Abstract:
A scraper strip for a scraper device including at least one rotatable adjusting means for linearly displacing the scraper strip with respect to a scraper strip support of a scraper device, wherein the scraper strip has at least one guide groove extending substantially in the displacement direction of the scraper strip, the guide groove can accommodate a stationary guide means such that the scraper strip can be displaced with respect to the guide means.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Pursuant to 35 USC §119, this application claims the benefit of and priority to German patent application no. 102015213854.2, filed on Jul. 22, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a scraper strip for a scraper device and to a scraper device for reducing adhesions on a roller, which interacts with a bale, of an agricultural round baler. The present disclosure further relates to an agricultural round baler for producing round bales. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Known scraper devices are often used on round balers having moving parts, which come into contact with baling material to be processed by the round balers. The scraper devices includes scraper strips, which interact with the moving parts of the round baler in order to counteract adhesions of baling material and other material, such as mud, dirt, baling material residue, etc., to prevent same, or to remove existing adhesions or deposits. The moving parts are often one or multiple rotatable rollers. Scraper devices are also known, however, which interact in a corresponding manner with straps or belts of a round baler. 
         [0004]    Such round balers are used in agricultural as well as industrial applications. Corresponding agricultural round balers are used, for example, for forming crop bales, for example, in the form of round bales, and often generate at least substantially round-cylindrical bales from crop material, for example, in the form of straw, hay, chopped material, etc. Industrial round balers are used for compacting rubbish, textiles, or other substances or for pressing same into bales. 
         [0005]    Scraper devices usually include a scraper strip and a scraper strip support, wherein the scraper strip is held on the scraper strip support, which can be provided, for example, on a frame or on a housing of a round baler, by fastening means, for example, in the form of screw fittings. Since scraper strips are usually provided in order to remove adhesions from moving parts, such as rollers or belts, or to prevent or counteract a build-up of adhesions, a spacing distance must be provided between the roller and the scraper strip, which is suitable for this task and is usually as small as possible. If the scraper strip wears during use, or if the machine settings and/or harvesting conditions change, or if a different scraper strip or a new scraper strip is installed, it may be necessary to change or adjust the spacing distance thereof. In order to ensure a good function of the scraper bar, the spacing distance of the scraper strip from the roller should be at least approximately the same, along the entire width. To this end, it is known to loosen the fastening means connecting the scraper strip and the scraper strip support, which means are usually designed in the form of screw fittings, and to displace the scraper strip. Such an adjustment is complicated and can require several readjustments. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A problem to be solved can be considered that of providing a scraper strip, a scraper device, and a corresponding agricultural round baler of the initially described type, by means of which the aforementioned disadvantages are overcome. 
         [0007]    The problem is solved at least by the teaching of claims  1 ,  5 , and  8 . Further advantageous embodiments and refinements will become apparent from the dependent claims. 
         [0008]    A scraper strip for a scraper device is disclosed, which strip includes at least one rotatable control device for linearly displacing the scraper strip with respect to a scraper strip support, wherein the scraper strip has at least one guide groove extending substantially in the displacement direction of the scraper strip, in which groove a stationary guide means can be accommodated in such a way that the scraper strip can be displaced with respect to the guide means. If a scraper strip for an above-described scraper device has a rotatable adjusting means for linearly guiding the scraper strip with respect to the scraper strip support, this can simplify a displacement or adjustment of the scraper strip. The adjusting means is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the scraper strip, and can be rotatably accommodated in a recess of the scraper strip. 
         [0009]    In order to support a uniform displacement, the adjusting means can include means for displacing the scraper strip along an eccentric guide track. The eccentric guide track can extend in a spiral shape, in particular at least approximately as a circle involute, from a region at least close to a centre point M of the adjusting means in the direction of an edge region of the adjusting means, or said guide track can be determined by a slot. In this manner, a uniform motion of the scraper strip and, therefore, a simple spacing adjustment of the scraper strip and the moving component can be achieved and supported. 
