in this embodiment is a direction defined based on the body 40 of the harvesting machine 4, and the direction in which the body 40 moves when the harvesting machine 4 moves forward is "forward", and the direction in which the body 40 moves when the harvesting machine 4 moves backward is "rear". Similarly, the direction in which the front end of the body 40 moves when the harvesting machine 4 turns right is "rightward", and the direction in which the front end of the body 40 moves when the harvesting machine 4 turns left is "leftward".

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the left-right direction D1 perpendicular to the up-down direction D3 is defined as the "first direction", and the front-rear direction D2 perpendicular to both the up-down direction D3 and the left-right direction D1 (first direction) is defined as the "second direction". In other words, the first direction (left-right direction D1) and the second direction (front-rear direction D2) are both directions along a horizontal plane and perpendicular to each other. However, these directions are not intended to limit the direction of use (direction during use) of the harvesting machine 4. For example, the front-rear direction D2 perpendicular to the up-down direction D3 may be defined as the "first direction", and the left-right direction D1 perpendicular to both the up-down direction D3 and the front-rear direction D2 (first direction) may be defined as the "first direction".

The traveling device 41 can move the harvesting machine 4 in the forward/backward direction D2 and the left/right direction D1. For example, the harvesting machine 4 performs harvesting work while meandering through a field such as a rice paddy or a farm. As one example, the harvesting machine 4 may move through the field while turning right (or left) from the outside to the inside, in which case the movement trajectory of the harvesting machine 4 is a spiral path.

The reaping unit 42 reaps crops (rice as an example in this embodiment) in the field. The reaping unit 42 has a reel 421, a cutter 422, a raking auger 423, a transport conveyor 424, a rotor 425, a feeder house 426, and the like. The reel 421 guides the culms of the crop to the cutter 422 by rotating. The cutter 422 cuts the culms guided by the reel 421. As a result, the crops growing in the field are cut midway through the culms, and at least the culms including the tips are harvested by the harvesting machine 4.

The raking auger 423 raks the harvested stalks into the feeder house 426. Specifically, the raking auger 423 is a lateral feed screw that transports the harvested stalks in the left-right direction D1 and collects them at a position in front of the feeder house 426.

The feeder house 426 forms the outer periphery of a path for passing the harvested crop (grain stalks) between the harvesting unit 42 (the raking auger 423) and the threshing unit 43. In this embodiment, the threshing unit 43 is located diagonally above and behind the harvesting unit 42. As an example, the feeder house 426 is a hollow cylinder (square cylinder) with a rectangular cross section, and is arranged to extend diagonally upward from the harvesting unit 42 toward the threshing unit 43. The grain stalks harvested by the harvesting unit 42 are raked into the feeder house 426 through an intake opening on the front side of the feeder house 426, and are sent to the threshing unit 43 through the internal space of the feeder house 426.

The transport conveyor 424 is disposed inside the feeder house 426. The transport conveyor 424 transports the stalks that are collected by the shoveling auger 423 at a position in front of the intake of the feeder house 426 and shoveled into the feeder house 426 from the intake, through the inside of the feeder house 426 to the rotor 425. The rotor 425 sends the stalks transported by the transport conveyor 424 to the threshing section 43.

The threshing section 43 performs a threshing process on the stalks harvested by the harvesting section 42. In the threshing process, the threshing residue containing the grains is separated from the stalks. The threshing residue falls from the threshing section 43 to the sorting section 44 below.

The sorting unit 44 executes a sorting process to sort grains from the threshed grains that fall from the threshing unit 43. The sorting unit 44 sorts grains from the threshed grains, for example, by blowing air diagonally from below the threshed grains and sifting the threshed grains.

The threshing unit 43, for example, performs a threshing process on the stalks while transporting the stalks from the front to the rear of the threshing unit 43. Similarly, the sorting unit 44, for example, performs a sorting process on the stalks while transporting the stalks from the front to the rear of the sorting unit 44.

The storage device 45 has a horizontal conveyor 451 (see FIG. 4), a vertical conveyor 452, a vertical conveyor 453, a grain tank 2, and an input section 3. The horizontal conveyor 451 is a horizontal feed screw arranged below the sorting section 44 (and the threshing section 43) and conveys grains along the left-right direction D1. In this embodiment, as an example, the horizontal conveyor 451 is a screw conveyor that conveys grains threshed in the threshing section 43 to the inlet of the vertical conveyor 452. The vertical conveyor 452 is a duct that connects the outlet of the horizontal conveyor 451 and the input section 3 provided at the top of the grain tank 2. The vertical conveyor 453 is a screw conveyor that rotates within the vertical conveyor 452 to further convey the grains conveyed by the horizontal conveyor 451 along the up-down direction D3.

