Patent Description:
In traditional state-of-the-art solutions, the positions of working sections were determined by openings made in the bearing elements of the working unit. In order to adjust the spacing of the working sections, it was necessary go under the cultivator and remove the individual sections, and then carry and fixed them at the set positions. This was inefficient and made the work of the cultivator's user more difficult.

<CIT> discloses a potato ridge cultivator comprising a main frame and three to five working units, wherein at least one central working unit is rigidly fixed in the central area of the main frame and at least two end-working-units are movably fixed on tilting arms that are fixed to the main frame with the ability to rotate from vertical to horizontal position and vice versa, and are connected to hydraulic drives for lifting and tilting. Furthermore, the cultivator is equipped with a device for monitoring the line or spacing of the ridges while the cultivator is travelling, as well as a cooperating adjuster, e.g. a hydraulic actuator, for automatically adjusting the horizontal movement of the working units in relation to a change in the line or spacing of the ridges. The disclosed solution ensures stepless adjustment of the spacing of the working sections to the right and to the left, but this adjustment is limited by the range of movement of said adjuster.

<CIT> discloses an agricultural machine adapted to adjust spacing between working sections and, consequently, spacing between crops. In said agricultural machine, spacing is adjusted by turning a screw shaft comprising two threaded parts extending from its ends and a non-threaded central part between them. Consequently, this adjustment is limited by the position in which the screw shaft is installed, and by the length of its threaded parts.

<CIT> discloses a working unit comprising a laterally extending toolbar and a laterally extending rockshaft, both fixed to the main frame of the working unit. Further, the working unit comprising and ground openers to be fixed to the rockshaft and toolbar. Furthermore, the working unit comprising collar mounts and a pair of mount arms performing as blocking elements.

<CIT> reveals an agricultural soil cultivation machine comprising a working unit having a front and rear beam, working sections such as cutting sections fixed to the beams in a determined position by locking elements in a form of bolts.

From <CIT> there is known a working unit of the agricultural machine comprising a bearing element in a form of a beam and working sections, wherein the working sections have a form of seeding elements and fertilizer diggers. Furthermore, the working unit comprises a tool attachment structure adopted to move along the beam and to hold the working sections.

Although the above-cited patent literature discloses a variety of proposals for working units of cultivators, there is still a need to improve of a stepless adjustment of the position of working sections of working units along the entire length of both bearing elements and rear bearing elements of said working units and as a result spacing between the working sections. Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a working unit of a cultivator which ensures an improved stepless adjustment of the position of individual working sections along the entire length a bearing element and a rear bearing element of said working unit.

The object of the invention is a working unit of a cultivator as defined by the subject-matter of independent claim <NUM>. Particular embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

For the purposes of present invention, a rail means a structural element that allows the working section to be suspended there or supported thereon and to be shifted along the bearing element and/or the rear bearing element, for example, a longitudinal projection, a guide, etc..

The application of the at least one roller in at least one of the working sections for move said at least one working section along the rails, wherein the at least one roller is fixed to at least one body and the at least one body is connected to the at least one the working sections.

Preferably, the at least one of the working sections comprises at least two rollers.

Preferably, the least one body is detachably connected to the at least one of the working sections.

Preferably, the at least one of the working sections comprises at least two bodies arranged in such a way that each body moves along a different rail when the working sections are being moved.

Preferably, the at least one first working section is suspended from the at least one rail of the rear bearing element by means of the at least one locking element.

Application of the at least one locking element ensures that a stable connection is maintained between the rear bearing element and the at least one first working section.

Preferably, the at least one second working section is shorter than the at least one first working section suspended from at least one rail of the bearing element and from at least one rail of the rear bearing element and it is suspended from at least two rails of the bearing element or from at least two rails of the rear bearing element.

Preferably, the at least one first working section for soil cultivation is fixed to each of the rails of the bearing element.

Preferably, the at least one first and the at least second working section are offset from each other.

Application of mutual offset of the at least one first working section suspended from the at least one rail of the bearing element and the at least one rail of the rear bearing element, and of the at least one second working section suspended from the at least two rails of the bearing element or the at least two rails of the rear bearing element, ensures improved smoothness of work of the cultivator thanks to the reduction in its pull force.

