Patent Description:
The head group comprises several mechanical components, for example a motor, a speed variator (multiplier) and a centrifugal pump (volumetric), which is driven by the motor. Said components are without doubt the components most subject to wear, since they work with considerable forces and speeds, and are, therefore, the components most subject to maintenance activities.

The machines known in the trade have a head group which faces the tank and which is therefore, during maintenance, not directly accessible. For this reason, at the moment, during maintenance steps, a complex step of disassembling the components is necessary, to have access to the components to be maintained of the head group.

Moreover, according to said solutions, the head group is positioned alongside the tank, precisely because of the need to maintain the group. However, this determines a considerable total length of the apparatus.

Moreover, the elongation of the apparatus, if this is carried by a drive unit, increases the bending forces on the frame of the apparatus and increases the risk of rising up of the drive unit during the spraying steps.

The aim of this invention is to provide an apparatus and a method which overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Said aim is fully achieved by the apparatus for spraying and by the method for spraying according to the invention as characterised in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the invention, the invention provides an apparatus for spraying crops with a treating compound.

The apparatus comprises a tank. The tank is configured to contain the treating compound.

The apparatus comprises a dispenser. The dispenser is configured to receive treatment air at a predetermined treatment pressure, including the treatment compound, preferably in atomised form. Preferably, the atomised treatment compound is also subjected to an electrostatic charge which considerably increases the capacity of adherence to the crops once dispensed.

The apparatus comprises a head group. The head group is configured to draw air from an external environment. The head group is configured to mix the air with the treatment compound. The head group is configured to pump the treatment air to the dispenser. The head group comprises one or more of the following features:.

The head group includes a maintenance side, from which the head group is accessible for maintenance purposes. The maintenance side is a side of the maintenance unit from which it is more convenient to carry out maintenance activities. Said maintenance side allows the components to be interchanged more quickly. During spraying operations, said maintenance side is preferably inaccessible to prevent dirt, compound or other undesired materials from being deposited between the components of the head group, causing damage.

The apparatus comprises a frame. The frame is configured to support the tank, the dispenser and/or the head group. The frame, in the embodiment in which the apparatus is moved by a drive unit, is connected to said drive unit.

According to an embodiment, the frame comprises a first structure. The tank is positioned on the first structure.

According to an embodiment, the frame comprises a second structure, on which is positioned the head group and, preferably, but not necessarily, the dispenser.

According to an embodiment, the first and the second structure are positioned side by side along a feed direction.

According to a preferred embodiment, the frame comprises a connector. The connector is configured for connecting the first structure to the second structure.

The connector is movable between a working position, wherein the first and the second structure are connected to each other, and a maintenance position, wherein the first and the second structure are movable reciprocally. The term "movable reciprocally" is used to extend the protection to any type of relative movement, for example, rotation, translation, roto-translation.

According to an aspect of the invention, the frame is movable between a working configuration, wherein the connector is in the operating position and the maintenance side faces the tank and is forbidden to a maintenance user, and a maintenance configuration, wherein the connector is in the maintenance position and the maintenance side is accessible to a maintenance user.

This feature solves the technical problem of speeding up maintenance activities. In fact, in the working configuration, the maintenance side is protected by the fact that it is strictly facing the tank, preventing undesired materials from entering said components. This also allows the number of guards for protecting said maintenance side to be reduced. Subsequently, if maintenance is necessary, it is sufficient to move the connector to the maintenance position and reconfigure the frame in the maintenance configuration, in order to be able to intervene freely on the components of the head group. This simplifies, speeds up considerably and reduces the probability of human errors in the maintenance operations.

According to an embodiment, the connector comprises a hinge.

According to an embodiment, the connector comprises a locking element. According to this embodiment, the second structure rotates about the hinge. The locking element is mobile between a locked position, in which the first and the second structure are bound to each other, and an unlocked position, in which the first and the second structure are rotating, one relative to the other, around the hinge.

This embodiment is further advantageous since the rotation about the hinge requires a minimum effort for the reconfiguration of the frame in the maintenance configuration.

Moreover, the reconfiguration by rotating the second structure makes it possible to face the maintenance side on the side of the apparatus allowing easy access to the components.

