Agricultural spreading machine with a swiveling boom

Abstract

Agricultural spreading machine, including: - at least one storage container (2) supported by a frame (1) for receiving distribution material; - at least one metering device (3) downstream of the storage container (2); - at least one boom (6) articulated to the frame (1) and / or the storage container (2), which is pivotable between an operating position in which it extends approximately transversely to the direction of travel (F) of the distribution machine and a rest position in which the boom (6) - viewed in the direction of travel (F) of the distribution machine - is pivoted upwards and, if necessary, backwards and / or inwards; - a plurality of distribution elements (5), at least some of which are arranged at intervals from one another on the boom (6); and - a plurality of conveying lines (4) which serve to transfer the distributed material to the distribution devices (5) and of which at least outer sections (4a) of some conveying lines (4) are arranged on the boom (6), characterized in that in the area of ​​the end of the boom (6) facing the distribution machine an end section of a lever (8) is rigidly attached, wherein the opposite end section of the lever (8) is pivotably articulated to the frame (1) and / or to the storage container (2) about a pivot axis (S) which is arranged inclined with respect to the vertical at least in the direction of a vertical plane extending parallel to the direction of travel (F) of the distribution machine.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an agricultural distribution machine comprising: - at least one storage container supported by a frame for receiving distribution material; - at least one dosing device arranged downstream of the storage container; - at least one boom which is articulated on the frame and / or on the storage container and which can be pivoted between an operating position in which it extends approximately transversely to the direction of travel of the distribution machine and a rest position in which the boom - viewed in the direction of travel of the distribution machine - is pivoted upwards and optionally backwards and / or inwards; - a plurality of distribution elements, at least some of which are arranged on the boom at a distance from one another; and - a plurality of conveyor lines which serve to transfer the material to be distributed to the distribution elements and of which at least outer sections of some conveyor lines are arranged on the boom.

[0002] Generic agricultural distribution machines can be designed as lightweight attachments that can be coupled to the three-point linkage of a tractor, or as heavy-duty attachments mounted on an axle-supported trailer or a self-propelled vehicle, or as self-propelled robots or drones, particularly autonomous ones. They typically comprise a storage container supported by a frame for storing the material to be distributed, as well as at least one, usually two, laterally projecting outwardly extending boom(s) that accommodate conveyor lines or outer sections of the same that terminate at different distances from each other.In the case of agricultural spreading machines which are designed for relatively small working widths, the booms can be designed to be essentially rigid and can be pivoted back and forth between an operating position in which they extend approximately transversely to the direction of travel of the spreading machine and a rest or transport position in which the booms - viewed in the direction of travel of the spreading machine - are pivoted primarily upwards.In the case of relatively large working widths, such as approximately 18 m, 24 m, 30 m or the like, the booms can instead also comprise a plurality of pivotally connected, in turn substantially rigid, boom segments in order to pivot the respective boom back and forth between an operating position in which it extends approximately transversely to the direction of travel of the spreading machine and the unfolded boom segments are arranged substantially linearly one behind the other, and a rest or transport position in which the booms are in turn - viewed in the direction of travel of the spreading machine - pivoted primarily upwards and their boom segments are substantially folded against one another, so that the agricultural spreading machine can be transported, for example, via public roads to its place of use in the field.

[0003] If such an agricultural distribution machine is, for example, a pneumatic distribution machine for distributing powdered or particulate solids such as fertilizer, seed, lime, etc., e.g. in the form of a pneumatic fertilizer spreader, a sowing machine, a seed drill or the like, a blower is used to convey the material to be distributed held in stock in the storage container, the pressure line of which is connected, for example, to an outlet of one or more metering devices arranged downstream of the storage container, which for example comprise a controlled and / or regulated rotary-driven metering roller, and opens into a pressure distributor to which a plurality of conveying lines or an inner section thereof are connected.Transfer chambers arranged between the pressure distributor and the conveyor lines, which can expediently each be equipped with injectors comprising a nozzle and a diffuser, serve to transfer the distribution material from the dosing device to the conveyor lines in order to ensure that the desired amount of distribution material is fed into each conveyor line. The distribution material is finally conveyed pneumatically via the conveyor lines, at least some of the outer sections of which are carried by the booms, to their ends, where the distribution material is transferred to corresponding distribution elements, which are each arranged at a distance from one another on the booms. In the case of a pneumatic fertilizer spreader, the distribution elements can, for example, be designed like impact bodies, onto which the distribution material pneumatically transported in a respective conveyor line strikes and from there is deposited on the ground in an essentially fan-shaped manner.In the case of pneumatic seed drills or seed drills, the distribution elements can be formed, for example, by seed coulters or the like, which are also supplied with pneumatically transported material to be distributed via a respective conveyor line. Such a pneumatic distribution machine in the form of a pneumatic fertilizer spreader is known, for example, from DE 10 2004 030 240 A1.

[0004] If a generic agricultural distribution machine is, for example, a so-called field sprayer, one or more pumps are used to meter and convey the generally liquid distribution material, such as crop protection products, pesticides, herbicides, and the like, held in the storage container - in this case usually formed by a tank - whose delivery lines extend along a respective boom and which end at a respective distribution element, which are also arranged at a distance from one another on the booms. In this case, the distribution elements can be designed, for example, like nozzles, which spray the liquid distribution material in the respective intended distribution width.

