FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)
“POSITION ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM FOR A DRUM ASSEMBLY”
CNH Industrial (India) Pvt. Ltd. of the address: B1-207, Boomerang, Chandivali Farm Road, Near Chandivali Studio, Andheri (East) Mumbai – 400 072, India; Nationality: India.
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:2
POSITION ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM FOR A DRUM ASSEMBLY
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a position adjustment system for a drum assembly.
[0002] Certain harvesters (e.g., cotton harvesters) include a harvesting assembly configured to receive crops from a field and to separate the crops into product (e.g., cotton) and crop residue (e.g., chaff, foliage, stems, etc.). The harvester may also include a conveying system configured to transport the product from the harvesting assembly to a basket for storage. Certain harvesting assemblies include one or more drum assemblies, and each drum assembly may be positioned along a toolbar to facilitate alignment of the drum assembly with a respective row of crops. Typical harvesting assemblies include one or more hydraulic cylinders configured to move the one or more drum assemblies along the toolbar. In addition, certain harvesting assemblies include one or more locking mechanisms configured to secure the one or more drum assemblies in target position(s) along the toolbar. Unfortunately, the costs associated with providing the one or more hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic lines extending to the hydraulic cylinder(s), valve(s) configured to control the hydraulic cylinder(s), and the locking mechanism(s) may substantially increase the cost of the harvester.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0003] In one embodiment, a position adjustment system for a drum assembly of a harvester includes a screw mechanism having a nut and a threaded shaft. The nut is engaged with the threaded shaft, the screw mechanism is configured to extend from the drum assembly to a toolbar of the harvester, and the screw mechanism is configured to drive the drum assembly to move along the toolbar in response to rotation of the threaded shaft.
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DRAWINGS
[0004] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a harvester configured to harvest rows of a crop;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a harvesting assembly coupled to a toolbar of the harvester of FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of hangers of the harvesting assembly positioned along the toolbar of FIG. 2;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a position adjustment system configured to move one hanger along the toolbar of FIG. 2; and
[0009] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the position adjustment system of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers’ specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and
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time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
[0011] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a harvester 10 configured to harvest rows of a crop. To facilitate discussion, the harvester 10 and certain components of the harvester 10 may be described with reference to a longitudinal axis or direction 12, a vertical axis or direction 14, and a lateral axis or direction 16. As illustrated, the harvester 10 includes a harvesting assembly 18 having multiple drum assemblies 20. Each drum assembly 20 is configured to separate product (e.g., cotton or other harvested goods) from other agricultural materials (e.g., chaff, foliage, stems, debris) via one or more rotors. In the illustrated embodiment, the harvester 10 includes a conveying system 22 configured to transport the product from the harvesting assembly 18 to a basket assembly 24 via chutes 26. The basket assembly 24 includes a body 28 configured to rotate between the illustrated product-received position and a product-expelling position. The body 28 is configured to receive the product while in the product-receiving position, and the body 28 is configured to expel the product (e.g., to another container) while in the product-expelling position. In some embodiments, the other agricultural materials may be deposited onto the agricultural field beneath and/or behind the harvester 10.
[0013] As illustrated, the harvester 10 also includes a cabin 30 configured to house an operator. In the illustrated embodiment, one or more operator interfaces and/or input devices 32 (e.g., one or more switches, knob(s), light(s), display(s), a steering wheel, gear shift(s), lever(s), etc.) are disposed within the cabin 30. The one or more operator interfaces and/or input devices 32 enable the operator to monitor and/or control various functions of the harvester 10, such as ground speed, steering angle, transmission ratio, operation of the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, operation of
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the harvesting assembly 18, operation of the conveying system 22, operation of the basket assembly 24, or a combination thereof, among other functions of the harvester.
[0014] In the illustrated embodiment, the basket assembly 24 and the cabin 30 are supported on a frame 34 (e.g., harvester frame or chassis). Various other components (e.g., the harvesting assembly 18 and the conveying system 22) may be supported by and/or coupled to the frame 34 as well. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 34 supports or includes a cover assembly 36 (e.g., cage assembly) that is configured to cover (e.g., surround) various components of the harvester, such as an engine, a transmission, the HVAC system, and a radiator, which are supported on the frame 34. In operation, the harvester 10 may be driven in a direction of travel 38 through the agricultural field using forward wheels 40 and rear wheels 42. While the harvester 10 includes forward and rearward wheels in the illustrated embodiment, in alternative embodiments, the harvester may include track assemblies configured to move the harvester along the agricultural field. In addition, while the illustrated harvester 10 includes two drum assemblies 20 in the illustrated embodiment, in alternative embodiments, the harvester may include any suitable number of drum assemblies, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more drum assemblies.
