Patent Application
20240237580
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2023 100 635.5 filed Jan. 12, 2023 and to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2023 100 636.3 filed Jan. 12, 2023, the entire disclosure of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to a forage harvester with a discharge chute and a method for folding a discharge chute.
This section is intended to introduce various aspects of the art, which may be associated with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. This discussion is believed to assist in providing a framework to facilitate a better understanding of particular aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that this section should be read in this light, and not necessarily as admissions of prior art.
EP 2 952 084 B1 discloses a forage harvester with a folding discharge chute. The self-propelled harvester, which may be designed as a forage harvester, comprises a discharge chute which may be mounted on the forage harvester so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation, and with a chute extension which may be mounted on a longitudinal end of the discharge chute facing away from the harvester so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis, so that the chute extension is pivotable by 180 degrees between an unfolded position in which the chute extension extends as a longitudinal extension of the discharge chute, and a folded position in which the chute extension is arranged or positioned alongside (e.g., along or by the side of; side-by-side with) the discharge chute. To drive a pivoting movement of the chute extension from one position to the other position, the harvester has a piston-cylinder unit designed as a hydraulic cylinder. In addition to the vertically extending axis of rotation, the discharge chute is arranged or positioned to pivot about a pivot axis extending transversely to the axis of rotation so that the height of the discharge end of the chute and that of the chute extension mounted on the discharge end may be adjusted.
The discharge chute may be moved into a storage position when driving on the road or when changing from one crop to another. In the storage position, the chute extension may be in the folded position and may be placed on a storage rack at the rear of the forage harvester. For the harvesting process, the discharge chute may then be moved to a height provided for the harvesting process, and the chute extension may then be transferred to the unfolded position.
The present application is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiment, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:
As discussed in the background, a forage harvester may use a discharge chute. As a result of ever-increasing cutting unit lengths, increasingly longer discharge chutes may be required for loss-free lateral transfer of the harvested material chopped by the forage harvester onto a transport wagon, such as a loader wagon. This may be achieved by using longer chute extensions. A disadvantage of this may be that the chute extension protrudes higher upwards in the storage position, which may impair the driving behavior for an operator of the forage harvester or which may exceed the maximum permissible height for road traffic.
Furthermore, because of the longer chute extensions, there may be a disadvantage that the articulated joints, which may form the axis for pivoting the chute extension from the unfolded position to the folded position and vice versa, are exposed to significantly greater forces may therefore wear out more quickly.
As such, in one or some embodiments, a discharge chute is disclosed with a chute extension which, despite the long longitudinal extension of the chute extension in the folded state, does not exceed the height permitted for road traffic. Further, in one or some embodiments, a method is disclosed for folding a discharge chute which may enable automated and low-wear (or lower-wear) pivoting of the chute extension.
In one or some embodiments, a forage harvester is disclosed with a discharge chute. The discharge chute comprises a chute connecting piece arranged or positioned on the forage harvester so as to be pivotable about a first axis and at least one (such as a first chute) extension arranged or positioned on the chute connecting piece. The first chute extension may comprise a first section and a second section, with the second section arranged or positioned on the first section so as to be pivotable about a second axis. In an unfolded position, the second section may form a longitudinal extension of the first section, wherein an end-face contact surface of the first section and the second section lies in a plane, and wherein a second axis is inclined at an angle relative to the plane.
The disclosed structure may have one or more advantages. For example, the divided discharge chute, which may comprise or consist of the chute connecting piece and the two-part chute extension, may enable the adaptation of the discharge chute to longer cutting unit widths. The first section may form a longitudinal extension of the chute connecting piece, and the second section may form a longitudinal extension of the first section. The inclination of the second axis may have the effect that when the second section is pivoted, the second section may have a lower position on the side facing away from the first section when in the folded position. This may ensure by a simple means or mechanism that the maximum permissible height of the forage harvester for road traffic is not exceeded when the chute extension is in the folded position.
Another advantageous development may comprise the second section being pivotable about the second axis from the unfolded position to a folded position, wherein the second section may be located alongside the first section when in the folded position. In the folded position, the second section may be arranged or positioned in a horizontal plane next to the first section, resulting in a particularly flat design of the forage harvester. In addition, the inclination of the angle may result in a lower position of the free end of the second section in the second position. The apex of the angle may be located at the top of the discharge chute, wherein an angular field may form between the second axis and the plane extending towards the lower side of the discharge chute and, starting from the plane, extends towards the second section.
