Arrangement for an agricultural spreading machine for spreading a granular material and agricultural spreading machine

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for an agricultural spreading machine for applying a granular material, comprising: a storage container (1) with a receiving chamber (2) for receiving a granular material; a metering device (6) arranged in a lower container section (4) of the storage container (1) and / or below the storage container (1) and configured to meter the granular material; and a cover (8) arranged above the metering device (6) in the receiving chamber and configured to allow the granular material to pass through to the metering device (6). The cover (8) has a sieve with a planar arrangement of sieve openings and sieve bars surrounding the sieve openings for the sieved passage of the granular material, and the sieve openings are formed with an opening area corresponding to a polygon with at least five sides.Furthermore, an agricultural distribution machine for spreading a granular material, in particular a fertilizer spreader, has been created.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement for an agricultural distribution machine for spreading a granular material and to an agricultural distribution machine. background

[0002] These agricultural spreading machines are used to distribute granular material in the field and are known, for example, as agricultural fertilizer spreaders. The granular material, such as fertilizer, is collected in a hopper and then fed to a spreading device, such as a spreading disc or similar. The granular material is fed into the hopper through an opening in the lower part of the hopper. A dispensing or metering device then applies the granular material from the hopper, allowing for controlled metering.

[0003] Document EP 3 785 512 B1 discloses an agricultural spreading machine, in particular a fertilizer spreader, which has a storage container, at least one driven metering device arranged in the lower part of the storage container, and at least one self-supporting sieve-like cover arranged above the metering device in the storage container. The sieve-like cover is made of a thermoplastic material and is formed by upright support beams and beam-like sieve elements, the height of the support beams increasing from the edge of the sieve-like cover towards the center. The sieve-like cover serves to allow the fertilizer material contained in the storage container to pass downwards towards the metering device, while filtering out foreign matter or objects, thus preventing them from reaching the metering device. Summary

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide an arrangement for an agricultural distribution machine for spreading a granular material and an agricultural distribution machine in which the granular material can be provided for spreading as efficiently and without interference as possible from a storage container in which the granular material is initially received.

[0005] To solve this problem, an arrangement for an agricultural spreading machine for applying a granular material is provided according to independent claim 1. Furthermore, an agricultural spreading machine for applying a granular material is provided according to dependent claim 15. Embodiments are the subject of dependent subclaims.

[0006] According to one aspect, an arrangement for an agricultural spreading machine for applying a granular material is provided, comprising the following: a storage container with a receiving chamber for receiving the granular material; a dispensing device arranged and configured in a lower section of the storage container and / or below the storage container to meter the granular material; and a cover arranged and configured above the metering device in the receiving chamber to allow the granular material to pass through to the metering device. The cover has a screen with a planar arrangement of screen openings and screen bars surrounding the screen openings for the sieved passage of the granular material. The screen openings are formed with an opening area corresponding to a polygon with at least five sides.

[0007] Furthermore, an agricultural distribution machine, in particular an agricultural fertilizer spreader, has been created, which has the arrangement.

[0008] The sieve's design ensures that granular material, such as fertilizer, efficiently flows from the upper section of the container to the lower section of the storage hopper and the metering unit. The design of the sieve openings as polygons with at least five sides avoids corners where the sieve wall sections meet at an angle of 90° or less. This effectively prevents the unintentional retention of granular particles or grains by the sieve.On the other hand, the proposed design of the opening surface as a polygon with at least five corners supports improved retention of foreign objects or foreign particles, since, compared to known square opening surfaces for sieve openings of known sieves, the maximum distance between opposite corners of the sieve opening can be reduced.

[0009] The dosing device can be located in an opening of the storage container in the lower section of the container and / or adjacent to it, for example, directly below the opening. The granular material exits the storage container through this opening, which may be located in the bottom of the container, to be fed to the spreading device, such as one or more spreading discs.

[0010] The storage container can have at least two sub-containers, each holding a portion of the granular material for dispensing through an opening in the lower section or area of ​​the sub-container. Each sub-container can be equipped with a dosing device. Each sub-container can also be fitted with a cover containing the sieve.

