DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to a sugarcane harvester and more particularly, to a de-trashing roller assembly for a sugarcane harvester. Further, embodiments herein relate to a de-trashing plate for a roller assembly in the sugarcane harvester.
BACKGROUND
[002] De-trashing of sugarcane refers to removal of unwanted bottom dry and green leaves from sugarcanes at regular intervals. De-trashing could be done manually or by using dedicated de-trashing machines. De-trashing the sugarcanes is a time-consuming manual operation. De-trashing of harvested sugarcanes by using de-trashing machines is a mechanical process where it is necessary to achieve correct contact pressure with sugarcanes so that the green leaves detach from the sugarcane. Achieving correct contact pressure with the sugarcanes is difficult and is one of the challenges faced by the original equipment manufacturers (OEM). If de-trashing components needs to be replaced, it usually means removing complete roller from the machine.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a de-trashing roller assembly for a sugarcane harvester, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks. Further, there exists a need for a de-trashing plate for a roller assembly of the sugarcane harvester, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment herein is to provide a de-trashing roller assembly for a sugarcane harvester.
[005] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a de-trashing roller assembly for a sugarcane harvester, which enables adjustable contact pressure with sugarcanes.
[006] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a de-trashing plate for a roller assembly of the sugarcane harvester.
[007] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a de-trashing plate for a roller assembly of a sugarcane harvester, which has better strength, enables desired contact pressure with sugarcanes and assists in easy mounting and removal from the roller assembly.
[008] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0010] Fig. 1 depicts a side view of a sugarcane harvester, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0011] Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of a de-trashing roller assembly of the sugarcane harvester, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0012] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of a de-trashing roller frame of the de-trashing roller assembly, according to the embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0013] Fig. 4 depicts a perspective view of a de-trashing plate of the de-trashing roller assembly, according to the embodiment as disclosed herein; and
[0014] Fig. 5 depicts a perspective view of a de-trashing mounting element of the de-trashing roller assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed 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.
[0016] The embodiments herein achieve a de-trashing roller assembly for a sugarcane harvester. Further, embodiments herein achieve a de-trashing plate for a roller assembly of the sugarcane harvester. Referring now to the drawings Figs 1 through 5, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0017] Fig. 1 depicts a side view of a sugarcane harvester (10), according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The sugarcane harvester (10) includes a topper (10T), a plurality of divider mechanisms (10D, only one of which is shown in fig. 1), a plurality of knock down roller assemblies (10K), a base cutter (10C), a butt lifter roller assembly (10L), a plurality of first feeding roller assemblies (10FA), a plurality of de-trashing roller assemblies (100) and a plurality of second feeding roller assemblies (10FB).
[0018] The topper (10T) is used to cut the green top of sugarcanes. Each divider mechanism (10D) is used to hold the next rows of sugarcanes away from each other. Each knock down roller assembly (10K) is used to bend the sugarcanes forward to the base cutter (10C). The base cutter (10C) is used to cut the sugarcanes at a distance from ground. The butt lifter roller assembly (10L) is used to lift the sugarcane and provide to the first feeding roller assemblies (10FA). Each first feeding roller assembly (10FA) is used to move the sugarcane to the de-trashing roller assemblies (100).
[0019] Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of a de-trashing roller assembly (100) of the sugarcane harvester (10), according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. Each de-trashing roller assembly (100) is used to detach the leaves from the sugarcanes. In an embodiment, each de-trashing roller assembly (100) includes a de-trashing roller frame (102), a plurality of de-trashing plates (104), a plurality of de-trashing mounting brackets (106), a plurality of fasteners (108), a shaft (110, as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3) and a plurality of bearings (not shown). In an embodiment, each de-trashing plate (104) is used to detach the leaves from the sugarcane. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, each de-trashing plate (104) is configured to be provided onto the de-trashing roller assembly (100). It is also within the scope of the embodiment herein to provide the de-trashing plate (104), the de-trashing mounting bracket (106) and the fastener (108) to each knock down roller assembly (10K) or any other roller assembly (10L, 10FA and 10FB) present in the sugarcane harvester (10).