In one or some embodiments, the angle may be greater than 1 degree and/or less than 5 degrees. With an angle designed in this way, a maximum height required for road traffic may also be maintained for particularly long chute extensions. At the same time, an angle greater than 1 degree and less than 5 degrees may ensure that the first and second sections of the chute extension may have a parallel-running support surface in the folded position in the area of a storage rack located at the rear of the forage harvester so that both sections may be supported on the storage rack in the support position.
In one or some embodiments, a first mounting plate may be arranged or positioned on the first section and a second mounting plate on the second section. The first mounting plate and the second mounting plate may be connected to a first joint, wherein the first joint may form the second axis for pivoting the second section. The forces acting on the first joint may be introduced into the structure of the chute extension using the mounting plate, which may lie flat against the respective side wall of the sections. In one or some embodiments, an eyelet is arranged or positioned on the first joint. The eyelet may be provided for mounting and removing the chute extension. For example, a chain of a crane may be attached to the eyelet. The position of the first joint for the arrangement of the eyelet may be advantageous for transportation detached from the forage harvester since this may be particularly stable due to the mounting plates lying flat against the side walls and, in particular in the second position, the chute extension may have a slight tendency to tilt around the eyelet.
In one or some embodiments, a method for folding a discharge chute of a forage harvester is disclosed. The discharge chute may comprise a chute connecting piece arranged or positioned on the forage harvester so as to be pivotable about a first axis and a chute extension arranged or positioned on the chute connecting piece. The chute extension may comprise a first section and a second section, with the second section being arranged or positioned on the first section so as to be pivotable about a second axis. The discharge chute may be movable between a storage position and a harvesting position, with a folded position located between the storage position and the harvesting position being provided. In the folded position, the chute extension may be moved from a folded position into an unfolded position and/or from the unfolded position into the folded position.
Similarly, the method may have one or more advantages. For example, in the position provided for the harvesting operation, the height of the discharge chute and the associated alignment of the second axis may lead to an uneven load on the pivoting joint forming the second axis. A folding process of the chute extension from an unfolded position to a folded position and vice versa at a height below the harvesting position may lead to a more even load on the pivoting joint so that it is exposed to lesser mechanical loads or stresses during a folding process in the folded position, and therefore may wear to a lesser extent.
In one or some embodiments, the second axis may extend in a vertical direction in the folded position. In this position, there may be a particularly even distribution of force and torque of the mechanical forces acting on the swivel joint so that this position may be particularly advantageous for a swiveling process of the chute extension.
In one or some embodiments, the forage harvester comprises a storage rack for supporting the discharge chute in the storage position, wherein the discharge chute may be located above the storage rack in the folded position. In one or some embodiments, the chute connecting piece is aligned essentially parallel to the forward travel direction of the forage harvester in the folded position (e.g., at least 95% parallel to the forward travel direction of the forage harvester in the folded position; at least 96% parallel to the forward travel direction of the forage harvester in the folded position; at least 97% parallel to the forward travel direction of the forage harvester in the folded position). By placing the discharge chute on the storage rack, the lifting cylinders and swivel axes around which the discharge chute is pivotably arranged or positioned on the forage harvester may be relieved. Furthermore, the discharge chute may be less likely to vibrate in the storage position compared to the harvesting position, so that a more comfortable driving behavior of the forage harvester results.
In one or some embodiments, an actuator or actuating means (an example of which is a switching element) may be provided. In one or some embodiments, the actuator or actuating means may actuate an automatic function for automatically swiveling the discharge chute. It may therefore be sufficient for an operator of the harvester to actuate the automatic function (such as via a mechanical switch and/or via an icon or button on a touchscreen in the cab of the harvester) to swivel the discharge chute.
To enable automatic movement of the discharge chute from the harvesting position to the storage position, in one or some embodiments, the automatic function comprises any one, any combination, or all of the following movement steps (such as all of the following movement steps in the listed order): (a) moving the discharge chute to a position above a storage rack; (b) lowering the discharge chute into the folded position; (c) swiveling the chute extension from an unfolded position into a folded position (e.g., during the swiveling of the chute extension, a discharge flap located at the free end of the chute extension is moved into a position provided for the storage position of the discharge chute); and (d) lowering the discharge chute into the storage position, wherein the discharge chute is positioned on the storage rack (e.g., the discharge chute may be positioned on the storage rack at an angle to (such as relative to) the direction of forward travel of the harvester).