The input section 3 is connected to the upper end of the vertical transport duct 452, and inputs the grains transported through the vertical transport duct 452 into the grain tank 2. In other words, the grains transported to the upper end of the vertical transport duct 452 by the vertical transport conveyor 453 are input into the grain tank 2 by the input section 3. As a result, the grains are transported from the sorting section 44 to the input section 3 by the horizontal transport conveyor 451 and the vertical transport conveyor 453, and are input into the grain tank 2 by the input section 3.

The grain tank 2 is a tank (container) that stores threshed grains (grains, etc.) obtained by the threshing process in the threshing section 43. The grain tank 2 is arranged next to the threshing section 43 in the left-right direction D1, which is the width direction of the machine body 40. In this embodiment, as an example, when the machine body 40 is divided into approximately equal halves in the left-right direction D1, the threshing section 43 (and the sorting section 44) are located on the left side, and the grain tank 2 is located on the right side.

The discharge device 49 discharges the grains in the grain tank 2 to any location around the harvesting machine 4. The discharge device 49 has a discharge conveying path 490 and a conveying mechanism 493. The discharge conveying path 490 is a path for discharging the stored material (grains) in the grain tank 2. The discharge conveying path 490 includes a vertical conveying path 491 extending in the vertical direction D3 and a horizontal conveying path 492 extending in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction D3 (horizontal direction). The lower end of the vertical conveying path 491 is connected to the grain tank 2, and the upper end of the vertical conveying path 491 is connected to the horizontal conveying path 492. As a result, the stored material in the grain tank 2 is conveyed upward through the vertical conveying path 491, and further conveyed horizontally through the horizontal conveying path 492, and discharged from the tip of the horizontal conveying path 492.

The vertical conveying path 491 also functions as a rotation axis when the grain tank 2 is opened or closed. In other words, the grain tank 2 is configured to be rotatable in a horizontal plane around the central axis of the vertical conveying path 491. This allows the grain tank 2 to move (rotate) between a closed position and an open position, and by placing the grain tank 2 in the open position, for example, when performing maintenance on the oscillating bearings of the sorting section 44, it becomes easier to secure work space for maintenance, etc. Figure 2 etc. shows the grain tank 2 in the closed position.

The conveying mechanism 493 is, for example, a screw (auger) that rotates within the discharge conveying path 490 to convey the grains through the discharge conveying path 490. In other words, within the vertical conveying path 491, the vertical auger as the conveying mechanism 493 rotates to convey the grains, and within the horizontal conveying path 492, the horizontal auger as the conveying mechanism 493 rotates to convey the grains.

The straw processing section 48 discharges waste straw and other waste materials generated during the threshing process. In other words, the straw and other materials separated from the threshing grains (including grains) during the threshing process in the threshing section 43 are transported to the straw processing section 48 as waste materials. The straw processing section 48 has a discharge outlet 481 (see FIG. 1) for discharging the waste materials outside the machine body 40. The straw processing section 48 is, for example, disposed behind the threshing section 43, that is, at the left rear of the machine body 40, and the discharge outlet 481 opens toward the rear. The straw processing section 48 has a straw cutter or the like, and performs cutting processing on the waste materials before discharging the waste materials from the discharge outlet 481. However, it is not essential that the straw processing section 48 performs cutting processing.

The power unit 46 is the drive source for the traveling device 41, the harvesting device 42, the threshing device 43, the sorting device 44, the storage device 45, the straw processing device 48, and the discharge device 49. The power unit 46 has an engine such as a diesel engine as a power source. The power unit 46 may also have a hybrid power source including an engine and a motor (electric motor).

The driving section 47 is provided with a driver's seat where the operator sits, as well as operating devices such as a steering wheel, various operating levers, and various operating switches operated by the operator. In this embodiment, the driving section 47 is disposed in front of the grain tank 2 on the right side of the body 40 of the harvesting machine 4 (see FIG. 2). Furthermore, the driving section 47 is located behind the reaping section 42 and above the power section 46 (see FIG. 1).

The control device 51 controls the traveling device 41, the reaping unit 42, the threshing unit 43, the sorting unit 44, the storage device 45, the power unit 46, the straw processing unit 48, and the discharge device 49, etc., in response to the operation received by the operating device. The control device 51 mainly comprises a computer system having one or more processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and one or more memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and executes various processes (information processing). In this embodiment, the control device 51 is an integrated controller that controls the entire harvesting machine 4, and is composed of, for example, an electronic control unit (ECU). However, the control device 51 may be provided separately from the integrated controller.

In addition, in this embodiment, the control device 51 is connected to the quality measuring device 1, the harvest volume sensor 53, the grain sensor 54, and the full quantity sensor 55. Therefore, the control device 51 can acquire the measurement results of the quality measuring device 1, as well as the detection results of the harvest volume sensor 53, the grain sensor 54, and the full quantity sensor 55. In this embodiment, the quality measuring device 1, the harvest volume sensor 53, the grain sensor 54, and the full quantity sensor 55 are all disposed in the grain tank 2. Details of the arrangement of the quality measuring device 1, the harvest volume sensor 53, the grain sensor 54, and the full quantity sensor 55 will be explained in the section "[2] Configuration around the grain tank".