The first structure of the frame includes a first and a second vertex. The first and second vertices face towards the second structure. The first and second vertex are spaced along a transversal direction perpendicular to the feed direction. This makes it possible to obtain an arm relative to the hinge which reduces the effort required for moving the second structure. The second structure comprises a third and a fourth vertex. The third and the fourth vertex face towards the first structure. The third and the fourth vertex are spaced along a transversal direction.

The hinge is positioned at the first and the third vertex. Preferably, the locking element is positioned on the second vertex.

This makes it possible to obtain an arm relative to the hinge which reduces the effort required for moving the second structure.

According to an embodiment, the locking element comprises a pin. The second and the fourth vertex include a corresponding locking hole. Said pin is inserted, in the operating position, in the locking hole of the second and fourth vertex. Said pin is extracted, in the rest position, from the locking hole of the second and fourth vertex.

This embodiment of the locking element is simple, inexpensive and highly reliable.

According to an embodiment, the tank comprises a rear face. The rear face faces the head group, preferably facing the maintenance side of the head group.

The tank comprises a housing. The housing is formed on the rear face of the tank.

According to an embodiment, the head group is partly housed in the housing, in the working configuration of the frame. The head group is extracted (completely) from the housing in the frame maintenance configuration.

This embodiment makes it possible to solve two problems. On the one hand, it further improves the protection of the head group during the working steps, further reducing the need for protective casings, on the other hand, it allows the overall dimensions of the machine along the feed direction to be reduced, thus reducing bending stresses on the frame and the risk of jamming of the apparatus.

According to an embodiment, the head group comprises a manifold. The manifold includes a plurality of deliveries. The manifold includes a corresponding plurality of adjustment valves, each associated with a respective delivery.

According to an embodiment, the dispenser comprises a plurality of nozzles. Each nozzle is connected to a corresponding delivery, which is intercepted by the corresponding adjustment valve. Each adjustment valve and the corresponding delivery nozzle are identified by a same distinctive sign.

This embodiment provides an immediate, perceivable and useful advantage. In fact, during the spraying of the crops, it is possible that one nozzle is, for various reasons, subjected to greater head losses (concentred) than those of another nozzle. This would result in a nonuniformity in spraying, due to the fact that the outfeed pressure from the dispenser could be substantially different. In order to overcome this problem, the machine has adjustment valves. However, whilst at first sight the operator clearly identifies the nozzle lacking in pressure, it is not as immediate to identify the adjustment valve which intercepts the delivery of said unsatisfactory nozzle. For this reason, with the proposed solution, this problem is resolved simply and in an original fashion.

According to an embodiment, the first structure of the frame comprises a drive interface, connectable to a drive unit, for transporting the apparatus between the crops. The drive interface makes it possible to bring the apparatus into suspension using a drive unit. The invention is not, however, limited to said solutions even though they would benefit the most. In fact, the solution according to the invention also extends to apparatuses including rolling elements for rolling on the ground, which are always pulled or machines equipped with independent drive means and do not need a drive unit.

According to an aspect of the invention, the invention provides a method for spraying crops with a treating compound. The method is performed using an apparatus including one or more of the features described in the invention with reference to the apparatus for spraying crops.

The method comprises a step of containing a treatment compound in the tank.

According to an embodiment, the method comprises a step for nebulising the treatment compound. Moreover, preferably, the method comprises an electro-optic charge step, wherein an electric field generator charges, in an electrostatic fashion, particles of treatment compound dispersed in the air. The method comprises a step of mixing air with the treatment compound, preferably nebulised, for producing treatment air.

The method comprises a step of pumping the treated air using the head group.

The method comprises a step of dispensing the treatment air using the dispenser. The method comprises a step of connecting the first structure to the second structure by means of a connector.

The method comprises a step of moving the connector between a working position, wherein the first and the second structure are connected to each other, and a maintenance position, wherein the first and the second structure are movable reciprocally.

The method comprises a step of reconfiguring the frame between a working configuration, wherein the connector is in the operating position and the maintenance side faces the tank and is forbidden to a maintenance user, and a maintenance configuration, wherein the connector is in the maintenance position and the maintenance side is accessible to a maintenance user.