Preferably, the rear bearing element is connected to the bearing element using at least one connecting member.

Preferably, the at least one connecting member is located at the end of the bearing element opposite to the main frame of the cultivator.

Preferably, the bearing element has a form of a frame that has at least two beams connected by connecting members, wherein the rails are located on at least one side of each of the beams.

Preferably, the working unit comprises at least one extension element for making the bearing element longer, wherein, preferably, the rail of the extension element makes the rail of the bearing element longer, allowing the at least one first working section to be moved over a greater range. Preferably, the rail of the extension element adheres to the rail of the bearing element.

Preferably, the working unit comprises at least one extension element for making the rear bearing element longer, wherein, preferably, the rail of the extension element makes the rail of the rear bearing element longer, allowing the at least one second working section to be moved over a greater range. Preferably, the rail of the extension element adheres to the rail of the rear bearing element.

Preferably, the extension elements are connected by a connecting member.

The construction of the working unit of a cultivator ensures stepless adjustment of the positions of individual working sections and, consequently, of the spacing between them along the entire length of the bearing element.

The construction of the working unit ensures an increase in its durability and, as a result, reduces its failure rate, which, in turn, reduces the financial expenditure associated with the use of such a unit.

The working unit of the invention is a modular solution, thanks to which the sizes and weights of its individual components allow to simplify and accelerate its installation without the need to use heavy equipment such as cranes, jacks, gantries, or forklifts.

Embodiments of the subject matter of the invention have been presented in the drawing, where:.

<FIG> presents the working unit <NUM> of a cultivator, especially a strip-till cultivator, comprising a bearing element <NUM> adapted to be fixed to the main frame <NUM> of the cultivator, a rear bearing element <NUM> parallel to the bearing element <NUM> adapted to be fixed to the main frame <NUM> of the cultivator, and first working sections <NUM> for soil cultivation. Both the bearing element <NUM> and the rear bearing element <NUM> may be fixed to the main frame <NUM> of the cultivator rigidly, slidingly or rotationally.

Application of the rear bearing element <NUM> makes it possible to use working sections for soil cultivation of various lengths and, furthermore, increases the durability of the working unit <NUM> as a result of the change in the distribution of stresses acting on both the bearing element <NUM> and the rear bearing element <NUM>.

The bearing element <NUM> has a form of a frame that has two beams 2A, 2B connected by connecting members <NUM>. The beam 2A comprises a rail <NUM> for fixing the first working sections <NUM> on the side of the longitudinal lateral surface that is oriented in the travel direction of the cultivator (the arrow). In turn, the beam 2B comprises rails <NUM> for fixing the first working sections <NUM> arranged along the beam 2B on the opposite sides of said beam 2B.

The rear bearing element <NUM> is equipped with a rail <NUM> for fixing the first working sections <NUM>, which is located on the side of the longitudinal lateral surface that is oriented in the direction opposite to the travel direction of the cultivator. Said rear bearing element <NUM> is connected to the bearing element <NUM> by means of the connecting member <NUM> located at the end of the bearing element <NUM> opposite to the main frame <NUM> of the cultivator. The rails <NUM> of the bearing element <NUM> and the rail <NUM> of the rear bearing element <NUM> ensure stepless adjustment of the position of the first working sections <NUM>, and as a result of the spacing between them, along the entire length of said bearing element <NUM> and rear bearing element <NUM>. As a result, the first working sections <NUM> may be positioned at any point along the entire length of the rails <NUM>, <NUM> of the bearing element <NUM> and of the rear bearing element <NUM>, and the spacing between said first sections <NUM> may or may not be regular, depending on the needs of a user. It is no longer necessary to design bearing elements with rigidly fixed working sections whose spacing is determined by guidelines about crop sowing spacing, which vary from one country to another. Consequently, it is no longer necessary for any person to go under the cultivator, because the first working sections <NUM> can be slid from the side onto the rails <NUM>, <NUM> on both sides of the bearing element <NUM> and of the rear bearing element <NUM> and steplessly moved into a determined position. Therefore, the range of positions of the first working sections <NUM> is limited only by the length of the bearing element <NUM> and of the rear bearing element <NUM>. This solution makes it easier to install, use, and maintain the first working sections <NUM> and as a result also the cultivator.

