Material distribution system for a sower, sower and method for distributing sower material

Abstract

The invention relates to a material distribution system (12) for an agricultural sowing machine (10), comprising: a main distribution unit (20) for generating a plurality of conveying air streams (50) carrying sowing material (48); a plurality of metering systems (28), each of which is designed to be pneumatically operated by means of a metering air flow (52) and to meter the spread material (48) conveyed into the metering system (28) via one of the conveying air flows (50); and one or more blowers (36, 40), which are provided for generating feed air for the feed air flow (50) with a feed air pressure (pF) and metering air for the metering air flow (52) with a metering air pressure (pD).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a material distribution system according to the preamble of claim 1 , a spreader according to the preamble of claim 10 , and a method for distributing material for spreading according to the preamble of claim 11 . Background Art

[0002] The material distribution system of modern agricultural spreaders can be designed as a so-called fine placement system (nursing system), in which a main distribution unit is used to generate a plurality of conveying air flows carrying the spreading material. The conveying air flows are then conveyed to a plurality of material receiving units of the spreader, wherein the material receiving units can each be assigned to a metering system or be a component of a metering system. The spreading material received by the material receiving units is then metered in the metering system so that the metered spreading material can be laid on the agricultural land by a laying device. The metering system can be operated pneumatically with the metered air flows.

[0003] The corresponding material distribution system usually has one or more blowers to provide conveying air for the conveying air flow and metering air for the metering air flow. The conveying air pressure of the conveying air flow and the metering air pressure of the metering air flow usually differ from each other during operation of the material distribution system.

[0004] It is known from EP 3 987 904 A1 that a suitable pressure difference between the conveying air pressure and the metering air pressure depends on the type of the dispensed material. It is therefore advantageous to generate a conveying air flow and a metering air flow, wherein the conveying air pressure and the metering air pressure have a constant pressure difference specific to the dispensed material.

[0005] However, in some operating situations in material dispensing systems, maintaining a constant pressure difference between the conveying air pressure and the metering air pressure, which is specific to the material being dispensed, can cause problems. This can occur, for example, when a storage container for the material being spread is empty or when the metering system is running idle. In both cases, maintaining a predetermined pressure difference between the conveying air pressure and the metering air pressure can lead to blockages in the metering system, thereby impairing or even interrupting the metering process. Summary of the invention

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an air pressure control device in a pneumatic material dispensing system that can be adjusted as required.

[0007] This object is achieved by a material distribution system of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein the material distribution system according to the invention has a control device which is designed to specifically adjust the conveying air pressure during the spreading process in a plurality of different operating modes of the material distribution system depending on the metering air pressure pattern.

[0008] The control device is preferably configured to regulate or set the conveying air pressure during the spreading process of the individual operating modes of the material distribution system in such a way that a predefined, mode-specific pressure difference relative to the metering air pressure is maintained in the individual operating modes. The mode-specific pressure differences maintained in the individual operating modes differ from one another. Thus, for example, the control device can be configured to regulate a first pressure difference between the conveying air pressure and the metering air pressure in a first operating condition during the spreading process and to regulate a second pressure difference between the conveying air pressure and the metering air pressure in a second operating condition during the spreading process.

[0009] The metering air pressure is used as a reference variable in a plurality of operating modes. During the spreading process, the metering air pressure may change for various reasons, for example to save energy, because a temporary change in the material to be spread is detected, or because the metering system of the material distribution system is to be emptied. The metering air pressure can be preset by an operator input. As an alternative, the control device can determine a preset value for the metering air pressure to be maintained. In different operating modes, different mode-specific pressure differences between the metering air pressure and the conveying air pressure can be advantageous. Preferably, a plurality of mode-specific pressure differences are respectively assigned to the distribution material and / or the distribution material type.