According to an embodiment wherein the connector comprises a hinge, the reconfiguration step comprises a rotation of the second structure relative to the first structure about said hinge.

These and other features will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral <NUM> denotes an apparatus for spraying crops. The term crops is used to mean any type of agricultural cultivation. It should be noted that, even though said apparatus is mainly oriented to the treatment of agricultural crops, the invention does not limit the protection just for crops but to any application which requires the application of a treatment compound on a living being or an object.

The apparatus <NUM> comprises a tank <NUM>. The tank <NUM> is configured to contain a treatment compound, which must be dispersed in a flow of air in a nebulized manner, for forming a treatment fluid dispensed by the apparatus <NUM>.

The tank <NUM> is made preferably of plastic material. The tank <NUM>, according to a preferred embodiment, has a substantially prismatic shape, in particular a parallelepiped or a cube.

For this reason, the tank <NUM> comprises a front face <NUM>, facing a feed direction A in a feed direction VA of a tractor which transports the apparatus <NUM> between the crops. The tank <NUM> comprises a rear face <NUM>, facing in the direction of forward movement in a withdrawal direction VR, opposite to the feed direction VA. The tank <NUM> also comprises an upper face <NUM>, a lower face <NUM> and a pair of side faces <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the tank <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is made on the rear surface <NUM>, that is to say, it extends starting from the rear surface <NUM> in the feed direction A. According to a preferred embodiment, the housing <NUM> is also open towards the lower surface <NUM>. The housing <NUM> defines a housing space.

According to an embodiment, the apparatus <NUM> comprises a dispencer <NUM>. The dispenser <NUM> is configured to receive treatment air (that is, air including nebulised treatment compound) and to dispense it in a dispensing direction, towards the crops.

According to an embodiment, the dispenser <NUM> comprises a plurality of nozzles <NUM>, which constitute the last interface of the apparatus <NUM> before the treatment air is sent towards the crops. More specifically, according to one of the various embodiments, the dispenser comprises a first duct <NUM> and a second duct <NUM>, each configured for dispensing the treatment air on opposite sides relative to the feed direction A, that is, on a first and on a second row of the crops, respectively.

The first <NUM> and second duct <NUM> include a respective fan-shaped dispensing <NUM>, <NUM>, at the end of which a first group of nozzles 31A and a second group of nozzles 31B of said plurality of nozzles <NUM> are distributed, respectively.

The dispenser <NUM> comprises a manifold <NUM>, which includes a plurality of valves, for selectively controlling the flow from each of said nozzles <NUM>. In particular, each nozzle <NUM> is connected to a respective valve, for varying the concentrated leaks and adjusting the dispensing pressure of the respective nozzle.

With regard to this aspect, the invention comprises, for each valve and for the corresponding nozzle, a distinctive sign, which facilitates for the user the identification of the valve which corresponds to a specific nozzle <NUM>. This solution allows the user to view the nozzles <NUM> to check whether there are nozzles <NUM> which have pressure defects and be able to act, quickly, by identifying the valve by means of the distinctive sign, to return the pressure to the correct value.

According to an embodiment, the apparatus <NUM> comprises a head group <NUM>, configured to draw air from the outside, mix it with the treatment compound and send it to the dispenser <NUM>. The head group <NUM> comprises one or several of the following components, known to experts in the field, but which are listed here for clarity:.

In particular, the power take-off <NUM> transmits the motion supplied by the tractor to the transmission unit <NUM>. The power take-off <NUM> passes through the tank <NUM> through a passage, open on the front surface <NUM> and on the housing <NUM>. The transmission unit <NUM> increases the speed of rotation by reducing the torque supplied. The motion reaches the pressure head element <NUM>, the rotation of which makes it possible to provide a pressure head to the treatment air.

The head group <NUM> faces the tank <NUM>. In particular, a maintenance side LM of the head group <NUM> faces the rear face <NUM> of the tank <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the maintenance side comprises a coupling of the transmission unit <NUM> to the power take-off <NUM> and/or at least a portion of the transmission unit <NUM>, for example a belt-pulley unit.

According to a preferred embodiment, part of the transmission unit <NUM> is housed in the housing <NUM>, with the maintenance side LM facing a bottom surface 21A, perpendicular to the feed direction A, of the housing <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the tank is located in a forward position relative to the dispenser <NUM> and to the head group <NUM>, along the feed direction A in the feed direction VA.

