Corn header row unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10993373-B2
Application number	US-201816106209-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 21, 2018
Priority date	Aug 21, 2018
Publication date	May 4, 2021
Grant date	May 4, 2021

Abstract

A row crop header for an agricultural machine harvesting a crop having stalks, such as corn. The row crop header includes a frame, a first crop row divider mounted to the frame, and a second crop row divider mounted to the frame and spaced from the first crop row divider to define a space therebetween. A row unit is disposed at the space, wherein the row unit includes a deck assembly defining a gap, the deck assembly including a compliant deck configured to adjust the gap based on contact with the stalks of the crop. The compliant deck includes a plurality of overlapping plates having edges defining the gap where the edges are configured to move responsively to varying diameters of stalks. Crops are separated from the stalks upon contact with the overlapping plates. A gathering chain moves the separated crops toward a collector.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A row crop header for an agricultural machine harvesting a crop having stalks comprising:
a frame;
a first crop row divider mounted to the frame;
a second crop row divider mounted to the frame and spaced from the first crop row divider to define a space therebetween;
a row unit disposed at the space, wherein the row unit includes a deck assembly defining a gap, the deck assembly including a first compliant deck and a second compliant deck configured to adjust a width of the gap based on contact with the stalks of the crop, wherein the compliant deck includes a first plurality of overlapping plates having edges defining a first side of the gap and a second plurality of overlapping plates having edges defining a second side of the gap, wherein the first plurality and the second plurality of overlapping plates are each operatively connected to a respective first and second drive belts;
at least one conforming device directly pressing on the first or second drive belt to apply a pressure thereto, wherein the width of the gap is adjusted by the at least one conforming device in response to contact with the stalks of the crop.

2. The row crop header of claim 1 , wherein the compliant deck includes a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion between the first end and the second end, wherein the intermediate portion defines a moveable edge on either side of the gap, the movable edge configured to move responsively to contact with the stalks of the crop, wherein the movable edge varies continuously in response to the size of the stalks.

3. The row crop header of claim 2 , wherein the row unit includes a stalk roll assembly disposed adjacently to the deck assembly, wherein the stalk roll assembly is configured to receive the stalks of the crop and to separate the crop from the stalks based on contact of the crop with the overlapping plates.

4. The row crop header of claim 3 , wherein the row unit includes a gathering chain assembly disposed adjacently to the compliant deck, wherein the drive belts are a part of the gathering chain assembly.

5. The row crop header of claim 1 , wherein the first compliant deck includes a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion between the first end and the second end, wherein the intermediate portion defines a first moveable edge of the gap configured to move responsively to contact with the stalks of the crop, wherein the first movable edge is responsive to a first conforming device of the at least one conforming device.

6. The row crop header of claim 5 , wherein the second compliant deck includes a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion between the first end and the second end, wherein the intermediate portion defines a second moveable edge of the gap configured to move responsively to contact with the stalks of the crop, wherein the second movable edge is responsive to a second conforming device of the at least one conforming device.

7. The row crop header of claim 6 , wherein the intermediate portions of the first compliant deck and the second compliant deck define a continuously variable gap along the intermediate portions.

8. The row crop header of claim 7 , wherein the row unit includes a first gathering chain assembly disposed adjacently to the first compliant deck and a second gathering chain assembly disposed adjacently to the second compliant deck.

9. A crop divider for an agricultural machine harvesting a crop having stalks comprising:
a deck assembly defining an adjustable gap having a first gap end and a second gap end, the deck assembly including a compliant deck configured to adjust the adjustable gap between the first and the second gap ends based on contact with the stalks of the crop, wherein the compliant deck includes a first plurality of overlapping plates connected to a first drive belt, the first plurality of overlapping plates having edges defining a first side of the adjustable gap, a second plurality of overlapping plates connected to a second drive belt, the second plurality of overlapping plates having edges defining a second side of the adjustable gap, and at least one conforming device to resiliently adjust a pressure along the adjustable gap by adjusting a width of the adjustable gap in response to a size of the stalks, wherein the adjustable gap is defined by a distance between the edges defining the first side of the adjustable gap and the edges defining the second side of the adjustable gap, the at least one conforming device directly pressing on at least the first drive belt or the second drive belt; and
a gathering chain assembly disposed adjacently to the compliant deck configured to move crop separated from the stalks from the first gap end toward the second gap end.

10. The crop divider of claim 9 , wherein the compliant deck includes an intermediate portion defining a moveable edge configured to move responsively to contact with the stalks of the crop, wherein the movable edge is responsive to the at least one conforming device configured to resiliently respond to a pressure directed by the stalks to the edges defining the first side of the gap and the edges defining the second side of the gap.

11. The crop divider of claim 10 , further comprising a stalk roll assembly disposed adjacently to the compliant deck, wherein the stalk roll assembly is configured to receive the stalks of the crop and to separate the crop from the stalks based on contact of the crop with the overlapping plates.

12. The crop divider of claim 9 , wherein the compliant deck includes a first compliant deck and a second compliant deck, the first compliant deck including the first plurality of overlapping plates and the second compliant deck including the second plurality of overlapping plates.

13. The crop divider of claim 12 , wherein the first compliant deck includes an intermediate portion between the first gap end and the second gap end, wherein the intermediate portion defines a first moveable edge of the gap configured to move responsively to contact with the stalks of the crop, wherein the first movable edge is responsive to a first conforming device of the at least one conforming device.

14. The crop divider of claim 13 , wherein the second compliant deck includes an intermediate portion between the first gap end and the second gap end, wherein the intermediate portion defines a second moveable edge of the gap configured to move responsively to contact with the stalks of the crop, wherein the second movable edge is responsive to a second conforming device of the at least one conforming device.

15. The crop divider of claim 14 , wherein the intermediate portions of the first compliant deck and the second compliant deck define a continuously variable gap along the intermediate portions.

16. A combine including a corn header for harvesting corn ears from a corn stalk comprising:
a first compliant deck including a first plurality of overlapping plates coupled to a drive belt and a first gathering chain disposed adjacently to the first plurality of overlapping plates, the first gathering chain configured to move with movement of the first plurality of overlapping plates;
a second compliant deck including a second plurality of overlapping plates, the second plurality of overlapping plates defining a conformable gap with the first plurality of overlapping plates, the conformable gap extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end and to a second end, and a second gathering chain disposed adjacently to the second plurality of overlapping plates, the second gathering chain configured to move with movement of the

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Meschke Michael T
• Coon Steve A

Classifications

• A01D41/127

  Control or measuring arrangements specially adapted for combines · CPC title

• A01D45/021 Primary

  Cornheaders · CPC title

• A01D45/023

  Gathering chains of belts · CPC title

• A01D45/028

  Harvesting devices mounted to a vehicle · CPC title

• A01D57/22

  for standing stalks · CPC title