Patents by Inventor Christian Füchtling

Christian Füchtling has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240107944
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine having a cutting unit for cutting harvested material and a driver assistance system is disclosed. The driver assistance system includes a memory in which control strategies for the operation of the cutting unit are stored and a computing device for controlling a cutting angle of the cutting unit in accordance with the control strategies. The computing device is configured to link first and second control strategy to one another via a weighting variable, with the weighting variable being adjustable by a driver. The driver assistance system uses at least one of the control strategies and sensed forefield information to automatically determine the cutting angle of the cutting unit and to automatically control the cutting unit based on the determined cutting angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Waldemar Thiesmann, Christoph Bussmann, Christian Cord-Kruse, Dennis Neitemeier, Andreas Wielenberg, Christian Füchtling, Bastian Bormann, Andreas Wilken, Maik Heufekes, Joachim Baumgarten
  • Publication number: 20240008410
    Abstract: A draper is disclosed. The draper includes a frame with a center segment that has at least one endlessly circulating center belt and two side segments each having at least one laterally conveying, endlessly circulating side belt. The draper further includes a flexible cutter bar which is arranged on support arms pivotably articulated on the frame, with the side belts following movement of the flexible cutter bar. A respective side belt has, in the crop intake area adjacent to the cutter bar, a circumferential limiting rib which is overlapped by a belt seal extending substantially over the width of the side segment. The belt seal may be attached to the cutter bar using segmented retaining elements, with the retaining elements exerts a compressive force on the belt seal to press it against the limiting rib.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: CLAAS Hungária Kft.
    Inventors: Christian Füchtling, Tamás Zelenyánszki
  • Publication number: 20230105797
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating an attachment arranged on a pick-up apparatus of a self-propelled combine harvester, wherein the attachment comprises a central portion and two side portions which are each connected to the central portion by a frame joint so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis oriented in the direction of travel, wherein the respective side portion is pivotable about the pivot axis transversely to the direction of travel relative to the central portion by means of an actuator that is activated by a control apparatus, wherein a vertical distance of the attachment from the ground is adaptively set by at least one hydraulic cylinder on the pick-up apparatus, wherein, for the ground guidance of the attachment, the positioning of the side portions relative to the central portion is controlled or regulated independently of vertical and transverse guidance, activated by the combine harvester, of the attachment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Christian Füchtling, Andreas Wielenberg, Udo Beschorn
  • Publication number: 20230076926
    Abstract: A self-propelled harvester having a height-adjustable pick-up device, on which an attachment pivotable about a virtual pendulum axis of the pick-up device is positioned for picking up harvested material is disclosed. The pick-up device is configured for adaptive adjustment of a vertical distance of the attachment from the ground. Further, at least one support wheel is positioned at least on the outer lateral regions of the attachment. The support wheel may be guided in a height-movable manner by a hydraulic cylinder connected to a hydraulic circuit of a hydraulic system having a pressure source. Position regulation of the attachment transverse to the forward direction of travel by pivoting about the virtual pendulum axis is independent of a transverse guidance of the attachment controlled or regulated by the harvester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Füchtling, Andreas Wielenberg, Udo Beschorn, Marcus Gehrmann
  • Publication number: 20230030760
    Abstract: An agricultural machine comprises a carrier vehicle and an attachment is disclosed. The attachment is pivotably guided on the carrier vehicle about an axis extending in the direction of travel of the carrier vehicle. To the right and left of the axis, a support wheel is connected to the attachment via a damped, compressible arm. A control circuit is configured to decide whether a pivoting motion of the attachment about the axis is or is not desirable and, in the case that the pivoting motion is desirable, the arm that is compressed by the pivoting motion is switched from a strongly dampened compressible state to a substantially undampened state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Beschorn, Andreas Wielenberg, Christian Füchtling, Marcus Gehrmann
  • Publication number: 20220304235
    Abstract: A draper for an agricultural machine is disclosed. The draper includes a middle segment and two side segments, each with a frame, a flexible cutter bar, that is arranged or positioned on support arms pivotably articulated to the frame, as well as one or more continuously circulating conveyor devices arranged or positioned behind the cutter bar. The one or more conveyor device comprises a first guide roller that is arranged or positioned on the middle segment, and a second guide roller that is arranged or positioned at the end on the particular side segment around which the endless conveyor belt circulates. The two side segments are each pivotably connected to the middle segment by a frame joint about a pivot axis running substantially horizontally. The particular side segment has a belt guiding unit with a guide roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Füchtling
  • Patent number: 11445655
    Abstract: A cutting unit for an agricultural working machine and a method for adjusting the cutting unit are disclosed. The cutting unit comprises a support body, a cutting device on the support body, a front suspension arranged on the support body on a first half of the cutting unit and has at least one wheel that rotates about a front axle and a rear suspension on the support body on a second half of the cutting unit and has at least two wheels that rotate about a rear axle, the front suspension and the rear suspension being rotatable about a respective rotary axis relative to the support body so that the front and rear suspensions can each be transferred between a transport position and a working position. The front suspension and the rear suspension, when in their respective working position, are moved relative to the support body between a high position and a low position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: CLAAS Hungária Kft.