[0010] The material to be spread can be, for example, granular or particulate material to be spread, such as seeds. The material distribution system can have a pipeline system for conveying an air flow, via which the material to be spread is conveyed from the main distribution unit to the metering system. The regulation of the conveying air pressure in the various operating modes of the material distribution system is preferably carried out within the scope of a closed-loop control, so that the control device can be designed as a closed-loop control device.

[0011] In a preferred improvement, the material distribution system according to the invention can be operated in a continuous operation mode, in which the material to be spread is supplied from the main distribution unit to the metering system, and in an emptying mode, in which the supply of the material to be spread from the main distribution unit to the metering system is reduced or interrupted compared to the continuous operation mode. The control device is preferably configured to regulate the conveying air pressure so that different, mode-specific pressure differences relative to the metering air pressure are maintained in the continuous operation mode and the emptying mode. The control device is preferably configured to regulate the conveying air pressure so that a preset continuous operation pressure difference relative to the metering air pressure is maintained in the continuous operation mode and a preset emptying pressure difference relative to the metering air pressure is maintained in the emptying mode. In the continuous operation mode, the material to be spread is conveyed from the main distribution unit to the metering system substantially continuously. In the emptying mode, the conveying of the material to be spread from the main distribution unit to the metering system is reduced or interrupted, for example, due to complete emptying of the storage container or due to flow-induced interruption of the conveying of the material to be spread from the main distribution unit to the metering system.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the material distribution system according to the present invention has at least one conveying air pressure sensor, which is arranged to determine the conveying air pressure. The conveying air pressure sensor can be arranged before the main distribution unit or after the main distribution unit in the flow direction of the conveying air. The conveying air pressure sensor can also be arranged in the main distribution unit. The material distribution system can include multiple conveying air pressure sensors, for example two conveying air pressure sensors, wherein the determined conveying air pressure can be the average value of the sensor values ​​of the conveying air pressure sensors. The conveying air pressure can be monitored by the control device or taken into account when adjusting the conveying air pressure in the closed-loop control program. The material distribution system can also have at least one metering air pressure sensor, which is arranged to determine the metering air pressure. The metering air pressure sensor is preferably arranged before the metering system along the flow direction of the metering air. The metering air pressure sensor can also be arranged in the metering system. The metering air pressure sensor can also be arranged after the metering system in the flow direction of the metering air. The material distribution system can include multiple metering air pressure sensors, for example two metering air pressure sensors, wherein the determined metering air pressure can be the average value of the sensor values ​​of the metering air pressure sensors.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment of the material distribution system according to the invention, the metering systems each include a pneumatic separation device, which is configured to operate with the aid of a metering air flow and to separate particles of the spread material. The metering air pressure sensor can be arranged in the separation device of the metering system. In addition, the metering air pressure sensor can be arranged before or after the separation device of the metering system in the flow direction of the metering air.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the material distribution system according to the invention, the metering systems each have a material receiving unit, which is configured to receive the spreading material provided by the conveying air flow and to temporarily store the spreading material before it is introduced into the separation device. The material receiving unit is preferably configured to interrupt the air supply to the corresponding metering system when a specific fill level of the temporarily stored spreading material is reached.

[0015] Furthermore, a material distribution system according to the invention is advantageous in which the one or more blowers comprise a conveying air blower for generating conveying air, wherein the control device is arranged to regulate the conveying air blower in accordance with the metered air pressure in order to adjust the conveying air pressure. The control device is preferably arranged to regulate the conveying air pressure by means of a blower speed of the conveying air blower. Alternatively or additionally, the conveying air pressure can also be regulated by means of one or more air pressure control valves between the conveying blower and the main distribution unit or in the main distribution unit. Alternatively or additionally, the conveying air pressure can also be regulated by regulating the maximum air intake at the conveying air blower, for example by regulating the opening state of the air inlet. The opening state of the air inlet can be regulated, for example, by means of one or more partitions, for example lamellae.