The quality measuring device 1 is a device that measures the quality of grains threshed by the threshing section 43. In this disclosure, "quality" includes internal quality such as the moisture content, protein content, or amylose content of the grains. The quality measuring device 1 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the quality of the grains as a measurement result to the control device 51. In this embodiment, as an example, the quality measuring device 1 includes a moisture meter that measures the moisture content (moisture content) of the grains. Specifically, the quality measuring device 1 includes a pair of electrode rollers driven by motor power or the like, and measures the moisture content of the grains based on the change in the electrical resistance value between the pair of electrode rollers while crushing (crushing) the grains between the pair of electrode rollers.

The harvest amount sensor 53 is a sensor that detects the amount of grain harvested by the harvesting machine 4, that is, the harvest amount (yield). As an example, this type of sensor includes an impact detection unit such as a strain gauge or a piezoelectric element that is attached inside the grain tank 2, and detects the impact force when grains transported by the vertical transport conveyor 453 toward the grain tank 2 collide with the impact detection unit. Of course, the method of acquiring the harvest amount of the harvesting machine 4 is not limited to this. The grain sensor 54 and the full amount sensor 55 are both sensors for detecting the amount of grains stored in the grain tank 2. As an example, this type of sensor is attached to the inner surface of the grain tank 2 and detects the grains stored in the grain tank 2.

The control device 51 can output the acquired measurement results of the quality measuring device 1, as well as information on the detection results of the harvest volume sensor 53, the grain sensor 54, and the full quantity sensor 55, by appropriate means. For example, the control device 51 outputs this information by displaying it on a display device installed in the driving unit 47, writing it to a recording medium, transmitting it to the outside (such as a server) via the communication terminal 52, or printing it. Furthermore, the control device 51 can also use this information, for example, to control the storage device 45 and the quality measuring device 1, etc.

For example, the control device 51 basically drives the quality measuring device 1 at all times and measures the quality of the grains at any time. In other words, the quality measuring device 1 is in a state where it is constantly taking in grains and measures the quality of the taken-in grains at any time. On the other hand, when grains are detected by the grain sensor 54 in the grain tank 2, the control device 51 stops the quality measuring device 1 and stops taking in grains into the quality measuring device 1. In other words, when grains are detected by the grain sensor 54 arranged in the grain tank 2, the quality measuring device 1 stops measuring the quality. This makes it possible to stop the operation of the quality measuring device 1 depending on the amount of grains stored in the grain tank 2.

The full quantity sensor 55 is a sensor that detects when the grains in the grain tank 2 have reached full capacity. Therefore, when grains are detected by the full quantity sensor 55 in the grain tank 2, the control device 51 notifies the operator of this (that the full quantity has been reached). Alternatively, when grains are detected by the full quantity sensor 55 in the grain tank 2, the control device 51 may stop the horizontal transport conveyor 451 and the vertical transport conveyor 453, etc., and forcibly stop the input of grains into the grain tank 2.

The communication terminal 52 communicates with a server or the like external to the harvesting machine 4. Here, the communication terminal 52 appropriately transmits information related to the operating status of the harvesting machine 4, the current position of the harvesting machine 4, the crop yield, the taste of the crop (including the moisture content or protein content, etc.), the working time or working efficiency, etc., to the server or the like. In this embodiment, the communication terminal 52 is configured to be able to detect the current position of the harvesting machine 4 using a satellite positioning system such as the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). In addition, the communication terminal 52 may receive control information related to driving assistance or automatic driving of the harvesting machine 4 from the server or the like.

[2] Configuration of the Grain Tank and Its Surroundings Next, the configuration of the grain tank 2 and its surroundings of the storage device 45 in the harvesting machine 4 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 10. In the following, the directions will be described using the state in which the grain tank 2 is in the closed position.

Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the internal space Sp1 of the grain tank 2, with the top of the grain tank 2 broken away, as viewed from above. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of area Z1 in Figure 5. Figures 7 and 8 are schematic perspective views of the left side panel 204 as viewed from inside the grain tank 2, with the ceiling panel 206 of the grain tank 2 removed. Figure 9 is a side view of the left side panel 204 of the grain tank 2, as viewed from the inside (i.e., right side) of the grain tank 2, with the ceiling panel 206 of the grain tank 2 removed. Figure 10 is a view taken along the arrows A1-A1 in Figure 9.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the grain tank 2 has a bottom panel 201, a front panel 202, a rear panel 203, a left panel 204, a right panel 205, and a ceiling panel 206, and is roughly shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped with a length in the front-to-rear direction D2. In this embodiment, as an example, the components of the grain tank 2 (bottom panel 201, front panel 202, rear panel 203, left panel 204, right panel 205, and ceiling panel 206) are made of metal with sufficient rigidity. However, this is not limited to the above, and at least some of the components of the grain tank 2 may be made of resin, etc.