In one or some embodiments, to enable automatic movement of the discharge chute from the storage position to the harvesting position, the automatic function may comprise any one, any combination, or all of the following movement steps (such as all of the following movement steps in the listed order): (1) raising the discharge chute to the folded position; (2) swiveling the chute extension from the folded position into an unfolded position (e.g., during the swiveling of the chute extension, the discharge flap located at the free end of the chute extension is moved into a position provided for the harvesting position of the discharge chute); and (3) raising the discharge chute to the harvesting position.
In one or some embodiments, the automatic function may be activated simply by touching the actuator or actuating means (e.g., the operator actuating a mechanical switch and/or a digital switch, such as by touching an icon on a touchscreen).
In one or some embodiments, the actuator or actuating means may additionally be provided and configured for manual pivoting of the chute extension about the second axis, wherein the chute extension may be automatically pivoted triggered by manual input of holding the actuator or actuating means (e.g., manual input of holding the actuator or actuating means for at least a predetermined amount of time triggers the automatic action).
In order to control an optimum folded position even when moving the position of the discharge chute on uneven ground, the forage harvester may include an inclination sensor, wherein the folded position may be determined depending on sensor data (generated by the inclination sensor) indicative of an inclination of the harvester.
In one or some embodiments, in order to identify the respective position of the chute extension, the discharge chute may comprise at least a first sensor and a second sensor (e.g., the folded position of the chute extension may be identified using the first sensor, and the unfolded position may be identified using the second sensor). Furthermore, the forage harvester may comprise a control device, wherein the control device may be configured to identify the chute extension mounted on the chute connecting piece with a pivotable second section (e.g., the control device may identify the chute extension using data generated by the first sensor and/or second sensor using a voltage signal and may assign it to a chute extension with a pivotable second section). The automatic identification of the chute extension arranged or positioned on the chute connecting piece with a pivotable second section may be particularly advantageous, since the control device may therefore determine a current position of at least a part of the device (e.g., a current position of the chute extension) and the requisite control needed (e.g., whether it is necessary to control to and/or from the folded position, including controlling movement of the position of the chute extension from a folded position to the unfolded position and vice versa). Insofar as a pivotable chute extension is not arranged or positioned on the chute connecting piece, the chute connecting piece may therefore be transferred directly from the storage position to the harvesting position and vice versa.
Referring to the figures,
In one or some embodiments, the discharge chute 6 may comprise a chute connecting piece 7 and a first chute extension 8 arranged or positioned on the chute connecting piece 7. The chute connecting piece 7 may be arranged or positioned with a first longitudinal end so as to be rotatable about a vertical first axis of rotation A1 on the slewing ring 5 of the forage harvester 1. Furthermore, the chute connecting piece 7 may be arranged or positioned to pivot about a third axis A3, which may extend transversely to the first axis of rotation A1 and in a substantially horizontal plane when the forage harvester 1 is in the intended operating state. Via a pivoting movement of the chute connecting piece 7 about the third axis A3, the height of the end of the chute connecting piece 7 facing away from the forage harvester 1 and the height of the first chute extension 8 arranged or positioned on the chute connecting piece 7 may be adjusted. For pivoting about the third axis, the forage harvester may include a piston cylinder unit 40. In one or some embodiments, the piston cylinder unit 40 may arranged or positioned between the chute connecting piece 7 and the slewing ring 5 and may be controlled via a control device 48. In one or some embodiments, the first chute extension 8 comprises a first section 9 and a second section 10. In one or some embodiments, the first section 9, the second section 10 and the chute connecting piece 7 are channel-shaped with a rectangular profile so that the chopped harvested material may be conveyed through them. The first section 9 may be arranged or positioned fixed to the end of the chute connecting piece 7 facing away from the forage harvester 1, for example using a screw connection, and may form a longitudinal extension of the chute connecting piece 7. The second section 10 may be pivotably arranged or positioned at the free longitudinal end of the first section 9 via a first joint 11.