    Inventors: Gergely Madarasi, Támas Denke, Támas Megyeri, Györy Zoltan Lörincz, Christian Füchtling, Andreas Rieping, Andras Pazsik
  • Patent number: 11109529
    Abstract: A height control system for a front harvesting attachment, comprising a frame, at least one crop pick-up device, and a ground-conforming cutterbar which is situated on a plurality of supporting arms that can pivot about a horizontal axis and are articulated on the frame. The supporting arms can be pivoted, originating from a desired position to be set before the start of a harvesting operation, between an upper end position, which delimits a deflection of the supporting arms in the direction of the crop pick-up device, and a lower end position, wherein the upper end position has a first clearance and the lower end position has a second clearance from the desired position, wherein the desired position can be adapted, during the harvesting operation, to changing harvesting conditions and/or operating conditions depending on a deflection of the cutterbar, in order to minimize the first clearance and maximize the second clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Fuechtling, Andreas Wielenberg, Udo Beschorn, Thomas Hinz
  • Patent number: 10575467
    Abstract: A header has a middle section disposed on a main frame and at least two side sections disposed adjacent to the middle section, a cutterbar extending substantially across the width of the header, and at least one conveyor device which conveys crop cut by the cutterbar laterally in the direction of the middle section. The conveyor device has a central conveyor including an endlessly circulating, endless conveyor belt which is guided around two rollers disposed on two support elements extending in parallel to the conveyance direction and are each mounted on bearing points provided on the support elements. The support elements each have a guide recess and in which one of the rollers is displaceable so that the conveyor belt can be transferred from an operating position, in which the conveyor belt is tensioned, into a maintenance position, in which the conveyor belt sags, in sections, in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Fuechtling, Thomas Hinz, Mathieu Koehler
  • Publication number: 20200008341
    Abstract: A cutting unit for an agricultural working machine and a method for adjusting the cutting unit are disclosed. The cutting unit comprises a support body, a cutting device on the support body, a front suspension arranged on the support body on a first half of the cutting unit and has at least one wheel that rotates about a front axle and a rear suspension on the support body on a second half of the cutting unit and has at least two wheels that rotate about a rear axle, the front suspension and the rear suspension being rotatable about a respective rotary axis relative to the support body so that the front and rear suspensions can each be transferred between a transport position and a working position. The front suspension and the rear suspension, when in their respective working position, are moved relative to the support body between a high position and a low position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: CLAAS Hungária Kft.
    Inventors: Gergely Madarasi, Támas Denke, Támas Megyeri, Györy Zoltan Lörincz, Christian Füchtling, Andreas Rieping, Andras Pazsik
  • Publication number: 20190297775
    Abstract: A height control system for a front harvesting attachment, comprising a frame, at least one crop pick-up device, and a ground-conforming cutterbar which is situated on a plurality of supporting arms that can pivot about a horizontal axis and are articulated on the frame. The supporting arms can be pivoted, originating from a desired position to be set before the start of a harvesting operation, between an upper end position, which delimits a deflection of the supporting arms in the direction of the crop pick-up device, and a lower end position, wherein the upper end position has a first clearance and the lower end position has a second clearance from the desired position, wherein the desired position can be adapted, during the harvesting operation, to changing harvesting conditions and/or operating conditions depending on a deflection of the cutterbar, in order to minimize the first clearance and maximize the second clearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Fuechtling, Andreas Wielenberg, Udo Beschorn, Thomas Hinz
  • Patent number: 10412887
    Abstract: A combine harvester includes a belt cutting unit comprising a center belt for conveying harvest to an intake roller and/or to an intake channel of a grain conveyor, and a transverse conveyor belt disposed each on the left-hand side and the right-hand side of the center belt, to convey harvest to the center belt. The center belt, left-hand and right-hand transverse conveyor belts are behind a cutter bar, seen in the direction of travel, with each being operated with an individual belt speed. The combine harvester and/or belt cutting unit has a control unit configured to automatically control the belt speeds of the left-hand and right-hand transverse conveyor belts as a function of a forward travel speed, and the belt speeds of the center belt as a function of the forward travel speed or as a function of the belt speeds of the left-hand and right-hand transverse conveyor belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Füchtling, Mathieu Köhler, Thomas Hinz, Burkhard Sagemüller, Udo Beschorn, Andreas Wielenberg, Balazs Tillman, Berthold Hamphoff
  • Publication number: 20180332772
    Abstract: A header has a middle section disposed on a main frame and at least two side sections disposed adjacent to the middle section, a cutterbar extending substantially across the width of the header, and at least one conveyor device which conveys crop cut by the cutterbar laterally in the direction of the middle section. The conveyor device has a central conveyor including an endlessly circulating, endless conveyor belt which is guided around two rollers disposed on two support elements extending in parallel to the conveyance direction and are each mounted on bearing points provided on the support elements. The support elements each have a guide recess and in which one of the rollers is displaceable so that the conveyor belt can be transferred from an operating position, in which the conveyor belt is tensioned, into a maintenance position, in which the conveyor belt sags, in sections, in the vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: CHRISTIAN FUECHTLING, THOMAS HINZ, MATHIEU KOEHLER