The bottom panel 201 is a rectangular panel having a length in the front-to-rear direction D2 (second direction) in a plan view. The front panel 202 is a rectangular panel that rises upward from the front side of the outer periphery of the bottom panel 201. The rear panel 203 is a rectangular panel that rises upward from the rear side of the outer periphery of the bottom panel 201. The left panel 204 is a rectangular panel that rises upward from the left side of the outer periphery of the bottom panel 201. The right panel 205 is a rectangular panel that rises upward from the right side of the outer periphery of the bottom panel 201. As a result, the space above the bottom panel 201 is surrounded on all four sides (front-to-back, left-to-right, and front-to-back) by the front panel 202, rear panel 203, left panel 204, and right panel 205. Furthermore, the ceiling panel 206 is a panel that is rectangular in plan view and covers the upper surface of the space surrounded by the front panel 202, the rear panel 203, the left panel 204, and the right panel 205.

That is, the grain tank 2 has an internal space Sp1 surrounded by a bottom panel 201, a front panel 202, a rear panel 203, a left panel 204, a right panel 205, and a ceiling panel 206, and is configured to be able to store grain in this internal space Sp1. The front panel 202 and the rear panel 203 face each other in the front-to-back direction D2 (second direction). The left panel 204 and the right panel 205 face each other in the left-to-right direction D1 (first direction). The bottom panel 201 and the ceiling panel 206 face each other in the up-down direction D3. The center C1 of the grain tank 2 configured in this way is located within the internal space Sp1, as shown in Figure 5. The center C1 shown in Figure 5 is an imaginary point with no substance.

Here, grains are fed into the internal space Sp1 of the grain tank 2 from the feed section 3 provided at the top of the grain tank 2 as described above. In this embodiment, as an example, as shown in FIG. 4, the feed section 3 is provided at the upper end of the left panel 204 of the grain tank 2. Specifically, a feed opening 21 (see FIG. 7, etc.) is formed at the center of the upper end of the left panel 204 in the front-rear direction D2, and the feed section 3 is attached at a position corresponding to the feed opening 21 of the left panel 204. The feed opening 21 opens on the inner surface 20 of the grain tank 2 (see FIG. 7, etc.), and the feed section 3 feeds grains into the grain tank 2 from the feed opening 21. In other words, the surface of the left panel 204 facing the internal space Sp1 of the grain tank 2 constitutes the inner surface 20 (left inner surface) of the grain tank 2, and grains are fed into the internal space Sp1 of the grain tank 2 from the feed opening 21 opening on the inner surface 20.

In this embodiment, the inlet 21 is formed in a rectangular shape having a length in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 7, etc.), and the inlet 3 is fixed to the grain tank 2 so as to cover the entire inlet 21 from the outside of the grain tank 2. That is, the inlet 3 is fixed to the left panel 204 in a manner protruding outward (to the left) from the left panel 204 as shown in FIG. 4. Since the inlet 3 is connected to the upper end of the vertical transport duct 452, the grains threshed in the threshing section 43 are transported (supplied) to the inlet 3 through the vertical transport duct 452 by the horizontal transport conveyor 451 and the vertical transport conveyor 453 (sorted in the sorting section 44). Therefore, the inlet 3 puts the grains threshed in the threshing section 43 into the grain tank 2 from the inlet 21 that opens on the inner surface 20 of the grain tank 2.

Specifically, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the input section 3 has a rotating body 31 and a cover 32. The rotating body 31 is a plate-shaped blade member that rotates around a rotation axis Ax1 (see Fig. 6) along the vertical direction D3. In this embodiment, the rotating body 31 is located above the vertical transport conveyor 453 made of a screw conveyor, and rotates together with the vertical transport conveyor 453 around the same rotation axis as the rotation axis of the vertical transport conveyor 453. The cover 32 constitutes the outer shell of the input section 3, and forms a space between the input port 21 and the cover 32 in which the rotation area of the rotating body 31 is accommodated. In this embodiment, as an example, the cover 32 is formed in a triangular shape in a plan view.

With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, the feed unit 3 throws grains by pushing the grains out with the rotor 31 as the rotor 31 rotates in one direction (counterclockwise in this case) R1. Because the rotation area of the rotor 31 is surrounded by a cover 32, the area into which the grains thrown by the rotor 31 scatter is narrowed by the cover 32 to the feed inlet 21 side. As a result, the feed unit 3 is able to feed grains from the feed inlet 21 into the grain tank 2.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 6, when a virtual line VL1 is set that connects the rear end of the cover 32 and the rotation axis Ax1 of the rotor 31 in a plan view, and a virtual line VL2 that passes through the rear end of the cover 32 and follows the inner peripheral surface of the cover 32, the grains X1 are thrown at least between the virtual lines VL1 and VL2. In other words, in the internal space Sp1 of the grain tank 2, the main path X11 of the grains X1 thrown into the grain tank 2 from the inlet 21 at the feed section 3 exists in the area between the virtual lines VL1 and VL2 in a plan view. Thus, in the feed section 3 according to this embodiment, the grains X1 thrown into the grain tank 2 from the inlet 21 are mainly thrown diagonally backward to the right from the inlet 21.

