Agricultural separation device for separating particulate material

Abstract

The invention relates to an agricultural separation device (5) for separating particulate material, comprising a separation element (7) housed in a housing, rotatably mounted relative to said housing by a shaft, and having a plurality of through-holes extending axially through the separation element. The separating element defines a first and a second housing region (B1, B2). The separating device further comprises a bell-shaped element (8) configured and arranged in the second housing region such that it, together with the separating element, defines a first spatial region (RB1) containing the first set of through-holes, while the second set of through-holes is formed in a second spatial region (RBC2) outside the first spatial region. The second spatial region (RB1) is connected by a second set of through holes to communicate with the first housing region (B1), and a pressure difference can be generated between the first spatial region (RB1) and the first housing region (B1) by a pressure reservoir that can be coupled to the second spatial region (RB2).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to an agricultural separating device for separating a granular material according to the preamble of claim 1. BACKGROUND

[0002] For farmers, it is of great importance to distribute seeds with the greatest possible accuracy in terms of the amount and spatial distribution of the seeds on the agricultural area when optimizing yield and costs in agricultural operations. For this purpose, various agricultural implements are known, for example, as towed and / or mounted implements. Such implements include, inter alia, agricultural seeders for delivering a granular material, in particular seeds and / or fertilizers, to an agricultural field. For this purpose, such seeders comprise, in addition to at least one hopper suitable for holding a granular material, at least one (in particular pneumatic) delivery device for conveying the granular material to at least one separating device arranged on the seeder. In other embodiments, the granular material can alternatively or additionally be conveyed from the hopper to the separating device by gravity. The separating device is configured to at least partially separate the conveyable granular material and to distribute it to the agricultural field as required depending on the type of the granular material, in particular seeds and / or fertilizers.

[0003] Depending on the type or kind, the granular material is to be distributed along the field at different seeding rates and / or spacings from one another. In order to meet this requirement for a universal type of separating device, various solutions are known from the prior art, for example the known single-seed seeders each described in DE 102007062968 A1, EP 0329095 A1, EP 2375880 A1 and EP 3735814 A1.

[0004] In the known separating device, the interior of the housing is further divided into two housing regions by a separating disc, which is rotatably mounted in the housing, such that a pressure difference can be generated in the housing between the first housing region and the second housing region by means of a blower. The granules of the seeds supplied to the separating disc are conveyed to a seed tube or seed delivery tube with the rotation of the separating disc, at which the granules are distributed one by one and guided to a seed furrow.

[0005] In order to convey the granules of the seeds, the separating disc usually has suitable recesses at regular intervals along its circumferential direction and / or in its outer region close to the circumference for carrying individual granules of the granular seeds.

[0006] Within the housing, recesses form a fluid connection between the first housing region and the second housing region and, due to the pressure difference formed between the housing regions separated by the separating disc, particles adhere to these recesses. Furthermore, the separating device has covering elements at suitable locations which, by temporarily covering the recesses, inhibit the pressure difference and thus the continued adhesion of the transported particles on the recesses, and release the transported particles at the location of the seed tube, so that the released particles are fed to the seed tube.

[0007] In known separating devices, the supply of particles of the seed to the separating disc is carried out such that the seed is filled from a seed supply source into the housing, usually a particle accumulation is formed at the bottom of the housing, from which the individual particles are transported away one by one by the separating disc. The adhesion of an individual particle to a recess of the separating disc only occurs when the holding force with which the particle is pressed against the recess due to the pressure difference in the housing is sufficient to extract the individual particle from the particle accumulation at the bottom of the housing. In this case, for example, the frictional force between the individual particles is relevant and has to be overcome by the holding force.

[0008] In order to ensure the desired seeding rate, it is important that each individual recess also delivers an individual particle to the seed tube, so that depending on the rotational speed of the separating disc, the desired rate of the individual particles is achieved, thus a defined seeding rate.

[0009] There is a constant need to optimize the accuracy with which seeds and / or fertilizers are distributed with a seeding machine, which does not have a complex construction and exhibits low wear, has a long service life and is maintenance-free, while providing an advantageous cost-benefit ratio. In particular, it is the aim to maintain a predetermined seeding rate with high accuracy and to avoid damage to the particles to be distributed, in particular to ensure problem-free and precise separation of the particles. SUMMARY

[0010] This object is achieved by the agricultural separating device for separating a granular material according to the various aspects of the present application and in particular according to claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the present application are defined in the various illustrative embodiments of the aspects of the present application and in particular in the dependent claims.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an agricultural separation device for separating particulate material, in particular seeds and / or fertilizers. In illustrative embodiments, the separation device in this aspect comprises a housing, a shaft rotatably mounted in an interior of the housing, the shaft defining an axis of rotation, and a separation element housed in the housing and coupled to the shaft in the interior such that the separation element is rotatably mounted relative to the housing and has a plurality of through-holes extending through the separation element. The separation element is arranged in the housing such that the interior of the housing is further divided into a first housing region and a second housing region, the first housing region acting as an overpressure region during operation of the separation element. A bell-shaped element is arranged in the second housing region.

[0012] Further, the bell-shaped element is formed and arranged such that it defines, together with the separation element, a first spatial region in the second housing region, wherein a first group of through-holes of the plurality of through-holes is enclosed by the bell-shaped element into the first spatial region, while a second group of through-holes of the plurality of through-holes is formed in a second spatial region of the second housing region outside the first spatial region. In operation, the first spatial region acts as an underpressure region. The second spatial region is in communicative connection with the first housing region via the second group of through-holes, and, in the interior, between the first spatial region and the first housing region, a pressure difference can be generated by a pressure reservoir couplable to the second spatial region.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an agricultural separation device for separating particulate material, in particular seeds and / or fertilizers. In illustrative embodiments, in this aspect, the separation device comprises a housing comprising a housing assembly and a cover assembly releasably mounted to the housing assembly, e.g. a housing cover or a flap attached to the cover assembly, the housing assembly or the cover assembly comprising a rotatably mounted shaft defining an axis of rotation. The separation device further comprises a separation element housed in an interior defined in the housing and coupled to the shaft such that the separation element is rotatably mounted relative to the housing and has a plurality of through-holes. In some illustrative examples in which the cover assembly comprises a flap, the flap can be arranged in a housing wall of the cover assembly, e.g. a housing wall penetrated by the axis of rotation or a housing wall not penetrated by the axis of rotation, or the flap can cover an opening formed in the housing by the cover assembly and the housing assembly, the opening allowing access to the interior of the housing from the outside.

[0014] In various illustrative embodiments of the first and / or second aspect of the invention, the separation element can be provided as a separation element formed at least partially in a drum-like or hollow cylindrical or shell-like or disc-like manner, e.g. a separation drum or a separation shell or a separation disc.

[0015] In a specific illustrative example of the first and / or second aspect of the present invention, the through-holes can extend substantially axially or radially through the separation element, but are not limited thereto. For example, the through-holes can be formed as through-holes extending substantially parallel or radially to an axis of rotation of the separation element, such as in the case of a separation disc or a separation housing. Alternatively, if the separation element is provided as a hollow cylindrical element, e.g. a separation drum, the through-holes can be provided as through-holes formed radially with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0016] Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the separation element is arranged in the housing such that a first housing region is defined between the separation element and the housing assembly, and a second housing region is defined between the separation element and the cover assembly. The separation device further comprises a bell-shaped element arranged between the separation element and the cover assembly. The bell-shaped element is formed and arranged such that it defines, together with the separation element, a first spatial region in the second housing region, wherein a first group of the plurality of through-holes is enclosed by the bell-shaped element in the spatial region, while a second group of the plurality of through-holes is formed in a second spatial region of the second housing region outside the first spatial region. The second spatial region is in communication connection with the first housing region via the second group of through-holes, and, internally, between the first spatial region and the first housing region, a pressure difference can be generated by a pressure reservoir couplable to the second spatial region.

[0017] In an embodiment according to the second aspect, the pressure difference is generated by applying a first pressure from the pressure reservoir to the first housing region in the housing via the second spatial region through the second group of through-holes on a first side of the separation element, i.e. the side of the separation element facing the first housing region, while a second pressure different from the first pressure is applied to a second side opposite the first side via the first spatial region. Thus, in operation, a pressure difference between the first side and the second side is generated.

[0018] According to the various aspects of the present invention, by transferring the first pressure to the first housing region via the second group of through-holes, the distribution of the first pressure to the first housing region along the separation element can be applied corresponding to the distribution of the second group of through-holes along the separation element. In this way, on the one hand, the distribution of the first pressure in the first housing region can be shaped, and on the other hand, in case the first pressure is applied higher relative to the second pressure, loosening of an accumulation of particles present in the first housing region, into which the particles are fed into the housing region of the separation element, can be achieved without the need for mechanical loosening of the particles in the first housing region, e.g. by mechanical shaking movements or stirring elements, which can cause damage to the particles, as the application of the elevated pressure relative to the second pressure to the first housing region causes a flow around the particles, thus facilitating the release of individual particles in the first housing region.

[0019] In various aspects of the present application, the bell-shaped element can be provided as a separate component from the housing and / or from the separation element. For example, the bell-shaped element can be a single component that can be releasably coupled to the housing or to the separation element. In alternative examples, the bell-shaped element can be provided as an integral part of the housing or of the separation element, e.g. the bell-shaped element can be integrally formed into an inner wall of the housing or integrally formed into a surface of the separation element. In illustrative examples herein, the bell-shaped element is formed as a wall with optional sealing elements or as part of a labyrinth seal structure between the housing and the separation element, formed in a surface of the housing or of the separation element.

[0020] In illustrative examples of various aspects of the present application, the cover assembly can comprise a housing cover that together with the housing assembly defines an interior of the housing. In this case, for example, the second housing region can be defined between the housing cover and the separation element, and the second space region can be defined between the bell-shaped element and the housing cover. Alternatively or additionally, a flap can be provided on the cover assembly and / or on the housing assembly.

[0021] In various aspects of the present application, in the interior of the housing, between the first housing region and the first space region of the second housing region, and between the first space region and the second space region, a pressure difference can be generated by at least one pressure reservoir. For example, an overpressure reservoir can be coupled to the second space region and thereby to the first housing region. Additionally or alternatively, an underpressure reservoir can be coupled to the first space region, which provides a lower pressure than in the first space region. In a specific example, the first space region can be connected to ambient atmosphere or to a suction side of a pump, and an overpressure can be applied to the second space region, e.g. the second space region can be connected to a pump or to a pressure side of said pump.

[0022] In some illustrative embodiments of various aspects of the present application, a first set of through-holes can be formed in the separating element as a first radial row having a first radius for carrying individual particles of the granular material, and a second set can be formed in the separating element as a second radial row having a second radius, the first radius being smaller than the second radius. A radial row denotes a row of through-holes having a constant radius with respect to the center of the separating element, e.g. a penetration point of an axis of rotation defined by an axis passing through the separating element. Additional radial rows having different radii and optionally different through-hole sizes and / or spacings can be provided. As a result, the separating element can be used for dispensing increased amounts of seeds or for seeds of different particle sizes. The pressure directed to the first housing region or the pressure distribution in the first housing region can also be set using the second radial row. In a specific illustrative example herein, different through-holes having different sizes can be formed in one radial row, and an adjustable selection of through-holes having a particular size can be performed, e.g. by means of a mask provided on the separating element, while other through-holes having a different size are covered by the mask. The mask can be a selection element mountable as rotationally fixed to the separating element, having at least one through-hole having a size greater than or equal to the through-hole of the separating element having the largest size, the at least one through-hole of the mask being mountable to at least one desired or selected through-hole of the separating element on the separating element in an adjustable orientation, such that the non-selected through-holes of the separating element are covered by the mask. In some illustrative examples herein, the first set and the second set can comprise the same or different number of through-holes. For example, a fixed hole ratio between the through-holes of the first set and the second set with respect to the number and / or size of the through-holes can be implemented on the separating element provided for a particular kind of seeds and / or fertilizer, and correspondingly adapted separating elements can be provided for different kinds.

[0023] In some illustrative examples herein, a separating device is described, wherein a first set of through-holes is further divided into sub-sets of through-holes, each sub-set having the same size, and the through-holes of different sub-sets having different sizes. Further, the separating device can comprise a mask mounted as rotationally fixed to the separating element and configured for adjustably selecting through-holes of a particular size, such that other non-selected through-holes are covered by the mask on the separating element with respect to the first spatial region. For example, in an embodiment of a bell-shaped element having a semi-cylindrical recess, the mask can be formed by the recess of the bell-shaped element, the recess being formed in the bell-shaped element such that only one or more selected through-holes of the first set are enclosed by the bell-shaped element in the first spatial region, whereby, viewed from the first spatial region, the non-selected through-holes are covered by the bell-shaped element as they are not located in the first spatial region.

[0024] As an alternative to the realization of the mask by means of the bell-shaped element, as mentioned above, the mask can be provided as a separate component from the bell-shaped element and can have at least one through-hole, the size of which is greater than or equal to the size of the through-hole of the separate element having the largest size. This ensures that the mask completely exposes each selected through-hole in the first spatial region. In this case, the mask is mounted in the first housing region on the overpressure side of the separate element.

[0025] In further examples herein, the separation device can further comprise a plurality of detent elements, the mask and the separate element each having a set of mutually engaging detent elements of said plurality, the mechanical coupling between the mask and the separate element being realized by bringing the detent elements from both sets into engagement with each other in a selected orientation of the mask relative to the separate element. In this way, a desired orientation of the mask relative to the separate element can be provided.