[0015] In certain embodiments, the harvester 10 includes position adjustment systems configured to control positions of the drum assemblies 20 (e.g., along the lateral axis 16), thereby facilitating alignment of each drum assembly 20 with a respective row of crops. Each position adjustment system may include a screw mechanism that extends from a respective drum assembly to a toolbar of the harvester. In certain embodiments, the screw mechanism includes a nut and a threaded shaft, and the screw mechanism is configured to drive the respective drum assembly to move along the toolbar (e.g., along the lateral axis 16) in response to rotation of the threaded shaft. For example, the nut may be rigidly coupled to the drum assembly, and the threaded shaft may be rotatably coupled to the toolbar. Accordingly, rotation of the threaded shaft drives the nut to move along the threaded shaft, thereby driving the drum assembly to move along the toolbar. Utilizing the screw mechanism to drive the drum assembly along the toolbar may
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substantially reduce the cost of the position adjustment system (e.g., as compared to a position adjustment system that includes one or more hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic lines extending to the hydraulic cylinder(s), and valve(s) configured to control the hydraulic cylinder(s)). In addition, utilizing the screw mechanism may obviate a locking mechanism, which may be employed in certain position adjustment systems to secure/maintain the drum assembly in a target position along the toolbar, thereby further reducing the cost of the position adjustment system.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the harvesting assembly 18 coupled to a toolbar 44 of the harvester 10 of FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the harvesting assembly 18 includes a first drum assembly 46 and a second drum assembly 48. Each drum assembly is configured to engage a respective row of crops and to separate product (e.g., cotton) from the other agricultural materials (e.g., chaff, foliage, stems, debris, etc.). As illustrated, the first drum assembly 46 includes a first hanger 50, and the second drum assembly 48 includes a second hanger 52. The first hanger 50 is engaged with the toolbar 44 and configured to support the first drum assembly 46 on the toolbar 44. In addition, the second hanger 52 is engaged with the toolbar 44 and configured to support the second drum assembly 48 on the toolbar 44.
[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, the harvesting assembly 18 includes a first position adjustment system 54 and a second position adjustment system 56. The first position adjustment system 54 is configured to drive the first drum assembly 46 to move along the toolbar 44 (e.g., along the lateral axis 16), and the second position adjustment system 56 is configured to drive the second drum assembly 48 to move along the toolbar 44 (e.g., along the lateral axis 16). The position adjustment systems may move the drum assemblies to respective positions that facilitate alignment of the drum assemblies with respective rows of crops. For example, if the crops are planted with 30-inch (e.g., 76-cm) row spacing, the position adjustment systems may move the drum assemblies to respective positions for engaging crops having 30-inch row spacing. In addition, the position adjustment systems may move the drum assemblies to respective positions that
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facilitate maintenance operations. For example, the position adjustment systems may move the drum assemblies away from one another along the toolbar, thereby enabling an operator to access elements/systems positioned on the laterally inward portion of each drum assembly. While the illustrated embodiment includes two position adjustment systems, in further embodiments, the harvesting assembly may include more or fewer position adjustment systems (e.g., based on the number of drum assemblies).
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of hangers of the harvesting assembly positioned along the toolbar 44 of FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, each position adjustment system includes multiple indicators 58 (e.g., marks) on the toolbar 44. The indicators 58 are configured to indicate the position of each drum assembly along the toolbar 44. For example, if crops are planted with 30-inch row spacing, the operator may move each drum assembly via the respective position adjustment system, such that the hanger of the drum assembly is aligned with an indicator corresponding to 30-inch row spacing. Certain indictors 58 may be applied to the toolbar 44 (e.g., as individually painted indictors, as one or more decals, etc.), and/or certain indicators 58 may be formed into a surface of the toolbar (e.g., via an engraving process). In the illustrated embodiment, the toolbar includes a stop 60 configured to block movement of the first hanger 50 and the second hanger 52 beyond a maximum laterally inward position.