         [0010]    It is particularly favorable when the adjusting means is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the scraper strip, wherein the adjusting means is rotatably accommodated in a recess of the scraper strip. In this case, the adjusting means can be designed in the form of an adjusting disk having a circular cross section and/or having a thickness substantially corresponding to a thickness of the scraper strip. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, at least two adjusting means are provided, which are disposed with mirror symmetry with respect to a longitudinal axis of the scraper strip. With regard for a uniform guidance of the scraper strip along its entire width or with regard for the uniform adjustment of a spacing distance or gap between the scraper strip and the moving part, it is particularly favorable to provide two or more adjusting means. 
         [0012]    A scraper device for reducing adhesions on a moving component of an agricultural round baler, in particular a roller interacting with a bale, includes a scraper strip, a scraper strip support, and at least one fastening means for connecting the scraper strip to the scraper strip support. Moreover, if at least one rotatable adjusting means is provided, which is suitable for linearly guiding the scraper strip with respect to the scraper strip support, a linear displacement of the scraper strip, which is as controlled as possible, with respect to the scraper device or the scraper strip support can be easily achieved and a spacing distance between the scraper strip and the moving component can be adjusted. It is conceivable to rotate the adjusting means for this purpose and to effectuate a linear movement of the scraper strip via the rotation of the adjusting means. It is also possible, however, that a movement of the scraper strip is linearly guided by the rotatable adjusting means. If at least one substantially stationary guide means is provided, which is displaceably accommodated in a guide groove extending at least substantially in a displacement direction of the scraper strip, the rotary guidance of the adjusting means can be easily superimposed on a linear guidance of the guide means in order to therefore achieve a controlled movement of the scraper strip, so that the scraper strip can be displaced with respect to the stationary guide means, wherein the scraper strip is linearly displaced with respect to the scraper strip support by rotating the at least one rotatable adjusting means. A displacement can be carried out manually as well as by means of a motor, and an automatic displacement is also conceivable. The moving component can be, for example, a rotatable roller. It is also conceivable, however, that this is a revolving component, for example, such as a strap or a belt. Other embodiments of the moving component are also conceivable. 
         [0013]    If a guide means interacting with the adjusting means is provided, this guide means can be provided in a substantially stationary manner on the scraper strip support or on the scraper strip. The guide means is determined by the fastening means, in particular by a screw connecting the scraper strip to the scraper strip support, whereby the number of components can be kept low. It is also conceivable, however, to provide such a guide means independently of the fastening means, for example in the manner of a pin mounted on the scraper strip or on the scraper strip support in a fixed or detachable manner, for example, by means of a thread. 
         [0014]    It is conceivable that the adjusting means is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the scraper strip or the scraper strip support. If the adjusting means is rotatably accommodated in a recess of the scraper strip, however, no further fastening means are necessary. Instead, the adjusting means can be easily inserted into a recess in the scraper strip during an assembly of the scraper device or during an installation of a scraper strip on the scraper strip support. Optionally, it is also conceivable, however, to provide securing means, which can prevent, for example, the adjusting disk from falling out during installation. With respect to a rotatable accommodation of the guide means to design said means in the form of an adjusting disk having a substantially circular cross section. If the adjusting means or the adjusting disk alternatively or additionally has a thickness corresponding at least substantially to the thickness of the scraper strip, it can fit into the scraper strip and, for example, provide a smaller working surface for soiling or wear. 
         [0015]    With regard for uniform guidance of the scraper strip along its entire width or for the uniform adjustment of a spacing distance or gap between the scraper strip and the moving part, it is particularly favorable to provide two or more adjusting means. Particularly uniform guidance can be achieved when these adjusting means are disposed with at least substantial mirror symmetry with respect to a longitudinal axis of the scraper device or the scraper strip with respect to the direction of use of the round baler. In this manner, tilting can also be counteracted. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the scraper strip includes a guide groove extending at least substantially in the displacement direction of the scraper strip, in which groove an at least substantially stationary guide means can be displaceably accommodated. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the adjusting means also includes means for guiding the scraper strip along an eccentric guide track. The guide track can extend in a spiral shape, in particular at least approximately as a circle involute from a center point M of the adjusting means in the direction of an edge region of the adjusting means and/or is determined by a slot. 