[0005] The design of the booms, including their pivoting mechanism, is often relatively complex from a structural perspective. This mechanism is required to pivot the booms back and forth between their operating and rest positions as described above. During operation, these booms must absorb considerable loads – both static and, particularly due to the typically uneven ground – as well as dynamic loads, in particular torques. However, they should not be excessively massive in order to keep the overall weight of the agricultural distribution machine within reasonable limits. Furthermore, with regard to the pivoting mechanism of the booms, it is difficult, given the often relatively long and heavy booms, to ensure a sufficiently compact resting or transport position that does not exceed the overall width and height permitted for road transport.Since the booms in the operating position necessarily extend to the side of the storage container or the frame of the distribution machine that supports it, the maximum dimensions of the storage container are limited, which in turn means that the maximum capacity for the material to be distributed is limited.

[0006] To counteract this problem, DE 20 2020 001 692 U1 describes a generic agricultural distribution machine, the booms of which can be pivoted between an operating position in which they are arranged to the side of the storage container, viewed in the direction of travel of the distribution machine, and extend substantially transversely to the direction of travel, and a rest or transport position in which they are arranged to the rear of the storage container, viewed again in the direction of travel of the distribution machine, and extend substantially vertically upwards, so that the maximum width of the distribution machine predetermined by the width of the storage container is at least not significantly increased by the booms in the rest or transport position.For this purpose, each boom is pivotably mounted on a support frame about a horizontal pivot axis. Each support frame is pivotably mounted on the storage container or on the frame supporting it by means of a lever linkage, pivoting between an operating position to the side of the storage container and a rest or transport position at the rear of the storage container about several vertical pivot axes. While this ensures a high degree of compactness and robustness of the pivot mechanism, it is relatively complex in terms of construction due to the two support frames pivoting about several pivot axes.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of developing the pivoting mechanism of the boom(s) of an agricultural distribution machine of the type mentioned at the outset in a simple and cost-effective manner such that the pivoting mechanism has a simplified structure while at least largely avoiding the aforementioned disadvantages, but in particular is nevertheless able to ensure a compact rest or transport position of the boom in which the boom at least does not excessively increase the overall width of the distribution machine.

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved in an agricultural distribution machine of the type mentioned at the outset in that an end section of a lever is rigidly fastened in the region of the end of the boom facing the distribution machine, wherein the opposite end section of the lever is pivotally connected to the frame and / or to the storage container about a pivot axis which is arranged inclined with respect to the vertical at least in the direction of a vertical plane extending parallel to the direction of travel of the distribution machine.

[0009] The embodiment according to the invention therefore provides that the at least one boom of the distribution machine can be pivoted about a pivot axis by means of the lever which is rigidly but preferably detachably fastened to its end section. The pivot axis is arranged on the end section of the lever facing away from the boom, so that the pivoting mechanism according to the invention of a respective boom only requires a single pivot axis to pivot the boom between its lateral operating position and its rest or transport position, in which it extends substantially upwards and optionally rearwards and / or inwards. For this purpose, the pivot axis is arranged inclined with respect to the vertical, at least in the direction of a vertical plane extending parallel to the direction of travel of the distribution machine.In this context, “inclined with respect to the vertical in the direction of a vertical plane extending parallel to the direction of travel” refers to an arrangement of the pivot axis of the lever oriented at an angle other than 0° to the vertical, wherein the pivot axis has at least one extension direction component parallel to the vertical plane extending parallel to the direction of travel.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the pivot axis of the lever is offset both inwards and in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the distribution machine with respect to the boom in its operating position. In this way, the boom can be pivoted between its operating position, in which it is arranged to the side of the storage container as viewed in the direction of travel of the distribution machine and extends substantially transversely to the direction of travel, and a rest or transport position offset inwards in relation to this, in which it is arranged at the rear of the storage container as viewed in the direction of travel of the distribution machine and extends substantially upwards and, if appropriate, to the rear and / or inwards, in order to ensure a compact rest or transport position.To ensure a transport position of the boom in which it does not increase the overall width of the spreader and the latter can therefore be easily transported on public roads without exceeding the overall width and height permitted for road transport.

[0011] For this purpose, the pivot axis of the lever can be arranged offset to the rear with respect to the boom in its operating position - viewed in the direction of travel of the distributor - particularly - although not exclusively - when the agricultural distributor is an attachment which can be picked up by a conventional three-point power lift of a tractor, such as a tractor, wherein the pivot axis of the boom can be arranged at a distance behind the storage container, in particular - again viewed in the direction of travel of the distributor.

[0012] In addition, the pivot axis of the lever can in this context - viewed in the direction of travel of the distributor - preferably be arranged inclined from the rear bottom to the front top.

[0013] While the pivot axis of the lever attached to the boom can in principle be arranged more or less precisely within a vertical plane extending parallel to the direction of travel, it can instead also be provided that the pivot axis of the lever is arranged inclined with respect to the vertical both in the direction of a vertical plane extending parallel to the direction of travel of the distribution machine and in the direction of a vertical plane extending perpendicular to the direction of travel of the distribution machine. In this context, “inclined with respect to the vertical in the direction of a vertical plane extending perpendicular to the direction of travel” refers to an arrangement of the pivot axis of the lever oriented at an angle other than 0° to the vertical, wherein the pivot axis has at least one extension direction component parallel to the vertical plane extending perpendicular to the direction of travel, i.e.In this case, the pivot axis of the lever fixed to the boom, which is inclined relative to the vertical, has both an extension direction component parallel to the vertical plane extending parallel to the direction of travel and an extension direction component parallel to the vertical plane extending perpendicular to the direction of travel.