[0020] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of a de-trashing roller frame (102) of the de-trashing roller assembly (100), according to the embodiment as disclosed herein. The de-trashing roller frame (102) is used to mount the plurality of de-trashing plate (104) at corresponding positions. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the de-trashing roller frame (102) is provided in a polygon shape configuration. For example, the de-trashing roller frame (102) is provided substantially in a hexagon shape configuration. It is also within the scope of the embodiment herein to provide the de-trashing roller frame (102) in square shape configuration or any other shape without otherwise deterring the intended function of the de-trashing roller frame (102) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. The de-trashing roller frame (102) defines a plurality of mounting faces (102F), where each mounting face 102F is adapted to mount corresponding each de-trashing plate (104). Each mounting face (102F) of the de-trashing roller frame (102) defines at least one position guide (102J) adapted to selectively receive corresponding at least one of a plurality of positions slots (104P as shown in fig. 4) of each de-trashing plate (104) to change the position of the de-trashing plate (104) with respect to de-trashing roller frame (102) thereby altering the contact pressure between the fingers (104F, as shown in fig. 4) of said de-trashing plate (104) and the sugarcane. In an embodiment, the position guide (102J) is at least a protrusion.
[0021] Fig. 4 depicts a perspective view of a de-trashing plate (104) of the de-trashing roller assembly (100), according to the embodiment as disclosed herein. Each de-trashing plate (104) is used to detach the leaves from sugarcanes. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the de-trashing plate (104) is configured to be mounted onto the de-trashing roller frame (102) of the de-trashing roller assembly (100). It is also within the scope of the embodiment herein to mount the de-trashing plate (104) on roller frame (not shown) of roller assembly (100, 10K, 10L, 10FA and 10FB) of the sugarcane harvester (10) without otherwise deterring the intended function of the de-trashing plate (104) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. Each de-trashing plate (104) is adapted to be mounted onto the de-trashing roller frame (102) at corresponding position. Each de-trashing plate (104) defines a plurality of de-trashing fingers (104F), where each finger (104F) is spaced from the other. The plurality of de-trashing fingers (104F) of each de-trashing plate (104) is adapted to detach leaf from the sugarcane during operation of the sugarcane harvester (10). Each de-trashing plate (104) is configured to be provided at at least one of the plurality of positions with respect to the de-trashing roller frame (102) to alter a contact pressure between the fingers (104F) of the de-trashing plate (104) and the sugarcane. In one embodiment, each de-trashing plate (104) defines the plurality of position slots (104P) corresponding to position guide (102J) of the de-trashing roller frame (102), where at least one of the plurality of position slots (104P) is adapted to be selectively engaged with the position guide (102J) to change the position of the de-trashing plate (104) with respect to the de-trashing roller frame (102) thereby altering the contact pressure between the fingers (104F) of the de-trashing plate (104) and the sugarcane. Each de-trashing plate (104) is made of metallic material. It is also within the scope of the embodiment herein to provide the de-trashing plate (104) to be made of any other material without otherwise deterring the intended function of the de-trashing plate (104) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. Each de-trashing plate (104) is an elongated plate.
[0022] In another embodiment, each de-trashing plate (104) defines a plurality of position slots (104P) corresponding to position guide (not shown) provided in a roller frame (not shown) of said roller assembly (100, 10K, 10L, 10FA and 10FB) to change the position of said de-trashing plate (104) with respect to said roller frame of roller assembly (100, 10K, 10L, 10FA and 10FB) thereby altering the contact pressure between said de-trashing plate (104) and the sugarcane.
[0023] Fig. 5 depicts a perspective view of a de-trashing mounting bracket (106) of the de-trashing roller assembly (100), according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, each de-trashing mounting bracket (106) is adapted to retain corresponding each de-trashing plate (104) at corresponding position and to limit bending of fingers (104F) of the de-trashing plate (104) when fingers (104F) of de-trashing plate (104) bends beyond a predetermined position during operation of the sugarcane harvester (10). Each de-trashing mounting bracket (106) defines a plurality of position slots (106P) corresponding to position guide (102J) of the de-trashing roller frame (102), wherein at least of the position slot (106P) of the de-trashing mounting bracket (106) is adapted to be selectively engaged with the position guide (102J) of the de-trashing roller frame (102) therein to facilitate the change in position of the de-trashing plate (104) with respect to the mounting face (102F) of the de-trashing roller frame (102). Each fastener (108) is adapted to secure corresponding each de-trashing mounting bracket (106) and each de-trashing plate (104) onto the de-trashing roller frame (102). Each fastener (108) is adapted to be received by corresponding fastener receiving portions (102B, 104B and 106B, as shown in fig. 3 to fig. 5) defined in the de-trashing roller frame (102), the de-trashing plate (104) and the de-trashing mounting bracket (106) to secure the de-trashing mounting bracket (106) and the de-trashing plate (104) onto the de-trashing roller frame (102). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, each fastener (108) is at least a bolt. It is also within the scope of the embodiment herein to provide any other fastener or any other mounting means for securing the de-trashing mounting bracket (106) and de-trashing plate (104) onto the de-trashing roller frame (102) without otherwise deterring the intended function of the de-trashing plate (104) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0024] Therefore, a de-trashing roller assembly (100) for a sugarcane harvester (10), which enables desired contact pressure with sugarcanes, is provided. Further, a de-trashing plate (104) for a roller assembly (100, 10K, 10L, 10FA and 10FB) of the sugarcane harvester (10), which has better strength, assist in easy mounting and removal from the roller assembly (100, 10K, 10L, 10FA and 10FB) is provided.
