Method and device for operating an attachment for harvesting stalk-like crops

• US 20060277885A1
• Filed: 06/13/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CLAAS Saulgau GmbH (CLAAS KGaA mbH)
• Original Assignee: CLAAS Saulgau GmbH (CLAAS KGaA mbH)
• Inventors: Rauch, Hans
• Granted Patent: US 7,543,674 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 56/94
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 43/082 Gathering units
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 63/00 Outside dividers

Abstract

A method for operating an attachment for harvesting stalk-like crops mounted on a carrier vehicle including a plurality of working tools and at least one stalk-guiding element mounted upstream from the working tools, the method including a step of causing the at least one stalk-guiding element to pivot as a function of the location or position of at least one of the attachment and the carrier vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for operating an attachment for harvesting stalk-like crops, the attachment being adapted for mounting on a carrier vehicle and including a plurality of working tools and at least one stalk-guiding element mounted at least partly upstream from the working tools, the method comprising a step of causing the at least one stalk-guiding element to pivot as a function of the location or the position of at least one of the attachment and the carrier vehicle.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one stalk-guiding element executes a relative rotation about a center of motion based on a change in a direction of travel of at least one of the attachment and the carrier vehicle.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one stalk-guiding element executes a relative rotation by an amount of an angle of inclination (α

;

λ

) relative to the carrier vehicle based on a change in the direction of travel of at least one of the attachment and the carrier vehicle.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one stalk-guiding element comprises a lateral working width limiter.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one stalk-guiding element comprises at least one stalk-guiding finger.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein a plurality of stalk-guiding fingers are arranged on a base which forms the at least one stalk-guiding element.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivoting is caused by one of (i) at least one angle of wheel lock (β

′

;

β

″

) and (ii) a steering angle or a relative change in position between the attachment and the carrier vehicle.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one stalk-guiding element of the attachment comprises a plurality of elements that can be set independently of one another.

9. A device for operating an attachment for harvesting stalk-like crops, the attachment being adapted for mounting on a carrier vehicle and having a plurality of working tools and at least one stalk-guiding element mounted at least partly upstream from the working tools, wherein the at least one stalk-guiding element executes a rotational movement about a center of motion of an upright pivot axis as a function of the location or position of at least one of the attachment and the carrier vehicle.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the entire attachment executes a relative rotation with respect to a longitudinal center plane by an angle of inclination (α

) about a center of motion.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the relative rotation contains at least two rotation operations such that the attachment executes a first rotation by an angle of inclination (α

) and at least one stalk-guiding element of the attachment executes a second rotation by an angle of inclination (γ

).

12. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one of two outer sections of the attachment executes a rotation relative to a longitudinal center plane by an angle of inclination (α

) about a center of motion.

13. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the angle of inclination is controlled as a function of an amount of an instantaneous turning radius (R) during cornering of the carrier vehicle.

14. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the angle of inclination is controlled as a function of an amount of an angle of steering lock of steering wheels on the carrier vehicle.

15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one angle of steering lock of the steering wheels of the carrier vehicle is metrologically detected by an angle of rotation sensor and supplied as an input signal to an input of a microprocessor, whereby at least one output signal is generated to activate an actuating drive to produce an angle of inclination.

16. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the actuating drive comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder.

17. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the actuating drive comprises coupled identical movement hydraulic cylinders having identical movement control.

18. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein a steering control of the carrier vehicle controls the angle of inclination.

19. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the angle of inclination is predetermined by means of one of a presettable manual control and an automatic control operating mode.

20. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the angle of inclination is controlled as part of an automatic steering control of the carrier vehicle.

21. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the angle of inclination is controlled via a manually actuable actuating element that forms part of a control device of the carrier vehicle.

22. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least portions of control components for controlling the angle of inclination are situated onboard the carrier vehicle.

23. The device as claimed in claim 21, wherein at least portions of control components for controlling the angle of inclination are situated on the attachment.

24. The device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the control device comprises a microprocessor.

25. The device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the control device comprises a databus.

26. The device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the control device comprises a job computer located on the attachment side.

27. The device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the control device and job computer communicate with each other by means of a databus.

28. The device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the control device comprises a load-sensing hydraulic pump.

29. The device as claimed in claim 28, wherein the hydraulic pump is controlled by one of a pressure means and a conveying flow means.

30. The device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the control device comprises proportionally controlled control valves.