Claims:WE CLAIM
1. A drive mechanism (1000) of a combine harvester, said drive mechanism (1000) configured to transfer power from a prime mover to cutting and feeding mechanisms of the combine harvester, said drive mechanism (1000) comprising:
i. a first shaft (20) configured to receive power from a prime mover;
ii. a second shaft (30) configured to receive power from said first shaft (20), said second shaft (30) coupled to the cutting and feeding mechanisms for transferring the received power to the cutting and feeding mechanisms;
iii. a forward belt drive configured to selectively couple said second shaft (30) to said first shaft (20) for making said cutting and feeding mechanisms operate in a feeding mode in which said second shaft (30) rotates in a first direction; and
iv. a reverse belt drive configured to selectively couple said second shaft (30) to said first shaft (20) for making said cutting and feeding mechanisms operate in a dechoking mode in which said second shaft (30) rotates in a second direction opposite of said first direction.
2. The drive mechanism (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein drive mechanism (1000) comprises a main shaft (10) driven by the prime mover and a main belt drive for transferring power from said main shaft (10) to said first shaft (20).
3. The drive mechanism (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said forward belt drive is an open belt drive and said reverse belt drive is a cross belt drive.
4. The drive mechanism (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said forward belt drive comprises a forward drive belt (242) which is a V-belt in an open-belt configuration and said reverse belt drive comprises a reverse drive belt (262) which is a V-belt in a cross-belt configuration.
5. The drive mechanism (1000) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said drive mechanism (1000) is configured with a reverse drive engagement mechanism, said reverse drive engagement mechanism comprises:
i. a tensioner pulley (282) configured to be displaced in a position in which tension is exerted in said reverse drive belt (262) of said reverse belt drive, thus, causing engagement of the reverse belt drive with the second shaft (30);
ii. a hand lever (281) configured to be displaced for facilitating engagement and disengagement of said reverse belt drive with said second shaft (30); and
iii. a linkage coupling said lever to said tensioner pulley (282).
6. The drive mechanism (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second shaft (30) is configured to drive the feeding mechanism of said feeder (50).
, Description:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to combine harvesters.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
A combine harvester is used to cut, feed, thresh and clean cereal crops like wheat, paddy, maize, soybean and the like. There are many different varieties of harvesters available in the market which can be chosen depending on the application. A wheel-type harvester is used to harvest crops in dry condition and a track-type harvester is used to harvest in wet conditions.
A combine header cuts and feeds the crop and a feeder feeds the cut crop to a threshing mechanism. Synchronization of cutting, feeding and threshing operations is very critical while harvesting and the design of the mechanism ensures that the system works in tandem without any clogging of the crop being cut. In case of tougher crops where crop density is too high, or when crop moisture content is too high, or due to operator’s error, there is a chance of choking of the cutting and feeding mechanism of the harvester. Once the harvester chokes, it requires a long time and manual effort to dechoke and clean the harvester and bring the machine back to operating condition. The operator has to bear a huge loss as the up-time of the harvester is very critical during peak harvesting season. Also, frequent choking leads to consequential failure of other mechanical systems and parts like, belts, chains, bearings, shafts, and pulleys, which may lead to a high repair cost and a high cost of maintenance.
In the existing design of a harvester, if the feeding mechanism gets choked, the harvester needs to be stopped completely and the operator and a helper need to come down from the harvester cabin and need to manually pull the crop that is choked. This is a tedious and time-consuming process. Sometimes it may also cause injury to the individual performing the dechoking with hands.
There are harvesters currently available in the market in which the drive mechanism to the feeding and cutting unit is through hydraulic/electrical systems. In these harvesters, it is easy to provide a hydraulically or an electrically driven feed reversal mechanism. However, the harvesters with a mechanical drive mechanism for the cutting and feeding unit have not yet been provided with a feed reversal mechanism.