[0016] Furthermore, a material distribution system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the metering system is used for metering seeds and the material distribution system comprises a pneumatic fertilizer conveying device, wherein the conveying air blower is arranged to provide the fertilizer conveying device with conveying air for fertilizer conveying. Thus, the conveying air blower is used to provide conveying air for the conveying air flow and to provide conveying air for fertilizer conveying.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment of the material distribution system according to the invention, the one or more blowers comprise a metered air blower for generating metered air, wherein the control device is configured to control the metered air blower to adjust the metered air pressure. The control device is preferably configured to adjust the conveying air pressure so as to maintain a preset pressure difference from the metered air pressure. The pressure difference can be preset by an operator or by the control device.

[0018] In a preferred improvement of the material distribution system according to the invention, the main distribution unit can be filled with the material to be spread from the storage container, and the material level of the material to be spread in the main distribution unit is variable and can be monitored by means of a material level sensor. The control device is provided to adjust the conveying air pressure so that above the critical material level of the material to be spread in the main distribution unit and when reaching or falling below the critical material level of the material to be spread in the main distribution unit, pressure differences that are different from each other and depend on the material level relative to the metering air pressure are maintained. The operating mode of the material distribution system can be associated with the material level or material level range of the material to be spread in the main distribution unit. Therefore, when the material level of the material to be spread in the main distribution unit drops below the critical material level, the control device ensures that the pressure difference between the conveying air pressure and the metering air pressure is adjusted to be maintained. The material level sensor can be an empty warehouse alarm. The critical material level can also mean that the main distribution unit is completely emptied. The material level will drop when the main distribution unit is filled with too little material to be spread, or when the filling of the material to be spread is interrupted, for example due to the complete emptying of the storage container. When a critical material level is detected, the pressure difference between the metering air pressure and the conveying air pressure is reduced, thereby reducing the conveying air pressure. In this way, it is prevented that the spread material temporarily stored in the material receiving unit of the metering system is pressed into the separation device, which could otherwise interrupt or affect the separation due to blockage of the separation device.

[0019] In addition, preferably according to the material distribution system of the present invention, one or more blowers include a common conveying and metering blower for generating conveying air and metering air, wherein the control device is arranged to use the air distribution device connected to the conveying and metering blower to divide the air flow generated by the conveying and metering blower into a conveying air mainstream and a metering air mainstream. The conveying air mainstream is supplied to the main distribution unit, so that a separate conveying air blower is not required. The metering air mainstream is divided and then supplied to the metering system, so that a separate metering air blower is not required. The air distribution device can have a valve control device. The conveying and metering blower can also be arranged to generate a conveying air for conveying another spreading material, such as fertilizer. The air distribution device is, for example, arranged in this case to divide the air flow generated by the conveying and metering blower into a conveying air mainstream, a metering air mainstream and a conveying air mainstream. The free flow cross section of the corresponding air flow can be preset or set by the air distribution device, for example. The air distribution device can be driven electrically, for example by one or more electric motors, in particular linear motors.

[0020] In another preferred embodiment of the material distribution system according to the invention, the control device is configured to adjust a preset pressure difference between the metering air pressure and the delivery air pressure via a blower speed of the delivery and metering blower and / or a free flow cross section for the delivery air main flow in the air distribution device and / or a free flow cross section for the metering air main flow in the air distribution device. The free flow cross section for the delivery air main flow and the free flow cross section for the metering air main flow can be adjusted in the air distribution device, preferably independently of one another.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment, the material distribution system according to the present invention has a plurality of laying devices, which are configured to lay the sowing material metered by the metering system on the agricultural land. The laying devices each have at least one curved laying pipeline, which is configured to guide the metered sowing material along a curved material guide path toward the agricultural land. The curved laying pipeline is preferably a curved launch tube, wherein the curvature of the laying pipeline causes the sowing material guided through the laying pipeline to contact the inner wall of the laying pipeline, thereby ensuring the maintenance of the material guide path.

