DESC: FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)

1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION: “A Sugarcane Harvester with Improved Crop Divider Assembly”
2. APPLICANTS:

(a) Name : Tirth Agro Technology Pvt. Ltd.
(b) Nationality : Indian
(c) Address : “Shaktiman” Survey No. 108/1, Plot No. B,
Near Bharudi Toll Plaza,
N.H.27, Vill.Bhunava,
Taluka- Gondal, Dist- Rajkot - 360 311
Gujarat, India


PROVISIONAL

The following specification describes the invention. þ COMPLETE

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a sugarcane harvester and more particularly it relates to a sugarcane harvester with an improved crop divider assembly.

Background of invention

There are several types of sugarcane harvesters are on field which harvest the growing sugarcane stalks by cutting the cane at its base, and then transferring the cut sugarcane to a collector vehicle such as a cane wagon or cane cart. The sugarcane harvester may include different types of harvesting devices. The harvesting devices for a sugarcane harvester can include assemblies for cutting, chopping, sorting, transporting, and gathering and processing sugarcane plants. Generally, the harvesting devices include topper assembly, crop divider assembly, knockdown roller assembly, base cutter assembly, chopper assembly, extractor fan assembly and so on.

For dynamic crop harvesting, a harvester may move along a field with abovementioned harvesting devices, where the harvesting devices perform collecting and processing of material from rows of crop plants. The crop divider assembly is used to separate the crops to be cut from the adjacent crop line which may have down or tangled cane. The crop divider assembly comprises inner scrolls and outer scrolls, where inner scrolls rotate inwardly to lead upcoming cane towards knockdown roller, and outer scrolls rotate in the opposite i.e. outward direction of the inner scrolls to push the cane of the adjacent row away from the machine to simplify the operation. The crop divider with large diameter scrolls mildly lifts and feed cane into harvester throat with much lower approach angle.

Furthermore, conventional crop divider had implemented a crop divider support modules configured to separately and fixedly attach to the chassis at several of the mounting locations, in order to support respective crop dividers in a variety of discreet and laterally separated orientations. But, with the crop dividers of prior art, there have been simple butt welded circular scrolls, which generates the accumulation of trash or leaves over the scroll circumference which makes it heavier at the times of operation. Thus, sometimes operator had to remove the trash manually and in turn it results into reducing the overall efficiency of sugarcane harvester.

Various prior arts have been disclosed describing the crop divider assembly of sugarcane harvester. The prior art document US6363700B1 describing about a sugar cane combine harvester having a topper/shredder in advance of a crop divider mechanism with the crop divider aiding in moving sugar cane to a knock down feed roll, base cutters, a feed roll system, a chopping system including a cleaning system, and an elevator system. The crop divider mechanism consists of conical shaped cylinders with raised spiral flighting or scrolls. These scrolls move between the cane rows and comb the cane stalks, which have crossed into adjacent rows, back into their original rows. They also begin the orientation of the cane stalks for introduction into the harvester gathering system.

The another prior art document US6745550B1 describing about a self-propelled chopper cane harvester equipped with a front frame section including opposite sides which are each mounted for pivoting about a respective upright pivot axis. Respectively mounted to the opposite sides of the front frame section are front wheels and row dividers. The further prior art document US8230669B2 describing about a stalk processing section of a harvester for harvesting stalks of stalk-like plants, where the harvester has a main frame that is moveably coupled to an undercarriage. The crop divider assembly is quite simple and does not have scrolling structure on its surface.

However, abovementioned conventional crop divider assemblies of sugarcane harvester having simple structure, but do not apparently describe about the elimination of trash accumulation around divider’s scroll. Hence, there is a desperate need for inventing a sugarcane harvester with an improved crop divider assembly to avoid the trash accumulation at divider’s scroll, which in turns leads to proper harvesting at fields, ease out the operator’s task and provide greater efficiency compared to traditional crop divider assembly of sugarcane harvester.

Object of Invention

The main object of the present invention is to overcome the problem associated with conventional crop divider assembly of sugarcane harvester by providing an improved crop divider assembly for proper harvesting at fields.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved crop divider assembly to avoid trash accumulation at divider scroll.

Further object of the present invention is to provide an improved crop divider assembly to allow fine tuning of crop divider.

Yet, another object of the present invention is to provide an improved crop divider assembly to harvest long, heavy, and down cane.