[0011] The sieve can be manufactured as an injection-molded component. The injection molding material can be a plastic and / or a metal such as aluminum or magnesium. In this or other configurations, the sieve can be manufactured as a single piece.

[0012] The planar arrangement of sieve openings can extend in a flat area, so that a flat planar arrangement of sieve openings is formed, which are surrounded by the sieve struts.

[0013] The planar arrangement of sieve openings and sieve supports can be designed to be self-supporting in the sieve.

[0014] The cover can, in various embodiments, comprise at least two sieves which are designed according to the sieve and together form the cover in the storage container or one of the sub-containers above the dosing device.

[0015] The sieve openings can be formed with an opening area corresponding to an equilateral polygon with at least five vertices. Designing the opening areas as equilateral polygons facilitates the creation of an arrangement of sieve openings in which the proportion of the opening area of ​​the sieve openings to the total area of ​​the planar arrangement is as large as possible compared to the unopened and therefore non-permeable sieve sections.

[0016] The sieve openings can have a hexagonal opening area. Providing hexagonal opening areas further optimizes the sieve's function for the efficient passage of particles or grains of the granular material and for maximizing the proportion of opening area to the total sieve area.

[0017] The screen supports can have a non-slip surface, at least partially, on the area of ​​the screen's cover surface facing away from the dosing device. In this embodiment, the screen cover can be walked on by a user. The non-slip surface facilitates safe walking on the screen. The non-slip surface can also be provided in the area of ​​a screen rim that surrounds the planar arrangement of screen openings and screen supports.

[0018] The non-slip surface can be formed on the top surface with protrusions and / or indentations on the screen ribs. For example, the screen ribs on the top surface of the screen facing away from the dosing device may have a indentation or protrusion in a central area, i.e., a rib section that is recessed or raised compared to the rib sections at the edges, which extend on opposite sides of the indentation / protrusion. A screen rib can also have more than one indentation / protrusion.

[0019] The width of the sieve webs can increase from the top surface of the sieve towards the bottom surface facing the metering device. In this embodiment of the sieve, the sieve webs taper in cross-section from the bottom surface towards the top surface. The sieve webs can have a V-shape in cross-section.

[0020] The sieve openings can be arranged in a planar configuration at an angle to the horizontal plane within the receiving space. This inclined position of the sieve, with its planar arrangement of openings and screen bars, helps to ensure that foreign objects or particles retained by the sieve collect in a lower section, making them more easily accessible to the user. For example, the planar arrangement of openings and screen bars can be inclined towards the rear of the storage container. If a standing area is provided for the user on the rear of the storage container, this facilitates access to the retained foreign objects or particles, which then collect in the lower section of the sieve on the rear of the storage container.

[0021] The screen bars can extend vertically, such that a vertically oriented passage is formed in each of the screen openings surrounded by the screen bars, particularly when the cover with the screen is in a working position. The vertically oriented passage can also be formed for the screen openings even if the planar arrangement of screen openings is inclined to the horizontal plane. The vertical orientation facilitates the efficient passage of the particles or grains of the granular material due to the force of gravity.

[0022] The sieve can have a rim surrounding the planar arrangement of sieve openings, which spans a sieve surface, and the planar arrangement of sieve openings can substantially fill the sieve surface. The rim can be formed integrally with the sieve frame, for example as an injection-molded component. The rim can completely or intermittently surround the planar arrangement of sieve openings.

[0023] The sieve can be held in a working position within the storage container by means of a sieve holding device. The sieve holding device can be designed to hold and secure the sieve, with its planar arrangement of sieve openings, in an inclined working position, in which the planar arrangement of sieve openings is inclined to the horizontal plane.

[0024] The screen holding device may have a locking device on a first wall section of the storage container, designed to secure the screen in the operating position. This locking device prevents the screen from unintentionally disengaging from the operating position during operation. However, for maintenance or other reasons, the screen can be removed from the operating position by unlocking or releasing the locking device. The locking device may be designed to hold the screen in a self-locking position once it has been moved into the operating position.