[0022] Also preferred is a material distribution system according to the invention, wherein in the direction of travel, a collecting element for collecting the spread material discharged in the direction of the agricultural land is arranged after the laying device. The collecting element can be, for example, a collecting roller. Preferably, the laying pipeline and the collecting element are aligned with each other so that the spread material discharged from the laying pipeline is collected and fixed between the ground of the agricultural land and the collecting element. By using the collecting element, even in an overpressure metering system, for example a metering system with overpressure separation, in which high material velocities are generated within the laying pipeline, it can be ensured that the spread material is accurately laid on the agricultural land.

[0023] Furthermore, a material distribution system according to the invention is advantageous in which the deposit depth of the material to be spread is adjustable and the control device is provided for regulating the metering air pressure as a function of the adjusted deposit depth. The deposit depth of the material to be spread can be adjusted, for example, by a depth guide device for a coulter of the material distribution system. At low sowing depths, it is advantageous to reduce the metering air pressure, since otherwise the air velocity in the deposit line would become too high and the metered material to be spread could no longer be reliably collected by the collecting element.

[0024] The object of the invention is also achieved by a spreader of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein the material distribution system of the spreader according to the invention is designed according to one of the above-described embodiments. With regard to the advantages and improvements of the spreader according to the invention, reference is first made to the advantages and improvements of the material distribution system according to the invention.

[0025] The spreader can be a seed drill, a fertilizer spreader or a combined seed and fertilizer spreader. For example, the spreader can be a hooked machine or a self-propelled machine. If the spreader is a hooked machine, the spreader can be configured as a towed or suspended machine.

[0026] The object of the invention is also achieved by a method of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein within the scope of the method according to the invention, during the spreading process in a plurality of different operating modes of the material distribution system, the delivery pressure is regulated mode-specifically by means of a control device of the material distribution system as a function of the metering air pressure. Preferably, the control device regulates the delivery air pressure in the individual operating modes during the spreading process such that a mode-specific, predefined pressure difference relative to the metering air pressure is maintained in the individual operating modes. The mode-specific pressure differences here differ from one another.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the material distribution system is operated in a continuous operation mode, in which the spreading material is supplied from the main distribution unit to the metering system. In addition, the material distribution system is operated in an emptying mode, in which the supply of spreading material from the main distribution unit to the metering system is reduced or interrupted compared to the continuous operation mode. Preferably, the control device adjusts the conveying air pressure so that different, mode-specific pressure differences relative to the metering air pressure are maintained in the continuous operation mode and the emptying mode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a seed spreader according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing a material distribution system according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing another material distribution system according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view showing a metering system of a material distribution system according to the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 A perspective bottom view showing a region of a main dispensing unit of a material dispensing system according to the present invention; and

[0034] Figure 6 The curves of the delivery air pressure and the metering air pressure during the implementation of the method according to the invention are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 A seed spreader 10 is shown which is designed as a large area seed spreader and by means of which seeds and fertilizers can be spread simultaneously onto agricultural land.

[0036] The spreader 10 includes a material distribution system 12 for distributing the spreading material within the machine.

[0037] The spreader 10 comprises a frame 14 on which two storage containers 16, 18 are arranged. The storage container 16 is used to store seeds. The storage container 18 is used to store fertilizers, wherein the storage container 18 comprises two container units in which different types of fertilizers can be conveyed together.

[0038] The main distribution unit 20 of the material distribution system 12 is located below the storage container 16. The main distribution unit 20 is used to generate a plurality of conveying air flows loaded with seeds. The conveying air flows are supplied to the spreading units 24 of the spreader 10 via a spreading line 22. For the sake of clarity, only one spreading line 22 is shown, which feeds two spreading units 24 via a T-shaped distributor; of course, the remaining spreading units 24 are also fed via similar spreading lines 22. The spreading units 24 each include a sowing coulter 26, by means of which a laying furrow for the seeds is plowed in the ground of the agricultural land. In addition, the sowing units 24 each include a metering system 28, wherein the metering system 28 is pneumatically operated by a metering air flow. The metering system 28 is used to meter the seeds conveyed into the metering system 28 by the conveying air flow. The sowing unit 24 also includes a spreading device 30, via which the metered seeds are spread in the laying furrow plowed by the sowing coulter 26.