[0026] In some illustrative examples herein, the mask can be realized by a bell-shaped element configured such that it only encloses a set of through-holes of equal size in the first spatial region, it not being necessary for the remaining through-holes to be covered by the bell-shaped element as mask, since these non-selected through-holes are arranged in the second spatial region. In this case, the covering of the through-holes can be omitted, so that the non-selected through-holes can be used as flow paths connecting the second spatial region with the first housing region. This has the advantage that one separate element can be used for different kinds, the setting of the separate element for use with a particular kind being realized by setting a particular orientation of the bell-shaped element relative to the separate element.

[0027] For example, the mask is provided as a separate component from the bell-shaped element and the separate element can each have a set of mutually engaging detent elements, the mechanical coupling of the mask and the separate element being realized by bringing the detent elements from both sets into engagement with each other in a selected orientation of the mask relative to the separate element. For example, one of the mask and the separate element has a plurality of first detent elements and the other of the mask and the separate element has one or more second detent elements which can engage with the first detent elements, so that by engaging the second detent elements with the associated first detent elements to form an associated pair of detent elements, a particular orientation of the bell-shaped element relative to the separate element is provided for each second detent element.

[0028] In illustrative examples herein, the detent elements can be formed as not being limited to interlocking teeth or as a detent connection between a pin or hook or lug or peg or bolt, optionally a threaded connection as first or second detent element, a hole or recess or opening as second or first detent element.

[0029] In the illustrative examples herein, the separation element can have, along its circumferential direction, i.e. in the azimuthal direction, at regular intervals, through-holes in the separation element and / or in an outer region near its circumference, of a second set of through-holes. The through-holes of the second set of through-holes provide a spatial connection between the first housing region and the second spatial region. The through-holes of the first set of through-holes are intended for seed separation and are accordingly designed for the attachment of particles having a specific geometric dimension, such that due to the pressure difference, the particles in operation attach to the through-holes of the first set of through-holes.

[0030] In some illustrative embodiments of various aspects of the present invention, the bell-shaped element can be mounted as rotationally fixed to the housing, for example to the cover assembly, and the separation device can further comprise a labyrinth seal formed by a first sealing portion formed at the periphery of the separation element and a second sealing portion at the bell-shaped element, such that the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are a mutually intermeshing structure without mechanical contact. The first sealing portion and the second sealing portion provide a contactless seal between the separation element and the bell-shaped element, wherein the sealing effect of the labyrinth seal is achieved by elongating the flow path in the gap to be sealed between the separation element and the bell-shaped element by means of the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion. In combination, in the assembled housing, the first and second sealing portions provide a significantly increased flow resistance with respect to the gap to be sealed. In other words, in the assembled housing, the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion cooperate as a labyrinth seal, such that the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion in the assembled housing achieve a sealing effect in a mutually intermeshing or comb configuration between the rotating separation element and the bell-shaped element fixed thereto. For example, in the comb configuration, the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion can cause a turbulent flow in the labyrinth structure formed by the mutually intermeshing sealing portions, such that the labyrinth seal has achieved a sufficient sealing without additional sealing compounds and / or contact seals. A frictionless and wear-free seal is provided in the separation device in a simple manner. In this case, the labyrinth seal can be formed by a comb configuration of curved web structures, which are formed in the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion such that, despite the curvature, they are arranged in a contactless comb configuration when the bell-shaped element and the separation element are assembled in the housing. For the curved web, it can be advantageous if the curved web is formed elastically, such that, upon assembly of the bell-shaped element, the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion can slide past each other in order to reach the contactless mutually intermeshing arrangement. In contrast, a linearly formed web, i.e. a web without curvature, provides a simplified assembly, since for a linear web, no undercutting of the webs of the different sealing portions occurs. Thus, by means of the labyrinth seal, a sealing is provided in the housing of the separation device between the first spatial region and the second spatial region, which remains permanently sealed without wear.

[0031] In illustrative examples herein, the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion can be formed by a plurality of webs arranged in a comb configuration that intermesh. For example, at least two webs can be formed in the first sealing portion and at least one web is formed in the second sealing portion, the webs in the first and second sealing portions intermeshingly engaging without contact. Alternatively, at least one web can be formed in the first sealing portion and at least two webs are formed in the second sealing portion, the webs in the first and second sealing portions intermeshingly engaging without contact. The webs can have equal or different lengths. For example, the lengths of the webs can monotonically or strictly monotonically decrease from a radially innermost web to a radially outermost web. In some specific examples herein, the radially innermost web can have a maximum length and the subsequent webs towards the outside can have equal or different lengths, for example decreasing lengths. In this way, the sealing effect of the labyrinth seal can be structurally improved. Different web lengths can result in radially circumferentially different sealing areas, such that increased flow, dust or dirt that can accumulate in the labyrinth seal in areas with lower sealing can be blown out.

[0032] In illustrative examples herein, the labyrinth seal between the bell-shaped element and the separating element can be formed as an annular labyrinth seal formed in the circumferential direction of the separating element. The annular labyrinth seal provides an advantageous sealing effect at the edge of the separating element.

[0033] In illustrative embodiments of various aspects of the application, the bell-shaped element can be integrated into the housing, for example into the cover assembly, the second sealing portion being formed as a wall, for example a cylindrical wall, in the housing, coaxial or radial to the rotation axis, such that the wall delimits a first space region from a second space region. This provides a structurally simple and compact construction of the housing, in which the separating element can be directly accessed without the need for a separate manual step for removing an additional component provided in the housing as the bell-shaped element. For example, direct access is possible after removal of the cover assembly, thus easily exchanging the separating element in a few steps.

[0034] In some illustrative embodiments of various aspects of the application, the bell-shaped element can be mounted as rotationally fixed to the housing, for example to the lid assembly. The separation device can further comprise a contact seal. The contact seal can for example be formed by a first contact seal portion formed on the bell-shaped element and an optional second contact seal portion at the periphery of the separation element, such that the first contact seal portion and the separation element (optionally via the second contact seal portion, if provided) are in direct mechanical contact with each other. The contact seal can be provided as a regenerable wear part, for example at least one of the first contact seal portion and the optional second contact seal portion can be provided as a regenerable wear part, such that after excessive wear of the contact seal (for example of at least one of the contact seal portions), the contact seal (for example the worn contact seal portion or portions) can be replaced by a functional contact seal or contact seal portion, such that the advantageous and optionally regenerable sealing provided by the contact seal in the housing is achieved to a sufficient degree.

[0035] In some illustrative embodiments of various aspects of the application, the separation element can be tilted in the housing relative to a virtual plane oriented perpendicular to the rotation axis. The tilt of the separation element can provide an advantageous tilt in the housing at the particle collection area occupied by the separation element, the tilt enabling an advantageous accumulation of particles in the particle collection area. For example, the separation element can be tilted in the housing relative to a vertical orientation defined by the virtual plane perpendicular to the rotation axis. The tilt of the separation element can be in the housing in an angular range between 0° and 45°, for example between 0° and 30°, relative to a vertical direction defined to lie in the virtual plane perpendicular to the rotation axis, the tilted separation element providing an improved adhesion of the particle material in the through-holes in the seed receiving area.

[0036] In some illustrative embodiments of various aspects of the application, the first set of through-holes and the second set of through-holes can be formed in a common radial row in the separation element, in other words the radial rows of the first set of through-holes and the second set of through-holes have the same radius. Furthermore, the bell-shaped element can be configured such that only the first set of through-holes is enclosed in the first space region by the at least one wall of the bell-shaped element, while the second set of through-holes is left out by the at least one wall, thereby being exposed to the second space region in the housing. This enables a construction of the housing, wherein the dimensions of the housing depend on the shape and dimensions of the radial rows, such that a compact housing can be provided with a compact separation element. In an illustrative example, as mentioned above, in case of a separation element with different sized through-holes for different kinds of seeds and / or fertilizers, the bell-shaped element can provide the function of a mask.

[0037] In some illustrative examples herein, the bell-shaped element can have a hollow cylindrical wall with a plurality of semi-cylindrical recesses formed in the outer surface of the bell-shaped element, each semi-cylindrical recess being associated with a through-hole of the second set of through-holes. In this way, the separation of the first and second spatial regions is simply achieved by the hollow cylindrical wall in the case of a single radial row formed by the first and second sets.

[0038] In some illustrative examples herein, the bell-shaped element can be formed rotationally fixed with respect to the separation element. For example, the bell-shaped element can be formed as an integral part of the separation element, or the bell-shaped element can be detachably and rotationally mounted to the separation element. Further, in some illustrative examples, the bell-shaped element can be rotationally coupled to the housing, e.g. the lid assembly, by means of a bearing. In case the bell-shaped element is detachably mounted to the separation element, the bell-shaped element and the separation element can be temporarily coupled to each other via a detent element, e.g. a tooth or a pin or the like, such that in the temporary coupling the separation element, which is rotationally drivable in operation, carries the bell-shaped element in rotational movement with respect to the lid assembly, the desired orientation of the bell-shaped element with respect to the separation element also being set by the detent element. Further, the detent element can provide a firm, in particular directional, holding coupling between the bell-shaped element and the separation element. Alternatively, instead of a mechanical coupling via a detent element, a mechanical coupling between the bell-shaped element and the separation element via a sliding mechanical contact, i.e. a frictional contact, can be achieved by mechanically pressing the bell-shaped element and the separation element against each other, e.g. by means of an adjustable spring element for setting a desired pressure from one of the bell-shaped element and the separation element to the other.

[0039] In some illustrative embodiments herein, the housing, e.g. the lid assembly, can comprise a channel coaxial to the rotational axis, the channel connecting the first spatial region in communication with the ambient atmosphere of the separation device. This allows for a simple way of coupling the first spatial region with the ambient atmosphere, such that the housing can be configured compactly.

[0040] In some illustrative embodiments herein, the separation device can further comprise an additional port on the housing, e.g. on the lid assembly, in communication with the first housing region, the additional port being configured for coupling to a pressure reservoir for directly applying a pressure provided by the pressure reservoir to the first housing region via the additional port. In this way, pressure fluctuations in the first housing region can be avoided, and undesired flows in the first housing region can be suppressed.

[0041] In some advantageous embodiments, the separating device can further comprise a cover element held by a holder, the holder being mounted rotationally fixed to the housing, and the cover element being configured to suppress the pressure difference at the appropriate location when the separating element is rotated. For example, the cover assembly can comprise a cover element held by a holder, the cover element being rotationally fixed to the cover assembly by the holder. The cover element is arranged in the housing opposite the seed side of the separating element, i.e. in the first space region, to also cover the through-hole of the separating element from the opposite side, which is covered by the seed particles on the seed side in the first housing region, and thus suppresses the pressure difference from being exerted to the through-hole. As a result, a time- and position-accurate dispensing of the particulate material after the predetermined transport path through the separating element can be achieved.

[0042] In some illustrative first embodiments, the cover assembly can further comprise a housing cover, the bell-shaped element being rotationally fixed inserted into the housing cover, or the bell-shaped element being rotationally coupled to the housing cover by a bearing. In this case, the first space region is defined by the bell-shaped element independently of the housing cover, while the second space region is defined by the bell-shaped element and the housing cover. Thereby, a pressure difference in the second housing region between the first space region and the second space region can be achieved. In case the bell-shaped element is arranged rotationally fixed to the cover assembly, the bell-shaped element can be releasably mounted to the cover assembly by a holder of the cover element. This enables a reliable mounting of the bell-shaped element in the housing cover in a simple manner. For example, the cover element can be attached to an annular insert, which is releasably and rotationally fixedly mounted in the housing cover of the cover assembly. The mounting of the annular insert can simultaneously mount the bell-shaped element rotationally fixed to the housing cover. The mounting of the bell-shaped element in the housing cover can also be implemented such that the bell-shaped element is axially displaceable in the cover assembly, so that manufacturing tolerances can be compensated by the axial displaceability. For this purpose, as a measure of the spacing between the bell-shaped element and the cover assembly, the insertion depth of the bell-shaped element in the cover assembly can be manually adjusted or self-adjusted due to the flow and the pressure, in particular by means of a spring mounting of the bell-shaped element in the cover assembly, for example. For example, spring elements can be provided between the bell-shaped element and the cover assembly and between the bell-shaped element and the cover element, for example the annular insert, which in each case allows the bell-shaped element to be axially displaced against the spring action of the spring elements.

[0043] In another advantageous configuration of the illustrative first embodiment as described above, the cover assembly can comprise or form a first flow channel with an additional component attachable to the cover assembly, the first flow channel being configured to provide the pressure, e.g. overpressure, provided by the pressure reservoir to a second space region in the housing outside the bell-shaped element between the separation element and the cover assembly. Further, the cover assembly can comprise a second flow channel configured to provide a fluid connection between the environment of the separation device and the first space region or to apply an underpressure to the first space region in the housing. By providing these flow channels in the housing, a mutual impairment of the first and second space regions can be avoided as they are formed separately from the separation element in the housing. Further, by the first and second flow channels, a targeted guidance of the flow into the housing can be achieved and thus a setup of the flow paths in the housing can be achieved. In a particular example, the cover assembly can form the first flow channel with the housing assembly in the housing, the pressure reservoir being arranged in or on the housing assembly. As the first flow channel is not only formed by the cover assembly, a compact construction of the housing can be achieved.