[0025] The locking device can be moved between a locked position, in which the sieve is secured in the operating position, and an unlocked position, in which the sieve can be removed from the operating position, using an operating tool. An operating tool is required to allow a user to lock and unlock the device. Therefore, the locking device can be operated without tools.

[0026] It may be provided that the locking device is held in the locked position and / or the unlocked position in a self-locking manner, for example by means of a click or latching action. In one embodiment, it is provided that the locking device is secured against unintentional changes to the respective position in the locked position and / or the unlocked position by means of a spring preload.

[0027] The locking device may include a locking element that engages through an opening in the screen when the screen is in the operating position and that is movable between the locking and unlocked positions. When the screen is in the operating position, the locking element engages through the opening in the screen, for example, an opening in the screen rim. The locking element can then engage positively in the opening.

[0028] The locking element can consist of a base plate and a top plate rotatably mounted on it, which can be moved relative to the base plate by rotating it. When the sieve is in its operating position, the base plate can be positioned in the opening of the sieve, for example, at least partially filling it in a form-fitting manner. The top plate of the locking element can be positioned outside the opening of the sieve, such that the top plate can be rotated above the sieve opening between an open and a closed position (unlocked position / locked position). In the open position, the top plate can overlap the base plate, optionally completely, so that the locking element can be inserted through the opening in the sieve or removed from the opening. If, after insertion, the top plate is then rotated relative to the base plate, the sieve can be locked (locked position).

[0029] A head or projection element can be arranged on the top side of the upper plate, designed to accommodate a tool for operating the locking device. The projection element can have a circumferential edge with openings, thus creating an open-edge design that prevents grains or particles of the granular material from unintentionally adhering to or accumulating on the projection element. The edge of the projection element can be shaped like a polygon with at least five sides, for example, a hexagon.

[0030] Components or parts of the safety device, in particular the lower plate and the upper plate, can each be manufactured as an injection-molded part made of plastic or a metal material.

[0031] A component forming the locking top plate can be housed in a casing and secured against rotation from the closed and open positions by means of spring tension, thus requiring tool operation in each case. It can be provided that a pin element connected to the top plate is rotationally fixed to the top plate or the component forming the locking top plate, and, due to spring tension, engages in a corresponding groove in both the open and closed rotational positions of the top plate, thereby securing the top plate in the respective position.

[0032] The screen holding device may have a storage device on a second wall section of the storage container, which differs from the first wall section, wherein the storage device is configured to detachably hold a section of the screen on the second wall section when the screen is in the operating position. The storage device may be configured to detachably receive or store a section of the screen edge.

[0033] The storage device may also be designed to releasably receive and hold the sieve when the sieve is removed from its operating position and placed in a non-operating position, in which the sieve rests flat against the second wall section. For this purpose, the holding device may have projecting retaining elements, which, for example, are designed to at least partially encircle a section of the sieve rim for releasable retention. Leaf-spring-like retaining elements may be provided.

[0034] The side length of the polygons with at least five vertices formed by the sieve legs can range from approximately 15 mm to approximately 50 mm, and in particular from approximately 15 mm to approximately 30 mm. In one embodiment, the side length is approximately 16 mm.

[0035] In various configurations, the sieve holding device can have one or more support elements, which may be arranged in the area of ​​the first, second, and / or a third wall section, which differs from the first and second wall sections. When the sieve is positioned for use, it rests against the support elements, particularly the sieve rim, which ensures the sieve's proper positioning. The support elements can each be manufactured as an injection-molded component from plastic or metal. The support elements can be permanently mounted to the respective wall section, for example, by means of a screw connection and / or adhesive.