[0039] The spreading unit 24 also includes a fertilizer coulter 32 for plowing a fertilizer furrow. The fertilizer carried in the storage container 18 is conveyed to the spreading unit 24 by a fertilizer conveying device 34 so as to be spread therefrom in the fertilizer furrow plowed by the fertilizer coulter 32.

[0040] The material distribution system 12 comprises a blower 36 for generating conveying air for the conveying air flow. The blower 36 is connected to the main distribution unit 20 of the material distribution system 12 via a conveying air main line 38. The blower 36 is also used to generate transport air for conveying fertilizer to the spreading unit 24.

[0041] The material distribution system 12 of the spreading machine 10 further comprises a blower 40 for generating metering air for the metering air flow. By means of the metering air flow, the metering system 28 of the spreading unit 24 can be operated pneumatically.

[0042] Furthermore, the material distribution system 12 comprises a control device 84, which is provided for mode-specifically regulating the conveying air pressure of the conveying air in a plurality of different operating modes of the material distribution system 12 as a function of the metering air pressure of the metering air during the spreading process. The control device 84 regulates the conveying air pressure in the respective operating modes of the material distribution system 12 in such a way that a predefined, mode-specific pressure difference relative to the metering air pressure is maintained in the respective operating mode, wherein the metering air pressure is used as a reference variable in the respective operating mode.

[0043] Figure 2 A material distribution system 12 for an agricultural spreader 10 is shown. The material distribution system 12 comprises a blower 36 which generates a main flow of conveying air 46. The main flow of conveying air 46 is supplied to the main distribution unit 20 via a main conveying air line. The main conveying air line is connected to an air inlet 66 of the main distribution unit 20. Excess air can be discharged to the environment via an adjustable air outlet 72.

[0044] A storage container 16 for the material to be spread 48 is located above the main distribution unit 20. The material to be spread 48 can be seeds, for example. The main distribution unit 20 has a material inlet 68, through which the material to be spread 48 falls into the main distribution unit 20 under the action of gravity. A plurality of conveying air flows 50 carrying the material to be spread 48 are generated inside the main distribution unit 20, and the conveying air flows are discharged from the main distribution unit 20 via outlets 70. The conveying air flows 50 carrying the material to be spread 48 are supplied to a plurality of metering systems 28 via spreading lines, wherein in Figure 2 4 shows a metering system 28 by way of example. The metering system 28 is pneumatically operated by means of a metering air flow 52 generated by a blower 40 and is used to meter a sowing material 48 which is conveyed into the metering system 28 via a conveying air flow 50 before being laid on the agricultural land. The metering system 28 comprises a material receiving unit 42 and a separating device 44. The material receiving unit 42 is configured to receive the sowing material 48 provided by the conveying air flow 50 and to temporarily store the sowing material before being introduced into the separating device 44. In addition, the material receiving unit 42 is configured to interrupt the conveying air flow 50 to the metering system 28 when a specific material level of the temporarily stored sowing material 48 is reached. The separating device 44 is a pneumatically operated separating device which works according to the principle of overpressure separation. The separating device 44 is configured to operate by means of a metering air flow 52 and to separate particles of the sowing material 48.

[0045] The material distribution system 12 further comprises a control device 84 which is provided to regulate the conveying air pressure of the conveying air flow 50 in a mode-specific manner in a plurality of different operating modes of the material distribution system 12 during the spreading process as a function of the metering air pressure of the metering air for the metering air flow 52 .