[0014] In this context, the pivot axis of the lever can - viewed in the direction of travel of the distributor - preferably be arranged inclined with respect to the vertical both from the rear bottom to the front top and from the inside bottom to the outside top, i.e. from the rear bottom inside to the front top outside.

[0015] The pivot axis of the lever can preferably be arranged inclined by an angle between approximately 10° and approximately 70°, in particular between approximately 15° and approximately 65°, preferably between approximately 20° and approximately 60°, with respect to the vertical in order to pivot the boom in the manner described above between its operating position and its rest or transport position.

[0016] According to a structurally advantageous embodiment, the pivot axis of the lever can be arranged on a bearing part, which can be fastened, in particular, detachably, e.g., by means of screws, bolts, or the like, to the frame and / or to the storage container of the distribution machine. The bearing part can, for example, be designed essentially in the form of a U-profile, in which the U-web serves to mount the bearing part to the frame and / or to the storage container of the distribution machine, while a pivot pin forming the pivot axis is arranged between the two U-legs of the U-profile of the bearing part.

[0017] The bearing part carrying the pivot axis of the lever can be mounted, for example, on a support bracket of the frame and / or the storage container of the distribution machine, wherein the support bracket in particular has a normal vector which is inclined with respect to the horizontal and which extends obliquely upwards, for example at an angle between approximately 10° and approximately 70°, in particular between approximately 15° and approximately 65°, preferably between approximately 20° and approximately 60°, for example between approximately 20° and approximately 50°. The normal vector of the support bracket used to mount the bearing part can, for example, be arranged essentially in the direction of a vertical plane extending parallel to the direction of travel of the distribution machine, or can, for example, also extend obliquely from the bottom inside to the top outside.The support bracket can, for example, have a plurality of fastening devices, such as holes or the like, in order to be able to fix the bearing part carrying the pivot axis according to the desired rest or transport position of the boom at the corresponding angle of the pivot axis of the lever, without having to change the structural design of the support bracket as a whole.

[0018] Furthermore, in this context, it can be provided that the end section of the lever facing away from the boom is fastened to a mounting flange of a lever bracket which is pivotally mounted on the pivot axis of the bearing part in order to ensure easy assembly and disassembly of the pivot mechanism.

[0019] In this case, it can also prove advantageous if the mounting flange of the lever bracket is arranged at an angle with respect to the pivot axis of the bearing part, i.e. the extension plane of the mounting flange of the lever bracket is arranged at an angle other than 0°, e.g. between approximately 3° and approximately 30°, in particular between approximately 5° and approximately 25°, preferably between approximately 10° and approximately 20°, with respect to the pivot axis of the bearing part or of the lever mounted thereon by means of the lever bracket. In this way, it is possible to mount the lever bracket on the pivot axis of the bearing part in two different ways - or more precisely: with two different orientations of its mounting flange with respect to the pivot axis of the bearing part or of the lever - and in this case, in particular in conjunction with the above-mentioned adjustable fastening of the bearing part to the support bracket of the distributor machine, to achieve the desired resting or moving position.To be able to adjust the transport position of the boom without having to change the design of the lever including the lever console as a whole.

[0020] With regard to at least some of the conveyor lines of the distribution machine, the outer sections of which are carried by the boom which can be pivoted by means of the lever, it can be provided in an advantageous embodiment that at least some of the conveyor lines are designed in several parts, wherein an outer section of the conveyor lines with the distribution elements assigned to them is carried by the boom and an inner section of the conveyor lines is arranged on the frame of the distribution machine, wherein the outer sections of the conveyor lines carried by the boom have an outer connecting piece at their ends facing away from the distribution elements (inner ends facing the frame of the distribution machine), by means of which they can each be connected to an inner connecting piece of the inner sections of the conveyor lines when the boom is in its operating position.Accordingly, when the boom is in its operating position, the outer sections of the conveyor lines arranged on the boom are connected to the inner connecting pieces of the inner sections of the conveyor lines via their outer connecting pieces, whereas the outer sections of the conveyor lines arranged on the boom are separated from their inner sections when the boom is in its rest or transport position pivoted upwards and, if applicable, backwards and / or inwards.

[0021] The outer connecting pieces of the conveyor lines can be connected, preferably automatically, to the inner connecting pieces when the boom is pivoted into its operating position and / or can be detachable from the inner connecting pieces when the boom is pivoted away from its operating position, which can be done, for example, by means of suitable, mutually complementary seals which are arranged on the inner or outer connecting pieces.

[0022] The inner connecting pieces of the inner sections of the conveyor lines can, for example, be arranged on a connecting bracket, which can preferably also serve as an abutment for the boom when the boom is in its operating position and then, for example, abuts against the connecting bracket with its front side.

[0023] While the boom can in principle have any structural design known as such from the prior art, with a view to a very simple and cost-effective, and in particular lightweight, design, the boom can preferably have at least one pair of support elements which non-positively accommodate at least some of the outer sections of the conveyor lines arranged on the boom and are releasably fastened to one another under mechanical preload against the outer sections of the conveyor lines. In this case, the outer sections of the conveyor lines arranged on the boom are clamped in a non-positive or frictional manner between the at least one pair of support elements of the boom, so that the (outer) conveyor line sections carried by the boom are held on the boom in a manner protected against both axial displacement and twisting or torsion.The support elements of a pair are releasably fastened to one another under mechanical preload against the outer sections of the conveyor lines. This can conveniently be done using conventional fastening devices such as screws, bolts or the like in order to set the desired clamping forces. This not only results in a very simple construction of the boom, which eliminates the need for additional guide devices for the conveyor lines that would have to be mounted on the support elements, but the boom can also be very easily installed without any gluing, welding or riveting processes. The conveyor lines can be very easily replaced, for example in the event of wear, by simply dismantling the support elements of the boom to remove the conveyor lines, fitting them with new conveyor lines and then clamping them together again so that the new conveyor lines are held in place with a force-fit connection.Nevertheless, a boom constructed in this way has a high level of strength and rigidity and thus sufficient stability to absorb the forces and torques acting during operation of the distribution machine, with the outer sections of the conveyor lines braced between the supporting elements of the boom being able to contribute to stiffening the boom.