[0044] In a separation based on the pressure difference described herein, the separation element always divides the housing into a higher pressure region and a lower pressure region. In order for particles to adhere to the separation element, the particle material is located in the region of higher pressure. This region is referred to as the overpressure region, the low pressure region is referred to as the underpressure region. The pressure level in the overpressure region can be higher than the pressure level of the ambient atmosphere. The pressure level in the low pressure region can be lower than the pressure level of the ambient atmosphere or under the ambient atmosphere. This is not limiting, as it is necessary that the pressure level in the overpressure region is higher than the pressure level in the underpressure region. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0045] Further details of the present application are apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. The drawings show:

[0046] FIG. 1 A seeding unit of an agricultural seeding machine according to some illustrative embodiments is shown in a perspective exploded view.

[0047] FIG. 2 A housing of an agricultural separation device according to some illustrative embodiments is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view.

[0048] FIG. 3 A separation element according to some illustrative embodiments is shown in a schematic front view.

[0049] FIG. 4 A bell-shaped element of a separation element according to some illustrative embodiments is shown in a schematic front view. FIG. 3

[0050] ​FIG. 5 The discrete elements according to some other illustrative embodiments are shown in a schematic front view.

[0051] FIG. 6 A schematic front view illustrates a method for using, according to some other illustrative embodiments. FIG. 5 A bell-shaped element with separate components.

[0052] FIG. 7 schematically shown FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 The mask function in the embodiment.

[0053] FIG. 8 The housing of an agricultural separation device according to some other illustrative embodiments is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view.

[0054] FIG. 9 The perspective exploded diagram shows the results based on FIG. 1 The seeding unit of an agricultural seeder in an alternative embodiment.

[0055] FIG. 10 A schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the separation device is shown. FIG. 9 Agricultural separation devices.

[0056] FIG. 11 A schematic diagram of a bell-shaped element according to another embodiment of the invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0057] Illustrative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As described above, the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments based on the drawings is considered to supplement the more general description of the first and second aspects of the invention with reference to the illustrative embodiments and examples described above. In particular, the various aspects of the invention described above, as well as their illustrative embodiments and examples, can be combined with the following embodiments and examples, even if combinations are not explicitly described, unless specific combinations are explicitly excluded.

[0058] refer to FIG. 1 The seeding unit 2 of an agricultural seeder (not shown) is depicted in an exploded perspective view. The seeding unit 2 can be secured by carrying element 1 onto a frame (not shown) oriented transversely to the seeder's direction of travel F. FIG. 1The diagram shows a frame element 1a of a frame oriented perpendicular to the direction of travel F, such as a telescopic frame. Frame element 1a represents a telescopic frame element of an agricultural seeder (not shown). A seeding unit 2 can be fastened into the seeder (not shown) as one of a plurality of seeding units (not shown) on the frame (not shown), such that, in addition to seeding unit 2, one or more additional seed furrows can be filled with seeds and / or fertilizer by means of at least one other seeding unit (not shown), which can be distributed along one or more furrows. Seeding unit 2 is movable relative to the frame.

[0059] according to FIG. 1 As described in the text, the seeding unit 2 has a hopper 3 for storing granular materials to be distributed, particularly seeds and / or fertilizer. The lower shell area of ​​the hopper 3 is configured as an outlet area, wherein an outlet opening is arranged (in... FIG. 1 Not shown in the image, see [link / reference]. FIG. 2 (See attached figure 4). Through the outlet opening ( FIG. 1 For items not shown in the image, see [link / reference]. FIG. 2 (See reference numeral 4 in the attached figure) The particulate material to be distributed is supplied to the separation device 5 arranged below the hopper 3.

[0060] Further reference FIG. 1 The separating device 5 is described in more detail below. The separating device 5 includes a housing formed by a housing assembly 6a and a cover assembly 6b releasably mounted to the housing assembly 6a. Within the housing, a separating element 7 is arranged, which is drivable in a rotational direction R about a rotational axis D, and preferably is at least partially rotationally symmetrical. As depicted, the separating element 7 may be formed as a separating disc, although this is not limiting, and instead of a separating disc, a separating drum or a separating shell may be provided. Additional partition walls within the housing may be provided to, for example, in the case of a separating drum, to achieve a boundary between the first and second housing regions. In any case, the separating element 7 is configured to at least partially separate particulate material supplied in the housing via feed from a hopper 3. The housing may include a shaft W rotatably mounted to the housing assembly 6a, through which the separating element 7 is rotatably driven during operation of the separating device 5. Although the separating element 7... FIG. 1 The separation element 7 is depicted as being oriented substantially vertically within the housing; that is, in the case of a separation disc, the separation element 7 is located substantially in a virtual plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation D, while in the case of a separation shell or separation drum, its axis of rotation is oriented substantially horizontally within the housing. The orientation of the separation element 7 within the housing may also deviate from the vertical direction within the housing, without limiting the scope of the description in this respect. Reference is made here to the description of an inclined separation element, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and in lieu of the vertical orientation of the separation element within the housing, it may have an orientation inclined relative to the vertical orientation.

[0061] according to FIG. 1 As depicted, the separating element 7 may be a separating disc that is at least partially shaped as a disk, or a bowl-shaped separating disc, which is rotatably fixed to the shaft W such that the shaft W sets a specific rotational movement of the separating element 7 at a predetermined rotational speed. As mentioned above, this is not limiting, and instead of a separating disc or separating shell, a separating drum (not shown) may also be provided.

[0062] A separating element 7 is arranged within the housing such that a first housing region B1 is defined between the separating element 7 and the housing assembly 6a, and a second housing region B2 is defined between the separating element 7 and the cover assembly 6b. Inside the housing, a pressure difference can be generated between the first housing region B1 and the second housing region B2 by means of a pressure reservoir (not shown). The housing assembly 6a has an opening in which the separating element 7 is at least partially received, and the opening of the housing assembly 6a may be surrounded by an annular flange portion 6af.

[0063] according to FIG. 1 As depicted in the diagram, cover assembly 6b may include housing cover 6b1, which, together with housing assembly 6a, defines the interior of the housing. Here, the second housing region B2 is defined between housing cover 6b1 and separation element 7.

[0064] Further reference FIG. 1 The separating element 7 has suitable through holes 11 at regular intervals along its circumference and / or in the outer housing region near its circumference. A subset of the through holes 11 is designed to hold individual particles of particulate material, as described in more detail below with reference to additional figures. The through holes 11 provide through-holes through the separating element 7, thereby creating a spatial connection between the first housing region B1 and the second housing region B2 of the housing. At least some of the through holes 11 are sized to receive particles that adhere to these through holes 11 due to pressure differentials. Furthermore, the separating device 5 may additionally have a covering element 12 at a suitable location in the housing, which temporarily covers the through holes 11 to suppress pressure differentials and thus suppress the continued adhesion of transported particles at the through holes 11.

[0065] refer to FIG. 1 The depiction in the figure shows that, in the circumferential direction of the separating element 7, through holes 11 are arranged in at least one radial row along the associated diameter or radius originating from the axis of rotation D in the housing region of the outer circumference of the outer disk. Various illustrative embodiments for this purpose are described in more detail below with reference to the additional figures. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the through holes 11 are arranged on the circumference of the separating element 7. Although in FIG. 1In the schematic depiction of Fig. 1, only one radial row of through-holes 11 (i.e. only through-holes 11 in an annular arrangement with a substantially constant radius) is formed in the separating element 7, but this is not limiting and two or more concentric radial rows of through-holes can be provided instead of one radial row of through-holes, as described below with respect to some illustrative embodiments. For example, the different radial rows of through-holes can all have the same size, or each radial row can have an associated fixed size of through-holes, at least two radial rows of through-holes being different from each other.

[0066] In the illustrative embodiment, the housing is thus divided by the separating element 7 into a first housing region B1 and a second housing region B2. This division of the housing by the separating element 7 is achieved such that a pressure difference can be generated between at least the first housing region B1 and the second housing region B2.

[0067] As described above, the first housing region B1 and the second housing region B2 of the housing are spatially connected to each other via the through-holes 11 such that, due to the pressure difference between the two housing regions B1, B2, in particular the resulting suction effect, individual particles of the granular material can be carried within the through-holes 11. On a first side of the separating element 7 facing the first housing region (typically the side oriented towards the housing region with the higher pressure), the individual particles are transported in the direction of rotation R to the cover element 12. The cover element 12 is arranged on the side of the separating element 7 opposite the first side. The cover element 12 is further configured to temporarily inhibit the pressure difference, in particular locally inhibit the pressure difference in the housing region of the cover element 12, by at least partially covering the at least one through-hole 11. Due to the inhibited pressure difference, at least one particle carried by the separating element 7 is released to separate in the housing region of the cover element 12. Thus, the grain released by the cover element 12 is handed over to the seed placement assembly 130 at a defined position, as FIG. 1 shown in Fig. 1. In the illustrative example, the cover element 12 is formed as a roller which rolls along the disc by friction when the separating element 7 is rotated. According to FIG. 1 In the depiction of Fig. 1, the seed placement assembly 130 comprises a disc opener formed as a furrow opening element 14, a depth guide element 15 and a furrow closing device 16. In addition, the seed placement assembly 130 can comprise a retardation device (not shown). The retardation device causes a reduction of the moving speed of the grain. The retardation device can comprise a catching element which fixes the grain on the bottom of the furrow. Alternatively or additionally, the retardation device can comprise a braking element which changes the speed of the grain based on the advancing speed of the seeding unit 2. The catching element can be formed as, for example, a roller or a slide. The braking element can be formed as, for example, an air outlet or a rotation.

[0068] Reference is made to FIG. 1At least one ejector 17, which can be driven by the separating element 7, is additionally arranged within the housing, for example the ejector 17 is driven by the engagement of the teeth in the through-hole. The ejector 17 is arranged on the second side of the separating element 7 and downstream of the cover element 12 in the direction of rotation R. The ejector 17 is configured to engage at least partially into the through-hole 11 and thus to clean the through-hole 11 from blockages and / or contaminations. In this case, by pushing out the ejector elements formed on the ejector 17 and configured to engage in the through-hole 11, jammed deposits, particles or other accumulations within the through-hole 11 are loosened. This is not limiting, but rather a pressure interrupting element can not be provided and only an ejector can be provided.

[0069] Further reference is made to FIG. 1 The bell element 8 is inserted into the housing formed by the cover assembly 6b and the housing assembly 6a, which in some illustrative embodiments, as described below, can be rotationally fixed to the housing, or in other illustrative embodiments, as described below, can be rotationally arranged relative to the housing. The bell element 8 can be a half-shell element or a hollow cylindrical element, which is completely open on the side facing the separating element, while on the opposite side, i.e. the side of the bell element 8 facing the cover assembly 6b, it has only an opening 13c, for example in the form of a central opening, which merely denotes a partial opening formed in the bell element 8. By means of the central opening 13c, the bell element 8 can be mounted and / or supported on a central cylindrical protrusion (not visible in FIG. 1 ), which protrudes from the inner surface of the cover assembly 6b, which faces the bell element 8, coaxially to the axis of rotation. For example, by means of the cylindrical protrusion (not visible in FIG. 1 ), in some embodiments, as described in more detail below, a rotationally fixed and precisely fitted fixing of the bell element 8 at a predetermined position can be achieved without the risk of a misadjusted mounting of the bell element 8 relative to the cover assembly 6b and / or the separating element 7. The central opening 13c of the bell element 8 and the protrusion of the cover assembly (not visible in FIG. 1 ) can also provide a connection between the second housing region B2 and the ambient atmosphere of the separating device 5, in the depiction of FIG. 1 , the opening in the cover assembly 6b communicates with the protrusion (not visible in FIG. 1 ), possibly covered by a cover portion having a lower side opening (not visible in FIG. 1 ), in order to prevent dirt and dust from entering the housing. As a result, the second housing region B2 can be kept at ambient pressure, or alternatively, via the opening in the cover assembly 6b and the opening 13c of the bell element 8, an underpressure can be applied to the side of the separating element 7 facing the bell element 8, which is coupled to an underpressure reservoir (not shown).

[0070] In some illustrative embodiments described in more detail below, mounting the bell element 8 in the cover assembly 6b can be performed such that the bell element 8 is inserted into the housing so as to be axially displaceable relative to the cover assembly 6b and mounted in the housing at a desired insertion depth relative to the cover assembly 6b. By being mounted at the desired insertion depth in the housing, manufacturing tolerances between the bell element 8 and the decoupling element 7 can be compensated for by an axial displacement of the mounting arrangement. For example, by inserting or screwing the bell element 8 onto a protrusion (not visible in FIG. 1 ) of the cover assembly 6b (not visible in FIG. 1 ), which can have an outer thread (not shown) with a predetermined pitch or is formed so as to move the bell element 8 axially along the protrusion (not visible in FIG. 1 ), the insertion depth of the bell element 8 in the housing can be set manually. In other illustrative examples, the insertion depth of the bell element 8 in the housing can also be set due to the flow and pressure acting on the bell element 8 in the housing. In other illustrative examples, a spring mounting of the bell element 8 in the housing can also be provided, the insertion depth of the bell element 8 in the housing being set by a spring element (not shown). Such a spring mounting can be self-adjusting, since an axial displacement of the bell element 8 in the housing is set due to the flow and pressure acting on the bell element 8 in the housing.

