Abstract:
A cutting element for comminuting organic substances, organic materials, soils, plant cultures or the like, in particular for mulching, shredding and chopping, which cutting element can be connected fixedly or releasably to a comminuting rotor.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a cutting element for comminuting organic substances, organic materials, soils, plant cultures or the like, in particular for mulching, shredding and chopping, which cutting element can be connected fixedly or releasably to a comminuting rotor. 
         [0002]    Cutting elements of this type are frequently placed onto cylindrical rotors in order to form cutting element surfaces for the processing of organic materials, for the processing of soils, for mulching, for shredding, etc. 
         [0003]    Conventional cutting elements are subject to a high degree of wear, for example when processing soils or organic cultures. 
         [0004]    After a relatively long period of use, and depending on the underlying surface, the cutting elements have to be removed from the rotor and replaced by new ones. 
         [0005]    Conventional cutting elements are generally subject to too high a degree of wear, are too expensive to produce and occasionally tend to break off from or deform their holders or base parts, which is undesirable. 
         [0006]    The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a cutting element of the generic type mentioned at the beginning, in which the service life during operation is substantially increased, wear is minimized and the production costs are to be minimized while the overall weight is reduced. In addition, an application of force and transmission of force to its retaining part or the rotor is to be optimized. The cutting element is also to be connectable securely and stably to the rotor. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    This object is achieved by a cutting element comprising a fastening means for the fixed or releasable connection to a base part on a comminuting rotor, said cutting element further comprising two limbs and a body part with a cutting edge and rear side(s) facing away from the cutting edge, an axis (A RR ) of the body part in the region between the two limbs and an axis (A VR ) of a rear side of a reinforcing projection on the body part on the other side of the cutting edge run at an obtuse angle (α, β) with respect to each other and with respect to a longitudinal axis (A L ) of the limbs for bearing in a form-fitting manner on a flank of the base part. 
         [0008]    In the present invention, in particular a special design of the geometry and shape of the cutter holder, in particular the body part thereof with adjoining reinforcing profile and limbs which protrude from the body part and are intended for engaging over a base part for holding purposes has proven advantageous. 
         [0009]    In order for a transmission of the forces arising at the cutting edge to the base part, which serves to hold the actual cutting element, to be optimized, the body part of the cutter holder forms a reinforcing profile below the cutting edge. 
         [0010]    Said reinforcing profile at the same time strengthens the region below the cutting edge, in which a greater part of the cutting forces have to be absorbed, and at the same time forms the holder, and also the support for transmitting force via its rear side to the base part. 
         [0011]    For improved lateral stabilization, corresponding profiled portions, V-like grooves, and semicircular, oval grooves, in which end surfaces, which correspond in a precisely matching manner, of the flanks of the base part engage, are provided within the rear side of the reinforcing projection. In this way, there is additional lateral stabilization of the cutting element, and also vibrational behavior in relation to the base part and rotor is significantly reduced. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, it is advantageous in the present invention that forces are transmitted to a corresponding flank of the base part not only via the rear side of the reinforcing profile but also via a further rear side of the actual body part, which rear side is located between the two limbs. 
         [0013]    Here too, the rear side of the body part, but also the rear side of the reinforcing profile may have corresponding profiled portions as a negative or positive shape in order to ensure additional lateral stabilization of the cutting element, fixed to the base part. 
         [0014]    The rear side of the reinforcing profile and the rear side of the body part between the two limbs preferably enclose a very obtuse angle β such that it is ensured that the cutting element, placed onto the plate-like base part and fixed by a bolt, screw connection or the like in the region of the limbs, can neither move upward nor downward. Owing to the geometrical shape of the rear sides of the body part and of the reinforcing projection, this ensures additional, mechanical rotational securing against pivoting about a bolt or screw connection. This is intended to likewise lie within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0015]    In addition, it has proven advantageous that corresponding, chip-deflecting surfaces can be provided above the cutting edge in the body part. Said surfaces can also be provided in a front side of the reinforcing projection below the cutting edge. 