Summary of invention

The present invention relates to a sugarcane harvester and more particularly it relates to a sugarcane harvester with an improved crop divider assembly. An improved crop divider assembly comprises an inner scroll, a scroll mounting crown, a knockdown scroll, a shoe, a divider lower bracket, a divider upper bracket, an outer scroll, a pair of trimmer knives, a mounting bracket for the trimmer knives, a driving or geroler motor, and a pair of crop divider blades. The inner scrolls are equipped with mechanical treated torsional bars raised on the surface of the inner scrolls, and the pair of crop divider blades installed vertically just an offset to the tangency of the inner scroll crop divider. This allows the free movement of the crop divider scrolls. The inner scrolls carries the set of the crop divider blades and the mechanical treated torsional bars which while rotating does not let the trash wrap around the crop divider inner scrolls due to its close contact between the crop divider blades and the mechanical treated torsional bar contact.

The crop divider assembly of present invention provides multifold benefits which are described in the following pages of specification.

Brief description of drawings

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an improved crop divider assembly of sugarcane harvester according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 illustrates the constructional features of an inner scroll of an improved crop divider assembly of sugarcane harvester according to the present invention.
Fig. 3 illustrates the constructional features of the side trimmer knives, outer scroll, and knockdown scroll of an improved crop divider assembly of sugarcane harvester according to the present invention.
Fig. 4 illustrates the constructional features of the knockdown scroll motor of an improved crop divider assembly of sugarcane harvester according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of Invention

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompany drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiment, as depicted in different figures as described above and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

It is to be also understood that the term "comprises" and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article "comprising" (or "which comprises") components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also contain one or more other components.

The present invention discloses a sugarcane harvester with an improved crop divider assembly. A sugarcane combine harvester comprises a topper assembly to cut leafy materials of sugarcane stalks, an improved crop divider assembly for lifting and straddling a row of sugarcane stalks, a modular knockdown roller and finned roller to assist in aligning the plants for feed into the throat of harvester, base cutters to cut the sugarcane stalks from the field, a feed roll system to move the cut sugarcane stalks further in a rear upward direction without spoiling or crushing the cane, a chopping system to cut the sugarcane stalks into small pieces in the form of billets, a cleaning arrangement viz. primary extractor to remove dirt and extraneous material from the said billets by blowing air on to the billets and an elevator system including a secondary cleaning arrangement viz. secondary extractor to remove the remaining loose materials as the cane falls from the end of the transport.

Now, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sugarcane harvester particularly relates with improving the functional overview of the crop divider as shown in Fig.1. In Fig.1, the crop divider assembly is shown which comprises an inner scroll (2) which rotates inwardly to lift and center the cane to be harvested, a scroll mounting crown (1) to mount the inner scroll (2), a knockdown scroll (3) mounted on the upper side of the crop divider assembly to guide the cane towards throat of the sugarcane harvester, a shoe (4) to lifts the straggled sugarcane and feed them inside the harvester towards a knockdown roller (not shown), a divider lower bracket (5) to support the lower part of the crop divider, a divider upper bracket (6) to support the upper part of the crop divider, an outer scroll (9) which rotates outwardly and opposite direction with respect to the inner scroll (2) to push the cane of the adjacent rows away from the sugarcane harvester, a pair of trimmer knives (11) located between the inner scroll (2) and the outer scroll (9) to cut the cane leaves or trash accumulated on the scroll circumference, a mounting bracket (7) to mount the trimmer knives (11), a pair of driving or geroler motors (8, 12) to rotate the inner scroll (2) and the outer scroll (9) in the respective directions, and a pair of crop divider blades (10) installed at the tangency of the inner scroll (2). The inner scrolls (2) are equipped with mechanical treated torsional bars raised on its circumference, and the pair of crop divider blades (10) installed vertically just an offset to the tangency of the inner scroll crop divider. This allows the free movement and fine tuning of the crop divider scrolls (2, 9). The inner scrolls (2) carries the set of the crop divider blades (10) and the mechanical treated torsional bars which while rotating does not let the trash wrap around the crop divider inner scrolls (2) due to its close contact between the crop divider blades (10) and the mechanical treated torsional bar contact.