[0024] The support elements of the boom can expediently be provided with recesses on their mutually facing sides, which are substantially complementary to the outer circumference of the outer sections of the conveyor lines accommodated between the support elements, in order to reliably hold the outer sections of the conveyor lines in their intended position and to ensure a high frictional engagement along a respective circumferential section of the outer sections of the conveyor lines that is in contact with the recesses. Furthermore, the recesses of the support elements of the boom can be provided, for example, with friction-increasing structures, such as in the form of toothings, which extend along the recesses of the support elements of the boom that are in contact with a respective conveyor line.According to an advantageous embodiment, with a view to achieving a very lightweight construction of the support elements of the boom, it can be provided that the support elements are formed from sheet metal plates, of which at least two opposite edges are formed from the plate plane, each with recesses that are essentially complementary to the outer circumference of the outer sections of the conveyor lines, at an angle of between approximately 45° and approximately 135°, in particular of essentially 90°, to form an outer support web for each of the outer sections of the conveyor lines. This also results in very simple production of the support elements of the boom - in this case each formed as a single piece - by cutting each support element out of a sheet metal plate, e.g. by means of laser cutting, water jet cutting or the like, after which the two opposite edges are each formed to form one of the outer support webs.

[0025] In order to ensure high strength and rigidity of the boom, it may also be advantageous if the outer sections of the conveyor lines arranged on the boom are designed to be dimensionally stable, wherein they can preferably be made of a fiber-reinforced plastic material, but also of any other materials, such as light metal or the like.

[0026] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of an agricultural distribution machine according to the invention for spreading powdered or particulate material to be distributed in the form of a pneumatic distribution machine, such as a pneumatic fertilizer spreader, which in the present case is designed in the manner of an autonomously self-propelled distribution robot, with its booms in the operating position; Fig. 2 a schematic plan view of the distribution machine according to Fig. 1 from above with the booms in the operating position; Fig. 3 a schematic perspective detailed view of one of the booms of the distribution machine in the operating position according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 including the frame and the storage container carried thereby; Fig. 4 one essentially of the Fig. 3 corresponding detailed view of the distribution machine according to Fig. 1 to 3 to illustrate the pivoting mechanism of the boom in the operating position with the lever attached thereto which can be pivoted about a pivot axis; Fig. 5 a schematic detailed view of the lever attached to the boom of the distribution machine according to Fig. 1 to 4 to illustrate the articulation of the lever around its pivot axis; Fig. 6 one essentially of the Fig. 1 corresponding schematic perspective view of the distributor with its booms in a rest position; Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective detail view of the lever of one of the devices in the operating position according to Fig. 1 to 5 located boom of the distribution machine according to Fig. 1 to 6; Fig. 8 one essentially of the Fig. 7 corresponding schematic perspective detail view of the lever of one of the in the rest position according to Fig. 6 located boom of the distribution machine according to Fig. 1 to 6; Fig. 9 a schematic perspective view of one of the booms of the distribution machine according to Fig. 1 to 8 with the lever attached to it; Fig. 10 a schematic plan view of the boom according to Fig. 9 from the top; Fig. 11 a schematic perspective detailed view of the boom according to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 in the region of its end facing the distribution machine with the end section of the lever attached thereto; Fig. 12 is a schematic perspective detailed view of a first support element of a first pair of support elements forming the boom; Fig. 13 a schematic perspective detailed view of the boom according to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 in the area of ​​its end facing away from the distribution machine; Fig. 14 is a schematic perspective detailed view of a second support element of a second pair of support elements forming the boom; Fig. 15 a schematic perspective exploded view of the end of the boom facing away from the distribution machine according to Fig. 9 to 14; Fig. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of an agricultural distribution machine according to the invention for spreading powdered or particulate material in the form of a pneumatic distribution machine, such as a pneumatic fertilizer spreader, which in the present case is designed in the manner of an attachment, with its booms in a rest position, viewed obliquely from the front; Fig. 17 a schematic perspective view of the distribution machine according to Fig. 16 with its outriggers in the rest position, viewed obliquely from behind; Fig. 18 a schematic perspective detail view of one of the booms of the distribution machine in the operating position according to Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 including the frame and the storage container carried thereby; Fig. 19 one essentially of the Fig. 18 corresponding detailed view of the distribution machine according to Fig. 16 to 18 to illustrate the pivoting mechanism of the boom in the operating position with the lever attached thereto which can be pivoted about a pivot axis; Fig. 20 a schematic detailed view of the lever attached to the boom of the distribution machine according to Fig. 16 to 19 to illustrate the articulation of the lever around its pivot axis; Fig. 21 is a schematic perspective detail view of the lever of one of the in the operating position according to Fig. 18 and Fig. 19 located boom of the distribution machine according to Fig. 16 to 20; and Fig. 22 one essentially of the Fig. 21 corresponding schematic perspective detail view of the lever of one of the in the rest position according to Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 located boom of the distribution machine according to Fig. 16 to 21