[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first position adjustment system 54 and the second position adjustment system 56 includes a screw mechanism 62 having a nut and a threaded shaft 64. The nut is engaged with the threaded shaft 64, and the screw mechanism 62 extends from a respective drum assembly to the toolbar 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the nut is rigidly coupled to the hanger of the respective drum assembly, and the threaded shaft 64 is rotatably coupled to the toolbar 44. Accordingly, rotation of the threaded shaft 64 drives the respective drum assembly to move along the toolbar 44 (e.g., along the lateral axis 16). In alternative embodiments, the nut may be rigidly coupled to the toolbar and the threaded shaft may be rotatably coupled to the respective drum assembly (e.g., to the hanger of the drum assembly). In such
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embodiments, rotation of the threaded shaft also drives the respective drum assembly to move along the toolbar. In further embodiments, the threaded shaft may be rigidly coupled to the toolbar, and the nut may be rotatably coupled to the drum assembly, or the threaded shaft may be rigidly coupled to the drum assembly, and the nut may be rotatably coupled to the toolbar. In such embodiments, rotation of the nut drives the drum assembly to move along the toolbar.
[0020] Utilizing the screw mechanism 62 to drive the respective drum assembly along the toolbar may substantially reduce the cost of the position adjustment system (e.g., as compared to a position adjustment system that includes one or more hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic lines extending to the hydraulic cylinder(s), and valve(s) configured to control the hydraulic cylinder(s)). In addition, utilizing the screw mechanism may obviate a locking mechanism, which may be employed in certain position adjustment systems to maintain the drum assembly in a target position along the toolbar, thereby further reducing the cost of the position adjustment system. While the first position adjustment system 54 and the second position adjustment system 56 each include a respective screw mechanism 62 in the illustrated embodiment, in alternative embodiments, at least one of the position adjustment systems may include another type of adjustment mechanism (e.g., including a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, an electromechanical actuator, etc.). Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, neither position adjustment system includes a locking mechanism configured to secure/maintain the respective drum assembly in a selected position. However, in further embodiments, at least one of the position adjustment systems may include a locking mechanism (e.g., a pin configured to engage an opening in the toolbar, etc.).
[0021] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the first position adjustment system 54, which is configured to move the first hanger 50 along the toolbar 44 of FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the first position adjustment system 54 includes a first bracket 66 rigidly coupled to the toolbar 44 (e.g., via fasteners, via a welded connection, etc.). The first position adjustment system 54 also includes a second bracket 68 rigidly coupled to
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the first hanger 50 of the first drum assembly (e.g., via fasteners, via a welded connection, etc.). The threaded shaft 64 is rotatably coupled to the first bracket 66, and the nut is rigidly coupled to the second bracket 68. Accordingly, rotation of the threaded shaft 64 drives the nut, the second bracket 68, and the first drum assembly to move along the toolbar 44 (e.g., along the lateral axis 16).
[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the screw mechanism 62 includes multiple pins configured to rotatably couple the threaded shaft 64 to the first bracket 66. A first pin 70 is positioned on a first lateral side 72 of the first bracket 66, and a second pin is positioned on a second lateral side 74 of the first bracket 66. The pins are configured to block movement of the threaded shaft 64 along the lateral axis 16, while enabling the threaded shaft 64 to rotate. In the illustrated embodiment, the screw mechanism 62 includes a socket 76 rigidly coupled to the threaded shaft 64. As illustrated, the socket 76 extends through an opening 78 in the first bracket 66. In addition, the first pin 70 extends through a first opening 80 in the socket 76, and as discussed in detail below, the second pin extends through a second opening in the socket. The first pin 70 is configured to block movement of the threaded shaft 64 in a first direction 82 along the lateral axis 16, and the second pin is configured to block movement of the threaded shaft 64 in a second direction 84 along the lateral axis 16. In the illustrated embodiment, a washer 86 is disposed between the first pin 70 and the first bracket 66 to facilitate rotation of the threaded shaft 64 relative to the first bracket 66. However, in alternative embodiments, the washer 86 may be omitted. In further embodiments, the screw mechanism may include additional or alternative elements to facilitate rotation of the threaded shaft, such as a bearing assembly (e.g., radially disposed between the socket and the first bracket) and/or a bushing assembly.