[0046] The material distribution system 12 can be operated in a continuous operation mode and an emptying mode. In the continuous operation mode, the spreading material 48 is supplied from the main distribution unit 20 to the metering system 28. In the emptying mode, the supply of the spreading material 48 from the main distribution unit 20 to the metering system 28 is reduced or interrupted compared to the continuous operation mode. The control device 84 adjusts the conveying air pressure so that different, mode-specific pressure differences relative to the metering air pressure are maintained in the continuous operation mode and the emptying mode. The control device adjusts the conveying air pressure so that a preset continuous operation pressure difference relative to the metering air pressure is maintained in the continuous operation mode, and a preset emptying pressure difference relative to the metering air pressure is maintained in the emptying mode.

[0047] Figure 3 An alternative embodiment of the material distribution system 12 is shown, in which the outlet 70 of the main distribution unit 20 is first connected to the splitter 54, wherein the splitter 54 divides the conveying air flow 50 loaded with the spreading material 48 so that two metering systems 28 can be fed through the outlet 70 on the main distribution unit 20. The blower 40 provides the metering air flow 52 for the metering system 28.

[0048] The blower 36 also generates a further main conveying air flow 64 , by means of which the fertilizer can be conveyed to the spreading unit 24 of the spreading machine 10 .

[0049] Figure 4 The metering system 28 of the material distribution system 12 is shown. The metering system 28 comprises a material receiving unit 42 and a separating device 44. A conveying air flow 50 carrying the spreading material 48 is introduced into the material receiving unit 42 via an inlet connection 56. The material receiving unit 42 serves to receive and temporarily store the spreading material 48 conveyed by the conveying air flow 50.

[0050] The separation device 44 is a pneumatic separation device, which works according to the principle of overpressure separation. The separation device 44 comprises a separation disc 60, wherein the separation disc 60 has a plurality of particle receiving grooves for receiving and distributing the separated particles. In an alternative embodiment, the separation device 44 can also have, for example, a separation drum instead of a separation disc.

[0051] The metered air flow 52 for operating the separating device 44 reaches the metering system 28 via the inlet connection 58. The metered material for spreading 48 is then discharged from the metering system 28 in the form of separated seed particles via the outlet connection 62 and fed to the laying device 30. The laying device 30 has a curved laying line and is provided for laying the material for spreading 28 metered by the metering system 28 onto the agricultural land.

[0052] The metering system 28 comprises a metering air pressure sensor 78 which is provided for determining a metering air pressure of the metering air of the metering air flow 52. In an alternative embodiment, the metering air pressure sensor 78 can also be arranged upstream of the metering system 28 in the flow direction of the metering air.

[0053] Figure 5 The housing 82 of the main distribution unit 20 is shown. The main distribution unit 20 comprises a delivery air pressure sensor 76, which is provided for determining the delivery air pressure. In other embodiments, the delivery air pressure sensor 76 can also be arranged before the main distribution unit 20 or after the main distribution unit 20 in the flow direction of the delivery air.

[0054] The main dispensing unit 20 can be filled with material to be spread 48 from the storage container 16, wherein the fill level of the material to be spread 48 in the main dispensing unit 20 can be monitored by means of a fill level sensor 74. The control device 84 is provided for regulating the conveying air pressure of the conveying air so that above a critical fill level of the material to be spread 48 in the main dispensing unit 20 and when reaching or falling below the critical fill level of the material to be spread 48 in the main dispensing unit 20, different pressure differences depending on the fill level relative to the metering air pressure are maintained.

[0055] Furthermore, the housing 82 of the main dispensing unit 20 comprises drain flaps 80 a - 80 d , via which the main dispensing unit 20 can be emptied, for example, after the end of a spreading process.