[0071] In some illustrative examples, in which the bell element 8 is mounted so as to be rotationally fixed relative to the housing, the fixation of the bell element 8 to the housing can be achieved by a cover element 12 and / or an ejector 17, which are mounted on the protrusion (not visible in FIG. 2 ) by a ring-shaped insert 12a, for example according to the depiction in FIG. 2 . The cover element 12 and / or the ejector 17 can be attached to the ring-shaped insert 12a according to the depiction in FIG. 1 , and the ring-shaped insert 12a in the form of a holder can be mounted so as to be rotationally fixed to the protrusion (not visible in FIG. 2 ) of the cover assembly 6b, so that in this way the bell element 8 is additionally prevented from slipping off the protrusion (not shown in FIG. 1 ) by the ring-shaped insert 12a. For example, the ring-shaped insert 12a can be releasably or permanently mounted to the protrusion 13d by screws or bolts. In some illustrative examples herein, in each case a spring element (not shown) can be provided between the bell element 8 and the cover assembly 6b and between the bell element 8 and the ring-shaped insert 12a, which allows the bell element 6b2 to be displaced axially against the spring action of the spring element (not shown).

[0072] Although in FIG. 1The retaining means are depicted in the form of a ring-shaped insert 12a, but this is not limiting and instead of the ring-shaped insert 12a, a partial ring element or a web element or a link can be provided for retaining the cover element 12 and / or the ejector 17 on the protrusion (not visible in FIG. 2 ).

[0073] Reference is made to FIG. 2 some illustrative embodiments are now described in which the bell-shaped element 8 is arranged rotatably with respect to the cover assembly 6b. FIG. 1 The housing Gl formed by the cover assembly 6b and the housing assembly 6a is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view, for which reference is made to the above description with reference to FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 The depiction in FIG. 2 is merely schematic and elements and components not necessary for the description of the illustrative embodiments of the housing Gl are not shown in comparison to the depiction in FIG. 2 Elements and components described with reference to FIG. 2 but not explicitly depicted in the schematic view of FIG. 2 may in fact be present in the embodiments described with reference to FIG. 1 such that elements or components described with reference to FIG. 2 their omission in the description of FIG. 1 is not to be considered to mean that the corresponding elements or components would not be present in conjunction with FIG. 1 unless it is explicitly stated in the following description of FIG. 1 that the corresponding elements or components are not present in conjunction with the embodiments described with reference to FIG. 2 .

[0074] According to the description, the housing Gl is formed by the housing assembly 6a and the cover assembly 6b, which can be releasably mounted to each other. For example, the cover assembly 6b and the housing assembly 6a can be connected to each other by at least one screw connection (not shown) or a bayonet connection (not shown) such that the cover assembly 6b can be removed from the housing assembly 6a in the proximity of the separation element 7 in order to allow access to components and parts in the interior of the housing Gl, for example during a maintenance, repair and / or adjustment work in order to remove and / or replace individual components or parts in the interior of the housing Gl.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 1 , the separation element 7 and the bell-shaped element 8 are received in the interior of the housing Gl, the separation element 7 dividing the housing Gl into a first housing region Bl and a second housing region B2, also as described above with reference to FIG. 2The bell-shaped element 8 is also arranged in a second housing region B2 between the separating element 7 and the cover assembly 6b, and is rotatably arranged relative to the cover assembly 6b. For example, the bell-shaped element 8 can be releasably engaged with the separating element 7 such that rotational movement of the separating element 7 causes the bell-shaped element 8 to be driven in a synchronized rotational movement. In the case of releasable coupling, for example via one or more braking elements (not shown), or by friction coupling, also referring to the above disclosure, the bell-shaped element 8 can be replaced and serviced separately from the separating element 7; however, this does not limit this specification, and the bell-shaped element 8 can also be permanently connected to or fastened to the separating element 7, and in the particular example herein, the bell-shaped element 8 and the separating element 7 are integrally formed as a single piece.

[0076] According to the illustrative embodiments, and as FIG. 2 As schematically shown, the bell-shaped element 8 can be rotatably mounted to the cover assembly 6b via a bearing 14. Here, the bearing 14 is disposed on a protrusion 13d of the cover assembly 6b, the protrusion 13d being a hollow cylindrical wall protruding from the inner surface of the cover assembly 6b into the opening 13c of the bell-shaped element 8, as described above. FIG. 2 The same description applies. On protrusion 13d, as described above. FIG. 2 Similarly described, retainer 12a can be attached, for example, to a device from... FIG. 3 to FIG. 6 The annular insert 12a, or a connecting rod, web, or partial annular element, secures the cover element 12 in the appropriate position within the housing relative to the separating element 7.

[0077] In the illustrative example, bearing 14 may be a ball bearing, rolling bearing, etc. This does not limit this specification, and instead of bearing 14, a wiper seal or labyrinth seal may be formed between bell element 8 and cover assembly 6b.

[0078] Further reference FIG. 2 The bell-shaped element 8 defines the first spatial region RB1 in the second housing region B2 relative to the second spatial region RB2, such that the second housing region B2 is divided into two spatial regions RB1 and RB2 by the bell-shaped element 8. In this case, the first spatial region RB1 is connected to the opening 13c of the bell-shaped element, while the second spatial region RB2 is not connected to the opening 13c of the bell-shaped element 8.

[0079] As shown in the figure, the second spatial region RB2 can be defined within the housing cover of the bell-shaped element 8 and the cover assembly 6b (see Figure 1). FIG. 2Between the housing cover 6b1). Therefore, inside the housing, during operation, a pressure difference can be generated between the first space region RB1 of the first housing region B1 and the second housing region B2, and between the first space region RB1 and the second space region RB2, via at least one pressure reservoir (not shown).

[0080] According to illustrative and non-limiting embodiments, in the case of overpressure separation, the shown separation device 5 can also directly act on the first housing region B1 at a pressure greater than the pressure in the second housing region B2 via a pressure reservoir (not shown) that can be connected to the pressure supply line 33 (e.g., a blower, not shown). FIG. 2 An additional flow path is indicated by arrow A1'. Alternatively, low-pressure separation or another type of separation is conceivable, for example, where the first housing region B1 is connected to the ambient atmosphere via a pressure supply line 33, and the second housing region B2 is connected to an under-pressure reservoir (not shown) via a suitable supply line (not shown), such as a suction element (not shown), such that the pressure in the second housing region B2 is lower than the pressure in the first housing region B1. The pressure supply line 33 is configured to directly and immediately couple the first housing region B1 to the pressure reservoir (not shown). The pressure supply line 33 may be located in the housing assembly 6a for providing additional compressed air supply to the first housing region B1 or for applying pressure to the first housing region B1, but the pressure supply line 33 is not intended for exclusively coupling the first housing region B1 to the pressure reservoir (not shown). In any case, the coupling from the first housing region to the pressure reservoir (not shown) occurs indirectly via a flow channel 31 leading to the second housing region B2, for example, as... FIG. 2 As shown by arrow A1, the flow channel 31 generates a flow into the second housing region B2.

[0081] Further reference FIG. 2 The flow indicated by arrow A1 is distributed into the second spatial region RB2, as shown. FIG. 2 As indicated by arrows A2 and A3, the flow does not enter the first spatial region RB1. Specifically, the flow indicated by arrow A1 is distributed in the spatial region RB2 surrounding the spatial region RB1, such that the separating element 7 flows in the spatial region RB2 outside the spatial region RB1 according to the flow indicated by arrows A2 and A3.

[0082] The separating element 7 has through holes 11 allowing the connection between the housing regions B1 and B2, which are divided into a first group of through holes 11a and a second group of through holes 11b. The first group of through holes 11a provides through holes through the separating element 7 which allow the connection between the first space region RB1 and the first housing region B1, while the second group of through holes 11b provides through holes through the separating element 7 which allow the connection between the second space region RB2 and the first housing region B1. In order to provide the function of selective communication of the first and second group of through holes between the respective space regions RB1 and RB2 and the first housing region B1, reference is made below to the description of the function of the clock element 8. FIG. 3 The possible exemplary configuration of the separating element 7 and of the clock element 8 is described in more detail, so that FIG. 4 the schematic representation in FIG. 2 shows the first group 11a radially internal with respect to the second group 11b about the rotation axis D.

[0083] As also schematically shown in FIG. 3 and easily understandable from the above description, the second group of through holes 11b allows the flow applied to the second space region RB2 to be diverted to the first housing region B1, as shown by the arrows A2 and A3. In this way, the pressure applied to the second space region RB2 via the channel 31, positive as indicated by the arrow, is applied to the first housing region B1. Moreover, since the first space region RB1 is separated from the second space region RB2 by the clock element 8, the pressure applied through the opening 13c, which is opposite to the pressure applied to the second space region RB2 according to the orientation of the arrows A6, A7 and A8, can be maintained at a pressure level different from the pressure level in the second space region. For example, by opening, it is possible to apply to the first space region RB1 the ambient atmospheric pressure, or it is possible to couple the first space region RB1 to a pressure reservoir (not shown) to create a pressure difference between the first space region RB1 and the first housing region B1, the pressure in the first housing region B1 being generally higher than the pressure in the first space region RB1. As a result, as shown by the arrows A5 and A6, the grains of the seed SG adhere at the through holes of the first group 11a. By rotating the separating element 7, the grains adhering at the through holes of the first group 11a are transported to the position in which the cover element 12 covers the corresponding through holes of the first group 11a on the side of the first space region RB1, thus interrupting the pressure difference, so that the adhesion of the grains at the through holes is interrupted and the grains are supplied to the seed tube 18, as shown in FIG. 1 .

[0084] Reference is made to FIG. 3The flows indicated by arrows A3 and A4 open into a seed receiving area in the first housing region B1, into which the seeds SG accumulate, such flows pass through the seed receiving area and thus loosen the seeds SG in the seed receiving area, without a mechanical shaking movement being required at the seed receiving area, which could damage the grains of the seeds SG.

[0085] Further reference is made to FIG. 4 And according to some specific illustrative examples herein, the through-holes 11 from one of the first group 11a and the second group 11b can have different numbers of through-holes and / or different sizes. For example, the through-holes 11 of the first group 11a can have different sizes, for example the first group 11a can be further divided into a plurality of subgroups, wherein the through-holes in one subgroup have the same size or diameter, but the through-holes from different subgroups have different sizes or diameters. Thus, for example, one subgroup can be assigned to a specific kind of seeds or fertilizer, such that the separation element 7 can be used for different kinds.

[0086] In illustrative examples herein, the through-holes from a specific subgroup of the first group 11a, i.e. the through-holes having a specific size, can be adjustably selected by means of a mask (not shown) provided on the separation element 7. The mask (not shown) is configured such that the non-selected through-holes, i.e. the through-holes from other subgroups of the first group 11a and thus having different sizes, are covered by the mask (not shown). The mask can be a selection element (not shown) which can be rotationally fixed to the separation element in the form of a disc or ring having at least one through-hole (not shown) having a size which is greater than or equal to the size of the through-hole having the largest size of the first group 11a of the separation element 7, the at least one through-hole (not shown) of the mask (not shown) being fastenable to the separation element 7 in an adjustable orientation with respect to at least one desired or selected through-hole or selected subgroup of the first group 11a of the separation element 7, such that the non-selected through-holes from other subgroups of the first group 11a of the separation element 7 are covered by the mask (not shown). For example, the mask (not shown) can be arranged on the overpressure side of the separation element 7 and in particular in the first housing region B1 and attached to the separation element 7.

[0087] In further illustrative examples herein, the first group 11a and the second group 11b can comprise the same or different numbers of through-holes. For example, for a specific kind of seeds and / or fertilizer, a fixed hole ratio between the through-holes of the first group 11a and the second group 11b with respect to the number and / or size of the through-holes can be implemented on the separation element 7 as a separation element provided for this kind, and a correspondingly adapted separation element can be provided for different kinds.

[0088] For example, the mask (not shown) and the separation element 7 can each have a set of inter-engaging detent elements (not shown), the mechanical coupling of the mask (not shown) and the separation element 7 being achieved by causing the detent elements (not shown) of the two sets to inter-engage in a selected orientation of the mask (not shown) relative to the separation element 7. For example, one of the mask (not shown) and the separation element 7 has a plurality of first detent elements (not shown), while the other of the mask (not shown) and the separation element 7 has one or more second detent elements (not shown) which can engage with the first detent elements (not shown) such that one second detent element (not shown) engages with an associated first detent element (not shown) to form an associated pair of detent elements (not shown), each second detent element (not shown) setting a particular orientation of the mask (not shown) relative to the separation element 7. The detent elements (not shown) can but are not limited to being formed as interlocking teeth (not shown) or as a pin (not shown) or hook (not shown) or lug (not shown) or stud (not shown) or bolt (not shown) latch connection, optionally as a threaded first or second detent element (not shown) and a hole (not shown) or recess (not shown) or opening (not shown) as a second or first detent element (not shown).

[0089] Reference is made to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 Some illustrative embodiments will now be described in relation to the separation element 7 and the bell element 8 in FIG. 3 .

[0090] FIG. 4 A separation element 7a according to some illustrative embodiments is shown in a schematic plan view, the separation element 7a being usable in a separation device, such as the separation device 5 described above with reference to FIG. 4 . The separation element 7a can be provided as a disc-shaped, bowl-shaped, cup-shaped or drum-shaped separation element. According to FIG. 4 the plan view in , two sets of through-holes 11a and 11b corresponding to the first set 11a and the second set 11b described above can be formed as radial rows K1 and K2. The first set 11a in the form of radial rows K1 is formed in the separation element 7a as a circular arrangement of through-holes having a pitch diameter TD1, while the second set 11b in the form of radial rows K2 is formed in the separation element 7a as a circular arrangement of through-holes having a pitch diameter TD2, where TD2 > TD1.