[0025] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will 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 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.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A de-trashing roller assembly (100) for a sugarcane harvester (10), said de-trashing roller assembly (100) comprising:
a de-trashing roller frame (102); and
a plurality of de-trashing plates (104), wherein each of said de-trashing plates (104) is adapted to be mounted onto said de-trashing roller frame (102) at corresponding position,
wherein
each of said de-trashing plate (104) defines a plurality of de-trashing fingers (104F) adapted to detach leaf from at least one sugarcane during operation of said sugarcane harvester (10).
2. The de-trashing roller assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of de-trashing mounting brackets (106),
wherein each of said de-trashing mounting bracket (106) is adapted to retain corresponding each of said de-trashing plate (104) at corresponding position and to restrict bending of said fingers (104F) of said de-trashing plate (104) when said fingers (104F) of said de-trashing plate (104) bends beyond a predetermined position during operation of said sugarcane harvester (10).
3. The de-trashing roller assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of fasteners (108), wherein each of said fastener (108) is adapted to secure corresponding each of said de-trashing mounting bracket (106) and each of said de-trashing plate (104) onto said de-trashing roller frame (102).
4. The de-trashing roller assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said de-trashing plate (104) is configured to be provided at at least one of a plurality of positions with respect to said de-trashing roller frame (102) to alter a contact pressure between said fingers (104F) of said de-trashing plate (104) and the sugarcane.
5. The de-trashing roller assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said de-trashing roller frame (102) is provided in a polygon shape configuration in which said de-trashing roller frame (102) defines a plurality of mounting faces (102F), where each of said mounting face 102F is adapted to mount corresponding each of said de-trashing plate (104).
6. The de-trashing roller assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of said mounting face (102F) of said de-trashing roller frame (102) defines at least one position guide (102J); and each of said de-trashing plate (104) defines a plurality of position slots (104P) corresponding to said position guide (102J) of said de-trashing roller frame (102), where at least one of said plurality of position slots (104P) of said de-trashing plate (104) is adapted to be selectively engaged with said position guide (102J) to change the position of said de-trashing plate (104) with respect to said de-trashing roller frame (102) thereby altering the contact pressure between said fingers (104F) of said de-trashing plate (104) and the sugarcane.
7. The de-trashing roller assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of said de-trashing mounting bracket (106) defines a plurality of position slots (106P) corresponding to said position guide (102J) of said de-trashing roller frame (102),wherein at least of said position slot (106P) of said de-trashing mounting bracket (106) is adapted to be selectively engaged with said position guide (102J) of said de-trashing roller frame (102) therein to facilitate the change in position of said de-trashing plate (104) with respect to said mounting face (102F) of said de-trashing roller frame (102).
8. The de-trashing roller assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said fastener (108) is adapted to be received by corresponding fastener receiving portions (102B, 104B and 106B) defined in said de-trashing roller frame (102), said de-trashing plate (104) and said de-trashing mounting bracket (106) to secure said de-trashing mounting bracket (106) and said de-trashing plate (104) onto said de-trashing roller frame (102).
9. A de-trashing plate (104) for a roller assembly (100, 10K, 10L, 10FA and 10FB) in a sugarcane harvester (10), said de-trashing plate (104) comprising:
a plurality of fingers (104F), where each of said finger (104F) is spaced from the other,
wherein
each of said finger (104F) is adapted to detach leaves from at least one sugarcane plant during operation of the sugarcane harvester (10); and
each of said de-trashing element (104) is configured to be provided at at least one of a plurality of positions with respect to said de-trashing roller frame (102) to alter a contact pressure between said fingers (104F) of said de-trashing plate (104) and the sugarcane.
10. The de-trashing plate (104) as claimed in claim 9 comprising a plurality of position slots (104P), wherein at least one of said plurality of position slots (104P) is adapted to be selectively engaged with a position guide (102J) provided in a roller frame of said roller assembly (100, 10K, 10L, 10FA and 10FB) to change the position of said de-trashing plate (104) with respect to said roller frame of said roller assembly (100, 10K, 10L, 10FA and 10FB) thereby altering the contact pressure between said de-trashing plate (104) and the sugarcane.