Drive arm assembly of a header of an agricultural harvester having an adjustable spherical knife head bearing
View Patent ↗A header for a combine harvester comprising a drive arm assembly, bearing assembly and knife head assembly is disclosed. The drive arm assembly includes a drive arm with a proximal end operatively connected to a drive mechanism for reciprocating motion therewith and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The bearing assembly is attachable to the distal end of the drive arm and includes an eccentric hub. The knife head assembly includes a knife head and a housing mounted to the knife head. The housing houses the bearing assembly.
1. A header for a combine harvester comprising:
a drive arm assembly including:
a drive arm having:
a proximal end operatively connected to a drive mechanism for reciprocating motion therewith, and
a distal end opposite the proximal end, and
a bearing assembly attachable to the distal end of the drive arm, the bearing assembly having an eccentric hub; and
a knife head assembly including:
a knife head, and
a housing mounted to the knife head, wherein the housing houses the bearing assembly.
2. The header of claim 1 , wherein the bearing assembly further includes an annular bearing circumscribing the eccentric hub.
3. The header of claim 2 , wherein the annular bearing includes a spherical outer surface.
4. The header of claim 3 , wherein the housing further includes a cavity for receiving the spherical outer surface of the annular bearing.
5. The header of claim 1 , wherein the housing further includes an inner bearing for engaging with the bearing assembly.
6. The header of claim 5 , wherein the inner bearing includes a substantially concave bearing surface.
7. The header of claim 2 , wherein the annular bearing is mounted within the housing defining a ball and socket joint.
8. The header of claim 1 , wherein the eccentric hub includes a flange extending from an elongated cylindrical body.
9. The header of claim 1 , wherein the eccentric hub is rotatable relative to the drive arm.
10. The header of claim 1 , wherein the eccentric hub is rotatable about an axis substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the drive arm.
11. The header of claim 1 , wherein the eccentric hub includes:
a first through hole configured to receive a first fastener for connection to the drive arm, and
a second through hole configured to receive a second fastener.
12. The header of claim 11 , wherein the first through hole is offset from a central longitudinal axis of the drive arm.
13. The header of claim 11 , wherein the second through hole is offset from a central longitudinal axis of the drive arm.
14. The header of claim 11 , wherein the eccentric hub is rotatable about a central longitudinal axis of the first through hole.
15. The header of claim 11 , wherein the second through hole is an elongated curved slot.
16. The header of claim 1 , wherein rotation of the eccentric hub moves the knife head assembly between a first position and a second position.
17. The header of claim 1 , wherein reciprocating motion of the drive arm assembly drives substantially linear motion of the knife head assembly along a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal length of the knife head.
18. The header of claim 1 , wherein the housing is integrally formed with the knife head.
19. A drive arm assembly for a combine harvester comprising:
a drive arm having:
a proximal end for operative connection to a drive mechanism for reciprocating motion therewith, and
a distal end opposite the proximal end; and
a bearing assembly attachable to the distal end of the drive arm, the bearing assembly having an eccentric hub mounted within an annular bearing having a curved outer surface.
20. A header for a combine harvester comprising:
a drive arm assembly including:
a drive arm having:
a proximal end operatively connected to a drive mechanism for reciprocating motion therewith, and
a distal end opposite the proximal end, and
a bearing assembly attachable to the distal end of the drive arm, the bearing assembly having an eccentric hub that includes:
a first through hole,
a first fastener extending through the first through hole connecting the eccentric hub to the drive arm,
a second elongated curved slot through hole, and
a second fastener extending through the second elongated curved slot through hole connecting the eccentric hub to the drive arm,
wherein the eccentric hub is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the second fastener; and
a knife head assembly including:
a knife head, and
a housing mounted to the knife head, wherein the housing houses the bearing assembly.