[0036] In one embodiment, an arrangement for an agricultural spreading machine for applying a granular material is provided, comprising the following: a storage container with a receiving chamber for receiving the granular material; a metering device arranged and configured in a lower section of the storage container and / or below the storage container to meter the granular material; and a cover arranged and configured above the metering device in the receiving chamber to allow the granular material to pass through to the metering device. The cover has a screen with a planar arrangement of screen openings and screen bars surrounding the screen openings for the sieved passage of the granular material. The screen is secured in the receiving chamber of the storage container in a position of use by means of a screen retaining device, for example, inclined to the horizontal plane.The sieve holding device has a locking device on a first wall section of the storage container, designed to secure the sieve in the operating position. The locking device can be moved between a locking position, in which the sieve is secured in the operating position, and a final locking position, in which the sieve can be removed from the operating position, by means of an operating tool. The locking device has a locking element that engages an opening in the sieve when the sieve is in the operating position and that can be moved between the locking position and the final locking position. In this way, the further task of creating a secure arrangement for an agricultural spreading machine for applying a granular material is particularly well solved.The safety device ensures that the cover's sieve is secured against unintentional release from its operating position. This prevents the user from accidentally and unintentionally reaching into the dispensing unit, which may contain moving parts, particularly rotating components. The risk of injury is thus reduced.

[0037] The locking element can be further secured against unintentional release from the locking position and / or the end locking position by means of a spring preload. Furthermore, the aforementioned configurations can be provided for the sieve holding device individually or in any combination.

[0038] In connection with the agricultural spreading machine for applying the granular material, the embodiments disclosed above in connection with the arrangement may be provided accordingly. Description of exemplary implementations

[0039] Further examples of implementation are explained below with reference to figures in a drawing. These figures show: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a storage container for an agricultural spreading machine; Fig. 2 another schematic perspective view of the storage container for an agricultural spreading machine made of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a sieve for a cover in a storage container of an agricultural spreading machine; Fig. 4 a schematic detailed representation of a section of a sieve; Fig. 5 another schematic detail representation of a section of a sieve; Fig. 6 schematic representations of a sieve holding device on a sieve in different positions; Fig. 7 a schematic perspective view of a sieve holding device from a slant above; Fig. 8 a schematic representation of the sieve holding device Fig. 7 on average Fig. 9 a schematic perspective representation of the sieve attachment Fig. 7 from the bottom diagonal.

[0040] Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a storage container 1 for an agricultural spreading machine, in particular an agricultural fertilizer spreader. The storage container 1 is in Fig. The container is shown from above and has a receiving chamber 2 for receiving a granular material, in particular a fertilizer material. In the example shown, the storage container 1 has sub-containers 1a and 1b.

[0041] The storage container 1 is equipped with a funnel shape by means of inclined wall sections 3, which is also designed for the two sub-containers 1a, 1b. In each lower container section 4, a metering device 6 is arranged adjacent to a container opening 5, which is configured to meter granular material for application (see figure). Fig. 2) The dosing device 6 can be arranged above the container opening 5 in the storage container 1, inside the container opening 5 or below the container opening 5 outside the storage container and may, for example, be formed with a rotating dosing wheel.

[0042] Above the container opening 5 and above the metering device 6, each of the sub-containers has a cover 7 with a sieve 8. The sieve 8 serves to filter the granular material introduced into the storage container 1, allowing it to pass downwards towards the metering device 6 and retaining any foreign objects or particles that may be present in the granular material. This prevents these from adversely affecting the function of the metering device 6 and / or a spreading device (not shown) with which the granular material is then dispensed. This also prevents the container opening 4 from shifting.

[0043] According to the representation in Fig. 1 The sieve 8 is tilted to the horizontal plane, so that a lower section 9 of the sieve 8 is lowered on a back side 10 of the storage container 1.

[0044] In the illustrated position, the sieve 8 rests detachably on support components or elements 11, which, in the illustrated embodiment, are arranged in the area of ​​a first and a second wall section 12, 13. The support components 11 can be detachably or permanently attached to the associated wall section 12, 13, for example, by means of screw, adhesive, and / or rivet connections. In one embodiment, the support components 11 are each designed as a single-piece component. Manufacturing the support components 11 as injection-molded parts from plastic or metal is also possible.

[0045] In the depicted operating position, the sieve 8 is secured by a locking device 14, which is arranged on the first wall section 12. The locking device 14 can be mounted to the wall section, for example, by means of a screw, adhesive, and / or rivet connection. On the opposite second wall section 13, the sieve 8 rests with a sieve edge 15 on a support device 16, which releasably receives the sieve edge 15. The support device 16 can also be mounted to the wall section, for example, by means of a screw, adhesive, and / or rivet connection. By means of the locking device 14 and the support device 16, which form parts or components of a sieve holding device that holds and secures the sieve 8, the sieve 8 is secured in the (inclined or inclined) operating position.