[0027] In the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 6 is an embodiment of an agricultural distribution machine - here in the form of a pneumatic distribution machine for spreading powdered or particulate material, such as fertilizer, seed or the like - in the form of an autonomous, self-propelled distribution robot, which is equipped, for example, with a position detection system, such as GPS or the like, and is capable of spreading the material on an agricultural area according to a target distribution quantity per unit area stored on an application map. The distribution machine has a storage container 2, carried by a frame 1, for receiving the material to be distributed, which in the present case has, for example, two separate container parts 2a, 2b, which each taper inwards in the lower area to form a ground depression (cf. in particular the Fig. 2), which each have an outlet opening on both sides of the longitudinal axis of a respective container part 2a, 2b of the storage container 2 (not shown in detail in the drawings). Downstream of the latter, a dosing element 3 is arranged in each case, which is also not shown in detail in the drawings and which can, for example, have a dosing roller with a plurality of independently rotationally driven dosing roller segments, as is known as such, for example, from WO 2018 / 219489 A1, and which each supplies a plurality of conveyor lines 4 with the metered distribution material. The conveyor lines 4 serve to transfer the metered distribution material to a respective distribution element 5, which in the present case are designed in the manner of impact bodies, as are known as such, for example, from EP 4 056 013 A1.While in the present embodiment some inner distribution elements 5 arranged in the area of ​​the lane are fixed to the frame 1 of the distribution machine, a plurality of outer distribution elements 5 are arranged at a distance from one another on arms 6, the structure of which is described further below with reference to the . Fig. 9 to 14 are explained in detail. Of the conveyor lines 4, which supply the distribution elements 5 arranged on the booms 6 with distribution material, at least outer sections 4a thereof are also arranged on a respective boom 6. The outer conveyor line sections 4a received by the booms 6 end at different distances from the longitudinal axis of the distribution machine on the distribution elements 5 in order to distribute the flow of distribution material emerging from the respective conveyor line sections 4a into adjacently arranged surface areas on the ground.

[0028] As can be seen from the Fig. 1 to 4, a respective boom 6 in its operating position extends outwards on both sides of the distribution machine to the side of the storage container 2 essentially transversely or perpendicularly to the direction of travel F, while in a rest or transport position (cf. the Fig. 6) in the present case - again viewed in the direction of travel F of the distribution machine - extends obliquely upwards and backwards and is arranged in particular behind the storage container 2 in order not to increase the width of the distribution machine and thus to ensure easy transfer over public roads.

[0029] As can be seen from the Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. 6, a blower 7 is arranged on the frame 1 of the distribution machine, which blower serves to generate an air flow for transporting the distribution material dosed by the dosing elements 3 through the conveying lines 4 and, for reasons of space, is arranged, for example, behind the storage container 2. A pressure line of the blower 7, not shown for reasons of illustration, has an outlet assigned to each dosing element 3 (also not shown in the drawing), which opens upstream of a respective dosing element 100 into a respective air distributor (also not shown in the drawing) in order to distribute the compressed air among the number of conveying lines 4 assigned to each dosing element 3.Immediately downstream of each air distributor, each conveyor line 4 is assigned a transfer chamber (also not visible in the drawing), which can be equipped in the usual way with an injector comprising a nozzle and a diffuser (not shown), and into which the metered distribution material is transferred from the respective metering element 3. In order to ensure very fine section control and to be able to supply each conveyor line 4 independently of one another with the desired mass flow of distribution material, a respective metering element 3 can - as mentioned above - comprise a metering roller with a plurality of independently rotationally driven metering roller segments, wherein a respective metering roller segment supplies a respective conveyor line 4 with the distribution material metered thereby.

[0030] In order to move a respective boom 6 between its operating position according to the Fig. 1 to 4 and its rest or transport position according to the Fig. 6, a following with reference to the Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, a very simple and cost-effective, but nevertheless robust swivel mechanism is provided, which comprises only a single swivel axis S of each boom 6. As is particularly evident in the Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, for this purpose, an end section of a lever 8 is rigidly fastened in the region of the end of a respective boom 6 facing the distribution machine, wherein the end section of the respective lever 8 in the present exemplary embodiment comprises a boom flange 9 in order to be able to fasten it detachably to the boom 6, e.g. by means of screws, bolts or the like. The opposite end section of a respective lever 8 facing away from a respective boom 6 is pivotally connected to the frame 1 of the distribution machine about the respective pivot axis S, which is arranged inclined with respect to the vertical essentially in the direction of a vertical plane extending parallel to the direction of travel F of the distribution machine, wherein in the present case it extends at an angle of approximately 25° with respect to the vertical - viewed in the direction of travel F of the distribution machine - from the rear bottom to the front top.In addition, a respective pivot axis S of a respective lever 8 is pivoted relative to the lever 8 in its operating position (cf. Fig. 1 to 4) are arranged both to the rear and to the inside at a distance behind the storage container 2, viewed in the direction of travel F of the distribution machine.

