초록 ▼

A sensor for detecting the height above the soil of harvesting machinery such as a combine header includes an elongated, curved, flexible arm attached at one end to a rotation sensor mounted to the harvester. The sensor arm is concave in an upward direction and includes and outer sheath such as of p

A sensor for detecting the height above the soil of harvesting machinery such as a combine header includes an elongated, curved, flexible arm attached at one end to a rotation sensor mounted to the harvester. The sensor arm is concave in an upward direction and includes and outer sheath such as of plastic and an inner metal rod for increased strength to resist breakage such as during turns and when traversing irregular terrain. The arm is positioned forward of, or immediately adjacent to, the lowest part of the harvester which includes a cutter assembly for cutting and separating the crop. As the harvester encounters upraised portions of the soil, the arm's point of contact with the soil moves forward along the arm to provide an increasingly early warning of upraised soil to facilitate early height adjustment and the avoidance of soil contact and possible damage to the harvester.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Apparatus for use in an agricultural implement for measuring the height of said agricultural implement above the soil as said agricultural implement traverses a field, said apparatus comprising:a shaft mounted to the agricultural implement; rotation sensing means coupled to said shaft and respons

1. Apparatus for use in an agricultural implement for measuring the height of said agricultural implement above the soil as said agricultural implement traverses a field, said apparatus comprising:a shaft mounted to the agricultural implement; rotation sensing means coupled to said shaft and responsive to rotation of said shaft for providing an output signal representing rotational displacement of said shaft; and a curved flexible arm having a proximal end connected to said shaft and a distal end engaging the soil, wherein said arm is concave in an upward direction and rotates in a first direction when said arm contacts upraised soil and rotates in a second opposed direction when said arm contacts a depression in the soil, and wherein a point of contact of said arm with the soil moves forward in a direction of travel of the implement toward the proximal end of said arm as the height of the implement above the soil is reduced to provide an increasingly early indication of contact with the soil of the implement as its height above the soil decreases. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising biasing means coupled to said shaft for urging said shaft and arm in said second direction of rotation.3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said biasing means is a spring.4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said spring is a coiled torsion spring.5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said biasing means is a linear torsion bar.6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said agricultural implement is a crop harvesting header and said apparatus further comprises means for mounting said apparatus to an end panel of said header.7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising guard means attached to said header adjacent said rotation sensing means for shielding said rotation sensing means from impact with plants or other obstructions in a field traversed by the agricultural implement.8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said guard means comprises a plate attached to the end panel of said header, and wherein said rotation sensing means is disposed intermediate said end panel and said plate.9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said agricultural implement is a crop harvesting header having a crop divider attached thereto, and wherein said apparatus further comprises means for mounting said apparatus to said crop divider.10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said agricultural implement is a crop harvesting header having a bottom skid plate and said apparatus further comprises means for mounting said apparatus to said skid plate.11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said crop harvesting header further includes a crop cutting assembly disposed immediately forward of said skid plate and wherein said means for mounting said apparatus is disposed adjacent said crop cutting assembly.12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said mounting means is disposed immediately aft of said crop cutting assembly.13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said skid plate includes an aperture, and wherein said rotation sensing means is disposed adjacent said aperture and said arm extends through said aperture.14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising guard means attached to said skid plate adjacent the aperture therein for shielding said rotation sensing means from impact with plants and other obstructions in a field traversed by the agricultural implement.15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said guard means comprises a flat plate mounted to said skid plate forward of the aperture therein.16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arm is comprised of an outer elastomeric sheath and an inner core member of high strength steel.17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said arm further comprises a metal reinforcing member disposed within said sheath adjacent said inner core member.18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said metal reinforcing member is disposed in the proximal end of said arm.19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein each of said elastomeric sheath, inner core member and metal reinforcing member are curvilinear in shape.20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arm is comprised of plural elastomeric members connected together in an end-to-end manner and a core member of high strength plastic coupled to said elastomeric members.21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said arm further comprises a metal reinforcing member disposed in the proximal end of said arm.22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein each of said connected elastomeric members, said core member and said metal reinforcing member is curvilinear in shape.23. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising a bulbous member disposed on the distal end of said arm.24. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said biasing means includes, in combination, a spring and means for changing a tension in said spring for setting the downward force on the distal end of said arm to a selected value within a range of downward force values.25. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising input means for establishing a zero elevation reference height for said rotation sensing means relative to the surface of the soil.26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said input means is adjustable for establishing a selected zero elevation reference height from a range of zero elevation reference height values.27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said rotation sensing means includes a spring and said input means is coupled to said spring for applying a tension on said spring corresponding to a zero elevation reference height.28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said input means permits changing the tension applied to said spring for changing the zero elevation reference height to a selected value.29. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said agricultural implement is a crop harvesting header and includes a crop cutting assembly, said apparatus further including means for mounting said flexible arm adjacent said crop cutting assembly.30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said mounting means is disposed immediately aft of said crop cutting assembly.31. An arrangement attached to an agricultural header assembly used in the harvesting of crops for controlling the height of said header assembly above the soil, said header assembly including a lower surface and cutting mechanism for cutting crops, said arrangement comprising:a rotation sensor attached to the header assembly forward of said cutting mechanism; a curved, flexible ground engaging arm having a first end attached to said rotation sensor and a second opposed free end extending rearwardly and disposed below and forward of said cutting mechanism, wherein variation in soil elevation causes deflection of said arm and displacement of said rotation sensor for providing a height control signal, and wherein as the height of the header assembly above the soil decreases, said arm engages the soil at an increasingly forward location along the length of said arm to allow for earlier detection of elevated soil as the height of the header assembly above the soil is reduced for avoidance of soil contact with the cutting mechanism, and wherein when said arm encounters elevated soil and is deflected, said arm contacts the lower surface of the header assembly and assumes a less curved configuration; and a height controller coupled to the header assembly and to said rotation sensor and responsive to said height control signal for raising the header assembly when said arm encounters elevated soil. 32. An arm for use in a rotation sensor mounted to an agricultural implement for engaging the ground and providing an indication of the height of the implement above the ground, wherein said agricultural implement includes a bottom panel, said arm comprising:a first variably curved, flexible, elongated elastomeric member having opposed proximal and distal ends, wherein said proximal end is coupled to said sensor and said distal end engages the ground; a second variably curved, flexible, elongated member comprised of a high strength material and coupled to and extending substantially between the proximal and distal ends of said first member, said second member having a proximal end coupled to said sensor; and a third variably curved high strength rigid member disposed adjacent to and coupled to the respective proximal portions of said first and second members, wherein all of the members have the same curvature and the curvature of the members allows a point of contact of said arm with the ground to move toward said sensor with a lowering of the height of the sensor above the ground, and wherein said arm contacts the bottom panel of the agricultural implement and assumes a less curved configuration when said arm engages an elevated portion of the around. 33. Apparatus for use in an agricultural implement having a skid panel for measuring the height of the skid panel of said agricultural implement above the soil as said agricultural implement traverses a field, said apparatus comprising:a shaft mounted to the agricultural implement; rotation sensing means coupled to said shaft and responsive to rotation of said shaft for providing an output signal representing rotational displacement of said shaft; and a curved flexible arm having a proximal end connected to said shaft and a distal end engaging the soil, wherein said arm is concave in an upward direction and rotates in a first direction when said arm contacts upraised soil and rotates in a second opposed direction when said arm contacts a depression in the soil, and wherein said arm is characterized as having increasing stiffness in proceeding from its distal end to its proximal end and wherein said arm assumes a less curved configuration and engages the skid panel of the agricultural implement when said arm contacts upraised soil. 34. Apparatus for use in an agricultural implement for measuring the height of said agricultural implement above the soil as said agricultural implement traverses a field, said apparatus comprising:a shaft mounted to the agricultural implement; rotation sensing means coupled to said shaft and responsive to rotation of said shaft for providing an output signal representing rotational displacement of said shaft; and a curved flexible arm having a proximal end connected to said shaft and a distal end engaging the soil, wherein said arm is concave in an upward direction and rotates in a first direction when said arm contacts upraised soil and rotates in a second opposed direction when said arm contacts a depression in the soil, and wherein a point of contact of said arm with the soil moves forward in a direction of travel of the implement toward the proximal end of said arm as the height of the implement above the soil is reduced to provide an increasingly early indication of contact with the soil of the implement as its height above the soil decreases; and biasing means coupled to said shaft for urging said shaft and arm in said second direction of rotation, wherein said biasing means applies a downward force on the distal end of said arm engaging the soil, and wherein said biasing means is adjustable for selecting the downward force on said arm over a range of downward forces. 