[0023] In certain embodiments, each pin is a spring pin having a body that is urged to expand radially outward, such that a maximum diameter of the spring pin is greater than the diameter of the respective opening in the socket. Accordingly, each spring pin may be radially compressed to facilitate insertion into the respective opening. Once the spring
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pin is inserted into the respective opening, the body of the spring pin expands and contacts the peripheral surface of the opening, thereby establishing a friction force that blocks movement of the spring pin within the respective opening. In further embodiments, other types of pins (e.g., cotter pin(s), lynch pin(s), etc.) and/or other fasteners (e.g., shaft(s) secured to the socket by one or more pins, bolt(s), c-clip(s), etc.) may be used to rotatably couple the threaded shaft to the first bracket. Furthermore, while the first and second pins extend through the socket in the illustrated embodiment, in further embodiments, at least one of the pins may extend through the threaded shaft (e.g., in embodiment in which the socket is omitted). In addition, while the threaded shaft 64 is rotatably coupled to the first bracket 66 in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the threaded shaft may be rotatably coupled directly to a component of the toolbar, or the threaded shaft may be rotatably coupled to another element (e.g., support bar, etc.) that is rigidly coupled to the toolbar 44.
[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the screw mechanism 62 includes an interface 88 configured to receive a tool (e.g., hand tool) that is configured to drive the threaded shaft 64 in rotation. In the illustrated embodiment, the interface 88 is formed within the socket 76. However, in further embodiments (e.g., embodiments in which the socket is omitted), the interface may be formed within the threaded shaft. In the illustrated embodiment, the interface 88 includes a polygonal recess configured to receive a corresponding polygonal protrusion from the tool (e.g., hand tool). Accordingly, engaging the protrusion with the recess enables the tool to drive the threaded shaft in rotation, thereby driving the drum assembly to move along the toolbar (e.g., along the lateral axis 16). In further embodiments, the interface may include a recess having another shape (e.g., an elliptical shape, a star shape, etc.), or the interface may include a protrusion (e.g., polygonal protrusion, etc.) configured to interface with a corresponding recess of the tool. In certain embodiments, the tool may be a hand tool, such as a socket wrench. However, in further embodiments, the tool may be an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, or a hydraulic motor configured to engage the interface and to drive the threaded shaft to rotate. In certain embodiments, a gear assembly (e.g., a reduction gear
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assembly, etc.) may be disposed between the socket and the threaded shaft. In such embodiments, the gear assembly may apply more or less torque to the threaded shaft than the torque applied to the socket. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the position adjustment system may include an integrated motor (e.g., an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, a hydraulic motor, etc.) coupled to the threaded shaft and configured to drive the threaded shaft in rotation. In such embodiments, the interface may be omitted.
[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the first hanger 50 is slidably coupled to the toolbar 44, thereby enabling the first hanger 50 to move along the toolbar 44 (e.g., along the lateral axis 16) in the first direction 82 and in the second direction 84. As illustrated, the first hanger 50 has a first engagement surface 90 configured to engage a corresponding first engagement surface 92 of the toolbar 44, thereby blocking downward movement of the first drum assembly relative to the toolbar 44 along the vertical axis 14. In addition, the first hanger 50 has a second engagement surface 94 configured to engage a corresponding second engagement surface 96 of the toolbar 44, thereby blocking upward movement of the first drum assembly relative to the toolbar along the vertical axis 14. Furthermore, the first hanger 50 includes a third engagement surface 98 configured to engage a corresponding third engagement surface 100 of the toolbar 44, thereby blocking forward movement of the first drum assembly relative to the toolbar 44 along the longitudinal axis 12. The first hanger 50 also includes a fourth engagement surface 102 configured to engage a corresponding fourth engagement surface 104 of the toolbar 44, thereby blocking rearward movement of the first drum assembly relative to the toolbar 44 along the longitudinal axis 12. The interface between the engagement surfaces of the first hanger and the corresponding engagement surfaces of the toolbar slidably couples the first hanger to the toolbar. In further embodiments, the toolbar and the first hanger may have other and/or additional engagement surfaces to facilitate the slidable coupling between the first hanger and the toolbar.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the first position adjustment system 54 of FIG. 4. As previously discussed, the first position adjustment system 54 includes the first
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bracket 66 rigidly coupled to the toolbar 44 (e.g., via fasteners, via a welded connection, etc.). The first position adjustment system 54 also includes the second bracket 68 rigidly coupled to the first hanger 50 of the first drum assembly (e.g., via fasteners, via a welded connection, etc.). The threaded shaft 64 is rotatably coupled to the first bracket 66, and the nut 106 is rigidly coupled to the second bracket 68. Accordingly, rotation of the threaded shaft 64 drives the nut 106, the second bracket 68, and the first drum assembly to move along the toolbar 44 (e.g., along the lateral axis 16).