         [0018]    If a round baler, for example an agricultural or industrial round baler for producing round bales, having at least one moving component, for example a roller acting on a bale, includes a scraper device having the above-described features, this can improve the handling of the round baler in that, if necessary, an improved and/or simplified displacement or adjustment of the scraper strip with respect to the moving component is made possible. 
         [0019]    The disclosure and further advantages and advantageous refinements of the disclosure and embodiments of the disclosure are described and explained in greater detail in the following with reference to the drawing, which shows an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    In the drawing: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of a round baler including a scraper device, 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a view of a roller, which is situated above a lower gap, of the round baler according to  FIG. 1 , which baler includes a scraper device assigned to the roller, and 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of the roller and the scraper device according to  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a round baler  10  for generating a pressed product in the form of a bale  12 . The baler shown is designed in the form of a round baler and can be used in agricultural and industrial applications for producing a bale, which is round-cylindrical, in particular, and is usually referred to as a round bale, of crop material but also of rubbish, paper, cloth or woven fabric, cotton, tobacco, etc. Such a round baler  10  can be drawn by a non-illustrated working vehicle, for example a tractor, or can be designed to be self-propelled. 
         [0025]    The round baler  10  includes a vehicle frame  12 , which is supported on the ground  18  via an axle  14  having wheels  16 , a housing  20  having side panels  22 , a crop feeding device  24 , and a drawbar  26 , by means of which the round baler  10  can be connected to the non-illustrated working vehicle. 
         [0026]    A bale chamber  28  is provided within the housing  20 , which chamber extends between the two side panels  22  and is enclosed by a plurality of rollers  30 , which are situated at least substantially on a circle, wherein the rollers  30 , in the front region of the round baler  10 , leave an upper gap  32  for a non-illustrated twine wrap device and a lower gap  34  for the crop feeding device  24 . 
         [0027]    A scraper device  36  is assigned to a roller  30 ′ situated above the lower gap  34 , which scraper device includes a scraper strip support  38  and a scraper strip  40 . 
         [0028]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in which the roller  30 ′, the scraper strip support  38 , and the scraper strip  40  are shown in greater detail. The scraper strip  40  can be displaceably fixed on the scraper strip support  38  by means of fastening means  42 . The fastening means  42  can be designed in the form of screws  44 , for example hexagon head screws, which at least substantially fixedly hold the scraper strip  40  on the scraper strip support  38  in the operating state, for example, in that said fastening means extend through openings  45  (merely indicated) in the scraper strip support  38  and engage in guide grooves  46 , which are open at one end, in the scraper strip  40 , in order to interact with nuts  48 , which are disposed on a side  52  of the scraper strip support  38  opposite a screw head  50  of the screws  44 . For improved clarity, the screw  44  on the right in  FIG. 2  is shown without its hexagonal screw head  50 . For the purpose of changing or setting a spacing distance A between the scraper strip  40  and the roller  30 ′, the fastening means  42  can be loosened, for example the screws  44  can be loosened with respect to the particular nut  48 . As an alternative, it is conceivable that the fastening means  42  interact with the scraper strip support  38  in such a way that the screws  44  engage into threads (not illustrated) provided in the scraper strip support  38 . 
         [0029]    In addition, adjusting means  54  designed as adjusting disks are provided, which adjusting means are freely rotatably accommodated in circular recesses  56  of the scraper strip  40 ; in particular, said adjusting means are inserted into the scraper strip  40 . Alternatively, the adjusting means  54  can also be rotatably fastened on the scraper strip  40  in any other manner. According to the exemplary embodiment depicted in the drawing, two adjusting means  54  having a circular cross section are provided, which adjusting means are disposed with mirror symmetry with respect to a longitudinal axis L - relative to the operating direction of the round baler  10  - of the scraper strip  40 , and are each correspondingly assigned to one of the guide grooves  46 . The adjusting means  54  are designed substantially in the form of a flat cylindrical body or are designed as a type of disk and have approximately the same thickness as the scraper strip  40 . 