[0046] As an alternative to the exemplary embodiment in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The storage container 1 can be designed with a continuous, single-piece receiving space and an associated container opening, i.e., not with the two sub-containers 1a, 1b.

[0047] According to Fig. 2. The sieve 8 of the cover 7 in the sub-container 1b is removed from its operating position (cf. position in sub-container 1a) and lies flat against the first wall section 12, supported and held by the storage device 16. The storage device 16 has projecting retaining elements 16a for this purpose, which are designed to place the sieve 8 on them or to store it releasably when it has been removed from its operating position. This allows the sieve 8, when in the Fig. It is arranged in the non-use position shown in section 2 and should be stored safely.

[0048] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the sieve 8. The sieve rim 15 surrounds a planar arrangement of sieve openings 20 and the sieve bars 21 surrounding the sieve openings 20. The sieve openings 20 have an opening area 22 with a hexagonal or six-sided shape. The length of the sides 23 of the hexagon, which are formed by the sieve bars 21 and can, for example, be of equal length, is, for example, about 20 mm to about 50 mm, in particular about 20 mm to about 40 mm, preferably about 25 mm to 35 mm. A length of about 30 mm can be provided in one embodiment.

[0049] The sieve 8 can be manufactured as an injection-molded component, in particular from plastic or metal. In this and other embodiments, the sieve supports 21 are integrally molded onto the sieve rim 15. The planar arrangement of sieve openings 20 and sieve supports 21 completely covers the area enclosed by the sieve rim 15.

[0050] The sieve edge 15 in the illustrated example has a parallelogram shape and is thus prepared for the inclined position of use in the storage container 1.

[0051] Each passage in the sieve openings 20 is oriented in a vertical direction when the sieve 8 is in the (inclined) operating position according to Fig. 1 is arranged. Then the sieve steps 21 are also arranged in a vertical direction.

[0052] Fig. 4 and Fig. Figures 5 each show a section of the sieve 8 in detail. In the area of ​​a cover surface 30, which is formed on the side of the sieve 8 facing away from the dosing device 6, the sieve struts 21 have a non-slip design, which in the example shown is as follows: Fig. 5 with a recess 31 on the sieve bridge 21. The recess can, for example, be located in the middle of the sieve bridge 21. Alternatively or additionally, a projection (not shown) can be provided on the sieve bridges 21 in the area of ​​the cover surface 30 to form anti-slip structures.

[0053] Based on the Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 to Fig. 9. Further aspects of the safety device 14 are explained below.

[0054] The locking device 14 has a lower plate or plate-shaped base component 40, which, when the sieve 8 is in the operating position, is positively engaged in an opening 41 in the sieve rim 15. A top plate or plate-shaped top component 42 is rotatably mounted on the lower plate 40 and, in the left-hand illustration, is Fig. 6 turned into a locking position such that outer sections of the top plate 42 (top and bottom) overlap with the sieve edge 15, so that the sieve 8 of the cover 7 is secured in the storage container 1 in the use position.

[0055] A projection element 43 with a rim 44 is integrally formed on the upper plate 42. The rim 44 has lateral openings 45, which prevent grains or particles of the granular material from unintentionally accumulating within the rim 44. The rim 44 has a basic hexagonal shape. The projection element 43 is designed to allow the attachment of an operating tool (not shown) to the projection element 43 in order to operate the locking device 14, i.e., to move the upper plate 42 with the projection element 43 into the locking position or an unlocking position (rotation by 90°, see right-hand illustration in [reference missing]). Fig. 6) to relocate.

[0056] Fig. 7, Fig. 8 to Fig. Figure 9 shows enlarged perspective and section views of the safety device 14. Lateral mounting webs 51 with associated fastening elements 52 are formed on a one-piece molded housing 50, which is, for example, manufactured as an injection-molded component.