Hence, there is a need for a drive mechanism of a combine harvester with a mechanical feed reversal mechanism.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
A primary object of the present disclosure is to provide a drive mechanism of a combine harvester with a mechanical feed reversal mechanism.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a drive mechanism of a combine harvester with a mechanical feed reversal mechanism, which is easy to operate.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a drive mechanism of a combine harvester with a mechanical feed reversal mechanism, which results in minimum down-time of the harvester.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a drive mechanism of a combine harvester. The drive mechanism is configured to transfer power from a prime mover to the cutting and feeding mechanisms of the combine harvester. The drive mechanism comprises a first shaft, a second shaft, a forward belt drive and a reverse belt drive. The first shaft is configured to receive power from a prime mover. The second shaft is configured to receive power from the first shaft. The second shaft is coupled to the cutting and feeding mechanisms for transferring the received power to the cutting and feeding mechanisms. The forward belt drive is configured to selectively couple the second shaft to the first shaft for making the cutting and feeding mechanisms operate in a feeding mode in which the first shaft rotates in a first direction. The reverse belt drive is configured to selectively couple the second shaft to the first shaft for making the feeding mechanism operate in a dechoking mode in which the second shaft rotates in a second direction opposite of the first direction.
In an embodiment, the drive mechanism comprises a main shaft driven by the prime mover and a main belt drive for transferring power from the main shaft to the first shaft.
In an embodiment, the forward belt drive is an open belt drive and the reverse belt drive is a cross belt drive.
Preferably, the forward belt drive comprises a forward drive belt which is a V-belt in an open-belt configuration and the reverse belt drive comprises a reverse drive belt which is a V-belt in a cross-belt configuration.
In an embodiment, the drive mechanism is configured with a reverse drive engagement mechanism. The reverse drive engagement mechanism comprises a tensioner pulley, a hand-held lever and a linkage. The tensioner pulley is configured to be displaced in a position in which tension is exerted in the reverse drive belt of the reverse belt drive, thus, causing engagement of the reverse belt drive with the second shaft. The hand-held lever is configured to be displaced for facilitating engagement and disengagement of the reverse belt drive with the second shaft. The linkage couples the lever to the tensioner pulley.
In an embodiment, the second shaft is configured to drive the feeding mechanism of the feeder.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A drive mechanism of a combine harvester, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a combine harvester of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the drive mechanism of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the drive mechanism of Figure 2; and
Figure 4 illustrates a reverse drive engagement mechanism of the drive mechanism of Figure 2.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
1000 drive mechanism
10 main shaft
12 main pulley
14 first drive belt
20 first shaft
22 intermediate pulley
242 forward drive belt
261 reverse driving pulley
262 reverse drive belt
263 reverse belt guide pulley
281 hand lever
282 tensioner pulley
2831 linkage shaft
2832 first link
2833 rod
2834 spring
2835 tensioner link
2836 tensioner link pivot point
30 second shaft
32 forward driven pulley
34 reverse driven pulley
40 header
50 feeder

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” and “having” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
When an element is referred to as being “mounted on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
Conventional combine harvesters having a mechanical drive mechanism for cutting and feeding mechanisms are not equipped with a provision for reversing the drive for dechoking a feeder. The present disclosure envisages a driving mechanism of a combine harvester wherein the direction of operation of the cutting and feeding mechanisms, particularly, the direction of rotation of rotating components is configured to be reversed by incorporating simple mechanical components without requiring electromechanical or hydraulic mechanisms.
A preferred embodiment of the drive mechanism of the present disclosure is described hereforth in detail with reference to Figures 1-4. The preferred embodiment does not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure.
The driving mechanism 1000 is configured to transfer driving power from an engine to the cutting mechanism of a header 40 and the feeding mechanism of a feeder 50 of the combine harvester. The driving mechanism 1000 comprises a main shaft 10 driven by a prime mover, which is typically an internal combustion engine, a first shaft 20, hereinafter also referred to as “intermediate shaft 20”, coupled to the main shaft 10 through a first drive belt drive, a second shaft 30, hereinafter also referred to as “driven shaft 30”, coupled to the cutting and feeding mechanisms, a forward belt drive and a reverse belt drive. One of the forward belt drive and the reverse belt drive is selectively engaged between the intermediate shaft 20 and the driven shaft 30. The forward belt drive is configured to selectively couple the driven shaft 30 to the intermediate shaft 20 for making the feeding mechanism operate in a feeding mode in which the driven shaft 30 rotates in a first direction. The reverse belt drive is configured to selectively couple the driven shaft 30 to the intermediate shaft 20 for making the feeding mechanism operate in a dechoking mode in which driven shaft 30 rotates in a second direction opposite of the first direction.