In one or some embodiments, the first joint 11 provides a second axis A2, to be explained in more detail, so that the first chute extension 8 may be pivoted about the second axis A2 between an unfolded position 12 shown in
In
In one or some embodiments, the apex 23 of the angle 22 is located at the top side of the discharge chute 6. In one or some embodiments, the upper side 24 is understood to be the side of the discharge chute 6 facing away from the machine housing 2 of the forage harvester 1. Between the second axis A2 and the plane 18, the resulting angular field 25 extends in the direction of the lower side 26 of the discharge chute 6. The lower side 26 of the discharge chute 6 may be understood here as the side of the discharge chute 6 facing the machine housing 2. Furthermore, the angular field 25 may be aligned orthogonally to the plane 18 and may extend starting from the plane 18 in the direction of the second section 10.
During road travel or when changing from one crop to another, the discharge chute 6 may be moved to a storage position 41 shown schematically in
Furthermore, instead of the first chute extension 8, a second chute extension, not shown here in detail, may be mounted on the chute connecting piece. In its unfolded position 12, the first chute extension 8 may have a greater longitudinal extension than the second chute extension. Furthermore, the second chute extension may differ from the first chute extension 8 by the angle 22 of the second axis A2 relative to the plane 18. The inclination of the angle 22 may be dependent on the longitudinal extension of the chute extension. In particular, the angle of the second chute extension may be smaller than the angle 22 of the second chute extension. In addition, the first chute extension 8 and the second chute extension may differ only in the radius of the arc extending in the longitudinal direction of the respective discharge chute.
In one or some embodiments, an eyelet 33 may be arranged or positioned on the first joint 11 on the side facing the upper side 24 of the discharge chute 6. The eyelet 33 may be provided and arranged or positioned for mounting and removing the first chute extension 8. For example, a chain of a crane may be attached to the eyelet 33. For transportation detached from the forage harvester 1, the position of the first joint 11 for arranging the eyelet 33 may be particularly advantageous since this may be particularly stable and, in particular in the folded position 13, the chute extension 8 may have a slight tendency to tilt about an eyelet 33 placed in this way.
Furthermore, the first mounting plate 29 may comprise a second joint 34, and the second mounting plate 30 may comprise a third joint 35. A first lever 36 may be arranged or positioned on the second joint 34, and a second lever 37 may be arranged or positioned on the third joint 35, wherein the first lever 36 and the second lever 37 may be connected to a fourth joint 38, wherein an actuator 14, which may be designed as a piston cylinder unit, may be arranged or positioned on the fourth joint 38 for pivoting the second section 10 about the second axis A2. The first, second, third and fourth joints 11, 34, 35, 38 may form a four-bar linkage, which may provide a collision-free and durable pivoting mechanism for pivoting the second section 10.
During a harvesting process, the discharge chute 6 may be located in a harvesting position 42 shown as a dashed line in
For a harvesting process, the discharge chute 6 may be moved from the storage position 41 to the harvesting position 42 in a manner to be explained in more detail. For this purpose, the forage harvester 1 may comprise a control device 48, shown schematically in
The processor 57 and the memory 58 are merely one example of a computational configuration. Other types of computational configurations are contemplated. For example, all or parts of the implementations may be circuitry that includes a type of controller, including an instruction processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), microcontroller, or a microprocessor; or as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Programmable Logic Device (PLD), or Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA); or as circuitry that includes discrete logic or other circuit components, including analog circuit components, digital circuit components or both; or any combination thereof. The circuitry may include discrete interconnected hardware components or may be combined on a single integrated circuit die, distributed among multiple integrated circuit dies, or implemented in a Multiple Chip Module (MCM) of multiple integrated circuit dies in a common package, as examples.
The control device 48 may be configured to control the chute extension 8 in one or more positions. As one example, the control device 48 may be configured to control the chute extension 8 to move to a folded position 43 shown in
In one or some embodiments, the second axis A2 extends in a vertical direction in the folded position 43. In this position, there may be a particularly even distribution of torque and force at the first joint 11.
Furthermore, in the folded position 43, the discharge chute 6 may be located above the storage rack 27, so that it may be placed on the storage rack 27 after moving into the folded position 13 simply by pivoting about the third axis of rotation A3. Unfolding or folding the chute extension 8 in this position may prevent collisions with objects located to the side next to the forage harvester 1. In the folded position 43, the discharge chute 6 may protrude beyond the rear side 1b of the forage harvester 1, at least in the unfolded position 12 of the chute extension 8. In the folded position 43, the chute connecting piece 7 may be aligned essentially parallel to the forward travel direction FR of the forage harvester 1.