[0057] On the rear side of the upper plate 42, a base component 53 extends through the lower plate 40 into the housing 50. By means of a spring force provided by a spring 54, the upper plate 42 is held in place by the rear base component 53 against displacement between the locked position and the unlocked position (see figure). Fig.6) pre-tensioned. For this purpose, a positioning pin 55 is arranged in a groove 56 on a component 57 in the respective rotational position (locking position / unlocking position), which is secured to the base component 53 on its underside by means of a screw 58. To leave the groove 56, the spring force must be overcome when moving between the rotational positions, which is why operating the locking device 14 requires the use of a suitable operating tool.

[0058] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawing can be important for the realization of the various embodiments, both individually and in any combination. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3 785 512 B1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Arrangement for an agricultural spreading machine for spreading a granular material, comprising: - a storage container (1) with a receiving chamber (2) for receiving a granular material; - a dosing device (6) which is arranged in a lower container section (4) of the storage container (1) and / or below the storage container (1) and is configured to dose the granular material; and - a cover (8) which is arranged and configured above the metering device (6) in the receiving chamber to allow the granular material to pass through to the metering device (6); wherein the cover (8) has a sieve with a planar arrangement of sieve openings (20) and sieve bars (21) surrounding the sieve openings (20) for the sieved passage of the granular material and the sieve openings (20) are formed with an opening area corresponding to a polygon with at least five corners. [2] Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by , that the sieve openings (20) are formed with an opening area corresponding to an equilateral polygon with at least five corners. [3] Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the sieve openings (20) have a hexagonal opening area. [4] Arrangement according to at least one of the claims, characterized by , that the sieve steps (21) in the area of ​​a cover surface (30) of the sieve (8) facing away from the dosing device (6) have at least a section-resistant surface. [5] Arrangement according to claim 4, characterized by , that the non-slip surface in the area of ​​the top surface (30) is formed with protrusions and / or depressions (31) on the sieve supports (21). [6] Arrangement according to at least one of the claims, characterized by, that the width of the sieve web increases from the top surface (30) of the sieve (8) towards a bottom surface of the sieve (8) facing the dosing device (6). [7] Arrangement according to at least one of the claims, characterized by , that the planar arrangement of sieve openings (20) in the receiving space (2) is arranged inclined to the horizontal plane. [8] Arrangement according to at least one of the claims, characterized by , that the sieve bars (21) extend in a vertical orientation, such that in sieve holes surrounded by the sieve bars (21) in the area of ​​the sieve openings (20) a vertically oriented passage is formed in each case. [9] Arrangement according to at least one of the claims, characterized by , that the sieve (8) has a sieve rim (15) surrounding the planar arrangement of sieve openings (20), which spans a sieve surface, and the planar arrangement of sieve openings (20) substantially completely fills the sieve surface. [10] Arrangement according to at least one of the claims, characterized by , that the sieve (8) is held in a position of use in the receiving space of the storage container (1) by means of a sieve holding device (11, 14, 16). [11] Arrangement according to claim 10, characterized by , that the sieve holding device (11, 14, 16) has a securing device (14) on a first wall section (12) of the storage container (1) which is designed to secure the sieve in the position of use. [12] Arrangement according to claim 11, characterized by , that the locking device (14) can be moved by means of an operating tool between a locking position in which the sieve (8) is secured in the operating position and an unlocking position in which the sieve (8) can be removed from the operating position. [13] Arrangement according to claim 12, characterized by, that the locking device (14) has a locking element (42) which extends through an opening (41) in the sieve (8) when the sieve (8) is in the operating position and which is movable between the locking position and the unlocking position. [14] Arrangement according to at least one of claims 10 to 13, characterized by , that the sieve holding device (11, 14, 16) has a storage device (16) on a second wall section (13) of the storage container (1), which is different from the first wall section (12), wherein the storage device (16) is configured to detachably store a section of the sieve (8) on the second wall section (13) when the sieve (8) is arranged in the operating position. [15] Agricultural distribution machine for spreading a granular material, in particular fertilizer spreader, with an arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims.

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