[0091] In the illustrative embodiments herein, the through-holes of the first group 11a are specifically formed, in particular dimensioned, such that in each case, when a pressure difference between the first housing region B1 and the first space region is applied, transmitted through the separating element 7a, exactly one grain of the desired seed is occupied by the through-hole, and the attachment of the grain to the through-hole is inhibited under the action of the cover element 12. The number of through-holes of the first group 11a can be suitably selected to transport a specified number of grains from the seed receiving region to the seed tube, a certain minimum spacing between adjacent through-holes in the radial row K1 can determine an upper limit to the number of through-holes of the radial row K1.

[0092] In the illustrative embodiments herein, the through-holes of the second group 11b can be dimensioned independently of the through-holes of the first group 11a, and the number of through-holes of the second group 11b can be equal to or different from the number of through-holes of the first group 11a.

[0093] In the exemplary embodiments, the through-holes of the second group 11b can be arranged in the second radial row K2 such that, with reference to the radial projection of the radial row K2 onto the radial row K1, or vice versa, each through-hole of the second group 11b is arranged between two through-holes of the first group 11a. This provides a relaxation flow directly at the seed receiving region before the grains are occupied by the through-holes of the first group 11a. This is not limiting, and with reference to the radial projection of the radial row K2 onto the radial row K1, or vice versa, each through-hole of the second group 11b can be arranged between more than two through-holes of the first group 11a. Optionally, each through-hole of the first group 11a can be arranged between at least one through-hole of the second group 11b. In this way, the relaxation vortex flow can occur multiple times before the grains are occupied by the through-holes of the first group 11a.

[0094] With reference to FIG. 3 , a front view of a bell-shaped element 8a is schematically shown, which can be used in a separating device, for example the separating device 5 described with reference to FIG. 4 , corresponding to the bell-shaped element 8 described above. The bell-shaped element 8a can be formed as a hollow cylindrical, bowl-shaped or bell-shaped element, the side facing the separating element 7a in operation (see FIG. 5 ) is completely open, and the opposite side is partially open and has an opening 8z, which can be formed centrally on this side and is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the separating element 7a in operation, see FIG. 6 . The opening 8z can correspond to the opening 13c described above.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 2 , the bell-shaped element 8a can have a pitch diameter TD3, which corresponds at least to the diameter of the full opening (not visible in FIG. 3 ) of the bell-shaped element 8 on the side opposite the opening 8z, and thus to the full opening (not visible in FIG. 4the diameter of the pitch circle of the separation element 7a and of the bell element 8a is as follows: TD2 > TD3 > TD1, the bell element 8a being particularly matched with the separation element 7a so that, in operation, in the plan view of the bell element 8a and of the separation element 7a, no through hole intersects the perimeter line K3, in particular the through holes of the first group 11a are entirely located inside the perimeter line K3 and the through holes of the second group 11b are entirely located outside the perimeter line K3.

[0096] According to the illustrative embodiments herein, the pitch circle diameters of the separation element 7a and of the bell element 8a are as follows: TD2 > TD3 > TD1, the bell element 8a being particularly matched with the separation element 7a so that, in operation, in the plan view of the bell element 8a and of the separation element 7a, no through hole intersects the perimeter line K3, in particular the through holes of the first group 11a are entirely located inside the perimeter line K3 and the through holes of the second group 11b are entirely located outside the perimeter line K3.

[0097] Although reference is made to FIG. 5 only a single radial row K1 formed by the through holes of the first group 11a and a single radial row K2 formed by the through holes of the second group 11b is shown, this is not limiting and at least one of the first group 11a and of the second group 11b can be formed by two or more radial rows. In the case where the through holes of the first group 11a are arranged in two or more radial rows, the pitch circle diameter TD1 corresponds to the pitch circle diameter of the outermost radial row, i.e. the largest diameter of the radial rows formed by the through holes of the first group 11a. In the additional or alternative case where the through holes of the second group 11b are arranged in two or more radial rows, the pitch circle diameter TD2 corresponds to the pitch circle diameter of the innermost radial row, i.e. the smallest diameter of the radial rows formed by the through holes of the second group 11b. In each of these two cases, FIG. 1 the bell element 8a is matched with the separation element 7a so that, in operation, in the plan view of the bell element 8a and of the separation element 7a, no through hole intersects the perimeter line K3, and in particular the through holes of the first group 11a are entirely located inside the perimeter line K3 and the through holes of the second group 11b are entirely located outside the perimeter line K3.

[0098] Reference is made to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 some further illustrative embodiments are now described with respect to the separation element 7 and the bell element 8 in FIG. 1 which are considered as alternatives to the separation element 7a and to the bell element 8a described with respect to FIG. 5 and FIG. 5

[0099] FIG. 6 A separation element 7b according to some further illustrative embodiments is shown in a schematic plan view, which can be used in a separation device (for example, the separation device 5 as described above with reference to FIG. 6 corresponding to the separation element 7 described above. The separation element 7b can be provided as a disc-shaped, bowl-shaped or cup-shaped separation element, and according to FIG. 5 ​corresponding to the two sets of through-holes 11a and 11b of the first set 11a and the second set 11b described above can be formed as a single radial row K4 in the plan view. The first set 11a in the radial row K4 is formed as a circular arrangement of through-holes, which has substantially the same pitch circle diameter as the circular arrangement of through-holes of the second set 11b.

[0100] In the illustrative embodiments herein, the through-holes of the first set 11a are specifically formed, in particular dimensioned, such that in each case, when a pressure difference between the first housing region B1 and the first space region is applied, transmitted through the separating element 7b, exactly one grain of the desired seed is occupied by the through-hole, and the attachment of the grain to the through-hole is inhibited under the action of the cover element 12. The number of through-holes of the first set 11a can be suitably selected to transport a specified number of grains from the seed receiving region to the seed tube, a certain minimum spacing between adjacent through-holes in the radial row K1 can determine an upper limit to the number of through-holes of the radial row K1.

[0101] In the illustrative embodiments herein, the through-holes of the second set 11b can be dimensioned independently of the through-holes of the first set 11a, and the number of through-holes of the second set 11b can be equal to or different from the number of through-holes of the first set 11a.

[0102] In the exemplary embodiments, the through-holes of the second set 11b can be arranged in the radial row K4 such that each through-hole of the second set 11b is arranged between two through-holes of the first set 11a. This provides a relaxation flow directly at the seed receiving region before the grains are occupied by the through-holes of the first set 11a. This is not limiting, and each through-hole of the second set 11b can be arranged between more than two through-holes of the first set 11a. In this way, the relaxation vortex flow can occur multiple times before the grains are occupied by the through-holes of the first set 11a. It is also conceivable that each through-hole of the first set 11a is arranged between more than two through-holes of the second set 11b. More than two through-holes of the second set 11b can be arranged between two through-holes of the first set 11a and / or vice versa.

[0103] Reference is made to FIG. 2 , which schematically shows a front view of a bell-shaped element 8b, which can be used in a separating device, for example the separating device 5 described with reference to FIG. 5 , corresponding to the bell-shaped element 8 described above. The bell-shaped element 8b can be formed substantially as a hollow cylindrical, bowl-shaped or bell-shaped element, the side facing the separating element 7b in operation (see FIG. 5 ) is completely open, and the opposite side is partially open and has an opening 8z, which can be formed centrally on this side and is coaxial with the rotational axis of the separating element 7b in operation, see FIG. 6 . The opening 8z can correspond to the opening 13c described above.

[0104] As FIG. 2 illustrated, the bell-shaped element 8b can have a circumferential wall, as indicated by the circular line K5 in FIG. 2 , which is sufficiently large in size so that FIG. 7 all the through holes of the first group 11a in the separation element 7b fall within the circumferential wall K5. The bell-shaped element 8b also has a recessed portion K6 in the circumferential wall K5, so that the outer wall of the bell-shaped element 8b, which delimits the circumferential wall K5, has a recess at the recessed portion K6, i.e. inward into the bell-shaped element 8b, and correspondingly into FIG. 2 the first space region RB1 in . The curved recessed wall portion is aligned with the through holes of the second group 11b and exposes all of them, i.e. does not close them inside the bell-shaped element 8b. The recessed portion K6 or the recessed wall portion is dimensioned so as to be sufficient so that, when aligned with the through holes of the second group 11b, these through holes are completely exposed by the recessed portion and thus are located outside the bell-shaped element 8b, i.e. in the second space region RB2, while the through holes of the first group 11a are completely located inside the bell-shaped element 8b, i.e. in the first space region RB1, i.e. outside the recessed portion K6.

[0105] Although with reference to FIG. 7 only a single radial row K4 formed by the through holes of the first group 11a and the second group 11b is shown, this is not limiting and at least one of the first group 11a and the second group 11b can be formed by one or more additional radial rows. In the case of an arrangement of the through holes of the first group 11a in one or more additional radial rows, these additional radial rows each have a smaller pitch diameter than the radial row K4, so that these additional radial rows are completely formed within the surface portion on the surface of the separation element 7b, which is delimited by the through holes of the radial row K4. In the additional or alternative case of an arrangement of the through holes of the second group 11b in two or more radial rows, with one or more additional radial rows, these additional radial rows each have a larger pitch diameter than the radial row K4, so that these additional radial rows are completely formed outside the surface portion on the surface of the separation element 7b, which is delimited by the through holes of the radial row K4.

[0106] Further reference is made to FIG. 7 and FIG. 7, the separating element 7b and the bell element 8b have a coupling mechanism to couple the separating element 7b and the bell element 8b to each other, rotationally fixed in a certain orientation. For example, the separating element 7b can have detent elements formed as teeth or pins or studs 7p, which can be mechanically engaged with teeth or pins or studs 8p of the bell element to fix a predetermined orientation of the bell element 8b relative to the separating element 7b, and vice versa. For example, the teeth or pins 7p can be formed at certain positions or regions on the separating element 7b, or the teeth can be formed along the circumference of the separating element 7b, such that the mechanical engagement of the teeth or pins or studs 7p sets a predetermined orientation of the bell element 8b relative to the separating element 7b. This can implement a mechanism that allows operation only if the bell element 8b is oriented correctly relative to the separating element 7b, because only in this case is a mechanical engagement possible. Otherwise, the assembly of the cover assembly 6b (see FIG. 7 ) to the housing assembly 6a (see FIG. 6 ) can not be allowed, ensuring the correct orientation and preventing operation without correct orientation.

[0107] With regard to FIG. 7 , now illustrative embodiments are described in which a masking function is implemented as further described above for some illustrative embodiments of the first and second aspects and as described above with reference to FIG. 6 .

[0108] FIG. 7 A modified configuration of the separating element 7b is shown, in which the through-holes of the separating element 7b described above are formed in different sizes. Thus, the through-holes of the separating element 7b can be further divided into subgroups, in each case a subgroup having at least one through-hole of an associated size, in particular diameter, the through-holes of different subgroups having different sizes, in particular different diameters. In FIG. 7 , one representative from four different subgroups is shown by way of example, namely through-holes having a diameter d1, through-holes having a diameter d2, through-holes having a diameter d3 and through-holes having a diameter d4, with d1≠d2≠d3≠d4, for example but not limited to an ordered series shown with d1>d2>d3>d4, any permutation of d1 to d4 in this size order being conceivable. These different diameter through-holes can be distributed uniformly along the separating element 7b, as indicated by the dots in FIG. 8 . In other words, between two adjacent representatives of through-holes having a diameter d1, in each case there are through-holes having a diameter d2, through-holes having a diameter d3 and through-holes having a diameter d4, and corresponding to other representatives from other subgroups.

[0109] According to the depiction in FIG. 8 , by FIG. 1The bell-shaped element 8b implements a masking function, the bell-shaped element 8b being configured to enclose only a group of through-holes of the same size in the first spatial region RB1, according to FIG. 2 the depiction in Fig. 6, the through-holes with diameter d2 are enclosed in the spatial region RB1, the coverage of the bell-shaped element 8b for the remaining through-holes is not necessary, since these unselected through-holes with diameters d1, d3 and d4 are arranged in the second spatial region RB2. With reference to the depiction in Fig. 7, the bell-shaped element 8b is configured to enclose only a group of through-holes of the same size in the first spatial region RB1, according to FIG. 8 and 7 This is achieved by the dimensions of the notch portion K6 being designed such that the three representatives from the subgroup are always located in exactly one of the notch portions K6.

[0110] Thus, using a bell-shaped element 8b as shown in Fig. 6 and a separating element 7b, the covering of the through-holes to implement a masking function can be omitted and a separate masking element is correspondingly omitted. FIG. 1

[0111] With further reference to Fig. 6, FIG. 8 the unselected through-holes, i.e. the through-holes in the second spatial region RB2, can be used as a flow path connecting the second spatial region RB2 to the first housing region B1. This has the advantage that the separating element 7b can be used as a different kind of universal separating element, the adjustment for a specific kind of separating element being achieved by setting a specific orientation of the bell-shaped element 8b relative to the separating element 7b. To this end, the bell-shaped element 8b and the separating element 7b can each have a set of mutually engaging detent elements 7p1, 7p2, 7p3, 7p4 and 8p, the mechanical coupling of the bell-shaped element 8b and the separating element 7b being achieved by engaging the detent elements 7p1, 7p2, 7p3, 7p4 and 8p of the two sets with each other in a selected orientation of the bell-shaped element 8b relative to the separating element 7b. For example, the bell-shaped element 8b has detent elements 8p and the separating element 7b has a plurality of detent elements 7p1, 7p2, 7p3, 7p4. This is not limiting and the bell-shaped element 8b can have a corresponding detent element 8p in each subgroup in the corresponding orientation. Furthermore, the reverse can also be implemented and at least one detent element can be provided for the separating element 7b and correspondingly at least one detent element for a plurality of bell-shaped elements 8b. In any case, the bell-shaped element 8b and the separating element 7b each have one or more detent elements such that the detent elements provided on the bell-shaped element 8b and the detent elements provided on the separating element 7b enter into a pairwise engagement which sets a specific orientation between the bell-shaped element 8b and the separating element 7b. The detent elements can be formed as interlocking teeth or as a latching connection between a pin or a hook or a lug or a stud or a bolt, optionally as a hole or recess or opening for the first or second detent element and as the second or first detent element.