         [0016]    Furthermore, it is advantageous in the present invention that the side surfaces of the reinforcing projection taper at an acute angle γ from the front side and cutting edge toward the rear side. Here too, the cutting edge itself is kept free by means of the geometrical shape of the reinforcing projection such that friction is reduced overall during operation and during use, with heating and temperature regulation of the cutting element during use therefore being reduced. 
         [0017]    For additional weight reduction and to ensure a high degree of stability, the lateral limbs are provided, on their outer upper side, with corresponding reinforcing profiles which extend in a circular-ring-like manner around the region of the hole and protrude outward in a star-like manner, with one of the reinforcing profiles extending into the region of the body part in order to ensure additional stability. In this case, the limbs themselves can be designed such that they taper conically, from the body part to the hole, in order to provide a weight-reducing cutting element while retaining high absorption forces and a degree of stability. 
         [0018]    This provides a cutting element which permits substantially higher absorption of forces and impacts, and ensures better mounting of the cutting element even against laterally acting forces, with low manufacturing costs and optimized removal of chips and removal of organic material. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the description below of preferred exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawing; in the latter 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a schematically illustrated, perspective top view of the cutting element; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a schematically illustrated side view of the cutting element according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a schematically illustrated, perspective bottom view of the cutting element according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  shows a schematically illustrated, perspective side view of the cutting element according to  FIG. 1 , placed onto a body part. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    According to  FIG. 1 , a cutting element R 1  according to the invention has a cutter holder  1  which, in a front region, accommodates at least one cutting edge  2  on a cutter shoulder  3 , which cutting edge is connected fixedly or releasably to the cutter holder  1 . 
         [0025]    The cutter holder  1  substantially comprises a body part  4  from which two spaced-apart limbs  5 . 1 ,  5 . 2  protrude, with the inner surfaces  6  thereof being formed parallel to each other. 
         [0026]    In the end-side regions of the limbs  5 . 1 ,  5 . 2 , the latter have mutually aligned holes  7 . 1 ,  7 . 2 . 
         [0027]    It has proven advantageous in the present invention that the two limbs  5 . 1 ,  5 . 2  taper slightly in their thickness from the body part  4  to the hole  7 . 1 ,  7 . 2 . 
         [0028]    This enables additional weight and material to be saved, with, in order to compensate for the applied forces, corresponding reinforcing profiles  9  being provided on the outside of an outer surface  8 . 1 ,  8 . 2  of the limbs  5 . 1 ,  5 . 2 , said reinforcing profiles reinforcing the region of the hole  7 . 1 ,  7 . 2  in the end-side region of the limbs  5 . 1 ,  5 . 2  preferably in a circular-ring-like manner and/or star-like manner. 
         [0029]    In this case, preferably circular-ring-like reinforcements  9  are provided around the hole  7 . 1 , with a reinforcement of the circular-ring-like reinforcement also merging into the cutter holder  1  or the body part  4 . 
         [0030]    This provides a cutting element R 1  which is reduced in weight and at the same time, by means of the correspondingly designed reinforcing profiles  9 , provides a limb  5 . 1 ,  5 . 2  which withstands very high loads. 
         [0031]    Following the cutting edge  2 , preferably above the latter, chip-deflecting surfaces  10 , which preferably run at an acute angle, are formed from the body part  4  of the cutter holder. 
         [0032]    A reinforcing projection  11  which has a plurality of functions is formed below the cutting edge  2 . 
         [0033]    On its front side  12 , said reinforcing projection is likewise provided with chip-deflecting surfaces  10  which approximately match the shape of the cutting edge  2 . 
         [0034]    In addition, the reinforcing projection  11 , formed from the body part  4 , projects at the bottom over the limbs  5 . 1 ,  5 . 2  and forms a reinforcement for absorbing the forces which occur in the region of the cutting edge  2 . 