Further referring to Fig. 2, the constructional features of the inner gathering scroll are described according to an embodiment of the present invention. The inner scrolls (2) turn with a screwing motion, move between the cane rows, comb the cane stalks crossed into adjacent rows back into their original rows, and picks up the cane towards the feed throat. The bigger diameter inner scrolls (2) minimize the approach angle while feeding cane into the harvester throat. The scroll mounting crown (1) holds over the assembly member which then holds a bigger diametrical side (2A) of the inner scroll (2). A reduced diametrical side (2B) of the inner scroll (2) rests over its mounting pad (not shown). There is a shaft (16) which screws over the reduced diametrical side (2B) of the inner scroll (2) and rests over the assembly member mounting pad (not shown). While in rotation, the inner scroll (2) distributes the dynamic load through a centered flange type UC209 bearing (not shown). The inner scroll (2) is powered and driven with the help of the disc type geroler motor (12). The input power interface of the geroler motor (12) is coupled with a male splined flange adapter (13) and gets fastened at motor shaft using a plurality of fastening means i.e. cap screws and washers. The geroler motor assembly (12) is bolted over a housing unit (14). The housing unit (14) is assembled at the scroll mounting crown (1). Furthermore, a female splined flange adapter (15) is fastened at the bigger end (2A) of the inner scroll (2), whose splines get in mesh with the male splined adapter (13) of the geroler motor assembly (12). This construction allows the geroler motor (12) to further rotate the inner scrolls (2) in the throat feeding direction.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the constructional features of the side trimmer knives are described and shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, the mounting bracket (7) holds over the assembly frame of the crop divider to mount the trimmer knives (11). The tapered shaft of a hydraulic motor (18) provides the input interface at tapered keyed adapter flange which gets fastened over a plurality of serrated blades (21) attached at the tip of the trimmer knife (11). The hydraulic motor (18) drives the trimmer knife assembly (11). The side trimmer knives prevent the accumulation of the trash or leave of the sugarcane over the crop divider scrolls (2, 9) to make it light weight and ease the operation of the sugarcane harvester.

The embodiment further describes the constructional features of the outer scroll and the knockdown scroll as shown in Fig. 3. The outer scrolls (9) mounted on a mounting structure (25) turn with a screwing motion in anti-rotation with respect to the inner scroll (2). The outer scrolls (9) separate the dodges and tangled canes from the adjoining rows being harvested. The mounting bracket (7) extends further to hold an upper diametrical end (9A) of the outer scroll (9). A lower diametrical end (9B) of the outer scroll (9) rests over its mounting pad (not shown). There is a shaft (24) which screws over the lower diametrical end (9B) of the outer scroll (9) and rests over the assembly member mounting pad. While in rotation, the outer scroll (9) distributes the dynamic load through the centered flange type UC209 bearing. The outer scrolls (9) are powered and driven with the help of the disc type geroler motor (8). The input power interface of the geroler motor (8) is coupled with a male splined flange adapter (22) and gets fastened at motor shaft using the plurality of fastening means i.e. cap screws and washers. The geroler motor assembly (8) is bolted over a housing unit (20). The housing unit (20) is assembled at the mounting bracket (7) of the trimmer knife assembly (11). Furthermore, a female splined flange adapter (23) is fastened at the upper end (9A) of the outer scroll (9), whose splines get in mesh with the male splined adapter (22) of the geroler motor assembly (8). This construction allows the geroler motor (8) to further rotate the outer scrolls (9) in the throat feeding direction.

Another embodiment of the present invention describes the constructional features of the knockdown scroll as shown in Fig. 3. The knockdown scroll (3) is independently mounted on the upper side of the crop divider assembly. The knockdown scroll (3) is equipped with a hydraulically driven knockdown scroll motor (19) to move the cane towards the feeding area or harvester throat. The knockdown scroll motor (19) is held within a motor mounting (28) and positioned inwardly in the knockdown scroll assembly (3) via a knockdown scroll hub (27) as shown in Fig. 4. The knockdown scroll hub (27) holds and rotates the knockdown scroll (3) by means of hydraulic power supplied by the knockdown scroll motor (19). The knockdown scroll (3) gently guides long, wrapping cane to the center of the throat of the sugarcane harvester, which minimizes the cane build-up at the top of the crop divider assembly.

The crop divider assembly of the present invention is advantageous over the conventional crop divider assembly. The large diameter crop divider scrolls (2, 9) of the present invention gently lift and feed the cane into the harvester throat with a much lower approach angle, avoiding the bulldozing effect seen with other sugarcane harvesters. The standard dual scrolls with the side trimmer knives (11) help harvest long, heavy, and down cane. The standard inner scrolls (2) rotate to lift and center the cane as it is being harvested. The outer scrolls (9) rotate in the opposite direction of the inner scrolls (2) to push the cane of the adjacent rows away from the sugarcane machine. Moreover, the cane stalks which are not separated upon reaching the standard side trimmer knives (11) are cut before the harvester pulls them from the ground.