[0031] As well as the Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. As can be seen from Figure 8, the frame 1 of the distribution machine has, for the purpose of pivotably fastening a respective boom 6 to the frame 1 about a respective pivot axis S, in the present embodiment, a support bracket 10 assigned to the respective lever 8 of a respective boom 6, which has a normal vector inclined with respect to the horizontal, e.g., at an angle between approximately 20° and approximately 30°, wherein the normal vector of a respective support bracket 10 in the present case extends, for example, obliquely from the bottom inside to the top outside. The support brackets 10 are provided with several fastening devices - here in the form of bores - in order to releasably fasten a bearing part 11 supporting the pivot axis S of a respective boom 6 thereto by means of screws, bolts, or the like at the desired inclination of the pivot axis S with respect to the vertical, depending on the desired rest position of the boom 6. As best shown in the Fig. 5, a respective bearing part 11 has, for example, essentially the shape of a U-profile, the U-leg of which is detachably fastened to a respective support bracket 10 of the frame 1 and between whose U-webs a pivot pin is arranged which forms the respective pivot axis S and extends, for example, approximately parallel to the U-web of the bearing part. A lever bracket 12 is pivotally mounted on the pivot pin of the bearing part 11 forming the pivot axis S. This lever bracket 12 has a mounting flange 13 for the detachable fastening, for example again by means of screws, bolts or the like, of the end of the lever 8 facing away from the boom 6. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing, the mounting flange 13 of the lever bracket 12 is arranged inclined with respect to the pivot axis S of the bearing part 11, for example at an angle of approximately 15°, which in turn opens up the possibility of setting the desired rest orTransport position of the boom 6 can be adjusted while maintaining the necessary operating position, in that the lever console 12 can be mounted in two different ways on the pivot pin of the bearing part 11 forming the pivot axis S by rotating it through 180° so that its mounting flange 13 can point in two different directions.

[0032] In order to protect the outer sections 4a of the conveyor lines 4 arranged on a respective boom 6, which in the rest or transport position of a respective boom 6 (cf. Fig. 6) relatively far from the operating position of the boom 6 (see the Fig. 1 to 4) are pivoted away, in a simple manner with the pneumatic conveying system of the distribution machine, the embodiment shown in the drawing provides that the conveying lines 4 leading to a respective boom 6 are designed in several parts, wherein an outer section 4a of the conveying lines 4 with the distribution elements 5 assigned to them is carried by the respective boom 6, while an inner section 4b of the conveying lines 4 (cf. in particular the Fig. 6) is arranged on the frame 1 of the distribution machine. The outer sections 4a of the conveyor lines 4 carried by the boom 6 have an outer connecting piece 4c at their ends facing away from the distribution elements 5 (see also the detailed views of the boom 6 according to the Fig. 9 to 11), by means of which they can each be connected to an inner connecting piece of the inner sections 4a of the conveyor lines 4 when the boom 6 is in its operating position, so that the outer sections 4a of the conveyor lines 4 are connected to their inner sections 4b in the operating position. The outer connecting pieces 4c of the outer sections 4a of the conveyor lines 4 can expediently be automatically connected to the inner connecting pieces when the boom 6 is pivoted into its operating position, and can be detached from the inner connecting pieces when the boom 6 is pivoted away from its operating position into its rest or transport position. The inner connecting pieces of the inner sections 4b of the conveyor lines 4 are arranged on a connecting bracket 14, which can, for example, also serve as an abutment for a respective boom 6 when the boom 6 is in its operating position.

[0033] How best to view the detailed views of the Fig. 9 to 15, a respective boom 6 has at least one - in the present case several - pairs of support elements 15a, 15b, which receive the outer sections 4a of the conveyor lines arranged on the boom 6 in a force-fitting manner between them and are releasably fastened to one another under mechanical preload against the outer sections 4a of the conveyor lines 4, e.g. by means of screws, bolts or the like, so that the outer sections 4a of the conveyor lines 4 are held clamped between the respective pairs of support elements 15a, 15b. As can be seen in particular from the Fig. 12 and Fig. 13, the support elements 15a, 15b of the boom 6 are provided on their mutually facing sides with recesses 16, which are essentially complementary to the outer circumference of the outer sections 4b of the conveyor lines 4 received between the support elements 15a, 15b and, for example, in the case of outer conveyor line sections 4 with an approximately circular cross-section, have an essentially circular arc-shaped shape. The recesses 16 of the support elements 15a, 15b are provided in the present case with friction-increasing structures, such as in the form of outwardly projecting teeth or prongs, in order to ensure increased force or frictional engagement and to prevent slipping and / or twisting of the outer conveyor line sections 4a with respect to the support elements 15a, 15b provided with the recesses.

[0034] The support elements 15a, 15b of a respective pair of support elements 15a, 15b are formed by sheet metal plates, the plate plane of which extends in particular essentially in a horizontal plane on the one hand above, and on the other hand below the outer sections 4a of the conveyor lines 4, wherein the upper and lower support elements 15a, 15b of a respective pair of support elements 15a, 15b are designed, for example, mirror-symmetrically. As can be seen in particular from the detailed views of the Fig. 12 and Fig. 14, which each show a support element 15a, 15b of a pair of support elements 15a, 15b, two opposite edges with the recesses 16 complementary to the outer circumference of the outer sections 4a of the conveyor lines 4 are formed at an angle of approximately 90° to form an outer support web 17 of the outer sections 4a of the conveyor lines 4 from the plate plane.