In addition, in this embodiment, a harvest yield sensor 53 is attached to a part of the cover 32. As a result, the harvest yield sensor 53 detects the amount of grain harvested by the harvesting machine 4, i.e., the harvest yield (yield), based on the amount of grain that the input unit 3 inputs into the grain tank 2.

As shown in Figs. 7 to 10, the quality measuring device 1 has a case 11, and the main body of the quality measuring device 1 (electrode roller, etc.) is contained within the case 11. The case 11 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a length in the vertical direction D3, and constitutes the outer shell of the quality measuring device 1. An inlet 12 is formed at the upper part of the right side of the case 11, and an outlet 13 is formed at the lower part of the right side of the case 11. The inlet 12 is an opening for taking in grains into the quality measuring device 1. The outlet 13 is an opening for discharging grains whose quality has been measured into the grain tank 2. In this embodiment, the quality measuring device 1 crushes grains inside it to measure the quality of the grains, so the grains taken in from the inlet 12 are crushed within the quality measuring device 1, and the crushed grains are discharged from the outlet 13.

The quality measuring device 1 has a pair of intake rollers 14 that protrude to the right from the right side of the case 11. The pair of intake rollers 14 are located directly below the intake port 12, and operate to take in grains into the intake port 12 by being driven to rotate. In other words, the quality measuring device 1 takes in grains and measures their quality by rotating the pair of intake rollers 14. Specifically, a spiral rib is formed on the outer circumferential surface of each intake roller 14. When the pair of intake rollers 14 rotates with grains placed above the pair of intake rollers 14, the ribs of each intake roller 14 move the grains over the pair of intake rollers 14 toward the intake port 12 (i.e., to the left). As a result, when the pair of intake rollers 14 rotate, grains are taken in from the intake port 12 to the quality measuring device 1, and when the pair of intake rollers 14 stop, the intake of grains into the quality measuring device 1 stops.

Here, the quality measuring device 1 is attached to the left panel 204 of the grain tank 2. When viewed from the right side, the quality measuring device 1 is located behind and below the inlet 21 (i.e., diagonally downward and rearward). In this embodiment, the quality measuring device 1 is located in a recess 207 recessed to the left of the left panel 204 of the grain tank 2. In other words, a partial recess is formed in the inner surface 20 (left inner surface) of the grain tank 2 by the recess 207 of the left panel 204, and the internal space Sp1 is expanded to the left by the amount of this recess 207. In this embodiment, as an example, the recess 207 is formed in a trapezoidal shape when viewed from above (see FIG. 5). The quality measuring device 1 is located in the grain tank 2 (internal space Sp1) by being fixed to the upper surface (ceiling surface) of the recess 207 with a fastener such as a bolt.

As described above, the harvesting machine 4 according to this embodiment includes a threshing section 43, a grain tank 2 for storing grains, a quality measuring device 1, and an input section 3. The quality measuring device 1 is disposed in a position facing the internal space Sp1 of the grain tank 2, and measures the quality of the grains. The input section 3 inputs the grains threshed in the threshing section 43 into the grain tank 2 through an input port 21 that opens into the inner surface 20 of the grain tank 2. Here, the quality measuring device 1 is disposed on the same side as the input port 21 when viewed from the center C1 (see FIG. 5) of the grain tank 2 in a first direction (left-right direction D1) perpendicular to the up-down direction D3.

That is, in this embodiment, the positional relationship between the inlet 21 in the grain tank 2 and the quality measuring device 1 is such that they are on the same side in the first direction when viewed from the center C1 of the grain tank 2. In this embodiment, the first direction is the left-right direction D1, and the inlet 21 is formed on the inner surface 20 (left inner surface) of the left panel 204. Therefore, the quality measuring device 1 is also located on the left panel 204, just like the inlet 21. In other words, the inlet 21 and the quality measuring device 1 are both located on the same surface (left side) in the left-right direction D1 (first direction) in the internal space Sp1 of the grain tank 2.

With this configuration, grains fed into the grain tank 2 from the feed port 21 are less likely to directly hit the quality measuring device 1. This has the advantage that the quality measuring device 1 is less likely to be subjected to constant shocks and vibrations, and the reliability of the quality measuring device 1 is less likely to deteriorate even if the harvesting machine 4 is used for a long period of time. As a result, it is possible to provide a harvesting machine 4 in which the reliability of the quality measuring device 1 is less likely to deteriorate.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, in the first direction (left-right direction D1), the distance L1 from the quality measuring device 1 to the center C1 of the grain tank 2 is greater than the distance L2 from the inlet 21 to the center C1 of the grain tank 2 (L1>L2). In other words, the quality measuring device 1 is set back to the left compared to the inlet 21, and is therefore located farther away from the inlet 21 than the inlet 21 in a plan view when viewed from the center line Lc1 passing through the center C1 of the grain tank 2. This configuration has the advantage that the grains fed from the inlet 21 into the grain tank 2 are less likely to hit the quality measuring device 1, making it less likely for the reliability of the quality measuring device 1 to decrease.