[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the screw mechanism 62 includes a housing 108 disposed about (e.g., capturing) the nut 106. The housing 108 is rigidly coupled to the second bracket 68 (e.g., via a welded connection, etc.) and configured to block rotation of the nut 106 relative to the housing 108, thereby rigidly coupling the nut 106 to the first hanger 50 of the first drum assembly. In further embodiments, the nut may be rigidly coupled to the second bracket 68 by another connection (e.g., a welded connection, a press-fit connection, etc.), or the nut may be integrated into the second bracket (e.g., the second bracket may include a threaded opening). In such embodiments, the housing may be omitted. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the nut may be coupled to an element of the first drum assembly (e.g., the first hanger, etc.).
[0028] As previously discussed, the screw mechanism 62 includes multiple pins configured to rotatably couple the threaded shaft 64 to the first bracket 66. The first pin is positioned on the first lateral side 72 of the first bracket 66, and the second pin 110 is positioned on the second lateral side 74 of the first bracket 66. The pins are configured to block movement of the threaded shaft 64 along the lateral axis 16, while enabling the threaded shaft 64 to rotate. In the illustrated embodiment, the second pin 110 extends through a second opening 112 in the socket 76. The second pin 110 is configured to block movement of the threaded shaft 64 in the second direction 84 along the lateral axis 16. In the illustrated embodiment, a second washer 114 is disposed between the second pin 110 and the first bracket 66 to facilitate rotation of the threaded shaft 64 relative to the first bracket 66. However, in alternative embodiments, the second washer 114 may
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be omitted. In further embodiments, the screw mechanism may include additional or alternative elements to facilitate rotation of the threaded shaft, such as a bearing assembly (e.g., radially disposed between the socket and the first bracket) and/or a bushing assembly. While the first position adjustment system is discussed above with reference to FIGS. 4-5, the second position adjustment system may include similar components and operate in a similar manner.
[0029] While only certain features have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.
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CLAIMS:
1. A position adjustment system for a drum assembly of a harvester, comprising:
a screw mechanism comprising a nut and a threaded shaft, wherein the nut is engaged with the threaded shaft, the screw mechanism is configured to extend from the drum assembly to a toolbar of the harvester, and the screw mechanism is configured to drive the drum assembly to move along the toolbar in response to rotation of the threaded shaft or the nut.
2. The position adjustment system of claim 1, wherein the nut is configured to be rigidly coupled to the drum assembly, and the threaded shaft is configured to be rotatably coupled to the toolbar.
3. The position adjustment system of claim 1, wherein the screw mechanism comprises a housing configured to capture the nut and to block rotation of the nut relative to the housing.
4. The position adjustment system of claim 4, wherein the housing is configured to be rigidly coupled to the drum assembly.
5. The position adjustment system of claim 1, comprising at least one indicator configured to be disposed on the toolbar and to indicate a position of the drum assembly along the toolbar.
6. The position adjustment system of claim 1, wherein the screw mechanism comprises an interface configured to engage a tool to facilitate driving the threaded shaft in rotation.15
7. The position adjustment system of claim 6, wherein the screw mechanism comprises a socket rigidly coupled to the threaded shaft, and the socket includes the interface.
8. The position adjustment system of claim 1, comprising:
a first bracket configured to be rigidly coupled to the toolbar; and
a second bracket configured to be rigidly coupled to the drum assembly;
wherein the threaded shaft is rotatably coupled to the first bracket, and the nut is rigidly coupled to the second bracket.
9. The position adjustment system of claim 8, wherein the screw mechanism comprises a plurality of pins configured to rotatably couple the threaded shaft to the first bracket.
10. The position adjustment system of claim 1, wherein the position adjustment system does not include a locking mechanism configured to block movement of the drum assembly along the toolbar.