The invention has been explained in relation to specific embodiment. It is inferred that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention and it is not intended that the invention be limited or restrictive thereto. Many other specific embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the foregoing disclosure. All substitution, alterations and modification of the present invention which come within the scope of the following claims are to which the present invention is readily susceptible without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention should therefore be determined not with reference to the above description but should be determined with reference to appended claims along with full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

List of Reference Numerals

1 scroll mounting crown
2 inner scroll
2A bigger diametrical side of inner scroll
2B reduced diametrical side of inner scroll
3 knockdown scroll
4 shoe
5 divider lower bracket
6 divider upper bracket
7 mounting bracket
8, 12 driving or geroler motors
9 outer scroll
9A upper diametrical end of outer scroll
9B lower diametrical end of outer scroll
10 crop divider blades
11 trimmer knives
13, 22 male splined flange adapter
14, 20 housing unit
15, 23 female splined flange adapter
16, 24 shaft
18 hydraulic motor
19 knockdown scroll motor
21 serrated blades
25 outer scroll mounting structure
27 knockdown scroll hub
28 knockdown scroll motor mounting
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A sugarcane harvester with an improved crop divider assembly, comprising:
an inner scroll (2) rotates inwardly to lift and center the cane to be harvested;
a scroll mounting crown (1) to mount the inner scroll (2);
a knockdown scroll (3) mounted on the upper side of the crop divider assembly to guide the cane towards throat of the sugarcane harvester;
a shoe (4) to lift the straggled sugarcane and feed them inside the harvester;
a divider lower bracket (5) to support the lower part of the crop divider;
a divider upper bracket (6) to support the upper part of the crop divider;
an outer scroll (9) rotates outwardly and opposite direction with respect to the inner scroll (2) to push the cane of the adjacent rows away from the sugarcane harvester;
a pair of trimmer knives (11) located between the inner scroll (2) and the outer scroll (9) to cut the cane leaves or trash accumulated on the scroll circumference;
a mounting bracket (7) holds over the assembly frame of crop divider to mount the trimmer knives (11); and
a pair of geroler motors (8, 12) to rotate the inner scroll (2) and the outer scroll (9) in the respective directions,
characterized in that, the inner scrolls (2) are equipped with mechanical treated torsional bars raised on its circumference, and a pair of crop divider blades (10) installed vertically at the tangency of the inner scroll (2).
2. The sugarcane harvester with an improved crop divider assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner scrolls (2) turn with a screwing motion, move between the cane rows, comb the cane stalks crossed into adjacent rows back into their original rows, and picks up the cane towards the feed throat.

3. The sugarcane harvester with an improved crop divider assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the geroler motor assembly (12) is bolted over a housing unit (14) which is assembled at the scroll mounting crown (1), and a female splined flange adapter (15) is fastened at a bigger end (2A) of the inner scroll (2), whose splines get in mesh with the a splined adapter (13) of the geroler motor assembly (12).

4. The sugarcane harvester with an improved crop divider assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the geroler motor assembly (8) is bolted over a housing unit (20) which is assembled at the mounting bracket (7), and a female splined flange adapter (23) is fastened at an upper end (9A) of the outer scroll (9), whose splines get in mesh with a male splined adapter (22) of the geroler motor assembly (8).

5. The sugarcane harvester with an improved crop divider assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input power interface of the geroler motors (8, 12) is coupled with the male splined flange adapter (13, 22) and gets fastened at motor shaft using a plurality of fastening means.

6. The sugarcane harvester with an improved crop divider assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the knockdown scroll (3) is equipped with a hydraulically driven knockdown scroll motor (19) to move the cane towards the feeding area or harvester throat.

7. The sugarcane harvester with an improved crop divider assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the knockdown scroll motor (19) is held within a motor mounting (28) and positioned inwardly in the knockdown scroll assembly (3) via a knockdown scroll hub (27).

8. The sugarcane harvester with an improved crop divider assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of serrated blades (21) is attached at the tip of the trimmer knife (11).

9. The sugarcane harvester with an improved crop divider assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trimmer knife assembly (11) is driven by a hydraulic motor (18).

10. The sugarcane harvester with an improved crop divider assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the tapered shaft of the hydraulic motor (18) provides the input interface at tapered keyed adapter flange which gets fastened over the plurality of serrated blades (21).

Dated this on 27th day of September, 2019.