The harvesting machine 4 according to this embodiment further includes a guide member 6. The guide member 6 is a member that guides the grains that are fed into the grain tank 2 from the feed port 21 to the quality measuring device 1. By providing such a guide member 6, it becomes possible to efficiently take in the grains into the quality measuring device 1 while preventing the grains fed into the feed port 21 from directly hitting the quality measuring device 1.

In this embodiment, as an example, a portion of the guide member 6 is located on the path X11 (see FIG. 6) of the grains fed into the grain tank 2 from the feed port 21, and guides the colliding grains out of the path X11. That is, a portion of the guide member 6 is disposed on the path X11 of the grains fed into the grain tank 2 by the feed unit 3. As a result, a portion of the grains fed (thrown) from the feed port 21 by the feed unit 3 collides with a portion of the guide member 6, loses momentum, and is guided out of the path X11. In this configuration, the guide member 6 can use the momentum of the grains fed by the feed unit 3 to guide the grains to the quality measuring device 1 by deflecting the grains from the path X11.

Specifically, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the guide member 6 has a tubular portion 61 and a holding portion 62. The tubular portion 61 is, for example, a hollow cylindrical resin member formed into a cylindrical shape, with both longitudinal end faces open. The holding portion 62 is a member for holding the tubular portion 61, and is, for example, made of a holding metal fitting. The holding portion 62 holds (supports) the tubular portion 61 against the left side panel 204.

Here, the cylindrical portion 61 is held in an oblique position above the pair of intake rollers 14 in the quality measuring device 1. In other words, the cylindrical portion 61 is held in a position in which its lower opening surface faces the pair of intake rollers 14 and extends obliquely to the upper right from the pair of intake rollers 14. An entrance portion 63 for introducing grains is formed at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 61. Furthermore, the lower opening surface of the cylindrical portion 61 facing the pair of intake rollers 14 constitutes an exit portion 64 (see FIG. 10) for discharging grains. As a result, the guide member 6 guides the grains introduced into the cylindrical portion 61 from the entrance portion 63 through the inside of the cylindrical portion 61 to the exit portion 64, and discharges them from the exit portion 64 onto the pair of intake rollers 14.

More specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the tip of the pair of take-in rollers 14 protrudes to the right from the recess 207, and the exit portion 64 of the cylindrical portion 61 is arranged to face the upper portion of the pair of take-in rollers 14 protruding to the right from the recess 207. Therefore, the entrance portion 63 formed at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 61, which is oriented to extend diagonally to the upper right from the pair of take-in rollers 14, is located outside (on the right side) of the recess 207. The entrance portion 63 is formed in a shape that opens on a part of the circumferential surface at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 61. In this embodiment, as an example, the entrance portion 63 is formed by partially cutting out the part of the cylindrical portion 61 that is diagonally upward and forward. Furthermore, the opening surface of the cylindrical portion 61 on the entrance portion 63 side (upper side) is blocked by the holding portion 62.

The guide member 6 thus configured protrudes from the quality measuring device 1 toward the center C1 of the grain tank 2 in the first direction (left-right direction D1). Here, the inlet 21 is located between the tip of the guide member 6 and the quality measuring device 1 in the first direction (left-right direction D1). That is, as shown in Figures 6 and 10, when viewed from the inlet 21, the tip of the guide member 6 is located on the right side in the left-right direction D1 (first direction), and the quality measuring device 1 is located on the left side in the left-right direction D1 (first direction). With this positional relationship, it is possible to guide the grains from the tip of the guide member 6 located on the opposite side of the first direction when viewed from the inlet 21 to the quality measuring device 1.

The quality measuring device 1 and the inlet 21 are arranged side by side in a second direction (front-rear direction D2) perpendicular to both the up-down direction D3 and the first direction (left-right direction D1). The guide member 6 has an inlet portion 63 that opens toward the inlet 21 side in the second direction (front-rear direction D2) and introduces grains. That is, in this embodiment, the quality measuring device 1 is located behind the inlet 21, and the inlet portion 63 of the guide member 6 opens toward the front side, which is the inlet 21 side. Therefore, the grains introduced into the grain tank 2 from the inlet 21 are introduced into the cylindrical portion 61 from the inlet portion 63 of the guide member 6 located on the path X11. Then, the grains introduced into the cylindrical portion 61 pass through the cylindrical portion 61 and fall from the outlet portion 64 onto the pair of intake rollers 14. In this way, the guide member 6 can guide the grains to the quality measuring device 1.