         [0030]    The adjusting means  54  have slots  58  extending therethrough, which slots—with respect to a centre point M of the particular adjusting means  54 —assume at least substantially the shape of a spiral or a circle involute, which extends from the centre point M to an edge region  60  of the adjusting means  54 . 
         [0031]    If the scraper strip  40  is mounted on the scraper strip support  38 , one of the screws  44 ′ extends through the slot  56 , in each case, of the associated adjusting disk  54 . As described above, the scraper strip  40  can be fixed on the scraper strip support  38  by means of the screw  44  engaging into the guide grooves  46  and by means of the particular nut  48 . It is conceivable that flat washers, spring washers, or the like are additionally provided. The screws  44 ′ extending through the adjusting disks  54 , in turn, fix the particular adjusting means  54  with respect to the scraper strip support  38 . 
         [0032]    The function of the scraper device  36  will be described in greater detail in the following: 
         [0033]    The scraper device  36  according to the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing is used to counteract an adhesion of material, such as, for example, mud, crop material or crop material residue, dirt, etc., in order to thereby ensure an optimal function of the round baler  10  shown or, in particular, the roller  30 ′. As a result, a regular movement of the bale  12 , for example, and/or a uniform feeding of a non-illustrated binding or covering material can be supported. 
         [0034]    To this end, the scraper strip  40  extends as close as possible to the rotating roller  30 ′ in order to thereby scrape off adhering material and/or to prevent adhesion. In order to ensure a good function of the scraper device  36 , the spacing distance A between the scraper strip  40  and the roller  30 ′ is displaceable. 
         [0035]    If the objective is to reduce the spacing distance A if said spacing distance has become too great, for example, due to wear of the scraper strip  40 , or because, for example, the crop material tyings have changed, the scraper strip  40  is moved towards the roller  30 ′ or, in order to increase the spacing distance A, is moved away from said roller. It can be necessary to (re-) adjust the spacing distance when a new or an alternative scraper strip  40  is installed, or within the framework of maintenance. 
         [0036]    To this end, the fastening means  42  are loosened, whereby the scraper strip  40  can be displaced relative to the scraper strip support  48 . The screws  44  guide the scraper strip  40  in the guide grooves  46  in the longitudinal direction with respect to the operating direction of the round baler  10 . 
         [0037]    The scraper strip  40  and/or the adjusting means  54  can be gripped, for example, manually, for the actual adjustment of the scraper strip  40  with respect to the scraper strip support  38 . Alternatively, a motor-driven and/or automatic adjustment is conceivable. 
         [0038]    If the scraper strip  40  is displaced, the guide grooves  46  in the scraper strip  40  move along the screws  44  held in the scraper strip support  48 . At the same time, the adjusting means  54  or the slots  58  in the adjusting disks  54  slide along the corresponding screws  44 ′, whereby the adjusting disk  54  is set into rotation about its centre point M and rotates in the recess  56  in the scraper strip  40 . Since the slots  58  extend from the centre point M of the adjusting means  54  generally eccentrically in the direction of the edge region  60  or, according to the exemplary embodiment depicted in the figures of the drawing, are designed in the form of a spiral extending from the centre point M in the direction of the edge region  60  or, more specifically, are designed in the shape of a circle involute, the rotation of one of the adjusting disks  54  results in a linear movement of the adjusting means  54  and, therefore, of the scraper strip  58 . 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , two adjusting disks  54  are provided. If the scraper strip  40  is displaced, the adjusting means  54  move at least substantially synchronously, whereby a displacement of the spacing distance A with respect to the roller  30 ′ along the entire width B of the scraper strip can be achieved. It is also possible, however, to provide only one or multiple adjusting means  54 . In addition, engagement points  62  can be provided on one or all of the adjusting means  54  for simplifying a manual or a motor-driven rotation of the adjusting means. These can be, for example, threaded nuts, into which a corresponding, non-illustrated screw can be screwed, which an operator can use as a grip.