[0112] With reference to Fig. 7, FIG. 1 ​Now some illustrative embodiments are described in which the bell-shaped element 8' is arranged rotationally fixed with respect to the cover assembly 6b. FIG. 8 The housing G2 formed by the cover assembly 6b and the housing assembly 6a is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view in Fig. 2, which is referred to above with reference to FIG. 8 is described. Similarly to FIG. 8 , FIG. 8 the depiction in Fig. 2 is merely schematic and in comparison to FIG. 1 not all elements and components of the illustrative embodiment of the housing G2 are shown in Fig. 2. This means that elements and components described with reference to FIG. 8 but not explicitly shown in the schematic depiction of Fig. 2 can in fact be present in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 8 This means that the omission of elements or components described with reference to FIG. 8 in the depiction of Fig. 2 and in the description of FIG. 8 is not to be interpreted as meaning that a corresponding element or component is not present in connection with FIG. 1 unless it is explicitly stated in the following description of Fig. 2 that a corresponding element or component is not present in connection with the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1 FIG. 8 FIG. 1 FIG. 8 FIG. 1

[0113] As shown, the housing G2 is formed by the housing assembly 6a and the cover assembly 6b, which can be releasably mounted to each other. For example, the cover assembly 6b and the housing assembly 6a can be connected to each other by at least one screw connection (not shown) or a bayonet connection (not shown), such that the cover assembly 6b can be removed from the housing assembly 6a in order to allow access to components and parts within the housing G2, e.g. during maintenance, repair and / or adaptation work, to remove and / or replace individual components or parts within the housing G2, when access to the separation element 7 is required.

[0114] As shown in Fig. 1, the separation element 7 and the bell-shaped element 8' are received in the interior of the housing G2, the separation element 7 dividing the housing G2 into a first housing region B1 and a second housing region B2, also as described above with reference to FIG. 1 The bell-shaped element 8' is further arranged in the second housing region B2 between the separation element 7 and the cover assembly 6b, the bell-shaped element 8' being arranged rotationally fixed with respect to the cover assembly 6b. For example, the bell-shaped element 8' can be releasably mounted on the cover assembly 6b, e.g. by a holder element corresponding to the holder 12, as described above with reference to FIG. 8 Alternatively, the bell-shaped element 8' can be integrally formed with the cover assembly 6b. FIG. 8 According to an illustrative embodiment, and as

[0115] FIG. 8 ​​​​​​As schematically shown, the bell-shaped element 8' is rotatably mounted on the protrusion 13d of the cover assembly 6b, as described above, the protrusion 13d protruding from the inner surface of the cover assembly 6b into the opening 13c of the bell-shaped element 8' as a hollow cylindrical wall, as described above. FIG. 8 The same description applies. On the bell-shaped element 8′, as shown, or alternatively on the protrusion 13d (in... FIG. 2 (Not shown in the image), a retainer 12a can be attached, as described above. FIG. 8 Similarly described, for example, corresponding to from FIG. 8 The annular insert 12a, or a connecting rod, web, or partial annular element, fixes the cover element 12 in the appropriate position relative to the separating element 7 within the housing.

[0116] Further reference FIG. 3 Similar to the bell-shaped element 8 described above, the bell-shaped element 8' defines a first spatial region RB1 in the second housing region B2 relative to the second spatial region RB2, such that the second housing region B2 is divided into two spatial regions RB1 and RB2 by the bell-shaped element 8'. In this case, the first spatial region RB1 communicates with the opening 13c of the bell-shaped element, while the second spatial region RB2 does not communicate with the opening 13c of the bell-shaped element 8'. On the one hand, the sealing of the first spatial region RB1 relative to the second spatial region RB2 in the second housing region B2 can be achieved by rotating and fixing the bell-shaped element 8' to the protrusion 13d. An additional sealing element (not shown) may be provided between the protrusion 13d and the bell-shaped element 8' to achieve optimal sealing between the first spatial region RB1 and the second spatial region RB2 at the protrusion 13d.

[0117] Further reference FIG. 4 The housing G2 also has a sealing portion, for example, formed as a wiping seal 20, which is formed by a first wiping seal 24 disposed on the bell-shaped element 8' and a second wiping seal 22 disposed on the circumference of the separating element 7, such that the first wiping seal 24 and the second wiping seal 22 are in direct mechanical contact with each other and form an annular wiping seal 20. The first wiping seal 24 and the second wiping seal 22 can be configured as replaceable wear parts, such that after at least one of the wiping seal 22 and the second wiping seal 24 has been excessively worn, the worn wiping seal 22 and the second wiping seal 24 can be replaced by a functional wiping seal, thereby providing a sufficient degree of advantageous sealing through the wiping seal 20 in the housing G2.

[0118] According to the illustrative and non-limiting embodiment, in case of overpressure separation execution, the shown separation device 5 can also act directly on the first housing region B1 in the first housing region B1 with a pressure greater than the pressure in the second housing region B2 by means of a pressure reservoir (not shown) connectable to the pressure supply line 33, for example a blower, not shown, FIG. 8 An additional flow path is shown by arrow A1 '. Alternatively, also a low pressure separation or another type of separation is conceivable, for example, in which the first housing region B1 is connected to the ambient atmosphere via the pressure supply line 33, while the second housing region B2 is connected to an underpressure reservoir, not shown, for example a suction element, not shown, via a suitable supply line, not shown, so that the pressure in the second housing region B2 is lower than the pressure in the first housing region B1. The pressure supply line 33, which is configured for directly and immediately coupling the first housing region B1 to a pressure reservoir, not shown, can be provided in the housing assembly 6a for an additional supply of compressed air to the first housing region B1 or for exerting a pressure to the first housing region B1, but the pressure supply line 33 is not intended for exclusively coupling the first housing region B1 to the pressure reservoir, not shown. In any case, the coupling of the first housing region to the pressure reservoir, not shown, takes place indirectly via the flow channel 31, which opens into the second housing region B2, for example as shown by arrow A1 in FIG. 3 , similar to arrow A1 in FIG. 4 , through which flow channel 31 a flow into the second housing region B2 is generated.

[0119] With further reference to FIG. 8 , the flow shown by arrow A1 is distributed into the second spatial region RB2, as shown by arrows A2 and A3 in FIG. 8 , without entering the first spatial region RB1. In particular, the flow shown by arrow A1 is distributed in the spatial region RB2 around the spatial region RB1, so that the separation element 7 flows in the spatial region RB2 outside the spatial region RB1 according to the flow shown by arrows A2 and A3.

[0120] The separation element 7 has through-holes 11, which allow a connection between the housing regions B1 and B2, which are divided into a first group of through-holes 11a and a second group of through-holes 11b. The first group of through-holes 11a provides through-holes through the separation element 7, which allow a connection between the first spatial region RB1 and the first housing region B1, while the second group of through-holes 11b provides through-holes through the separation element 7, which allow a connection between the second spatial region RB2 and the first housing region B1. The above with reference to the attached FIG. 8 and FIG. 8The possible exemplary configurations of the separating element 7 and of the bell-shaped element 8' are described in more detail in order to provide the function of selective communication of the first and second set of through holes between the respective spatial regions RB1 and RB2 and the first housing region B1, so that the separating element 7a and the bell-shaped element 8a shown and described with respect to these figures can be used as separating element 7 and bell-shaped element 8' in the embodiments according to the schematic representation of FIG. 9 . FIG. 9 and FIG. 1 correspondingly apply to the description of FIG. 1 and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0121] As also schematically shown in FIG. 1 and as easily understood from the above description, the second set of through holes 1 1 b allows the flow applied to the second spatial region RB2 to be transferred to the first housing region B1, as indicated by the arrows A2 and A3. In this way, the pressure applied to the second spatial region RB2 via the channel 31, positive as indicated by the arrow, is applied to the first housing region B1. Moreover, since the first spatial region RB1 is separated from the second spatial region RB2 by the bell-shaped element 8, the pressure applied through the opening 13c, which is opposite to the pressure applied to the second spatial region RB2 according to the orientation of the arrows A6, A7 and A8, can be maintained at a pressure level different from the pressure level in the second spatial region. For example, by opening, it is possible to apply to the first spatial region RB1 the ambient atmospheric pressure, or it is possible to couple the first spatial region RB1 to a pressure reservoir (not shown) to create a pressure difference between the first spatial region RB1 and the first housing region B1, the pressure in the first housing region B1 being generally higher than the pressure in the first spatial region RB1. As a result, as indicated by the arrows A5 and A6, the particles of the seed SG adhere at the first set of through holes 1 1 a. As shown in FIG. 8 , the particles adhering at the first set of through holes 1 1 a are conveyed by the rotating separating element to the position in which the covering element 12 covers the corresponding through holes of the first set 1 1 a on the side of the first spatial region RB1, thus interrupting the pressure difference so that the adhesion of the particles at the through holes is interrupted and the particles are supplied to the seed tube 18.

[0122] With reference to FIG. 1 , the flow indicated by the arrows A3 and A4 causes a seed receiving region in the first housing region B1, in which the seed SG accumulates, the flow passing through the seed receiving region and thus loosening the seed SG in the seed receiving region, without the need for mechanical shaking movements at the seed receiving region, which could damage the grains of the seed SG.

[0123] Although, with reference to the above FIG. 8The sealing portion between the separating element 7 and the bell-shaped element 8' is described as a wiping seal 20, but this is not limiting and instead of the wiping seal 20, a labyrinth seal can be provided. In this case, the labyrinth seal can be formed by a first sealing portion corresponding to a sealing portion 22 provided at the circumference of the separating element 7 and a second sealing portion corresponding to a sealing portion 24 on the bell-shaped element 8', such that the first sealing portion corresponding to the sealing portion 22 and the second sealing portion corresponding to the sealing portion 24 are formed in an interlocking structure without mechanical contact. For example, these first and second sealing portions can be formed by a plurality of ribs arranged in a toothed engagement with each other. Advantageously, the labyrinth seal is formed between the bell-shaped element 8' and the separating element 7 as an annular labyrinth seal formed in the circumferential direction of the separating element 7.

[0124] With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 9 , a seed unit 2' of an agricultural seeding machine (not shown) is depicted in a perspective exploded view according to a further alternative embodiment. The seed unit 2' differs from the seed unit 2 described above with reference to FIG. 9 in that a separating device 5' is provided instead of the separating device 5 in FIG. 9 . FIG. 9 and FIG. 9 The same reference signs between FIG. 9 and FIG. 1 denote the same elements as each other in FIG. 2 and the description of these same elements by reference to FIG. 1 above is incorporated by reference in its entirety into the description of FIG. 2 and

[0125] With further reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 9 , the seed unit 2' can be fastened to a frame (not shown in FIG. 9 ) oriented transversely to a travel direction F of the seeding machine, frame elements 1a of the frame being oriented perpendicular to the travel direction F, e.g. a telescopic frame is shown, the frame elements 1a representing telescopic frame elements (not shown) of the agricultural seeding machine. The seed unit 2' can be mounted as one of a plurality of seed units (not shown) on a frame (not shown) of the seeding machine (not shown) such that in addition to the seed unit 2', one or more further seed furrows can be filled with seeds by means of at least one further seed unit (not shown), or fertilizer can be applied along one or more furrows. In some illustrative examples, the seed unit 2' can be movable relative to the frame to compensate for ground contours. For example, at least one seed unit 2' can be provided on a parallelogram linkage (not shown), or on another linkage device (not shown), can be height-adjustable, or can be transversely displaceable on the seeding machine (not shown).

[0126] AsFIG. 10 The seed unit 2' has a hopper 3 for storing granular material, in particular seeds and / or fertilizer, to be dispensed. The lower housing region of the hopper 3 is configured as a discharge region (not shown in FIG. 10 , see the respective description of reference 4 in FIG. 1 , which are all incorporated herein) in which a discharge opening is arranged. Via the discharge opening (not shown in FIG. 10 , see reference 4 in FIG. 9 ), the granular material to be dispensed is supplied to a separation device 5' arranged below the hopper 3.

[0127] The agricultural separation device 5' is provided for separating granular material, in particular seeds and or fertilizer. In the illustrative embodiment, as now referred to in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 , the separation device 5' comprises a housing comprising a housing assembly 6a with a rotatably mounted shaft W defining a rotation axis D and a lid assembly 6b' releasably mounted on the housing assembly 6a. The separation device 5' further comprises a separation element 7 accommodated in an interior space defined in the housing. The separation element 7 is coupled to the shaft W such that the separation element 7 is rotatably mounted relative to the housing. The separation element 7 is arranged in the housing such that a first housing region B1'(see the respective description of reference B1, which is respectively fully incorporated herein) is defined between the separation element 7 and the housing assembly 6a and a second housing region B2' (see the respective description of reference B2, which is respectively fully incorporated herein) is defined between the separation element 7 and the lid assembly 6b', between which pressure differences can be generated to cause granular material to adhere at the separation element 7. The separation device 5' further has a labyrinth seal 20' formed by a first sealing portion 22 provided at the circumference of the separation element 7 and a second sealing portion 24' provided on the lid assembly 6b', such that the first sealing portion 22 and the second sealing portion 24' are a mutually engaging structure without mechanical contact.