In another embodiment, the bearing element <NUM> may have a form of a single beam that has rails <NUM> for fixing first working sections <NUM> along the bearing element <NUM> on the opposite sides of said bearing element <NUM>. In this case, the position of the working sections is adjusted in an analogous manner.

Each of the first working sections <NUM> is suspended from the rails <NUM> of the beam 2B of the bearing element <NUM> and on the rail <NUM> of the rear bearing element <NUM> by means of five locking elements <NUM> in a form of clamping elements. Four locking elements <NUM> are coupled with the rails <NUM> of the beam 2B, and one locking element <NUM> is coupled with the rail <NUM> of the rear bearing element <NUM>. The locking elements <NUM> are adapted for locking the first working sections <NUM> in a determined position and, as a result, they ensure that a stable connection of the bearing element <NUM>, the rear bearing element <NUM> and the first working sections <NUM> is maintained.

The first working sections <NUM> comprise rollers <NUM> for moving them along the rail <NUM> of the beam 2B of the bearing element <NUM> located on the side of the longitudinal lateral surface oriented in the travel direction of the cultivator as well as rollers <NUM> for moving them along the rail <NUM> of the rear bearing element <NUM>. The rollers <NUM> and the rollers <NUM> are fixed to bodies <NUM> and bodies <NUM> and the bodies <NUM>, <NUM> are detachably connected to the holders of the first working sections <NUM>, for example using bolts and nuts, In both cases, the rollers <NUM>, <NUM> are fixed to the bodies <NUM>, <NUM> using bolts <NUM>, <NUM>.

The application of the rollers <NUM>, <NUM> for moving the first working sections <NUM> along the rail <NUM> and along the rail <NUM> ensures improved adjustment of their position by reducing the friction between the first working sections <NUM> and the bearing element <NUM> and the rear bearing element <NUM> as a result of reducing the contact surface between the rollers <NUM> and the bearing element <NUM> and between the rollers <NUM> and the rear bearing element <NUM>.

Furthermore, each of the bodies <NUM> has two mandrels <NUM>, which may be welded to it, and two cotter pins <NUM> respectively, whose purpose is to secure the first working sections <NUM> and the bodies <NUM> against displacement in relation to each other.

In another embodiment, each of the bodies <NUM> may have one mandrel <NUM> and one cotter pin <NUM> respectively. In yet other embodiments, each body <NUM> may have more than two mandrels <NUM> and more than two cotter pins <NUM>.

In turn, each of the bodies <NUM> also has a supporting element <NUM>, for example in a form of a cylinder or sleeve. Moreover, the each of bodies <NUM> is adapted for fixing the supporting element <NUM> in its bottom surface.

In other embodiments, instead of the rollers <NUM>, <NUM> fixed to the bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, there may be used a plate, e.g. a Teflon plate, or a clamp. Also, carriages or guides may be used to moving the first working sections <NUM>.

The disclosed working unit <NUM> is a modular unit and comprises an extension element 18A, 18B for making the bearing element <NUM> longer and an extension element <NUM> for making the rear bearing element <NUM> longer. The extension element 18A, 18B has a form of a frame comprising two beams 18A, 18B with rails <NUM>. The extension element 18A, 18B may be fixed to the bearing element <NUM> using bolted joints, so that the rails <NUM> of the beams 18A, 18B adhere to the rails <NUM> of the beams 2A, 2B of the bearing element <NUM>. In turn, the extension element <NUM> has a form of a beam comprising a rail <NUM>. The extension element <NUM> may be fixed to the rear bearing element <NUM> using bolted joints so that the rail <NUM> of the extension element <NUM> adheres to the rail <NUM>. The extension elements 18A, 18B, <NUM> extend the rails <NUM> of the bearing element <NUM> and the rail <NUM> of the rear bearing element <NUM> respectively, allowing the first working sections <NUM> to be shifted over a greater range.

The weight and size of the bearing element <NUM> and of the extension element 18A, 18B for making the bearing element <NUM> longer as well as of the rear bearing element <NUM> and of the extension element <NUM> for making the rear bearing element <NUM> longer, allow the working unit <NUM> to be enlarged, e.g. from a width of <NUM> to <NUM>, without the need for the use of heavy equipment such as cranes, jacks, gantries, or forklifts. In this case, the position of the first working sections <NUM> is adjustable along the entire length of the elements <NUM>, 18A, 18B and the elements <NUM>, <NUM>.