35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said biasing means includes a spring, and wherein a position of said spring is movable over a range of positions for setting the downward force on the arm's distal end to a selected value.36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said biasing means further includes a coupling bracket having plural spaced recesses each adapted for engaging said spring, and wherein the downward force on the arm's distal end is established by positioning said spring in one of said recesses of said coupling bracket.37. For use on a header attached to a combine, said header including a crop engaging and gathering mechanism located in a forward, lower portion of said header for removing the crop from a field and providing the crop to the combine for processing therein, a sensor arrangement for maintaining the header a selected height above the ground comprising:a rotation sensor; a flexible curved arm having a proximal end coupled to said rotation sensor and an opposed distal end engaging the ground, wherein said arm rotates about its proximal end in a first direction when the distal end of said arm engages an upraised portion of ground and rotates in a second opposed direction when the distal end of said arm engages a depression in the ground; and mounting means for attaching said arm and rotation sensor to the header at a location forward of or adjacent to the header's crop engaging and gathering mechanism for preventing contact between the header and an upraised portion of the ground. 38. The sensor arrangement of claim 37 wherein said header includes a crop row separating structure extending forward of the crop engaging and gathering mechanism, and wherein said mounting means includes a mounting bracket for attaching said arm and rotation sensor to said crop row separating structure.39. The sensor arrangement of claim 38 wherein said header further includes first and second crop row separating structures each attached to a respective end of said header, and wherein said sensor arrangement includes first and second rotation sensor and arm combinations each attached to a respective one of said first and second crop row separating structures.40. The sensor arrangement of claim 37 wherein the distal end of said arm engages the ground at a location below the crop engaging and gathering mechanism when the header is in an upraised position relative to the ground.41. The sensor arrangement of claim 38 further comprising a guard structure attached to said crop row separating structure for preventing contact of said rotation sensor and mounting means with the crop and any ground obstructions.42. The sensor arrangement of claim 37 wherein said mounting means is attached to the header adjacent the crop engaging and gathering mechanism with said arm extending downwardly and rearwardly from the crop engaging and gathering mechanism.43. The sensor arrangement of claim 42 further comprising a guard structure attached to said header for preventing contact of said rotation sensor and mounting means with the crop and any ground obstructions.44. The sensor arrangement of claim 37 wherein said header includes a bottom skid plate, and wherein said mounting means attaches said arm and rotation sensor to said skid plate, and said arm engages said skid plate and assumes a less curved configuration when said arm engages an upraised portion of ground and undergoes substantial rotation in said first direction.45. The sensor arrangement of claim 44 wherein a forward portion of said skid plate is disposed adjacent the crop engaging and gathering mechanism, and wherein said arm extends downwardly and rearwardly from the crop engaging and gathering mechanism.46. The sensor arrangement of claim 45 wherein the forward portion of said skid plate includes an aperture disposed adjacent said mounting means, and wherein said arm extends through said aperture.47. The sensor arrangement of claim 46 further comprising a guard structure attached to said skid plate for preventing contact of said rotation sensor and mounting means with the crop and any ground obstructions.48. The sensor arrangement of claim 37 wherein a point of contact of said arm with the ground moves forwardly along the length of said arm in a direction of travel of the combine through a field as the height of the header above the ground is reduced to provide an increasingly early warning of contact of the header with the ground as the header gets closer to the ground.49. Apparatus for use in an agricultural implement for measuring the height of said agricultural implement above the soil as said agricultural implement traverses a field, said apparatus comprising:a shaft mounted to the agricultural implement; rotation sensing means coupled to said shaft and responsive to rotation of said shaft for providing an output signal representing rotational displacement of said shaft; and a curved flexible arm having a proximal end connected to said shaft and a distal end engaging the soil, wherein said arm is concave in an upward direction and rotates in a first direction when said arm contacts upraised soil and rotates in a second opposed direction when said arm contacts a depression in the soil, and wherein said arm is characterized as having increasing stiffness in proceeding from its distal end to its proximal end. 50. Apparatus for use in an agricultural implement for measuring the height of said agricultural implement above the soil as said agricultural implement traverses a field, said apparatus having a lower surface disposed above the soil, said apparatus comprising:a shaft mounted to the agricultural implement; rotation sensing means coupled to said shaft and responsive to rotation of said shaft for providing an output signal representing rotational displacement of said shaft; and a curved flexible arm having a proximal end connected to said shaft and a distal end engaging the soil, wherein said arm is concave in an upward direction and rotates in a first direction when said arm contacts upraised soil and rotates in a second opposed direction when said arm contacts a depression in the soil, and wherein a point of contact of said arm with the soil moves forward in a direction of travel of the implement toward the proximal end of said arm as the height of the implement above the soil is reduced to provide an increasingly early indication of contact with the soil of the implement as its height above the soil decreases, and wherein said arm engages the lower surface of the apparatus and assumes a less curved configuration when said arm contacts upraised soil. 51. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein said agricultural implement is a crop harvesting header having a bottom skid plate forming the lower surface of the apparatus.52. The apparatus of claim 51 further comprising means for mounting said apparatus to said skid plate.53. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein said crop harvesting header further includes a crop cutting assembly disposed immediately forward of said skid plate and wherein said means for mounting said apparatus is disposed adjacent said crop cutting assembly.54. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein said mounting means is disposed immediately aft of said crop cutting assembly and said arm engages said skid plate and assumes a less curved configuration when said arm enrages an upraised portion of ground and undergoes substantial rotation in said first direction.55. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein said skid plate includes an aperture, and wherein said rotation sensing means is disposed adjacent said aperture and said arm extends through said aperture.56. The apparatus of claim 55 further comprising guard means attached to said skid plate adjacent the aperture therein for shielding said rotation sensing means from impact with plants and other obstructions in a field traversed by the agricultural implement.57. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein said guard means comprises a flat plate mounted to said skid plate forward of the aperture therein.58. An arm for use in a rotation sensor mounted to an agricultural implement for engaging the ground and providing an indication of the height of the implement above the ground, said arm comprising:a first variably curved, flexible, elongated elastomeric member having opposed proximal and distal ends, wherein said proximal end is coupled to said sensor and said distal end engages the ground; a second variably curved, flexible, elongated member comprised of a high strength material and coupled to and extending substantially between the proximal and distal ends of said first member, said second member having a proximal end coupled to said sensor; and a third variably curved high strength rigid member disposed adjacent to and coupled to the respective proximal portions of said first and second members, wherein all of the members have the same curvature and the curvature of the members allows a point of contact of said arm with the ground to move toward said sensor with a lowering of the height of the sensor above the ground. 59. The arm of claim 58 wherein said second and third members are encapsulated within said first elastomeric member.60. The arm of claim 59 wherein proximal end portions of said first and second members each include a respective aperture adapted to receive a connecting pin for coupling said first and second members to said sensor.61. The arm of claim 60 wherein said second and third members are comprised of a high strength metal.62. The arm of claim 58 wherein said first member includes coupling means on a distal portion thereof for connecting said first member to a restraining member attached to the implement for preventing damage to the arm when the implement is displaced in a reverse direction.63. The arm of claim 62 wherein said restraining member is a flexible steel cable having first and second opposed ends respectively coupled to the agricultural implement and said first member.64. The arm of claim 58 wherein said first member includes plural curved sections coupled together in a generally end-to-end manner.65. The arm of claim 64 wherein said first member includes first, second and third sections, and wherein said arm further includes first and second coupling means for respectively coupling said first and second sections and said second and third sections.66. The arm of claim 65 wherein each of said first and second coupling means includes one or more coupling pins.67. The arm of claim 66 wherein said second member is disposed between adjacent portions of the first, second and third sections of said first member, and wherein said adjacent portions of said sections are drawn together by said first and second coupling means and engage said second member in a clamping manner.68. The arm of claim 58 further comprising a bulbous member disposed in the distal end of said first member.69. The arm of claim 58 wherein said arm has decreasing stiffness in proceeding from its proximal to its distal end.70. An arrangement attached to an agricultural header assembly used in the harvesting of crops for controlling the height of said header assembly above the soil, said header assembly including a cutting mechanism for cutting crops, said arrangement comprising:a rotation sensor attached to the header assembly forward of said cutting mechanism; a curved, flexible ground engaging arm having a first end attached to said rotation sensor and a second opposed free end extending rearwardly and disposed below and forward of said cutting mechanism, wherein variations in the soil elevation causes deflection of said arm and displacement of said rotation sensor for providing a height control signal, and wherein as the height of the header assembly above the soil decreases, said arm engages the soil at an increasingly forward location along the length of said arm to allow for earlier detection of elevated soil as the height of the header assembly above the soil is reduced for avoidance of soil contact with the cutting mechanism; and a height controller coupled to the header assembly and to said rotation sensor and responsive to said height control signal for raising the header assembly when said arm encounters elevated soil. 71. Apparatus for measuring the height of an agricultural implement above the soil as said agricultural implement traverses a field, said apparatus comprising:a shaft mounted to the agricultural implement; rotation sensing means coupled to said shaft and responsive to rotation of said shaft for providing an output signal representing rotational displacement of said shaft; an arm having a proximal end connected to said shaft and a distal end engaging the soil, wherein said arm rotates in a first direction when said arm contacts upraised soil and rotates in a second opposed direction when said arm contacts a depression in the soil, and wherein rotation of said arm as detected by said sensing means provides an indication of the height of the agricultural implement above the soil; and biasing means for applying a downward force on the distal end of said arm engaging the soil, wherein said biasing means is adjustable for selecting a downward force applied to said arm over a range of downward forces. 72. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein said biasing means is coupled to said shaft for urging said shaft and arm in said second direction of rotation.73. The apparatus of claim 72 wherein said biasing means includes a spring, and wherein a position of said spring is movable over a range of positions for setting the downward force on the arm's distal end to a selected value.74. The apparatus of claim 73 wherein said biasing means further includes a coupling bracket having plural spaced recesses each adapted for engaging said spring, and wherein the downward force on the arm's distal end is established by positioning said spring in one of said recesses of said coupling bracket.75. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein said biasing means includes, in combination, a spring and means for changing a tension in said spring for setting the downward force on the distal end of said arm to a selected value within a range of downward force values.76. The apparatus of claim 75 further comprising input means for establishing a zero elevation reference height for said rotation sensing means relative to the surface of the soil.77. The apparatus of claim 76 wherein said input means is adjustable for establishing a selected zero elevation reference height from a range of zero elevation reference height values.78. The apparatus of claim 77 wherein said input means is coupled to a shaft extending through said spring and said input means fixes a rotational position of said shaft in establishing a zero elevation reference height.79. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein said input means permits changing the rotational position of said shaft for changing the zero elevation reference height to a selected value.80. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein said agricultural implement is a crop harvesting header and includes a crop cutting assembly, said apparatus further including means for mounting said arm adjacent said crop cutting assembly.81. The apparatus of claim 80 wherein said mounting means is disposed immediately aft of said crop cutting assembly.82. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein said agricultural implement is a crop harvesting header and said apparatus further comprises means for mounting said apparatus to an end panel of said header.83. The apparatus of claim 82 further comprising guard means attached to said header adjacent said rotation sensing means for shielding said rotation sensing means from impact with plants or other obstructions in a field traversed by the agricultural implement.84. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein said agricultural implement is a crop harvesting header having a crop divider attached thereto, and wherein said apparatus further comprises means for mounting said apparatus to said crop divider.85. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein said agricultural implement is a crop harvesting header having a bottom skid plate and said apparatus further comprises means for mounting said apparatus to said skid plate.86. The apparatus of claim 85 wherein said crop harvesting header further includes a crop cutting assembly disposed immediately forward of said skid plate and wherein said means for mounting said apparatus is disposed adjacent said crop cutting assembly.87. The apparatus of claim 85 wherein said skid plate includes an aperture, and wherein said rotation sensing means is disposed adjacent said aperture and said arm extends through said aperture.88. The apparatus of claim 87 further comprising guard means attached to said skid plate adjacent the aperture therein for shielding said rotation sensing, means from impact with plants and other obstructions in a field traversed by the agricultural implement.89. The apparatus of claim 80 wherein said header includes a crop row separating structure extending forward of a crop engaging and gathering mechanism, and wherein said mounting means includes a mounting bracket for attaching said arm and rotation sensing means to said crop row separating structure.90. The apparatus of claim 89 wherein said header further includes first and second crop row separating structures each attached to a respective end of said header, and wherein said apparatus includes first and second rotation sensor and arm combinations each attached to a respective one of said first and second crop row separating structures.91. The apparatus of claim 89 further comprising a guard structure attached to said crop row separating structure for preventing contact of said rotation sensor and mounting bracket with the crop and any ground obstructions.92. The apparatus of claim 89 wherein said mounting bracket is attached to the header adjacent said crop engaging and gathering mechanism with said arm extending downwardly and rearwardly from the crop engaging and gathering mechanism.93. An arm for use in a rotation sensor in an agricultural implement for engaging the soil and providing an indication of the height of the implement above the soil, said arm comprising:a first curved, flexible, elongated member having a proximal end coupled to the rotation sensor and an opposed, distal end engaging the soil, wherein said elongated member is comprised of a single niece of elastomeric material; and a second curved metal reinforcing member disposed in a proximal end portion of said first member for increasing the strength of said arm, wherein said arm is capable of lateral bending in a direction generally transverse to a direction of travel of the implement upon impact of the arm with the soil or an obstruction in the soil. 94. The arm of claim 93 wherein said first member includes coupling means on a distal portion thereof for connecting said first member to a restraining member attached to the implement for preventing damage to the arm when the implement is displaced in a reverse direction.95. The arm of claim 94 wherein said restraining member is a flexible steel cable having a first and second opposed ends respectively coupled to the agricultural implement and said first member.96. The arm of claim 95 further comprising a bulbous member disposed on the distal end of said first member.97. The arm of claim 96 wherein said first and second members have the same curvature.98. The arm of claim 97 wherein each of said first and second members has a variable radius along its entire length.