[0128] As shown in FIG. 10 , the separation element 7 can be a separation disc at least partially formed as a disc or bowl-shaped separation disc, which is rotationally fixedly coupled to the shaft W such that the shaft W establishes a specific rotational movement of the separation element 7 at a predetermined rotational speed. This is not limiting and instead of a separation disc or separation bowl, a separation drum (not shown) can be provided.

[0129] The housing assembly 6a has an opening in which the separation element 7 is at least partially accommodated, which opening of the housing assembly 6a can be surrounded by an annular flange portion 6af.

[0130] Further reference is made to FIG. 10, the cover assembly 6b' has a cover 6b1'and a first flow channel 26' configured to provide an overpressure at a radially outer area 6ra' between the cover 6b1'and the separating element 7. In view of FIG. 10 the depiction in Fig. 6, the first flow channel 25' in the cover assembly 6b' provides the second space area RB2. The cover assembly 6b' further has a second flow channel 28' configured to provide a fluid connection between the environment of the separating device 5' and the second housing area B2' or to apply an underpressure to the second housing area B2'. The flow channel 28' provides the first space area RB1 in the cover assembly 6b'. To this end, for example, an opening 6bi is formed in the cover 6b1'through which a connection to the environment or to an underpressure reservoir can be achieved. In some examples, the opening 6bi can be formed coaxially to the rotation axis D. The flow channel 28' can correspond to the flow channel 28 configuration, the description of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0131] Similar to the separating device 5, the separating device 5' can comprise a cover element 12 and an element 17, in view of the above FIG. 8 , the cover element 12 and the element 17 can likewise be provided for the separating device 5' accordingly.

[0132] In the illustrative embodiment and as shown in FIG. 10 , the labyrinth seal 20' provides a separation between the first space area RB1 and the second space area RB2 in the housing area B2' defined between the cover assembly 6b' and the separating element 7. With the above space areas RB1 and RB2, the functionality of the bell element is thereby achieved by the labyrinth seal 20', such that in conjunction with the embodiments described with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 10 , the labyrinth seal 20' constitutes a bell element configured as an integral part of the cover assembly 6b' comprising the cover 6b1'on the inner surface of which the labyrinth seal 20' is formed, such that the cover 6b1'integral with the bell element achieves the functionality of the bell element integrated therein by the labyrinth seal 20'.

[0133] In the illustrative embodiment herein, the first flow channel 26' in the cover assembly 6b' can be further configured to subject the seed receiving area 30' of the separating element 7 to an overpressure relative to the second housing area B2'. The seed receiving area 30' represents a housing area of the disk at which the grains are occupied by the separating element 7.

[0134] Reference is made to FIG. 10, the separating element 7 has two radial rows R1, R2 of through-holes, namely a radial inner row R1 with respect to the first sealing portion 22, the first row having openings assigned to the radial inner region 6ri', the first group of through-holes 11a corresponding to the above described, for carrying individual particles of the particulate material. With respect to the radial outer row R2 of the first sealing portion, the second row has openings 11' in the assembled housing, which are assigned to the radial outer region 6ra' and are in fluid communication with the first flow channel 26' in the cover 6b1 ', and as described above are identified as the second group 11b. The size and / or number of the openings 11 and 11' can be the same or different, the size and / or number of the openings 11' in the second row can be greater than the size and / or number of the openings 11 in the first row.

[0135] In some particular illustrative examples, the size of the openings 11 can be greater than the size of the openings 11'. For example, the size of the openings 11' of the second row can be + / 50% of the size of the openings of the first row. Additionally or alternatively, the number of openings in each row can be different, and the openings in at least one row can have different sizes, in particular different diameters.

[0136] Further reference is made to FIG. 10 And according to some particular illustrative examples herein, the openings of the first row can be divided into a plurality of sub-groups, wherein the through-holes of one sub-group have the same size or diameter, while the through-holes from different sub-groups have different sizes or diameters. For example, one sub-group can be assigned to a specific kind of seeds or fertilizer, such that the separating element 7 can be used for different kinds.

[0137] In the illustrative examples herein, the adjustable selection of the openings from a specific sub-group of the first row, i.e. the openings having a specific size, can be made by means of a template (not shown) arranged on the separating element 7. The template (not shown) is configured such that the non-selected openings, i.e. the openings from other sub-groups of the first row and thus having a different size, are covered by the template (not shown). The template (not shown) can be a selection element (not shown) which can be rotationally fixed on the separating element 7 in the form of a disc or ring and has at least one through-hole (not shown) having a size which is greater than or equal to the size of the openings of the first row of the separating element 7 having the largest size, the at least one through-hole (not shown) of the template (not shown) being fastenable on the separating element 7 in an adjustable orientation with respect to at least one desired or selected opening or selected sub-group of the first row of the separating element 7, such that the non-selected openings from the other sub-groups of the first row of the separating element 7 are covered by the template (not shown). For example, the template (not shown) can be arranged on the overpressure side of the separating element 7 and in particular in the first housing region B1, and can be attached to the separating element 7. In FIG. 10In the depiction of Fig. 1, a template (not shown) can be inserted into the bowl-shaped separation element 7.

[0138] In further illustrative examples herein, as mentioned above, the first and second rows can comprise the same or different number of openings. For example, for a specific kind of seeds and / or fertilizers, a fixed ratio of openings between the openings of the first and second rows relative to the number and / or size of the openings can be implemented on the separation element 7 as a separation element provided for that kind, and correspondingly adapted separation elements can be provided for different kinds.

[0139] For example, the template (not shown) and the separation element 7 can each have a set of detent elements (not shown), the operable coupling of the template (not shown) and the separation element 7 being implemented because the detent elements (not shown) from both sets engage each other in a selected orientation of the template (not shown) relative to the separation element 7. For example, one of the template (not shown) and the separation element 7 has a plurality of first detent elements (not shown), and the other of the template (not shown) and the separation element 7 has one or more second detent elements (not shown), which can engage the first detent elements (not shown) such that the engagement of the second detent elements (not shown) with the assigned first detent elements (not shown) to form an assigned pair of detent elements (not shown) sets a specific orientation of the template (not shown) relative to the separation element 7 for each second detent element (not shown). The detent elements (not shown) can be configured (but are not limited to) interengaging teeth (not shown), or a latching connection between pins (not shown) or hooks (not shown) or noses (not shown) or studs (not shown) or bolts (not shown), optionally as a threaded (not shown) first or second detent element (not shown) and a hole (not shown) or recess (not shown) or opening (not shown) as a second or first detent element (not shown).

[0140] With further reference to FIG. 9 , a labyrinth seal 20' is depicted in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. The first and second sealing portions 22, 24' can here be formed by a plurality of ribs 22s, 24s' arranged in the housing in interengaging, meshing engagement, similar to the sealing portions 22, 24 described above with respect to the labyrinth seal of Fig. 1. FIG. 9 For example, the ribs of the plurality of ribs 22s, 24s' of the first and second sealing portions 22, 24' mesh with each other but do not contactingly engage. For example, the first sealing portion 22 can have one rib meshingly engaged with two ribs of the second sealing portion 24', and vice versa. FIG. 8 With respect to the labyrinth seal 20' depicted in Fig. 2, the first sealing portion 22 can have two ribs 22s, and the second sealing portion 24' can have one rib 24s'. The ribs 22s, 24s' can mesh with each other without contacting, as described above with respect to the labyrinth seal of Fig. 1. FIG. 1 to FIG. 10The first sealing portion 22 can have more than two ribs 22s and the second sealing portion 24' can have more than one rib 24s', the ribs of the first sealing portion 22 and the second sealing portion 24' engaging each other in a non-contacting engagement.

[0141] In some illustrative embodiments and with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 10 The separation element 7 can be tilted relative to the vertical orientation in the housing by an angle, for example between 0° and 45°, for example between 0° and 25°, preferably between 0° and 20°, more preferably between 0° and 15°. The tilt of the separation element 7 can be set such that in a vertical plan view of the separation element 7 in the housing, the upper edge of the separation element 7 covers only a portion of the separation element 7. Such a tilted separation element allows for a favorable attachment of particles in the through-holes 11 of the separation element 7, the attachment being supported by the gravitational force of the particles in the seed receiving area 30.

[0142] In some illustrative embodiments, the labyrinth seal 20' between the cover assembly 6b' and the separation element 7 is configured as an annular labyrinth seal 20' formed in the circumferential direction of the separation element 7.

[0143] In some illustrative embodiments and with further reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 10 A pressure reservoir (not shown) provides a pressure that is elevated relative to the pressure in the second housing region B2' and the housing assembly 6a can have a supply line Z8' connected to the first housing region B1' and the cover assembly 6b' in order to subject the first housing region B1' to the elevated pressure in each case.

[0144] In some other illustrative embodiments and with further reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 10 A pressure reservoir (not shown) provides a pressure that is reduced relative to the pressure in the first housing region B1' and the cover assembly 6b' can have a supply line Z9' configured to subject the radially outer side of the labyrinth seal 20' to a pressure that is elevated relative to the reduced pressure, the elevated pressure being higher than the pressure in the first housing region B1'. In this case, the pressure reservoir (not shown) can be provided as an additional separate pressure reservoir (not shown) in order to at least partially apply the pressure to the labyrinth seal 20'.

[0145] In some other illustrative embodiments and as FIG. 1 to FIG. 10As depicted in the middle, the supply line Z8' can be directly connected to the supply line Z9' such that the fluid flow supplied to the supply line Z8' is directly and completely fed into the supply line Z9', in particular without losses. In this case, the housing region B1' is not directly fed through the supply line Z8', in particular there is no direct supply of the housing region B1' by the housing assembly 6a, however, an indirect supply of the housing region B1' takes place via the supply lines Z8' and Z9', which transport the fluid flow via the flow channel 26' to the labyrinth seal 20'. In this case, the flow channel 26' is in fluid communication with the housing region B1 via the openings 11' of the radial row R2. The radial outer side of the labyrinth seal 20' is subjected to an elevated pressure in order to provide a sealing effect of the labyrinth seal 20'.

[0146] Although FIG. 11 While it is shown that the supply line Z8' is directly connected only to the supply line Z9', this is not limiting, but rather the supply line Z8' can be configured in the housing assembly 6a for directly supplying the housing region B1', a branch (not shown) of the supply line Z8' in the housing assembly 6a is further connected to the supply line Z9' in the cover assembly 6b'. In this case, no radial row R2 with openings 11' is provided, and the supply line Z9' is connected only to the flow channel 26' in order to direct the fluid flow branched off from the supply line Z8' and transported by the supply line Z9' to the flow channel 26' only from the side of the cover assembly 6b' onto the labyrinth seal.

[0147] In some illustrative embodiments of the separation device 5, 5' described above, a fluid supply from the side of the cover assembly 6b, 6b' to the labyrinth seal can be provided in order to subject the labyrinth seal to a pressure from the side of the cover assembly 6b, 6b'. In this case, a specific gap size in the meshing engagement between the first sealing portion 22 and the second sealing portion 24 can be provided (for example by a suitable selection of the geometrical dimensions of the ribs of the first sealing portion 22 and the second sealing portion 24, and / or the positioning of the ribs of the first sealing portion 22 and the second sealing portion 24) such that a specific leakage flow into the first housing region B1, B1' through the labyrinth seal is permitted. To this end, for example, a pressure higher than the pressure applied to the first housing region B1, B1' can be applied to the labyrinth seal from the side of the cover assembly 6b, 6b', for example by a suitable pressure source and a nozzle formed in the cover assembly 6b, 6b' in order to direct a specific flow onto the labyrinth seal. By means of the leakage flow through the labyrinth seal from the side of the cover assembly 6b, 6b' into the first housing region B1, B1', for example, a loosening of the particulate material in the seed receiving region 30, 30' can occur such that the friction and adhesion forces between the particles in the particulate material in the seed receiving region 30, 30' are reduced.

[0148] Although reference FIG. 11 and FIG. 11 An embodiment of a labyrinth seal has been described, but this is not limiting, and instead of a labyrinth seal, a wipe seal corresponding to wipe seal 20 can be implemented, as referenced above. FIG. 11 As stated above.

[0149] While some illustrative embodiments describe coupling the supply lines in the flow channels and / or cap assembly to a pressure reservoir provided to pressure the first housing region, this is not limiting, and alternatively, additional separate pressure reservoirs, such as blowers, pressurized gas in containers, etc., may be specifically provided to support pressure on the labyrinth seal from the sides of the cap assembly. In this case, the pressure used to pressure the labyrinth seal may be provided at least partially by the additional separate pressure reservoir. For example, in some specific and non-limiting embodiments herein, the additional separate pressure reservoir may be integrated into, integrated with, or coupled to the cap assembly.