Furthermore, the guide member 6 has an outlet portion 64 located below the inlet portion 63 and above the grain intake port 12 of the quality measuring device 1, and is configured to pass grains from the inlet portion 63 to the outlet portion 64. Here, the inlet portion 63 is located at the same position as the input port 21 in the vertical direction D3, or below the input port 21. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the height H1 of the inlet portion 63 in the vertical direction D3 partially overlaps with the height H2 of the input port 21 in the vertical direction D3. In other words, a part of the inlet portion 63 is located at the same position as the input port 21 in the vertical direction D3, and the remaining part is located below the input port 21. According to such a positional relationship between the inlet portion 63 and the input port 21, the grains input from the input port 21 into the grain tank 2 are easily captured by the inlet portion 63, and the grains are easily guided to the quality measuring device 1 by the guide member 6.

As described above, the grain sensor 54 and the full sensor 55 are disposed inside the grain tank 2. In this embodiment, as an example, the grain sensor 54 and the full sensor 55 are both sensors that detect grains when their surfaces facing the internal space Sp1 of the grain tank 2 are pushed in by pressure from the grains. In other words, grains gradually accumulate in the internal space Sp1 of the grain tank 2, so that when the grains reach the position of the grain sensor 54, the grain sensor 54 detects the grains. Similarly, when the grains reach the position of the full sensor 55, the full sensor 55 detects the full amount.

In this embodiment, when the grain sensor 54 detects grains, the quality measuring instrument 1 stops the quality measurement. In other words, the grain sensor 54 is a sensor that generates a trigger to stop the quality measuring instrument 1 and stop the quality measurement. Such a grain sensor 54 is disposed below the grain intake port 12 in the quality measuring instrument 1, as shown in FIG. 9. Here, it is assumed that the detection part of the grain sensor 54 (the part that actually has sensitivity) is at the center of the grain sensor 54, and the positional relationship in the vertical direction D3 is defined between the center of the grain sensor 54 and the center of the intake port 12. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the grain sensor 54 is located below the intake port 12 by a height H3. With this configuration, the quality measuring instrument 1 can be stopped before the grains in the grain tank 2 reach the height of the intake port 12. This prevents the quality measuring device 1 from operating with the intake port 12 buried in grains, thereby preventing excessive intake of grains into the quality measuring device 1 and suppressing the occurrence of problems such as grains clogging the quality measuring device 1.

In addition, a full-quantity sensor 55 that detects when the grains reach the full quantity is disposed in the grain tank 2, and the full-quantity sensor 55 is disposed above the grain sensor 54. Here, it is assumed that the detection portion (the part that actually has sensitivity) of the full-quantity sensor 55 is at the center of the full-quantity sensor 55, and the positional relationship in the up-down direction D3 is defined between the center of the full-quantity sensor 55 and the center of the grain sensor 54. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the full-quantity sensor 55 is disposed above the intake port 12 by a height H4. Therefore, the full-quantity sensor 55 is disposed above the grain sensor 54 by the sum of the heights H3 and H4 (H3+H4). With this configuration, even after the grains in the grain tank 2 reach the height of the grain sensor 54 and the quality measuring device 1 stops measuring the quality, the harvesting operation by the harvesting machine 4 can be continued until the grains reach the full quantity.

[3] Modifications Below, we will list modifications of the first embodiment. The modifications described below can be applied in appropriate combinations.

The quality measuring device 1 may be any device that measures the quality of grains, and the quality to be measured is not limited to the moisture content of the grains, but may also be, for example, the protein content, the amylose content, or a combination of these.

The configuration of the grain sensor 54 and the full sensor 55 is also not limited to the above configuration, and may be, for example, an optical sensor or other sensor that detects grains in a non-contact manner.

The harvesting machine 4 is not limited to a normal combine harvester, but may be a head-feeding combine harvester or a harvesting machine other than a combine harvester.

The quality measuring device 1 only needs to be located on the same side as the inlet 21 when viewed from the center C1 of the grain tank 2 in the first direction (left-right direction D1) perpendicular to the up-down direction D3, and does not necessarily have to be located on the left panel 204. In other words, the inlet 21 and the quality measuring device 1 may both be located on the right side, which is on the same plane in the left-right direction D1 (first direction) in the internal space Sp1 of the grain tank 2.

Furthermore, it is not essential that the first direction is the left-right direction D1; for example, the first direction may be the front-to-rear direction D2. In this case, the quality measuring device 1 is disposed on the same side as the inlet 21 when viewed from the center C1 of the grain tank 2 in the front-to-rear direction D2. In other words, the inlet 21 and the quality measuring device 1 may both be disposed on the front (or rear) surface that is on the same plane in the front-to-rear direction D2 in the internal space Sp1 of the grain tank 2.