Furthermore, the discharge chute 6 may comprise a cable arrangement 49 shown schematically in
Furthermore, the discharge chute 6 may comprise one or more sensors, such as at least a first sensor 53 and a second sensor 54 configured to generate respective sensor data for identifying the position of the chute extension 8, wherein the folded position 13 of the chute extension 8 may be identified using the first sensor 53, and the unfolded position 12 may be identified using the second sensor 54 (e.g., the control device 48 may be configured to receive respective sensor data from the first sensor 53 in order to analyze the respective sensor data to identify whether the chute extension 8 is in the folded position; the control device 48 may be configured to receive respective sensor data from the second sensor 54 in order to analyze the respective sensor data to identify whether the chute extension 8 is in the unfolded position).
An actuator, such as actuating means 55, which may be designed as a switching element and/or a touchscreen display 59 (through which the operator may touch the screen to activate an icon), may be positioned within or provided in the driver's cab 4 of the forage harvester 1. In one or some embodiments, the actuating means 55 may be designed as a conventional switching element, such as a physically actuatable mechanical switch 60 or button. Alternatively, or in addition, the actuating means may comprise a digital switching element. For example, a touchscreen display 59 may be positioned within or provided in the driver's cab 4 of the forage harvester 1. The touchscreen display 59 may output a digital switching element, such as an icon indicative of a button. In practice, the operator may touch the touchscreen display 59 where the icon is displayed, thereby indicating to the control device 48 that the operator has provided the command to actuate the actuating means. In one or some embodiments, the actuating means 55 may be connected to the control device 48 in a signal-transmitting manner. The control device 48 may be configured to actuate the actuator 14 (e.g., via sending one or more commands to actuate the actuator 14 responsive to input via the actuating means 55). In this regard, using the control device 48, an automatic function for automatically pivoting the discharge chute 6 may be actuated using the actuating means 55. In one or some embodiments, the automatic function may be activated by a single touch of the actuating means 55 (e.g., a single press of the mechanical switch 60; a single tap on the icon of the touchscreen display 59). The automatic function, using the control device 48, may be configured to move the discharge chute 6 from the folded position 13 to the unfolded position 12, or from the unfolded position 12 to the folded position 13.
In one or some embodiments, if the discharge chute 6 is in the harvesting position 42, the discharge chute 6 may be moved to the storage position 41 when the automatic function is activated. For this purpose, the following process steps may be performed as part of the automatic function sequence:
If the discharge chute 6 is in the storage position 41, the discharge chute 6 may be moved to the harvesting position 42 when the automatic function is activated. For this purpose, the following process steps may be performed, using the control device 48, as part of the automatic function sequence: (1) the discharge chute 6 is lifted of the storage rack 27 to the folded position 43 (e.g., the control device may automatically send one or more commands so that the discharge chute 6 is lifted of the storage rack 27 to the folded position 43); (2) in the next step, the chute extension 8 is moved from the folded position 13 to the unfolded position 12, wherein during the pivoting of the chute extension 8, the discharge flap located at the free end of the chute extension 8 is moved into a position provided for the harvesting position 42 of the discharge chute 6 (e.g., the control device may automatically send one or more commands so that the chute extension 8 is moved from the folded position 13 to the unfolded position 12); (3) in the final step, the discharge chute 6 is raised from the folded position 43 to the harvesting position 42 (e.g., the control device may automatically send one or more commands so that the discharge chute 6 is raised from the folded position 43 to the harvesting position 42).