[0056] Figure 6 The pressure curves of the conveying air pressure pF and the metering air pressure pD during the spreading process are shown by way of example when using the material distribution system 12. The material distribution system 12 is operated in a first operating mode until the time t1, in which the control device 84 regulates the conveying air pressure pF so that a mode-specific pressure difference Δp1 relative to the metering air pressure pD is maintained. The metering air pressure pD serves as a reference variable. The metering air pressure pD changes slightly until the time t1, for example because the spreader detects temporary changes in the material 48 to be spread and these changes require an adjustment of the metering air pressure pD.

[0057] At time t1, a second operating mode of the material dispensing system 12 is set, wherein the control device 84 sets a lower metering air pressure pD and a smaller pressure difference Δp2 between the metering air pressure pD and the conveying air pressure pF in the second operating mode of the material dispensing system 12. The setting of the new mode-specific metering air pressure pD and the mode-specific pressure difference Δp2 ends at time t2.

[0058] For example, by comparison with the remaining area of ​​the agricultural land to be processed, the control device 84 has determined a metering air pressure pD to be maintained and a pressure difference Δp2 which allows the material receiving unit 42 of the metering system 28 to be completely emptied at the end of the spreading process.

[0059] Reference numerals list

[0060] 10 Spreader

[0061] 12 Material distribution system

[0062] 14 Rack

[0063] 16 Storage Containers

[0064] 18 Storage Containers

[0065] 20 Main Distribution Unit

[0066] 22 Spreading lines

[0067] 24 spreading units

[0068] 26 Seeding coulter

[0069] 28 Metering system

[0070] 30 Laying device

[0071] 32 Fertilizer Coulter

[0072] 34 Fertilizer conveyor

[0073] 36 Blower

[0074] 38 Main air delivery line

[0075] 40 Blower

[0076] 42 Material receiving unit

[0077] 44 Separation device

[0078] 46 Conveying air mainstream

[0079] 48 Spreading materials

[0080] 50 Conveying air flow

[0081] 52 Metering air flow

[0082] 54 Shunt

[0083] 56 Entrance takeover

[0084] 58 Entrance takeover

[0085] 60 Separation disc

[0086] 62 Export takeover

[0087] 64 Conveying air mainstream

[0088] 66 Air Inlet

[0089] 68 Material inlet

[0090] 70 Exit

[0091] 72 Air outlet

[0092] 74 Level sensor

[0093] 76 Delivery air pressure sensor

[0094] 78 Metered air pressure sensor

[0095] 80a-80d Drain valve

[0096] 82 Housing

[0097] 84 Control Device

[0098] pF Delivery air pressure

[0099] pD Measuring air pressure

[0100] Time t1, t2

[0101] Δp1, Δp2 pressure difference

Claims

1. A material distribution system (12) for an agricultural spreader (10), the material distribution system comprising: a main distribution unit (20) for generating a plurality of conveying air flows (50) carrying spreading material (48); a plurality of metering systems (28), each of which is provided for pneumatic operation by means of a metering air flow (52) and for metering a spreading material (48) which is conveyed into the metering system (28) via one of the conveying air flows (50); and one or more blowers (36, 40) which are provided for generating conveying air with a conveying air pressure (pF) for the conveying air flow (50) and metering air with a metering air pressure (pD) for the metering air flow (52); It is characterized in that a control device (84) is provided, which is designed to regulate the conveying air pressure (pF) mode-specifically as a function of the metering air pressure (pD) in a plurality of different operating modes of the material distribution system (12) during the spreading process.

2. A material distribution system (12) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The material distribution system (12) is operable in a continuous operation mode and an emptying mode, in which the spreading material (48) is supplied from the main distribution unit (20) to the metering system (28), and in which the supply of the spreading material (48) from the main distribution unit (20) to the metering system (28) is reduced or interrupted compared to the continuous operation mode. The control device (84) is provided for regulating the conveying air pressure (pF) such that different, mode-specific pressure differences (Δp1, Δp2) relative to the metering air pressure (pD) are maintained in a continuous operation mode and an emptying mode.