In one embodiment, the apparatus <NUM> comprises a frame <NUM>. The frame <NUM> comprises a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM>.

The first portion <NUM> is configured to maintain at least the tank <NUM>. In particular, the first portion <NUM> comprises a horizontal structure <NUM>, located, along a vertical direction, below the tank <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> comprises a vertical structure <NUM>, located, along the feed direction A, between the dispenser <NUM> and the tank <NUM>. The vertical structure <NUM> is connected at an end proximal to the dispenser <NUM> of the horizontal structure <NUM>. The horizontal structure <NUM> of the first portion <NUM> is connected to the frame of the tractor which transports the apparatus <NUM>, for example by means of a drive interface <NUM>.

The vertical structure <NUM> of the first portion <NUM> comprises a first beam 512A. The vertical structure <NUM> of the first portion <NUM> comprises a second beam 512B. The ends of the first beam 512A define a first vertex V1 and a third vertex V3, positioned lower than the first vertex V1. The ends of the second beam 512B define a second vertex V2 and a fourth vertex V4, positioned lower than the first vertex V1.

According to an embodiment, the first portion <NUM> comprises a first pin <NUM> and a second pin (not illustrated in the drawing as it is hidden). The first pin <NUM> is positioned at one end of the first beam 512A of the vertical structure, whilst the second pin is positioned at the opposite end of the first beam 512A of the vertical structure <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first portion <NUM> comprises a first locking element <NUM> and a second locking element <NUM>. The first and second locking elements <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned at a first and at a second end, opposite the first end, of the second beam 512B.

In particular, each of said first and second locking elements <NUM>, <NUM> include a respective rotary bolt, which rotates about a vertical axis between a locked position, in which it is substantially aligned with the feed direction A, and a released position, wherein it is substantially inclined relative to the feed direction A. The axis of rotation of the first locking element <NUM> coincides with the axis of rotation of the second locking element <NUM>.

The second portion <NUM> is configured to maintain the dispenser <NUM> and the head group <NUM>. In particular, the second portion <NUM> comprises a corresponding horizontal structure <NUM>, located, along a vertical direction, under the dispenser and the head group <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> comprises a corresponding vertical structure <NUM>, located, along the feed direction A, between the dispenser <NUM> and the tank <NUM>. The vertical structure <NUM> of the second portion is connected to one end of the horizontal structure <NUM> proximal to the tank <NUM>.

The vertical structure <NUM> of the second portion <NUM> includes a respective first beam 522A and a respective second beam 522B.

In particular, according to an embodiment, the second portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM> comprises a first extension <NUM> and a second extension, connected to the first beam 522A and which project along a direction transversal to the feed direction A towards the outside of the apparatus <NUM>. A respective coupling hole is made at the end of each of said first <NUM> and second extension.

According to an embodiment, the second portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM> comprises a third extension <NUM> and a fourth extension <NUM>, connected to the second beam 522B and projecting along a direction transversal to the feed direction A towards the outside of the apparatus <NUM>. A respective coupling profile is formed at the end of each of said third <NUM> and fourth extension <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the coupling hole of the first extension <NUM> is configured for coupling with the first pin <NUM> of the first portion <NUM>, to define a hinge <NUM>. The coupling hole of the second extension is configured for coupling with the second pin of the first portion <NUM>, to define a further hinge.

The coupling profile of the third extension <NUM> is configured to (removably) couple with the first locking element <NUM> (that is, with the first rotatable bolt <NUM>), to define a locking element <NUM>. The coupling profile of the fourth extension <NUM> is configured for coupling (removably) with the second locking element <NUM> (that is, with the second rotatable bolt <NUM>).

According to an embodiment, the frame <NUM> is movable between a working configuration CL and a maintenance configuration CM.

In the working configuration CL, the maintenance side LM faces the tank <NUM> and/or is included in the housing <NUM> of the tank <NUM>. In the working configuration CL, the vertical structure <NUM> of the first portion <NUM> and the vertical structure <NUM> of the second portion <NUM> are approximated with each other, that is, in contact, that is, aligned along a direction T transversal to the feed direction. In particular, according to an embodiment, in the working configuration CL, the first and the second beam 522A, 522B of the second portion <NUM> are interposed, along the transversal direction T, between the first and the second beam 512A, 512B of the first portion <NUM>.