         [0035]    It has proven particularly advantageous in the present invention to use a rear side  13  of the reinforcing projection  11  as a bearing surface for a base part  14  which serves to hold the cutting element R 1 , as illustrated for example in  FIG. 4 . In this case, the two limbs  5 . 1 ,  5 . 2  engage over the base part  14 . 
         [0036]    In this manner, a greater part of the cutting forces which occur at the cutting edge  2  during operation is introduced via the reinforcing projection  11  directly into the base part  4  which is connected fixedly, for example, to a rotor or the like. 
         [0037]    A further rear side  15  is formed between the two limbs  5 . 1 ,  5 . 2 , said rear side also serving for bearing on and transmitting force to the correspondingly shaped base part  14 , as indicated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0038]    The base part  14  is of plate-like design and has corresponding flanks  16 , and also a corresponding hole  17  said flanks being aligned when the cutting element R 1  is placed on and when the two limbs  5 . 1 ,  5 . 2  engage over them, with the rear side  15  of the body part  4  and the rear side  13  of the reinforcing projection  11  coming into contact, preferably in a form-fitting manner, with the respective flanks  16  of the base part  4 . 
         [0039]    The flanks  16  of the base part  4  are correspondingly matched to the geometry of the rear sides  13  and  15  of reinforcing profile  11  and body part  4 . 
         [0040]    It has proven particularly advantageous in the present invention that, for the optimum application of force, the rear side  13  of the reinforcing profile  11  is formed at an obtuse angle of approximately 90° to 160°, preferably 125°, in relation to a longitudinal axis A L  of the cutting element R 1 . 
         [0041]    In this manner, very high forces can be applied and transmitted to the cutting element R 1 , in particular absorbed via the cutting edge  2 , and to the rotor or similar holder via the base part  14 . 
         [0042]    In this case the rear side  13  bears flush on the flank  16  and the rear side  15  of the body part  4  likewise bears flush on the flank  16  of the base part  14 . 
         [0043]    So that the cutting element R 1  can be securely positioned and fixed in relation to the base part  14  by means of bolts, screws or similar fastening means without said cutting element tilting, and at the same time so that as large a contact surface as possible for the transmission of force is ensured, it has proven advantageous in the present invention to design or shape the rear side  13  of the reinforcing projection  11  likewise at an obtuse angle in relation to the rear side  15  of the body part  4 , with the angle of approximately 125° to 175°, preferably 150° being selected. 
         [0044]    The longitudinal axis A L  passes approximately centrally, as viewed in the longitudinal direction, through the limbs  5 . 1 ,  5 . 2  as approximately a bisecting line. 
         [0045]    Furthermore, it is advantageous in the present invention, as shown in the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 3 , that corresponding side surfaces  18  of the reinforcing projection  8 , as illustrated in the bottom view, are of tapered design from the front side  12  to the rear side  13  and preferably peter out in a tapered manner at an acute angle. The side surfaces  18  of the reinforcing projection  11  form an acute angle of approximate 15° to  35 °, preferably 25°. 
         [0046]    It is advantageous in the present invention that the rear sides  13  and/or  15  of the reinforcing profile  11  or the body part  4  are provided with a profiled portion  19 , as indicated in  FIG. 3 . The profiled portions  19  can be formed negatively in the rear sides  13 ,  15  in the manner of grooves, as angled grooves, in a V-like manner, oval-like manner or as triangular grooves, or can project positively in a corresponding shape. 
         [0047]    The corresponding end sides of the flanks  16  of the base part are then shaped in a manner correspondingly matched to the shape of the profiled portions  19  of the rear sides  13  and  15  such that the rear sides  13  and  15  of the reinforcing profile  11  and body part  4  bear in a form-fitting manner on the base part  14  in a precisely matching manner and a transfer of force is optimized. For this purpose, the lateral stability during the use of the cutting element is considerably increased at the same time. 
         [0048]    This is likewise intended to lie within the scope of the present invention.