[0150] Although referencing the above FIG. 1 to FIG. 10 A housing formed by housing assembly 6a and cover assembly 6b is described, but the cover assembly 6b is arranged on the undervoltage side of the separating elements 7, 7a, 7b, while the housing assembly 6a is arranged on the overvoltage side of the separating elements 7, 7a, 7b. This is not limiting, and alternatively, a housing can be provided in which the cover assembly is formed by two cover parts assembled and mounted to the housing assembly relative to the separating elements, such that an imaginary plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation is also substantially perpendicular to the wall portion of the cover parts, in which, according to FIG. 11 The separating element, as a separating disc or separating housing, is substantially located on or parallel to it. In other words, the cover components are joined together in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0151] Although referring to the above FIG. 11 A housing formed by housing assembly 6a and cover assembly 6b is described, but this is not limiting, and alternatively, a housing that almost completely surrounds the separating element 7, separating element 7a, and separating element 7b may be provided, having an opening configured to allow the separating element to be removed from the housing, the opening being coverable by a flap or cover element.

[0152] although FIG. 1 to FIG. 10 The depiction illustrates the separating element as a separating disc and / or separating housing in each case, but this is not limiting with respect to the accompanying drawings and references. FIG. 11 Any of the embodiments described can also be implemented alternatively using a separation drum as the separation element, as now referred to. FIG. 11 A more detailed description.

[0153] FIG. 11 The separation element 7, which is configured as a separation drum, is schematically shown, forming a plurality of through holes 11 extending radially through the cylindrical surface of the separation drum 7. The through holes 11 provide a plurality of radial rows formed by azimuthal arrangements of through holes on the cylindrical surface, 11a and 11b.

[0154] Although FIG. 11 Only two radial rows are shown, this is not limiting, but more than two radial rows can be formed.

[0155] With further reference FIG. 11 Between the radial rows of the arrangements 11a and 11b, a seal 20 is formed, which is configured as a seal radially protruding from the cylindrical surface and extending omnidirectionally, for example in the form of a wall. The seal 20 can be configured as part of a labyrinth seal of a housing (not shown), in which the separation element 7 is rotatably received about the rotation axis D, or as a wiping seal in mechanical contact with an inner wall (not shown) of a housing (not shown). Here, the interior of the separation element 7 provides a first housing region B1 as an overpressure region in operation, and a space in the interior of the housing (not shown) between the separation element 7 and the inner wall (not shown) of the housing (not shown) provides a second housing region B2 corresponding to the above-mentioned second housing region B2, so that the separation element 7 defines a division of the interior (not shown) of the housing (not shown) into the first housing region B1 and the second housing region B2. The seal 20 further defines a division of the second housing region B2 into a first space region RB1 and a second space region RB2 separated therefrom by the seal 20. Here, the space regions RB1 and RB2 correspond to the above- described space regions. FIG. 1 to 10

[0156] An overpressure applied in the second space region RB2 in operation is transmitted by the second arrangement of through holes 11b as an overpressure to the first housing region B1, whereas a lower pressure exists in the first space region RB1 than in the second space region RB2. This can be achieved, for example, by applying an overpressure to the second space region RB2, for example by coupling the second space region RB2 to a pressure reservoir (not shown) having an overpressure, and by applying an underpressure to the first space region RB1, for example by coupling the first space region RB1 to a pressure reservoir (not shown) having an underpressure. Here, for example, the pressure reservoir (not shown) can be a pump (not shown), the pressure side being coupled to the second space region RB2, or the suction side being coupled to the first space region RB1, or a plurality of pumps (not shown) can be provided coupled to at least one of the space regions RB1 and RB2.

[0157] With further reference FIG. 11 As mentioned above, the coupling to at least one pressure reservoir (not shown) in operation results in a pressure difference between the first space region RB1 and the second space region RB2, for example as​​ The flow along the flow paths indicated by arrows A2, A4 and A6 in Fig. 6 is due to the relative overpressure in the second space region RB2. In operation, the flow passes through the second set 1 1 b along the flow path A2 into the first housing region B1. Furthermore, the flow passes through the first set 1 1 a along the flow paths A4 and A6 into the first space region RB1 in operation.

[0158] In operation, seeds (not shown) are then introduced into the first housing region B1 and are pressed against the through-holes of the first set 1 1 a by the flow indicated by arrow A4 and are held at the through-holes by the pressure difference between the first housing region B1 and the first space region RB1 until the pressure difference is interrupted, similarly to the above-described separation with respect to ​ so that the seeds are transported to the seed tube 18 as shown in ​ .

[0159] With further reference to ​ , along the separation element 7, a plurality of radial rows of the first set 1 1 a and a plurality of radial rows of the second set 1 1 b can be formed, or a plurality of radial rows of the first set 1 1 a can be formed, wherein only one radial row of the second set 1 1 b corresponds to only one seal 20. For example, a radial row of the second set 1 1 b can be formed at one end of the separation element 7, separated from an adjacent radial row of the first set by one seal 20, or an alternating sequence of the space regions RB1 and RB2 separated by seals 20 can be provided. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that a radial row of the second set 1 1 b is formed at each end of the separation element 7, in each case separated from an adjacent radial row of the first set by one seal 20, or a plurality of radial rows of the first set 1 1 a are grouped together and formed next to or surrounded by a plurality of radial rows of the second set 1 1 b, or vice versa.

[0160] Although embodiments of the separation element 7 are described with reference to ​ in which seeds are supplied into the interior of the separation element 7, this is not limiting and seeds can alternatively be supplied from the outside onto the outer cylindrical surface of the separation element 7. In this case, the separation element 7 would be modified such that the seals 20 are formed in the interior of the separation element 7 in order to delimit compartments in the interior of the separation element 7 assigned to the radial rows, for example by disc-shaped sealing elements provided separately or integrally in the separation element 7, such that the interior is divided into mutually separate or separated space regions corresponding to the first space region RB1 and the second space region RB2. Separation of seeds supplied to the separation element 7 from the outside then occurs in a manner similar to the above-described separation by applying a pressure to the first space region RB1 and the second space region RB2 such that the pressure in the first space region RB1 is lower than the pressure in the second space region RB2.

[0161] As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art from the disclosure ​ of the description, below, ​ The seal 20 provides the functionality of a bell element, as described above in relation to various aspects of the application and with reference to the above ​ descriptions and depictions, the seal 20 will be identified as a bell element. ​

[0162] In this specification, if approximate language such as "about", "approximately", or "substantially" is used, this indicates that a reasonable degree of accuracy is intended, such as but not limited to a deviation of at most + / - 20% or at most + / - 15% or at most + / - 10% or at most + / - 5%.

[0163] It will be appreciated that features mentioned in the above exemplary embodiments are not limited to these particular combinations, and are also possible in any other combination. It will also be appreciated that the geometrical shapes shown in the figures are merely exemplary, and are also possible in any other configuration.​

Claims

1. An agricultural separating device (5, 5') for separating particulate material, in particular seeds and / or fertilizers, comprising: - a housing (Gl, G2) having a shaft (W) rotatably mounted in an interior of said housing (Gl, G2), said shaft (W) defining an axis of rotation (D), - a separating element (7; 7a, 7b) housed in said housing (Gl, G2) and coupled to said shaft (W) in said interior so that said separating element (7; 7a, 7b) is rotatably mounted with respect to said housing (Gl, G2) and has a plurality of through holes extending through said separating element (7; 7a, 7b), said separating element (7; 7a, 7b) being arranged in said housing (Gl, G2) so that the interior of said housing (Gl, G2) is divided into a first housing region (Bl, Bl') and a second housing region (B2, B2'), said first housing region (Bl, Bl') acting as an overpressure region during operation of said separating element, and - a bell element (8, 8'; 8a, 8b, 8c) arranged in said second housing region (B2, B2'), characterized in that: said bell element (8, 8'; 8a, 8b, 8c) is formed and arranged so that, together with said separating element (7; 7a, 7b), it defines a first spatial region (RB1) within said second housing region (B2, B2') as an underpressure region during operation of said separating element (7; 7a, 7b), wherein a first group (11a) of through holes of said plurality of through holes is enclosed by said bell element (8, 8'; 8a, 8b, 8c) in said first spatial region (RB1), while a second group (lib) of through holes of said plurality of through holes is formed in a second spatial region (RB2) of said second housing region (B2, B2') located outside said first spatial region (RB1), wherein said second spatial region (RB2) is in communicative connection with said first housing region (Bl, Bl') via said second group (lib) of through holes, and wherein, in operation, a pressure difference can be generated between said first spatial region (RB1) and said first housing region (Bl, Bl') by means of a pressure reservoir coupled to said second spatial region (RB2).

2. The separating device (5, 5') according to claim 1, wherein said first group (11a) of through holes is formed in said separating element (7; 7a) as a first radial row (Kl) having a first radius for carrying individual particles of said particulate material, and said second group (lib) is formed in said separating element (7; 7a) as a second radial row (K2) having a second radius, said first radius being smaller than said second radius.

3. The separating device (5, 5') according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Said bell-shaped element (8, 8'; 8a, 8c) is mounted so as to be rotationally fixed to said casing (G2) and said separating device (5, 5') further comprises a labyrinth seal (20, 20') formed by a first sealing portion (22) at the periphery of said separating element (7; 7a) and a second sealing portion (24, 24') at said bell-shaped element (8, 8'; 8a, 8c) so that said first and second sealing portions (22, 24, 24') are intermeshing structures without mechanical contact.

4. The separating device (5, 5') according to claim 3, wherein Said first and second sealing portions (22, 24') are formed by a plurality of webs (22s, 24s') arranged in an intermeshing comb configuration.

5. The separating device (5, 5') according to claim 3 or 4, wherein Said labyrinth seal (20, 20') between said bell-shaped element (8, 8'; 8a, 8c) and said separating element (7; 7a) is formed as an annular labyrinth seal (20, 20') formed in the circumferential direction of said separating element (7; 7a).

6. The separating device (5') according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein Said bell-shaped element (8c) is integrated into said casing, said second sealing portion (24') is formed as a cylindrical wall coaxial to said rotation axis (D) dividing said first (6ri') from said second (6ra') space region.

7. The separating device (5) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Said bell-shaped element (8'; 8b) is mounted so as to be rotationally fixed to said casing (G2) and said separating device (5) further comprises a contact seal (20) comprising at least a first contact sealing portion (22) formed on said bell-shaped element (8, 8') so that said first contact sealing portion (22) is in direct mechanical contact with said separating element (7, 7a).

8. The separating device (5') according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein Said separating element (7) is tilted in said casing with respect to a virtual plane oriented perpendicularly to said rotation axis (D).

9. The separating device (5) according to claim 1, wherein Said first and second sets of through holes (11a, 11b) are formed in a single radial row (K4) in said separating element (7b) and said bell-shaped element (8; 8b) is configured so that only said first set of through holes (11a) is enclosed in said first space region (RB1) by at least one wall (K5, K6) of said bell-shaped element (8; 8b), said second set of through holes (11b) being left exposed to said second space region (RB2) in said casing (G1) by said at least one wall (K5, K6).

10. The separating device (5) according to claim 9, wherein Said bell-shaped element (8; 8b) has a hollow cylindrical wall (K5) having a plurality of semi-cylindrical recesses (K6) formed in the outer surface of said bell-shaped element (8; 8b), each of said plurality of semi-cylindrical recesses (K6) being associated with said second set (11b) of through holes.

11. The separating device (5) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein Said bell-shaped element (8; 8b) is formed so as to be rotationally fixed with respect to said separating element (7; 7b).

12. The separating device (5) according to claim 11, wherein The bell-shaped element (8; 8b) is formed as an integral part of the separation element (7; 7b) or is removably and rotatably fixedly mounted to the separation element (7; 7b).

13. The separating device (5) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein The bell-shaped element (8; 8a, 8b) is rotatably coupled to the housing (Gl) by means of a bearing (14).

14. The separating device (5, 5') according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein On the side of the separation element (7) on which the bell-shaped element (8) is arranged, the housing comprises a channel (13c, 28') coaxial with the rotation axis (D), which connects the first space region (RB1) in communication with the ambient atmosphere of the separation device (5, 5').

15. The separation device (5, 5') according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising an additional port (33) on the housing (Gl, G2) for coupling to a pressure reservoir for directly applying, via the additional port (33), a pressure provided by the pressure reservoir to the first housing region (Bl).

16. The separating device (5, 5') according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein The through-holes of the first group (11a) and / or the second group (lib) are formed with different sizes.

17. The separating device (5, 5') according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein The through-holes of the first group (11a) are further divided into subgroups of through-holes, each subgroup having the same size, and the through-holes of different subgroups having different sizes.

18. The separation device (5, 5') according to claim 17, further comprising a mask mounted rotatably fixed to the separation element (7, 7b) and configured for adjustably selecting through-holes of a certain size, such that other unselected through-holes are covered by the mask on the separation element (7, 7b) with respect to the first space region (RB1).

19. The separating device (5, 5') according to claim 18 and 10, wherein, The mask is formed by the recess (K6) of the bell-shaped element (8, 8b) formed in the bell-shaped element (8, 8b) such that only one or more selected through-holes of the first group (11a) are enclosed by the bell-shaped element (8, 8b) in the first space region (RB1).

20. The separating device (5, 5') according to claim 18, wherein The mask has at least one through-hole having a size greater than or equal to the size of the through-hole of the separation element having the largest size.

21. The separating device (5, 5') according to any one of claims 18 to 20, further comprising a plurality of braking elements (7pi, 7p2, 7p3, 7p4, 8p), wherein, The mask and the separation element (7, 7b) each have a group of mutually engaging braking elements of the plurality of braking elements (7pl, 7p2, 7p3, 7p4, 8p), and the mechanical coupling between the mask and the separation element (7, 7b) is achieved by causing the braking elements from the two groups to engage each other in a selected orientation of the mask with respect to the separation element (7, 7b).

Images