The extension elements 18A, 18B, <NUM> of the bearing element <NUM> and of the rear bearing element <NUM>, respectively, are connected by means of the connecting member <NUM>.

Furthermore, the working unit <NUM> comprises second working sections <NUM> that are shorter than the first working sections <NUM>. Each of the second working sections <NUM> for soil cultivation is fixed to each of the rails <NUM> of the beams 2A, 2B of the bearing element <NUM> by means of five locking elements <NUM> in a form of clamping elements. Four locking elements <NUM> are coupled with the rails <NUM> of the beam 2B, and one locking element <NUM> is coupled with the rail <NUM> of the beam 2A. The locking elements <NUM> ensure that a stable connection is maintained between the bearing element <NUM> and the second working sections <NUM>.

The second working sections <NUM> comprise rollers <NUM> for moving them along the opposite rails <NUM> of the beam 2B of the bearing element <NUM>. The rollers <NUM> are fixed to the bodies <NUM>. The bodies <NUM> are detachably connected to the holders of the second working sections <NUM>, for example using bolts and nuts. Each of the second working sections <NUM> comprises two bodies <NUM>. The application of the rollers <NUM> for moving the second working sections <NUM> ensures improved adjustment of their position by reducing friction between the second working sections <NUM> and the bearing element <NUM> as a result of reducing the contact surface between the rollers <NUM> for moving and the bearing element <NUM>.

As above-mentioned, the working unit <NUM> is a modular unit and comprises the extension element 18A, 18B for making the bearing element <NUM> longer. Thus, it is also possible to steplessly adjust the second working sections <NUM> along the entire length of the bearing element <NUM> and of the extension element 18A, 18B for making the bearing element <NUM> longer.

The first working sections <NUM> and the second working sections <NUM>, which are shorter than the first working sections <NUM>, are offset from each other as schematically presented in <FIG>, for example by <NUM>. Due to applying said displacement, the first and second working sections <NUM>, <NUM> push aside and lift up the cultivated soil, which facilitates the soil's flow between them. What is more, said offset also enables the flow of mulch, straw, or harvest residues from the field between the sections <NUM>, <NUM>. This is demonstratively illustrated with the dashed lines in <FIG>. As a result, the disclosed offset of the working sections <NUM>, <NUM> ensures improved smoothness of work of the cultivator thanks to the reduction in its pull force.

Claim 1:
A working unit (<NUM>) of a cultivator comprising:
- a bearing element (<NUM>) adapted to be fixed to the main frame (<NUM>) of the cultivator,
- at least one first working section (<NUM>) for soil cultivation,
- at least one locking element (<NUM>) adapted for locking the at least one first working section (<NUM>) in a determined position,
- at least one second working section (<NUM>) for soil cultivation,
wherein
- the bearing element (<NUM>) comprises rails (<NUM>) for fixing the at least one first working section (<NUM>), said rails (<NUM>) arranged along the bearing element (<NUM>) on the opposite sides of said bearing element (<NUM>);
- the working unit (<NUM>) further comprises a rear bearing element (<NUM>) parallel to the bearing element (<NUM>) adapted to be fixed to the main frame (<NUM>) of the cultivator and equipped with at least one rail (<NUM>) for fixing the at least one first working section (<NUM>), said at least one rail (<NUM>) arranged along the rear bearing element (<NUM>), and
- the at least one first working section (<NUM>) is suspended from at least one rail (<NUM>) of the bearing element (<NUM>) and the at least one rail (<NUM>) of the rear bearing element (<NUM>) by means of the at least one locking element (<NUM>),
characterized in that
- at least one of the working sections (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises at least one body (<NUM>, <NUM>) and at least one roller (<NUM>, <NUM>) for moving it along the rails (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the at least one roller (<NUM>, <NUM>) is fixed to the at least one body (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the at least one body (<NUM>, <NUM>) is connected to the remaining part of the at least one of the working sections (<NUM>, <NUM>).