3. A material distribution system (12) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that Features - at least one conveying air pressure sensor (76) which is provided for determining the conveying air pressure (pF); and / or - at least one metering air pressure sensor (78) which is provided for determining a metering air pressure (pD).

4. A material distribution system (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The one or more blowers (36, 40) have a conveying air blower (36) for generating conveying air, wherein the control device (84) is provided for controlling the conveying air blower (36) as a function of a metering air pressure (pD) in order to adjust the conveying air pressure (pF).

5. A material distribution system (12) according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The metering system (28) is used for metering seeds, and the material distribution system (12) comprises a pneumatic fertilizer conveying device (34), wherein the conveying air blower (36) is provided for providing the fertilizer conveying device (34) with conveying air for conveying fertilizer.

6. A material distribution system (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The main dispensing unit (20) can be filled with spreading material (48) from a storage container (16), and the filling level of the spreading material (48) in the main dispensing unit (20) is variable and can be monitored by means of a filling level sensor (74). The control device (84) is configured to adjust the conveying air pressure (pF) so that different pressure differences (Δp1, Δp2) relative to the metering air pressure (pD) are maintained above a critical material level of the spread material (48) in the main distribution unit (20) and when the critical material level of the spread material (48) in the main distribution unit (20) is reached or falls below the critical material level.

7. A material distribution system (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that A plurality of laying devices (30) are provided, which are used to lay the spreading material (48) metered by the metering system (28) on the agricultural land, wherein the laying devices (30) respectively have at least one curved laying pipeline, which is used to guide the metered spreading material (48) along a curved material guiding path toward the agricultural land.

8. A material distribution system (12) according to claim 7, It is characterized in that In the direction of travel, a collecting element is arranged behind the depositing device (30) for collecting the spread material (48) discharged in the direction of the agricultural land.

9. A material distribution system (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The depositing depth of the spreading material (48) is adjustable, and the control device (84) is provided for regulating the metering air pressure (pD) as a function of the adjusted depositing depth.

10. A spreader (10) for spreading a spreading material (48) onto agricultural land, the spreader comprising - a storage container (16) for spreading material (48); - multiple spreading units, and a material distribution system (12) for distributing spreading material (48) from the storage container (16) to the plurality of spreading units; It is characterized in that The material distribution system (12) is constructed according to any of the preceding claims.

11. A method for distributing spreading material (48) from a storage container (16) to a plurality of spreading units of a spreading machine (10) by means of a material distribution system (12), in particular a material distribution system (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising the following steps: - generating a plurality of conveying air flows (50) carrying spreading material (48) by means of a main distribution unit (20) of the material distribution system (12); a pneumatically operated metering system (28) for supplying the conveying air flow (50) carrying the spreading material (48) to the material distribution system (12); - metering of the spreading material (48) conveyed to the metering system (28) by means of the conveying air flow (50); and - generating conveying air with a conveying air pressure (pF) for the conveying air flow (50) and metering air with a metering air pressure (pD) for the metering air flow (52) by means of one or more blowers (36, 40) of the material distribution system (12); It is characterized in that during the spreading process, in a plurality of different operating modes of the material distribution system (12), the conveying air pressure (pF) is regulated mode-specifically according to the metering air pressure (pD) by means of a control device (84) of the material distribution system (12).

12. The method according to claim 10, It is characterized by the following steps: - operating the material distribution system (12) in a continuous operating mode, in which spreading material (48) is supplied from the main distribution unit (20) to the metering system (28), and - operating the material distribution system (12) in an emptying mode, in which the supply of spreading material (48) from the main distribution unit (20) to the metering system (28) is reduced or interrupted compared to the continuous operation mode, in, The control device (84) regulates the conveying air pressure (pF) such that different, mode-specific pressure differences (Δp1, Δp2) relative to the metering air pressure (pD) are maintained in the continuous operation mode and the emptying mode.

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