In the working configuration CL, the first and second locking elements <NUM>, <NUM> are in an working position PL, that is to say, inserted in the corresponding coupling profiles of the third and fourth extension <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, with the corresponding bolt which is tightened on a surface of the third and fourth extension <NUM>, <NUM>, in such a way as to prevent a rotation of the rotary bolt.

In the maintenance configuration CM, the first and the second locking element <NUM>, <NUM> are in a maintenance position PM, that is, removed from the corresponding coupling profiles of the third and fourth extension <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively.

According to an embodiment, in the maintenance configuration CM, the maintenance side is accessible to a user who wants to maintain it. In particular, the maintenance side LM faces towards the side of the apparatus <NUM>, that is, facing the transversal direction T. According to this embodiment, the second portion <NUM> is configured to rotate relative to the first portion <NUM>. In particular, the second portion rotates about an axis of configuration AC, passing through the first and the second pin of the first portion <NUM>. In that what way, the maintenance side LM is made accessible to the user without difficulty. For this reason, according to this embodiment, the following steps are performed for maintenance of the machine:.

rotating the second portion <NUM> relative to the first portion <NUM> about the configuration axis.

At the end of maintenance operations, the user performs the following steps:.

According to other embodiments, the maintenance side LM remains facing the tank <NUM> even in the maintenance configuration CM but at a distance from the tank <NUM> equal to at least <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>.

According to this embodiment, the apparatus <NUM> comprises a plurality of linear actuators <NUM>, for example piston cylinder units or telescopic actuators. Said plurality of linear actuators <NUM> are connected on one side to the first portion <NUM> and on the other to the second portion <NUM>. Said plurality of linear actuators <NUM> may be positioned at vertices of the vertical structures from the first and second portions <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to this embodiment, the vertical structure <NUM> of the second portion <NUM> can slide on the horizontal structure <NUM> along the feed direction A. This makes it possible not to load the bending force on the plurality of linear actuators <NUM> but to discharge the weight on the horizontal structure <NUM>. Preferably, the horizontal structure <NUM> is also telescopic, in this embodiment, to prevent large dimensions which must also take into account the space left for the user in the maintenance configuration CM of the frame <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Apparatus (<NUM>) for spraying crops with a treating compound, including:
- a tank (<NUM>), configured to contain the treatment compound;
- a dispenser (<NUM>), configured to receive treatment air, including the treatment compound in atomised form, at a predetermined treatment pressure;
- a head group (<NUM>), configured to draw air from an external environment, mix it with the treating compound and pump it to the dispenser (<NUM>), the head group (<NUM>) including a maintenance side (LM), from which the head group (<NUM>) is accessible for maintenance activities; the head group (<NUM>) including a transmission unit (<NUM>) and the maintenance side (LM) showing the transmission unit (<NUM>),
- a frame (<NUM>), configured to support the tank (<NUM>), the dispenser (<NUM>) and the head group (<NUM>) and including a first structure (<NUM>), on which is placed the tank (<NUM>), and a second structure (<NUM>), on which are placed the dispenser (<NUM>) and the head group (<NUM>); the first (<NUM>) and the second structure (<NUM>) being placed side by side along a direction of advance (A) along which the apparatus advances between crops,
characterized by the fact that the frame (<NUM>) includes a connector (<NUM>), configured to connect the first structure (<NUM>) to the second structure (<NUM>) and mobile between a working position (PL), in which the first (<NUM>) and the second structure (<NUM>) are bound to each other, and a maintenance position (PM), in which the first (<NUM>) and the second structure (<NUM>) are mobile to each other,
and where the frame (<NUM>) is mobile between a working configuration (CL), where the connector (<NUM>) is in the working position (PL) and the maintenance side (LM) is facing the tank (<NUM>) and forbidden to a maintenance user, and a maintenance configuration (CM), where the connector (<NUM>) is in the maintenance position (PM) and the maintenance side (LM) is accessible to the maintenance user.