FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention generally relates to header for a harvesting machine, and particularly to a knife
drive of a harvesting machine.
BACKGROUND
Crop harvesting machines typically consist a header mounted on the front side of the harvesting
machine. Header of a combine harvester cut the crop, collects it to the centre and then feed to
the combine harvester for further processing. The header may have a cutter bar assembly that
includes a plurality of knife mounted on a bar across a forward end of the header frame for
cutting the standing crop. The sickle knife is typically a row of sickle blades that are movable.
in a reciprocating action relative to a row of sickle guards. A knife drive mechanism/assembly
provides a driving action to the cutter bar for causing the reciprocating movement of the blades.
The harvesting machine may further have a crop transfer assembly for transporting the cut crop
from the knife along the frame to a discharge opening of the frame.
Usually knife drive assembly consists of a wobble drive, which converts rotating action of
power input from drive shaft into reciprocating action. The wobble drive is a complex assembly
and typically has a' number of complex components including eccentric shafi, yoke, bearings,
bearing housings, arm, bushings, gearbox, cover, etc.
Hence, there is a need to have a simple arrangement for providing a reciprocating motiOn to the knife drive assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more of the problems as set forth above.
According to an embodiment of the invention, an inclined disc knife drive system for a cutter
bar of a crop harvester is disclosed. The system includes a rotatory shalt,
an’ inclined disc and
an arm. The rotatory shafi may be attached toa header of the crop harvester at one side and
capable of receiving
a. rotatory motion from a rotatory drive. The inclined disc may be provided on the rotatory shaft, such that the disc may have a rotatory motion. The arm may be in contact
with the inclined disc at a first end and hinged to the cutter bar at a second end. The arm may further be pivoted to the header, such that the point of pivot is substantially midway between
first end and second end. The arrangement being such that the rotatory motion of the rotatory
shafi is converted into reciprocating motion of the cutter bar through the arm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be'apparent from the following
description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein
.likereference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:
Figure 1 is a top partial view of an inclined disc knife drive system mounted on header of a
crop harvester according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a side view of a drive. system for the inclined disc knife drive of the cutter bar
according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 is a top partial view of the inclined disc knife drive system according to an
.embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 4 is a top partial view of the inclined disc knife drive system according to an
embodiment ofthe invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist
in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by
the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that
understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary
skill in
the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments
described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventibn. In
addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and
conciseness.
Figure 1 illustrates a top partial view of an inclined disc knife drive system 102 mounted on a
header 100
of'a
crop harvester according to an embodiment of the invention. The header 100
may have a cutter bar 104 having plurality of sickle blades 106 arranged substantially parallel
V
,
to each other. The cutter bar 104 is in communicatiOn with the inclined disc knife drive system
102. The inclined disc knife drive system 102 is configured to provide a reciprocating motion
to the. cutter bar 104 that in turn provide reciprocating motion to the sickle blades 106. The
inclined disc knife drive system 102 may further be connected to a driving arrangement 1084.
01-Mar-2:016I7050I1108-CHE-2015/Description(Complete)
Figure 2 illustratesa side view of the exemplary driving arrangement 108 for the inclined disc
knife drive system 102 according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the driving
arrangement 108 may haVe a driver pulley 110 that may be in communication with a rotatory
driver device (not shown in figure) such as, but not limited to, motor, PTO shafi etc. that in
turn provide rotating motion to the driver pulley 110. The driver pulley l 10 isin mechanical
'
communication with a rotatory drive 1 12. The driver pulley 1 10 and the rotatory drive 1 12 may
be
in communication through a suitable linkage 114 such as, but-not limited to, a belt drive, a
gear arrangement etc. According to an embodiment, an idler pulley 116 may be provided for
supporting transfer of rotatory motion from the driver pulley 110 to the rotatory drive 112.
Figure 3 and Figure 4 are top partial view ofthe inclined disc knife drive system 102 according
.
to an embodiment of the invention. The inclined disc knife drive system 102 may include a
rotatory shafi 118. The rotatory shafi 118 may be attached to the header 100 at one side and
capable of receiving a rotatory motion from the rotatory drive 112. The rotatory shaft 118 may
have an inclined disc 120, such that the disc 120 may have a rotatory motion along with the
shaft 118. The inclined disc 120 may be at an angle of substantially 10 degrees to 30 degrees
to the rotatory shafi 118. According to an embodiment of the invention, the inclined disc 120
may be at an angle of 15 degrees to the rotatory shafi 118. The system 102 further includes an
arm 122. The arm 122 may be in contact with the inclined disc 120 at a first end 124 and hinged
to the cutter bar 106 at a second end 126. According to an embodiment, the first end of the arm
122 may be divided into two parts, such that one part is configured on each side of the inclined
disc 120.‘ According to yet another embodiment, each part may have a suitable groove for
. holding at least one ball such that the first end '124 of the arm 122 may have a spherical
connection with the inclined disc 120. The first end 124 of the arm 122 and the. inclined disc
120'may be arranged in such a way that the contact between each
part.
of the first end 124 of the arm 122 and the inclined disc 120 may be a point contact. According to an embodiment,
the arrangement between first end 124 of the arm 122 and the inclined disc 120 may be such
4,
that the motibn between each part of the first end 124 of the arm 122 and the inclined disc 120
may be a rolling motion.
The arm 122 may further be pivoted to the header 100, such that the point of pivot is
substantially midway between the first end 124 and the second end 126 of the arm 122. The
arrangement being such that the rotatory motion of the rotatory shaft 118 is converted into
reciprocating motion of the cutter bar 106 through the arm.
[n the drawings and specification there has been set forth preferred embodiments of the
invention, and although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive
sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in the form and the proportion of parts,
as well as in the substitution of equivalents, are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or
render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.