  • Publication number: 20180054964
    Abstract: A combine harvester includes a belt cutting unit comprising a center belt for conveying harvest to an intake roller and/or to an intake channel of a grain conveyor, and a transverse conveyor belt disposed each on the left-hand side and the right-hand side of the center belt, to convey harvest to the center belt. The center belt, left-hand and right-hand transverse conveyor belts are behind a cutter bar, seen in the direction of travel, with each being operated with an individual belt speed. The combine harvester and/or belt cutting unit has a control unit configured to automatically control the belt speeds of the left-hand and right-hand transverse conveyor belts as a function of a forward travel speed, and the belt speeds of the center belt as a function of the forward travel speed or as a function of the belt speeds of the left-hand and right-hand transverse conveyor belts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Füchtling, Mathieu Köhler, Thomas Hinz, Burkhard Sagemüller, Udo Beschorn, Andreas Wielenberg, Balazs Tillman, Berthold Hamphoff
  • Patent number: 9220198
    Abstract: A header is formed with a middle section disposed on a main frame and at least two side sections disposed adjacent to the middle section on the main frame (2). A finger bar extends across the width of the header. At least one conveyor device (5) is disposed behind the finger bar and designed on the respective side sections as an endless conveyor belt. The belt is disposed adjacent to the middle section in order to transport crop cut by the finger bar laterally in the direction of the middle section (3). Drivable conveying elements are disposed on the middle section adjacent to the finger bar and the respective side section. These conveying elements receive and redirect crop discharged onto the middle section by the respective conveyor belts of the side sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Fuechtling
  • Patent number: 9161492
    Abstract: A header has a middle section disposed on a main frame, at least two side sections adjacent to the middle section, a rear panel extending perpendicularly to the main frame, a flexible finger bar extending across a width of the header and a conveyor device disposed behind the finger bar. The conveyer device is designed on the side sections as a continuous conveyor belt disposed adjacent to the middle section in order to transport crop cut by the finger bar laterally in the direction of the middle section. The side sections are formed as a plurality of supporting arms swivellably disposed on the main frame that support the finger bar. Each side section has a plurality of supporting elements for supporting the conveyor belt. Each of the supporting elements is supported in a bearing point to be displaceable in the axial direction relative to the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Fuechtling
  • Patent number: 9148999
    Abstract: A header for an agricultural machine includes a middle section disposed on a main frame and two side sections adjacent the middle section, a flexible knife bar extending across the width of the header and a conveying device behind the knife bar and designed at the side sections as an endless belt disposed adjacent to the middle section for transporting crop cut by the knife bar laterally. The side sections have supporting arms pivotably disposed on the main frame to support the knife bar of a side section and are rigidly connected to the knife bar. Each supporting arm is connected to the main frame permitting swivelling about a first rotational axis in the vertical direction and about a second rotational axis extending perpendicular to the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Fuechtling
  • Publication number: 20140298765
    Abstract: A header is formed with a middle section disposed on a main frame and at least two side sections disposed adjacent to the middle section on the main frame (2). A finger bar extends across the width of the header. At least one conveyor device (5) is disposed behind the finger bar and designed on the respective side sections as an endless conveyor belt. The belt is disposed adjacent to the middle section in order to transport crop cut by the finger bar laterally in the direction of the middle section (3). Drivable conveying elements are disposed on the middle section adjacent to the finger bar and the respective side section. These conveying elements receive and redirect crop discharged onto the middle section by the respective conveyor belts of the side sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
    Inventor: Christian FUECHTLING
  • Publication number: 20140196427
    Abstract: A header has a middle section disposed on a main frame, at least two side sections adjacent to the middle section, a rear panel extending perpendicularly to the main frame, a flexible finger bar extending across a width of the header and a conveyor device disposed behind the finger bar. The conveyer device is designed on the side sections as a continuous conveyor belt disposed adjacent to the middle section in order to transport crop cut by the finger bar laterally in the direction of the middle section. The side sections are formed as a plurality of supporting arms swivellably disposed on the main frame that support the finger bar. Each side section has a plurality of supporting elements for supporting the conveyor belt. Each of the supporting elements is supported in a bearing point to be displaceable in the axial direction relative to the main frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Fuechtling
  • Publication number: 20140075912
    Abstract: A header for an agricultural machine includes a middle section disposed on a main frame and two side sections adjacent the middle section, a flexible knife bar extending across the width of the header and a conveying device behind the knife bar and designed at the side sections as an endless belt disposed adjacent to the middle section for transporting crop cut by the knife bar laterally. The side sections have supporting arms pivotably disposed on the main frame to support the knife bar of a side section and are rigidly connected to the knife bar. Each supporting arm is connected to the main frame permitting swivelling about a first rotational axis in the vertical direction and about a second rotational axis extending perpendicular to the first.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Fuechtling