[0035] In the case of the supporting elements 15a of the Fig. 12, which extend in pairs over an inner length section of the respective boom 6 facing the distribution machine (see also the Fig. 3, 4, 9 to 11 and 16 to 19), the support elements 15a formed from sheet metal plates are provided with at least one - in the present case with two - through-openings 18, which form a stiffening web 19 of the support element 15a between them. The sides of a respective through-opening 18 facing the two opposite edges, each formed into an outer support web 17, are formed at an angle of approximately 90° from the plate plane to form an inner support web 20 of the outer sections 4a of the conveyor lines 4 and are provided with further recesses 16 that are essentially complementary to the outer circumference of the outer sections 4a of the conveyor lines 4, so that a respective outer conveyor line section 4a supported by the pair of support elements 15a is held force-fittingly between the support elements 15a at a total of four clamping areas.

[0036] In contrast to the pair of support elements 15a arranged on an inner length section of the respective boom 6 facing the distribution machine, the support elements 15b serve the Fig. 14 for the force-locking fixing of only some, e.g. two, outer conveyor line sections 4a and several pairs of support elements 15b are arranged for this purpose in pairs on at least one or more sections of the respective boom 6 remote from the distribution mesh. They extend in comparison with the support elements 15a of the Fig. 12 only over a short length of the outer conveyor line sections 4a in order to clamp them in position. This is possible because, in the present embodiment, the outer sections 4a of the conveyor lines 4 arranged on a respective boom 6 are dimensionally stable and are made, for example, of a fiber-reinforced plastic material, so that they are self-supporting and do not require support over their entire length.

[0037] Like the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 and in particular the exploded view of the Fig. As can be seen from Figure 15, in the illustrated embodiment, a support 20 extending in the longitudinal direction of the respective boom 6 is releasably secured, e.g. by means of screws, to the outer pair of support elements 15b of the respective boom 6. This support comprises, on the one hand, a collision protection plate 21 and, on the other hand, a guide sleeve 22 fastened thereto for the longest outer conveyor line section 4a. Mounted on the guide sleeve 22 is a terminal elbow 23 of this conveyor line section 4a, to which the distribution element 5 is in turn fastened. The remaining distribution elements 5 can be fixed in a corresponding manner to corresponding terminal bends 23 of the outer sections 4a of the conveyor lines 4 arranged on a respective boom 6, wherein the bends 23 can be fastened, preferably detachably, to the support elements 15a, 15b of the respective boom 6 and / or to the outer end of a respective outer conveyor line section 4a.

[0038] In the Fig. 16 to 22, a further embodiment of an agricultural distribution machine - here in the form of a pneumatic distribution machine for spreading powdered or particulate material, such as fertilizer, seeds or the like - is schematically shown, which in this case is designed in the form of an attachment that can be picked up by a three-point power lift of a tractor, such as a tractor (cf. the Fig. 17). Identical and functionally equivalent components are provided with the same reference numerals and require no further explanation. While the structural design of the boom 6 of the distribution machine is in accordance with the Fig. 16 to 22 are largely identical to the ones described above Fig. 9 to 15, the storage container 2 carried by the frame 1 is in this case designed, for example, in one piece and comprises two container sections tapering downwards in an approximately funnel-shaped manner, to which in turn an outlet opening (not visible) is connected, downstream of which a respective dosing element 3 and finally the pneumatic conveying system of the distribution machine described above is arranged.

[0039] While the Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 shown operating position of the boom 6 of the distribution machine of the Fig. 16 to 22 of the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 8, the rest or transport position differs from this in particular in that the booms 6 are pivoted against the rear wall of the storage container 2 and extend primarily upwards and, in the present embodiment, also slightly inwards, but practically not backwards, in order to ensure a high compactness of the distribution machine in the rest or transport position of the booms 6.In order to achieve this, a respective pivot axis S of the lever 8 of a respective boom 6 is in this case arranged inclined with respect to the vertical both in the direction of a vertical plane extending parallel to the direction of travel F of the distribution machine and in the direction of a vertical plane extending perpendicular to the direction of travel F of the distribution machine, wherein a respective pivot axis S - viewed in the direction of travel F of the distribution machine - extends from the rear bottom inside to the front top outside, so that an angle of inclination of a respective pivot axis S with respect to the vertical of, for example, a total of approximately 50° results. A respective pivot axis S is hereby still arranged offset both to the rear and inwards with respect to the boom 6 in its operating position - viewed in the direction of travel F of the distribution machine - at a distance behind the storage container 2. As can be seen in particular from the . Fig. 21 and Fig. 22, the bearing part 11 carrying the pivot axis S of a respective boom 6 is for this purpose connected to other fastening devices of the respective - compared to the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 15 identical - support bracket 10 of the frame 1 as in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 is the case, so that the aforementioned inclination of the pivot axis S of the bearing part 11 from the rear bottom inside to the front top outside results at an angle of approximately 50° to the vertical. As further shown in the Fig. 21 and Fig. 22, but also from the Fig. 20, in order to maintain the required operating position of a respective boom 6, the - compared to the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 15 identical - lever bracket 12 of the lever 8 in a position opposite the Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig.8 is mounted in a different way on the pivot pin of the bearing part 11 forming the pivot axis S, in that the lever bracket 12 is mounted on the pivot pin of the bearing part 11 rotated by 180°, so that the mounting flange 12, to which the end of the lever 8 facing away from the boom 6 is fastened, does not point obliquely downwards, but obliquely upwards.