In addition, in the first direction, the distance L1 from the quality measuring device 1 to the center C1 of the grain tank 2 does not necessarily have to be greater than the distance L2 from the inlet 21 to the center C1 of the grain tank 2, and the distance L1 may be equal to or less than the distance L2. In addition, it is not essential that the grain sensor 54 is positioned below the grain intake port 12 in the quality measuring device 1. In addition, it is not essential that the full quantity sensor 55 is positioned above the grain sensor 54. In the first place, the grain sensor 54 and the full quantity sensor 55 are not essential components of the harvesting machine 4.

The specific shape and dimensions of the guide member 6, etc. are not limited to the example shown in the first embodiment. For example, the cylindrical portion 61 may be a square cylindrical portion, or the holding portion 62 and the cylindrical portion 61 may be integrated. The holding portion 62 may hold the cylindrical portion 61 against the case 11. In addition, it is not essential that the guide member 6 is configured to be partially located on the path X11 of the grains fed from the inlet 21 into the grain tank 2 and to guide the collided grains out of the path X11. In addition, it is not essential that the inlet 21 is located between the tip of the guide member 6 and the quality measuring device 1 in the first direction. In addition, it is not essential that the inlet portion 63 of the guide member 6 opens toward the inlet 21 side in the second direction (front-rear direction D2). In addition, it is not essential that the harvesting machine 4 is provided with the guide member 6.

(Embodiment 2)
11 , the harvesting machine 4A according to this embodiment differs from the harvesting machine 4 according to the first embodiment in the positional relationship between the grain sensor 54 and the discharge outlet 13 of the quality measuring instrument 1. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

In the harvesting machine 4A according to this embodiment, the quality measuring device 1 has a discharge port 13 that discharges the grains whose quality has been measured into the grain tank 2. The discharge port 13 is located at the same position as the grain sensor 54 in the vertical direction D3, or above the grain sensor 54. Here, the positional relationship in the vertical direction D3 is defined between the center of the grain sensor 54 and the center of the discharge port 13. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the grain sensor 54 is located lower than the discharge port 13 by a height H5. With this configuration, the quality measuring device 1 can be stopped before the grains in the grain tank 2 reach the height of the discharge port 13. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of malfunctions such as clogging of the discharge port 13 of the quality measuring device 1 caused by the quality measuring device 1 operating with the discharge port 13 buried in grains.

The configuration of embodiment 2 can be adopted in appropriate combination with the various configurations (including modified examples) described in embodiment 1.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 quality measuring device 2 grain tank 3 input section 6 guide member 4, 4A harvesting machine 12 inlet 13 outlet 20 inner surface 21 input port 43 threshing section 54 grain sensor 55 full sensor 63 inlet section 64 outlet section C1 center D1 left-right direction (first direction)
D2 Anteroposterior direction (second direction)
D3 Up-down direction L1, L2 Distance Sp1 Internal space X1 Grain X11 Path

Claims (11)

Threshing department and
A grain tank for storing grains;
A quality measuring device is disposed in a position facing the internal space of the grain tank and measures the quality of the grain;
An input unit that inputs the grains threshed by the threshing unit into the grain tank from an input port that opens on the inner surface of the grain tank,
The quality measuring device and the inlet are arranged on the same plane in the first direction, which is the width direction of the aircraft body when viewed from the center of the grain tank, on the inner surface of the grain tank.
Harvesting machinery. In the first direction, the distance from the quality measuring device to the center of the grain tank is greater than the distance from the inlet to the center of the grain tank;
2. A harvesting machine as claimed in claim 1. Further provided is a guide member for guiding the grains introduced into the grain tank from the introduction port to the quality measuring device.
A harvesting machine according to claim 1 or 2. A portion of the guide member is located on the path of the grains fed into the grain tank from the feed port, and guides the collided grains out of the path.
4. A harvesting machine as claimed in claim 3. The guide member protrudes from the quality measuring device toward the center of the grain tank in the first direction,
The inlet is located between the tip of the guide member and the quality measuring device in the first direction.
A harvesting machine according to claim 3 or 4. The quality measuring device and the input port are arranged side by side in a second direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the first direction,
The guide member has an inlet portion that opens toward the inlet side in the second direction and introduces the grains.
A harvesting machine according to any one of claims 3 to 5. The guide member has an outlet portion located below the inlet portion and above the grain intake port of the quality measuring device, and is configured to pass the grains from the inlet portion to the outlet portion,
The inlet portion is disposed at the same position as the input port in the vertical direction or below the input port.
7. A harvesting machine as claimed in claim 6. When the grain is detected by a grain sensor disposed in the grain tank, the quality measuring device stops measuring the quality.
A harvesting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The grain sensor is disposed below the grain inlet of the quality measuring device.
9. A harvesting machine as claimed in claim 8. A full-capacity sensor is disposed in the grain tank to detect when the grain tank is full,
The full amount sensor is disposed above the grain sensor.
A harvesting machine according to claim 8 or 9. The quality measuring device has a discharge port for discharging the grains whose quality has been measured into the grain tank,
The discharge port is disposed at the same position as the grain sensor in the vertical direction or above the grain sensor.
A harvesting machine according to any one of claims 8 to 10.