Patent ID: 12219894

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

InFIG.1, an agricultural machine12in the form of a seeding machine is shown in a schematic lateral view. At least one granular or powdery solid, for example in the form of seeds and/or fertilizer, is situated in a storage container14. The granular solid is conveyed to at least one dispensing unit16by means of a mechanical or pneumatic conveyor system18, where the granular solid can be introduced into the ground for example by coulters. The conveyor system18shown inFIG.1is a pneumatic conveyor system18, in which the granular solid is conveyed in the conveying direction42through a connecting line40to at least one dispensing unit16by means of an air stream generated by a blower38. For this purpose, the granular solid is conducted through a connecting line40to at least one distribution device44, in which in a distribution chamber46a substantially uniform distribution of the granular solid over a number of slide valve openings48and lines50connected thereon takes place. The granular solid is conducted further through the lines50as far as the dispensing units16. The dispensing units16can be for example seed coulters. The granular solid can be moved by the air stream with flow velocities of up to 30 m/s.

The granular solid is conveyed out of the storage container14into the conveyor system18by means of a metering device10, wherein an accurate metering of the quantity of the conveyed solid takes place. The metering device10is arranged between the storage container14and the conveyor system18, wherein in the agricultural machine12shown inFIG.1the granular solid is fed out of the storage container14to the metering device10substantially by gravity. For the supply of the granular solid, the metering device10comprises a metering housing20having at least one storage container-side inflow opening24. The metered granular solid is dispensed into the conveyor system18through at least one discharge opening26arranged in the metering housing20on the conveyor system-side. For fastening to the storage container14and/or the conveyor system18on the storage container-side and/or conveyor system-side, the metering housing20comprises mounting flanges22,52.

The first mounting flange22on the storage container-side and the second mounting flange52on the conveyor system-side are of circular design. A configuration in the form of a polygon, in particular, having three or more than four corners would likewise be conceivable. By way of this, the metering device10, based on the storage container14and/or the conveyor system18, can be arranged turned in particular in steps or continuously. For regulating an output quantity of the metering device10, the agricultural machine12comprises at least one sensor112connected to an electronic evaluation system114on the output unit-side of the metering device10, by way of which a metered quantity of the granular solid can be detected and in particular the conveyor device32controlled based on the detected quantity of the granular solid.

A perspective, schematic view of a metering device10is shown inFIG.2. On its top side, the metering device10is shown to be not connected to the storage container, offering a view through the inflow opening24into the interior of the metering housing20and the metering chamber28formed by the said metering housing20on the inside. The inflow opening24is arranged within the circular first mounting flange22of the metering housing20and is enclosed by the same. On the bottom side, the metering housing20comprises the second mounting flange52, which is likewise circular in design. The second mounting flange52encloses the first discharge opening26arranged within, through which the granular solid enters the conveyor system18and the connecting line40. The second mounting flange52is detachably connected to the conveyor system18by way of a fastening means54in the form of a quick-release closure which wraps around the mounting flange52.

On the metering chamber-side, the metering housing20comprises a first drain opening62and a second drain opening64located opposite the first drain opening62, through which the granular solid can be drained out of the metering housing20, for example in order to empty the metering chamber28. The drain openings62,64are closed by means of a drain plug66in the form of a cap that can be unscrewed. The drain openings62,64are arranged in a separating plane56of the metering housing20designed in multiple parts. The metering housing20is embodied as a two-part housing and comprises a first sub-body58and a second sub-body60. The sub-bodies58and60have the same, in particular identical, shape as a result of which the production costs can be lowered. Through the arrangement of the drain opening62,64in the separating plane56, these can be cost-effectively formed without expensive moulds with an external thread for receiving a drain plug66. At the same time, the sub-bodies58,60can be locked against relative movement on their separating plane56by the drain plugs66.

Within the metering housing20, a conveyor device32that can be rotated about a rotary axis30is arranged between the at least one inflow opening24and the at least one discharge opening26on the bottom side of the metering chamber28. The conveyor device32comprises a number of conveyor elements78in the form of cellular wheels, which are arranged in the axial direction along the rotary axis30adjacent to one another. Upon a rotation of a conveyor device32, granular solid is conveyed out of the metering chamber28through the at least one discharge opening26into the conveyor system18. Metering of the granular solid takes place as a function of the mounted conveyor elements78and the rotational speed of the conveyor device32. Here, the conveyor elements78can be configured identically or differently or be offset from one another in the pitch angle. Furthermore, the metering will be influenced by the quantity of granular solid supplied to the conveyor device32. For this purpose, the conveyor device32comprises at least one first rotary slide valve34with at least one first opening36for controlling the inflow of the granular solid into the conveyor device32. Also conceivable is a control of the discharge of the granular solid from the conveyor device32. The first rotary slide valve34can be adjusted by means of an actuator80, motorically or, as shown, by means of a manually actuatable lever.