[0040] Furthermore, in both embodiments shown in the drawings, the booms 6 can be pivoted between their operating position and their rest or transport position either manually or, in particular, by motor, such as by means of electric or pneumatic cylinders (not shown), as is known as such from the prior art. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2004 030 240 A1

[0003] DE 20 2020 001 692 U1

[0006] WO 2018 / 219489 A1

[0027] EP 4 056 013 A1

[0027]

Claims

[1] Agricultural spreading machine, comprising: - at least one storage container (2) carried by a frame (1) for receiving distribution material; - at least one dosing device (3) arranged downstream of the storage container (2); - at least one boom (6) which is articulated on the frame (1) and / or on the storage container (2) and which can be pivoted between an operating position in which it extends approximately transversely to the direction of travel (F) of the distribution machine and a rest position in which the boom (6) - viewed in the direction of travel (F) of the distribution machine - is pivoted upwards and optionally backwards and / or inwards; - a plurality of distribution elements (5), at least some of which are arranged on the boom (6) at a distance from one another; and - a plurality of conveyor lines (4) which serve to transfer the material to be distributed to the distribution elements (5) and of which at least outer sections (4a) of some conveyor lines (4) are arranged on the boom (6), characterized by in that an end section of a lever (8) is rigidly fastened in the region of the end of the boom (6) facing the distribution machine, the opposite end section of the lever (8) being pivotably connected to the frame (1) and / or to the storage container (2) about a pivot axis (S) which is arranged inclined with respect to the vertical at least in the direction of a vertical plane extending parallel to the direction of travel (F) of the distribution machine. [2] Distributor according to claim 1, characterized bythat the pivot axis (S) of the lever (8) is offset in relation to the boom (6) in its operating position both inwards and in a direction parallel to the direction of travel (F) of the distributor. [3] Distributor according to claim 2, characterized by that the pivot axis (S) of the lever (8) is arranged offset to the rear with respect to the boom (6) in its operating position - viewed in the direction of travel of the distribution machine -, wherein the pivot axis (S) of the boom (6) is arranged in particular - again viewed in the direction of travel of the distribution machine - at a distance behind the storage container (2). [4] Distributor according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the pivot axis (S) of the lever (8) - viewed in the direction of travel of the distributor - is arranged inclined from the rear bottom to the front top. [5] Distributor according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized bythat the pivot axis (S) of the lever (8) is arranged inclined with respect to the vertical both in the direction of a vertical plane extending parallel to the direction of travel (F) of the distribution machine and in the direction of a vertical plane extending perpendicular to the direction of travel (F) of the distribution machine. [6] Distributor according to claim 5, characterized by that the pivot axis (S) of the lever (8) - viewed in the direction of travel (F) of the distributor - is arranged inclined from the rear bottom inside to the front top outside. [7] Distributor according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the pivot axis (S) of the lever (8) is arranged inclined by an angle between 10° and 70°, in particular between 15° and 65°, preferably between 20° and 60°, with respect to the vertical. [8] Distributor according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the pivot axis (S) of the lever (8) is arranged on a bearing part (11) which is in particular detachably fastened to the frame (1) and / or to the storage container (2) of the distribution machine. [9] Distributor according to claim 8, characterized by that the bearing part (11) carrying the pivot axis (S) of the lever (8) is mounted on a support bracket (10) of the frame (1) and / or the storage container (2) of the distribution machine, wherein the support bracket (10) in particular has a normal vector inclined with respect to the horizontal. [10] Distributor according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that the end section of the lever (8) facing away from the boom (6) is fastened to a mounting flange (13) of a lever bracket (12) which is pivotally mounted on the pivot axis (S) of the bearing part (11). [11] Distributor according to claim 10, characterized bythat the mounting flange (13) of the lever bracket (12) is arranged inclined with respect to the pivot axis (S) of the bearing part (11). [12] Distributor according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by in that at least some conveyor lines (4) are designed in several parts, wherein an outer section (4a) of the conveyor lines (4) with the distribution elements (5) assigned to them is carried by the boom (6) and an inner section (4b) of the conveyor lines (4) is arranged on the frame (1) of the distribution machine, wherein the outer sections (4a) of the conveyor lines (4) carried by the boom (6) have an outer connecting piece (4c) at their ends facing away from the distribution elements (5), by means of which they can each be connected to an inner connecting piece of the inner sections (4b) of the conveyor lines (4) when the boom (6) is in its operating position. [13] Distributor according to claim 12, characterized bythat the outer connecting pieces (4c) of the outer sections (4a) of the conveying lines (4), in particular automatically, - can be connected to the inner connecting pieces when the boom (6) is pivoted into its operating position, and / or - are detachable from the inner connecting pieces when the boom (6) is pivoted away from its operating position. [14] Distributor according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by that the inner connecting pieces are arranged on a connecting console (14) which in particular also serves as an abutment for the boom (6) when the boom (6) is in its operating position. [15] Distributor according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized bythat the boom (6) has at least one pair of support elements (15a, 15b) which frictionally accommodate at least some of the outer sections (4a) of the conveyor lines (4) arranged on the boom (6) between them and are detachably fastened to one another under mechanical preload against the outer sections (4a) of the conveyor lines (4). [16] Distributor according to claim 15, characterized by that the support elements (15a, 15b) of the boom (6) are formed from sheet metal plates, of which at least two opposite edges are provided with recesses (16) that are essentially complementary to the outer circumference of the outer sections (4a) of the conveyor lines (4) and are formed from the plate plane at an angle between 45° and 135°, in particular of essentially 90°, to form an outer support web (17) of the outer sections (4a) of the conveyor lines (4). [17] Distributor according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized bythat the outer sections (4a) of the conveyor lines (4) arranged on the boom (6) are dimensionally stable, wherein they are made in particular from a fiber-reinforced plastic material.

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