In one or some embodiments, the actuating means 55 may additionally be provided and arranged or positioned for manually pivoting the chute extension 8 about the second axis A2, wherein while the actuating means 55 is held, the control device 48 may actuate the actuator 14 to pivot the chute extension 8. Here, when the chute extension 8 is in the unfolded position 12, the actuator 14 may be actuated via the control device 48 to pivot the chute extension 8 towards the folded position 13 (e.g., responsive to the control device 48 receiving an indication by the operator to pivot the chute extension 8 towards the folded position 13, the control device 48 sends command(s) to control one or more actuators, motors, or the like (such as actuator 14) in order to mechanically pivot the chute extension 8 towards the folded position 13). Furthermore, when the chute extension 8 is in the folded position 13, the actuator 14 may be actuated via the control device 48 to pivot the chute extension 8 towards the unfolded position (e.g., responsive to the control device 48 receiving an indication by the operator to pivot the chute extension 8 towards the unfolded position, the control device 48 sends command(s) to control one or more actuators, motors, or the like (such as actuator 14) in order to mechanically pivot the chute extension 8 towards the unfolded position). Various ways to actuate the actuating means are contemplated. In one or some embodiments, an actuation of the actuating means 55 for a duration of at least 2 seconds may be regarded as holding the actuating means 55 (e.g., the operator holding the mechanical switch 60 for at least 2 seconds; the operator touching the icon on the touchscreen display 59 for at least 2 seconds). Furthermore, in one or some embodiments, an actuation of the actuating means 55 with a duration of at most 2 seconds may be regarded as touching.
So that a folded position 43 in which the second axis A2 is vertically aligned may also be approached when the forage harvester 1 is in an inclined position, the forage harvester 1 may comprise an inclination sensor 56 for determining an inclination of the forage harvester 1 (e.g., the inclination sensor 56 may generate sensor data indicative of inclination; the control device 48 may receive and analyze the sensor data (such as compare the sensor data with predetermined inclined sensor data) in order to determine whether the forage harvester is in the inclined position). In this regard, the inclination sensor 56 may be connected to the control device 48 in a signal-transmitting manner (e.g., to transmit the sensor data wired and/or wirelessly to the control device 48). Thus, the control device 48 may be configured in such a way that the control device 48 determines the folded position 43 on the basis of the inclined position, and may provide for movement (such as automatic movement) of the chute extension 8 in which the second axis may be aligned vertically even when the forage harvester 1 is inclined.
In one or some embodiments, the vertical direction may comprise the direction in which the earth's gravitational force acts.
Furthermore, the control device 48 may be configured to identify the chute extension 8 with the pivotable second section 10 mounted on the chute connecting piece 7. For example, the control device 48 may be configured to perform the identification using data (such as a voltage signal) from the first sensor 53 and/or the second sensor 54 and to assign it to the chute extension 8 with a pivotable second section 10. In one or some embodiments, the chute extension 8 with a pivotable second section 10 has the first sensor 53 and the second sensor 54 (described in more detail above), which is in contrast to a chute extension that does not comprise a pivotable second section 10. In practice, the first sensor 53 and/or the second sensor 54 may be supplied with voltage by a generally known central electrical system of the forage harvester 1, which is not explained in more detail here. The first sensor 53 and the second sensor 54 may communicate with the control device 48 in a signal-transmitting manner via the cable arrangement 49 (e.g., wired) and/or wirelessly. The sensor signals (indicative of sensor data) generated by the first sensor 53 and the second sensor 54 may be evaluated by the control device 48 (e.g., processor 57 is configured to analyze, such as compare, the sensor data with predetermined data stored in memory 58 in order to determine the configuration of the chute extension 8). When there is a chute extension without a pivoting second section 10, there may be no first sensor 53 or second sensor 54. In this case, the voltage signal from the central electrical system may be transmitted (e.g., wired and/or wirelessly) directly to the control device 48 via the plug connection 52. This voltage signal may differ from the voltage signal of the first sensor 53 and the second sensor 54 so that the control device 48 recognizes the pivoting second section 10 on the basis of the voltage signal. When a pivoting second section 10 is identified, the control device 48 is configured to provide the operator of the forage harvester 1 with the corresponding functions for folding or unfolding the chute extension 8 (e.g., responsive to the control device 48 identifying the pivoting second section 10, the control device 48 may be configured to output on the touchscreen display 59 the corresponding functions (such as representative by respective icons on the touchscreen display 69) for folding or unfolding the chute extension 8).
Further, it is intended that the foregoing detailed description be understood as an illustration of selected forms that the invention may take and not as a definition of the invention. It is only the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the scope of the claimed invention. Further, it should be noted that any aspect of any of the preferred embodiments described herein may be used alone or in combination with one another. Finally, persons skilled in the art will readily recognize that in preferred implementation, some, or all of the steps in the disclosed method are performed using a computer so that the methodology is computer implemented. In such cases, the resulting physical properties model may be downloaded or saved to computer storage.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2023 100 635.5 | Jan 2023 | DE | national |
| 10 2023 100 636.3 | Jan 2023 | DE | national |