The conveyor device32is motorically driven by means of, for example, an electric drive motor66, which rotates about a rotation axis70. The rotation axis70of the drive motor68is arranged coaxially to the rotary axis30of the conveyor device32, as a result of which an efficient drive of the conveyor device32free of lateral forces is made possible. On the side of the metering housing20located opposite the drive motor68, a drive for the agitator shaft74is arranged, which is rotatably mounted about an agitation axis76in the metering housing20. By way of a connecting element72, the agitation axis76is operatively connected to the rotary axis30, as a result of which upon a rotary movement of the rotary axis30a rotary movement of the agitation axis76takes place. The term axis is likewise used to describe the respective shaft as mechanical component. The connecting element72can be configured in the form of one or multiple gearwheels or, as shown inFIG.2, in the form of a belt drive. By way of the connecting element72, a transmission ratio between the rotary speeds of the rotary axis30and the agitation axis76can be additionally established.

The conveyor elements78of the conveyor device32can be axially slid onto the rotary axis30, in particular into the first rotary slide valve34. Interlocking the conveyor device32with the metering device20or a rotary slide valve34can take place by means of a bayonet closure, which is attached or moulded onto the metering housing20on the outside. In the case of a bayonet closure, at least one, preferentially multiple, radially projecting positive locking elements are positioned axially relative to one another on the respective components to be connected each other and secured against disconnection by twisting against each other.

A schematic plan view of a metering device10having a separating element82arranged within the metering chamber is shown inFIG.3. Between the first sub-body58and the second sub-body60, the two-part metering housing20comprises the separating plane56. In the separating plane56, the separating element82is arranged within the metering chamber28, which separating plane82separates the metering chambering28substantially into two-part chambers of identical size. This makes possible metering a different granular solid in each part chamber, for example through a respective separate inflow opening24. Here, the separating element82can separate the inflow opening24into two inflow openings. Because of the arrangement and configuration of the first and second drain opening62,64in the separating plane56, the drain openings62,64are likewise separated by the separating element82, so that a separate drain of the granular solid out of the part chambers is possible. The agitating shaft74penetrates the separating element82so that the solid can be loosened up on both sides of the separating element82. By way of a suitable configuration of the first opening36of the first rotary slide valve36, a separate or joint metering of the granular solid out of the part chambers is possible.

The first rotary slide valve is shown in detail inFIG.4. The rotary slide valve34is substantially designed in the form of a pipe portion having a first opening36cut out of the lateral surface. Upon a rotation of the rotary slide valve34, a cross-section of an opening of the metering chamber on the conveyor device-side can be enlarged or reduced by the lateral surface of the rotary slide valve, in particular with the at least one first opening36, as a result of which a supply of granular solid into the conveyor device can be controlled. The first opening36comprises in the axial direction two rotary axis-parallel edges86, as a result of which a substantially unhindered inflow of granular solid into the conveyor device can be brought about. In the lateral surface of the first rotary slide valve34, a second opening84located opposite the first opening36is arranged. The second opening84in a mounted state of the rotary slide valve34is assigned to at least one discharge opening. Along the rotary axis, the second opening84comprises at least one profiled edge88, wherein profiling is designed in jagged form. By way of this profiled edge88, a pulsating dispensation of metered granular solid can be avoided on the discharge side.

For receiving conveyor elements, the first rotary slide valve34comprises a receiving opening92. Located opposite the receiving opening92, the first rotary slide valve34is at least partially closed by a front wall94which also serves as stop for the received conveyor elements. The front wall94extends in the radial direction beyond the circumference of the rotary slide valve34(FIG.5) and comprises on the outside a manually actuatable actuator80for adjusting the first rotary slide valve34. Radially on the outside, slots and further openings running in the circumferential direction are additionally arranged, which serve for the fastening of the drive motor68to the first rotary slide valve34and/or the fastening and rotary fixing of the rotary slide valve34to the metering housing20(FIG.2). Here, the drive motor68is arranged with its rotation axis70coaxially to the rotary axis30of the conveyor device32. The conveyor elements78are arranged within the first rotary slide valve34as in a cassette and are held on the side of the receiving opening92by a partly U-shaped cover which as bayonet closure can be connected to the metering housing20and be locked by a rotary movement about the rotary axis30.