The main shaft 10 is coupled to the intermediate shaft 20 through a first drive belt 12. The first drive belt 14 passes over a main pulley 12 keyed on the main shaft 10 and an intermediate pulley 22 keyed on the intermediate shaft 20. A forward driving pulley (not shown) and a reverse driving pulley 261 are keyed on the intermediate shaft 20. One of the forward belt drive and the reverse belt drive is an open belt drive and the other is a cross belt drive. In an embodiment, the forward belt drive is an open belt drive and the reverse belt drive is a cross belt drive. The forward belt drive comprises a forward drive belt 242 passing over the forward driving pulley and a forward driven pulley 32. The reverse belt drive comprises a reverse drive belt 262 passing over the reverse driving pulley 261 and a reverse driven pulley 34. Both the forward driven pulley 32 and the reverse driven pulley 34 are keyed on the driven shaft 30. In an embodiment, the driven shaft 30 drives the feeding mechanism of the feeder 50.
By application and release of tension in the corresponding belts, each of the forward and reverse belt drives is engaged and disengaged between the intermediate shaft 20 and the driven shaft 30.
A reverse drive engagement mechanism is configured to engage the reverse belt drive between the intermediate shaft 20 and the driven shaft 30. The reverse drive engagement mechanism comprises a tensioner pulley 282, a hand lever 281 and a linkage. The tensioner pulley 282 is configured to be displaced in a position in which tension is exerted in the belt of the reverse belt drive, thus, engaging the reverse belt drive between the intermediate shaft 20 and the driven shaft 30. The hand lever 281 is the hand-operable actuator of the reverse drive engagement mechanism. The linkage couples the hand lever 281 with the tensioner pulley 282. In an embodiment, the linkage comprises a linkage shaft 2831, a first link 2832, a rod 2833, a spring 2834 and a tensioner link 2835, the tensioner link 2835 being pivoted about a pivot point 2836. The spring 2834 facilitates release of tension in the belt of the reverse belt drive by causing the tensioner pulley 282 to retract, once the actuating force on the hand lever 281 is released.
The working of the drive mechanism for driving the cutting and feeding mechanisms of the harvester in a normal feeding mode and a dechoking mode shall be described hereforth. On engagement of the forward belt drive, the power from the prime mover is transferred to the feeder 50 such that the driven shaft 30 rotates in a first direction in which the feeding mechanism operates to take in material conveyed by the auger of the header 40, for feeding the material for threshing and cleaning. In an event that choking of the feeder 50 is detected by the operator of the combine harvester, the operator halts the feeding mode of the feeder 50 by disengaging the forward belt drive with an actuator, typically a lever (not shown in Figures), available near the operator’s seat. After allowing the driven shaft 30 to halt completely, the operator initiates the dechoking mode of the feeder 50 by actuating the hand lever 281. The power from the prime mover is now transferred to the feeder 50 such that the driven shaft 30 rotates in a second direction opposite of the first direction in which the feeding mechanism operates to push choked material, such as straw, weeds, and the like, out towards the header 40, thus, dechoking the feeder 50 in the process. At the same time, any material caught in the rotating components of header 40, such as the cutter, the auger and the like, is released due to the reverse rotation thereof.
The operator of the combine harvester is, thus, allowed to sit at his driving position while the dechoking operation takes place. The operator does not have to expose himself/herself to the highly risky task of manually declogging the feeder of the combine harvester, which could often cause injury to the hands due to the abrasiveness of the crop and the weed. By utilizing the power of the engine, the dechoking operation is performed at a high speed, thus, significantly bringing down the down-time of the harvester. For crops like paddy where the frequency of chocking is very significant, a productivity enhancement of 12-15% can be achieved on daily basis as each chocking takes half an hour to clean. As the consequential failure from choking is eliminated, component life is improved. The construction of the reversal mechanism of the drive mechanism of the present disclosure is modular and can be adapted onto any existing harvester with minor changes in the drive and linkage system. The elements of the drive mechanism are standard components, which are usually available in the inventory of the harvester manufacturers. The mechanism takes very less space and can be packaged very comfortably in the vehicle.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a drive mechanism of a combine harvester with a mechanical feed reversal mechanism which:
• is easy to operate;
• results minimum down-time of the harvester;
• is simple in construction;
• can be packaged in the existing body of the combine harvester; and
• enhances operator safety.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.