The metering device10shown inFIG.6comprises a separating device106on the conveyor system-side, which separates the first discharge opening26from a second discharge opening108of the metering housing20. This makes possible on the conveyor system-side a targeted metering of a granular solid into the first and/or second discharge opening26,108. The separating device106extends from the conveyor device32as far as into the conveyor system18and into the connecting line40, as a result of which the connecting line40is divided by the separating device106on the inside and a part is assigned to each discharge opening26,108. Furthermore, the metering device10comprises a bypass opening110in the metering housing20, which bypass opening110is arranged on a side of the conveyor device32located opposite the metering chamber28. The bypass opening is arranged in the metering housing20next to the discharge openings26,108and makes possible conveying granular solid out of the metering device28by the conveyor device32, for example into the surroundings in order to perform a calibration test, or empty the metering chamber28.

Switching the first discharge opening26, the second discharge opening108and/or the bypass opening110, can take place by means of a further, for example a second rotary slide valve98, which is shown inFIG.7. The second rotary slide valve98is arranged coaxially and radially adjacently relative to the first rotary slide valve34, in particular in a contacting manner. Here, the first rotary slide valve34is arranged within the second rotary slide valve98. The first rotary slide valve34comprises the first opening36with at least one rotary axis-parallel edge86for controlling the supplied quantity of granular solid into the conveyor device32. The shock-free dispensation of the metered solid into the at least one discharge opening (not shown) takes place by way of the second opening84with a profiled edge88. Controlling whether the metered granular solid is dispenses into the first discharge opening, the second discharge opening and/or the bypass opening is effected, for example via the second rotary slide valve98. For this purpose, the second rotary slide valve98has a third opening100on the inflow side, which makes possible an unhindered inflow of the solid substantially regardless of the rotary position. Located opposite the third opening100, a fourth opening102is formed in the lateral surface of the second rotary slide valve98. The fourth opening102can likewise comprise rotary axis-parallel edges (not shown) and serves for controlling the dispensation of the metered solid into the respectively selected opening. The third opening100has a larger cross-section than the fourth opening102, since through the third opening100, in each position of the fourth opening102, the unhindered inflow of granular solid into the conveyor device is to be ensured.

An alternatively configured form of the second rotary slide valve98is shown inFIG.8. The third opening100of the second rotary slide valve98on the inflow side has a step-shaped edge90along the rotary axis. By way of this, the lateral surface of the second rotary slide valve98viewed in the axial direction is cut out to different extents. This makes possible, for example in the case of a metering chamber divided by a separating element82(FIG.3) a simultaneous or optional supply of granular solid from the respective part chambers into the conveyor device. The quantity of granular solid supplied into the conveyor device can, furthermore, be controlled by the first rotary slide valve34and its first opening36.

A further rotary slide valve can be provided spaced apart coaxially and in the radial direction from the first and/or second rotary slide valve34,98within the metering housing20. This further rotary slide valve can be a tubular configuration, wherein for example only a part of its lateral surface can be formed and/or arranged within the metering housing20, in particular the metering chamber28. A further rotary slide valve can be arranged with a portion of its lateral surface between the conveyor device32and the at least one agitator shaft74. By way of this, the further rotary slide valve can reduce a pressure of the granular solid on the conveyor device32, as a result of which clogging in the metering chamber28can be avoided and supplying the granular solid to the conveyor device32improved.

As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, “A or B” refers to any of “A alone,” “B alone,” and “both A and B” unless specified otherwise or clear from context. The articles “a” and “an” as used in this application should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.

REFERENCE NUMBERS10Metering device12Agricultural machine14Storage container16Dispensing unit18Conveyor system20Metering housing22First mounting flange24Inflow opening26Discharge opening28Metering chamber30Rotary axis32Conveyor device34First rotary slide valve36First opening38Blower40Connecting line42Conveyor device44Distributor device46Distribution chamber48Distribution opening50Line52Second mounting flange54Fastening means56Separating plane58First sub-body60Second sub-body62First drain opening64Second drain opening66Drain plug68Drive motor70Rotation axis72Connecting element74Agitator shaft76Agitation axis78Conveyor element80Actuator82Separating element84Second opening86Rotary axis-parallel edge88Profiled edge90Step-shaped edge92Receiving opening94Front wall96Slot98Second rotary slide valve100Third opening102Fourth opening104Bayonet closure106Separating device108Second discharge opening110Bypass opening112Sensor114Electronic evaluation system